Chapter 162: Thunders Over Nagazora

At a certain island somewhere A villa was built using all of Raven's savings so she could live peacefully. Away from World Serpent and all the fighting.

"Ahhh, this place isn't looking so bad right now." Natasha nodded in satisfaction at her island. Only thing missing is some occupants, she contacted her brother. But he wanted to be in world serpent more, a rift was made between them as Raven is made a cadre of the organization and her brother couldn't accept that as a man.

"Hah, stupid ass brother of mine. I guess it kind of hurt his ego that I'm a cadre, it isn't my fault that I'm better. He always was a competitive one." Raven gave a bitter smile as she remembered that he even risked getting frostbite outside the tundras of Siberia to win their competition on who can stay outside longer without shoes on.

"But this is going to be a problem." Raven looked at her now signature weapon, 7 thunders. It was more mild mannered now. But it still malfunctioned sometimes, it almost even got her injured when it transformed into a slingshot and she did not know how to use it at all.

It got repaired after it broke down, but it was still fragile as Mobius refused to repair it for her subordinates. Telling Jackal to do something on her own or she would just be another useless scientist like the others.

"Hah... I've only seen 3 of its forms, but it already broke. Wait, big boss is the original wielder of this thing right? Should I ask him?" Raven looked at her contacts and she thought of asking Ein. But she was having a dilemma, as she has visited him regularly back when she was younger. But she didn't really do that much now, growing up and being embarrassed at being treated like a younger sister by another person.

"But I can't complete contracts efficiently if this thing gets fried whenever I use it. Not to mention that I'll be the one that get fried if it suddenly wants to if it thinks I'm mistreating it or something." Raven decided and she obviously would want to have an easier time.

"Why hello, Natasha. What's up? I haven't heard from you in a long time?" Ein greeted her and she sighed in relief that he didn't really hold it against her that she didn't call much.

"Ein-sama, I'm doing fine. I'm actually on the island that I bought for my early retirement. But I've got a problem, the 3rd key is fragile on my hands. Just one shot with its railgun would make it unusable. And it's a huge help for me, what should I do?" Natasha scratched her head and thought it was a pretty big favor.

"Well, come to me then. I'll fix it for you, I haven't seen you in a long time too. For old times' sake?" He chuckled and Raven nodded, missing his delectable food as well.

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Natasha arrived via a private jet and she went nostalgic at the HQ of theirs that looks like a haven for orphans, playing with the deceptively cute ELFs that can murder almost anything. Making her smile tenderly, remembering that Aesir has saved millions of them, including herself and her brother.

"Hi Natasha, it's good to see you in good health." Ein patted her head and she blushed in embarrassment. "Ein-sama, I'm not a kid anymore." She pouted at him, but didn't really take his hand away.

"Well, it doesn't matter. But you've grown well, having an island for yourself at this age eh? Good job." He gave a thumbs up and Natasha smiled. "Well, you always told everyone that money makes the world go round. And I didn't understand at first, but now I know." Natasha chuckled.

"Come on, let's go. You didn't just come here to get the 3rd key fixed right? I can do that instantly anyways." He smirked at her and she puffed up her cheeks. "It's not my fault that you make some nice food, I even dream of it still sometimes."

They arrived at his room and some hot meals were already waiting on the table. "Come on, help yourself. Tell me how you've been doing." He gestured for her to sit and they talked about her life as a mercenary.

"Ein-sama... You didn't tell me that one of the 7 forms of the 3rd key is a damned slingshot." Natasha deadpanned at him and he laughed.

"What? It's an electromagnetic one, that thing is stronger than anti tank weapons. Even if you just use a little metal bearing as ammunition you know?" He explained and Natasha sighed.

"I've only gotten 3 forms so far. It's too stubborn, she doesn't want to let me use the others." Natasha sighed and he nodded in understanding.

"Well, let me see it." Natasha took it out and Ein raised a brow. As the weapon was lacking honkai energy and a lot of maintenance.

