Collapse, Cross-dressing Strategy for Kiana, Chapter 2

After Bianca finally joined Schicksal as an intern Valkyrie, she took her obtained identification and went with Rita to find Bai Yan, intending to recruit him immediately.

Then, Bai Yan did something that made Dumb Goose resent him to this day.

In the assessment, he achieved a perfect score on the written exam and 59 points in practical combat, then applied to join the logistics department.

Exams do have their element of chance, and failing isn't the end of the world. Even if someone is usually good, they can still have an off day.

However, when Bai Yan's scores for all practical combat subjects were 59 points, the nature of the situation completely changed.

In the end, Dumb Goose left in a huff, a scene that left a deep impression on Rita.

Bai Yan, about to be "entrusted with an important mission" by Otto, might still be lectured by Durandal even now.

Things like, "As long as Rita is here, his joining would just be adding icing to the cake," "What he teaches can be learned elsewhere too," and "Rita is much better looking than him."

Hearing this, Rita said nothing, merely making notes in her little black book.

Later, Bai Yan finally got his wish and took a position in Schicksal's logistics department. Although it didn't have much of a future, it was at least very safe, requiring no constant facing of danger.

What good was good adaptability to Honkai energy?

He'd still be instantly defeated if he met a Herrscher.

It was better to live in a fishpond, quietly dating Valkyries when he had the chance, and helping evacuate innocent civilians during minor incidents. His life would still be pretty sweet.

After all, the division of labor in fighting the Honkai was different; everyone was fighting for a better world.

However, someone seemed unwilling to let him thrive so easily, always wanting to pull this guy ashore to become an amphibian.

Because his logistics work was too perfect, Rita directly applied for an additional new job for Bai Yan and brought in Ragna to personally vouch for it.

Under the combined moves of the two unscrupulous maid master and disciple, Bai Yan was assigned an intelligence work position.

The job content generally involved cooperating with Rita's actions. Although it was still support work, it was already closer to frontline combat positions than before. One more step, and he'd be picking up a weapon and fighting.

However, when Bai Yan needed to pick up a weapon, that team would be close to total annihilation, as he was just a civilian and didn't possess Durandal's exaggerated strength.

Under Rita's command, Bai Yan suffered greatly.

Facing a workaholic who only slept four hours a day, Bai Yan often saw the sky at four in the morning in Schicksal Headquarters.

To avoid being completely drained by this wicked woman, Bai Yan had to find ways to strengthen his mind and body.

As a Stigmata Awakener, he wasn't without ways to become stronger.

It was like after the world's destruction and the changing of eras, the terrifying legend spread among Homo sapiens: "Stop evolving, stop evolving, or you'll have to go to work if you evolve further."

If he got any stronger, he'd have to go to the battlefield.

It was like a certain island where there were no insects with ordinary wing sizes, because the terrible sea winds that swept across the island would carry them away.

Those with large enough wings could withstand the gales, while those without wings wouldn't be blown away...

Bai Yan had only to do a small calculation of his upper limit before immediately choosing to be a wingless crawler. Who could blame him if his tiny moth couldn't flutter against a hurricane?

Therefore, until now, his combat power remained at a level where he could barely hold his own against the Assault Class.

So the question arose: what new mission would he receive that would warrant a personal summons from Otto?

As soon as he entered, Bai Yan felt a sense of unease.

The atmosphere in the Bishop's office was very wrong!

The Schicksal Bishop, sitting leisurely in his seat, was as expected; he always had a carefree attitude.

On either side of him stood one person each.

The white-haired girl standing closer was Amber, an A-Series artificial human, and Otto's current secretary.

The other person was the one who brought Bai Yan to the French orphanage, Ragna Rodbrok.

After bringing Bai Yan, Rita did not leave, instead standing beside Ragna and casting ambiguous glances at Bai Yan along with him.

At this moment, even Amber wore a somewhat strange expression, as if Bai Yan possessed something particularly interesting.

Bai Yan's heart grew increasingly uneasy.

This feeling of being put on trial...

Could it be that they found out about the love letter I wrote to Anna?

Volume 1: Chapter 3: A Moment's Carelessness Leads to Eternal Regret

At this moment, there were a total of 5 people in the Schicksal Bishop's office: Otto, Ragna, Rita, Amber, and Bai Yan.

The atmosphere was somewhat subtle, and the originally heavy mood was dispelled by this subtlety.

And within this subtlety, Bai Yan inexplicably felt something else.

As if a fifth pair of eyes was looking at him, crossing some unknowable barrier.

A gaze.

A mysterious gaze.

Although Bai Yan's sixth sense told him he had to react to this gaze immediately, the situation at hand prevented him from making his own decisions.

Never mind, with Bishop Otto here, who else could be more terrifying than him?

With a slight lift of his hands, the golden-haired handsome man caused many informed powerhouses to tremble involuntarily.

What about a certain existence that didn't even dare to show its face? That was a piece of cake.

At this moment, Ragna cleared his throat and spoke with a formulaic tone but a gentle smile.

"Bai Yan, I recall you've always wanted to be promoted to middle management in the logistics department, is that right?"

The young man savored it for a moment, detecting the scent of conspiracy.

But that wasn't right!

