---o---
In July, Europe had already entered the height of summer.
At dusk, the crimson sun danced on the horizon of the sea.
The sky was filled with rosy clouds that illuminated Schicksal's floating island headquarters, the brilliant sunset seeming to burn just a short distance away.
It was another beautiful and peaceful day. The people on the floating island, who had been busy all day, had mostly slowed their pace to enjoy the tranquility before the arrival of night.
Bianka "Durandal" Ataegina had also finished her patrol of the spaceport for the day and was returning from "Helheim" to the dormitory area.
Two years ago, after Durandal had "returned" from the Sea of Quanta, she was promoted at lightning speed to become Schicksal's strongest S-rank Valkyrie.
Although she was not old, Durandal was already a renowned warrior—beautiful, serious, elegant, and powerful. The impression she gave was always one of perfect reliability.
As long as "Durandal" was present, there was nothing to fear.
She enjoyed immense popularity among the Valkyries of Schicksal.
The evening sun cast a slanted glow, bathing the floating island in a hazy brilliance. As usual, Durandal was walking back alone.
Behind her, love-struck Valkyries watched her receding figure with longing, their hearts filled with infinite yearning.
'If only I could be personally instructed by Lady Durandal...'
Thoughts like this filled their minds, making them fidget unconsciously.
Though they wanted to speak with her, they would freeze in place, at a complete loss, if they ever got close.
Durandal's aura was simply too powerful, to the point that no one even dared to breathe too loudly in her presence.
Therefore, they could only wait for Durandal to take the initiative.
As such, 'being spoken to by Lady Durandal' was enough to make these young girls happy for a week or two.
Even so—
"Ah, is that... Lady Rita?"
A few of the fangirls watched as a Valkyrie dressed in a rose-themed, black-stockinged maid uniform walked to Durandal's side, and their eyes couldn't help but turn lovey-dovey.
They were a strange bunch, some being fans of a single person, while also being shippers.
The best ship at Schicksal Headquarters was, without a doubt, the peerless Lady Durandal and the elegant, noble Lady Rita.
This was no baseless rumor.
The relationship between Durandal and Rita was truly the envy of all onlookers.
According to a leak on the [Valkyrie Forum], they even bathed and slept together.
Durandal stopped in her tracks as she saw the maid approaching her.
Rita Rossweisse. This was a woman as beautiful and moving as a rose on a moonlit night.
She possessed both the voluptuousness of a noble lady and the elegant purity of a young maiden.
The grounds of the floating island were swept spotlessly clean. The smooth floor reflected a pair of beautiful legs in high heels as the gray-haired girl in a black maid uniform and pantyhose stood before Durandal.
The high heels accentuated her slender and upright figure, and her intoxicating, wine-red eyes gazed at Durandal.
"Rita?" Durandal said, slightly surprised.
On normal patrol days, her adjutant would always thoughtfully prepare lunch and dinner for her.
However, Durandal's training regimen far surpassed that of an ordinary person, and she was currently in her growth phase, so her appetite could only be described as "staggering." Although Durandal didn't much care what others thought, the young girl's pride still wanted to maintain a bit of decorum.
Thus, their "meals for two" had become a little secret between Durandal and Rita.
Unless absolutely necessary, Durandal rarely ate outside.
For Rita to appear here, so close to mealtime, meant only one thing.
"Is there a mission?"
"Yes." Rita's hands were folded in front of her skirt. Beneath the hem, her beautiful legs were wrapped in smooth, black pantyhose
, reflecting a lustrous sheen in the sunset.
Rita said, "Lady Durandal, I will be making a trip to the Far East Branch soon."
"Mm."
Durandal merely nodded.
Rita then smiled and stepped closer, approaching like a venomous snake.
The tip of Rita's nose was almost touching Durandal's, and they could feel each other's warmth.
The black-stockinged maid lifted a hand, her fair, smooth arm slithering like a serpent to gently caress the blonde girl's cheek.
"Is there nothing Lady Durandal wishes to say to me?"
"..."
Durandal stood motionless, her beautiful legs perfectly straight and fair.
It was hard to say whether it was because of Rita's cooking or Durandal's natural gifts, but at her young age, her curves had already developed into a ripe and graceful form. The fabric stretched taut across her chest seemed ready to split open at any moment.
A flicker of hesitation crossed her eyes, but the expression on her face remained placid. She said softly:
"Leave soon and return soon."
Rita's fair, slender fingers twitched. "Is that all? I might be gone for at least half a month, you know."
Durandal thought about it seriously.
"Be safe."
The maid felt her commander's cheek grow slightly warm. Her smile deepened, and her wine-red eyes looked directly into Durandal's.
"What danger could there possibly be at St. Freya Academy? Is there anything else Lady Durandal would like to say to me?"
"..."
Durandal's lips moved, but not a single sound escaped.
Seeing that the atmosphere was just right, Rita finally withdrew her hand and took a step back.
"I, for one, have a great many things I wish to confide in Lady Durandal. However~"
Rita raised a fair, slender finger to her lips. "Let's wait until I return from St. Freya Academy."
This familiar interaction between the two seemed as if it had been performed countless times.
The Valkyries who were fortunate enough to witness this scene were screaming internally.
They began to ship the CP furiously.
If they could, they would have loved to join in.
---o---
The one-week bet was drawing to a close.
Kiana sat on the sofa, lifted her shirt, and looked down at the number "69" on her lower abdomen, her heart filled with pride.
This was in the bag.
With only 26 hours left, could that Ye Feng possibly push the count up another 31 times?
He couldn't even manage it in the past six days!
"My dear niece, what has you so happy?"
Theresa walked right in without even knocking.
"Great-aunt? Weren't you the one who said to knock before entering?"
"Huh? Why would I need to knock for this?"
"Privacy! Privacy!" Kiana hurriedly pulled her shirt down, clutching the hem. "Even the Principal has to respect her students' privacy!"
Theresa looked at Kiana suspiciously. "Kiana, why are you suddenly so concerned about privacy?"
Wasn't it obvious?
She was getting her back blown out by Ye Feng every day, all while worrying about being found out by Mei.
She was on edge all day long; it had almost become a conditioned reflex.
Privacy, naturally, was of the utmost importance.
"Of- of course!" Kiana clenched her fists. "It's basic courtesy, Great-aunt."
"Alright, alright, I'll be more careful. Where's Himeko?"
"Ms. Himeko? She probably went out for a drink. I'm not too sure. I haven't seen her since yesterday."
"Tsk."
Theresa clicked her tongue. "That woman, all she knows is how to indulge in alcohol all day. She's not answering her communicator, and I can't find her in the dorms."
"Why are you looking for Ms. Himeko?"
An unnatural look flashed across Theresa's face. She turned away. "Headquarters is sending a troublesome person to the academy."