Chapter 75: [Skadi]... This is its name

[Time has passed, and the "Ninth Herrscher Crusade" has ended. This time is no exception. You did not participate. Although the others did not say anything, their faces were not very good when they saw you. The doubts they had expressed before were nurtured and sprouted in the hearts of the others.]

[After all, this crusade caused the Fire Moth to lose the entire Mu Continent, and humanity's industrial capacity suffered an unprecedented blow.]

[Even though you were guided before the war and found Hen to carry out the mission, and left a "mark" on him... Thanks to this, Hen survived the attack of "Judgment of Shamash", but no matter what, the Fire Moth still lost its most critical industrial capacity, and even its scientific research capacity suffered a great blow.]

["Such losses could have been avoided" — Many people think so.]

[Relying on your ability that is like "precognition", the Fire Moth can definitely deal with the "Ninth Herrscher" in advance. At worst, you can also "judge" it directly, so you don't have to sacrifice the entire Mu Continent - many people think so.]

[Discussions and dissatisfaction about you among the Fire Moths began to spread. Although they were not exposed openly, people began to exclude you in secret, and even a lot of rumors about you appeared...]

[For example, the reason why Aponia is like this is because of your instigation and connivance; for example, your previous friendliness was just pretended, and it was just a "mask" you put on to join them... In addition, Kalpas, who went out to Twilight Street with you later, kept causing trouble, and people's speculation about you became worse and worse.]

[Finally, after a crusade against a special Honkai beast... it broke out.]

[This is a special operation. According to the higher-ups, this is a key operation to "take back the ocean".]

[It is said that after the "Fourth Herrscher Crusade", the ocean began to change. First, a large number of marine creatures began to kill each other, fighting and devouring each other, and wavelengths similar to Honkai beasts quickly appeared. When the Fire Moths wanted to start clearing out these Honkai beasts in the sea, they found that the entire ocean seemed to "come alive". Their actions were repeatedly hindered, so that the entire ocean became a restricted area.]

[Plus, the Herrscher and the various Honkai that broke out on land attracted attention, and the operation to "retake the ocean" was delayed until now.]

[Although they don't know why the ocean has calmed down a lot after defeating a giant aquatic Honkai beast codenamed "Varuna", at least ships will not be attacked by Honkai beasts within the "range where they can clearly see the land", and they don't understand why the Honkai beasts in the ocean have become extremely rare now (but relatively speaking, they are also extremely powerful).]

[But one thing they are clear about is that they must "take back the ocean".]

[After suffering such a tragic defeat as the sinking of Mu Continent, the Fire Moth urgently needs a big enough victory to restore the people's hearts. "Reclaiming the Ocean" is currently the most suitable one... It only takes defeating several powerful Honkai beasts to regain the initiative of mankind in the ocean. Compared with the "Herrscher Crusade", this task is already very easy.]

[The Fire-Chasing Moth can also take this opportunity to go to the sea to salvage some of the remaining fragments of Mu Continent.]

[And you, of course, will be assigned a task... As for whether you come or not, that depends on the situation.]

[However, fortunately, you accepted the mission this time and participated in the battle... Although your actions have attracted a lot of gossip, many people secretly accused you of being a coward who is unwilling to face the "Herrscher" and only attacks Honkai beasts... But they dare not say these to your face.]

[Again, although rumors about your evil deeds have been circulating among the Fire Moths, and your reputation has been declining, I have to say that "the team you led has always had zero casualties" is enough to shut everyone up, especially during combat.]

[This time, the mission that Fire Moth has given you is to defeat a Honkai Beast that looks like a killer whale... As for the code name? There is no code name. At least no one has the time to give a Honkai Beast a code name right now. Fire Moth needs a quick and clean victory with enough hype right now.]

[The soldiers assigned to your team seem very relaxed. After all, as long as they are in your team, their safety is basically guaranteed.]

[However, this crusade... doesn't seem to be going as the Fire Moth expected.]

————————

Tick-tock——

The rain falls from the sky, making a slight sound on the sea surface, stirring up small splashes of water, and then the rain merges into the vast sea, becoming part of the azure blue.

