I, Herrscher Slayer

Chapter 155: Miserable in All Caps

That sleep had truly been comfortable. It felt as though her entire body had relaxed, like finally sitting down after standing for ages.

In the early morning, Rita opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. Her well-established body clock had awakened the maid right on time. Still immersed in the afterglow of that strange feeling from last night, Rita had enjoyed an unprecedentedly good night's sleep. Her whole body felt relaxed. Shen Gonglin really was useful and easy to use. Having him take that bite before bed truly made one feel good all day.

Changing clothes was just a tiny bit troublesome, though.

Her cheeks flushed, the maid changed into fresh underwear. It was still early, but Rita normally got up at this time anyway. As a maid, she naturally had to rise early and prepare all the necessary arrangements. She still needed to visit the command center later, so she had to hurry and get breakfast ready. Although she really wanted to take a bath... there was no time.

Rita walked out of her room. After pausing briefly outside Durandal's door, she decisively entered the bathroom instead. Her intuition told the maid not to go in and disturb her. There was still some time. It would be best not to enter Lady Durandal's room before she finished making breakfast. She had a feeling that if she went in, Lady Durandal might hate her for the rest of her life.

She wondered whether Shen Gonglin had successfully gotten his revenge. If it was him, there should not be a problem. Even if his opponent was Lady Durandal, Rita did not doubt Shen Gonglin's ability to act in the slightest. After all, he was incredibly capable.

After washing up quickly, Rita arrived in the kitchen. Her maid outfit already came with an apron, but Rita, who had long since begun wearing the outfit as everyday clothing, tied on another apron. Beneath her black pleated skirt were her slender, straight legs pressed tightly together. Rita was as flawless as ever today.

She adjusted her skirt in front of the mirror. Earlier, it had been torn open because she had needed to bandage Shen Gonglin. However, Rita had found this ripped style rather pretty afterward, so she had kept it that way. Shen Gonglin would most likely be eating here today as well, so she would make portable sweets. Do not ask why. It was a maid's intuition.

"Vice Captain... so you really were home. Is the Captain here? The Bishop should be sending a communication today, requiring all Valkyries currently on standby at the base to attend."

At that moment, Alvit pushed open the front door and walked in. Since she was normally quite close with Rita, she often entered directly without knocking. In any case, someone as perfect as the Vice Captain would not have any unexpected situations. Look, no matter when she came in, the Vice Captain was either preparing food in the kitchen or cleaning the house. She wondered who would be lucky enough to marry such an amazing Vice Captain someday. Alvit had never had anyone in mind before, but now, she often thought of a certain person.

If it was him, he could definitely satisfy the Vice Captain's fondness for taking care of people.

Stopping in the living room, Alvit surveyed the house. She had learned yesterday that the Captain had returned too, so she had come to inform the two of them. She wondered what important matter was being announced this time, that every Valkyrie on standby throughout the base was required to attend. Alvit's intuition told her that it was probably related to that energetic Angel.

"Is that so? Then, Alvit, could I trouble you to go call Lady Durandal from her room? I cannot leave here for the moment."

Cracking an egg into the frying pan, Rita thought it over and decided to send Alvit instead. Rita trusted her sixth sense quite a bit. Who knew what the situation in that room was like? Sending Alvit was the best choice.

"Oh, but Vice Captain, if possible, please prepare a portion for me too. I came over right after waking up, so I am still a little hungry."

Alvit had not yet realized the gravity of the situation. Grinning, she looked at Rita and rubbed her stomach. The Vice Captain's cooking was far better than the chefs at the cafeteria. Even an ordinary breakfast could offer the most perfect enjoyment. It could be said that both the Captain and Vice Captain were the most perfect women she had ever met. She truly hoped that one day, she could become as strong and dependable as them.

"Mm, I'll make... I'll make it for you."

Make? Was the Vice Captain preparing something like stew this morning? That was rare. Still, as long as she made it, it would definitely be delicious. She was in for a treat today.

