Honkai Diary: Start With Picking Up A White-Haired Treasure

Above the cloudless sky over Europe's capital city, Schicksal Headquarters stood tall—an awe-inspiring floating fortress utilizing full stealth capabilities. Silently hovering overhead, it conducted routine supply exchanges with the ground base below.

Instead of relying on aircraft, the transportation tasks were handled by invisible conveyor belts and cargo elevators descending from the skies.

On the ground, security at the transfer station was maintained by heavily armed special forces alongside twenty-four A-rank Valkyries—though, truthfully, nobody expected any fools daring enough to cause trouble here.

As everything proceeded smoothly, four Valkyries guarding the entrance suddenly witnessed a dashing young man materialize out of thin air before them.

"Identify yourself!"

The youth glanced at the Valkyries before him and the soldiers with their loaded firearms nearby, expressionless. Without any visible emotion, he tossed a golden coin-like badge towards the nearest Valkyrie.

As she caught it and took a look, her pupils contracted sharply.

Hastily, she retrieved her handheld smart terminal and scanned the badge on its screen.

[Name: Insufficient Clearance.]

[Position: Insufficient Clearance.]

[Visit Purpose: Otto Apocalypse.]

[Reason for Visit: Insufficient Clearance.]

[Insufficient Clearance... Insufficient Clearance... Insufficient Clearance...]

After a series of "insufficient clearance" messages, the final line stood out prominently in red:

[Note: Extend the highest courtesies, ensure full cooperation, maintain absolute secrecy; any violation will be treated as treason!]

"Lower your weapons, present arms!" ordered the Valkyrie who had read the badge's information, breaking out in cold sweat. The entire contingent promptly saluted.

With both hands respectfully cupped and bowing forward, the Valkyrie returned the badge to Zeke.

"My sincerest apologies for keeping you waiting. I'll immediately arrange a priority access lane for you. By the way, do you require a guide?"

"No need, I can just go up with these." Zeke pointed at the supply crates being loaded onto the transport elevator.

The Valkyrie glanced back, breaking out in cold sweat again as she protested, "That's not appropriate; it would be too disrespectful..."

However, then she recalled the directive to "ensure full cooperation" at all costs.

"Yes, sir!" She quickly changed her tone and responded obediently.

Zeke approached the crates, lightly jumped, and sat atop the tall metal box. As the elevator doors closed, he disappeared from the Valkyries' view.

"Captain, who was that guy? You were sweating profusely!"

"That's sweat, not juice! No wait! Listen up, everyone, we saw nothing just now. Everything is normal. Let what happened in these past few minutes rot in your minds, or nobody will be safe!"

"Yes ma'am!" × N (multiple affirmatives)

Then, the Valkyrie captain sent a message to the personnel awaiting at the skyward docking station:

[Highest Confidential Individual. Do not inquire, discuss, or disclose - provide full cooperation!]

Zeke effortlessly entered the Sky Base, carrying a small picnic basket like a carefree middle schooler on an outing, leisurely strolling around.

The badge he possessed was obtained earlier from Otto.

And the information displayed had been modified by Zeke himself.

Everything was perfect... if one could overlook the numerous curious or excited gazes from the Valkyries along the way.

Zeke meandered through the base until he finally reached the training ground exclusively used by high-ranking Valkyries.

Within the arena, two swift figures engaged in fierce combat amidst numerous advanced mechs.

"Boom!!"

A gale howled past his ears as a mechanical arm, several times larger than Zeke, crashed behind him, shattering into a pile of sparking metal debris.

"Rita, stop!"

"Bian... Lady Durandal, what's wrong? Huh, is that?"

Two strikingly beautiful young girls abruptly halted their movements.

However, the mechs' programs continued to operate, relentlessly attacking them.

The slightly younger-looking blonde girl extended her hand and, with a single punch each, reduced the mechs to fragments.

The more mature short-haired girl, dressed in a maid outfit, held her scythe and squinted at Zeke.

"Little brother, the Valkyrie training grounds are off-limits to non-participants. Did you take a wrong turn?"

