-"I leave Lord Bianka in your hands, Lord Eno. Please look after her, and also look at her properly."-Rita winked at us and left to meet someone for her mission.
-"How is it?"-Bianka asked with a red face.
-"This…"-To couldn't find my words, being almost blinded by her current appearance.
Contrary to her usual assortment of either military or training clothes, today she wore a beautiful white dress, stylized after a short bridal gown. The clean white bodice was adorned with a blue sash wrapped around her slender waist and white roses. Her short skirt's ruffled hemlines left the front open to showcase white thigh-high stockings. Her hands were covered by long gloves with puffy white bell sleeves, sitting separate from the main bodice.
Finishing her otherworldly appearance was the delicate makeup she had on, giving her blushing face a look she had never shown before. Her golden hair was held together with a silver tiara, partly covered by a white veil flowing behind her. If normal Bianka was a valiant knight, then the current her was a shy maiden, a princess awaiting her prince.
-"You look stunning. I'm starting to regret inviting you for a date in London."-I sighed with a smile.
-"Why?"-She blinked, surprised by my sigh.
-"Because now, I can't have this gorgeous view just for me."-I shook my head, acting depressed.
Seeing me like that, Bianka laughed softly, coming to my side and linking her arm with mine.
-"The view might not be, but the actual person is, so cheer up."-She kissed my cheek.
-"I must have saved the world in my previous life to deserve you."
-"Mhmm. I don't have such great requirements; saving it in this one will be enough."
-"Then we'll have to work hard, Captain."-I laughed.
-"That's what I thought, Captain."-She also chuckled.
With Bianka looking so stunning, I thanked god that my usual outfit, the Yìxué Impression, was presentable enough not to be shameful. While this made me stand out due to it being far from the style of clothes worn in London, by Bianka's side I would stand out no matter what, so that was it.
London isn't exactly a city famous for its dating spots compared to places such as Paris, but I felt a connection with this city, so even just walking through the old streets was enjoyable. This was also caused by my partner, but even she, normally uninterested in anything but training, found many spots intriguing, trying to connect the 'real' history and its figures with those she met in the Sea of Quanta. She truly enjoyed telling me some quick bits about the differences and quirks of the people she met, something I found cute.
With us walking for a whole day, both of us got hungry, so I took Bianka to the restaurant I had made a reservation at, allowing us to test both famous and infamous British cuisine. By the end of the day, I teleported us atop London Bridge to enjoy the sunset. With Bianka in my embrace, we watched the red sky while talking.
-"…That was the story of King Arthur that I know."-I told her a story that came to my mind.
-"Hmm… I don't know how to feel about a few things. First, it's that Merlin. Isn't he too unreliable for a court mage and one of the greatest magicians?"
-"I think so too, but I also believe that his flamboyant and seemingly careless actions always carried a certain charm, matching well the tragic fate of Britain."
-"He indeed remained optimistic despite knowing how everything would end, even allowing Artoria to live her life, not treating her as only a tool for the prophecy."
-"But a tragedy is still a tragedy. Given a chance, I'd like to change that story into one of hope."
-"If hope had a color, it would definitely be pink."-She smiled and started playing with my hair.
-"Is that why you forbid me from cutting my hair?"-I shook my head.
-"Yup. The longer it gets, the more pink, the more hope."-She chuckled.
-"Do you take me for Samson?"-I was somewhat speechless at her going along with my complaint.
-"As expected of Schariac, you know, even such a figure from the Bible."-She acted impressed.
-"Is this something to be impressed by?"-I felt black lines appearing on my forehead.
Seeing me like that, Bianka couldn't help but laugh, her shoulders shaking without a care in the world.
-"Eno."-She called me out after calming down.
-"Hmm?"-I looked down at her.
-"Thanks for always being by my side."-She showed me the most beautiful smile I ever saw.
-"I…"-I was about to speak, but she interrupted me, raising her head and kissing me deeply.
When the kiss ended, her entire face was red, but she still said, loud and clear.
-"I love you, Eno. Let's never separate."
-"I love you too, Bianka. I will never let you go."
