LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 187: Bianka and Ren
The Vimur base in North Africa remained a desolate expanse of swirling sand. However, after numerous experiments, much of the sand had been vitrified, giving the landscape a shimmering, glassy appearance.
[Attention all personnel. The 48th trial of the 2nd Divine Key will commence in five minutes.]
The announcement echoed through the base. After so many trials, everyone was intimately familiar with the procedure.
Amidst the sand dunes, Ren leaned against a low, crumbling wall, a crimson greatsword planted firmly in the ground. He gazed at the sky, his expression serene.
"The experiment will begin soon. Has your body recovered?" Durandal approached, her golden hair swirling around her in the wind. She planted her lance in the sand beside him, her tone casual.
The observation experiments with the Thousand Worlds Gate required close cooperation between the two participants. After so many trials, they had developed a considerable degree of unspoken understanding.
Moreover, in this isolated base, they were the only two present. Though both were generally reserved, their shared circumstances inevitably led to interaction.
Officially, Durandal was Ren's guard, responsible for preventing his escape. Their quarters were separated by a single wall.
Such proximity fostered more opportunities for conversation. Occasionally, they spoke of Kiana, Schicksal, their ideals…
Gradually, the straightforward Durandal had grown more familiar with Ren. This didn't mean she had relaxed her vigilance, but the tension between them had eased.
Curiously, Otto was aware of their increasing interaction but made no attempt to interfere.
"It's mostly recovered." Ren pulled back his sleeve, revealing deep purple Honkai fissures crisscrossing his arm. Compared to the aftermath of yesterday's experiment, however, the damage was significantly less severe.
Having finally discovered the correct method to open the gate, Otto had accelerated the pace of the experiments, disregarding the immense strain each opening inflicted upon Ren.
Ren's already frail body was deteriorating rapidly. Even with the numerous supplements Otto provided, the Honkai corrosion was relentless.
Durandal, witnessing Ren's decline daily, remained silent, doing what she could to shoulder the brunt of the Quantum Shadows during the experiments.
[Commencing experiment.]
As the dimensional barrier opened, Durandal's casual demeanor shifted. She leveled her Black Abyss White Flower at Ren, overseeing his activation of the Imaginary space.
Without hesitation, Ren grasped his greatsword, took a deep breath, and began channeling his power.
"With this blazing fire, I sever all that binds."
An immense surge of energy tore through the veil of the Imaginary, granting the Thousand Worlds Gate access to the Imaginary Tree.
The moment the attack landed, the Honkai fissures on Ren's body multiplied exponentially.
He coughed violently, blood trickling from his lips. The veins in his neck bulged, a horrifying sight.
He tried to lower his greatsword but stumbled, his body giving way.
Thud.
Instead of hitting the sand, he landed gently in Durandal's arms. Looking at the near-unconscious Ren, Bianka frowned deeply.
Quantum Shadows began to materialize in the sky. Durandal sighed.
Rather than leaving Ren alone, she hoisted him onto her back, her lance held firmly in one hand as she charged towards the Quantum Shadows.
Twenty minutes later, the experiment concluded.
Carrying Ren added little burden to Durandal. She returned to the base with him, intending to provide medical attention.
However, the Valkyrie healing techniques she had learned at Schicksal proved ineffective against Ren's condition. Gently unfastening his shirt, she saw that his upper body was now covered in Honkai fissures. The stigmata on his chest seemed to have dimmed.
"His body is at its limit."
Immediately contacting Otto, Bianka requested a postponement of the experiments.
…
At Schicksal HQ, Otto, having just completed his own analysis, uploaded the vast amounts of collected data into the Soulium mainframe. Compared to the previous inefficient methods, Ren's assistance had increased their efficiency a thousandfold, if not more.
"Still not enough. I need more than this." Despite the significant progress, Otto remained unsatisfied. He needed deeper observations.
The Vimur base, after so many experiments, was depleted of resources. The ten Honkai reactors had absorbed nearly all the ambient Honkai energy in the surrounding desert. Forcing further experiments there would yield diminishing returns.
I need a location with a higher concentration of Honkai energy. Otto pondered, his gaze sweeping across the world map.
As he considered his options, a communication request arrived.
"Overseer, this is Rita. While tracking the Herrscher of the Void, we were attacked by a Judgment-class Honkai beast. We've temporarily lost her trail."
"Missing…" Otto paused. He had an agreement with Ren. Kiana's safety was paramount. If Ren discovered that Kiana had been taken while under Otto's supposed protection, he might refuse further cooperation. "I understand."
He ended the call with Rita. Simultaneously, another call came in—from Durandal.
"Overseer, Ren's body is at its limit. Can we postpone the next experiment?" Bianka's direct request was unusual. She added, "He's repeatedly asked for news of Kiana. Could you perhaps…"
Otto rubbed his temples. Even he was beginning to feel the strain. He was well aware of Ren's deteriorating condition, having used Kiana as leverage to ensure his compliance.
He had intentionally allowed Kiana to wander, occasionally releasing snippets of information to keep Ren cooperative and under control. Now, at this crucial stage, Kiana was missing. He couldn't predict how Ren would react.
"Bianka, Kiana is missing."
Durandal froze, her gaze shifting to the unconscious Ren beside her. Just yesterday, he had been asking about Kiana, agreeing to endure another painful experiment only after Bianka had promised him news.
"Keep him calm. Tell him we've located the Herrscher of the Void and taken her into custody. Once this final experiment is complete, they can reunite. Also, the Vimur base is depleted. The location for the next experiment is…"
Otto's gaze settled on a specific point on the map.
"Nagazora."
…
"Understood." Bianka ended the call. Lying was not her forte. Silence was her only recourse.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice heavy with guilt.