"Teacher Himeko, Principal Theresa, something terrible has happened! Kiana isn't in her room. She's really been taken!"
Mei, who had rushed back from Kiana's room, was out of breath as she shouted at the two.
Hearing this news, both Theresa and Himeko looked at Mei in shock.
"Kiana is missing? And Fu Hua is gone too... Damn it, she must be a spy sent by my father!"
At this point, Theresa voiced her deduction.
She then strode toward her office, with Himeko and Mei following closely behind.
Once in her office, Theresa activated the large projection device.
Normally, she used it to secretly binge-watch dramas, but now it was the perfect tool to confront someone.
Soon, the video call she had made was answered.
"Oh, my dear Theresa, what brings you to call your father so late at night?"
"Tell me, Father, did you take Kiana?"
"...My daughter, there are some things you don't need to know too much about. It's better if you remain in the dark, understand?"
"That's Cecilia's daughter, my niece! I will save her!"
"...You're starting to rebel, Theresa."
Of course, this statement had two meanings. One was the line he had to deliver for the plot, and the other was that he genuinely felt his daughter was becoming rebellious.
Always demanding money from him, never showing any respect for her father.
"Then I'll show you what rebellion looks like! Just wait until I smash you with the Oath of Judah, you old man!"
Following the script, Theresa angrily smashed the projection screen.
She then turned to Himeko and Mei. "The results are clear. Father and his people have taken Kiana. You two, come with me to Schicksal to bring her back."
"Sigh, alright, alright. Who would've thought I'd have to rebel against my old employer before retiring?"
Himeko didn't complain, but the thought of having to act out severe injuries during the upcoming performance made her sigh.
Why couldn't she retire quietly like Dr. Magi, without any injuries?
"Mei, take Bronya to the infirmary and wake her up. We'll prepare for the battle ahead. Also, I plan to call in Anti-Entropy.
Since Father has acted unjustly, don't blame me for bringing Schicksal's enemies to fight against them."
Theresa was now embodying the phrase "filial piety" in the most ironic way.
"Wait, is it just the three of us? Shouldn't we call Teacher Chang Yuan and Elysia? They seem pretty strong, don't they?"
At this point, Mei raised her question.
Hearing this, Theresa broke into a cold sweat.
Damn it, damn it, damn it! She knew something like this would happen!
Those two unreliable seniors had messed with the script, causing this situation.
How was she supposed to explain this to Mei? Think, Theresa, think!
Ding!
Got it!
In an instant, Theresa came up with a good explanation.
She then looked at Mei with a sorrowful expression.
"They went on a mission a few days ago, and I received news that they... didn't make it. They encountered a horde of Emperor-class Honkai beasts—dozens of them. They managed to defeat them, but... they didn't survive."
"What? Elysia and Teacher Chang Yuan... May their souls rest in peace."
Hearing this news, Mei was momentarily unable to accept it, but she had no choice.
Thinking of the pink-haired girl who always clung to her, asking if she wanted to visit her room, and even asking if she could touch her horns...
Thinking of how that lively, cheerful girl had perished fighting the Honkai, Mei couldn't help but feel heartbroken.
"Elysia, if there's a next time, I'll let you touch my horns. If there's a next time..."
Making a silent vow in her heart, Mei stopped asking if there were other fighters who could join them.
They were all students, and Mei knew full well how strong everyone else was.
To put it bluntly, they were all inexperienced. Aside from Teacher Chang Yuan and Elysia, she couldn't think of anyone else who could join them in storming Schicksal.
But in reality, St. Freya Academy had different divisions.
This St. Freya was only the beginner's academy. After graduating here, students could move on to the real St. Freya.
There, B-rank Valkyries were everywhere, and A-rank Valkyries weren't rare either. Among them, Wendy was one of the most outstanding A-rank Valkyries, destined to become S-rank in the future.
Soon, Theresa also contacted Anti-Entropy. After explaining her plan, she confidently lent them the Hyperion for modifications.
N hours later...
"Continue injecting Honkai energy. This concentration isn't enough to wake her up."
Looking at Kiana in the container, Otto swirled his glass of red wine and took a sip.
"Hey, Otto, from this angle, you really do look like a villain."
Standing behind Otto, Kallen couldn't help but tease him.
There was no denying that Otto looked cool like this, but he also genuinely seemed like a villain.
"Cough, cough. This is all for the sake of the plan. Let's get ready. Have Rita and the others take their positions. It's time to start the performance."
"Alright, alright. I just wonder if Kiana will choose to beat you up after everything is over."
Despite her teasing, Kallen was serious about her tasks.
After notifying everyone, she returned to her room to continue playing games.
Meanwhile, while enjoying a massage from two Bellas, one of them—the one with dragon horns—suddenly sensed something. She leaned down and whispered into Sirin's ear, "My Queen, I sense a presence similar to yours."
"...They're here already? Very well, Bella, follow the script. One Bella here is enough. Go and return quickly."
Sirin, who had been munching on potato chips, paused for a moment before waving off the dragon-horned Bella to follow her part of the script.
This dragon-horned Bella was naturally her companion, the Judgment-class Honkai beast, Benares.
However, the arrival of this Bella had taken over the duties of the other, human Bella, much to the latter's displeasure.
Sirin was hers, and hers alone! The first time they had hugged and slept together was with her, not this third wheel—no, third dragon!