Rita noticed Yolandale's awkwardness and smiled.
Unaware of the subtle smile on the maid's face behind her, Yolandale felt a little embarrassed at being unable to join Rita and Gwen's discussion about "gifts." She could only swiftly change the subject.
"Congratulations, Gwen. You successfully defeated a Simulated Herrscher."
"I merely relied on Yuedian's performance, ignored that Simulated Herrscher's poison, and destroyed it with overwhelming firepower."
Gwen lightly shook his head and smiled.
"But you've been traveling all over the world. That must be exhausting, right?"
"Mm... it's not too bad...
I'm only doing what a Valkyrie should do..."
Yolandale could manage a few words when complimenting others, but when faced with Gwen's praise, she did not know how to respond. She could only give a vague answer and change the subject again.
"Come to think of it, Gwen, you really are diligent. You only rested for one night, yet you've already thrown yourself back into training.
It seems I can't afford to slack off in the slightest either."
If they were talking about this, Yolandale felt that she should be able to keep the conversation going.
"Mm, Fu Hua happened to be free, so I shamelessly troubled her a little."
As he spoke, the three of them entered the rest area, where Fu Hua was drinking water.
"It's been a long time, Senior Fu Hua."
When she saw Fu Hua, Yolandale waved in greeting.
"Mm, it has been a long time, Yolandale, Rita."
Fu Hua nodded in response as well.
Before going undercover at the Far East Branch, Fu Hua had once been invited by Otto to teach the still-flat Yolandale at headquarters. Although Yolandale had since begun developing in adolescence, Fu Hua could still recognize her easily.
Rita: What a Pity
As for Fu Hua, Yolandale did not know her true identity, but she did know that this seemingly ordinary Valkyrie was surprisingly formidable. Therefore, she was not particularly surprised by Gwen's explanation.
"Good day, Lady Fu Hua."
Rita, on the other hand, had once seen Fu Hua in Otto's office while reporting to him. Although Otto had not told her Fu Hua's true identity, Rita had learned that her background was far from simple.
"You've really had it rough, Gwen."
Looking at the empty medicine containers neatly arranged together, Yolandale, who knew something of Gwen's situation, remarked with a sigh.
"The energy potions you consumed this morning must already be close to what you usually use in a month, right?"
"It's not too bad."
Gwen glanced at the medicine containers gathered together, ready to be sent back later for special handling, and smiled.
"Ordinary training consumes energy too, but there's enough time to rest.
Today, the opportunity was rare, and I was in good condition. I kept entering that state, so I used a little more than usual."
"Is that so?
That does seem to make sense..."
Yolandale nodded. Looking at the beads of sweat still on Fu Hua's forehead, she said with some regret.
"I had originally planned to ask Senior Fu Hua for more guidance, but since you've already trained intensely for half a day, I'll wait until next time."
"I'm fine. At this level, it won't have much effect on me."
Fu Hua spoke up.
Fu Hua had seen Yolandale's diligence and hard work, and she was willing to help within her capabilities.
"No, I shouldn't trouble you."
Yolandale shook her head and declined.
"You've spent half the day training with Gwen, so you must be tired too. It's nearly noon now. You should rest properly for a while."
"Mm, all right."
Hearing that, Fu Hua did not insist further and nodded in agreement.
"Come to think of it, weren't you two carrying out a mission in Southeast Asia?
Why did you come here?"
Worried that Yolandale might blurt out another awkward question, Gwen seized the opening and asked.
"It's like this—"
Rita spoke first. Meeting Gwen's puzzled gaze, she explained.
"This morning, Lady Yolandale and I completed our mission. When we reported to headquarters and prepared to return, we received a notice from the Bishop saying that you were here as well, Mr. Gwen, and that if we had time, we should bring you back with us.
Lady Yolandale and I discussed it, then had the main force return first. Lady Yolandale and I took a small airship to pick you up, while also taking a look at St. Freya Academy as it is now."
"Come to think of it, I nearly enrolled here back then."
Worried that Rita would mention it had been her own suggestion to come pick up Gwen, Yolandale spoke before he could respond and changed the subject.
"Then why didn't you enroll here in the end?"
Gwen asked curiously.
Although he already knew the answer, seeing Yolandale's expression, Gwen went along with her lead and asked.
"Uh, it's not that I think this place is bad."
Yolandale smoothed the hair over her shoulder. Seemingly worried that the others might misunderstand, she explained first.
"It's just that I feel the atmosphere here is a little too relaxed...
Well, perhaps it would feel tense to ordinary people, but for Valkyries, it is still a little too relaxed."
"Mm... with your personality, you probably wouldn't be suited to an overly relaxed environment."
Although Gwen had not yet explored St. Freya himself, even without relying on memories from his previous life, the reputation of St. Freya that he had learned from Schicksal headquarters was enough for him to reach that conclusion.
"..."
Fu Hua offered no comment on their discussion.
Compared to Schicksal headquarters, St. Freya was indeed far too relaxed, and it was not particularly suitable for Valkyries, who could be considered soldiers.
However, considering that many Valkyries were orphans after the Honkai, such an environment was beneficial to their growth and reduced the likelihood of them going to extremes. That was also a good thing.
One could only say that it had both advantages and disadvantages...
Fortunately, although Yolandale truly did not agree with St. Freya's philosophy and atmosphere, she was merely dense, not foolish. She did not linger on the subject and instead asked.
