Fu Hua clearly didn't believe a single word Otto had just said.
"You're coming to St. Freya?"
Ignoring Otto's previous remarks, she cut straight to the point with a calm, steely voice.
Her elegant brows furrowed even tighter.
"Is your target… is Nagami and C.C.?"
"Come now, don't be so cold, old friend," Otto replied with his ever-present smile. His voice was as smooth and pleasant as ever.
"Truth be told, I'm very concerned about how well you're adjusting to life in a school full of lively, energetic Valkyrie cadets."
He swirled the wine in his glass leisurely.
"Visiting the newly crowned Herrscher of Reason? That's just a side errand."
Not long ago, the probe against Nagami had been a joint decision between Otto and Fu Hua.
Otto had even provided the Shadow Knight: Lunar Eclipse battlesuit for the mission.
Naturally, the intel gathered from that operation was shared between the two.
Otto was already aware of Nagami's goal—to rebuild a version of MOTH, composed entirely of Herrschers.
He also had a good idea why Nagami had requested either the Gem of Plague or the Gem of Serenity.
But what intrigued him the most was the so-called "deal he couldn't refuse" that Nagami had mentioned.
Otto was very curious.
What was certain was this: the boy had an uncanny ability to act completely outside Otto's predictions—and with terrifying precision.
His intelligence network was vast and utterly unpredictable.
And Otto genuinely looked forward to being surprised again.
"You wouldn't come all this way for nothing," Fu Hua said flatly. "So... are you asking me to come with you?"
Though technically allies, Fu Hua knew Otto far too well.
Intelligence—specifically, strategy—wasn't something that automatically grew with age.
And with most of her memories burned to ash by Feather Dust, she no longer believed she could keep up with Otto intellectually.
Despite being nearly 49,500 years her junior, Otto was still someone she preferred to avoid whenever possible.
He always spoke about fighting for "all that is beautiful in this world," but no one truly knew what he was thinking.
Believe that, and you'd find yourself nothing more than a pawn on his chessboard—just another piece to be sacrificed at will.
Fu Hua had learned that the hard way.
Still, if Schicksal could help protect Shenzhou, then allowing herself to be "used" by Otto was something she could accept—begrudgingly.
"There's no need for your help this time."
Otto turned slightly, allowing Fu Hua to see the golden-haired girl standing a short distance behind him.
Recognizing her instantly, Fu Hua's expression shifted subtly.
"Durandal… If she's coming, then no, you really wouldn't need me."
It wasn't that Fu Hua underestimated herself—she was simply being realistic.
With her power reduced to a mere fraction of its former self, there was no way she could compete with that girl.
Even now, Durandal's strength was astonishing—almost ridiculous.
She had, after all, absorbed and internalized a fragment of a Bubble Universe.
Even a small, broken piece of such a construct existed on a scale far beyond anything a mere human could compare to.
It was like trying to pit a matchstick against a star.
But if Durandal was already involved—why had Otto come to speak with her?
"If you've got something to say, spit it out, Otto."
"Sigh… old friend, must you always be so serious and grim?" Otto shook his head playfully, but his smile didn't fade.
"Still, there is something I'd like your help with…"
His emerald eyes deepened, shadows swirling like mist within them.
But then, he hesitated. For a moment, a rare flicker of uncertainty crossed his face.
Then he chuckled softly and shook his head.
"Never mind. I'll handle it myself."
If his suspicion was confirmed, it would mean uncovering a truth that—at least for now—Nagami must never know.
Not until their relationship shifted.
Fu Hua narrowed her eyes, the confusion beginning to show on her otherwise composed face.
"What exactly… are you planning?"
"Nothing you need to concern yourself with."
Otto gave one final smile, polite and distant.
"Until we meet again, my friend."
And with that, the call was cut.
"Wait—"
The projection flickered out.
Otto turned his head slightly to look out the window, where clouds drifted by like seafoam.
His expression was unreadable—deep and layered, like fog rolling over hidden mountains.
The floating battleship that carried Schicksal's Archbishop was a marvel of engineering, custom-built by Schicksal's top technology division.
Its internal Honkai energy reactor could output nearly as much power as those used on entire floating islands, making supersonic flight a trivial matter.
Inside, the ship was a flying fortress of luxury, far more lavish than most villas.
