"..."
That woman! That woman actually!
She actually stole my cream right in front of me!!!
A deep low pressure swirled around the girl. Arcs of electricity flickered around Raiden Mei, and a fierce light shone in her pair of violet, glassy eyes.
Even Kiana, who seemed to have ideas about her but actually wanted a monogamous relationship, wouldn't dare to eat her portion of cream in front of her!
You, ex-girlfriend Rita Rossweisse, are just a remnant of the old era! You have no right to board the ship of the new era!
Inherently evil ex-girlfriend, you have courted death!
Murderous intent rose in the girl's heart. The man beside her had just snapped back to reality from Rita's bold move.
Seeing Raiden Mei's reaction, how could he not know what that scoundrel Rita Rossweisse's goal was.
It was nothing more than feeling utterly shameless after he had created so much of her embarrassing history; so she decided to throw caution to the wind, wanting to set his own house on fire in this way.
As for how the Herrscher would react in the process...
Don't expect a woman with a strong sense of vengeance to think about such a distant problem.
Fortunately, his Mei was still very understanding and didn't give him the cold shoulder on the spot.
"Rita's gone, Mei."
"Hmph! I know your ex-girlfriend is gone!"
Her anger had nowhere to go, so she could only vent it on her boyfriend.
Raiden Mei shook off the man's hand and turned her back.
Providing emotional value for each other is also an important part of a relationship. If you're not happy, don't play.
And young Brian knew very well that coaxing a woman in this situation was useless; he had to get hands-on.
"Mei, you know, I'm devoted to you."
Brian took Raiden Mei's hand.
Since she didn't leave on the spot, it meant the problem was still within a controllable range.
Young Brian pressed his advantage, wrapping his arms around Raiden Mei from behind, his hot left hand skillfully resting on the girl's soft belly.
"My burning love for you, can't you feel it?"
Raiden Mei: "..."
O ( *////▽////* )Q.
The boy's gentle voice not only failed to dispel the shyness in Raiden Mei's heart, but instead made it even more intense.
This love was too hard and hot, to the point that she felt some last-minute hesitation.
When it came down to it, the gentle girl suddenly felt that having a spoilsport like Kiana around right now would be a wonderful thing.
She had yearned for it when it was far away, even dreaming of it day and night; but now that she was about to have it, she hesitated, wishing someone would interrupt.
As she wished.
"Mei, are you guys done talking?"
The white furball with two pigtails suddenly popped out of the bushes by the road.
A green leaf on her head added a touch of comedy to this character, her silly appearance was both infuriating and disarming.
"Kiana!"
Raiden Mei was fraught with anxiety.
She was both a little afraid of the rich experience to come, and a little annoyed at Kiana for ruining her good time.
If she didn't take this first bite of cream now, she wouldn't get it while it's hot!
"Mei, Mei, I was wrong, don't hit me!"
A chaotic scene ensued.
Young Brian shook his head at the sight, ultimately having to disappoint his little head's expectations.
He'd wait until tomorrow.
And so, day turned to night, and the great dream came to an end.
Kiana, that white furball, was now guarding against him strictly. Going to find Raiden Mei would only lead to an awkward situation.
In that case...
Under the rising sun, the Key of Corruption, Jizo Mitama, glowed with a dark luster in his vision.
Young Brian picked up the Divine Key, his smile as bright as the sunlight outside the window: "Miss Rin, I don't think you want anything to happen to you, do you?"
Bzzzz—!
Honkai energy, originating from the blade of the Divine Key, spread through the microorganisms in the air, spread through the surrounding space until it reaches its destination.
—The computer.
A petite girl with cherry-pink hair, bearing some resemblance to Yae Sakura, filled the entire computer monitor screen.
Her voice vibrated from the speakers: "You! What are you trying to do now!?"
The girl's expression was one of gritted teeth, and she looked at Brian as if he were an enemy.
If it weren't for this guy, Yae Sakura wouldn't have chosen to end her long life.
Brian said: "Rin, I know what you're thinking, but if it weren't for you, I don't think Yae Sakura would have been that desperate."
Rin: "..."
The girl's expression was timid, not knowing how to refute.
She was the Herrscher who lost her sanity, and she was also the one currently residing in the Divine Key.
No matter how she argued, she couldn't change the fact that she had tormented Yae Sakura for five hundred years; she was partly to blame for Yae Sakura becoming the way she is now.
