A Test

"Could it be..."

"—Are all of you this gentleman's harem?"

After Rita said that with a smile, the girls behind Gu Yu completely erupted.

First was Yuno... oh, she was still asleep. Never mind, next.

Upon hearing that, Bronya, controlling Project Bunny, glanced at Gu Yu and inconspicuously took two steps back.

"Perverted big brother, there really are a lot of girls around you."

"It's just a coincidence!"

Yae Sakura was even more thoroughly shaken by Rita's words.

She did want to repay Gu Yu for his kindness, and she had indeed prepared herself to give her life for him.

"Um, Mr. Gu Yu. I... I'm not ready for that sort of thing yet."

"Don't get the wrong idea!"

But those words were clearly far too stimulating for the Herrscher girl who had only just awakened.

For a moment, Yae Sakura's previously razor-sharp gaze became utterly unfocused.

Forget keeping an eye on Rita's movements—Yae Sakura could not even focus on her weapon now.

"Elder Brother Gu, could it be that you..."

Kiana simply stared at him from behind Gu Yu with a suspicious look.

"—You wouldn't really be after our bodies, would you?"

"Damn it, don't join in!"

After Rita's single remark had led all his teammates astray, Gu Yu glared irritably at the ever-smiling Rita before him.

Unfortunately, Gu Yu's furious eyes and expression...

—Were completely hidden by the mask on his face. Rita could not see even the slightest expression beneath it.

Only then did Gu Yu realize how important it was to have reliable teammates.

Take Raiden Mei, for instance. Look, this girl, graceful as a Yamato nadeshiko, had not at a time like this...

"If it's Gu Yu, then it wouldn't be impossible..."

"Stop! We've known each other for less than a day! Have some restraint, will you?!"

After that string of betrayals from his teammates, the momentum Gu Yu had just gathered completely dissipated.

Fighting was all about momentum.

The first burst was fierce, the second waned, and the third was spent.

Once that momentum dispersed, Gu Yu understood completely.

There would be no fight today.

He finally understood what it meant to subdue the enemy without fighting.

Rita Roosevelt—this woman was simply too terrifying.

"So this gentleman is called Gu Yu?"

Apparently hearing how everyone addressed Gu Yu, Rita politely gave him a slight bow.

"If possible, could you put away your hostility toward me?"

"Schicksal is an organization that fights Honkai. I imagine that you, who have suffered deeply from the Honkai and nearly died in Changkong City, are not enemies of Schicksal."

"Ah, perhaps."

Gu Yu replied as he tossed aside the Card Holder Sword.

"I'm not hostile toward Schicksal."

He knew very well that although the girl before him wore a gentle expression, that did not mean she had truly given up on fighting.

On the contrary, after he deliberately exposed the opening of abandoning his weapon, she would definitely...

[Attack Ride Mach]

The instant Gu Yu discarded his weapon, Rita's smile became even more bewitching.

The next second—

The massive scythe in Rita's hand was summoned forth, then plunged heavily into the ground where Gu Yu had been standing.

"My, was I noticed?"

However, the moment she launched her attack, Rita knew it had failed.

The card Gu Yu had used in advance, [Attack Ride Mach], was a Power of the Undead obtained by Kamen Rider Blade after defeating the [♠9 Jaguar Undead].

After using this card, the user gained acceleration that surpassed the speed of sound.

"Yes, after all, the great Archbishop Otto surely would not pass up an opportunity to investigate an unstable factor."

Having instantly moved behind Rita, Gu Yu calmly drew the Card Holder Sword.

"I don't mind having a fight here. But Otto's primary mission for you probably wasn't to waste time fighting me here."

"Naturally."

Seemingly confirming that the boy before her had not lowered his guard, Rita finally abandoned any intention of fighting.

"Rita!"

Only after realizing that Rita had actually tried to ambush their target did Theresa immediately glare at her self-willed colleague in displeasure.

"Did Grandpa leave you behind just so you could provoke them?"

Theresa had not forgotten that there was still a Herrscher here.

Even though the Herrscher girl named Raiden Mei had not shown any hostility toward them just now, who could guarantee that she would always remain herself?

Judging by everyone's reactions, Raiden Mei clearly cared greatly about the boy in strange armor.

Rita Roosevelt's actions were undoubtedly a provocation against Gu Yu and the girls around him. If the Third Herrscher descended over something so trivial...

"Lady Theresa, there is no need to worry. My hands merely itched for a moment."

After putting away her weapon, Rita gave Raiden Mei, whose expression was far from friendly, a light bow.

"My deepest apologies, Miss Raiden Mei. I am simply very curious about novel things, so I wished to test Mr. Gu Yu a little."

"If I have offended you or your companions, I apologize here."

"No need."

If Raiden Mei had felt some goodwill toward the polite maid before her, then after that strike just now, the faint goodwill she had developed toward Rita vanished completely.

Even setting aside her other feelings, Gu Yu was the lifesaver who had led them out of Changkong City.

Raiden Mei truly could not bring herself to like a woman who attacked others without a word.

"Enough, Rita. Go stand aside."

After giving this girl who had ulterior motives toward her a disdainful glare, Theresa turned to Gu Yu.

"My name is Theresa Apocalypse. I am the person in charge of Schicksal's Far East Branch."

"This woman does not represent Schicksal's attitude. At least in my personal view, not all Herrschers are enemies."

After saying that, Theresa looked at Raiden Mei with an imposing expression.

"Raiden Mei, there is indeed terrifying power within you. But that power does not only signify destruction."

"If you can control it, then as someone who commands the Herrscher's power, not only will you no longer hurt others, you may even be able to help them. If you are willing, I can find someone to train you."

"And Kiana, I will overlook your earlier disrespect for your elders. Let me ask you one thing: do you want to know Siegfried's whereabouts?"

"And the rest of you. Now that Changkong City has been completely eroded by Honkai Energy, you need a place to settle down as well."

Sensing Rita's subtle gaze, Theresa continued.

"If you do not mind, come visit the St. Freya Academy I founded."

"Perhaps you can find the answers you seek there."