Volume 1, Chapter 21: Simulation - Coral Island Honkai

Apart from Schicksal Headquarters, multiple regional branches had also been established.

Each branch oversaw a designated territory, responsible for maintaining order within their region, including handling Honkai incidents.

The Nagazora City Honkai incident should have been managed by the Far East Branch, according to territorial jurisdiction. Naturally, the Headquarters would not intervene directly.

Otherwise, if every matter required Headquarters' involvement, what would be the purpose of having regional branches?

Even Durandal wouldn't propose clearing Nagazora City herself, as it would undermine the necessity of the Far East Branch.

Despite this...

From future outcomes, it became evident that the Far East Branch indeed held little significance.

Xia Chen couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, "What if I personally took care of these Honkai Beasts?"

Before Alvitr could express her confusion, Xia Chen continued, "My assessment is complete, but I may still lack practical combat experience."

"It probably won't cause much trouble, but I advise against it. Schicksal wouldn't provide logistical support like aircraft just for one person," Alvitr responded casually. "If you truly need combat experience, focus on scoring high in the Memory Battlefields. It will also benefit our Technology Department with additional data."

Xia Chen paused, realizing:

Well, he got the message.

In simple terms, since this falls under Theresa's jurisdiction, he shouldn't interfere.

"I understand, thank you."

"Hmm, anything else?" Alvitr asked, ready to conclude the conversation. "If not, I'll hang up now."

"Go ahead, you're busy."

Xia Chen ended the communication.

Since intervening in Nagazora City's Honkai event was not feasible, he would have to rely on simulations instead.

Unfortunately, while Honkai Beasts in simulated scenarios could upgrade his Stigmata, they lacked actual Honkai Energy.

His only option was to hope that the rewards included Honkai Fragments.

Xia Chen lay down on his bed and closed his eyes.

[Honkai World Simulator activated.]

[Current Scenario: Intrinsic World - Coral Island Honkai Event.]

[Equipped Weapon: Demon Blade, Scarlet Sakura.]

[Active Stigma: Hannah (Middle).]

[System generating records...]

[Day 1: ...]

As Xia Chen regained consciousness, he felt a wave of dizziness.

Instinctively breathing, he sensed an overwhelming chill.

"So cold."

Looking around, he realized that they were now in a frozen city, seemingly transformed at some point.

Despite knowing it was a simulation, the bone-chilling sensation still permeated him deeply.

Fortunately, he was equipped with Valkyrie Armor, clearly indicating his current identity as one of Schicksal's warriors.

It appeared not to be part of the Immortal Blades squad.

"Is this the Snow Lotus Squad?"

The Valkyrie Armor's auxiliary functions prevented hypothermia under these conditions but significantly hindered his movements.

Xia Chen tried moving his joints, finding no signs of injury.

He couldn't help but recall the related storyline from memory.

In his previous life, due to unforeseen circumstances, game developers had shifted to remote work, and their creation of 'Frappuccino' left a strong impression on him. After the Herrscher of Ice emerged, World Serpent collaborated with Schicksal to capture the Herrscher. Naturally, the final outcome...

He sighed involuntarily.

Having become acquainted with Ana, he naturally sympathized with her more. Even now, she continued to struggle against the Herrscher's consciousness.

However, the immediate priority was to clear the Honkai Beasts attracted by the Honkai Energy before them.

Sakura Petal Fall commenced.

The blade's shimmering light, reminiscent of scattering cherry blossoms, left behind a trail of Honkai Beast carcasses.

Xia Chen tightened his grip on Scarlet Sakura, feeling confident and reassured.

According to the System, a consciousness resided within Scarlet Sakura. Although he didn't know its nature, so far, it had proven immensely helpful.

If only it didn't require so much Honkai Energy to be perfect.

He wondered if "Sakura Petal Fall" existed in this world and whether there was any connection between the two phenomena.

To verify, his best option would likely involve finding Theresa and examining the Stigmata within her body.

But now wasn't the time for such thoughts.

Standing amidst the icy cityscape, Xia Chen observed that people here were either frozen statues or transformed into Zombies.

However, non-evolved Zombies posed no threat to him anymore. As long as no Imperial Honkai Beasts appeared, he remained relatively safe.

After eliminating several Honkai Beasts and Zombies, Xia Chen detected traces of the Herrscher's presence.

Following these signs, he swiftly pursued them through the frozen city.

Within the ice-bound metropolis, a young girl gradually encased herself in frost.

Her cheeks covered with dense black ice, she emitted faint, muffled sobs, seemingly seeking help or crying out in despair.

With a vacant gaze, she looked upon the city, witnessing familiar faces turned into corpses around her. Honkai Beasts tracked her movements but dared not approach closely.

She was divine.

Both an apostle of destruction and a troubled maiden.

When Xia Chen first saw her, she was kneeling on the ground, choking herself with her own hands. The surrounding air grew bitterly cold, nearing the point where she would transform into an ice pillar.

He couldn't help but sigh, while Ana also noticed him simultaneously.

"Kill... me," she painfully uttered, barely managing to say, "Plea...se..."

However, before she could finish, control seemed to be wrested from her body as she unleashed the divine authority against Xia Chen.

Bone-chilling frost coalesced around him, attempting to freeze him into an icy statue. Xia Chen swung his demonic blade, slicing through obstructing icicles, and advanced towards her.

Suddenly, Ana froze in place, clearly regaining temporary dominance over her body.

At that moment, Xia Chen heard a voice in his mind:

[Eat her.]

His expression involuntarily stiffened, and the hand wielding the demonic blade paused.

This voice...

Was it one of the Commandments?

Xia Chen briefly met Ana's face encased in solid ice, then dismissed the thought.

The voice differed from the Commandments' saintly tone; instead, it felt more like a seductive whisper.

Then...

it must be the Will of Honkai.

"Is this a hallucination caused by lingering side effects?"

Xia Chen dared not dwell on it further.

Why would the Will of Honkai affect him?

He looked at Ana, who remained motionless due to forced control, still uttering faintly, "Kill...me."

"Ana," Xia Chen took a deep breath and, like a defiant child, suddenly embraced her tightly.

He refused to let this consciousness influence him.

"I'll take you back to Schicksal; there must be a way."

Despite the girl's body being as cold as ice, he did not release his hold.

Perhaps subconsciously aware that if he let go now, he would deeply regret it.

The young boy instinctively supported Ana. "Don't worry, everything will be alright. If I'm not mistaken, Schicksal should currently possess the Gun of God."

The Gun of God was capable of even countering Herrschers.

However, just then, a realization flashed through his mind.

Ana possessed Schariac lineage, which inherently has the ability to neutralize Honkai Energy. After all, the material for the Gun of God originates from Schariac's blood.

So...

Could the reason she became a Herrscher be traced back to releasing her holy blood during the Manila Honkai incident?

In other words, becoming a Herrscher...

Was it an inevitable fate for Ana?