HHR 104-110 (Patreon)

Finally done.

Chapter 104: The Intensifying Battle

—Hyperion Cafe, second-floor bedroom.

A girl in a sailor uniform lay limply on the bed, her back to the bedroom door. Her full breasts rose and fell with her irregular breathing. The black stockings covering her legs were torn, leaving holes that dug into her thighs, while a triangular piece of fabric hung from her ankles.

The young Store Manager sat on the edge of the bed, his expression filled with melancholy and sorrow. Perhaps a cigarette dangling from his lips would have made it perfect.

For the Store Manager, beautiful girls were always the most exquisite treasures in the world.

Doing fun things with beautiful girls was an undeniable and unparalleled pleasure.

The all-encompassing pleasure brought by wonderful visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, and gustatory experiences was indescribable. In the Store Manager's eyes, there were few activities in the world that could surpass this pleasure, which simultaneously contained contradictory yet perfectly integrated elements of stimulation and tenderness.

Raiden Mei.

Although still a somewhat naive student, she was also a rather alluring and beautiful girl.

—In fact, during the days he spent traveling through various Bubble Worlds aboard the Hyperion, the beautiful girls he had developed relationships with beyond friendship were not limited to those who were now his employees.

For example, there was Prime Minister Rita and General Durandal of the Radiant Empire, and Miss Kiana, the Second Prince related to Kongming.

Another example was Miss Seele, whose consciousness, due to an unexpected incident, was lost in a dream world called Bubble World and has now returned to the body of the girl Vollerei.

There were many, many more examples like this. In a sense, of all the customers who visited the café these past two days—perhaps everyone except Cocolia—the Store Manager had the experience of completely silencing them.

Raiden Mei, of course, was no exception.

He still remembered the "Shadow Guard Miss" he encountered in that Bubble World, who thought she could control everything.

While in most Bubble Worlds, Raiden Mei's counterparts were primarily kind and beautiful girls, a few Raiden Meis experienced drastic changes in their lives, transforming into ruthless personalities similar to Otto or Dr. Mei, who treated everyone as pawns and tools to be manipulated at will.

The "Shadowguard," who came from the same world as Yae Kasumi, was one of those ruthless Raiden Meis.

—To achieve her goals, that "Shadowguard" not only schemed against most people, including the then-Store Manager, but even framed her own father, sending him to prison.

Faced with such a beautiful but twisted girl, the then-carefree Store Manager naturally took on the noble task of 'correcting her' warped personality.

After some maneuvering, he successfully brought her body and soul back on track, transforming her into a righteous and awe-inspiring figure.

Although this Raiden Mei from the real world did not possess the same twisted and cold personality as the "Shadow Guard," the Store Manager's experience of sending the "Shadow Guard" flying into the sky could certainly have the same effect on this Raiden Mei.

However, after (beep—) the initial thrill, the Store Manager could not help but feel a stomachache at the thought of the reality he would have to face next.

He had promised his wives, after building the café, that he would no longer harass other girls, and he had indeed put that promise into action. He distanced himself from Kiana and Raiden Mei from their original world, and even verbally offended the Great Guardian from the interstellar civilization.

Aside from the overly familiar Trailblazer, whom he was powerless against, and the purely accidental Durandal situation, he felt he had completely curbed his lecherous nature of flirting with every girl he saw and sleeping with them whenever he had the chance.

However, although he had consciously hidden his pent-up desires, his defenses remained incredibly weak when faced with a beautiful girl's direct advances, making it impossible for him to refuse.

“…”

Fine, he would have to take responsibility for his own actions.

He turned his head to look at the girl whose back was to him.

The girl sprawled on the bed, lying on her side, burying her face in the pillow filled with the Store Manager's scent. The lingering hormones in the air made her already irrational mind reel.

Perhaps sensing the gaze from behind, Raiden Mei's shoulders suddenly trembled. Her arms tightened around the pillow, and her voice sounded as if she was about to cry.

"... I told you... to be gentle... why did you still..."

Hearing Raiden Mei's almost sobbing complaint, the Store Manager's expression turned somewhat ashamed.

"Uh... I'm sorry."

"...Waaah..."

Raiden Mei let out a low whimper, her face buried in the pillow, filled with shame and embarrassment.

Even though she was the one who had taken the initiative to hug him, the moment she recalled what had just happened, Raiden Mei felt an urge to dig a hole in the ground and never come out again.

Recalling the sounds she had just made, the actions she had taken, and all the feelings she had experienced, her entire body involuntarily curled up. She twisted and contorted uncontrollably like a maggot, her face flushing red from her neck to her ears.

Ahhhhh…!!

Why did I make that sound?!

I was begging for mercy, so why did my arms and legs cling to him so tightly against my will?!

It was practically like… like saying… I wanted more?!

Waaaaah… Am I really this shameless?

No, I'm too ashamed to face anyone.

Raiden Mei is too ashamed to face anyone—!

Seeing Raiden Mei writhing and contorting in distress, her worldview and outlook on life shattered, the Store Manager's expression grew even more awkward.

"Um, you don't really need to feel so ashamed."

The Store Manager, utterly lacking in emotional intelligence, offered these comforting words in a voice full of concern:

"I used a little of the experience I gained with other Meis. Uh, that experience might have been a bit too stimulating for your first time."

Raiden Mei's writhing movements stopped abruptly.

Her mind, still lingering in the afterglow of the encounter and unable to process what she was hearing, went blank for a moment.

Then, she abruptly sat up, furiously slamming the pillow she was holding into the Store Manager's face.

"Hey! Hey! Hey—! What are you doing all of a sudden?!"

The Store Manager's struggle only fueled Raiden Mei's aggression.

"What did I do?! What did you say I did?! You dare mention other girls?! I'll teach you to mention other girls again?!"

"Wait, wait—I, where did I mention other girls?"

The Store Manager covered his face with his arm, protesting his innocence.

Raiden Mei raised the pillow again, breathing heavily and staring at the Store Manager's face for a long time. Finally, she let out a long sigh, her voice filled with endless sorrow, and limply put the pillow down.

She realized that if she got angry over every little thing like this, she probably would not be able to do anything but get angry in the future.

However, to consider something like "a guy comforting himself with other girls' stories after having sex" as a small matter…

Her thought process was probably starting to become a little abnormal, was it not?

Sensing Raiden Mei's inexplicably low spirits, the Store Manager carefully removed the arm covering his cheek, hesitated for a moment, then asked,

"Want one more time?"

"...!!!"

Raiden Mei swallowed hard, involuntarily shifting back slightly.

"You... you haven't had enough yet?"

“That was enough just now, but now…”

The Store Manager scratched his head somewhat sheepishly and glanced at Raiden Mei’s body.

“…”

Raiden Mei lowered her head and looked at her alluring outfit. Her previously downcast face flushed crimson again.

No, no…

She had already shown such an indecent side and hadn’t recovered at all. If it happened again, she would be ruined!

“No, no, I… I’m too weak. At least… at least wait until tonight…”

“I have some guests from Bubble World tonight, so let’s do it now.”

“Eh?! Wait—Ugh…”

Chuu? Chuu?—(sound of a kiss)

Jupo?—Jupo?—Jupo?—Jupo? (sound of… you know)…

Onomatopoeia that only appear in doujinshi, along with overflowing pink hearts, filled the not-so-spacious bedroom once more.

…………………………

Hyperion Cafe, first-floor lobby.

Raiden Mei and Kiana stood somewhat nervously before the two psychic Flame Chasers.

“Please don’t be too tense. I have no intention of being your enemy.”

Aponia, whose entire being exuded an aura of “large” and “white,” slightly opened her eyes and soothed the two juniors introduced by Hua from the real world with a voice brimming with kindness and gentleness.

“However, regarding your concerns, please allow me to take a good look at you before I can give you an accurate answer.”

“…”

For some reason, even though this ascetic nun didn’t show any hostility toward them, Raiden Mei and Kiana still felt a chill run down their spines when facing her directly.

If Fu Hua hadn’t been floating nearby, they might have already drawn their weapons.

“Give up, Aponia.”

Beside Aponia, the handsome man with his eyes closed shook his head.

“This isn’t the Elysian Realm, nor is it the real world. Your precepts won’t have any effect on others in this café.”

Precepts.

Before coming to ask these two Flame Chasers, both possessing the ability to perceive the mind, Raiden Mei and Kiana had already heard this term from Fu Hua.

It was a power that forcibly intervened in the consciousness of others through words. Compared to the Store Manager’s relatively narrow ability to “increase favorability through touch,” the power of “precepts” was not only easier to implement, but its effects were also far more domineering.

As far as Fu Hua knew, those subject to precepts could even have their biological functions forcibly distorted by that power.

Those severely injured, under the influence of the precepts, experienced a significant increase in cellular activity and recovered completely within three months; patients suffering from severe claustrophobia and nyctophobia gained night vision after taking the precepts…

There were many similar examples. In short, if one wanted to understand how the Store Manager’s ability to “increase favorability through touch” worked, then Aponia, who possessed similar powers, was the most valuable reference.

However, the moment Kiana and Raiden Mei stood before Aponia, they felt an unprecedented sense of danger, as if a knife were pressed tightly against their backs.

In this café, they should have been completely safe.

Whether it was a Herrscher or a MANTIS, ultimately, their power originated from the “Cocoon” of Honkai. Even the psycho-sensory MANTIS and the mind-manipulating Herrscher of Sentience hadn’t escaped this principle. Logically, even Su and Aponia, in this café controlled by the Store Manager, shouldn’t have been able to freely use that power originating from imaginary numbers.

However, even without that ability, and with the so-called “precepts” having no effect on their consciousness, Kiana and Raiden Mei still felt a chill run down their spines.

