The Gold and Grey knights faced off across the air, an invisible storm churning with the two of them at its eye.
Sensors all along the corridor flashed wildly and shrieked, as if heralding a decisive battle that would echo through the ages.
If Fuli were merely a bystander to this situation—a standoff comparable to a dramatic celebrity feud where everyone goes crazy—he would certainly hide in a corner, giggle, and lament that witnessing such a scene was worth the price of admission, even if it killed him.
But as the absolute center of the storm, he could only let out a very futile, completely uncool cry: "Stop! Stop it! Please don't fight anymore!"
"Exactly. If you really want to fight, go to the training room."
A languid, casual voice cut in abruptly. A girl with a Far Eastern style stopped lazily in her tracks.
She had a face as exquisite as a doll, straight jet-black hair reaching her calves, and a complex red shimenawa rope swaying gently behind her. Her outfit consisted of a red and black off-shoulder top paired with a dark brown pleated mini-skirt.
Her right leg was clad in an eye-catching long white stocking, while her left foot wore a short sock and a wooden clog. Her entire being exuded the listless aura of a "salted fish" (slacker).
Her name was Mushoku Kika (Colorless Fire). She was born into an ancient family in the Far East, rumored to be a famous demon-slaying clan from Shinano, but they had declined due to the Honkai and were gradually forgotten.
It wasn't until later, when discovered by Schicksal, that she was able to pull herself together and join the organization.
Durandal snorted coldly. "Mushoku Kika, this is none of your business!"
"It would be best for Miss Kika to avoid this," Iron Maiden advised slowly, her gaze never leaving Fuli for a second. "The cost of operating the Nexus System is too high. There is absolutely no need for you to get involved in our conflict."
The Nexus System: a pinnacle achievement designed personally by the Overseer of Schicksal, Otto Apocalypse. It loaded the weapons, energy, and equipment originally meant for a battleship-class unit onto a single suit of connected armor.
As the undisputed flagship of Schicksal, the Brilliance Covenant was also equipped with this system.
And Mushoku Kika was the Valkyrie directly under the Overseer's office who piloted the ship's Nexus System.
In her normal state, she was enough to contend with an S-Rank. With full firepower, she could rival even rule-breaking entities. However, because operating the system shaved away her lifespan, she usually acted no different from a lazy salted fish.
"Yes, yes, yes. I'm just a mere natural Stigmata awakener. How would I dare compare myself to you two monsters?" Mushoku Kika spread her hands perfunctorily. "The problem is, you two insist on blocking the only path to the dessert shop. This makes things very difficult for me, as I am in urgent need of a sugar refill!"
"Dessert?"
Durandal frowned subconsciously.
Mushoku Kika immediately stomped her foot. "Hey! Just because you have Rita as a childhood friend doesn't mean the pastries made by the chef are hard to swallow!"
The more she spoke, the more she gritted her teeth. Hiyah! I'm so pissed off! Where can I pick up my own all-purpose maid?
"No, I haven't said anything yet..."
"And what does that have to do with anything?" Iron Maiden seized the topic to provoke her, her gaze challenging. "Having the subject changed with just a few words... if this is the extent of Durandal's resolve, it would be safer for Mr. Fuli to stay by my side."
"Tsk!"
That last sentence stepped precisely on Bianka's landmine. A fire of nameless rage ignited in her chest.
Just as the atmosphere heated up again, Fuli caught a glimpse of the weapon the Knight Princess was gripping tightly and suddenly realized something. "Bianka, why is half of your Divine Key missing? Where is the Black Abyss part?"
"Black Abyss, it—"
"Awooo!"
A cheerful howl interrupted the answer. In a flash of lightning, a pair of arms, warm and soft as jade, groped from behind Fuli and involuntarily pulled him into an embrace.
Duang!
Two considerably large, extremely elastic masses of fat solidly capped the top of his head!
"Who?!"
Schicksal HQ was simply unfathomable. The three in front were one thing, but another hidden powerhouse had appeared, completely ignoring the detection of Cold River Reflecting the Moon. It would be difficult for the Hyperion to catch up in this regard.
The boy, currently under assault by shampoo scent, lamented inwardly.
[It's still because the Host's strength is insufficient; your skills cannot be effectively utilized.]
