Didn't you go to Teyvat to earn money to support me?

"There aren't any... lighthearted comedy stories about girls who are more than friends but not quite lovers?" Himeko blinked.

Mei could only purse her lips in annoyance at her teacher's curiosity. She sat on the high stool with her long legs encased in student stockings together, resting her chin on her hand, somewhat speechless. "Himeko-sensei, if you read the Saint Lake Forum more, you'll know that Kiana has someone she likes."

She herself didn't realize that she felt a little wistful when she said those words.

"How could that be? Kiana told me that you're her favorite person because you're the most beautiful Asian she's ever seen... Oh?" ​​Himeko finally realized what she meant.

news?

Yes, there was news. Three months ago, a major news broke in the Republic of Aisha: Saint Cecilia appeared on the Aisha battlefield with her daughter and clashed with the Schicksal Special Task Force and the United Nations forces. At that time, the Saint Cecilia forcefully seized the God Key Black Abyss White Flower from various countries and also declared ownership of a boy.

Pandora, the Son of White Flowers, became an instant sensation on the Saintess Lake Forum, and even now, there are still daily posts about secretly photographing him. That stunningly beautiful young man, around ten years old, possessing extraordinary potential, caused a temporary explosion in the number of posts on the forum.

"The most beautiful Asian she's ever seen isn't Mei," Raiden Mei said, swirling her wine glass, her gaze wandering.

“That kid named Shen Liang? That’s really strange. Theresa never told me about anyone like that in the Shaniat family,” Himeko said. “No wonder Kiana was living in his house; they were siblings from the beginning.”

"They're not siblings, Kiana and her junior brother... they're boyfriend and girlfriend." Raiden Mei recalled the daily life that had taken place in that small apartment in Bunkyo Ward, Japan, and the scene of the white-haired, delicate girl and the black-haired, houseboy being affectionate every day upstairs.

Although Kiana and her junior brother never claimed to be in a romantic relationship, Mei always had a vague feeling that they were very intimate. Later, the announcement from the Shaniat family further proved this point; the supreme and renowned saintess of the transcendent side completely regarded Shen Liang as her son-in-law.

"It's more than just boyfriend and girlfriend," Miss Mei thought with a hint of disappointment.

While Mei was fast asleep, Kiana and Shen Liang, the unmarried young couple, were making out upstairs, playing a couple's game on TV, each with a controller. After finishing the game, the girl lay on the sofa watching TV while the boy went to make a late-night snack. Full of energy after eating, the boy pushed the girl down onto the sofa. Being in their adolescence, their energy was incredibly high, and seeing the boy's pleading gaze, the girl probably couldn't bear to refuse, right? Finally, the two kissed each other's necks while the TV was on, greedily and desperately craving each other in the warm blue light and air conditioning, their eyes hazy with desire. Damn Kiana, don't you know your junior brother is still young? If he can't control himself, can't you?

Raiden Mei felt increasingly disappointed as she thought about it, and also felt a strange sense of irritability.

"That's true, Kiana does like that little guy. Tsk, I didn't expect Kiana to be into younger men. But then again, she's got high standards. She only looks at pretty girls, only a heartbreaker like that little guy can make her willingly fall in love. I wonder how many Valkyries are insanely jealous of her." Himeko subconsciously licked her lips, then realized what she meant and quickly looked at the student. She breathed a sigh of relief when she found that Raiden Mei hadn't noticed her expression.

"But I'm asking about your love history, not Kiana's. Why only talk about Kiana?" Himeko nudged Mei with her shoulder and laughed. "Hey, seriously, isn't the point of studying to meet someone you like? Kiana has someone she likes, so she can even drop out of school. What about you? Who did you like during your school years?"

Raiden Mei was silent for a moment, then a faint blush appeared on her cold and beautiful face. She looked away from Himeko and stared at the wine glass in her hand.

"Mei...I'm not sure if she has any."

"Uncertain, then it must be true?" Himeko said with the air of someone who had been there before, even a little excited. After all, this was her most aloof female student, and uncovering her secret was quite a challenge.

"Mei doesn't know, but if it's about liking someone... someone you shouldn't like... isn't that incredibly immoral?"

"You like... wait, stop!" Himeko, with her exceptional emotional intelligence, understood instantly. "I was just kidding, Mei! How could you really be having an affair with Kiana?! I know nothing about it, I wasn't involved in anything about the Schariac family! But let me tell you, Mei, you shouldn't mess with your friend's wife. You and that little guy Shen Liang are friends too, and he calls you 'senior sister' so sweetly! Don't bully him!"

