NOVEL NEXT Chapter 56: Chapter 56: You've Been Professionally Trained
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Underneath the clear sky, two figures leaped down, landing steadily on the solid deck of the floating island. Strikingly absent were the usual patrolling Valkyries or even any machinery, making the area feel unusually desolate.
Without a doubt, these two individuals were Fu Hua and Ana, returning from their victory over the Arbiter Rank Honkai Beast Benares.
"Bishop Otto, I have arrived at Headquarters. Please provide instructions." Fu Hua opened the communication channel to contact Otto.
Silence reigned over the communication channel, with only static crackling in the background instead of that annoying voice.
"No response? What's going on..." Fu Hua frowned at this unusual situation, her sense of foreboding growing stronger. She didn't know what Otto was plotting, but she had a feeling it wasn't anything good—not that she worried about any mishaps befalling that infamous bastard.
"Don't fret, Fu Hua." Ana patted her shoulder with a reassuring smile. "The Lord Bishop has likely entered Heimdall Laboratory. Soon, someone should arrive to assist us—most probably Rita."
"Ahahaha... Lady Ana, you truly possess uncanny insight."
As if on cue, a youthful voice chimed in over the communication channel, carrying a hint of mischief and humor. It could only belong to Schicksal's S-rank Valkyrie, Rita Ashford.
"As one of the Lord Bishop's trusted lieutenants, discerning his intentions is as effortless as breathing," Ana boasted proudly.
"Oh? Then perhaps Lady Ana can try guessing my thoughts?"
"Uh..."
Ana's smile abruptly vanished. Guessing Bianka's thoughts was manageable for her, but Rita... She truly had a unique...
"Heh heh heh—"
As Ana fell silent, Rita's seductive laughter echoed from the other end of the communication channel.
"Hey, hey, hey, Rita, stop laughing! You've been professionally trained; don't laugh!"
"Why don't you tell me what I'm thinking right now, Lady Ana?"
"..."
Caught off guard, Ana softly sighed and rested her forehead in her hand.
"I surrender to your whims."
Fu Hua remained silent, attentively listening to their banter. Her intuition told her that their relationship was not simple, yet she couldn't quite pinpoint why. It seemed similar to the dynamic between Rita and Durandal, perhaps?
However, as their conversation continued, some of Fu Hua's lingering concerns subtly dissipated.
"Lady Fu Hua, the bishop ordered me to assist you," Rita said after a brief playful exchange. With a light cough, she composed herself, reverting to her reliable maid demeanor before speaking respectfully.
"What about me? What about me?"
"Lady Ana, aren't you well-versed in understanding Lord Bishop's intentions?"
"Oh."
Ana's eyes flickered slightly; this wasn't entirely unexpected. Otto aimed to test the value of emotional connections, and as a Valkyrie assigned to Saint Freya Academy, Ana herself was naturally part of that strategy.
"I've sent you my location signal. Please meet me here."
"Wahh, Rita, I don't want to walk anymore. Can you come pick me up?" Ana pleaded playfully with Rita. It might sound absurd, but based on past experiences, Rita would either verbally agree or decline while still finding ways to accommodate Ana's requests.
Yes, Rita truly indulged her like that.
"..."
Fu Hua watched Ana, somewhat surprised. She had interacted with Rita before, though honestly, she didn't particularly enjoy it. Still, she knew what kind of person Rita was. With such an exaggerated request, surely Rita would refuse?
Also, how did Fu Hua miss that Ana could have such childlike moments?
Well, truth be told, Ana often displayed these childish tendencies around Fu Hua, but Fu Hua unconsciously accommodated them without much thought. For instance, if Ana expressed a desire for authentic Shenzhou-style noodles, Fu Hua would promptly prepare them without hesitation.
In the kitchen, Ana and Nuwa had eagerly circled around her, but at that moment, Fu Hua didn't fully grasp it, selectively forgetting their behavior.
"Ah, I'm afraid your request is beyond my ability to fulfill."
Hearing Rita's response, Fu Hua sighed with relief. If she had agreed, Fu Hua felt it would have been truly... too surreal.
However, before Fu Hua could completely ease her worries, Rita's next words left her stunned.
"But Lady Ana, I can arrange for you to rest inside one of the research institute's latest mechs."
"Yes! Thanks, Rita, you're the best!" Ana cheered excitedly.
Swiftly, a scarlet mech flew over from the distance. As always, Rita was action-oriented and never broke her promises.
"A-Hua, want to join me?" Ana opened the cockpit, extending her hand as an invitation to Fu Hua.
Looking at the smiling girl, Fu Hua suddenly felt a sense of nostalgia, as if transported back 50,000 years to her days of learning and exploration.
A similar scene played out then, when another young woman reached out to her during her most bewildered times. However, later on, she...
Yet in Fu Hua's eyes, the two figures seemed to overlap momentarily.
Though their appearances and personalities differed, at this moment, their smiles were identical.
Fu Hua longed to take Ana's hand, but ultimately, she shook her head.
Just like Ana, deep within Fu Hua's heart lay unresolved issues. These emotional burdens made her reluctant to interact closely with others, preferring to maintain distance.
Now, facing Ana, Fu Hua felt compelled by the same reasons.
"No need, Ana."
Shaking her head, Fu Hua declined Ana's invitation.
"Alright then..."
A hint of disappointment flickered in Ana's eyes, causing Fu Hua's heart to ache. She couldn't help but think that if she had been rejected back then, perhaps she would have worn the same expression.
As Fu Hua pondered this, it was regretful that she could no longer clearly recall the face from those memories.
"Well, I'm off! See you later!"
Waving goodbye, Ana turned and entered the aircraft cabin.
Fu Hua nodded in response, swiftly heading towards her destination on foot. Choosing this route meant she would inevitably encounter Honkai Beasts along the way.
Of course, for Fu Hua, these encounters merely wasted some time; there was nothing genuinely concerning about them.
However, watching Fu Hua's departing figure, Ana felt a sense of loneliness creeping in. She promptly summoned the Scroll of Nuwa.
"Nuwa, how have you been taking care of Fu Hua?"
"Hey, hey, hey, why blame me for this? She's always been reserved and closed off; it's not like I can do much about it."
The Scroll of Nuwa shrugged, indicating her helplessness.
"There's a thorn in her heart, and unfortunately, I'm not considered family to her," Ana sighed softly.
The Scroll of Nuwa fell silent, acknowledging that Ana was right.
But what could she do? She was just an ELF, not some magical helper.
"Oh well." With another sigh, Ana activated her machinery and set off towards their destination...