Rita, How Malicious of You

Schicksal Headquarters

After sending Durandal away, Otto let out a soft sigh.

Initially, Otto had indeed planned to capture the Third Herrscher alive after the Third Honkai Outbreak.

He had even anticipated that the combat strength on the Hyperion would be no match for a Herrscher, so he had dispatched the Blade of Immortality in advance to assist Theresa.

After all, although Theresa was in her rebellious phase, she was still Otto Apocalypse's most beloved granddaughter.

How could Otto watch his granddaughter Theresa be in danger?

However, after Durandal came into contact with that group of people, Otto instantly changed his original plan.

He had many reasons for wanting to capture the Third Herrscher, but after seeing that young girl, Otto felt that his original plan was no longer important.

"Oho. It seems you'll return to my side after all."

Although the white-haired girl had grown from a child into a graceful young lady, Otto recognized her identity instantly.

The girl's publicly declared identity was Kiana Kaslana, the daughter of former Schicksal S-rank Valkyrie Cecilia Schariac.

But only a few insiders knew that the girl's true identity was not this.

"Welcome home, K423."

Taking a gentle sip of the red wine in his hand, Otto swirled the glass slightly, pondering for a few seconds.

"Hmph, it seems the plan will have to be put on hold for a bit."

Then, he issued an order to Durandal.

And just as Otto had predicted, Durandal obeyed without hesitation after receiving the order and began to carry it out.

After confirming Durandal's departure, Otto communicated his plan to his loyal subordinate Rita in the form of electronic text.

He believed that this girl's abilities would allow her to handle this matter properly.

"The Conquest Gem has returned to the Herrscher of the Void... Heh heh, is this also fate?"

Glancing at the silver-armored warrior in the projection, Otto suddenly added an instruction to Rita.

"Rita, while ensuring the plan is executed, try your best to gather information on that young man."

"If possible, please invite him to Schicksal Headquarters for a visit."

After seeing Durandal off, Rita Roosevelt put away her armed scythe and bowed slightly to Gu Yu and the girls behind him.

"Ladies and gentleman, I am Rita Roosevelt, adjutant of the Blade of Immortality. I apologize for the abrupt behavior of our Blade of Immortality just now."

As if to appease everyone, Rita's face showed a gentle smile.

"May I ask the name of the lady who claims to be the Third Herrscher?"

Seeing the smile on Rita's face, Raiden Mei replied with confusion.

"Raiden... Mei..."

In Raiden Mei's mind, she had become a monster that could harm others, so she deserved any treatment.

But Gu Yu had protected her, and Miss Rita in front of her seemed to harbor no hostility towards her.

Raiden Mei, who had already resigned herself to death, was now confused.

This was completely different from the script she had imagined...

"Mei, be careful."

Extending his right hand to stop Raiden Mei, who was trying to step forward, Gu Yu remained vigilant, staring at the expression on Rita's face.

If he, like the girls behind him, were meeting Rita Roosevelt for the first time, he would undoubtedly be deceived by her confused expression.

But Gu Yu knew very well that if Durandal was the light of the Blade of Immortality, illuminating the entire team, then Rita was the shadow of this team... no, even the entire organization of Schicksal.

Loyal to Otto Apocalypse, Rita Roosevelt not only knew many of Schicksal's secrets but had also done many dirty jobs for Otto.

In terms of combat power, she could casually dismantle a dozen mechs that had beaten the Fourth Herrscher.

In terms of personality, this person was always unfathomable.

Although she would be angry when comrades died in battle and would disobey Otto's orders on a small scale to save comrades, Gu Yu knew that Rita would not show excessive goodwill to someone she had just met.

After all, he was no Dragon King, making people's bodies go weak upon first meeting and immediately entrusting their hearts to him.

Even though Rita was now showing goodwill, he had to remain vigilant.

"Ara, this gentleman is protecting Miss Mei like a knight."

Seeing that Gu Yu had stopped Raiden Mei, Rita was not annoyed.

On the contrary, as if she had seen something interesting, she began to size up the people behind Gu Yu.

Yae Rin, who knew from the beginning that the situation was very complicated, had already retreated into her cards before the Blade of Immortality landed.

Yuno was still unconscious and was being held by Project Bunny behind Bronya.

As for the remaining girls...

The cherry-haired Miko with donkey ears, while warily watching both him and Theresa, had her hand on the hilt of her sword, ready to draw it and attack them at any moment.

The short girl, meanwhile, maintained an offensive stance, ready to flank with her teammates at any moment.

However, whether it was this girl, the Miko with cherry-blossom hair, or even Kiana and Raiden Mei behind Gu Yu, they all shared one thing in common in their behavior.

Everyone, intentionally or unintentionally, was gravitating towards Gu Yu, watching him with their eyes or peripheral vision.

"No, that's not right. Things aren't this simple."

After actively dismissing her own guess, the smile on Rita's face suddenly became incredibly radiant.

"It seems several ladies are paying attention to this gentleman."

"Could it be..."

"--Are you all this gentleman's harem?"

What the hell?!

Hearing Rita's words, Gu Yu suddenly felt he had underestimated the girl.

The tense atmosphere, which had been at a standstill, instantly dissolved with Rita's statement.

Everyone who had been on guard just moments before, after Rita uttered those words...

--Completely lost it.

He had underestimated this woman. The ancestors' words had always been correct.

The more beautiful a woman...

--The more she could deceive people!

PS1: Just a few things.

First, the translation.

Since Blade was translated as "sword," I felt it would be best to translate the other three knights as well.

That's how we got translations like Garren, Holy Grail, and Scepter [haven't used the latter two yet, though!].

The names of these four knights are taken from four cards in the Major Arcana of the Tarot: [Swords], [Coins], [Cups], and [Scepters]... Well, consider it a bit of trivia?

Next, about Durandal... She doesn't really distrust Otto; it's just her personality.

During the main story's event where Wendy became a Herrscher, Durandal went to clean up the mess at St. Freya [I don't think that description is wrong]. The only person who knew the location of the Blade of Immortality was Theresa...

--Who immediately gave her coordinates to Anti-Entropy, telling them to intercept her.

I didn't notice it when I first played, but now that I recall it, it feels wrong.

Theresa, that... the Blade of Immortality is an ally, right?

She's here to help you deal with the Herrscher, isn't she...

Selling out your ally like that is too much, seriously!

If you want to put it harshly, if anyone from the Blade of Immortality was injured or died during that battle, Theresa would definitely be an accomplice.

This isn't meant to criticize Theresa. I think any player who finished the game can tell that the developers intended to portray Theresa as a positive character who is childlike and values relationships.

But from a third-party perspective, it's really shady [Theresa, look at you... No, Mihoyo's scriptwriter, look at you, why did you make Big Sis so excessive?]. It completely turns being childlike and valuing relationships into recklessness, betraying teammates, and double standards...

That's why I say Mihoyo's scriptwriters... hold back, hold back, can't curse, gotta hold it in.

And this kind of betrayal is easily exposed.

Then there's Durandal—oh, you call that a coincidence?

Yeah, I believe you. She really believed it.

That's just how she is... The reason nothing went wrong is because this sister is too strong, really.

PS2: As usual, requesting votes.

PS3: The new gacha pool opens at twelve tonight. I wish everyone a single-pull success for both weapons and characters here.

Those who skip, attack!

Bring on one by one!