Volume 1, Chapter 47: Simulation - Poem of the Wind
"Gretel, we should head back at this time."
Under the Australian night sky, the girl in the wheelchair gently spoke to Gretel, "If we don't return now, it will cause trouble for the guards."
"Ah ha, no worries, I've already informed them," Gretel nonchalantly replied. "Anyway, those guys can be easily swayed with some dollars, so there's nothing to worry about."
"But is this really appropriate?" Concern flickered in Wendy's eyes.
In Wendy's understanding, the Ocean Branch should have been akin to Headquarters—a strictly disciplined military base everywhere you look. However, Gretel mentioned that here, apart from orders from Headquarters, nothing speaks louder than American dollars.
"Can a Valkyrie still fight under these circumstances?"
"What nonsense."
Gretel chuckled dismissively, "Why would any combat-ready Valkyries stay at the Ocean Branch? It's been years since Honkai last occurred here."
With self-derision, she added, "Anyway, no one from Headquarters can oversee us, so let's just carry on like this."
"And what about you?" Wendy suddenly asked, "What you truly desire is to leave this place and long for battle, isn't it?"
Her words left Gretel momentarily silent.
After a while, the girl feigned nonchalance, "That was ages ago. Life here is good, don't you think?"
"Just two hours of training per day fetches a substantial salary, and working in transportation brings extra income. Even officials treat me with utmost deference. What's so great about Headquarters anyway? Those people might have better innate talents, but their daily lives are sheer misery."
With exaggerated flair, she continued, "Ah, like this time at the branch, there's this A-rank Valkyrie guy whose daily training load equals that of all our Valkyries combined!"
But Wendy persisted stubbornly, "Yet you said you wanted to protect the people."
"That's ancient history now," Gretel replied. "People are important, but so are dollars. And if a true Revelation scenario were to occur, we wouldn't ignore it; it's just that it will never happen here in Australia, right?"
Her words carried a wealth of worldly wisdom, each sentence striking deep within Wendy's heart.
Gretel added, "Furthermore, during my recent visit to Headquarters, I learned that your condition isn't entirely hopeless, just somewhat complicated. Don't worry, in a couple of days, I'll arrange for a transfer from shipping duties and help inquire further at Headquarters on your behalf."
"Then, we can simply live out our days here at the Ocean Branch."
"As for you, don't dwell too much on fighting anymore. This peaceful life is quite nice, isn't it?"
Wendy fell silent for a moment.
"You might be right, Gretel."
"Ha, being four years older than you, I definitely know what's best."
However, beneath Gretel's exaggerated words, there was a hint of undeniable disappointment.
If only...
I could truly be content with that thought, it would be so much easier.
The girl pushed Wendy's wheelchair, taking her on leisurely circles around the room.
Watching this scene, Xia Chen felt quite surprised. Earlier, Gretel had advised him not to approach Wendy, yet now she herself didn't hesitate to push her wheelchair and help her relax.
He shook his head but decided against greeting them. Instead, he closed the curtains and proceeded with the simulation.
Meanwhile, as the simulation began, the girl in the wheelchair suddenly yawned.
"Gretel, I'm feeling sleepy."
[Schicksal World Simulator activated.]
[Current Scenario: Intrinsic World - Poem of the Wind.]
[Equipped Weapon: Red Sakura.]
[Equipped Stigmata: Ana Schariac.]
[System generating records...]
[Day 1: 2014, You are an experiment recorder at the Ocean Branch...]
"Gretel, what brings you here?"
"Researcher Gurdar, I came to see Wendy."
"Access to research facilities is strictly controlled; please leave."
Xia Chen, momentarily taken aback, observed as a man, seemingly in his early forties, reprimanded the Valkyrie named Gretel.
Just as Xia Chen was about to speak, the man aggressively pointed at him and said, "Escort her out."
"Ah, okay."
With no choice, Xia Chen complied, expressionlessly addressing Gretel, "Please return."
