Honkai Impact: Grandma Pine Sparrow is still chasing me!

Chapter 399 This is spiritual pollution!

In the afternoon, on the edge of Changkong City, a white-haired girl and a gray-haired boy walked side by side, clearing out Honkai Beasts and zombies in another area.

There was nothing they could do about it; after most of the day's work, only the two of them out of the six still had the stamina to continue fighting. In order to complete the mission faster and return sooner, the two reported to their superior, Himeko Murata, and began fighting side by side.

Himeko, aboard the Hyperion, noticed that Sora's fighting style was expansive and powerful. Her baseball bat swung with unstoppable momentum, striking at the vitals or weaknesses of the assassins and Honkai Beasts. Her flame spear, in a single, indiscriminate burst, reduced her enemies to ashes. Kiana's fighting style was virtually identical to Sora's, except that, since her dual pistols weren't suited for close combat, Kiana symbolically fired a few shots before charging in and finishing off the enemies with her White Cat Claws, shattering them with sheer force…

The two sometimes separated to clear their respective targets, and sometimes briefly stood back to back due to the overlapping battlefields, resisting the siege of enemies from all directions.

Watching the two gradually develop a tacit understanding in actual combat, Himeko had an idea, a reasonable idea in terms of combat configuration.

In a sense, both Qiong and Kiana are energetic huskies; they should fight side by side and charge ahead. A third person is absolutely out of the question, and should be able to keep these two hotheads in check...

Just then, their conversation was transmitted back via public channel.

"Hehe, you gray-haired bastard, wanna have a contest to see who can take down a Honkai Beast faster? The left is yours, the right is mine!"

"Why isn't it about who fought more Honkai Beasts and zombies?"

"Don't try that on me. How many assassins can you take down in one charge? I'm not going to fall for that!"

Their conversation further solidified Himeko's resolve. Clearly, they treated every obstacle they encountered along the way as nothing more than a roadside nuisance. Whether it was a rush-class Honkai Beast or some kind of suicide soldier, it was no problem for them.

With that in mind, Himeko opened the ship's internal communication channel.

"Mei, Anna! Come to the bridge!"

If the fifth squad is to be reorganized for combat purposes, they need a calm, rational person who can keep them in check...

Otherwise, these two idiots will eventually find themselves surrounded by the enemy without even realizing it!

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"so tired……"

Kiana pressed her face against the cold bridge control panel, her voice muffled and indistinct. She felt like a wrung-out sponge, too weak to even lift a finger.

Kiana, you're so lame!

Although Qiong next to him maintained a standard sitting posture, a few drops of sweat had trickled down his forehead—but it didn't matter, he would be back to full strength soon.

"You two, I told you to rest but you wouldn't, and now you know you're tired?"

Himeko helplessly put her hands on her hips, looking at the two young people in front of her who were exhausted and staggering, feeling both amused and sorry for them.

If Mei isn't involved, these two are close comrades-in-arms who have risked their lives for each other; but if Mei is involved...

That's a textbook example of a bickering couple.

Wait, does that mean Mei isn't really suited to team up with these two? And considering why Anna came to the Far East branch, and the fact that these kids have a history of hijacking planes with Fu Hua to participate in battles...

Himeko suddenly had a question: Could Mei really control these two hotheads?

The automatic doors to the bridge slid open silently, and Mei and Anna walked in one after the other. Mei was carrying a tray with several cups of steaming tea on it.

"Himeko-sensei, you were looking for us?"

Mei asked softly, her gaze involuntarily drifting towards Sora and Kiana, her eyes revealing concern.

Anna stood quietly beside Mei, noticing that although Sora appeared calm, she seemed less energetic than usual.

"You've come at the perfect time."

Himeko pointed at the two of them.

"As you can see, these two guys exceeded their targets this afternoon—ha, they also overexerted themselves."

If she weren't there, she would never have approved the actions of those two idiots.

Kiana struggled to lift her head and looked at Mei with pleading eyes.

"Mei, I'm hungry. I want fried chicken..."

Kiana's stomach rumbled at just the right moment, causing everyone to chuckle softly.

"Just bear with it, Kiana. Himeko said she'd treat us when we get back!"

Himeko: ...

It's nothing, it's just that our food expenses were already a little over budget this month, it's nothing...

After being reminded by Qiong, the hungry Kiana calmed down a little, but her mood did not improve.

"But...but it's still a long time before we get back for dinner..."

Kiana wailed as she slid down the edge of the control panel like a puddle of liquid, only to be caught by the quick-thinking Sora.

Anna promptly took a cup of tea from the tray in Mei's hands and handed it to Sora.

"Qiong, have some water! You guys really pushed yourselves too hard today."

"Anna, I'm the one fighting so hard, why don't you give me the water instead of this dead gray-haired guy!"

"Forehead……"

Anna, who also felt something was amiss, was thinking about how to explain, but Kiana's complaints, now back at the console, had already shifted the focus.

"Seriously, why does it have to be the first day of the holiday for practical training? Can't we do it during regular classes?"

"Kiana, this is something you just don't understand."

"Aunt Himeko, what don't you understand?"

Himeko cleared her throat and said seriously.

"You're too young to understand."

