"What do you mean?"
Theresa looked at Einstein and frowned, though she did not immediately withdraw the replica spear pointing at Einstein's neck.
Her eyes were filled with vigilance and confusion. The situation had developed too quickly for her to fully react. She had anticipated Cocolia's decisive escape; after all, that woman was the vixen of Anti-Entropy. If she hadn't come prepared, she wouldn't have come at all. The only surprise was the method of her escape.
But what Theresa found even more unexpected was that Dr. Einstein, now held at her mercy, appeared unusually calm. She even actively requested a talk.
"A talk?" Theresa tilted her head slightly, the spear in her hand inching half a point closer. "Dr. Einstein, I hope you can first explain what you and Cocolia were doing just now."
And... what did you mean by 'the person in the way' just now?
Einstein's tone remained steady and unwavering, as if the threat at her throat did not exist. "The logic is simple, Ms. Theresa. Ms. Cocolia is the 'person in the way' I referred to."
"It was Ms. Cocolia who proposed the invasion to me. Since she possessed the resources and manpower I needed to complete certain 'preliminary preparations,' I simply went with the flow."
Einstein glanced at the console screen, which was still running nearby. "As for the invasion Ms. Theresa accused us of... why doesn't Ms. Theresa take a look with her own eyes at what is hidden here?"
"What is your meaning?"
Theresa's frown deepened, but after staring at Einstein for a few seconds of silence, she slowly withdrew the spear.
However, the Oath of Judah still stood ominously to the side. Its golden chains trembled slightly before flying out to wrap rapidly around Einstein's hands, preventing her from escaping like Cocolia just had.
"Alright, Doctor." Theresa crossed her arms, looking at her. "Before you show me, let me ask first: this so-called 'talk' of yours... does it represent you, or does it represent Anti-Entropy?"
"It represents the Conservative Faction of Anti-Entropy."
Einstein looked down at the chains of Judah wrapped around her hands, then withdrew her gaze indifferently to look at Theresa.
"We need an ally. An ally within Schicksal. And Ms. Theresa is the candidate we deem most suitable."
Einstein then turned her head to face the console, exposing her back to Theresa. "If you don't mind, Ms. Theresa, I will proceed with the operation."
"..." Theresa nodded. Her gaze shifted to the surrounding surveillance cameras. Just as she was about to speak, Einstein beat her to it.
"No need to worry, Ms. Theresa. Those cameras have already been cut off. No one will know of your current actions. 'That person' will only see that Cocolia and I infiltrated this place."
"You really leave nothing to chance." Theresa looked at Einstein. "But I'm still not clear on why you would come to find me. What reason do I have to cooperate with you?"
"Perhaps you will understand after seeing this."
Einstein had already completed the hacking of the system. As she activated it, the surrounding environment immediately underwent a massive change.
Upon seeing the rows of experimental pods that appeared, Theresa's azure pupils immediately began to tremble, as if she were witnessing something unacceptable.
"Now, Ms. Theresa, do we have a reason to unite?" Einstein pressed a button again, sealing the surroundings back up. She couldn't let the anomaly persist for too long.
Although she had cracked the password, Otto surely left behind backdoors. Even with the signal transmission blocked, she couldn't guarantee complete safety.
Regardless, showing Theresa a glimpse was enough. Given Theresa's personality, as long as she wasn't foolish, she would be willing to unite after seeing those things.
Theresa took a deep breath, suppressing her shock. "Fine. Let's talk. What exactly do you want to do? Take revenge on Schicksal?"
Einstein casually stowed away the console interface; that item was no longer necessary. Subsequently, she made a gesture of invitation. There were still too many surveillance cameras here; it wasn't suitable for a chat.
Theresa also glanced warily at the surrounding cameras. Then, tugging the chains of Judah, she led Einstein toward the exit.
Einstein didn't seem to mind being led along like a captive. She calmly explained to Theresa, "If it were merely for revenge, there would be no need to go to such great lengths. Though, I do not deny that we harbor such objectives."
