Honkai, why do you only throw me into high-level battles?

"Greetings, Overseer." Rita's holographic image appeared in Otto's office, curtseying respectfully. "Rita Rossweisse, reporting for duty."

This was a privilege unique to Rita. She always appeared as a hologram when reporting to Otto.

Strictly speaking, she hadn't received any direct orders from him before this, and her appointment as battlefield commander was just now official. There was nothing to "report" on yet, but she said it anyway.

Partly due to their respective positions, partly because she knew Otto would have questions, so she might as well take the initiative.

As she bowed, she habitually scanned her surroundings.

Otto sat on his ornate throne, his brow furrowed in thought. Amber stood respectfully below, nodding silently at Rita, acknowledging her presence and confirming that she'd informed Otto of her call.

Rita returned the nod in thanks.

Everything seemed normal, except for one unexpected detail: Yuno stood behind Otto, glaring at him with an unfriendly, though not quite hostile, expression.

That must be why the Overseer seems troubled… Rita thought, curious. What is she doing here?

But such matters weren't her concern. She dismissed the thought and nodded politely at Yuno.

Yuno quickly averted her gaze, feeling slightly embarrassed, as if caught doing something wrong. She had forced Otto to agree to her presence here.

"Rita, I'm glad to see you safe and sound," Otto said, relieved that Yuno's watchful gaze had shifted.

The girl was stubbornly persistent, as if afraid he'd disappear the moment she looked away. He'd tried reasoning with her, but she wouldn't budge.

Resorting to force felt unnecessary and… wrong, like bullying a child. It was awkward.

He'd decided to wait it out. Once Durandal finished her simulation training, she could take Yuno away, ending this charade and fulfilling his promise.

So, he'd been stuck in this awkward standoff until Rita's timely call.

"Amber has already briefed me on the situation," Otto continued, his tone approving. "You were on a nearby mission when the eruption occurred. It's commendable that you took the initiative to join the battle without waiting for orders. You truly are one of my most prized students…" He subtly took some credit for himself, then raised his voice. "Your dedication and courage will make all of Schicksal proud!"

"You flatter me, Overseer," Rita replied modestly. "I simply did what was expected of me."

"Indeed… how is the situation in the affected area?" Otto smiled faintly, then got straight to the point. "Our technicians have been monitoring the energy levels. The Honkai energy readings are dropping rapidly, and there's no sign of a Herrscher-level entity… what an anticlimactic eruption." He sounded almost disappointed.

"The situation is… still far from ideal," Rita sighed, glancing at the Valkyries still fighting. She composed herself and continued, "The eruption was sudden and devastating. The estimated death toll… is in the millions. The number of infected is still unknown."

"Several local Valkyrie squads have been wiped out, and the surviving squads have suffered heavy casualties…" The cold, hard numbers made her heart ache. "This disaster is almost as severe as the 2nd and 3rd Eruptions."

Despite her enigmatic nature and ruthless efficiency in battle, she was still a Valkyrie at heart, and she grieved for the lives lost.

"I've dispatched reinforcements to the Philippines. They'll be under your command. Communication is being restored. They will report to you shortly," Otto said, seemingly unmoved by the distant tragedy. He was more interested in something else. "Amber informed me that several high-ranking Anti-Entropy members have gone missing, and you were investigating. She said you found some leads in Singapore and were pursuing them until the eruption… how is that investigation progressing?" He paused, his keen green eyes fixed on Rita, then continued before she could answer. "I want to know if there's a connection between Anti-Entropy's missing personnel and this eruption in the Philippines."

"After all, this eruption was… unusual. It appeared suddenly and is fading just as quickly…" He paused, choosing his words carefully. "Like a crumbling dam, releasing years of accumulated water, flooding the unsuspecting land and its people…"

"But there was no torrential rain upstream. So, naturally, the flood came and went quickly…" His tone turned colder. "An eruption of this scale, with such a high death toll, is extremely rare in human history – yet it produced no Herrscher. Don't you find that… strange?"

