Rita had clearly already turned sideways toward Shen Gonglin, yet Shen Gonglin still cluelessly circled around to stand directly in front of her. Under Rita's gaze, he did not feel embarrassed in the slightest. Instead, after looking for a while, he actually reached out. It was just fixing a skirt. Easy.
Before Rita could refuse, Shen Gonglin stepped forward and grabbed her maid dress. It was really just a tear that had left a piece of fabric missing. Shen Gonglin intended to turn the dress into a ripped-style outfit—the kind that looked good.
Th-this... he really did not stand on ceremony. And he said he had no guard up? Their meeting earlier had hardly been pleasant. Rita had still been wondering how to improve their relationship, yet Shen Gonglin was acting like this again. Watching him seriously fix her skirt before her, Rita was somewhat confused. What kind of personality did Shen Gonglin even have? She simply could not get a read on him.
"Don't overthink it. I'm not a good person. I still remember that cut you gave me earlier. Just wait. I'll pay you back sooner or later."
Taking advantage of the maid's distraction, he secretly touched her long, shapely legs wrapped in black stockings several times. After fixing her skirt, Shen Gonglin looked up at her clearly absent-minded eyes and maliciously reminded her. That earlier touch only counted as interest. His real revenge had not even begun yet. She had made him bleed, so he had to make her bleed too.
"...If possible, please allow me to explain. I am Rita Roseweisse, a Valkyrie of Schicksal and the vice-captain of the Immortal Blade squad... Wait. It seems the rest of my introduction will have to wait. After all, we have guests."
Her feelings were a tangled mess. Rita admitted that Shen Gonglin's words had left her somewhat at a loss. Who openly declared that they wanted revenge like that? Could he not be a little more mature and forgive her mistake? This... this Shen Gonglin... was so adorable!
Perhaps Shen Gonglin's actions had stirred something in Rita, but she only found him even cuter. Barely restraining her emotions, Rita had just been about to introduce herself when a Valkyrie's instincts made her turn around.
First, they had to deal with these uninvited Honkai guests.
The Maid's Highest Cultivation
After being delayed by Shen Gonglin for a while, several white figures had appeared once more on the battlefield that had originally been cleared out, along with Suicide Squad wielding scythes. Once humans were infected by Honkai energy, death or this was their only end. No emotion remained in Rita's crimson-purple eyes. Death was their best release. And this was also the perfect chance to rebuild her image before Shen Gonglin. She had to let him know that, aside from being lewd... aside from being pretty, what this maid did best was cleaning up.
"Eh, that young lady looks pretty good. And that scythe in her hand—she's with you?"
Before Rita could even strike a pose, Shen Gonglin casually walked forward and greeted the Suicide Squad. After all, he had never seen this kind of Honkai creation before. White hair, a slender figure, snow-white skin... How should he put it? She looked strange, but Shen Gonglin still followed his heart. Using the same tone as before, he asked whether they were acquaintances of Rita's. Was this the legendary Immortal Blade?
"If you wish to flirt, please find a normal young woman. If you have a special affection for scythes, there are other normal women who use such weapons. The one before us now is an enemy."
Grabbing Shen Gonglin by the collar, Rita pulled this strange man who was trying to flirt with a Suicide Squad back. Helplessly, she explained. Honkai Beasts were originally animals infected by Honkai energy, while Suicide Squad like these were what humans became after being infected. It was an irreversible process. Even if all their Honkai energy was exhausted, it would do no good. According to current intelligence, death was the only outcome.
"Do you understand... Shen Gonglin? What's wrong?"
She had casually spoken Shen Gonglin's name, only to discover that his gaze had clearly drifted away. Had she made some strange movement? Come to think of it, did Shen Gonglin not intend to join the battle? If so, that would be perfect.
Rita intended to put on a show for Shen Gonglin.
"It's nothing. I just suddenly felt something strange about that gesture of yours. I don't dislike it. On the contrary, it feels a little nostalgic."
Being held by the collar by Rita gave Shen Gonglin that feeling. Had someone often treated him like this before he lost his memories? He was not a cat. He should not become docile like a kitten just because someone pinched the back of his collar. Still, it was strange. Shen Gonglin actually found this gesture rather comfortable.