“I saw your experiences in the memories synchronized with my main body,” Hua said, turning her gaze to the two. Perhaps recalling something, a complex look flashed in her eyes. “As Herrschers, you’ve already broken free from Honkai’s control. Why do you think your consciousness was so easily interfered with?”

“Huh?” Raiden Mei and Kiana were both stunned.

“Leaving aside the Herrscher of the Void, judging from the memories I saw within the original, Herrscher of Thunder…” Hua turned her head and glanced at the silent Herrscher of Thunder—Raiden Mei. “…it seems that long ago, she actually broke free from Honkai’s control, didn’t she?”

“…” Raiden Mei followed Hua’s gaze to this “self” from the not-too-distant future and fell silent.

Aponia smiled slightly. “While my precepts are capable of exerting a tremendous influence on both the consciousness and body of a person, it can only unleash their greatest power when the recipient’s subconscious desires are obeyed.”

“Subconscious desires…” Raiden Mei repeated Aponia’s words softly, a complex expression flashing in her eyes.

“Actually, you don’t need to think so much.”

Just then, Herrscher of Thunder—Raiden Mei suddenly spoke up.

"The fact that you doubt your own situation means that even if that power objectively exists, it hasn’t been able to truly distort your will.”

----

Chapter 10: Kiana's Current Crime

“I have no intention of interfering in your emotional lives, but since the Store Manager of this café is willing to expose his abilities, it means that he probably doesn’t want to use such abilities to create a relationship with you…”

She suddenly stopped mid-sentence.

She suddenly remembered that just a few minutes earlier, during the time she and Rita went into the kitchen, the Store Manager seemed to have carried “Raiden Mei” from three years ago upstairs.

After a moment of silence, realizing that defending the Store Manager was unconvincing, she sheepishly changed her approach:

“…Anyway, for you, accepting the Store Manager’s protection in this café is the best option.”

“If you really can’t accept that boy… uh…”

“Be careful to protect yourselves.”

“…”

A look of speechlessness flashed across Raiden Mei and Kiana’s eyes simultaneously.

What difference did that make?

It was as if they could fight back just because the Store Manager had ill intentions toward them.

Just then, a childish voice suddenly broke into their conversation.

“Speaking of which, what’s the situation like for you three years from now?”

Seeing that she and Kongming couldn’t communicate effectively, and not daring to leave the Raiden Mei who had been carried upstairs by the Store Manager unattended in the café, Theresa approached.

She had already learned the general situation of the café from Kongming and understood that the two girls, who was more mature than Kiana and Raiden Mei from their world, were “themselves” from about three years in the future.

However, Kongming refused to reveal a single detail about why these two girls were working at the café.

“Uh… this…”

Theresa’s innocent question made Raiden Mei and Kiana feel somewhat embarrassed.

“Is there something you can’t tell me?”

Theresa asked. “That Mei just said you need to take refuge in this café. What trouble have you run into? Why don’t you go to Theresa from your world for help? It’s only been three years; you shouldn’t have graduated from St. Freya Academy yet, right? Even if you left St. Freya Academy, Schicksal should be able to provide you with refuge, right? Why are you staying in this café?”

“Then you’ll have to ask your dear Archbishop why he did something so outrageous.”

At that moment, a cold laugh came from Dr. Tesla. Dr. Lobster, who was an ornament for a while now, suddenly spoke.

“They conducted cloning experiments, implanting Herrscher cores into human bodies, and even kidnapped people to activate their Herrscher cores with excessive Honkai energy, thus activating the Herrscher persona… If we hadn’t been prepared for this beforehand, you probably wouldn’t even be here to see your niece.”

“You are…?”

Theresa frowned slightly, her pupils reflecting Tesla’s face as they suddenly contracted, and she couldn’t help but exclaim, “It’s you?! How is that possible! Schicksal’s database clearly shows you’re dead!?”

Tesla’s face darkened instantly. She slammed her hand on the table in front of her.

“Who the hell are you cursing?! Damn it, that old bastard Otto—I’m perfectly fine, and he dared to mark me as dead… I’ll twist his head off and use it as a football one of these days!”

“…”

Theresa’s eyes turned slightly cold.

Although she had also grown disappointed in Otto and Schicksal at this stage, she hadn’t completely let go of her familial affection for Otto. She subconsciously wanted to call out her Judah but suddenly froze.

The instant she showed even a hint of hostility, Kiana and Raiden Mei simultaneously stepped in front of her, shielding Dr. Tesla behind them.

However, despite this, Kiana and Raiden Mei didn’t seem to harbor much intention to confront her; rather, their demeanor was more one of awkwardness than hostility.

“Um… don’t get excited, Auntie,” Kiana spoke, scratching her head.

“In our world, Anti-Entropy has already formed a cooperative relationship with St. Freya.”

“Huh…?”

Theresa blinked, a little confused.

“What’s going on?”

“Uh… I’m not really sure about the specifics of your cooperation.”

Kiana thought for a moment, then chuckled and pushed Raiden Mei in front of her. “Right—! Mei, who’s been working with you, definitely knows more. It’d be better if she answered Auntie’s questions!”

Seeing that the conversation in the lobby seemed to be drifting away from the Flame Chasers’ audience, Ellie-chan, having had her fill of the gossip, exchanged glances with the Flame Chasers, then stood up and left through the main entrance in an orderly fashion.

Ellie-chan stared at the Flame Chasers’ departing figures for a long time.

She silently memorized each of their faces, then stood up, smiled broadly at Kongming and the other café staff, and hurried out of the café.

From that moment on, the pointer of fate quietly pointed in an unknown direction.

“…”

Raiden Mei sighed softly. She turned her head slightly, briefly exchanged a glance with Dr. Tesla, and then began to explain to Theresa, who came from three years ago, the origins of the alliance between Anti-Entropy and the Far East Branch.

Regardless of how well Theresa understood Otto’s plan in 2013, Anti-Entropy was ultimately destined to cooperate with her. Tesla, the conservative executor, believed they hadn’t done anything to wrong Theresa. Giving her some time to prepare before formally establishing cooperation would also facilitate Anti-Entropy’s smoother collaboration with the Far East Branch.

Of course, if possible, it would be best to help Kiana Kaslana from 2013 acquire the power to control Herrscher powers as quickly as possible.

In fact, for a long time, Anti-Entropy’s plan was essentially no different from Otto’s.

Perhaps their ultimate goals would diverge at some point, but at least until “Kiana controlled Herrscher powers with human will,” there was no disagreement between their plans.

However, compared to Otto’s plan, which disregarded all sacrifices, these conservative members of Anti-Entropy abandoned their original plan once they realized the extreme danger of controlling Herrscher powers.

—Of course, all of this was predicated on the premise that they hadn’t entered the café.

Tesla had already witnessed the café’s peculiar nature. Aside from the two researchers from the Previous Era and the existing staff, she was actually the one most acutely aware of just how illogical the café’s existence truly was.

She even suspected that, if the café’s Store Manager wanted to, the so-called “Honkai” of their world wouldn’t be a difficult problem to solve at all.

Of course, this suspicion was so shocking that even Dr. Tesla herself was hesitant to believe it, nor dared to immediately consider it a viable option in their fight against Honkai.

If this café could easily deal with Honkai, it would naturally mean that the café’s Store Manager had, to some extent, already ascended to the realm of “gods.”

Without fully understanding the Store Manager’s personality and behavioral logic, Dr. Tesla certainly dared not casually contact a “god.”

They had already suffered a great loss during their exploration of the Sea of Quanta. If Welt Yang hadn’t recklessly explored the Sea of Quanta and encountered that “unknown entity,” then after the Herrscher of the Void lost control, they might not have needed to make such a huge sacrifice to restore Kiana’s human consciousness.

…The good news was that, at least based on their current contact with this café, its attitude toward the human world was generally positive, and the Store Manager didn’t seem to mind lending them a helping hand.

If they could get help from this café, even if the Store Manager couldn’t directly deal with Honkai, the café could provide a stable means to completely neutralize those Herrschers who attempted to resist the Honkai.

As long as they brought those Herrschers trying to break free from Honkai’s control to this café during their struggles, the Store Manager could immediately strip them of their powers.

Just like Kiana now.

While Tesla’s mind raced, Theresa’s expression changed several times with Raiden Mei’s narration—from initial shock to disbelief, and then anger. Kiana’s true identity, Otto’s Sirin Project, and their efforts and sacrifices to reclaim Kiana—the successive revelations and twists of fate made it difficult for Theresa, who had learned too many shocking facts, to fully accept them in a short time.

However, when Theresa looked at Raiden Mei and Kiana’s faces, at their eyes—though they had recovered somewhat under the protection of this café, yet still retained a trace of weariness and sorrow—there was no doubt that they had no reason to deceive her.

After all, in their world, “Theresa” was also an elder and headmistress worthy of their respect and love.

Both Kiana and Raiden Mei held a considerable degree of trust in her.

This trust wasn’t simply due to her position as headmistress, but rather stemmed from the years they had spent together, and the character of “herself” from that world had earned their complete approval.

Looking at the two students’ faces, which had matured considerably through life’s hardships, Theresa spoke with deep emotion.

“Thank you for your hard work, Kiana, Mei.”

“After returning to our side, I will do my best to prevent ‘you’ from experiencing all of this again.”

Raiden Mei said weakly, “I don’t really care… it’s mainly about Kiana…”

“…”

The three of them fell silent in unison.

The soundproofing in this café was so good that Kiana almost suspected that the Store Manager had used some kind of power to completely separate the first and second floors.

Logically speaking, with their Valkyries’ keen senses, they should have been able to easily detect everything happening on the second floor, even if it was just one floor away.

However, from the moment the Store Manager carried “Raiden Mei” in the sailor uniform up to the second floor, they didn’t hear a single sound.

