The next day, to leave Changkong City, the four of them hurried towards the city's outskirts.
After yesterday's interactions, Kiana gradually understood Inaba Tsukiyo's terrifying nature; this person, even smaller than Bronya, was definitely not someone to provoke.
For some reason, last night Kiana dreamed of being chased by a giant rabbit, and the scariest part was that next to this rabbit was the Haxxor Bunny that Bronya always held.
And Bronya was actually standing on Haxxor Bunny's head, directing Haxxor Bunny to chase her; it was hell.
Perhaps because yesterday's conversation resolved her inner turmoil, Raiden Mei performed exceptionally well today. Wielding her long sword, she joined Inaba Tsukiyo in reaping the lives of the Death Soldiers they encountered on the road.
Although her attacks were ineffective against large Honkai Beasts, against human enemies, her swordsmanship came in handy. With a single strike, Raiden Mei's sword techniques were very similar to Inaba Tsukiyo's.
"Oh? I didn't expect your Hokushin Itto-ryu to incorporate your own ideas. As an ancient sword style, you are quite impressive, Miss Raiden."
"Eh? Do you also understand Hokushin Itto-ryu, Miss Nangong?"
"I only know some related history. The style I master is the Pill Self-Manifestation Style. Because I've been blind since childhood, my hearing is exceptionally good; I can even hear the sound of muscles."
It was precisely because of her excellent hearing that she was able to master the Pill Self-Manifestation Style in a very short time.
After so many years of training, Inaba Tsukiyo's Pill Self-Manifestation Style was no longer comparable to that of an ordinary person.
Kiana watched Inaba Tsukiyo and Raiden Mei's interaction with some envy, but she didn't understand swordsmanship at all; she mastered the Gun-Fu of the Kaslana Family.
And she was also afraid that if she ran over to cause trouble, she might end up with Inaba Tsukiyo holding her by the neck again, like yesterday.
"Idiot Kiana, you can't beat Older Sister Tsukiyo."
Bronya, holding Haxxor Bunny, noticed Kiana's jealousy and said something that made Kiana's head full of question marks.
"According to Bronya's analysis, the probability of Idiot Kiana defeating Older Sister Tsukiyo is infinitely close to zero. If Older Sister Tsukiyo were serious, the battle could end instantly."
"What! You're saying I'll lose to that loli! Don't joke around! That was just a sneak attack when I wasn't paying attention! As long as I get serious, how could she be my opponent?"
"Then why don't you challenge Older Sister Tsukiyo? Is it not because you're afraid of being taught a lesson by Older Sister Tsukiyo, acting like a turtle?"
"What do you mean 'like a turtle'! How could I be such an ugly Animal! Are you saying my skin is thick?"
"No, Bronya just wants to express that Idiot Kiana, at some critical moments, will act like a turtle and retract her head."
"You! Ugh!!!"
"Calm down, Kiana. We're on the street now. Making such a loud noise will attract Death Soldiers."
Raiden Mei, who had been discussing swordsmanship upfront, was startled by Kiana's voice and quickly ran over to mediate.
They were on the street now, and if they made too much noise, it could attract those Death Soldiers.
"But! But I really can't hold it in! Older Sister Mei, did you hear what this person said about me! She actually called me a shrinking turtle! I absolutely cannot tolerate that!"
"I don't know if you can tolerate being called a shrinking turtle, but I need to remind you to look to your left."
The indignant Kiana turned her head as Inaba Tsukiyo reminded her, and immediately saw a large number of Death Soldiers roaring and rushing towards them.
"What… what's going on? Why are there so many!?"
Not only from the left, but Death Soldiers were running towards them from everywhere else too!
This feeling was like the scene in school when students from every class rushed towards the cafeteria after the last class in the morning.
(fuhai: Dinner time! (((((o=^・ェ・)o┏━┓!!!)
"According to Bronya's calculations, the reason these Death Soldiers are coming is all because Idiot Kiana's voice is too loud, which attracted them."
"Still complaining at a time like this! Hurry up and go!"
Inaba Tsukiyo pulled Bronya and rushed into a nearby alley. It was relatively narrow, and the massive number of Death Soldiers would not be able to flood in.
"It's starting to feel more and more like a movie. If our experiences these past few days were made into a movie, it might be a big hit!"
"Show Idiot Kiana's stupidity to the whole world? Bronya thinks that's a very good suggestion; we can consider producing this movie in the future."
