Honkai Impact 3rd: My Days as a Captain in Schicksal

"Why can't I understand what you're saying? This is technology independently developed by Destiny." Otto's smile was still very friendly. If anyone else saw it, they would definitely believe what this smiling young man was saying. The reason was simple: his smile was too sincere. "As for the equipment you accidentally lost somewhere, I am deeply sorry. If you remember where you lost it, I will definitely go and find it for you."

"Tsk." Keng Huo's expression darkened further, and he crossed his legs. "Alright then, as a mutually beneficial negotiation, St. Freya Academy has one more request."

“Speak freely,” Otto said, shrugging.

Keng Huo pointed to the screen between the two of them, which was playing footage of Kiana and Bronya. It was a surveillance camera in the hidden data virtual space: "The fourth-generation prototype armor [White Knight: Moonlight] that you gave Kiana in that [Virtual History Fragment Data Space], St. Freya Academy needs seven or eight sets, and the melee-specialized armor [Assault] needs a thousand sets. Also, we've had a rat infestation here recently, and many of the reconnaissance-specialized [Ranger] armors have been chewed up. Send over eight hundred [Ranger] sets as well. Besides that, we also need the latest weapons and equipment. As the responsible branch for the A-class Honkai outbreak area, there are very few Valkyries here who can stand alone; the vast majority are students..." Since you lack strength and experience, you need better equipment to compensate. I don't think Archbishop Otto understands this, right? We need 100 [Magnetic Storm Slash] swords, and just a few hundred [Thor's Hammer] will do. We also need several tens of tons each of [Tyr's Severed Arm] and [Ymir's Arm]. I heard that the headquarters recently destroyed a secret Anti-Entropy research institute on an Atlantic island, seizing a [Raychi] sword still in the testing phase and a [Super Electromagnetic Hand Cannon]. Send those over too; I've been eyeing them for a long time… Oh, and we also need the upgraded version of the [Corona Greatsword], the [Sunfire Greatsword], and that [Dawn Judgment], send those too…”

Otto maintained his smug expression: "Bullshit."

"How dare you swear at me like that!" Keng Huo jumped up abruptly, his face full of disbelief and grievance. "If you have any complaints, we can discuss them! Why did you suddenly start swearing? Does swearing solve anything? Don't you have any sense of responsibility as an archbishop? How can you set a good example? How can you earn the respect of your subordinates? You, you, you, you..."

"I'm going to tell the teacher!"

"Wait, something's not right. I think I'm the teacher myself."

"Then go home and write a 3,000-word self-criticism! Deliver it to my office tomorrow!" Keng Huo shouted, pointing at Otto's nose and jumping up and down.

Otto felt that it was a huge mistake to have St. Freya Academy make Keng Huo the contact person. He forcibly suppressed his anger: "First of all, I'm not your student... never mind, that's not the point. The things you want are more than the entire Schicksal family has! Besides, even if your request is reasonable, I can't give it to you!"

This time, it was Keng Huo's turn to change his expression. His face was filled with disbelief and confusion, even with a hint of pity: "Is fate... is it really that poor?"

Otto felt his blood pressure rising higher than ever before. Not only were there no more than three sets of the fourth-generation prototype armor, but the two Valkyrie armors that Keng Huo had specifically requested—[Assault] and [Ranger]—were simply impossible to produce in large quantities. These were specialized armors, standard equipment issued only to A-rank Valkyries within Schicksal. How many A-rank Valkyries were there at St. Freya Academy? You could count them on one hand! Moreover, he would be grateful to even receive a single [Magnetic Storm Slash], a five-star weapon rated by the [Schicksal Weapon Ranking and Judgment Regulations]! And the weapons he mentioned afterward were increasingly outrageous!

What are Thor's Hammer, Tyr's Severed Arm, and Ymir's Arm? They are collectively known as the Throne of Gods, and are currently Schicksal's highest-level weapons and equipment! They are precious weapons that cannot be replicated or mass-produced due to material limitations! Even among the S-rank Valkyries within Schicksal, who are officially recognized as having no more than three members, obtaining the right to use them requires rigorous approval. The existence of these weapons is equivalent to a deterrent force similar to nuclear weapons on the international stage! And listen to how this guy ordered them? Dozens of tons?! Do you think this is a wholesale market?

