Hmm… Let’s check again… First take line L3 of the “Huaca Tunnel” and get off at P2-”Cajamarca” Station. Then transfer to surface mountain railway S17, spend a night in the train, then get off at the terminal Quito Station. Estimated time of travel is 12 hours. Quito is one of the cities furthest away from the “Anchor Point” and most of the travel is on mountain roads - But sleeping on a train is also fun! S17 is a famous luxury train! Luxury Train...? --Wait, why are you following us so naturally, Miss Shigure Kira? It can’t be you plan on going to Quito with us, right? That’s right. I don’t have any plans for the next few days anyway, so why can’t I? Those officers are busy, so let me take their place as the tour guide. Well, I don't think there's any problem with it. ...It doesn’t matter who does it. I also have no opposition. Although I am a legitimate Spaniard, I have only heard of legends such as “Cajamarca” and “Atahualpa” in my old world.

注：

1532年11月16日，卡哈马卡战役（Batalla de Cajamarca）爆发，西班牙殖民者皮萨罗率领168名部下（106名步兵，62名骑兵）突袭印加帝国篡位者阿塔瓦尔帕的8万大军，生擒阿塔瓦尔帕，并在追击中杀死数千名印加士兵。印加帝国就此失去独立主权。

 If you can, please tell me some stories! I am very interested in a “Republic of Inca” that has become an independent modern nation! Uh... Of course it’s fine, it’s just that… It feels too extravagant. It makes me feel guilty. Hehe. It would appear that Bianka-sama has already become a fan of Kira-sama. Hey! Don’t talk nonsense! I-I just think that time is precious for an idol! Hehe, no worries, it’s fine. It might sound a bit strange, but-- For the foreseeable future you will be my most important “Business partners”. I hope we can cooperate happily! …… Hey, you also have expectations of me as a Valkyrie, right? ……！ --Now let’s go to Cajamarca! Oh wow… This is as luxurious as the Overseer’s car! Is it really ok to travel in this? Even the bathroom is great! Overseer? Ah, you mean Overseer Otto? Ah, yeah. He plays around all day and is anything but dignified... He doesn’t look like an “Overseer” at all. …… Haha, it seems he likes you a lot. ……？ Do you know Theresa? Theresa Apocalypse. I’ve heard of her. I think she’s the Overseer’s “Granddaughter”? Yes. The Overseer Otto she talks about sounds a lot like the one you talk about. But when he stands before us… There is always something chilling behind his casual smile. Heh, that’s one side of him he doesn’t let you see. Perhaps… Rita said the same thing before. That the Overseer treats me differently from others. --But I don’t think that matters. It doesn’t matter how he is, I know what I need to do. I want to become stronger. I have to become stronger. Otherwise I am nothing. ...I can’t stop at “The youngest A-Rank Valkyrie”. …… …… You would be a great idol! Wha? The looks are good, and the voice is perfect. Personality isn’t the most popular type, but it can have its own charm. But this belief! Idols are angels meant to convey love, and only a heart with the desire of “reaching the top” can carry such a heavy task! She needs to become the person that everyone needs. She needs to fight against her own shortcomings, immaturity, selfishness and prejudice. And more than that, in order to convey true love to the hearts of others she must be like an unbreakable diamond, shining forever. ...How can someone do that? People can get hurt at any time! Even lions get hurt, but they don’t let themselves be seen licking their wounds. Because a lion is a lion. …… Well, in the end I did use the “Gem of Freedom” to cheat… I’m the least qualified person to talk about this. In front of you it’s just bragging. But… you still managed to become the brightest star on stage, did you not? …… I’m an orphan who can’t remember her past. I know more than anyone that the world only cares about the results. I’m not saying that the process isn’t important - But you need the “1” on the left to give the “0” a meaning. So… I really think that anyone who can realize their dreams is someone very, very, amazing. Be it by cheating or being lucky, “Shigure Kira” did become an idol loved by everyone and who brings love and sunshine to their lives. That by itself is incredible, don’t you think? ……！ Thank you! You really know how to encourage others! Just like Cecilia! “Cecilia”? The “Video Game record holder” Cecilia? ...Huh? “Video Game record holder”? Wait - Is that your impression of Cecilia-sama? Ah… no… I just think that she would be happier being called that. Sorry if I offended you. …… Almost every Valkyrie of Schicksal knows - Cecilia Schariac is one of the strongest S-rank Valkyries from all time and a great hero who made significant contributions in the “Second Eruption” ...But she still died in the final battle. I have no qualification or intention of criticizing the deceased - But I believe that a Valkyrie whose goal is “To be the strongest” would not want to be remembered as a victim. Because calling her that means… She was close to truly being the “strongest”... ...But because of a cruel twist of fate she could not reach the peak. And I think that is regretful. You... Well, that is certainly a way to live. But is it really worth betting everything on becoming “The strongest”? You… You are only 12 years old. If both death on duty and retirement are accounted for, the average age of a Valkyrie is only 30 years. --12 years is almost half of that. ...Have you ever thought of not being a Valkyrie? Is there only fighting in your life?! ...Kira-senpai also had comrades in arms. If I don’t fight for this world… I won’t be able to sleep remembering my friends who died at Agra Fort. --If I need to, I’ll think about “How to live” after I defeat the Honkai. …… You… In the eyes of others, that is a painful way to live. But I have seen people like you. What would be painful for everyone else is the only way you can be happy. You will make the Chairwoman very happy tomorrow. She also belongs to your “minority”. The idol in casual clothes seemed to be looking back at her memories. She only said goodnight before leaving Bianka’s and Rita’s room with a sad expression. I… I think I might have said something weird. No, Bianka-sama. It was because your words were noble that you evoked precious memories of our senpai. ...Was it because of the Cecilia thing? Although you didn’t admit it, Bianka-sama really admired her, correct? …… Please stop. Saying it like that made me feel weird all over. Fufu. So will you take a shower? Do not hesitate to ask if you need a back rub or massage. I. Don’t. Need. It! Early the next morning. The train departed from Latacunga and traversed the mountain valleys of Western and Central Cordillera.