"So that's why... She's ragged as hell." He sighed and snapped his fingers. The weapon unraveled and turned into black lightning with red borders. His signature lightning, it then glowed brightly and pulsed. Conveying delight as it felt the overwhelming power.

He then transformed it into the great sword form, Raven gasped as the weapon looked like it was alive. Glowing with brilliant violet light, arcing electricity on its blade menacingly.

"Damn. That looks evil. I can feel goosebumps on me just looking at that thing." Natasha shivered as the sword felt like it swallow her whole with lightning.

"Hehe~ like it? Pretty cool right? Designed it myself." He then stood up and transformed it to the charge blade form. Making it morph into a huge axe that's rated for titanic honkai beasts with hard shells.

"I don't think I can do that, it looks heavy and dangerous." Natasha sighed as she felt that the weapon is too complicated for close combat. She couldn't possibly maneuver herself while fighting. Needing impeccable timing and reflexes during the heat of battle, she didn't need that complexity in life.

"Haha, well. 7 Thunders of Retribution is weaker than Shamash and Abyss Flower in pure attack. But at the right hands, she is the best weapon in dealing with anything. A master combatant will be a nightmare to fight with this thing." He thought that it had everything from close range to long and in pure combat against herrschers, a master would choose the 3rd key.

"Well, I'm no master weapon specialist. So thanks, but no thanks." Natasha chuckled and Ein pinched her cheeks. "That's why it doesn't accept you as its wielder. Well, do tell me if you want to have some extra training."

Natasha thought about it and wanted to know how strong was he first. "How can I know that your training would suit me?" She gave a cheeky smile and he squinted his eyes at her.

"Hoh? I didn't rise to be the supreme leader of the MOTHs as just a scientist Natasha. I battled herrschers much stronger than the ones that have appeared now while I was a full human alone. If I'm not wrong, we're about the same stats back then. You will be fighting full fledged herrschers that want to murder anything one on one, think you can square up?" He gave a smirk and made her remember the story of the 3rd key's 1st battle.

"Alright, alright. Sorry, I just forgot." Natasha started sweating, recalling the super typhoons raging and the lightning raining down on their battlefield. Storms ravaging everything for thousands of kilometers, winds slicing up skyscrapers and pressurized bombs exploding all over the place.

"Good, and call me Ein-nii like you used to." He gave a cheeky smile and Natasha blushed profusely. "Okay... Ein-nii." He patted her head and Natasha just looked down on the ground.

"Well, here's a training regimen. You should always be on your toes Natasha, comfort breeds weakness." He gave her a comprehensive guide and she nodded.

"But do tell me what you'd want to be when things calm down." He asked and she thought about it for a moment. "I think I want to be a bartender. I like alcohol after all, and the job would be quite calm. I'll just beat up drunks too." She smiled, imagining it.

"Hmm, how about a uniform like this." He snapped his fingers and Natasha's battle suit changed into a uniform. (pic)

"Woah, this looks nice." She didn't mind the tightness as her battle suit basically hugged her body tightly.

"Right? Now, how about you serve me a cocktail? Let's test your knowledge on alcohol then." He teleported them to the bar and she smiled at his challenge.

"Oh, you're on!" She started brewing a drink and they enjoyed the ambiance of the bar for some time before she went home in a good mood.

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Meanwhile, Schicksal has finally opened up the Cosmic Juggernaut and Tilie entered it with Bianka and Rita with excitement.

"Finally. The 2nd key's encryptions and locks were formidable. It took us months to just open it." She reveled in her victory and got ecstatic that she was closer to her ultimate goal.

"What are you going to do with the 2nd key anyway Tilie?" Bianka thought that weapons would be better than the Cosmic Juggernaut to aid them in the war against the honkai.

"You do not understand Bianka. We can travel through other worlds unimpeded and see how other civilizations fought against the honkai. We can then collect the best data and fight them with the most effective tactics." Tilie explained her backstory for getting the key and Bianka nodded, getting an idea.

