Kiana and Asmodeus were stunned. The other person looked exactly like them!
Asmodeus seemed as if he had just seen a ghost. "Why do you look exactly like me?"
Kiana shot back, equally confused. "I was just about to ask you the same thing!"
Yuri interjected, his voice calm. "You two are likely isotopes from different worlds, just like the two Himekos."
Realization dawned on Kiana and Asmodeus. They exchanged glances before linking arms and stepping aside to whisper amongst themselves.
Meanwhile, Bronya was deep in conversation with Silver Wolf.
"I recently found a virtual online game," Silver Wolf said, eyes glinting with excitement. "The setting is a punk-mechanical world where you can race motorcycles on the main roads. Interested?"
Bronya's eyes lit up at the mention of racing. "Let's go!"
Silver Wolf smirked and pulled out two sleek brain-interface devices. "This is a neural link headset. It connects directly to your neurons."
Bronya put one on without hesitation, but the device flashed red, unable to establish a connection.
Silver Wolf frowned. "That's odd. Do you mind if I scan your body?"
Bronya shook her head. "Go ahead."
Silver Wolf activated her tactical goggles and ran a scan. Within moments, she found the issue.
"Interesting. There's a chip embedded in your brain, Bronya. It's directly connected to your neurons. That's why the device isn't working. Do you want me to remove it? This thing isn't exactly good for you."
Bronya's breath caught. "Really?"
Silver Wolf nodded. "It's a simple procedure. Won't take more than a few minutes. What do you say?"
Excitement replaced Bronya's hesitation. "Yes! Please remove it."
Lying down on the table, Bronya waited as Silver Wolf summoned her ethereal keyboard and began the delicate operation. The sight drew the attention of the others, who gathered around.
"Step back, everyone," Silver Wolf warned. "I need fresh air to work."
Mei, concern evident in her eyes, asked, "Silver Wolf, what's wrong with Bronya?"
"Nothing serious," Silver Wolf replied casually. "There was a biochip in her brain that allowed someone to control her actions. I'm removing it. Give me a minute. If you have questions, ask Bronya later."
Silence fell over the group as they watched anxiously. Moments later, Silver Wolf extracted the chip and stretched. "All done! Get up, Bronya."
Bronya sat up, feeling different—liberated. Her eyes shone with gratitude. "Thank you, Silver Wolf."
Silver Wolf waved a hand dismissively. "No problem. I'm off to play now. Find me later." She gave the chip a playful toss before walking away.
Mei and the others immediately turned to Bronya. "Bronya, why did you have a biochip in your brain?"
Bronya hesitated before telling them everything—the Third Eruption, Cocolia, and Seele.
Kiana clenched her fists, rage bubbling within her. "Cocolia is pure evil! I can't stand this! I'm going to deal with her!"
Asmodeus cracked her knuckles. "I'll help."
Theresa sighed. "No need to rush. We have a celebration banquet tonight. Handle this later."
At the Tianming Headquarters, Otto sat in the dimly lit monitoring room, resting his chin on his hand, deep in thought.
"Interesting… very interesting. Where did these people come from?" His lips curled into a smirk. "Seems like it's time to check on my dear granddaughter. Rita, head to St. Freya Academy and see what Theresa has been up to."
Rita bowed. "Yes, Archbishop."
Two hours later, a Tianming warship hovered over St. Freya Academy. The celebrating Valkyries turned their gazes skyward.
Theresa frowned. "A Tianming warship?"
As the warship descended, Rita disembarked with a squad of Valkyries, her presence as poised as ever.
Theresa approached. "Rita? What brings you here?"
Rita smiled gently. "Miss Theresa, it has been a while. The Archbishop has sent me to assess the strength of the academy's Valkyries."
Otto's excuse was flawless—an evaluation wouldn't raise suspicion.
Theresa considered it. "Alright. Let's hold a competition the day after tomorrow. I'll gather all the Valkyries."
"That sounds perfect," Rita agreed, maintaining her composed demeanor.
"For now, we're in the middle of a banquet. Would you care to join us?" Theresa offered.
A glint of mischief flashed through Rita's eyes. This was the perfect opportunity to observe without raising alarms.
"I'd be honored."
Theresa led Rita to the main table and introduced her to Yuri and the others. Rita exchanged polite greetings, her mind already piecing together useful observations. But just as she was about to strike up a conversation, something caught her attention.
Near the children's table, Klee, Bailu, Qiqi, Yaoyao, Hook, and Diona sat together, happily enjoying their meals.
Instantly, Rita's mission evaporated from her thoughts.
She approached the table, eyes sparkling. "My dear little ones, would you like me to feed you?"
Klee looked up, blinking at the elegant woman before her. "Hello, big sister! Klee can eat by herself. Don't worry! Captain Jean says good kids should learn to eat on their own. Hehe~"
She beamed at Rita with a bright, innocent smile.
Rita felt her heart melt into a puddle.
Oh my goodness! How can there be such adorable little angels in this world?!
Rita was completely captivated by Klee.
"So your name is Klee? My name is Rita. You can call me Sister Rita."
Klee beamed with delight. "Sister Rita~!"
The sweet call sent Rita into an absolute state of bliss. She was utterly enchanted, her heart melting into a puddle of affection.
Theresa, who had intended to take Rita to her table, turned around and found the normally composed maid Valkyrie seated on a small stool beside Klee, attentively listening to the six little ones chatter while they ate. A warm smile never left her face.
Theresa sighed, shaking her head in amusement. "Forget it," she muttered, letting Rita indulge in her moment of joy.
Meanwhile, in a quiet village not far away, Otto had arrived under the cover of night with a unit of Valkyries.
"Set up the equipment quickly," he commanded as he stepped into a dimly lit house.
