Book 5: Chapter 39: The Lightning Rod, Shigure Kira
“Why are you all looking at me? This is just the regular attack pattern of the Demon-Subduing Lightning Dragon Ritual Array. I’m not someone who holds a grudge. I would never harbor resentment just because Shigure Kira insulted me a bit.”
That was Chen Heng, speaking to the crowd attracted by the high-definition Spiritual Energy screen beside the Honkai reactor. Their eyes all turned to him as Shigure Kira was electrocuted into an unrecognizable state for the second time.
Chen Heng attempted to justify himself, but the dubious looks from everyone—including his beloved, precious younger sister Sirin—told him they were unconvinced.
“Younger Sister, don’t tell me you don’t believe me, either?”
“How…how could that be? My elder brother is a very generous person. There’s no way he’d hold a grudge,” Sirin responded, her gaze wandering away as she spoke.
Although she defended Chen Heng, anyone with discerning eyes could tell at a glance she was not completely convinced herself.
“How frustrating!” exclaimed Chen Heng, turning his gaze away from the crowd. Then, he snatched the bitter gourd juice he had handed Theresa earlier and stowed it in his spatial storage.
“My bitter gourd juice! Return my bitter gourd juice, Chen Heng. I believe you. I truly do! You’re not the type to hold a grudge. Please give back my juice!” Theresa cried out, standing up to profess her faith in Chen Heng after he took back her bitter gourd juice.
Ignoring Theresa, Chen Heng watched through the high-definition screen as Shigure Kira kept her middle finger raised defiantly toward the sky despite collapsing. The more he observed, the worse he felt.
Chen Heng admired Shigure Kira’s courage and determination. He held those who did not fear authority and never bowed to evil forces in high respect, so he decided to intensify his efforts.
Zap! Zap! Zap! A series of seven or eight lightning bolts struck Shigure Kira, all aimed, rather coincidentally, at that raised middle finger. It seemed too much of a coincidence.
Perhaps the numerous lightning strikes had paralyzed Shigure Kira; her middle finger remained upright, showing no signs of curling. That finger acted like a lightning rod, constantly attracting lightning strikes.
Cecilia finally could not bear to watch. She reached out and folded down Shigure Kira’s raised middle finger, halting the continuous strikes.
“Are you Mister Chen Heng? We mean no harm. We’re here to guard the Babylon Labs on behalf of Schicksal and want to meet you. May we come in?”
“Ahem! Ahem! In consideration of a certain someone, I’ll let you in. Remember, it’s just the three of you. If Schicksal sends drones or other Valkyries into this lightning zone, I won’t be so polite and will unleash the full power of these lightning dragons.” Chen Heng made his terms clear, using a remote sound projection system and one of the lightning dragons as a medium to communicate with the three Valkyries.
As for that certain someone, it was indeed Cheng Lixue. He had to give her some face out of courtesy for her teacher rather than the disciple herself. No matter what, Fu Hua was still an immortal. As a bonus, Chen Heng kindly tossed a stretcher to them via a spatial tunnel.
Was Chen Heng’s gesture with the stretcher kind-hearted? Wrong!
After Chen Heng finished speaking, the lightning dragons dispersed, showing no further interest in the three Valkyries. As Cheng Lixue and Cecilia transported Shigure Kira to Babylon Labs using the stretcher, the lightning dragons did not interfere with the two.
Curiously, lightning bolts kept falling from the sky, seemingly “accidentally” striking Shigure Kira on the stretcher. The moment Cecilia decided to carry Shigure Kira without the stretcher, a dozen more lightning dragons emerged from the sky, eagerly eyeing the trio below. Cheng Lixue and Cecilia were forced to use the stretcher again and witness Shigure Kira get struck by lightning.
Cecilia had to admit, the researcher’s—Chen Heng’s—capacity to hold a grudge was unparalleled.
At first, Cecilia watched Shigure Kira with worry, but after observing Shigure Kira’s occasional spasms and no other reaction, she felt reassured. After all, muscle spasms meant Shigure Kira was still alive.
Upon their arrival at Babylon Labs, neither Cheng Lixue nor Cecilia bore any signs of injury; not even their clothes were dirty. However, Shigure Kira was a different story. Her burnt hair stood on end; her clothes were charred and tattered.
Shigure Kira continued to twitch on the stretcher even after being transported to the infirmary. It made Chen Heng reflect on whether he might have gone too far.
What a shame for a nice girl like her to have such a mouth! Even more unfortunate was her letting Chen Heng hear her.
“Are you Mister Chen Heng? I’m Cecilia Schariac, a Valkyrie of Schicksal. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Cecilia said, extending her right hand to Chen Heng.
“Hello, Mother…Miss Saint of the Schariac family. Otto must have sent you three here to see if I’m as strong as Siegfried said, right? If I’m not as strong as he claimed, you would just abduct me, and if I were, you would make other plans?” Their handshake was brief.
“Mister Chen Heng, you’ve misunderstood. We’re here simply because Babylon Labs is also Schicksal’s property. You mentioned that you’d be leaving in a few days and wouldn’t be staying long. We’re here to protect Babylon Labs. Is that alright?”
“Of course, of course. That’s perfectly normal. Now that Schicksal has sent representatives, let’s talk about my younger sister’s issue. I wonder, how much do you think Schicksal’s headquarters is worth?” Chen Heng asked with a smile, but Cecilia felt something hidden behind it.
“Mister Chen Heng, what do you mean? We’re sorry about your sister’s situation, but these—”
“Stop, stop, stop.” Chen Heng cut off Cecilia. “Don’t even start saying these actions were the personal behavior of Babylon Labs’s researchers. I don’t believe it! If that’s your excuse, then I might just have to vent my anger on Schicksal’s headquarters.”
The moment Cecilia mentioned the word “but,” Chen Heng knew Schicksal was going to deny responsibility.
“What do you want, Mister Chen Heng?” Although Chen Heng became more aggressive, Cecilia was not about to be bullied. After all, she was the strongest Valkyrie at Schicksal, and she had her pride.
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