[Raiden Mei. Of course, that name isn't unfamiliar to you.]
[In fact, this young woman, whose powers have yet to awaken, is one of the easiest main characters to build a good relationship with.]
[After Raiden Ryoma was imprisoned, she was ostracized by those around her. Although she has met Kiana Kaslana, that doesn't mean she rejects affection from others.]
[Especially for a young lady from a girls' school like Senba High, if a handsome young man shows her kindness at a time like this, hehehe...]
And then get killed by the Herrscher of Thunder the moment she awakens, right?
After mentally retorting to the narrator, Leo Ash immediately said to Rita.
"Of course I know her. She's famous at school."
"And she's also Raiden Ryoma's daughter."
"That's right. The fact that Raiden Ryoma is an executive of Anti-Entropy is known to some members within Schicksal. And now, it has been some time since Raiden Ryoma was imprisoned by his fellow Anti-Entropy executive, Cocolia."
After softly thanking the waiter who brought their food, Rita continued speaking to Leo Ash.
"At first, we at Schicksal couldn't understand why Anti-Entropy would engage in such intense infighting when they were already in a weak position. But later, a senior operative brought us a piece of information."
"The Gem of Conquest, one of the four gems taken by Anti-Entropy at the time, was taken by Raiden Ryoma. Cocolia's falling out with him was likely due to this matter."
"Furthermore, according to that senior operative, Cocolia was unable to find the Gem of Conquest after getting rid of Raiden Ryoma, so now we suspect..."
"You suspect the Gem of Conquest has something to do with Raiden Ryoma's daughter, right?"
Taking a large bite of the sandwich on the table, Leo Ash muttered to himself with a grim expression.
"No wonder. No wonder all the other comrades were taken out."
"Cocolia also noticed the possible connection between the Gem of Conquest and Raiden Mei, so she focused her attention on Senba High, discovered us Schicksal members, and carried out assassinations, right?"
"But Sis, you said that all our comrades besides me have..."
"Was there a mole who sold out our information? Otherwise, it's impossible to explain how we were wiped out so quickly."
"Indeed, a mole."
At the mention of this word, Rita shook her head helplessly.
"Everyone thought so at first. Some even suggested that if you were the only one left unharmed, the probability of you being the mole would be very high."
"But our comrades in the security department responsible for this mission stated clearly that someone breached their firewall and found the mission roster."
"If it weren't for the fact that you joined the mission at the last minute and hadn't been added to the headquarters' list yet, you might have been wiped out as well."
"But even so, some people have started to suspect you. After all, you suddenly requested to join this mission, and then this happened."
Listening to Rita's words, Leo Ash let out a slow breath.
"Understandable. If I were in their shoes, I'd be suspicious too."
"So that's why you suspected I was trying to run away when you first arrived?"
"Yes, that's right. But these are just suspicions. The higher-ups still need you to continue the mission."
Taking a test tube out of her bag, Rita placed it on the table.
And the moment this test tube appeared...
[Oh! You recognize at a glance that this thing will be of great use to you!]
[Hsn Serum, a drug developed by the genius Schicksal scientist Dr. Magi. When fused with Schariac Holy Blood, it becomes a veritable 'God-Slaying Spear'!]
[Even when used alone, it can suppress a Herrscher's power to a certain extent—provided that the Herrscher has not yet fully awakened all of its powers.]
It's a good item, indeed, but the problem is...
—Schicksal giving me something like this definitely means they want me to take risks.
"Hsn Serum. This is a new drug developed by Dr. Magi."
"After confirming its effects, the Overseer directly gave it the temporary codename 'Honkai Killer'."
Seeing the silent Leo Ash, Rita said coolly.
"The higher-ups won't send you on a suicide mission just because you're under some suspicion. This tube of serum can reverse the effects of Honkai corruption when you are on the verge of complete zombification."
"Although it will decrease your Honkai energy control and intensity, you are not a warrior who wields Honkai energy, so this side effect is practically non-existent for you."
[Well said! But what this woman didn't tell you is that this specially made test tube is equipped with a tracking system and a self-destruct mechanism.]
[Once certain conditions are met, this tube will self-destruct, instantly vaporizing the serum inside.]
[This woman may not have lied, but she didn't tell the whole truth—this is undoubtedly a deception! How can this be tolerated! A sister like this is better off without!]
[You secretly swear to yourself that you will remember this grudge!]
Hold on a second, why does this narrator make me sound like some third-rate, clueless villain?
Picking up the serum, Leo Ash stored it away properly and looked at Rita with a resigned expression.
"Understood. In any case, I'll continue with the mission."
"You can go about your business, Sis. Don't worry too much about me. I know what I'm doing."
Watching Leo Ash stand up, Rita said with feigned sadness.
"Sigh, my dear Leo has grown up. Big Sis here is feeling a little lonely, you know."
"Alright, enough talk. I'm leaving."
After all, this is the first time we've met today. A woman as meticulous as Rita has a keen eye for detail. If I don't leave now, I'll blow my cover sooner or later.
Watching Leo Ash's departing figure, the loneliness on Rita's face instantly vanished.
The maid, gazing at her adoptive brother's back, felt an immense complexity in her heart.
Although Leo Ash had been very careful with his words, Rita had still easily picked up on the abnormalities in his behavior.
While this didn't necessarily mean anything, but...
Sigh, my foolish little brother. If you don't get your head straight during a mission, it's very easy to get killed.
Just then, a waiter approached Rita's side and, with a complete change from his previous attitude, said respectfully.
"Lady Rita, a communication from the Overseer has arrived. Shall I..."
"Patch it through, of course."
As she said this, a light screen immediately appeared before Rita.
On the screen, Rita's direct superior, the Schicksal Overseer Otto Apocalypse, was looking at her with a smile on his face.
....