Chapter 29: In the Face of the World's Cruelty, the Herrscher of Wind is Born

Chapter 29: In the Face of the World's Cruelty, the Herrscher of Wind is Born 🌀

 『my favorite sister Bronya:』 "A heavy… price? Big brother, why do you sound like you already know everything? Like… you've seen it all before…"

 『Hokuto:』 "Ahaha, no way! I'm just guessing."

 Hokuto laughed it off to avoid Seele asking too many questions.

 『my favorite sister Bronya:』 "You're just guessing? But I think you're overthinking it, big brother. Look! Wendy is about to be taken back to Schicksal, right? Everything is moving in a good direction!"

 Seele's innocent optimism showed through in her words.

 Hokuto could practically see her bright, hopeful expression as if she were standing right in front of him.

 Hah… I thought the same thing when I first saw this part.

 And then… the game completely blindsided me.

 He simply smiled to himself and tapped the screen.

 『Hokuto:』 "Yeah, yeah, let's keep watching."

—

 [Bronya believes Wendy will be able to walk again. Once we return to St. Freya Academy and remove the Honkai energy crystal, Wendy will be able to move freely.]

 [Thank you. Bronya, you're really kind.]

 『my favorite sister Bronya:』 "…"

 『Hokuto:』 "Seele? Something wrong?"

 『my favorite sister Bronya:』 "N…No!"

 『Hokuto:』 "Are you sure?"

 『my favorite sister Bronya:』 "I said no!"

 Hokuto chuckled. Teasing Seele is always too easy.

 Alright, enough of that. Let's move on.

—

 Another mission ended, and the next scene played.

 [Bronya, what brings you here? It's rare for you to seek me out.]

 [Major Himeko, once we return to St. Freya, can we find a way to remove Wendy's Honkai crystal? If we do, she might regain her ability to walk.]

 『my favorite sister Bronya:』 "Bronya is so kind…"

 『my favorite sister Bronya:』 "I wish someone would care about me like that…"

 Hokuto hesitated.

 You idiot. She cares about you more than anyone in the world.

 But of course, he couldn't say that.

 Instead, he simply let the game continue.

—

 [That's impossible. The "Gem of Desire" can only remain stable within Wendy's body. If removed, the crystal will collapse.]

 Himeko stated it bluntly—a simple, inescapable fact.

 [Then just throw it away! What's more important? A stupid rock or a girl's happiness?!]

 [The Gem of Desire is not just a "stupid rock." If its immense Honkai energy is released, it could instantly destroy several cities. Would you be okay with that?]

 [But—!]

 『my favorite sister Bronya:』 "Himeko… sounds kind of scary right now…"

 Seele's small, uncertain voice popped up.

 Hokuto couldn't help but smile a little.

 She really speaks her mind here, huh?

 Maybe it's because she's hidden behind a screen.

 『Hokuto:』 "Himeko isn't wrong. The problem isn't her—it's the world itself."

 『my favorite sister Bronya:』 "But—"

 Before she could argue, a rare message appeared.

 『today's performance wasn't perfect:』 "Sacrificing one person's happiness for the survival of several cities… If I had to choose, I wouldn't hesitate to pick the latter."

 Everyone paused.

 The chat fell silent, waiting to hear what Hua would say next.

 『today's performance wasn't perfect:』 "…But it's not fair for the one person being sacrificed. It's a difficult choice."

 Hokuto frowned.

 Hua's words were calm, logical… but there was something hidden underneath.

 Like she had personally faced this choice before.

 And regretted it.

 Before anyone could continue the debate, Hokuto quickly stepped in.

 『Hokuto:』 "It's complicated. Let's just keep watching. Maybe we'll find the answer in the story."

 Both Seele and Hua agreed.

—

 Onscreen, Wendy spoke.

 [Miss Kiana, please… don't say anymore. I've already accepted it. As a Valkyrie, my duty is to use my life to protect others… That's my… duty…]

 Her voice trembled.

 A mix of resignation, helplessness, and despair.

 The chat fell completely silent.

—

 The mission ended—

 And then, the cutscene began.

 The screen showed Kiana stretching lazily, speaking to Himeko through a comm channel.

 [Mmm~ Himeko-auntie, we're almost back at the Hyperion.]

 [Who are you calling auntie?! …Forget it. Just stop there and prepare for boarding.]

 Wendy remained silent, sitting in her wheelchair.

 Bronya held a Homu plushie, her voice tinged with guilt.

 [Wendy… I'm sorry.]

 Wendy… smiled.

 Too peaceful.

 Too unnatural.

 [No, Bronya… You didn't do anything wrong.]

 She opened her eyes.

 They were empty.

 Suddenly, alarms blared.

 [The sensors are detecting a massive Honkai energy spike! It's the Gem of Desire!]

 [Wait, the energy levels are rising rapidly—1500 HW… 2000 HW… What's going on?!]

 Wendy's voice was eerily calm.

 [2000 HW? That's enough to destroy the Hyperion in one shot.]

 Green energy flickered around her body.

 The ground shifted, turning into lush grass and flowers.

 [Wendy… what are you saying?]

 [You hypocrites. I hate you all. I hate every single one of you.]

 The camera zoomed in on her face.

 The softness was gone.

 Replaced with arrogance. Malice.

 [I want to kill you all! Ahaha… AHAHAHAHA!]

 Wendy laughed.

 The chat was completely silent.

 End of Chapter 29