Maybe I Don't Need a Secretary, but I Do Need a Maid

"...It seems there's really nothing wrong." Elinore scrutinized the receptionist, only looking away when she saw the man's somewhat apprehensive expression.

Aside from the staff, there seemed to be no other regular guests in the hotel.

Clearly, the Tianquan may indeed have, as Rita said, not resorted to any underhanded tactics.

Elinore was already very satisfied with this environment.

It's impossible to find a place truly free from surveillance on someone else's territory.

This level of... is acceptable.

"Everyone, please line up to get your room key."

Rita gave a call, and the team members lined up and followed Rita to the front desk to get their room keys.

This also makes it easier for the front desk to roughly record each person's room.

Then, the receptionist sent a message to Kafka.

——306

The movements were so subtle that even Elinore, who glanced at the receptionist every now and then, didn't notice what she was doing.

"Do we two live so far apart?"

Elinore and Rita checked the room numbers, and the fact that they were on different floors made Elinore frown slightly.

"Wouldn't that be inconvenient?"

Is it inconvenient for you to monitor me?

Rita chuckled inwardly.

It wasn't that she looked down on Elinore; with Elinore's level of ability, if she really wanted to do something underhanded, this person wouldn't even notice—and even if they did, she could just kill them to silence them.

"Is room 306 nearby? Could we switch rooms?"

There was an unusual silence on the side of the Undying Blade – the friendly vice-captain and the unfamiliar old frozen meat, everyone knew which to choose.

The medical team's situation is pretty much the same...

Rita is genuinely popular in Schicksal.

The medical team was also very simple in composition. They were all doctors from Schicksal Headquarters, and the nurses were mostly retired or below rank B Valkyries. They all knew Rita.

However, Elinore was ultimately the second-in-command of the team. After a moment of silence, someone who appeared to be the team leader handed Elinore a room key with the number 1 written on it.

Although she got what she wanted, the process... just couldn't make Elinore happy.

Chapter 289 A secretary may not be needed, but a maid is.

Rita returned to her room alone, checked the living room, and then headed to the bedroom.

However, as soon as she opened the door, an unexpected woman was sitting on the edge of the bed.

...Own

In just a moment, Rita's muscles tensed up.

If the other party makes any unusual move, I will immediately put on my armor.

Hi~

Sitting on the bed, "Rita" greeted Rita as if she hadn't noticed Rita's wariness.

The completely different tone of voice and the familiar clothes made Rita's expression... relax a little.

"... Kafka?"

Rita looked at Kafka in disbelief.

"That's right, Miss Rita has a very good Remembrance."

Rita on the bed gave a subtle smile.

It resembles me about 70% of myself.

—That's what Rita thought to herself.

"What... is this? Liu Bai's surprise?"

Rita's expression was strange.

Anyone would feel this way if they saw someone who looked exactly like them in their room, right?

No, you could even say that "making a strange expression" is already a very calm reaction.

Normally, this situation would bring not only shock but also fear.

"I suppose it was my own idea," Kafka shook her head slightly. "I originally planned to drug you, but then I thought that would be unnecessary."

Rita isn't incapable of communication; even if she's drugged, we still have to find a way to wake her up.

Its only value is to satisfy one's S-psychology.

"Thank you so much," Rita said without any gratitude.

"Miss Rita, I appreciate your gratitude."

Kafka seemed completely oblivious to Rita's sarcasm.

"So, may I take your place, Miss Rita?"

The suggestion was not unexpected.

After all, it's possible that Daddy Kafka didn't sit here just because of her appearance, but to say hello to her.

qun

"Your suggestion is too audacious. What is your purpose?"

"The purpose, of course, is to relieve your stress," Kafka said casually, resting her chin on her hand. "And incidentally, to prevent certain people from getting out of control."

"... I agree, but what about me if you take my place?"

Rita didn't want to become a stand-in.

"Of course, it's about exchanging identities," Kafka smiled. "A boss must be quite troubled without a secretary, right?"

"For example?"

"They've discovered that my role as secretary might not be necessary, or something like that."

Kafka made a little joke.

"Then I might have to make La Signora. Kafka lose her job," Rita retorted jokingly.

Then, the two tacitly stopped their small talk—it was time to get down to business.

"How strong is that woman?"

"It's pretty average. By today's standards, it's probably a slightly more elite A-Rank Valkyrie."

Rita admits that she might be relatively bad at the game, but that depends on who you compare her to. She can proudly say that there are basically no normal people who are better than her.

