Chương 72: Chapter 72: A Date with Rita!
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At the entrance of the hotel, Rita deactivated her Argent Knight Artemis armor and transformed back into her usual refined maid self. However, as she looked at the hotel's doors, her brow furrowed slightly, revealing a hint of unease.
Indeed, regardless of the circumstances, she had acted on her own accord. Despite Lady Ana assuring her that everything was under control, Rita sought help from Lord Bishop—and ultimately achieved nothing.
Kiana must still be in Tianqiong City; this was the only conclusion Rita could reach.
Of course, it wasn't entirely fruitless. At least Theresa and Bronya didn't complete their transaction either. If only Rita knew the complications her interference caused for them, she might not have seen it this way.
However, considering this mission originated from Otto rather than Ana, technically, Rita hadn't failed any assigned task.
"Lady Ana is probably still asleep," Rita thought to herself, feeling somewhat relieved. If that's the case, there shouldn't be any issues—after all, Ana wouldn't know unless...
"Rita! Over here!"
The sky had brightened considerably. Not far from the hotel lay a bustling street of food stalls. While some might criticize this urban planning, it was understandable for functional zones to overlap when such large populations converge on a city.
Living costs were high in safe metropolises like Tianqiong City, so naturally, refugees sought ways to earn a living here.
In the early morning light, Ana sat at one of these stalls, waving Rita over.
"Lady Ana."
Acknowledging her with a slight unease, Rita approached cautiously. If Ana were still asleep, she wouldn't have worried, but now that Ana was out and about...
"Hurry up and join me for breakfast!"
As Rita reached Ana's side, all she saw was the warm, radiant smile on Ana's face.
"Sit down quickly! As an Englishwoman, can you handle our Shenzhou-style breakfast?" Ana chuckled lightly, seemingly oblivious to the fact that although not English herself, she too hailed from Europe—making her comment somewhat ironic.
"Would you like to try some?"
As she spoke, Ana pushed the bowl in her hands towards Rita. It contained a serving of noodles with chili peppers, numbing peppercorns, soy sauce, vinegar, chopped scallions, and garnished with lettuce leaves and spinach for added flavor. The aroma was enticing—this was Tianqiong City's traditional delicacy known as Vault of Heaven noodles.
"I..." Rita gazed at the appetizing bowl before her, wanting to give it a try. However...
"Why sit so far away? Come closer!"
Ana shifted slightly to make room on the bench beside her. Instead of modern chairs, they were using traditional long benches, which could comfortably accommodate multiple people.
"Uh..."
"Don't just stand there! If you don't join me soon, I'll get upset!" Ana pouted, feigning a hint of annoyance.
"Yes, Lady Ana."
Seeing this, Rita no longer hesitated, moved next to Ana, and sat down.
"Hurry up and taste it!" Ana pushed the bowl closer to Rita and handed her a pair of chopsticks.
"You don't need any lessons on how to use chopsticks, do you, Rita?"
"Of course not, Lady Ana." Smiling, Rita accepted the chopsticks, carefully picked up a bundle of noodles, brought them to her mouth, and began chewing.
As Valkyries of Schicksal, their regular training didn't typically focus on elaborate meals since energy bars and nutrient solutions sufficed.
In private, the Valkyries occasionally held tea parties, but those usually featured desserts. Only sometimes would Rita prepare food herself, predominantly sweets, as Bianka also had a penchant for them.
It's widely known that compared to Shenzhou, England is often considered a culinary desert.
Although Vault of Heaven noodles were slightly spicy, which did not align perfectly with Rita's usual taste preferences, she still enjoyed them immensely. Suddenly, she felt someone tug at the noodle strand in her mouth.
Puzzled, Rita looked up and noticed Ana leaning closer, sharing the same bowl—and even the same noodle—with her.
"What are you staring at? It was mine from the start," Ana declared proudly after biting through the noodle.
"Yes, yes, you're absolutely right."
"Hmph—your response sounds so insincere."
"How could it be, Lady Ana?" Rita smiled, carefully concealing her true thoughts. Well, sharing a meal together wasn't something she minded; she found nothing wrong with it either.
