Collapse, Kiana's Cross-Dressing Strategy, Chapter 24

Himeko had a big heart and wasn't worried about herself, but seeing the headmaster looking so haggard, she couldn't help but worry too. She had even quit drinking these days.

She was just taking painkillers to get by for now.

"Grandpa and the others seem to be heading this way. Are they going to inspect the Far East Branch first?"

Theresa, holding her tablet, paced back and forth anxiously.

On the screen, the light dots representing Otto and the others' vehicles were moving slowly.

She then put down the tablet, hugged her head, and squatted in the corner, muttering to herself.

"Don't come here, don't come here..."

Bai Yan silently activated the camera in his bag.

It was an irregular recording.

But it was ultra high-resolution.

After muttering for a while, Theresa jumped up from the corner and went to check the tablet again.

Her eyes immediately lit up, and she patted her chest, relieved.

"You scared me to death. They're going to India first, so we still have time."

The irregular recording quickly captured the moment.

Then it charged up and waited.

Theresa was smiling because she didn't know what would happen next.

Bai Yan was smiling in his heart because he had received the news this morning.

The first stop: the Far East Branch.

All the branches would be watching online at that time.

There was no escape.

"Disperse, disperse—Xiao Yan, you and the others continue your training and preparation. If you need anything later, just let me know, headmaster." Theresa waved her hand grandly.

Xiao Yan smiled sweetly, "We guarantee to complete the mission, Headmaster!"

The silly headmaster had no idea that the light dot was actually an advanced trainer plane piloted by Alvit, specifically designed to mislead the various branches.

About twenty kilometers off the coast of St. Freya, the Schicksal Headquarters inspection team was in position.

Most of the combat power of the Immortal Blade squad, led by Durandal, was present.

At this very moment, Otto was watching the footage Bai Yan had just filmed, with a delighted Rita behind him.

Volume 1: Chapter 30: I'm Your Fan!

Far East Branch, tarmac.

Theresa stood in the center, her face ashen, with Himeko beside her looking utterly speechless.

The Schicksal Headquarters team slowly unfolded, and Otto stepped out alone.

A faint halo of light surrounded his figure, making him incredibly eye-catching among the crowd.

He wore a radiant smile, and in the sunlight, he looked as if he were bathed in holy radiance.

"Theresa, Grandpa specifically came to see you. Aren't you happy?"

"..."

Many people turned their heads to stifle their laughter, their trembling bodies making it difficult for their companions in front to hide it.

Theresa's face contorted. It took a great deal of effort to refrain from cursing him out. She then took a long time to compose herself before managing to force a strange smile onto her lips.

"W-welcome, esteemed colleagues from Headquarters, to the Far East Branch!"

Theresa scanned the crowd, her gaze deliberately skipping over Otto, which only piqued his desire to perform.

"Hey there, my dear granddaughter, how have you become so polite after so long?

"Come, come, let Grandpa see where you usually work.

"Leave today's activities to your subordinates. I believe they can handle this task perfectly.

"As a leader, you should give them enough trust, rather than micromanaging everything."

Otto walked closer and closer, but Theresa grew more and more disgusted. In the end, she pinched her nose and accompanied him.

As the grandfather and granddaughter gradually moved away from the center of the crowd, Otto casually waved his hand and continued walking without looking back.

The Valkyrie Assault Squad, fully armed and led by Ragna, followed the Bishop's footsteps in unison, continuing to be responsible for security.

Another group of Valkyries appeared more relaxed. They were drawn from Headquarters and several branches to be responsible for this inspection.

These individuals were led by Durandal. Having already sparred with her, these Valkyries, despite coming from other squads, had no further doubts about Durandal.

Rita Rossweisse was dressed in a maid outfit, but the embellishments and luxurious style made it difficult for anyone to consider her a true maid.

This time, she was responsible for hosting the entire event, leading the remaining members of the Immortal Blade to assist in maintaining order.

After Otto left, she stepped into the center and bowed slightly to Himeko.

"Please guide me well this time, Lady Himeko."

"Uh, you're welcome, you're welcome..."

The morning sun grew hotter, and with the sea breeze, the entire St. Freya was filled with a restless atmosphere.

Many Valkyries gathered here, including the top contenders who would directly participate and those who were just spectators.

Bai Yan didn't need to participate because he was eliminated during the ranking matches a while ago.

The reason was simple: after adapting to the effects of "One Sword Startling Swan," Raiden Mei and the others were no longer afraid of being blinded by the light.

As for Bai Yan, he hadn't activated the Luoshen Transformation nor used the various changes of One Sword Startling Swan...