“Ahem… no, don’t overthink it!” Theresa coughed, her face flushed. “Maybe… that boy is just trying to alleviate Mei’s problems?”

“…” Raiden Mei and Kiana exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with shyness and a hint of helplessness.

If they hadn’t witnessed everything that happened last night, they might have believed that the Store Manager of this café wouldn’t do anything to “Raiden Mei.”

But after witnessing last night’s relentless onslaught, Kiana and Raiden Mei simply couldn’t convince themselves that the Store Manager, who could make several girls blush, would just stand by and watch a beautiful young woman lie in his arms, completely untouched.

Especially for Raiden Mei, the thought of being alone in the second-floor bedroom with someone who looked exactly like her, had the same build, and the same status as her—the young Store Manager who had just endured a relentless assault from the previous night—made her feel troubled.

An hour had passed, and the Store Manager and the “Raiden Mei” slumped in his arms showed no sign of coming down…

Humans are creatures of boundless imagination, and the less they knew about the situation upstairs, the more Raiden Mei and Kiana couldn’t control their fantasies.

How far had they progressed? Was it just simple physical intimacy, or something more intimate, or perhaps it was the end…?

Compared to the daydreaming Kiana and Raiden Mei, Herrscher of Thunder—Raiden Mei, who had been a member of World Serpent for some time, showed little wavering.

The dark side of World Serpent was far more extreme than Schicksal, and Elysian Realm’s records of the Previous Era weren’t all glorious.

Having witnessed so much filth, her mental fortitude was far stronger than the “her” from a few months ago.

To her, engaging in sexual activity was practically an innocent act.

After finishing the last piece of dessert she had made herself, Herrscher of Thunder—Raiden Mei stood up. She glanced at Kiana and her other “self,” thought for a moment, and ultimately didn’t say goodbye.

After tidying up briefly, she headed toward the door, ready to leave—

Thud—

“Ouch!”

The café door opened, and amidst a cry of pain, an insect suddenly tumbled in.

The Kiana Kaslana is from the same world as Raiden Mei, who is currently doing squats on the second floor.

---

Chapter 106: The Second Pufferfish! A Grand Debut!

—For Kiana who followed in her father’s footsteps and wandered from Siberia to the Far East, everything she encountered after surviving Nagazora City could be described as “incredibly lucky.”

She had someone she liked for the first time.

After her clumsy father left her, she encountered an elder related to her by blood for the first time.

With the help of that elder, she finally found a place to stay for an extended period.

For the first time, she heard the concept of a “Valkyrie” from that elder.

For the first time, she received concrete information from her clumsy father. From that elder, she also received the promise that “if she can become a Valkyrie capable of standing on her own, she can tell her about Siegfried.”

Although Kiana didn't know this was just a temporary measure by Theresa to deceive her, this series of strokes of luck, achieved so quickly upon arriving in Nagazora City, still gave Kiana a dreamlike feeling.

Everything was so perfect.

Except for the fact that her beloved was completely uninterested in her.

But it didn't matter. Kiana wasn't the kind of girl who would back down at the slightest difficulty.

What a joke. She had already overcome such a difficult journey from Siberia to the Far East; what were these little hardships?

Feelings can be cultivated.

What you love, you should definitely fight for with all your might.

According to “Theresa,” who claimed to be her aunt, Mei had agreed to enroll at St. Freya Academy. There would be plenty of time to spend with her. As long as Mei understood her sincerity, and as long as she stayed by Mei’s side, she believed that one day Mei would be moved by her honesty.

Filled with longing and anticipation for a better life, Kiana mustered all her energy and prepared to head to the school building to register as Theresa had instructed, when she suddenly saw Theresa and Raiden Mei running frantically out of the school.

Her mind immediately went blank.

When she came to her senses, Kiana found herself already on foot, secretly following the two to the floating warship they had just left on.

She watched helplessly as the airship sped away from St. Freya, returned to Nagazora City, and hovered above the ruins. She watched Mei and Theresa disembark and run toward a two-story building in the ruins, disappearing without a trace as they entered the shop.

Where is this place? Why is there a café in these ruins?

Kiana was filled with confusion. A faint, inexplicable throbbing pain shot through her forehead.

What were Mei and Theresa doing at that café?

Why hadn't they come out for so long?

They flew all the way from St. Freya Academy to Nagazora City; they couldn't have just come for coffee, could they?

Kiana was itching with curiosity, as if a thousand cats were scratching at her. After waiting for a long time without the two returning, she could no longer suppress her curiosity and, with a head full of questions, quietly made her way through the ruins.

Because she had sneaked over, barging in directly was too dangerous and out of the question.

Kiana, acting alone, wasn't stupid enough to ignore this basic logic.

However, for some reason, even though she had already reached the door of the café and could vaguely make out conversations through the frosted glass, even with her ear pressed against the door, she couldn't hear a single sound from inside.

Wow, the soundproofing was incredible.

Kiana was practically glued to the door, scratching her head internally in frustration.

She even considered just barging in.

Although she accepted “Theresa’s” suggestion and, in their brief interaction, realized that the seemingly young “Theresa” was far more complex than she appeared—a nun with extraordinary strength—she hadn't known Theresa long enough.

Forget respecting an elder; she couldn't even change her way of addressing her so quickly.

However, this conflicted thought was abruptly interrupted when the door was suddenly pulled open from the inside.

“Ouch!”

Completely unprepared, because she pressed her entire weight against the door, she plunged inside.

Then—

Thud—

“Ouch!!!!”

With unmistakable precision, and a sound that screamed pure pain, her forehead, which suddenly had a bump, made intimate contact with the café's wooden floor.

“Ouch—it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts...ヽ(*。>Д<)o゜”

She clutched her forehead, her body trembling uncontrollably from the intense pain, gasping for breath as tears welled in her eyes.

Why... why does it hurt so much... TAT

Come to think of it, she felt the same pain when she suddenly woke up yesterday.

Could someone have really hit her on the head with a club?!

Damn it, don't let me find that person. When I find the culprit who hit me, I'll make them pay.

Whether it was due to the influence of the will of the universe or not, Kiana Kaslana, who had been intercepted by the Hyperion and transferred to St. Freya Academy before even enrolling in Senba Academy, was still wearing a school uniform—the exact same style as Raiden Mei's from the same world, but in the opposite color—despite being from Nagazora City in late 2013. She had suddenly burst into the hall and collapsed to the ground in pain.

Seeing Kiana in her school uniform crouching on the ground in pain, Herrscher of Thunder - Raiden Mei, who had opened the shop door, fell silent.

She glanced at the scene outside—the same old, luxurious hall of Elysian Realm—then looked at the insect crouching on the ground, her mind filled with questions.

Where did this thing come from?

It couldn't possibly be from her world, could it? She didn't look like her. She had just met Kiana from her world not long ago, and that Kiana, who had already achieved the “Flamescion,” was clearly not as clumsy as this one who had stumbled in like this.

Judging from her clothes, could she be from three years ago, like the “herself” upstairs?

And judging from the way she stumbled in, did she spend a long time eavesdropping at the door?

…That's definitely Kiana's style.

While Herrscher of Thunder - Raiden Mei was speechless and inexplicably nostalgic, the insect in her school uniform finally recovered from the sudden dull pain.

“Hiss…”

She carefully removed her hands from her temples and lifted her face.

Then, naturally, she froze upon seeing the scene in the hall.

In the very center of the hall stood Theresa, whom she had only known for less than half a day, and Raiden Mei, whom she had been longing to see. So far, everything was fine.

But could someone tell her why there was someone standing next to them who looked exactly like her?

Upon closer inspection, besides them, in a corner of the hall, there seemed to be two more people who looked exactly like her aunt.

One was dressed in a somewhat Shenzhou-style ancient costume, while the other was dressed in a rather childlike... uh, magical girl outfit.

Right, the person who opened the door just now...

She turned her gaze, then froze upon seeing the horned “Raiden Mei,” a trickle of drool dripping from her lips.

This... this is Mei?

Wait, wasn't Mei next to her?

Then who is she?

She looks exactly like Mei. Is she Mei's older sister?

So... so beautiful. What a cool older sister.

That face. That figure. That eyeshadow. Those imposing horns.

AWSL!

Is this... is this heaven!?

“...”

Looking at the lecherous expression on the Kiana from three years ago, Herrscher of Thunder - Raiden Mei's lips twitched involuntarily.

To be honest, the moment she saw this Kiana, she secretly felt a little... dokidoki.

Because, in her memory, the person who forcibly pulled her from endless darkness during the Third Eruption was practically identical to the Kiana standing before her.

However...

She recalled the bravery, fearlessness, and strength Kiana displayed three years ago when facing her out-of-control self, and her unwavering determination to never abandon her.

Looking at the drooling Kiana before her, she felt her entire worldview crumble.

The difference in appearance was just too much.

…No, no. This Kiana wasn't the one she knew. Given that the Store Manager had contained the Third Eruption, it wasn't so strange that this Kiana from three years ago was behaving like this... well, cute.

Herrscher of Thunder - Raiden Mei knew Kiana quite well.

In a crisis, Kiana was an incredibly reliable ally. Facing enemies, Herrscher of Thunder - Raiden Mei could completely entrust her back to her.

But in peacetime, Kiana's unreliability and laziness would immediately increase exponentially.

Fortunately, although Kiana's behavior had become extremely unreliable under the “peacetime” debuff, she hadn't yet built a deep bond with Raiden Mei. She was merely lusting after her body.

Fighting alone, without an external brain, her mind hadn't completely given out. After sending a few messages to Herrscher of Thunder - Raiden Mei, this Kiana from three years ago, before experiencing her Third Eruption, finally managed to regain her rationality and thinking ability.

