Rise of the Eromancer

Chapter 262 A Very Short... Briefing

"Right now, the nymphs have last been spotted 500 kilometers from our main base…"

The Russean Commander of the Underworld Corps, Olga Ivanovna, seemed to not waste time at all. After introducing themselves, they all dived down into the Underworld and immediately got on an oversized bus; almost double the usual size, and obviously armored.

It had always been said that the Russeans put all of their budgets into their military, and now Ayesha and the others were having a taste of that.

Even though they were still days away from reaching their destination, Commander Olga was already starting to brief everyone on the situation — and the only ones who were actually listening to her as she stood in front were Ayesha, Katarina, and Talia. Agatha was just enjoying the sights, and Dominique was already fast asleep and using Prince Dubhai's flabby fur as a pillow.

Fortunately for all of them, the seats were more like sofas with how spacious they are; the entire interior of the bus was just… extremely luxurious as there was even some sort of bar at the back, where Talia was busy indulging with the numerous alcohol.

As for Rhys, well, he could not really concentrate at all as he just stared at the Hearts above Olga's head. This was his first time meeting her, and he could not help but just think of reasons why she would actually like him that much.

Granted, Rhys had actually seen several strangers already have 3 Hearts filled. Especially when he got back from prison, almost all of the women he had come across had 3 of their Hearts completely red and full.

Rhys was very careful, as he did not really know what sort of abilities they had and it might just mess up his synergy — he wouldn't actually mind having hundreds of powers, but quality was more important to him.

Still, the random strangers, he could understand since he was some sort of famous celebrity now… but even they only had 3 Hearts — but Olga Ivanovna, Commander of the Underworld Corps of Russea had 4 Hearts filled?

Why would a battle-hardened soldier, who spends most of her life in the Underworld even like him? There was also the problem that he could not read her thoughts too — were there just people that are too calm to even think about anything?

"...movement is scarce, if any. Our behavior analysts have been conducting theories as to why they are acting this way, but that is all they are — theories. If you have any enlightenment during our travels, please do feel free to share them. That is all. We will repeat the briefing once we are only 1 hour away from the main base. Any questions?"

"One."

"Yes?" And without even a second after she was done reporting, Olga looked at the person who raised her hand — and surprisingly, it was Agatha, who had spent the entire explanation just looking out the window.

"Have you considered the existence of a Nymph Queen?" Agatha asked. And as soon as she said that, everyone just turned quiet and glanced at her before looking back to Olga.

"We have," Commander Olga nodded her head, "But as far as our history goes, there is no proof that they even exist — but of course, in the event that it does exist, then it is a battle we have no chance of even winning, Your Majesty."

"That's true," Agatha shrugged and sighed, "We can only hope that a god would descend again and fight the battle for us."

"We can only pray," Commander Olga nodded before going back to her seat, which was in front of Rhys's. Commander Olga's entire aura was strict, but there was a certain sense of gentleness in her that was obvious for everyone to see—no. It was more like she was treating everyone like children, but not in a bad way.

None of them really knew her age, but if it was any indication of how young Noble women look compared to the years they have lived, she was probably around Agatha's age in the late 40s.

Her short, glowing pink hair that was completely kempt made her look extremely precise and professional — add that to the fact that her back did not fail to always be as straight as an arrow, it almost seemed like she was a school's… strict guidance counselor.

"Rhys, are you okay? You've been quiet the entire time?" Katarina, who was sitting beside Rhys, could no longer help herself as she tapped Rhys on the leg.

"Hm? Yes," Rhys shook his head as he was finally woken up from his stupor.

"You still can't get rid of that habit of yours, huh?" Katarina let out a tiny and soft chuckle, "You were spaced out the entire time."

"Sorry," Rhys also smiled, "...This is the first time I'm hearing about the nymph queen."

"Well, because she's a myth," Katarina breathed out and shrugged, "She's supposed to be the mother of all nymphs, and that makes her existence comparable to that of a god."

"Like… Arachnea?"

"...Yes," Katarina's entire body started to shiver as she remembered how Arachnea just toyed with them when they tried to fight her, "Unlike Arachnea, however, there have never really been instances and sightings of the Nymph Queen."

