Building a Courtyard?

Just how.

Luo Mo's behavior towards Theresa was indeed peculiar. Rather than exhibiting a typical male-female fondness, his actions seemed more akin to a compulsion. Despite being an ordinary individual, he displayed an unusual level of enthusiasm around Theresa, an S-rank Valkyrie.

Could it be that individuals from other worlds derived pleasure from seeing others in awkward situations? Or was it simply a case of Schadenfreude, deriving joy from the discomfort of others?

Kallen decided not to dwell on it any further. She turned her attention to the pile of documents that had accumulated on her desk. Reports from all over the world were stacked high, each requiring her immediate attention. This was a routine part of her day.

She planned to get through as many documents as possible today, hoping to carve out some time to play the newly released Honkai III. After all, engaging with the game was part of her ongoing battle against Honkai.

In the quiet office, the only sound was the scratch of her pen against paper. The Bishop's daily routine might have been monotonous and tedious, but she had grown accustomed to it.

Suddenly, a high-pitched sound echoed through the room.

"Drip-drip-"

Kallen glanced at the communicator, her eyes landing on the avatar of little Theresa. A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth as she gently slid her finger across the screen and tapped it.

Theresa's voice resonated from the device, [Grandmother, Luo Mo requested to enter St. Freya's residence]

"Isn't St. Freya a girls' school? Why does he want to go in?" Kallen asked, her expression filled with confusion. Nevertheless, she continued to review the documents in front of her.

[Hmm… Anyway, in short, it's just that I agreed for him to go in]

"But, he applied for the construction of a large garden inside St. Freya Academy just a few days ago." Kallen recalled, her gaze shifting to the items Luo Mo had asked Rita to deliver a couple of days ago.

Among them were stigmata and soul steel, and a… Greatsword?

The soul steel was valuable but currently underutilized. The sword, on the other hand, had intrigued Kallen. She had tested it out on the day of its arrival and found it to be quite impressive. Despite its odd shape, it felt good in her hand and seemed to enhance her strength when swung.

The laboratory had examined the weapon and found its material to be ordinary but its forging technique unique and unrepeatable. They were curious about its origin and believed that if this technique could be combined with Honkai energy, it could significantly enhance the current Valkyrie's equipment. However, they were still researching this possibility.

As for the stigmata, no lab dared to take it on due to its vast difference from the artificial stigmata currently being researched.

After obtaining Luo Mo's consent, Kallen had arranged for a Valkyrie to test it out. Now, the Valkyrie visited daily for adaptation sessions while researchers observed and recorded data.

One day, after Rita had delivered some items, Luo Mo requested a video call with Kallen. He expressed his desire to construct a courtyard within St. Freya Academy. He envisioned it to be grand and spectacular, complete with a basement and at least thirteen accommodation rooms.

As Kallen listened to Luo Mo's ambitious plans, she felt a mix of annoyance and resignation. Over the course of 500 years, she had encountered numerous individuals who, after achieving modest success, indulged in extravagant pursuits, often leading to their downfall.

However, upon hearing about the thirteen rooms, she realized that Luo Mo's intentions were likely not self-serving. She speculated that the rooms might be intended for visitors from another world.

She dismissed the idea that Luo Mo might be planning to switch rooms every day. After all, since he had made a significant contribution to the academy, it was only fair that his request be granted.

Upon reflection, Kallen realized that Luo Mo hadn't shared these plans with Theresa either. This led her to infer that he probably didn't intend to reside in the courtyard himself.

[Ah! Why is it necessary to design the courtyard now, or in my St. Freya, is he planning to live in it all the time?"] Theresa's voice echoed from the communicator, her tone filled with confusion and a hint of concern.

"You'll have to ask him that, Theresa. I didn't think you'd agree to let him in either," Kallen responded, her voice laced with a touch of helplessness.

[Grandma!] Theresa's voice rang out again, this time filled with determination.

[There, for the safety of my lovely students, I'll just take him into my villa. Then after a while, tell him that the time he can reside there has passed, and then kick him out!] Theresa declared her plan with a sense of resolve.