Prometheus hit the nail on the head.
[Why doesn't the Host activate the First Rated Power of Jizo Mitama and use that Star Domain dominance to kidnap them all back to the Hyperion?] Dr. Mei tirelessly offered terrible ideas. [Add in the Partial Expansion Jutsu and the Host's naturally gifted dimensions—attacking both the body and the mind—I guarantee none of these women will run away!]
[What to do? There is only the "hard" way!]
[What's wrong with 'sleep-suading' everyone into a united front against the Honkai?!]
"..."
Rarely, Fuli didn't retort immediately.
Realizing he was slightly tempted, Dr. Mei didn't press the advantage. She simply planted the seed in his heart, to be watered slowly in the future.
Outside, the mysterious newcomer, having been shouted at by Fuli, actually panicked. The arms hugging him instinctively tightened.
Crack!
"Waist, waist, waist! It's gonna break, it's gonna break!"
Even with the invulnerable Golden Armor, the sheer physical crushing force made the victim hear the wailing of his own bones.
He looked furiously toward the corridor, gazing backward through the reflection on the metal wall:
It was a beautiful figure with tea-colored hair reaching her waist. She wore a medieval-style gold-trimmed white Valkyrie uniform with high slits, her legs wrapped in white silk stockings. Her molten-gold eyes flickered with excitement.
Fuli felt this person looked inexplicably familiar, but he couldn't place the name immediately.
"Senior Eleanor! Have mercy!"
Bianka's anxious voice cut through the air.
Realization dawned on the boy's face.
"Sister Eleanor!"
"Awooo! Awooo awooo!"
Recognized, Eleanor was super excited. She picked Fuli up and spun him around several times before reluctantly putting him down.
Then, she stood prettily in front of him like a lioness protecting her cub, holding the Divine Key, Black Abyss, and hissing at the three powerful Valkyries, including Durandal.
After awakening in reality, Eleanor was capable of normal speech. However, in front of Fuli, she stubbornly retained the "Awooo Awooo" language system from the virtual space. The key point was that Fuli could actually understand it, which was truly bizarre.
But speaking of which, why did coming to Schicksal feel just like returning to his old home?
Not only did he run into a string of acquaintances, but any girl he picked out at random was of a quality that didn't lose to the Hyperion's luxury lineup.
Of course, ideals were ideals, and reality was reality. Even if Fuli were given the chance to choose, he definitely wouldn't stay here.
He could barely suppress the group on the Hyperion to maintain a superficial peace.
These ones in front of him?
LOL, he couldn't beat a single one of them.
"Ungrateful woman!"
"Hand over Mr. Fuli!"
"Tsk, people blocking the way are so annoying!"
"Awooo awooo!"
Accompanied by a verbal exchange that sent sparks flying, the conflict, intensified by Eleanor's sudden interruption, finally exploded!
No one knew who moved first, but the four S-Rank level Valkyries brazenly started a brawl in this narrow corridor!
Air currents burst, metal clashed against metal, and energy shockwaves swept the walls. The gorgeous marble floor and precise metal walls suffered instantly. The scene exploded into chaos; the whole place turned into a messy pot of porridge.
"What do I do now?"
Hiding in a corner deliberately ignored by everyone, Fuli scratched his head.
I just wanted to visit a patient. Can a kind soul tell me where the sanatorium is? This old man is willing to offer his body in return!
Perhaps God heard his favorite son's cry, for a clear, melodious voice rang out, tinged with surprise and delight:
"Mr. Fuli?"
Miss Asta, who had just returned from enjoying a perfect vacation in the Maldives, poked her head out from around the corner, dragging a cute suitcase.
"It really is you. Why did you come to HQ?" Her eyes lit up, and she immediately put down her luggage and started rummaging. "By the way, the remaining balance for the Light Cones purchased last time—I'll transfer it to your Crystal account right now."
Giving away money upon meeting—as expected of the Eldest Miss of the Interastral Peace Corporation.
"And this, a local specialty from my trip."
She stuffed an exquisitely handcrafted wooden Dhoni boat model into Fuli's arms. It was one of the specialties of the Maldives archipelago, symbolizing their maritime culture, and a super popular souvenir.
