Not long ago, Schicksal detected a Honkai eruption in the Siberian snowfields. Based on comparative analysis, the Honkai pulse was confirmed to be similar to that of Benares, the dragon-form Honkai Beast and retinue of the Herrscher of the Void.
Benares had fused with the Gem of Conquest gifted by Sirin, forming its own pseudo-Herrscher core. It was a special existence, somewhere between the Herrscher of Thunder and a Honkai Beast.
After its pseudo-core was shattered and Sirin was killed in battle, it ceased all activity, cryo-sealing itself in the Siberian snowfields.
And now, as the core of the Herrscher of the Void re-formed, the Honkai energy emanating from Kiana had reawakened Benares, thousands of miles away.
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To investigate the anomaly in the Siberian snowfields, the Schicksal Far East Branch generously dispatched the Hyperion, and Theresa also had Himeko bring along many students.
With a lineup including Ryn, Kiana, and Judah, a single Honkai Beast was more than manageable. So, Theresa planned to let the students broaden their horizons and witness firsthand the oppressive aura of a Judgment-class Honkai Beast. This was to prevent them from being too scared to move when they encountered a truly formidable enemy on the battlefield in the future.
The power gap between Valkyries was almost cliff-like, even among those of the same rank. Not to mention S-rank Durandal and S-rank Rita, or A-rank Wendy and A-rank Himeko, even the difference between B-ranks was worlds apart, like B-rank Susanna and B-rank Kiana…
But achieving a certain rank proved that you at least possessed the minimum strength of that rank; you were just limited by various objective and subjective factors from fully unleashing it.
Theresa could teach the students all sorts of knowledge and combat methods, but she couldn't teach them how to become true warriors.
Because warriors are forged in blood, especially Valkyries who must face Honkai Beasts.
Honkai Beasts are chaotic and disorderly, the physical manifestation of the Cthulhu of myth. Merely looking at one would cause one's sanity to plummet, leading to madness.
After all, not everyone possessed the bloodline and will of the Kaslana and Schariac families, who were naturally born to fight the Honkai…
So when a Valkyrie encountered an existence far beyond their comprehension and ability to handle, it was rare for them to just drop their weapons and flee. The normal reaction was to be so frightened that their entire body became paralyzed and unable to move.
Originally, Theresa had planned to let Maheśvara and Kukulkan train the students' courage, but those two didn't even leak a bit of Honkai energy, let alone possess the characteristic unseeable nature of Honkai Beasts. In the end, the plan was dropped.
Fortunately, Benares had now awakened. The battlefield was always a place for training and fighting simultaneously, and the same was true for Valkyries.
Durandal and Rita had to lead the Immortal Blades, Kika had also established her own Radiance Squad, and Ryn was also leading the new recruits from St. Freya High School.
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Inside the Hyperion's lounge, Kiana, Mei, and Bronya were together, checking the equipment they needed.
"We're about to enter Russian territory, the temperature has gotten a bit cold. Bronya, we're going back to your hometown. Is there anything to watch out for in Russia?"
"Hmm. Nothing much to watch out for, just don't freeze to death."
Bronya said while checking her thick fleece-lined cotton jacket. Although the Valkyrie battlesuit had a built-in heating function, wearing this jacket in the snow had become a habit for her.
This was the jacket Bronya wore when she was still the Ural Silver Wolf, and she had kept it to this day. Unfortunately, even a heavy, warm jacket and gloves couldn't warm Bronya's cold heart.
Mei helped Bronya tidy her hair to keep it from getting caught in the jacket, looking at the envious and jealous Kiana beside her.
Mei lightly tapped Kiana, whose jealousy was practically overflowing. "Kiana, if you want, I can help you with your hair too."
Kiana shook her head regretfully. "Aww… that's a shame, but never mind. Ryn did my hair this morning, it's fine as it is."
"Eh…" Mei and Bronya both let out a speechless sigh.
*You idiot, Kiana, then what are you being so envious for?* Mei wanted Ryn to do her hair too! She reached out and pinched Kiana's chubby little face, bullying the silly girl.
"By the way, Kiana, aren't you and Ryn also from Siberia, Russia? Why are you still asking what to pay attention to?"
"Hehe, because Ryn and I were always wandering. We'd stay in one place for a while and then leave."
Kiana smiled like a lovestruck fool and held Mei's small hand that was pinching her face, rubbing it again and again. Mei's hands were so soft and warm, so comfortable~
Mei was startled by Kiana's action, and when she realized what was happening, she grabbed Kiana's ear.
"Ouch, it hurts, it hurts… Mei, let go, let go!"
"You're being so improper, we're about to deploy and you're still acting crazy." Mei rolled her eyes at Kiana in annoyance.
"Hmph, I'm the ultimate, invincible, super-duper amazing one now. A mission of this level is a piece of cake!" Kiana proudly puffed out her chest. Even if something went wrong and she couldn't win, she could definitely get everyone out of there safely.
"Just you be proud. Herrschers aren't omnipotent. Being fully prepared is never a loss."
"Mhm, mhm, Mei is the smartest!"
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The Hyperion was beginning to approach Siberia, nearing the place where Benares was sealed in ice.
All members preparing for deployment had moved to the deck and the boarding gate, ready on standby.
The cold Siberian wind howled across the deck, freezing everyone's earlobes red.
As a Herrscher, Kiana's body was protected by Honkai energy, and the external environment could no longer affect her. So Kiana was dressed as usual, in her Domain Armor: White Comet, ready to sublimate into White Knight: Moonlight at any moment.
Bronya, on the other hand, was wrapped in a thick cotton coat and fully armed with cotton gloves. She even gave her current look a nice name: "Snowfield Sniper."
As for Mei, she had added a pair of warm earmuffs compared to before, while the rest of her warmth relied entirely on the built-in heating device of her Valkyrie battlesuit…
Ryn walked over in a short-sleeved shirt and shorts and greeted the students present.
"It's so cold today, aren't you cold wearing just that?"
"Bearing glory, fearing no cold!" the Valkyries shouted their slogan in unison, then uniformly gave Ryn the middle finger.
Ryn: "Very good, everyone's will is very strong. Principal Theresa said that the climate here is a bit abnormal and may have been affected by the Honkai. So she had the academy send over some thermostat devices and asked me to see if anyone needed them. But since you all aren't cold, then never mind."
The Valkyries looked left and right, thought for three-tenths of a second, then chose to take back what they had just said and ran into the cabin to get the thermostat devices.
Although Valkyrie battlesuits also had a heating function, who would complain about having more?