"… That's something you should just figure out for yourself, Theresa." Kallen responded, momentarily taken aback by Theresa's ingenious plan.

Isn't this akin to inviting a wolf into the sheep's pen? But considering her and Cecilia's trend…

Kallen decided it wouldn't hurt to agree. After all, Luo Mo was just an ordinary person. What advantage could he possibly take?

[Okay, Grandma! About when will the construction of the courtyard he asked for be done!"] Theresa's voice echoed from the communicator, her tone filled with curiosity.

"Given his timeline, it's definitely too late. So, the headquarters' plan is to modify that old courtyard near your villa in Theresa and expedite the process. It should be simply renovated within 1 month or even 15 days," Kallen explained.

[In such a hurry? Sirin is also in the vicinity of my villa, will something go wrong."] Theresa voiced her concern.

"I don't think so. Just remind him that ordinary people still need to be cautious of the Honkai energy near Sirin," Kallen reassured her.

[Okay. I know, grandma! I'll warn that guy] Theresa agreed.

"Theresa, what do you think of him?" Kallen asked, curious about Theresa's opinion of Luo Mo.

[What do you mean? Is it referring to him as a person? Although he has an inexplicable interest in certain things, he does prepare the game against Honkai] Theresa responded thoughtfully.

[Grandma! Do you think he can save Wendy?] Theresa asked, her voice filled with hope and concern.

"All I can tell you is that he has the possibility. Since he's answered the call, it shouldn't be a problem," Kallen reassured her.

[Okay, Grandma! I'll go inform him.] Theresa agreed before ending the call.

Kallen sighed and returned to her work, her mind filled with thoughts about Luo Mo's intentions. "What exactly does he want to do? Building that villa, which he named the Golden Courtyard, and moving into St. Freya," she mused.

A rhythmic knock echoed through the room, "Bang, bang, bang…" It was a sound Kallen had come to recognize. It was Rita. She was the only one whose knocking rhythm and voice were consistently in sync.

"Come in!" Kallen called out.

"My Lord Bishop!" Rita appeared at the doorway, clad in the attire of a Rose Witch maid. Her outfit accentuated her figure, the contrast between her black silk stockings and pale skin drawing attention to her legs.

"Lord Durandal has already arrived. All members of the Indestructible Blade are ready and are now requesting a crusade against the New Zealand Oceania branch. Please instruct!" Rita reported, her voice steady and clear.

"already?" Kallen paused, setting down her pen as she looked up at Rita.

"Then let's begin!" she declared.

"Yes, Lord Bishop!" Rita responded. She turned to leave, her movements graceful and elegant. It was as if she wasn't about to embark on a dangerous mission but rather heading out on a leisurely date.

Just outside Schicksal City, a young girl with light blonde wavy hair stood tall. She was clad in a strapless and backless blue and white Valkyrie armor, her posture exuding an aura of strength and determination. Leaning gently against a long gun that was firmly planted into the ground, she held a book in her hands, her eyes scanning the pages with intense focus. Her brows furrowed occasionally, indicating deep thought or perhaps puzzlement.

The lance she leaned on was a striking contrast of black and white. Its deep purple tip spiraled upwards into a pure white spiral, adorned with intricate patterns that repeated along its length. The handle of the gun was a ghostly black, so dark that it seemed to absorb all light, standing out against the pristine white of the surface.

The young girl wasn't particularly tall, but her blonde hair and armor added to her formidable presence. One hand always rested on the hilt of the gun, signaling her constant vigilance. Even during her rest periods, she continued to engage in intellectual pursuits, flipping through books - a true embodiment of a Schicksal Valkyrie.

Indeed, she was none other than Durandal - the strongest current Valkyrie of Schicksal!

"Lord Durandal! It's time to go!" Rita's voice broke the silence. She had quietly approached Durandal, "Just finished your mission, do you need to take a short rest on the battleship?"

Durandal shook her head in response, "Just going to warm up, no need."

"Not bad for Lord Durandal!" Rita laughed softly, "Then this time our squad will be going out together!"

"Uh-huh!" Durandal affirmed with a nod.