NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 205: Threats and Ultimatums
As the Honkai energy concentration intensified, the water level in Nagazora continued to rise, submerging the remaining exposed buildings. The city appeared to be slowly vanishing beneath the waves.
Raven, having finally escaped the transport ship, surveyed the scene with growing unease.
Since Kevin's return from the Sea of Quanta, World Serpent's activities had escalated. The primary objective of the Stigmata Project was to capture active Herrschers. Hence, she had mobilized a mecha unit following MOTH's intel on the Herrscher of the Void.
The initial capture operation had been assigned to Jackal and MOTH. Raven had specifically requested to participate, only to be ambushed by a Herrscher before even reaching their destination.
"With the [Staff of Hades] deployed, capturing the Herrscher of the Void will be difficult. We'll have to wait for reinforcements." Assessing the situation, Raven reported to Gray Serpent and entered the city in a single-person vehicle. (I forgot the name, you can tell the name)
Being a World Serpent operative was a job. Caring for the children was her life.
"I hope things haven't gotten worse."
She disembarked the vehicle, landing on the roof of a tall building. As for the transport ship's crew and MOTH, Raven couldn't concern herself with them now. Judging by Raiden Mei's demeanor, she wouldn't harm them.
Looking towards the Nest, barely visible above the floodwaters, Raven's eyes darkened. "That damned Herrscher of the Void… if it weren't for her, my island, my children… they wouldn't be trapped in this hellhole."
After Raven left, Ren emerged from the shadows, watching her retreating figure, a thoughtful frown on his face.
As an organization with roots in the Previous Era, World Serpent's capabilities were unknown. With his memories suppressed, he couldn't rely on his usual omniscience. Raven's arrival was an unknown factor. Concerned for Kiana's safety, he followed.
Unbeknownst to Raven, MOTH, having anticipated her arrival, had already infiltrated Nagazora.
To deceive the Will of the Honkai, Ren had to deceive himself. He had no knowledge of the plan's specifics, nor of the puppet's current actions.
Inside the Nest, Kiana, having just regained consciousness, looked pale, though the Honkai fissures on her body had receded somewhat.
"Kiana, are you feeling better?" Sora entered, offering her a cup of warm water.
During the Honkai beast attack, Kiana and Delta had repeatedly saved the children. These isolated youngsters, witnessing such selfless acts, had finally realized that not all outsiders were hostile. It was the first time they had experienced kindness from someone other than their teacher.
"Yes, much better." Kiana took the cup, wetting her parched lips, her mind still reeling from recent events.
"Then rest. We'll call you when dinner is ready." Seeing Kiana's distant gaze, Sora quietly left, taking the empty cup with her, Maruku trailing behind.
Alone, Kiana stared at her hand.
Raiden Mei. Herrscher of Thunder. Obsidian Concord.
The flashing lightning, Mei's parting gaze… it all felt like a fresh wound.
Why?
Himeko. Mei. Ren.
They had all chosen to protect her, sacrificing themselves to pull her from the darkness. And she, the one who deserved to bear the burden, could do nothing.
The memory of their hands, once clasped in hers, still warm… Kiana stared at the ceiling, her heart aching.
*Himeko-sensei, one day, I'll bring everyone back.*
She made a silent vow.
But resolve alone couldn't change reality. As Kiana steeled herself, the sound of shattering glass came from outside.
"No!" a muffled cry. Sora.
Ignoring her weakened state, Kiana rushed out, seeing a middle-aged man holding Sora hostage, a dagger pressed against her throat.
And the man… Kiana recognized him. From the farm.
Griseo's father. Ren's uncle.
"How…"
A wave of unease washed over her, the red-haired woman's curse echoing in her mind.
MOTH, seeing Kiana, smiled cruelly, his eyes filled with malice.
"So, you're here, Herrscher of the Void."
Silence.
"I knew something was off about you the day Ren brought you to the farm. I should have guessed. You're the monster who killed millions."
Kiana's eyes hardened, her earlier confusion replaced by a cold determination. "I know why you're here. But this child is innocent."
MOTH's bloodshot eyes widened. "Innocent? Was my daughter innocent?"
Aside from Himeko, Griseo's death was a wound that would never heal, a burden Kiana would carry forever. But she couldn't stop now. She couldn't allow more innocent lives to be lost.
"Your vengeance, your hatred… direct it at me. I won't run from my responsibility. But don't harm these children."
"Don't be ridiculous! You, a Herrscher, concerned about the lives of ordinary humans? If World Serpent hadn't told me the truth, I would never have believed such a small girl could be so vicious! My daughter is dead because of you! Ren is missing! And you destroyed ARC City!"
MOTH, a master manipulator, expertly shifted the blame to World Serpent as the dagger pressed closer to Sora's throat.
"It's a good thing my wife left ARC City. Otherwise, you would have killed her too."
Kiana flinched, her expression hardening.
Perhaps he was right. Perhaps she was nothing more than a monster.
Doubt flickered in her eyes.
In that moment of hesitation, MOTH drew a pistol and fired.
A gunshot. Blood bloomed on MOTH's shoulder as Raven landed between them.
"MOTH, let her go!" Her voice was laced with fury as she aimed both her spare pistol and the Seven Thunders of Retribution at him.
MOTH remained silent, his grip on Sora tightening.
"Raven, this is my revenge!" His voice was a venomous hiss.
Raven glared at him, her eyes cold. These children were her family. If he harmed them, she would destroy him.
"I said, let her go. That's an order from Kevin."
"Raven, you should be aiming at the Herrscher of the Void, not me."
"I'll handle the Herrscher. You're just a peripheral member. Bringing me here completes your mission. Leave now, and I'll forget this ever happened. Defy me, and you'll regret it."
The tension was palpable. Finally, under Raven's unwavering gaze, MOTH released Sora.
The girl ran to Raven, seeking protection.
MOTH glared at them, his eyes burning with hatred.
"I hope you don't regret this."
He turned to leave. Kiana started to follow, but Raven's pistol stopped her.