Fuli's worries did not come to pass.
Perhaps it was due to the presence of Theresa, an S-Rank Valkyrie with a special status. The Death Knight in the co-pilot's seat merely glanced their way a few times before closing her eyes to rest, clutching her longsword.
Asta and a recovered Arlan jumped into the aircraft. Asta held onto the edge of the hatch, waving vigorously at the Hyperion crew. "See you all another day!"
Arlan bowed deeply. "Thank you all for your care. I will remember it for the rest of my life."
"A bit heavy, don't you think?"
Kiana quipped, then gave a thumbs-up with her usual bright smile. "Come visit the Hyperion when you're free! We always give a warm welcome to our friends!"
"Anyone who didn't know better would think Idiot Kiana is the master of the Hyperion."
Bronya threw her usual cold water, but she still gave Arlan a slight nod with half-closed eyes.
During the previous battle, the butler boy's willingness to sacrifice his life to protect his young lady had already earned the approval of the Silver Wolf of the Urals.
Wasn't she the same way with Cocolia in the past? Hopefully, Asta wouldn't betray that trust.
Mei's parting words were simple and direct: "Remember to send the money when you get back. I've already sent the account info to your email."
"The once great Miss Raiden has finally become a vulgar person obsessed with trivial matters of silver and gold."
Kallen, floating in the air, sighed dramatically. Her mischievous gaze swept over the resting Death Knight from time to time, thinking, This reaction isn't right. Why so calm?
Boring! I want to see a river of fluids!
Fuli pressed a hand on his troublemaking sworn sister. "Well then, you two, let us meet again at the crossroads of causality."
"What's all that nonsense!"
Theresa shot him a sidelong glance, thinking to herself that boys were prone to inexplicable bouts of chunibyo.
Not long after bidding farewell to the young lady and Arlan, Theresa, having finished discussing the month's trade quotas, also took a plane back to St. Freya. Before she left, she made sure to take several hundred pounds of Taihuang Rice with her.
Freeloaded. Didn't pay a cent.
"Physical age really does affect one's state of mind."
Mei muttered under her breath. How could a woman in her forties be so shameless?
She looked at Kallen. "Assistant, change the ship's course. Next stop, Kazakhstan."
Shenzhou's Tianjiang Autonomous Region is located in its northwest, covering an area of 1.6649 million square kilometers, making it the largest provincial-level administrative region in Shenzhou. It borders Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, and other countries.
The target of their mission, Lake Kanas, was in the northernmost part of the autonomous region. Considering that Russia and Shenzhou would almost certainly not open their airspace to the Hyperion, they couldn't just force their way through. They had to take the next best option and enter through the relatively weaker nation of Kazakhstan.
"That being said, the Hyperion can only take you as far as the border between Kazakhstan and Tianjiang. After that, the three of you will have to travel by land."
Mei tied her hair into a high ponytail, her gaze sweeping over the three mission members. "This isn't illegal entry. Do you all have your visas?"
"Don't worry, Mei!"
Kiana said leisurely, her hands behind her head. "Didn't I bust a dozen telecom fraud dens in Southeast Asia back in the day? The Shenzhou government gave me a ten-year visa-free entry permit for that (Volume 3, Chapter 14). I'm a model citizen!"
Fuli answered as if it were a matter of course, "I'm a true-blue Shenzhou citizen. I was just studying abroad in the Far East; I never renounced my citizenship."
Fun fact: The fee for a Shenzhou citizen to renounce their citizenship is 250 yuan.
Specifically, the application fee is 50 yuan, and the renunciation certificate fee is 200 yuan.
Just looking at that number, there was no way the boy would renounce it.
He wasn't a "two-fifty" (idiot).
After the three had spoken, their gazes fell upon the small figure of Bronya in the corner.
The girl cutely raised her hand. "The Bronya can hack into the border system and forge an identity."
Which was a rather terrifying thing to say.
"Hack what hack, what are you hacking!"
Kallen rapped her on the head. "New policy from the Shenzhou National Administration Bureau: 24-hour visa-free entry for foreigners, including Russian and American citizens. Big Sis has already taken care of the paperwork for you."
"Angela, reliable."
Bronya gave a thumbs-up.
"If you're really grateful, then call me by my name!"
And then the Saintess furiously ruffled her twin-drills.
"I'll go get the relevant materials and the client's contact information from my father later. We'll discuss the specific details after that."
Mei, having tied her hair, made the final decision. "Until then, it's free time as usual."
The head of the household had spoken, and no one had any objections. Those who wanted to play games played games, and those who wanted to train went to Mt. Taixu.
After playing a bit of the new Assassin's Creed: Shadows with his little sister and laughing from beginning to end, Fuli stood up and went to the deck for some fresh air.
The cumulus clouds floated like fluffy cotton in the dome of the sky, but their reflection in the sea became a pod of swimming whales. His gaze stretched to the horizon, where a few white sails cut through the mint-colored ripples, like a paper cutter gliding across a watercolor canvas.
"What a great view."
