The wind grew increasingly violent, making the trees along the roadside creak and groan.
A cyan streak of light sliced through the vast sky, flying rapidly toward the Oceania Branch base. A series of cyan glows flashed overhead in quick succession, followed immediately by a string of roars from within the base.
The Authority of the Herrscher of Wind is to create ideal fluids, manifesting specifically as the manipulation of wind!
"Next is a matter of revenge for those wronged and justice for those aggrieved. Vengeance shouldn't wait overnight. The tragedy of the Second Honkai does not need to be restaged on Wendy's body."
Lierre watched the direction Wendy had flown, tidying her hair which had become somewhat disheveled by the wind.
Using deception and other means, those people had not only tricked Theresa but even coerced Wendy into "voluntarily" participating in this human experiment that had almost zero chance of success.
The black-hearted scientists who only thought of quickly washing their hands of her after the failure did not deserve sympathy.
The only difference between these people and the group of scientists at the Babylon Labs was that they didn't have as many test subjects to consume at will.
"Was that Miss Wendy who just flew past?"
Bronya glanced at the images transmitted back by Project Bunny 19C, recognizing Wendy, who was currently wreaking havoc in the sky above the Oceania Branch.
"Bronya, what did you just say?" Kiana couldn't see that far with her naked eyes; she could only vaguely see the Oceania Branch being attacked, but she couldn't see exactly what was happening.
Murata Himeko's anxious voice came through the communicators on both of them:
"Kiana, Bronya! Wendy has suddenly become a Herrscher. After forcibly breaking open the Hyperion's hatch, she charged toward the Oceania Branch. You must stay safe!"
On the Hyperion, which was suspended motionless in the air, a large hole had been sliced into the tail section, the cut as smooth as a mirror.
Murata Himeko stood before the breach, holding her communicator, looking toward the Oceania Branch with a heavy expression.
Being able to contact Kiana and Bronya meant that the Fuzetsu hadn't placed them under absolute protection.
A Herrscher was simply too dangerous; even if Wendy had never shown them the slightest hostility, she didn't dare be careless in the slightest.
Murata Himeko didn't receive a response from Kiana or Bronya; instead, Lierre's crisp, youthful voice rang out:
"Tell Cecilia and Raiden Mei not to pursue Wendy. You only need to wait quietly for a moment, and you will gain a Herrscher-level combatant."
These words left Murata Himeko stunned. She seemed to realize something and asked in a low voice, "Is Wendy's sudden transformation into a Herrscher your doing?"
"Indeed. But don't worry, Wendy is a Herrscher of Human just like Joyce—a Herrscher who truly fights for humanity, because I have erased the Honkai's influence over her."
"...If everything you're saying is true, then what is the reason for Wendy's sudden charge toward the Oceania Branch?"
"Is it that hard to understand? This is for Revenge, of course. With Wendy's personality, she might truly have forgiven those who once hurt her, but doing so is no different from hurting herself. So, I gave her a slight push from behind to let her follow the true thoughts of her heart."
Murata Himeko took a long breath, trying her best to calm down and attempt to process this staggering information.
Regarding the fact that the scientists of the Oceania Branch had once monopolized three doses of the panacea, Theresa had been nearly driven mad with rage.
One must know that before the T-Virus was developed, most of the panacea in Theresa's hands was used on Valkyries who were terminally ill, and even then, it wasn't enough.
Yet Theresa had given three doses to the Oceania Branch in one go, naively thinking that no matter how greedy people were, they wouldn't swallow them all.
However, facts proved once again that human greed is boundless.
It wasn't that Theresa hadn't looked for trouble with them, but they had always used the excuse of theft to brush her off.
After silencing for two seconds, Murata Himeko glanced at the white flames on the Hyperion and said, "Fine, I'll have Cecilia and Raiden Mei pull back. I hope you aren't lying to me."
Lierre had likely long since tampered with the Fuzetsu covering this area. Their team's highest combatant, Cecilia, was already on the other side's team; Murata Himeko could do nothing but compromise.
But if Wendy truly turned out as Lierre described, she would return and worship Lierre like a Divine Statue.
This was no ordinary person; this was practically a Deity walking the earth!
There was no reason not to worship her!
