Chapter 023 : The Reunion of the "Big Three"

The Hyperion is not unique to the Honkai Impact 3rd universe.

In the classic real-time strategy game series "StarCraft," there is also a battleship of the same name.

The latter is also the flagship of the main characters.

Of course, the Hyperion in front of us, even equipped with the "Moonlight Throne" engine, is still far from being capable of interstellar travel.

This is a gap in technological advancement.

However...

"It really looks cool!"

Now, Ling ke was sitting firmly in the catbird seat, and from the beginning, he intended to let Theresa and the others go, using them as "bait" to lure out bigger fish, so he had the leisure to pay attention to these trivial matters.

Look at that sword-like silhouette, the ship's body primarily in a holy white color scheme, and... the clean deck.

"In reality, there's no 'map scenery cannot be destroyed' feature."

"If it gets scratched, should I feel heartbroken or gloat?"

Ling ke thought somewhat morbidly.

At this moment, on the deck of the Hyperion, hundreds of "Domination Puppets: Anby" had gathered.

With their appearance, Anti-Entropy had no choice but to send out their own forces to meet the enemy.

Kiana, Bronya, Fu Hua...

And even... Seele!

"Hey, doesn't this count as sending minors to the battlefield?"

As both sides faced off, the Domination Puppets with the number "001" standing at the front sneered mockingly, "So Anti-Entropy is a terrorist organization, huh?"

"F*** you!!!"

A broadcast sounded from the bridge.

A certain lobster doctor was once again roaring in a red-hot rage, "You, who indiscriminately massacre people all over the world, have no right to say that!"

"Hah!"

The "Domination Puppet: Anby" numbered 001 laughed, "So I'm the 'villain' that everyone wants to beat!"

"But you, don't you aspire to so-called beauty and justice?"

"Your moral bottom line is quite flexible."

"Oh, no... you've long since lost your bottom line."

"Otherwise, how could there have been the disaster in Nagazora? Otherwise... how could there be me now?"

After these few short sentences, without waiting for any reaction from the others, the "Domination Puppet: Anby" drew the black blade from her lower back.

Then, she pointed it at someone in front of her...

"Bronya, did you think my words were just empty threats?"

She sneered, "I said I would make you alone again."

"And yet, you still dared to bring your little sister here?"

"To bring her before 'us'?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Bronya's expression changed drastically.

She thought of a terrifying possibility.

Sure enough...

"All units, target locked—Seele Vollerei."

"Roger!" ×389

In an instant...

Including the one numbered 001, a total of three hundred and ninety "Domination Puppets: Anby" all drew their blades and then... launched a group charge.

As they charged...

"Protect Seele!"

Everyone on Anti-Entropy's side immediately realized Ling ke's intention to break their spirits.

In an instant, as Kiana shouted, everyone on the deck shielded Seele behind them.

Now that Mei wasn't here, Kiana... who had recently been taken care of by Seele... of course, even without that, she would have actively tried to save those in need.

Unfortunately, the onslaught of the Dominator Puppets came far too quickly.

Before Kiana could even process her thoughts, the two sides were already clashing blades.

A total of three hundred and ninety puppets were besieged. fewer than ten Valkyries defending the ship.

The battle was intense.

Witnessing this scene, within the first few seconds...

"I'm dragging everyone down..."

Despite wielding a massive scythe that looked incredibly intimidating, Seele herself shrank back timidly, her heart filled with unease.

Seeing her like this...

"I told you not to get involved, and now look what's happened!"

In her mind, the voice of the "other Seele" rang out.

She spoke impatiently, "Hurry up, give me control of the body."

"I'll handle this situation."

"Okay!"

Recently, Seele had been watching her sister Bronya work hard to improve herself, and she too wanted to grow stronger.

So, she often pushed herself, participating in the most difficult training sessions.

And she absolutely refused to rely too much on the power of her other self.

But now, she knew...

If she continued to insist, she would only make things worse.

She was, after all, a sensible girl.

So, in the next moment...

"Please, other me!"

After a soft murmur, Seele's demeanor changed drastically.

"Hmph!"

The once gentle yet strong girl now wore a sinister smile.

"They're just trash. What does it matter how many there are?"

At that moment, the giant scythe in Seele's hands disappeared.

In its place, two blood-red floating claws appeared, hovering protectively on either side of the girl.

Just then, several "Domination Puppet: Anby" broke through the front line of defense...

Swish

The "other Seele" sneered, mercilessly swinging her claws.

She had thought this strike would easily take out these trash who dared to target and harm Seele.

Unfortunately...

Clang!

"!!!"

In the "other Seele's" shocked gaze, accompanied by the sound of metal clashing, her attack... was blocked.

(TL/N: Lol. Who trash now? 🤧)

Beside the short-haired girls wielding black blades... another, completely different figure suddenly flashed into view.

This was a girl with short black-and-red hair, wearing a maid-style dress, and... a shark tail growing from her back.

A member of Victoria Housekeeping, the shark-girl—Ellen.

Now, as she took the field, the "Anby" puppets faded into the background.

"Tch~"

The "Domination Puppet: Ellen" clicked her tongue in annoyance, revealing her sharp, saw-like silver teeth.

The giant scissors in her hands, shaped like a shark's dorsal fin, not only deflected the "other Seele's" claw attack but also planted them into the ground, using the momentum to pivot and counterattack in one fluid motion.

And she wasn't the only one doing this.

"Who are you calling trash?" ×7

The cold voices overlapped, echoing in their ears.

The "other Seele" narrowed her eyes, her expression turning dangerous.

At this moment...

"Not good!"

Bronya had already chosen to fall back the moment she realized their defensive line had been breached.

In fact, as soon as she retreated, a larger gap opened in their formation.

But this was her instinctive choice.

