The Far East Branch's Aerial Fleet was now just three nautical miles from Schicksal Headquarters' Third Airport.
Aboard the Nibelungen Aerial Assault Ship and the Hermes Transport Ship, all personnel were at battle stations.
"Mr. Joyce, thank you for providing the Titan Mecha as assistance."
Houraiji Kyuusyou gazed at the once-empty hangar of the Nibelungen, now packed with tactical mecha. These machines would form the backbone of the Far East Branch's initial defense force at Schicksal Headquarters, compensating for their manpower shortage.
"I've set all the Titans to autonomous mode by default. I also got a remote operation manual from Einstein."
"I also grabbed a pilot's manual... But honestly, piloting a Titan Mecha probably isn't as effective as you guys jumping down and fighting yourselves, right?" Joyce asked, scratching his head uncertainly.
"Theoretically, yes... but... a large portion of the Far East Branch's students come from that island nation," Kyuusyou pointed out.
"Back when Anti-Entropy was raising research funds, all the mecha anime they produced were wildly popular in that country—the kind that appeals to everyone, young and old. So... excluding the Divine Authority Squad, which draws members from all over the world, the Valkyries on the Hermes might want to give it a try?"
"After all, piloting mecha isn't just a man's romance, you know," Kyuusyou added thoughtfully.
"I see... Then I'll get this manual printed right away," Joyce said, nodding thoughtfully as he turned and left the Nibelungen's hangar.
-
"We're just half a nautical mile from Schicksal Third Airport! We can already see the interior!"
The navigator swiftly reported the fleet's current status. As his words drew attention to the rapidly approaching airport, now clearly visible in the distance—
The Immortal Blades Valkyries, clad in uniform black armor, were loading vast quantities of data and expensive specialized research equipment onto transport aircraft.
"Should we intercept them, Vice Captain?" the adjutant asked, glancing at Houraiji Kyuusyou, the purple-haired Valkyrie seated in the Captain's chair. She studied the transmitted images silently, her expression unreadable.
After a brief moment of contemplation, the young woman issued her orders:
"Let them leave. If Overseer Otto is in such a hurry to move these materials, there's no need to push him too hard. Even a cornered rabbit will bite—let alone the current Overseer of Schicksal."
-
Near Third Airport, at the Schicksal Saint-107 Weapon Research Institute, two researchers stood by a window, observing the bustling Valkyries outside discussing something.
"Lyle, what's gotten into those Immortal Blades Valkyries today? Since morning, they've stormed Research Institute 104, dragged out the lead researchers and all their equipment, and bundled them onto transport planes like they were hostages. Then they headed toward the West District?"
"What kind of bullshit project have those West District bastards cooked up now? Do they really need to move all of Saint-104 Institute's personnel and resources?"
One of the researchers watched several Sub-Divine Mecha haul uniquely shaped, massive research devices into a transport plane. The plane soon took off, heading west.
"Don't ask me, Laust—I have no idea either. Saint-104 Institute... if I recall correctly, it's one of the Schicksal Research Division's departments specializing in Imaginary Space Technology and the exploration of the Sea of Quanta, as mentioned in pre-civilization records."
"This doesn't seem to have anything to do with the human experimentation and modification techniques from the West District, does it? And judging by the actions and expressions of the Immortal Blades Valkyries—it's more like a full-scale retreat than a simple relocation. They're even burning documents they can't take with them..."
The researcher known as Lyle frowned at the frantic activity outside.
"These Valkyries are in such a hurry, they might as well tear Saint-104 Institute off the Floating Island Research Ring above Schicksal East District and take the whole module back to the West District."
Laust scoffed. "It's not like Schicksal Headquarters is about to split up, is it? I remember the Overseer's been obsessing over Imaginary and the Sea of Quanta research these past few years, neglecting those West District dogs so much that they've started shifting their own research priorities."
"Laust, what are you even thinking? How could Schicksal possibly split up again? The North America Branch was one thing—a distant outpost with minimal oversight. But this is the Headquarters, for crying out loud!" Lyle rolled her eyes at her companion.
"Why can't the Headquarters split? Even Rome had two emperors ruling together!"
Laust, immediately bristling at his companion's rebuttal, puffed out his beard and glared, as if he couldn't wait for Schicksal to dissolve that very moment.
"Spare me the dramatics! If Schicksal collapses, who's going to pay your salary?"
"Tch, why didn't the Overseer leave a daughter or son? If he had, I'd lead a rebellion myself!"
"Even if he had a child, Laust, what makes you think they'd be any different from Overseer Otto?"
"You wouldn't understand, Lyle—do you know who the Lord Overseer truly loves?"
Laust wore a smug grin as he leaned in to whisper to his companion.
"Oh... who is it?"
As they discussed the man at the apex of Schicksal's hierarchy, the researchers' voices softened into hushed murmurs.
"Did you know the Overseer is actually over five hundred years old?"
"Of course... it's no secret within Schicksal. Anyone who bothers to check the history books can see the current Overseer was active five centuries ago."
Lyle nodded matter-of-factly.
"Exactly! Now it makes sense. Who else from Schicksal's history five hundred years ago comes to mind, besides Overseer Otto himself?"
"The Kaslana family's Saintess?"
The researcher reacted swiftly, rapidly eliminating incorrect options in his mind before arriving at the answer.
"Exactly! The Schicksal Saintess, Kallen Kaslana—our Lord Overseer was once engaged to this noble and revered woman."
"And our Lord Overseer seems to be incredibly stubborn and devoted, a man of unwavering affection. For five hundred years after Kallen's sacrifice, he never loved another, despite consistently topping Schicksal's 'Most Popular Men Among Valkyries' list for years."
"That's why I said, if the Overseer ever had a son or daughter, I'd defect immediately and shout 'Long live Second Schicksal!'—the descendant of Kallen Kaslana, for crying out loud!"
Laust's expression grew visibly agitated.
"Even if the Overseer were to have a child... they'd be raised by him, right? What connection would that child have to Kallen? Wouldn't they be more influenced by the Overseer himself?"
Lyle clicked her tongue, still skeptical as she watched her agitated companion.
"You don't understand, Lyle. You've never met a Kaslana Valkyrie, so you can't comprehend. I'm one of the survivors personally rescued by those Kaslana Valkyries."
"They're like angels born to save humanity—"
"Are you saying angels wear power armor and wield chainsaw swords?"
"?"