While still on the move, Saori issued her final order: "I have already requested support from the branch. As for you two, retreat immediately—"
Before her words could fully leave her mouth, the Valkyrie in brown armor had already charged into the beast swarm. The communicator by her ear fell off due to the intense battle, failing to transmit Saori's last word.
In the face of so many Honkai Beasts, a blind retreat was useless. Even if their speed was not inferior to that of the Honkai Beasts, in terms of endurance, humans could never compare.
And among the candidates to stay behind, the pride and duty of a captain left Saori with no other choice. Just as she had said, bringing Ming Yu and the others back safely was her mission.
Perhaps in other branches, the higher-ups would advocate for Valkyries to use their lives to hold back the Honkai Beasts, and then use devastating weapons like Honkai Fission Missiles to eliminate them.
But in the Far East Branch, the practice of sacrificing lives to eliminate the enemy was contrary to the ideals of the supreme commander and was a forbidden act.
In the current situation, preserving their effective strength was the only thing Saori considered.
This was her duty and mission as a captain, even though she had only been the captain of Squad 16 for a few days.
Targeting the incubating Emperor-class Honkai Beast to draw as much fire from the Honkai Beasts as possible, to buy time for the two rookies to escape, was the only feasible plan for her to accomplish this.
Watching Saori's figure disappear into the beast swarm, Ming Yu's eyes turned red. He drew the Sakura Fubuki from his waist and was about to follow.
But just as his body moved, a hand suddenly grabbed his left arm, preventing him from leaving.
"What are you doing!" Ming Yu turned his head and roared without any courtesy.
"Are you in such a hurry to die?!" Lia shouted back, her eyes slightly moist.
"But Saori is still in there..." Ming Yu pointed towards the beast swarm and said unwillingly.
"Our mission is over! The Captain's order was to retreat! Retreat!" Lia said loudly, her eyes full of determination. "If you go now, you'll just be throwing your life away!"
Ming Yu opened his mouth, wanting to argue, but didn't know what to say.
In his heart, he knew very well that the best and most rational course of action right now was to listen to Lia and carry out Saori's retreat order.
Facing such a large swarm of Honkai Beasts, plus an unknown Emperor-class Honkai Beast, he had no chance of winning, even if he used the power of Jizo Mitama.
The Divine Key was indeed an incredibly powerful weapon, but he was not a strong enough user. In his hands, Jizo Mitama could not unleash power comparable to an Emperor-class Honkai Beast.
Matching the power of a Divine Key, the requirements for its user were extremely demanding. Either a body comparable to a MANTIS, or the owner of a Natural Stigmata.
But unfortunately, he, Ming Yu, was neither. Even after so long, he could only use the Divine Key in a simple manner.
And to deal with the current situation, this level of power was far from enough.
Given time, he might possess power that surpasses an Emperor-class Honkai Beast.
But right now, facing an Emperor-class Honkai Beast, he could only flee in disarray.
Taking a deep breath, Ming Yu broke free from Lia's grasp and said slowly, "I know this is reckless. But, I can't bring myself to abandon a teammate and run away alone."
With that, he no longer hesitated and charged towards the somewhat chaotic beast swarm.
Moving forward step by step, Ming Yu switched the spirit blade to his left hand, and with a flip of his right hand, a black longsword appeared in it.
Sword Heart: Still Water!
His eyes changed slightly, a glint of sword light flashed in Ming Yu's eyes, and his entire being once again entered the profound state of Sword Heart.
"Burst!"
With a loud shout, the Honkai Energy Reactor in the chest of his Domain Armor: Cold Night operated at high speed, and a large amount of Honkai Energy was continuously input into various parts of the armor, providing the user with a powerful boost.
Looking at the beast swarm right in front of him, Ming Yu swung the black longsword in his hand forward. A fifteen-meter-tall Crimson Demon Armor suddenly appeared, its ten-meter-long purple flame longsword mercilessly slashing down towards the beast swarm.
Seeing Ming Yu charge in so recklessly and use such a strange ability, Lia was also annoyed.
But in the end, she stomped her foot, gritted her teeth, sighed, and followed Ming Yu's steps.
Leaving the captain alone already caused her a great deal of internal struggle. Coupled with Ming Yu's words, she couldn't bring herself to escape alone.
Although there was nothing wrong with running away, she couldn't get over her own conscience.
Besides, as long as they could reduce the number of the beast swarm to a certain extent before that Emperor-class Honkai Beast fully hatched, Squad 16 was not necessarily doomed.
With this belief, Lia also resolutely launched her charge. The armor's Honkai Energy Reactor also operated at high speed, and the black long spear in her hand emitted a faint purple glow.
...
St. Freya High School, Principal's office. The petite Principal sat casually in her swivel chair, a gentle smile on her lips, seriously reviewing important documents related to HOMU.
Suddenly, an emergency communication came in, interrupting the Principal's work.
Frowning, Theresa still answered the communication. Although reviewing documents was also important, handling emergencies was also part of the Principal's job.
"What is it?" The Principal corrected her expression, pushed aside the important documents in her hand, and asked seriously.
"Squad 16 encountered an Emperor-class Honkai Beast during an annihilation mission and is requesting support!" the communicator said concisely, without any unnecessary words.
Squad 16...?
Theresa lowered her head in thought for a moment, then suddenly recalled the composition of Squad 16, and that particular boy.
"Latest intelligence, contact with Squad 16 has been lost!" Although the Principal was still thinking, the communicator immediately reported the latest news.
"I understand. Notify the Fifth Squad to prepare for immediate deployment. They must depart in fifteen minutes!"
Hearing the communicator's words, Theresa immediately made a decision.
Although by the rules, Himeko was still on vacation, in St. Freya High School and the Far East Branch, she, Theresa, called the shots!
"Yes!" Seeing that Theresa had no other instructions, the communicator immediately disconnected.
With a faint frown, Theresa pondered for a moment in her heart, then dialed Himeko's communication.
"Squad 16 is suspected to have encountered an Emperor-class Honkai Beast and has now lost contact!" As soon as the communication connected, Theresa said urgently.
"Oh..." Himeko responded noncommittally.
But the next moment, she understood what Theresa meant and asked, "Is it *that* Squad 16?"
"Yes!" The Principal nodded solemnly and said seriously, "I have already dispatched the Fifth Squad. The order will be issued soon. No matter what, you must ensure his safety!"
For the Far East Branch, Ming Yu and Jizo Mitama were extremely valuable assets, existences that could become their trump card, treasures that absolutely could not be lost!
"I know~" Himeko naturally knew a little, but she couldn't help but complain, "Honestly, can't you send someone else? I'm supposed to be on vacation~"
"Hehe~" Faced with Himeko's complaint, Theresa only chuckled coldly but did not reply.
Since it was a trump card, it was naturally better for fewer people to know about it. From this point of view, Theresa didn't have many choices.