"Is that so? I'm glad you like it. If you wish, I can continue doing this. But it would be best to wait until I finish cleaning up first. After all, the essence of a maid's work is cleaning... C-c-cold! Shen Gonglin, what are you doing?"
She struck a cool pose again, but this time, she did not even get three seconds before Shen Gonglin interrupted her. The maid felt an icy chill across the back of her neck. The sudden sensation made Rita cry out in embarrassment. It felt like someone had stuffed a block of ice beneath her clothes in winter. When she turned around, Shen Gonglin was leisurely withdrawing his hand from her collar. What was he doing?!
Was it really so hard for her to look cool once? She only wanted to show Shen Gonglin how cool she could be. Would he not even give her a chance to restore her image?
"Nothing. I was just conducting an experiment. By the way, how did you know my name... That isn't important. Hey, let me ask you something. Did you feel comfortable just now?"
To investigate why he had felt at ease earlier, Shen Gonglin immediately targeted Rita's neck. Then, without hesitation, he made his move. His hand encountered warmth. A young woman... probably a young woman, anyway. Rita did not look that old. The smooth feel made Shen Gonglin reluctant to let go, so he extended his hand a little farther inside. He had not expected Rita's reaction to be so intense. Looking at the maid's flushed cheeks, Shen Gonglin could not tell whether she was enjoying it or not.
After all, Fu Hua had looked like that when he bit her finger. She had seemed to enjoy it at the time. Women really were hard to understand.
"How can't you tell whether I'm comfortable or not?! Who would find that feeling comfortable?!"
Why could she not maintain her elegant, composed appearance in front of Shen Gonglin? No one would have a block of ice suddenly shoved down their back and find it pleasant, unless they had strange tastes. Rita considered herself a normal woman. She had clearly wanted to meet and get along with Shen Gonglin in her perfect state. Why did he always have to provoke her?
Did she really need to beat him up before he would behave himself?
"Why are you reacting so strongly? Your face is so red, I thought you liked it. Besides, didn't you just say that the essence of a maid's work is cleaning? Then isn't a master's job to make little moves and interfere while the maid cleans? I only touched your neck. I haven't even secretly lifted your skirt while you were cleaning, much less deliberately sprawled out on the sofa to get in your way. A maid who can go through such obstacles and still finish her work perfectly is the world's number one maid."
Shen Gonglin waved a hand, treating it as no big deal. Rita's mouth twitched as she listened. What was Shen Gonglin even talking about? Was a maid's job really that difficult? She had once thought her work was flawless. So she needed this sort of experience to count as a perfect maid...? But why did that sound so wrong? Shen Gonglin was just talking nonsense, right?
"Shen Gonglin, let me ask one thing first. Where exactly did you learn all this strange knowledge?"
The Honkai Beasts were gathering nearby. Rita, who had assumed a combat stance, asked curiously. The report said Shen Gonglin had amnesia, so where had he learned all these strange things? The people at St. Freya... surely they had not taught him anything strange, right?
"I don't know. It just feels like that's how it is in my head. Maybe I was served by a perfect maid like that before. You there, don't lose heart. That's the highest standard for a maid. As long as you study hard, one day you'll reach that goal too."
Sometimes strange knowledge really did flash through his mind, so Shen Gonglin believed he must have had an exceptionally perfect maid in the past. Thus, he casually comforted Rita. Who knew that those words would deeply provoke her? The highest standard for a maid?
He really dared to say it. Even she had never called herself that.
"Is that so? Then, Shen Gonglin, please interfere with me as much as you like. I would like to see just how far I am from this so-called highest standard."
Swinging the scythe in her hand, Rita's gaze had never been more serious. Bring it on.
In every sense of the phrase!
The Perfect Maid's Test
Oh? This maid was quite confident.
Shen Gonglin raised a brow as he looked at Rita. He could hear strong confidence in her words, as though she did not consider these Honkai Beasts worth worrying about at all. Did she really have some skill? If that was the case, then could Shen Gonglin be a little more uninhibited?
"Uh... are you sure you want me to interfere as much as I like?"
