Chapter 27: May You Pass On

"...Why... Why..." Ōno Nao stared out the window, his legs no longer able to support his body. He crumpled to the floor, just like that night, just like when facing that unkillable monster. He collapsed again, weeping uncontrollably again, feeling his utter powerlessness once more. He couldn't understand how a huge city could die in less than half a minute. He watched the people on the streets struggle painfully on the ground, only to turn into piles of ash in mere moments, their remaining clothes the last proof of their existence in this world. This disaster didn't stain the earth with blood, nor did it scatter fragments of flesh and bone. The air didn't reek of burnt fat. But even now, you could still hear the agonizing cries of people before their deaths, hear someone calling for their parents – a cry uttered in the deepest despair and helplessness. You could hear mothers weeping, holding their children, simply because their child had died the instant the disaster struck. You heard the despair of people before death. You heard the sound of car explosions. You heard the roar of lightning. You heard the final echoes of this city. An unknown catastrophe, his own weakness – in this instant, even as an adult, even as someone who had fought his way up from the streets, experienced countless brawls, and even killed people, Ōno Nao... He plunged into profound despair. His body refused to muster any strength; he could only lie limply on the ground. His mind was completely blank, his body trembling uncontrollably with the fear welling up inside him, utterly incapable of action. Just like that night. He was like prey caught in a bear trap. You never know when the hunter will appear; you can only endure the fear gnawing at your heart, endure the tearing pain from the wound. And remain utterly powerless. Xin Yu walked downstairs. He looked towards where his little electric scooter used to be parked. The spot was now covered by the burning wreckage of a car. His scooter was likely gone too. Xin Yu looked around blankly at the empty city. Could anyone tell him what had just happened? Why did the city's originally not particularly high "Spiritual Power" surge to an unimaginable level in an instant, unleashing waves that killed so many people? As Xin Yu stood there, somewhat lost and bewildered, he heard footsteps. Turning, he saw a woman with a pale face, white hair, and a scythe clutched in her hand emerge from around a corner. That was not human. Although it possessed a human appearance, even that of a very beautiful woman, it had no breath, no heartbeat. Its flesh and blood had long since mutated into something else; its internal organs were entirely transformed. It was merely a monster clad in human skin. But it had once been an ordinary person living an ordinary life. Xin Yu sidestepped slightly, dodging the scythe's swing. He then reached out, gently placing his hand on its face. He spoke softly. "May you rest in peace." The power contained within [Nihility] surged forth. The Honkai energy existing within its body instantly went silent and then vanished the moment the power erupted. With the disappearance of the Honkai energy, its body gradually disintegrated into dust. Perhaps it was his imagination, but just as the monster's head was about to completely dissolve into dust, Xin Yu thought he saw a hint of release flicker within the eyes that had previously held only coldness and ruthlessness. It—no, she—died. Perhaps only at the very moment this body completely perished could the soul trapped within the inhuman shell finally find peace. "By Supreme Edict, I deliver thy solitary soul. Escape this sea of suffering, be reborn... as human" After silently reciting the chant, Xin Yu turned around. He looked at the others of the same type gathering around him. Some carried bows, some wielded dual blades, and there was even one that seemed bound, floating mid-air, surrounded by what looked like several coffins. Xin Yu took a slight step to the left, instantly moving a meter away. In the spot where he had just stood, a monster wearing a cat-ear hood, its hands mutated into sharp claws, still retaining the appearance of a human female, materialized. Its claws were already deeply embedded in the concrete. Judging by how easily the monster pulled its claws out, the concrete, so hard for humans, was likely no different from tofu in the eyes of these creatures. Xin Yu remained silent. He slowly removed the pendant from his neck. The golden cross necklace twisted strangely, transforming into a long, pale white blade. This was the first time Xin Yu had overlaid the power of Nihility onto his weapon. He would use this blade to send the souls trapped within these monstrous husks to their final rest. In an instant, Xin Yu and the clawed monster, which had previously stood motionless, vanished from their spots. When they reappeared, they had swapped positions. Xin Yu didn't look back, simply walking towards the Deadwalkers closing in ahead. Behind him, the clawed monster that had switched places with him dissolved into fluttering ash. High above Nagazora City, inside a cloaked aircraft carrier, Cocolia stood at the command post. Her face was impassive, showing no trace of panic or remorse as she watched the feed transmitted back from the redeployed stealth drones. The footage showed the Third Herrscher on a rooftop, absorbing Honkai energy. "Bronya, while the Third Herrscher hasn't fully absorbed the Honkai energy and is still incomplete, coordinate with the Titan units to retrieve her. Those people at the nearest Schicksal Far East Branch, although they're just toys Otto uses to amuse his granddaughter, they can't possibly remain completely inactive in this situation. We must act quickly and decisively." "...Yes, Mother Cocolia." Hearing Bronya's reply, Cocolia's initially cold expression softened slightly, a gentle smile touching her lips. It was impossible to tell how much of this gentleness was real. "Bronya, trust Mother. Mother will definitely bring Seele back." Bronya didn't answer Cocolia, merely floating silently towards the deployment hatch. When Bronya first learned of Cocolia's plan, she believed she wouldn't be greatly affected. After all, every sacrifice was for the sake of retrieving Seele. What did the deaths of strangers have to do with her? But when she truly confronted the heavy reality of millions dead, Bronya... was lost for words. Was this sacrifice truly worth it? Would Seele truly want to be brought back through such a sacrifice? ...Was Mother Cocolia truly not deceiving her?