"That's between her and me, you don't need to meddle!"
She said stubbornly.
"She doesn't like you."
"That's between her and me!"
"She doesn't like you!"
"You bastard, are you ever going to stop!?"
The big sister-like figure cursed, wishing she could explode this damn man.
He was touching a raw nerve, knowing full well what her current hang-up was, and yet he emphasized it. Did he really think she, the great Higokumaru, wasn't a Herrscher!
"Never."
Rin: "..."
"You bastard, what on earth are you trying to say!"
The cherry-pink haired girl was furious, yet helpless; she was no longer a Herrscher, almost all of her power had been taken by the Divine Key.
If her current body wasn't the Divine Key, turning her into a legendary Sword Maiden, she would even suspect this guy had designs on her.
It couldn't be helped, her previous experiences were too memorable, so much so that even trying to forget was a luxury.
Fortunately, that flat-chested Hua wasn't around, giving her some room to maneuver.
As the topic got on track, Brian naturally saw no need to keep poking at her scars.
"I'm just stating a fact to you. Your current situation is very dangerous."
"If it's dangerous, then hurry up and say it!"
Miss Rin grumbled.
"You hacked into my computer, you should have gotten information about the Schicksal organization, right?"
Brian asked in return.
The Herrscher of Corruption's ability saved him a lot of explanation time.
"And then, what are you trying to say?"
Rin frowned, her expression a mix of displeasure and contemplation.
"The Schicksal Overseer, Otto Apocalypse, has completed his Mechanical Ascension. Your existence is a complete and utter fatal threat to him."
"If he can't control your power, it's highly likely he will choose to destroy your existence."
How can one allow others to snore beside one's bed?
Rin understood that too.
"So what are you trying to say?"
No one wants to experience death, especially someone like her who has already experienced it once.
"Cooperate with me, and we'll get through this difficult time together."
There's no way he'd spit out the meat that was already in his mouth.
Although the Key of Corruption, Jizo Mitama, wasn't a particularly powerful Divine Key in terms of combat, its functionality was unparalleled, and it was invincible in the information domain.
Holding this thing would attract Otto's threat, but not holding it meant he wouldn't even have a chance to resist Otto.
He was determined to have it.
Hearing this proposal, Rin's face showed contemplation, and at the same time, she was continuously breaking through the Far East Branch's computer system, searching for all information related to the Schicksal organization.
Various pieces of information indicated that this Schicksal Overseer was a complete dictator.
Decades ago, he had launched a Honkai energy fission bomb at a city just to eliminate the threat of a Herrscher.
If he confirmed the threat the Key of Corruption posed to him, he would definitely not let such a time bomb go.
Undoubtedly, cooperation was mutually beneficial, while separation was mutually harmful.
"What do you want to do?"
A big step forward was made in the process of cooperation.
Brian, who had a plan ready, blurted out: "We are enemies. You are an untamable Herrscher. Except for me, who can barely use you at a great cost, no one else can gain your recognition or use your power."
Upon hearing this, the cherry-pink haired girl on the screen's eyes flashed, thinking of an idea that was completely beneficial to her.
"I agree!"
It's just acting in character, isn't that the situation right now?
Besides their common interests, the only reason she would listen to this guy was because of Yae Sakura.
Others... what kind of trash are they?
Did they think any random cat or dog could make the great Lady Higokumaru cooperate?
Impossible, completely impossible!
Even this lewd man who made Yae Sakura soaking wet had to be at the mercy of her, Lady Higokumaru.
As for promises... it all depends on Lady Higokumaru's mood.
The girl was very pleased, almost letting out a wicked cackle.
She could already imagine her future of having this man firmly in her grasp.
However, young Brian was not flustered, even leisurely making himself a cup of instant coffee to wake up.
"I heard there's a place called the Golden Courtyard."
A casual remark, truly just a casual remark.
Miss Rin's gaze instantly sharpened: "What do you mean?"
"That place was later renamed the Elysian Realm."
"..."
A sense of foreboding was rising.
"It seems it hasn't been destroyed yet."
In an instant.
"Excuse me, is there anything I can help you with?"
That Inner World protagonist had the Herrscher lady firmly in his grasp.
He still preferred her previous untamable self.
...
Schicksal Headquarters.
