"Who are you? Human or Herrscher? Are you an enemy?"
Himeko's vigilance was at its peak as she faced the figure who had used unknown means to abduct Kiana. Brandishing her greatsword, she was brimming with battle intent. But the message on the screen before her already told her that the Power Reactor wouldn't last much longer. If another Herrscher appeared, the entire crew of the Hyperion would likely perish here.
The Herrscher of Thunder was somewhat annoyed that her attacks had been ineffective and that Ryn had stolen Kiana from her. However, she didn't try to stop him. After all, Kiana was safer in Ryn's hands than in her own. If she attacked Ryn, Kiana would be harmed. This time, she would let him live.
"Tch, ants will always be ants. Even on the brink of death, you still have so much to say," the Herrscher of Thunder sneered at Himeko. Since she couldn't do anything about Ryn for now, she decided to focus on teaching Himeko, who had dared to raise her sword against her, a lesson before her energy ran out.
"Wild Flash - Susanoo!"
The Herrscher of Thunder slashed at Himeko with her hand, sending out a series of rapid strikes. Himeko found it difficult to dodge all of them completely and could only rely on the Nexus System's abundant Honkai Energy and her Valkyrie Armor to withstand the blows.
"It's over. Come here now!"
Ryn called out to Herrscher of Thunder and Himeko. The instant they heard "Come here," it felt as though a giant hand had seized them, pulling them forward until they stood before him.
With a wave of his hand, Ryn sent them flying like cannonballs, leaving deep gouges across the Hyperion's deck.
He then reached out toward their positions, clenching his palm into a fist. The area of the Hyperion where they had landed shattered instantly, the debris engulfing them in layers, forming two massive spheres.
"Done," Ryn said, nodding in satisfaction as he watched them imprisoned. He then descended with Sparkle, Kiana, and Bronya, landing before Himeko and Herrscher of Thunder.
A Herrscher of Thunder whose awakening was incomplete and whose combat experience was mediocre. An A-rank Valkyrie whose combat effectiveness had plummeted after her energy supply was cut off.
They say holding a girl in your arms doubles your damage. But here I am, holding Sparkle in my left arm, Kiana in my right, with Bronya floating behind me. How am I supposed to lose? I could win this with my eyes closed.
Facing the battle-ready gazes of Himeko and the Herrscher of Thunder, Ryn felt extremely afraid, worried that if he made even the slightest mistake, he might get beaten to death
"Don't look at me like that. I'm just trying to help you calm down."
"Well, thanks a lot," Himeko said, rolling her eyes. Ryn hadn't laid a heavy hand on her, and thanks to her Valkyrie Armor, she hadn't suffered any serious injuries. But the Hyperion had taken a beating... Herrscher of Thunder had destroyed part of it, and Ryn had dismantled another section. Thinking about the repair costs, Himeko felt like she might as well die right now.
Unlike Himeko, the Herrscher of Thunder continued to struggle fiercely. Being imprisoned like this was an insult to her proud nature. But it was clear that her weakened Domain couldn't break through Ryn's, leaving her only to rage impotently.
"Heh, calm down? I've been perfectly calm all along. I tore apart that trash of a man, and then I'll slaughter those who bullied Mei. My goal has always been clear."
"Then why don't you just go to sleep for a while!"
"What are you doing! Bastard, how dare you..."
Ryn took control of Kiana's baseball bat and brought it down on the Herrscher of Thunder's head with a furious glare. The Herrscher's angry shout was cut short as she fell unconscious.
Ryn casually tossed aside the baseball bat. After all, it was just a disposable item. The next time Kiana wanted to use one, she'd probably pull another one out of thin air—that's just the magic of the second dimension!
With a snap of his fingers, the metal encasing them shattered. Ryn helped Himeko, who had lost power and collapsed to the ground, and Mei, who was unconscious, to their feet. The Nexus System's extreme physical enhancements during combat meant the strain on their bodies after the battle was equally severe. Even shortening their lifespans was considered a mild consequence.
"Alright, let's talk now. I'm Ryn, a Herrscher, but I stand on humanity's side. What do you call yourself?"
"Murata Himeko... So you're the First Herrscher? The one who leads Anti-Entropy? But the rumors outside say it's Welt! You're so young!"
"I suppose I could also be considered the First Herrscher... but not the one from Anti-Entropy. He's also the Herrscher of Reason, while I'm just the First Herrscher... though you could call me a cheater. A mere Herrscher can't define my existence."
An unknown Herrscher... I need to report this to Theresa immediately and then to Schicksal so they can send an S-rank Valkyrie.
Seeing Himeko's unfocused gaze, Ryn immediately realized she was about to call for backup.
"Don't even think about it. I'm also with Schicksal. Otto knows I exist."
"Ah! I see..."
Himeko nodded blankly. So she's with Schicksal too... And Otto knows... That means she's from headquarters. Schicksal's artificial Herrscher project must have succeeded... Poor child, how many experiments must she have endured...
In the next moment, Himeko's gaze toward Ryn was filled with respect, tinged with a hint of pity.
"What's that look for? I feel like you're thinking something very rude."
Ryn's skin crawled under that gaze. Seriously? I just beat you up, and now you're looking at me with pity? This can't be good... I've stumbled into a sadist!
After exchanging some information, Ryn, along with the four unconscious figures and Himeko, headed to the Hyperion's Command Room to prepare for their journey to St. Freya Academy, Schicksal's Far East Branch.
I have to admit, the Hyperion truly lives up to its reputation. Such a massive warship can be operated by just a few people thanks to the Artificial Intelligence Ai (A1) that Theresa discovered in an ancient ruin.
Theresa encountered the autonomous combat unit A1 in the ancient ruins. Mistaking her for an intruder, Ai captured and beat her up. However, after a prolonged battle, Ai's energy reserves depleted, and Theresa was able to salvage her.
Upon rebooting, Ai lost most of her memories and abilities. But after connecting to the Hyperion, a new entity, Ai-Hyperion, was born. Because the newly formed Ai was petite and adorable, she was nicknamed Ai-chan.
Everyone aboard the Hyperion had gathered in the Command Room. Despite the ship's severe damage, the Command Room remained intact. It's a testament to the Herrscher of Thunder and Himeko's consideration during their battle, as they both tried to avoid damaging the Command Room. What gentle souls they are.
Unfortunately, after Ryn's final blow, the Hyperion was severely damaged and could no longer fly for long. In the end, Ryn had to carry the Hyperion to St. Freya Academy.