Teacher Ragna wouldn't harm me, so how could there be a conspiracy?

Bai Yan slowly nodded, "Yes, Teacher Ragna."

He didn't have the idea of getting promoted through military merits on the battlefield, but he did have a strong desire to advance from the rear.

Ragna's smile deepened, and a strange look of admiration gradually appeared in his eyes.

She nodded and then turned to look at the Schicksal Bishop, as if seeking his opinion.

Otto sized up Bai Yan and nodded thoughtfully, as if agreeing with some point Ragna had made.

Ragna turned back to look at Bai Yan, "I remember on one mission, to save the situation and prevent Rita from being exposed, you used vocal mimicry to imitate the voice of a female enemy to fool unexpected communications?"

"Yes."

"Can you show us?"

Bai Yan knew that she wanted him to display his talent to Otto. After all, including Rita, they were all relatively familiar with each other.

Even though Rita had known him for a shorter time, their interactions during makeup sessions had significantly closed the distance.

Bai Yan was initially confused but quickly realized the issue.

It wasn't for the logistics department, but for the intelligence department...

Oh well, at least it wasn't facing the Collapse frequently.

So, he replied in Rita's voice and tone:

"I spend a lot of time with Lady Rita, so I'm quite familiar with her voice. How does this sound to everyone?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Otto looked at Bai Yan with great interest.

Not only Ragna, but even Rita showed a very satisfied smile.

Otto: "Not bad, it's almost indistinguishable from the real thing."

Ragna: "Bishop, how do you find my recommended candidate?"

"Excellent, far exceeding my expectations."

Having received Otto's personal affirmation, a fleeting, imperceptible joy flashed across the faces of Ragna and Rita simultaneously.

Then, Ragna's smile vanished, her purplish-red eyes fixed on Bai Yan. She cleared her throat and said with a solemn tone.

"Bai Yan, the organization now has a very important mission for you. If you can complete it, you can take any position you want in the intelligence department's offices."

Bai Yan's expression turned serious upon hearing this.

The situation today was very unfamiliar; Teacher Ragna had never made such promises to him before.

Although the wording was a bit vague, with Otto present, this promise was equivalent to an official commitment from Schicksal.

This man, while sometimes acting inhumanely, had never been stingy with benefits for his own people.

The current Bai Yan was just a minor employee, his highest position being an informal assistant to an S-rank Valkyrie.

Taking any position... starting with middle-level clerical work.

High salary, no need to face the front lines, and even the ability to leverage his power, resources, and the Valkyries...

Bai Yan's expression became somewhat dazed, his breathing even quickening.

Ragna and Rita couldn't help but exchange a glance, their lips curving subtly.

Ragna put away her smile, her serious expression tinged with amusement as she reminded the daydreaming young man.

"Bai Yan, what do you say?"

"Uh," Bai Yan was startled, quickly snapping out of his fantasy. He straightened up and said, "May I ask, what kind of mission is it?"

Ragna sighed inwardly, realizing he wasn't so easily fooled after all.

So she said, "The Bishop hopes you can infiltrate St. Freya Academy in the Far East branch and obtain some intelligence that headquarters requires."

Bai Yan's first thought was of Kiana, or rather, experimental subject K423, whom he had almost brushed past in Siberia years ago.

With some lingering memories of the plot, Bai Yan knew clearly that Kiana harbored another terrifying Herrscher personality, which would seize control of her body and wreak havoc whenever the conditions were met.

This mission, while seemingly dangerous, was not actually safe.

A minor ultimate move by the Herrscher of the Void had nearly bankrupted Anti-Entropy and forced Raven to start from scratch.

And Bai Yan, someone who could only fight a pitched battle against Assault Class Honkai Beasts, what could he do besides staying on the fringes?

However, it wasn't entirely a disadvantage.

Because I'm too weak, I won't attract much attention. All I need to do is predict the right moment and make my escape.

The Herrscher's personality can appear completely under control.

While it's not safe, it's like a gas stove when making a big pot of soup. As long as you remember to turn it off, nothing bad will happen.

Take it. Fortune favors the bold.

Though it's not too fortunate, nor too risky.

With these thoughts, Bai Yan cheered up and looked at Otto, saying, "I guarantee the mission will be completed!"

Upon hearing this, Ragna smiled.

Rita also smiled.

Otto said, "Then, I'll entrust this matter to you. Someone will take you to St. Freya Academy afterward. This mission isn't as easy as you might think, but you don't need to worry too much. We'll provide you with ample support, so just do your best."

"Yes, Bishop."

"Alright, the rest of the matters will be left to you two, Ragna and Rita."

After speaking, Otto gestured to the two maids, and then Rita turned and swiftly handed the mission document to Bai Yan like the wind.

"..."

Although Bai Yan's sixth sense told him something was amiss, after carefully reading the mission document three times, he couldn't find any problems. He convinced himself that he was just being overly suspicious.

He then signed his name, and the contract was established.

Vaguely, Bai Yan felt the inexplicable gaze intensifying.

What was watching him?

Was it not just his imagination?

However, at this moment, Rita and Ragna approached with thick smiles, pinning Bai Yan's shoulders from either side and forcefully pushing him out the door.