To put it bluntly, they wished they could drag Otto out of the Overseer's office and blast him in turns with every weapon they had. Didn't he have many spare bodies? They could use a different weapon on each body. With their scientific research capabilities, they guaranteed that Otto could experience a completely different weapon with every body.
But that was merely a private grudge. The things they needed to do were not limited to that.
"Furthermore, this invasion was Cocolia's arbitrary action. The Conservative Faction did not participate, nor did we commit any forces." Einstein, escorted by Theresa through the corridor, maintained a calm tone.
"The cooperation we seek is based on a more important common goal—dealing with the Honkai, and... checking and balancing certain insane plans that might place the future of humanity in danger."
Einstein's words seemed to point at something specific as her sharp gaze turned to Theresa. "I think you should understand who I am referring to. In certain aspects, our stance might be closer to yours than that of Schicksal HQ."
Theresa fell into silence. After seeing those things, she was indeed moved. If Grandpa was really preparing to do that kind of thing...
"Cooperation... what does it specifically entail?" Although Theresa was still tugging the chains of Judah, her hand had lowered slightly. "How do you want to cooperate?"
"Intelligence sharing, technological exchange, and joint operations under specific circumstances." Einstein felt the chain go slack and breathed a sigh of relief. From the looks of it, Theresa had half-agreed to the alliance.
"Of course, it would seem inappropriate to propose specific cooperation items right now. However, regarding what we can exchange..."
Einstein pretended to ponder for a moment before speaking. "You should know that Cocolia is currently determined to obtain the Gem of Conquest. We can help you prevent this matter, although we certainly cannot inform you of all her operations."
"But at the very least, we can allow you to take precautions. How about it?"
Hearing "Gem of Conquest," Theresa's eyes flickered. She knew Einstein was telling the truth. In that case, this trade was at least meaningful for them. As for what they would have to give later, that was a matter for another time.
"I need to consider it." Theresa did not agree immediately. "And even if I agree, this is limited only to me and your Anti-Entropy Conservative Faction. It has nothing to do with the Far East Branch."
"Of course." Einstein nodded. Having Theresa was enough. "cooperation that is secret and effective does not need to be done with great fanfare. Furthermore, since we have reached a cooperation, the chains on my hands..."
"...I understand." Theresa finally relented. With a gentle pull of her hand, the chains of Judah binding Einstein's hands instantly loosened and retracted into the cross.
"Mn, it seems you've finished chatting."
Just as Einstein was about to say something about her armor, a cool female voice suddenly sounded from behind them. Einstein immediately turned around. Unnoticed by them, a yellow-haired girl was standing behind them.
Seeing the girl appear so suddenly, Einstein immediately stepped back. When did this person appear? She hadn't heard any movement at all. And for the other party to appear at this time... did that mean she had heard everything they just said?
"Irene! Why do you have to be so scary?!" Theresa, who was equally frightened by Irene's sudden appearance, patted her chest to soothe her heart.
While dragging Einstein out just now, she had looked back from time to time, yet she hadn't noticed when Irene had started standing behind them at all.
"I didn't follow for long, just watched you guys discuss the cooperation matters." Irene wore a mischievous smile on her face. As for why she wasn't discovered?
What a joke. With a cat's stealth skills, even Sakura, a top-tier martial artist, hadn't discovered her, and even had her various equipment and weapons stolen until only a single gripped sword remained.
Wasn't it normal for Theresa and Einstein not to discover her? Of course, she didn't do it on purpose. It was just that they were chatting about business, and Irene really couldn't find a suitable time to butt in.
Absolutely not because she wanted to scare people. Absolutely not. Absolutely not.
"Is she an acquaintance of Ms. Theresa?" Einstein looked at Theresa. "Could you introduce us?"
"Mn, well." Theresa looked at Irene. If she had to introduce her, she could give Irene several introductions, but in the spur of the moment, she really didn't know how to start.
"Let me do it." Irene smiled, then looked at Einstein. "Hello, Dr. Einstein. My name is Irene. I am a teacher at St. Freya Academy and also an A-Rank Valkyrie of Schicksal. At least, I am for now."
"Ah, no need to worry. I have no intention of snitching. After all, I just discussed a little something with Ms. Tesla and Mr. Welt earlier."