He suspected Anti-Entropy was getting out of control.

They've been spared once, yet they show no gratitude, no restraint. They're still plotting in the shadows… He sneered. Perhaps it was time to remind them of their place.

"Strange man…" Yuno muttered, glaring at him again. Her distrust intensified.

"Yes, Overseer," Rita replied, sighing internally. "Unfortunately, the eruption interrupted my investigation. I haven't uncovered much, but… I believe there is a connection between this incident and Anti-Entropy."

She recalled her confrontation with Lin Wei in Singapore, the call from the Anti-Entropy doctor, and Lin Wei's reaction – not surprise, but instant rage. As if he'd expected it, a predictable, unforgivable transgression.

She was too perceptive to miss the subtle yet significant difference.

She relayed the events to Otto, omitting any mention of Fu Hua, then added, "If not for Mr. Lin Wei's assistance, I wouldn't have reached Manila in time to save Snow Lotus. I also wouldn't have been able to contact the scattered Valkyrie squads and organize a unified defense…" She shook her head. "Mr. Lin Wei's contribution to the current situation is immeasurable."

Although his actions seemed minor, they had been crucial, subtly shifting the tide of battle.

Despite their brief alliance, and her respect for his abilities, she wouldn't hide anything from Otto. Not only due to their conflicting allegiances, but also because she knew that even the most carefully crafted report, omitting Lin Wei's involvement, would raise Otto's suspicions.

How had she reached the disaster zone so quickly without a suitable means of transportation? Her 4th generation Godsbane Battlesuit was the only one in the series without flight capabilities.

And how had she managed to contact the scattered Valkyrie squads amidst the Honkai disruption and organize a coordinated defense?

Besides, other members of Snow Lotus had witnessed Lin Wei's arrival. They would remember him. What if their reports contradicted hers?

By being upfront, she could subtly omit certain details, like Lin Wei's connection to Fu Hua. But if Otto discovered her deception, he would relentlessly pursue the truth, demanding every detail, until he uncovered even more than she'd intended to hide.

She wouldn't take such a risk.

"Lin Wei…" Otto murmured, the name familiar, but he couldn't quite place it. Where have I heard that name before?

"If not for my investigation into the 2nd Divine Key, which led me to review Schicksal's archives, I wouldn't have known about him," Rita continued, keeping her explanation brief. "Miss Amber's investigation revealed that the missing Anti-Entropy personnel had contacted someone in Singapore. I was sent to investigate that lead…"

"Continue," Otto said, still lost in thought.

"Yes, Overseer." Rita continued, "My investigation revealed that Mr. Lin Wei arrived in Singapore a few months ago and has been living there since. The key point is that the source of funds for his residence seems to be linked to Anti-Entropy…" She shook her head. "Unfortunately, the eruption interrupted my investigation before I could dig deeper. I apologize for my inadequate progress."

"No, you did well, Rita." Otto looked up, his expression serious. "I'll assign someone else to continue the investigation. For now, focus on the Honkai situation."

"Yes, Overseer." Rita bowed. "If there's nothing else, I must return to my duties."

Seeing no objection, she ended the call.

She paused, considering her next move. After a moment of thought, she contacted the other Valkyrie squads, informing them of the incoming reinforcements and urging them to avoid unnecessary risks.

Then, she casually contacted Jell, informing her that communication had been restored and instructing her to hold her position and wait for the main force.

She smiled wryly. Was that considered tipping him off?

It was all she could do. Hopefully, he'd understand.

She picked up her scythe and returned to the battlefield.

Meanwhile, back at Schicksal HQ.

"Lin Wei… Lin Wei… heh." Otto closed his eyes, searching his memory, his mind racing.

After a long silence, he opened his eyes and addressed Amber, his voice calm.

"Retrieve Fu Hua's mission report from a year ago. I need to… review it. Carefully."