"We are warriors. We are people who may die unexpectedly at any moment, and people who forever carry the fate of others upon our shoulders. Since from the very beginning we were unable to stand by and ignore the destruction before our eyes—then in truth, from that moment onward, we had already decided what kind of lives we would live. If anyone still hesitates about this... I believe it simply means they never truly thought through what it means to become a 'Valkyrie' and fight for all the beauty in this world."
—Bianka Durandal Ataegina
"Lady Fu Hua... hm? Lady Kiana?"
Tap, tap, tap, tap...
Fu Hua was speaking with Kiana when, before she could finish, the sound of high heels striking the marble corridor echoed through the hallway. Crisp, rhythmic, and clear.
Quite a few Valkyries immediately fell silent as well, straightening themselves into solemn formation.
The footsteps drew nearer and nearer. The newcomer possessed a slightly husky voice filled with bone-melting charm. Fu Hua and Kiana were all too familiar with that seductive tone.
It was none other than Rita Rossweisse, who referred to herself as the personal maid of Bianka Durandal Ataegina, the operations supervisor of the Imperial Valkyrie forces.
Yes, operations supervisor.
Whether in combat ability, adaptability toward new knowledge, acceptance of the Holy Selene Empire's order, or rapid adjustment toward her new position, Durandal had earned Sebas' approval far earlier.
Compared to her "younger sister" Kiana, whose personality leaned more heavily toward idealism, the "real Kiana," Durandal, also possessed her share of innocent dreams—but in action, she was far more pragmatic.
Having grown up within the strict and severe environment of Schicksal Headquarters under the influence and teachings of Archbishop Otto Apocalypse, her upbringing was entirely different from Kiana's.
Because of this, Durandal valued results more heavily and believed that a process without results held no meaning. So long as the objective was achieved, she did not particularly care about the method.
As for the slaughter brought forth by the Empire's wars of expansion, although she felt reluctant in her heart, Durandal did not shy away from such actions.
Indeed, "fighting for all the beauty in the world" was Durandal's creed—and the creed of all Valkyries.
Previously, the scope of that "world" referred only to Earth, their homeland. But after their home had been incorporated into the Empire's order, the definition of that "world" had become somewhat blurred for the Valkyries.
Durandal had no interest in understanding Kiana's interpretation of the word "world." Everyone carried their own scale in their heart.
But for her, fighting for her homeland and fighting for the beauty of the world where the Empire's citizens lived—that was Bianka Ataegina's answer.
Having gained recognition sooner, Durandal had already been assigned to the Valkyrie forces before Kiana and the other Valkyries from St. Freya's Far East faction, and she had already begun integration work.
And it had to be said—the integration process was going extremely smoothly.
As the former strongest S-rank Valkyrie of Schicksal, Durandal had even served as acting bishop for a period of time. Those experiences allowed her to quickly gain the support of the overwhelming majority of Valkyries.
Aside from the Valkyries from the Far East Branch, who still felt slightly awkward deep down.
Though that was understandable. After all, the Far East Branch under Theresa had once rebelled against Schicksal Headquarters. They had fought several times against Valkyries from Headquarters and even cooperated with the enemy organization Anti-Entropy.
Their atmosphere had never quite matched Schicksal Headquarters.
Rita walked over. Sunlight shone upon her face. Every smile, every movement, every glance of her bright eyes carried endless allure and breathtaking beauty.
"Lady Kiana coming here means you have already received Old Mister Sebas' recognition."
Rita slightly bent at the waist in congratulations. "Rita offers her congratulations."
Looking at Rita as she approached and bowed, Fu Hua rubbed her forehead helplessly. "Rita, do you really have to do this every single time...?"
Rita covered her mouth and smiled lightly.
"Uh... where's Durandal?" Kiana asked while scratching the back of her head and looking around.
"Lady Durandal is still training in the 'gymnasium.' Please follow Rita."
As she spoke, Rita made an inviting gesture. Folding her hands elegantly before her abdomen, she walked into the building with graceful, proper steps.
After turning several corners, passing through a long corridor, and stepping through a set of doors, the view suddenly opened up.
It was an enormous indoor space large enough to be called a martial training arena.
"Ha! Hah!"
The lighting inside was bright yet soft.
The height of the chamber nearly matched that of a building over forty stories tall. Several prism-shaped pillars surrounded the area—shield barrier generators.
The vast floor was completely paved with giant orichalcum composite metal plating without leaving the slightest gap.
