A few moments earlier—
Rita stood alone as a holographic interface flickered to life before her. Otto's figure appeared within it, calm and composed as ever.
Rita spoke first, her tone respectful : "I've made contact with the Gray Serpent as you've requested, Overseer. But he refused to share any valuable info."
Otto gave a faint, thoughtful pause before responding.
Otto reply : "Is that so... Then we won't need him any longer, I suppose."
Rita's expression remained unchanged.
Rita reply : "He's been "retired".But he said something odd before he croaked.Quote: "You're within sight of the serpent." End quote."
Otto fell silent for a brief moment, considering the words : "The Gray Serpent is a proxy of the World Serpent in Arc City."
Rita tilted her head slightly.
Rita said : "Perhaps the intel is false? Perhaps the World Serpent released it to sow the seeds of chaos?"
Otto's lips curled into a faint smile : "Worry not, sweet maid. I'll handle it. The intel's authenticity matters no more. Gray Serpent's death will alert Theresa."
His gaze shifted toward Rita, sharp and knowing continue : "That was badly played, Rita, but maybe you've planned this from the start?"
A small smile appeared on Rita's face.
Rita : "Yes, Overseer. I intended for this to happen."
She continued, calmly explaining her actions : " Gray Serpent's electronic devices must be unlocked using his personal prosthetics. I lacked the time to try them out one by one, and could not decrypt them by force. But I removed his prosthetics and electronic devices. The traitors will not be getting anything from his corpse."
She paused briefly before continuing : "As to the Herrscher's whereabouts...The Gray Serpent must have kept backup info. Theresa-sama definitely knows this.She won't give up, especially after spending such a long time hiding. Their trip to Arc City must be worth the risk.I left something on purpose when removing the Serpent's prosthetics...a bio-verification chip in his wrist.The traitors of the Far East Branch include a first-rate hacker: Bronya Zaychik.They will attempt to enter Gray Serpent's stronghold to hack the system and get the intel.My "gift" will make it easier for her. She will not be able to resist this temptation. Once the traitors enter Gray Serpent's place, defeat his guards, and hack into the system... I will appear to reap the final harvest.If things go well, we will get more than just the intel - we can also round up the traitors in one go."
Otto listened, clearly pleased.
Otto reply : "What a brilliant plan. But I wonder if Theresa would act as you predicted."
Rita remained confident.
Rita then said : "Don't worry, Overseer. I will head out to Gray Serpent's territory and prepare an ambush nearby."
With that, the connection was cut.
The hologram faded, leaving Rita alone once more.
She turned slightly, preparing to move—
Then paused.
The faint sound of mechanical footsteps echoed across the ground.
Rita's eyes narrowed.
Rita said :" I don't like being disturbed when monitoring my prey.I'll give Stalker Carbon a little exercise."
At her command, a mechanical wolf materialized beside her—jet black, lined with glowing green energy, its tail shaped like a blade and its claws radiating sharp, luminous edges.
Stalker Carbon surged forward.
The incoming mechs barely had time to react.
In a blur of motion, the mechanical wolf tore through them—its blade-like tail slicing cleanly, its claws ripping apart armor with ease.
Sparks flew.
Metal shattered.
Within moments—
The mechs were nothing but wreckage.
With the battlefield now silent, Rita calmly surveyed the surroundings.
Fragments of broken mechs and molten slag littered the ground.
She let out a quiet sigh.
Rita look around and comment : "So many broken mecha pieces and slag everywhere... I must fight my urge to pick up a broom and clean...I must focus on my prey. Don't let me down, Theresa-sama."
Composing herself, she turned away.
Her plan was already in motion.
Not long after—
Theresa's group arrived.
Without hesitation, they began their infiltration.
After waiting in her hiding place for a while, Rita observed as Theresa, Bronya, and Mei suddenly rushed out, chasing after the runaway cyborg.
Rita stepped out shortly after, following them at a measured pace.
Rita began to follow then while saying : "The traitors of the Far East Branch have left the stronghold."
However—
After some time, Rita underestimated their speed.
The distance between them grew wider.
She slowed slightly, noting their disappearance ahead as she comment : "These girls move faster than I thought. I'll have to run a little to catch up..."
With that, she accelerated.
Moments later—
Rita finally caught up to their trail.
But only one figure remained in sight.
Mei.
She was already moving, running ahead without hesitation.
Rita immediately gave chase.
Rita Quickly follow her—
But just as quickly—
Mei vanished from sight.
Rita came to a stop, scanning the area carefully as she thought to herself : 'Lost track of them here...'
Then—
A sudden surge of killing intent erupted behind her.
Rita reacted instantly.
She turned sharply—
Her scythe raised just in time to intercept a swift katana strike.
Steel clashed.
The attacker revealed herself.
Mei.
Rita's lips curved slightly.
Rita comment : "Ambush? Miss Raiden, I'm surprised. I thought you were more honorable than that."
Mei's eyes burned with anger as she glare at the Maid said : "Honorable? It's odd that people like you know this word. I'm more than willing to cut you down for what you did to Kiana and Kouga!"
