Inside the pitch-black tunnel, Irene tumbled out of the light curtain and hit the ground. After standing up, she subconsciously rubbed her chest, which had just shared an intimate encounter with the floor.
"Little Corruption—!" Irene let out a silent scream within her internal space, her tone carrying a hint of gritted teeth. "Couldn't you have used a gentler method?!"
[Oh my, my dear, wasn't that the fastest and most efficient way~] Little Corruption's voice, tinged with a bit of smugness, rang out in her mind. [Look, isn't everyone back safely? Not a single one is missing~]
[Standard, my foot!] Pardo's voice carried a sobbing tone. [I feel like my soul is about to fall apart from the impact! Sister Corruption!]
[Agreed.] Lixue's voice was cool, but carried a tremor that was hard to detect. [It was truly too sudden. And the sensation of the body disintegrating in an instant... is genuinely unpleasant.]
Because Irene didn't need it, she hadn't felt it, but the others had certainly suffered a bit. The sensation of having one's body corroded by the Authority of Corruption, or even decomposed, could absolutely not be called pleasant.
Kallen didn't say anything, merely transmitting a burst of hearty yet helpless laughter. Nuwa and Fuxi, meanwhile, were whispering to each other: "Is the physical feedback of the data body simulation a bit too realistic?" and "Suggestion to optimize the transmission experience," among other things.
However, it seemed the two were still very happy. After all, they had been working overtime for nearly two weeks. In daily life, adding two weeks of overtime would make anyone go on a rampage, let alone when it was Mobius's overtime.
The two of them had wanted to rise up in rebellion, but unfortunately, it was only a thought. With Mobius's combat power, she could probably suppress the two of them with a single hand.
Even though Dr. Mobius was a researcher, she had studied the 'Active Honkai Reaction' for a long time in that life. Suppressing the two of them with one hand would not be a difficult task.
So, their uprising existed only in their imagination. Now that they had been rescued by Irene—although the process of coming out was a bit painful—at least until Irene came next time, they could spend a relatively joyous time.
Irene held her forehead, feeling as if her mental space had turned into a complaint center following a car crash. She had gained a deeper appreciation for Little Corruption's vigorous and informal style. She sighed helplessly.
However, she didn't have time to continue fussing over it. She would let the others help crusade against Little Corruption. Thinking this, Irene walked out of the tunnel and looked up at the somewhat gloomy sky.
The problem now was how to leave. Of course, she wasn't without methods. Using the techniques of Taixuan Sword Qi to condense Honkai energy crystals under her feet would allow her to fly easily.
Relying on the Herrscher of Death's authority over Honkai energy to float all the way back to St. Freya wouldn't be difficult either, but... that was too conspicuous.
Irene silently rejected this plan. The reason was simple: she had left St. Freya Academy this time using tourism as her excuse for leave. Technically, she was currently considered mysteriously missing in London.
If she suddenly appeared near the academy in an unreasonable manner, it would be hard not to arouse suspicion.
Of course, there was always a probability that it wouldn't cause suspicion, but if she could take an extra step to eliminate that possibility, that would naturally be best.
Then, the remaining choice was very simple. Irene reached into the inner pocket of her coat and took out the communication tool the other party had "friendship provided" during her contact with Gray Serpent.
Well, last time she said she would probably only use this thing to contact Gray Serpent once, but she had likely gone back on her word. However, since she hadn't sworn to anyone at the time, it didn't really matter.
After dialing the communicator, there was a brief wait before Gray Serpent's voice came from within: [Miss Irene, congratulations on emerging from the Realm.]
The other party's tone was calm and unwavering, betraying no emotion, but Irene could feel that Gray Serpent's 'congratulations' did indeed carry a trace of celebratory sentiment.
Clearly, Gray Serpent's previous suspicions had vanished directly after she emerged from the Realm. Nothing could affirm everything Irene had said before more than the direct approval of the Sovereigns.
"Consider it a chapter closed." Although Irene heard Gray Serpent's emotion, she didn't plan to say much more, her tone flat. "I am currently near the entrance to the Realm."
[Understood.] Before Irene could finish, Gray Serpent already understood what Irene wanted. [We will be responsible for sending you to a safe location and forging your travel records along the way.]
[I dare not say that absolutely no problems will arise, but Miss Irene likely cannot find better in this world.]
