Honkai Impact 3rd: Don't Die For Me/ Book 3 Paradise

Chapter 76 In Lieu of Diplomacy

<Switzerland Wilds>

"Donaueschingen? Did I pronounce that correctly, Ellie?" Cohline carefully stroked the head of her messenger bird."Forget how to pronounce it, how does one spell the name of such a town?"

Eleanor shuffled along with a hint of a smile. Her hair was longer than it had ever been and lighter too. Ignoring Cohline, she fulfilled her duties as vice-captain. She led the march just behind Kallen while Cohline, the strategic advisor asked shifty questions.

"Ellie please don't ignore me. We've traveled roughly fifty kilometers from Basel according to Vera. My poor Hedge might be forced to travel from Basel instead of the different towns we're passing by. He's limited to South Germany, Switzerland, and North Austria, but what if he gets too tired? I need to properly fill out the documents so that he's resting properly!"

Eleanor glanced back, a few of the Valkyries were conversing in hushed whispers that no normal human could detect. Some were conversing rather openly but none cared for Cohline's plight. Cohline's pouting face was adorably pressing on. She looked so small and childish, how was she the eldest of her friends again?

"He rests at the town he delivers the letter to. He will find you once he receives the return letter. Hedge won't tire you've paid a premium sum. I question if it's necessary. Village birds did their job."

"But it's faster this way! Stephen writes to me so lovingly. He asks where I am and what I'm doing. Then he wraps up those words with baked love and rising yeast. You know he's getting serious now. Planning on taking over the Bakery and-and I think he's planning to propose when I return!"

"Ah," Eleanor scratched her head while a few Valkyries heard the word of taboo. Cohline didn't turn to face them as her infatuation peaked. Jealousy sparked Alice felt those eyes that hounded her in secret turn to Cohline. Long-distance relationships were difficult to manage. Where were their princes?

"How lucky."

"An early retirement."

These were some of the sentiments whispered. Getting married was a dream for the Valkyries of Kallen's squad. In general, those who patrolled internationally or nationally held a disadvantage when it came to love. Though the church preferred that patrolling Valkyries remain single they did provide many benefits for those who started a family. Honorary noble titles, property, exemption from duties, and pounds were a few of the incentives offered by Schicksal.

"Congrats," Cathy mumbled. She shifted her position to block Cohline from the fan of knives released by those intense eyes. Luckily quite a few Valkyries didn't care for the luck that blessed Cohline.

"Cohline I'll be waiting for an invite."

"We've got to talk about this!" One Valkyrie squealed excitedly. Breaking formation to celebrate by Cohline's side. A few others, excited for Cohline soon began to shower her with questions and praise. It was to say that the gossip and enthusiasm rendered Cohline speechless. She felt like she was in a sauna and with every answer she gave the temperature rose.

Hegde the carrier pigeon remained disciplined only flying above to avoid the parade of Valkyries. Kallen glanced at the bird, her ears were more than adequate to watch the scene behind her. Strange there were several more carrier pigeons in the sky. Maybe it was letter season? Even so, when she watched the skies for Otto's letters there weren't quite as many. She counted seventeen moving in different directions.

"So the oaf looks to the sky. Are you going to lark? Oh, no I've never heard your notes. How off-tune will you be?"

Vera strutted beside Kallen with a backpack four times her size. She was oddly prepared for collecting Honkai corpses. The tall wide grass nipped her ankles as she sauntered before Kallen.