Honkai Impact: My Power Grows When Valkyries Fall For Me — Chapter 85

Chapter 85: A London Holiday, Part One

The carriage fell silent for a moment, the quiet hum of the engine the only sound as the scenery outside the window gradually shifted from the dense, bustling city to a more open, sprawling landscape.

Lucian’s gaze was fixed on the world beyond the glass, watching the unfamiliar buildings and winding streets of London flash by in a blur of stone and steel.

After a while, the curiosity finally won. Lucian pulled his gaze from the window and turned to look at Durandal’s composed profile.

“Where are we going?”

Durandal turned her head, her clear blue eyes meeting his.

“We’re going on vacation.”

Lucian blinked. The word hung in the air, completely at odds with his expectations. “Vacation?”

“Mhm.” Durandal nodded, her expression perfectly serious. She didn’t look like she was joking in the slightest.

He stared at her for a few seconds, searching her features for any trace of a jest, any flicker of amusement in those placid eyes. But Durandal’s expression remained as calm as a still lake, her gaze holding a sense of simple, matter-of-fact truth.

“…What about the mission?” he asked, his voice laced with confusion.

Durandal blinked slowly. “I came to England for a vacation in the first place.”

The corner of Lucian’s mouth twitched. He vaguely recalled the plot of the London arc; if he remembered correctly, only Rita was officially on a mission. Durandal was, in fact, purely on holiday…

Lucian chose his words carefully. “Then what about what you said yesterday? About the mission arrangements at eight o’clock tomorrow morning…”

“Hmm?” Durandal tilted her head, a flicker of something almost like embarrassment crossing her features for a fraction of a second. “Rita told me to say those things.”

She continued, her tone even. “She said it’s your first time in England and you might be feeling nervous. She wanted me to act more formally to leave a good impression on you.”

Lucian was speechless.

He stared at Durandal, at that impossibly calm face, and for a moment, he had no idea what to say.

A soft, musical laugh drifted back from the driver’s seat. “Mr. Lucian, your expression right now is quite interesting.”

Lucian’s eyes met Rita’s in the rearview mirror. Her own were sparkling with mischievous mirth, entirely devoid of guilt.

“Miss Rita…”

“Yes?”

“You did that on purpose.”

“Of course,” Rita confirmed without hesitation, her smile growing even brighter. “It’s a rare opportunity to see Lord Durandal prepare for something so seriously. Naturally, I had to play along.”

She paused, her voice taking on a richer, more suggestive tone. “And… don’t you think an opening like this is far more interesting?”

The corner of Lucian’s mouth twitched again, this time into a wry, resigned smile.

“Indeed.”

——————

The car came to a smooth stop in a parking lot.

The three of them disembarked and began a slow walk along the banks of the River Thames. In the distance, against the canvas of the morning sky, the iconic silhouette of Big Ben rose, its form exceptionally clear in the gentle light.

Lucian’s gaze was drawn to the landmark, and he found his pace slowing to a near stop. He had seen Big Ben countless times on television and in photographs in his past life, but standing here, seeing it with his own eyes… it was a completely different experience.

The ancient clock tower stood sentinel by the Thames, its hands moving with an unhurried grace, radiating a quiet dignity that spoke of the centuries it had witnessed. As he looked, the full, stunning scope of the Gothic Revival architecture gradually revealed itself.

The Palace of Westminster.

Lucian stopped completely, tilting his head back to take in the massive complex. Golden decorations glittered in the sunlight, countless spires pierced the sky like needles, and rows of carefully carved windows stared out like a thousand eyes.

“Is it beautiful?” Durandal’s voice came from beside him.

Lucian turned his head, meeting her gaze before looking back at the tower.

“Mhm.” He nodded, his eyes returning to Big Ben. “I’ve only ever seen it in photos. Standing here for real… it feels different.”

“How is it different?” Durandal pressed, her curiosity genuine.

Lucian thought for a moment, searching for the right words. “More… real?” he finally offered, feeling it was a poor description.

Durandal looked at him, and a soft, understanding smile touched her lips. “I know what you mean,” she said gently. “I felt the same way the first time I saw the Eiffel Tower.”

“You’ve been to Paris?” Lucian asked automatically, then immediately felt foolish. The woman beside him was Schicksal’s strongest Valkyrie. She dealt with Honkai threats across the entire globe, year-round, without rest. Of course she’d been to Paris.

“Mhm.” Durandal nodded. “I was passing through on a mission.” She paused, her gaze drifting back to Big Ben. “But I didn’t have time to stop and look back then. I only caught a glimpse of it from afar.”

Lucian watched her, saw the way her blue eyes reflected the distant silhouette of the Palace of Westminster.

“However,” Durandal said, turning her head to meet his gaze again, a faint smile warming her eyes, “there’s plenty of time today.”

The two of them stood side by side like that, their attention fixed on Big Ben in the distance, a comfortable silence settling between them.

Behind them, Rita stood quietly a few paces away. She made no move to disturb them, simply observing with a placid smile, her gaze shifting between the two.

Lucian’s eyes were on Big Ben. Durandal’s eyes were on Lucian.

‘This scene…’ she mused, ‘is quite interesting.’

Rita chuckled softly to herself. She reached into her bag, produced a small camera, and raised it, aiming it at their backs.

In the viewfinder, the composition was perfect. Lucian and Durandal stood shoulder to shoulder, his black hair stirring slightly in the breeze, her golden hair cascading over her shoulders. In the background, Big Ben stood tall, and the surface of the Thames shimmered with a fine, silvery light.

It was a beautiful picture.

Rita pressed the shutter.

Click.

The sound was exceptionally clear in the quiet morning air.

Lucian and Durandal turned their heads in unison.

Rita held her pose, the camera still raised, her smile the very picture of innocence. “Just recording the moment,” she said, her tone as natural as if she were commenting on the weather. “It’s not often Lord Durandal has such a relaxing time.”

Lucian was momentarily taken aback, his gaze shifting to Durandal. Her expression was still calm, but he could see a subtle hint of embarrassment flash in her eyes.

“Rita, stop taking pictures,” she called out, her voice tinged with a familiar helplessness.

“Yes, yes,” Rita replied with a cheerful smile. She lowered the camera, stowing it away before walking over to join them, looking out at Big Ben with them.

“But seriously, an opportunity like this is rare,” she said, her voice light but carrying a note of genuine sentiment. “Lord Durandal is usually so busy.”

Rita paused, her gaze falling on Durandal’s profile, a touch of tenderness softening her features. “A moment like this, doing nothing, just standing here and looking at the scenery… it’s very rare.”

Durandal didn’t speak. She just stood there quietly, her gaze fixed on the distant clock tower. The morning sun spilled over the three of them, casting long, peaceful shadows on the walkway.

“Let’s go,” Durandal said suddenly, turning away. “Let’s see the other sights.”

Lucian nodded and fell into step beside her.

Rita followed a pace behind, that faint, unreadable smile still playing on her lips.

The trio continued their walk along the Thames. The morning light danced on the water’s surface, and occasional tour boats drifted past, leaving gentle ripples in their wake. Lucian found his gaze frequently drawn to the buildings on the opposite bank, their architecture an orderly yet fascinatingly varied mix.

“That over there is the London Eye,” Durandal’s voice came from beside him. She raised a hand, pointing toward the giant Ferris wheel in the distance. “If you ride it at night, you can see the lights of all of London.”

Lucian looked where she was pointing. The massive wheel stood quietly on the opposite bank, its white frame glowing softly in the sunlight.

“Have you ridden it?” he asked casually.

Durandal shook her head.

“No.”