(Heartfelt thanks to 'Yunqi Qinggu', 'Youcai Luobo', and 'Sui Feng Qi Wu' for their rewards!)
"So, I'll cover the entire cost of producing these 'Manifestation Devices'!"
Hearing Kotori state those words with such a solemn expression, Woodman was moved...
In this world, there were only two organizations capable of manufacturing 'Manifestation Devices'—Asgard Electronics and DEM!
As the only two organizations in the world that possessed the technology to manufacture 'Manifestation Devices', neither might necessarily have been the richest in the world, but they were undoubtedly among the wealthiest!
Under such circumstances, even Asgard Electronics would face the danger of being drained dry if it manufactured the 'Manifestation Devices' Kotori had requested. One could imagine just how astronomical the production funds listed on Kotori's application form were.
Yet Kotori had said that she would bear the entire cost!
Aside from being the commander of Ratatoskr, Kotori was merely a little girl from an ordinary family. Did she have the means to cover such an enormous expense?...
The answer was naturally no!
At the very least, Woodman, who clearly understood Kotori's family circumstances, once again suspected that Kotori was pulling a prank.
But precisely because he understood Kotori, Woodman knew that she was not joking!
Woodman's eyes gradually narrowed, his pupils shrinking to pinpoints as he spoke in a low voice.
"Commander Itsuka, are you serious?..."
In the silent study, a heavy atmosphere continued to build. Kotori gently closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, they were filled with determination, silently declaring her resolve.
Woodman, who took in that sight, fell silent...
As Woodman remained silent, the entire study immediately sank into an indescribable oppression. If anyone had been there, they likely would have found it difficult even to maintain their breathing rhythm beneath that suffocating atmosphere.
Only after a