When only one person has done something wrong, they feel uneasy. But when that person discovers they have an accomplice, and that accomplice has likely done something even more excessive, Eden simply revealed a relieved smile.
Perhaps it was because she was in a good mood, or perhaps Elysia was just easy to fool? With some casual, indirect probing, Eden easily learned everything about Mobius and Jiang Qiao from Elysia—although Elysia herself only seemed to know the tip of the iceberg and was oblivious to the underlying connections. But how could Eden, having been through a similar experience, not see it?
"Ely... how about we have a drink together?"
"Eh...? Didn't you just drink with Bad Jiang Qiao? Is it okay?" The cheerful Elysia was a bit puzzled by the suggestion. She didn't mind... no, she'd actually be delighted to drink with Eden, but remembering Eden had probably just woken up from drinking before, and now drinking again right after waking up... wouldn't that be bad for her health?
"It's fine. After all, you're my best friend."
"As the saying goes, 'wine drowns a thousand sorrows.' I hope this can help alleviate some of your worries too," Eden said, her languid voice tinged with a slight smile.
As someone who knew what was really going on, how could she not see the situation between Mobius and Jiang Qiao? Perhaps out of pity, she felt it necessary to comfort her friend through drinking. Another motive was... to buy some time.
After all... based on what Elysia had said earlier, Qiao should be 'in a perilous situation' right now, right?
It wouldn't be good if Elysia wandered around and stumbled upon something...
Unaware of Eden's careful considerations, Miss Elysia beamed brightly upon hearing 'best friend,' easily hooked like a fish reeled in.
Ehehe, Eden said I'm her best friend!
Although Elysia didn't feel like she needed wine to drown any sorrows—she was perfectly happy right now—since Eden had suggested it, how could she refuse?
Drink! Drink hard! We won't go home until we're drunk today!
To emphasize this, she even deliberately sent a message to a certain Mr. Jiang—Hmph hmph, I'm going drinking with Eden! Don't disturb us!
The message was half boastful, half 'threat'.
After all, if that rascal showed up while they were having fun drinking, wouldn't it be troublesome!
Elysia had already decided to use Eden as a hug pillow! Hehe, a soft, rich woman!
Of course... if that rascal was considerate enough to carry her back after she got drunk, that wouldn't be entirely unacceptable... Pfft, Elysia is completely devoted to Eden! Bad Jiang Qiao, stay away!
"Hehe, since Eden suggested it, how could I possibly refuse?"
"But, we can't drink too much, okay~"
"Of course."
"Cheers to our friendship."
Meanwhile, Mobius looked at the message from Elysia on Jiang Qiao's personal terminal and smiled sweetly at the person beside her:
"Oh dear~ It seems we can continue~ for quite a while longer~"
She licked the corner of her mouth, full of fighting spirit.
Although this seemed somewhat like neglecting serious matters for pleasure, wasn't there a saying that went something like this?
Work is more efficient when balanced with rest and recreation.
Constantly immersing oneself in research without finding inspiration can be quite painful.
And right now, Mobius felt she could thoroughly search for some 'inspiration'.
She would continue to thoroughly 'balance work and rest'.
Under the 'coercion' of a certain ferociously hungry snake lady, a long and arduous battle commenced, only concluding the next day.
Dr. Mobius, neatly dressed and radiating a healthy glow after sufficient rest and recuperation, threw herself into new research with renewed vigor—incidentally, she was particularly satisfied with today's soy milk.
Elysia... well, Miss Elysia, having drunk with Eden, was dizzy and probably still fast asleep. Although she was slightly dissatisfied that Bad Jiang Qiao hadn't come looking for her at all, having her best friend Eden there made it barely acceptable... The only issue was having a rather strange dream... Mobius and Eden, and Bad Jiang Qiao... Ugh... couldn't remember clearly.
Anyway... better sleep a little longer!
During this time, Mr. Jiang, the 'victim', clutched his forehead as if sensing something. A moment later, a wave of dizziness washed over him.
...This familiar sensation was not unfamiliar.
The next moment...
As his vision blurred, what came into view was the pretty face of a woman, looking somewhat puzzled but very concerned—her iconic brown hair covering one eye and her reddish-purple eyes were unmistakable.
A soft greeting, full of concern and charm, sounded beside his ear:
"Lady Theresa?"
"Rita?"
Long accustomed to these sudden, long-interval attacks, Jiang Qiao, despite being caught somewhat off guard, didn't let it hinder his experienced mind from quickly gathering information about the 'new unit' and the current situation.
He naturally wouldn't recognize the person before him, but he quickly understood the identity of the body he now occupied through the name she used.
This time... it's Theresa, huh.
The young, incredibly vivid girlish voice was clearly audible. [Theresa] touched his chest, the size of which was hard to emphasize even through the nun's habit. He quickly adapted to the changes brought by the different identity.
Although there was a huge difference compared to the large and medium-cup units like Elysia and Firefly, Jiang Qiao fortunately had ample experience using ultra-small-cup units like Furina and Qingque.
It was merely a difference in counterweight, nothing more.
Seemingly noticing the change in 'Theresa,' Rita asked with concern:
"Lady Theresa, are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
The small, pretty face quickly returned to normal. Having tamed the new unit, [Theresa] shook his head slightly, his expression unchanged.
This familiar appearance and tone instantly relieved Rita.
However, she couldn't shake the feeling, perhaps just an illusion, that from a certain moment onwards, [Theresa] seemed calmer, more mature than before.
