Ragna's Great Life Crisis

Especially when Ragna said "there is only one problem," Himeko's heart was in her throat.

Fortunately, things didn't develop as Himeko had imagined.

"Oh dear, only two years? I thought it would be more than ten years."

"Ah... even though it was two years, it was the darkest time of my life... tied for the darkest."

"Parallel?" It's quite novel to use the term "parallel" in something like this.

"Because my father passed away two years ago... Before that, the darkest thing was the passing of my mother."

"Dr. Murata... Ah, sorry to bring that up."

Ragna apologized repeatedly, but when it came to 2015... Ragna seemed to have a vague recollection of it.

After all, as the top Valkyrie of this period, she would have some impression of any slight movement from the higher-ups.

There seemed to be some news... She saw the bishop's secretary Amber, pacing anxiously in the corridor after seeing the news. After that period, Ragna hadn't heard the name Murata Ryusuke, and the director of the St. 7308 Institute had also changed.

"It's alright. The period after my dad passed away wasn't entirely dark. On the contrary, it helped me solidify my new life goals... Hey, let's not talk about this anymore. Captain, would you like another cup of coffee?"

"No, I haven't slept well for a week, I want to take a nap... Can I borrow the sofa?"

Ragna waved his hand, found a comfortable position on the sofa, lay down, and fell asleep immediately.

"The captain just finished drinking coffee and went to sleep... Can he really sleep?"

"Friendly reminder: coffee isn't as energizing as you might think. After all, you get used to things eventually, don't you?"

After breaking free from the possession Liu Bai shrugged.

"However... well, although their personalities and appearances are completely different, there are definitely some resemblance."

Although he only exchanged a few words with Ragna, Liu Bai vaguely felt as if he were talking to Rita.

It's that kind of... "subtle and appropriate" emotional intelligence and rationality.

"What?" Himeko looked at Liu Bai in confusion.

Shadow?

Are you referring to her and the captain?

"It's nothing, just a casual remark. By the way, should we go to the florist and buy a wreath for your captain?"

"The captain is just asleep, she's not dead!"

That's a real shame.

"Speaking of which..." Himeko lowered her voice slightly, "I'm really afraid that the two of you will suddenly have a conflict. If that happens, I'll really be in a dilemma."

"You won't argue, your captain is a rational person—don't underestimate the maid."

Liu Bai chuckled at Himeko's lingering fear.

"Your captain... or rather, your seniors all know who they are fighting for."

"... Schicksal?"

"How come you haven't figured things out? It's the people," Liu Bai corrected. "Protecting the people and resisting the Honkai —this is the concept that most Valkyrie are instilled with during training, so the vast majority of Valkyrie are noble ones."

Even Rita, the maid who seems to be smiling with a knife at first glance, actually puts the safety of the people first. She is not the kind of person who would retreat first if the situation is not good. She is the kind of person who is willing to fight to the death for the lives of the people.

... In some ways, this trait might have been inherited from the head maid who was fast asleep right in front of us.

However, compared to Ragna, whose warmth is immediately apparent, Rita's warmth can only be felt through deeper interaction.

"So even if you really are Anti-Entropy spy, Ragna will only tie you up and teach you a lesson first, instead of reporting you to the authorities immediately—after all, you are her team member no matter what."

"... This trust is truly a heavy burden."

"Ha... why is all the jewelry here so expensive?"

In the shopping mall, Himeko sighed as she looked at the dazzling array of gold and silver jewelry before her.

"After all, Britain craftsmanship is quite good," Liu Bai explained from the side. "Besides, it's not like you really can't afford it."

To reiterate, Valkyrie are paid very well—even though Himeko has only been B-rank Valkyrie for less than six months.

"It's just that I'm a little unaccustomed to suddenly being exposed to such luxury goods," Himeko sighed.

"It's better to change your mindset... ah, but don't change it too much, at least don't be like Tesla." Liu Bai changed his mind halfway through his sentence.

"Dr. Tesla?"

"She's a famous spendthrift. I met her more than 50 years ago and she was already a spendthrift, and she still is now."

They might even continue to live paycheck to paycheck in the future.

Liu Bai added in his mind.

Moreover, Tesla hasn't changed any of its flaws, including its immature behavior and poor drinking habits... Tesla is quite impressive in many ways.

"I don't understand... but can you recommend one? What kind of jewelry would Captain Ragna like?"

That's right, Himeko was picking out jewelry for Ragna.

After all, we've been taken care of for so long, it wouldn't be right not to give something in return.

"I think giving her a set of 'Winning Lingerie' would be a good idea."

Himeko now has over a dozen sets of winning lingerie, one set a day for half a month without repeating a single one, can you believe it?

This is all thanks to the love and care from Himeko's seniors—even though Himeko doesn't want it at all.

Can you please stop bringing up topics that are hard to discuss?

