Chapter 385

"I think Chicken Coop Head has already said what I wanted to say. She has a good temper and she can definitely express herself more clearly than I can. Besides, since you came here together, Shen Gonglin must trust you... Anyway, I don't like arguing. Since we might be colleagues or even partners in the future, it's better to be more harmonious from now on."

Tesla said things that she would never normally hear from her, which surprised Shen Gonglin. The doctor's temper had changed a lot without her noticing. Tesla had his own thoughts. Anyway, he would definitely still be with Shen Gonglin in the future. If he had a falling out with the original staff here, Shen Gonglin would be in a difficult position.

Hmph, everyone thinks he's short-tempered and unreasonable, but that's because in those situations he doesn't need to maintain a good temper. When necessary, Tesla can also be gentle.

I must be getting a high score in Shen Gonglin's heart right now, right? Hmph, it looks like I've compromised, but this is actually my victory.

"You mean it, Mr. Tesla. Now, is there anything I can help you with?"

Unexpectedly, Amber received Tesla's kindness. She bowed and greeted him. Having received kindness from others, she wanted to reciprocate. Seeing Tesla looking so troubled, she wanted to help him.

"It's because a part is missing. I can't use a replacement; it has to be the original... Shen Gonglin, you've come at the right time. Quickly use your Herrscher of Reason abilities to handcraft one for me right now, and make sure it's exactly the right size!"

They're practically treating Shen Gonglin like Doraemon, but Shen Gonglin can actually help with this kind of thing, like hand-making parts, which is a good idea.

"Then you have to draw me a picture, otherwise I won't know what it looks like."

"Okay, I'll handle this. Let me think... It should be the turbine blades of the DR-171 rocket engine, right?"

"Hey, I didn't expect you to be an expert! This is it!"

Chapter 153

While Shen Gonglin was using the Herrscher of Reason to manually assemble engine blades to help Tesla, Bronya's team, who had gone ahead, also arrived at the new mission location. However, the atmosphere within the team was rather somber. Seele glanced at everyone somewhat awkwardly. Sister Bronya was usually quiet, but what was wrong with Liliya and Rosaria? They were usually the most boisterous, but now...

So, they're nervous because they're carrying out an important mission. Then I should take even better care of them.

The perceptive Seele considered this possibility. She turned to Rosaria and Liliya with a gentle smile, "Rosaria, Liliya, don't be afraid. Sister Bronya and I have been through many battles like this before. It's alright. As long as we stay calm and help each other, we will definitely overcome the difficulties. Even if dangerous enemies appear, Sister Bronya and I will protect you and won't let you get hurt. So don't be afraid, just act as usual."

Rosaria and Liliya are still just kids, Seele comforted them. They are both excellent children, Seele firmly believed that. They just needed to have more confidence in themselves. Everyone was together, so there was nothing to worry about.

But such comforting words didn't seem to have much effect. Rosaria just shook her head. To make the lively Rosaria like this, to send them straight into the battlefield was really too much of a stretch.

"Uh... Seele, it's not like that..."

It seems that Seele has misunderstood something. Liliya raised her hand to explain Rosaria's situation, but the pink-haired loli had already shaken her head so hard that it left afterimages. Rosaria almost fainted from the shaking, lay on the ground retching for a while before timidly speaking.

"Liliya, can I speak now?"

"Well, now that there are no outsiders, it should be fine."

The sisters' conversation left Seele and Bronya somewhat confused; what were they trying to say, a kind of charade, that they couldn't understand at all?

"Phew... I can finally talk properly now. Liliya told me to keep quiet the whole time and not to say a word. Liliya said that since everyone is serious, we should also be serious, but I just can't be serious, so I might as well not talk at all!"

The pink-haired loli explained why she had been silent the whole way. Bronya and Seele, who understood the reason, couldn't help but twitch their lips. They were just fools who had been worried that the two of them were not good at the battlefield. Looking at Rosaria, she didn't take the battlefield seriously at all.

"Because Rosaria will definitely ruin the atmosphere as soon as she opens her mouth."