"Oh?" Kafka showed an interested expression.

A-Rank Valkyrie level? Doesn't that mean she can be easily manipulated?

"However, we cannot rule out the possibility that she may have some secret weapon—she is an ancient person from five hundred years ago, who has been in hibernation until today due to the bishop's methods."

Kafka nodded; caution was necessary.

"We can talk about your operation slowly, how about we exchange clothes first?"

"Hmm... so this function can directly summon the Valkyrie Armor, right?"

"Yes, but I don't recommend it to you, Miss Kafka."

Rita, dressed in Kafka's clothes, spoke to "Rita" Kafka, who was dressed in a maid outfit.

Since it was an exchange, it had to be done flawlessly. Rita even gave Kafka the equipment for quick costume changes.

"The use of Valkyrie Armor requires compatibility and a deeper level of identification and authentication. In any case, I do not recommend that you, Miss Kafka, use my Valkyrie Armor."

As Rita changed into Kafka's clothes, she stretched her collar as she spoke—the tight-fitting clothes made her chest feel a little stuffy.

"So, as long as we don't use the Valkyrie Armor when we fight, it's fine, right?"

Kafka's thinking took a very correct turn.

Anyway, Rita is quite capable in combat and doesn't need to rely on the Valkyrie Armor.

"That's one way to understand it." Rita smiled and nodded. She didn't particularly like Kafka's unrestrained way of doing things, but she had to admit that this kind of person... or rather Kafka, had no problems with her ability to get things done and her comprehension.

"There's no one in this team who can beat me. So, Miss Kafka, you can use your physical skills to your heart's content."

Kafka smiled and nodded, then looked at the bracelet on her wrist. "May I see the call history inside?"

"Of course, knowing my social life is a necessary part of the disguise." Rita seemed completely unconcerned.

After receiving permission, Kafka immediately activated her bracelet and went straight to Liu Bai and Rita's communication channels.

... The only communications are from very early times, one or two months ago.

Kafka gave Rita a deep look.

"What's wrong, La Signora. Kafka?" Rita asked, her face full of genuine confusion.

"It's nothing, you... you're really amazing."

Kafka, of course, wouldn't be so tactless as to ask Rita if she had deleted the records.

"I'll accept it as a compliment."

"That's a genuine compliment." Kafka's smile returned to normal. "Besides these things, do you have any other suitable replacements you would recommend?"

"This... let me think about it carefully."

"Rita... what are you laughing at?"

The wine shop, the dance stall outside the dream, the abandoned call out, come out and experience the seven Elinore of Liyue Meiling food. She looked at Rita in front of her with some unease.

Hmm... maybe it's because I think you're cute?

Rita tilted her head – this woman seemed like the kind that was easy to manipulate.

"Don't say such nonsense." Elinore frowned slightly, showing no remorse for "Rita's" words, and then lowered her voice, "Instead of talking about these useless things, let's think about how to get to work tomorrow."

"Yes, yes, yes... So, should our job be to first confirm the scene, or first identify the person who solved the problem, or perhaps investigate the Inazuma executives who are here?"

"No, that's not it. What needs to be done is a normal rescue operation."

Elinore felt that Rita was deliberately trying to embarrass her—given the current attitude of the Liyue authorities towards them, it was impossible for them to start gathering intelligence immediately.

If given a choice, it would be best to obtain information directly from Ningguang.

However, Elinore didn't think that was very likely either.

Let's just focus on the rescue operation for now, and wait until Liyue lowers their guard before conducting any investigation.

Of course, Elinore knew that someone capable of slaying Honkai Beasts of that level was someone she couldn't afford to mess with, but... who said that confirming someone's identity meant meeting them in person?

Aren't all the witnesses in Liyue Harbor?

Once you've established good relationships, you'll have no shortage of intelligence.

"Speaking of which... did you hear? During lunchtime, quite a few people were talking about a person named 'Liu Bai'."

"That's right, but that's all there is to it—do you think this Liu Bai might be the one who killed that giant Honkai Beasts?" Rita tilted her head.

Elinore nodded; since she had brought it up, she must have some doubts about it.

"Remember this name first. After some time... once the people here have lowered their guard, we'll investigate further. Now, think about how to persuade Ningguang."

In the matter of the rescue, they truly did not engage in any Schicksal —nor was there any reason for them to.

Even if something was added to the medicine, it would only cause confusion in Liyue.

The problem is that as long as the military doesn't collapse, the chaos will eventually subside.

Not to mention the unknown powerful allies of Liyue.