Honkai: Man(Sludge) From Future

"You want me to become a pony?! Absolutely not!"

Durandal immediately rejected the idea. She would rather die than turn into a pony!

"Actually, it feels great after becoming a pony," Raiden Mei said, faithfully pitching the benefits. "For example, my mind is calmer, my mood is brighter and happier, I enjoy exercising more, and my appetite has gotten better. Not only that, but there's a one-touch body restoration system, which helps you protect yourself better on the battlefield."

Raiden Mei enthusiastically promoted the perks of pony-fication, completely unaware that she herself, who loved to roam Academy City as a pony and watch people's amazed reactions, was the originator of a whole slew of urban legends.

Durandal's face paled. She couldn't accept her body being turned into a strange little pony. Asking her to ride a horse was one thing, but becoming one was a job she'd have to pass on to someone else.

"Becoming a pony can also regulate the Honkai Energy in your body and accelerate the reproduction of antibodies against Honkai factors. It would be a great help to an outstanding Valkyrie like you. If you ever happen to become a Herrscher, being a pony might just save you."

Raiden Mei's words made Rita's brain stall for a moment.

Rita quickly cut off Mei's sales pitch. "What did you mean just now when you said, 'if she ever happens to become a Herrscher'?" she pressed.

Rita couldn't just pretend she hadn't heard that.

She silently cursed Bronya for being completely useless. She hadn't revealed nearly as much as Raiden Mei just had.

"You don't know? I remember him discussing it with Dr. Tesla many times. The birth of a Herrscher isn't just about the person's consciousness wavering and being exploited. The most crucial physical condition is a body with high Honkai resistance."

"Such a person would inevitably be chosen from among the Valkyries. The outside world has been locked down by Noldrei. As soon as Honkai Energy appears, the person dies on the spot, giving them no chance to transform into a Herrscher."

"If it were anyone else, the Will of the Honkai would know that person wouldn't have the heart to put all of humanity on the line. Even if it triggered a Great Eruption, the Will wouldn't believe that person would dare to actually kill everyone."

"Unfortunately, the will behind the Honkai seems to have vaguely sensed that..."

Mei paused before continuing, "Noldrei would genuinely send all of humanity to their deaths. This completely sealed off the Will of the Honkai's ability to create Herrschers. The only place it can target is the students in Academy City who have undergone Stigma and battlesuit training. The other option is the Valkyries."

"Obviously, in Dr. Tesla and Noldrei's discussions, the naturally high Honkai resistance of the Kaslana and Schariac bloodlines has created the perfect conditions for the birth of a new Herrscher."

"Theoretically, you, Durandal, who possess the optimal bloodlines of both families, are the most likely target for the Will of the Honkai to become the next Herrscher."

Suddenly, Durandal wasn't so against becoming a pony. She unexpectedly thought having a "safety cloak" like that wouldn't be so bad.

Durandal reasoned that if she had to transform, being a pony was better than being a Herrscher. At least the Princess of the Cosmos actually gave the ponies money.

"Indeed, Lady Durandal, you absolutely cannot become a Herrscher. From this perspective, you are indeed the most likely target for the Will of the Honkai. In that case... it's better to become a pony."

Rita gave her "sound" advice.

Durandal never thought she'd one day be the person most likely to become a Herrscher. What they were saying actually made a lot of sense.

Crap, I feel like I'm being cornered.

She looked around and pointed at Theresa. "Can't she become a pony?"

Raiden Mei said with a straight face, "No. Riding a loli is illegal!"

Theresa instantly flared up. "I'm a loli at best, a young girl! Who are you calling a child?!" she retorted.

She looked at the others, but as she spoke, her words trailed off.

It seemed that the other three were all, one way or another, incredibly well-endowed.

Theresa, struck by this psychic blow, was momentarily knocked out of commission.

Durandal was shocked. "You have to be ridden after becoming a pony? What have you all been doing?!"

Realizing she'd said too much, Mei backpedaled. "What I meant was, Headmaster Theresa doesn't look very reliable. A person like her would get ridden by bad guys if she went out."

Rita did a much better job of hiding her thoughts, successfully concealing her desire to ride pony-Durandal.

On the surface, she maintained a loyal expression that screamed, "We must fight the Honkai to the very end!"

"That... does make sense. But isn't there any other way? I remember Noldrei can change into anything he wants. We don't have to be fixated on ponies, do we?" Durandal even tried to gently dissuade Raiden Mei.

"So you want to be a Teletubby?" Raiden Mei recalled. "I think he specifically restored the reproductive organs for the Teletubby body type. Dr. Tesla once mentioned that Po is actually quite cute."

"..."

"..."

This time, even Rita fell silent.

Durandal was completely bewildered by this statement, her mind unable to keep up with Raiden Mei's train of thought.

"I must go and lead the Valkyrie squads! I absolutely cannot let any Honkai lay a hand on them!"

Durandal's mind raced. If the Will of the Honkai was this desperate, it probably had other tricks up its sleeve.

She didn't want to be a pony, and she certainly didn't want to be a Teletubby.

Thanks to Raiden Mei's "thoughtful" suggestions, Durandal had built up a considerable mental defense.

So many Valkyries were wavering now. If any random one could become a Herrscher, that would terrify her.

"I must step up and unite the Valkyries! I can't let them continue to spout nonsense while using the name of Schicksal's Valkyries."

Durandal decided she wasn't going to hide out here any longer.

"Rita, what's with that look?"

The fleeting disappointment on Rita's face made Durandal a little scared.

Rita had genuinely wanted to see how cute Durandal would look as a pony. Unfortunately, she knew she couldn't change Durandal's mind on this matter.

"It's nothing. I'm just disappointed that we have to go back to that place," Rita said, easily finding a suitable excuse.

Durandal, not suspecting a thing, turned to Mei and apologized. "I'm so sorry to have taken up so much of your time."

Raiden Mei pondered for a moment, realizing the situation with the Valkyries was becoming increasingly chaotic.

Maybe I should just go see what's happening?

She also thought she might be able to scout for some "pony talent" that Noldrei might need.