Raiden Mei was completely taken aback and froze.

Then, the aloof and composed Mei finally couldn't hold back any longer and stood up with a distorted expression.

"What are you going to do?" Himeko asked warily.

"I want to go home and sleep!"

But even if I couldn't help it, I couldn't argue back. Thinking about it carefully, compared to being misunderstood and Kiana, it would be even harder to explain if Himeko really understood... so it's better to keep quiet.

Just then, Raiden Mei's phone rang. She glanced at the text message and then smiled unconsciously.

"What?" Himeko had just asked when her own phone rang.

"A representative from the Shaniat family will be visiting London soon and will arrive shortly." Raiden Mei downed her drink in one gulp, her face flushed with joy. "Headquarters has assigned us the task of receiving them. After all, they know we're all acquaintances. Hmph... It's been a long time. I wonder if Junior Brother has kept Mei's sword safe?"

Chapter Thirty-One: I can't write anything but sugar!

Neuschwanstein Castle, the third courtyard of the main castle, Anna's bedroom.

Shen Liang shivered.

"Is the air conditioning too cold?" Anna, nestled in his arms, looked up at the boy with gentle and concerned eyes.

"I always feel a bit cold in Anna's room. Is that because of her abilities?"

Shen Liang glanced at the 16-degree Celsius mark on the air conditioner, smiled, and then stroked the ice-elemental princess's chestnut-colored hair. Anna always seemed to be cool and breezy, even in her room. She probably felt uncomfortable in temperatures above 22 degrees Celsius, so the air conditioner was always kept very low; it seemed that people who possessed ice abilities were all like that.

However, as Shen Liang gradually transformed into a Sea Spirit, his body temperature decreased considerably, allowing him to enjoy himself. Moreover, in the sweltering summer, holding Anna was far more comfortable than holding other girls; it felt like the cool, smooth fabric of a cushion. Most adorable was her fondness for applying sweet lipstick, often making it feel like savoring ice cream.

At this very moment, in the girl's bedroom, Anna's desk had a tablet computer standing upright, playing an old movie from many years ago. In front of the desk, the only office chair, a leather swivel chair covered with a blanket, was occupied by two people: Shen Liang, holding the icy little princess kneeling on his lap, each with an earphone.

However, Anna couldn't see the screen behind her, nor did she need to. Instead, she was focused on lying on Shen Liang, carefully dividing his long hair into strands of black hair, and then dividing her own long hair into strands as well, and then painstakingly tying them together into braids.

This scene wasn't surprising. With various guests frequently visiting his bedroom, he now often preferred to quietly visit Anna himself. The gentle and shy Anna never knew how to refuse, so she had no choice but to let Shen Liang take the only chair, as she was reviewing documents.

Then there's the fact that Shen Liang couldn't bear to leave Anna without a place to work. For example, it's unreasonable for a guest to ask the host to carry a computer to work on the bed. Also, Shen Liang is a sensible child who wouldn't add to his sister's workload. And he's willing to sacrifice his lap so Anna can sit on his lap and continue working...

And then it turned into this.

Although this meant Anna would soon be unable to work at all.

But who cares about that?

The rumbling of a train from the movie came through his headphones, but Shen Liang's gaze couldn't stay on the screen. Instead, he watched with a smile as the girl in his arms was engrossed in braiding two-tone hair.

The girl, dressed in a thin, almost transparent white nightgown, knelt in his arms like a sweet doll. Her soft body pressed against his chest, resting against his thighs with a warm touch. Her waist-length chestnut hair was smooth and silky. Even through the nightgown, Shen Liang could clearly feel how cool and soft his sister's body was.

In addition, she is also diligently working on hairstyling.

Ok……

Perhaps it can't be described as a doll, but rather as a well-behaved and docile little kitten nestled on your stomach. Stroking its soft fur, feeling its adorable, adoring reactions, it occasionally lets out gentle meows. Even when it gets annoyed by your touch, it will only let out a couple of soft meows. When playing with you, it will weakly grip the sheets, and when it feels comfortable, even its toes will unconsciously spread open…

Oh, it's a cat's toes spread open. Many people probably haven't seen pink cat paws before.

Shen Liang gradually forgot what the tablet was doing, just like Anna. He stroked the girl's long hair with a hint of resentment, and that was all he could do.

"Sister Anna—" Shen Liang drawled, his voice sounding both coquettish and pleading. His eyes were cautious, as if afraid of upsetting her.