Liliya shrugged, the blue-haired loli was very satisfied with her arrangements. Rosaria hadn't said a word the whole way, she was really quiet.

"What nonsense! You must have misunderstood me. I'm your older sister, more than ten minutes older than you, and definitely more mature. Besides, I was just about to say that even though I don't understand those tangled tactical instructions, all we need to do is crush those guys, right? Black toy, white toy, teacup toy, I can handle them all by myself!"

Rosaria, now able to speak again, was full of energy, but her behavior left the others speechless. Black tray, white tray, teacup tray—at least she should have known the enemy's name! Why did they think Liliya's previous arrangements were correct? Rosaria, you idiot. It would have been better if she hadn't spoken at all in the first place.

Regaining her ability to speak was like regaining her energy. Liliya grabbed her greatsword and charged forward, starting to spin around. But just then, the communicator on the girl's body suddenly rang, and Tesla's voice came through it.

[That's it, don't move!]

"Huh? Oh, yes!"

Tesla's voice immediately made Rosaria tense up. The girl barely managed to keep her body still. In addition to the mission of advancing head-on, they were also tasked with finding a suitable place to remotely install the Spartacus System for Tesla, so the doctor's order was very important.

"... Is it okay? My center of gravity is a little unstable, and my legs are a little numb from standing on one leg. Holding the sword like this is also a little sore... I think, I think I can't hold on much longer."

Rosaria remained frozen in that spinning position, too afraid to move. Seeing this, Liliya could only sigh deeply. She pulled Rosaria's hand and helped her stand properly on the ground. She was so stupid; what would she have done without Liliya by her side?

"... Rosaria, you don't need to keep that weird half-turned pose. We're not playing Red Light, Green Light. Dr. Tesla just wanted you to stay put, not to stand still... By the way, were you even holding your breath just now?"

Ignoring the two sisters joking around, Bronya took over the communication with Tesla: "Doctor, is this the place? The location where the Spartacus System extension is installed."

[Yes, it's all set. The coordinates have been recorded, and the second team has departed. So far, everything is going smoothly. As planned, you can begin the next phase of the operation. From now on, all on-site assessments are your own responsibility. Be careful, and we'll see you at the cathedral.]

Tesla's communication was swift and efficient. The second squad... Kiana's side has also been mobilized? Looking at the chattering Arin sisters, Bronya suddenly had a sense of déjà vu, as if she were seeing them on a mission before. Back then, Kiana was just as mischievous as Rosaria, and she was just stirring things up, ultimately ruining the plan and then they went to apologize to the headmistress together... The headmistress's feelings back then were probably the same as hers now.

Whew, I suddenly feel really bad for the headmistress. I should apologize and thank her properly when I get back, or maybe I can share the small cakes from dinner with her?

"Rosaria, Liliya, stop fooling around... Hmm? Something's wrong! Everyone, form a defensive formation!"

Just as she was about to speak up to dissuade them, a subtle tension quietly spread around everyone. Bronya, who had let the assassin mercenaries go, had a natural sense of warning about this situation. Sensing the danger, Bronya couldn't help but shiver. With a command from Bronya, the Arin sisters and Seele immediately gathered and became vigilant about their surroundings. Looking at the transparent barriers that appeared around them, Bronya frowned slightly.

It seems the other party is finally not going to stand idly by.

Chapter 154 The Invitation of the Black Rose

I had this feeling earlier. Everything had gone a little too smoothly. Rather than saying that it was these obstacles that made Bronya feel at ease. Besides trapping them here, these barriers also served to invite them in. This spatial rift felt familiar.

Bronya looked at the spatial rift that had appeared in the center of the barrier, which was still shrinking. Should she stay here and try to find a place to survive in the shrinking barrier, or should she accept the invitation and face the people who had brought them all this trouble...? It seemed like the choice was being made. In any case, the person who initiated this invitation was certainly very hospitable.

Bronya had already guessed who the person who invited her might be.

"To be so well-prepared, they probably have many tricks up their sleeves to force us to accept this invitation. Bronya can already guess who it is... When we get back, we must make Shen Gonglin fire this maid. She really is not trustworthy."