注：

科迪勒拉（Cordillera）在西班牙语中的本意是“山系”，后转化为包括安第斯山和落基山在内的、纵贯美洲的“科迪勒拉山系”之固定称谓。

在厄瓜多尔及哥伦比亚地区，该山系分为三条相互平行的山脉，因此有“西方科迪勒拉”（Cordillera Occidental）、“中央科迪勒拉”（Cordillera Real / Cordillera Central）以及“东方科迪勒拉”（Cordillera Oriental）之分。

 Less than an hour away from Quito, the mountainous landscape on the equatorial region was like a painting to the passengers. In ancient times, civilization could only be nurtured in these valleys - This terrain has good weather, abundance of water and great fertility. As soon as the kings conquered a province, the first thing they would do is focus on increasing farmland and pasture. They would dig canals and level the land, and then the excess people and refugees would be settled into the new village. They wouldn’t stop at only the valleys, but also choose hills and mountains with good soil to build terraces on. They start by building three solid walls along the mountain, slightly inclined inwards to be able to bear the weight of the soil that they would be filled with, until it reached the height of the walls. After the first level is complete, you can build a smaller one above them until you reach the top of the mountain. Later the kingdom would expand into coastal deserts where it never rains and where there are no rivers to open canals; But they still found a way to cultivate the land. They would build villages near the sea and dig holes down to the sea level according to each one’s needs; That way the crops would get the water they need. And because the fertility of those lands tends to be poor, they would bury sardine heads alongside the seeds. That area is the same place where sardines are produced, thus they turned waste into treasure. Wow... Kira-senpai knows a lot. Ahahaha… That’s because a few years ago I had to work as a guide for a bit. Huh? As a tourist guide? Isn’t that a job typically reserved for locals? --That’s probably why the Idol training institution arranged that job for me. To learn the culture and way of thinking of the local people. ...Being an idol isn’t easy. Did Kira-senpai never consider going back to her old job? Old job? Yesterday… You mentioned being a “Star Whisperer”, right? ...That’s right. So… Don’t you want to help them on the battlefield? You like this country, don’t you? Yes, that’s why I’m willing to do more for them. Huh? But... The way I fight now is different from when I was a Valkyrie. Ah, I don’t mean I lost the ability to fight Honkai. However... However? However, there is a secret that “Shigure Kira” can’t tell you yet. ……？ You’ll understand when the time comes. Alright everyone - Welcome to Quito, Mountain City of the Equator and capital of the Republic! The altitude here is roughly 2800 meters above sea level, so be careful of altitude sickness. What is the name of the snowy mountain over there? It’s so tall! Its name is Cotopaxi, and the snow on its top never melts. In the local culture it is called the home of the rain god. Now back on topic - Our destination is the Parliament of the Republic. On the way there we will pass through the residential area, so you will also be able to see the “Equator Monument”. For this part we will go walking. 3 Kilometres should be fine, right? No problem! Alright, then let’s go! (So… Is no one curious…?) (“There is a secret I can’t tell you yet”?) (Saying that and then pretending nothing happened. That’s too evil!) Bianka-sama… Is there something on your mind? Oh, no... How do I put it... Well, I think the people in front can’t hear us… ...Why bring it up if you won’t reveal it. …… ………… I remember one time the Overseer showed me a set of strange archives. Were they… about Kira-senpai? No, they were about her comrade “Shub Niggurath”. --Which is obviously a pseudonym. That’s the name of an Outer God from Lovecraft’s writings. But it’s not unusual for a Valkyrie to use a pseudonym or code name. The weird thing in the archives wasn’t that. Then what was it... The African branch reported the death of “Shub Niggurath” twice in early and late 1990s, the South American reported it once in 1992, and the Far North one more time in 2000 for a total of four reported deaths. What? Even if the first three were false positives, isn’t it a bit too much? I also asked that. The Overseer answered it with-- “There will always be one or two mysterious passerby among us - So I don’t think it’s all that odd” “But that’s not important. You have to learn to not bring up things that don’t matter to the overall situation”. But… “Passerby”? ...What is the Overseer talking about? I don’t know. But Shigure Kira is with no doubt the Valkyrie who has been partnered with Shub Niggurath for the most time. Maybe not only one of them, but both are carrying a secret... Perhaps she was trying to make you aware of it - But the truth is too complicated to explain it now. Hmmm… But how much can her “Battle style” change? Even if after becoming a “Star Whisperer” she received an “Alien radio wave transmission”, can’t that be explained in just a word or two? Fufu, Bianka-sama is really impatient. ...I hate that. Even if you are a maid, there is no need to point out your master’s shortcomings all the time. Oh, I apologize. Enough. I’m already getting used to your tricks. Attention everyone! Over here is the most famous attraction in the capital of our Republic - The Equator Monument! The steele is 30 meters tall and sports a sculpture of the Earth on top. The yellow line on the ground is the Equator itself. The four pedestals represent “The four parts of the world”, which you might remember as being the same meaning as the Republic’s old name, “Tawantinsuyu”. It’s also worth mentioning this square has been around since ancient times. --One story says that the king ordered that a gold chain that can only be carried by 200 people be made, and then everyone from the palace would hold it and dance in this square to celebrate the birth of the prince. Hahaha, it’s still better than those lifeless “Towers” of London! ...Do you think so? But isn’t it a pretty ordinary monument? Doesn't Tower 42 exude a much stronger aura? Tower 42? Is that some mysterious futuristic building you use to communicate with aliens? ...Uh? Shakespeare-sama, Tower 42 is a commercial skyscraper in London and it has nothing to do with aliens.

