Chat Group : Another Fate From Honkai

In the end, there wasn't any true progress yet on reviving Kallen—what Nagami had shown Otto was more like a down payment, a teaser of his resurrection capabilities.

So, naturally, he couldn't push things too far.

Aside from the two Herrscher gems and requesting an S-rank Valkyrie from Schicksal, Nagami didn't ask for anything excessive.

The rest were truly minor things—like money and material assets that were worthless in Otto's eyes.

And based on Nagami's mysterious nature and power, Otto concluded, after some thought, that most of what he saw was likely real.

But Otto wasn't foolish.

Without solid proof, there was no way he would let himself be scammed out of more resources just based on empty promises.

What surprised him, though, was that Nagami didn't try to push further.

Otto had actually set a much higher mental threshold for what he was willing to give away.

And if Cecilia could really be brought back?

Then if Nagami wanted it, Otto would gladly hand over all of Schicksal.

But Otto knew, with 90% certainty, that Nagami wasn't the kind of person who'd make that kind of demand.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have asked for such an unexpectedly meaningful price for reviving Kallen.

'So show me, Nagami—let me see Cecilia again'

Watching the boy and girl walk out side by side, Otto's green eyes flickered with flames of barely contained emotion.

He had agreed to help keep their secret.

Not that it was truly necessary to hide a dual-souled existence like this—but unless someone discovered it on their own, it wasn't the kind of thing you advertised.

With his vision far beyond that of a normal person, Nagami spotted Durandal—visibly flustered and blushing, clearly under assault from Rita's mischievous teasing.

He casually strolled over.

"Yo, Rita. I'm done talking with Otto," he said.

Right in front of Durandal's shocked gaze, Nagami snuck up behind Rita, reached both arms around her delicate neck, gently traced her collarbones—and let his right hand naturally settle beneath the graceful curve of her chest.

This was payback.

For ambushing him in front of Kiana and the others earlier that morning. He'd waited for his revenge.

"Ah~! Lord Nagami!"

Caught completely off guard, Rita turned her head out of reflex—and froze.

Nagami had rested his chin on her shoulder, so when she turned… their lips were less than a centimeter apart.

Her soft, rose-colored lips were close enough to taste, and her breath carried a subtle, enticing fragrance.

Durandal stood nearby, stunned, the breeze from the window blowing her long hair gently behind her.

"Lord Nagami, just what do you think you're doing~?"

Rita turned away shyly, trying to hide the rush of blood flooding to her cheeks.

Her heart thundered in her chest, ears burning hot.

She felt like her entire face was on fire—but deep down, there was a strange and wicked thrill that crept through her chest.

"What do you think?" Nagami leaned in close, whispering teasingly into her ear.

Rita frowned slightly—this wasn't just a joke anymore.

A warning bell rang in her mind.

Oh no.

Only just now realizing what she had done this morning, Rita stiffly turned toward her captain—only to be met with Durandal's expression, dark as the bottom of a burned pot.

…She's pissed.

"Uh… Lady Durandal…?" In a rare moment of panic, Rita didn't even have time to shove Nagami away.

But she could feel it.

Durandal's expression only darkened further.

Of course it did.

Rita, with Nagami hanging off her like a human scarf, looked nothing like the cool, composed maid from a few moments ago.

Her cheeks were still tinged with a bashful pink.

And… well… there was definitely warmth pressing into her chest.

That alone was enough to trigger all kinds of alarms.

The maid cautiously turned her head, glared sideways at Nagami, frustration and guilt swimming in her sparkling eyes.

Okay… fine. This morning was my fault.

That was what those eyes clearly said.

Nagami chuckled softly, releasing his arms from around Rita's slender neck and flopping casually into the seat next to her.

Then he turned to the blonde girl across from him.

"Bianca Ataegina. Nice to meet you. I'm Nagami."

He tried to look serious and proper, speaking with an air of importance.

"You're the Herrscher of Reason?" Durandal looked up slightly, her azure eyes reflecting the sharp features of the calm boy before her.

'Stay calm, Bianca.' She took a deep breath and reminded herself not to act on impulse.

