Bianka Ataegina and Rita Rossweisse woke up to the 18th day of their adventure inside the Sea of Quanta. The waves were hitting the coast of Chile on this blessed sunny day. At sunrise, the Chairwoman of the Republic arrived at the military port of Chiloé Island, ready to personally welcome the crew of the “Caledonia” who rescued the “Star Whisperer” Sanada Yukimura from Rapa Nui Island.

注:

奇洛埃岛(Isla de Chiloé,意为“海鸥之地”)是智利东南部的一座岛屿,地属南温带,气候、风光均与北欧类似。

p.s. 据考证,奇洛埃岛为马铃薯的主要原产地之一。

Before the red haired captain’s submarine arrived, the Chairwoman was taking a relaxed walk on the beach with her pet groundhog. At that time, most people wouldn’t yet be aware-- But a plan about to change the world was about to commence in the shadows.
Four days ago, Quito, office of the Republic’s Chairwoman-- ...But instead going into the details, I’ll start with the conclusion. Facing the threat of Honkai, the Republic has long since developed a plan to completely save the world. It’s a very bold plan with almost no shortcomings-- --Except for the lack of someone who can accomplish it. But of course, that changed now. Fate has brought you to the Republic. Now the preface is over. To be precise, there is a role we want you to take-- --The “World Cutter”. Your Captain Shakespeare seems to plan to use the gems of “Durindana” to cut the barrier of Honkai Energy. What we want to do is essentially the same-- --It just magnifies the target of destruction to being the “world” itself. …”Destroy the world itself”? Do you mean it literally? I do. The first step is to use your “Holy Sword” to cut off the contaminated part of the Bubble Universe - The so-called “European continent” and its corresponding high-dimensional structure. The second step is to blast the cut off part into dust, so that it will be gone forever from this Bubble Universe. I think you already came to understand that the structure of the Bubble is essentially a set of “manifolds” in a high-dimensional space. At first glance, it looks like a complete universe; But in reality it’s more like an “atlas” floating on the Sea of Quanta bound together in different places. By that metaphor, the Wall of Honkai and the European continent behind it are molds growing on this atlas. Valkyries, this may be your first time here - But the Republic has been fighting these parasites for over half a century. If we are rooted on this land to endure this protracted war, the same goes for the other side. The enemy has already turned their side on a paradise for Honkai; And one day they might turn the entire world into a monster-ridden demon realm. Therefore, if there’s any chance left of victory, then it must be to remove the entire enemy power, alongside the soil which they depend on, from this world. ...Fortunately we live in a Bubble Universe, not a perfect world. On this folded atlas, we have the chance to tear away the “Devil’s illustrations” from this book. ...And the “paper cutter” that can accomplish that is the holy sword in your hand, which came here after crossing several worlds. --Yes, Bianka, no need to be surprised. The complete “Durandal” is a weapon capable of cutting space itself. Many years ago it was theoretically proven and tried to be put in practice-- But sadly the experiment failed. At the time, there was no one strong enough to be the “Holy Swordsman”. We have to admit… Not even Rowland was capable of it. Not even Star Whisperers can handle the maximum output of the Holy Sword, let alone a normal human. However, you Valkyries are true warriors who fight the honkai: Your possibilities are completely different from us, Captain Shakespeare or Dr. Schrodinger. ...Bianka Ataegina, I believe you are our missing puzzle piece. Therefore, I will tell you the whereabouts of the last gems from “Durandal”-- In addition to the two in my hand and the one in possession of Shigure Kira, the seventh gem you are looking for-- Is in the far away Rapa Nui Island from the South Pacific. Regardless of whether you agree to our plan or not: Once you return with the gem in hand, I will hand over the two in my possession to its original owner. After all, it’s much more valuable to have them all gathered in the right hands than being used individually by different minded people. And like I said before, if the plan succeeds, I will provide you with something much more valuable than these gems in return. So, will you think about it? Valkyries, Captain Shakespeare? How do you feel, Dudu? In an hour, you will be able to return to your perfect form. Hmm.. if you ask me, it honestly doesn’t feel real. Maybe it’s because all of my functions are separated on various crystals... But I can’t imagine what it feels like to “Cut space itself”. But since Dr. Schrodinger didn’t refute the Chairwoman’s statements, I think the complete me can probably do that kind of thing. Having said that, my new master - You usually won’t take the initiative to talk to me, right? So what are you nervous about? Hey! Don’t talk nonsense! Why would I be nervous? I’m an A-Rank Valkyrie, what kind of storms have I not been through? …… Well, that might be too much. Forget what I said. “This much you should understand:” “The immortal is omnipresent” “Nothing can kill him” “It is immovable, solid and eternal” --Huh, Dr. Schrodinger? “It birthed all creation” “I am the origin of all things” “And I am the destroyer of all things” “O, Arjuna” Uh… Are you reciting a poem? They are chapters from the “Bhagavad Gita”. A long time ago, an alumni who really likes Hindu culture read it for me.