After hanging up the communication with Lierre, Murata Himeko contacted Cecilia and Raiden Mei.
After explaining the situation to them, she let out a long sigh as if a heavy burden had been lifted, her eyes becoming expectant.
Trading the lives of a few pieces of scum for a Herrscher in the human camp—it was well worth it!
Periphery of the Oceania Branch.
Cecilia and Raiden Mei stood side-by-side, looking ahead with complex gazes.
Wendy's speed was simply too fast. Although Cecilia was very strong, she couldn't fly. The Hyperion was affected by the Fuzetsu, so they could only travel on foot.
As for Raiden Mei, her development of the Herrscher of Thunder's Divine Power was still in the "I'm figuring this out" stage; she hadn't mastered the ability to fly yet.
The two finally managed to approach the destination, only to receive the "good news" from Murata Himeko.
"I can prove that Lierre wasn't lying then." Raiden Mei raised her right hand, and several bolts of lightning danced upon her jade-like palm. "It was with her help that I avoided the Honkai's influence over me, and even obtained the Authority of the Herrscher of Thunder because of it."
She had signed a strange contract back then; she wondered if Wendy was the same.
Cecilia sighed softly, a trace of sadness flashing in her eyes as she said, "I just didn't want that child to get her hands stained with blood..."
Raiden Mei sheathed her long blade and said, "I think Miss Wendy has already made her decision. Her eyes were very clear then, and her goal was distinct. Let's just... stay here and wait a bit."
Oceania Branch, Underground Base.
Wendy wore a white, magnificent dress. Her snow-white, shapely legs were faintly visible beneath the slit skirt, and her jade-like feet stepped lightly on the cluttered floor. Cyan Wings condensed from high-concentration Honkai energy unfolded on either side of her body.
Her cyan eyes glowed with a faint light as she stared at the group of terrified scientists in white coats before her.
Their usual arrogance had long since vanished. At this moment, they were huddled in a corner like terrified dogs, their eyes filled with horror as they looked at the transformed Wendy.
Every one of them was wondering why they hadn't been included in the protection list of the Divine Key: Divine Blessing of the Ten Directions.
But there was no time for them to think further on the matter. A walking natural disaster stood before them, and whether they lived or died was just a matter of a single thought from her.
"Mi... Miss Wendy, please be merciful and let us go!"
"I didn't want to hurt you intentionally either! It was all his fault! To prove his value to Overseer Otto, he proactively proposed the idea of the Gem of Desire implantation experiment!"
"Yes, I can testify! He was eager for quick success and fame at the time, directly conducting human experiments and even causing the deaths of many retired Valkyries!"
"Also, to find a Valkyrie with high Honkai adaptability, he targeted you! He made up a bunch of fake data, falsely claiming a ninety percent success rate, and tricked the simple-minded Lady Theresa!"
To save their own lives, they pointed at the old man hiding in the middle of the crowd, exposing his malice one sentence after another in an attempt to wash their hands of the matter and seek a slim chance of survival.
"You...!" The old man's face turned red with rage, his beard bristling as he glared at the colleagues who had sold him out.
"Is that so..." Wendy whispered softly, neither sad nor happy. Then, she slowly raised her snow-white arm, and a cyan wind blade condensed at her fingertips. "Since you've finished your final words, then die."
The truth of those years had long since become known to her the moment she became the Herrscher of Wind.
It was precisely for this reason that she decided to personally kill this group of hypocrites.
"Wait—"
The old man wanted to say more, but he was answered by a wind blade as thin as a cicada's wing.
Pfft!
Several terrified heads flew up, and warm Fresh blood splashed high!
After the villains received their due retribution, Wendy stood in the pool of blood and slowly closed her eyes.
People like this simply weren't worth protecting!
Fighting for all that is beautiful in the world was, in the end, nothing more than a hollow slogan.
Soon, Cecilia's figure appeared in Wendy's mind.
"Cecilia... what exactly is she fighting for?"
Schicksal had hurt her and her loved ones so much back then.
Wendy now recalled the look Cecilia once gave that girl named Kiana.
Very gentle.
Very doting.
Completely different from the way she looked at anyone else.
"Could it be that Kiana is Cecilia's daughter...?"
