---o---
Night fell upon Rita's room.
When Rita burst in with her gun, Fu Li was already prepared. Even with his head in her sights, he showed not a hint of panic.
"Rita Rossweisse."
He fiddled with the teacup in his hand, calmly speaking her name before glancing at her as if it were an afterthought.
"One of Schicksal's three active S-rank Valkyries, and the vice-captain of its strongest Valkyrie unit, the Immortal Blades. I've long heard of your reputation."
"Heh, you flatter me, little Fu Li. To think you'd dare break into my home even after knowing my identity. Should I call you foolish, or simply too naive?"
Hearing his complimentary tone, Rita's lips curved into an elegant, gentle smile, but the muzzle of her gun tilted slightly upward.
Without a doubt, she was quite displeased.
This man had the audacity to use her residence, drink from her favorite teacup, and speak with a familiarity she knew all too well, only to appear before her as an enemy.
Although Rita knew in her heart that Fu Li was not Holmes—they were merely two people from different world bubbles who happened to look alike—the feeling was still there.
It was as if a once-close friend had suddenly stolen your wife and turned against you.
"Miss Rita, who is the naive one here? Me, or you?"
Fu Li looked at the weakest S-rank Valkyrie before him and sighed helplessly. "Since I've appeared before you so openly, do you really think I would come without any preparations?"
In truth, Fu Li's so-called preparation was simply asking Snakey to activate a sound-insulating field.
However, Rita was unaware of this. What she did feel, right after Fu Li spoke, was an abyss-like pressure emanating from him.
It was like facing a Judgment-class Honkai Beast. No, perhaps... even more terrifying.
This is trouble...
What kind of monster have I run into...
As a Valkyrie with extensive experience in plans going awry, Rita knew with certainty that she was no match for the monster before her. She had to retreat.
Even if she were to fight, she would at least need to change into her Argent Knight: Artemis battlesuit. Only then would she stand a chance.
However, just as she thought this and fired her gun without hesitation, a black shadow flashed before her eyes.
The next second, she felt an immense force on her hand, followed by the sound of metal being twisted.
What is that speed? Not even Miss Bianka could match that, right?
I can't win. There's no way I can win!
Even with this thought racing through her mind, Rita continued to resist with all her might. Abandoning the pistol, she drove an elbow strike straight at Fu Li's face.
In her desperation, it was the strongest attack she could muster.
Yet, Rita watched as Fu Li casually raised a hand and blocked her attack with ease.
"Miss Rita, you're not behaving, are you?"
"It seems naughty little kittens need to be taught a lesson."
Clutching Rita's fist in his hand, Fu Li sighed melancholically. He forcefully pulled her into his arms, then used his other arm to hold her tight.
"Ugh! What are you doing?!"
Being held so roughly by a man for the first time, Rita, the S-rank Valkyrie of Schicksal, trembled all over. Her soft body began to shake with shame and anger.
"You... you bastard! Let go of me!"
"There, now. Don't move."
Relying on his absolute physical superiority, Fu Li first held Rita in a death grip before pressing her against the wall in a manner that invited misunderstanding.
Then, his teeth slowly elongated, becoming like the fangs of a snake, and sank viciously into the pale, slender nape of Rita's neck.
"You! What are you doing?! Are you a pervert?!"
The usually composed and elegant maid's face instantly flushed crimson. But as the venom was injected, the strength of her resistance gradually faded.
Her struggles went from fierce to relaxed, until she was in a state of half-resisting, half-yielding.
This bastard... what is he going to do to me...
What kind of treatment... awaits me next...
Rita's eyelids grew heavy. In her memory, the face of the gentle detective slowly overlapped with Fu Li's.
An angel... and a demon. They had the same face, yet their actions were worlds apart.
Her consciousness felt like it was sinking into the deep sea. Rita's body completely stopped resisting. Her face was red with humiliation, but the awareness in her eyes gradually dissipated.
I'm sorry... Mr. Detective...
In the last moments of her consciousness, Rita felt something being pulled out from her neck.
But... it was too late... It had already happened...
What awaited her next? Would it be death... or something else...
Rita suddenly didn't dare to think any further. Her beautiful wine-red pupils slowly dilated, and finally... a single tear trickled down.
Like a withering rose, fragile... and yet enchanting.