"By the way, Gwen, are you planning to leave with us immediately, or will you wait until after lunch?"
"I'm fine either way."
As he spoke, Gwen looked at Rita beside Yolandale, blinked, and said.
"However, considering the time difference, we should leave after lunch. We can also go check on Theresa.
Although the news I received last night was that Theresa, who had been urgently sent back to St. Freya, had stabilized, we should still take a look.
That way, when Bishop Otto asks after we return, we won't know nothing."
"That makes sense."
The smile in Rita's eyes deepened as she said softly.
"If we do not visit Lady Theresa, it will be difficult to explain ourselves if the Bishop asks."
"Senior Theresa? All right."
Yolandale nodded. Although Theresa's laid-back nature did not suit her, that did not affect her recognition of Theresa's courage and sense of responsibility in venturing deep alone to face a Simulated Herrscher in order to reduce casualties... though she had still been somewhat reckless.
Having made their decision, Gwen, Yolandale, and Rita packed up their things and followed Fu Hua to where Theresa was recuperating—
After handing over the sealed-off area last night, the Hyperion had returned to St. Freya. Gwen had been resting, so no one woke him to move locations, while Theresa had long since been sent to St. Freya's medical department.
Led by Fu Hua, the three arrived outside Theresa's hospital room.
Rita lightly knocked on the door. After receiving a response, she pushed it open, and the group filed in without making much noise.
Inside the room, the tiny Theresa was still somewhat pale. She sat properly on the hospital bed and waved upon seeing them enter.
"Good afternoon, Gwen, Yolandale, and Rita."
"Hello, Senior Theresa, I'm really glad you're all right."
Yolandale and Gwen both nodded and replied with smiles.
Rita stepped forward, tucked in Theresa's blanket, and covered the slightly reflective cover beneath it.
"Lady Theresa, you must keep warm when you're injured."
As she spoke softly, Rita also smoothed out Theresa's clothes, which had wrinkled from her recent vigorous movements, despite Theresa's somewhat stiff posture.
"It would be bad if you caught a chill again."
The maid spoke with a smiling face, though she felt somewhat regretful inside. If Gwen and the others had not been present, she could have properly teased... ahem, admired Lady Theresa's adorable appearance, rather than merely helping Theresa hide the evidence as she was doing now.
Rita: Can't Carry This, Can't Carry This
"Mm... I'm not a child anymore."
Apparently unaware that only children liked insisting that they were no longer children, Theresa secretly pulled the manga that had nearly been exposed farther beneath the blanket. Her eyes wandered as she said.
"Besides, the temperature in the hospital room is well controlled. I'm not going to catch a cold just like that..."
Although she wanted to resist Rita's movements to show that she was not a child, she realized that would seem even more childish. When her eyes met Rita's still-smiling gaze, Theresa's voice grew quieter and quieter. She simply changed the subject.
"By the way, Rita and Yolandale, you came here this time to bring Gwen back and take the Simulated Herrscher Core with you, right? When are you planning to leave?"
Although she was overwhelmed with work, when the airship carrying Rita and Yolandale landed at St. Freya's airport, Himeko had sent Theresa a message from her office, informing the nominal director of the Far East Branch why the two had come.
"Since Senior Theresa is no longer in serious condition, we plan to return after having lunch here."
Yolandale answered.
Actually, if there had not been so many people here, Yolandale would have liked to discuss some of Theresa's problems during this operation with her.
But thinking of Theresa's personality, Yolandale ultimately gave up on the idea.
"Great. There are plenty of good restaurants near St. Freya. I'll recommend a few."
Theresa immediately perked up. She reached for the Schicksal terminal beside her, opened a map, and showed it to Rita.
"Come on, Rita, look. This bitter melon salad at this place is really amazing..."
Although Theresa initially recommended several restaurants specializing in bitter melon dishes out of personal preference, under Rita's guidance, she fortunately introduced several normal establishments later on, sparing Gwen from having to trouble Fu Hua again afterward.
"I hope the lunch suits your tastes."
Not long afterward, Theresa sat on the hospital bed holding a bottle of bitter melon juice and waved goodbye to them.
It was not that Theresa completely lacked hospitality, but Rita often gave her a very strange feeling, while Yolandale's blunt personality was also difficult for Theresa, who regularly slacked off. Moreover, although the Simulated Herrscher Core was not a genuine Herrscher Core, it was still an extremely dangerous item.
If news leaked and attracted Anti-Entropy from across the ocean, or if some accident occurred, St. Freya would be finished.
Combining Theresa's recommendations with Fu Hua's advice, the four ultimately chose a restaurant with strong local Far East characteristics, ensuring that the trip had not been wasted.
However, at the restaurant entrance, Fu Hua ran into an acquaintance—
"Good afternoon, Teacher Yang."
Fu Hua nodded to the history teacher who had just exited the restaurant and greeted him.
"..."
Gwen blinked. Thanks to his excellent control over his body, no unusual expression appeared on his face, but the fleeting change in his eyes was still noticed by the maid beside him. It made her narrow her eyes slightly as she looked at Teacher Yang.
"Good afternoon, Fu Hua."
The refined and handsome middle-aged man pushed up his glasses and greeted the outstanding student from his class before turning his gaze toward Gwen and the others.
"These people... are your friends?"
"They are reinforcements who came from headquarters yesterday."
Fu Hua answered concisely.
Before you continue