"Good evening, Lady Fu Hua. It has been some time."
A breathtaking young woman stood at the doorway.
Her appearance clearly surprised Fu Hua.
"Rita? Where is Overseer Otto?"
"Overseer Otto is presently occupied. He has entrusted me to rendezvous with you."
The girl called Rita stepped inside as she spoke, and Fu Hua moved aside to let her pass.
If it was Otto's order, then so be it.
Though, truthfully, Fu Hua was never particularly good at dealing with this woman.
Rita walked gracefully toward them.
"My apologies for the sudden visit."
She offered a gentle smile and a respectful bow, elegance radiating from every movement.
"You must be Lord Tarnished and Miss Hu Tao. I am Rita Rossweisse."
Straightening, she brushed a strand of hair from beside her ear and extended a slender hand.
"By order of Overseer Otto, I have come to assist the two of you."
He merely nodded in acknowledgment.
Then, out of habit, he assessed her quietly.
Soft ash-blonde hair framed her face, her bangs covering one eye while revealing the other—a wine-red gaze beneath long lashes. A small beauty mark at the corner of her eye lent her an air of irresistible charm, like a delicate rose in bloom.
Her black, backless maid outfit was adorned with rose accessories, accentuating her tall, elegant figure. Beneath the hem, a tantalizing glimpse of skin contrasted with her long, toned legs wrapped in black stockings.
Beautiful.
Alluring.
Every gesture refined, every motion poised.
To him, it was novel.
In the Lands Between—where madness and slaughter reigned—there were no such maids.
More common were deranged figures dancing around bonfires with blood-stained cleavers.
Or brooding women lurking in shadows.
Normal people were rare.
Still—
In his heart, she could not compare to his first wife or his second wife.
Yes. His wives were the best.
Unlike his silence, Hu Tao was brimming with enthusiasm.
"Hello! I'm Hu Tao, the seventy-seventh Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
She nudged his arm.
"See? I told you—not everyone has a bloody calamity. Look at Miss Rita. Though there are clouds over her brow—perhaps some danger ahead—there's no serious harm in sight."
She chattered endlessly.
Fu Hua's expression darkened.
Rita, on the other hand, looked puzzled.
She had no idea what Hu Tao was talking about.
Unbothered, Hu Tao swung her legs while seated and continued brightly:
"But no worries! Miss Rita, would you be interested in learning about the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's services? Birth, aging, illness, death—these are natural. Preparation never hurts.
"And we're currently offering a twenty percent discount! Half price on the second gravestone!"
This girl's business must be terrible, he thought dryly.
Still, Hu Tao was amusing in her own eccentric way.
"Thank you for the proposal, Miss Hu Tao," Rita replied with a flawless smile. "But I will decline for now."
Polite and composed.
Now that's good manners, he noted.
"Eh? That's such a shame…"
Hu Tao's lively expression wilted instantly.
"Enough small talk," he interjected at last. "Let's discuss the situation."
If this dragged on, who knew when the mission would end? He still wanted to return home to his wife.
"So urgent?" Hu Tao pouted. "I haven't even expanded my business yet."
"If you're looking for business, come to my world sometime. The Lands Between has plenty suitable for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
After listening long enough, he had a fair idea of what her "services" entailed.
Funerals.
And the Lands Between lacked many things—
But not corpses.
Besides, Hu Tao and Fia might actually get along.
"Really? Then I'll definitely visit when I have time!"
At the word "business," Hu Tao brightened instantly, her plum blossom eyes practically sparkling with gold.
So easy to read.
He cleared his throat.
"Miss Rita. Please explain."
"Of course, Lord Tarnished."
Rita retrieved a metallic sphere from behind her and placed it on the table.
With a press, a pale blue holographic projection sprang to life—a three-dimensional model of the Queen's Hotel.
"Currently, floors seventeen and above have been occupied by Anti-Entropy forces under the command of a Welt clone. However, Overseer Otto and Lady Durandal have intercepted their reinforcements and Titan units.
"Our objective is to eliminate the remaining personnel and collaborators stationed on the thirty-sixth floor."
The hologram shifted, marking enemy positions, Titan deployments, their own floor, and even advantageous terrain.
If he had possessed such a tool in the Lands Between, he might have avoided countless ambushes—
And getting lost so often.
"Lady Fu Hua," Rita continued, turning to her, "Overseer Otto asked me to inquire—where is Miss Kiana?"
Fu Hua fell silent.
After a long pause, she spoke.
"…I apologize. Due to my negligence, Kiana was captured by Anti-Entropy."
Her tone was steady, but guilt was evident.
She recounted her failed rescue attempt. Alone, she had stood no chance—and nearly lost herself in the process.
"Please do not blame yourself, Lady Fu Hua," Rita said softly. "Overseer Otto anticipated this. That is why I was sent."
Her gaze shifted to them.
"Please rescue Miss Kiana as well. Overseer Otto will reward you generously."
"So this is not merely an extermination," he said thoughtfully. "We must also rescue someone named Kiana?"
"Yes."
He scratched the back of his head beneath his helm.
"Troublesome…"
Extermination was simple.
Rescue? That was different.
And if these invaders were as strong as Fu Hua described—
Why capture rather than kill?
Hu Tao, observing quietly, spoke up.
"If they're strong enough to overpower Miss Fu Hua—and they intended to capture her alive… doesn't that suggest they have certain… preferences?"
The room fell silent.
The implication was obvious.
And yet none of them had considered it.
Perhaps not surprising—after spending so long among the madness of the Lands Between.
He glanced at Rita and Fu Hua—two strikingly different yet equally remarkable presences.
A faint smile curved his lips.
"I have a bold idea…"