Sure enough, in that very instant, Sakura sensed that subtle feeling once again.
She thought to herself, 'So Vya was brought here by Mobius.' But upon further reflection, something didn't quite add up.
After all, just a moment ago when she looked over, there hadn't been anyone else around Mobius.
Could it be that Mobius...?
Sakura looked at Mobius, whose face wore a smile—a smile that seemed utterly fake to her, and she didn't doubt that for a second.
It seemed this Doctor must have some tricks up her sleeve, which was hardly surprising. After all, everyone had their own hidden cards.
"Aponia Sister, this is Mobius Sister!"
Seeing Mobius walking over slowly, Vya excitedly introduced her to Aponia.
When Aponia saw Mobius, a flicker of something strange passed through her eyes, but it vanished almost as quickly as it appeared.
Surely no one had noticed that tiny detail.
"A pleasure, Miss Mobius."
Aponia gave a slight nod, her tone gentle.
"Mhm. You're Aponia, right? Hello."
Mobius, constrained by Vya's presence, spoke with a bit more courtesy.
"Oh, right! And Kalpas Brother! But why is he sleeping?"
Vya finally remembered Kalpas. She scampered over to him and, seeing him standing there "asleep," couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
"Kalpas is a bit tired. Let him rest properly."
Aponia explained.
"Ohh, I see. Vya understands."
Vya took another look at Kalpas but didn't dare disturb him further.
"Sakura."
Mobius called out.
"Yes, Doctor?"
Sakura asked, puzzled.
"How long until they arrive?"
Mobius was, of course, asking about the combat forces.
Sakura replied, "I sent a message to headquarters as soon as I discovered this area. The troops should be here very soon."
After all, the Honkai beasts in this entire zone hadn't been fully cleared out. Sakura had fought her way in precisely to investigate the spot with the highest Honkai energy concentration.
"I see. Aponia, what are your plans now?"
Mobius turned to Aponia and asked. She couldn't stay here much longer. Once MOTH personnel arrived, her presence would cause complications.
Moreover, the equipment Sakura carried had already recorded images of her and Vya. She'd have to ask Vill-V to delete that data later.
When Mobius inquired about her plans, Aponia frowned slightly. "I am considering that, Miss Mobius. This place is clearly no longer habitable. Where in the world could we find a place to belong?"
"I dare not hope for much... This is already the best possible outcome."
"No need to worry about that."
Sakura spoke up. "Survivors will be sent to relief stations, where they'll receive basic living provisions."
"But..."
Sakura's gaze shifted between Aponia and Kalpas, "The two of you will likely have to come back with us for questioning."
"I understand, Miss Sakura. We will cooperate with the investigation as best we can."
Aponia said very earnestly. "May I go back now to first calm the children?"
"Of course."
Sakura nodded in agreement.
...
After Aponia left, only Vya, Kalpas, Mobius, and Sakura remained on the scene.
"Sakura, I know you have many questions, but I need to ask you something first."
Mobius took the initiative.
"Huh? What is it?"
Sakura looked baffled. She was naturally wondering why Mobius had brought Vya here. Did Elysia know about this?
"This guy."
Mobius pointed at Kalpas, who stood nearby "asleep." "What do you think of him?"
"He's strong. He possesses power far beyond that of a human."
Sakura gave a concise assessment.
"In that case, he probably isn't human, is he?"
Mobius shifted the topic. "So, do you think he could kill a Herrscher?"
"?"
Sakura was taken aback. She had never directly faced a Herrscher, but when Mei evaluated her combat strength, she had said Sakura could defeat the Herrschers that had appeared so far.
If she landed a full-power sneak attack, even a Herrscher would be instantly slain.
After a moment's thought, she said, "During our fight, he didn't seem to be going all out. If he could unleash his full power, a Herrscher should pose no problem."
Mobius examined Kalpas carefully, a glint of excitement in her eyes.
She thought to herself, 'Another special test subject. Though this one is probably a bit on the volatile side.'
Just then, a shouting voice drew everyone's attention.
"Help! Is anyone there?! Help me!!"
Listening closely, the voice sounded familiar.
Sakura looked toward the source of the sound and saw a figure leaping and scrambling across the rubble—a girl.
Chasing close behind her was a tumbling Honkai beast.
The beast was hot on the girl's heels, crashing through any obstacles in its path with its massive bulk.
Sakura couldn't help but think, 'You're shouting that loudly—who else would it chase but you?'
Watching the girl, though, her movements were quite agile. Her escape was like something out of a martial arts film, scaling walls and vaulting over debris.
Sakura felt a wave of exasperation. 'Are you kidding me?'
'Why are people popping up one after another?' This girl was the same little thief who had tried to steal her equipment earlier, the one she'd caught.
She wondered, 'Why did she come back? And why is she being chased by an Honkai beast?'
But she couldn't just stand by and let her die, could she...
Sakura glanced at the others nearby. Mobius was looking right at her, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
"Wow, it's Pardo Sister! What game is she playing?"
Vya said happily.
Well. It looked like she was the only one likely to take the initiative and rescue someone.
Sakura sighed inwardly, then rushed forward without hesitation.
Sakura shot past Pardo, her blade leaving its sheath once more.
A pair of fox ears materialized atop her head...
Sakura recognized the tumbling Honkai beast as the Emperor-class Honkai beast 'Ganesha,' a relatively common type among Emperor-class beasts.
But Sakura had no intention of dodging its roll. Instead, she charged straight toward it.
Her figure blurred slightly, as if splitting into several afterimages. Another shift, and the afterimages seemed to multiply.
"Slash!"
Sakura uttered a low cry. Her blade moved so fast it seemed to strike from all directions at once, countless slashes landing simultaneously.
The rolling Ganesha was instantly carved up by countless cuts.
Its roll stopped abruptly, but before it could initiate another action...
An ice-blue wave of sword energy followed the final slash, instantly severing Ganesha's head.
The massive body crashed to the ground without so much as a whimper.
Sakura's combat philosophy prioritized speed. If a single strike could kill, there was no need for extra movement.
With a flick of her wrist, a white mist drifted from the blade of 'Midnight Serenade,' and then she sheathed her weapon.
Sakura stood with her back to the Honkai beast's corpse, the ears on her head seeming to dissolve into the wind.
A cool killer never looks back at the body.
Cool.
…
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