The leadership selection was over. Next was the issue of repairing the Hyperion.
Ryn proposed charging straight back to ME Corp, using their leftover equipment to restore the Hyperion to a space-faring warship. His proposal was promptly ignored by everyone.
Fighting their way back to Nagazora City and going all out against Mei was one thing, but where would they find the opportunity to repair a warship?
Furthermore, according to the new map of Nagazora City redrawn by the Gray Moth Squad after their previous reconnaissance, there was a large abandoned parking lot far from the railway line.
Yiselian's sharp tongue had come true. Now they really could only rely on car parts as substitutes to repair the Hyperion.
Since there was a plan, everyone immediately began preparations.
In order not to alert the enemy and attract the attention of Honkai Creatures, Himeko selected a few elite Gray Moth members and Penglaiji Ryn to go to the abandoned parking lot alone.
Although Himeko's main intention in bringing Penglaiji Ryn was to train her, some things didn't need to be so complicated.
While Himeko was still mustering her troops, Ryn let out a whistle, and Kukulkan immediately wrapped itself around the Hyperion, lifting the entire warship into the sky.
Ryn stood on Kukulkan's head, waving at the dumbfounded Himeko and the others, shouting loudly.
"Forget about any secret missions or trying not to startle the snakes! We'll just take the Hyperion there directly!
The distance from here to the abandoned parking lot is very far. Instead of you running for a whole day, we might as well all go together."
Himeko's brow furrowed tightly. What kind of childish act was this? Kukulkan and the Hyperion were both behemoths. If they flew over like this, Himeko couldn't even imagine how many Honkai Creatures they would attract, possibly even their king, Raiden Mei.
"Think of the commotion that will cause! What if we attract Raiden Mei! We can't afford any more losses!"
"Since the result is destined to be destruction anyway, why choose to live a wretched life? Why not go out with a bang!"
"Ryn! I am the leader!"
"Hmph, Himeko, you'll regret this."
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In the end, Himeko couldn't win against Ryn, because the majority voted in favor of his idea.
The extinction of humanity was already a foregone conclusion. Even if they escaped the Herrschers' attacks, they would still die a few years later. It was just a choice between starving to death in some unknown corner or turning into Honkai Creature feces. In that case, they might as well go out in a blaze of glory.
Now, there were even some who no longer cared if they were corroded by Honkai energy and curiously tried to touch Kukulkan's body. Even though Kukulkan was weakened beyond recognition, it was still the Feathered Serpent God of mythology. People are always full of anticipation and longing for gods.
Kukulkan didn't mind being touched by mortals. After all, it was a god of life. Although its Authority wasn't as outrageous as the Herrscher of Life and Death's, it was still very fond of living beings.
But mortals, in the end, cannot look directly upon a god; mortals, in the end, cannot touch a god.
The few who touched Kukulkan were all contaminated and corroded by the Honkai aura on its body from being with it for too long.
When Emisha found out, her face turned green with anger. She couldn't treat Honkai energy corrosion. And yet, people were still running off to gaze at Kukulkan or pray to it...
If there really are gods in the world, can they save this ruined world...
——————————————
"The turn of events is truly bizarre..."
Himeko held the map in her hand, unable to help but sigh.
This map marked where Honkai Creatures were concentrated, where supplies might be found, which routes could be taken to avoid them, and so on...
These were all key points plotted with the blood of the Gray Moth Squad, but now they were all somewhat useless.
The appearance of both Ryn and Kukulkan had shattered Himeko's common sense, rendering all her previous survival strategies obsolete. After all, no matter how she thought about it, she would never have imagined that a Herrscher would be their companion.
Oh, they had a Herrscher companion before, and then she destroyed the world...
Himeko shook her head, pushing aside these random thoughts, and began to explain the Gray Moth Squad's rules to Ryn and Penglaiji Ryn beside her.
"In the Gray Moth Squad, you only need to follow three rules. First, never abandon a teammate. Second, do not sacrifice yourself lightly. Third, if the first two rules conflict, the first rule takes precedence."
"Are there no taboos, things we can't say or do?"
"No. Given our current conditions, how complicated do you want the rules to be?"
"That's true..."
Ryn shrugged, indicating he had no more questions. Instead of worrying about these rules, he might as well just take Penglaiji Ryn and go on a rampage.
As long as they killed all the enemies, they could protect their teammates from harm.
With no enemies, there's no need to fight. With no need to fight, there's no need to consider any rules.
"..." Penglaiji Ryn looked at Himeko, wanting to say something, but seemed unable to form the words.
A question had been troubling the girl lately. She didn't understand why Himeko would nominate her as leader instead of Seele or Emisha...
Himeko saw the girl's hesitation. After all, whatever Penglaiji Ryn was feeling was written all over her face.
"That expression again, as if you're trapped by something, hesitating. Penglaiji Ryn, I know what you're thinking. You must be wondering why I nominated you as leader, right?
The reason is simple. Because you and Ryn have something that others don't...
Bronya and Seele, myself included, we are all bound by our own obsessions, afraid of our own hearts, afraid of seeing our own endings, which is why we are always hesitant to move forward.
Bronya is too focused on her comrades' lives and isn't decisive enough. I am too decisive and am indifferent to my comrades' lives. Seele is too selfless; she could sacrifice her own life for a comrade at any moment...
But you two are different. You don't have our obsessions. You won't fall into confusion and extremism over anything..."
Himeko paused, looking at the Valkyries who had followed her all this time, and gave Ryn and Penglaiji Ryn a sad smile.
"Do you know why the Gray Moth Squad is so strong?"
"Because their hearts are strong, and they have something they want to protect?"
"Heh... that's right. Both points are very important, but that's not the main reason..."
In response to Penglaiji Ryn's answer, Himeko smiled and patted her head, then looked at Ryn.
"You should know, right... after all, someone used that excuse to disguise their strength the first time."