Zeke tilted his head slightly, remaining silent as he tossed his badge over per usual.

Rita caught the badge and verified it with her terminal.

[Insufficient permissions... Insufficient permissions... Insufficient permissions...]

Similar to before, she received a couple more lines of information compared to what the A-rank Valkyrie had seen, but the rest was still dominated by large swaths of red indicating "insufficient permissions."

"Rita Rossweisse, S-rank candidate—your clearance level is not quite enough. Please let Bianka Ataegina handle this."

Rita slowly nodded and solemnly handed the badge to Durandal.

"Durandal-sama, if you please."

"All right, let me see..." The blonde girl spoke sternly without a hint of humor. "...And don't call me '-sama,' just 'Durandal' is fine." She placed the badge against her own terminal.

Name: Zeke Kaslana

Position: Chief Senator, Oceania Branch Director, Chief Science Advisor, Chief Military Advisor, War Strategy Commander, Acting Archbishop

[Visit Objective: Tour and sightseeing, with a side visit to have tea with Otto.]

Durandal remained stunned, but Rita's hands trembled as she swiftly dropped to one knee.

"Spying on classified information is a grave offense. Rita Rossweisse willingly accepts military trial and offers her sincerest apologies, esteemed sir!"

Being charged with espionage was actually considered lenient.

Rita recalled that it was her who had directed the mechanical arm flying past Zeke earlier. If they accused her of assaulting a key figure—Oh, Avrora, please remember to pay my respects at my grave next year.

Sweat beaded on Rita's forehead, her face growing pale.

"Rita..."

Unaware of the dire implications, Durandal turned dumbfoundedly, intending to speak up for her companion. However... spying on classified information indeed constituted a serious crime. The regulations were clear; even Durandal couldn't overlook them or show favoritism.

"Ah! Avrora greets you, honored sir! I deeply apologize for our rudeness just now. That...I...Rita, she... In any case, it was unintentional. Please, esteemed sir, grant leniency! Additionally, this fault lies with me as well; may I share the same penalty as Rita!" Durandal also knelt on one knee, stammering her plea.

Eavesdropping on confidential matters warrants punishment, but during sentencing, unintentional eavesdropping without adverse consequences can be judged most leniently. With Durandal sharing responsibility, the outcome should hopefully be acceptable.

This was the only solution Avrora could hastily devise that adhered to regulations while offering some assistance to Rita.

Meanwhile, Zeke had already knelt beside scattered remnants of machinery, gently probing them as he nonchalantly remarked:

"No harm done; I permitted it. She was internally designated as S-rank anyway, so she would have found out eventually."

"Sir, this is not..." Avrora began before being cut off with a gasp!

Rita swiftly covered Avrora's mouth, uncharacteristically assertive and radiant with a bright smile.

My apologies, Lady Durandal, just this once... please make a small compromise for Rita's safety.

"What brings you here, sir? Regardless of the matter, if Rita and Lady Durandal can assist, please feel free to command us!"

Rita exchanged a meaningful glance with Avrora before releasing her hand.

Durandal, momentarily stunned, suddenly displayed an expression of realization on her bewildered face.

Indeed, with Zeke's numerous titles, his orders were undoubtedly more urgent and significant. In comparison, the dignity of laws and regulations could be set aside for later consideration.

Amidst the respectful demeanor of the two Valkyries, Zeke put down the fragmented debris he was holding and pointed to the picnic basket at his feet.

"Rita Rossweisse, please help me carry this."

"Yes, sir!"

"Durandal... right? Although I think 'Bianka' sounds lovely too; I'm not quite sure why you changed your name. But Durandal is nice as well. Anyway, there is indeed something I need your assistance with."

The corners of Durandal's mouth curved upwards—a compliment had been paid.

'Bianka' was a name she chose for herself, while 'Durandal' was a precious gift from her friend. Both held great significance to her. Praising these names delighted Durandal even more than praising her directly.

As a naive young girl, she couldn't help but feel endeared, nodding with a smile:

"Just let me know what you require!"