Alvit turned and walked toward Durandal's room. Speaking of which, she had never seen the Captain sleeping before. Today really was her lucky day.

This truly had been... the longest night she had ever experienced.

In Durandal's room, the strongest Valkyrie's azure eyes resembled glass beads that had lost all their light. She stared blankly at the ceiling. Unlike Rita, who had slept wonderfully, Durandal had genuinely not slept a wink all night. All because of the cancer of humanity beside her.

Silently turning her head, Durandal looked at the sleeping person beside her with the gaze she would use on a corpse. The strongest Valkyrie's eyes clearly could not kill people, though. Otherwise, how could this bastard still be alive now?

The day Shen Gonglin died, she would definitely buy two strings of firecrackers and hang them at the Schicksal airship port to celebrate. That day would be no less significant to her than humanity defeating Honkai. Shen Gonglin... simply was not human!

Remembering the night she had just endured, Durandal shut her eyes in pain. This had been the darkest night of her life. Shen Gonglin had bitten her seven times. Every time she regained even a little ability to move, he would bite her again. Aside from the first bite at the root of her thigh, all the rest had been left on her neck. At first, Durandal had thought that she would eventually get used to it and develop immunity. Yet no matter how many times Shen Gonglin bit her, every time felt as intense as the first. Every bite gave Durandal that suffocating sensation, and then Shen Gonglin would fall asleep, leaving her alone. Sleeping was one thing, but could he not at least sleep properly?

Durandal was so helpless that she wanted to cry. So when this bastard said he slept restlessly, he had not been joking. He had been serious.

Shen Gonglin was currently sleeping beside Durandal, his steady breathing almost brushing against her face. That was still manageable, but below his head was another matter entirely. This bastard was treating her like a body pillow!

Chapter 156: Still a Child

One arm was wrapped around her waist, and one leg was draped over her. The key issue was that this guy even drooled in his sleep. Durandal had finally found a kindred spirit... pfft, no, that was not right. At most, she only drooled onto her pillow, while Shen Gonglin drooled directly onto her body. Durandal could feel that cold sensation clearly. Shen Gonglin had practically defiled her now, had he not?

Durandal tried her best to ignore Shen Gonglin beside her. Then, a phone began to ring. Durandal was already exceedingly familiar with that sound. It had rung several times throughout the night, every time reminding Shen Gonglin to get up and bite her neck. This guy truly was not human.

He had even set timed alarms!

"Mm... so noisy..."

Awakened by the ringtone, Shen Gonglin sat up groggily. Being woken while half-asleep truly felt awful. Actually, Shen Gonglin had not slept well tonight either. This was not his familiar bed or familiar person. Yet for the sake of revenge, he had forced himself to endure it, waking up every so often. It was quite difficult for Shen Gonglin, but that was the kind of person he was. He often did things that harmed others without benefiting himself.

Sitting on the bed, Shen Gonglin gave a huge yawn. With his low blood pressure after waking up, he simply stared blankly into space. How should one put it? Compared to Shen Gonglin in his normal state, he was clearly much easier on the eyes like this. After all, once he woke up, he stopped doing human things. Durandal had not been able to sleep at all last night, and the only thing that comforted her even a little was Shen Gonglin's dazed state upon waking. Who would have thought that Shen Gonglin, who looked so innocent and practically like a little angel, simply did not know how to behave like a human? Life really was unpredictable.

"...Mm, Durandal, good morning~"

Unable to stop himself, Shen Gonglin yawned again. His violet eyes gradually focused. Realizing that he was slowly waking up, Durandal turned her head away. She did not react at all to Shen Gonglin's greeting. Silence was currently Durandal's greatest weapon. Aside from silence, she had no other options.

"Hey, I'm talking to you. If you ignore me, I'll bite somewhere else. As for where exactly I'll bite instead, I have no idea. If you behave better, I might let you off."