Not that the previous Theresa wasn't mature—she was over fifty, after all... but like her appearance, she still retained many childish aspects.
But now, she seemed more like an adult... Although nothing major had changed, it felt like she suited this black nun's habit exceptionally well.
...It must be an illusion, right?
Observing this [Theresa,] Rita thought—but no matter what she thought, it clearly wouldn't change her attitude towards her superior.
After all, for Sis Rita, whose tastes were somewhat special, as long as the appearance remained the same, minor changes only added more flavor!
"Lady Theresa, allow me to help you with your appearance."
"Mm."
[Theresa] didn't confess immediately—although there was no need to be overly guarded with Rita, as Sis Rita was basically on his side. Perhaps out of simple amusement, or while sorting through the body's memories and current information, Jiang Qiao merely nodded and said softly:
"Thank you for your trouble, Rita."
"You're too kind, Lady Theresa."
Allowing the person behind him to fuss over him, [Theresa]'s clear sky-blue eyes gazed out the quaint window at the scenery outside.
This wasn't the Far East Branch. The cluster of buildings, with their ancient, medieval architectural style, clearly indicated this wasn't the new Schicksal HQ floating high above the Mediterranean.
Kolosten—the old Schicksal HQ, also the birthplace of the Schicksal church and even the three major families.
It had gradually fallen into disuse with the establishment of the new HQ. Nowadays, it was mostly used to house people recuperating or to preserve certain symbolic meanings.
And the reason why 'Theresa Apocalypse,' herself, was currently in this ancient old HQ... Although Theresa herself didn't know, only hearing from a certain old geezer that he was preparing a big surprise for his granddaughter.
But, looking at the few technological products within these ancient buildings, specifically the figure appearing on the lit silver screen, Jiang Qiao already understood what big surprise that old geezer had prepared for [Theresa].
—Effective immediately, I, Otto Apocalypse, resign from the position of Schicksal Overseer and withdraw completely from Schicksal.
That magnetic, polite, and resonant voice dropped an immeasurable depth charge into the currently turbulent world.
Exposing the existence of the Honkai, bringing Schicksal completely into the spotlight, resigning from the position of Overseer, and handing it over to his successor—Theresa Apocalypse.
The blond man who accomplished all this in one go, the Overseer who had held power for five hundred years, by doing all this, also signaled the official curtain rise for his obsessive plan, filled with five hundred years of wishes.
"Rita, did you already know about Grandpa's arrangements?" 'she' asked the maid behind him—although using such a term felt somewhat strange, for [Theresa], it felt perfectly natural.
Instead of showing the surprise or shock the maid might have expected, [Theresa]'s expression was incredibly natural. He was simply asking about the matter.
Rita chuckled awkwardly:
"How could that be possible? These are the Lord Overseer's arrangements. How would Rita know?"
"To be honest, Rita is also very surprised."
"However, Lady Theresa, this isn't entirely unexpected, is it?"
"Although the Lord Overseer is certainly exceptionally capable, he would have to retire eventually."
"And after Overseer Otto retires, isn't Lady Theresa the most suitable successor for Schicksal?"
The biological granddaughter of the former Overseer Otto Apocalypse, the current head of the Apocalypse family, and the director of the Far East Branch for over a decade.
...Indeed, whether from the perspective of identity or seniority, [She] was the undisputed choice.
[Theresa] gazed at the smiling blond man on the screen and sighed softly.
In that case, let me, in my capacity as 'Otto Apocalypse's granddaughter,' personally see him off.
Jiang Qiao didn't know if this sudden swap had this purpose, but he intended to act on it.
"What are Grandpa's arrangements regarding Anti-Entropy?"
He inquired, the girl's young voice filled with nonchalance.
"...?"
Rita looked slightly surprised, then replied:
"Lord Overseer seems to have sent invitations to Anti-Entropy as well, inviting them to attend the ceremony for the new Overseer's succession."
...As expected.
After all, Kiana, as the Herrscher of the Void, was a crucial part of that man's plan.
According to the original development—it should have been [Theresa], allied with Anti-Entropy, leading a team here. But now, due to his intervention, the main trio hadn't experienced the three years at St. Freya High School and thus couldn't form a connection with Theresa.
Although there were ties like Siegfried, it was still far from the same.
To execute his plan, Otto would definitely invite Anti-Entropy... Even if they were unwilling, given his personality, he would probably force them into a situation where they had no choice but to come.
Quietly pondering these things, gazing at the white-haired girl in the mirror, '[Theresa]'s' expression became somewhat subtle.
"...There, that should be enough, right?"
Suddenly remembering Sis Rita's true nature, Mr. Jiang tried to escape the situation of being treated like a toy.
The latter showed a regretful expression:
"Hmm..."
However, her gaze quickly fell upon [Theresa]'s bare, pale little feet.
Sis Rita's eyes lit up as she said with a smile:
"Lady Theresa, let Rita help you put on your socks~"
The white-haired girl felt uncomfortable as her calf was grabbed and instinctively kicked out.
'Boing~'
Like kicking a beginner's soccer ball, the fair, dazzlingly white mounds trembled violently.
Immediately following was a charming moan echoing by his ear:
"Ngh~"
"At this moment, Sister Rita's face was flushed red, her eyes filled with sultry allure, like silken threads drawing one in."
She spoke in a low, breathy voice:
"Lady Theresa, you're being a little naughty~"