However, regaining her thinking ability wasn't something to be thankful for for the current Kiana.

Because immediately, she realized that compared to people she'd only recently met like Raiden Mei and Theresa, and several others she didn't know at all, the “other version of herself” standing in the lobby was the one she needed to pay the most attention to.

Wh... what's going on?

Why is there another version of herself in this shop?

No... no, that’s not right. Kiana shook her head. Although at first glance, the person standing in the center of the hall looked exactly the same as her, the one from three years ago was clearly older.

“...”

The moment she realized this, a slight throbbing pain flashed through her brain.

Memories from years ago suddenly crossed time and space, appearing before her eyes.

She recalled her childhood experiences. When her father took her away from Schicksal, it seems there really was... someone who looked almost exactly like her, but was slightly older.

“Sister... older sister?”

Almost subconsciously, she uttered the two words that had surfaced deep in her mind.

“Huh?”

Kiana in the hall paused, glancing around before pointing uncertainly to herself.

"Sister... sister? Are you calling me?”

After a moment's hesitation, she shook her head.

“Sorry, you've misunderstood. I'm not your sister.”

“Then how come you look exactly like me?!” The Kiana from three years ago stared wide-eyed, her face filled with disbelief.

For some reason, the instant the other denied being her “sister,” an indescribable chill ran down her spine.

If this person wasn't her sister, then she could only be—

The throbbing pain in her mind intensified.

A grotesque image flashed before her eyes: in a cold, inorganic steel cage, countless figures identical to “herself” were haphazardly piled together like trash.

They couldn't think, they couldn't move. Their bodies were dissolving from their feet. They turned their heads, staring at her with eyes filled with blood and tears.

At the top of them, a figure with golden eyes stared back, a cruel and insane smile twisting its lips.

She slightly parted her mouth, her lips shifting—

—Welcome  My Awakening—

—My Other Half—

Under the guidance of the “Herrscher persona” within Kiana, which had only awakened the previous night, past images violently surfaced.

Memories surged forth like a dam bursting, trampling through her mind like a herd of wild horses: memories of the laboratory, the first time she opened her eyes, the countless experimental subjects who collapsed shortly after birth due to genetic defects, the memory of being taken out of the laboratory by her “sister”—all the buried memories became clear with the guidance of the “Herrscher persona.”

----

Chapter 107: A Rushing Forward

Those truths that shouldn't have been known to Kiana at this time violently awakened.

She wasn't a real person, but an experimental subject created by cloning technology, designated K423.

Before her, 422 other subjects like her had been created, but all died silently during the experiments.

Memories of those subjects' deaths, the scene of Siegfried and her “sister” escaping with her, the memory of her “sister's” transport ship being shot down in a moment of danger, the memory of forcibly severing Siegfried's arm on the eve of his departure, and the memory of killing more than a dozen soldiers who came to capture her when she was overcome with fear...

For a long time, Kiana believed she had no memories before the age of eight. Siegfried told her that she had been in a very serious accident, in which she suffered a head injury and lost all her past memories.

However, for Herrschers, beings with two consciousness storage organs, in addition to the brain, the Herrscher Core located within their bodies could also record everything they had experienced.

The terrifying memories engulfed Kiana's personal consciousness like a vast ocean.

Logically, without external stimulation, Kiana's Herrscher Persona shouldn't have awakened so suddenly.

However, due to her encounter with Siegfried the previous night, her Herrscher Persona had already staged a rebellion.

Athough the final result of that rebellion was that the Store Manager forcibly suppressed the Herrscher Persona with a flick to the forehead, just like the Kiana from Arc City, whose Herrscher Persona remained ready to seize her body even after being controlled by the Godslayer Spear and her mentor, the Herrscher Persona within this Kiana from three years ago also went dormant after its rebellion.

Now, through the scene presented to Kiana in this special café, through suggestion, the Herrscher Persona within Kiana allowed some of the memories stored in the Herrscher Core to flow back into her brain.

As Kiana's individual consciousness was completely consumed by those terrifying memories, her Herrscher transformation was completed in an instant.

The three-years-ago-Kiana's sudden loss of control didn't escape the attention of the others in the café. Kiana and Raiden Mei, standing deep in the hall, both subtly changed their expressions.

Although their appearances hadn't changed yet, the restless aura emanating from her made it clear to Kiana, who had had a similar experience, and Raiden Mei, who had witnessed the same thing happen to Kiana, that the Kiana standing at the door had had her body usurped by the Herrscher of the Void.

Even faster than them was Herrscher of Thunder - Raiden Mei.

Almost the instant Kiana completed her Herrscher transformation at the door, Herrscher of Thunder - Raiden Mei immediately reached out for her neck, her movements as swift as lightning—

However, her outstretched hand grasped at empty air.

A deep spatial wormhole swallowed Herrscher of Thunder - Raiden Mei's outstretched hand. Kiana, whose pupils instantly turned golden, coldly glanced at the grim-faced Herrscher of Thunder - Raiden Mei, her tone chilling.

“—Traitor!”

The instant the words fell, several golden chains surged forth from the depths of the hall.

Although Herrscher of Thunder - Raiden Mei, who was closest to the Herrscher of the Void, reacted a beat slower, Theresa, after all, was a top-tier Valkyrie worthy of an S-rank title. The moment she realized Kiana in her world had suddenly gone out of control, she immediately called for her Judah.

A golden cross fanned out with a series of metallic clanging sounds, and golden spears of light sprang from its center.

Without hesitation, Theresa drew Judah's spear of light, braced her legs, and with a series of explosive sounds, her small body shot toward the door like a cannonball.

At the same time, Kiana and Raiden Mei who were standing in the hall, along with Rita who was not far from the kitchen, immediately followed Theresa to provide support.

Although they were not from the same world, Kiana, who had lost control just a few months prior; Raiden Mei, who had witnessed Kiana lose control; and Rita, who came from the same world as them, all abandoned any consideration of their “different worlds,” driven by empathy and their sense of responsibility as Valkyries.

A Herrscher had lost control before their very eyes. That alone was enough reason for them to act.

However, despite the Herrscher of the Void being surrounded by several people in the café, she was able to resolve the crisis with a single action.

She cast a cold glance at the four pursuers, then a murderous glare at the helpless magical girl Sirin, her face contorted with hatred and killing intent. Instead of acting impulsively, she unhesitatingly took a step back toward the café door, a cruel and mocking smile playing on her lips.

Ever since being jolted awake by Siegfried last night, the Herrscher persona within Kiana had been plotting to seize control of her body again.

Although she, like Kiana, had lost her memories of the café and its Store Manager from the previous night, she had not forgotten that she had once successfully taken over Kiana’s body, only to be inexplicably forced back down.

As a Herrscher wielding the power of the void, she immediately sensed the café’s peculiarity.

The space within this café did not belong to the real world. While it welcomed people from different worlds, those people could not use the café to travel to other worlds.

In this café, she saw a “shell” of herself from another world, that of Kiana from Arc City. This “shell,” from a different world, not only had "another her" uppressed, but even the powers originally stored within her body were completely stripped away.

The Herrscher of the Void would not allow herself to end up in the same predicament as the “self” within that body.

Therefore, despite being filled with murderous intent and hatred toward the magical girl Sirin in the café, she made the correct choice in that instant.

The moment the Herrscher of the Void left the café, everyone who had pursued her, except for Theresa, who belonged to the same world, changed their expressions.

Herrscher of Thunder—Raiden Mei, closest to the café door, was the first to rush out, followed closely by Theresa’s cannonball-like figure.

In the next second, Herrscher of Thunder—Raiden Mei retreated back into the café, her face ashen, while Theresa’s figure completely disappeared from everyone’s sight.

“No, I cannot catch up with her,” Herrscher of Thunder—Raiden Mei said in a low voice.

Kiana and Raiden Mei, who had rushed to the door right behind Theresa, also showed grim expressions after hearing her words.

“You too…?” Kiana whispered.

“Ah, the door to this café completely separates our worlds. From outside, I can only see the Elysian Realm,” Herrscher of Thunder—Raiden Mei said, her expression grim. “Is it the same for you?”

“Yes. From my perspective, outside is the outskirts of Arc City. Mei should be the same,” Kiana said, her expression also somewhat unpleasant.

Although Theresa possessed the power of an S-rank Valkyrie, Kiana, as a fellow Herrscher of the Void, knew very well that in terms of mobility alone, even she, who had not fully mastered her powers, was no match for Theresa. If the Herrscher of the Void was determined to escape, Theresa would find it almost impossible to catch her.

Rita’s expression was more serious than ever. She turned to the long-haired “herself” and spoke softly. “If we ‘outsiders’ cannot handle it, could we ask these ‘staff’ for help?”

Although they, as outsiders, could not use this café to cross different worlds, Rita clearly remembered that when she led the Immortal Blades team to surround this café in Arc City, that “another her,” elegant like a dancer yet mysterious and dangerous like a witch, could ignore the barriers between worlds and personally come to her world, easily defeating all the Immortal Blades team members one by one.

Not only that long-haired “her,” but the café’s Store Manager had also gone to Nagazora City to control Raiden Mei and Kiana, whose bodies had been taken over by the Herrscher persona, forcibly awakening their human side.

Upon hearing Rita’s proposal, the two Meis and one Kiana standing at the door all turned their gazes toward Kongming and the others.

However, before Kiana could ask for help, Bronie suddenly spoke.

“Let’s save our energy and just wait here.”

She raised her palm and tapped the air in front of her a few times.

A semi-transparent virtual screen unfolded. Bronie casually glanced at the scene on the screen and spoke in a nonchalant tone.

“We don’t need to lift a finger. That guy will not be able to keep going for more than a few minutes.”

“?”