The boy, sitting on the bridge, stretched lazily, his hands supporting his body from behind.
No one's childhood dream was to buy a house. If given the chance, who wouldn't want to fly an aerospace battleship, carrying a ship full of unique and beautiful girls, and travel the world?
"The scenery is indeed beautiful. A vast expanse of emerald that can calm one's restless heart and allow for a lazy day."
"Right? Right?"
A pleasant voice entered Fuli's ears. He nodded in agreement, but as soon as he opened his mouth...
"Whoa! You! You!"
He jumped back, pointing at the tall figure that had appeared behind him, dumbfounded. "Didn't you escort Asta and the others away? Why are you here?"
"Is it strange for me to be here?"
Einmaid stood there with a smile. Her shapely legs, wrapped in over-the-knee black stockings, stood gracefully. Her beautiful and dignified appearance gave no hint that she was one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, bearing the name of Death. She looked more like a noble lady who had inherited her title in her youth.
"I can indeed be considered a young lady."
She said abruptly, "The Death Knight lineage in Schicksal has always been filled by members of the Vulture Wing family. As long as one can pass the trials and receive the inheritance, the title of Duke Vulture Wing automatically falls upon us."
"Oh, oh."
Fuli scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Then, Your Grace, is there some important matter you wish to convey by coming to the Hyperion?"
"First, I swear in the name of the Lord that for the next twenty-four hours, unless you actively attack me, I will not harm you in any way."
Einmaid first made a vow, then raised her hand.
A pitch-black domain enveloped the two of them. It was the reality distortion field of the Death Knights of successive generations.
After cutting off all contact with the outside world, she fidgeted a little and said in a low voice, "The Key of Corruption, which has not yet appeared, is in your hands now, correct?"
BOOM—!
A cold killing intent suddenly tore through the air. The ground beneath Fuli's feet cracked like a spiderweb.
Sparrow's Call was unsheathed without him noticing. Countless blades, swords, and halberds, formed from Fleeting Shadow Sword, materialized in the air, each one reflecting the boiling blood-red in the boy's pupils.
Einmaid watched this scene silently. Not only was there no sign of her drawing the knightly sword at her waist, but a strange look of anticipation flickered in her eyes.
"Hoo—"
Controlling one's emotions is a necessary skill for the strong. After taking a deep breath, the killing intent in Fuli's mind quickly cooled.
"You have no ill intentions. Why?"
As absolute core personnel with access to the heart of Schicksal, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse certainly knew that the omniscient and omnipotent God described in the Bible did not exist.
No, that's not quite right.
The Flame-Chaser who was the prototype for YHWH did exist, but the Savior's Inscription, now sunk to the bottom of the Sea of Quanta, clearly did not match the words "omniscient and omnipotent."
Therefore, for the Four Horsemen, their faith was never in that ethereal "Lord," but in the conviction they would uphold at all costs.
Since she had sworn in the name of her faith not to harm Fuli for the next twenty-four hours, Einmaid would definitely keep her word.
That's why the boy was puzzled. Since she knew he had Jizo Mitama, this woman should have just come to snatch it away.
There were only thirteen God-Slaying Armaments on the face of the earth. Would anyone really not be tempted by them?
Einmaid was, of course, tempted.
However, the way she was tempted was just a tiny, teensy bit different from what Fuli imagined.
"You are currently an A-Rank anomaly, correct?"
The grey-haired beauty's tone was tinged with an impatience that even an outsider could hear. Her beautiful feet, clad in short boots, couldn't help but step forward.
Fuli, who had stepped back to maintain a safe distance, tightened his grip on the fragment of the Holy Lance of Finality. "How did you know?"
He had only just reached anomaly level.
"I, of course, um, have my own sources of information."
White mist escaped from her beautiful lips. Einmaid bit her lower lip.
She had waited for this moment for a long time. Only an A-Rank anomaly would have the strength to "fight" her when she was suppressed to the Critical Class by the treaty.
"Fine. No superhuman should be underestimated."
Fuli shrugged, the Solar Armor flickering on his body. "No ill intentions, yet you emphasize my strength. What exactly do you want me to do?"
He couldn't guarantee a 100% victory if they fought, but he could hold out until Mei and the others noticed something was wrong.
"Please, do it again."
Her grey bangs covered Einmaid's beautiful eyes, which had been so confident and capable just minutes before. She stood still, her delicate fists clenched, her long legs unconsciously rubbing against each other.
"Huh? Do what again?"
The boy was annoyed. Riddle-speakers can crawl back to their holes!
The Death Knight stammered, "It's, it's that... Jizo Mitama's... rated power..."
"Rated power? Ah! You mean the Forbidden Brand!"
Fuli (self-proclaimed) had an epiphany.
Jizo Mitama's second rated power: the "wound" caused by the Key holder's attack would not only fail to heal but would also slowly expand over time.
The boy had previously worried that the real-world Einmaid would be implicated after syncing with the virtual Death Knight. Now it seemed his fears were true.
"Wait a minute, I'll remove it right now!"
