Crusading against the Branch

Aboard a formidable battleship, charting its course towards the Oceania branch, sat Rita and Durandal, side by side. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation and unspoken thoughts. After a prolonged period of silence, Rita finally gathered the courage to voice her concerns.

"Lord Durandal," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "What are your thoughts on this impending crusade against the branch? Your battles have predominantly been against Honkai beasts, haven't they?"

Rita's question was not born out of doubt in Durandal's strength. Rather, it was the inevitable consequence of the crusade that troubled her - the spilling of their own kind's blood. This was a burden too heavy for her to bear alone, making Durandal's involvement crucial.

Across from Rita sat a blonde girl, her eyes slightly closed in contemplation. A faint smile graced her lips, but her eyes were pools of sadness. She glanced at the maid seated beside her, understanding the gravity of their situation.

Both of them were S-ranked Valkyries, often seen at headquarters and known for their close bond. However, she was acutely aware that their missions varied greatly in nature. Even when they fought on the same battlefield, their objectives were starkly different.

"Rita," Durandal began, her voice steady and calm, "During my crusades against the Honkai Beasts, I often pondered - would crushing these beasts bring peace to our world?"

She paused before continuing, "The answer is not as simple as it seems. Through numerous battles, I've come to realize that the disaster of Honkai is not always greater than the greed of the human heart. This was evident during the Third Honkai eruption and the Desire Gem incidents which have yet to culminate into the Great Honkai. In the Second Honkai eruption, it was primarily the Siberian region that was affected. However, human intervention has caused this area to expand."

Durandal's gaze hardened as she added, "A Valkyrie's duty extends beyond defeating Honkai beasts. We are protectors of people against all forms of brutality."

With a determined look in her eyes, she concluded, "So Rita, what I'm trying to say is - I'm ready." Her words echoed in the silent room, a testament to her unwavering resolve.

Rita's laughter echoed through the battleship, a sound that was both light-hearted and filled with relief. She turned to Durandal, her voice soft yet resolute.

"Lord Durandal, it appears my concerns were unfounded," she admitted, a hint of amusement in her tone. "The Immortal Blade will once again accompany you into battle, aimed directly at our adversaries. It has been years since I last witnessed such a scene."

Durandal nodded, her gaze steady. "Our duty as Valkyries is to resist Honkai," she stated simply. Turning to Rita, she asked, "Has there been any significant developments at headquarters?"

Rita hummed thoughtfully before responding, "There is indeed one event of considerable importance. However, we have arrived at the Oceania branch. Let's discuss it upon our return."

"Agreed," Durandal replied. "Let's proceed."

As the battleship gradually came to a halt, the branch did not retaliate with its weapons. The sudden change in relations had taken everyone by surprise. Even with repeated orders from HQ, no one had anticipated the deployment of the Indestructible Blade to rectify the situation.

The blonde girl descended from the ship, her riding lance held lightly in her right hand. The massive silver lance seemed weightless in her grip. She didn't utter a word as she stepped off the ship, with Rita quietly trailing behind her.

Outside the ship, the minister of the Oceania branch nervously led a group of people towards them. They were armed and wary as they watched the armored girl descend.

Many had seen her on the battlefield - a prodigy born once in a thousand years from the Kaslana and Schariac House. Known as the strongest S-class female Valkyrie in history, not just in the current session.

Her presence on the battlefield was a beacon of hope. No matter how massive the wave of Honkai beasts was, the Schicksal troops could still hold their line in death as long as she was there.

The question of her strength was one that many pondered over. Yet, no Honkai Beast had ever been able to truly test her might. Since her debut, she had faced no more than a single enemy.

There were those who believed that the Herrscher of Thunder might be the one to reveal her upper limit. However, she was defeated by her own sister, who didn't even put up much of a fight. Some thought she could take on the Red Iris Immortal, but that entity hadn't been seen for over 500 years.

In the present day, she was a living legend, the sharpest edge of the Immortal Blade.

The Sarina branch minister broke out in a cold sweat. How could she have anticipated that headquarters would send Durandal to deal with this situation? She had never faced Honkai beasts before; this was her first encounter with a female Valkyrie.

A man's name casts a long shadow, as does a tree's.

Despite having retired earlier and never witnessing her in action personally, the name of the strongest S-rank Valkyrie was well-known throughout the world. Her battle videos were viewed as instructional material by countless Valkyries, serving as a textbook example of strength and strategy.

"Durandal, what brings you here?" Sarina asked, her hand tightly gripping her weapon. This time, she was accompanied by her direct line, including the old woman who held significant authority within the base.

Durandal, the young woman, merely glanced at her. Without uttering a word, she gently raised her mounted rifle, angling it to her right.

Sarina's eyes widened in shock. "The Black Abyss White Flower? Why would you deploy the God's Key?" she exclaimed, her voice shrill and trembling slightly.

Durandal finally broke her silence. "Submission… or Death!" she declared. Her voice was steady, her eyes calm. Yet, the way she clutched her lance tightly indicated that she was not taking this lightly.

The audacity of a single person attempting to overpower an entire branch might have seemed like hubris to some. But no one dared to laugh or scoff. After all, it was Durandal who had spoken.

"Negotiate?" Sarina's voice wavered, her initial confidence faltering as she came face to face with the formidable adversary she was up against.

"Then death!" Durandal retorted, her voice echoing ominously. With a swift motion, she raised her lance and thrust it directly towards Sarina. Caught off guard, Sarina barely managed to raise her longsword in time to parry the attack. The clash of metal on metal rang out as the tip of the lance met the sword.

In an instant, a figure was sent flying backwards, stirring up a cloud of dust and leaving two deep marks on the ground. Amidst the chaos, the blonde girl stood her ground, her lance unwavering. The surrounding Branch Valkyries encircled her, but she remained unfazed, as if she were the one surrounding them instead.

Within the settling dust, Sarina was seen half-kneeling on the ground. Blood trickled from the corners of her mouth and her hands trembled slightly as she struggled to maintain her grip on her sword. The sight of a Valkyrie unable to firmly hold a weapon was unthinkable, yet it was happening right before their eyes.

A longsword was embedded halfway into her thigh, its tip buried deep within. Blood seeped out from the wound, staining her combat uniform a dark shade of red. The sword in her hand bore visible damage - cracks spread from the hilt to the middle of the blade, a testament to the intensity of Durandal's attack.

"Wait," Sarina called out, her gaze fixed on Durandal who was advancing slowly, seemingly oblivious to the numerous Valkyries surrounding her. With each step Durandal took, the Valkyries instinctively retreated, their confidence visibly shaken.

The sight before them was a shocking revelation - their branch minister had failed to block a single blow from Durandal. The reality of the situation was a stark reminder of the power that Durandal wielded.

Unfazed by the reactions around her, Durandal continued her steady advance. Prior to her arrival, Rita had shared a harsh truth with her - some people were destined to fall. It was a grim reality that they had to face in their line of duty.

Rita had offered to shoulder this burden for Durandal, but this time, Durandal had declined her offer. She believed it was her responsibility as the strongest Valkyrie. If she made a decision, she would see it through to the end with unwavering determination.