Bronya muttered to herself, saying she wouldn't become enemies with them. She really didn't understand why Shen Gonglin trusted such people. Bronya was very unhappy and would try to persuade Shen Gonglin when she got back. Given her relationship with Shen Gonglin, it would definitely work.

"Looks like you already have a plan. Seele trusts Sister Bronya's judgment. Rosaria, Liliya, what about you?"

Always wholeheartedly in favor of Bronya's decision, Seele subtly skipped over the rest of Bronya's words and asked the Arin sisters. She dared not say anything about the issue between Sister Bronya and Shen Gonglin, so she pretended not to hear it.

"What? You can just go in here and beat up the enemy?"

Liliya thought Rosaria would be better off keeping quiet.

Very well, the Arin sisters are as unreliable as ever today. I shouldn't even consider their opinions. Seele chuckled dryly and looked at Bronya. Let's just take it as a unanimous vote for now. As long as we're careful, there shouldn't be any problems... right?

The decision was made, Bronya's group unanimously approved it. Everyone jumped down towards the spatial rift in the middle, and a strange and familiar feeling of weightlessness came over them. This feeling... it really is here.

The darkness dissipated, revealing a familiar scene before Bronya. Recognizing her current predicament, Bronya sighed softly. The Domination Theater —what a haunting, lingering place.

The girl looked around. She was the only one in the empty hall. It seemed that everyone had been separated again. There was no trace of the puppets in the theater. What was going on? They had been brought to this safe and Domination Theater. If Bronya was not mistaken, she should be waiting for her in this theater.

"Map, unfold."

Bronya's Heavy-duty Rabbit unfolded a holographic map, which Bronya had drawn during her digital arrival at the Domination Theater. She had initially thought it wouldn't be of much use, but it turned out to be useful here. Given that woman's personality, she would definitely be in the center of the Domination Theater, which is the lobby. It seems she needs to go and meet her.

Following the map's directions, Bronya didn't take any detours, and sure enough, on the high steps of the hall, Bronya saw that elegant and graceful figure, Rita Roseweisse.

Just as he had thought, only this woman would make such an "irresistible" invitation.

"Greetings, Lady Bronya. According to the tradition of this theater, should I say, 'Welcome to the Domination Theater'?"

As if she had foreseen Bronya's arrival, Rita put down the doll controlled by the threads beside her. The maid stood up and respectfully bowed to Bronya, but such elegant and proper etiquette did not ease Bronya's serious little face in the slightest. It was indeed her.

"Rita has been waiting for you for a long time, Lord Ural Silver Wolf."

The maid tried to be polite, but Bronya had already raised her hand to her, and the shoulder cannons of the Heavy-duty Rabbit behind her had begun charging. Pulling them closer to the Domination Theater indicated Rita's position; she was on Otto's side, so she was an enemy.

"Today we are enemies on the battlefield, so let's skip the formalities and get started."

After realizing that Rita was behind it all, Bronya categorized the maid as an enemy. In that case, there's no need for further discussion. Defeat her, then leave the Domination Theater and head to the church to reunite with Kiana and the others. That's what Bronya should do now.

"Please don't say that. My respect for Miss Bronya is genuine and will not change because of our different positions."

Unlike Bronya's tense attitude, Rita sensed Bronya's hostility but did not adopt a fighting stance. However, Bronya was already impatient with her pretentious behavior. Her previous words were indeed false. The Immortal Blade was still on Otto's side. A maid who betrayed her promise should not continue to stay by Shen Gonglin's side.

"Is that so? Then who was it that just solemnly promised not to become our enemy? Rita, you should know Shen Gonglin's personality. Once you make such a decision, no matter what your true intentions are, you will lose his trust."

Bronya spoke sarcastically. In the past, this emotionless girl would not have acted like this, but now she has changed a lot and knows Shen Gonglin's personality well. Bronya believes that Rita also knows Shen Gonglin's personality, but she still did it, so there is nothing more to say.