Anna looked up, her beautiful pink eyes filled with concern as she glanced at him, then whispered, finding it difficult to speak.

"No, Pandora, really... Anna... Ugh, my mouth is only for eating, it's happened so many times today... I'm so embarrassed..."

"But Anna is eating too."

“Pandora, this is different…”

"That……"

Anna noticed the boy's gaze fixed on her long hair, and quickly covered her hair, staring at him warily.

Shen Liang's face was full of disappointment.

"These past few days have been inconvenient, Pandora... when will you be able to win over the Second Miss?" Anna looked at her beloved cousin's expression, feeling helpless, her face a mixture of shame and fear. She could only whisper, "If it really doesn't work out, Pandora... I know a few older sisters, all very beautiful girls, and I've always hoped to have something with Pandora..."

"Enough, Anna, stop talking. I didn't come to the Shaniat family to be a furnace!" Shen Liang interrupted her impatiently. "I'm not accepting anyone, you know."

"Everyone loves Pandora."

"Sister Anna, do you really think I'm not afraid of death...? Mom would skin us both alive, she would definitely use her S-class Valkyrie fighting power to kill me without hesitation." Shen Liang raised her head, thinking of the younger generation of young ladies in the Shaniat family, and said helplessly, "Besides, most of the girls in the family are attracted to girls, okay? Are you sure they're not joking with you?"

"You'll only kill Pandora, Anna is just a pitiful girl who can't resist the White Flower Child and can only submit." Anna chuckled softly. "How about it? Want to give it a try? There are many, many older sisters around the same age as Pandora. Pandora is building a harem anyway, so she must have the audacity to act recklessly."

Seeing Anna's mischievous smile, Shen Liang swallowed hard. Although young, Anna was gentle and aloof, and her words were never as baseless as Kiana's. So, she dared to say that half was a joke and half was the truth! Shen Liang knew all too well the beauty of the Saintess family. This was a family whose entire members could have played angelic apparitions in the Middle Ages! They themselves were the epitome of female beauty, and any one of them could amaze ordinary people on social media!

But the more attractive it was, the more Shen Liang wanted to refuse, precisely because it might not just be a joke! Anna, with her meticulous nature, was almost always true to her word. If he actually responded, it would be a big problem, and how could he possibly keep it a secret then?

Being used as a vessel to be toyed with is a minor matter; being killed by Cecilia and Maria, who could no longer tolerate him, is a major problem! Shen Liang didn't want to test the limits of these elders' tolerance for his debauchery. He couldn't even hide it from such an obedient Anna, let alone others.

So I'm so sorry, Sister Gerino, Sister Nerael, Sister Angelia, Sister Mia, Sister Emily, Sister Lala, Sister Lily, Sister Raymond...

Oh wait, Angela is my aunt, isn't she?

His thoughts drifted elsewhere. Ever since he was heading to London today, he had been searching online for information about Schicksal's headquarters, even exhausting the Shaniat family's database. He had a general understanding of what kind of organization it was. First of all, it was indeed the World Government. Even the name "Valkyrie" was spread to all superhumans after Schicksal used it. Moreover, its control over superhumans was extremely strong, so strong that each branch was like a "local government for superhumans" around the world.

For example, Europe has large branches such as the Eastern European Branch, Western European Branch, Southern European Branch, and Northern European Branch. Under these large branches, there may be smaller branches such as the French Branch and the Finnish Branch.

Currently, there are over twenty large branches globally, covering almost the entire world. For many matters concerning the supernatural, local governments are likely to rely on the assistance of these branches; therefore, most branches can essentially be considered semi-governmental agencies. For things like apprehending criminal supernatural beings, one can't simply rely on secular police.

This has led to a situation where, for many weaker nations and regions, the Mandate of Heaven's branch system is a form of assistance. However, for many nations that are already powerful enough, the Mandate of Heaven's intervention is, in effect, a threat.

How can I allow others to sleep soundly under my bed?

For example, France, as one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, is fully capable of handling superhuman incidents within its borders on its own, almost without needing the mandate of heaven. Yet, it still has a large branch in Western Europe. After much maneuvering, the Western European branch is actually the weakest of the four major European branches. Often, it is only nominally large, with very few personnel stationed there, making it practically an embassy.

To give another example, Shenzhou, as the largest country in Asia, boasts an astonishing population and area. Theoretically, such a place should have a large branch. However, Shenzhou doesn't even have a single Tianming branch. Tianming has wanted to establish a branch in Shenzhou for five hundred years, even requesting that it be nominal and that only researchers be sent, not Valkyries. But even so, Shenzhou still didn't agree, because Shenzhou didn't need to feign compliance with Tianming.

