Miss Riddler just wants to level up in peace.

"Cough cough..."

The girl was still coughing. Ziyao picked up the lemon tea from the table and handed it to Kiana.

"Here, drink some of this, it won't be spicy anymore."

"Cough cough, it's nothing..."

The waitress gestured to decline, saying she knew perfectly well what was in the tea.

"Don't mention it, consider it our treat."

Kiana said enthusiastically that she was in a pretty good mood today.

Faced with the girl's persistent nagging, the other party had no choice but to drink several mouthfuls.

After drinking the tea with the ice melted, the waitress's expression seemed to become a little more serious.

Ziyao looked at the hot spring pool not far away, next to which were countless culprits, their fragrance filling the air.

The girl was completely unprepared, her back to her.

We can't delay any longer. Although we don't know what the other party is planning, the matter must be resolved as soon as possible.

Suppressing the rising fatigue, she took a deep breath and prepared to make her move.

Unexpectedly, a clear bell rang out.

"...?"

The call came from an unknown number, and Ziyao hung up without thinking too much about it.

Just as I was about to put my phone away, it rang again.

There's a camera icon at the bottom of the screen, which is for video calls.

Her number is encrypted, so it's probably not a case of telecom fraud.

With a light swipe of the finger, a "ding" sounded, and the call connected.

The soft, ethereal female voice, with a touch of soothing sweetness, was deliberately slowed down.

"My little white..."

——Click.

Ziyao immediately hung up the phone.

"Ding-dong ding-dong~~~"

Immediately, the phone rang again.

Rita, who was hiding in the shadows, gave a wink to the Valkyries next to her, signaling them to surround the area around the plaza.

Why is Lady Fu Hua hesitating...?

Do you miss your classmates?

Something must be done, or Lady Theresa will notice something is wrong.

There were two puddings left in the refrigerator, and Rita suddenly had an idea.

Since we can't take direct action, surely we can provide support?

..

Outside, Ziyao first looked around carefully, then pressed the answer button.

"what's up?"

"Long time no see! Wow, there are so many cute girls around!"

"Alicia, what are you doing here?"

"Isn't it normal for comrades to catch up? Don't look at me like that."

The other voice, just like its owner, was lively and adorable.

"Besides, secretly contacting the outside world is against the rules. I'm just making myself an accomplice with you!"

“Go back to where you came from. I hate pointless repetition.”

"Alright, alright."

After the brief interlude ended, Mebius appeared on the screen wearing a white lab coat, holding a document in her hand.

"I have bad news for you. Gray Snake has made contact with Kevin, and he's starting to suspect you."

"Hehe, you can't die before we fulfill our agreement."

"Have the experimental data come out yet?"

After the Jizo-myo-no-Mitama incident, Ziyao specifically collected data on the doll and submitted it to Mebius for research.

If the theory can prove that the doll can be transformed into a real, existing vessel, then the problem of Kiana's Herrscher consciousness can be solved, and at the same time, Mebius from Paradise can also be brought out.

"The person next to you... why does that stupid face look so much like Hua's?"

Mebius asked through the camera.

“....!”

When her original name was mentioned, Fu Hua, disguised as a waitress, paused for a moment, but her expression remained unchanged.

In fact, her heart was like an ancient well to which stones had been thrown, rippling with waves.

More than being discovered, she was surprised that Ziyao knew Mebius, and seemed to have a good relationship with Alicia...

And she mentioned her comrades-in-arms. Could she also be a pioneer of a previous civilization?

"Sorry to bother you."

Rita, disguised as a waitress, brought two plates of specially treated pudding to the table.

An embroidered tie tied elegantly into a bow always adds a unique touch to any outfit.

"Thank you, we already have it."

Kiana scooped up a spoonful; it was soft and not bad.

"I'm sorry, the pudding was made this morning and may have gone bad."

Rita bowed in apology, while serving a fresh pudding topped with honey as a gesture of remorse.

To ensure the mission's success, she added one-third more of the medication.

Even a powerful Valkyrie like Theresa would lose her ability to move after drinking it.

After receiving the pudding, Kiana handed one of the plates to Fu Hua, remembering that the book had mentioned that honey had a good nourishing effect on the throat.

Fu Hua noticed Rita's wink and gestured for her to decline Kiana's offer.

Unexpectedly, Ziyao took the pudding and personally handed it to Fu Hua, saying, "No need to be polite."

She didn't think too much about it. The store had good service, and just like when someone offered her a cigarette, she habitually reciprocated the kindness.

"Uh... um."

The girl's eyes were clear and innocent, without any malice.

Fu Hua was initially surprised, then hesitated before accepting the gift.

She gently picked up the spoon, and then, to Rita's incredulous gaze, took a few bites.

? ?

What are you doing, Lady Fu Hua?

Fu Hua, forced (?), to eat poisoned pudding; the calm and collected Zi Yao; the bewildered Kiana...

The three sat around the square table, the atmosphere subtle.

Rita felt a chill that wasn't there, and immediately felt extremely uneasy.

She immediately stopped the Valkyries' actions, her eyes serious, and chose to observe the situation further.

Could it be that they were plotted against from the very beginning...?

Lady Fu Hua must have her reasons for being so cautious. Could it be that I didn't understand her intentions and even made things worse?

Rita carefully recalled what Ziyao had said.

The more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed; otherwise, Fu Hua wouldn't have complied with the other party's request knowing it was poisonous.

Lady Fu Hua, if you're being threatened, just blink—

At the same time, the system voice sounded.

[Ding! [?] Solved the riddle! Congratulations! You have obtained *641 Crystals!]

Volume 1: Chapter 102 Running Away is the Best Policy

What are you doing standing here like an idiot?

"Shh, Captain Rita told us not to move and to wait for the signal."

In the shadows, two Valkyries stood by, ready to respond.

Police officers suddenly appeared down the mountain, and someone reported that there were terrorists on the mountain, causing them considerable trouble.

One of them wanted to notify Rita, but was stopped by the other, who said that they could only act upon hearing the signal.

"So what is the signal?"

"I...I don't know, the captain just told us to stand by," the Valkyrie, dressed in casual clothes, said slowly.

I heard that today's mission is very important, and only A-rank Valkyries are allowed to participate, and a confidentiality agreement must be signed beforehand.

They thought it was some kind of infiltration mission into a strange organization, but it turned out to be an amusement park visit.

The atmosphere was peaceful and joyful; one might mistake it for a government-funded vacation.

However, the relaxed atmosphere did not make them feel at ease; instead, it made them even more nervous.

Just around the corner, there's a convenience store right in front of you.

Their position was in a blind spot; they could only hear sounds, and they would be spotted if they peeked out.

They can provide immediate support should any movement occur.