Chapter 70

"Because exchanging names is the beginning of getting to know each other."

Amber smiled and nodded, but realizing that this didn't quite fit her character, she added, "Rita said something like that before."

"The beginning of getting to know each other?"

The Princess blinked. "So, in other words, names are necessary for getting to know each other..."

The phrase "understanding each other" was completely foreign to her, yet for some reason, it made her heart race and her lips involuntarily curl into a smile.

She didn't reject this unprecedented feeling, and then she showed her first smile.

Seeing this, Shiori immediately smiled as well, as if she had witnessed her child achieving something amazing by following her guidance, even if it was just going from crawling to walking, it still made her feel surprised.

"What's wrong? Why are you making that strange expression...!?"

Upon seeing Shiori's face turned toward her, the Princess instinctively wanted to avoid her gaze, but feeling that this behavior might be seen as a sign of weakness, she widened her eyes and looked back at her.

"Sorry, I was just thinking about something happy."

Shiori initially wanted to come up with a random excuse, but after thinking about it, she gave up and said directly, "No, it's just that I'm happy to see you smile."

Kotori wanted to complain in her heart, "Why are you so blunt? Where did you come from Yulande?" But seeing the Princess's obviously increased favorability and mood, she fell silent.

Could it be... that the current version is truly dominated by straight shots?

Thinking about how Yulande easily brought her closer to Shiori with her straightforward approach, and now seeing Shiori instantly bring her closer to the Princess with the same straightforward approach, Kotori was momentarily questioning her life. Having read various anime and manga works, she naturally knew what 'moe attributes' were and was extremely clear about her own moe points.

Simply put, it's about being a tsundere (a person with a haughty and arrogant personality) and having a younger sister

Logically, this should be a very powerful weapon, right? Why does it feel like it's become obsolete?

The three of them had no way of knowing Kotori's feelings.

After being hit by Shiori's straight shot, the Princess felt an itch in her chest and her face flushed unnaturally. Not knowing what this feeling was, she even froze on the spot.

But she quickly realized what she meant. "You... you just smiled, what's there to be so happy about!?"

"Because you always had a very negative expression before."

Shiori realized that she seemed to have embarrassed the other person, so she considerately lowered her head slightly and looked down at the ground. "We want to save you, but if the person being saved doesn't have that intention, we will be helpless."

"Salvation... This seems to be the second time I've heard that word from you."

The Princess recalled the situation when the two sides first met. Although the other party said so, she didn't really believe it. But the situation was different now. Because of Yulande's strength, she had the idea that "the other party is so strong that there is no need for them to lie to me." Therefore, she seriously considered the statement.

"But how will you save me? From where will you save me?"

The Princess asked, puzzled.

Do you know why humans fight against elves?

Seeing that the Princess seemed to understand the matter, Shiori immediately smiled. She hadn't expected things to progress so quickly after just one encounter.

"...have no idea."

The Princess shook her head. "Isn't it because I'm an elf and you're humans?"

"Of course not."

Shiori explained, "That's why humans attack elves."

As she spoke, she pointed behind the Princess, in the direction they had come from, a landscape of dilapidated ruins, cracked and collapsed ground, and of course, the enormous crater in the far distance.

But the Princess simply tilted her head, not understanding Shiori's meaning.

"This place shouldn't be like this."

Shiori, of course, understood the Princess's confusion, and immediately took out her phone from her pocket, showing the Princess the street scene photos she had prepared in advance.

The clean and tidy streets, and the pedestrians everywhere, were a sight the Princess had never seen before. She had never imagined that there were so many humans, nor that the scenery she had been seeing all along was not the human home, but the human 'former home'.

"Was it... caused by my appearance?"

The Princess was simply lacking in common sense, not stupid. Thinking about the circumstances she was in each time she came to her senses, and considering the context of Shiori's words just now, she naturally understood what she meant.

"I cause this kind of damage every time I wake up, so... that's why..."