Hearing the two names from Irene's mouth, Einstein frowned. "That is truly unexpected. What does Ms. Irene want to do?"
"Do some things that I didn't do in the past." Irene smiled at Einstein. "Besides, I'm just here to pick up our super cute Principal."
"Is it really that simple, Ms. Irene?" Einstein looked at Irene. "If that were the case, it seems there was absolutely no need for Ms. Irene to show herself just now?"
"Mn, I suppose you could say that~" Irene nodded. "However, I've already handed the medicine and such to Dr. Tesla. Mn, if I have anything to say, it would just be a few suggestions~"
Hearing Irene's words, Tesla hadn't reacted yet—since she wasn't there—but Theresa's reaction was significant. Irene's suggestions at a time like this were nine times out of ten about things that might happen in the future.
"Suggestions?" Einstein frowned. "Does Ms. Irene have any suggestions to give us?"
"Of course I do." Irene nodded. "First of all. If possible, please be sure to pay attention to Ms. Cocolia. If she is unable to obtain 'Conquest', she will look for a substitute. And 'Serenity' will be offered up in the future."
"Serenity?" Einstein frowned at this term. She wasn't unfamiliar with it; or rather, she already understood what Irene was referring to.
But shouldn't the Gem of Serenity be under Otto's control? Otto should be guarding that gem strictly; how could it be easily obtained by Cocolia?
"The second one." Irene didn't prepare to explain, because even if she did, Einstein likely couldn't do much about that matter right now. The death associated with Serenity... that Dr. Magi would likely still hand it over to Cocolia.
And judging from the fact that Siegfried came out to help in the original timeline, they weren't completely unaware of this matter, they just didn't have time to do more.
Irene naturally needed them to know this intel sooner. Only then could they take more actions in advance. And although that Dr. Magi wasn't a great person...
His scientific research capabilities were indeed impeccable. If they wanted to research the potion, having one more person was better than having one less, right?
"There is also a second suggestion." Irene looked at Einstein. "If possible, please be sure to pay attention to Siegfried. There are others watching him too."
"Those are truly some vague suggestions." Einstein's brow furrowed tightly. "Ms. Irene, if you want to say something, why can't you say it more clearly?"
"Mn, because it's not time yet." Irene spread her hands. Sometimes, speaking clearly wasn't necessarily useful. Speaking vaguely might make the other party take it more seriously.
Moreover, the cooperation had just begun. Speaking vaguely and inducing the other party to investigate themselves—as long as the results of the investigation proved what she said, it would increase her trustworthiness significantly.
After all, people were more inclined to believe what they investigated themselves. This was a street trick Pardo taught her.
—St. Freya Academy Outskirts—
Tesla used simple equipment to begin a checkup on Welt's entire body. Looking at the data displayed on the screen, the shock on Tesla's face did not fade.
"Unbelievable... the tissues that were damaged due to conflict with the Core previously have actually begun to recover." Tesla looked up at Welt. "Although the root problem hasn't changed, your current condition is undoubtedly the best it has been in years."
"How exactly did she do it? She seemed to only touch you with her hand."
Because Tesla had been behind Welt earlier, she hadn't seen the electric light flashing on Irene's hand, only Welt collapsing after the touch.
Welt moved his arm, feeling a long-lost sense of ease within his body. He let out a long breath. "The secrets she holds are probably far more numerous than we imagine. Tesla, that potion—research must begin as soon as possible."
"Do I need you to tell me that?!" Tesla carefully placed the test tube containing the potion into a special constant-temperature storage box. "I'll analyze it with Chicken Nest Head the moment we get back!"
"Chicken Nest Head will definitely be startled."
________________________________________
🌸 Help Love Bloom!
Our girls need a little push... and you can help!
💖 Gift for Everyone: Once we hit 50 Powerstones, I'll release +1 bonus chapter to warm your hearts.
🚀 Community Reward: If we reach 10 supporting members, we'll have a +5 chapter marathon across all stories! The romance won't stop.
👻 Come to our secret corner: Search for GirlsLove on (P). You know that's where the magic happens... 😉