As the tremors subsided, Wendy stood before the fallen girl with a gaping hole in her chest and swayed, collapsing backward.
"Pff!"
The blood she coughed up was tainted by the combined effects of airborne toxins, vine poisons, and the Pseudo-Herrscher's venomous blood.
"Cough... Icarus... any medication?"
Lying on the ground, Wendy gazed at the dim sky, her vision slightly blurred.
She hadn't anticipated that just a few minutes of intense combat would allow enough toxins to infiltrate and overwhelm even an S-rank Valkyrie's robust body.
It was partly due to her carelessness, but also a necessary risk.
Facing such a formidable Pseudo-Herrscher, if it were to fully transform into a complete Herrscher, who knew whether it could release a lethal toxin covering the entire city or beyond? The consequences would be catastrophic for countless people.
Including Seele, whose whereabouts were unknown, as well as Rozaliya and Liliya, they'd likely face grave danger too—though Seele might fare better; her black armor enabled internal air circulation, possibly offering some protection against disaster.
Regardless, Wendy sustained severe injuries, yet felt it was worth the cost.
"Notification: Analysis of toxins is ongoing; no specific antidote available. A general antitoxin has been administered, but its effectiveness cannot be predicted."
"I-it's okay, take us away. In my current condition, it's not safe to stay here..." Wendy winced involuntarily.
Dark green Honkai energy corrosion patterns spread across her body.
The surrounding concentration of Honkai energy was too high, and Wendy's state had deteriorated significantly. Her resistance could no longer withstand the encroaching corruption from the environment.
"Preparing to administer the anti-Honkai energy inhibitor. Additionally, nearby forces have been notified for reinforcements. Please hold on, Officer Wendy!"
Icarus's voice carried a hint of urgency.
With her advanced intelligence level, although fundamentally still cold algorithms, she could express basic emotions convincingly.
"Wait... Have you found Seele and the others yet?"
"Not yet, ma'am."
"What's taking so long?! It's been ages—shouldn't they be easy to locate?!" A vein bulged on Wendy's forehead, hard to discern whether from pain or anger and anxiety.
Icarus reassured her, "Officer Wendy, we haven't detected any abnormal signals from their black armors, indicating that at least the subroutines are functioning normally. This suggests Miss Seele and the others are likely unharmed. The cause of their disappearance may be due to external interference. Lord Leader is already en route; he should—"
"Zzzt... Zzzt... Zzzt!"
"Danger warning! Danger warning! Herrscher reaction detected! Herrscher reaction detected!"
"What?! At this moment?!"
Summoning her strength, Wendy stood up, coughing out dark red blood that stained her chin and tattered clothes, making her appearance even more distressing and terrifying.
"Officer Wendy, your evacuation procedure has been initiated. Please remain calm and composed."
"A Herrscher appearing here at this time directly affects Seele and the others! Where's my black armor?!"
"The black armor has arrived. Shall I initiate the suit-up process?"
"Hurry, put it on me now!"
A shadow descended from the sky, enveloping Wendy's body instantly and transforming into a sleek, form-fitting black armor.
As soon as she donned the black armor, its protective effect minimized the influence of Honkai Energy around her, allowing Wendy's bodily functions to stabilize. Seizing the opportunity, she took a few deep breaths, suppressing the toxins within her, before swiftly heading towards the direction where she sensed intense foreboding.
"Officer Wendy, your physical condition is severely compromised. It is strongly recommended that you evacuate immediately, repeat, immediate evacuation advised!" The voice of Icarus echoed through several worker bees trailing behind Wendy.
Without looking back, Wendy responded firmly, "I'm the only one who can handle this! Request immediate backup from Headquarters and Zeke—it's out of control now; we cannot let this nation fall!"
"...Yes, ma'am. I've called for reinforcements to the best of my ability. May you return safely."
"Thanks, I'll do my best."
This time, Wendy didn't limit the scope of requested support. Facing a Herrscher, sacrifices were inevitable—no one could escape it. If warriors could delay the enemy even briefly, serving as cannon fodder would be considered a noble death on the battlefield.
Wendy accelerated once more, completely leaving behind the slower worker bees. Her determined yet petite figure vanished into the distance.