"Boss! One more order, please!"
"Coming right up!"
After finishing breakfast, Ana dragged Rita around Tianqiong City for sightseeing.
Despite being a modern metropolis, it wasn't significantly different from other cities, except for the occasional sight of patrolling mechs on the streets.
However, with Ana having control authority over these mechs, there was naturally nothing to worry about.
As they strolled, Ana's eyes suddenly lit up when she spotted a popular bubble tea shop. Although, perhaps "popular" might not be accurate anymore, as marketing efforts had diminished greatly due to the impact of the Major Honkai Eruption.
Nevertheless, this was indeed a meticulously decorated bubble tea store. Intriguingly, the sign outside boasted that couples purchasing matching drinks would receive a 50% discount.
"Big Sister, let's get one couple set! We want the half-price deal!" As Ana spoke, she wrapped her arm around Rita, subtly signaling their relationship to the staff.
Both Ana and Rita possessed undeniable beauty, so her exclamation instantly drew the attention of everyone nearby.
Facing such scrutiny, Ana unexpectedly felt a touch of social anxiety. Despite appearing confident, her apprehension typically surfaced only around familiar people; otherwise, she genuinely struggled with social interactions.
Instinctively, Ana shrank behind Rita, hoping to shield herself from the surrounding gazes. Unfortunately, the effect was minimal.
After all, gazes were coming from every direction, and as the strongest Valkyrie, Ana's perception far exceeded that of ordinary people.
She didn't want to harm civilians, but in this situation, she genuinely felt... The last time she experienced such social anxiety was during her S-rank promotion ceremony. Thankfully, after that event, her discomfort diminished significantly, as she got acquainted with most of Schicksal's Valkyries...
Moreover, since eyes belonged to others, there wasn't much she could do about their stares. However, having Rita shield her upfront did provide some relief for Ana.
"Here you go, ladies, your bubble teas."
Shortly, the store employee placed two cups of bubble tea on the counter.
"Thank you."
Rita expressed her gratitude, picked up the drinks, then turned around, pulling Ana close to her embrace before swiftly walking away, leaving behind a group of admiring passersby.
"Lady Ana."
Once they reached a less crowded area, Rita released Ana and handed her one of the bubble teas. Compared to Rita, Ana indeed looked more delicate, evoking strong protective instincts in others.
As for Ana, while she had mild social anxiety, it wasn't severe. In fact, she relished seeing expressions of envy on others' faces, knowing those feelings remained unattainable by them.
Although, perhaps many would envy Rita's position.
"Here you go."
"Thanks, Rita!"
Agilely inserting the straw into her bubble tea cup, Ana savored the familiar taste. However, compared to Rita's brewed tea, this bubble tea still fell short.
"Rita, have a sip too."
Ana raised the dual-strawed cup, designed for couples to share conveniently. In her mind, she preferred using a single straw; taking turns with Rita felt almost like kissing, if one rounded it up.
"Yes, Lady Ana."
In contrast, Rita seemed more reserved, which puzzled Ana slightly.
It was clear that Rita should have understood these things well, so why was she now acting so cautious? It appeared as though Ana herself seemed more knowledgeable instead...
Indeed, Ana truly had more experience in such matters.
Rita's understanding often remained superficial, meaning she hadn't genuinely tried any of those scenarios.
She dared to take initiative only when she could confidently control the situation, knowing the other party lacked the ability to resist and were merely insignificant players.
However, this time, Ana was serious about their date—an actual first-time experience for both of them.
While it's said that companionship is the best form of confession, simply being together doesn't equate to going on a date.
"Oh my, Rita, I see you're not as experienced as I thought."
Witnessing Rita's uncertainty, Ana suddenly felt more confident and couldn't resist jumping up, momentarily forgetting that her frequent stumbles were largely due to her own over-excitement and missteps, without which there wouldn't have been any opportunities for such encounters.
"Oh? So Lady Ana knows quite well then?"
Rita's eyes sparkled differently upon hearing Ana's words.
"Well, of course! Hmph, I can easily handle you and..."