注:

《薄伽梵歌》(भगवद् गीता,意为“至尊神的赞歌”),是印度教的重要经典,叙述了阿周那与黑天(奎师那)在俱卢之野战争打响前的一段长谈——因此,史诗《摩诃婆罗多》对它也进行了全文引用。(学术界认为《薄伽梵歌》全篇于公元前五世纪到公元后三世纪之间陆续写成,其起源早于《摩诃婆罗多》的成书时间。)

p.s. 《薄伽梵歌》是唯一一本记录【神本人】而不是【神的代言人】或者【先知】言论的印度教经典,因此在印度教与印度文化中都具有独一无二的特殊地位(可以类比东亚文化圈的《论语》)。

...I think your current self might be similar to the “Arjuna before the war” in the poem. ...Who’s Arjuna? A prince and a great hero in the Hindu mythology. Before the battle of Kurukshretra he saw many of his friends and relatives on the enemy side, so he was disappointed and wanted to stop fighting. And the “Bhagavad Gita” is the speech that the god Krishna gave him to persuade him to take part in the war. ...But I don’t have any friends or relatives on the opposite side of the battlefield? Indeed. It would be impossible for you to meet an acquaintance here. Bianka, you problem is the exact of opposite of Arjuna’s-- --And because of that, the way you feel might be similar. ...I don’t get what you mean. I mean - You and the enemy you will soon face have neither companionship or conflict with each other. And yet - No, because of that, there is still hesitation, confusion and even fear in your heart. …… You Valkyries are just passersby in this world; The reason you crossed the Sea of Quanta wasn’t to “Help the world”. Quite the contrary - If my understanding of Schicksal is correct, then they would actually want you to “bring home” something from this world. …… It’s fine - You can take Durandal back, as long as it is fine with that. Moreover, if the Chairwoman’s plan works, it shouldn't pose a problem to ask for a copy of the info on the “Ether Anchor”. So you should relax - Although personally “Otto Apocalypse” is a deadly enemy, I won’t be interfering with your mission. Wait… “Deadly enemy”? That sloppy Otto? Yes. “Can’t share the sky”, “Water and fire”, “Positive and negative”, “Target to be killed”. However, telling you about our history won’t do you any good, and it has nothing to do with the point I was trying to make. Bianka, until now you have just been following the Captain’s or the Chairwoman’s plan - You haven’t thought about your place in this matter. You have nothing to feel responsible about - And that’s the source of your tension. You feel like an outsider. You are afraid of failing to meet the expectations of the people from this world. …… I asked Rita about you. She said you are a very motivated Valkyrie-- --But what brings you joy is not the process, but the result of the missions. ...And I think that’s a painful and unnecessary way to think. But-- Bianka, if you only look at the results, there are plenty of things in this world that are meaningless… Or at least their meaning is unclear. What is the meaning of being born? The meaning of death? What about the “self”? Does mankind, the world and the universe have any meaning? ...Are you telling me that these things don’t have any meaning? No, they do. But learning it can't be achieved by consequentialism, that’s all. …… For example, Bianka, the meaning of your existence is “Yourself”. For your senior Valkyries, you are a “motivation” by forcing them to chase after you; For your overseer, you are a rare specimen; For the people in this Bubble Universe, you are a heroic superwoman; And for yourself, it’s the life that you started from scratch under the name “Bianka”. None of them are a “result”, they started from “nothing” and will end with “nothing”. Bianka, the “salvation” that this Bubble seeks is not a result, but a process, a movement. ...A movement? Yes. A spiritual totem named “Superhero”, a temple living in everyone’s hearts. --Like the movement of Wagner or Richard Strauss. ...From another perspective, it’s quite similar to Shigure Kira’s idol work. Valkyrie, you have the ability to complete your “world-class performance” on the “Stage of the World”-- --And it doesn’t matter that not even one atom of yours is from this world. Do you understand? According to Bhagavan, each one of us is an “actor” chosen by the “director” named “Destiny”-- --Just release your energy on the stage to your heart’s content! Use the method you are most familiar with! ...Is it that simple? It’s that simple. That is the so-called “Fate’s screenplay”. There was never a “Valkyrie of Schicksal” in here; Only artists in the “Spiritual Temple” and “idols” on the “Stage of the World”. Remember: As long you are yourself, you are perfect. Besides, “being yourself” is the kind of behavior that best meets “the director’s expectations”, if I explain it like that you understand it better? ……! Yes! If you explain it like that, I understand it very clearly! In my case, I’m the kind who charges forward courageously at everything! Thank you, Dr. Schrodinger! I feel like I understand everything now!
