Most Sincere Regards

"Alvitr, give me the next coordinates."

Durandal, having just completed another Honkai suppression mission, activated her battlesuit's propulsion system, transforming into a streak of light as she ascended. Simultaneously, she reconnected her comms, her movements efficient and decisive.

She had been repeating this process countless times over the past month. She didn't know how many missions she had completed, nor how many more remained. She only knew there was always another target to reach, another mission to complete, without complaint, without delay.

This time, however, the voice from the communicator surprised her.

"Greetings, Captain Durandal." An elegant, composed, and mysterious feminine voice came through. "I've taken your current coordinates as a starting point and planned a route based on the current Honkai incidents, categorized by hazard level. The data has been sent to your personal terminal. I hope this presumptuous action will save you some unnecessary time."

"Thank you, Rita." Durandal opened the newly received data and, without hesitation, set off in the direction indicated. She hadn't spoken to Rita in a while and welcomed the chance to chat. "This is a big help. I won't have to fly around like a headless chicken anymore. By the way, where's Alvitr?"

"It's my duty." Rita smiled faintly on the other end. Striving for perfection in everything was her constant pursuit. "Miss Alvitr has been providing intelligence support for both our missions. Seeing how exhausted she was, I took the liberty of giving her a few days off. I apologize if I overstepped my bounds." Her voice carried a hint of apology.

"It's fine, I approve." Durandal smiled wryly. Rita was always like this. "It's rare to see you back at HQ. How's the search for the Second Divine Key coming along?"

"I returned to HQ precisely to report on this matter and request further assistance and support from the Overseer. In the past two years, I've searched and investigated most regions, including China and the Americas, but to no avail. Therefore, I can only turn my attention to Europe, where HQ is located."

Rita's tone was still composed, but Durandal could hear the underlying frustration and unwillingness to give up.

"You've worked hard, Rita." Soaring through the clouds, Durandal offered her comrade a sympathetic word of comfort.

It was understandable. Searching the world for two years, only to find the most likely location was right under your nose…

Anyone would be frustrated in that situation.

"I wouldn't dare say that. You're the one working the hardest, Captain Durandal..." Rita sympathized with Durandal. Carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders… only the Overseer could come up with something like that!

Ah, my apologies, I shouldn't think that way.

"By the way, Rita, since you're back at HQ, I'd like to ask you a favor..."

"Is it about looking after Miss Yuno?" Rita, knowing Durandal's thoughts all too well, answered directly. "From what I understand, Miss Yuno has recently become good friends with Miss Anna Schariac. It's wonderful that she's slowly coming out of her shell."

"Yes, I've heard about that. I also heard they caused a bit of a stir at HQ." Durandal replied. Just because she was away on missions didn't mean she was oblivious to what was happening at HQ. As Captain, she always kept an eye on the Immortal Blades.

"Indeed. Although it added to the Overseer's workload, it's a positive development overall. However..." Rita's voice held a note of concern. Her information network was extensive. "Anna will soon receive her official appointment and be assigned to an elite squad to fulfill her duties as a Valkyrie. This is good news, but..."

Just as Rita knew her well, Durandal understood Rita's subtle cues.

Landing with two swift punches that cleanly dispatched a pair of bulky Honkai beasts, Durandal took off again, asking directly, "Rita, you seem worried about both of them?"

The straightforward Durandal was never one for beating around the bush.

"Yes..." Rita knew every Valkyrie at Schicksal HQ. She knew that Anna, despite her outstanding talent and noble lineage, was naive and inexperienced.

That was probably why she could befriend Yuno. However...

"Too hasty..." Rita frowned slightly, sighing inwardly.

"Don't worry, Rita," Durandal reassured her partner as she weaved through the clouds. "Yuno is surprisingly resilient, you know that. She's just resisting her power, refusing to accept reality. That's something she has to work through herself. As for Anna..."

Durandal thought for a moment, recalling her impression of the girl – ambitious and a bit reckless, quite similar to her younger self. She chuckled, "Wasn't I just as impulsive back then? I caused you so much trouble, and you took such good care of me..."

Rita smiled. "Looking back, those are precious memories."

Their time adrift in the Quantum Sea was a treasure they both shared.

"New recruits are always a bit reckless, but I'm sure after some experience, she'll become a capable warrior. Look at me, I was quite the handful."

"...You're right. It seems I was overthinking things." Rita agreed verbally. There was no point arguing about something that only time could tell. But she thought, That's because you are Bianka, Captain.

"Beep, beep, beep," the communicator interrupted their conversation. "The Overseer is calling, Captain Durandal. I'll take my leave now."

Rita bowed elegantly and ended the call.

On the other side of the world, an azure streak of light crossed the sky, flying towards the horizon.

For some in this world, most things could proceed as planned.

Such composure was a privilege only a few enjoyed.

...

ME Corp, short for Massive Electric, was a technology conglomerate under Anti-Entropy, overseeing numerous research institutes covering aerospace materials, mechs, Herrschers, Honkai energy, Honkai beasts, and Honkai soldiers.

They claimed to "represent the world's most advanced" technology, though where they got that confidence from was anyone's guess.

ME Corp's headquarters were in Nagazora City. Why a primarily American organization would place such important assets in the Far East was a mystery, but they did it anyway...

Just like how Cocolia decided to trigger a Honkai Eruption in the very city where her organization's headquarters were located. It made no sense, but she did it anyway.

The epitome of baffling. (ノへ￣,)

Far East, Nagazora City, inside the ME Corp building.

This magnificent skyscraper was once a landmark of the bustling Nagazora City. Now, in this dead city, it remained a landmark.

