Xia Qi briefly told everyone about Kevin but remained silent about the existence of World Serpent.
I'll tell Himeko about World Serpent separately later. For now, Mei and the others — especially Kiana — aren't suited to know about its existence.
Xia Qi glanced at Kiana's shocked expression.
Hopefully, when Kiana eventually finds out that Kevin is her ancestor — and most likely her alternate self from another timeline — she won't be too overwhelmed.
After about two hours of flight, Xia Qi, Himeko, and the others arrived above the stretch of sea where Qiong Yu City lay.
"Huh? Where's Qiong Yu City?"
Kiana looked out at the empty expanse of ocean beyond the bridge, confused.
"It's underwater."
Xia Qi told her calmly, and the Valkyrie adjusted course and began to descend beneath the surface.
"A city underwater?"
Raiden Mei looked uneasily at the pitch-black, crushing depths outside, which made her feel deeply uncomfortable.
"It's so dark..." Kiana muttered, the oppressive darkness beyond the hull raising goosebumps on her arms.
"In a little while... it will brighten up."
Xia Qi said calmly.
Half a minute later, the scenery outside suddenly lit up.
There, resting on the seabed like a luminous pearl deep in the sea, Qiong Yu City shimmered with a dazzling radiance that illuminated the surrounding coral reefs in a riot of color, spreading out before everyone's eyes in breathtaking splendor.
Raiden Mei and Kiana's eyes went wide instantly, completely captivated.
"So beautiful..."
"So this is Qiong Yu City! I thought it would be some terrifying ancient ruin straight out of a Cthulhu story!"
Kiana grew immediately excited and nearly pressed her face against the porthole to get a better look.
"Tsk — a ruin this well-preserved actually exists." Although Himeko had already learned about the origins of Qiong Yu City from the information Anti-Entropy had shared, seeing it with her own eyes was something else entirely.
"Yes." Xia Qi nodded, looking out at Qiong Yu City as she spoke. "Due to its unique geographical features, Qiong Yu City is a tiny fragment of the Previous Era's Mu Continent that was never swallowed by the pseudo-black hole created by the Ninth Herrscher — the Herrscher of Earth."
"Mu Continent? The Previous Era's Ninth Herrscher??"
The more Kiana listened, the more lost she felt.
"Bronya will explain all of that when we get back. For now, let's prepare to land."
The Valkyrie had already docked at Qiong Yu City's port. As Xia Qi, Himeko, and the others stepped out, they were met by a dense formation of specialized Titan units on all sides — and ahead, Welt, Einstein, Tesla, and the others waiting to receive them. Everyone tensed instinctively.
"W-wait! Isn't that our history teacher?!"
Kiana pointed at Welt, her expression one of extreme shock.
"Why is the teacher here?!" Raiden Mei and Bronya stared at him in equal astonishment.
"Because he is the Overseer of Anti-Entropy, the First Herrscher, Welt Yang."
Xia Qi said calmly, and beside her, Himeko pressed a hand to her face.
"Ha... so the esteemed Overseer of Anti-Entropy has been working as a teacher at St. Freya Academy this whole time, and none of us ever noticed."
"Haha."
Welt walked over, a gentle smile on his face as he looked at Himeko. "I'm sorry for not revealing my other identity to you before — though I suppose, in the end, it isn't that important."
"How is it not important?!"
Kiana immediately couldn't help but shout, then bounded straight over to Welt's side and stared up at him with shining eyes. "My teacher is the Overseer of Anti-Entropy! This... this... this is so cool!"
Just like Kiana.
Xia Qi felt a touch of helplessness.
"Alright, everyone — please follow us."
Einstein stepped out from behind Welt. Her appearance, and Tesla's alongside her, visibly surprised everyone.
"W-wait... you two are Dr. Einstein and Dr. Tesla?" Raiden Mei stared at them, dumbfounded.
"Ah, I already know what you want to say. 'Aren't you historical figures?' et cetera, et cetera." Tesla waved a hand as though swatting away something trivial.
"All you need to know is that I, Dr. Tesla, am a beautiful young woman. That's quite enough. As for the one with the bird's nest hair standing next to me say whatever you like~"
"If Bronya remembers correctly, your actual ages are already"
Bronya, expressionless, attempted to state the facts, but Tesla immediately smacked her on the head.
"What nonsense are you saying?! Do I look like an old lady to you?!" Tesla spun around huffily.
"Hurry up and follow. Honestly, if it weren't for this experiment, I wouldn't bother with any of you."
"Yes, everyone please follow."
Welt turned and walked after Tesla, pausing only to smile back at Xia Qi and the others.
"Of course."
Xia Qi nodded and fell into step. Einstein walked beside her, studying her with a puzzled expression.
"You're the one from the parallel timeline, correct?"
"Yes, that's right."
Xia Qi nodded.
"In your timeline... how is Welt?"
Einstein looked at Xia Qi and asked seriously.
"He's still there."
Xia Qi said calmly. Einstein nodded, turned her head, and walked on in silence, gaze fixed ahead.
She had no intention of asking whether she herself was still there.
This puzzled Xia Qi slightly.
Meanwhile, Kiana, eyes fixed on Welt walking ahead, leaned toward Himeko and asked hesitantly:
"Teacher Himeko..."
"Yeah?"
"If Teacher Yang is the Overseer of Anti-Entropy... then the homework he assigned two days ago... do we still have to do it?"
"..."
Welt, several paces ahead, stumbled slightly. He paused for a few seconds, then continued walking without a word.
"..."
...
"Everyone, this is the Eye of the Deep Sea. I need to familiarize you with the environment and the precautions here, to prevent anyone from accidentally entering a restricted area or touching the controls of critical instruments."
Upon reaching the area where the Eye of the Deep Sea was located, Einstein turned to face Xia Qi and the others and spoke calmly.
"Please, go ahead."
Himeko nodded seriously. As they moved through the space, Einstein walked them past the key instruments that would be used to open the Quantum Sea, all while keeping her sharp, focused gaze on Xia Qi.
"We have never conducted an experiment like this before. Bronya from the parallel timeline if you have any relevant experience, please share whatever precautions we should be aware of."
She paused.
"Or, if you are willing lead this experiment yourself."
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