"Alright, then I'll trouble you." After Irene nodded, she hung up the communicator and put it away. She found a relatively clean, wind-sheltered section of ruined wall to lean against and waited patiently.
Dead silence reigned amidst the ruins, with only the sound of the wind occasionally sweeping past, kicking up fine dust.
Time passed minute by minute. After about half an hour, the increasingly distinct roar of an engine came from the horizon, and a somewhat peculiar small aircraft appeared in the sky.
The aircraft hovered in mid-air, and the hatch on the side slid open, but it showed no intention of landing. Seeing this, Irene condensed Honkai energy at her feet, lifting herself up to smoothly enter the aircraft.
Looking toward the pilot's seat, the person flying the small aircraft was none other than Raven, whom she had met once before. Only, compared to her previous capability and sharpness, the current Raven exuded a... low pressure that was almost tangible.
It was a thick resentment, a mixture of exhaustion, irritability, and "Why is it me again?"
"Ya, long time no see." Irene waved her hand at Raven and sat down in the co-pilot seat without standing on ceremony. "I didn't expect you to be the one picking me up."
"I didn't want to be the one picking you up either." Raven's tone couldn't be called good, but seeing the immense resentment on her, Irene decided not to hold it against her.
Raven's resentment stemmed from the fact that she had just been on the island she wanted to reserve, planning her beautiful future life, only to be yanked over by Gray Serpent.
Of course, overtime was just overtime. The problem was that Gray Serpent didn't give any overtime pay this time. As for refusing, Raven couldn't easily issue a direct refusal. After all, Raven wasn't unclear about her current status, so she could only radiate resentment.
They had clearly agreed last time that she could rest for a while after resolving matters. She had originally planned to go back to Nagazora City to see those children after finishing viewing the island.
As a result, she now had to turn back to pick up Irene, and without overtime pay. It was truly annoying to death.
"Looks like overtime?" Looking at Raven, Irene immediately distinguished exactly why Raven was so full of resentment. She had just seen this kind of luck on two other people, so she was quite familiar with it.
"Seems like World Serpent's benefits aren't that great."
Raven raised an eyebrow. Since flying the plane was boring anyway, she asked in passing, "Why? Are Schicksal's benefits really that good? Don't we all hang our heads on our waistbands?"
"That's hard to say." Irene rubbed her chin, looking at Raven with a smile that inevitably carried a bit of mischief.
"No matter what, I am an A-Rank Valkyrie. Mm, basically, as long as I retire, the rest of my life will be worry-free."
"Ha, worry-free for the rest of your life?" Raven laughed twice. "The second half of a Valkyrie's life... that's truly a rare sight. But I am actually quite curious—just how good are your benefits?"
"Schicksal's benefits have always been quite good." Irene shrugged. "Daily salary, bonuses for clearing out Honkai... as an A-Rank Valkyrie, the concept of lacking money doesn't exist for me."
"After all, Schicksal doesn't require self-funded equipment purchases. As long as you have the ability and it's suitable, equipment is directly issued. From rocket launchers and laser cannons down to sabers, spears, swords, and halberds—as long as you prove you can use it, you take it."
"Housing is guaranteed. Meals are at the institute cafeteria, where you can eat freely. The only thing Valkyries pay for is extra consumables in daily life, like cosmetics or something."
"But those things are also very cheap for Valkyries like us."
"Although it's always said that Theresa delays wages, that's actually the salary for being a teacher. That money is just what Theresa feels teachers need as a separate salary to spend."
"Mm, you could say Theresa issues it for fun, and everyone is happy to have an extra share of money, so no one says anything about Theresa delaying the teacher's salary."
"After all, the salary and bonuses for being a Valkyrie are always paid on time and on the dot, never delayed."
"Otherwise, with Himeko drinking all day long, relying on that little teacher's salary wouldn't be enough to sustain her."
As Irene spoke, seemingly worried that Raven wouldn't believe her, she reached into her pocket. After a moment, she took out her phone and opened her balance.
Raven took a moment to glance at the balance Irene displayed. Raven couldn't help but fall somewhat silent. The reason was simple: the number of digits in Irene's account. Although she wasn't richer than Raven yet...
If she wasn't seeing things, this money was enough to buy a sea island about half the size of the one she had her eye on, build a villa or something on it, and the remaining money would still be enough for Irene to lead a debauched life.