As for the "Dawn Trial".

This is a creation of the Mikoyan Central Design Bureau! That's equipment reserved for high-ranking officers of Anti-Entropy, Schicksal's arch-enemy! Where is Schicksal supposed to get their hands on it?!

As for the [Raikiri] and [Super Electromagnetic Hand Cannon] that Keng Huo learned about from some unknown source, they are invaluable research materials and a breakthrough in cracking the anti-entropy technology, so it's impossible for him to be given to him.

However, the [Sunfire Greatsword] is a god-slaying weapon made by the St. 7308 Research Institute using precious [Soul Steel] as its raw material. Otto knows that the current captain of the Hyperion, a super-dreadnought-class floating battleship belonging to St. Freya Academy, is an A-rank Valkyrie named Himeko Murata, who is skilled in using greatswords. Given her qualifications, using this sword is indeed within the permitted scope of this shady deal.

Could this kid's initial goal have been the [Sunfire Greatsword]?

Otto looked at the disappointed fool with amusement. Actually, the Sunfire Greatsword could be a good choice to equip St. Freya Academy with one...

Just as Otto was processing various equivalent value calculations, Keng Huo had already appeared in front of him without him noticing, and pulled a crumpled five-yuan bill from his pocket.

“I don’t have much money either, but as a member of Destiny, I can’t stand idly by while Destiny is in crisis. This is all the money I have left. Take it and buy some food. Only when you’re full can you have the strength to protect the world.” Keng Huo slapped the five-yuan bill, which had “gay dating 13xxxxxxxxx” printed on it, into Otto’s hand with a righteous expression.

Even someone as distinguished as Otto had never encountered such a nonsensical and idiotic person. He stared dumbfounded at the crumpled banknote, at a loss for words. Should he keep the money, throw it away, or let him take it back?

For the first time, Otto felt that the original design of the brainwave reading device, which stipulated that the personal items existing in the brainwave connector's immediate memory would also be included in the data space, was simply brain-dead.

Otto took a deep breath, suppressing his anger once again. Just as he was about to speak, Keng Huo waved his hand first, saying, "It's alright, you don't need to pay it back."

Otto nearly fainted. Just as he was about to speak again, he saw Keng Huo angrily pointing at Otto and yelling, "What's wrong with you? I already said you don't need to pay it back, you don't need to pay it back. Why do you still want the money back? Do you look down on me?"

Otto opened his mouth, only to find himself at a loss for words.

"This is a token of my appreciation from your subordinates. Although it's a small amount, you understand the principle of 'many a little makes a mickle,' right? Don't underestimate these five dollars; you might need them next time you need armor!"

"I……"

"What do you mean, 'you'?! Why are we brothers talking about money? It hurts our relationship! Take the money! You don't need to pay it back! If you want it back, I'll fight you!"

"Can't you let me finish what I have to say?!" Otto finally roared out in anger.

"I won't!" Keng Huo retorted stubbornly.

Otto was speechless with anger: "Are you a primary school student?!"

"No! I'm a teacher!" Keng Huo retorted confidently, as if it were something to bring glory to his ancestors.

Otto rubbed his forehead, suddenly feeling exhausted. Only then did he realize how meaningless and boring it was to argue with Keng Huo.

“The equipment you requested is impossible, but since you’ve said that the Valkyries at St. Freya Academy aren’t strong enough, then let’s send a few more A-rank squads from headquarters to be stationed at St. Freya Academy long-term.” Otto adjusted his mindset and slowly turned the tables on Keng Huo.

"Bullshit!" This time it was Keng Huo's turn to speak.

