Honkai: Man(Sludge) From Future

"Welt, the social problems in Academy City have now accumulated to a point where they must be addressed."

Dr. Einstein had investigated the situation within Academy City and submitted her report to Dr. Schrodinger.

"I know. I'm also observing the internal issues. But Noldrei doesn't seem to be worried about these people's suffering. I've spoken with him about it."

Welt sighed. "He said that the pain of primitive humans is too profound and can't be easily plucked from people's hearts in a short time. If a world war had broken out, it might have been easier; we could have destroyed these suffering people of the old era through the physical annihilation of war, disease, and slaughter. But since we've chosen to bring them into a new era, we have to accept and face their pain. This is the crucial work we must resolve at this stage."

"The mental health treatment facility in the Middle East still isn't built, and the immersive effects of the Stigma Space pose a great danger. If we don't heal people properly and they instead choose to escape their suffering within it, that would be even more dangerous."

Leaning against the table with her arms crossed, Einstein asked, "What does Tesla have to say?"

"Tesla says the same thing... We shouldn't dream of solving the crisis caused by the collision of these two worlds. Even if you handed this problem to people from the future, they wouldn't have a concrete answer for you. The only thing he can do is to transition humanity to the new era as quickly as possible. 'Radical' may not be the best method, but it's the most helplessly necessary one at this time."

Welt didn't want to compromise so easily, but he had no better solution at the moment.

"What about Otto? Does Schicksal have any ideas?" Einstein thought about Schicksal's situation. She didn't think they would have any good solutions.

"Schicksal... Schicksal's Valkyries have their own problems..." Welt sighed, feeling even more helpless.

Just as Welt had said, Schicksal's Valkyries were indeed facing their own troubles.

Rita Rossweisse, for example.

She was currently standing frozen at the entrance of Noldrei's home. The people in the surrounding area had gradually moved out, for no reason other than that the compensation offered was too good to refuse.

Standing before Rita now was an android custom-ordered by Noldrei from Heliopolis Life Sciences Pharmaceutical.

"Hello, my name is Kita. Are you here to see the master?"

Kita, a woman whose name sounded like "Rita." She looked exactly like Rita, yet not entirely the same.

This version covered her right eye, had a beauty mark under the corner of her left eye, and even a small mole on her slightly exposed collarbone. Paired with a maid outfit, she looked even more alluring.

Isn't that just me?! What about my image rights? What about MY IMAGE RIGHTS?!

But Rita suppressed her urge to get angry. She didn't want the classic "Who in the court below dares to sue this official?" drama to play out for a humble S-rank Valkyrie like herself.

After all, Noldrei had a lot of people on his side, most of them Herrschers.

Heliopolis Life Sciences Pharmaceutical, is it? I'll remember you.

Rita did have some conflicts with Heliopolis. As a result, that woman Jackal had held a grudge to this day, even going so far as to create a "Rita" for the "tentacle monster" to play with.

The mere thought of someone who looked exactly like her being indecently toyed with by that tentacle monster every day made Rita's whole body thrum with an uneasy urge to flee.

"Hello. I am Rita Rossweisse, Vice-Captain of the Immortal Blades, here to report to Director Noldrei."

"Hm? I remember him saying you were a talkative woman. Why is this different from the records?" Kita looked puzzled, thinking Noldrei might have logged her into the wrong network.

"I..."

"Just say a few words to prove who you are. I'm just confirming your identity, ma'am. You know, as an android, my personality was fixed at the time of my creation. I can't help it, it has to be this way." Kita said this as if it were the most natural thing in the world, completely lacking the "speak less, do less" attitude a concierge should have.

Rita took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling as she controlled her emotions.

"Pardon me for asking, but could you tell me who customized your personality?"

"It was the Director himself. He said he needed a Miss Rita who speaks her mind, so Ms. Jackal from Heliopolis customized me. Originally, they wanted me to assist Miss Mei, but my customized personality was a bit... unlikable, so they had me stand at the door to turn people away. This way, certain people won't bother him. I suppose it wasn't a complete waste of effort creating me."

Judging by Kita's demeanor, she didn't seem to find her situation tragic at all. She even seemed to enjoy the work. She probably spent her free time relaxing at home, drinking tea, and occasionally watching dramas to pass the time.

Rita was speechless. She had to force out a few words to try and get the person inside to come out and see her.

That guy can probably hear me. But what should I say?

"Lord Director, Rita will faithfully execute your will."

Just as Rita lowered her head, she suddenly heard a familiar boy's voice.

"Huh? Really?"

'Kita's' face showed a subtle change before quickly reverting to Noldrei's appearance. He hadn't expected Rita to actually say it.

Rita subconsciously looked up and saw that the maid, Miss Kita, had transformed into Noldrei.

The real Kita was just now sweeping the outer courtyard with a broom.

She truly was like a mirror image of Rita, and you could even see some ball-joint-like features at her limb joints, which served as the android's mark to distinguish her from a normal person.

"That is my job, Lord Director. Please refrain from playing concierge at the door again next time."

Rita glanced at the real Kita, who had appeared silently behind her, then back at Noldrei, who had changed back into the young Kaslana boy. Only then did she realize that she, who was always the one playing tricks, had been tricked herself.

What goes around comes around. This time, it was her turn.

"I asked Otto to have you come over because I have something for you to do. I remember you like this sort of... kunoichi-working-in-the-shadows type of job, so you were the first person I thought of."

I don't like it. I just don't have a choice.

Of course Rita didn't like these jobs. She would much rather open her own flower shop. But when your boss says you like something, you'd better genuinely like it.

"Lord Director, just say the word... Who needs to be dealt with?"

Noldrei showed a rare smile. "Don't be so serious. This time, it's not about dealing with anyone. I need you to take a trip with me and Sirin. I plan on showing her the beautiful world outside to let her blow off some steam."

Rita instinctively clenched her fists, only then remembering she hadn't touched her weapon in over six months.

The peace in Academy City had almost made her forget this feeling.

Are you serious, boss? Letting the Herrscher of the Void... blow off some steam?