When Wendy arrived at the scene of ominous energy, she found herself amidst the icy ruins scattered with glaciers. There, Valkyrie Ana, whom she had encountered before, knelt in the snow, cradling another Valkyrie who showed no signs of life. A silent yet oppressive and chilling aura enveloped them.
"Must be her teammate..."
A hint of sorrow flickered in Wendy's eyes beneath her black armor. Taking a deep breath, she hesitated for a moment before removing her helmet and slowly approaching.
"Ana... Miss Ana, are you...are you alright?"
"I...I got them killed..."
"Sacrifice is inevitable on the battlefield; they died honorably. Knowing they fought alongside you till the end, I'm sure they have no regrets... Please accept my condolences!"
"If only...if only I were stronger...more decisive...my...my..." Ana trailed off with a wail.
The sudden explosion of Honkai Energy waves knocked Wendy back several meters, causing her to crash onto the ground.
"Miss Ana! Please calm down! If this continues, you'll lose control!"
With her exceptional Schariac lineage, extreme grief, and the terrifying concentration of Honkai Energy swirling around her like countless rivers converging into the sea—Wendy now realized that the ominous presence she had sensed earlier was indeed Ana Schariac.
She had already become a Herrscher!
However, it seemed Ana might still be grappling with confusion, not yet fully under Honkai's control.
In other words, there could be a chance to save her.
In the previous era, such a state would likely have been deemed irredeemable by all. But in this new age, particularly within Anti-Entropy, examples like Welt, Raiden Mei, and even Wendy herself gave hope. Wendy believed there was still a possibility for salvation.
"Miss Ana, remember why you fight. Think about your teammates and everyone you love; they wouldn't want you to turn out like this! Stay calm, don't abandon your beliefs!"
"It's...it's too late... I..." Ana stiffly raised her head as the girl in her arms, frozen solid by the sudden burst of icy energy, shattered into pieces right against her chest.
"Cynthia! My Cynthia! Noooo!"
This scene shattered what remained of her fragile defenses. Ana clenched her hands tightly, but there was nothing to hold onto. She let out a mournful cry, and as tears streamed down her face, unbridled Honkai Energy surged outward, enveloping sharp icicles that swept across everything in sight.
"BOOM!!"
Amidst a deafening roar, an iceberg shot up towards the starless night sky, instantly plunging the entire city into a bitter winter with snow swirling everywhere.
"Damn it! Just one step too late!" Wendy struggled to rise from afar, slamming her hammer on the ground as she muttered through gritted teeth. Moments later, nearly black toxic blood surged upward, spilling from her mouth as she collapsed weakly onto the ground.
["Hey! The toxins are getting harder to suppress. Remember, the black armor is just external support. With your condition, you can't possibly continue fighting."]
"You... Do you have any ideas? Please, someone has to stop her or this whole city will be doomed."
["The earlier influx of Honkai Energy had quite a satisfying effect; I've never felt this energized before."]
"Huh?"
["Meaning only a Herrscher can truly confront another Herrscher."]
"I...I can control it, right? Even though Zeke and Fu Hua-sensei have been helping me strengthen my will, and Lord Leader taught me much, but...can I truly control this?"
"Fear not, fool! Don't you still have me?"
"...That's true. I can't just stand by while she freezes the entire city. Seele, Rozaliya, Liliya, and others are here too... If I can't protect them, I'd have no face to return."
"Ha! Remember, power should primarily serve yourself first! It's precisely your constant worrying about everyone else that leaves you so beleaguered."
"I don't fully understand what you mean, but perhaps it's time."
"Have you decided? Once you cross this line, there's no turning back."
"It's okay; I trust you, and I trust myself."
"And of course, you're counting on dear Big Bro Zeke to save everything in the end, aren't you? Sly one!"
"No way...not at all! I can do this, I must do this! Help me, other self!"
"Alright, alright! You know I can never resist your pleas, cunning girl! Let's merge— "
"As one!" x 2
"Boom!!!"
Refusing to yield, another surge of Honkai Energy erupted from Wendy's body. Her eyes turned icy dark green as she discarded her compacted black armor belt onto the ground, allowing more Honkai Energy to continuously flood into her being and trigger a true transformation.
In the next instant, gales tore through the ice fields.
The clash between two formidable energies completely disrupted all surrounding remote surveillance signals.
Simultaneously, Raiden Mei established contact with Kiana on the moon, while the Gem of Desire hanging at Zeke's waist lost its original glow.