"Ohh? The META right? I didn't know you were a meta slave Tilie, that's not good." Bianka said and Rita chuckled at Bianka's accurate observation.

"Meta slave? No matter, what's important is we win Bianka." Tilie did not understand. "But you made Kallen fantasy, shouldn't you know that overseer?" Rita reminded her that the reason they couldn't work on the 2nd key immediately was because Tilie made a game named Kallen Fantasy zero. And Ein was the main antagonist, not realizing how appropriate it was. (pic)

"S-shut up! We got a lot of money from the scandal with ME corp. Now, let's activate the vessel." Tilie started the Cosmic Juggernaut and it whirred. They were then greeted by a 3d construct of light, Ein.

"Welcome, the one who has found this ancient relic from an era that is probably forgotten by now." Ein started talking and they trio were completely gobsmacked.

"I had my suspicions. But old friend, you really are from that era." Tilie mumbled as she expected it, but learning it that way was still a surprise.

"This is the 2nd key, Cosmic Juggernaut. And if you are here without its user. Then Project Veluka has failed as well. I will tell you the use of this ship, now that project Veluka has failed. And the others probably has too." The realistic hologram explained and they listened intently. They were witnessing ancient history.

"This vessel can travel through the sea of quanta. And its primary goal was to find a parallel universe that could house humanity. A place where the honkai is defeated or didn't exist at all. But that is just a pipe dream." Ein told the story and they were all hooked. Tilie's eyes became bloodshot from the information she received, archiving it in her brain and not blinking even once. As this was information that she has sought for centuries.

"So now, dear fellow humans. I would like to implore you..." They were tense, wanting to know what is next.

"To find parallel universes that has culture in it! Create perfect human soldiers with project Stigma and impregnate all the babes! Be immune to honkai energy as humanity adapts. Defeat the honkai through love and sex! It is god's will, as he told everyone to be fruitful and multiply. Be fruitful alright, so fornicate like rabbits and mix stigmatas! Widen the gene pool and create humans that can defeat the honkai!" Ein said passionately and suddenly disappeared like smoke.

The three listeners were dumbfounded and didn't know how to react to his speech.

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A few months have passed in Nagazora and Kiana has been a great deterrent against the bullies of Mei. Especially because of her fiery personality that doesn't take shit from anyone.

And they were currently studying in Ein's huge library as Kiana would fail for the tests. And she would be held back if she didn't pass. Not able to enter St. Freya, especially with her subpar grades. Smart Valkyries are better than strong ones that are idiots.

"Mei-chan... Let's take a break!" Kiana whined and Mei gave a wry smile at her. "Kiana-chan, you do know that you won't be able to get to that prestigious school that Bronya-chan and the others are at if you fail, right?"

Kiana groaned, thinking that school is the enemy of mankind. "Can't Ein-nii teach me? Rozaliya is super smart now because of him!" Bronya sent Rozaliya's report card to her and it had above average grades. At St. Freya's curriculum too, which were advanced for a few years. Already teaching college level subjects to highschoolers.

"Rozaliya-chan studies hard, that's why. You won't get anything by whining Kiana-chan, Ein nii-sama would be disappointed in you if you fail. Not to mention that the others at St. Freya would leave you in the dust even further." Mei chided her and Kiana perked up at that.

"Yeah... They're already A-rank and would be taking the S-rank promotions when they graduate. And I'm still a B-rank Valkyrie." Kiana got depressed and thought her friends were amazing.

"Slow and steady Kiana-chan, you don't have to rush." Mei said with a smile, but deep inside. She felt that she was running out of precious time. As the trials for her father dragged on, Anti-Entropy and Schicksal fighting for supremacy from behind.

"I hope you're right, I can't let myself be beaten up by a shrimp like Bronya!" Kiana shouted as that would be an embarrassment of a lifetime if it really happened.

Mei laughed at her antics and Kiana continued studying for the exams with a heavy frown. Soldiering on to beat the accursed tests that has plagued humanity for thousands of years.