Rita pushed the blade aside with controlled force—
The impact sent Mei sliding back several feet.
Rita the push the Katana back and send Mei few feet backward and ask : "I'm curious... how did you learn of my presence here?"
Mei steadied herself, still glaring said : "It was odd when we were the first to arrive at Gray Serpent's stronghold after his death. The murderer didn't make the next move despite ripping most biometric prosthetics from the victim.I can only think of two reasons--- One, the murderer thought all clues had been destroyed so they left in confidence. Or she failed to beat Gray Serpent's data access security. So she decided to wait...You left that biochip on purpose, didn't you. You wanted us to find the intel for you."
Rita's expression showed faint approval.
Rita compliment Mei : "Very smart, girl. But where's Theresa-sama? Did she get what she needed and left you here to slow me down?"
Mei's grip tightened.
Anger flared as she said : "Slow you down? You're so full of yourself, Miss Rossweisse."
She raised her katana once more.
Then—
Both of them moved.
Their weapons collided again—
A sharp, ringing clash echoed through the area as Mei's katana met Rita's Genome Reaper scythe.
The force of the impact sent shockwaves through the ground beneath them.
Mei pressed forward with speed and precision, her strikes relentless.
But Rita moved with elegance—
Each swing of her scythe was controlled, effortless, and devastating.
Their blades crossed again and again—
Sparks flying with every impact.
Mei thought to herself : 'Such power! This woman's dangerous!'
Rita's voice cut through the clash.
Rita: "I thought you had lasted this long thanks to the Gem of Conquest."
She shifted her stance, deflecting another strike with ease.
Rita: "Never thought you could still stand despite losing the Gem. How surprising."
Mei lunged again—
Faster.
Sharper.
But Rita remained composed.
Her scythe spun in a deadly arc, forcing Mei back.
Rita: Now I know why the Overseer takes such an unusual interest in the Far East Branch...
Her tone carried quiet intrigue.
Rita : "You girls never fail to surprise us, especially when pushed to the brink."
Mei's breathing grew heavier.
But her resolve hardened.
Mei: "I was fearful of my Herrscher powers for the chance I might become addicted to them."
She dashed forward once more—
Lightning crackling faintly along her blade.
Mei: "But I finally understood how weak and pathetic I was when I falled to protect my friend from people like you."
Their weapons clashed again—
Harder.
Fiercer.
Mei: "I will no longer hold my powers back..."
Rita's eyes narrowed slightly.
Then—
With a simple gesture—
A mechanical presence emerged.
Stalker Carbon.
The black, wolf-like machine lunged into the battlefield, its green energy claws tearing through the ground as it targeted Mei.
Caught between two threats—
Mei was forced on the defensive.
She deflected Rita's scythe—
Only to narrowly evade Stalker Carbon's slashing tail.
The pressure mounted rapidly.
Mei: "Kiana is mine to protect!"
She pushed forward despite it all—
But the combined assault was overwhelming.
Rita's attacks became sharper.
More precise.
Each strike driving Mei further back.
Stalker Carbon struck from blind angles, disrupting her rhythm.
Step by step—
Mei was forced back.
Until—
A final clash.
Her guard broke.
The battlefield fell silent.
Mei dropped to one knee, clutching her injured left arm, her breathing uneven.
The fight was decided.
Across from her—
Rita stood untouched.
Rita stood over the fallen Mei, her posture calm and composed as ever.
She observed the girl for a moment before speaking : "Stubbornness is not necessarily a virtue, Miss. Your power has failed you. Further resistance will only bring you pain."
Mei remained on one knee, clutching her injured arm, glaring defiantly at the maid.
Then—
Something changed.
The violet crystal necklace around Mei's neck began to react.
It pulsed.
Faintly at first—
Then brighter.
As if responding to her anger… her will.
Rita's instincts flared.
Without hesitation, she raised her scythe—
Just in time to block a punch
But the sheer force of the impact distorted the weapon itself—
And sent Rita flying backward, crashing into a nearby light pole and bending it under the force.
At the same time, Stalker Carbon was struck down, its mechanical body smashing violently into the concrete.
Standing infront of Mei —
Was a figure.
A figure clad in violet energy.
The figure was violet color transplant, Kamen rider OOO putotyra.
Its presence was overwhelming.
Cold.
Primal.
Unfamiliar—yet somehow…
Familiar.
Slowly—
The figure turned its gaze toward Mei.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still.
Mei's eyes widened, trembling.
Tears welled up as she stared at it.
Mei could only look at The figure and said : "Kouga..."
Then—
Just as suddenly as it appeared—
The glow from the crystal faded.
The figure began to break apart into violet particles.
Then vanished.
Mei reached out instinctively—
But grasped nothing.
Only empty air.
A voice suddenly cut through the moment.
Through her earpiece.
Theresa : "Retreat now, Mei!"
Mei lowered her hand, wiping the tears from her eyes.
Her expression hardened once more as she reply : "Yes."
She turned—
And began making her way back to the group.
Unaware—
That a small chip had already been planted onto her clothing.