We planned to continue our date the next day, but sadly, Otto called us for work, ending our vacation short. Annoyed, I made him pay us a high overtime rate for this, even managing to make his eyebrow twitch at the end of our 'negotiation'. So after getting our equipment in check, we departed to where Rita's last location was.
With our speed, we quickly arrived at Glastonbury Tor, noticing no traces of combat. With a quick look around, we found the path underground, so we followed it while looking for any signs of Rita or the ambush she might have encountered. After going a few hundred meters underground, we caught sounds of fighting coming from further below, prompting us to rush down.
When we entered a bigger space, we saw Rita struggling against a giant cat-like monster, with the people accompanying her collapsed by two unknown figures. Not wasting any time, Bianka charged at the monster, while I appeared beside the two figures. One of them instantly became alert, her hand tightening around a sniper rifle, ready to attack at any second.
-"Greetings, Lord."-The other figure, one holding an umbrella, addressed me with great reverence.
-"I hope you don't mind if I take my friends back. I'd also love to invite you to join us. How about having some tea in Schicksal's HQ?"
-"I apologize, but it's not the time for us to meet yet."
-"Is that so?"
-"Yes. I was only allowed by our Lord to give one sentence of advice: 'The Sea is where Lord's answers lie, but once you dive there, you'll either emerge whole again or not at all.' That's all."
I looked at him in silence. All the rational parts of my mind told me that I shouldn't listen to him, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that he truly wished well for me. It was only when Bianka approached my side that I returned to reality.
-"Eno, can I keep it?"-Bianka showed me a strange cat.
-"Is that the beast you just fought with?"
-"Yes."
-"Can you keep it in control?"
-"Easy?"-She tilted her head, not sounding confident at all.
-"Will you clean after it?"
-"Mhmm."-She nodded.
-"Sure, but the food comes from your paycheck."
-"Thanks!"-She smiled and kissed my cheek.
-"Sigh. I hope you don't mind."-I turned to the man.
-"His name is Stan. I'll leave it in your hands, Lord."-The man nodded.
-"Thank you. I know that I can't keep you, so just go."
-"Until we meet again."-The man bowed and took the woman with him.
-"Shouldn't we keep them?"-Bianka looked at me with doubt.
-"We wouldn't be able to. There is something on them that makes me feel danger, so I'd rather not risk fighting in such a small space while shielding injured comrades."
-"I see."-Bianka nodded and looked at the unconscious people near us.-"Should we take them outside?"
-"Yes, let's go."-I waved my hand and summoned a few swords to carry them.
Bianka helped Rita and followed closely behind.
Outside, I called for a transport ship while Rita gave a report to Otto, who quickly decided on our next steps. I also told him what happened, causing him to be silent for a moment before he spoke up again.
-"I know you have doubts, and I won't stop you from seeking answers, but before you do anything, speak with your Master first; she might help you find the correct way."
-"Master? I will."-I nodded, deciding to seek her out after this mission.
-"One more thing. I myself am unsure about all that 'truth' they speak of, but remember one thing, Eno: no matter what you uncover, you will always be Enoch Schariac. There are many people who care about you; never forget it."
-"I won't."-I promised, more to myself than to him.
With our short conversation over, Bianka and I returned to our mission. With a rough location of the target, we waited for the specialist mechs dispatched by Otto to find it. And we didn't have to wait too long; not even half an hour later, we already knew all the details about our target.
Arriving there, we found a strange-looking locomotive standing by itself, seemingly without any protection or security. But looks could be deceiving, and this time it was exactly that. When Bianka and I approached, a small, doll-like figure suddenly stopped us.
-"Stop."-It spoke calmly but naturally, not sounding like a machine at all.
-"Excuse us. We were tasked with retrieving the device behind you."-I spoke to him, hoping to avoid confrontation.
-"You… You are Eno?"-He looked me up and down.-"You truly start to look like her."
-"Another one who recognizes me?"-I raised my eyebrow.
-"You can't take the 2nd Key."-The doll quickly recovered from his reminiscence.
-"Sigh. Then we'll have to fight."-I sighed and summoned swords around me.
