On a grassland.
"Rita, is this the place?" Aili looked at Rita, then spread her arms, feeling the wind of the grassland.
"According to Miss Catherine's deduction, the entrance to the Fairy Kingdom is in this area," Rita said, tidying the hair that had been blown into her eyes by the wind.
"Is that so? But the scenery here is really beautiful ♬~"
"The scenery is beautiful, but we still have work to do. After the work is finished, it's fine to rest here for a while," Rita said with a smile.
"Really! Then leave the rest to me!" Upon hearing that she could rest here for a while after the work was done,
Susannah immediately opened the instrument she brought and began exploring the grassland.
During this time, Susannah and Catherine chatted very happily.
Aili, who knew Susannah's identity, felt that this person's conversation was truly captivating.
She could easily gain the trust of others.
Even though the two had only known each other for a short time.
Aili and Rita waited on the side for the instrument's results. After all, with a detection instrument, things they couldn't see with their naked eyes would definitely have to wait for the instrument's results.
"Rita, is it really possible for clues about the Divine Key to be discovered so easily?" Aili asked Rita.
"What can we do about this clue? Even if it's a trap, we have to investigate each one, don't we?" Rita said, looking at the material in her hand.
"That's true, after all, Rita is an S-Rank Valkyrie now ♬~" Aili said, sizing up Rita.
"Miss Aili, with your strength, as long as you participate in a few more missions, you will soon be promoted to S-Rank Valkyrie," Rita said, putting away the material in her hand and looking at Aili.
"Oh, is Rita so confident in Aili's strength?"
"Of course, just like your companion, both of you are currently S-Rank Valkyrie candidates," Rita said seriously.
Regarding the previous mission where Fu Hua was not promoted to S-Rank Valkyrie, Rita had even asked the Bishop.
The Bishop's reply was, "Hahaha, Rita, you don't need to worry about her. She was sent to St. Freya Academy by me to protect little Theresa. If she was promoted to S-Rank, how would I arrange missions for her?"
"After all, the number of S-Rank Valkyries in Schicksal is very small right now."
Thinking of this, Rita smiled and said, "Perhaps, when Theresa stops being stubborn, Miss Aili and Miss Fu Hua will both be directly promoted to S-Rank."
"Huh? How is this related to Theresa?" Aili asked, a bit confused.
"After all, St. Freya Academy is Theresa's private property," Rita said after thinking for a moment.
Just as the two were about to continue chatting,
"Found it!" Susannah shouted to the two.
"There's a secret passage under the ground here! And a larger space beyond it!" Susannah said loudly.
"It looks like there really is something here. Miss Aili, let's get started," Rita said, walking towards where the tools were kept.
The few of them, using shovels, quickly dug a large hole. When they dug down to rock, they found that the rock was exceptionally smooth.
Following the rock, they cleared around it and soon cleared out a platform.
Based on the markings on the rock, they knew they had found the place.
After cutting open the rock with tools, they looked at the space below.
"Miss Catherine, please wait for us up here. There might be danger underground," Rita said to Catherine.
"Miss Rita, this is an exciting discovery! As a historian, please allow me to accompany you," Catherine said seriously.
"Don't worry, Miss Rita, I will definitely protect Miss Catherine!" Susannah also said from the side.
Then, the two walked directly into the cut-open hole.
Rita watched Catherine with a solemn expression from behind.
Then, Rita quietly said to Aili beside her, "Be careful."
"As for me, Rita doesn't need to worry. And I don't think Miss Susannah needs to worry either," Aili also looked at Catherine.
"Do you also feel she's suspicious?" Rita quietly asked Aili.
The two followed behind them, speaking in hushed tones.
"How should I put it? Doesn't this location seem like it was deliberately guided by the other side?" Aili said with a smile.
"Yes, this place was also first suggested by Miss Catherine," Rita sighed slightly.
Then the two followed the footsteps of the two in front.
They walked down stairs for an unknown amount of time.
Finally, they stopped on a platform.
In this space, there were many perfectly cut stone pillars, intricately supporting the entire space.
At the innermost part of the platform, there was a stone sword stuck in the ground.
"Look over there!" Catherine exclaimed, then jogged towards the stone sword.
"Miss Catherine, please wait for me!" Susannah followed, running after her.
Then, as Catherine touched the stone sword, several large rocks suddenly fell from the ceiling of the platform.
Completely isolating Aili and Rita on one side.
Listening to Susannah's voice from the other side of the stone wall.
"Meow~" A cat's meow suddenly rang out.
Rita looked at the cat and said with a smile.
"Miss Aili, it seems we have indeed fallen into an ambush." Rita had already donned her Moon Soul armor.
"It looks that way," Aili also picked up her weapon.
"Meow!" As the cat in front ran towards the two, its body instantly grew larger, then it swung its sharp claws towards Rita.
"Miss Aili, next, you will provide support." Rita blocked the attack of this cat-type Honkai Beast with the giant scythe in her hand.
But she was also pushed back a certain distance.
"Don't worry, after all, Aili is here to provide support ♬~" As soon as the words fell, an arrow passed over Rita's shoulder, then directly pierced a large hole in the cat's paw.
At the same time, the cat, which was planning to continue its pursuit, was also interrupted by this attack.
"Meow!" The cat meowed twice in place, as if complaining that they were ganging up on it.
Then the cat stood vigilant, not daring to act rashly.
Seeing that the cat did not attack proactively, Rita charged towards the cat, holding her giant scythe.
The cat vigilantly dodged Rita's attack, but most of its attention was on Aili.
Sure enough, while it was still in the air after dodging, Aili's arrow shot towards it again.
The cat also raised its giant paw, not allowing the arrow to hit its vital parts.
This time, it also pierced the cat's paw, but the arrow, which was originally aimed at its head, was also deflected.
After landing, the cat instantly ran towards the passage behind it.
As it ran, it turned its head to look at Aili, "Meow! Meow! Meow meow!"
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