At its rear, a roaring blue flame trailed behind the thrusters—tinged with sci-fi brilliance.
The ship soared quietly above a sea of soft, cotton-like clouds, its engines humming with power, hidden from the world below.
...
"Yo, what brings our esteemed headmistress here today?"
Nagami didn't even pause his game.
Tilting his head toward the door, he raised a brow at the small white-haired ball of fluff who'd just walked in.
"Isn't it obvious? I'm here for the free food~" Himeko Murata raised her beer and took another hearty swig.
"Free food?! I'm just here to check on Kiana!" Theresa crossed her arms and straightened her back with righteous confidence.
Her tone was firm, like a child insisting on innocence despite chocolate all over their face.
"Auntie… even I don't buy that." If this were the old days, Kiana might've been moved by such a claim. But now?
The evolved tuna, shaped by harsh experience and the world's reality, cast a cold, judging glance at the approaching white-haired chibi.
"Ouch! That hurts!"
Theresa, trying to salvage her elder's dignity, gave the grasshopper a lightning-quick smack.
Then she pointed accusingly at Himeko.
"And you! You booze addict! Keep drinking like that and you're gonna end up with liver failure!"
This busty airhead—how could she not take better care of herself?
As her close friend, Theresa was genuinely worried about Himeko's health.
She knew better than anyone what Himeko's condition was like.
But this woman acted like she didn't care, drinking day after day!
"Relax. I know my limits," Himeko replied, taking another swig.
Thanks to that little brat's help, she'd recovered 20 years of her lifespan.
As long as she didn't go overboard again, this body should return to that of a normal human's lifespan.
Still, Himeko wasn't sure whether or not she should tell Theresa about it.
Compared to everything else Nagami had done, this might seem small—but to her, it was deeply meaningful.
If Nagami could help… maybe he could cure the Valkyries implanted with artificial stigmata.
She knew it was probably wishful thinking.
But if Nagami lent his help, maybe the artificial stigma technology could be refined—perhaps even perfected.
Yet she was already standing on the receiving end of a huge favor.
How could she just open her mouth and ask for more?
...Maybe Theresa could try acting cute and butter him up?
Judging from how Nagami treated Bronya, there was no doubt—he had a thing for little girl.
Her eyes drifted to the grasshopper beside Theresa. Himeko shook her head.
Nope. Not a good idea.
If Kiana didn't like Nagami, then sure, she could try selling her bestie to him.
After all, a forever-young legal loli had to be someone's type, right?
If it were Astrologer Nagami, he might actually be into it…
But Theresa? Nah. Let's not forget she was Kiana's aunt.
At that moment, Rita emerged from the room, dressed in a low-cut lace maid outfit.
Red roses adorned the black skirt, and a hint of snow-white skin peeked out from her elegant collarbone—prompting a visible reaction from a certain heiress.
The heiress Kiana grinding her teeth: This maid has no shame!
But obviously, that was the expression of someone with low emotional intelligence.
True Kiana, adjusting her gold-rimmed glasses with an air of solemnity, glanced at Nagami, whose eyes were clearly… not blinking.
———————————————————————
[True Kiana]: Maybe I should try a maid outfit too?
[Ojou-sama]: ???
[Ojou-sama]: Something's wrong with you!
———————————————————————
Perhaps sensing that her mission of gathering intel on Nagami might soon be coming to an end—especially after Otto's scheduled meeting—Rita no longer felt the need to maintain her diligent maid persona in front of the girls.
"Lord Nagami~"
Under several suddenly sharp gazes, Rita wrapped her slender arms around Nagami's neck, pressing herself tightly against his chest.
His head sank into the soft, round warmth in front of him.
The frosty glares from the surrounding girls were almost tangible—but Rita's stunning eyes sparkled with delight.
Nagami, noticing that gleam, felt his eye twitch.
This maid was getting out of hand!
Of course he could guess what she was thinking, acting so brazenly.
Looks like I'll need to add a clause to that deal with Otto.
Let's see if this shameless maid still dares to act out once I'm done with her.
"The Archbishop has been waiting,"
Rita whispered, her rosy lips brushing close to Nagami's ear, her voice sweet and alluring—meant only for him.
"Please, bring Miss C.C. and come with me."
———————————————————————
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