"Bronya for the reminder, Miss Bronya. Lady Durandal's example is right before my eyes, how could I not keep it in mind? My previous promise was not false in the slightest. To be precise, I do not want to be an enemy of anyone, whether it is Anti-Entropy or Schicksal, Hyperion or Lord Otto. Rita only wants to maintain a neutral stance and fulfill her duties as a maid."

Bronya's words caused Rita's expression to change slightly. No matter how eloquently Bronya spoke, this time it seemed she wouldn't be able to get away with it so easily. No matter how skillful her words were, on this issue, Shen Gonglin's attitude would determine everything. Rita knew perfectly well how long Durandal had been her ex-girlfriend, but this time... she just wanted Bronya to stop for a moment. As long as she sweet-talked Shen Gonglin, it shouldn't be a big deal, right?

Should.

Chapter 155

"Neutral? Forgive my bluntness, but you don't seem very neutral right now. Although I don't know why you made this choice, the fact that you're here proves that you are Bronya's enemy."

Too lazy to ponder Rita's thoughts, Bronya had never placed the utmost trust in this maid, so Bronya wasn't surprised by her current choice. Shen Gonglin was just too trusting; did he think all girls outside were as honest and loyal as she was? Hopefully, this would teach Shen Gonglin a lesson. What kind of personal maid was this...

Bronya disapproved from the very beginning; if it came to close contact, Bronya was perfectly capable of it.

"I apologize for giving you this impression. After leaving the Hyperion, some things happened that caused a subtle shift in my stance. However, Lady Bronya, please rest assured that this trip to the Domination Theater will not have any negative impact on you or anyone else. Rita has absolutely no intention of harming you. Even the doll in my hand is just a key that Lord Otto lent me; it has no ability to move on its own."

Rita comforted Bronya with these words, explaining that the true power of the Herrscher of Domination had been transferred entirely to Otto. In this Domination Theater, there was nothing that could harm them. The reason she was in front of them was to prevent Bronya and the others from appearing in front of Otto too early.

They already had a basic understanding of what Otto wanted to do, but for that person, no amount of preparation was too much. If they were to appear in front of Otto so rashly... Bronya would be fine, but the other guests were a bit of a different story. So until then, if they didn't demonstrate the strength that Rita expected, it would be better for them to stay here for now, at least it would be safer.

Presumably, if Lord Rin knew what I was thinking, she wouldn't blame me too much.

"Lady Bronya, Rita can assure you that as long as you all stay here quietly for a while, I will respectfully escort you out."

The maid bowed again. Durandal had already gone to see the bishop. Rita wanted to wait for their matter to end. If all went well, Bronya and the others wouldn't have to risk their lives. However, there was no need to tell Bronya this reason. This Ural Silver Wolf had her own considerations. Everyone was doing what they believed was right.

"For a period of time... until the twelve hours Otto mentioned are over, right?"

"Miss Bronya has always been exceptionally intelligent. However... judging from the actual situation, perhaps it won't take that long."

The conversation between the two had reached a stalemate. It was confirmed that the maid wanted to keep them here until Otto's plan ended. As expected of someone from the Chosen Ones, she was a Schicksal Shen Gonglin, but now she was working for Otto. It seemed there was no need to continue the conversation.

"If I understand correctly, all the promises you just made were based on our willingness to follow your arrangements. So, what if we insist on leaving? Black Rose will do her best in her final battle to live up to your expectations. You must have already considered the current situation when you left this note."

Bronya now understood why Rita had left her such a note earlier. It seemed that the maid had anticipated this situation from the very beginning. What a cunning woman! She used the guise of neutrality to complete Otto's mission without harming herself. That way, no matter which side won in the end, she wouldn't suffer any losses. This maid is exactly the kind of opportunist she is.

I really don't know what Shen Gonglin saw in her, just because of her maid attribute?

"Yes, Miss Bronya reminded me not to make decisions that would disappoint my companions, and this is Rita's decision. Rita believes that letting you stay here for the time being is the best arrangement."

