"Last night, the Administrative District was attacked by unknown assailants. No one reportedly saw the attackers clearly.
According to on-site reports, many high-ranking officials who were attacked appear to be suffering from psychological trauma—here's footage from the scene."
"Stop hitting me! Stop! I wet the bed for the first time when I was six. I even wore diapers in college! Stop! I don't like women—I harbor unspeakable desires for Councilor Fu, who works with me daily."
"Stop hitting me! We're truly in love!!!"
"Breaking News: The police have stated that the previous warrant for the woman's arrest was due to an accidental misunderstanding and has now been withdrawn. The true culprit behind the bombing remains under investigation."
...Simon Lailey watched the news on TV, her lips twitching. She turned to Snow, who was surreptitiously trying to sneak a sip of the 1988 Red wine.
"I've told you a million times, minors are not allowed to drink alcohol!" The blonde girl's head now sported a fresh bump, and she glared at her subordinate through gritted teeth.
Just wait till we get back—I'll make your life difficult.
"So this was the work of another teammate in your squad?"
"Yup, pretty powerful, huh?"
"Would she be interested in a position with the Interrogation Department at the Schicksal Central Intelligence Agency? I bet she could become the department head in less than a week."
Simon Lailey rolled her eyes.
"She'll be here soon. Why don't you ask her yourself?" Snow watched gloomily as the bottle of red wine was snatched from her grasp and meticulously wiped down by Simon.
"Stop eyeing it," the brown-haired Valkyrie said sternly, nodding firmly. "You won't touch a drop until you're of age."
"Ugh... fine... Kyuusyou, you're back! How was sparring with the punching bag?"
The blonde Valkyrie turned toward the doorway, where a purple-haired girl stretched her limbs, her joints cracking audibly.
"Huh? It was okay. Honestly, holding back so I didn't kill those weaklings with a single punch was a real pain."
"Oh, right, I ran into Siegfried Kaslana. Just as we predicted, he's been commissioned by the Anti-Entropy Conservative Faction to organize Cocolia's plan."
Kyuusyou's words immediately caught Simon Lailey's attention.
"Cocolia's plan as an Anti-Entropy Executor? Why does it feel like you combat Valkyries know more than I do, the Intelligence Department Valkyrie...?" Simon Lailey wore an expression that suggested she might be about to lose her job.
"Fieldwork has its perks. You're the new recruit, right?" Kyuusyou asked, eyeing the brown-haired Big Sister with her single ponytail.
"That's right. Formerly of the Central Intelligence Department, Simon Lailey, codename Wraith. According to Overseer Otto's request—and the wishes of a certain Schicksal's top rich second-generation—I've been assigned to the Divine Authority Squad as its intelligence officer."
Simon Lailey shot a sideways glance at Snow, earning herself a few eye-rolls in return.
"Alright, let me explain what Cocolia's trying to do.
About a few days ago, Dr. Magi, the chief scientist of Schicksal's Third Laboratory, defected. He escaped with the Gem of Serenity, which the Third Laboratory was responsible for guarding, and disappeared near the German-Danish border area."
"The Scavenger Squad responsible for the pursuit operation was completely wiped out. Dr. Magi was next sighted at the Empress Hotel in Singapore."
"You should already know this information," Kyuusyou said, glancing at Simon Lailey, who nodded in acknowledgment.
"Now for the part you don't know—Cocolia installed the Gem of Serenity beneath the Empress Hotel and activated it."
"Her plan was to trigger the Fourth Honkai Eruption, creating a Herrscher for her research."
"To this end, Cocolia bribed key figures in the Singapore Government. Of course, they've since repented."
Kyuusyou watched the news highlights replaying on the bar's television, subconsciously clenching her fist, as if still unsatisfied.
"Our primary target is actually Dr. Magi. He's carrying a sample of Honkai Energy Serum. Compared to the Gem of Serenity, this is our most crucial objective."