Himeko doesn't want to become a spinster whose only gift is the Victory Underwear—giving the captain that would only earn her a pitying look from him, right?

"Hmm... then I recommend silver jewelry, such as bracelets."

After careful consideration, Liu Bai offered his suggestion.

"After all, gold jewelry doesn't quite suit your captain's style, does it? Silver, on the other hand, is more understated and even matches that maid outfit better..."

Drop--!

A slightly piercing alarm suddenly sounded.

"Alarm!?"

Himeko was still hesitating, suddenly snapped to attention.

"Not here," Liu Bai added, at the same time, Himeko's personal communication device was activated.

"Himeko! A small-scale Honkai Energy reaction has occurred 2,000 meters to your location at a 30-degree angle to the northeast. The affected area is small!"

Himeko recognized the voice on the communicator; it belonged to someone from the defense department.

"According to the latest location data, Captain Ragna is currently inside the Honkai source!"

"What do you mean by 'final positioning'?!"

Himeko was alarmed by what the other person said.

"The Honkai Energy interference is too severe! We cannot confirm the location—we will deploy special forces to assist in maintaining stability in the surrounding area! Please proceed to the scene immediately for rescue!"

"I***!"

Himeko cursed angrily.

Why did it have to happen at this time?!

Our captain should be doing community service right now—meaning he's unarmed!

There isn't anything as advanced as Valkyrie Armor yet, and combat suits have limited effectiveness, so weapons are the foundation of the Valkyrie.

If they were fully armed, their captain could definitely single-handedly cut through this level of Honkai, but without weapons...

"This is bad... this is bad... I'm heading to the scene immediately! You guys go to our temporary base and get the weapons!"

Who could have imagined that this place would suddenly erupt into Honkai without any warning, and that the captain would be caught in the crossfire—that's just too unlucky!

However, the only good thing is that the area affected by the Honkai wasn't very large. If they're lucky, the captain should be able to get out.

"What bad luck..."

Bang--!

Ragna muttered to himself as he picked up an iron pipe and smashed the Assault-class Honkai Beast in front of him to pieces.

"It just so happens that the Honkai Beast appeared at this very moment."

Ragna is feeling much the same way as Himeko; they both feel incredibly unlucky.

However, Ragna didn't really have much time to make any sentimental remarks.

"Everyone! Evacuate to this side! Don't panic! Maintain order!"

The Honkai Beast came out of the building in front, and the actual damage they're causing isn't that great yet. The real problem is the tourists on the street.

Faced with this sudden "monster," most people panicked.

She had to come out and maintain order.

"Everyone evacuate to the outer perimeter immediately! Someone will come to meet you!"

Then erase the memory.

Ragna added quietly.

Although Ragna was dressed in a maid outfit that wasn't particularly intimidating, the "monster" corpse at his feet and the deformed steel pipe in his hand were enough to convince everyone.

"I'm going inside to rescue people! The rest of you, evacuate immediately! Don't stay a moment longer!"

Fortunately, this is a wide street, so the chances of a stampede are much smaller.

The only fortunate thing now is that there are no Death Soldier.

This kind of relatively small-scale Honkai event is unlikely to produce many Honkai Beast —after all, Honkai Beast are the darlings of Honkai, and compared to the Death Soldier, it's like the difference between a favored son and an adopted son.

If even small-scale Honkai events could generate large numbers of Honkai Beast, the world would have been finished long ago.

(I just saw a Knight-Class creature charge out...)

After the initial panic subsided and with no second Honkai Beast appearing, the tourists calmed down a bit. Seeing the situation gradually stabilizing, Ragna was relieved and rushed towards the building.

The other tourists didn't pay attention, but she saw it clearly: along with the Assault-class Honkai Beast, there was also a Knight-Class that was even more formidable.

"Waaah..."

A petite girl with short, gray-gold hair huddled trembling among the flower trellises.

"God..." Looking at the white hooves under the flower trellis, the petite girl could only pray to the gods.

But...

Click—!

The massive lance stirred up a gust of wind, and the flower stand that had been concealing the flower trellis instantly shattered into pieces, revealing the girl who had been hiding there.

If nothing unexpected happens, this girl will soon die under the trampling of iron hooves—if nothing unexpected happens.

When--!

"Phew... How are you, young master? Are you alright?"

The black-haired maid smiled at the girl huddled behind her, while holding up a huge lance.

Chapter 193 Ragna's Major Life Crisis

... It seems, maybe, probably... I'm a little unsure how to handle this thing?

Ragna swung his iron pipe and struck the Knight-class Honkai Beast in front of him once more.

Even with all his strength, he could only make the Honkai Beast in front of him pause for a moment, while the iron pipe in his hand was severely deformed.

This is so troublesome...

Ragna sighed inwardly and began to change his attack pattern.