Wendy could only think of this possibility. If they were just relatives, the maternal love within Cecilia wouldn't be so intense.
"In that case, she is fighting for the people she loves..."
Wendy then recalled the image of Cecilia protecting her and the group of Valkyries, and added: "And for all those who can be called human?"
If Cecilia fought for this reason, what about herself?
Human malice always came inexplicably. Wendy, having been hurt by this malice, could not yet convince herself to fight for a group of strangers again.
"In my case, perhaps I can be a little more selfish..." Wendy snapped her eyes open. The confusion in her eyes had completely dissipated as she clenched her fists. "I will fight for the people I love!"
To use this power to protect those she loved, and the world in which those she loved lived—she would not regret it!
The power of the Gem of Desire vibrated within Wendy. When it reached a certain limit—
Thump!
The restless Honkai energy within Wendy instantly calmed down.
Like a tamed beast, it obediently followed Wendy's will, available for her to drive at her pleasure!
Wendy looked at her hands, feeling the Authority that was now even smoother to wield. She looked up at the Ceiling above.
With a thought from Wendy.
Swish, swish, swish!
Hundreds of wind blades that could easily slice through steel cut a large hole in the Ceiling above in the blink of an eye.
Wendy leaped lightly, her entire being turning into a gust of wind as she flew out of the hole, heading toward Lierre's position at extreme speed.
She wanted to say thank you to her benefactor in person.
When Cecilia and Raiden Mei, who were waiting outside, caught sight of Wendy again, they found she had already flown far away.
"..."
How were they supposed to chase her? Just with their own two legs?
Cecilia and Raiden Mei glanced at each other, then ran in the direction Wendy had gone.
On the other side.
Having discarded her previous weakness, the now incredibly confident Wendy appeared. Kiana and Bronya couldn't help but stare.
"Thank you very much."
Wendy walked before Lierre and bowed deeply in gratitude.
Lierre had not only given her a second chance at life but had also allowed her to obtain the power to protect those she loved.
Such a great kindness—it wouldn't be out of the question even if she had to give herself to Lierre.
Lierre helped Wendy up and asked, "Now that you have initially mastered the Authority of the Fourth Herrscher, have you thought about your plans for the future?"
Wendy considered it seriously and replied, "I want to stay by your side."
She had thought this decision through carefully.
Principal Theresa had powerful people like Cecilia to protect her, plus the protection of Overseer Otto; she didn't need Wendy's protection for now.
But Lierre had broken away from Schicksal. If she didn't return, her future situation would be even more perilous, so she needed Wendy's protection more.
Lierre shook her head and refused with a smile. "I don't want to make you suffer by following me yet. If possible, I would prefer you to look after my niece and daughter for me while I am away."
Wendy instinctively looked toward Kiana and Bronya.
"..."
Kiana and Bronya were stunned.
Oh no, Lierre is finding them a nanny.
This is troublesome...
After considering it for a while, Wendy seriously agreed: "I promise you!"
Since it was a request from Lierre, she had no reason to refuse.
"Sister... Sister Snake... I'm not dreaming, am I? When did Herrschers become so friendly?" Pardofelis looked at Wendy, her head feeling a bit dizzy.
In her knowledge, every Herrscher was a heartless killing machine, and every Herrscher's birth took countless lives.
Now a sweet and innocent Herrscher had suddenly popped up—was God really not joking with her?
"..."
Mobius's mouth twitched slightly as she looked at the Herrscher armor on Wendy.
If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she would have thought Lierre and the Fourth Herrscher had colluded to put on a play for her.
With just three short sentences, not only did she make a person instantly become a Herrscher, but she even completed the metamorphosis, making her a true Herrscher of Human.
Physics no longer exists...
There was no way Lierre could be a Herrscher; her true identity was likely a True God descended to the mortal realm.
If such a person had appeared in the Previous Era...
A trace of imperceptible sadness flashed in Mobius's eyes.
To the side, Ana, who had been silent all along, was now looking at Lierre with an adoring expression, stars in her eyes:
"As expected, this is all part of the plan. Truly worthy of Lady Lierre—with just a slight effort, she could make a Herrscher take the initiative to join us!"
Lierre's petite back instantly grew tall in Ana's eyes.