"I never expected to switch sides, it's truly unexpected, probably a path I never even dreamed of."
Ragna said, sitting in the airship and looking at the surroundings, which were so different from those of Schicksal.
"You mean the so-called 'unforeseen path,' then?"
Himeko smiled and repeated.
"Himeko, you're a 'spy,' you have no right to say such things."
Ragna complained half-jokingly, after all, she was already quite satisfied to have survived at the hands of the Herrscher.
"But I really owe my survival this time to you and Tian Shi... er, Lord Alliance Leader."
"Captain, you should stay away from Tian Shi, that guy is obsessed with maids, be careful he doesn't try anything weird with you."
"Hey, I'm still here."
The floating tablet tapped Himeko's head impatiently.
"I've erased your absentee record, in other words, you are now dead."
"Um... Lord Alliance Leader, may I ask where we will be assigned next?"
Due to the change in status, Ragna also became much more reserved.
"I am a little better... my teammates are basically useless except for fighting... well, they're practically useless in daily life."
"Captain, that's harsh of you!"
Ragna's teammates protested.
"Can't you give us some prestige in front of the Alliance Leader?"
"That guy is gorgeous! A real heartthrob! And he has an exceptional character!"
"Even if we have no hope of getting him, don't stop us from being fans!"
"You see, that's how it is, and rather than saying I'm targeting you... it's more accurate to say they're targeting you."
Ragna looked at her team members, who were in their twenties but already suffering from all sorts of "leftover woman syndrome," with a sense of helplessness.
Tian Shi: "..."
How am I supposed to complain about you?
"If nothing unexpected happens, you should be under my jurisdiction."
Reanna interjected with a smile.
"I hear that Miss Ragna is Schicksal's direct combat instructor?"
"Ah... yes, does Lady Reanna have any advice for me?"
Since Siegfried, being a middle-aged man, had to address the other woman as "Grandma," Ragna respectfully chose the title of "Lady."
"Then we should have a lot in common."
Reanna said with a smile.
"I haven't trained a Valkyrie in almost sixty years."
"..."
Ehh? Almost sixty years?
Did you add ten more or six more?
"If Miss Ragna's grandmother was also a Valkyrie, she should have heard my name, or perhaps your great-grandmother."
Reanna smiled as she watched Ragna's expression gradually stiffen.
"Sixty years ago, I was the strongest Valkyrie in Schicksal."
"..."
All the Valkyries present fell into a stunned silence as they listened to Reanna's introduction.
Wait, wait, wait? Did Anti-Entropy kidnap Schicksal's most powerful Valkyrie?
"I originally wanted to take Cecilia too, but unfortunately..."
"Er... my condolences?"
No one could continue this topic.
"It doesn't matter if I feel pity or anything."
Reanna shook her head.
"After all, I don't know Cecilia much, only her grandmother's generation... No, let's not talk about old people like me, anyway, it's not bad for you to work for me, is it?"
"No, no..."
All the Valkyries shook their heads like rattles.
Now that these things have been said, who would dare to say no?
"Hey, why do I feel like Grandma Reanna is trying to intimidate them?"
Siegfried, with his bruised and swollen face, elbowed Joyce next to him.
They were both grown men, and although Siegfried had been beaten, they held no grudge.
If you really had to say anything, it is that Joyce was practically Siegfried's idol (in his youth, Siegfried was a die-hard fan of the Anti-Entropy anime series "Heavy Gear" and was so influenced by the anime that he ran away from home), well, you could say he was simply being a bit chuunibyou (a person with delusions of grandeur).
"I find it really strange every time I hear you call Reanna 'Big Sister' or 'Grandma'."
Joyce looked at Siegfried.
"I feel like calling her 'Grandma' would be even weirder, and couldn't you be a little more aware of your age?"
You're my grandfather's generation, aren't you?
Siegfried cursed under his breath.
Aren't you all a little older?
"Never mind, let's not talk about that... Does Grandma Reanna have something going on with the Alliance Leader?"
"..."
Hearing this question, Joyce's face immediately darkened.
