8. Bianka's Necklace, The Simulation Resumes!
Alvitr is a technician in the 3rd Squad of the "Immortal Blades," an elite team led by S-rank Valkyrie Durandal.
If Durandal is Batman, then Alvitr essentially plays the role of her trusty butler.
Communication support, command transmission, data retrieval, and various logistical resource allocations—though she holds the title of Valkyrie, the work Alvitr does is quite similar to Gao Qi's.
Precisely because of this, as support staff, the two often handle liaisons and collaboration. Back and forth, they quickly became good friends.
The outbreak of the 4th Honkai Eruption kept the entire Schicksal busy. The Immortal Blades, in particular, were running all over the globe—fighting Honkai beasts in one place today, dealing with zombies elsewhere tomorrow. Gao Qi and Alvitr hadn't seen each other for a long time.
"No idea how many days off we'll get this time. So, Gao Qi, have you thought about what I mentioned last time?"
Rising on her tiptoes, she affectionately slung an arm over Gao Qi's shoulder, her tone full of allure.
"Interested in joining the Immortal Blades as a logistics officer? Our team is full of fair-skinned, beautiful girls, and you could even see Lady Durandal every day!"
However, Alvitr's little tricks had no effect on Gao Qi—recruitment that only paints a rosy picture without mentioning salary is just a scam!
"Get out of here. I have no desire to be dragged off by you for hard labor. A lot of girls? That just makes it a den of temptation—think about it, a unit entirely composed of girls suddenly adding a man, is that really appropriate?"
Gao Qi waved his hand in immediate refusal, offering a casual reason, but his gaze towards Alvitr held a trace of pity.
These cheerful girls truly believed they were fighting to save the world, but they didn't know that the 4th Honkai Eruption was precisely caused by their own Archbishop, Otto.
The Immortal Blades might seem like an elite team, but they were merely high-value currency in Otto's hands—used when needed, discarded after use, then regrouped again immediately. Before resurrecting his unrequited love, Otto would never eradicate the Honkai, even if he had the ability.
Not to mention, in a few months, dealing with the Herrscher of Ice would undoubtedly sacrifice who knows how many people. Asking Gao Qi to join? Was he tired of living?
He wasn't afraid of dying in the simulator, but in reality, he valued his life quite a bit.
For the sake of his unrequited love, Otto Apocalypse was a man who would sacrifice everything, including himself. Gao Qi detested him and was also wary of him.
If any changes on Gao Qi were accidentally noticed by Otto, Gao Qi was certain he'd be dissected on the spot!
Keep a low profile, must definitely keep a low profile!
"Besides, if I went, I'd just be taking your job, Alvitr. I'll let you off the hook for now."
Patting Alvitr's shoulder, Gao Qi walked with her into the somewhat noisy cafeteria.
Of course, aside from maintaining a low profile, another reason Gao Qi didn't want to join the Immortal Blades was... he had only been away from Fu Hua for half a day.
My heart belongs only to Fu Hua. How could I be with other girls—at the very least, I should wait until tomorrow!
"Tch, so cocky. Steal my job? Suit yourself, I won't push you then."
Hearing Gao Qi's reply, Alvitr sighed regretfully, a little disappointed—Tch, failed to trick Gao Qi into being a workhorse.
Since most of the staff were Valkyries, the cafeteria during lunch was filled with the lively chatter of girls. Gao Qi and Alvitr got their food and casually sat at a four-person table.
Schicksal's meals were pretty good. Since members came from all over, you could find cuisines from various regions. Gao Qi ordered two more bowls of noddles. Alvit had grey hair too, so he could pretend he was eating with Fu Hua.
The two ate with their heads down, focused on eating, chatting idly. Before long, they heard waves of excited exclamations from the girls in the cafeteria.
"Lady Durandal!"
"And Rita! Please eat with us!"
It took quite a while for Gao Qi to spot two tall, elegant figures through the chattering crowd.
One of them was Durandal, whom Gao Qi had just seen last night. Now, she had her hair down, casually wearing what looked like a military uniform jacket, looking heroic and imposing.
The other was a mature woman with short grey-gold hair and wine-red bright eyes, who was actually wearing—a maid outfit?
But she wasn't a maid. Gao Qi knew this elegant woman was the vice-captain of the Immortal Blades, Durandal's adjutant, and another S-rank Valkyrja of Schicksal—Rita Rossweisse.
"So noisy. Now I know why Durandal prefers to train at night..."
However, unlike those starstruck girls, Gao Qi continued focusing on his meal.
He didn't want to get involved with these people for the time being. Durandal was a key part of Otto's plans and Schicksal's sharpest "spear," so the attention on her was undoubtedly doubled.
But while Gao Qi wanted to keep a low profile, someone else had other plans.
"Captain Durandal, Vice-Captain Rita, over here! There are free seats here!"
Seeing the two approach, Alvitr immediately called out to them, successfully catching their attention.
"You brought me to the cafeteria on purpose to create this 'just two free seats' situation, didn't you."
Squinting, Gao Qi shot a glare at Alvitr, who stuck out her tongue slightly, looking somewhat guilty.
