ALL NOVEL Chapter 210: Mecha Assault
"I don't like this. Something feels wrong." Mei stood on the deck of the commandeered warship, her gaze fixed on Nagazora.
To protect Kiana, she hadn't left after seizing the ship, anticipating World Serpent's retaliation.
As time passed, her unease grew. She turned to Liuli, suspicion in her eyes. "Liuli, are you hiding something from me?"
Kiana, also watching Nagazora, a flicker of worry in her gaze, remained silent.
Before enacting the plan, Ren had given her detailed instructions, but he had withheld the plan's true purpose, its ultimate goal. Humanity's understanding of the Honkai was too limited. Even Ren couldn't guarantee success, let alone Kiana, who was merely a pawn in his game.
Liuli's silence amplified Mei's anxiety.
Just as she was about to return to Nagazora to investigate, a high-pitched whine tore through the air. A small missile exploded near the ship.
BOOM.
The deck buckled, alarms blaring through the ship.
As the smoke cleared, Mei's hastily erected electromagnetic barrier shimmered, deflecting the shrapnel. She looked towards the source of the attack, her expression hardening.
World Serpent.
A fleet of warships had materialized on the horizon, heading straight for Nagazora.
Mecha units, fully armed and ready for deployment, lined their decks. Several ships trained their main cannons on Mei's vessel, preparing another volley.
Mei extended her Herrscher's power, enveloping the ship in a protective barrier. But the incoming projectiles weren't aimed at them. They soared past, striking the cloud cover above.
Explosions rocked the sky, the clouds dispersing to reveal another ship, hidden until now.
The missile had been a distraction, targeting the smaller, previously concealed vessel.
"That's…"
Though unfamiliar with the ship's design, Mei recognized Tesla's distinctive style. It was an Anti-Entropy transport.
"What's an empty Anti-Entropy ship doing here? And why is World Serpent attacking it?"
Aboard the Helios, racing at full speed, Theresa struggled to catch her breath.
Having left Anti-Entropy to search for Kiana, she had stumbled upon a World Serpent fleet mobilizing for an attack. The Helios, a small transport ship, was no match for their combined firepower.
Fortunately, the Helios was fast, capable of outrunning the heavily laden World Serpent ships. But their relentless barrage was overwhelming the Helios's point-defense systems.
During the initial encounter, the Helios's main engine had been damaged, limiting its speed, forcing them to flee.
"Damn it! Is there any way to shake them?" Theresa stood on the bridge, her cross in hand, its blades swirling around her in a protective storm, intercepting stray projectiles.
"We're approaching Nagazora. We can use the ruins for cover," a technician reported.
Nagazora, a ruined city, offered the perfect cover for evasion, minimizing the risk of collateral damage.
But as they neared the city, a World Serpent warship appeared, blocking their path.
"What's that doing—"
The ship lurched violently.
A direct hit. The Helios shuddered, its speed decreasing further.
Trapped between the pursuing fleet and the blocking warship, Theresa was cornered.
Another volley of missiles incoming. She looked at the sky, the incoming projectiles like a swarm of angry bees. She couldn't intercept them all.
Suddenly, the warship blocking their path activated its point-defense systems, detonating most of the incoming missiles.
Theresa seized the opportunity, her cross blades swirling, intercepting the remaining projectiles.
But one missile, its trajectory different from the others, bypassed the main engagement, heading straight for the Helios's bridge.
There was no time to react. Theresa threw herself in front of the missile, her Valkyrie-enhanced body bracing for impact.
The missile detonated, sending Theresa flying. She rolled across the deck, coming to a stop, bruised but alive.
But World Serpent's attack wasn't over. Another barrage was imminent. Just as despair began to creep in, a deafening crack of thunder echoed through the air.
Lightning arced across the sky, detonating the incoming missiles.
Black smoke billowed, obscuring the Helios. The powerful electromagnetic pulse disrupted World Serpent's targeting systems, giving them a momentary reprieve.
"Who…?"
Through the smoke, Theresa saw a figure, their back to her, turning to leave.
Mei, now a Herrscher, allied with the Obsidian Concord, there was no turning back. But Theresa, having spent so much time with her, recognized her instantly.
"Mei? Is that you?"
"Wait! Don't go! I'm here to take you back!" Theresa called out. "I spoke with Tesla and Einstein. They'll help us repair the Hyperion. Once we find Kiana, we can all return to St. Freya."
Mei paused, then shook her head. "There's no going back. Both Kiana and I… we've chosen our paths. Principal, you know Anti-Entropy doesn't welcome Herrschers."
"But…"
Mei turned, revealing the crimson horns on her forehead. Understanding dawned. "Mei, you've become a Herrscher?"
Footsteps echoed on the deck. A familiar figure landed before Theresa. The flowing white hair, the familiar voice… Theresa's eyes widened, remembering a previous, painful encounter.
"Herrscher of Sentience!"
Liuli sighed impatiently. "Herrscher or not, Mei is with us now. Considering your… teacher-student relationship, I'll spare your life."
This was the woman who had stolen the Core of Reason, crippling Anti-Entropy. "Mei, why are you with the Obsidian Concord? They're our enemies!"
Liuli started to respond, but Mei cut her off. "Don't bother. What's the situation in Nagazora?"
World Serpent's presence meant Nagazora was about to become a battlefield. Her concern for Kiana intensified.
Suddenly, a blinding white light engulfed the world, turning Nagazora into a sea of white.