When Shen Liang saw this, he discovered an interesting piece of information: the Heavenly Mandate had very little record of the strength of the Divine Continent. He specifically searched the database to find the clue. More than five hundred years ago, the Heavenly Mandate had invaded the Divine Continent under the guise of faith, but was eventually wiped out by the Crimson Kite Immortal of Mount Taixu on the Kipchak Grassland, which is now hundreds of miles outside Shanhaiguan.

The Heavenly Mandate's eastern expedition nearly exhausted its resources, yet it ended up in such a state. Shen Liang suspected that this was why the Heavenly Mandate had always maintained vigilance and respect towards the Divine Continent. The Divine Continent's extraordinary potential was no weaker than that of the Heavenly Mandate, which was now using Valkyries from all over the world as reserve talents. Moreover, no one knew when a similar immortal to the Crimson Kite Immortal or an ancestor like the Little Immortal Cheng Ling Shuang might emerge from the Divine Continent.

The essence of China lies in its unfathomable depths. Moreover, China has no interest in controlling the world's supernatural affairs, so there's no need for Destiny to confront China head-on.

Returning to the Schicksal branch system, all branches are subject to the command of headquarters. The most outstanding Valkyries, the seeds of the talent pool, are qualified to go to Schicksal headquarters in London. Headquarters can be said to be the dream place of all Valkyries in the entire transcendental realm. It is a gathering place for the world's strongest Valkyries, where A-rank is everywhere and B-rank is as good as dog. It also has the world's best training system and the most advanced technology. Because Schicksal headquarters' technology tree is directly derived from the previous civilization era, the technology they are willing to leak out is often too outdated for headquarters.

Some even speculate that the Destiny Headquarters may have already begun using controlled nuclear fusion! Every year, the debate between "nuclear fusion will lead to a leapfrog development of civilization and make humanity advance by leaps and bounds, while nuclear fusion technology that is not in line with the progress of civilization will only give rise to the Honkai that we cannot fight" is a daily topic on the supernatural side of the Internet community.

Moreover, the Destiny Headquarters has proven with facts that it is not just a name for the core of the extraordinary side. It has cultivated many S-class Valkyries such as Durandal, Rita, Theresa, Cecilia, and Maria. Throughout Destiny's two-thousand-year history, the number of S-class Valkyries it has cultivated is like a tide, more than the number of S-class Valkyries known worldwide.

The Holy Land is so sacred that even though the British government knew that the existence of the Destiny Headquarters would result in the absence of a powerful official Valkyrie in the entire country, they were unwilling to allow the Destiny Headquarters to find another location.

However, the power mechanism of destiny is very ancient.

Five hundred years ago, the highest authority in Schicksal was the Parliament, composed of members of three pillar families: the "Knight Kaslana Family," the "Saint Shaniat Family," and the "Bishop Apocalypse Family." Of these three families, the Kaslana Family possessed extraordinary resistance to erosion and physical strength inherited from the previous civilization. The Shaniat Family had exceptionally high adaptability to Honkai energy after modifications, with the "Saint Shaniat" possessing virtually unlimited Honkai energy adaptability, capable of controlling Honkai energy levels that ordinary people simply could not control.

The Apocalypse family has no bloodline; it merely serves as the one among the three great families responsible for stabilizing destiny. This is because the first two families are true warriors, always charging into battle with extremely high casualty rates, thus requiring the Apocalypse family to maintain the stability of destiny at all times.

This system has been maintained to this day. The Kaslana family has been destroyed, but the Shaniat family remains as warriors. Apocalypse is left with only one immortal ruler for five hundred years—Otto.

With a lifespan of five hundred years, Otto's control over Schicksal was now meticulous, so to some extent, Schicksal had become Otto Apocalypse's personal fiefdom. This was originally an incredible thing, but Schicksal under Otto's rule did not decline because of his personal desires. On the contrary, it flourished and even still had a great deal of influence in the world under the United Nations system, almost being the de facto "Sixth Permanent Member".

It's important to understand that the greatest form of governance in the world is neither democracy nor freedom, but rather the "saintly dictatorship" that exists only in the delusions of philosophers. Otto actually fits this description perfectly; everything he does is to fight against the Honkai and advance Destiny, which is why his popularity is even comparable to that of the Holy Lady who saved countless lives in the Siberian War.

Once Cecilia passes away, Otto will be the true ruler of Mandate of Heaven, the sole sovereign in terms of both power and popularity.