Just as Kyuusyou was about to continue, a message arrived on Snow's wrist device:
[ Honkai energy concentration near the Empress Hotel is slowly increasing. The target has begun moving, searching for an opportunity. ]
"According to the message from Ninti, Cocolia is growing impatient. Previously, the world-renowned Homu official exhibition drew a massive influx of people to the suburbs for the event."
"It seems the vixen can't stay still any longer. If this continues, her Great Honkai Eruption will end up being nothing..."
Just as Snow was about to continue speaking, the door swung open again, and Fu Hua and Siegfried strode in.
"Long time no see, Wraith. Get me a good bottle of wine... unless you want me to trash your bar."
"And Snow, could you please continue your story?"
-
"Snow?" Fu Hua glanced at the golden-haired Valkyrie, puzzled.
"I can't accept this!"
The golden-haired girl glared at Siegfried, who was guzzling down the red wine she had been eyeing for so long.
"A top-tier 1988 Château Latour, and you're drinking it like it's beer?!"
"Yeah, so what? It's good wine, just a bit short on quantity..." Siegfried shrugged, looking almost disappointed.
"You—!"
"Snow, let's focus on the main issue first," Fu Hua interrupted, cutting off the girl's outburst.
"Hmph! That Herrscher Clone has moved into action. Cocolia, having burned her bridges, ordered the clone to target Dr. Magi and Kiana."
"The good news is that this has created a classic case of 'the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind it.' We've had an operative specializing in infiltration and assassination following them at the Empress Hotel. The situation has now devolved into a farcical scene:
—Kiana is fleeing with Dr. Magi, Welt II—let's call the Herrscher Clone that for now—is chasing after them, but he's not just chasing them—Ninti is hunting him down from behind."
"And at the very bottom of the hotel, there's a Gem of Serenity rigged to explode."
"So we need to retrieve the Gem of Serenity and rescue Kiana," Fu Hua nodded.
"I won't be joining you... Leave this to you guys," Siegfried downed the last of his drink and tossed a box to Fu Hua.
"Huh? Aren't you going to rescue your daughter?" Simon Lailey asked curiously.
"Though I desperately want to save Kiana, meeting her in my current state..." The man shook his head and turned to leave. "Someone took the commission fee, dumped the task on others, and ran off with the cash. If I don't call him out, who will?"
Cut the crap, you never saw her again after that, Kyuusyou rolled her eyes.
"Leaving already? Let me see you off," the Golden-haired Valkyrie said, appearing beside Siegfried as if from nowhere.
"Uh... no need—" The man's words were cut off by the girl's quiet whisper.
"Mr. Siegfried, you know perfectly well what kind of person your daughter, Kiana Kaslana, truly is."
"If the Second Herrscher's Vessel comes into contact with the Gem of Serenity that once belonged to her..."
"You...!"
"Hmph... We can guarantee to restrain her and suppress the Herrscher's consciousness. Uncle, you need to intercept the Valkyrie squad Otto deployed early to retrieve the Herrscher."
"...Schicksal's strongest openly deployable force capable of retrieving a Herrscher is clear to you. Just stall Durandal."
"We'll handle the rest," Snow said, looking at Siegfried and waiting for his response.
"Alright, but I doubt I can hold that Valkyrie for long. You'd better make this quick."
"Naturally," the girl nodded, having secured Siegfried's promise.
The man turned to leave, and Kyuusyou quickly approached.
"What did you say to that middle-aged guy? He looks like he's about to make a heroic sacrifice..."
"I told him to stall Durandal... Sigh, did the Kaslana family change their name to Sparta?"
"Family tradition, huh? I bet you did that on purpose, you little devil."
"No, I just remembered it now," Snow huffed.
"Then you're just evil to the core—pure instinct."
-
Spy- Same deal as earlier top 4 in stones at the end of the week and uploads double! we were close last time at rank 6.