This realization was difficult for the Princess to accept. She had always felt that the attacks she was being attacked were due to racial differences, and that she had no intention of harming them, yet they continued to target her.

In this mindset, she was sad and helpless, merely a victim of passive defense. But everything Shiori showed her made her realize that this was just her mistaken perception. In reality, the reason she was attacked was because her appearance would destroy humanity's home.

The discrepancy left her bewildered.

"However, we can change this situation."

Seeing that the Princess understood what he meant, Shiori said.

Chapter Sixteen: Shiori's Distrust, Kotori's Breach of Defense.

"What kind of solution are you talking about?"

Upon hearing that there was a solution, the Princess asked curiously.

"Simply put, it means... sealing your Spiritual Power so that you won't be pulled back to the Neighboring Realm and won't cause damage to reality because of the present world."

Thinking about the so-called sealing process, Shiori felt a little shy and embarrassed, but since it was for the sake of this world, she still spoke up.

Moreover, now she is not only sealing the spirits for the sake of the world, but after seeing the Princess's expression as if she has been rejected by the world, Shiori also genuinely wants to help the spirits change their fate of living in battle.

"Seal my Spiritual Power...? Wait a minute..."

The Princess frowned slightly, vaguely sensing that something was amiss.

Her attitude made Shiori a little nervous. "Is there a problem?"

"Um..."

Although she didn't quite understand the ways of this world, the Princess hadn't truly experienced dating yet and remained quite wary of humans. So, after thinking for a while, she figured out the problem. "If my Spiritual Power is sealed, does that mean I won't have the power to fight?"

Upon hearing this, Amber looked at her with some surprise.

If you can think of this, are you still the same Tohka who only knows how to eat?

"This..."

Shiori also belatedly realized this.

Yes, if the spirits' Spiritual Power is sealed, it's as if they become ordinary humans. In that case, they would be powerless to fight back if any unexpected situation arises.

Kotori said at the right moment, "Ratatoskr will provide protection and shelter for the elves, and there is no need to worry about expenses. As long as it is not an outrageous situation, these will be reimbursed. Moreover, the seal is not that stable. If the elf's emotions fluctuate too much, it will cause the Spiritual Power to flow back."

Hearing this, Shiori relaxed a little. She hadn't considered the situation of the spirits after sealing their Spiritual Power, not because she didn't care about them, but simply because she hadn't thought about it. She was limited by the knowledge and perspective of an ordinary high school student and couldn't think of that much.

But there's one more thing.

In reality, although Shiori is now acting according to Ratatoskr's plan, she doesn't actually have any good feelings towards Ratatoskr.

From Shiori's perspective, Ratatoskr was an organization that had tried to recruit her underage sister to work, but when they failed to exploit her 'special constitution,' they resorted to familial ties and a sense of duty to manipulate her. Shiori had no good feelings towards Ratatoskr.

Moreover, because Shiori was the person who had been targeted for so long, Shiori was particularly sensitive and suspicious of such behavior, especially the behavior that Ratatoskr had done.

"Then... what about Schicksal?"

Thinking of this, Shiori couldn't help but look at Amber.

"?"X2.

Kotori and Amber were both surprised that Shiori would suddenly mention Schicksal.

"Schicksal is an important partner of Ratatoskr, but our cooperation is about harassment of DEM and AST."

Kotori was unaware of Shiori's thoughts and could only speak the truth.

"But, Ratatoskr..."

Shiori's brows furrowed even more.

Kotori then understood what her older sister meant. In the past two days, Shiori had often shown suspicion and distrust towards Ratatoskr.

Kotori is the commander of Ratatoskr. Although she is not brainwashed, her education from childhood has been related to Ratatoskr, so she has a strong sense of belonging to Ratatoskr and considers herself a member of it. Therefore, she often speaks well of Shiori.