The Herrschers and Valkyries standing at the door were stunned and exchanged bewildered glances.

----

Outside the café, in late 2013, Nagazora City.

Theresa’s situation was indeed as Kiana had guessed.

After rushing out of the café, Theresa’s expression immediately turned grim. The Herrscher of the Void had appeared in a flash, seven or eight hundred meters above the ground, visible only as a tiny dot from below.

At this altitude, even an S-rank Valkyrie like Theresa could not close the distance instantly on foot. Although her Oath of Judah granted her flight capabilities, she knew that with Judah’s speed, capturing a Herrscher of the Void capable of spatial teleportation at will would be extremely difficult.

Unless… Judah’s 0th power was forcibly unleashed.

The 0th power of the Grace Field, in terms of its effective range alone, spanned several kilometers. If the Grace Field were fully unleashed, capturing a Herrscher of the Void at an altitude of approximately 700 meters would not be difficult.

However, firstly, Grace Field is an indiscriminate ability; within its range, even Theresa herself is greatly affected.

During the Second Honkai War, she used this ability against Sirin, the Herrscher of the Void at that time. While Sirin was indeed rendered completely unable to resist, at close range, Theresa could not guarantee her body could withstand the restraint of this power and still travel that distance.

Secondly, the current Herrscher of the Void is using Kiana’s body. If her power were instantly stripped away, causing her to fall 700 meters, Theresa could not guarantee that Kiana would not die instantly from the fall without Honkai power.

Fortunately, perhaps unable to suppress her urge to mock her enemy, the Herrscher of the Void, while maintaining distance, did not immediately retreat.

From afar, Theresa could see the Herrscher of the Void wearing Kiana’s face, her expression filled with utter mockery and disdain.

“Hmph, so weak, so insignificant, so overestimating yourself—”

“More than ten years have passed, and you have not improved a single bit.”

Her golden pupils were filled with ecstatic joy at revenge and chilling sarcasm.

“What? Trying to stop me? Trying to take this little girl back?”

“Enough talk. This body does not belong to you!” Theresa said sternly, her eyes subtly glancing behind her.

While Kiana and the others in the café could not see what was happening on her side, Theresa could clearly see the scene inside and hear their conversation.

These Meis and Kianas from other worlds were unable to travel between worlds through this café. She had indeed seen Herrscher of Thunder—Raiden Mei, who had rushed out before her, suddenly disappear from her sight.

Clearly, when they passed through the door, they arrived in different worlds.

But why did they say the Herrscher of the Void would not be around for long?

With this question in mind, Theresa raised her head solemnly and refocused her gaze into the air.

Suddenly, a look of astonishment crossed her face.

Perhaps mistaking Theresa’s astonished expression for helplessness, the Herrscher of the Void, floating in midair, continued to vent her disdain with an arrogant grin, hurling one insult after another:

“Ridiculous. This body is a vessel created for me by greedy humans, a sacrifice prepared for my birth. It has always belonged to me from the beginning.”

“Heh, does it feel heartbreaking? So tragic? Do you not want to accept reality? Unfortunately, this is the truth, the undeniable truth. What I want to see is your expression filled with despair. What? Are you prepared to risk your life here for a mere counterfeit?”

“Unfortunately, an ant is an ant. Your death throes will only hasten your demise. Four years ago, I killed those obstructive Valkyries. Now, your fate will be the same as theirs.”

“Hmm, the memories in this body tell me that you seem to have built an academy? Heh… Hahahaha, then I will start with those students who know nothing! I will tell them that it was because of you, the academy headmaster, that they died at my hands. I will record their cries and despair. I will not kill them immediately; I will heal their bodies while piercing them again and again, and let you hear the hatred and curses those students hurl at you in their agony… I will—”

“…,” Theresa stared blankly at the Herrscher of the Void rambling in midair, her lips trembling slightly.

“What is wrong? Trying to beg for mercy?” the Herrscher of the Void sneered.

“No. I just wanted you to look behind you,” Theresa spoke blankly.

“Ha, you think I would believe you?” the Herrscher of the Void laughed loudly. “I—”

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through the back of her head. Her consciousness, struck by a sudden violent shock, plunged helplessly into darkness.

A large blue Dudu expressionlessly held up her knight’s lance and caught the Herrscher of the Void as she fell unconscious.

She grabbed Kiana by the back of her collar and spoke calmly.

“You talk too much.”

----

Chapter 108: Mutual Backstabbing in the Immortal Blades 

Bianka · Durandal · Dudu · Ataegina.

As a Valkyrie who strives to become the strongest and whose ultimate goal is to completely banish Honkai, Durandal had never harbored romantic feelings for anyone in her previous life. Aside from seeing human anatomy in physiology books, she had never encountered anything inappropriate.

Although Durandal does not comment on other people’s relationships and, if circumstances allow, would not mind offering her blessings to couples in love, as a Valkyrie with a strong sense of responsibility, she has no intention or interest in being in a relationship until Honkai is completely eradicated.

Schicksal is a militarized organization whose members are predominantly Valkyries. The Valkyrie ranks are primarily composed of those with implanted artificial Stigmata and those born with them.

Valkyries who willingly undergo artificial Stigmata implantation often suffer from Honkai calamities and are willing to shorten their lifespans to fight Honkai to the death. Those born with Stigmata mostly belong to family clans originally established to combat Honkai.

Both types, after joining Schicksal and undergoing militarized training, easily develop a deep admiration for power. For them, men without power are not considered viable partners, making them prone to sexual harassment.

Durandal, the strongest Valkyrie in Schicksal, upright and exceptionally composed, is regarded as a “lesbian goddess” within the Valkyrie community.

Although Durandal was slow to notice, she could not resist the constant stream of love letters from Valkyries. Even though Rita intercepted most of them, some still slipped through and ended up in strange places.

To reject these troubling feelings, Durandal built an impenetrable wall around her heart. However, she never imagined that this seemingly unbreakable defense would be so easily breached.

Pah! What a joke—!!!

I refuse to admit it!

I… I have not even farmed any beginner monsters! I have not done anything like that! Even if I saw others running dungeons, I did not actually participate in those multiplayer dungeons!

Feeling wronged, upset, and frustrated that she could not vent these feelings to anyone, these complex emotions mingled together, immediately plunging Durandal into a state akin to “furious rage” shortly after leaving the coffee shop.

Durandal was the kind of person who adhered strictly to her principles.

Although she was initially angered and humiliated, after reading the Store Manager’s mind and learning the whole story, she found it difficult to genuinely feel angry at him.

The Store Manager of that café embodied the rules of the Sea of Quanta. He integrated the order of the Sea of Quanta and the Bubble World, making those worlds, which should have been as fragile as bubbles, resistant to the Sea of Quanta’s corruption.

While this did not make the lifespan of the Bubble Worlds infinite, their lifespans, no longer subject to that corruption, were extended significantly. For the lifeforms within them, there was even an opportunity to explore beyond their own worlds by developing their existing technology and power.

This was undoubtedly a magnificent achievement worthy of admiration. As a Valkyrie who upheld the ideal of “fighting for all that is good in the world,” Durandal did not hesitate to offer her highest respect to the Store Manager.

However, it was precisely because the Store Manager had unified the rules of the Sea of Quanta…

…that the Bubble World within her was uncontrollably drawn to him.

And completely brought under the control of his “rules.”

If it were only this, Durandal would not have complained. While she had indeed gained considerable benefits from the Bubble World and acquired the power to move freely within the Sea of Quanta through it, she also bore responsibility for the life and death of that entire world.

The Bubble World was now under the jurisdiction of the Store Manager’s rules, something Durandal was actually pleased about, because it meant that even if she could not accept the “branches” from the “tree” as originally planned, the Bubble World would not be at risk of destruction.

The problem was that because the Bubble World had become one with her body, after it was completely controlled by the Store Manager, even she fell under his control.

Completely.

Durandal was utterly devastated.

But she could not be angry with the Store Manager.

So her pent-up anger immediately turned toward the Honkai incidents erupting around the world.

From the moment she left the café, Durandal relentlessly quelled Honkai incidents, large and small, throughout Nagazora City.

She smashed Honkai beasts one by one, twisted off the heads of zombies, and even accidentally collapsed several buildings in the process.

Even Overseer Otto, who commanded her from Schicksal headquarters, was sweating, wondering whether this strongest Valkyrie was going through a rebellious phase and whether Rita should talk to her.

Movement is the source of life.

After eliminating most of the Honkai incidents in the surrounding area, Durandal’s mood finally began to ease somewhat.

Although her situation of being completely controlled by the Store Manager remained unchanged, she believed that as long as she stayed away from him, that feeling of being “completely controlled” would not affect her.

However, just as Durandal’s mood improved and she had this thought, a sudden force acted upon her, making her realize she was wrong.

The Sea of Quanta was vast.

As the embodiment of its rules, how could the Store Manager’s influence be blocked by mere physical distance?

In the next second, realizing what that force was compelling her to do, Durandal’s face turned pale.

She did not understand what the Store Manager was doing.

But that force told her that the Store Manager had started "farming dungeons" again, and because there were not enough bosses and the material drops were insufficient, "another boss" was needed to increase the drop rate.

Along with this force came an overwhelming urge to enter battle.

In less than half a second, to meet that demand and fulfill that subconscious command, her body was forcibly adjusted to a state identical to those bosses, ready to accept the Store Manager’s judgment at any moment.

Durandal was numb.

She was completely stunned.

A wave of indescribable shame washed over her, along with an almost unbearable sense of humiliation and indignation.

Wait, you just finished a dungeon run last night, less than a day ago, how are you out of materials again?!

And more importantly, does your café not have bosses?! And so many ready for you to farm! If you need materials, go farm them!!!