Fuli thanked her and accepted it. The 3D map constructed by Cold River Reflecting the Moon clearly reflected in his mind, and he immediately noticed a tiny "Made in China" label in an inconspicuous corner. He silently complained that the world was indeed just one giant China.
Unaware of this, Asta pointed at the storm that had already broken through the corridor ceiling into the sky, slicing through the clouds, and whispered, "What are they doing?"
"Fighting out of jealousy for the deeply loved me."
Fuli's expression was solemn, as if reading a universal truth.
"Pfft! Hahahahaha!"
Asta was tickled pink by him, clutching her stomach, breathless, with tears squeezing out of the corners of her eyes.
"Let's not talk about that," Fuli seized the chance to change the subject. "Do you know where Rita's hospital room is?"
He had asked Theresa for Wendy's coordinates before coming.
"Of course I know. I am Senator Number Four of the Senate, you know! Do you need me to take you there?"
"I need that very much!"
Guiding someone wasn't a big deal; refusing even this level of help would only make friends seem distant.
So, Fuli activated his Presence Concealment, and Asta magically produced a Light Cone with a similar effect from her exquisite bag that resembled a Kamen Rider belt, dashingly slapping it onto her waist.
They exchanged a knowing look and sneakingly fled the scene.
Only when they confirmed they were safe did they look at each other and burst out laughing.
"By the way, Asta." On the way to the ward, Fuli chatted as they walked. "Why do people in Schicksal HQ draw swords at the drop of a hat? Is the culture this fierce?"
The others arguably had a reason to fight, but what was Mushoku Kika in it for? Was she aiming for Level 95 or Level 160?
"At HQ, this is just an everyday meal."
The little rich girl revealed a belly-black (mischievous) smile. "Branch Head Theresa and Lady Maria Schariac once blew a floating island in a remote area to smithereens. By the way, the reconstruction project was contracted by a construction team under our Interastral Peace Corporation. If Hyperion has needs in the future, you can come to us too!"
"That good? What kind of discount do I get?"
"Free! We're all family!"
Asta waved her small hand, heroically generous.
"That would be too embarrassing."
"It's okay, it's okay. I've been curious about the Hyperion's internal structure for a long time."
"Being an insider so blatantly isn't good, is it..."
Fuli naturally knew Asta was joking, but he played along. "But if you're really curious, coming for a tour another day isn't out of the question."
"So generous?"
"Of course!" Fuli grinned, deliberately lowering his voice. "Wait until you sneakily touch the core area, and I'll clatter-clang drop an iron cage to lock you up! First, I'll feed you top-tier ingredients until you're white, chubby, and sleek, then pick an auspicious day to fire up the stove."
He bared his teeth and claws. "Jie jie jie! The flesh of the Corporation Director's daughter... the taste must be incomparably delicious, not yielding even to the meat of the Tang Monk!"
"You're awful! Mr. Fuli, you're too bad!"
The little rich girl coquettishly slapped his arm. The two laughed and joked, walking through the garden in a relaxed atmosphere.
In the shadows of a pillar not far behind them, a pair of rose-pink eyes watched this scene in disbelief.
"That's... Fufu-sensei and Asta?"
Anna had just finished handling Senate official business. She intended to clear her mind on this quiet garden path before going back to rest, but unexpectedly stumbled upon this scene that filled her with mixed flavors.
To be fair, Asta was her close friend.
When Anna first entered the Senate, it was this young lady who gave her full support. Coupled with their compatible personalities and similar ages, they were now intimate besties who would think of each other when good things happened—like the investment in the Hyperion.
And Fuli... Anna's feelings for him were more complex.
Admiration was undoubted. He was the first member of the opposite sex she had solemnly confessed to in her life, and her internet friend of several years.
This destined, marvelous fate, combined with the Schariac trait of "giving oneself away easily," had already quietly spawned an indescribable ripple in the bottom of her heart.
But now...
Her revered Fufu-sensei was walking side-by-side with her best friend.
Those occasional close whispers, the intimate physical playfulness—everything declared that their relationship was extraordinary.
Clearly... clearly I was first...
Knowing Fufu-sensei, and becoming good friends with Asta...
Anna subconsciously bit her lip tight, her fingertips digging slightly into her palm.
A complex emotion mixed with loss, sourness, and inexplicable grievance quietly wrapped around her heart.
