At this moment, in the Honkai: Star Rail exchange channel—
[Jing Yuan]: What happened?
[Silver Wolf]: The Astral Express got wiped in one go?
[Seele]: They actually dared to eliminate the Astral Express… I'll avenge them.
Seele had always held the Astral Express crew in high regard. Seeing them get wiped out so cleanly, she immediately declared her intent to take revenge.
As for whether she could win?
Two Red Dragons,
21 Manticore,
40 Minotaurs,
15 Medusa Queens,
71 Beholders.
Now tell her—how was she supposed to lose?
At this point, aside from Bronya, she was easily among the strongest players on the field. As for where all that strength came from… well, most of it had been gifted by Bronya.
Twenty-one Manticores.
Sixth-tier units.
While other players were still struggling to get their sixth-tier units into single digits, Seele had already stepped firmly into double digits.
[Yukong]: Do not act alone.
[Seele]: I know. Anyone nearby, regroup with me—we'll deal with Hu Tao together.
She wasn't reckless. Hu Tao was clearly a massive threat.
[Gepard]: I'm coming.
[Serval]: Me too.
[Lynx]: I… I'll come as well.
The Astral Express had once saved Belobog.
For them, even if it cost their lives, they'd help reclaim that honor.
[Huo Huo]: Star and the others… they've been eliminated?
[Hanya]: There are many players. Encounters are frequent. Being eliminated is not unusual.
[Huo Huo]: Oh… Star was joking around with me just a little while ago. I didn't expect…
Huo Huo felt a little down.
She'd just spoken with the Astral Express crew not long ago—laughing and chatting—and now she was hearing this news.
[Jing Yuan]: Huo Huo… when exactly did you see Star and the others?
[Huo Huo]: R–Reporting to General… it wasn't long ago.
[Jing Yuan]: No need to be nervous. Can you recall the exact time?
[Huo Huo]: Um… about… about ten minutes ago.
She thought carefully before confirming the time.
[Bronya]: !!!!!!!!!!!
[Sunday]: !!!!!!!!!!!
[Jing Yuan]: Ten minutes?!
[Huo Huo]: Wh-what's wrong?
She was confused.
It was just ten minutes—why was everyone reacting like this?
[Herta]: Then why are you still there?! RUN—WAITING TO BE SLAUGHTERED?!
[Huo Huo]: Eh?! Eh—EH—EH—EH—EH—EH—EH!!!
It finally hit her.
If she'd seen the Astral Express only ten minutes ago…
Then that meant Hu Tao was very likely near her city right now.
"I'm doomed, I'm doomed, I'm doomed!"
Realizing this, Huo Huo panicked completely. She scrambled onto her little white horse and rushed toward the city gate. Forget about finding another city within seven days—survival came first.
"Hey, hey, hey! Why are you panicking like that?"
Tail's voice rang out. It really couldn't stand Huo Huo losing her head at the first sign of trouble.
"B–But… Hu Tao is coming to kill me!"
"So what if she is? Don't panic. Listen to me."
"O–Okay…"
Tail's calm tone steadied her nerves a little.
"Listen carefully. Now—mount your horse, leave the city, then retreat backward."
"T–That's still running away!"
Huo Huo muttered. Say it nicely all you want—this was still fleeing.
"You don't understand. This is called a strategic withdrawal."
…Fine.
If you say it's a strategic withdrawal, then it's a strategic withdrawal.
Huo Huo had already planned to run at all costs anyway. Now they were simply in agreement.
She opened the city gate—
And was greeted by two bright, cheerful smiles.
Hu Tao.
And Paimon.
"Hello~ We're here to siege your city!"
"Eeeeeek!!!"
Huo Huo shrieked and instantly retreated back inside, slamming the gate shut.
"What do I do? What do I do?!"
"Calm down. I'm still here, aren't I?"
"Now go—get up on the walls and organize a defense."
"O–Okay…"
With no other choice, Huo Huo climbed up the walls, looking down miserably at Hu Tao below.
"People inside, listen up," Hu Tao called out.
"I only want the city. Come out and surrender now. If I have to break in… there won't be a single survivor."
"R–Really?"
Huo Huo almost surrendered on the spot. This was a scenario she was very familiar with.
"She's lying to you."
Luckily, Tail stopped her in time.
"B–But if I don't surrender, she'll break in and kill everyone…"
Huo Huo felt wronged. If she didn't surrender, wasn't she just waiting to die?
"Are you stupid? You have walls right now. She might not break through. But if you walk out—she won't even need to swing her blade."
That snapped her awake.
Right—she had walls!
Walking out would just be handing herself over!
"Y–Yes! I won't go out! I won't!"
"…Sigh, you little thing."
Tail felt a headache coming on.
Without it, what would happen to this girl?
She'd probably follow anyone who spoke nicely to her.
If one day Huo Huo left its side and got kidnapped, Tail wouldn't even be surprised.
"Huh?"
Hu Tao tilted her head, surprised.
Hadn't they been talking about surrender just now? Why the sudden change of heart?
But it didn't matter.
With skeletons at her command, this city was as good as hers.
"Paimon, watch closely—I'm taking this city right now."
Giving Paimon a watch carefully look, Hu Tao initiated the siege.
The battle began again.
Standing outside and looking at Huo Huo's pitifully small garrison, Hu Tao almost felt bad bullying her.
"Last chance, Huo Huo. Surrender or not?"
"Y–You… y-you… come on then. I—I won't surrender!"
Her legs were shaking uncontrollably, but her timid voice still carried a stubborn refusal.
"Alright."
With a casual wave of her hand, the undead army appeared once more.
"Eh…????"
Huo Huo was already terrified of ghosts.
Now, staring at the sea of pale skeletons below—
Her eyes rolled back.
And she fainted on the spot.
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