It seemed that, just like her sister Mei, in Bronya's heart, Seele was more important than the world.

"Heavy Armor Bunny!"

Bronya was clearly flustered by her concern.

Even though the "other Seele" could handle this...

She still summoned her quantum robot to her "little sister's" side.

Then, with a punch to the ground...

Boom!

This shockwave attack could easily repel the incoming enemies.

If the "Domination Puppet: Ellen" puppets took this hit head-on, even if they weren't injured, they would have to regroup.

But Bronya didn't know...

The game character templates from "Zenless Zone Zero" operated in three-person squads.

And they could not only "block" but also "dodge."

In an instant...

Whoosh~

Several "Ellen" puppets didn't retreat.

As Bronya's attack approached, another figure flashed into view beside them.

"Troublesome... leave it to me!"

This was a tall, gray-haired woman also dressed in a maid outfit.

However, her maid dress had a long skirt.

But it was slit on one side, revealing a glimpse of her white-stockinged legs...

In this critical moment, no one had the leisure to appreciate this kind of "scenery."

Because, as the "Ellen" puppets faded away, the newly arrived "Rina" smirked and launched a massive lightning ball.

Upon closer inspection, one could see two special "dolls" inside it.

These were "Rina's" unique combat puppets.

They spun around each other, advancing at incredible speed.

In an instant, seven lightning balls shot toward the "other Seele" and the Heavy Armor Bunny beside her.

The two were ready to face the attack.

Heavy Armor Bunny instantly deployed several floating shields, its mechanical arms guarding the "other Seele" on either side.

Boom!

The seven lightning balls struck, causing a violent explosion.

But they didn't break through Heavy Armor Bunny's defenses.

Even so...

"Bronya!!!"

In her mind, the "other Seele" heard Seele's cry.

She instinctively turned her head... and sure enough, because Heavy Armor Bunny had been moved, Bronya's combat power had greatly diminished.

She could no longer use the Herrscher of Reason's authority, and even though her past skills as the world's top assassin had returned along with the sensation in her legs...

The enemies Bronya was facing were simply too troublesome.

It had to be said that Ling ke's plan was to create a diversion.

Now, even if he was just putting on a show, he would make sure his subordinates performed convincingly.

And so...

Whoosh whoosh whoosh~

More Domination Puppets began to swarm Bronya.

She had already been flustered by her concern, leaving her position and becoming isolated.

The others, too, were being held back by other Domination Puppets, thanks to Ling ke's careful planning.

Clang!

On Anti-Entropy's side, Fu Hua, who had the strongest combat power in her normal state, tried to rely on brute force to charge forward, throwing a punch at one of the "Domination Puppet: Anby"... but it missed, and a tall figure suddenly appeared in front of her.

He had a human body, a beast's head, a wolf's tail, and fur that was white with black highlights. His eyes were sharp, and his demeanor was meticulous.

Dressed in a butler's outfit, he exuded an air of elegance.

The wolf-man, Lycaon.

In the world of "Zenless Zone Zero," he was also a member of the "Victoria Housekeeping" faction, the leader whom Ellen referred to as "boss."

Clearly, some of the "Domination Puppet: Anby" squads weren't composed of "Ellen + Rina."

Now...

"Move!"

"I'm sorry, guest, but the path ahead is closed."

Lycaon politely stated a fact that was anything but friendly to Fu Hua.

His hard black prosthetic leg, specialized for kicking, clashed with Fu Hua's straight punch.

The two were locked in a stalemate.

"Indeed, the 'blocking' mechanic from 'Zenless Zone Zero' is perfect for stalling enemies at critical moments."

"This efficiency can even make up for large level gaps."

In the Dominator Theater, hidden behind the scenes, Ling ke made this tactical assessment in real time.

"Then..."

The corner of his mouth curled into a noticeable smirk.

On the deck of the Hyperion...

Seizing the rare opportunity, the "Domination Puppet: Anby" numbered 001 suddenly raised her left hand, fingers curled like claws, and made a grasping motion toward Bronya, who was isolated and out of position.

Swish~

Invisible "threads" wrapped around Bronya.

The "threads," like the "spatial gates," were abilities originally possessed by the Herrscher of Domination.

So, no matter which game character template was used, they could all employ this power.

At this moment, Bronya's limbs were instantly bound, completely immobilizing her.

Just like that, she was being dragged away by the Dominator Puppet numbered 001...

"Bronya!"

"Big sister Bronya!"

Nearby, Kiana, Seele, and the others, who were unable to break free, all showed expressions of extreme anxiety.

Even from the distant bridge at the rear...

Crash~

Unable to sit still any longer, Theresa grabbed the Oath of Judah cross beside her and smashed through the transparent shield at the front of the bridge, charging forward.

She couldn't let Bronya be taken away too.

She had to protect her student.

But just as Domination Puppet 001 opened a spatial gate and was about to pull Bronya inside...

Crack~

A violent red lightning bolt descended from the sky.

In an instant...

Swish~

A blade's light flashed, severing all the "threads" binding Bronya.

Electric arcs surged, radiating an aura of dominance.

At the same time...

Roar!

The crimson dragon-like Honkai beast—Kurikara—landed on the deck.

With its furious roar, numerous Domination Puppets were sent flying by the shockwave.

Some of the lower-level puppets even had their health bars instantly depleted.

This sudden turn of events stunned everyone on the scene.

Even Ling ke, hidden behind the scenes, showed a flicker of emotion.

"She's here!"

His gaze sharpened, "Heh, did I just make you all reunite ahead of time?"

On the deck of the Hyperion, a purple-haired girl stood with her blade, positioned between Bronya and Domination Puppet 001.

Seeing that all-too-familiar figure, Kiana, whose combat pressure had suddenly lessened, trembled slightly...

"Mei!"