"But since Arachnea is real, wouldn't it make sense for the Nymph Queen to be real?" Rhys placed his hand on his chin.

"I guess…?" Katarina just shrugged her shoulders, "Do you want something from the bar, I'll go get something to drink."

"No, let me get it," Rhys shook his head and stood up, "What do you want?"

"If they have sparkling water—"

"...Why do you like that so much?" Rhys forced out a chuckle as he walked away.

"Your favorite drink is literally a cola! That's just sparkling water with toasted sugar in it! You're such a kid, Rhys!"

"Yes, yes," Rhys waved his hand as he continued to walk to the bar, and almost immediately, Talia handed him a bottle of beer, "I… don't drink."

"Good for you," Talia smirked as she just looked away and started chugging on her beer; letting out a deep breath afterward and shaking her head, "Russean beer tastes like kot, like shit."

"Huh…" Rhys just nodded as he tried searching for sparkling water, "...Are you and Katarina going to be alright?"

"I have no issue with your main frau, my Fuhrer," Talia shook her head, "I told you, I like her. And out of all of us here, I think she is the most loyal to you."

"...Then are you saying you're not loyal to me?" Rhys glanced at Talia from the mirror of the bar.

"I am — I will die for you and your goals," Talia also returned Rhys's stare, "But that woman would be willing to give up her life for you."

"...That's the same thing."

"No," Talia pointed at Rhys, "Dying for you is as simple as a sacrifice, but giving up one's entire life is a covenant — this one would know the difference."

"Hm?" Rhys then turned to look as Talia suddenly pointed somewhere else, only to see Commander Olga approaching the bar.

"Oh, I did not realize you were here, Major Wilder," Olga only glanced at Rhys and nodded.

"Commander," Rhys quickly left the refrigerator and stood up straight.

"At ease," Olga, however, only shook her head and approached him; or more specifically, the refrigerator behind him. Olga, however, was awfully close to the point they already bumped across each other — Olga did not seem to care or notice, as she just grabbed a bottle of water, "What did you want?"

"Oh…" Rhys just awkwardly glanced at Talia, who just shrugged in response, "...A sparkling water and a cola, if you have one."

"We only have cola," Olga let out a small sigh as she handed Rhys a bottle without looking at him, "Is it okay to just have water?"

"That should be alright, Ma'am," Rhys was about to leave as Olga handed him the bottle of water, but he quickly paused in his tracks as she seemed to want to say something.

"Your arm, I heard you lost it while trying to save Commander Ayesha?"

"...Yes." And as Olga sat at the bar, Rhys just decided to join her for a bit; this was a chance to find out something about the 4 filled Hearts, after all. And Commander Olga seemed to know a lot about him from the fact that she said he lost it due to trying to save Ayesha, and not with the battle with Arachnea,

"But the Commander did not really need saving, she could have survived it even without my help with just scratches."

"Still, a very commendable act," Olga then cracked open a can of beer, "I heard you also do not drink?"

"...Yes."

"We drink a lot — beer while eating, vodka whenever we feel like it," Olga almost smiled as she said that, "Do you dislike people who drink a lot, Major Wilder?"

"Not at all," Rhys shook his head. Although he had a feeling… that Olga might already know the answer to that. Talia, who immediately noticed what was happening due to her hundred years of existence, smirked as she quickly got up from her seat.

As expected of her Fuhrer, she thought.

"I will bring this to der Arztin," Talia looked Rhys in the eyes as she grabbed the bottle of water from him, leaving him alone with the Russean Commander.

"You seem to know a lot about me, Commander," Rhys finally spoke to Olga straight as soon as they were alone.

"Of course," Olga did not seem flustered by this question, "I need to know who I am working with, after all — will you not do the same."

"I… apologize," Rhys sighed, "I am afraid I know nothing about you."

"Oh…" There was a slight twitch in Olga's lips as she heard that, "...But I know everything about you."

"What… was that?" Rhys definitely heard the whisper that came out of her mouth.

"There is plenty of time to get to know each other, Major," Olga once again looked at Rhys; her slightly grayish blue eyes, almost reflecting his face,

"...Plenty of time."