Having secured Kiana's promise, Ming Yu felt a little more at ease. With the matter of Higokumaru settled, he could focus on his missions and seek ways to become stronger.
A relaxed Ming Yu and Kiana quickly finished moving the cardboard boxes in the hall. After all, neither of them had the physique of an ordinary person, and the monstrous strength inherited from the Kaslana family was extraordinary.
Bronya also soon brought the cleaning tools without any delay.
Seeing Ming Yu and Kiana waiting in the hall, Bronya's eyes flickered imperceptibly, but she said nothing. She just quietly distributed the cleaning tools to them and started the work of cleaning the house.
Although the apartment was large, because there weren't many things and it had been cleaned regularly before, it wasn't very difficult to clean. Many places only needed a simple dusting.
Compared to Himeko's apartment, which they had cleaned last time, the difficulty was on a completely different level—the difference between 'easy' and 'hellish'.
While the group was busy, Himeko's room was not calm either.
After listening to Theresa's description, Himeko's face was grave. She looked at Theresa with a hint of surprise in her eyes and asked, "Just for these reasons, you're recruiting Ming Yu into the Far East Branch? Isn't that a bit too hasty?"
Theresa shook her head, kicked off her shoes, and sat cross-legged on the sofa. Holding a glass of translucent, green bitter melon juice in her small hands, she took a small sip before slowly saying, "You don't have a Divine Key, so you wouldn't understand that feeling. Since he has been acknowledged by Judah, he must have a quality that Judah recognizes."
After a pause, she continued in a heavy tone, "Besides, we also need the power of the Divine Key in his hands."
Hearing Theresa's words, Himeko felt a sense of ridicule from the Principal and couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"However, I still feel like he's not one of us." Despite this, Himeko didn't easily agree. "That guy, Ming Yu, although he looks like he doesn't care about anything, he has everything planned out in his mind. His way of thinking won't change so easily."
She still couldn't forget the strange smile Ming Yu had before entering the Stigmata Space, as if he had known all along what he would encounter inside.
Theresa fell silent, not immediately retorting. She sipped her bitter melon juice, her brows slightly furrowed.
After a good while, her brows gradually relaxed, and she said, "But at least, I've never sensed any malice from him. Even if he won't completely walk the same path as us, he won't easily become our enemy either."
Seeing the Principal sitting cross-legged on the sofa with a serious expression, Himeko shrugged helplessly. While stretching, she flaunted the pride on her chest in front of the Principal and said listlessly, "Yes, yes~ You're the Principal, you have the final say."
Theresa straightened her back, trying to maintain a dignified appearance, but the sin swaying before her eyes was too distracting. She couldn't help but turn her head away and muttered under her breath, "Bombshell!"
At such a close distance, even though Theresa's voice was very low, Himeko could still hear it clearly. But she just laughed out loud and pushed her advantage, pressing the petite Principal into her chest.
"Mmph~ mmph~" Theresa cried out, struggling to break free. "Major! We're talking about serious business, no fooling around."
"Oh, my sincerest apologies. But today's Principal is just too cute, I couldn't help myself for a moment," Himeko said, her words apologetic but her face full of smiles.
Although a bit reluctant, Himeko ultimately knew what was important and quickly released the outwardly delicate Principal, not continuing her teasing.
"Hmph!" Theresa was a little displeased but said nothing more, just tidying her slightly disheveled collar with a flushed face.
Composing herself, the Principal sat upright on the sofa and said seriously, "The people from headquarters are about to set off. This time, it won't be simple. The person coming is an S-rank Valkyrie."
Looking at the adorable Theresa, Himeko also wiped the playful smile from her face and murmured, "An S-rank Valkyrie..."
S-rank Valkyrie, the pinnacle of all Schicksal Valkyries, and a realm Himeko had no hope of ever reaching. Given her physical condition, no matter how much effort she put in, A-rank was already a miracle. Taking another step forward was an extravagant hope.
What's more, she didn't have much time left. Unless she could find a legendary Natural Stigmata, even surviving would be difficult.
Having experienced the battle in Nagazora, she fully understood the power of a Herrscher. That kind of power was simply beyond the reach of mortals; it was the might of a god.
Even after so long, she could still not forget that blindingly brilliant torrent of lightning, and that arrogant figure beneath the thunder.
And an S-rank Valkyrie, said to be able to rival such an enemy, would certainly not be someone to be trifled with.
Seeing the gravity on Himeko's face, the Principal nodded inwardly. This Bombshell was finally taking it seriously.
Without pausing for long, Theresa continued, "Although, on the surface, her mission this time is to inspect the Far East Branch's Valkyrie exam, and her covert mission is to transport the Divine Key, Abyss Flower, and to confirm the stability of the Third Herrscher along the way.
But, who knows what her real mission is?"
Himeko frowned and said, puzzled, "The importance of the Divine Key Abyss Flower should be enough to warrant an S-rank Valkyrie's involvement, right? Not to mention, there's also the Third Herrscher."
"That's right. If it's a Divine Key and a Herrscher, it is indeed worthy of an S-rank Valkyrie's attention," Theresa said with a nod.
Thinking about how she herself had run off to Nagazora alone for a mere Pseudo-Herrscher, the Principal deeply agreed.
"However, I always feel that things aren't that simple." Theresa shook her head again. "That Overseer from headquarters is not some charitable fellow. Without sufficient benefits, he would not let a Divine Key and an S-rank Valkyrie leave headquarters so easily."
Who talks about their grandfather like that? Himeko really wanted to make a sarcastic comment, but she wisely held her tongue. At a time like this, she just needed to stay silent.
"Either, there's something special about Ming Yu that we don't know about yet," Theresa said slowly, her tone calm and grave, "or, there's something else in St. Freya that he cares about!"
Finishing the last sip of bitter melon juice with some enjoyment, the Principal said leisurely, "In my opinion, the people from headquarters are coming a bit late. After all, with 'Kiana' having been around for so long, can a new storm be far behind?"
Glancing at Theresa inexplicably, Himeko also agreed with some worry, "You're right, a new storm is not far off..."