"Oh my, we're finally here." Kiana popped her head out of the water and looked around. "Mn, what a huge cave. But why is there no water here?"
Bronya climbed ashore from the water and observed her surroundings. "This appears to be a subterranean hollow. It likely retained a certain amount of air originally, which prevented water from entering."
"Mn, quite a massive subterranean hollow." Himeko also climbed ashore. She glanced at the readings on her diving helmet, and after confirming it was safe, she took the helmet off.
"The geological formation of this hollow alone would be enough to pleasantly surprise geologists."
"Assuming they aren't scared to death first." Irene looked around, then reached out to tap the rock beside her hand. Within the crevices of the rock, faint purple veins could be seen.
"The cause of this place's formation is far from simple."
"Mn, the Honkai energy concentration is frighteningly high." Himeko nodded, her brows furrowing slightly. Such an environment could hardly be considered friendly for her, but now that they were here, there was no other way.
Due to the erosion of her Artificial Stigmata, Himeko's body could no longer withstand the torment of massive amounts of Honkai energy.
"Speaking of Honkai concentration." Mei held her helmet and propulsion pack in her hand. "Can such a high Honkai concentration occur naturally?"
"I don't know. Perhaps it was left behind by the Celestial? Or maybe something is still active?" Himeko scratched her head. She knew from the data that the birth of anti-Honkai warriors in Shenzhou happened a very, very long time ago.
The time of their emergence was far earlier than Schicksal's. They even derived various Qigong or martial arts that utilized Honkai energy, and some even researched ways to arrange formations using Honkai energy to achieve various goals.
Perhaps the high concentration of Honkai energy here was due to such reasons—warriors who did not wish for the peace of this place to be disturbed, or perhaps for some other purpose.
"Let's move forward for now." Fu Hua held her helmet and looked around, pointing to a corner to the side. "Let's leave our things there first. Don't carry them with us."
The group did as suggested, piling their helmets and propulsion packs there. Irene even pulled a waterproof tarp from her backpack and covered them carefully.
However, while covering them, Irene looked around. If she remembered correctly, a certain "Lord Sin," who was practically ghosted in the later stages of the story, should have come out from inside here—and entered a step earlier than they did.
If things like Titans had entered, there should be some traces...
Irene's gaze swept around and soon discovered a distinct square footprint on the ground. "Hey, friends, I have bad news. Or possibly two pieces of bad news."
"Spit it out." Himeko rolled her eyes. "If you're trying to use the current atmosphere to tell ghost stories, Irene, then keep your mouth shut."
"It's not exactly a ghost story." A mischievous smile appeared on Irene's face as she walked over to that single Titan footprint. "I just want to say, we might not be the only ones here."
Accompanied by the quiet cavern surroundings, Irene's spooky tone instantly sent a chill down Kiana's spine. After shivering, she looked at Irene indignantly.
"Teacher Irene, and you said you didn't want to tell ghost stories!"
"If you think Titans have ghosts, then I am telling a ghost story." Irene raised her hand and pointed to the Titan footprint beside her. "Someone beat us to it."
Hearing Irene's voice, Himeko frowned. She looked in the direction Irene pointed and stared at the square footprint. "Titan Mecha. Anti-Entropy is here too?"
"Mm-hm, probably." Irene nodded. "The footprint is very complete and clear. But since there isn't much movement in this cave to begin with, it's hard to judge when the footprint was made."
"However, they definitely waded through water to get here, yet touching this footprint now, it isn't very wet. So they've probably been inside for a while."
"That's trouble." Himeko frowned. Titan Mecha were not easy opponents to deal with. Although they moved slowly, those fists weren't something one could take lightly.
If it were just her and Irene, a group of Titans wouldn't be considered strong opponents. The combat power of an A-Rank Valkyrie wasn't something Titans could benchmark against.
The sturdy armor of the Titans was also something the two of them could break through. The weapon in her hand was a genuine Ship-Cleaver. As for the weapon in Irene's hand, Himeko wasn't too clear, but during training...