Stretching lazily, Shen Gonglin saw that dawn had arrived. Without realizing it, he had disciplined Durandal all night. Shen Gonglin looked at his handiwork in satisfaction. Durandal truly deserved to be called the strongest Valkyrie. Her output was world-class too. It felt as though the bedsheets were nearly soaked through with her sweat, almost at the point where she would need dehydration treatment. Even then, Durandal had not begged for mercy. Impressive, impressive.

"If I speak, will you stop biting me? Shen Gonglin, remember this. Sooner or later, I will take your life!"

Durandal had truly wanted to stay silent, but the moment Shen Gonglin spoke, she could not help opening her mouth. When she did, her voice came out unimaginably hoarse. After lying dry all night, her throat felt like it was burning. Coupled with all the moisture she had lost... Durandal could not help blushing at the thought. Why could she not endure that feeling? How embarrassing. She looked as though she had been pulled out of water, and all of it was because of Shen Gonglin!

"Yeah, yeah, I know. You aren't the only one who wants this young master dead. Kiana and the Class President have said the same thing. You'll have to get in line. Anyway, it's already light out, so I should go back. Before I do, though, I've decided to leave one more mark on you. What do you think? I'm good to you, right?"

Glancing at the sunlight outside, Shen Gonglin considered heading back. If he did not return now, the Class President would worry. However, before leaving, Shen Gonglin decided to bite Durandal once more. If he did not give her another dose, he feared she would recover and kill him. Another bite would give him plenty of time to escape. As expected of himself, so thoughtful and meticulous.

"Hmph. That is your only trick. If you want to, then do it. Hurry up."

Durandal closed her eyes and raised her neck. In the past, she would never have imagined herself displaying such a resigned expression. Yet now she knew that resistance was useless. Rather than resisting and giving Shen Gonglin more chances to take advantage of her, she might as well let him bite her openly and directly. In any case, she could not resist Shen Gonglin.

She put on an appearance of having accepted her fate, as though she was already used to it. In truth, Durandal knew that her body was still being honest. After all, that feeling... she truly could not withstand it.

"...Has anyone ever told you that you can be pretty good at saying suggestive things sometimes? The way you put that gives me this feeling that... huh? Why is there a draft?"

Durandal's words made Shen Gonglin feel that something was strange. He felt as though this woman was teasing him with suggestive language. Still, no matter what she said, she could not shake Shen Gonglin's desire for revenge. Seeing that she was ready, he prepared to do it again. Yet at that moment, both Shen Gonglin and Durandal felt a cool breeze enter the room. Why was there a breeze? The door and windows were all... closed, were they not?

Shen Gonglin turned around and froze. Durandal, who had waited for ages without Shen Gonglin making a move, also opened her eyes and looked toward the door. The girl outside, covering her mouth as though she had become a famous painting, instantly made Durandal feel as if her brain were hemorrhaging. Wh-what was going on?!

"I-I didn't see anything!"

Their gazes nearly scared Alvit into wetting herself. Her brain's CPU clearly could not process such a scene. Alvit slammed the bedroom door shut and collapsed to the floor. The Valkyrie, whose theoretical knowledge was abundant but who had never witnessed actual combat, sat there limply. What had she just seen...? No, she had not seen anything!

Clutching her head tightly, Alvit slammed herself against the wall. Yet the impact did not erase the images in her mind. Instead, they became even clearer. She was still a child! Shen Gonglin was a child too! How could the Captain do such a thing? The disciplinary squad... was she supposed to notify the disciplinary squad now?

The messy bed, the two people tangled together, the blood between Lady Durandal's legs and on the sheets, and finally, the Captain's mature tone, like someone with experience...

"That is your only trick. If you want to, then do it. Hurry up..."

Were things really as she thought? No, she had become a Valkyrie to make this world better. Even the Captain could not do something like this. Shen Gonglin was underage... the Captain was underage too. For something like this, she could only notify the disciplinary squad.