"Senator Anna, what are you doing here?"
The girl snapped back to reality, discovering the newcomer was the Captain of the Immortal Squad, known as the Wind Sword Saint, The Unkneeler—Aisha Lopez.
As a "good person" who had once been exceptionally invited by the World-Traversing Ranger, and also the Chief Captain of the Immortal Squad under the Senate, Aisha had frequently cooperated with Anna recently on the Valkyrie Rights Protection Act. The two had moved from being nodding acquaintances to being familiar enough to be considered semi-friends.
"N-Nothing!"
Anna hurriedly straightened her back, trying to mask the turbulence in her heart, but her gaze uncontrollably drifted toward those two figures walking further away.
Following her line of sight, Aisha precisely captured the backs of Fuli and Asta.
Even though she had never been involved in romance, the Sword Saint, whose mind was as fine as hair, quickly perceived the twist within.
Driven by a sense of justice, she grabbed Anna's wrist, strode forward to chase them, and shouted, "You two in front, please stop!"
"Hmm?"
Fuli turned around. His eyes lit up when his gaze landed on Anna, who was being pulled by Aisha.
"Anna! Long time no see!"
"L-Long time no see, Fufu—Teacher Fuli!"
The excited girl almost slipped up. Even though she corrected herself at the critical moment, the word "Teacher" still blurted out.
"Teacher? No need for that, just call me by my name."
Fuli welcomed her warmly. This was the key target for replicating the Ice Stigmata in the future; he had to grind Affection Points.
Asta raised her exquisite moth eyebrows. The boy's overly enthusiastic actions allowed her to keenly smell something unusual.
But at least for now, the little rich girl hadn't reached the level of being jealous over Fuli. So she just stood aside with her arms crossed, greeting Anna in passing.
Aisha's expression gradually became serious.
In her eyes, Fuli had clearly been getting hot and heavy with Asta just moments ago, but the moment he turned his head, he was gallantly courting Anna.
Combined with Anna's pitiful appearance just now, like an abandoned small animal...
Heartbreaker! Scumbag! Two-timer!
Ten thousand words of melodramatic dog-blood plot instantly formed in the girl's mind.
"Mr. Fuli of the Hyperion, I am Aisha Lopez of the Immortal Squad." Aisha took a step forward, her voice cold. "Perhaps my question is very presumptuous, but I must ask clearly."
Her gaze was sharp as a sword, sweeping over Asta and Anna in turn, finally fixing on Fuli's face.
"What exactly is the relationship between you and Senator Asta, and Senator Anna?"
Clang!
The twin swords hanging at her waist emitted a clear and excited hum!
Fuli's swordsmanship had been praised by Fu Hua as being similar to hers, inferior only to a very few people like the former Luofu Swordmaster, Limitless Light Jingliu.
Aisha, holding the title of Schicksal's Sword Saint, instinctively sensed this. Her long-dormant fighting spirit was ignited, and uncontrollable excitement surged in her heart.
However, as the party being questioned, Fuli was a bit annoyed.
Where was the inquiry in this aggressive posture? It was clearly seizing a pretext to act, a deliberate provocation!
Asta, innocently dragged into this, also showed displeasure. The little rich girl crossed her arms and took a step forward, actively shielding Fuli behind her.
Her voice carried a trace of coldness belonging to a superior: "Captain Aisha, since you know the question is presumptuous, why didn't you remain silent from the start?"
"Everyone! Everyone! Please calm down!"
Anna, finally coming to her senses, also hurried forward, trying to stop the menacing Aisha.
Facing the joint obstruction of two Senators, Aisha, realizing she seemed to be meddling, fell silent for a moment.
The two sharp swords, which had almost unsheathed themselves under the intense agitation of sword intent, were pressed back into their scabbards by her with undeniable force.
" excuse my rudeness."
She lowered her eyelids and whispered an apology.
Then, her figure passed the three like the wind, walking straight toward the depths of the corridor, leaving behind only a cold, hard, and lofty slender back.
Meddling, but no regrets.
At worst, I'll just take a scolding or a few eye-rolls. But what if the situation was truly as I judged?
After Aisha left, the remaining three all breathed a sigh of relief.
They looked at each other, and the atmosphere became inexplicably awkward.