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Despite their suspicions, Kiana couldn't help but frown when Xia Chen appeared before her.
Looking at him coldly, she asked, "You know what Otto is planning, don't you."
"Yes," Xia Chen acknowledged without denial.
Naturally, Einstein and others would have guessed the truth, given their scientific expertise. However, having struck a deal with Otto, he wouldn't allow Anti-Entropy's plans to succeed.
"Why are you still here?" Kiana questioned sternly. "A global-scale Honkai event - do you understand its implications?"
Xia Chen replied calmly, "But it's worth it."
"With five hundred years of preparation, more tragedies can be rewritten." His voice turned icy. "For instance, the First and Second Honkai Eruptions, or even your own fate..."
Kiana was momentarily taken aback.
"Do you choose this imperfect, already crumbling world, or an opportunity to rebuild everything anew?" He raised the Spear of Clouds. "Choose, Kiana."
This time, however, Kiana showed no hesitation.
"No one can dictate choices for others; every step of our present is the result of individuals' decisions and interactions."
"Returning to the past would also negate people's efforts."
"I absolutely will not allow it!"
Kiana immediately took action.
The dual pistols in her hands fired rapidly at Xia Chen, with bullets infused with potent Honkai Energy seemingly piercing through space itself as they swiftly aimed for his face.
Xia Chen effortlessly evaded, leveraging the fluid nature of his form, granting him speeds far beyond ordinary human imagination.
His Cloud Spear instantly transformed into a slender katana, allowing him to engage Kiana directly using basic sword techniques. For a moment, he managed to dominate their exchange.
"Seele, keep an eye on the doctor. Big Sister Mei, let's assist together."
"Don't forget about me either, Bronya," chimed in Theresa, wielding Oath of Judah. The chains surged towards Xia Chen, attempting to bind him.
Bronya promptly opened fire with Project Bunny, while Raiden Mei moved like a specter, seeking opportunities to strike at Xia Chen with her swift blade.
Hokushin Ittō-ryū: Iai Slash.
Manipulating the fluid around him, Xia Chen deflected these attacks but was forced to distance himself from Kiana.
"Kiana, leave now; we'll handle this," Bronya commanded decisively, recognizing that splitting up was their best option at the moment.
Xia Chen didn't obstruct her departure, despite having the ability to do so.
With Kiana gone, the pressure on him significantly decreased. Assessing Bronya and Raiden Mei swiftly, he decided to target Bronya first. The Cloud Spear transformed once again, unleashing a barrage towards her.
"Project Bunny, activate defense mode."
A transparent force field appeared before Bronya, but under the immense Honkai Energy onslaught, it began to crack. Meanwhile, Oath of Judah changed its form and charged at Xia Chen.
"My other self, let's assist them too."
Seele, wielding a massive scythe, shimmered and joined the attack against Xia Chen. Seizing the opportunity, Raiden Mei closed the distance rapidly, her blade glinting like lightning.
Xia Chen's eyes narrowed slightly, realizing there was no room for complacency anymore.
"Initiate indiscriminate firepower coverage!"
"Moonscorch Armor, activate defensive gear."
The superiority of the Fourth-Gen Valkyrie Armor became evident at this moment.
"Cloud Spear, Annihilation System activated."
A concentrated burst of Honkai energy erupted instantly.
At that moment, Kiana paused briefly, determination reflecting on her face. "Mei, hold on just a little longer."
She stopped, not intending to turn back for Raiden but because someone ahead blocked her path.
"I am Li Sushang, the foremost disciple of the Supreme Unrestrained Gate. Let us exchange blows."
Kiana's eyes widened slightly as she instinctively asked, "Schicksal's S-Class Valkyrie?"
"Perhaps," Li Sushang replied without rushing into action. "But right now, I serve as Otto's enforcer."
Kiana couldn't help but question, "You know what Otto plans to do, so why assist him?"
"It might be due to his unwavering devotion." Li Sushang, with limited scholarly knowledge, smiled at Kiana. "Similar to how I feel deeply devoted when admiring handsome men."
Confused, Kiana blurted out, "Wait, but Otto is destroying the world."
"How can you be sure he isn't bringing about a rebirth for this world instead?"
When Otto exiled Durandal to this unfamiliar space, she found herself utterly bewildered.
"Where am I?"
Her mind raced through recent memories. Not long ago, she had confronted Otto and swiftly subdued him, only for him to unexpectedly banish her here.
"Is this another world beyond our own?"
It dawned on her that she had no idea what Otto intended all along.
"Does he fear my interference with his plans?" This was her initial thought but quickly dismissed it.
Just as Otto understood Durandal, she knew Otto well too. That man, despite being ruthless, would never waste resources so recklessly.
She believed herself to be quite valuable, and abandoning such exceptional assets wasn't Otto's style.
Moreover, before her exile, she overheard some of Otto's words:
"Maintain your anger."
At that moment, a massive Homu appeared before Durandal.
"Hey, girl over there, who are you?" Homu loudly questioned her. "There are many monsters around; leave quickly."
Durandal frowned slightly.
"I'm someone unintentionally stranded in this world. And who might you be?"
"Me? Right, who am I?"
Homu's voice sounded somewhat naive, as if struggling to recall its own identity.
Durandal shook her head and suddenly noticed a fragment ahead, seemingly shimmering with glimpses of scenes—like a tool recording specific information.
"Hey, don't get too close."
Sensing Durandal's gaze, Homu warned, "That is a fragment peeled from this world. There exists a force here that can strip away one's memories."
"Reading others' memories might also confuse your own."
Durandal inexplicably recalled Otto's words:
"Remember to hold onto this anger..."
"So, was it meant to prevent me from getting lost in someone else's memories?"
She wasn't foolish; she immediately understood the significance of these so-called Memory Fragments.
Durandal strode towards the Memory Fragment.
Homu attempted to stop her, but another HOMEI appeared suddenly.
"This is her choice." The voice of HOMEI carried a nurturing maternal tone, dissuading Homu from intervening.
Durandal began accessing the memory within the fragment.
Then, as if guided by some mysterious force, she felt whispers near her ear:
"Kiana, make your choice."
It seemed like an enigmatic power was drawing her into a unique timeline.
She 'saw' herself holding Abyss Flower's umbrella, with Siegfried's voice beside her: "Whether you wish to be an ordinary person or a fighter, I support your choice."
"Then make it now."