Illuminated by the lighting systems outside the dome, the gray metallic floor carried a faint pale glow, giving the impression of a carpet woven from light itself.
Within the arena, many Valkyries were still training in the secondary practice areas near the edges. Judging from the distinctive insignias on their uniforms, they were all former members of the Immortal Blades.
Among them, Durandal was not wearing her usual Valkyrie battlesuit. Instead, she wore casual athletic clothing that exposed her midriff.
A head of brilliant golden waves had been tied into a sharp and capable ponytail. Her upper body was covered only around the chest and shoulders, while her lower body consisted merely of a pure white athletic skirt barely reaching the length of her compression shorts.
She was currently focused intently on her daily training routine.
This was a habit she had maintained since childhood. Durandal had never once relaxed her daily training regimen, nor had she ever lowered the standards she demanded of herself.
At this moment, her clothes were already soaked through with sweat, while droplets ran along the sharply defined lines of her abdominal muscles.
Though a woman, she possessed a physique no less powerful than a man's.
Her facial features were sharp and heroic. Her figure was tall and slender without appearing weak in the slightest. She perfectly displayed the beauty of a female warrior's physique, like a proud untamed leopardess.
"Lady Durandal, Miss Kiana has arrived."
As naturally as breathing, Rita handed Durandal a towel and water.
After casually wiping her face, Durandal looked toward Kiana by the entrance and waved.
"Kiana!"
"Old Man Sebas finally let you out, huh?"
Speaking while drinking water, Durandal casually grabbed Kiana's hand without the slightest awkwardness and immediately began promoting her philosophy as an older sister.
"Kiana, your daily habits absolutely need to change!"
"Huh?"
"I already noticed it back in the trial world. Whenever you're with Mei, you're way too lazy. You get pampered like some spoiled old master..."
As she spoke, Durandal glanced toward the slightly embarrassed Raiden Mei standing behind Kiana.
"Mei, you spoil Kiana far too much. At this rate, you're going to raise her into an idiot."
"It's actually not that bad. Compared to our time at St. Freya Academy, I've already stopped taking such close care of her..." Raiden Mei spoke a little shyly.
Good grief, and that's not considered taking care of her? You're practically one step away from feeding her by hand. What were you doing back at St. Freya Academy—actually spoon-feeding Kiana?
"But Durandal, doesn't Rita take care of you like that too?"
"That's different!"
Her face flushing faintly, Durandal cleared her throat.
"Kiana, step one—start by fixing your daily habits. Go to bed early, wake up early. Get sufficient sleep and maintain a regular schedule. That's the foundational requirement for keeping your body in peak condition. Training your body and tempering your muscles is essential cultivation for a warrior."
"Oh..."
Fully aware that the comfortable days she had spent lounging in Raiden Mei's bed had been far too indulgent, Kiana shrank her neck guiltily.
Seeing this, Fu Hua couldn't help but chuckle softly. A good thing... however—
"Durandal, His Majesty has a new mission. We can discuss correcting Kiana's lifestyle after that."
"For now, everyone spar a bit. Time to apply some pressure."
"Understood."
Durandal stopped and turned her head.
"Kiana, I'll be your sparring partner."
...
Imperial Capital, Grand Imperial Palace, Schönbrunn Palace.
"Ugh..."
The gray-haired little dumpling lay sprawled across the tea table.
"Ugh, Shirahoshi, I'm exhausted!"
"Waaah... Lady Arisa, please don't lie on top of that! There were pastries there just now. It hasn't been wiped clean yet!"
The oversized pink-haired mermaid beauty wearing a taiyaki-shaped hair ornament looked as though she were about to cry.
"Waaah... Lady Arisa, if you dirty your clothes again, Lord Sebas will scold you..."
Her blue eyes shimmered like water. Her ample chest swayed with her movements, while her pink fish tail—shaded in alternating light and dark hues—flicked about uneasily.
"Well, that may be true..."
Arisa didn't lift her head and continued lying on the tea table. Then she suddenly reacted and shot upright.
"What do you mean I'll get scolded by that old man Sebas?"
"Waaah..."
But in the next instant, Arisa wilted again.
"When the Queen went to Budo, she didn't even take me along. I'm not happy..."
What was the Queen doing right now?
After spending so many days watching the Valkyries being lovey-dovey and stuffing herself with endless dog food, Arisa now wanted nothing more than to cuddle up with Selene. But she didn't have the chance.
Shirahoshi hurriedly deployed her clumsy attempts at comfort.
"Her Majesty must have her own considerations..."
She then placed a plate of pastries onto the tea table, trying to distract Arisa.
