Honkai Impact: My Power Grows When Valkyries Fall For Me — Chapter 80

Chapter 80: Otto Calls Again

A few days passed in the blink of an eye.

It was another early morning. Lucian slowly surfaced from his slumber and habitually glanced at the space beside him.

Mei hadn’t woken up yet.

Ever since Theresa’s visit, Mei had practically spent every night at his place. Sometimes she would slip into his room unannounced, a delightful surprise attack. Other times, Herrscher Mei would simply appear through the door without warning.

He really had been teased mercilessly by both versions of Mei these past few days.

Lucian let out a soft sigh, a sound of fond exasperation. He raised his hand, his movements feather-light, intending to brush the stray strands of hair from her sleeping face.

But the moment he moved, Mei stirred.

Her amethyst eyes slowly fluttered open, still clouded with the daze of someone just waking. She blinked a few times, her gaze gradually focusing on his face.

“Good morning, Lucian.”

Her voice carried the faint rasp of morning, yet it was exceptionally pleasant to the ear.

“Good morning,” Lucian responded softly.

Mei nuzzled into his arms, shifting until she found a more comfortable position against his chest.

“What time is it?”

“It should be almost seven. Do you have early classes today?”

“Yes,” Mei’s voice was muffled, her words vibrating against his ribs.

Despite this, she showed absolutely no intention of getting out of bed. Instead, she burrowed even deeper into his embrace.

Lucian looked down at the top of her head, a crown of dark hair pressed against his chest, and smiled helplessly.

“You have early classes and you’re still not getting up?”

“Five more minutes.”

Lucian looked at the head that showed no sign of lifting and let out another helpless, fond smile.

“You said the same thing yesterday.”

“Hmm?”

“And then you stayed for half an hour.”

A soft laugh escaped Mei, and she finally lifted her head from his arms. In those purple eyes, the morning laziness was now mixed with a hint of a mischievous smile.

“That’s because someone wouldn’t let go of me.”

“It was clearly you who refused to leave.”

“Was it?” Mei tilted her head, her expression a mask of pure innocence.

Looking at her like this, Lucian suddenly found himself at a loss for words.

“Alright, just kidding.” She sat up, running her fingers through her slightly messy long hair to tidy it. Then, she leaned down and pressed a light, warm kiss on his lips.

She gracefully climbed over him and slipped out of bed.

“I’m going to wash up.”

Lucian lay on the bed, watching her back as she disappeared through the bathroom doorway. A few seconds later, the gentle sound of splashing water reached him.

He reached up, his fingertips lightly touching his lips where her kiss still lingered. He spoke to the empty room in a helpless tone.

“Really… I’m completely wrapped around her finger.”

Later that morning, in the Security Room.

Lucian sat in his chair, boredly gazing at the scenery outside the window. The sunlight was beautiful, spilling over the pristine buildings of St. Freya Academy and onto the students coming and going along the paths.

He watched the girls in their school uniforms walking past in groups of two or three, a sudden thought striking him: life was a bit too leisurely.

Peaceful, stable, no Honkai threats, no sudden emergencies. There was only his daily training and Mei coming over every night.

‘Hmm… is it a bit too idle…’

The thought had barely finished forming in his mind when the communicator on his desk suddenly vibrated, its buzz cutting through the quiet room.

Lucian glanced at the caller ID. The name displayed was Otto.

“…”

The corner of Lucian’s mouth twitched. He couldn’t believe it. The very moment he lamented how tranquil life was, Otto Apocalypse decided to call him.

After two seconds of heavy silence, Lucian reached out and pressed the answer button.

“Long time no see, my dear Mr. Lucian.”

Otto’s signature gentle voice, carrying the faint hint of a smile, flowed from the communicator.

Lucian’s brow furrowed slightly.

“Long time no see, Lord Bishop.” His tone was flat, betraying no emotion.

Otto chuckled on the other end. “It seems you’ve been doing well at St. Freya lately?”

“And so?” Lucian leaned back in his chair, his gaze drifting back to the sunlight outside the window. “Do you have something for me this time?”

“Straight to the point, are we? Well, as it happens, I do have something I’d like to discuss with you.” Otto’s voice remained smooth as silk. “I’d like to ask you for a favor.”

Lucian felt a prickle of unease. He had spent enough time by Otto’s side to know that the more disarmingly direct the Overseer sounded, the more significant the matter truly was.

“A favor?”

“Don’t be nervous,” Otto said, as if sensing his reaction. He chuckled again. “It’s not a dangerous mission. It’s just… Schicksal recently discovered traces of the Second Divine Key in England. I wonder if you’re interested in taking a long trip?”

After Otto’s nonchalant words came through the communicator, a brief silence fell.

Lucian remained leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the sunlit campus, his expression unconsciously turning skeptical. He had assumed the next major event he’d be involved in was the expedition to the ruins of Xuanwu. He hadn’t expected the mission in London to come up first.

But to be honest, he didn’t really want to go.

After all, with the strength of Durandal and Rita, his presence would be redundant. He was far more worried about the safety of Himeko and the others during the upcoming Xuanwu expedition.

“What is it? Are you worried about something?” Otto’s voice returned, a playful note in its cadence.

Lucian snapped back to the present and spoke in a flat tone, “Why look for me? With Durandal there, you shouldn’t need me.”

“Hehe, you certainly are well aware of the situation over there,” Otto chuckled, then began to explain in an unhurried manner. “True, with Durandal’s strength, she is more than capable of dealing with any potential dangers.”

Otto’s leisurely voice continued to drift from the communicator, but Lucian felt certain the old fox had an ulterior motive.

Sure enough, Otto paused for a moment before adding, “However… the reason I’m looking for you this time is actually because Durandal wants to see you.”

“Wants to see me?” Lucian’s brow furrowed deeper.

“Yes.” Otto’s tone was still gentle, but Lucian detected an unusual undercurrent. “Since before the Third Honkai Eruption, Durandal often told me she wanted to go to Changkong City to see someone named Lucian.”

“But at that time, she was busy with various missions and never had the opportunity. Recently, however, this chance has presented itself, allowing you two to meet.”

“Why does she want to see me?” Lucian asked the question burning in his mind directly.

Otto just chuckled on the other end, avoiding a direct answer. “That question, I think it’s better if you ask her yourself.”

“…”

Lucian was silent for a few seconds. That old riddler Otto was at it again, but he could already hazard a guess. To suddenly want to find him in Changkong City for no apparent reason… the only possibility was that she had encountered the ‘him’ from another world.

“So you want me to go to England?”

“It’s merely an invitation.”

“I’ll think about it.”

After the call was disconnected, the Security Room fell quiet once more.

Lucian leaned back in his chair, his gaze on the sunlight outside, his brow slightly furrowed in thought.

The mission in London truly didn’t need him. He knew Durandal’s capabilities, and with Rita by her side, they were more than equipped to handle anything that might go wrong.

But for Otto to call him personally, it was definitely not as simple as a mere invitation. The more nonchalantly that old man spoke, the deeper the scheme behind it usually was.

And as for St. Freya’s side…

According to the original course of events, the next step would be Himeko leading Kiana and the others to explore the Xuanwu ruins. She was hoping to find a way to treat her artificial stigmata, but they would instead face the resurrection of the Honkai Beast, Chiyou.

After that ordeal, Himeko’s body would suffer from severe Honkai erosion. Although her treatment would ultimately be successful, if he were present, he could ensure none of them were harmed in the first place.

There was no need to hesitate. He would find Himeko and ask when she planned to set off.