"We're about to rendezvous with the Hermes! They've requested immediate short-range communication!"
The navigator and communications officer's report interrupted the lively discussion. The bustling crowd instantly scattered like startled birds, each returning to their posts.
"How many nautical miles until we reach Schicksal Headquarters?"
"Reporting, Acting Captain Kyuusyou. We're twenty nautical miles from Schicksal Headquarters."
"Establish a communication link with the Hermes."
As Houraiji Kyuusyou's command rang out, holographic projections of Theresa and Murata Himeko appeared before the purple-haired girl. Oh, actually, Headmaster Theresa only showed her head, her expression suggesting she was desperately trying to stand on tiptoe to appear taller.
"Headmaster Theresa, you could just stand on a chair... Everyone on the Nibelungen is watching..."
Kyuusyou watched Theresa hopping up and down in front of the screen, unconsciously acting cute, and her lips twitched uncontrollably.
"Huh?! Is it connected already?!"
Theresa, too preoccupied with trying to prop herself up to appear more dignified during the conversation, startled at Kyuusyou's voice and suddenly became flustered and panicked.
In the end, Theresa took Kyuusyou's advice, finding a stool to stand on. Now, her upper body was finally fully visible to the Nibelungen crew.
Ignoring the awkwardness of being caught off guard, Theresa cut straight to the chase with Kyuusyou:
"S-rank Valkyrie, Houraiji Kyuusyou, whose side are you on this time?"
"Ah, I don't understand what you're talking about, Headmaster~"
Seemingly influenced by Snow, Kyuusyou adopted a "what-are-you-saying, I-don't-understand" expression, teasing Theresa.
"Don't play games! Houraiji Kyuusyou! The Far East Branch and Kiana, or Schicksal Headquarters—whose side are you on?!"
Driven by her inner anxiety, Theresa's words were tinged with impatience and anger. Realizing her tone had been too harsh, she quickly apologized:
"I'm sorry, Kyuusyou. I'm just too anxious... You—"
The white-haired nun stared at the purple-haired Valkyrie on the screen, her anticipation and longing seeming to overflow, making Kyuusyou shiver uncomfortably, goosebumps prickling her skin.
Beside Theresa, Murata Himeko remained silent. She simply watched the purple-haired girl on the screen, her gaze also carrying a hint of anticipation.
"Ah... choosing sides, huh..."
Houraiji Kyuusyou feigned lowering her head in deep thought. Meanwhile, the crew members aboard the Nibelungen couldn't help but smirk at their acting Captain.
"I choose—"
After a long pause, Kyuusyou lifted her head and met the hopeful gazes of the two women on the screen, which immediately dimmed as she continued—
"—Schicksal."
"Why?!"
The question burst simultaneously from Theresa and Himeko's lips, their voices filled with bewilderment.
"Did Grandpa threaten you with something? Was it Snow's safety?" Theresa pressed, refusing to give up.
Houraiji Kyuusyou simply smiled and shook her head.
"I see... So you were bought off with promises of gain..." The white-haired nun lowered her head in disappointment. After all, Valkyries were ultimately human, and humans always had desires. The price Schicksal Overseer Otto could offer far exceeded what a mere Branch Head like herself could ever hope to match.
Himeko sighed deeply, a hint of sadness in her eyes, yet she seemed to understand the reasons behind her former student's decision.
"Ah... In the end, it was just Theresa and me indulging in wishful thinking. The idea that all the students in the Academy would join us in this madness was always an unrealistic fantasy..."
"Kyuusyou, as your teacher, I can only wish you smooth sailing in your future endeavors... Let's hope we never have to cross swords..."
".....Ah."
The mischievous purple-haired girl feigned a melancholic sigh, pretending to be moved by the moment.
"But when did I ever say... that my loyalty lies with the Schicksal led by Otto Apocalypse?"
The girl's expression shifted, and under the incredulous gazes of Murata Himeko and Theresa, she delivered a revelation that stopped the hearts and lungs of everyone on the Hermes.
"We follow the bloodline of the Overseer, the rightful heir of the Apocalypse Family—"
"The Schicksal Young Sovereign—Otto Apocalypse's daughter... Snow Apocalypse."
Kyuusyou sat calmly in the captain's chair of the Nibelungen, observing the colorful reactions of the Hermes crew through the bridge's monitors alongside the members of the Divine Authority Squad.
"Are you serious, Kyuusyou?"
Theresa wore a look that said, I may be a bit dense, but I'm not stupid. Don't try to trick me.
"You can't accept suddenly having an aunt who's at least thirty years younger than you, can you?" Kyuusyou studied Theresa through the screen, her curiosity piqued.
"What do you mean 'can't accept'?! Grandpa never once mentioned having a daughter, anywhere!"
"Stop lying to yourself, Headmaster Theresa. That beautiful blonde girl is your aunt in name."
"Think about Miss Rita—didn't you ask her about Snow's whereabouts?"
Houraiji Kyuusyou watched Theresa, who refused to face reality, and subtly reminded her of key elements from the past.
"Rita did say that Snow is the child of a high-ranking official at Schicksal Headquarters, and that their identities couldn't be revealed temporarily at the official's request. But that doesn't prove—"
Kyuusyou ruthlessly cut off the white-haired nun's words.
"Rita Rossweisse—Vice Captain of the Immortal Blades Valkyrie Squad, Schicksal Headquarters."
"...The Immortal Blades Valkyrie Force reports directly to the Schicksal Overseer."
"—They do not accept or obey any orders not issued by the Schicksal Overseer."
Kyuusyou's words mercilessly shattered Theresa's last illusions.
"..."
With a swift combo attack, Kyuusyou sank Theresa's ship. The white-haired nun and Himeko exchanged incredulous glances—
"Himeko... I just gained an aunt...?"
"I think... probably, Headmaster."
The red-haired Valkyrie shrugged, as if to say, You Schicksal higher-ups really know how to play your games.
"So, Kyuusyou, you're planning to go to Schicksal Headquarters..."
The St. Freya Headmaster seemed to realize something, her expression turning incredulous.
"Lady Theresa Apocalypse..."
"This isn't treason—it's just a small revolution."
"...First... Pah! The Divine Authority Squad remains forever loyal, never betraying—we are the Apocalypse's personal guard, eternally devoted to Schicksal~"
"However, the owner of this loyalty... is named Snow Apocalypse—"