"Hey! What do you mean 'stupidity'! This is called bravery, okay! A movie with me as the protagonist, leading Older Sister Mei through one difficulty after another, escaping danger!"
"Bravery? If Idiot Kiana, who got Bronya and Older Sister Mei lost, can be called brave, then Bronya is the savior, and Idiot Kiana is just a stumbling block that stubbornly followed along."
Well, these two are so cheerful even when they're running away.
Although this added a lot of fun to their escape, didn't they get tired?
After running out of the alley, following Inaba Tsukiyo's memory, the four of them headed towards the city's outskirts. Although they encountered some Death Soldiers and Honkai Beasts along the way, they were all easily dealt with.
After a day of travel, the four found a relatively clean place to rest.
Because it was unsafe at night, they planned to stay here overnight and continue their journey tomorrow.
Bronya rested her head on Inaba Tsukiyo's shoulder, while Kiana leaned on Raiden Mei's shoulder.
These two had been fighting and arguing all day long, and after such a long time, they were both tired.
"This feeling… I haven't felt it in years."
The last time she and Bronya rested alone like this in an empty house was when they were special forces soldiers.
"Bronya really likes Miss Inaba. Before, when she was with us, Bronya always had a poker face."
"Actually… Bronya used to be a child who loved to smile. But now she's become like this…"
Patting Bronya's head and listening to her ragged breaths, Inaba Tsukiyo recalled the time when Bronya and Seele used to playfully cling to her.
Influenced by Seele, Bronya gradually became a child who loved to smile, but now it was as if joy had been stripped from her.
Without a doubt, this was all the doing of that witch Cocolia. Perhaps Bronya's revival came at the cost of sacrificing something.
"Hey… Miss Inaba. When do you think rescue will arrive? Or has Changkong City been abandoned?"
Two days had passed, and they hadn't seen any sign of rescue—no helicopters, no other security forces. It was as if Changkong City had been forsaken.
"They're probably still making plans. The last Honkai outbreak was fourteen years ago. Do you know how many people live in Changkong City?"
"Uh… that… hundreds of thousands?"
Raiden Mei, stumped by the question, thought for a moment and gave a number she thought was close enough.
However, Inaba Tsukiyo couldn't help but laugh the moment she heard her answer.
"Hundreds of thousands? Hehe~ What a beautiful fantasy. I'm not laughing at you, Miss Raiden, it's just that you truly don't understand the situation in Changkong City at all."
After laughing for a while, Inaba Tsukiyo calmed down. After checking that Bronya hadn't woken up, she continued.
"At least several million people live in Changkong City. If my guess is correct, this Honkai crisis has caused at least several million deaths. And the appearance of Honkai Beasts also proves that Honkai Energy is constantly increasing. So, it's basically impossible for the government to handle such a disaster. Besides seeking professional organizations, they can only abandon this place."
To prevent things from getting more troublesome, Inaba Tsukiyo and the others had to leave Changkong City quickly.
Otherwise, if the government decided to drop a bomb or something, even if they wanted to leave, they probably wouldn't be able to.
"…"
Startled by the number 'millions,' Raiden Mei lowered her head, unsure what to say.
For a young girl who hadn't experienced war, such a sacrifice was simply too heavy for her.
"…I'm not telling you this to make you realize how difficult the current situation is. Rather, I want to tell you that surviving is a very fortunate thing."
"No matter what wealth one gained in life, what unforgettable love one possessed, or what dreams one had, all of it is meaningless after death. If one cannot live, one cannot accomplish anything."
Although… Inaba Tsukiyo had once wanted to die because she was alive.
But at this moment, she should be giving Raiden Mei a motivational speech, not a depressing one.
Unlike Inaba Tsukiyo and Bronya, who had experienced war, Raiden Mei was a bit too fragile. She had to be comforted with appropriate methods; a harsh attitude would only backfire.
"Living is the most important thing… right? Is there nothing more important than living, Miss Inaba?"
"More important than living? Of course there is. But this is different for everyone. Living to achieve a certain goal, living to protect a certain person. Although it might seem foolish in others' eyes, for some people, certain individuals are indeed more important than their own lives."
"…Is that so? I…"
"Watch out!!! Get up quickly!"
Suddenly, feeling something, Inaba Tsukiyo hugged Bronya, scrambled up from the ground, and prepared to run towards the room.
"Eh? What's wrong? What's happening?"
Raiden Mei asked in confusion, completely baffled as to why Inaba Tsukiyo had become so tense.
Then, Raiden Mei saw the building being split from top to bottom by a giant sword.
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