Sky City — Streets
Fourth Herrscher…?
How?
Why wasn't her collapse energy detected at all?
Einstein's breath caught as she stared at the girl perched atop the massive billboard.
Every calculation she had made about the Second Herrscher consuming the Fourth Herrscher's core…
was suddenly shattered.
None of this made any sense.
Before anyone could speak—
A small figure stepped forward confidently.
"Although it's a pity I didn't foresee a Herrscher appearing…"
Jiuxiao raised her chin proudly.
"But rest assured! You have nothing to fear!
For I was chosen by God to save all!
I am the one who sees through all illusion, the one and only—
Penglai Temple Jiuxiao!
Savior of all worlds!
There is no one like me!"
Tesla: "…"
Einstein: "…"
Bronya: "…"
The group had already been thrown off-balance by the sudden reappearance of the Fourth Herrscher—
but this girl's full-power chuunibyou declaration nearly broke their mental defenses altogether.
Especially now, when death was practically staring them in the face.
From above, Wendy—arms crossed, eyes cold—smirked.
"Oh? A self-proclaimed savior?
If you're so eager to die, I suppose Wendy can stay on the clock a little longer."
Tesla felt her soul leave her body for a moment.
We're going to die because of a chuunibyou kid.
Not because of a Herrscher.
Because of… HER.
But then Einstein discreetly glanced at Tesla—
A meaningful signal.
Tesla blinked.
…You want me to shut her up?
For the love of humanity?
Einstein slightly motioned behind Jiuxiao, pointing subtly to her mouth.
Tesla understood instantly.
A Heroic Act of Desperation
"I can feel it—my power is— mmph?!"
Before Jiuxiao could finish the sentence, Tesla lunged forward and clamped a hand firmly over her mouth from behind.
"MMMPH—! MMM—!"
She struggled, but Tesla's grip remained ironclad.
"Uh… Herrscher ma'am," Einstein said with a nervous but respectful smile,
"She's joking. Please don't take anything she said seriously.
If you're… off duty, we'll be leaving immediately."
She didn't know what Wendy meant by "off duty,"
but one thing she did know:
Wendy wasn't interested in them.
Jiuxiao's nonsense was the only thing provoking her.
So if shutting the girl up saved their lives—
Einstein would do it a hundred times more.
Wendy stared at them a moment—
then flicked her hair dismissively.
"…Boring."
And with a gust of wind, she vanished.
The Aftermath
"Finally… she's gone…"
Einstein sagged with relief.
For a moment, they had all stood at death's door.
"Mmphh—! MMPH! Let go! Hah—!"
Jiuxiao yanked free and gasped for breath.
"You let a Herrscher escape! If I hadn't been afraid of hurting you, I would have—"
"Shut it, brat."
Tesla snapped, forehead throbbing with veins.
"Your chuunibyou act almost got us KILLED.
Do you have ANY idea how close we were?!"
"Hmph. The Savior is always misunderstood by mortals.
But worry not! Because God—"
"Wait."
Einstein cut her off, expression sharpening.
"Little girl, how do you know about Herrschers at all?
And earlier—you said you sensed an ominous aura right before the Fourth Herrscher appeared.
Our equipment didn't detect anything. Bronya didn't either."
Bronya nodded, monotone but confused.
"No collapse energy detected. Her claim should be false."
Yet Jiuxiao—
this strange, mysterious, delusional girl—
had sensed the Herrscher before anyone.
Which meant—
She was either insane…
Or something else entirely.
Jiuxiao straightened proudly.
"I already said my name!
You mortals really don't listen.
Fine, once more:
I, Penglai Temple Jiuxiao, was chosen by God, and guided by the Book of Prophecy!
It contains the future—your future!
And I came to assist you."
Bronya stared blankly.
"…So chuunibyou."
Einstein rubbed her forehead.
She wanted to dismiss the girl—
but that ominous aura claim gnawed at her.
Jiuxiao continued, puffing out her chest.
"I know what you are searching for.
God revealed it to me.
The Book of Prophecy already wrote your fate long ago.
But don't fret—
for I, the great Savior Jiuxiao, am here to aid you!"
Tesla rolled her eyes.
"Oh great. So you're from World Serpent, aren't you?"
Jiuxiao blinked.
"…Huh?"
Before the argument could escalate, a transmission chimed.
"Einstein? It's me."
"Theresa?" Einstein answered.
"Are you all right?"
"We're fine.
Let's meet up—I have something important to tell you."
"Understood."
Einstein cut the connection, then exhaled.
"We'll regroup.
We need to sort out what just happened."
Bronya looked at Jiuxiao.
"Should we… bring her?"
Tesla answered instantly:
"No."
Jiuxiao protested loudly:
"Wait! Savior protocol demands I accompany—!"
But Tesla had already walked away.
Einstein followed.
Bronya, after a long stare at Jiuxiao, turned away as well.
Leaving the self-proclaimed Savior standing alone in the street.
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