Chapter 157: Knowing Too Much Is Bad

"Alvit, what is wrong...? Why do you look like you saw your wife cheating on you but did not dare make a sound, so you could only lean against the door and suffer alone, while even getting aroused in such a pathetic way? What happened?"

At that moment, Rita, who had been paying attention to the sounds over here, came over as well. Just as she had expected, it was fortunate Alvit had come. When she had been needed most, she had arrived. She truly was the most useful errand girl in all of the Immortal Blade. With Alvit here, Rita would not need to knock on the door herself so awkwardly. Yet the moment she arrived, she saw Alvit sitting on the floor. What sort of scene was inside that room? Rita was a little... no, not curious at all.

"...Vice Captain, what kind of divine comparison is that?! Let me tell you, let me tell you, the Captain is inside the room, she is... sob, sob, I can't say it!"

Seeing Rita was like finding someone to rely on. Though Rita's words had left Alvit with countless complaints, she still threw herself into Rita's arms like a young swallow returning to its nest. Look at what she had seen. She had never expected Lady Durandal to be this kind of Captain. Having witnessed something like that, would she be silenced?

Alvit was terrified.

"It's all right, it's all right. Do not be afraid. You saw it, so you saw it... but Alvit, you know, sometimes knowing too much can be very dangerous."

As she patted the errand girl's back, Rita took Alvit's phone from her hand. The sharp-eyed maid immediately spotted the disciplinary squad's number on the screen. Right before Alvit's eyes, Rita deleted that number one digit at a time. Hearing the maid say that, Alvit's eyes widened. What did the Vice Captain mean? Why did she not understand at all? Did she know too much?

This poor Valkyrie suddenly felt a chill down her back.

"Alvit, I am sure you know that with Lady Bianca's status, even the disciplinary squad has no authority to manage her. After all, she is the strongest Valkyrie recognized by all of Schicksal. Even the Bishop treats her differently. Even if you reported this matter... heh, Valkyries are a very united group. Now that I have said this much, you should understand."

Smiling with narrowed eyes, Rita handled the aftermath. As a maid, she had to take care of her master's worries. Alvit had already served her purpose. She could not be allowed to create further complications.

Gasp... the Vice Captain was right. Even if she reported this, she would be the only one who died. See nothing, hear nothing. As someone who worked in intelligence, Alvit naturally knew that saying. She looked at Rita gratefully. Thanks to the Vice Captain, or she might really have gotten herself into trouble this time. What should she do now, though? The Captain had seen her too. Would she come after her?

This silly deer was truly frightened. Why had Rita never noticed that Alvit was so foolish before? Foolish and adorable. Pretty entertaining.

Looking at the Immortal Blade member before her, Rita revealed a gentle smile. "Just pretend nothing happened. Lady Durandal is not some demon. As long as you do not say anything, she will not do anything to you. However, it would be best if you did not appear before Lady Durandal for now. We will head over later. Go on... I made breakfast for you too, and it is on the table. Take it and leave quickly."

Patting the poor errand girl on the shoulder, Rita gestured toward the table. Frightened half out of her mind by Rita's veiled threats, Alvit could only walk over in a daze. Feeling as though she had witnessed society's dark side, Alvit looked at Rita tremblingly.

"Vice Captain, this is not my last breakfast, is it? If it is, could you add an egg for me?"

Alvit was scared to death. What should she do now that she knew such a secret about the Captain? How could she make the Captain believe that she would not tell anyone? Should she start flattering the Captain more? But how could she get the Captain to accept her goodwill...? Alvit could not stop her thoughts from running wild. She should do something for the Captain, right?

"...You have watched too many television dramas. If it were your last breakfast, I would give you three eggs. Hurry and go. It will be awkward if Shen Gonglin and Lady Bianca come out and see you."

Had she scared Alvit too badly? Alvit would not end up with psychological trauma, would she? This was so entertaining.

