In the vast ocean, Himeko and Fu Hua swam in front, scouting for the location of Nine Serenities.
Inaba Tsukiyo and Kiana were connected by a chain. Kiana kept checking the chain's condition to prevent any loosening.
'Is this to prevent the chain from accidentally breaking? It seems my words affected her.'
Inaba Tsukiyo saw all of Kiana's reactions.
In the eyes of others, Inaba Tsukiyo couldn't see, but with Seele's power, Inaba Tsukiyo's vision could temporarily recover.
Aside from the four swimming, Seele was also playing freely in the seawater. She had special memories of the ocean.
She remembered that once, at Cocolia Orphanage, Inaba Tsukiyo, Seele, and Bronya had promised to go to the beach to play.
However, this plan was canceled due to Bronya's injury, but even if Bronya hadn't been injured, it was highly likely they wouldn't have been able to go.
Because Bronya would soon undergo Cocolia's experiment, and surviving an experiment with such a low success rate was almost impossible.
At this moment, Seele was like a spirit of the sea, smiling as she swam, playfully watching the fish that swam by.
Of course, this scene could only be seen by Inaba Tsukiyo. Besides Seele, Inaba Tsukiyo also began to observe this underwater world.
This water-covered place was not as dark as she had imagined. Because of the sunlight, the underwater world appeared exceptionally beautiful.
However, the area illuminated by the sun had its limits. As they continued to swim deeper into the seabed, all light was taken away.
The diving masks made by Schicksal could clearly see everything outside. Even in the pitch-black depths of the sea, the devices on their bodies had lighting functions, able to illuminate everything in front of them.
"Be careful, this is a dangerous sea area! There must be some unknown danger waiting for us here, so we absolutely cannot let our guard down."
Although anxious, Himeko did not forget her basic composure. This was not the time for recklessness.
Moreover, there were two newcomers behind them, both highly regarded by Theresa. If properly trained, they could become important combat forces of St. Freya Academy, and Himeko did not want to see such a sight.
The three nodded. At this moment, Fu Hua's detector reaction grew stronger and stronger. Following the sound of the detector, the four swam deeper into the seabed.
Soon, the detector found the target location; the cave they were looking for was not far below them.
However, below them was a pitch-black trench.
"Himeko… Uh, Big Sister Himeko. Do we really have to go there? No matter how I look at it, it seems really bad."
Even Idiot Kiana could feel that something terrifying was lurking in that dark trench, like a gaping maw waiting for them to deliver themselves.
"There's nothing to be afraid of. Although this is an unknown area, there shouldn't be any danger before we get close to Nine Serenities. Fu Hua and I will lead the way; you two just follow along."
The fearless Himeko charged ahead, diving headfirst into the trench.
"Major Himeko… *sigh*~"
Fu Hua, who had intended to say something more, looked at Himeko, who had already gone far, and couldn't help but sigh.
The closer they got to their destination, the more excited Himeko became. This was not a good sign. If she didn't control herself well, something big could happen.
However, just as Himeko said, although the area ahead was unknown, they were still safe before entering Nine Serenities; there was nothing to worry about.
Having thought it through, Fu Hua quickly led Kiana to chase after Himeko's retreating figure.
Up to this point, nothing unexpected had happened. However, in this area where Chiyou was sealed, how could it be so peaceful?
"Big Sister Tsukiyo… please be careful next. Seele can feel Honkai Energy approaching."
At this moment, Seele's voice came, and abnormal creatures appeared behind Inaba Tsukiyo.
These were fish infected with Honkai Energy. Even some non-lethal fish became aggressive under the infection of Honkai Energy.
These fish living in this area were affected by Honkai Energy, becoming aggressive, and their size also increased with the degree of infection.
The number of fish was simply too many; at least in every direction visible, there were almost only these infected fish.
"Major Himeko!"
"Activate the equipment's propulsion system and move forward at maximum speed!"
Without a second thought, Himeko directly ordered the propulsion system of their equipment to be activated.
This wasn't land. If it were land, it would be fine, but in the water, facing so many creatures, they would all die here.
But even with the equipment's propulsion system engaged, they couldn't quickly distance themselves from these monsters.
"What happened? Kiana. Why do you two seem so anxious?"
Inaba Tsukiyo, being pulled by Kiana, asked. Although she already understood what was happening, she couldn't help but ask.
