"Knock, knock, knock."
The knocking on the door interrupted Otto, who was analyzing experimental data. He looked towards the direction of the door and spoke slowly, "Please come in."
The knocking ceased, and the door to the bishop's office was pushed open. A girl's head peeked in, her pink eyes curiously scanning the layout of the office. When she saw Otto sitting behind the desk, her eyes momentarily dodged, and she seemed somewhat unnatural.
But this awkwardness lasted only for a moment. In the next moment, the girl regained her composure. She stood at the door, slightly exaggeratedly saluting Otto, and loudly declared:
"Anna Schariac, reporting to the bishop!"
The girl's name was Anna Schariac, a member of the Schariac family, one of the three major families of Schicksal, and the captain of the Snow Lotus Squad.
Her chestnut-colored long hair was smooth and glossy, shining with a silk-like luster under the sunlight. Her pink eyes were extremely beautiful, shining brightly like jewels.
At this moment, Anna was saluting with her right hand, and the black beret on her head almost shook off due to the force, causing her to panic slightly. Fortunately, the beret didn't fall off in the end, just tilting slightly, adding a touch of beauty unintentionally.
A hint of embarrassment flashed in Anna's eyes, but she concealed it well.
Undoubtedly, Anna Schariac was a very attractive young lady.
"Well, Anna, there's no need to be so restrained," Otto smiled gently, his attitude extremely gentle, like an elder treating a junior, as he spoke softly, "Feel free to sit."
Anna nodded, obediently found a seat, and looked at the blonde man in front of her with restraint and reverence.
Although Bishop Otto had a somewhat bad reputation outside, within Schicksal, especially among the three major families including the Schariac family, he had always appeared as a moral model, a wise bishop, a wise strategist, and a humble gentleman.
You could say that Otto was hypocritical, but it couldn't be denied that he was indeed respected by the Schariac family, and Anna was no exception.
"My lord bishop, do you have something to discuss with me?"
The Snow Wolf Squad was originally on a stationed mission at Coral Island. However, the summon from the bishop made Anna temporarily put down her task and hurried back to Schicksal Headquarters.
At this moment, Anna's mood was somewhat nervous, but at the same time, she was also excited.
This was the bishop! Many Valkyries admired him from afar, but could only admire him from a distance. And now, he directly summoned me to see him!
"Anna, do you remember the day you became a Valkyrie?" Otto suddenly asked.
"Ah..." Anna seemed a little stunned for a moment, and then her eyes became somewhat trance-like, as if immersed in distant memories.
"I remember." Anna nodded firmly, her pink eyes revealing a firm determination.
That day was a long-awaited day for her, the moment when her dream, her past efforts, all culminated in realization.
"On that day, I swore to bring hope to those in deep distress, to fight for every suffering victim, to dedicate myself to humanity, and to spare no effort in the battle against Collapse." Anna repeated the oath she had made that day, her eyes shining with pride.
"Very well," Otto chuckled lightly, applauding gently, "I have always admired your efforts in daily life. I must admit, Anna, you have become an outstanding Valkyrie."
Hearing the bishop's praise, Anna couldn't help but straighten her chest. The girl's development was very good. Just a slight straightening, and the softness was about to burst out, lifting the armor high.
"My lord bishop, you flatter me." Anna scratched her head, adjusting her beret slightly, feeling a little embarrassed.
"So, after careful consideration, I have decided to entrust you with a very important task," Otto smiled with an interested smile, continuing slowly, "In the next period of time, the Snow Wolf Squad will be temporarily led by the vice-captain. Anna, you need to go to a designated place to meet with someone and temporarily act as his bodyguard."
Anna's pink eyes blinked, revealing a hint of innocent curiosity.
"And who is the person I need to protect?"
Otto remained calm, his mouth hanging a strategist's smile that seemed to have everything under control, as he slowly spoke:
...
"Are you Mr. Chase"
In a café, a girl with chestnut hair asked the black-haired young man sitting by the window, looking out at the scenery.
"Yes, that's me." Hearing her voice, the young man sitting down slightly paused, turning his head to look at the girl, sitting up from his seat with a smile, "Are you Miss Anna Schariac?"
"Hello, Mr. Chase, nice to meet you. You can call me Anna." Anna's curious pink eyes looked at the clean and handsome young man in front of her, feeling full of vigor.
Is this the person the bishop wants me to protect? Anna will definitely not let the bishop down!
"Sure, Anna, please have a seat," Chase smiled. After Anna took her seat, he continued, "Only black tea?"
