NOVEL WEB Chapter 345: Media Blackout
Along with the subsequent entry of Schicksal Valkyrie troops, the Honkai event on Coral Island finally came to an end.
Thanks to Schicksal's massive control of public opinion, apart from the millions of people affected by the disaster, no one knew that a blazing fire that burned through the storm had once appeared here.
This Stairway to the Stars base, humanity's first attempt to reach the starry sky, ultimately became a regrettable construction accident under the reason of "crustal plate measurement error," and, along with the island, was treated as one of the natural disaster cases in textbooks.
«Thanks to the timely rescue by the Schicksal forces, the casualties from the large-scale earthquake disaster on Coral Island have been minimized. The 4.5 million survivors have all been evacuated and are currently receiving free medical services provided by Schicksal to ensure the health of every disaster-stricken person.»
«Schicksal Archbishop personally expressed condolences for the victims. This is a major accident in human history and a painful past that everyone should remember.»
«At the same time, we must also thank the Snow Lotus Squad, which was responsible for the Coral Island garrison operation this time. It is precisely because of their perseverance and timely response that such a large-scale evacuation operation could be completed, and they were able to hold out until support from Schicksal headquarters arrived.»
"That's not how it was…"
Looking at the female host on the news who was bursting into tears, Bernice, who was lying on a hospital bed in Schicksal base receiving treatment, pursed her lips and murmured to herself.
The back view of the white-haired girl blocking in front of her, the figure of Himeko blocking the Honkai beast's attack at a critical moment, and the appearance of other Obsidian Concord members desperately blocking behind the evacuating masses flashed through her mind. Bernice's clenched fists trembled slightly.
"They are the heroes."
The medical staff next to her also noticed the news on the screen, with expressions of admiration in their eyes, "Eh, if I remember correctly, Miss Bernice, you are from the Snow Lotus Squad, right? This time, it's all thanks to you. I didn't expect that just relying on a small squad, you completed such a large-scale evacuation."
Fighting for humanity was a supreme honor. Being able to show their glory on the battlefield as a Valkyrie was also the initial hope for many girls to become Valkyries. These Valkyries responsible for logistics work were not purely seeking a job.
Many of them were Valkyries whose Honkai adaptability did not meet the standards, and had to transfer to logistics work.
"No, it wasn't me who completed the disaster relief work." Bernice wanted to tell the truth she had seen, but Himeko's instructions before parting made her unable to speak.
The nurse seemed to have remembered something, put away the smile on her face, and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I heard that Captain Anna Schariac of the Snow Lotus Squad sacrificed herself in this Honkai outbreak. I misspoke."
Looking at the other party's serious expression, Bernice couldn't say anything more, and could only stare blankly at the screen in a daze.
The host on the screen was speaking emotionally, but Bernice only felt uneasy in her heart. She didn't know where this feeling came from. Clearly, as the surviving vice-captain of the Snow Lotus Squad, she should feel honored.
"Is Officer Bernice here?" A young voice came from the door of the treatment room. Bernice raised her head and saw a young girl with short gray hair holding a report form and knocking on the door of the ward.
"You are?"
"Excuse me, I'm Alvitr, a member of the Immortal Blades responsible for information data and intelligence analysis. I'm also responsible for the report investigation of the Coral Island incident this time. There is some information I hope to understand and confirm with you."
"Immortal Blades? The team Lady Durandal is in charge of?"
"That's right, this is my work ID."
Bernice naturally wouldn't mistake Schicksal's Valkyrie ID. But she was a little puzzled. At the first moment after the Coral Island incident ended, the Immortal Blades Squad had conducted a thorough investigation of the scene.
With professionals involved, the cause of the Honkai outbreak should have been investigated long ago. She had only participated in the Honkai event as an ordinary Valkyrie, and the information she could provide was quite limited.
Moreover, as early as when she returned to Schicksal, the entire squad had already been investigated. Now that things were over, the investigation should have ended. However, Bernice did not refuse. Providing information was also a Valkyrie's duty.
"Ask away."
"Thank you for your cooperation, Miss Bernice." Alvitr turned on the recording and video equipment, sat by the hospital bed and said, "I believe you already know that this Honkai event was caused by the awakening of the Herrscher of Ice, and the host of the Herrscher of Ice was Captain Anna Schariac of the Snow Lotus Squad.