Bianka already rushed forward, her armor and lance summoned in that brief moment. But the doll didn't budge, drawing a red, flaming greatsword from the void and meeting Bianka head-on. Their clash caused the ground beneath their feet to crack, showing the raw power used in that exchange. As they were pushed back, six swords appeared at the doll's various blind spots, each aimed at a vital spot.
The doll quickly responded, managing to avoid or deflect my attack, but that left it open to Bianka's next strike, sending it flying into the air. While Bianka was an all-rounder, fighting equally well both on the ground and in the air, I possessed much greater strength in aerial combat, so when the doll found itself up in the sky, I already prepared a formation to confine it there.
As it recovered its 'footing', it noticed being surrounded by hundreds of swords flying around, ready to strike at any moment. And they quickly did, attacking from all directions, not giving any time to catch a breath. Every time a sword was deflected, two more were already slashing at his blind spots, not carrying about whether it was up or down, right or left; the whole battle looked like a chaotic wind vortex, just filled with countless swords tumbling inside.
But even that could only slow the doll, not defeat it. Its body was much harder than I expected; attempting to pierce it would require more than my quick strikes. So Bianka returned to the battle, launching powerful attacks at the confined enemy. With my swords assisting her with flight and movement, she managed to force the doll into a desperate situation.
But as we thought this was the end of it, the locomotive started to move. Unable to protect it here, the doll decided to escape with it, or at least let it leave while it slowed us down. Of course, we couldn't allow this to happen, so I instantly changed my focus to stopping the train.
Leaving only a minimum of the swords to assist Bianka, I sent the rest raining down; not striking the locomotive directly, but surrounding it with a net of swords. With every blade as a node, a constellation-like formation enveloped the train, solidifying the very space around it. With my whole strength, I held the rushing train, causing the space to crack and crumble, with terrifying rumbles spreading through the earth.
But I managed to hold it, the train losing its power with every passing second, and soon, it came to a complete stop. I let out a sigh of relief, returning my attention to Bianka and the doll, but to my surprise, the battle there also ended, the doll seemingly running out of power. When Bianka landed next to me, she stretched her arms, a big smile on her face.
-"That was satisfying."
-"What? Spending time with me doesn't satisfy you as much as dolls?"
-"No offense, Eno, but fighting with you is annoying. It's like death by a thousand cuts while underwater. Not only are you constantly harassed, but you can't even use your own strength properly."-She complained seriously about the quality of training with me.
-"Yet you always challenge me."-I rolled my eyes.
-"Of course."-She nodded matter-of-factly.-"Only you can suppress me like that, forcing me to give my all every time we spar."
-"Sigh."-I shook my head.-"Training maniac."
-"Says the Sword Idiot."
-"Musclebrain."
-"Scumbag."
We bickered for a while before laughing and returning to work. Securing the area was simple; with no more enemies, we just checked for any passages or signs of activity nearby. Finding nothing, we called the mechs to assist with the extraction, taking the powered-off doll as well.
After returning to the local Schicksal base, we visited Rita, who was still lying in the infirmary bed. As she was a patient, we brought her some flowers and cookies; I even prepared some tea despite her continuously pointing out what I did wrong in the process. But the tea came out fine, good enough to talk about everything and nothing for an hour or so.
While she looked quite wrung out, most of the injuries were only surface level, so she should recover in a day or two. As such, we didn't stay long, finding a good spot for some late dinner and returning to the hotel after that. Back in the room, I compiled reports for Bianka and me, sending them to Otto with a reminder of our overtime pay.
Otto didn't bother us for the next two days, allowing us to continue our date in and around London, returning to HQ after Rita was discharged. There, Otto started preparing for a test run of the Second Key, something I was again prohibited from taking part in, as it involved diving into the Sea of Quanta. Instead, I decided to visit Mei and others in the Far East, even getting permission to use Kreios as Immortal Blades wouldn't be deployed for the duration of the test run.
So, after bidding farewell to my squad mates, I took Maria and Angelia onto the battleship, heading for the St. Freya. Theresa didn't object to our visit; she was even quite happy, as it appeared that they had encountered a slight issue and our assistance might prove useful.