I Don't Want to Be a Valkyrie (Honkai Impact 3rd)

With Schicksal's deliberate allocation of resources, creating (or rather, cultivating) an S-rank Valkyrie wasn't entirely impossible.

After all, a Valkyrie's combat strength isn't solely dependent on personal ability but also external equipment. Even a weak Valkyrie... if she uses the Oath of Judah properly (or rather, fires it well), can still be considered an S-rank Valkyrie.

For example... that certain fool? Sha?

Her combat skills were clearly poor; even with the Oath of Judah, she still got pummeled by the Herrscher. Yet she could still use the Oath of Judah to fight Emperor-level Honkai Beasts. Such... were also called S-rank Valkyries.

Therefore, the S-rank designation wasn't actually that high a standard. If you could wield the divine key well, you were an S-rank Valkyrie.

Although... in truth, it was the divine key Oath of Judah itself fighting, and she was merely the one firing it.

"How many members does a Valkyrie Corps typically have?"

As Kallen explained, Serenade felt this mission might be simpler than she'd imagined.

Even if led by an S-rank Valkyrie, none could surpass Kallen's strength—assuming they weren't wielding a divine key.

But if they did possess a divine key, the situation would change entirely.

Yet by logical deduction, this Valkyrie Corps couldn't possibly carry a divine key. These artifacts aren't meant for just anyone.

They require a compatible master. Without the right match... they remain unusable.

Though Kallen's Oath of Judah remains with Schicksal, the organization would never casually hand it over. In this era, only Kallen qualifies to wield the Oath of Judah's power. Others simply can't harness its true potential.

To even attempt using it, one must first possess Kallen's extraordinary strength—just to withstand... the recoil of firing the Oath.

The next rightful owner of the Oath of Judah would be Theresa...

But Theresa's birth lies four centuries in the future.

As for other divine keys, the first key—the Void Archives—remains in Otto's possession. He'd never entrust it to another.

The Sixth Divine Key, Abyss Flower... It had once accompanied Reina's disappearance and sunk deep into the Atlantic Ocean, later retrieved by Schicksal.

There was still a long way to go...

As for the Tenth Divine Key Dominion Key, Xuanyuan Sword, and Grips of Tai Xuan, there was no need to elaborate - they were in the hands of the Red Kite Immortal.

The Ninth Divine Key Destruction Key (Eden Star) was in Welt's possession, and Schicksal could not obtain it.

Welt would later fight against Otto, who wielded Abyss Flower, Void Archives, and a Soulium body. In the end, Welt emerged victorious.

At that time, although Welt knew he was a Herrscher, he didn't understand how to use his Herrscher powers. His only reliance was the Eden Star. Yet with just this, he managed to defeat Otto who possessed two Divine Keys.

Then there was the Judgement of Shamash. Due to its excessively strong Honkai energy corruption, it was basically only controllable by the head of the Kaslana family.

So at present, the Judgement of Shamash was in the hands of the Kaslana family head, Francis Kaslana.

As for the other Divine Keys, apart from those whose whereabouts were unknown, and the black box still in Yae Village that hadn't been transformed yet (Twelfth Divine Key), Schicksal didn't possess many Divine Keys.

It couldn't possibly be entrusted to the Valkyries for casual use.

-

"If I'm not mistaken, the number of Valkyries dispatched to the Far East this time could reach over a dozen," Kallen mused, seated on the tatami mat. "A dozen A-rank Valkyries and a captain wielding S-rank combat capabilities." Her conclusion came after a moment of contemplation, delivered with conviction.

Schicksal wouldn't send excessive forces, but capturing her would require substantial power. Even without the Oath of Judah at her side, ordinary Valkyries couldn't hope to apprehend her.

"One S-rank Valkyrie and a dozen A-rank ones? Understood! What about Schicksal's headquarters?"

Serenade dared not underestimate Schicksal's headquarters...

The organization's thousand-year accumulation alone made it formidable. Schicksal's power wasn't easily challenged, and when pushed to desperation... they might resort to any measure.

What concerned Serenade most was... the current head of the Kaslana family, Kallen's father. If he were to wield shamash...

Now this is getting serious!

However, Shamash likely wouldn't be drawn so easily. Even when Honkai Beasts went berserk at Schicksal headquarters, she hadn't been used. After all, Shamash Unsheathed is a wide-range destructive attack.

If unleashed at Schicksal headquarters, a single strike would send the entire complex to heaven.

"Schicksal is one of the world's strongest organizations combating Honkai, established in the 5th century AD with the goal of eradicating Honkai from the world.

The Schicksal organization is supported and operated by three great families: the Apocalypse family, the Schariac family, and our Kaslana family. However, among the three great families, the Apocalypse family holds the leadership position."

"Schicksal headquarters is where the three great families work, and all important meetings of Schicksal are held and discussed there. Apart from necessary defenses, there are also many guard units and Valkyrie Corps stationed at the headquarters.

With numerous powerful defense mechanisms in place, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a war fortress."

Though not fully understanding why Serenade needed to know about the headquarters' situation, Kallen—this Serenade just like herself—provided a thorough and unreserved introduction to Schicksal.

"Why do you say it's difficult to enter Schicksal headquarters?"

"Indeed, even I can't force my way in," Kallen nodded. Though she was hailed as the era's most exceptional Valkyrie warrior, this didn't mean she could single-handedly challenge Schicksal. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been contemplating stealing the Black Box and fleeing.

"..."

Hearing Kallen's words, Serenade felt no discouragement. If Kallen couldn't manage it, that didn't mean Serenade couldn't.

At worst... she could unleash Shamash Unsheathed on Schicksal headquarters. Now that would be truly thrilling, enough to shake the world.

It would leave Schicksal's leadership utterly defenseless!

After all, Kallen's father wasn't the only one with the Judgement of Shamash. Serenade possessed it too. Moreover... unlike the previous century, in this world, she was Sixth Serenade Kallen.

What did this mean?

She also carried Kaslanne's bloodline, allowing her to fully wield Shamash Unsheathed without dying.

After Siegfried's one impressive attack, he'd be completely spent.

Serenade felt that her current self should be more enduring than Siegfried. After all, the Sixth Serenade differed from ordinary Kallen; she was a Kallen who controlled ice elements.

Her resistance to high temperatures surpassed even Siegfried's, combined with her SSS-rank Valkyrie body. While she might not match Kevin's capabilities, at least she could withstand several strikes without perishing.

Thus, no matter how formidable Schicksal's defenses might be, Serenade remained confident in her abilities.