After all, seeing was not always believing.

What if Nagami had taken advantage of Rita while she was off doing a mission?

'That would make things even worse!'

"Looks like you already know who I am. That saves us the trouble of an introduction."

He lowered his gaze slightly… and his eyes landed somewhere they probably shouldn't have.

'You expect me to believe this girl is the same age as Bronya?!'

'Hurry up and grow Bronya!'

Durandal narrowed her eyes, watching as Nagami's head dipped into shadow, concealing whatever expression he was making.

Before any real conversation could begin, Bianca Durandal spoke up with a rare, heartfelt sincerity.

"Before we begin, there's something I need to thank you for."

Nagami blinked in confusion as she continued, her expression filled with respect.

"Thank you for preventing the Third Eruption and saving Nagazora City—along with everyone in it."

Nagami met her gaze.

Her clear, piercing blue eyes were like flawless sapphires, steady and resolute.

A faint smile tugged at his lips. "That's really not something worth thanking me for."

From a certain point of view… girls in this world really are a little too pure and innocent.

Watching what looked like a peaceful exchange between the two, Rita silently breathed a sigh of relief and returned to her usual graceful demeanor.

"So… you're here as Otto's bodyguard this time?" Nagami casually picked up the coffee Rita had poured and took a sip.

"That's one of the reasons," Durandal replied. "But the main reason I came here… is you—Herrscher of Reason."

To see just what kind of guy managed to charm her vice-captain!

In her eyes, Rita Rossweisse was always poised and composed no matter the situation—an elegant, near-perfect woman who handled everything with grace and precision.

But lately, during their regular video calls, whenever the topic of Nagami came up, Rita would sometimes show rare signs of fluster.

Back at Schicksal HQ, Rita was not only an S-rank Valkyrie but also someone with numerous high-level roles and titles.

Hardly anyone could match her in being… equally mischievous.

But here at St. Freya?

Well… let's just say Durandal was thoroughly shocked by what she'd just witnessed.

Yeah. This was a big problem.

"Oh, me?" Nagami raised an eyebrow, setting the cup down. "And what would Lady Durandal need with someone like me?"

Taking a deep breath to suppress her jumbled thoughts, Durandal shifted gears into full professional mode.

"Herrschers are apostles of the Honkai. We can't just leave you be," she said, pausing briefly in thought. "But judging from your current state, it seems… my trip may have been pointless."

"That's perfectly understandable," Nagami said with a playful lilt. "You'll be seeing more Herrschers siding with humanity soon enough~"

"…What?"

Her brows instantly knitted together.

The claim was so outrageous she couldn't help but question it.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Just what it sounds like."

Nagami's eyes casually flicked toward Rita's terminal, which had begun flashing.

When he turned, he caught a glimpse of Otto far off in the distance, nodding.

Elbowing Rita lightly, Nagami leaned in close, earning a sharp stare from Durandal as he whispered near Rita's ear,

"Check your terminal. I left a surprise for you."

Then he straightened, flashed a cheeky grin, and turned to go.

"Well then, I'll leave you two to enjoy your quality time. Later!"

"Wait! Explain what you just said!!"

Durandal's voice rang out behind him, but Nagami was already striding away.

Watching his figure disappear into the distance, Rita couldn't help but smile.

Even though Nagami had publicly gotten back at her for the prank she pulled that morning, judging by the conversation between him and Otto, it looked like peaceful coexistence was on the table for now.

That brought her a sincere sense of relief—she wouldn't have to lose a rare partner-in-crime.

After all, it's not every day you find a fellow chaos gremlin you can team up with freely.

And now that she no longer needed to keep collecting intel on him or tiptoe around the feelings of the girls around him… Rita could finally go full power!

Oh, she was so looking forward to making Nagami squirm.

With that in mind, Rita opened her terminal—only to be met by a glaring red-gold mission alert labeled TOP PRIORITY.

Her elegant crimson eyes widened in shock.

She hurriedly tapped into the mission details, her confident smirk freezing as confusion slowly crept across her face.

Her expression turned blank.