Honkai: Strijder (Patreon)

Chapter 71: The Expected Failure

After discussing Soulium, Sigurd took a tour of Otto's laboratory, where he saw many bizarre and, well, unsettling experiments in progress.

The mad scientist title suited Otto quite well.

Then, Sigurd declined Otto's offer to accompany him and decided to go for some fresh air. After all, even during a sightseeing trip, he didn't want to spend all his time in Otto's dark and eerie laboratory.

It was a rare opportunity to relax his mind without that troublesome little white fluff by his side.

Back on the upper level of the base, under the sunlight, a graceful and elegant maidservant awaited by the door.

"You've been waiting here all this time?"

"It's my duty, Lord Sigurd."

"You've worked hard. Let’s find a place to sit. How about going to… Hmmm… How about Durandal's place?"

"Of course, please, allow me to lead the way."

Rita smiled, her slender fingers wrapped in black lace gloves, and gracefully gestured to the side.

Her delicate figure and the faint fragrance that came with the breeze were truly captivating.

Sigurd couldn't help but take another look.

Upon careful consideration, most of the girls he had met in this world were rather plain. Kiana was certainly attractive, but her deeds didn't pique Sigurd's interest. Dr. Einstein and Dr. Tesla—Einstein was a friendly acquaintance, and Tesla was a celebrity; they were both good-looking, but Sigurd treated them with the perspective of an elder or a friend, so he had no particular thoughts about them.

But Rita, standing before him, well, she was quite the sight, and it would be a loss not to look a little longer.

"Lord Sigurd... why have you been staring at Rita?" Rita, with her keen senses, couldn't help but turn and ask.

Sigurd stroked his chin and casually replied, "You're beautiful."

"Thank you for your compliment, Rita, I'm truly honored."

"I'm just stating the truth. When it comes to finding a girlfriend, someone like you is the type of person I would like the most."

Rita turned her head back and continued to look ahead, her eyebrows raising slightly, unsure how to respond. Should she offer herself to the boss?

"Don't misunderstand, I'm just speaking the truth. Beautiful, obedient, and with a maid-like aura, it's no wonder so many people like you."

"Ahaha, are you referring to the Valkyries at headquarters? They're just joking around; Rita is just an ordinary member among the Valkyries."

Rita giggled and quickened her pace.

Sigurd looked up, not at the sky, but thinking about the captains in another world who were eager to see more of such a view—good taste indeed; we seem to have similar preferences!

...

Following this stunning beauty, refreshing his eyes and mood along the way, Sigurd soon arrived near Durandal.

She was training as usual, just in a different training ground. The one from yesterday was almost blown up, and repairing it would take more than a day or two.

Despite the destruction, the base showed no signs of sinking, and even the optical invisibility remained intact, indirectly confirming the incomprehensible technological prowess of Sky City.

"Boom!"

After punching a training mech, Durandal gathered in front of Sigurd and pounded her chest with one hand.

In an instant, a certain softness and elasticity presented an astonishing sight to onlookers, truly captivating.

Then, with a serious expression, Durandal slightly bowed and said, "Durandal, paying respects to Lord Sigurd!"

As an S-rank Valkyrie and a prominent figure in Schicksal, the mistakes and rudeness she made previously were forgiven. Under normal circumstances, Durandal didn't need to kneel to anyone other than the Archbishop Otto.

But Sigurd was already shaking his head.

He was a bit too liberal, and without self-awareness.

Such customs were common in Europe, and there was nothing to blame, but it still needed to be said—Otto did a great job.

Should Kiana's black armor be... no, that's absolutely not acceptable. When he returned, he would need to make some changes, make it thicker, and incorporate some external designs like skirts; he couldn't let her meet people in this style!

"Lord Sigurd?"

"It's nothing, just thinking about some troublesome issues."

"Is there anything Durandal can help with?"

Durandal asked eagerly, her eyes sparkling, as if she was still concerned about the matter of the First Herrscher, Welt Yang.