"R-right, Vice Captain, you are correct. Then I will leave now. Please help me apologize to the Captain. Tell her I understand, I did not see anything!"

The errand girl grabbed her sandwich and ran outside. She truly had not expected Shen Gonglin and the Captain to have that kind of relationship. But was his relationship with the Vice Captain not quite good too? The Vice Captain had even let him rest on her lap. And Lady Fu Hua treated him rather specially too... Forget it, she would not think about it. The more she knew, the more dangerous it was. She would simply be an obedient bystander and watch the drama unfold.

That person just now... was Alvit, right? The thing Durandal had worried about most had happened after all. When had her life entered hard mode?

Inside the room, Durandal carefully recalled what she had just said, as well as the position she and Shen Gonglin had been in. The moment she remembered, she nearly exploded on the spot. The strongest Valkyrie bared her teeth and revealed a smile uglier than crying. Not only had she been turned into this state, but a member of her squad had seen it. Her reputation... was probably completely ruined now. She had always acted as though she did not care about such things, but now that it had truly happened, Durandal wanted to cry.

Perhaps she should transfer Alvit to the Siberian front. It was sparsely populated and dangerous enough there. That might be enough to protect this secret.

"Shen Gonglin, now you have... hey! What are you trying to do now? We have already been seen. Are you still not planning to stop?!"

Durandal had thought Shen Gonglin would restrain himself after Alvit saw them, but before she could finish speaking, she noticed Shen Gonglin moving strangely. He did not seem affected in the slightest. Durandal could already feel that cool sensation on her neck. Shen Gonglin was incredibly particular about biting necks. Before biting, he even had to lick first to disinfect the area!

"Since we were already discovered, would I not be at a loss if I did not do it once? People will think I did it even though I did not, so I might as well actually do it."

He spoke in a tongue-twister-like manner, but Durandal understood perfectly. What did he mean, he had not done it? He had clearly done it all night!

Seven times in one night... no, eight now...

The Valkyrie's eyes gradually lost their light. Heh. That feeling again. Durandal was familiar with this feeling now.

Chapter 158: Normal Preferences

Since Alvit had already gone inside just now, the two people in there should have prepared themselves by now. Going in now should not be awkward. She only hoped she would not see anything she should not see.

After waiting outside for a while, Rita pressed herself against the door but did not hear any sounds from within. The maid was curious about what could have happened inside to leave Alvit in that state. After thinking it over, Rita decided to go in and take a look. Shen Gonglin should have succeeded, after all. He was Shen Gonglin.

"Lady Durandal, I am coming in... hm? Where is Shen Gonglin?"

She gently pushed open the door, but to Rita's surprise, Durandal was the only one lying on the bed. Shen Gonglin, who should have been in the room, was nowhere to be seen. Rita looked around. The considerate maid did not let her gaze linger on Durandal. Lady Bianca was not in a state suitable for others to see.

"...He ran off just now. Rita, can you help me?"

Lying motionless on the bed, Durandal looked like a dejected young girl who had been ravaged and ruined all night. She slowly turned her head. Her azure eyes shimmered with tears, concealing not only the strange feeling within her body but also immense relief. It was finally over. That bastard Shen Gonglin had finally left.

"He left? I even prepared breakfast... It would be my honor, Lady Bianca. Leave everything to me."

Seeing the half-open window, Rita knew how Shen Gonglin had left. If this were the second floor, Shen Gonglin would definitely not have dared climb down. Rita was somewhat discouraged that the breakfast she had carefully prepared had gone to waste, but the perfect maid did not show it. She offered Durandal an understanding smile. The maid did not even ask what Bianca wanted help with. She walked to the bed and slowly helped Durandal sit up. The damp sweat stains on Durandal's body and the dried blood on her legs made the maid's eyes narrow slightly. Could it be...? Had Shen Gonglin actually done that?