St. Freya Academy was established by Theresa because of her differing philosophies with Otto, to train Valkyries. The purpose was to cultivate Valkyries completely different from those of the main campus. If the Valkyries of the main campus were to reside at St. Freya Academy, it would inevitably cause disagreements and disputes over power and educational models. Although Theresa was one of the three S-rank Valkyries in Schicksal's official records, St. Freya Academy's own strength and foundation were too weak, making it easy for them to be overthrown, which was the last thing Theresa wanted to see.

This is, of course, the last thing Keng Huo wants to see.

Because those beautiful and charming women who abandoned their families and careers to pursue temptations, and who could line up from the entrance of St. Freya Academy all the way to the entire central square, are the Valkyries of the main campus.

Those Valkyries were ordered to hunt down Keng Huo for three whole years.

"Since that's the case, I can only express my deepest regret. However, to show my support for the Far East Branch, I can grant you a grant of 15 sets each of the [Water Sprite Type I], [Water Sprite Type II], and [Fire Sprite Type I], 20 [Miao Dao - Thunder Demon] and [Miao Dao - Electric Soul] swords, 10 sets each of the [Markov Type A] and [Markov Type C] swords, and 16 tons of matching energy magazines..."

"Impossible! The number you're talking about should at least double!" Keng Huo retorted before Otto could finish speaking.

"Even St. Freya Academy doesn't have as many Valkyries as you're asking for!"

"We can recruit more students!"

Otto felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. He hadn't haggled with anyone like this in a long time. He had thought this meeting would be a serious and subtly confrontational exchange of wits, but it had turned into a childish squabble like haggling at a market.

“The number of pistols can be increased to thirty each, the number of katanas to thirty each, and the number of Markov cannons to twenty-five each. In addition, I will send you an equal number of B-rank Valkyrie standard armors…” Otto rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on. At this moment, he just wanted to end this conversation as soon as possible. “But what equivalent things can you give in return?”

Keng Huo hesitated for a moment: "How about... I say a few good words about you to Theresa?"

“I am her grandfather. I don’t need you to say nice things to maintain the relationship between me and her.”

"Really?" Keng Huo looked utterly bewildered. "But when you were transferring the armor to Kiana, you said something like, 'If these two little cats die here, someone will be crying...'"

Otto's forehead vein throbbed noticeably: "So what?"

Keng Huo looked puzzled: "Aren't you a tsundere?"

Veins bulged on Otto's forehead: "Get lost!"

Before Keng Huo could react, he was kicked out of this virtual space.

Otto felt that his decision at this moment was incredibly wise; if he continued the conversation, he feared that his intelligence would be devoured by the temptation.

Keng Huo, sitting in the principal's office of St. Freya Academy, took off his virtual reality headset, clicked his tongue, and looked up at the principal's seat in front of him.

"Damn... Huh? Where's the headmaster?"

"I'm right here!" A hand suddenly reached out from between the chair and the table and slammed it hard on the table. "Are you blind?!"

Keng Huo looked at the small, short arm, silently stood up, and leaned forward before he saw Theresa sitting on the principal's throne.

"I'm sorry, I just..."

"Are you mocking my height?!" Theresa was so angry she almost stood up on her chair. "Shut up! I know what you're going to say even if you don't say anything!"

“Oh…” Keng Huo placed the virtual reality connection device on Theresa’s desk and turned to leave the office.

"Stop right there! You haven't reported to me yet!" Theresa, disregarding her composure, stood on the chair and shouted at Keng Huo.

"Didn't you say you knew what I was going to say?" Keng Huo turned around in surprise.

"Tell me what happened at the meeting!" Theresa snapped.

"But didn't you say you knew what I was going to say..." Before Keng Huo could finish speaking, a book was smashed into his face.

After a long while, Keng Huo finally finished explaining the contents of the requested supplies and the headquarters' instructions regarding this Class A Honkai event, and Theresa's anger subsided a little.

"Hmm...it far exceeded my expectations. You're not a rip-off sometimes, after all." Theresa nodded in satisfaction.

"Um... By the way, Archbishop Otto asked me to say a few good words for him to you. Just take it as I said it, and you can take it as I listened."

"Okay, is there anything else you need to report?"

"No...no, Principal Theresa, are you really not going to change your desk? Every time I report to you, I feel like I'm talking to thin air, like in a haunted house."

