The next day, Himeko and Theresa brought Jun An to the Far East Branch and convened a temporary meeting with the Hyperion's former core members and high-ranking personnel.
Besides discussing official meeting business and updating Jun An on the current situation within the Far East Branch, the primary purpose was to formally announce Jun An's return to everyone.
After all, relying on word-of-mouth was far too inefficient, and Jun An urgently needed the battleship to find Mobius and request the Super-Metamorphosis Factor. Therefore, it was crucial to quickly reacquaint his subordinates with him, allowing him to regain command authority over the vessel.
This was Southeast Asia, after all, while the Elysian Realm was located thousands of meters underground on the other side of the planet. Even flying would take considerable time.
Among those present, the newcomers who didn't recognize Jun An reacted with skepticism and confusion. The veteran staff who had experienced various campaigns alongside Jun An were purely skeptical, but given the authority wielded by Theresa and Himeko—the former and current directors—they knew their words wouldn't change anything.
"Starting today, the Captain is considered officially returned. His position is restored. You may consult him regarding any work matters."
Towards the end of the meeting, Theresa didn't forget to add a couple more points.
"Lastly, the matter of the Captain's return is classified, albeit at a lower level. Everyone, please refrain from spreading messages carelessly or speaking about it outside. Violators will face salary deductions."
In Theresa's view, the fewer people knew about the Captain's return, the better. Too many mouths, not enough porridge.
Of course, while most adopted an attitude of detached indifference, there were still some who dared to voice their doubts.
After the meeting concluded, Ragna immediately found Himeko and Jun An to express her confusion.
"You're the Captain?"
As the acting captain, Ragna looked at the photo, then looked at her phone display. There was a resemblance, yes, but he didn't quite look like the fierce warrior in the picture who had torn apart an Imaginary Construct with his bare hands.
"It's me."
"Really?"
"Yes. I was much stronger back then."
Jun An glanced at the photo Ragna handed him. He saw himself standing on the corpse of an Imaginary Construct, hand crushing its core. She'd captured a rather handsome image of him.
"This isn't you."
Ragna put the photo away, looking at the somewhat sickly Jun An, then turned to Himeko. "Himeko, tell me honestly, why did you find a kid who's seventy percent similar to the Captain?"
"I didn't find him, Theresa did." Himeko stated, "Theresa just said it too, this is the Captain. He was just resurrected."
"I can believe people can be resurrected, but do you expect me to believe he's the Captain?" Ragna pointed at Jun An, then gestured towards the photo. "The original Captain was so handsome! This one now is basically just a sickly pretty-boy that fits your XP. Speaking of which, you haven't done anything inappropriate to the kid, have you? Why does he look so listless?"
As Himeko's former squad leader, Ragna's imposing presence easily overwhelmed Himeko. In the entire Far East Branch, she was likely the only one who dared speak to Himeko like this.
"Of course I haven't done anything inappropriate! Ah, no, I mean—Captain Ragna, weren't you resurrected?" Himeko said helplessly. "So, the Captain being resurrected shouldn't be that hard to understand, right?"
Ragna's assault team had originally been wiped out during the encounter with the Second Herrscher in Siberia, with Himeko being the sole survivor due to being on sick leave. They were later brought back thanks to the Captain's 'cheats'.
"So, you learned from Bishop Otto and the Captain, the two of them, and went 'rushing the Tree'?" Ragna sounded somewhat surprised. However, as someone privy to the secrets of resurrection, she didn't doubt the possibility. It was something Himeko and Theresa were capable of doing.
If one were to ask who else in the world, besides the deceased Captain and former Overseer Otto, could resurrect a dead person completely—no more, no less—it would undoubtedly be the current Schicksal Overseer Theresa and the current Vice-Captain of the Hyperion, Himeko.
But even so, the Captain had nearly gotten himself killed in the process, and Bishop Otto had consumed Honkai energy equivalent to several months of the entire world's natural output during the Great Honkai period. Only then did the two achieve their respective goals.
But that undertaking was something that cost even the star-destroying level Captain half his life. Ragna felt Himeko shouldn't have had any motive...
Hiss~ Wait, maybe she did!
"Himeko, tell me honestly," Ragna's expression suddenly turned serious, questioning Himeko before she could even explain, "Could it be that you felt work was too exhausting, so you wanted to find a young Captain to do your work for you?"
"No, I didn't!" Himeko never expected things to turn out this way. Seriously, resurrecting someone just for that reason? How lazy would she have to be to do something like that?!
But Ragna didn't buy Himeko's nonsense at all. "Saying that is like claiming you'd bring him into the office and do nothing!" Just resurrecting the Captain without 'getting involved'? How was that possible?
