After a frantic rescue effort, they managed to salvage two boxes of wages.
"Who burns real money, anyway?"
Jun An held the box tightly, feeling the pain in his heart as he counted—only a third of it was saved. The rest had either been reduced to half or turned to ashes.
"Well, I can always pay you back."
Theresa helped Jun An carry a box taller than herself into St. Freya Academy. "By the way, how's your strength now?"
"Um, I'd say it's about A-rank." Jun An clenched his fist; his new body meant that the powerful physique he had cultivated was now like starting from scratch.
Not only was his physical strength lacking, but his control over the Herrscher energy had also diminished. Without any embellishments, A-rank was pretty much his current level.
"A-rank, huh."
Theresa pondered for a moment. Was that enough...?
"Just in case, Captain, let's get you checked out. I'll have Amber help you get a new ID."
This was part of the rational process of resurrection; when Silin and Cecilia were revived, they had to go through similar procedures, and Jun An was aware of that.
"But what about my wages?" He and Theresa had saved all that money, and it was everything he had as a "deceased person."
"Let's leave it with the security guard. I'll have Kiana pick it up later."
Theresa led Jun An to the security room to drop off his belongings before calling Kiana, then took Jian Xuan's hand and headed to the military hospital at the East Branch.
The medical checkup was similar to before—standard tests like MRIs, followed by evaluations of Herrscher energy resistance and Stigmata.
"Your Excellency, Bishop,"
A doctor approached, holding Jun An's medical report and handing it to Theresa. "The checkup is complete. Here are the results. His body is in excellent condition—exceptional Herrscher energy resistance for a male, quite rare. Is this the new life of St. Freya?"
Theresa took a look at the data. It was indeed better than when she first rescued the Captain, but the difference wasn't significant.
"Yes, it's the Captain. He's alive," Theresa replied casually.
Reviving someone was no longer a strange occurrence for Theresa. Even Karen, who had turned into just a fragment of genetic material five hundred years ago, had been resurrected. Otto had even created a world centered around her, where she became the main character.
And Jian Xuan had only been dead for a year—compared to that, it was not so outrageous.
However, how could the doctor, a mere medical professional, grasp such absurd matters? She could only feel a twinge of pity for Bishop Theresa's current state.
"Bishop Theresa, I know he resembles the unique Captain of the Hyperion, that great hero, but..."
The female doctor struggled to find a gentle way to explain, "You are the Bishop of Destiny; seeking a replacement in such a manner..."
At that moment, the doctor's mind began to wander into the realm of fanfiction—like a common trope where wealthy individuals seek out doppelgängers of their lost loves.
"Alina," Theresa snapped back from her thoughts, interrupting the rambling doctor, "Can I have that pen?"
The doctor, flustered, handed over a pen from her lab coat. "Ah? It's just a work pen. I have more if you want."
"Thank you."
Theresa said, squeezing the pen with a certain force, easily deforming it and causing a bit of ink to spurt out.
Theresa frowned, realizing her strength seemed a bit too overwhelming. "I might've broken it accidentally. Alina, as a doctor, can this level of strength break a person's limbs?"
Though Theresa usually controlled her strength during interactions, it wasn't always manageable.
Yet to the doctor's eyes, this scene appeared as a warning, making her swallow hard.
Threat! It had to be a threat!
Alina couldn't believe that the once innocent and kind-hearted Theresa had resorted to such intimidation out of excessive grief!
She gulped, realizing that she was facing the all-powerful Bishop of Destiny while being just a humble military doctor at the East Branch. She dared not disobey Theresa's implied threat toward the young boy.
However, for the sake of that boy's future, she decided to voice her concerns, "Your Excellency, you know, someone like the Captain of the Hyperion, who can manage the entire East Branch and St. Freya Academy, fight against the Herrschers, and work without pay for a decade without complaint—that person doesn't exist in the world!"
"I know all that, of course."
Theresa frowned, pressing further, "Now answer my earlier question."
It's a threat! Undoubtedly a threat!
Sorry, dear boy, I can't save you!
Alina could only nod, tears welling up in her eyes, "Um."
"..."
Theresa seemed unsatisfied with that answer. Fine, she could just test the Captain later. If it didn't work out, they could just wait; after all, the Captain's abilities should improve quickly.
But just to be safe, Theresa said, "For now, let's keep the news of the Captain's return under wraps, understood?"
Some things needed to be kept as a secret until she was ready.
Alina nodded, covering her mouth to indicate she wouldn't say a word.
