Chapter 330

From birth, she followed her instincts to protect Kiana and seek recognition. After accepting the kindness of the Valkyrie around her, she developed the idea of changing their fate... To achieve this goal, Freya has been fighting.

When you're focused on these things, you naturally overlook the person who's always been by your side.

Even back then, Freya had already become unclear whether Rita was seeking her protection or whether she was relying on Rita's care.

Freya exhaled slowly, her warm breath hitting the maid's face, causing her cheeks to flush slightly.

To the maid who was hugging her tightly in return, she whispered, "Rita, welcome back... I missed you so much."

"My lord... it's been so long, I've missed you terribly..."

A seductive voice rang in my ears, carrying a deep longing.

Just as Freya had never been separated from Rita for so long, Rita had never been separated from her for so long either.

Although more than half a month apart is only a dozen days for others, for the two who had never been separated for so long, it was inevitable that they would be overwhelmed with emotion when they reunited.

Ah, it's Rita's scent...

(Ah, it's Lord Freya's scent...)

Freya took a deep sniff, inhaling the scent emanating from Rita.

Although the Caledonius had bathrooms and replenished its water supply at each stop, the stored water was insufficient to meet the needs of the crew and Rita, among others. In addition, the Caledonius spent a long time at sea, and some odors were indeed difficult to clean.

Freya smelled a fishy smell and the saltiness of the sea... Herrscher have extremely strong physical abilities, which are not only reflected in their keen hearing and vision, but also in their keen sense of smell.

However, if they fail to adapt properly, the Herrscher's powerful physique can become a hindrance.

Of course, this is the state that occurs when the body adapts to Honkai Energy. Honkai Energy can be used as a biological enhancement energy source. The reason why Valkyrie have strong physical qualities is that they are enhanced after adapting to Honkai Energy. However, if they cannot adapt to Honkai Energy, their various bodily functions will decline, and they will gradually lose their sense of sensation, touch, taste, etc., and eventually die... or become Deadman.

Freya, with her keen sense of smell, also knew how hard Rita had been working lately.

Even though Rita's scent was far less pleasant than usual, Freya felt no disgust whatsoever.

Rita's hug tightened.

Just as Freya could detect Rita's scent, Rita, whose physical abilities far surpassed those of ordinary people, could also accurately smell Freya's scent.

Although Freya has never gone on an adventure at sea, nor has she experienced the situation of a group of people crammed into a cabin and only being able to take a cold shower every two or three days, Freya's current quality of life is clearly not as good as at home.

The poorly made soap made this otherwise incredibly smooth hair look a bit rough.

Rita also saw through Freya's scheme to use the power of the Herrscher of Consciousness to cover up her own scheme.

Whether it's the scent emanating from her body or the way she feels the unruly tufts of hair sticking up on either side of her head when she hugs him, it all indicates that Freya's current quality of life is quite average.

Of course, for ordinary people, this is already an excellent quality of life.

For Freya, whose drinking water is specially transported and filtered spring water, whose food ingredients undergo hundreds of screenings and inspections, and whose clothes are designed by world-class masters and made with the finest fabrics... Freya is really quite ordinary.

As her adjutant and personal assistant, Rita was in charge of Freya's quality of life, and naturally, she was well aware of it.

Freya felt sorry for Rita, and Rita felt sorry for Freya as well.

"Rita, let's put this investigation on hold for now and let someone else take over once we're ready."

Freya sighed. She hadn't intended to show favoritism, but she felt she wasn't a saint and that she would always be influenced by her own selfish motives when trying to treat everyone fairly.

Freya's trip to the Sea of Quantum for this investigation was purely on a whim; there was no particular or important reason behind it.

All those high-sounding excuses were nothing more than Freya having spent too much time at the Alliance headquarters and wanting to find a chance to get out and relax...

That's why Freya felt a pang of regret when she noticed Rita's suffering.

Rita's participation in this investigation mission was indeed due to Freya's orders.

Freya gave the order simply because she was so used to Rita being by her side that she never intended to be separated from Rita for too long.

Of course, Rita could refuse.

But she didn't.

Freya wanted to conduct the investigation herself, but Rita didn't say anything.