The hovercraft transporting the Immortal Blades squad landed at the Schicksal headquarters' airport, returning the unharmed Valkyries to their station.
The two S-rank Valkyries completed a simple mission debriefing, then entered the Schicksal Overseer's office together to report.
"Rita, Durandal, I've understood the situation from the report, but I still want to hear your opinions."
Schicksal Overseer Otto put down the report in his hand, his jade-like green eyes full of the authority of a superior.
As the brains of the Immortal Blades, Rita stepped forward and spoke on behalf of her superior: "Lord Overseer, regarding the situation of the Key of Corruption, I have already confirmed it with Lady Durandal and Lady Theresa."
"Although the Herrscher of Corruption was stripped of her Herrscher powers by the Previous Era's technology, she herself was not eliminated, but instead became a conscious entity residing in the Soulium."
"In addition..."
Valkyrie Rita Rossweisse paused slightly here.
"Lady Fu Hua seems to have a past with this Herrscher of Corruption lady. As for getting her to assist us, Rita believes the possibility is not high."
Otto wasn't interested in the process of the Nagazora City operation; after all, the opponent was just a buffoon.
Compared to that, the Key of Corruption was his real concern.
Of course, if the Herrscher consciousness within it could be eliminated, it could still be used by him.
But from the current situation...
"Celestial..."
Otto's gaze was deep, his thoughts unknown.
If Celestial would obey his orders, then the problem of the Key of Corruption would not be a problem for him.
But obviously, this old senior who had lived for fifty-five thousand years would not eliminate another old friend of hers for his sake. It was a foregone conclusion that the Herrscher of Corruption's consciousness resided in Jizo Mitama.
To solve this problem, some special means were needed.
He then asked: "Rita, what do you think of the current holder of the Key of Corruption?"
The Valkyrie replied: "Lord Overseer, his relationship with that Herrscher lady is not very harmonious. It's only because the previous Pseudo-Herrscher entrusted her power to him that he gained the qualification to wield the Divine Key."
"Even so, he has to pay a considerable price to activate the Divine Key's power."
A Divine Key is not something that any random person can use.
On the battlefield of the Second Honkai Eruption, the lost Key of Creation, Abyss Flower, couldn't even be lifted by A-rank Valkyries.
Other Divine Keys were different, but none were powerful items that ordinary people could use.
To outsiders, this man Brian just had a stroke of dumb luck, encountering a kind-hearted Pseudo-Herrscher just as he was about to kick the bucket, thus gaining the qualification to wield a Divine Key.
As for him himself...
"He's just an ordinary person who likes pretty girls."
Rita gave a fair assessment.
This caused Otto's rating of him to drop as well.
"An... ordinary person?"
The man smiled, his thoughts unknown.
If a powerful Valkyrie held the Divine Key, or even an ambitious person like Cocolia held Jizo Mitama, the threat to him might be extraordinary.
But if it was just held by a man loyal to his own desires... the threat level was quite ordinary, even less threatening than the Herrscher consciousness within the Divine Key.
Taking all factors into consideration, plus Brian's current relationship with K-423.
"Let them have a good time in their school life."
With his biggest worry settled, Otto turned his attention to another matter.
"Rita, tell me in detail about that Pseudo-Herrscher. I'm very curious."
"Yes, Lord Overseer."
The loyal Valkyrie laid out all of Yae Sakura's details.
Soon after, in a game independently developed by the Schicksal Overseer, the final boss, the Far East Fox Demon, had a second ending, living a happy life with a mysterious boy from the East.
...
The two Valkyries finished their work report and left the Overseer's office.
Freed from the constraints of official duties, Durandal began to let herself go.
First, of course, was to care about her adjutant's love life. This matter was related to her livelihood, after all.
"Rita, how are things going between you and him?"
Rita: "..."
This silly goose, why do you always have to touch a raw nerve?
But after being sold out by this big white goose in the Far East Branch and suffering from Far East-style threats, Rita had pretty much come to terms with it and was lying flat.
Since things were already like this, she might as well think a little more openly. Eat what she should eat, drink what she should drink, and control what she should control.
As for the future, she'd think about it later.
The girl with a good mentality had a delicate smile, and her gaze towards Durandal carried a hint of teasing: "Then... Lady Durandal, do you hope for a result in my relationship with him, or for it to end without a resolution?"
Durandal spoke without thinking: "Of course I hope you can have your own happiness."