Confirmed! The Bishop really intends to use him as a substitute and not share this embarrassing situation!
"I'll take him first, then. Bye."
Theresa said, and went to fetch Jun An, leading him back to the dormitory of St. Freya Academy.
On the way, Jun An inquired about the other Valkyries. Aside from Kiana, who was rarely on Earth, the others were either busy or traveling, while the fusions were still idling in the land of the past.
"What about the Hyperion? It's been a while since I left; surely there's a new captain by now?"
Jun An was curious who could take his place in Theresa's eyes. After all, he had barely reached the star-exploding level of strength and was a benchmark against the Herrschers; his successor should be outstanding as well.
"After you left, everyone unanimously decided you are the permanent captain of the Hyperion. The rest can only be acting captain or vice-captain."
Theresa replied as they walked, "Right now, Kiana is the vice-captain, and the acting captain is Ragnar."
Jun An asked, "Who's the head of the East Branch? Who's replacing you?"
Theresa responded, "Kiana is handling both roles."
Jun An expressed concern, "I'm a bit worried about the future of the East Branch."
As Jun An continued to ask about everyone's situation while walking the path of St. Freya Academy, he couldn't help but notice the visible luxury around him after spending some time back on Earth.
Otto had pampered Theresa, building St. Freya Academy like a palace, even crafting the door handles from precious materials, completely unlike a military academy. Even the dusk scenery looked like a painting.
Returning to the apartment, he found it just as lavish as ever, complete with air conditioning, a refrigerator, and a television—basic amenities for St. Freya, attributed to Destiny's wealth and the relatively small number of Valkyries.
Upon arriving home, Theresa called out for Kiana and Coculia, but they were both absent, leaving behind a floor littered with empty bottles.
Jun An noticed a note on the table along with some cold dishes, indicating that Theresa should eat on her own since she had to restrain Coculia to handle the accumulated work of the East Branch.
Theresa couldn't help but feel a bit schadenfreude. "Looks like Kiana finally understands the pain I felt back then."
Jun An felt a bit disappointed. "Looks like it's just the two of us tonight."
"Yes,"
Theresa replied. "With the timing right, Captain, come here for a moment."
"What's up?"
Jun An sensed something odd about Theresa's demeanor, but out of trust, he stepped closer. Theresa then extended a hand, "Come on, hit me hard. No Herrscher energy; I want to see if you can hurt me."
"Just so you know, if it hurts, don't hold a grudge." Jun An slapped her hand with force, causing a sharp sting, and Theresa's expression momentarily reflected pain, though she seemed somewhat satisfied.
Jun An hesitated, "What are you doing? You don't have some strange hobby, do you?"
"Just a little test for what's coming next; after all, it'd be awkward if you couldn't even break through my defenses later. Now, stretch out your hand."
Theresa grabbed Jun An's arm, squeezing it tightly, and asked eagerly, "Captain, does it hurt?"
The pressure was a bit tight for Jun An but just right enough, "A little."
"That's good enough; as long as you don't break it, I'm relieved." With that, Theresa suddenly took on a hunter's gaze and tackled Jun An, catching him off guard with the strength of an S-rank Valkyrie.
Break? What?
"Theresa, what are you doing?"
"What do you think, Captain? Don't you know that a cute boy shouldn't be alone with a lady in her forties?"
Theresa held onto both of Jun An's hands. Once, she prided herself on being a guardian; now, she was determined not to make that mistake again!
Theresa licked her lips, "Don't worry; as your guardian, I'll educate you well, Captain~"
She could feel the Captain's affection growing, and it was expanding.
"Wait, I just got back; I'm still figuring things out."
Jun An tried to suppress his rationality. "Theresa, what's going on with you?"
Did I cross into the wrong world? Honkai 3? What the hell is this masterpiece?
System, come out and explain!
[...]
However, the only response he got was a kiss from Theresa. The tongue of a lady in her forties was fragrant and soft, and it took a long while before their lips parted.
"Of course, it's because I've liked you for a long time, Captain."
Theresa whispered softly in Jun An's ear, "If you dislike me, you can break free, you know~"
The Captain felt like crying, "If you're giving me a choice, then don't crush my hand with Herrscher energy! Isn't that the same as not giving me a choice?"
Jun An's hand was firmly pinned down, unable to resist her strength.
"Of course, there's a difference. A Captain who willingly submits and one who doesn't—both experiences are fresh for me."
With that, Theresa wasted no time in bringing the willing Captain under her control.
End of chapter