The slightly gloomy weather made many people feel depressed, but Nozomi didn't think so.

He liked this kind of weather very much, this slightly humid rainy day, and being in the ocean, there seemed to be more water around, which made him feel happy in his heart... as if he should be a [fish] swimming in the sea, rather than a [person] standing here with an umbrella.

"......"

Nozomi stood on the ice surface built with special equipment, holding an umbrella in one hand and slightly clenching the cross pendant in the other hand, silently waiting for the arrival of the special Honkai beast... The Fire Moth had already deduced the route of the killer whale Honkai beast, so they were arranged to wait here, and "She" also guided Nozomi to this place.

As for why Nozomi is the only one here now... all the members of his team are staying on the aircraft, providing only long-range support, and the rest of the operations are left to him.

After all, not everyone is a "fusion warrior".

Tick-tock——

The rain was still falling, and the "water" around him kept conveying emotions of concern and joy, but Nozomi ignored them.

Finally... on the sea surface at the horizon, everyone vaguely saw the figure of the Honkai beast... It was indeed a "killer whale", almost just a "killer whale" that was enlarged to thirty meters long.

Immediately, Nozomi's strange three-color pupils, which were mostly gold, lit up slightly, like the twinkling stars in the night sky.

And flames appeared out of nowhere on its body, burning its body.

"Hmm——"

It cried out as if in pain, with a voice full of grievance and confusion, and then it sank into the sea again, using the seawater to suppress the flames burning on its body.

In the seawater, it moved very quickly. In almost a moment, its figure appeared near Nozomi. As it approached, the flames on its body became more and more fierce, and the members who remained on the aircraft also launched attacks.

But... it didn't fight back.

Even though the flames summoned by Nozomi had spread all over its body, and even though countless attacks had left scars on it, it did not fight back. It simply swam around the ice where Nozomi was, floating up and down, trying to use seawater to reduce the damage caused by the flames... that was all.

"Hmm——"

It cried softly again, with sadness and grievance. It tried to get closer to the ice several times but failed in the end.

Nozomi suddenly realized that its gaze seemed to be always on him, and he... seemed to sense something as well.

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[Entry: Blood Relatives (Killer Whale/Skadi) (Blue), Effective]

[A killer whale called "Skadi" has greatly improved his favorability towards you!]

[Entry: Blessing of the Water/Ocean (Purple), special conditions met, now in effect!]

[Your adaptability to Honkai has been greatly improved, and the probability of becoming a "Herrscher" has increased!]

————————

Immediately, Nozomi stopped the rest of the team from continuing to attack it... Although everyone was confused, they did not object as the flames were still burning on it. After all, they still trusted you very much during the battle.

However, they had a bad feeling in their hearts.

Then, they heard the clear cry of the Honkai beast... After it saw that the attacks of the others were stopped by you and even the flames on its body became a little weaker, its voice became a little light and joyful, and it slowly swung its tail fin and approached you... Finally, it gently jumped out, moved its huge front half to the ice surface, faced you, and uttered some intimate calls again.

Seeing this, Nozomi seemed to be attracted as well. He walked forward slowly and stopped in front of it, feeling the joy and intimacy it continued to convey. A hint of doubt flashed in Nozomi's eyes... More importantly, he did sense a wonderful sense of closeness from it, as if they had once been "one" with each other.

The flames were still burning on its body, burning it and melting the ice beneath its feet... but it was not willing to leave. It just made clear chirping sounds in front of Nozomi, as if it was talking.

"......"

Nozomi hesitated for a long time, and finally chose to put down the umbrella.

Tick-tock——

The raindrops fell on his warm body, bringing with them the cool temperature and also conveying... the emotions of water.

Joy, welcome, nostalgia, and... motherly care, these emotions were transmitted to Nozomi's heart so clearly that it felt strange.

What followed were numerous fragmented images.

He could see him struggling in the ocean, gnawing on the remains of the Honkai beast. He could see him struggling hard to escape from the "ocean". He could also see... him accompanying it in the "ocean".

It is a companion, a... "blood relative".

"Hmm——"

It seemed to have sensed something and let out a happy cry, even ignoring the flames spreading across its body. It just stayed in front of you, looking at you, as if waiting for something, as if looking forward to something.