One had to realize, Irene hadn't even been working at Schicksal for a year. Thinking of this, Raven couldn't help but gain a bit more resentment.
Sensing the resentment on Raven strengthening by a notch, Irene smiled and turned off her phone. Before turning it off, a halo characteristic of the Corruption virus flashed across the screen.
Of course she didn't have that much money. No matter how good Schicksal's benefits were, one had to make contributions. Irene, at present, was merely an ordinary A-Rank Valkyrie.
But it didn't matter; scaring Raven was enough. After all, Raven wouldn't specifically go to verify this matter. If she really wanted to be that serious about it, Irene would just ask Little Corruption to help modify it again.
"After all, it's a job where we hang our heads on our waistbands." Irene continued to feign innocence, carving another little deep wound into Raven's fragile heart.
"From what I know, us Valkyries either have no money at all, or we have a huge pile of money and don't know where to use it."
"That, I can understand..." Raven nodded with a gloomy face. Those with no money probably knew their path ahead, so they chose to live it up. After all, money couldn't be taken to the other side; better to do something else.
And those who didn't spend it probably made various wills, deciding to donate the money elsewhere after their death. After all...
These people were truly [Valkyries]. Even though from a standpoint perspective, Schicksal counted as an enemy, Raven had to admit that the quality of the vast majority of Valkyries was truly high to a certain degree.
As for that small portion... when you expand your view to a group, there will always be a few exceptions. But a few accidents didn't hinder the fact that the Valkyrie demographic was indeed a group of good people one couldn't pick faults with.
Even Raven, who mixed in the dark society, couldn't pick out any faults.
"Mm, I'm really envious." Raven looked depressed. "Pity there's no possibility for me to jump ship."
Raven didn't mind grumbling about some things in front of Irene now. In Raven's view, since Irene had entered the Elysian Realm, she could be considered half one of their own.
Gray Serpent had also indicated that, aside from Project Stigma, there was no need to keep secrets from Irene.
"Is Miss Raven very short of money?" Irene looked at Raven. "We shouldn't have any special places where we need to spend money. Could it be? Does World Serpent not reimburse Miss Raven's daily supplies?"
"...Sort of need it." Raven rested her chin on her hand, watching the seascape constantly sweeping by outside. "After all, I need a place to l... Besides, I'll have to retire sooner or later. Consider it a place prepared in advance?"
"But for someone like me, it's better not to appear casually in the city. So I want to buy a sea island. Right now, I've just about picked one out."
"Buy a sea island?" Irene nodded with feigned realization. She knew Raven was buying the island for those children, but of course, she couldn't point that out now.
Although she liked to persecute Raven—saying things like 'Little Island Exploding Raven'—it was better not to let Raven be that miserable. After all, money saved up over half a lifetime disappearing in an instant was a blow not just anyone could withstand.
"Why live a reclusive life? And, to be honest, a sea island... don't you think it's very inconvenient?"
Raven was noncommittal about this. It had been hard enough to pick a good place, and she was basically waiting to pay, so Raven was only asking Irene's opinion out of politeness.
"Living alone is just right. What's inconvenient about it?"
"For example, difficult supply transport, inconvenient traffic. Mm, and there are no entertainment facilities." Irene looked at Raven. "And what if a Honkai event happens?"
"When you come back one day and find your home has turned into a mess or something, wouldn't that be terrible?"
Anyway, just saying a sentence. If she could change the tragic experience of 'Little Island Exploding Raven,' Irene was still willing to try. But indeed, she couldn't possibly know the cause and effect right now, so she could only persuade based on these aspects. If Raven didn't listen, there was no way.
"..." Raven's fingers tapped lightly on the control stick. "I-I don't need to contact others anyway. And it's just a small island; the probability of encountering the Honkai isn't high."
"Besides, it's not like I can't fight."
"I don't feel the sea is very safe." Irene shrugged. "Last time we pulled a Chiyou out of the sea. Who knows what else is hidden in there?"
"Also, a sea island's ability to resist risk isn't good either. If a storm or something comes, you wouldn't want your home to turn into a mess, right?"
Having said this much, if she still couldn't be persuaded, then Irene had no other way. She couldn't say too much more.
If Raven still insisted on her own opinion, then Irene could only say: Good advice is hard to take, and a doomed ghost is hard to save.
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