Soon, Durandal and Rita arrived at the table across from Gao Qi and Alvitr.
Durandal quickly noticed Gao Qi and raised her hand in greeting, preparing to sit down casually.
However, Rita was quick-handed; before Durandal sat, she wiped the seat and table clean with a wet wipe.
"No need to go to that trouble, Rita."
"We must pay extra attention to hygiene in public places, Lady Durandal—Pardon the intrusion, you two."
Durandal pouted slightly and couldn't help but complain a little. Rita, having just quickly finished last night's work, didn't refute her.
Having the honor of eating with both captains, the usually talkative Alvitr became surprisingly well-behaved. The three ate without much conversation, quietly focusing on their meal.
As for Gao qi, he felt immense pressure. As the only man there, sitting with the two captains, he was now being stared at by countless Valkyries with resentful glares— "Seriously, ladies?"
But just before Gao qi finished eating, he suddenly felt a slightly scrutinizing gaze from across the table.
Looking up, he found Durandal staring directly at him with her sapphire-blue eyes, without any evasion, and she seemed to carry a trace of confusion?
"Um, Miss Durandal?"
Gao qi felt a bit unnerved by her stare and couldn't help but wave his hand in front of her. Rita, noticing Durandal's gaze, quickly reached out with her gloved slender hand and gently poked her in the waist.
Durandal was strong, no doubt, but sometimes she was also naively straightforward and adorable. Rita always stayed by her side precisely to take care of this aspect of her.
"Ah, sorry, sorry! I just feel that Mr. Gao qi, you seem to have changed a lot compared to yesterday. I can't pinpoint exactly what it is, but... you really seem different?"
Durandal was straightforward; she basically couldn't hold back her thoughts. Looking at Gao qi before her, she felt that after just one night, this man's aura had suddenly gained something... out of nowhere?
Resoluteness? Melancholy? Sorrow? Determination?
Durandal was a powerful warrior. Though young, she already had extensive experience. Yet now, from Gao qi, she sensed a kind of... weathered sorrow and grief.
She suddenly remembered that there seemed to have been a time when she herself was quite similar to the current Mr. Gao qi.
That was five years ago, when she was still a child and had an almost fantastical adventure with Rita.
"Maybe I didn't shave my beard. Beards really affect a man's aura," Gao qi shrugged, starting to think of ways to change the subject— these superhuman women were really perceptive.
"If I must say, Miss Durandal, you've changed quite a bit too. That necklace is very pretty. I didn't expect an S-rank Valkyrie to have such a cute side in daily life."
Gao qi noticed that on Durandal's snow-white jade-like neck today, there was a delicate necklace with a crescent-moon-shaped gemstone pendant. Though it was worn and barely recognizable from its original form, it still suited Durandal exceptionally well.
[Moon... It couldn't be something left by her parents, could it?... Forget it, better not get involved in this.]
Knowing Durandal's true origins, Gao qi didn't say more. He didn't linger long; after finishing his bowl of noodles, he bid farewell to the three.
Beautiful girls are nice, but the simulation system is more important. Gaoqi hoped that this time, there wouldn't be any more life-and-death partings.
"Yeah, see you next time."
Watching Gao qi leave, Durandal looked down and picked up the crescent-shaped necklace— though it looked nice, it was just a cheap plastic item.
"It's a pity, I don't even know where this necklace came from."
As an orphan after the Second Honkai Eruption, Durandal grew up in a French orphanage, but she had lost all memories before she was seven years old, with only this necklace remaining by her side.
It was precisely because of this that she developed a hobby of collecting small trinkets. It's just a shame that she might never get the answers.
"You will get your answers, Bianka. But more importantly— shouldn't we have some dessert now?"
Seeing Durandal's somewhat melancholic expression, Rita unusually dropped the formal speech and softly comforted her. Like magic, she placed a piece of what looked like a delicious Mille-feuille in front of Durandal.
"You'll be heading to North Africa soon, and I'll be leaving for a mission in Shenzhou shortly after. During this time, I want you to properly enjoy your vacation."
Looking at the cake, a veritable calorie bomb, Durandal— who usually paid extreme attention to her diet and meticulously counted calories— put down the necklace with a troubled expression.
"Um, the calories..."
"If it's not stated, it's zero calories. Let's just consider today a cheat day. Come, Lady Durandal, say 'Ah—'"
"Rita, no! Alvitr, why are you just watching!"
————
Not getting involved in the girls' little interaction, Gao qi quickly finished his afternoon work and returned to the dorm.
Though Hua's image still lingered in his mind, as soon as midnight passed, Gao qi activated the simulation system.
The most important thing was to strengthen himself. With enough power, whether in reality or in simulations, Gao qi could retrieve some irrecoverable things.
[Simulator count reset. Simulation starting—]
[Simulation Time: AD 2007]
[Simulation Location: Vienna, Kolosten Town]
[Dungeon Name: Forking Path of Twins]
[Simulation Start.]
——————Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
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Raw: 崩坏模拟器,你找的人是我么?