During their brief conversation, Theresa did not expect that Kouro would actually hurt Himeko and take Kiana hostage.
After all, Kouro was a man whose combat power was considered equivalent to an A-ranked Valkyrie and also claimed to have a certain connection with the 3rd Herrscher, so that meant he could give Herrscher some orders.
Theresa's main power was Hyperion and with Major Himeko deliberately feigning, she was unable to mobilize any attack, moreover Kiana was also in their custody, it was impossible to carry out an attack in the current situation.
Yes, from Theresa's point of view, Himeko was currently faking it.
Although it was through the virtual communication screen, the graphics were not very detailed compared to face-to-face communication.
Theresa could still see from Kouro's clothing and weapon condition that he had gone through a series of continuous battles and he was not in his peak condition.
As for Himeko who was currently captured, wearing the Scarlet Fusion Nexus Battlesuit, although it was not the crystallization of their highest technology, it was still a very powerful battlesuit.
Obviously Himeko did not put up a fight on purpose!
Theresa could not see the power equality between Himeko and Kouro at this time. Now there was no doubt that Himeko who was still in her peak condition and fully prepared for battle should be able to defeat Kouro no matter what.
But now she saw Himeko being deliberately captured by Kouro,
'Does she think I'm an idiot?
Taking a deep breath to hold back the obscenities she wanted to throw out. Theresa tried her best to speak in a normal tone and asked Kouro.
"Why did you do this? If it was to save her, then you did enough."
"In exchange for a bright future, you planted a bomb near her heart. Do you think that counts as 'salvation'? Principal Theresa, what are your options?"
The captured Himeko was also looking nervously at Theresa, she clearly wasn't worried about her own safety.
"Back then, I was the one who threatened others, I never imagined that I would also be threatened. This is the first experience for me and it still feels very new." Theresa muttered to herself with a slightly helpless expression.
Theresa pouted before continuing, "I agree to your request and will not use 'shackles' on the 3rd Herrscher. She only needs to come to St. Freya Academy with you and Kiana, nor will she be treated differently. Are you satisfied?"
"Much appreciated, Principal Theresa." Upon hearing Theresa's response, Kouro loosened the hand that was holding Himeko, causing Himeko to turn her head in surprise, she noticed that Kouro's arm kept shaking and his muscles were swelling red.
"Are you... Have you reached your limit?"
"...Yes." Kouro didn't hide it because he really couldn't take it anymore.
He fought on the side of the Nagazora City garrison unit for eight hours and also evacuated the students and teachers of Tachikawa Academy earlier.
__
Status:
Name: Hanagami Kouro
Level: 16 --> 20
Job: None
Title: Wolf Slayer
[HP: 3,467/10,800]
[SP: 845/1,216]
Fatigue: 99 [DANGER]
Strength: 74 --> 78
Agility: 50 --> 54
Vitality: 50 --> 54
Senses: 50 --> 54
Intelligence: 50 --> 54
Honkai: 72 --> 76
Points: 65 --> 85
__
Kouro had been running since six in the morning without stopping. Coupled with the continuous high-intensity fighting with stab wounds and internal trauma even if he had used 'Status Recovery' he couldn't last much longer.
If he knew like this, he should have saved the 'Status Recovery' option for a truly urgent situation.
'Indeed, the best learning comes from experience...'
Kouro kept this experience in his heart.
"After the negotiations were over, it seems like you succumbed to fatigue and are now helpless. Maybe the Principal will change her mind and break her promise later." Himeko said aside in a joking tone.
Kouro smiled weakly in response to Himeko's words, "I'm sure she won't. But if things really turn out that way, I'll be the most desperate person in the world."
After saying that, Kouro closed her eyes and fell down.
[Skill 'Unknown' has taken effect]
Effect: Significantly increases the regeneration rate.
Himeko hurriedly supported him, lest this guy fall and get hurt, however she was close to him, she looked at Kouro's face and realized that this guy... seemed to be asleep?
Himeko then turned to the communication screen and asked in an inexplicable tone, "Principal Theresa, would you like to use this opportunity to change your mind?"
"Tsk! Even if I order you to capture the 3rd Herrscher right now, you won't do it in earnest, will you?"
"After all, you're not the type to strictly follow orders. And besides, don't underestimate me, I'm not a villain who breaks het own words."
"Ah, Ahahaha..."
Himeko figured out that Theresa had figured out her thoughts and laughed wryly, which caused Theresa to sigh helplessly.
"Alright, the Third Eruption ends like this. Major Himeko, take Kouro, Kiana, and the 3rd... Uh, her name is Raiden Mei, right? Bring those three back here."
Himeko nodded and ended her communication with Theresa, then she adjusted her posture to be more comfortable carrying Kouro, but just as she was about to bring Kouro back, a cold voice sounded behind her.
"He's mine, human! Take your filthy hands off him!"
The 3rd Herrscher spoke in a grim, jealous-like tone.
Himeko turned around and was dumbfounded by the unexpected situation before showing a mischievous grin to Herrscher Mei.
"What if I don't want to let go, are you going to attack me? If you attack me, Kouro will also be affected. He's currently in a weakened state and is sleeping, if he suffers any more injuries, he'll probably..."
Himeko could clearly see that at the end of her sentence, Herrscher Mei's cold face suddenly had a panicked expression plastered on it.
Seeing this, Himeko thought, 'It turns out that the 3rd Herrscher is quite easy to deal with. '
Just when Himeko started to feel a bad feeling in her heart and opened her mouth to say something, Herrscher Mei suddenly closed her eyes and when she opened them again, her eyes were now black.
By now, the original Mei had taken control of her body and the intimidating aura around her had completely vanished, replaced by the kind and caring Mei of Kouro's condition, Raiden Mei.
"Please, help Kouro." Mei pleaded to Himeko.
To be honest, this rapid personality change from cold to kind was rather difficult for Himeko to handle.
"Help him? The wounds on his body aren't that bad..."
Kouro was undefeated on the battlefield before and was the undisputed winner.
Just when Himeko was trying to comfort Mei and tell her not to worry too much.
She felt something in her hand that was holding Kouro slightly warm and when she looked closer, her hand was covered with a bright red color from the blood dripping under Kouro's torn clothes.
Himeko frowned upon realizing this.
~~ fun fact
Kouro is expert in various weapons, but the weapons he most often uses are katana, greatsword, and the gauntlet.