One hour later-- Chairwoman! This red samurai has been brought back without losing a single strand of hair - I will return her to you now. Fufu. Thank you, Valkyrie. Sure enough, you have found a method that combines the best of both worlds. ...Sanada. Thank you for all your hard work. I’m afraid that “hard work” is the fate of both the samurais and of the Sanada clan. Having said that… It would be great if I had some hot soba to eat now. Hot soba would be a bit too hard... Do you mind if it’s Baumkuchen instead? Baumkuchen? Isn’t that exquisite? It’s a special occasion for you. What, does it not suit your tastes? Haha, don’t worry. A samurai should treat their appetite with care, even before their death - That’s what my teacher taught me long ago. Ah, you don’t know about my past... Do you mean Ishida Mitsunari? Huh? Alas, you should be more confident in your reputation, “Crimson Demon of War”. Back on topic, Bianka-- ….Yes? Here are the gems I promised. Take them. As for the idol who witnessed your actions-- --Of course, no problem. Bianka, this is the “Idol Stone” that represents love and perfection. I am now officially lending it to you. ….Thanks. So without further ado, should I take them all unceremoniously? Yes. The seven gems, at this moment, will be returned to their original owner. The Holy Sword! Let everyone see your true appearance once more! The red Gem of Courage symbolizes the determination to be brave and adventurous; The orange Gem of Intuition symbolizes the dream of self-confidence and exploration; The golden Gem of Freedom symbolizes the perfection and love of yourself; The green Gem of Ethics symbolizes the power of kindness and justice; The cyan Gem of Prosperity symbolizes the vitality and tenacity of life; The blue Gem of Reason symbolizes the wisdom of reason and insight; The purple Gem of Dominance symbolizes nobility and the unification of all things. “Calm down, foundation of the universe” “I am timespace itself.” “The source of the power that destroys all.” “My role is to obliterate all universes” You… turned out to be such a powerful weapon, Durandal! It’s because I have a strong master, Miss Bianka Ataegina. In your hands, I undoubtedly have the power to destroy any land on this Bubble Universe. But I hope you understand: Every weapon’s function is destruction and violence. Even the so-called “Holy Sword” is no exception. ...I know that. The Valkyrie education made me understand that long ago: Violence has its original sin, but beyond that, it has no good or evil in itself. ...The real good and evil lies in the motives and consequences of using violence. Confucius said, “"Only the virtuous can be benevolent to the wicked. There is no evil in pursuing benevolence." Voltaire admired Confucius because he saw the shadow of his ideal “Human Legislator” in him. He believed that Confucius’s “benevolence” symbolized the moral harmony between individual and society, and represented the true kindness and freedom of mankind. Bianka… You now represent that power of “benevolence and righteousness”; Voltaire would certainly praise you as being the most perfect “Valkyrie”. Dr. Champollion… Don’t praise me so suddenly. You’re embarrassing me. I… I haven’t even done anything yet. Hahaha, forgive me. My mood is a bit agitated, and I accidentally took on the bragging atmosphere of a certain era. “One man has faith that he may eat all things.” The Sun is just one more star; And similarly, you don’t need to care too much about the praise of others. At this moment, only one thing matters: For the first time in fifty years - no, in history, we have the power to strategically eliminate the enemy. --We should strike while the iron is hot. I will now announce the specific tactical plan of “Operation Pachakutiq”. In the name of the “Reformer of the world”, let’s perform an earth-shaking operation!

注:

帕查库特克(Pachakutiq,直译“翻转天地的人”,通译“大地震撼者”)是印加帝国最伟大的一位“萨帕·印卡”(相当于“皇帝”):“他登基前,印加人还只是生活在简朴的村社群落里;到他去世时,印加人已管理着一个扩张主义的大帝国了”。