No matter how frantic she became, as the vessel of the Bubble World and completely subject to the Store Manager’s rules, she had no way to resist the coercive force imposed upon her.

Thus, Durandal could only fly back to Nagazora City without stopping, casually knocking out the arrogant individual who claimed he would brutally attack St. Freya Academy with a single strike, then carrying the unconscious Kiana back to the ground.

“D… Durandal…?”

Seeing Durandal carrying Kiana like a small animal, Theresa swallowed hard, feeling somewhat guilty.

“Why did you suddenly come?”

To be honest, having only recently met Kiana, even knowing from another world’s Kiana that she was not the original Kiana but a Herrscher of the Void created using her genes, Theresa was not mentally prepared to face everything.

Looking at Durandal’s serious expression, as if suppressing something, she wondered what to do.

Given Durandal’s status as a formidable opponent and her meticulous nature, would she report Kiana’s situation directly to Schicksal headquarters?

If her grandfather found out, he would likely order Durandal to forcibly take Kiana back.

Just as Theresa was trying to figure out how to retrieve Kiana from Durandal, she realized that Durandal wasn't leaving.

After landing, Durandal nodded expressionlessly to Theresa as a greeting, then walked into the Hyperion café.

When the Valkyries and Herrschers at the door saw Durandal carrying Kiana inside, they were stunned.

“Hmm… Lord Durandal?”

Rita was stunned.

Looking at Durandal in the doorway, a trace of panic appeared on her face.

“W-why are you here?”

An indescribable sense of guilt washed over her.

Before arriving at this café, both she and Durandal from their world had suffered unprecedented and crushing defeats against the leader of the World Serpent.

While Durandal had at least put up some resistance before her crushing defeat, she, also an S-rank Valkyrie, could not even muster a decent fight against the World Serpent’s leader.

Since joining Schicksal, Rita’s life had been remarkably smooth sailing. Even though she knew there was a gap between herself and Durandal, as one of the world’s top fighters, Rita was inherently proud.

However, that pride was easily shattered before the World Serpent’s leader.

This was the first time Rita realized just how vast the gap truly was between herself and the highest echelons of this world.

If she could not find a way to bridge these gaps, then the next time Lady Durandal faced an enemy on par with the World Serpent leader, she would still be as powerless as she was today, utterly unable to even offer a helping hand.

She had never experienced such powerlessness and helplessness before. Like a bird pierced by a hunter’s arrow, no matter how hard it flapped its wings, it could not change its fate; it could do nothing.

Rita did not want to experience that feeling of powerlessness again.

Therefore, she needed power—the power to stand by Durandal’s side when she stepped onto the battlefield.

She quickly recalled another crushing defeat she had just suffered—

the defeat she had suffered outside that mysterious café, facing the young Store Manager who could easily seize and control the Herrscher’s powers, and that dangerous and mysterious “herself.”

As the world’s largest anti-Honkai organization, Schicksal’s technical level is undoubtedly the highest. Logically, during her time as a Valkyrie, Schicksal should have provided the optimal, most scientific, and most power-enhancing training. Yet despite this, she was utterly powerless against “herself” from another world, losing inexplicably and repeatedly.

Rita was not the type to make excuses for defeat, so even though the loss was inexplicable, she immediately understood that “herself” from another world was far stronger.

Since the other was also “Rita Rossweisse,” it meant that the power the other wielded was equally suited to her.

This café could grant her greater power and the qualification to fight alongside Lord Durandal.

For this, Rita was willing to pay any price, even if it meant falling into darkness.

Although she had spent so much time in this café, Rita had not found an opportunity to be alone with the Store Manager or her long-haired self, and naturally had not yet made any requests of them. However, she knew that the moment she stepped into the café, she was mentally prepared to pay a price in exchange for power from this magical place.

Rita had somewhat anticipated that so-called “price.”

The Store Manager of this café and her long-haired self from another world had a romantic relationship—or even a relationship beyond that.

Last night, due to her reckless decision, the Immortal Blades team clashed head-on with this café, suffering a complete defeat. Afterwards, her long-haired self presented her with a price she could not refuse.

------

Chapter 109: Pincer Attack

Heaven knows how much shame, anger, and panic Rita felt when she experienced that feeling of being utterly 'routed.'

Because that power of empathy not only allowed her to fully experience the objective tactile sensations the other person was enduring, but also completely absorbed their thoughts after being controlled, defeated, and broken down—thoughts like “He’s so powerful!”, “I’m about to break down!”, “I’m going to C-!”, “I’m going to be captured by him!”, “I want him to be my trainer!”, “I want my trainer to be proud of me!”

As a fellow Rita Rossweisse, she immediately understood the purpose behind the long-haired “herself” in using that “empathy” ability on her.

She knew very well what kind of person “she” was.

If she fell in love with someone, she would dedicate her entire being to that person. She would do anything for them, hoping they would understand her feelings. If they misunderstood, she would do everything in her power to clear it up.

Perhaps the long-haired “her” somehow learned of her affection for Lady Durandal.

To prevent the Store Manager from being misled by the relationship between this “other her” and Lady Durandal, the long-haired “self” warned her in this way.

Either she should never appear before them again, or if she did, she must be prepared to sever ties with Lady Durandal.

Otherwise, next time, she would not use such a simple method as “empathy.”

“If you dare show your face in front of me and the Store Manager again, I’ll turn you into the Store Manager’s possession too”—though not explicitly stated, Rita clearly understood the unspoken message from her other “self’s” actions.

However, the long-haired Rita at the time probably never imagined that in the near future, the Rita she had just warned would suffer such a helpless and crushing defeat.

To avoid experiencing that powerlessness and helplessness again, Rita, choosing to re-enter the café, was mentally prepared to accept this unspoken message.

But Rita also truly did not expect that she would suddenly bump into Lord Durandal on the eve of becoming the Store Manager’s possession.

“Rita?!”

While Rita’s heart stopped due to indescribable guilt and panic, Durandal, who suddenly saw Rita, was also shocked.

Although she had seen another long-haired Rita in this café the previous night, the mysterious aura emanating from that long-haired Rita was vastly different from her adjutant’s. Moreover, at this very moment, that long-haired Rita was also standing in a corner of the hall, so the “Rita” standing before her was indeed the adjutant she knew.

Upon suddenly encountering her adjutant, Durandal stammered, her face contorted with confusion.

“You… why are you here?”

Her trembling voice betrayed an unconcealable guilty conscience.

Since leaving this café this morning, Durandal had been consciously avoiding her adjutant.

Because just last night, before the dungeon where a player soloed multiple bosses began, the long-haired Rita had bluntly stated that “her adjutant was in love with her.”

Putting aside whether Durandal could accept grinding tofu with her adjutant, even if she could, after knowing that Rita most likely had ulterior motives toward her, and having witnessed the entire series of battles, how could she possibly dare to appear before Rita?

Although she believed her views on relationships were normal and she had no intention of engaging in anything unethical like homosexuality, the person suspected of having ulterior motives toward her was, after all, Rita, someone she had known for a long time. Even if she did not have romantic feelings for Rita, there was still a bond of comradeship.

With Rita seemingly liking her, and her just watching the Store Manager "grind for dungeon materials"…

…Just thinking about it made the naturally upright and kind Durandal feel dizzy.

Durandal’s incredibly guilty reaction completely stunned Rita.

The panic on her face quickly turned into suspicion.

Was there something wrong with her being here?

Last night, she seems to have already reported this café to Lady Durandal, right?

…No.

Rita quickly realized.

As the lieutenant of the Un-Immortal Blades, she always played a role similar to a “strategist” within the Un-Immortal Blades team.

So after a brief moment of shock, Rita immediately realized that the “Durandal” before her was not from the same world as herself, but from the same world three years ago—the world of Theresa and the Herrscher of the Void whom she controlled.

But why was Lady Durandal from three years ago in this café?

And why was she alone?

Where was the “Rita” from that world? Why was she not with her?

Did she know that Lady Durandal was in this café?

And… why was Lord Durandal so guilty?

A series of questions made Rita’s heart skip a beat.

Although there was no reason, she instinctively felt a rather ominous premonition, and a strange heaviness settled over her.

…No, as a proper maid, it was unforgivable to doubt her master.

Besides, no matter what, that was Lord Durandal.

Rita knew Durandal’s nature well; she knew better than anyone how oblivious she was.

No matter how she thought about it, Rita found it hard to imagine Durandal falling in love.

Calm down, calm down.

Forcibly suppressing that ominous premonition, Rita’s face revealed her usual composed smile.

She bowed slightly to Durandal:

“Excuse me, Lord Durandal. Let me introduce myself. I am Rita from 2017—three years in the future for you.”

“Three years in the future?”

Durandal’s expression changed slightly.

This café has the ability to travel through time?

Just as she was about to ask the “Rita” before her further questions, her expression changed without warning.

“Ugh…”

Her upright and dignified face, under the subtle gazes of the crowd, suddenly looked like she was subjected to a powerful attack from nowhere, becoming fiercely combative and radiating an overwhelming aura.

Her legs, stomping on the ground, cracked the wooden floorboards.

Although the force exerted on her body was not hindered by physical distance, once the distance closed, the previously relatively indistinct voice suddenly became crystal clear.

[Enemy data collected, net-closing marker activated. Now, it’s time for a delightful counterattack!]

[Penetrating the ice!!]

[The combat experience needs optimization!]

[Disappear from the sea of butterflie—! The phantoms of the past!]

[Swift as the wind!]

[Soaring to the heavens!]

[Flame Lance Charge!!]

[This speed? Too slow!]

[Double speed??]

[The wind is rising! Cloudkites, formation! Bolt from the blue!!]

[Just this one arrow!]

[Everything in this World is fleeting!]

Fleeting—?? Wh-what fleeting?!