Even when holding back, Irene had severed a training greatsword in a few strikes. Although it was a training greatsword, its durability and strength were by no means low.
Besides, even if they couldn't win, given the Titans' speed, they could run away.
But the problem was the other three children. Their combat power was certainly guaranteed, but Himeko was still somewhat worried. After all, they lacked experience and might suffer losses when facing Titans.
"It's not really good to leave now, either. Shall we go?" Mei looked behind them. The diving helmets and such were fine, but they didn't know how to drive the boat.
The only ones who could drive the boat were Himeko and Irene. Although Bronya had many vehicle piloting skills, back in the snowy plains, there really weren't any boats to drive.
"And we've already come this far." Kiana made a muscle-flexing gesture. "Don't underestimate us, Teacher Himeko."
"It is indeed probably too late to give up now." Irene looked at Himeko and nodded. "Moreover, the longer we delay here, the more time we leave for Anti-Entropy."
"The item might be taken by them first. Don't forget our objective for coming here, Teacher Himeko."
"..." After remaining silent for a while, Himeko nodded. "In that case, you three be careful. Stay strictly behind us and don't advance rashly."
"Titan Mecha are not guys you can deal with casually."
Himeko's gaze finally rested on Bronya. They weren't unaware of Bronya's identity, so Bronya must be clear about the toughness of Titans.
She hoped Bronya could watch over things a bit. She wasn't worried about Mei; it was only Kiana, that fellow, who really got hot-headed easily. That wouldn't be good.
"Understood, Teacher Himeko." Bronya quickly received the message Himeko conveyed. "I will keep a good watch on Idiot Kiana."
"Hey." Kiana wasn't happy hearing that. "Why do I have to be singled out for special care?"
"Just based on your current shouting state, I think Teacher Himeko is right." Irene looked at Kiana and smiled. "Alright, let's not delay. Let's move quickly."
Irene walked in front. Worried that they might encounter Titans at any time ahead, the group didn't even turn on flashlights, relying solely on the faint purple glow emitted by the Honkai energy in the rock walls to move forward.
Fortunately, the tactical visors built into the Valkyrie armor had night vision functions, so they wouldn't be moving blindly in the dark.
Although Irene didn't have a tactical visor, Irene was currently transformed into Pardofelis. As a cat, Irene's pupils gradually dilated in the darkness.
The pitch-black cavern before her eyes wasn't as bright as day, but the path was basically visible. And her agile dexterity allowed Irene to walk on the rugged surface as if it were flat ground.
Meanwhile, inside the mind of Irene, who was quietly leading the way, it was not quiet. The three people in Irene's mind were alert to all surrounding conditions.
After all, the situation Lixue described was truly terrifying. They couldn't relax so easily, even if that Chiyou seemed to have no movement right now.
[Speaking of which, Sister Irene, mn, that story is from several thousand years ago, right?] Pardofelis suddenly spoke up in Irene's mind. [Then that time should still belong to, mn, mn...]
Pardo's voice paused for a moment, seemingly thinking of how to describe it, before continuing: [It was probably a civilization that had just started taking its first steps, right?]
[I remember hearing Sister Mobius and Sister MEI say it. The capability of the Honkai rises along with the capability of civilization. Although I'm not clear why Sister Mobius and Sister MEI came to that conclusion, if that's the case, it should have been impossible for such a strong Honkai Beast to be born at that time no matter what.]
According to the abilities of that Honkai Beast described by Lixue—at least possessing the ability to devour the earth to enhance its body size, which is to increase Honkai energy—it at least fits the definition of a Vipralopa-class Honkai Beast.
And the combat power of a Vipralopa-class Honkai Beast far exceeds that of ordinary Honkai Beasts. Why would such an ancient civilization birth such a strong Honkai Beast?
It couldn't be that the Honkai was being a sore loser, right?
[Under normal circumstances, indeed it wouldn't.] Irene nodded, not surprised by Pardo's doubt. [But regrettably, because of you guys in the Previous Era, the situation can no longer be considered normal.]