"……roll!"

Keng Huo didn't notice Theresa's expression, and even if he wanted to, he couldn't possibly read anything from the top of Theresa's head: "You don't think it's impressive to have such a big table in front of you, and that it can cover your view when you're peeking at comics..."

"Snapped!"

Keng Huo pushed open the office door and walked out, just in time to run into Himeko walking towards him.

Himeko carefully examined the rectangular red mark on Keng Huo's face for a long time, and said with great certainty, "This time it's 'On the Pyramid Ladder of Energy and a Detailed Explanation of Potential Energy Conversion from High-Level Energy to Low-Level Energy,' right?"

“No, it’s ‘An Introduction to Educational Psychology’,” Keng Huo replied expressionlessly.

"Huh? That book looks thin, how can it be so heavy?" Himeko's expression was full of surprise, as if something had overturned her common sense.

"Twice."

"Your skills have improved again."

"It's all so-so, just the organization's training."

Chapter Twenty-Four: Of course, the scum are dug out of the pit.

In the dark and damp underground passage, the occasional sound of metal scraping against the ground could be heard. A black figure carrying a huge object walked on the wet stone floor, with a lamp that seemed to be about to go out guiding her from a distance.

But this petite woman didn't seem afraid of the silent darkness. Instead, she sang excitedly and skipped along, causing the huge object on her back to sway and make a clanging sound like metal clashing.

"La la la hom hom! Our great hero, our righteous little friend..." The little girl's singing was drawn out in the quiet, long corridor, adding an incongruous atmosphere to the dark underground.

"Well, is this it?" The seemingly endless corridor finally came to an end, with a huge, heavy iron door blocking the little girl's way. It was carved with intricate and delicate patterns, and the years had left very obvious marks on it, with moss and rust each occupying half of the door.

The inscription on the door is written in ancient cryptic script, which translates to:

"The holy angel is imprisoned in a place built by sinful people."

The lights on either side of the door illuminated the face of the newcomer, who turned out to be a little girl who looked to be underage. Her white hair was braided into a single braid that hung down from her left shoulder, and she wore a black nun's hat and a proper black nun's habit. This outfit was very common in churches, but in this gloomy and terrifying underground corridor, it seemed out of place with the surroundings.

"Ugh... the key... where did the key go?" the little girl cried. "Oh no, I've walked all this way for nothing. If I didn't bring the key, I'll have to walk all over again."

"Found it!" The little girl finally pulled out an eye-shaped badge that was a bit too big for her from her clothes, a little smug in her eyes. "As expected of the headmistress, who is so intelligent and talented, how could she forget to bring it?"

"In the name of the current head of the Apocalypse family, I command you, guardian who seals away the darkness, open the abyss connecting the other side and reality, prison of the gods!" the little girl shouted, embedding her eyes into the groove in the center of the giant gate.

"...Headmistress, since this is a covert operation, why shout such embarrassing slogans? What if we get discovered?" A somewhat helpless female voice came through the nun's earpiece.

"Damn it! Big boobs! There can't be a third person here!" The little nun seemed to feel no shame whatsoever. "With such a captivating door, how could I not chant a few incantations to honor God?"

"You still know how to be worthy of God... You're a nun, not a witch! What kind of curse are you chanting! Shouldn't nuns be reciting prayers!" The female voice in the earphone seemed to be used to the nun's eccentricities and began to complain with ease.

"It's okay, even if someone finds out, I'm not afraid! Nobody here can beat me."

"Well... an S-rank Valkyrie has all the confidence she needs," the female voice teased.

Shh...don't make a sound, the door is about to open.

The creaking and groaning of the mechanisms, the roar of the massive machinery, and the sound of tiny grains of sand falling from the top of the passageway due to the vibrations mingled together as the enormous, ancient steel gate slowly opened with a tremor. This steel gate was several meters thick, and as it opened, countless rolling waves of sound surged forth from behind it, a stark contrast to the silence before the gate opened. An ordinary person standing here would surely be dizzy from the shock.