"Young man, you can't handle this, so don't ask too many questions."
"Absolutely! Absolutely! Absolutely do not get involved in Mr. Tian Shi's love affairs!"
"That means it really exists, right?"
Siegfried's face showed an expression of realization.
"After all, the two share one body."
"Do you know the saying: 'Curiosity killed the cat'?"
Joyce had no desire to discuss this with Siegfried.
If the female doctors found out about this, I'd probably get into a lot of trouble.
And do you think you can hide what you're saying from Reanna?
Joyce patted Siegfried's shoulder, motioning for him to look up.
Then Siegfried saw Reanna's sweet smile.
"..."
Siegfried immediately straightened up.
"That's right."
Reanna's face showed a relieved expression.
"It's not right to badmouth your elders behind their backs."
"Why do I suddenly feel that Anti-Entropy is more dangerous than Schicksal?"
...
"Hello... hello? Can you hear me, Reanna?"
The large screen communicator connected, revealing Edison's face.
"Sorry, the signal in my lab isn't very good, I received your report, so you managed to retrieve the test subject who developed a secondary Herrscher personality and convinced the entire Valkyrie squad to surrender, right?"
"I can hear you; I have made preparations for the Valkyrie Stormtroopers, but Siegfried and his daughter still need your decision, Miss Nancy."
Reanna replied.
"This is our second meeting, Lord Siegfried."
Edison gave a brief greeting.
"I'm quite busy, so please let's get straight to the point, I am not available right now, but I can find two suitable accommodations for your daughter."
"Please speak."
"First, Cocolia with Anti-Entropy established an orphanage in Siberia, which houses many children of similar age to your daughter, who are also our experimental subjects."
"An orphanage..."
Siegfried fell into deep thought.
It's not that he was prejudiced against orphanages, but his daughter's personality meant she definitely wouldn't be happy in that place; after all, she was the child who dared to escape to fight Honkai Beasts and help him.
It must be said that even though she is not his biological daughter, her personality is exactly the same as his biological daughter's.
"Don't worry about Cocolia's character."
Edison said, believing Siegfried was worried about Cocolia, a complete stranger.
"Ten years ago, your wife Cecilia saved her life in Siberia, she won't mistreat your daughter."
"Could you tell me about the second option?"
Although somewhat tempted, Siegfried was past the age of making impulsive decisions.
"Second... Schicksal, Far East Branch, St. Freya Academy."
Edison revealed a location that greatly surprised Siegfried.
"Wait... Isn't that Theresa...? Did you contact Theresa? When?"
Although Theresa and Otto did not get along well over the years, Siegfried never expected Theresa to actually connect with Anti-Entropy.
Her intelligence is slightly inconsistent with Siegfried's perception of Theresa.
"When the Second Honkai War ended and Theresa was preparing to found St. Freya Academy, I offered her an investment she couldn't refuse, just like the European Reconstruction Plan Otto and I signed sixty years ago."
Edison was recounting a trivial matter.
"Theresa probably doesn't need me to tell her much, but I must remind you that although Theresa has distanced herself from Otto over the years, the Far East Branch is still Schicksal's Far East Branch, and Otto can easily contact her."
"..."
Edison's words put Siegfried in a dilemma.
It goes without saying that in terms of trust, Siegfried would definitely trust Theresa more, but if she stayed right under Schicksal's nose...
"Miss Nancy, which option do you think is better?"
"Me? If we're talking about stability, then it's Cocolia's orphanage."
Edison wasn't surprised that Siegfried turned the question back to her.
"But if it's about growth, I still recommend St. Freya Academy, after all, the quality of teaching at the orphanage is somewhat worrying... and I believe Theresa and Otto's separation might be only a matter of time; perhaps that child will be that trigger."
"..."
After a moment of thought, Siegfried made a decision.
"Send Kiana to St. Freya Academy, that girl has a restless personality... As for Schicksal... could you send some bodyguards?"
"Bodyguards? In Anti-Entropy, we don't rely on individual combat power, wait a moment."