Nozomi seemed to have sensed something and hesitated for a while, but finally he made a move that made the others feel extremely surprised and frightened - he raised his hand and gently stroked the Honkai beast wrapped in flames. What's more, the Honkai beast rubbed his palm affectionately and made a slightly happy cry.

It seemed satisfied with this and quietly enjoyed Nozomi's touch, allowing the flames to devour it, leaving only a huge skeleton and some debris.

(TL: Whyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!! I thought we get Skadi back why kill it again!!!! )

Nozomi stood there in a daze, with a hint of confusion in his pupils.

"Father, you..."

"I'm fine."

In response to other people's questions, Nozomi just stared at her remaining corpse and responded softly.

"Then this Honkai beast..."

"Skadi."

"What?"

"Its name... you can just think of it as... [Codename]."

After saying this, Nozomi stopped talking and just bowed his head to pray, confessing to 'Her' his inappropriate behavior and strange thoughts just now.

But 'She' has no opinion on this.

......

.........

Nozomi's actions were soon known to the entire Fire Moth. Under the guidance of some people, everyone believed that Nozomi was most likely a "traitor", or a being similar to a "Honkai Creation". Otherwise, how to explain his close interaction with "Skadi"?

Almost immediately, Nozomi was placed under house arrest in his residence... Fire Moth originally wanted to lock him up in the [Deepest Place], but because Nozomi himself was unwilling, and Aponia was also there... Fire Moth was worried that the two would join forces to cause trouble for them, so he only kept him under house arrest in his residence.

At this time, Nozomi's strange power was also believed to be the power of Honkai. Nozomi's reputation became even worse, and everyone's suspicion of him reached its peak.

Nozomi didn't care about this. At this moment, he was immersed in confessing to 'Her'.

......

.........

knock knock——

"Come in."

Hearing the knock on the door, Nozomi, who was still praying, opened his eyes and spoke softly.

"It's really not easy to come and see you once, Father."

Hen pushed open the door and said half-jokingly. Seeing that you were silent and didn't respond, he quickly changed the subject and put the things he brought aside.

They were a painting and a sword with a strange shape.

"The painting that Elysia said she was going to give you is already finished, and the [Sword] and [Scabbard] that you requested to be made by Vill-V are also finished, so I just picked it up on the way."

"Thank you, and may [She] bless you, loyal warrior."

"Hey, I have to thank you a lot. After all, you saved my life."

Hen waved his hand to indicate that it didn't matter... Although Nozomi, like Aponia, often does things that are difficult to understand, and Nozomi even behaves particularly tough when taking action, it is undeniable that many of Nozomi's actions have objectively played a positive role.

For example, Nozomi went out to clean up the Honkai almost day and night, and his record of "zero casualties" allowed the Fire Moth to effectively preserve its strength;

As well as the strange mark that Nozomi had left on him, it allowed him to survive the attack of [Judgment of Shamash]. It can be said that his life was given by Nozomi, and it also saved the Fire Chaser Moth from losing another "Fusion Warrior" in the "Ninth Herrscher Crusade";

And the mark he left on Kevin allowed Kevin to touch Mei again, which greatly improved Kevins's mental condition... all this was because of Nozomi.

Honestly speaking, Hen didn't quite understand why there were so many vicious rumors about Nozomi within the Fire Moth… He vaguely guessed something, but he couldn't change anything. He could only do his own thing and make his relationship with Nozomi better… Besides, he didn't know why Griseo liked him so much, which made Hen a little sad.

"Okay, I've brought the things. Although I still want to chat with you, but... Father, you know I can't stay here for too long... Anyway, please rest assured that there are still people who understand you and believe in you, Father."

Although he felt somewhat helpless, Hen still stepped forward, patted Nozomi on the shoulder to express his attitude, then waved his hand and left... Nozomi was still under house arrest. If it weren't for the special nature of the two things he brought, he probably wouldn't have been able to come in.

"......"

Nozomi remained silent, just stood up and walked to the two things.

