Rita was still a little unwilling.
The mission from Overseer Otto would have to be set aside for now, if she couldn't go to the Far East Branch.
In that case, wouldn't it be... very difficult to see Lady Theresa again in the future?
Besides, the Herrscher of the Void was lurking within the academy.
Although Rita's opinion of Kiana had changed somewhat, the information she had received as a Valkyrie for so long couldn't be altered in an instant.
However, Rita's attitude had now shifted from "Herrschers are the enemies of humanity" to "Herrschers are dangerous."
They were not necessarily on completely opposite sides.
Take Honkai energy, for example. It too was dangerous, yet Valkyries used it to fight.
If it was that child, Kiana, maybe she really could...
But all of this required constant observation.
Although she still had eyes and ears in the academy, when it came to a matter as critical as a Herrscher, it was always more reassuring to investigate it personally.
—Rita didn't include these particular thoughts in her Valkyrie Mission Report, either.
While she trusted Overseer Otto's talent and strategic mind, Lord Ye Feng had said that what was reflected in the Overseer's eyes was not this world.
Combining this with her past experiences, Rita felt that what Lord Ye Feng said... seemed to have some merit.
Overseer Otto's gaze was profound; one could never guess what he was thinking.
Thus, the maid was gradually beginning to form her own new judgments.
Bzzzt~~
The encrypted communicator vibrated.
Rita pressed the button to accept the call, and a beautiful young woman with large, golden waves of hair appeared on the screen.
"Lady Durandal, my greetings to you."
A sweet smile immediately blossomed on the maid's lips.
Unlike the professional smile she used when dealing with others, Rita's joy was genuine.
"Rita, are you... in London?"
Durandal recognized Big Ben in the distance.
"Well..."
"What's wrong?"
"Indeed, I've encountered a few difficulties."
"Do you need my help? I happen to have a mission in England. By the way, I passed through Manchester this morning and saw your uncle and aunt. They both looked very healthy and cheerful."
"Oh my~"
Rita clasped her hands, resting her chin on them as she slowly narrowed her eyes. "Has Lady Durandal already gone to meet the parents? Isn't that a little too rushed?"
"What's so rushed about it?" the ever-earnest Durandal asked, tilting her head in confusion.
"Aigh~~"
Rita sighed.
Lady Durandal was still too pure.
But, that's what made teasing her so much fun.
"It's nothing, Lady Durandal. If you're not busy right now, shall I wait for you here?"
"Alright, I'll be right over."
Beep.
As soon as she finished speaking, Durandal ended the communication and headed straight for Rita.
Rita composed herself.
"The matter of that world... should I tell Lady Durandal about it?"
---o---
On the rooftop.
Kiana stared blankly at the sunset over the horizon.
The fiery crimson sun was about to sink into the sea, and the curtain of night was beginning to fall.
The scarlet twilight stretched the young girl's silhouette long and thin.
Kiana couldn't help but hug herself tighter. As night fell in autumn, a hint of chill was already in the air. The white season would soon arrive.
Chong Chong was reminded of the time at Chiba Academy when she and Mei had privately pledged their lives to each other.
That day, too, had a dusk just like this one, with brilliant, romantic evening clouds.
The Herrscher consciousness within Mei had erupted. She said she wanted to kill herself, to end her "sinful life."
Kiana didn't care about any of that. A knight of the Kaslana family would not tolerate a tragedy happening before her very eyes.
Kiana had saved Mei, who was about to jump from the rooftop, telling her that they would fight the Honkai together, that she shouldn't lose to something that only knew how to bring destruction!
At that time, Kiana thought she and Mei would live like that forever.
Until the end of the world.
And now...
Kiana looked at the sky, which was about to turn completely dark.
"Mei still hasn't come."
Chong Chong couldn't help but squeeze her legs together, her lower abdomen glowing faintly on the dim rooftop.
Pain. It hurt so much!
She couldn't take it anymore!
Kiana shot to her feet, her fists clenched.
She felt like she must be sick. Mei was over there getting fucked by Ye Feng!
And here she was on the rooftop, agonizing, miserable, conflicted, and worrying about whether that dog-thief Ye Feng was being too rough with Mei.
"I can't let this go on."
She wouldn't be like the cuckolded protagonist in a doujinshi, who could only endure it all in silence.
If things got worse, she might even jerk one out in frustration.
Then she'd truly be beyond saving.
Kiana lifted her azure eyes. She had to take the initiative.
Now was Kiana's time!
However, just as she stood up, a familiar, slender figure appeared on the rooftop.
The momentum she had painstakingly built up instantly dissipated.
"Mei..."
"...Sorry, I'm late."
The autumn night's breeze lifted the young girl's hair. Mei, dressed in a purple dress, raised a hand to hold down the fluttering strands by her ear. She spoke so softly, as if her voice could soothe all the resentment in Kiana's heart.
"Ah, no. I just got here too."
Kiana scratched the back of her head, a smile blooming on her face.
She could see Mei's guilt and took the initiative to find a topic. "Hey, Mei, the dress you're wearing today is really pretty."
The purple one-piece dress was very charming. Thin straps rested on her snow-white, fragrant shoulders, revealing her alabaster arms. The skirt hem reached her calves, and paired with a set of pure-looking high-heeled sandals, she looked innocent and gentle.
"You think so too, Kiana? I'm so glad."
"Too?"
"Yes. Feng... Mr. Ye Feng helped me pick it out."
"..."
Kiana's smile froze on her face.
Only then did she notice that it wasn't just the dress; Mei's hairstyle had changed too.
It looked a lot like the adult Mei from A Post-Honkai Odyssey.
What was this hairstyle called again... ah, right, a Hime cut. It was one of that dog-thief Ye Feng's favorite hairstyles!
Tch.
"...Kiana? Are you... angry?"
"Ah, no, no, not at all. Why would I be angry at Mei? Even if I punched Ye Feng until he turned into Ye Feng-paste, I wouldn't get angry at Mei."
Kiana waved her hands frantically, trying to hide her inner indignation.
Mei looked at Kiana's behavior, and her eyes dimmed slightly, full of guilt.
She had been fucked by Feng-kun to the point of losing her senses, forgetting her promise to Kiana, and only arriving now... While this made Mei feel ashamed...
What Mei cared about more was... did Kiana like Feng-kun?
Kiana was the first one to enter this world.
Back then, there was always a smile in Kiana's eyes, and her face was filled with satisfaction.
Although both of them denied it, saying they weren't lovers, just... friends, a girl's sixth sense was always so sharp.
Mei always felt there was something between Kiana and Ye Feng.
And even though she knew this, she still made a move on Feng-kun.
I really am a bad woman, aren't I?