NOVEL NEXT Chapter 150: Unavoidable Conflict
"Let's go." Placing the Domination-infused seashell in Liliya's hand, Ren looked at the calming ocean, addressing Older Kiana.
He gently struck Rozaliya's neck, the girl collapsing unconscious in his arms.
He was still using the Kiana Puppet. He'd hoped to remain unnoticed, but after the Tonatiuh encounter, his appearance would be recorded in the Hyperion's database.
"I'm sorry. I messed up." The destroyed warships, the near-death experience with Tonatiuh… it was a disaster. If Ren hadn't intervened, it would have been far worse. Older Kiana hung her head, avoiding his gaze.
"Don't worry. It was your first mission. Being unprepared is normal. The real world is far more complex than those bubble universes. Unexpected things happen."
He continued, "If I recall correctly, the Overseer in this world, Otto, also has a clumsy maid who's an S-rank Valkyrie. Messing up is practically her specialty. Don't blame yourself. It's an Overseer's curse, I suppose."
"This world… is it really that dangerous? Even S-rank Valkyries fail regularly? But if it's the main world, there must be many S-rank Valkyries, right?" Older Kiana mused. Compared to her bubble universe, this world was a bustling metropolis.
"Uh, probably." Ren's eyes flickered. If Rita heard him, she'd probably run to Durandal and complain.
As he was about to leave, the air hummed. He raised a hand, stopping a flying blade inches from his shoulder.
Despite having lost a layer of its quantum shell, Tonatiuh had been no match for Theresa and the others. Even with its speed, two A-ranks, an S-rank, and the Hyperion's cannons were too much.
The blade returned to Theresa. Tonatiuh was subdued. Theresa finally had time to confront Ren.
"What did you do to them?!" Sweat dripped down her face. The Twilight Paladin battlesuit was taxing, but the battle had ended quickly enough for her to notice what was happening.
Her blades spun, blocking Ren's escape.
There was something familiar about this white-haired woman, reminding her of her close friend, Cecilia. They were similar in age and appearance.
If not for the completely different aura, she would have thought Cecilia had returned.
"Theresa-san, there's no need for alarm. As you can see, I haven't harmed them. Rozaliya made a deal with a friend of mine. I merely upheld my friend's end of the bargain, saving her life."
Ren held the unconscious Rozaliya in his arms, making his words less convincing. If Older Kiana wasn't female, Theresa would have suspected him of being a creep.
Sensing Rozaliya's life force, Theresa relaxed slightly. It seemed the girl was alive.
Her tone softened a bit. "Then perhaps you should stay. The Hyperion has excellent medical facilities. We can ensure she receives proper treatment. After the matter is resolved, I'll personally escort you home, with our gratitude."
It seemed awakening the Twilight Paladin had improved Theresa's diplomatic skills.
The Hyperion descended, flames still flickering on its deck. Ren, responsible for the damage, felt it best to leave.
"I appreciate the offer, Theresa-san, but I just remembered I left the stove on. Perhaps another time."
As Ren made his excuses, Theresa received a message from Einstein. "Don't let her leave. We reviewed the security footage. There was someone else present when Cocolia escaped. She's likely responsible for the damage to the Hyperion."
"I'm curious about your attack on our ship. Care to explain?" Theresa's blades aimed directly at Ren.
But Ren simply snapped his fingers, an invisible force deflecting the blades.
They clattered back to Theresa, who paled. He'd effortlessly neutralized an S-rank Valkyrie's attack. This individual was dangerous, yet there was no record of anyone with such power in Schicksal's database.
"Bronya!" As Bronya's name left Theresa's lips, heavy artillery fire bombarded Ren.
Griseo's Stigmata granted her telekinetic abilities, but she was less effective against raw explosive power. Still, it wasn't enough. Golden sand swirled, forming a barrier that absorbed the blast.
While the sand obscured their vision, Seele, using her phase-shifting abilities, appeared behind Ren, her scythe slicing through the air.
She hit only an afterimage, but it disrupted Ren's control, separating him from Older Kiana. Seele finally saw his face.
"Kiana-san? What are you doing here?"
…
"Wait, Seele, what did you call her?" Bronya was the first to react. Seele had met the St. Freya students in the trial world, but those were just memories, phantoms of Bronya's past. This wasn't a schoolgirl.
"Kiana. In the Sea of Quanta, Sister and I were separated. I spent ten years in a bubble universe with Mr. Kindred. She's the Kiana from that world." Seele looked at Ren, as if seeking confirmation.
"..." Ren shook his head, unconcerned about being recognized, but unwilling to confirm it directly. "No, I'm an artificial human created by Schicksal. Designation K425."
"You're lying! The artificial human project was abandoned long ago. There can't be any new subjects." Theresa had reviewed the records. There were no entries after K423. But the attack, the unknown powers… it fit Schicksal's methods.
"Believe what you will. Don't get in my way." The more he said, the more likely he was to slip up. He didn't care what they thought about this Puppet, but Kiana would be coming to Anti-Entropy for treatment, and he didn't want her to know about this just yet.
"I'm not your friend. I don't want to fight." Sand coalesced into a blade, aimed at Theresa.
"It seems we have to do this the hard way."
While he appeared to be fighting them, his true target was Tonatiuh.
As they focused on him, he detonated the sand, creating a diversion and snatching the weakened Tonatiuh.
The clouds parted, leaving the battered Hyperion behind.