Despite loudly denouncing the Hermit as a dirty player, Kiana ultimately accepted her advice. After all, she couldn't think of any valid counterarguments. The romanticized ideals of honorable and fair duels only existed in novels.
Kiana herself had never shied away from using tricks and clever tactics in combat.
"Thought it through? I hope you don't just understand it intellectually—it needs to become instinct."
"Always maintain composure and resolve. No matter how flamboyant or ostentatious your expressions and actions may be, your mind must remain clear. You must understand what you are doing and what needs to be done."
Hermit shook her head. The snowy forest scene shifted once more, and they found themselves back at the gates of the Babylon Tower. The research facility's defenses were roaring to life, beams of light and physical projectiles tearing through the endless swarm of Honkai Beasts, churning up dust and explosions.
"Assault-class and Chariot-class Honkai Beasts? So many! Even during the Third Honkai Eruption, Nagazora City didn't have this many!" Kiana stared in shock at the sea of Honkai Beasts stretching across the mountains.
"The Second Honkai Eruption was the largest and most devastating Honkai event in this generation's history. These swarms you see are merely the prelude."
Hermit's voice remained utterly calm as she gazed at the tidal wave of Honkai Beasts.
"But Sirin and Mei, as Herrschers... why..." Kiana's face showed confusion.
"Hmph... isn't it obvious? The resentment accumulated from the suffering Sirin endured far surpasses that of Raiden Mei."
"Compared to the Second Herrscher's fate, the Third Herrscher's suffering was merely the inconsequential wailing of a kindergarten child who had dropped their ice cream."
"She tore through humanity's heart, casting aside all goodness and compassion to become a vengeful demon. She sought to avenge herself against Schicksal... no, her mind warped by the Honkai, her target became—all of humanity."
"So, Kiana, if Sirin stood before you now, how would you treat her?"
Hermit watched Kiana, lost in thought, and waited for her answer.
"The Second Herrscher, Sirin... hmm... I sympathize with what she endured... but if she stood before me, I would do everything in my power to defeat her. Yes! I must defeat her."
Kiana pondered briefly, came to her conclusion, and nodded firmly.
"Defeat her... and what then?"
"After defeating her... uh... I don't know." Hermit's second question stumped Kiana, who shook her head in frustration.
"You don't know... No matter. Let's continue watching."
-
Outside the Babylon Tower, a man and two women leapt from a low-flying transport aircraft, landing directly in front of the Honkai Beast swarm attacking Babylon.
The man was middle-aged, with white hair and a deep blue coat. The two Valkyries flanking him were dressed in matching outfits, one blue and one red. As soon as they landed, they plunged into fierce combat with the Honkai Beasts.
"You already know who the man in the middle is... your father, Siegfried Kaslana. The two beside him are A-rank Valkyries from the Snow Wolf Squad: 'The Baptist' Salome Jokanaan and 'Child of Chaos' Shub-Niggurath," Hermit explained to Kiana, who remained fixedly staring at the man at the center.
"You seem very interested in your father. Want to hear some juicy gossip about him from his time at Schicksal?"
"Gossip?" Kiana tilted her head, intrigued.
"According to Schicksal legends, your father, Mr. Siegfried Kaslana... allegedly groped the buttocks of every Valkyrie in the organization back then... A truly remarkable feat, I must say."
Hermit nodded approvingly, while Kiana's jaw dropped, her expression one of utter disbelief.
"How the heck did that Stinky Dad manage to avoid getting killed?"
"Who knows? It's just a rumor, after all. Besides, given Schicksal's gender imbalance—more women than men—your father was quite the looker back then. Perhaps the Valkyries didn't mind?"
Hermit shook her head indifferently and glanced at a nearby hill where the three members of Anti-Entropy stood.
"Welt Yang and the others have arrived. This battle is about to end."
"Huh? Teacher Yang didn't end up fighting Dad and the others after all?"
"Welt Yang isn't the type to do that..." Hermit shook her head as she watched Welt Yang soar into the air, manipulating a black hole to send all the Honkai Beast cards on the battlefield into the graveyard.
She led Kiana over to the two men who were engaged in a heated discussion:
...The two men were currently shouting at each other:
"Please believe my sincerity. I have no desire to be your enemy. I'll station my troops here, and if that's not enough to reassure you, I'm willing to accept any conditions you set." Welt said to Siegfried.
"Fine. Starting a battle with the First Herrscher here and getting my entire army wiped out wouldn't be a wise move."
"Besides, your eyes... they're the eyes of a true man. I choose to trust you and accept your help." Siegfried extended his hand to Welt Yang.
"If this incident truly threatens the entire world as you say... then the only thing worth risking my life for is stopping it!"
-
"Just like my Stinky Dad—such a Kaslana family thing to say! Hmm... Teacher Yang must be pretty impressive too, if Stinky Dad approves of him. Even though he always gives me single-digit grades in history..."
Kiana crossed her arms, her voice brimming with pride for her father.
"Do you really have no self-awareness about your history grades being in the single digits, or even zero...?" Hermit glanced at her sideways.
"Uh... what's that saying again? 'See through it, but don't say it aloud!'" The White-haired Clump stomped her foot in frustration at Hermit, who simply shook her head.
"They're entering the Babylon Tower to investigate traces of the Second Herrscher."
As the two men shook hands, the tense atmosphere dissipated, replaced by a more relaxed mood. Exchanging current intelligence, the group entered the Babylon Laboratory.
"With Stinky Dad and Teacher Yang there, the Second Herrscher will be taken down easily!" Kiana clenched her fist excitedly.
"If it were that simple, the Second Eruption wouldn't be the most devastating Honkai eruption in human history."
Hermit shook her head, shattering Kiana's naive fantasy.
"While they were entangled with the Honkai Beasts and negotiating, the Second Herrscher, Sirin, had already absorbed enough Honkai energy to escape from the Babylon Tower... Soon, the true Second Herrscher will descend."