'Well, it's probably true, after all, defeating the Honkai is her dream, and dealing with the Herrschers is, of course, a direct path to achieving that.'

"No need, did I disturb your training?"

"No, I was about to finish anyway."

"I see, do you have some free time to walk together?"

"Of course, no problem. Oh, before that, please allow Durandal to change her clothes first."

Sigurd raised his hand, indicating that she could leave first.

Then he approached the wreckage of the mechs, inspecting the fragments as if checking for issues with the mechs.

At this moment, Rita, hesitating, finally spoke up:

"Lord Sigurd."

"What is it?"

"I apologize if I offended you, but I wanted to ask if you have any non-professional thoughts about Lady Durandal..."

"No offense taken. I highly appreciate her abilities. If possible, I would even want to recruit her from Otto's command. However, Durandal is quite loyal to that man, and I might have arrived too late. It's probably not feasible."

Sigurd said very candidly, with a deep sense of regret.

Rita, however, breathed a sigh of relief.

It's not that kind of dirty thought. Although Lady Durandal is strong, Lord Sigurd's titles and status are even more intimidating, especially considering his close relationship with Otto. If he were to really pursue her, Rita had no idea how it would turn out.

Sigurd glanced at her and said, "What about you? Are you interested in working under my command? We can discuss the terms. Whatever Otto is offering you, I'll double it."

"Lord Sigurd is joking..."

"Okay, five times the offer, plus the latest photos of Theresa Apocalypse. I have a collection of her photo in various clothing, and if you prefer something more exciting, that can be arranged too."

With Welt being active in St. Freya, as the First Herrscher, he should be able to arrange it.

As for the matter with the man not wanting to sneakily capture the school principal in 'exciting' clothing issue, it's no problem; Sigurd would find a way to make him an offer he couldn't refuse.

Hearing the huge rise in the offer, Rita's pupils trembled, it's definitely because of the sudden increase in money, not because of the collection of Theresa in various clothing and the promise for some more in an 'exciting' one.

As if anyone would believe that.

Then, with a great struggle, Rita forced herself to show a smile and said, "Lord Sigurd, you sure are like to joke around. Rita is a Valkyrie of Schicksal. Regardless of Lord Otto or your orders, Rita will obey unconditionally. What difference does it make whose command I'm under?"

"If such offers can't tempt you, it seems I'll return empty-handed in terms of recruiting talent this time."

Sigurd sighed with regret.

Rita had no words to reply. First, it was a matter of principle, and second, she didn't want to get involved in the power struggles between the bigwigs. She just wanted to fight against the Honkai and accompany Lady Durandal. Of course, if the opportunity arose, she wouldn't give up on Lady Theresa either.

The conversation came to an end at this point. Before long, Durandal returned, her steps full of energy, wearing her formal black military uniform, exuding an imposing aura.

"I apologize for making you wait, Lord Sigurd."

"No problem, I was just chatting with Rita. Since I've already discussed it with her, I'll be straightforward. Are you interested in joining me? Tell me how much Otto offers you, and I'll offer you a hundred times that. Plus, I can prepare an island specifically for you to keep your cats. You can have as many of them as you want."

Hearing the sudden poaching, Durandal was momentarily stunned.

Meanwhile, Rita who heard the huge difference in the offer discreetly twitched the corner of her mouth.

Wow, starting with a hundred times the offer for Lady Durandal directly, this man is not even trying to hide the difference in treatment, Although there is indeed a significant gap in their abilities, it's not to good to be give Lady Durandal twenty times her offer right of the bat right?

"My Lord, you jest. Durandal is loyal to Schicksal."

"Then there is no problem isn't it? Coming to my side is also being loyal to Schicksal."

Said Sigurd without blushing.

"This... I'm sorry, but Durandal has her own mission."

"Alright, then accompany me for a while. Consider it a chance to build rapport."

Sigurd showed little surprise; he calmly waved his hand.

After all, it was just an attempt that he had done casually. He hadn't really expected to pry her away from Otto's clutches.