He hurriedly took out the Key of Corruption.
It had been two months since the virtual space and the first Ella's rebellion. To endure such "pain" all this time without showing it...
S-Ranks... they were truly terrifying!
However, Fuli, who was in awe, soon realized something was wrong.
"The Forbidden Brand isn't active on you."
After reading the feedback from the Divine Key, he looked confused. "It says it was automatically removed the moment you left the virtual space. So you—"
His voice abruptly stopped.
A moment later, realizing a certain possibility, he narrowed his eyes. "You said you wanted me to do it to you again... You don't mean the Konoha Secret Taijutsu, do you?"
"...Mm."
"The Forbidden Brand?"
"Yes."
"Plus the five-times Partial Multi-Size Technique?"
"If you could beat me with all your might like in the virtual space, that would be even better..."
A breeze carrying the scent of death lifted the grey-haired beauty's sideburns. Her delicate ears were already flushed red, and the unfinished words in her throat turned into a weak whisper, mixed with her accelerating heartbeat and panting.
Yes, this was the room you can't leave unless you do ○○○, constructed by Einmaid's reality distortion field.
"..."
The expression on Fuli's face gradually returned to calm.
His tone was slightly disgusted. "Miss Death Knight."
"I'm here."
"You... are truly a hopelessly massive pervert."
Yes.
I am a massive ☆ pervert~
Facing the handsome figure walking reluctantly toward her, the Duchess, prostrate on the ground, slowly developed two heart shapes in her eyes.
Not long after parting with the Hyperion crew, Asta's private jet had already arrived at the World Peace Company headquarters in Switzerland.
She handed the curious Pepe to Arlan and stepped onto the transport channel leading directly to the chairman's office.
With a flash of light, the girl appeared directly in a spacious and bright office.
Huge floor-to-ceiling windows reflected the city skyline. Files were neatly stacked on the ebony desk. A half-cup of coffee on the coffee table was long cold, and the ashtray was filled with uncleared ash.
Noticing the key element, Asta puffed out her cheeks. "Mother! You've been smoking again!"
"Since there are no outsiders, you can just call me 'Mom'!"
The beautiful chairwoman standing by the window—Elena Fleming—turned around. A smart suit accentuated her exceptionally full and explosive figure. Her waist-length hair cascaded down like a waterfall, a pink stream flowing in the sunlight.
She extinguished the ladies' cigarette between her fingers, closed the distance to her daughter in a few steps, and wrapped her arms around her treasure, holding her tight.
"I'm sorry, Asta."
She said in a low voice, "Let me hold you for a while."
Asta was stunned for a moment, then hugged her back.
Her fair hand patted her mother's trembling back, which reeked of smoke, as she comforted her softly, "Mom, it's okay. I'm right here. Nothing's wrong with me..."
The heartwarming scene lasted for a while before Elena reluctantly let go of Asta.
She took two steps back, blinked, and rolled up her sleeves in a strongman pose. "Alright, baby energy replenished! Full health revived!"
"You're a grown woman. Why do you still act like a child?"
The girl pouted. Seeing two large tears welling up in her mother's eyes, she quickly changed the subject. "Alright, alright. Mom, did you read the report I sent back?"
"Of course! But I'd still prefer my darling daughter to demonstrate it for me personally, to see if this Light Cone thing is as magical as you say."
"Hmph, hmph."
Asta raised her chin proudly, like a white swan about to take flight.
She lifted her foot, used Shukuchi to appear behind her mother, and was about to insert another Light Cone into her when her wrist was grabbed by a female security guard in a black mask who had appeared out of thin air.
"It's alright, Louise."
Elena waved her hand and proactively pushed the Light Cone engraved with Yue Guan - Heavenly Pierce into her body.
A moment later, she took it out and played with it between her fingers. "Although I already knew the effect from the report, experiencing it firsthand is truly—"
Asta couldn't wait. "Truly sells for a good price, right?!"
"It's 'truly makes me want to kidnap that boy named Fuli and bring him home.'"
Realizing the value of the Light Cone, Elena licked her lips.
"No, no."
Asta crossed her arms. "Dad will get jealous."
"Then how about Asta kidnaps him and brings him home?"
Her mother was eager to try. "Did you know, darling? When I first became a councilor, my situation was just like yours! I also wanted to achieve something great to impress everyone, and I wasn't afraid to take risks."
"It was during that adventure that I met your father."
She rested her chin on her hand and said with great nostalgia, "Not only did he save my life, but he also used his family's influence to help me gain a firm foothold in the Council of Elders."
Asta's eyes lit up. "Something like that happened? Since Dad did so much, how did you repay him later, Mom?"
"What else could I do? I offered myself in marriage, we had our wedding night, and then I gave birth to you, the fruit of our love."
Elena shrugged, then looked at Asta mischievously.
Understanding her hint, the girl was stunned. She subconsciously recalled her impulsive act of jumping into Fuli's arms and biting his shoulder, and a blush instantly spread across her cheeks.
...