Although she had only been a Valkyrie for a few years, Durandal had witnessed countless Valkyries die on the battlefield.
The vast majority of Valkyries in Schicksal were orphans adopted by the organization during Honkai incidents, harboring a deep hatred for the Honkai, willing to bite off a piece of the Honkai even in death.
Many Valkyries would even dedicate their remains to Schicksal's human experiments at the end of their lives, using this method to fight against the Honkai.
And due to the effects of artificial Stigma technology, most Valkyries were fighting against the Honkai at the cost of their own lives.
Their average life expectancy was only in their twenties, and their professional careers would not exceed ten years, so naturally, it was difficult for them to have their own relationships and happiness.
As a friend, Durandal hoped her adjutant could have her own happiness.
But!
"Lady Durandal, I think you should think about this question carefully."
A slender finger was placed in front of Durandal's pale pink lips.
Rita then said: "Lady Durandal, you must think clearly."
"If Rita has a relationship of her own, then one day Rita will marry and become a mother."
"With a husband and children, Rita will certainly not be able to take care of Lady Durandal as she does today."
In other words...
"Lady Durandal will need to learn to take care of herself, learn to match her own clothes, and force herself to eat those nutritious but of unknown effect dishes."
The girl's tone was leisurely as she painted a not-so-beautiful future for Durandal.
Rita and her ex-boyfriend get their wish, successfully marry and have children; while on the other side of the door, she herself wears tattered clothes and eats a purple viscous substance of unknown origin from a pot.
Undoubtedly, once Rita, this professional maid, left, what awaited Durandal would be a hellish life where she could barely survive.
Durandal didn't want to be alone and miserable; her stomach wouldn't allow it!
"This... I think we can still discuss it."
Raising a hand to touch her head, an awkward expression appeared on the blonde Valkyrie's face.
She wanted to support her adjutant in finding happiness, but she also didn't want her own quality of life to plummet through the floor.
After all, as a person, everyone has their own selfish side.
The reason saints are praised by everyone is because that kind of nobility is truly rare.
Seeing Durandal's expression, Rita knew that her goal had been achieved.
The preparations were complete, it was time to properly tease her silly goose.
With a cunning glint in her eyes, Rita pretended to sigh: "I don't want to leave the helpless Lady Durandal alone either, but sometimes you really have to give up some things for others."
Durandal nodded repeatedly.
"However, Rita has a solution that works for everyone here. I just don't know if Lady Durandal can accept it."
"Rita, stop being mysterious. Just tell me directly so I can consider it."
Although a food crisis was imminent, Kaslana's innate idiot-intuition made Durandal make the right choice.
That charming Valkyrie blinked, her smile blooming like a flower on her face.
"Rita's solution is... Lady Durandal, you can perfectly solve all the problems by marrying over with Rita as a concubine-maid."
Just think about it.
She gives birth to a little Rita, and the expired big cream puff Durandal gives birth to a little Durandal.
Her own in her left hand, the little goose in her right.
For a Lolicon who loves children, there is of course nothing more wonderful than this.
A win-win... no, a win-win-win situation!
Subarashii!
"Hiss—!"
Durandal instantly sucked in a breath of cold air, almost performing a tactical lean-back.
She had not expected her adjutant to be so vicious as to want to turn her into her concubine-maid and marry her off to the same person.
In an instant.
Her fists clenched!
A mere maid actually wanted her to be a concubine-maid, it was simply an outrageous rebellion!
She deserves a beating!
"Rita, don't you think such a proposal is too much?"
Rita: "But this is already the best solution Rita can think of. No one gets hurt, and no one will be sad because of it."
It's just that someone will be filled up like a cream puff because of it.
She laughed out of extreme anger.
Durandal had only one evaluation for Rita's proposal: "You're dreaming!"
Her adjutant suddenly felt that things were not good: "Lady Durandal, I just remembered I have something else to..."
Any normal person would not want to spar with their own silly goose, let alone the one who raised her from childhood.
However...
A large hand shot out, grabbing Rita Rossweisse by the neck, instantly rendering her unable to resist.
"Let's go! I see your combat skills haven't improved much lately. Let's go to the training ground for a few rounds!"
"Wuwuwuwu~"
That Valkyrie was pitiful, weak, and helpless, caught by the domineering big white goose and instantly beaten to her knees!
75