After stabbing him a few times with her lance, Durandal put it away and stood to the side, silently watching Kika take out her anger on Ryn.
Although Ryn was yelling ariously and Kika was shouting angrily, the two of them were like a couple in love having a playful fight. To an onlooker, it only looked intimate...
For some reason, Durandal felt like she didn't quite fit in; she couldn't seem to join in with Ryn and Kika's antics.
Beating Ryn out of anger made Durandal feel a little uncomfortable. In her mind, this wasn't how things should be.
"Perhaps I was too hasty..."
The Bubble Universe on her body, which could burst at any moment, was constantly urging Durandal to continue her training and get stronger.
Perhaps she too would have a love story for the ages? But that was something to consider only after resolving the Bubble Universe within her and defeating the Honkai...
When it came to her relationship with Ryn, there was always enough time.
Durandal didn't need meticulous care, nor did she need any grand romance...
She just needed someone who could quietly accompany her, stay with her until the very end of her life.
Durandal took a few last glances at Ryn and Kika, then quietly left.
Lost in the commotion, neither Ryn nor Kika noticed Durandal's departure. Tianqi, on the other hand, stopped her assault and watched Durandal's retreating back thoughtfully.
She saw through Durandal's material form and observed the essence of her soul.
"Hm?! Is this Kiana's mother?"
Tianqi thought for a moment, then turned and slapped Ryn, leaving him completely stunned.
The bewildered Ryn was still wondering why Tianqi had suddenly stopped, only to now suddenly slap him.
But before Ryn could think too much, Kika seized the moment of his stunned confusion and rushed him.
When not being fired, Sabayon was like a giant brick. Kika gripped it with both hands and brought it down hard.
"Hehehe... Aaaahhhhh!"
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With several large bumps on his head from the beating, Ryn walked slowly towards the hangar, carrying Kika on his back.
The silly Kika had been fuming while hitting him, and now she was exhausted after the fact.
Kika lay on Ryn's shoulder, enjoying a tender moment that belonged to just the two of them.
But the thought that her date time with Ryn at Schicksal HQ—time she could have had all to herself since Kiana and Mei weren't around—might be shared with Durandal in the future made Kika huff and flail her limbs again.
Kika puffed up her cheeks, then blew a puff of air into Ryn's ear. Just as Ryn's heart began to flutter, Kika yanked his ear.
"Well, do you know what you did wrong?!"
"Ouch! That hurts! I was wrong, I was wrong! But I can't control the fact that Durandal likes me. I'm an S-rank Valkyrie of Schicksal, after all. Isn't it normal for people to have crushes on me?"
"The problem is you like her too! You jerk."
"Look at Himeko, she's still single! The stronger a Valkyrie becomes, the more likely she is to end up alone in the future.
I'm not a jerk. I just want to give these girls who have given everything and received nothing in return a warm home!"
"Nonsense, you're just lusting after Durandal's body! You're despicable! I knew someone with a small chest and flat butt like me couldn't attract you. Go on and die smothered in Mei's and Durandal's big boobs!"
"Don't say that. What I like more are your interesting and charming souls. I love you for who you are, not your bodies!"
"Hehehe, just keep spouting your nonsense! I'll be watching to see what happens when you go back and Kiana and Mei find out.
When that time comes, Kiana will sharpen the knife, and Mei will do the deed. I definitely won't help!"
"You won't help them?"
"I won't help *you*!"
Kika opened her little mouth, revealing her sharp little canines, and bit down on Ryn's neck.
*Clang—*
The sound of teeth hitting Ryn's skin rang out crisply.
"Oww—" Kika clutched her mouth, tears of pain welling up in her eyes.
"You little dummy..." Ryn gently bumped his head against the little dummy behind him.
The bodies of Valkyries who use Honkai energy, including Ryn, have all been modified by Honkai energy or some other power. Although their skin is usually smoother and softer than a normal person's, it becomes harder than steel when attacked...
Ryn relaxed his body, suppressing his Honkai energy usage to a minimum to prevent Kika from chipping her teeth again.
"Awoo! I'll bite you to death!"
Refusing to give up, Kika opened her mouth again and bit down hard. This time, her teeth sank in, leaving a deep set of marks.
As her teeth pierced his flesh and the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth, Kika was instantly filled with regret and frustration.
Kika quickly lifted her head, pressed her hand against the wound on Ryn's shoulder, and tenderly wiped the blood with her sleeve.
"Ryn! Why didn't you defend yourself?!"
"I was afraid you'd chip your teeth again, wasn't I?"
"You still shouldn't have done that! Now you're hurt..."
Ryn chose to say nothing. If he tensed up, Kika would chip her teeth. If he relaxed and let her bite, she'd feel bad.
Although it was a bit exasperating, Ryn still felt quite happy.
He shifted his body slightly to make Kika more comfortable on his back.
This very action couldn't help but remind him of the time of the Third Honkai War…
"Kika, do you still remember the Third Honkai War?"
Ryn walked slowly, his vision inevitably shifting back to that very first moment.
"Mm... I remember..." Kika wrapped her arms around Ryn's neck and gently rested on his shoulder.
"I was lying on your shoulder just like this back then, and you would occasionally bump your head against mine. But you didn't carry me for very long before the Third Honkai War broke out..."
"That's right... But that's also when our bond deepened, isn't it? Speaking of which, you little dummy bit me back then too! I'm starting to suspect you're a puppy in disguise!"
"Hmph, even if I were a puppy spirit, could there be a puppy spirit as cute as me?" Kika proudly lifted her head, revealing her fair and beautiful neck.
"Hahaha, Miss Kika is the most beautiful in the world~"
Kika snuggled against Ryn's shoulder again, nuzzling his cheek before falling silent.
Silly Ryn got one thing wrong. She didn't start liking him during the Third Honkai War; she'd liked him ever since Kiana's birthday.
She had fallen for Ryn long before Mei did...
Aigh... I came first, so how did Mei get to him before me!
No, I have to find a reason to bully Mei again when I get back.
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