"I heard you had this bad habit back then too! Even the previous Far East Branch Director did the same, dumping work onto the Captain. You just think the Captain's easy to bully, right?" Ragna accused righteously. "Even if he's the Captain you brought back by rushing the Tree, look at him! How old is this little guy? Was the life the Captain lived before fit for a human? And you want to make this little guy go through the same thing?"
Jun An really wanted to retort that the life he was living now wasn't fit for a human either.
Seeing that communication was futile, Himeko helplessly pushed Jun An forward. "You say something too, Captain! I can't explain this clearly on my own. Go on, tell her."
Jun An had no choice but to resignedly explain the situation to Ragna, who finally believed that Jun An had indeed resurrected himself.
But even Ragna couldn't help but be surprised. "You knew you could resurrect yourself? Why didn't you say so sooner? The whole world thinks the S-rank Knight who fought against the Honkai is dead. Just a short while ago, quite a few people laid wreaths for you."
Jun An's 'death' anniversary had just passed a few days ago.
"I hadn't died before, how would I know I could resurrect myself?" Jun An casually deflected the matter of the system. "Anyway, as you can see, this smaller body and the near-total reset of my power are the price of resurrection."
Ragna nodded thoughtfully. "So, this listless state you're in, looking like some monster sucked out your vital essence, that's also a side effect?"
Jun An glanced at Himeko, who had been in a state of heightened excitement much of the time lately due to his smaller size. She had even forced several 'rounds' out of him. Knowing she was in the wrong, Himeko awkwardly averted her gaze.
Jun An could only nod silently. "Although I hate to admit it, in a certain sense, this does count as a side effect."
"So, it really is the Captain?"
Only after Jun An nodded matter-of-factly did Ragna dare to truly believe it.
"But why are you keeping the news under wraps again?" Ragna looked at Himeko, confused. Theresa had said at the meeting that Jun An's return was classified. "Shouldn't the return of such a great hero be a joyous occasion? Even if it's not made public, there's no need to hide it even from me, right?"
"Err..." Himeko guiltily looked away, her face slightly flushed.
"I wanted to live a quieter life. It has nothing to do with Theresa or Himeko," Jun An helplessly covered for Himeko. After all, he didn't want others knowing he hadn't 'won' against Himeko.
"Alright, since it's the Captain's wish, we'll do as the Captain says." Ragna didn't probe further, saying directly, "Since you're back, Captain, how about joining me for a drink? Coincidentally, I have a lot I want to talk to you about, including matters concerning maids..."
Ragna and the Captain were both maid aficionados. Coupled with the fact that the Captain had saved her life, she truly had much she wanted to discuss with Jun An.
Ding ding ding~
Before Ragna could finish, Himeko's phone rang. She immediately answered it.
"Hello, is this Himeko?" Judging by the voice, it was likely Theresa on the other end.
"Mhm, it's me." Himeko nodded. "So, did you find the place?"
Theresa: "Found it. It's a patch of ruins that hasn't started reconstruction yet. We can really let loose there!"
Himeko's face immediately lit up with excitement. "That's perfect! Wait for me, I'll be right there."
Hanging up, Himeko grabbed Jun An, ready to leave. "Captain, let's go. You're the referee today."
Ragna, however, grabbed Jun An's other arm dissatisfaction. "Wait! I haven't even had a proper chat with the Captain yet! I haven't repaid the debt of him saving my life! What's your hurry?"
Caught off guard without time to use Honkai energy for defense, Jun An felt a distinct kacha sound near his ear, like a dislocation.
Himeko refused to yield an inch. "This is a bet between me and Theresa. We might be fighting all day. If we miss dinner, it'll be too late. Of course, we need to go early."
Two MANTISes had the stamina to potentially fight for an entire day, so time was precious.
Ragna's eyes filled with suspicion. "What are you betting? Why do you need to specifically pick a site and potentially fight all day?" If it were just ordinary sparring, the Memorial Arena grounds should suffice. Needing a special site meant they planned to go all out.
"Captain Ragna, you wouldn't understand," Himeko said, pulling the injured Captain back towards her, her expression grave. "Whoever wins gets to eat under the table on odd days!"
"Eat under the table? You're betting something that... significant?" Ragna found herself increasingly unable to comprehend Himeko and Theresa's friendship, a strange feeling stirring within her. "But since it concerns your... dignity, I suppose..."
"Then I'll borrow the Captain as referee first." Himeko immediately pulled Jun An away.
Only after seeing the two board the Hyperion's escort ship, the Helios, did Ragna belatedly realize something.
Wait? Why does the winner get to eat under the table?
No, wait, the winner gets to eat under the table on odd days. Does that mean the loser has to eat under the table on even days?
Himeko, what on earth are you two betting on!?