Volume 2, Chapter 27: The Birth of Herrscher Xia Chen Amidst Coral Island's Honkai Honkai

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Xia Chen initiated communication with Alvitr.

"Hey, hey! Task completed already? That's fast."

Clearly still within the technical department, Alvitr noticed Ana unconscious in Xia Chen's arms and remarked, "Great, Ana is safe. How are the others from the Snow Lotus Squad doing? What about Wendy?"

"That's why I contacted you," Xia Chen replied calmly. "Help me locate Wendy and the rest through their communicators' signals."

Wendy had exceptional talent and likely survived the Major Honkai Eruption, but the others...he hadn't interacted with them much, so he held little hope.

"Oh, just a moment." Alvitr paused before saying, "Found them. Sending the locations to you now."

"Thanks."

Xia Chen immediately ended the communication, leaving Alvitr pouting.

"He suddenly became quite annoying."

Xia Chen had to admit, Alvitr was indeed very useful outside of combat situations.

At the former garrison of Coral Island's Valkyrie squad, he encountered Wendy amidst her battle against Honkai Beasts.

She appeared disheveled, with her Valkyrie Armor worn down due to the extreme cold temperatures and prolonged fighting, leaving her visibly panting for breath.

Despite this, Wendy dispatched Honkai Beasts and Zombies swiftly.

After clearing the last beast, she noticed Xia Chen holding Ana. However, her gaze immediately fell upon the wings behind him.

"Herrscher?"

"Um, yes."

Xia Chen did not mention Ana's ordeal. Instead, he calmly said, "Please take care of Ana for me."

Wendy fell silent, her eyes seeming to reflect an internal struggle.

As a Valkyrie, her training dictated that encountering a Herrscher required immediate containment. Now, she possessed the strength of an S-rank Valkyrie.

Yet, it was Xia Chen standing before her.

Softly, she replied, "I will ensure Captain's safety."

Wendy ultimately decided against taking action.

"Will you return to Schicksal?"

"I don't know," Xia Chen responded sincerely. "But at least for now, my duty to protect people remains unchanged."

Wendy's expression was conflicted. "I'll strive to find a solution for your condition, just as you once helped me."

"Alright."

Xia Chen handed Ana over to Wendy and softly said, "The Valkyrie vanguard unit has arrived here; go join them."

"Yes."

Wendy hoisted Ana onto her back, watching Xia Chen depart.

As he was about to leave, she spoke up, "When reuniting with the Valkyrie forces, I will truthfully report what happened here and request assistance for your recovery."

Xia Chen merely waved his hand in response.

After bidding farewell to Wendy and Ana, the simulation scenario did not end as expected.

He could feel another consciousness within his mind, emitting a violent and terrifying aura, attempting to influence him.

While not fully accustomed to wielding this Authority, Xia Chen remained unafraid of the Will of Honkai.

Apart from the Taixuan Sword Qi, even Ana's Stigmata were assisting him. Having witnessed Finality itself, these attempts to instill fear had no effect on him.

However, the Major Honkai Eruption continued to wreak havoc everywhere.

He needed to prepare for battle.

"The next enemy...will it be you, Durandal?"

At Schicksal Headquarters, Alvitr received a message from the vanguard Valkyrie forces and couldn't help but widen her eyes.

"What's wrong?" Rita, who had just entered the technical department, asked immediately.

"The Vanguard Valkyries found Snow Lotus Squad's Captain Ana and Wendy. Captain Ana is unconscious, and Wendy's Valkyrie Armor is severely damaged."

"According to their report, the Herrscher that appeared on Coral Island is Xia Chen."

"They urgently request Headquarters to dispatch the Immortal Blades for containment and recovery."

"Hmm? Didn't we just send Xia Chen out..." Rita expressed her confusion.

Alvitr stammered, "I thought there must be some mistake too, but that's what I was told. Let me contact Xia Chen right away."

Shortly after, she managed to reach him.

"What is it?" Xia Chen calmly asked, looking at Alvitr.

"That's a relief." Alvitr glanced at Rita nearby and sighed, "One of the vanguard Valkyries reported you transformed into a Herrscher; I assumed it was false information..."

"It's true," Xia Chen replied evenly.

"W-w-what?!" Alvitr was shocked.

Xia Chen continued calmly, "I've absorbed the Herrscher of Ice, making me the current Herrscher of Ice now."

He didn't mention anything about Ana.

Unable to hold back any longer, Rita interjected, "What exactly happened?"

"Rita... Vice-Captain, you can think of it as me being infected by a Herrscher."

He paused before continuing, "Someone from the World Serpent tried to retrieve me, but I repelled them."

"Will you return to Schicksal?"

"Dare they let me back?"

"Excellent. It seems we have reached an understanding."

Rita cut off the communication.

Alvitr couldn't help her anxiety. "Vice-Captain Rita, why can't we communicate properly? He should come back, right?"

"Alvitr, it's not that simple." Rita forced a smile and said, "If he were to return, how would those Valkyries who've been harmed by Honkai or lost loved ones due to it cope with his presence?"

"He understands this as well."

After Kiana became the Herrscher of the Void and was retrieved by Durandal, the other Valkyries' restraint in not taking action against her was already commendable.

Nevertheless, even then, Durandal had to constantly guard Kiana—not just to prevent her escape but also to protect her from potential outbursts by the Valkyries.

Unless Otto personally intervenes, Xia Chen cannot return.

Only Otto could suppress the fervent complaints of the Valkyries who idolize him. Otherwise, there is only one way for Xia Chen to be allowed back:

To be 'retrieved.'

After Xia Chen's retrieval, Schicksal gained control over his fate, which helped alleviate the resentment among the Valkyries. In short, allowing him to return and resume his crucial role within their ranks was no longer possible.

Rita departed from the technical department.

Alvitr couldn't help but sigh, "Ah, good luck then. This is all I can do for you."

The Immortal Blades were mobilized.

Simultaneously, Raiden Mei found the unconscious Raven.

With great effort, she managed to wake Raven and asked, "How did you end up in such a sorry state?"

"Owl..."

"So it was indeed him," Raiden Mei frowned involuntarily.

Pausing briefly, she said, "Unexpected changes have occurred; Xia Chen has taken the Herrscher's place. I must admit, currently, he outmatches me."

"Should we retreat?"

"Let's wait. Don't forget about Schicksal."

After Raven spoke, there fell a profound silence.

Initially, World Serpent aimed to secure control over the Herrscher's handling, hence why they kept Schicksal at bay. However, who could have anticipated...

"What a humiliating turn of events."

Raiden Mei calmly responded, "I believe now is not the time to dwell on embarrassment."

She continued, "Xia Chen possesses not only the Herrscher of Ice's Authority."

"Like that Kiana?" Raven remarked sarcastically, "Do Herrschers now have a trend for stacking abilities?"