Because of this, this move was no longer noteworthy.

You can tell a lot about a person from a young age. After playing with Durandal for so long, how could Bai Yan not understand her thoughts?

She was just finding an excuse to beat him up.

As soon as the strongest Valkyrie of Schicksal appeared, the eyes of the entire Far East Branch—except for Bai Shan Si Lin (Qi) (Er) Ren Si Ba Si Li Yi Yan—all focused on her with great enthusiasm.

In contrast, Durandal paid no attention to them. As soon as she entered the arena, she scanned the crowd aimlessly.

The feeling was as if a peerless prodigy from the Central Plains was looking down on the world, invincible.

Kiana narrowed her eyes and sized her up, then pouted, clearly unconvinced.

She patted a few people next to her and said, "Xiao Yan, Mei, is that Durandal? I don't think she's all that great. How is she as scary as everyone says?"

Mei sighed and said earnestly, "Don't be misled by appearances. Since she's the strongest, there must be a reason for it. Don't underestimate her."

Bai Yan had been secretly watching Anna. Hearing Kiana say that, he casually replied:

"Don't worry about it. If we draw her during the lottery later, just beat her to death. It doesn't matter if she's the strongest or not."

"That's right!" Kiana clenched her fist and nodded in agreement. "She doesn't have three heads and six arms. I won't lose to her!"

"Idiot Kiana, don't end up crying after getting beaten later."

"Hmph! Loser!"

"Bronya was just momentarily careless..."

The two girls immediately started bickering, and Raiden Mei helplessly tried to mediate.

After separating them, she noticed Durandal's gaze fixed in their direction, and she immediately felt pressured.

"She seems to be looking at us!" Kiana suddenly said.

"Bronya noticed it too—she must have spotted an idiot among us."

"Bronya!"

Durandal stared at Bai Yan for a moment, then looked at the girls beside him, her gaze turning unfriendly.

Bai Yan met her gaze without backing down, even smiling proudly as if it were an honor.

Then.

He brought his two slender hands together and smiled, making a heart gesture at Durandal.

She was stunned.

What kind of performance art was this?

Kiana, with her sharp eyes, immediately asked, "Xiao Yan, are you there?!"

Bai Yan maintained his smile and gesture, forcing out a sentence from the corner of his mouth: "This is called confusing the opponent. Come on, do it with me."

"Oh, oh, oh!"

Kiana then beamed with a bright smile and, imitating Bai Yan, also made a heart gesture at Durandal.

She whispered, urging, "Mei, Bronya, come on, let's confuse that person too."

Raiden Mei's forehead was covered in black lines; she had no intention of indulging Kiana.

Bronya looked at Bai Yan, brought her small hands together, and also made a heart gesture.

Raiden Mei: "..."

Durandal's face was full of question marks; she had no idea what Bai Yan was doing.

But at this moment, everyone else also noticed this, and they all looked towards Bai Yan and the others.

Raiden Mei was sweating profusely.

But the crowd didn't notice her. Instead, they saw three girls with different expressions making heart gestures, each smiling sweeter than the last, and it seemed like they understood something.

The next moment.

One by one, the Valkyries joined the heart-making trend. Among them were Durandal's fans, who only regretted not thinking of this method sooner to attract their idol's attention.

At this moment, this behavior spread throughout the venue like a plague. Even Dumb Goose gradually blushed.

"Bai Yan, what the hell are you doing!"

Durandal clenched her fists, trying hard to maintain a natural posture and prevent herself from breaking character.

"Lord Durandal, I'm your fan!"

Someone conspicuous shouted, and the next moment, others followed suit.

"Lord Durandal, I love you!"

"Lord Durandal is the cutest in the world!"

"Lord..."

The noise rose one after another, subjecting Dumb Goose to continuous mental attacks.

She became flustered and subconsciously glanced at Bai Yan, only to be jolted by his playful smirk.

—Right, this guy was the instigator.

She then looked towards Rita for help.

The latter maintained her dignified smile, as if the matter was unremarkable.

Durandal could only continue to endure.

After a moment, once Rita had sufficiently enjoyed her appearance of forbearance, she began to restore order.

It took quite a while before the scene finally quieted down, and the opening ceremony of the competition continued.

Before Bai Yan's smile had faded, Durandal shot him a resentful glance.

However, Bai Yan mouthed to her, "A gift for you, do you like it?"

Dumb Goose's eyes immediately cleared, and she looked away, no longer watching him.

Volume 1: Chapter 31: Fanning the Flames

Under Rita's management, order within the venue gradually returned.