"Do you have cappuccino?" Anna looked around and confirmed that this was a café, and asked tentatively.
After Anna finished speaking, a professionally dressed waiter walked to their table, carrying two cups of drinks on a tray:
"Sir, here are the two cups of black tea you ordered."
"Thank you," Chase handed a tip to the waiter, and looked at Anna, saying, "Of course, cappuccino is available."
"Please give this beautiful Miss Anna a cappuccino, thank you."
"Okay." The waiter seemed full of energy, with a smile on his face. He really liked the young man who was generous with tips in front of him.
"No need to trouble yourself, I can drink black tea." Anna quickly said, but was rejected by Chase.
"It's okay, I'll have two cups." Chase's statement was surprising.
Anna blinked her eyes, not reacting for a moment: "???"
At this moment, the waiter returned with a cup of cappuccino: "Here's the cappuccino you ordered."
After placing it down, he elegantly turned around and left, waving his hand without taking away a single cloud.
Anna picked up the coffee, took a sip, and listened attentively to the young man opposite her.
"... That's about it. I'll leave it to Miss Anna from now on." Chase smiled.
"Don't worry, leave it to me!" Anna appeared enthusiastic, patting her substantial chest, her face full of confidence.
"Well, to commemorate this moment, may I take a photo with Miss Anna?" Chase asked.
"Of course."
After taking a photo with Anna, Chase had nothing else to do, so he took out his communication device and found the friend interface of "Night Owl". Suddenly, a mischievous smile appeared on his face.
[White Dove: Have you eaten, my friend?]
[Night Owl: Not yet, on a mission, let's chat later.]
[White Dove sent a picture to Night Owl.]
[White Dove: My new bodyguard, how do you like it?]
[White Dove: Now you can rest assured and focus on your mission with the World Snake.]
There was no response from the other side. Chase waited for a while but didn't receive a reply, so he smiled helplessly.
"Mr. Chase, is something wrong?" Anna asked, curious about Chase's expression.
"Oh, nothing, I just teased a colleague during my free time." Chase smiled brightly, apparently in a good mood.
"My colleague is really something, so efficient in his work. He went to work as soon as he said he would, and he's so busy that he can't even reply to my messages. Hey hey hey!"
While complaining, he suddenly felt his communication device vibrate. Chase looked at it and saw that it was a message from his main contact.
[Night Owl: ?]
[Night Owl: ???]
[Night Owl: Where are you?]
Chase stared at the screen, the cold light of the electronic screen shining on his face, revealing the joyous smile that he couldn't suppress at the moment.
It's urgent.
This was the cute smile of a mischief-maker. At this moment, if his mood had to be described with a phrase, it would probably be "Mazda driving on a sunny day—so happy."
But... hold on, hold on, he's still outside now, so he had to hold back his happiness and enjoy it secretly.
With this in mind, he looked at Anna, and their eyes met, feeling a bit unnatural.
"Mr. Chase"
"Miss Anna, would you like some dessert? Afternoon tea wouldn't be complete without sweets." Chase smiled, handing her the menu.
"Um... let me see." Girls always had no resistance to desserts, and Anna was no exception.
Watching the chestnut-haired girl frown in thought, Chase couldn't help but smile.
Since it had come to this, let's have a meal first.
...
Chen Tianwu never thought that he would receive news from Anna again under these circumstances.
The girl in the photo was still as beautiful as he remembered, or perhaps even more so.
Two years had passed, and Anna had now become a mature Valkyrie, and even the captain of the Snow Lotus Squad. As for him, who was once the "rescued" role, he had also become a cadre of the World Snake.
Chen Tianwu had thought about meeting Anna, fulfilling the unfulfilled date between them, but he couldn't. Because he was a cadre of the World Snake, he could only watch from afar, and that was enough.
But...
Chen Tianwu looked at the picture sent by his colleague Bai Jiu, and his whole person was stunned, standing still. The cold wind blew his black hair, and his brain crashed, confused in the wind.
When the rooster pecked the rice and the dog licked the noodles, Chen Tianwu finally regained his senses. He trembled hands, took out his communication device, and typed frantically, at a speed difficult for ordinary people to reach.
His great-grandfather's, this damn job!
He came here to work just so he could learn about Anna's news while making a living, but now that Anna was here, it didn't matter whether he went to work or not!
I want to resign and go on vacation now! I want to see Anna now!
Although he didn't know what had happened, Chen Tianwu still had to say——
White Dove, your great-grandfather's #%!&, stay away from Anna!