Mei then said her goodbyes and went home, but what she saw made her heart sank. "Mom! Are you okay!?" She immediately went inside their apartment that was vandalized. The door was a wreck and the walls were spray painted with words like robber and thief.

Mei saw Yuna picking up the pieces of their furniture as it was also destroyed inside. Yuna had tears on her eyes as they also robbed them of the valuables they had in their humble home.

"Mom! Are you okay?" Mei hugged her tightly and Yuna patted her head while reigning in her tears. "I'm alright honey, mom is okay. How about you? Did somebody hurt you, are you alright?" Yuna asked and Mei nodded.

"Enough about me, I'm fine as you can see..." She then looked around and the place was a complete wreck. Even their clothes weren't spared as they contacted the authorities.

"I'll try to find a place for us to stay for now, Mei. Please tell the authorities what happened and watch the cctv footage okay?" Yuna kissed her forehead and Mei was seething.

She then watched the footage of what happened and her anger skyrocketed. It was a group of girls from Chiba and they were the same bunch that stopped her when she was about to go home.

"T-those skanks..." Mei trembled from rage, gritting her teeth hard. But there was nothing she could do except report them. And the police would probably just give them a slap on the wrist as the public was really biased against them. Not to mention that they would probably create a sob story to trick the jury.

Mei started crying from the intense anger she felt and her stigmata glowed. But Ein's little restriction kept her in line.

"Damn you all, just you wait. I'll make every single one of you pay." She swore and vowed.

She calmed down after some time and was waiting for her mother. But she hasn't come back yet. "What's taking mom so long?" She wondered and tried calling her. But someone unfamiliar answered.

"Hello, is this Raiden Yuna's relative? I saw your name when this phone rang. Your mother is in the hospital, some delinquents threw rocks at her and one of them hit her on the head." The one who answered informed her and Mei immediately dashed to the address the person gave her.

Mei arrived quickly and was in a panic at the reception. "I'm Raiden Mei! Please tell me where Raiden Yuna is!" She shouted and they escorted her to the location.

"M-mom..." Mei sucked in a deep breath, seeing her mother's head that was bandaged. Blood, still visible one the wrappings.

"Are you her daughter? Some kids threw rocks at your mother. We've got their pictures, do you recognize them? We also got a statement that they thought your mother was you." A cop showed her some pictures and Mei's eyes widened.

"Y-yes... I know their faces." Mei gritted her teeth and almost broke them.

*She's there because of your weakness. It is a shame that you chose weakness over strength and power. Now, your mother suffers for it.* The herrscher spoke in a disappointed tone and Mei clutched her head as she went outside.

"No... It's because of those skanks!" She was fuming and the herrscher smirked. *No, it is because of you. Do not put the blame on others for your feebleness, Raiden Mei. If you had the strength to take the world on, then none of this would have happened. Your dreams would be fulfilled, your mother wouldn't need to work so hard. It's all because of you!*

Mei screamed as Ein's restriction on her and the surge of honkai energy in her body fought for supremacy. But in the end, it was just a little stopgap that he really didn't put effort on.

"No! It's because this world is unfair! They kiss our family's ass because we were useful and rich, but now. They spit on the very path we walk because we fell down! It's all because of humans! My dreams, my aspirations, my eternal debt. It can never be fulfilled because of them!" Mei breathed heavily and her eyes glowed a brilliant violet as lightning started arcing around her.

Dark clouds started converging on Nagazora and Mei was clutching her head and her voice overlapped with the herrscher's.

"Accept it, be the queen of lightning and make them disappear with the defeaning thunderclap of our awakening!" The herrscher shouted in glee and Mei couldn't resist anymore.

An explosion originated from Mei, but she controlled it to the opposite side of Yuna's hospital. Thus, starting the 3rd honkai eruption at the center of Nagazora as thunder clapped and lightning lit up the whole city.

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Thanks for reading everyone, the herrscher of thunder has awakaned. Or has she? Anyways, ciao.