May 2017, World Serpent Headquarters.
“What? Schicksal actually has another S-rank Valkyrie?”
“It took you a whole month to find out. Is it because Schicksal’s secrecy is just that good, or because World Serpent’s intelligence work is just that bad?”
Enoxia spoke with a hint of mockery as she watched Jackal fume in front of her.
“Since you already know, just tell me. If you didn’t want to tell me, you wouldn’t have come here.”
Enoxia then calmly recounted the basic information about Li Sushang.
“So she’s from the same era as that bastard Otto… This really is beyond World Serpent’s capabilities. I just wonder what Otto is trying to do… Enoxia, do you know something?”
“Mm. After all, Otto’s goal has always been very clear—to resurrect Kallen. But he doesn’t just want to restore Kallen’s outward appearance; he wants to bring back Kallen’s soul as well.”
Jackal expressed complete incomprehension at Otto’s thinking.
“Whether you understand it or not, his plan may have already begun…”
Schicksal Headquarters, Training Ground Three.
Durandal once again broke her own record, passing the highest-difficulty challenge without even breaking a sweat. After all, Schicksal wouldn’t create monsters that even she would find difficult. For one, they didn’t have the technology. For another… if even Durandal found a fight challenging, it would mean that against any other Valkyrie, the opponent would probably be instantly obliterated. The odds of leaving lasting psychological trauma were far higher than the odds of actual improvement.
Leaving the lab, she immediately ran into Rita, who had clearly been waiting for quite some time.
“Lady Durandal, I’ve found a rather nice restaurant in Italy. I was wondering if you might be free sometime soon?”
“Perfect timing. The Bishop told me there’s an experiment three days from now that I need to assist with, so I have some free time until then.”
“An experiment?”
“Mm. It’s an experiment to test the theoretical limit of a Valkyrie’s strength. I don’t really know what the point is, but… the Bishop probably has his own considerations. By the way, Rita, I recall you’ve been… in contact with the reserve recruits lately, haven’t you?”
“The theoretical limit experiment… Yes, though it’s called teaching, it’s really just an assessment of this year’s reserve recruits, same as when I went to St. Freya Academy in the Far East before.”
“Sounds like one of the new recruits left quite an impression on you.”
“Lady Durandal knows me as well as ever. Among this year’s reserves, there’s a girl with gray hair and red eyes named Erdős Helia. She’s about your age, and the reason she wants to become a Valkyrie… is also because you saved her years ago.”
“Huh?”
Durandal scratched her head. She had no recollection of that name—after all, there were simply too many Honkai incidents she had resolved offhandedly.
“From her innate qualifications, she’s not suited to becoming a Valkyrie, since her Honkai adaptability is only D-rank. She’s diligent in class and works hard after hours. If she chose a different career, she might avoid a lot of detours. Her path as a Valkyrie has only just begun. Rather than seeing her achieve something through sheer effort, I’d prefer she recognize the difficulty and step back.”
“Why?”
“Because… something far more terrifying than being unable to cross the mountain before you despite your best efforts is pushing yourself to the limit to cross that mountain, only to find another chasm ahead—one that you can never cross, no matter how hard you try, simply because you weren’t born a genius.”
“I think you don’t need to be so pessimistic. I believe effort brings results. Who knows—she might become a Valkyrie who can stand on her own someday.”
“Then… I’ll take your word for it.”
Volume 14: A Stage for a Thousand People
