Boom—
"You really can't defeat Sirin, can you~?"
With a lazy flick of her wrist, Sirin swatted Teresa out of the air like a fly.
"So strong—"
Face twisted in pain, Jiu Xiao planted her greatsword into the cracked ground just to keep herself upright.
Even so, her eyes burned with determination. She refused to back down.
As the so-called "chosen savior," she would not fall here.
What do we do…?
Do I use the God-Favor barrier again?
Teresa's mind spun.
But—
Can my body withstand it?
Even if she activated the Zero Rated Output of Judah, Sirin's core carried too much Honkai energy.
The barrier alone couldn't neutralize it.
They had used Judah's Zero Output and the Moonlight Throne together back at HQ… and Sirin had still withstood it with more than ten thousand HW remaining.
Now, they didn't even have the Moonlight Throne.
The conclusion was clear:
They could not win.
Teresa's hands tightened around Judah.
Despair crept up her chest.
Wendy…?
Yes. Wendy might—
Teresa suddenly remembered the Fourth Herrscher—who at this very moment was sitting aboard the Hyperion watching movies.
But…
Would she help?
Considering Wendy's personality, Teresa didn't hold much hope.
But they were out of options.
Either Sirin killed them, or Sirin escaped—both unacceptable outcomes.
She had to try.
"Dr. Einstein? Can you hear me?"
While Jiu Xiao and Bronya bought time, Teresa grabbed the chance to call the Hyperion.
"Teresa? Judging from your tone, things aren't going well," Einstein replied, footsteps echoing as she hurried through the ship. "I'm going to see if Wendy will help."
"You were thinking the same thing? Perfect!"
Teresa exhaled in relief.
"I'll do my best," Einstein said. "But prepare to retreat. If she refuses, you have no chance of defeating the Second Herrscher."
With that, Einstein reached the conference room door.
Knock knock—
Inside, Wendy sprawled across a long table, kicking her feet while scrolling through films.
These humans… truly boring.
Another knock.
"Come in~"
Einstein entered.
"Wendy, sorry to disturb you. But Teresa and the others are fighting the Second Herrscher. We need your help."
Wendy lowered her movie list.
"Do you humans only have one brain cell?
If you can't win, run.
Even animals know to avoid danger.
Or follow your own movie logic—sacrifice a teammate, escape, then come back stronger.
Why not do that?"
Einstein: "…"
"…Movies are fictional. Real life doesn't work that way," she finally explained.
"People enjoy those stories because reality is harsh. They want to see villains defeated, lovers reunited, heroes triumphant.
It gives them a bit of hope—so they don't go insane."
Wendy blinked.
Einstein added softly:
"And Teresa's group is fighting to save Kiana.
You know that girl."
Wendy paused.
Then—
"Fine~ I'll go see my companion."
Before Einstein could thank her, Wendy vanished.
Einstein stared at the empty room.
"…I hope she knows where they are."
She quickly contacted Teresa.
Battlefield — Sky City Outskirts
"I don't have time to waste on you. I'm leaving."
Feeling the massive surge from the city's center, Sirin prepared to depart.
But—
"Don't leave, my companion~"
A familiar voice chimed behind her.
Finally,
Teresa nearly collapsed with relief.
Wendy had arrived.
"You… what are you planning?"
For the first time, Sirin sounded uneasy.
"Those humans said you took their friend," Wendy said, floating lazily. "So, my companion—give her back~"
"Kiana?
I am protecting her."
Sirin instantly refuted.
"Oh?
You're protecting Kiana, and they are also protecting Kiana.
In that case…"
Wendy tilted her head, smiling.
"My companion—
why don't you come with me~?"
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