Thank Goodness I Don't Have to Kneel on a Washboard

"Lady Rita! Something terrible has happened! A large number of Death Soldier have appeared in your district! And they are heading towards you!"

"Tsk."

Rita then revealed her displeasure.

Kiana understood immediately and seized the opportunity to escape.

"Go find the World Serpent, just walk in without a care in the world—they'll take good care of you."

Before leaving, Liu Bai reminded him.

The words "World Serpent" made Kiana pause in her tracks.

For the past few months, she has been investigating information about the World Serpent, and has even vaguely sensed World Serpent activities.

(The Stigmata of the Death Soldier and Honkai Beast originated from World Serpent, so they are untrustworthy—if Teacher Liu weren't around.)

Fu Hua knew very well that, given the Gray Serpent's temperament, it wouldn't be surprising if he discovered Liu Bai and chose to respect him.

(Go ahead and do your best. You're Teacher Liu's chosen one now, and that alone is enough for you to thrive in the World Serpent.)

Kiana was a little stunned. So... her class monitor's teacher was that amazing?

Kiana compatibility +5%

"Ten, nine, eight, seven..."

Raven sat on the rooftop, quietly watching the Unfading Blade team members fighting the Death Soldier below.

"... First, the Death Soldier inactivation procedure is initiated."

As Raven pressed the button, the Death Soldier, whose movements suddenly slowed down, were slain by the members of the Unfading Blade.

"That completes the play."

Chapter 85 It's so good that I don't have to kneel on the washboard.

"... Yes, Mr. Welt, I look forward to our meeting in the Sea of Quanta."

After saying goodbye, Gray Serpent hung up the phone.

"Didn't you discuss with him how to release our former lord?"

The Jackal, who had overheard the entire exchange, couldn't help but ask.

Although Kevin isn't that important anymore, he's still a top-tier fighter, exactly the kind of talent World Serpent desperately needs.

"... Jackal, who do you think sent that First Herrscher to the Sea of Quanta this morning to oversee things?"

Gray Serpent's hoarse voice revealed helplessness.

Jackal is good at research, but he really has no talent when it comes to using his brain.

No, maybe I'm not so smart myself that I put this guy in charge of so many operations.

"... Lord Lord?"

"That's right, the Lord's order to release them is not allowed. Do you think this is something I can negotiate?" Gray Serpent's cold smile was tinged with a hint of contemplation. "However, I didn't expect that Lord would have already taken control of Anti-Entropy ... No, that's not right."

Gray Serpent recalled some secret information he had collected in the past.

"It should be said that Anti-Entropy is the organization created by the Lord."

No wonder his creator keeps talking about him; he's definitely not someone to be trifled with.

"So, hey, our World Serpent has somehow become an ally of Anti-Entropy."

In this way, even though Kevin wasn't rescued, the fact that Anti-Entropy was on their side actually had a better effect than rescuing Kevin.

Kevin is truly beyond saving.

"I thought you were going to say we were swallowed up," Jackal said, pursing his lips behind his mask.

She felt that her current situation was no different from being swallowed up. Anti-Entropy's combat power was now superior to hers in every aspect, and even if everyone attacked together, they wouldn't be enough for Welt to defeat alone.

The Gray Serpent gave the Jackal a cold glance.

"Putting aside the fact that the Lord has not yet presented a plan that can convince me to give up, even if we merge in the future, I will ensure that the name World Serpent is preserved."

How could I possibly give up a name given to me by its own creator?

"Oh, by the way, the Herrscher of the Void will be arriving soon. Remember to treat her well—literally, treat her well."

To prevent the Jackal from misunderstanding, the Gray Serpent emphasized it again.

"You used so many of my Death Soldier as pawns, only to entertain that guy? Don't forget that guy ruined so many of my experiments!" Jackal was still very unhappy. They were fighting to the death just a moment ago, how come they've suddenly become so harmonious?

I'm a scientist! Not a waiter!

"... When Raven came back before, she suggested to me that she felt she might not be able to handle serving the Lord as a maid in Schicksal on her own, and needed someone to assist her..."

"Alright, I'll arrange for someone to welcome Miss Kiana right away."

Without saying a word, the Jackal turned and left.

Being a waiter is fine, it's better than being a maid in that godforsaken place called Schicksal!

That Raven was definitely up to no good!

... Two partners who used to get along fairly well have now completely broken up.

"Vice-captain, what's happening now..."

Although they successfully killed the attacking Death Soldier without suffering any casualties themselves, the members of the Unfading Blade team did not look too good.

They all saw it; it was only because they were thrown into disarray by the sudden attack of these Death Soldiers and needed the vice-captain's support that K423 was able to escape.

"There's no other way. Sky Dome City is a giant city, and it's not an easy task to find someone here." Rita sighed with feigned concern. "Moreover, after what happened today, they will probably be even more vigilant... We can only report the situation here to His Holiness the Bishop."

Because it was all an act, Rita had to report every single detail of the matter.

The best outcome would be for Otto to back down and withdraw them.

"Is your operation over? I've already booked the hotel, you can check in anytime." Raven, another actor, Raven late at this point.