"These are freshly baked sweets from Lord Susanoo's imperial kitchen. They're very delicious. Lady Arisa, would you like me to feed you?"
"Yes!"
"Ahhh—"
Arisa closed her eyes and opened her mouth wide, not the least bit worried that Shirahoshi's massive build might miss her target. She looked completely relaxed.
"Ah—ah?! Quee—mmph!"
She had held her mouth open for quite a while without Shirahoshi moving. Just as Arisa was about to speak—
Mmph—!
A large piece of cake was suddenly stuffed into her open mouth, filling it completely.
The next instant, Arisa felt her feet leave the ground.
"You're living more leisurely than I am, Arisa."
Grabbing Arisa by the back collar of her outfit, Selene shook her without the slightest courtesy.
"Gulp!"
After swallowing with difficulty, Arisa stared at the Queen's face up close. Her eyes instantly welled with tears.
"Waaah, Queen, I missed you so much!"
Sniffling, she wrapped her arms around Selene's waist and rubbed against her.
"It's not like I didn't take you to the frontlines of Universe 117. Is that really worth this reaction...?"
"Here."
As though teasing a child with candy, Selene retrieved a W-shaped hilt from her storage space and handed it over.
"A souvenir from Universe 117."
"What's this?"
Vrrm!
Selene gripped the hilt of a Sangheili Type-1 Double-Bladed Energy Sword and pressed the activation switch. A blue-white plasma blade erupted outward with a burst of cold vapor, emitting a humming sound under the influence of its magnetic field.
"Wow! I want it! Arisa wants it!"
Taking the hilt after the blade was deactivated, Arisa excitedly played with it.
"Queen, is there a new operation this time? Are you taking me along?"
"No."
"Ugh—!"
Seeing Arisa puff her cheeks like a bun while clutching the energy sword hilt, Selene laughed.
"It's paperwork. Are you sure you want to come?"
Selene waved a thick stack of hero epics and legends compiled by her court scholars.
"Uh... Queen, please carry on with your work. Arisa still has matters with the Sisters of Battle to handle, so I'll take my leave first!"
Not daring to linger for even a second, Arisa grabbed Shirahoshi and bolted away in a flash.
Watching Shirahoshi bow repeatedly in apology, Selene shook her head to indicate she didn't mind. She then opened a Spatial Teleportation gate.
"The plan has already progressed to this stage... Next, we ensure everything remains on the proper track without the slightest deviation..."
...
Type-Moon world, a universe bearing traces of an outer dominator (Fate/Apocrypha).
On this day, dark clouds churned above the River Thames.
Fine strands of rain traced across this world-class metropolis where ancient relics and modern urban life intertwined, falling softly upon the earth.
Located on the eastern outskirts of the city stood a vast old estate purchased and renovated by the renowned alchemist family, the Musik family.
The Musik family was a newly risen alchemical noble house of the British Isles, famed for homunculus alchemy and Mystic Code alchemy.
Especially Mystic Code alchemy.
No magus would ever complain about having too many Mystic Codes.
Within magus society, demand for Mystic Codes far exceeded supply.
It was precisely through their mass-producible Mystic Code alchemy that the Musik family had, in a short time, accumulated wealth that made even the Twelve Lord families envious.
Considering the origins of the Musik family, many magi of the Clock Tower (Mage's Association) suspected that the Musik house had reaped the greatest benefits from the Holy Grail War.
After all, ever since the Romanian Holy Grail War concluded, the Musik family had abruptly announced their departure from the Yggdmillennia clan, the victors of that war. They then relocated at astonishing speed to the headquarters of the Clock Tower.
Meanwhile, the Yggdmillennia clan reportedly collapsed afterward due to internal strife.
Highly suspicious.
More and more rumors claimed that the Musik family head of that generation, Gordes Musik Yggdmillennia, had obtained the Greater Grail and made a wish to acquire knowledge from the divine realm.
Wealth stirs the heart. To a magus, magical knowledge is the greatest treasure of all.
Such enormous benefits naturally invited covetous eyes. It wasn't as though no one had attempted to seize it by force. However, once the Musik family affiliated themselves with the Department of Law and secured the backing of the Barthomeloi family—one of the pinnacles of modern magecraft—those malicious intentions quickly subsided.
Although they had to funnel considerable profits to the Barthomeloi family each year, the Musik household undeniably lived in comfort.
But today, the tranquility within the Musik estate was shattered. Figures rushed about in chaos.
"The storage vault has been attacked!!!"