The figures of black and white faced off in the bar. Unlike the previous boisterous pair of black-and-white simpletons, these two stood in absolute silence—until Bronie, shivering from the cold, let out a sneeze.
Gray Serpent's prosthetic eye contracted as he watched the white frost gradually forming on the floor and stared into the cyan pupils of the woman before him. He was the first to break the silence. Folding his black umbrella, he tucked it under his arm and bowed slightly to her, a gesture of profound respect.
The exemplary cadre of World Serpent seemed to have recognized the true nature of the young woman before him, and he offered his respects accordingly.
"I am Gray Serpent... I greet you, Awakened One who has stepped into the Realm of Heavenly Origin—"
Though the man still hadn't removed his hood or mask, this was the greatest concession he would ever make... after all, Gray Serpent never removed his mask and hood.
...Could this Gray Serpent be bald? Imhotep's thoughts leaped wildly, laced with malicious speculation. Makes sense. After thousands of years of working 996, his hair would have fallen out long ago. Maybe that mask is his face... Ugh, he's got some thick skin then.
Unfortunately for Gray Serpent, he couldn't read Imhotep's mind. If he could, the expression on his face would surely have been priceless.
"Gray Serpent, huh... I'm Imhotep. An interesting fellow you are. Let me guess—you're here to see the proprietress of this bar, aren't you?"
"That's right."
It wasn't something worth hiding, so the man admitted it frankly. The woman before him seemed to have some knowledge of World Serpent. Moreover, judging by the power and appearance she displayed, it was highly likely she was closely related to a certain descendant mentioned by the Sire. Hiding his intentions now would only risk her displeasure.
"Interesting. I remember her name is Natasha Cioara... You're her teacher, aren't you?"
"No, I wouldn't call myself a teacher. At most, I was her cultivator. There was little in the way of a master-student bond between us." Gray Serpent shook his head, refuting Imhotep's guess.
"Hmm. Sounds like your relationship is complicated—or perhaps very simple. Not that it's any of my business."
"Your former student asked me to tell you that she's officially retiring today to take care of orphans... Oh, and she's probably off to duel the Second Herrscher right about now."
With a playful smile, Imhotep drained the violet liquid in one gulp.
"The Second Herrscher...? Then why are you...?"
"That Herrscher is currently on humanity's side. As for your student, she's merely settling a personal grudge. I'm not her mother—why should I follow her?"
"She may stand against your plans, but she stands with humanity, and that's enough. Just like East Schicksal's Third Herrscher, Raiden Mei, and Fourth Herrscher, Wendy. Or Anti-Entropy's Leader, the First Herrscher Welt Joyce, who reappeared during the Schicksal War. I only care about their allegiance. The rest is none of my concern."
"So that is your stance. I understand." Gray Serpent bowed his head slightly in acknowledgment.
"Hmm? Quite polite, aren't you? In that case, I'll give you another interesting piece of information. Whether you believe it or not is up to you."
"The current Second Herrscher is someone else entirely. Or rather, the Second Herrscher who plunged the world into the Great Honkai Eruption and the K-423 you're so focused on are no longer one and the same."
"I imagine that, being a clever man, you've already noticed something is amiss, Mr. Gray Serpent."
".....Thank you for clearing that up, Miss Imhotep."
With the white-haired girl's hint, Gray Serpent quickly pieced together several previously unsolvable mysteries—including why a Predecessor had appeared in World Serpent's underground base with a Valkyrie Instructor who was supposed to have died in the Schicksal War.
"So the awakened Herrscher Consciousness was exiled or imprisoned by the body's original consciousness... In that case, respected young lady, do you know where the Second Herrscher is now...?"
"Her? She went to fight your student..."
"Ahem, sir, ma'am, could you pause your conversation for a moment?"
Imhotep's reply was cut short by Bronie, who had been silent for some time. The gray-haired bartender girl held up a phone, gesturing to the two of them.
"Hmm... Of course, Miss Bronie."
Gray Serpent showed no annoyance at the interruption. He simply nodded, allowing the gray-haired girl to continue.
"Hmm, I think you all need to hear this recording... or rather, the distress message Mama Natasha just sent..."
"...Distress message?"
Imhotep raised an eyebrow, her expression puzzled.
"Just listen, and you'll understand..."
Bronie pressed the play button, and the voice message began—
"Ms. Island Bomber, you idiot! Get away from that wall! It's chewing on your clothes!"
"Holy shit! You're no better off! Why the hell are you wearing a cape?! That door is slurping it up like a damn noodle! Throw it away before it slurps its way up to you!!!"
[A cacophony of frantic scrambling and clattering sounds.]
"This is where you live?! Did we just stumble into a sacrificial ritual from some Cthulhu novel, White Blazing Cat?!"
"Wait a minute! You didn't lure me here to be a sacrifice, did you?!"
"How the hell would I know, Ms. Island Bomber?! This place was perfectly normal when we left—!"
"Wait, what about the Second Herrscher you mentioned?!"
"You still have time to worry about the Second Herrscher?! She's probably been eaten into the wall by now!"
"....White Blazing Cat, why don't you just blow this place up! Ever played King of Fighters? Use the Great Serpent's move! I think it was called 'Let Everything Return to Nothingness'—"
"This is a residential area! Ms. Island Bomber, you're acting more like a Herrscher than I am! Are you trying to blow the whole place sky-high?!"
"This is no time to hesitate! Just blow up the building already, ahhh!!!"
"Wait, what the hell is that Alien Mother-like thing now—!"
"What is that thing?! Why won't it die... Imhotep, save me—!!!"
The recording dissolved into a cacophony of sharp, chaotic static, punctuated by the increasingly frequent sounds of clashing blades, gunfire, and explosions.
—End of phone call recording playback.
"In summary," Bronie concluded, "Bronie believes Miss Kiana and Mama Natasha have run into some... trouble. And if we don't deal with it promptly... the commotion might become more than just 'a little bit' loud."
"After all, they've already started considering blowing up the house..."
"Then... Miss Imhotep?"
Gray Serpent turned to the woman with the highest combat power among them—
"Your student and the Second Herrscher are currently in the Arc City Slum District. Let's go... and see what kind of mess they've gotten themselves into."
Imhotep was the first to rise, heading for the door.
"You two had better hurry... Hmm, otherwise, tomorrow's Arc City TV news might have some new material to report."
Bronie waved at the two as they prepared to leave.
"Wouldn't that be interesting? I'm quite curious to see what kind of stories the reporters could spin..."