"Shiora, Advisor Theora. I'm sorry we can't have you participate in our Schicksal operations. I hope you don't mind."

Rita spoke in a bureaucratic tone—clearly, this was meant for her own teammates.

The team members naturally nodded in understanding. After all, the other party was an outsider, and their own vice-captain had pulled off their stockings. They could understand both the situation and the circumstances.

Even the word "hotel" slightly boosted their previously low morale.

No one would refuse to relax after a battle.

"Alright, there's no need for everyone to take this to heart. These kinds of unexpected situations are beyond any of our ability to predict. Let's end today's operation for now and go to the hotel to get some rest."

"Yes!"

After their morale was restored, the team cleaned up the battlefield briefly, then orderly retreated and headed to the hotel Raven had booked using navigation.

Rita and Raven walked at the very back of the group at a leisurely pace.

"You're really something, lying even to your teammates who trusted you so much." Raven, walking at the back, subtly mocked Rita about this.

"It's just for their safety. Knowing too much about some things isn't a good thing for them. It's just a white lie."

To be honest, what she's doing now is undoubtedly a death sentence.

Once discovered, Otto, given his personality, would absolutely not spare her. At best, she might survive under Durandal's protection.

If our teammates know nothing by then, they might still have a sliver of hope; but if they do know, they're definitely not going to survive.

"Heh, you're quite stubborn. You've come this far, why don't you just rebel like the Far East Branch did?" Raven scoffed.

Rita paused for a moment, then gave a wry smile.

Honestly, this suggestion really appealed to her.

However, to be honest, the crisis of trust in his own bishop only began today.

Although he had realized that, given the World Serpent's ability to infiltrate, Otto might not actually know that Shencheng Pharmaceuticals was a department of the World Serpent.

But... some things, once started, can't be undone.

Moreover, she had always been somewhat wary of Otto.

"...Miss Raven, you don't understand."

"If you're worried about Durandal, you can bring Durandal to Anti-Entropy as well. We at Anti-Entropy are very inclusive." Liu Bai felt that he understood Rita's concerns.

Isn't it just Durandal and his own teammates?

No problem, we'll take as many elite Valkyrie as you are.

"You guys Anti-Entropy?"

Upon hearing Liu Bai's words, Rita gave a terrifying smile.

"Oh my, so Liu Bai has a connection with Anti-Entropy?"

Forehead...

Right... Rita only seems to know that she has a connection with the World Serpent, but she doesn't know about Anti-Entropy.

Liu Bai was also a little flustered by the series of events that had happened before and what would happen in the future, so he subconsciously said those words, which now seemed to make things worse.

"Um... Rita, can I explain?"

"Sure, once we get back to the hotel, Liu Bai, you'll have plenty of time to explain."

Things... have completely gone wrong.

Hotel Room

Kara.

Rita checked the door again and again to make sure it was locked.

Then, Rita drew the curtains again and carefully checked the room for any hidden cameras. After confirming that there were no cameras, she sat down on the bed and patted the side next to her with a kind expression.

"Liu Bai, please sit down."

... Your caution makes it impossible for me to feel at ease, okay?

However, in order to prevent things from getting worse, Liu Bai sat down next to Rita.

However, after sitting down, Liu Bai breathed a sigh of relief.

"Liu Bai is nervous?" Rita noticed Liu Bai's emotions. "What are you nervous about? Please tell the truth. Deceiving a lady is not something a gentleman should do."

"Um... I guess I'm just glad that in this atmosphere I'm not kneeling on a washboard, but can still sit on the bed?"

Rita smiled upon hearing this; "You're not my husband... Besides, do you think I'm the kind of person who would make someone kneel on a washboard?"

Before saying such things, some people should take a look at the expression on their faces.

"Don't worry, the lady's time for being willful is over."

Hey, is that something that can be dismissed with a simple "being willful"?

Rita seemed to sense Liu Bai's thoughts and couldn't help but chuckle, "Although you've kept many things from me that make me very angry, I'm not much better off, am I?"

Rita also realized that her outburst of temper was actually quite unreasonable.

"I've never confided in you before, Liu Bai. Liu Bai, yet I hope you're not hiding anything from me... I feel my mistakes are far greater than yours."

Rita stood up, adjusted her posture slightly, and bowed to Liu Bai in the manner of a maid.

"First of all, please allow me to express my gratitude. Without your help, Liu Bai, our team would probably be doomed. I am deeply grateful."

Although Rita had acted very angry earlier due to a bit of emotional turmoil, Rita was still a person who could distinguish right from wrong.

She didn't believe that her relationship with Liu Bai had reached the point where she had to sell herself out. In fact, he could have just watched her fall into the trap and her teammates die tragically, then possessed her at the most critical moment to play the hero and save her, thus gaining her trust.

But the other party did not.

Moreover, Rita could sense that Liu Bai initially had no intention of taking over the position of World Serpent, and even told him to get lost. However, he changed his mind later after considering something.

As for conspiracy, that's even more impossible; there's no trace of conspiracy in the communication between Liu Bai and the Gray Serpent.