He asked again to make sure, while his thoughts had already become active. As he had said before, Shen Gonglin was particularly petty. He had never been someone willing to take a loss. Rita had treated him that way earlier, and he had long wanted revenge. Now she was simply asking for it. Seeing how confident she was, being a little excessive probably would not matter.
After all, she said she was the vice-captain of the Immortal Blade. The name sounded cool. Maybe she really was capable.
"Of course. I'll show you what a true maid really is!"
Rita's eyes burned with fighting spirit. She was an S-rank Valkyrie, and she also considered herself the most perfect maid. Shen Gonglin's provocation in this regard had ignited her competitive spirit. She did not know what kind of maid Shen Gonglin had met before, but Rita would never concede in this matter. After all, she considered herself the world's number one maid!
To be denied in such a matter—Shen Gonglin really dared to say it.
"Oh, you said it yourself. Perfect. I wanted to get my revenge too."
Everyone heard that, right? Rita had said it herself, so whatever he did to interfere with her now was not his fault. Shen Gonglin looked around, intending to make that clear, but the Honkai Beasts and Suicide Squad around them clearly had no intention of listening. After standing by for too long, they finally began attacking. Rita smiled faintly and tightened her grip on her scythe, but Shen Gonglin turned to face her. Seeing his expression, Rita instinctively felt that something was wrong. What was going on?
Why did she have such a feeling?
"Then I'll begin."
Shen Gonglin took two steps forward. He was already a mature adult. Sneaking a look at a maid's panties through the gap in her skirt while she assumed a fighting stance could no longer satisfy him. As the saying went, repay a grievance with a grievance. She had made him bleed before, so now he would make her bleed. This was the moment for his revenge.
Before Rita could figure out what Shen Gonglin intended to do, he pounced straight into her arms. Was he planning to interfere with her combat using this posture? Rita smiled faintly. It was indeed distracting, but handling this level of Honkai was absolutely no problem for her at all, at all, at all...
A faint sting spread over her neck, followed by a sensation like towering waves sweeping through her entire body. Rita's wine-red eyes instantly widened. What kind of feeling was this? What had Shen Gonglin done? Her... her body was completely refusing to obey her.
Clang. Rita's scythe slipped from her grasp and hit the ground. For a Valkyrie, being unable to hold onto her weapon was laughable, let alone for an S-rank Valkyrie like Rita. Yet she could do nothing at that moment. Her entire body felt as if it had been soaked in warm water. From her fingertips to every part of her body, she had no strength at all. Forget gripping a weapon—Rita could not even stand properly. Her soft body tipped forward against Shen Gonglin, while her watery eyes grew hazy. What... what was happening to her?
Thanks for the meal. Shen Gonglin was very satisfied.
Slowly retracting his two sharp canine teeth, Shen Gonglin licked the bead of blood on Rita's neck. To be honest, he had long wanted to take a good drink like this. Biting Fu Hua's finger before had not satisfied his craving at all. Although he could not figure out what he had been before losing his memories, drinking blood seemed to have become instinct. That sensation had felt so good that Shen Gonglin had nearly ascended to heaven. Rita's feelings were probably ten times stronger than his, so it was understandable that this S-rank Valkyrie had gone down so quickly.
"Alright, I'm done. You can start now... Hey, what are you doing? Didn't you say I could interfere with you? Hurry up and fight. Those things are coming."
Shen Gonglin pushed Rita's shoulder and spoke mercilessly. Yet Rita still leaned limply against him. What was going on with her? Had she not said she was the vice-captain of some super-powerful squad? Why was she like this now? Was there something wrong with her body? The Class President had seemed the same way back then. Could being bitten by him actually feel good?
Shen Gonglin almost wanted to bite himself and find out. If it worked, would that not make him a perpetual happiness machine?
"Y-you can't stop... No, no, that's not it. You... what did you do to me... You tormenting little devil..."
Her cheeks flushed crimson, Rita barely braced herself against Shen Gonglin's shoulders, trying to pull away from him. But her powerless body could not even complete such a simple movement. Every cell in her body was transmitting that tingling, numb sensation to her. It was over. She could never go back after experiencing such intense stimulation. Shen Gonglin... he was definitely poisonous!
