Jell's Request

Schicksal Valkyries stationed outside HQ experienced vastly different treatment.

Some, like the Japanese Branch, enjoyed luxurious accommodations and state-of-the-art facilities. Otto even gave Theresa a memory training device, which she ignored, preferring manga.

Others, like the Valkyrie squads scattered across the globe, lived in spartan conditions. Susanna's Phosdjinns squad even had to share bathwater, much to the men's amusement and the women's dismay.

Minor injuries were treated at local hospitals, major ones at branch medical centers. Critical injuries? Hope you survive the trip to HQ.

Southeast Asian squads were in a unique position, lacking a regional branch. Local governments, wary of both Schicksal and Anti-Entropy's influence, refused to allow a Schicksal branch.

To maintain a presence, Schicksal deployed "elite squads" under the guise of direct HQ command.

Whether these squads were truly "elite" was irrelevant to Otto. It was just paperwork.

These isolated squads fostered strong bonds within and between teams.

"We'd be dead if we relied on HQ!" the captains often joked during their gatherings. Durandal's arrival changed their perspective, though.

As part of Schicksal's agreement with the Philippines, Valkyries defended against supernatural threats, while the government provided medical care.

Otto generously shared medical technology, improving local healthcare.

He didn't care much about it, though. It was a small price to pay for goodwill and positive public relations, which could be withdrawn at any time.

This generosity ensured Anna received immediate, high-quality care in a secure, private ward. Otto's influence, though self-serving, had its benefits.

…

Manila, Philippine General Hospital.

Otto relinquished control, returning to dormancy. He couldn't risk being discovered.

Click, click…

Footsteps echoed through the quiet corridor, drawing closer.

"…Captain? Is that you?" A sleeping Valkyrie stirred, recognizing the rhythm of the approaching footsteps.

Jell smiled at "Yuno" guarding the room, then hurried to her drowsy squad member, who was struggling to stand after squatting for too long.

"Why were you sleeping on the floor? There are chairs," Jell said, gently chiding her. "Now your legs are numb."

The Valkyrie blushed, embarrassed. "Captain… I… I was afraid to get closer."

Jell paused, then patted her head. "You worked hard, Seni. Thank you for staying up all night with Yuno."

"It's nothing!" Seni shook her head, her hands fidgeting. "I'm just… I know Yuno is a Valkyrie, but I couldn't help but feel afraid…"

"Yuno" glanced at them, impassive. The real Yuno always evoked this reaction. Her uncontrolled power and unstable state created a dangerous aura, unsettling even the Immortal Blades.

"Go get some rest," Jell said, sighing internally. Anna's injury was a major inconvenience. "I'll speak with Yuno. She's Anna's friend, our guest. We owe her an apology."

"Captain…" Seni hesitated, looking at Jell's bloodshot eyes. "Did your investigation yield any results?" She worried. If the monster could injure Anna, an A-rank Valkyrie, what about the others?

"What, you want to join the action?" Jell ruffled Seni's hair. "Don't worry, we're fine. You're a newly minted B-rank, a few days ahead of Anna. You'd probably forget how to hold your weapon on the battlefield."

"Captain! I've been on missions!" Seni protested, pushing his hand away. "You never said that to Anna!"

Jell chuckled. "Of course I did. She's a rookie too. You just didn't see it."

"That's not fair!"

"Quiet! This is a hospital!" Jell lightly tapped Seni's head. "Besides, she's an A-rank Valkyrie. If you want to compare yourself to her, work hard and get promoted. By then, you'll be a veteran too."

"Veteran? That sounds so old…" Seni's earlier gloom had lifted. "What will Anna be like when she's a veteran?"

"An S-rank, probably. Like Cecilia or Durandal…" Jell said, a mix of longing and admiration in her voice. She snapped back to reality, ruffling Seni's hair again. "Don't get ahead of yourself. Go to sleep!"

"Okay!" Seni left, giving "Yuno" a shy, apologetic smile before hurrying away.

"That girl…" Jell smiled, watching her go. Then, she took a deep breath. Truth be told, she was also uneasy around Yuno. But as captain, she had to maintain composure.

After some mental preparation, she approached "Yuno" with a smile.

"Yuno… Do you mind if I call you that? As a Valkyrie directly under HQ command, I should address you more formally."

"Uh… It's fine," "Yuno" stammered, flustered by the sudden friendliness. "This is… fine…" The simulated personality mirrored the real Yuno's awkwardness.

She's quite shy, Jell thought, surprised. The ice was broken, easing her own tension.

"You're Anna's friend, a fellow Valkyrie. I need to share some information and ask for your help."

"Uh… Go ahead." "Yuno" was even more flustered, unsure how to respond.

"We found clues about the Honkai beast that attacked you and Anna. And… we encountered some problems…" "Yuno" focused at the mention of "Honkai beast." It was a topic of great interest to both the simulated Yuno and Otto.

"We found signs of destruction in a nearby forest. The blood samples match those from the riverbank," Jell explained seriously, laying the groundwork for her request. "The damage is extensive. Perhaps it was injured and went berserk…" She recalled the flattened trees.

"And the problem?" Yuno asked.

"That is the problem," Jell continued, her tone grave. "We found no further traces beyond the forest. This leads me to an unsettling conclusion…"

"This Honkai beast might be different from the ones we've encountered. It might be able to merge with air or earth, explaining its disappearance. Or, it can simply alter its size, shrinking to hide…"

"The first suggests a powerful, high-level Honkai beast beyond our capabilities. The second suggests high intelligence. Both are bad news!" She was clearly worried. "I've requested support from HQ, but there's been no response."

Otto was speechless.

"It's likely still lurking nearby, perhaps even within the city, ready to attack again!" Jell, no longer needing to appear confident for her squad, expressed her fear. "We can't stop it! People will die! So many people!"

"…Calm down, Jell. Tell me everything," "Yuno" said, a soothing tone entering her voice – whether Otto's or Yuno's was uncertain.

"Ha… Sorry," Jell sighed, regaining her composure. "You're a C-rank Valkyrie under HQ command. You shouldn't be involved in this…"

"But you're strong. Stronger than Anna or me. Anna was gravely injured, yet the beast retreated. You must have intervened!" The blood in the forest confirmed her suspicions.

She finally voiced her request. "I'm just an A-rank Valkyrie. Anna wasn't a match for it, and neither am I. If I encounter it, I might not be as lucky as Anna."

She was indifferent to her own fate, but she cared about others. "My squad… they're even weaker. They'll die! And the civilians… They're defenseless!"

"So many lives… I can't protect them! Please, help us!" Jell grabbed "Yuno's" hands, her eyes pleading. "HQ's support is uncertain. You're the only one who can stop it!"

"Yuno, I know this is presumptuous. But please, for Anna's sake, help us!" She could have ordered Yuno, but the power disparity made her hesitant. She also harbored a bias against HQ Valkyries, especially those like Yuno, whose C-rank status didn't match her S-rank abilities.

But the situation was dire. For Anna's sake, she had to try. I hope Anna's trust wasn't misplaced, she thought.

"…I'll help you, Jell," "Yuno" agreed, whether out of Yuno's compassion or Otto's calculation was unclear. "I'll cooperate. But please forgive me if… unforeseen circumstances arise."

"Thank you!" Jell's confidence surged, her anxiety fading. Exhaustion finally caught up with her, and she slumped onto a bench.

"Excuse me… I need to… rest… Just for a moment…" Good thing my squad isn't here… she thought before falling asleep.

"Yuno" watched her, then draped her jacket over Jell before returning to her post, silent and still.