This was a little beyond Rita's expectations. Shen Gonglin should not have gone that far.

"May I ask, Lady Durandal, should I prepare red bean rice for you today?"

Rita truly could not accept this without asking clearly. She had trusted Shen Gonglin completely, which was why she had tacitly allowed him into Durandal's room. If Shen Gonglin had truly done that, then Rita bore some responsibility too. It was the most important thing for a girl, after all. Shen Gonglin would not have done it, right? Based on Rita's understanding of him, he was willful and reckless, but he was not that excessive.

"What red bean rice... Rita! He only bit me! You have experienced this too, have you not? And yesterday, you knew he had come, right? Why did you cover for him? Are you not partly responsible for this?"

At first, Durandal did not understand. It was only when she noticed Rita's gaze repeatedly drifting downward that she realized what this lewd maid was implying. Her cheeks, which had finally returned to normal, flushed once more. What was this maid thinking? If something like that had truly happened, did she think Shen Gonglin could have walked out alive? Durandal read books often. Even if she was straightforward, she understood Rita's meaning. After a moment of embarrassment, Durandal examined Rita closely.

Rita had definitely cooperated in yesterday's matter. Otherwise, how could Shen Gonglin have gotten away with it so smoothly? This maid was helping an outsider against her own side.

"I am sorry, Lady Durandal. I was affected yesterday too. I wanted to warn you, but in that state... you understand."

The perfect maid opened her mouth and lied without hesitation. If she were deceiving someone else, she might need a more convincing excuse. But if it was Durandal... though it was not right, Durandal was genuinely easy to deceive. She believed most of what anyone told her. Her straightforwardness was rather adorable.

"So that was it... I am sorry, Rita. I was wrong to suspect you. Now, I want to take a bath. You understand. It is a little difficult for me to get to the bathroom on my own..."

Durandal nodded apologetically to Rita, without doubting the maid's words in the slightest. Rita, who had deceived an honest person, did not feel the least bit guilty. Strictly speaking, she had not lied. Shen Gonglin really had bitten her yesterday too.

"Yes. Then, Lady Durandal, would you need my help bathing? Although I do not have experience with this, I am confident I can do it perfectly."

Supporting Durandal, Rita obediently helped her toward the bathroom. One glance was enough to tell that Durandal definitely needed a bath. How many times had Shen Gonglin bitten Lady Durandal last night? Rita's eyes were filled with admiration as she looked at Durandal. As expected of her. As expected of the strongest Valkyrie.

Because she had experienced it personally, Rita understood how difficult that feeling was to resist. Yet Durandal had endured to this point. The maid's impression of Durandal rose dramatically.

"N-no! That will not be necessary. Just take me to the bathroom. I can handle the rest myself."

Durandal reacted as intensely as though she had been electrocuted when Rita said that. The girl remembered Rita's reaction last night. Though she knew Shen Gonglin might have been behind it, she did not dare let Rita do that. Durandal was afraid. She was in this state right now. If Rita really did something to her, she might not have the ability to resist. Although Shen Gonglin had bullied her all night, Durandal still liked men. Rather than letting Rita do that to her, she would rather have Shen Gonglin help her...

Pfft! Why was she thinking about him again? Even if it was him, no! That guy was already on Durandal's death list. Shen Gonglin was a dead man!

"Oh, then Lady Bianca, please be quick. We still need to hurry to the command center."

Rita blinked. She immediately understood why Durandal was so resistant to her. So her reputation had ultimately been ruined by Shen Gonglin. This truly was a case of seeing everyone through corrupted eyes... no, of seeing everyone as corrupt. It was as though Rita wanted her body. As though Rita did not have one herself. Was Rita's waist not slimmer, or her chest not bigger? Rita Roseweisse was a normal person, a perfectly normal person whose gender was female and whose preference was male!

Seeing Durandal's guarded expression, Rita curled her lips disdainfully. Did Durandal really think she was some irresistible heartthrob?