A dark night, a dead city, a silent building.

As if they had all fallen into death together.

Inside the building, it was dim and quiet.

The place was deserted. Before everything began, all the labs were sealed, and most of the staff evacuated, making it appear abandoned.

However, this was just a temporary "hibernation." All activities had moved underground, maintaining a low profile. Automated production equipment ran at a slow pace, quietly waiting for the right moment.

And at this moment, in the top-floor conference room, a heated farce was unfolding.

"Cocolia, you scoundrel! The organization has investigated the framing of Raiden Ryoma. Now, immediately, hand over control of ME Corp! Don't make me say it again!"

At the spacious oval conference table, a blonde woman in a dark green military uniform sat calmly at the head, looking amusedly at the red-twintailed "girl"—Tesla—who was slamming the table and yelling at her.

Despite the loud banging, the large conference table didn't vibrate. Instead, Tesla's form flickered slightly.

Clearly, she was just a holographic projection, as was Einstein, who sat silently opposite her.

"Oh dear, don't get so worked up, Ms. Tesla. It wouldn't be good if this impromptu meeting were interrupted. After all, we're all very busy." Cocolia's voice was magnetic, but her tone was sarcastic. "Also, I must remind you, about the Raiden Ryoma incident, you say I framed him? Heh, Ms. Tesla, the evidence is conclusive. Do you think you can just twist the facts so easily? Or should I show you the evidence again?"

Cocolia put her feet up on the table. Her disdainful posture made Tesla's veins bulge.

"Out of loyalty to the organization, I don't think handing over important assets to an economic criminal is a reasonable proposition. It will only disappoint many dedicated colleagues and undermine the organization's unity. Therefore, Dr. Tesla, I must regretfully decline your proposal."

Cocolia's expression was full of regret, as if she'd truly struggled with the decision. But the mocking curve of her lips betrayed her arrogance and disdain.

"Unity? Unity my ass!" Tesla, with her fiery temper, couldn't stand the sarcasm and was about to explode.

"Dr. Tesla!" The calm and collected Einstein gave Tesla a look, making her swallow her curses. Tesla glared at Cocolia and sat back down with a thump.

"Ms. Cocolia, I don't believe someone who would detain the family members of Anti-Entropy colleagues and conduct dangerous experiments on them has the right to talk about 'loyalty' and 'unity.' In fact, your arrogance and tyranny have played a significant role in the current chaos and division within the organization."

Einstein's tone was calm, but her words were sharp, full of accusations. "Conducting unauthorized Herrscher experiments, even triggering a Honkai Eruption that killed millions, your actions have caused immense damage to the interests of the organization and all of humanity, irrevocably harming Anti-Entropy's reputation and vision. Cocolia, each of your actions is an undeniable crime. If organizational assets shouldn't be controlled by 'criminals,' then I agree with you completely and believe you should lead by example, Ms. Cocolia. What do you think?"

Using her opponent's own words against them, Einstein was a master debater.

"...Heh, one plays the good cop, the other the bad cop. What an excellent double act!" Cocolia continued her sarcasm. "Dr. Einstein, don't you think this trick is a bit outdated?"

When losing an argument on the facts, resort to personal attacks. Muddy the waters. Cocolia excelled at this.

"You!" Tesla, easily provoked, wanted to curse her out.

"Dr. Tesla..." Einstein stopped her again. Though her expression was calm, she was also furious. But there was nothing she could do. Cocolia had neutralized their attack with her theatrics. "I believe the matter of ME Corp should be decided by the Sovereign when he returns. That's the most reasonable solution. Until then, we should all fulfill our respective duties and responsibilities. What do you two think?"

Cocolia continued her taunts. Scientists should stay in their labs, why are they meddling in these affairs?

"You bastard, don't think you can just get away with this!" Tesla couldn't take it anymore and slammed her hand on the table.

Welt, as Sovereign, was more of a unifying figurehead. In reality, she and Einstein had been managing Anti-Entropy's affairs for years.

When have we ever been treated like this?

"Oh? So what? Are you two planning to keep pestering me?" Cocolia sneered. She'd won another "argument" and wasn't interested in wasting any more breath on these two, in her eyes, foolish and short-sighted, individuals.

You can't teach an old dog new tricks. They're wasting precious time and resources! Anti-Entropy's vision, humanity's future, should be in the hands of soldiers like us! Cocolia thought smugly.

"You say I'm pestering you? You bastard, don't think you can just get away with this!" Tesla's furious voice interrupted Cocolia's smug thoughts. "Not long ago, the satellites detected a strange energy fluctuation in Nagazora City. Tell me, were you conducting some shady experiment again?"

Energy fluctuation? Cocolia's heart skipped a beat. There wasn't a single living soul in that ruined city, so what energy fluctuation could there be?

Your excuse is pathetic, Tesla.

Cocolia sneered inwardly, ready to mock her further, but before she could open her mouth, she was interrupted by an unexpected event.

"Geez, I was enjoying the show. Why drag me into this?" A strange man's voice suddenly came from the conference room's speakers. "Don't wrong Cocolia, that fluctuation had nothing to do with her. She's innocent. I can testify to that."

"Who's there?" Cocolia stood up abruptly, not "grateful" for the interruption. The two doctors back in North America exchanged confused glances.

The conference room door slowly opened with a creak. A man walked in calmly, smiling at the three of them—

"Hello there. Allow me to introduce myself. A resident of Nagazora City, a survivor of the Third Honkai Eruption. I bring you all the most sincere regards from… well, me~."