Arrival of Destiny
"You all stay here. I'll contact you if anything happens."
Rita stepped off the transport craft, issuing calm instructions to the Valkyries remaining onboard.
She purposely didn't bring everyone down—this was not Destiny territory, and caution was essential.
"Yes, Vice-Captain!"
Hiss—
The transport ramp was lowered.
Rita, a squad of Valkyries, and several support mechs prepared to disembark—
But someone was already walking up to greet them.
A representative from Shencheng Pharmaceutics? Miss Xiola?
Rita guessed so—
until she noticed the woman was wearing a mask.
"Welcome, Miss Rita of Destiny," the masked woman said smoothly.
"Miss Xiola had urgent matters to attend to. I am filling in for her.
Oh—call me 'Teresa.'"
Of course, this name was fake.
Jackal (Hu Lang) had zero intention of letting Destiny see her face.
If not for the sudden Honkai eruption, she wouldn't have exposed herself at all.
"It's a pleasure, Miss Teresa. You arrived just in time," Rita replied politely.
"Our satellite detected Honkai activity in this area.
I must investigate immediately—your assistance would be appreciated."
Jackal hesitated for only a second.
"…Of course. Miss Xiola is already attending to the matter.
I'm sure our cooperation will go smoothly."
"Then please notify her. I'll depart at once."
Rita led her Valkyries and marched out.
Jackal watched them leave, eyes narrowing.
So this is what you're after… but…
If Destiny had discovered their experiments, they would have acted far more aggressively.
Their politeness meant they were uncertain—maybe even uninformed.
And the experiment about to begin was critical.
Jackal decided to hold back—for now.
She tapped her communicator.
"Raven. Status update."
Inside the Abandoned Building
"They're mechs.
They must have come because of Kiana's Honkai surge."
Einstein's voice crackled through the earpiece.
Theresa clenched her jaw.
The earlier Honkai leak in Sky City had already drawn the authorities' eye—
and Kiana's Herrscher outburst just now would easily trigger another alert.
The mechs' presence was inevitable.
But what to do now?
Explain?
Fight?
Run?
None of the options looked good.
"Those guys again," Kiana growled.
"Those guys?" Mei asked softly. "Who do you mean?"
Kiana frowned, confused.
"S-something like… World Serpent?
They run creepy human experiments.
The Honkai beasts earlier—they created them.
Dead soldiers too.
They want to trigger a collapse in this city."
Her memory was hazy—
but the fear and disgust remained.
"What?!?!"
Theresa nearly leapt out of her boots.
Einstein's face darkened.
"So the rumors were true…"
That meant negotiations were impossible.
"Looks like the Book of Prophecy's warnings are unfolding exactly as written."
Jiuxiao's eyes hardened.
"As the Savior—Lady Jiuxiao will destroy their evil."
Before Theresa could ask what that meant—
THUD—
A new silhouette landed on the rooftop, arriving via mech-assisted jump.
Raven.
What the hell?
Hu Lang didn't mention THIS many people!
Raven's eyes swept the group—
seven people, one exhausted Herrscher, and at least two Destiny operatives.
And…
Who the hell was the girl holding a giant sword?
"Who are you? And why are you all here?"
Raven tried to stay calm.
Her instructions were clear:
Watch Destiny's behavior.
See if they had discovered the experiment.
If they showed signs of knowing, report immediately.
Jackal would deploy the "secret weapon."
Now, Destiny's Vice-Captain Rita had arrived nearby.
And here were more Destiny operatives.
Something wasn't right.
Theresa stepped forward quickly.
"You don't need to worry.
We're with Destiny.
The Honkai spike was caused by a fight—
but things are under control.
We'll leave immediately."
They're… lying?
Raven wasn't sure what Destiny was planning anymore.
But before she could respond—
Another figure arrived.
"Lady Theresa?
And… Miss Kiana?"
Rita stepped into view, perfectly composed.
"Rita," Otto's voice came through her communicator.
"Have Theresa bring Kiana back."
The moment Rita opened her mouth to relay the order—
"I am NOT going back!"
Kiana roared before Rita could utter anything.
"You think I don't know what you're planning, you bastard?!"
Her voice shook with fury.
She didn't remember how she knew—
but she remembered the fear.
The betrayal.
The truth.
She refused to return to Destiny.
Ever.
The rooftop fell silent.
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