NOVEL WEB Chapter 458: The "Family Photo"
Today's tour of the ninth basement level was probably the second-most painful one Theresa had ever endured. Bianka was like a camera fixed on her, watching her eat, watching her pay, repeating and even recording every single word she said...
It was like having a stalker who was way too interested in her!!
No, this isn't the Bianka I know!
Where was that fierce, stoic warrior, confident and powerful, the one who could beat ten Honkai Beasts into submission with a single punch?!
Don't tell me Grandpa found a fake Bianka!
This torturous tour of the ninth basement level finally came to an end. For the first time in her life, Theresa felt that even something like going for a stroll could be so exhausting.
Looking up, she realized that without noticing, she had led them to her current residence—the villa she shared with Kiana, Mei, Bronya, Fu Hua, Himeko, and Kallen, who occasionally dropped by to stay the night.
It was the largest villa here. The unremarkable little villa next to it was where Shu lived all by himself... his "current residence."
"Why don't you come over to my place for a bit?" Since they were already at her doorstep, Theresa figured she might as well invite them in. She took off her mask and sunglasses and made the suggestion.
Taking them to see Shu's room was definitely out of the question. That was one of the few private spaces Shu had left, and even if Shu would agree, they wouldn't do something like that.
However, inviting Rita and Bianka into her own place for a bit was fine. Maybe Fu Hua was home right now. If she quickly introduced them to Fu Hua, perhaps Bianka would switch to... tormenting a new person? No, switch to a new object of admiration?
She felt a little bad for Fu Hua, but right now, Fu Hua was the most admirable warrior in the entire base.
Bianka only hesitated for a moment before agreeing to Theresa's suggestion. Rita had no objections either.
Theresa had no regrets. She refused to believe it. How could simply inviting them into her home for a bit possibly be twisted into some kind of master plan?
The house was empty. Neither Fu Hua nor Kallen was home.
"You two sit here for a moment, I'll go get you something to drink." After settling them down at the coffee table, Theresa scurried off, leaving the two of them on the sofa, unsure of what to do.
Bianka was curious about her surroundings and wanted to look around, but she was also afraid of seeing something she shouldn't. She forced her attention onto the small objects on the coffee table.
Perhaps because Kiana was away, there wasn't much on the table. The most eye-catching item was a photo frame.
Inside the frame was a photograph. Bianka immediately spotted Theresa in the picture, as well as Otto, standing in a corner.
It looked like a large group photo, but with the warm feeling of a family portrait.
Every person in the photo was smiling. It seemed to have been taken recently. To be able to take such a happy, harmonious picture in the current environment was a truly precious thing.
At the very center of the photo was a man Bianka had never seen before. He wasn't stunning at first glance, but at the same time, it was impossible to feel any dislike or annoyance toward him.
When the photo was taken, the man seemed to be injured, as he was wrapped in quite a few bandages.
Using Theresa's height in the photo as a reference, the man was probably around 180 centimeters tall. Yet, despite his height, a white-haired girl had her arm slung around his neck in a bold, carefree manner, forcing him to bend over to accommodate her.
In contrast to the lively and cheerful white-haired girl, the dignified elegance of the purple-haired girl, and the blank smile of the gray-haired girl with spiral curls, the man in the middle of all the women wore a slightly awkward smile, reluctantly making the same peace sign as everyone else.
The atmosphere captured in the photo was very warm, making Bianka feel a little... envious...
If I'm not mistaken, these must be Lady Theresa's partners, right? Lady Theresa has so many people by her side. Is it possible for me to become one of them?
No, my strength isn't enough right now. When I'm strong enough to be acknowledged by everyone at Lady Theresa's side, maybe then I'll become a part of the photo too.
"Hmm?" While Bianka was lost in her thoughts about the future, Rita had silently crept closer, her charming voice whispering by Bianka's ear, "What are you thinking about, Lady Bianka?"
Bianka jumped. Looking down, she saw that the photo frame from the coffee table was now, somehow, in her hands. She hastily fumbled to put it back in its original spot, then started whistling nonchalantly, her eyes darting around.
"N-nothing..."
Just like Theresa, Bianka's guilt was written all over her face. The smile on Rita's lips widened as she shifted her gaze to the photo frame Bianka had just put down.
"Oh... isn't that Lord Shu in the photo?" Rita was also a little surprised to see the group picture.
Rita had always felt it was a shame that she hadn't been able to meet Shu after joining Fire Moth.
"Eh? So this is Lord Shu?!" Bianka exclaimed. Looking at the photo again, she suddenly felt a faint, oppressive aura emanating from it.
Er... okay, maybe not.
Bianka looked left, right, up, and down, but she simply couldn't see how the man in the photo, who seemed to be at the mercy of the girls around him, could possess the legendary power she'd heard about.
Perhaps his combat and daily personas are completely different?
Come to think of it, I find it hard to imagine Lady Theresa's combat form too... How does such a small body erupt with such immense power?
I knew it. The best way to understand someone is to fight them!
I need to spar with Lady Theresa, and I need to find a chance to spar with Rita too...
Rita, who had been observing the suspected family photo, suddenly felt a fiery fighting spirit emanating from beside her.
She immediately understood it was coming from Bianka and couldn't help but turn to her with a slightly awkward smile.
"Rita, we really should have a match sometime!" Bianka issued a formal invitation. Rita decisively shook her head and refused.
"I'm afraid I must refuse, Lady Bianka," Rita said, shaking her head. "I am merely a humble maid. I do not possess the same incredible power as you."
"Really?" Bianka blinked, then shook her head. "I don't believe you. Rita, you're definitely strong!"
A drop of cold sweat trickled down Rita's forehead, but she maintained her smile.
"Lady Bianka, I really can't beat you..."