The Previous Era left behind too many, too many legacies. Not just various weapons, equipment, and Stigmata. There were also Kevin and Su back then, as well as the two sisters and Hua carrying out Project Ember in Shenzhou.
Weapons and equipment were one thing; without users, they were just dead objects. But the problem lay in what those two sisters did—Project Ember.
[Pardo, you know about Project Ember, right?]
[Of course I know.] Pardo nodded. The plan she carried out was also to pave the way for the various subsequent plans, so she knew about the plans left behind back then.
[Originally, it was a plan Sister Eden was responsible for... oh, let me think, used to guide civilization's rebirth. Eh, right, where is Sister Eden?]
Speaking of this, Pardo suddenly remembered something. The mythological stories earlier didn't seem to mention Sister Eden. How could someone as radiant and full of affinity as Sister Eden not have a single trace in the myths?
At the very least, she should have gotten a title like Goddess of Beauty or something.
[It's simple. Because Miss Eden did not choose to execute the plan. She did not come to this Era. She handed this matter over to Fu Hua to complete.]
Irene glanced back at the few people marching silently behind her as she walked. Fu Hua was currently looking around, seeming to still be trying to use the surrounding environment to stimulate her memory, attempting to find even a single clue.
[...Is that so?] Pardo nodded. [I didn't expect Sister Eden to make that choice in the end. Was it because of Sister Elysia?]
Irene nodded, expressing agreement with Pardo's guess. [Mn. For Miss Eden, her era had already ended. Even if she went to a new era, there wouldn't be any meaning.]
[But let's get back to the main topic.] Irene touched the stone. [During that enlightenment period when civilization was just being established, Hua, Danzhu, and Cangxuan tried to spread civilization and technology on this land so that the people of that time could respond to the future Honkai with the fastest speed.]
[This was originally a good thing, at least from various perspectives. But sadly, technology and civilization are not things that can be force-ripened.]
[Just like Otto. Even if he obtained Void Archives, he still spent nearly 500 years to develop to the current level.]
[Is it because he couldn't do it? No. It's because the world couldn't do it. Similarly, the situation back then was like this. Miss Danzhu and Miss Cangxuan indeed put in their own efforts, but the realization of technology requires time, and the progress and development of civilization require time.]
Hearing this, Pardo seemed to understand what was going on. [In other words, for the Honkai, there was no difference, which is why Chiyou appeared?]
[Mn, that's about it.] Irene nodded. [The situation at the time was quite complex. I don't know it very well; initially, these were just guesses.]
[The only witness has lost her memory now. The truth of history can only be left submerged within history.]
[But we aren't here to uncover the true face of history, right?] Kallen's voice rang out at this moment. [We are here to resolve problems left by history.]
[Well said.] Irene nodded. However, when her gaze moved upward, Irene's steps stopped abruptly. She spoke immediately, and this time, it wasn't within the Palace of Consciousness.
"Friends, we have company."
As Irene's voice fell, several missiles flew instantly from the stone wall in the distance. Bronya, standing at the very back, reacted swiftly. She floated up directly, blocking in front of Irene.
Project Bunny materialized a giant shield from behind Bronya, directly blocking the incoming shells.
At the same time, a defensive field flashed over Bronya's body, intercepting all the metal fragments and debris generated by the explosion.
"Hahaha." A slightly arrogant laugh rang out from the surrounding Titan Mecha. "Yours Truly wondered who it was. Turns out it's the little bugs from Schicksal."
Bronya, following at the very rear of the group, raised an eyebrow upon hearing the voice. She was familiar with this commotion. But she hadn't expected that the one responsible for commanding the Titans this time would be her. Could it be that Cocolia Mama was involved in this matter?
Heavy footsteps rang out in the cavern. A heterochromatic young girl appeared in everyone's field of view, accompanied by several Titan Mecha.
"Didn't expect an unexpected harvest this time."
"Bronya, and..." Sin Mal's gaze shifted slightly, landing on Irene behind Bronya. "Miss Irene, correct?"
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