“…!!”

Suddenly, with the unfolding of a powerful healing force, the abundant energy instantly restored Durandal’s health, completely immersing her body in warmth.

Following this was an unprecedented exhaustion.

The sudden loss of all strength caused Durandal’s legs to buckle.

She gasped for breath and half-knelt, dragging Kiana, whose eyes were bulging like mosquito coils, down with a thud onto the wooden floor of the hall.

In the hall, Kiana from Arc City stared, her eyes twitching at the sight of her other “self’s” forehead making intimate contact with the floor, a phantom pain shooting through her forehead.

Rita, meanwhile, stared dumbfounded at the reaction of this Durandal from three years ago, as if she had been suddenly subdued by a powerful Elite Four member. She opened her mouth, then abruptly turned her gaze toward the shop assistants.

Her face darkened more than ever before, her voice low and menacing.

"What… what did you do to this world’s Durandal?”

If she still could not see that Durandal’s reaction was extremely strange at this point, she might as well just go find a block of tofu and kill herself.

At the other end of the café, the staff showed little surprise.

Rita, her long hair flowing, stepped forward, her face radiating composure.

“I regret to inform you that our answer may disappoint you.” She chuckled softly, her tone ambiguous, a mix of regret and sarcasm.

“The strange state of this Miss Durandal was not something we intentionally created.”

“Impossible!”

Rita retorted without hesitation.

Although reason told her that showing hostility toward the café was the wrong move, the thought of Durandal from three years ago unknowingly trapped in the Store Manager’s Poké Ball in that world sent a chill down her spine.

Reason vanished from her mind.

"Without your coercion, Lady Durandal would never have appeared in such a wretched… so adorable state!”

What were you trying to say? Wretched, right?! You even used the word “wretched”!

Durandal was practically in tears.

“No, Rita, you’ve got it all wrong—!!”

Before she could even utter a few words, the words she was about to say were abruptly cut short by the relentless, uninterrupted "barrage of attacks", turning into a weak, pitiful wail.

Rita turned her head in a daze. “L… Lord Durandal?”

“No, no, that wasn’t me…!!”

[Reappears!]

[I’ll give you a quick death sooner!]

[This speed? Too slow!]

Durandal: “???????"

Wait! Didn’t you already finish? Why is it your turn again!

“Cheating, huh?! Report! I’m reporting this! It’s unfair!

[Flame Lance! Charge!!!]

At the entrance, Kiana, Raiden Mei, and Fu Hua, floating in mid-air, watched Durandal who was completely immobilized by an unknown relentless attacks with subtle glances, shaking their heads with a sigh.

Herrscher of Thunder - Raiden Mei asked with a puzzled expression

“Do you know what’s going on with Durandal?”

“I guess… I guess I do.” Raiden Mei wore a conflicted expression, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.

Last night, when Durandal suddenly barged into this café, they were all there, so besides Durandal herself and a few café staff members, the three of them were actually the ones who understood the situation best.

Due to an accident, Durandal who had entered the second floor of the café qas now under the complete control of the Store Manager—a fact that even Durandal herself acknowledged.

However, the outcome of this unexpected event left them all somewhat… unable to comment.

Feeling the shy, scrutinizing, sorrowful, or even sighing gazes from the people in the coffee shop, Durandal, feeling utterly ashamed and indignant, suddenly felt an unprecedented surge of strength.

She realized that if she did not put up effective resistance and if the information was revealed in front of everyone, she would probably never be able to hold her head high again.

So, amidst the rising tide of energy, Durandal, her face already flushed red, stood up. Her azure eyes were filled with an unprecedented fighting spirit.

"I'm going to your second floor."

She spoke through gritted teeth.

"Don't stop me."

"..."

The shop assistants were silent for a moment. They exchanged glances and, without prior arrangement, made way for Durandal to go up to the second floor.

“Wait, Lady Durandal! What are you trying to do?”

Rita suddenly blocked Durandal's path.

"You might not know, but the Store Manager of this café is doing something on the second floor… something only couples do. If you go up there now…”

“…I know what he’s doing! I saw it with my own eyes last night!” Durandal said through gritted teeth.

“Wh—” Rita froze.

“Move aside, Rita, please,” Durandal spoke softly. “I’m… losing control.”

“Does your Rita know all this?” Rita asked softly, feeling a tightness in her chest.

“…”

Durandal did not answer.

But for Rita, it was already an answer in itself.

“One last question…” Rita took a deep breath, her expression somber.

“Were you… doing this willingly?”

“…”

How should she answer this question?

A flicker of confusion crossed Durandal's eyes.

She definitely did not want to say it was voluntary.

After all, she and the Store Manager had only known each other for less than a day.

According to her views on relationships, that kind of thing should only be done after a deep understanding.

But the problem was that, objectively speaking, she did not want to casually end this completely controlled relationship, because it involved the survival of the entire Bubble World.

Rita stared directly into Durandal's eyes, a hint of understanding flashing within them.

Neither willing nor wanting to end this relationship with the Store Manager?

In that case, their positions were on the same side.

Rita took a deep breath. Having found common ground with the Durandal of three-years-ago, she made up her mind.

"I'll go with you."

The two members of Immortal Blades from different worlds united, entering the second-floor stairwell one after the other.

——————————————————

Hyperion Cafe, second-floor bedroom.

The moment the bedroom door was suddenly pushed open, Raiden Mei and the Store Manager were nearly scared out of their wits.

"Ah! Who! Who is it?!" Raiden Mei screamed in terror.

"Holy crap—! You guys, pfft—!"

Before the Store Manager could even scramble to his feet in panic, a powerful attack suddenly came from behind.

-----

Chapter 110: Rita in Action in 2013

Durandal and Rita, these two from different timelines yet both captain and vice-captain of the Immortal Blades squad, displayed a powerful synergy that transcended time and space at this moment.

To be honest, although their reasons differed, when they arrived at the second-floor bedroom, these two S-rank Valkyries from different worlds harbored some resentment toward the Store Manager of this café.

It would be strange if they were not resentful. One of them had just inexplicably become the Store Manager's personal property, while the other had watched helplessly as her beloved from a different world became his possession.

Under these circumstances, the fact that they had not been completely consumed by raging anger was probably a testament to the remarkable restraint and rationality of these two S-rank Valkyries.

Even so, when they stormed into the second-floor bedroom filled with resentment, upon seeing the Store Manager's expression—a mixture of astonishment, confusion, and a touch of shock and anger—the two S-rank Valkyries from different worlds simultaneously felt their hearts skip a beat.

While they found it difficult to comment on the Store Manager's philandering nature, they had to admit that, in terms of appearance alone, this Store Manager, who looked even younger than them, was undeniably their type.

In a sense, humans are perhaps such superficial creatures, quite superficial in their judgment of appearance. They might be filled with resentment before barging into the bedroom, but the moment they have the first opportunity to scrutinize the Store Manager's face, all that resentment vanishes.

In a sense, Rita Rossweisse is not only an incurable lolicon but also an incurable looks-obsessed person.

Even before meeting Durandal, whose name was then "Bianka," Rita, having never met him and only seen his file, genuinely considered him her "master" to follow for life.

Therefore, despite her seemingly rational approach and cold, detached demeanor, as one Kiana remarked, Rita Rossweisse is actually quite impulsive and easily swayed by her emotions.

—In other words, a woman with a "love-struck" mind.

No wonder the "self" from another world was attracted to this Store Manager… Rita, her wine-red eyes reflecting his young face, blushed slightly as she observed him up close for the first time and silently thought to herself.

From a male perspective, the Store Manager of this café is the type easily liked by women. Rita, being easily captivated by good looks, found herself caught in the sparks that flew between these two factors. The initial resentment and frustration of being cheated on quietly dissipated, replaced by a guilty conscience, as if she had betrayed Durandal.

Compared to Rita, whose mind seemed completely tangled, Durandal, with her straightforward nature, did not have as many complicated emotions.

Although Durandal felt a sense of guilt after learning of Rita's possible feelings for her, this guilt stemmed from her kind heart, not from any infidelity.

Given Durandal's kind nature, she genuinely could not bear to watch this kind of situation with its hints of infidelity.

However, she was not like Rita.

She felt only pure camaraderie and close friendship toward Rita, without any romantic feelings beyond that.

Her views on love were pure and aligned with conventional values. Durandal was never one to tolerate infidelity, so while she felt apologetic toward Rita, given the chance, she was actually prepared to resolutely sever Rita's ties to her.

However, before she could put her idea into action, an unexpected event placed them both in the Store Manager's grasp.

Durandal was an extremely competitive and unwilling-to-give-up person.

Having made up her mind, she preferred to take the initiative rather than be suppressed.

This was the direct reason she suddenly launched an attack on the Store Manager.

Leaving aside the ulterior motives of Durandal and Rita while also ignoring the Store Manager who was somewhat bewildered by the two non-Immortal Blades Valkyries, we will leave that aside for now.

At the very bottom, Raiden Mei, after her initial panic, was on the verge of exploding.

No!

What is going on with these two women?!

Aren't they Valkyries like Principal Theresa?!

Why did they just barge in without even knocking?!

The indescribable absurdity, shock, and intense shame and humiliation nearly caused the already conservative Far East girl to faint.

Raiden Mei's act of throwing herself into the Store Manager's arms was completely different from Durandal's and Rita's.

She truly made her own choice by offering herself to the Store Manager.

Even without that strange power of "increasing affection through touch," Raiden Mei already considered the Store Manager the brightest ray of light in her life. She did not want that light to fade away, so for Raiden Mei whose heart was already completely tied to the Store Manager, embracing him was probably just a matter of time.

However, even after making that choice, Raiden Mei remained a rather traditional girl.

For the first ten years of her life, she received a traditional aristocratic education in the Far East.