And why had he stopped? Continue! Why had he suddenly stopped? With unfocused eyes, Rita leaned closer to Shen Gonglin, while Shen Gonglin became increasingly frightened. What was happening? Why had this maid turned into this state? Could his earlier guess have been right? Was this maid that sort of lewd maid? What normal maid dressed like she did?
"W-well, continuing isn't important, but shouldn't you clear these things out first? Honestly, I'm starting to get scared. Weren't you amazing earlier? Hurry up and do something."
If he moved away, Rita would definitely collapse to the ground. Helpless, Shen Gonglin could only support the maid's limp body. It was all because Rita had bragged about being so amazing. Vice-captain of the Immortal Blade? Immortal Blade probably meant sweeping football fields. She was just a lewd maid!
"Ha... Do you think... in my current state... I can still fight?"
Shen Gonglin's words gave Rita, who had fallen into a strange state, a few moments of clarity. Looking at the Honkai Beasts gathering around them, she wore a bitter smile. She knew her current condition. This time, there really was nothing she could do.
"Hmm... can you hold them off? I'll go find someone to save you?"
Shen Gonglin thoughtfully proposed this plan, while Rita silently tightened her grip on his clothes.
"You turned a girl into this and now you want to leave me behind to run for your life? Do you really refuse to act like a human being?"
Rita tightly clutched Shen Gonglin. This guy was not getting away!
The Immoral Angel
"As the vice-captain of the Immortal Blade squad, being chased around by such low-level Honkai Beasts and Suicide Squad is certainly a novel experience."
Looking at the Honkai Beasts chasing after them not far behind, Rita wore a self-mocking smile. She wanted to clear out those weaklings, but her body still had no strength at all. Even Fu Hua's physical constitution could not resist the aftereffects of a bite from Shen Gonglin, much less Rita. Besides, she had not merely been bitten. Shen Gonglin had bitten her neck and taken a large drink of blood. She probably would be unable to fight for the rest of this Honkai outbreak.
"Pah. If you can say that, then get down and fight! Vice-captain of the Immortal Blade? You're actually the weakest one, aren't you? Or is cleaning your real job? Don't tell me you can't fight at all. Stop looking so relaxed while riding on someone's back. If you have the energy to talk, think of a solution already. Believe it or not, I'll throw you down?"
Hearing Rita mutter on his back, Shen Gonglin immediately grew furious. He had thought this maid was formidable, but she turned into a weakling as soon as a fight started. She was not even as reliable as Kiana. At least Kiana could rush in and draw enemy fire for him. But Rita? Escaping while carrying her was already a problem. This maid was so heavy that Shen Gonglin felt he could barely run anymore.
Rita could not fight, while the little electricity Shen Gonglin had saved up was all being used to stimulate his muscles so he could carry her while running. Otherwise, with Shen Gonglin's small frame, he would not have gotten far. Yet by now, Shen Gonglin was nearly out of strength too. This maid could not fight, but she was exceptionally good at causing trouble. He had only been joking, but she seemed to truly think he would throw her down. Even now, she had her arms around his neck. Did she really think Shen Gonglin would do something so inhuman?
Actually, Rita had already discovered that Shen Gonglin could not be judged by common sense. He really might leave her behind to buy time. Though they had not known each other long, Rita had realized that this angel was different from other angels.
He was rather immoral.
At that thought, Rita used all her strength to hug Shen Gonglin's neck tighter. Her long, rounded legs desperately clamped around his waist. Otherwise, she was afraid she would slip down. At first, Shen Gonglin had held her legs, but as they ran, she had to rely entirely on her own legs to cling to his waist. This guy was secretly touching her legs while running. Did he think she did not know? Rita simply could not be bothered to mention it.
The maid was still savoring that earlier sensation. It was embarrassing, but she had to admit that it had been an experience unlike anything Rita had ever had. That feeling still lingered in her body, leaving her completely weak. She likely would not recover for several hours.
"Instead of saying that, keep running. I wasn't lying. I'm the vice-captain of the Immortal Blade, and I'm very strong. If I were in good condition, I'd cut down these Honkai Beasts with a flick of my wrist without even blinking... By the way, are you trying to use the terrain to confuse the Honkai Beasts? This is the third lap already. Are you really out of stamina?"
