"So, you're saying that Mobius has now been subdued by you, Lord Ye Feng, and the 'Father' she speaks of… is you?"
Rita sat bolt upright, her pair of black-stockinged legs pressed neatly together.
"'Subdued' is a bit of an improper descriptor. Snake-Snake would probably get angry if she heard that. However, she does indeed share the same philosophy as me now."
Ye Feng popped a piece of steamed bun into his mouth, took a light bite, and explained with a smile.
He had grown fond of steamed buns these days. The food, made from wheat flour, was good for the stomach.
"…Philosophy?"
"Yes. Don't be fooled by Mobius's appearance. She actually has a heart that fights for a beautiful world. In the Previous Era, when the Final Herrscher descended and humanity was on the brink of annihilation, she knew she was no match, yet she still went to the moon without hesitation to face the peerless enemy."
Ji Lin quietly glanced at her Master. He had been using the name "Mobius" this whole time.
He usually just called her "Snake-Snake."
Although it was a bit strange, Ji Lin wouldn't say anything.
Disaster comes from the mouth, and loose lips get you wet.
Ji Lin had long since learned this lesson well.
The beautiful, classical madam waited silently to the side. Her hair was piled high in a bun, and despite wearing only a moon-white dudou, she still exuded a sense of quiet grace and gentleness, suffused with a solemn sanctity.
"Isn't that right, Ah Lin?" Ye Feng asked again.
Ji Lin nodded gently. "Miss Mobius's spirit in fighting against the Honkai in the Previous Era is indeed worthy of our generation's admiration."
"…Is that so."
Rita's gaze lowered slightly.
Thinking about it carefully, setting aside the shame, Mobius hadn't actually done any "irreversible" damage to her.
Most of it was a test of… "endurance." It didn't harm her body; on the contrary, it tempered her will.
"May I know why she… did those things to me?"
Motive was important.
And besides, Rita still couldn't let it go.
How could she possibly let down her guard against Mobius after just a few words?
"Mobius was one of the most brilliant scientists of the last era. Occasionally, for the sake of research or data collection, she would do things that are difficult for ordinary people to understand."
"Purely for research?"
Rita didn't believe it.
"Well… for the specific details, you can go ask Mobius herself."
Ah, that… never mind.
"But I can guarantee that unless you provoke her, Mobius will not persecute you again."
"Eh?"
Rita's brow relaxed. Just getting that guarantee was enough to put her at ease.
As for provoking Mobius?
Rita would never have such a thought again.
After all, Mobius had not taken any action that endangered the current human civilization.
Her primary duty as a Valkyrie was still to fight against Honkai Beasts.
As for the "Divine Key" collected over the River Thames… Rita had a faint feeling that the Overseer placed extreme importance on it.
However, Rita also had her own judgment, her own rhythm.
Rita believed that Otto was a leader capable of fighting the Honkai, which was why she had dedicated herself to Schicksal.
And in the current situation, pushing Mobius to the opposing side was clearly not a wise move.
In any case, it was all thanks to Lord Ye Feng.
"Thank you for your assistance, Lord Ye Feng. I am endlessly grateful. If there is anything I can do for you in the future, please do not hesitate to ask."
"You're welcome. There will naturally be a time when I'll need you."
Ye Feng said, and Rita returned a charming smile.
Finally, I can go see Lady Durandal, Rita thought.
She had spent more than a day or two with Lady Durandal.
If she was "instructed and educated" again at night and had to crawl out of bed soaking wet in the morning, how could she possibly face Lady Durandal's clear and pure eyes?
Rita and Ye Feng looked at each other and smiled, their conversation pleasant.
Unconsciously, Rita, who had not had any [Status] effects applied to her, gradually forgot that she was only wearing black pantyhose.
---o---
World Serpent Base.
Like a snake's den, this place was always dark and enclosed.
By the faint fluorescent glow emanating from an unknown source, one could see that the space was vast, like an underground factory.
"What? You're telling me you lost the 「Seven Thunders of Retribution」? Jackal, what are you doing!"
A voice filled with shock and anger echoed through the dark space. Magenta pupils stared unkindly at her so-called "comrade."
Natasha Ciora, the woman code-named 「Raven」 in World Serpent, had a dream.
She had purchased a small island overseas. Once she had saved up enough for retirement, she would take the children she had adopted there to live a carefree life, no longer participating in the organization's conflicts.
And the Seven Thunders of Retribution was her most proficient weapon. Raven never intended to claim it as her own; she would return it to the organization after she retired from World Serpent.
However, this weapon could greatly increase the efficiency and quality of the commissions she accepted, thereby significantly shortening the time it would take to achieve her life's dream.
But now, the colleague who had solemnly sworn to borrow the weapon from her before departing had returned and casually said she had "lost it." How could Raven not be furious?
"Don't make such a fuss. The Seven Thunders of Retribution is not exclusively yours; it is the shared property of the organization," Jackal said calmly.
Raven was cut short. She clenched her fists, her full chest heaving violently.
I really want to punch her in the face!
But Jackal wasn't wrong.
"Jackal."
A bone-white mask emerged from the shadows, the pupils beneath the grim mask reflecting a scarlet light.
"Since you know it is the organization's property, then you should know what kind of punishment you will face for the consequence of losing a Divine Key, correct?"
"Gray Serpent, I was acting entirely according to your instructions."
Jackal threw up her hands, looking completely unconcerned.
"If you're going to punish me, then shouldn't you, the one who gave the order to 'let me use my own judgment,' bear even greater responsibility?"
Jackal looked at Gray Serpent calmly and said unhurriedly, "Besides, Lady Mobius wanted it. Would you have dared to refuse?"
"…"
The air instantly fell silent.
Raven immediately sensed that Gray Serpent was somewhat different from his usual self.
The moment he heard the name Mobius, his grim and cold demeanor vanished.
Raven was slightly stunned.
This was the first time she had ever seen Gray Serpent back down just because of a single name.
After a long silence, Gray Serpent finally spoke, "Forget it. The Divine Keys were never ours to begin with. They have merely returned to their original owner now. It's just…"
He had previously witnessed Mobius emerge in a physical form from that sea of information.
Gray Serpent didn't know what had happened in the [Elysian Realm].
Even when he sent other Gray Serpents to investigate, they found nothing.
He couldn't be certain whether that Mobius was a memory simulacrum or the original person herself.