Inside, several Valkyries had already prepared the space. Otto sat at a desk, slipping on a headset while booting up a laptop to monitor the ongoing celebration banquet.
His golden eyes scanned the screen as he watched the lively feast unfold. The sight of joyous camaraderie stirred something in him—but only for a moment. Then, a more pressing matter arose.
"Someone, get me a glass of water," he ordered lazily, his gaze never leaving the screen.
Silence.
Frowning, Otto removed his headphones and turned toward the door—only for a massive fist to come crashing into his vision.
BAM!
Otto was sent flying, slamming against the wall before sliding down in a heap. His head swam from the force of the blow, but when he looked up, his eyes widened in shock.
"Welt?!"
Indeed, it was Welt, standing tall, his figure casting a long shadow over Otto.
The moment the surveillance cameras infiltrated St. Freya Academy, Welt had detected them. Following their signal led him straight to Otto's hideout.
"Well, well," Welt drawled, his usual composure giving way to a rare, manic grin. "Otto... What a surprise. You finally landed in my hands."
His glasses reflected a dangerous glint as he raised the Star of Eden, red light pulsing ominously.
"Star of Eden—Zero Power!"
Otto braced himself, but the expected annihilation never came. Instead, Welt hesitated, a dark chuckle escaping his lips.
"No," he mused. "Killing you outright would be too easy."
With deliberate movements, he deactivated the Star of Eden, swept his hair back with a casual hand, adjusted his sleeves, and took a slow step forward.
Otto barely had time to react before the blows began to rain down on him.
For the next hour, the only sounds escaping that house were Otto's muffled groans of agony.
An hour later, the grand doors of the banquet hall burst open.
Welt strode in, dragging Otto's barely conscious form behind him like a discarded ragdoll. The once-proud Archbishop of Schicksal looked utterly wrecked.
Gasps echoed across the room. Rita's eyes narrowed as she instantly summoned her weapon, lunging toward Welt in a flash of deadly precision.
But before she could strike—
CLANG!
Kevin intercepted her with the Judgment of Shamash, his blade meeting her scythe in a clash of sparks.
"Back off," he warned, his voice cold.
Rita glared at him. "Move. Now."
March 7th and Hu Tao swiftly flanked Rita, weapons drawn.
Kevin tightened his grip on his weapon. "If you want to lay a finger on Welt, you'll have to go through me first."
Rita's emerald eyes flickered dangerously, but she remained silent.
Then, in one swift motion, she raised her hand. "All Valkyries—rescue the Archbishop!"
The air crackled with tension as the Valkyries charged.
"Kiana, now!"
Under Theresa's command, the battle erupted.
Bronya soared into the air, locking onto the approaching Valkyrie forces. With a calculated flick of her fingers, energy cannons fired down, knocking out several opponents in rapid succession.
Mei unsheathed her blade, weaving through the chaos. Though skilled, she refused to strike lethally, choosing instead to incapacitate.
Kiana, adorned in her Athena Valkyrie armor, struck down foes with crushing force, clearing waves of enemies with each mighty swing.
"Hold back just enough!" Theresa reminded everyone. "We're not here to kill them!"
Rita, unfazed, spun her scythe in an elegant arc, her deadly strikes aimed at Kevin.
Kevin exhaled, ready to end this swiftly—until a firm yet gentle force intervened.
Fu Hua.
She blocked Rita's attack with a fluid Tai Chi push, her calm expression betraying no emotion.
"Kevin, leave her to me."
He hesitated for a moment but ultimately nodded, shifting his focus elsewhere.
Fu Hua turned to Rita. "I don't wish to fight you. Stand down. You're outmatched."
Rita gave a polite bow. "Forgive me, Miss Fu Hua. But I cannot comply."
With that, she lunged.
The two clashed in a mesmerizing display of technique and finesse, neither giving an inch.
Meanwhile, on the sidelines, Yuri and Zhongli sipped their tea, utterly unbothered.
The six little ones stood by, their tiny voices cheering enthusiastically.
Klee waved a small flag energetically. "Go, Sister Kevin! Go, Sister March 7th! Go, go, go~!"
Bailu cupped her hands around her mouth, shouting, "Hu Tao, you're the coolest!"
Hook pumped her fists. "Sister Himeko, crush 'em!"
Yaoyao clung to Qiqi. "Come on, Sister Kiana!"
Qiqi, ever monotone, simply echoed, "Come on, Kiana."
Back in the battle, Kevin, March 7th, and Hu Tao efficiently dismantled the remaining Valkyrie forces, leaving only Rita and Fu Hua engaged in combat.
Rita scanned the battlefield, realizing with dread that she was the last one standing on her side.
Kevin smirked, waving casually. "Don't mind us. Pretend we're not here. Carry on."
Then, as if settling in for a show, Kevin, March 7th, Hu Tao, and the others sat along a flower bed, watching with rapt interest.
Kevin pulled out a bag of melon seeds and passed them around. "Come on, grab some. No point watching a good fight without snacks."
The group eagerly accepted, cracking the seeds as they watched.
Kiana cheered the loudest whenever Fu Hua gained the upper hand. "Squad leader, you're the best! Kick her ass!"
Rita, growing increasingly annoyed, gritted her teeth. "Do you people have no sense of urgency?! I'm an S-rank Valkyrie!"
Then—
"Come on, Sister Fu Hua! You can do it!" the six little ones cheered, their tiny flags waving in unison.
Rita clutched her chest, as though physically struck. A soundless shatter echoed in her mind.
Fu Hua seized the moment, swiftly capturing Rita in a finishing move.
Defeated, Rita's thoughts whirled with one single, devastating truth.
The little ones... had cheered for Fu Hua.
It hurt.
Oh, it hurt so much.