"Then we'll proceed as you wish, Lady Captain."
"Oh, right, should we inform Headmaster Theresa? After all, our upcoming actions will undoubtedly require cooperation with the Academy." Skogul, the Division Captain of the Second Division, suddenly thought of something and spoke up.
"The Headmaster..."
The others exchanged knowing glances, mischievous smiles creeping across their faces.
"...Why not?"
The purple-haired Valkyrie grinned even more wickedly.
-
"So, Snow is the Overseer's biological daughter, and Headmaster Theresa is his adopted granddaughter. But according to you, Vice Captain, their genetic origins both trace back to Saintess Kallen Kaslana, who lived 500 years ago."
"The only difference is that Headmaster Theresa's other half of her genes comes from an Emperor-class Honkai Beast, while Snow's other half comes from the Overseer himself."
"So... how does this family tree even work?!"
As the group analyzed the situation, they grew increasingly confused and bewildered.
This is one messy family tree.
They all reached the same conclusion.
"Ignoring bloodlines, genetic origins, and age differences... purely based on how they address each other... Theresa should be Captain's aunt. And Captain Snow should call Theresa her niece. Oh, and there's Miss Kiana Kaslana too..."
One Valkyrie, who had nearly untangled the mess, once again wore a pained expression.
"According to generational order, Kiana is Headmaster Theresa's niece... So what do you call the niece's niece...?"
"The niece's niece... that's such a distant relation! Just call her 'Old Ancestor' already."
Another Valkyrie rolled her eyes.
"Old Ancestor Snow... let's drop it. We probably can't tell if Kiana's feeling awkward, but the Captain definitely is."
"What makes you say that?"
"I'll find a girl your age right now, have her come over and respectfully call you 'Old Ancestor,' super-charging your seniority by generations. I bet you'd be mortified!"
"Absolutely not necessary—but what should Captain Snow call Kiana, then?"
"Emmm... if we're going by lineage... Kiana would be Captain Snow's great-grandniece. As for what Kiana should call her... whether we consider blood ties or formal titles, Captain Snow genuinely qualifies as an 'Old Ancestor.' There's nothing wrong with that."
"As for what Captain Snow wants to call Miss Kiana, that's up to her. When an elder addresses a junior, they either use their full name or a nickname."
A Valkyrie on the bridge, who specialized in family genealogy, had meticulously untangled the complex relationships and arrived at an explanation everyone could understand.
"Ah, so these are Schicksal's Three Great Houses? Their relationships are so tangled—" one of them exclaimed, prompting nods and agreement from the others.
"This must be what the European aristocratic circles are like."
-
The discussion about the chaotic relationships among Schicksal's three great families came to an end, and the conversation on the ship returned to its practical course.
"How many friends do you all know at Headquarters who might be willing to defect or provide intelligence support? Branch contacts are also welcome—we need as many major branches on our side as possible."
The Valkyries from the warship's Intelligence Department began canvassing the crowd, gathering information about potentially useful connections and striving to secure every possible ally.
"At Headquarters, I know a Valkyrie in the Logistics Department. She's a close sister from my training cohort, but she was assigned to Logistics due to poor combat performance. We've stayed in touch, and during our casual chats, she often complains that Headquarters' Stigmata research divisions treat human lives like expendable resources."
"She probably knows some of Schicksal's internal logistics channels. We might be able to use that." The Valkyrie added.
"Internal channels, got it. Once we reach Headquarters, try contacting her and see if she's willing to help us."
After the first Valkyrie spoke up, the ship's bridge once again buzzed with lively discussion.
"Me! Me! Me! I know a junior researcher in the Armament Research Department! They develop Valkyrie Battlesuits and their corresponding weaponry. We can recruit him as a talent reserve!"
"Uh... what's your relationship with this researcher? Just knowing him isn't enough."
The Intelligence Department Valkyrie responsible for recording notes scratched her head, waiting for the eager Valkyrie to elaborate.
"Uh..."
The young Valkyrie's face flushed crimson, and she began stammering. Seeing her expression, the Intelligence Department Valkyrie instantly understood, jotting down:
Young Armament Research Department researcher. Romantic relationship with a Valkyrie in our unit. Judging by the subject's expression, they've almost certainly slept together.
"Remember to invite us to the wedding and baby shower!"
The Intelligence Department Valkyrie casually added after finishing her note, causing the young Valkyrie to blush even harder, wishing she could find a crack in the deck to crawl into.
"Anyone else? It doesn't have to be from Headquarters. Branch personnel are fine too—we need to secure sponsors."
The Intelligence Department Valkyrie continued scanning the crowd.
"If we're talking about Branches... the A-rank Elite Squad from the West Asia Branch—those oil tycoons—could be a valuable asset."
Houraiji Kyuusyou spoke up, as if struck by a sudden thought. She turned to the Valkyrie recording the information and said:
"Those oil tycoons...? Funding won't be an issue, then. But Vice Captain, you actually know that elite squad from the West Asia Branch?"
"I wouldn't say 'know' them exactly... More like they owe a few of us favors—the kind where we saved their lives."
"When that squad was first formed, during a return trip to Schicksal Headquarters, they received an SOS from the West Asia Branch. Your Captain Snow accepted the request—"
"And then jumped down and one-punched that Emperor Class Honkai Beast in the desert to death! Though she did mischievously impersonate Durandal, the S-rank Valkyrie and Captain of the Immortal Blades, at the time."
"But Durandal—anyone who's ever met her knows—is fiercely honorable. She'd never accept credit for someone else's deeds."
"So, after all the twists and turns, that debt ended up back with our Divine Authority Squad."
"Matilla, the captain of the Phosdjinns, is such a tsundere. She's always yelling, 'Can't you lot stop monster-stealing?!' but secretly sends gratitude messages that flood your comms terminal."
"Remember when Wendy slipped over to help them clear out all the monsters last time? She cursed us out loud, but secretly bought a whole bunch of local premium ice cream and had someone deliver it to Wendy."
"It's just a shame—"
"A shame?"
The Valkyries gathered around the Vice Captain, listening to her story, exchanged puzzled glances.
"It's a shame tsundere characters are so outdated now. My advice? Go straight for the heart."
"Ooh—!"