At this, Rita puffed out her cheeks slightly. This guy still did not believe she was strong. Did she really have to slap her S-rank Valkyrie credentials in his face before he believed her? Saying she was responsible for cleaning... If cleaners were all as powerful as she was, Schicksal would have already wiped out the Honkai and saved the world. What did he think an S-rank Valkyrie was?
Though her usual hobby really was cleaning.
"Huh? I was running in circles? Why didn't you tell me earlier?! Where are the Valkyrie forces around here... Forget it, I can't run anymore. If I keep going, even if I'm not beaten to death, I'll die of exhaustion. It's all your fault. Fine, you bragged about being a combat Valkyrie, but why did you eat so much and get so heavy? I... I can't do it. I can't run anymore."
Shen Gonglin had poor stamina to begin with; he was the type to get tired after running four hundred meters. On top of that, he had no sense of direction at all. Carrying Rita for so long had already pushed him to his limit. She had known he was running in circles but had not told him. If the Honkai Beasts had not been chasing her as well, Shen Gonglin would have thought she was a spy sent by the Honkai. Stopping, he set Rita down and gave the maid an exhausted glare. She was completely dead weight.
"...Shen Gonglin, even a maid whose duty is serving her master can get angry. What overly harsh things are you saying to a woman? My weight is absolutely within standard. Do not spread such obvious lies. Say them often enough, and someone might believe them."
Struggling to stand while using her scythe as support, Rita had exhausted all her strength with this simple action alone. How long could her body hold up in this state? Ever since being promoted to an S-rank Valkyrie, she had never faced such a situation. Yet even now, Rita sternly corrected Shen Gonglin. A woman's weight was an important matter. Even Shen Gonglin could not talk nonsense!
"Is that so? I'm certain your weight exceeds the standard. At least here, it does. Do you dare tell me your actual weight?"
Shen Gonglin looked at Rita suspiciously and pointed from afar at the two round hemispheres on her chest. He had felt it while taking advantage of her when carrying her earlier. The desire to play with them was stirring in his heart. They were bigger than Kiana's and Mei's, probably even as big as that unknown red-haired woman's. Without that figure, he probably would not have tired so quickly. What a sweet burden.
"...Let us prepare for battle first. Running away has never been a maid's choice. If we fight together, there should be no problem... If you run again, I cannot guarantee whether my scythe will cut you first or the Honkai Beasts."
Rita subtly changed the subject. She did not wish to discuss this issue. What did Shen Gonglin know? Nine and a half out of ten women would be happy to have a little more weight there. Had he not been enjoying himself while carrying her earlier? Now he was complaining that she was heavy. Rita took a deep breath and straightened up. Without even looking behind her, she extended her scythe and rested it against Shen Gonglin's neck. At a time like this, they naturally had to fight side by side. They were comrades now, after all.
The Immoral Angel
"As the vice-captain of the Immortal Blade squad, being chased around by such low-level Honkai Beasts and Suicide Squad is certainly a novel experience."
Looking at the Honkai Beasts chasing after them not far behind, Rita wore a self-mocking smile. She wanted to clear out those weaklings, but her body still had no strength at all. Even Fu Hua's physical constitution could not resist the aftereffects of a bite from Shen Gonglin, much less Rita. Besides, she had not merely been bitten. Shen Gonglin had bitten her neck and taken a large drink of blood. She probably would be unable to fight for the rest of this Honkai outbreak.
"Pah. If you can say that, then get down and fight! Vice-captain of the Immortal Blade? You're actually the weakest one, aren't you? Or is cleaning your real job? Don't tell me you can't fight at all. Stop looking so relaxed while riding on someone's back. If you have the energy to talk, think of a solution already. Believe it or not, I'll throw you down?"
Hearing Rita mutter on his back, Shen Gonglin immediately grew furious. He had thought this maid was formidable, but she turned into a weakling as soon as a fight started. She was not even as reliable as Kiana. At least Kiana could rush in and draw enemy fire for him. But Rita? Escaping while carrying her was already a problem. This maid was so heavy that Shen Gonglin felt he could barely run anymore.
