Himeko looked into the distance; Yae Sakura had already headed to the front lines with her blade.
With her power, she could be of great help to the Far East Branch in this war.
However, once Schicksal decided to attack at all costs, what they were doing was undoubtedly like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.
There was no other hope, nor any light.
All of the Academy's communication equipment had been cut off; no signals could be sent out.
This was an isolated island, waiting to be carved up by beasts.
Sitting down, Himeko panted and lit a cigarette.
The orange flame danced slowly before her eyes like innocent children, leaving her staring in silence.
Just now, an adjutant had brought a bottle of painkillers and left it by her hand.
With one hand holding the cigarette, Himeko opened the cap of the painkillers with the other and poured the entire liquid onto the wounds on both hands.
Instantly, a pain like burning fire that eroded the spirit followed.
Her brow furrowed deeply, her body shook violently, and her vision blurred. She clutched the clothes at her chest, enduring the agony as her head felt like it was about to explode.
At some point, noticing the heat at her fingertips, she realized the cigarette had burned down to her fingers.
"Ugh!" Himeko endured the pain, her forehead covered in cold sweat and her cheeks as pale as paper.
The medicinal liquid spilled on the ground gave off a pungent smell, mixing with the stench of blood.
Tossing the cap onto the ground, the faint flame of the cigarette butt still flickered occasionally.
Dazed, the high pressure on her spirit had made it impossible for her to breathe.
In the distance, mechas continued to break through the defense line, killing the Valkyries who charged forward bravely.
In the faint light of the fire, she seemed to see several figures.
The loli Headmaster had confidently become a hands-off manager: "Himeko, I'm leaving this Saint Freya Academy to you."
Her most obedient student held a Tachi in front of her: "Teacher Himeko, it won't rain tomorrow, so don't drink and ask for leave."
The cold mechanical girl sat on Little Rabbit: "Himeko, Bronya has always believed that you won't die until you find a partner."
A girl with a lazy, alcohol-loving personality strangely similar to her own raised a glass: "Himeko, when I come back, let's have another drink."
And then there was that girl with white twin-braids, who looked up and giggled:
"Auntie Himeko~ I'm going to become the strongest Valkyrie!"
"..."
Himeko's gaze turned vacant, staring blankly into the endless dark night.
She had long had a premonition.
When they smiled at her.
From that moment on, she thought to herself, it's all over now.
To see their smiles again, she would surely do many things she knew she shouldn't.
Himeko shook her head and smiled in her heart.
To be able to die here today was an honor for her.
To die to protect what one loves.
Though the night is long, let her become the star that ignites the night sky to guide your way forward.
Standing up, she looked into the distance.
Suddenly, Himeko saw small figures in the distance, thinking at first they were new students.
But as she looked closer, she discovered people she never expected.
They were all children, only a few or a dozen years old, the oldest no more than twelve.
Those people were on the walls helping rescue the wounded and save the defensive line.
Those people were none other than the children of the Saint Freya Orphanage.
Himeko dragged her feet, emotions complex, heading toward them step by step.
"Who told you... cough cough... who told you to come?"
In front of Himeko was a short little girl with light blue short hair and a wound on her face.
When she moved a wounded person aside and heard Himeko's question, she recognized her, looked up, and said calmly, "It was Sister Yunduo." "Yunduo? Impossible! How could she let—"
Before she could finish, Himeko coughed up blood due to her agitation.
How could Yunduo let a group of children come to the front line to die?
Just as Himeko lowered her head, gasping in pain, a hand was stretched out in front of her with a tissue in the palm.
"...To be precise, Sister Yunduo taught us."
The little girl with light blue short hair whispered.
"She said this is our home."
"..."
"Someone wants to enter our home to steal and rob, and everyone in the Orphanage is unwilling."
"She said she doesn't believe in any gods, but she admires one person immensely, who guarded Shenzhou alone for five thousand years. We also want to become like that person, so we posted portraits of the Red Kite Immortal in the classroom. To not let the Red Kite Immortal down, we decided to come out and protect this place."
"Protect? You, you all—"
Himeko was about to ask how they could protect it when she suddenly saw the little girl perform a set of fist techniques.
Each strike of the fist was powerful, the whistling sound tearing through the air.
Cunjin - Heaven Opening!
This was Fu Hua's Cunxin Fist, which Yunduo had taught to the children in the Orphanage.
Previously, she had said that those who use this fist technique need to have righteousness in their hearts.
Now, this fist technique had come in handy.
To protect their home.
Himeko smiled. For some reason, her eyes felt sore, but her heart was full of light.
It seemed St. Freya Academy had succeeded.
Her and Theresa's philosophy had been passed down.
This is the core of the Academy!
In that case, even if the Academy is destroyed, it doesn't matter.
Because they all understood, they knew hope and love.
As the enemy's final wave of assault appeared, Himeko had no regrets.
Her life was to end here.
The rest should be left to these children.
The future belongs to them.
As the light before growth, nurturing them to grow healthily.
It's time for her to burn out this night.
When that blonde woman held a lance, wore silver-blue armor, and arrived with a large force.
Looking at Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie, Durandal.
Himeko had no more regrets.
She muttered in her heart and used the Crimson Knight: Eclipse Character Card.
This was the reward she had obtained in the Final Lesson challenge.
Now.
It was time to use it.
Even though her body had reached its limit, no matter the outcome, she had no regrets.
As a promise, she would fight until the very last moment!
The world in her eyes gradually turned white.
Like the dawn of daybreak.
When she woke up again, Major Himeko had disappeared.
In her place, the god of fire wearing Crimson Knight: Eclipse illuminated the dawn before the night.
The Godslayer: Surtr, as standard equipment, unfolded at her side like wings, and the Gem of Haste on her chest burst into crimson fire.
That was the warmest light, the flame of burning life!
The strongest anti-Herrscher weapon—Crimson Knight: Eclipse.
The false Crimson Knight had been defeated; the true Crimson Knight stood up unyieldingly!
Eyes burning, soul scalding!
Even if life was being burned away bit by bit, there was no turning back.
—Heart, boiling!
—Body, never so light!
—Wounds, no longer feeling pain!
The dream is over.
The time for the final battle has come.
Even alone, she must guard the doorstep.
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