Hearing Freya's disheartened words, Rita's alluring face suddenly broke into a gentle smile, and she laughed.

"My lord... I believe this mission is a good opportunity for training. Lady Bianca and Lady Sophia are both too young. If I leave with you... I'm afraid this matter won't be so easily resolved. Of course, how to decide is your responsibility... The Valkyrie is your soldier and will obey all your orders..."

Because there were other people around, Rita only whispered a few words before letting go of Freya, her face still showing a deep sense of reluctance.

"Your Saintess Lord, please forgive my lapse in composure..." Rita bowed respectfully, adopting a serious and earnest expression.

However, the person in question was dressed as a maid, and the alluring white Maid Dress made it difficult for the atmosphere to become serious.

Freya recovered from her daze, her cheeks flushed, clearly feeling somewhat embarrassed.

"N-nothing."

After Freya finished speaking, she noticed that Shigure Kira looked jealous.

It's quite like raising a pet. You raise a pet for several years before it finally becomes close to you, but that pet is very close to other people and will even jump into their arms immediately.

Shigure Kira is a little jealous.

"Kiana... it's been a long time."

"Your Saintess Lord, it's been a long time."

Perhaps deliberately giving Rita and Freya time to hug, Bianca and Sophia finally came forward and bowed to Freya.

The Valkyrie Guild is managed like a mercenary force, while the Apocalypse Knights are managed like an army. Naturally, Bianca and Sophia were both giving military salutes.

Shigure Kira subconsciously frowned.

She herself rejected the militarized management of the Schicksal Headquarters.

It is precisely because of the militarized management of the Schicksal Headquarters that Valkyrie are simply soldiers who must obey orders unconditionally, which leads to many Valkyrie becoming expendable on the battlefield.

Command, obedience, compliance, inability to refuse... Shigure Kira subconsciously recalled unpleasant memories.

"... Bianca, Sophia, you don't need to take me so seriously..."

Freya smiled gently.

One is a brave warrior he actively nurtured, and the other is a knight who is utterly loyal to him.

Freya naturally didn't want the two of them to become too distant from her.

"Yes, Kiana."

"Yes, ma'am."

Freya gave a wry smile upon hearing their answers.

Both of them were young and ambitious. With all the Titled Knight having their own knight squads, only she and Sophia did not have the authority to form a knight squad, which made them even more eager to gain Freya's approval.

Of course, Aurora and Mei don't have their own knight squad, but from the perspective of the League's structure, they belong to the Anti-Entropy faction. Even if they receive titles, they are only honorary titles. Whether they are researchers or Valkyrie, their true role is that of executors of Anti-Entropy.

Freya sighed.

Because only Bianca and Sophia, who were granted titles, did not have a knight squad, Freya wanted them to train a little more due to their age and other considerations. This was also the reason why she had high hopes for the two of them.

The result, however, made the two of them eager to gain their own approval.

The more this happened, the more eagerly the two of them tried to show off. Of course, it would be fine if they messed up, but unfortunately, both of them are exceptionally strong and haven't messed up yet...

After all, Freya was able to bestow titles upon them when they were only eleven or twelve years old, precisely because she recognized their achievements and strength.

Seeing Bianca and Sophia's serious and proper demeanor, Freya always felt that they were two children pretending to be adults.

In reality, the other party has experienced even more chaotic situations than you have.

Freya sighed again.

After all, she was planning to give the final spot to Kiana, so naturally she couldn't possibly steal the limelight.

The more attention she gets, the greater the gap Kiana become when they switch identities later.

Whether it's reducing her public appearances as a researcher or resigning from her position Acting Grand Bishop to become a figurehead Saintess, it's all due to these considerations.

However, Freya did not expect that a certain troublesome mascot would become so arrogant after becoming the Grand Bishop of Schicksal that he even assigned her the part-time job of Grand Bishop's Aide.

Of course, as the second young lady of the Apocalypse family and the nominal second in line to the throne of the Grand Bishop of Schicksal, Freya would still succeed the Grand Bishop of Schicksal even without the position of Grand Bishop's Aide, as long as the Archbishop abdicated.