Rita could not fight, while the little electricity Shen Gonglin had saved up was all being used to stimulate his muscles so he could carry her while running. Otherwise, with Shen Gonglin's small frame, he would not have gotten far. Yet by now, Shen Gonglin was nearly out of strength too. This maid could not fight, but she was exceptionally good at causing trouble. He had only been joking, but she seemed to truly think he would throw her down. Even now, she had her arms around his neck. Did she really think Shen Gonglin would do something so inhuman?
Actually, Rita had already discovered that Shen Gonglin could not be judged by common sense. He really might leave her behind to buy time. Though they had not known each other long, Rita had realized that this angel was different from other angels.
He was rather immoral.
At that thought, Rita used all her strength to hug Shen Gonglin's neck tighter. Her long, rounded legs desperately clamped around his waist. Otherwise, she was afraid she would slip down. At first, Shen Gonglin had held her legs, but as they ran, she had to rely entirely on her own legs to cling to his waist. This guy was secretly touching her legs while running. Did he think she did not know? Rita simply could not be bothered to mention it.
The maid was still savoring that earlier sensation. It was embarrassing, but she had to admit that it had been an experience unlike anything Rita had ever had. That feeling still lingered in her body, leaving her completely weak. She likely would not recover for several hours.
"Instead of saying that, keep running. I wasn't lying. I'm the vice-captain of the Immortal Blade, and I'm very strong. If I were in good condition, I'd cut down these Honkai Beasts with a flick of my wrist without even blinking... By the way, are you trying to use the terrain to confuse the Honkai Beasts? This is the third lap already. Are you really out of stamina?"
At this, Rita puffed out her cheeks slightly. This guy still did not believe she was strong. Did she really have to slap her S-rank Valkyrie credentials in his face before he believed her? Saying she was responsible for cleaning... If cleaners were all as powerful as she was, Schicksal would have already wiped out the Honkai and saved the world. What did he think an S-rank Valkyrie was?
Though her usual hobby really was cleaning.
"Huh? I was running in circles? Why didn't you tell me earlier?! Where are the Valkyrie forces around here... Forget it, I can't run anymore. If I keep going, even if I'm not beaten to death, I'll die of exhaustion. It's all your fault. Fine, you bragged about being a combat Valkyrie, but why did you eat so much and get so heavy? I... I can't do it. I can't run anymore."
Shen Gonglin had poor stamina to begin with; he was the type to get tired after running four hundred meters. On top of that, he had no sense of direction at all. Carrying Rita for so long had already pushed him to his limit. She had known he was running in circles but had not told him. If the Honkai Beasts had not been chasing her as well, Shen Gonglin would have thought she was a spy sent by the Honkai. Stopping, he set Rita down and gave the maid an exhausted glare. She was completely dead weight.
"...Shen Gonglin, even a maid whose duty is serving her master can get angry. What overly harsh things are you saying to a woman? My weight is absolutely within standard. Do not spread such obvious lies. Say them often enough, and someone might believe them."
Struggling to stand while using her scythe as support, Rita had exhausted all her strength with this simple action alone. How long could her body hold up in this state? Ever since being promoted to an S-rank Valkyrie, she had never faced such a situation. Yet even now, Rita sternly corrected Shen Gonglin. A woman's weight was an important matter. Even Shen Gonglin could not talk nonsense!
"Is that so? I'm certain your weight exceeds the standard. At least here, it does. Do you dare tell me your actual weight?"
Shen Gonglin looked at Rita suspiciously and pointed from afar at the two round hemispheres on her chest. He had felt it while taking advantage of her when carrying her earlier. The desire to play with them was stirring in his heart. They were bigger than Kiana's and Mei's, probably even as big as that unknown red-haired woman's. Without that figure, he probably would not have tired so quickly. What a sweet burden.
"...Let us prepare for battle first. Running away has never been a maid's choice. If we fight together, there should be no problem... If you run again, I cannot guarantee whether my scythe will cut you first or the Honkai Beasts."
Rita subtly changed the subject. She did not wish to discuss this issue. What did Shen Gonglin know? Nine and a half out of ten women would be happy to have a little more weight there. Had he not been enjoying himself while carrying her earlier? Now he was complaining that she was heavy. Rita took a deep breath and straightened up. Without even looking behind her, she extended her scythe and rested it against Shen Gonglin's neck. At a time like this, they naturally had to fight side by side. They were comrades now, after all.
Before you continue