"Ah ah ah!!! No time to answer your questions! Now there are many huge fish chasing us. Aunt Himeko told us to quickly run to the entrance of that cave! Now, just activate your propulsion system and follow me."
Even the usually carefree Kiana was in a panic. Faced with such a threat of death, she was also very scared.
Besides Himeko, she also had something she wanted to find. She hadn't found her stinky old man yet, and hadn't figured out why he left her. How could she just die in this place!
"Is that so? A moment of life and death?"
Inaba Tsukiyo was silent for a moment, feeling the figures of the Honkai Energy-infected fish constantly approaching from behind. After a moment of hesitation, she spoke.
"Kiana, unfasten the chain."
"Huh?"
Kiana, who didn't react for a moment, was stunned for a few seconds. What did she just hear? Inaba Tsukiyo told her to unfasten the chain?
"Don't joke around! With that many, even if we fought them together, it would be impossible. Do you want to stay behind and die?"
"But this is the best way. Because of me, your speed is far slower than Class President Fu Hua and Major Himeko. Rather than putting both of us in danger, it's better for me to stay here."
This was indeed the best choice. As long as Inaba Tsukiyo held back these Honkai Fish for a while, Himeko and the others would surely be able to swim to the entrance of the Nine Realms.
However... Kiana didn't agree. She didn't unfasten the chains connecting them. Instead, she reached out, grabbed the chain, and increased the power of her thrusters.
"Don't joke around! Although I really dislike you, whether it's forcing me to study or forcing me to eat things I hate. But I... But I am a member of the Kaslana Family! The Kaslana Family is the shield of the people! Even if it's you, this annoying person, I won't let you die here!"
Kallen's conviction, which she had seen in the Schicksal database last time, still lingered in Kiana's mind.
Her ancestor, even when exhausted, even when out of strength, did not choose to flee in the face of Honkai Beasts, but instead saved civilians.
As a member of the Kaslana Family, how could she abandon Inaba Tsukiyo here!
"...A member of the Kaslana Family? Heh! Those words really don't sound like something you'd say. But... it feels good. I've changed my opinion of you."
Inaba Tsukiyo couldn't help but smile. She understood that Kiana was acting this way because of Kallen's influence.
Of course, this didn't deny that Kiana was inherently such a person, and it also significantly increased Inaba Tsukiyo's good impression of Kiana.
However... even if Kiana didn't want to give up, there was nothing she could do. For the successful completion of this mission, she had to stay behind.
"You still have your mission to complete, Kiana. And... I never said I would definitely sacrifice myself. Remember, never look back, just keep going forward."
"Eh? Are you trying to..."
A bad premonition grew in her heart. Kiana was about to say something when Inaba Tsukiyo had already disconnected, and Kiana could feel her waist lighten, as if something had disappeared.
Kiana, being propelled forward, turned her head and saw Inaba Tsukiyo stop behind her, turning around to face the countless Honkai Fish surging towards her alone.
"This idiot!!!"
This scene made Kiana anxiously want to turn back, but the propulsion system on her body suddenly became uncontrollable. Kiana could only watch Inaba Tsukiyo's figure disappear from her sight.
"Have you sent her away, Seele? Was the task of affecting her equipment well done?"
"It only temporarily disabled the device, but the propulsion system is still active, so she should be leaving this area soon."
Seele hugged Inaba Tsukiyo from behind, and together with Inaba Tsukiyo, watched the Honkai Fish constantly rushing towards them.
"Oh? Is that so? Hehe~ I wonder if we'll be scolded by them when we return after completing this mission. But before that, let's solve our current problem."
These Honkai Fish weren't that intelligent. Although they could use their unique characteristics to stop these Honkai Fish from attacking, Inaba Tsukiyo wasn't planning on letting these guys off.
"Seele, lend me your Honkai Energy. Although I don't know if Honkai Energy can replace magic, as long as I have enough magic, I can fight. Plus this power!"
The Zhanblue light shone again. Facing the constantly rushing Honkai Fish, Inaba Tsukiyo clearly saw the dots and lines on the Honkai Fish's bodies. She just needed to strengthen herself with magic and make her movements more agile.
At this point, Seele's power could help Inaba Tsukiyo. Although it wouldn't be as flexible as on land, it was still better than the previous situation.
"This time... will you fight with me, Seele?"
"Yes, I'd be happy to, Sister Tsukiyo."
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