Freya reduced the number of times she went out, which did cause her a lot of inconvenience.

Valkyrie belonging to the Valkyrie Guild are managed like mercenaries, while Valkyrie belonging to the Apocalypse Knights are managed like soldiers. Both need a role model... the strongest Valkyrie of Schicksal as their spiritual leader.

Freya actively grooms Bianca, hoping to make her her successor.

Unfortunately, Bianca felt she hadn't been recognized and acted rather recklessly in several missions. Even though Bianca ultimately completed the missions with her formidable strength, Freya still hoped she would take more time to mature.

Freya's sigh also made Bianca and Sophia uneasy. Seeing the two of them looking a little nervous, Freya could only scratch her head and decide that she would allow the two of them to form a knight squad after this investigation mission was over.

Ultimately, it was because her expectations were too high.

I thought that since she was the hero chosen by Otto, she should have something unique about her.

In the end, it seems she's no different from any other Valkyrie. Aside from her extraordinary talent, she also struggles with whether she eats a few extra bites of cake each day and has difficulty choosing what clothes look good...

"Anyway, I'm so glad you're all alright."

Freya reassured the two.

She raised her hand and patted the two of them on the shoulder. In the end, their poor performance in each mission was due to the pressure she had put on them.

"Relax a bit. You've done a great job. Give it some more practice and time to mature. After this investigation mission, I'll allow you to form your own knight squad."

"Really!!!"

"Yes!!"

Both Bianca and Sophia showed expressions of joy at this moment.

Rita, standing nearby, said with some concern, "Your Saintess Lord, isn't it a bit too early for Lady Bianca and Lady Sophia to form a knight squad? They're only twelve years old..."

"It's getting late. They've been waiting for a year. In the end, the original plan was to have Valkyrie candidates complete five or six years of training before they were allowed to graduate. This approach seems very safe and can reduce the casualties of Valkyrie, but... we can't suppress those talented Valkyrie for this reason... They deserve respect and recognition... We can't just rely on our own subjective opinions. Perhaps, giving them a chance will allow them to truly grow, while constantly forcing them to hone their skills might... only ruin them."

Children often grow up without adults even noticing.

Freya sighed in a somewhat old-fashioned manner.

In fact, this period of sea adventure and contact with different people has also caused some changes in Bianca's mindset.

376. What exactly did you do in the bathroom?

"Whoa~ This must be the princess that Rita and Bianca always talk about... no, the Saintess Lord, right..."

At that moment, a voice with a strong air of affectation came from the side.

Freya, who was talking to Rita, was slightly taken aback.

However, the dramatic and exaggerated tone of voice immediately reveals that the owner is definitely someone who likes to cause trouble.

"Oh?"

Freya turned her head in the direction of the sound.

Just by hearing the voice, she felt that she should be able to get along with the owner of the voice, and after seeing what the person looked like, she was even more certain of this fact.

The first thing you see is a head of bright red braids, dressed in English Renaissance clothing, and with the appearance of a young girl.

Of course, appearance age is not a criterion for Freya's judgment.

She raised an eyebrow and a smile appeared on her face.

"Hello, I am Kiana Apocalypse, one of the leaders of the Alliance's Schicksal faction. Thank you for taking care of my lieutenant, hero, and knight during this time—"

"Oh, not at all. If I had to say, Bianca and the others helped me a lot. I am Marianne William Shakespeare, the captain of the Caledonius and the head of the theater company... You can call me Shakespeare."

The red-haired woman smiled and extended her hand to Freya.

"I've heard Bianca say that I'm a famous English Renaissance playwright and poet from your world... If you don't like the name Shakespeare, you can call me Marianne or William."

Shakespeare said so.

Freya nodded gently, shook hands with the other person, and said with a warm smile.

"...Then I'll just call you Shakespeare without being polite. And Bianca is right, there really was a female playwright and poet in English history named Marianne William Shakespeare. As a famous person, her portraits have naturally been passed down to us..."

The Shakespeare before us looks almost exactly like the image of Shakespeare in historical portraits.

"If you didn't come from a world that hasn't Honkai, I would have thought you were Shakespeare from our world," Freya said.

However, she wasn't without reason in saying that.