Suddenly Edison remembered something.
"It seems St. Freya is lacking female teachers, she asked me to make an announcement a few days ago, all these Valkyries are elite, right? We could choose two trustworthy ones to be teachers."
Become a teacher?
The Stormtrooper Valkyries exchanged glances, and then, except for Ragna and Himeko, they all quietly stepped back.
Just kidding, they know their own limitations. Wouldn't they be misleading the students if they dedicated themselves to being teachers?
"Oh really? Have two people volunteered?"
Edison looked at Ragna and Himeko with great interest.
"Could you introduce yourselves?"
"Ragna Lothbrok... A-rank Valkyrie, former captain of the Schicksal Valkyrie Assault Squad, and direct combat instructor subordinate to the headquarters."
"Murata Himeko, A-rank Valkyrie, with a Ph.D. from Caltech."
"A Ph.D. from Caltech?"
Edison's face lit up with interest.
"Yes, my professor is Dr. Einstein."
Himeko replied, showing a composure far beyond her usual behavior. She didn't want to appear weak in front of him.
"Then you and Anti-Entropy really have a quite interesting history."
Edison, oblivious to Himeko's thoughts, sighed, and then looked at Reanna.
"Do you mind if I borrow these two?"
"I don't mind."
Although she felt a little regretful, Reanna always prioritized official matters.
"However, don't forget to provide them with false identities."
...
"That Miss Nancy is surprisingly intimidating."
After cutting off the communication, Ragna couldn't help but sigh.
"And you, Himeko, stop pulling that long face, I've never seen you so serious."
"My face is a bit stiff..."
Himeko rubbed her face.
When it came to a serious and dignified presence, Edison was one of the best among the women Tian Shi knew.
"I really wonder how you, Tian Shi, got along so well with that Miss Edison."
"Could it be because all strong women have a tender side?"
Tian Shi said it half-jokingly.
"Ah... that sounds surprisingly playboy."
Himeko said, pursing her lips.
"I'm looking forward to starting my teaching career."
Ragna also smiled.
"Speaking of teachers... I miss Rita a little. She always wanted me to be her instructor, and Bianca too... Ah!"
Speaking of this, Ragna suddenly remembered something.
"I haven't had a chance to tell you this yet, Mr. Siegfried, but your daughter did not die from falling two years ago, instead, I recovered her, and then Bishop Otto took over her care and treatment. She survived, but lost her memory and her appearance changed drastically, they called her Bianca and she is now in an orphanage in France."
"Bianca... I understand, thank you for letting me know, Miss Ragna."
Siegfried didn't show much surprise and replied calmly.
"I will find a way to resolve this matter, in the coming days, I ask both of you to take care of Kiana."
...
Far East Branch, St. Freya Academy
"It's been a long time, Ragna."
"It's been a long time, Lady Theresa."
Ragna brought the sleeping Kiana out of the ship. Theresa naturally recognized Ragna as one of the few A-rank Valkyries currently in Schicksal, although their last encounter was during the pursuit battle two years ago.
"This child is... Kiana, right?"
Theresa looked at Kiana's sleeping face with a complicated expression.
"Uf... Don't worry, now that you've entrusted this child to me, I'll make sure she grows up safe and sound, not even Grandpa can cause her problems!"
She's quite an imposing presence!
Tian Shi looked at the short man in front of him.
The last time we met was seven years in the future, when I was looking for the Far East Branch with Rita. The last time we met was seven years in the future... that's strange to say.
"You're not interested in this one either, are you?"
Himeko looked at Theresa's height and muttered to herself.
"Although this person has the body of a loli, she is past her prime... Or are you the type of person who doesn't care about anything else as long as the body is loli?"
"Is this person over forty years old?"
"Although I really want to punch you, but... well, I have to remind you that the other person can clearly hear you at this distance."
"..."
Himeko was stunned and looked at Theresa with a stiff expression.
Indeed, the small white-haired loli was looking at her with an angry expression.
"You're only in your forties! Your whole family is over forty! I'm only thirty-eight!"