The first thing he picked up was the [sword]. The hilt was in the shape of a cross, and the overall pattern was golden, but if you looked closely, you could see a dark layer hidden inside. Pulling out the sword, you could find that the sword body was a bit strange—it was coated with fiery red all over and had no sword tip. The top of the sword was square as if it was broken off, and the entire blade was not sharp and could not cause any damage at all.

Coupled with the strange patterns engraved on the sword, it... should be a [ritual sword].

This is what He requires. In 'Her' words, "The one who judges cannot do so without the necessary sword... only the sword can judge."

Considering that [Judgment] is always carried out through "fire," this [ritual sword] seems to be dispensable... But since it is [Her] will, Nozomi should obey it.

As for the scabbard... that was Nozomi's own idea. After all, since there is a [sword], there should be a [scabbard], right?

As for the material of this set of swords and sheaths... they are the remains of the Honkai beast named [Skadi].

Although using the remains of Honkai beasts to make weapons was already a common practice among the Fire Moths, Nozomi's previous strange behavior, coupled with the fact that he later specified that the remains of Skadi should be used to make weapons, only added to everyone's suspicion of him.

However, Nozomi didn't care about this because this was 'Her' will.

[She] will show mercy to the world, right... right?

"......"

Nozomi remained silent, just put the sword back into the sheath and hung it around his waist.

Immediately, Nozomi looked at another item—the painting that Griseo gave him.

Because of his actions, Griseo's father, Hen, was lucky enough to survive. Knowing this, Griseo decided to draw a picture for him... Although Griseo said that she wanted to draw a picture for Nozomi because she... liked him very much.

In Griseo's words, "Brother Nozomi... the color of the priest is very familiar and I like it... this time, it has become warmer... it feels very comfortable if I get close to him..." Is that right?

However, the picture Griseo drew for him... seemed a little strange.

In the painting, a young priest is kneeling in the middle of a fierce flame. The flame gradually surrounds him, cutting off his retreat, but he seems unaware of it. He just lowers his head slightly, holding the cross pendant on his chest tightly in his hands, as if he is praying. However, his overall movement is extremely stiff, like a puppet being controlled.

Following his body upwards, one can also see faint threads connecting him to a cross wooden frame, exactly the same as those wooden frames used to control dolls, but there is no "person" controlling this wooden frame, and there is not even a "hand," let alone a "God." Only at the top of the picture, there is a faint "glory," which seems to be painted with just a few brushstrokes, as if to indicate that "God" really exists.

His gaze shifted to the corner of the frame, where Griseo had given the painting the name—"God."

Nozomi remained silent and put the painting in the corner against the wall.

Walking to the bathroom, Nozomi washed his hands as usual and prepared to read the Bible given to him by "Her." He raised his head and looked at himself in the mirror. He was stunned for a moment.

The person in the mirror… his face did not seem calm. His strange pupils, which should have been three colors, were completely golden in the mirror. They only reflected hatred, hostility, and the danger of a predator. The clothes on his body were not the priest's robes he usually wore but a dark-colored "hunter's suit" made of an unknown material…

His body was surrounded by azure water, and even his dark hair turned white like waves. Pure white wings quietly emerged from behind him, as if they were about to open, and the faint scent of lilies wafted from his nose.

The surroundings began to become humid, and the temperature began to drop, as if he was not in his own home but in the deep sea.

Blurry images emerged, showing cherry blossoms falling and withering, Elysia "sealing" him, and most importantly... him wielding a dark sword, controlling the water, and killing familiar people.

"......"

Even if he closed his eyes, the scene would not fade away but would continue to replay in his mind, with all kinds of complicated emotions welling up in his heart. However... in this regard, Nozomi simply tightened his grip on the increasingly hot cross pendant in his hand, and a bright flame suddenly flashed around him, dispelling the humid environment and burning the illusory lily that was about to emerge.

"sigh..."

He adjusted his breathing, opened his eyes, looked at himself in the mirror, and found that everything before was just an illusion. He... was still himself, a devout believer of "Her."

But... was that really an illusion...?

Or... was that something that had happened?

Nozomi didn't think about it anymore.

[Oh...]

Faintly, He could be heard laughing again, but as usual, 'She' showed no intention of explaining.

[She] has no opinion about what is happening now.