A hint of regret and defiance flashed in Gretel's eyes, but she had no option but to follow him away from the laboratory.
The journey back was notably silent between them.
Xia Chen wanted to understand the current situation clearly. It was evident that this scenario called 'Poem of the Wind' was connected to the game from his previous life. However, his actions now seemed more like a prequel to the main plotline.
But did such a sequence exist in the game? He couldn't recall it.
As he escorted Gretel to the laboratory entrance, ready to depart, she suddenly spoke:
"Hello." With determination, she lightly bit her tongue and handed Xia Chen a bank card. "Please take care of Wendy, I'm counting on you."
Xia Chen was slightly taken aback.
This was the first time he'd encountered a Valkyrie attempting to bribe him.
He instinctively wanted to decline, "I'll take care of her, but there's no need for this."
Her voice trembled with emotion, "Thank you."
It was evident that this was Gretel's first time doing such a gesture. The act felt like trampling on a knight's pride, leaving her somewhat ashamed.
After expressing her gratitude, Gretel quickly ran off, dropping her bank card on the ground before leaving.
Xia Chen picked it up and noticed a considerate note with the password written on the back.
He searched his memories, confirming that this character did not exist in the previous game timeline. However, by the time Wendy appeared in the past, the Ocean Branch had already become merely a backdrop.
With a slight shake of his head, Xia Chen pocketed the bank card and returned to the laboratory.
Inside the lab, a highly risky experiment was underway—the Herrscher Core Injection Experiment.
The Ocean Branch aimed to inject Herrscher Cores into human subjects, seeking the truth behind 'Authorities.' If they could uncover the origin of Authorities, it would potentially reveal the source of Honkai itself.
This experiment was both grand and perilous. Through the Herrscher Core, they hoped to unravel the essence of Honkai. With this opportunity, they also sought to develop weaponry comparable to that of a Herrscher.
The scientists at the Ocean Branch were filled with enthusiasm, while Xia Chen, as the recorder, was responsible for documenting various experimental data.
"The test subject is performing well."
"Emotions remain stable."
"Honkai Serum prepared for suppression."
"Honkai Energy reactor activated."
"Initiating injection now."
Xia Chen noticed that everyone present exuded excitement.
He observed Wendy inside the experimental chamber, gradually fusing with the Herrscher Core.
"Wendy's body shows no significant signs of rejection; fusion with the Herrscher Core appears feasible."
"Prepare monitoring equipment to detect changes within Wendy's body at any moment."
Their eyes sparkled with madness, eager to glimpse the true nature of Honkai through this opportunity.
Suddenly, Xia Chen's mind felt like it crashed.
He heard it.
A whisper akin to demonic incantation:
"God grants me Authority, to command endless storms, bridging near and far, the King of Desires."
Xia Chen's gaze unfocused momentarily before turning towards Wendy, who was becoming the test subject.
No, more precisely, he was looking at the Gem of Desire.
He wanted it.
Desperately.
As the Gem of Desire fused within Wendy's body, it seemed a voice whispered softly in his ear:
["Devour her."]
["Devour her."]
His thoughts became inundated with meaningless junk, as if a Trojan virus was attacking his brain neurons.
[Eat her!]
The voice grew frantic and strained.
Then, his consciousness once again dissipated.
[Due to glimpsing Herrscher's Authority, you were controlled by the Will of Honkai.]
[You assaulted the laboratory, killed Wendy, absorbed the Gem of Desire, triggering a Major Honkai Eruption that led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands in New Zealand.]
[Theresa arrived and retrieved you.]
[This Revelation scenario experience has concluded. You can permanently retain the following items and extract them to the real world. Congratulations! You have obtained 2 Honkai Pieces. Extract now?]
[Your compatibility with Honkai Energy has increased.]
Simultaneously, Wendy slowly regained consciousness.
"This dream..."
"It seems like some kind of omen."