……

Since the North American branch, sponsored by a certain Miss Nancy Edison, broke away from Destiny and transformed into Anti-Entropy, the Destiny organization, after much painful reflection, has repeatedly cut the financial power of its various branches. Most of the previously profitable subordinate organizations of the branches have been directly governed or controlled by headquarters in various ways. Therefore, for the branches, the only thing they can rely on is the funding from headquarters—fortunately, Bishop Otto, the head of Destiny, has always been generous with funding.

Especially for the Far East branch, or rather Theresa.

For Theresa, who manages the Far East branch, St. Freya Academy is not a place that can be profitable. Not only can she not make money from the students, she also has to find ways to subsidize these children so that they can live happily. In addition, there are her own hobbies, so the budget of the Far East branch is always a little insufficient...

However, there is one good thing: this year's budget is not enough, but next year's budget will be insufficient. Because the Far East branch has been running a financial deficit for years, and Bishop Otto is particularly fond of his beloved granddaughter, St. Freya's allocation is increasing year by year…

However, there are some problems this year. On the one hand, due to a series of events such as Changkong City and Chiyou, the Far East Branch received more funding after being praised by Bishop Otto for its outstanding contributions. Even the subsequent losses and expenses were accounted for through public accounts. In addition, the crystal that had to be cashed out through the Destiny Channel was nominally an accidental discovery but was actually brought to Silver Wolf...

In short, after calculating the accounts, Theresa was surprised to find that the Far East branch had a huge surplus.

Don't assume a surplus is a good thing; it means the branch's funding for the next quarter will be drastically cut! To secure more funding for the next quarter by managing the surplus effectively, Theresa has made a decision: the Hyperion will be deployed at high intensity for the next two months! Whether fighting Honkai or training Valkyries, the Hyperion will be used!

Besides, this isn't really a waste. Even if Otto himself came to check the accounts, he couldn't say it was wrong, right?

Himeko, who was well aware of this, had some complaints, but after all, she was a key member of the Far East Branch (the kind who was likely to have her salary deducted). However, the children didn't need to know these things.

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"I've called you here because I have an important decision to announce!"

Upon hearing this, Qiong glanced sideways, while Kiana instantly sat up straight.

Himeko crossed her arms and glanced back and forth between Sora and Kiana.

"Based on today's observations, I have decided to reorganize the combat configuration of the fifth squad."

Kiana immediately perked up.

"Aunt Himeko, are you going to put me on the same team as the gray-haired guy?"

"Who are you calling 'Auntie'? Call me Major!"

Himeko's forehead veins bulged, but considering Kiana's poor condition, she chose to suppress her anger and continue speaking.

"That's right. From today onwards, Qiong and Kiana will team up, and the fifth squad will be tentatively designated as the Vanguard Assault Squad."

"That's wonderful! Aunt Himeko, you're so wise! You're the best teacher and the best commander I've ever met—"

Kiana jumped up excitedly. Her grand plan, which she had almost given up on, was saved by Himeko, who looked like an angel with a halo above her head and pure white wings...

Call me Major!

Unable to hold back any longer, Himeko gave Kiana a sharp rap on the head.

Okay, maybe she's not that angelic.

"but--"

Himeko drew out her words, successfully silencing Kiana and also signaling to the others who had something to say to be quiet.

"Given that you two are both reckless idiots who charge ahead without considering the consequences, there must be someone in the team who can stabilize the situation."

Anna nodded in agreement. Two brutes like that definitely needed someone to keep an eye on them. Was she referring to herself...?

"So, Himeko-sensei, you want me to..."

"No, Mei."

Himeko interrupted Mei, who looked astonished.

“I’ve thought it over carefully. You’re reliable, but these two guys always become exceptionally… disobedient in your presence.”

Kiana blinked, looking completely innocent. Qiong waved her hand, indicating that there was absolutely no such oversight.

"so!"

Himeko's gaze shifted to Anna, who had been standing quietly to the side.

"Anna, this task is assigned to you."

Although Anna was a little happy to have kicked Mei away, she still widened her eyes in slight surprise.

"Major, is it me?"

"Yes, it's you! You're calm, meticulous, and have a flexible fighting style, capable of both ranged support and close-quarters combat. Most importantly—"

Himeko glanced meaningfully at Sora, who was elbowing Kiana, and Mei, who was trying to comfort the two of them.

"I believe you can rein in these two runaway horses when necessary."

If Anna can't hold them back either, she'll probably have no choice but to keep these two idiots tied to her belt and watch them every moment...

Anna followed Himeko's gaze, suppressing her joy as she nodded gently.

"I understand, Major Himeko. I will do my best."

"Alright, starting tomorrow, the new Fifth Squad will consist of Sora, Kiana, and Anna! Now, you two—"

Himeko pointed at Sora and Kiana.

"Go back to your rooms and rest immediately. I don't want to see you all jumping around before dinner, unless you want to come and help me with my documents!"

"Okay—"

Kiana drawled out her words and pulled Mei's hand, leading her towards the bridge.

"Mei, don't be sad. Bronya and Seele are actually great teammates too..."

Anyway, it's better than her teaming up with the gray-haired guy.

Qiong also stood up, nodded slightly to Anna, his expression unreadable, neither happy nor sad, and then left with the two of them.