"Mmm—"
Before Ana could finish her sentence, Rita pushed her against the wall. From the side, they looked like a delicate maiden cornered by a domineering CEO in a classic trope.
However, Ana wasn't so Mary Sue-ish, but with Rita's face mere inches away, her heart still quickened involuntarily.
"Hey... Rita, what are you doing...? You'll get your dress dirty this way..."
"It's no problem, Lady Ana. I'll make sure to clean it properly."
Rita interrupted Ana, her eyes gleaming with an unfamiliar intensity that made Ana feel uneasy. Instinctively trying to push Rita away, her small hands were swiftly grasped by Rita.
"If Lady Ana doesn't comply, I would be offending you."
"Hey... Uh... Rita, I was just joking! Don't—don't..." Ana stammered.
Before she could finish her sentence, something soft covered her mouth. She detected the scent of Rosemary mixed with milk from Rita's body and felt the exquisite nectar flooding into her mouth. Rita...she meant business!
"Mmph—(We're still outside!) Mmph—(Behave yourself, seriously)!"
Unfortunately, Ana's words only came out as muffled sounds, unheard by Rita. To Rita, Ana had been teasing her for quite some time now. With this rare opportunity to be alone together, she wasn't about to let it slip away.
After what seemed like an eternity, Rita finally released Ana. At that moment, Ana appeared close to tears, both their faces flushed red, feeling somewhat disoriented.
Swallowing hard, Ana tried to compose herself sternly.
"Rita...you...I...I'm going to..."
"Do what?" Rita gazed at her with a smile, her expression akin to a hunter watching prey trapped in its snare.
"N-no...nothing." Ana wilted, sounding somewhat timid.
"Lady Ana, you can't continue like this," Rita chided gently, shaking her head with a look of deep regret. "If you don't change, even against Lady Durandal next time, you'll find yourself at a disadvantage again."
Ana fell silent, unable to respond.
Bianka and Rita were different; Bianka appeared strong-willed on the surface but was actually quite soft-hearted. However, beneath it all, she possessed a stubborn streak. In comparison, Ana was entirely soft-hearted, prone to acting impulsively around familiar faces only to be taken advantage of.
And after being bullied, rather than backing down, she would persistently jump back in, leading to further teasing.
Due to this pattern, every time Ana tried to assert herself, Bianka would catch her off guard with a surprise counterattack, ultimately gaining the upper hand.
"I...I refuse to believe that!" Ana protested defiantly. "Even if both of you plus Li Sushang couldn't defeat me, how could I possibly lose to Bianka..."
However, as she continued defending herself, her arguments felt increasingly weak and futile.
Aaaaaargh, so frustrating! Could it be that, to gain the upper hand in the future, she would need to rely on external power—like becoming a Herrscher?
Becoming a Herrscher inevitably introduces a Herrscher personality, which is often diametrically opposite to one's original self. Given Ana's current state, it was likely that in the future, she would choose to fuse with this Herrscher personality, as she possessed the capability to accept the Herrscher's power while maintaining her individuality.
At that point, her character might undergo some changes, potentially allowing her to truly overpower Bianka... No, she'd make Rita bow beneath her! She aimed to prove who the true strongest Valkyrie of Schicksal was.
As these thoughts crossed her mind, an involuntary smile crept across Ana's face.
Rita, on the other hand, shook her head.
Lady Ana is daydreaming again, but it's not bad. When she's lost in fantasies, at least Lady Ana doesn't bear so many burdens and won't feel overly exhausted...
"Lady Rita..."
Suddenly, Ana's voice broke through, devoid of its earlier warmth and replaced by solemn authority.
"You went to see Gray Serpent, didn't you?"
Yes, what must come eventually will arrive. Despite Ana's fondness for Rita, it did not mean Rita's mistakes could be overlooked; wrong is wrong.
"Apologies, Lady Ana. Please administer your punishment," Rita said, lowering her head apologetically.
"You have no understanding of the World Serpent's nature. Well, ignorance can be forgiven. From now on, avoid causing trouble for Gray Serpent."
"Yes, Lady Ana."
"As a consequence, you'll have to finish this cup of bubble tea yourself. Hmph!"
"As you command, Lady Ana."
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