Knowing that the Store Manager already had many wives, her unwillingness to give him up was arguably a significant breach of Raiden Mei's moral boundaries.

She had never considered, and found it difficult to accept, a situation where she was involved with other women.

Of course, people are changeable.

The very existence of boundaries is meant to be broken.

Therefore, Raiden Mei did not deny that, given enough time, there was a possibility she might eventually work with the other café staff to overcome the hurdle called "lover."

After all, she alone could not possibly handle the Store Manager.

But that time was definitely not now.

Under Raiden Mei's gaze, filled with shock, anger, and shame, Rita and Durandal both instinctively looked away, somewhat guilty.

Raiden Mei was undoubtedly a traditional girl, but were Durandal and Rita any less traditional?

Durandal was a  pure and untainted woman who had not seen anything improper before last night. It was a given, and even Rita, whose views on love were slightly unconventional, remained a remarkably chaste girl.

As the renowned "Executioner" of Schicksal, a specialized Valkyrie created specifically to kill humans, Rita should have been quite adept at using her beauty to win people's hearts. However, to avoid falling into a situation where she had to rely on her appearance to complete her missions, Rita made efforts that were unimaginable to ordinary people.

Therefore, although she possessed abundant theoretical knowledge and knew how to please others, Rita had never, in her entire life, put that theoretical knowledge into practice.

Now, three girls, practically fledglings, each harboring strange feelings, tightly surrounded the young Store Manager.

After a moment of silence, Rita, who had joined Durandal in their attack on the Store Manager, spoke first, relying on her superb communication skills and the art of language:

"Hello, Ms. Raiden Mei. Although the occasion is a little inappropriate, please allow me to introduce myself."

"I am Rita Rossweisse, and as you can see, I am, in a sense, the counterpart of this young Store Manager's lover."

A slight, composed smile played on her lips.

“Rita has no intention of interfering in your relationship with the Store Manager, but you may not know that, perhaps because you are too weak and alone, during your time as lovers with this Store Manager, you, as a woman, do not seem to have fully satisfied him.”

“?”

What do you mean I did not fully satisfy him?

Raiden Mei slowly formed a question mark in her mind.

Her face was ashen. Suppressing the urge to curse, she asked in a low voice.

“…What are you trying to say?”

The Store Manager's face also darkened.

To be honest, this position was not uncomfortable, even quite comfortable, but both this sandwiched position and Rita's constant use of “Store Manager’s brother” gave him a strange feeling of being at her mercy.

To regain his composure, the Store Manager tried to struggle to get up, but his body stiffened.

He realized that, setting aside the two people suddenly pressing up behind him, if he struggled too violently, he could easily injure Raiden Mei below.

So he could only maintain his original posture, his strong voice carrying a strange undertone of bravado:

"You're asking for it, aren't you? I warned you last night not to judge a book by its cover! And how did you get up here? Didn't Kongming and the others stop you?!"

"Who told you to do that to Lady Durandal?" Rita said quietly. "Although I do not know exactly what you did to her, during the time you and Miss Mei were freely expressing your emotions, Lady Durandal, because of your actions, showed a rather adorable side~"

The Store Manager fell silent, and Raiden Mei also fell silent.

The Far East girl stared at the Store Manager with a scrutinizing gaze.

"What did you do to her?"

"I... I did not do anything to her..." The Store Manager coughed, somewhat unable to meet Raiden Mei's direct gaze. "I just... I just accidentally made her mine."

"Who made her yours?!" Durandal gritted her teeth slightly. "I just... I just could not resist your desires! Do not think I will succumb so easily!!"

"What did that woman mean when she said I could not satisfy you?" Raiden Mei's expression was calm, her eyes like a lifeless pool of water.

The Store Manager's scalp tingled. "Uh... do not listen to her nonsense, I did not..."

"This Durandal who comes from the same world as you cannot resist the subconscious desires of the little Store Manager," Rita said with a smile. "Perhaps Miss Mei did bring him quite a pleasurable experience, but at the same time, because you are simply too weak and alone, he has been subconsciously suppressing any further thoughts."

"The direct consequence of this behavior is... all those suppressed thoughts have been completely accepted by Durandal, who cannot resist the Store Manager's desires~"

"..."

Hearing Rita's words, filled with amusement as if she had transformed into a clown, Raiden Mei could not help but clench her fists.

A strong sense of frustration, accompanied by an indescribable feeling of defeat, surged up all at once.

To be honest, she was somewhat aware that she could not fully satisfy the Store Manager, but having that awareness was one thing, and having it pointed out to her face by another woman was quite another.

It was fortunate that she was a girl, lacking the strong sense of pride that boys had in such matters. Otherwise, if the genders were reversed, Raiden Mei would probably have wanted to kill Rita.

Meanwhile, after Rita ruthlessly tore down that unspoken understanding, although she knew it was somewhat unreasonable and tantamount to displaced anger, Raiden Mei still uncontrollably channeled her resentment toward the Store Manager, glaring at him fiercely.

"Look at you! Why are you so promiscuous?! You've tormented me like this, and you're still not satisfied? You've made me lose face in front of these two women!"

The angrier she became, the more Raiden Mei could not help but open her mouth and bite down hard on the Store Manager's shoulder, the force of the bite carrying a hint of personal grudge.

"Hiss..."

The Store Manager gasped. He wanted to speak up for himself, but after sensing Raiden Mei's intense grievance and frustration, he forcefully suppressed the urge.

Even someone as clueless about girls' feelings as him knew perfectly well that trying to reason with a girl at a time like this was incredibly unwise.

More than any so-called reasoning, what Raiden Mei needed was for him to stand firmly on her side.

But before the Store Manager could fully express his stance, Rita's amusement-filled voice suddenly rang out again.

"So, Miss Mei, Rita has a proposal to make."

She walked past the Store Manager, focusing her alluring wine-red eyes on Raiden Mei. Her voice was full of kindness and sincerity.

"I can honestly tell you that, for some reasons, I am mentally prepared to completely submit to the Store Manager. Unlike Durandal's forced situation, I will wholeheartedly become his."

"??"

That gentle yet calm voice exploded like a thunderclap in everyone's ears.

“Rita, what do you mean by this?”

Durandal stared in disbelief. Her usually composed and righteous face, which had remained unmoved even in the face of a thousand armies, was now filled with horror.

"You just followed me in, didn’t you? What do you mean… that you’ll completely become his possession???”

“No, that’s not right!!”

Suddenly, as if remembering something, Durandal shook her head violently. Her voice trembled as she asked a question Rita had just asked her not long ago.

“You… you said you’re Rita from three years in the future, so does the Durandal beside you… know what you’re doing now?!”

“I regret to inform you, Lady Durandal, that even if we are not the same person, I am unwilling to lie to you,” Rita sighed softly. “Lady Durandal from three years in the future was abducted by an insurmountable enemy and has left Rita’s side.”

“Therefore, I need power, the power to stand by Lady Durandal’s side and offer her support,” Rita said resolutely.

Durandal froze.

"No... no, you... you calm down!" She grabbed Rita's shoulder and shook her violently.

"How could I... the me who is with you accept this?!!!!!"

"I'm calm, Lady Durandal." Rita smiled and removed Durandal's hand from her shoulder, a slight upturn at the corner of her mouth. "Do you think I made this choice entirely because of circumstances?"

"Isn't that right?" Durandal was taken aback.

“I’m sorry, but that’s really not it.” Rita smiled, her tone suddenly becoming somewhat melancholic.

“After all, even someone like me feels disappointed when my feelings aren’t reciprocated for a long time.”

“…!” Durandal’s scalp tingled. “You… you figured it out?”

“While I don’t know the specifics of your situation or how you learned about my feelings for you, since Durandal-sama three years ago couldn’t accept Rita’s feelings, then Durandal-sama three years later should feel the same way.”

Rita sighed, turning her face to gently stroke the Store Manager’s arm with her soft, boneless skin, and smiled slightly.

"So, although I feel a little sorry for Durandal-sama, you wouldn’t stop me from pursuing a new relationship, would you?”

“And coincidentally, this adorable little Store Manager is quite to Rita’s liking. After all, he’s the lover chosen by another ‘Rita,’ and I believe that after cultivating feelings for each other for a while, I will definitely be glad I made this choice.”

The Store Manager, with a pained expression, asked, "Um, what about my opinion?"

"Can you really refuse Rita's advances?"

Rita smiled calmly, her beautiful wine-red eyes full of teasing.

"..."

The Store Manager fell silent.

"At least give me a rebuttal!" Raiden Mei could not help but release her grip, raising her hand to lightly tap the Store Manager's forehead.

“…” Durandal opened her mouth but could not utter a single word of rebuttal.

“Well, continuing this stalemate here is not a good idea.” Rita reached out and gently cupped the Store Manager's face, chuckling softly. “Shall we begin?”

Just as the four in the bedroom began their second round of protracted warfare,

....

....

....

Nagazora City, 2013.

Arc City, 2017.

In these two worlds belonging to different timelines, Otto Apocalypse was currently caught in an extremely absurd emotional state.

In Nagazora City, 2013, Schicksal's airship floated in mid-air. Rita, who had been hidden by Durandal for six whole hours, stood in the control room, waves of ominous premonitions assaulting her thoughts.

"Still can't get in touch with Durandal?"

On the control room screen, Otto squinted, his tone unusually somber.

“Yes, I haven’t been able to contact Lady Durandal since her signal disappeared in those ruins.”

Rita’s eyes were filled with anxiety and worry.

“Your Excellency, is that café we can’t observe really not part of your plan?”

“I’ve already answered that question once. If possible, I would very much like to say that the café you’re talking about is part of my plan, but unfortunately, I truly know nothing about that café.”