If I could, I really wouldn't want to fight Bronya. After all, we'd be in the same boat eventually, and it wouldn't be right to ruin our relationship now. But this little girl isn't my puppet; she has her own considerations. Our differing beliefs are really giving me a headache.

"Alright, I understand. No need for further explanation. Bronya will not be manipulated by anyone, nor will she waver in her resolve. Bronya will decide her own path, and she certainly won't be staying here for a vacation. Valkyrie of Schicksal, Rita Roseweisse, if you want to stop Bronya, then get serious."

As expected, the negotiations broke down. Rita was not surprised at all by this result. After all, the other party was the ever-calm Bronya. As always, she would not accept any imposed proposals. So, she could only ask for more advice. The last encounter could only be described as a warm-up. And today... sigh, she had to be careful not to hurt her, but also to avoid being hurt by her.

It seems this battle will consume a lot of energy.

"Tesla, what's wrong?"

As a mobile crew member who stayed behind, after completing a round of community cooperation with Theresa, Shen Gonglin suddenly received a communication from Tesla. When Shen Gonglin rushed back, she only saw Tesla's serious cat-like face. What happened? Or was he just waiting for something to happen?

"Things are not looking good. Twenty minutes ago, we lost contact with Bronya's team, which was also part of our contingency plan. It seems they've run into some trouble. Shen Gonglin, it's your turn to move in."

Tesla solemnly conveyed his feelings to Shen Gonglin, explaining that this was one of the main reasons he had her stay behind. If anything happened to the first or second squad, Shen Gonglin, as a mobile unit, could quickly arrive to handle the situation. Now was the time to utilize Shen Gonglin!

"Bronya... I understand, I'll set off now."

Now is not the time to delve into the reasons. Shen Gonglin was already tired of those ordinary community service tasks. Theresa said that this was what a bishop should do, but Shen Gonglin didn't have that kind of patience. It was finally time for him to show his skills. He nodded to Tesla, took the special map that Tesla had prepared for him in advance, and set off. With this, he would definitely not get lost!

Chapter 156 The First Visitor

Honestly... to dream about my childhood at this time of year? Am I really that eager? Probably, since it's the time I cherish most.

Inside the church, Otto leaned back on a pew and shook his head. He had inadvertently fallen asleep. He shouldn't need sleep anymore, so this was quite unexpected.

It's rare to see you reminiscing about your childhood. Are you feeling resentful about your inevitable death?

Just then, a voice came from beside Otto. It wasn't anyone's voice, or rather, it wasn't any human voice. Otto reached out and picked up the golden cube that was lying to the side. The voice he had just heard came from this thing— the Void Archive, his own museum, the thing that had accompanied him to where he was today.

"Haha. You're quite the joker, Void Archive. Didn't I just tell Theresa and the others that I'm willing to die, and that I die willingly? This is just a doomsday celebration that's five hundred years late."

Otto shook his head. He had long been prepared for death, or rather, he was looking forward to it. To do the most selfish thing a human being could choose, at the cost of his own life, was his only wish for the past five hundred years.

[... In my opinion, you're using this method to cover up your nervousness and fear.]

The golden cube was devoid of any emotion; after all, it was merely a tool, a tool that stored countless pieces of knowledge. What emotion could you expect from a tool?

"Nervousness and fear? Perhaps. I do feel nervous and fearful, after all, my life has been long enough; and now that I can finally see the finish line, it's natural to feel excited."

Otto stretched his neck and looked up. His Soul Steel body shouldn't have felt tired, but today Otto actually felt exhausted. His green eyes were filled with weariness. This was the burden of five hundred years... enough.

"... Didn't you ever expect more?"

The words of Void Archive seemed somewhat incoherent, but Otto knew what they were talking about: expectation, wasn't it?

"Why not? Even if it's just a hope, you have to understand that the Void Archive... The truly impossible things are destined to be impossible from the very beginning. For example, if you had been willing to let me use the full power of the Divine Key back then, wouldn't things have been different? That's also a kind of hope."

Otto's tone remained flippant, but the golden cube could discern the deep-seated emotions within, which the Void Archive refrained from commenting upon.