Honkai Impact 3rd: Don't Die For Me/ Book 3 Paradise

Chapter 81 Precipice of Truth

<Vienna>

Kallen broke through the brustle of trees to see a familiar sight. The walls of Vienna patched up from her previous visit, glistened like beacons of rest and hope. If they still had a carrier pigeon they'd contact the city and inform them of their visit. This was the procedure for unplanned or hidden scheduling. Relief washed over her Valkyries as their final rusty springs inched them closer and closer to safety. Carrying their wounded and worrying about corruption would finally be over. A few even started to cheer.

"Not one died!"

"Finally, finally."

Tears sprinkled the grass bed and they shuffled forward. Vigor and morale sparked in their conversations. They could finally rest easy. Kallen smiled as she led them forward. Her nosy ears listened happily to their conversations.

"I will visit Victoria's statue to pray."

"I much rather give thanks in a church."

"A bath is in order. The river is too cold. Maybe we can rent an inn. A tavern I need mead or wine."

"After that excursion, I'd only settle for wine and rich meats."

"If we're being indulgent then I'd like to be served by beautiful men."

"Of course, you'd say that you vixen! Need we go over your preferences once more?"

"Hmmm, a short rest. The captain will give us a clear schedule. We'll get at least a week to rest. The only problem is money. We salvaged only a few purses."

"Well, the church will cover some of the cost. We just need to work harder and harder."

Vera walked along Kallen silently. She did not share the same relief the others did. Twirling her dagger absentmindedly was the only action that could calm her nerves. Even if there were spies in Linz it was strange how well their tabs were taken. To not inconvenience the citizens the Valkyries boarded the ferry further downstream. Unless they had access to Alice's business ventures they shouldn't be able to deduce that the ferry held Kallen's Valkyries. Their assailant was also an anomaly, the acquisition of Honkai beasts of the Emperor class must've taken lots of time to prepare. The puppeteer knew their route for quite a while. Of course, if the puppeteer could make beasts then all suspicions would be cleared. Still, if she could make more why did she have to resort to hit-and-run tactics? A thousand Emperor Class beasts would distract Kallen and Eleanor long enough for them to kill the rest of the Valkyries.

"Don't ease up," Vera muttered.

Kallen glanced sideways at Vera but she nodded. She silently channeled a bit of energy into the Oath of Judah. Eleanor also did the same with her key. Sakura did as well. Vera scanned the sky, she could spy an abnormal amount of carrier pigeons. With a bit more focus she could see a few broken feathers. Exhaustion. Why?

Thwang!

Kallen heard the bowstrings. She heard the charged arrows ripple through the air. In an instant, the Oath of Judah expanded beyond its normal size. It towered like a mountain, standing in equal height to the city's walls.

"What?! They're mistaken!"

Arrows rained. They poured from the sky and Kallen could only shield so much. Cries of shock and pain rang through her ears. Why was this happening? Before she could lose her composure, Eleanor activated her healing field. The Black Abyss and White Rose worked in tandem to keep the Valkyries alive, but their injuries persisted.

"Behind me!" Kallen commanded. She cleared her fist and moved the Oath with her mind. Chains sprouted from the center to form a more complete shield. Those with ables bodies dropped their supplies and ushered the injured behind Kallen's shield. Almost every Valkyrie carried a body or two. Vera lifted four.