Volume 1, Chapter 35: Durandal's Popularity

This was Xia Chen's first time clearing a Honkai Event, yet he felt no excitement. Instead, he experienced a sense of loss and began doubting himself.

He questioned whether his final strike was wrong, even suspecting that his character might be becoming distorted.

During the Coral Island Honkai, he had the conviction and courage to sacrifice himself for Ana. Yet, why couldn't he do the same for Wendy, instead becoming akin to Rita's villainous role at that time.

Was it due to Schicksal brainwashing him?

Or perhaps the simulations were too realistic, gradually numbing his emotions?

He struggled to understand; both Ana and Wendy faced similar situations, so why could he save one but not hesitate to kill the other? The young boy began doubting himself, fearing he might have transformed into someone like Kevin, consumed by madness.

The simulated scenarios felt far too real, constantly exposing him to the devastated cities under Honkai Events. Xia Chen suspected that as he experienced more simulations, his heart would harden further. Eventually, during the future battle against Schicksal, he might even resort to killing Kiana without hesitation.

It wasn't impossible, considering how environments can subtly influence a person over time.

Fortunately, there was some solace—his bed sheets remained dry tonight.

After lying in bed for a while longer, Xia Chen got up and headed towards the training room once again.

Upon entering the training room, Xia Chen unexpectedly found more Valkyries present than usual. Even Alvitr, who typically spent her time in the technical department, had arrived. They were divided into two groups, seemingly engaged in a heated debate, with one side visibly injured.

"What's going on here?" Curious, he asked a nearby girl from the technical department, knowing she often received firsthand information within the Immortal Blades.

"The Oceanic Branch Valkyries are feeling disgruntled," Alvitr replied with a hint of sarcasm. "Recently, they came to Headquarters for their reports and became envious upon seeing our training facilities."

"Someone mentioned that aside from the captain and vice-captain, there's no one else noteworthy in the Immortal Blades. Naturally, this sparked their dissatisfaction."

"And what was the outcome?"

"As expected, they suffered a humiliating defeat. After being part of the Immortal Blades for so long, it would be quite embarrassing if we couldn't even beat Valkyries from less advantaged branches," Alvitr stated matter-of-factly.

Intense competition exists among Valkyries, as Schicksal is a military organization combating Honkai. Military personnel inherently admire strength.

While the Immortal Blades have a renowned reputation, much of it stems from Durandal's prowess. It's understandable that some would challenge their standing.

After all, one must be prepared when serving as a sidekick.

However, don't assume just anyone can become Durandal's sidekick. Even these B-rank Valkyries have extensive experience farming points in the Memory Battlefield.

Recalling the Memory Battlefield, Xia Chen couldn't help but ask Alvitr, "By the way, I heard that Captain Durandal's combat data was recently added to it. When is the update scheduled?"

"Hmm, you didn't know?" Alvitr seemed surprised. "It was updated just an hour ago."

"An hour ago?" Xia Chen was slightly taken aback.

That coincided with the time he planned to start his simulation.

"Don't you wonder why the Immortal Blades and Oceanic Branch Valkyries were arguing? They're all vying for their turn in the Memory Battlefield."

Due to equipment limitations, only one person could access the Memory Battlefield at a time. Simulating such immersive holographic interactions simultaneously for multiple users was technologically challenging.

"In other words, they were drawn here by our captain's appeal?"

Alvitr blinked curiously. "Didn't your captain change? Shouldn't you update the title then?"

"As long as the meaning is understood, titles don't matter much."

He felt no particular disappointment about leaving the Immortal Blades.

The outcome of the dispute between the two Valkyrie groups had already been decided.

The Oceanic Branch's Valkyries lost their priority access to the Memory Battlefield, despite their dissatisfaction. However, defeat meant they had to accept it.

In military organizations, losing equates to forfeiting status.

Xia Chen observed the densely packed queue and couldn't help but marvel.

"Captain Durandal sure is popular."

"How about you? Jealous?" Ana approached unexpectedly; lately, she had been quite active in the training rooms.

Perhaps due to her contributions during the Manila Honkai incident or her rank, she was provided with the best recovery medications. Additionally, Durandal personally guided her rehabilitation for some time.

Her recovery training proved highly successful, allowing her to engage in combat while wearing Mark-III Valkyrie Armor. As long as she didn't suffer another wrist injury, there was little difference between her and a regular A-rank Valkyrie.

Even Ana felt that with further training under Durandal, achieving S-rank Valkyrie status might just be a matter of time.

"Hmm? How's your recovery going?" Xia Chen couldn't resist asking out of concern.

"Oh, perfectly fine, otherwise it would've been a waste of resources." Dressed in her Valkyrie armor, she exuded confidence and strength.

Ana curiously asked, "What, do you want to join the line too?"

"I just want to compete... with Lady Durandal," Xia Chen shook his head, revealing his ambition openly. "At least, I aim to close the gap between us."

To this, Ana could only respond, "Many Valkyries have expressed similar sentiments before."

"However, most ended up disheartened and discouraged."

After all, truly gifted individuals were rare, and Durandal's talent... it transcended mere description as 'talent'. It was more akin to having cheats enabled.

One cannot compete against someone using cheats.

Even after acquiring so much from the simulator, Xia Chen lacked confidence in enduring more than three minutes against Durandal in her Starcraft Armor state.

However...

If it were the Moonlit Specter from the Memory Battlefield, he still felt confident.

As Alvitr had explained, the Moonlit Specter in the Memory Battlefield wasn't as agile as the real Durandal, intentionally designed to lower the difficulty. In terms of comparison to Honkai Beasts, the Moonlit Specter within the Memory Battlefield roughly equaled an Imperial Honkai Beast, perhaps even slightly stronger.

In Alvitr's exact words: "Setting such low difficulty is also meant to give ordinary Valkyries hope of catching up to Captain Durandal."

The Headquarters had long been troubled by the Immortal Blades' tendency to rely solely on Durandal, showing little ambition for self-improvement.

Xia Chen didn't argue with Ana and instead suggested, "I'm about to start training. Want to join me?"

"Sure," Ana eagerly agreed.

As fellow A-rank Valkyries, she acknowledged that Xia Chen was stronger than her. With his ability to manifest Stigmata, his talent far surpassed the initial assessment of A-grade potential. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Xia Chen had a high likelihood of becoming an S-rank Valkyrie.

However, Ana was not one to back down easily either.

During this period, she too had made significant progress.

Both began their workout using equipment at the training ground.

After approximately two hours, Ana started feeling fatigued, while Xia Chen remained unhindered, neither panting nor breaking a sweat.

By then, the Valkyries' check-in session had concluded.

Xia Chen gradually slowed down and headed towards the Memory Battlefield.