注：

“42大厦”（Tower 42）原名“国民西敏大厦”（National Westminster Tower），在1980年建成时以183米（600英尺）的高度成为伦敦及英国第一高建筑（至今仍是大伦敦地区第13高的建筑）。

“42大厦”的名称来自于该楼的层数——并没有与生命、世界、宇宙等终极问题相关的任何深意。

 Hahahaha, is that so? The “42” made me think it would have been the work of a mad scientist. ...Well, “42” does suit Anti-Entropy. Haha... What? Did-Did you just laugh? Dr. Schrodinger? Yes. After all, everyone has memories they are fond of. ……？ Ah, you don’t need to worry. It doesn’t have anything to do with you or even with the present. Speaking of which - I’m well aware this city is special, but why does a republic that prides itself in controlling the “Anchor Point”, place it’s capital at the city that is farthest away from it? Did you not think of moving the capital again? It already moved once with “Cusco”. Well, they have a reason to keep it here. At first Quito was made Capital only because of the approval ratings; But later, as the attacks on the “Anchor Point” increased, “The point furthest away from it” was believed to be a place suited to keep stability as a Capital. --At least, that is according to the majority of parliamentarians. That does make sense. Might not be a common point of view but is understandable. Say, do you know the story of the Ancient Far East? You mean Shenzhou? You’re right. Chang’an, which is good for defense, Luoyang, which is balanced or Kaifeng, which is best for transportation. At the time, which one should be the capital was a highly controversial debate. But in the end, there is no real answer for that: The real choices are made depending on the mental state of the people, not on paper by theorists. Haha, Miss Champollion is supposed to be an archeologist, but speaks like a politician. Hahahaha, people do say that history and politics go hand in hand. Let’s go, it’s time to see the Chairwoman. It shouldn’t be too far, right? Ah, yes. I already made an appointment so we can see her right away. Fifteen minutes later. Parliament of the Republic / Iberian Tea Room Everyone should have rested well on the train last night. Please forgive me, but I’ll open with a philosophical question-- Are we using the railway, or is the railway using us? Are you looking for the gems, or are the gems looking to be found? Visitors from a far away land, what is it that you fight for?