Miss Riddler just wants to level up in peace.

Theresa considers you an important friend; her favorability rating is 74.

I haven't seen Bronya's Ziyao, and her affection level is stuck at around 80, unable to advance even half a step. This is the dividing line between further developing the relationship.

"I'll be setting up the return device later, Ms. Theresa. Could you please help me protect it?"

The mission to save the leader of the Anti-Entropy Alliance has failed; they must leave before the anchor point completely disappears.

Today is the final deadline.

"Seele, we'll be back soon."

Bronya said softly that her goal had been successfully achieved.

"Everyone hasn't had lunch yet, right? Seele's going to buy some groceries."

The room was unusually lively, and Seele volunteered.

The suggestion was rejected by Bronya as soon as it was made; it was too dangerous outside.

"It's alright, I happen to have something to do and need to go out for a bit."

Einstein stepped forward and said she had to go back to her sanctuary to get something.

Moreover, Seele is not entirely without combat power; she is inexplicably more efficient at fighting the monsters of the Quantum Sea than they are.

Did you find what you were looking for?

Then she asked Ziyao.

"Yes, the location has been confirmed, and we are just waiting to pick it up in person."

The Gem of Desire is located underground at the Destiny Headquarters; you can obtain it by simply blowing it up.

However, this commotion will inevitably attract the attention of the World Serpent, and it will take a lot of effort to break in.

Finding a comfortable spot on the sofa, Ziyao sprawled out on it without any ladylike manners.

It's exhausting to talk to people of high status, especially someone like Otto the Grey Serpent, and Durandal, who has become a bishop in this world.

It's all about backstabbing and weighing pros and cons, which is exhausting.

"..."

Bronya looked out the door, worried that something might have happened to Seele and Einstein.

Fortunately, everything went smoothly, and the World Serpent made no unnecessary moves.

Half an hour later, the two returned carrying bags.

"Hey, where's the hair clip that Bronya gave Seele?"

Although she was a novice when cooking, Seele still remembered the general steps.

Stray hairs beside her forehead kept brushing against her cheeks, making her feel itchy.

The girl instinctively took out a hair clip from her pocket, only to find it empty.

She suddenly remembered that she seemed to have dropped something on the street.

"Be careful, the water's boiling, don't get too close."

Seeing that the boiling soup was about to overflow with foam, Bronya helped turn off the stove.

"not comfortable?"

"It's a bit stuffy, Seele, go out for a bit."

Of course, Xi'er didn't dare to say it out loud. Her older sisters had been busy helping her with her affairs, so how could she possibly add to their troubles?

Close the door to prevent wind and snow from blowing into the room.

Xier also thoughtfully blocked the doorbell to avoid disturbing Ziyao, who was taking a nap on the sofa.

"Where did it fall..."

Seele carefully searched through related memories and finally pinpointed the area near the Schicksal headquarters.

It's not far from here, just a few streets away.

But is this really okay?

If trouble arises again, will my acting on my own cause problems for others?

She stopped after walking only a few steps.

After being alone for so long, and finally returning to warmth, the loneliness of being alone made her feel as if everything was so unreal.

After much hesitation, the girl chose to turn back.

Unexpectedly, several Valkyries stopped her, their expressions solemn.

"Please come with us."

In just a few breaths, only a string of shallow footprints remained on the snow.

Volume 1: Chapter 201 Divergence

At 6 p.m., half an hour had passed since Seele was arrested.

After confirming that it was Gray Serpent who did it, Bronya's first thought was to give chase.

When she opened the door and the cold wind stung her cheeks, she immediately regained her composure.

Although her face didn't show much change in expression, you could tell from her subconscious actions that Seele was really important to her.

She could no longer bear the regret and helplessness of losing her friend.

When Ziyao died last time, the guilt felt as if a piece of her heart had been ripped out.

For her, who struggles to truly feel emotions, this pain was incredibly clear and real.

"The signal keeps moving eastward, and it will leave the city if it goes any further."

The outside was a desolate wasteland, with nothing at all.

Like an abyss with no end in sight, a single glance from it can steal one's mind and plunge them into despair.

It's obvious from the start that nothing good will happen where they're being taken.

"It will take another two hours to complete the setup back to the anchor point. Sorry, even we are blocked by this labyrinth gate, Alliance Leader."

Einstein sighed, saying that although it was fortunate she had placed a GPS on Seele, it wasn't very effective.

Theresa needs to protect her; right now, the only fighting force consists of Ms. Ziyao and Bronya.

The other party was walking at a leisurely pace, showing no concern about being caught up; this was clearly a trap.

Bronya is going.

After a moment's thought, the girl stuck to her first idea.

"There's no need. Seele will be fine. I have a better plan."

Ziyao grabbed Bronya's hand. This was clearly a blatant scheme, but the girl was easily fooled.

The other party must have calculated this as well.

"..."

Time is of the essence; a second later could lead to something irreversible.

Bronya slapped Ziyao's hand away, but stopped anyway. She took a deep breath, calmed herself, and decided to listen to Ziyao's idea.

"Go to the basement of Destiny's headquarters and retrieve the Gem of Desire..."

Before she could finish the second half of her sentence, Bronya turned and left.

Ziyao realized what was happening and grabbed her wrist tightly, preventing her from leaving.

Wait, I haven't finished yet!

“Cocolia has a deal with the World Serpent, so Seele will probably be fine. You are the one in the most danger.”

Gray Snake remained somewhat wary of himself and hadn't made a move in the past few days.

But the reason goes far beyond that; it's probably because Kevin came in.

Otherwise, such a hasty action would not have been possible, given that Walter, Otto, and the two leaders of the organization were all present.

Under these circumstances, they cannot be separated.

Separation gives the other side room to pick them off one by one or to use cunning tactics.

The best solution is to acquire the crucial desired gem immediately.

This way, they wouldn't have to wait two hours and risk Kevin leaving the Quantum Sea to open an opening.

With the power of the gemstone, one can forcibly cross the sea and return to the present world.

Otherwise, if they were trapped in this virtual world and forced to fight like cornered beasts, they would inevitably lose to the World Serpent.

"What about Seele?"

"......"

Ziyao did not answer, her face showing difficulty.

This small area is definitely not enough to contain Gray Snake and his group.

The gray snake isn't very likable, but it keeps its promises, which makes it much better than the jackal.

According to the agreement, they went out, and will most likely take Seele with them.

However, it would be difficult to convince Bronya with these words.

Many events slipped out of her control, and the plot doesn't unfold that way in the visual novel.

Changing the nodes will inevitably affect established facts and lead to the unknown, thus eliminating the advantage of information asymmetry.

"If we get the gem, we can forcibly take Seele with us and leave."

If they remain silent any longer, Bronya will truly leave.

Even though the chances of winning against Kevin were slim, Ziyao still made the promise.

"Bronya believes that if your assumptions hold true, splitting up into two groups would be a better option."

Her wrist was gripped tightly; the girl in front of her didn't want her to leave.