According to the information, you should have been on patrol duty at the time. Before she awakened, did you notice her exhibiting any abnormal behavior?"
Listening to the other party's question, a trace of dissatisfaction couldn't help but rise in Bernice's heart. She knew that this was suspecting Anna of contacting Honkai in advance.
"Miss Alvitr, as a Valkyrie, you should know that fighting against Honkai is our mission. Captain Anna…"
"Sorry, please just answer the question."
Bernice was interrupted. She raised her head to look at Alvitr, and finally sighed and replied, "No, Captain Anna couldn't have contacted Honkai."
"Second question, the Snow Lotus Squad almost all survived when the Herrscher of Ice awakened. Someone mentioned that a white-haired girl saved you. Can you describe her performance in detail?"
At this time, the confusion in Bernice's heart became even stronger. Schicksal should have already recorded this information.
Although she felt a little uneasy in her heart, Bernice still described her records in detail, including the scene of Kiana saving the squad and the process of buying time for civilians to evacuate.
She spoke in great detail, because she didn't want to take credit for that girl's achievements in this way. For this reason, she repeatedly mentioned the other party's fight against the Herrscher.
As Bernice spoke, she found that Alvitr's expression became more and more strange. She asked in a low voice, "Is there any problem?"
"No, the information you provided is very valuable."
It's just that it doesn't match the information in Schicksal's database at all…
Alvitr didn't say this sentence out loud. Although she was relatively straightforward, she was responsible for data processing, and she was used to many things long ago.
"Last question, please answer seriously." Alvitr cleared her throat and stared at Bernice's expression.
"The Obsidian Concord organization, have you ever been in contact with it?"
The sudden question made Bernice's heart skip a beat for a moment, and her pupils couldn't help but dilate slightly. She immediately reacted and controlled her emotions, but the slight change in her expression obviously did not escape Alvitr's eyes.
Looking at the recording equipment in front of her, Bernice's heart gradually sank.
…
«In this major disaster on Coral Island, the Snow Lotus Squad performed outstandingly and successfully evacuated the people. Let us pay tribute to them!»
«Schicksal organization promises that whenever a natural disaster occurs, we will protect everyone's safety at the first moment. Believe in Schicksal, believe in humanity.»
Global news from Schicksal was being broadcast on the big screen in the square. Looking at the disaster photos played on the screen, the people watching the news in the square breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but praise Schicksal's power.
"Don't you feel angry? Watching Otto conceal the truth like this." Around the corner of the road, Ren shifted his gaze from the screen to the girl's face beside him.
"Mmph." At this time, Kiana was stuffing the first bite of bread into her mouth, her whole face looking round and bulging like a hamster. Facing Ren's suddenly turned gaze, her face flushed slightly, seemingly realizing that her current eating posture was a bit unrefined. She quickly chewed a few times and swallowed it in big gulps.
"Here." A bottle of mineral water was handed over in time. Kiana took it smoothly and gulped down half a bottle.
In the past few months, Kiana had not had a proper full meal. The only time she had a normal meal was when she met Himeko, but although Himeko intended to cook, Kiana didn't dare to let her into the kitchen.
Now that the Coral Island incident was over, the two casually found a city to rest temporarily. Kiana bought some bread and had just started eating when she saw Schicksal's news.
"There's nothing to be angry about. After all, Schicksal is carrying out the post-disaster reconstruction and refugee resettlement work. I just did what I could do.
Of course, if you want me to say what I feel unhappy about, it's Otto, that guy.
Treating others like fools and fooling them is his favorite thing to do. Concealing the truth or something, you don't need to think about it to know it must be an order he issued."
"But the people on Coral Island were all desperately saved by you. You shouldn't just let him take away your credit like this."
Kiana interrupted Ren and corrected, "It's 'we'."
Looking at Ren's speechless expression, Kiana asked with a smile, "Ren, what do you think I fight for? Is it to win people's praise?"
Ren looked at the bustling street, was silent for a moment, and then laughed self-deprecatingly, "I'm overthinking it."
- End of Volume IV: Ice, Rock, and Kindling -