But for Shiori, it was no different from brainwashing. After all, it was all about instilling good ideas from Ratatoskr. The two sisters had a small argument because of this, and in the end, they each took a step back and didn't discuss it any further.

Therefore, Kotori had figured out what Shiori was thinking at this moment. Shiori probably felt that Ratatoskr's arrangements for the elves were definitely not well-intentioned and would inevitably end up as surveillance and research.

Honestly, let alone Ratatoskr, any organization would have done the same, right? Wouldn't they have done the same if they had the Schicksal? Wouldn't DEM have done the same? It wouldn't have mattered who did it! Since it wouldn't have mattered who did it, why couldn't it have been Ratatoskr?

At least Ratatoskr was under her nose, and as the commander herself, she was an elf, so she wouldn't resort to such underhanded tactics in front of her.

Unfortunately, these thoughts were a bit too advanced for Shiori. Shiori knew was that her sister had been brainwashed and that she had been monitored for at least five years. With these two points in mind, it was impossible for her to think rationally anymore.

In contrast Yulande, the strongest Valkyrie of Schicksal, has an upright and honest personality and a very strong sense of justice. Since Yulande is the starting point for Shiori's understanding of Schicksal, she naturally believes that all the characters in Schicksal are like Yulande.

This difference in perception caused by first impressions easily led Shiori to rank Schicksal's qualities above Ratatoskr's, even though she knew that Schicksal wouldn't treat elves as ordinary people. She still felt that Schicksal was a better fit.

"Shiori! Don't you believe me!?"

Kotori had to admit that she was really on edge. Her older sister trusted a stranger she had only known for a few days more than she, her own sister, who depended on her for survival.

"Kotori ...it's not that I don't trust you and your Fraxinus."

I do not trust Ratatoskr.

Although she didn't say the second half of her sentence, everyone could understand what she meant.

Even if all your Fraxinus are on your side, what good is it? They are ultimately airships under Ratatoskr. Without Ratatoskr's support, they can't operate for long. Under such circumstances, how can you provide protection for the elves?

These words choked Kotori's anger. Shiori's thoughts were reasonable, but frankly, it still meant she didn't trust her.

Shiori didn't think he could protect the elves in Ratatoskr.

This realization caused Kotori to bite the lollipop in her mouth to pieces, and the anger in her heart caused the surrounding temperature to rise rapidly.

The Spiritual Power was flowing in reverse, and everyone in Fraxinus immediately realized this.

Kannazuki immediately reassured him, "Commander, Itsuka Girl is just an ordinary high school student!"

You can't expect a high school student to think that far ahead. Maybe she's just too prejudiced against Ratatoskr and hasn't considered the possibility that you could intervene.

"Kotori, don't act rashly."

Muramasa Reine also said in a calm tone, "Don't forget Fraxinus's mission."

It's not Ratatoskr, but Fraxinus.

Hearing the comfort from her adjutant and close friend, Kotori Itsuka's resentment and anger at being distrusted finally subsided. Kotori understood what they were saying; Shiori couldn't think that far ahead and was only judging from the perspective and thinking of a high school student.

Fraxinus's task is solely to assist Shiori in conquering the spirits; nothing else matters. Regardless of the outcome, conquering the spirits is the top priority.

Realizing this, Kotori finally suppressed her emotions.

Seeing this, Muramasa Reine looked away and then turned her gaze back to the screen.

You ask her what she thinks of this culprit? She just sits and watches.

The whereabouts of the spirits were irrelevant to her, as long as Shiori successfully sealed them away. In fact, it was a good thing that the Princess was accepted by Schicksal, so that if Shiori wanted to visit the Princess, she could also make contact with the other three spirits.

The rest depends on how Yulande responds; no matter where the Princess is, it won't affect her plans.

Chapter Seventeen: The Outrageous Management of Schicksal.

Amber never expected that Shido, who had never doubted Ratatoskr in the original story, would now become so Shiori of Ratatoskr.

But thinking about it carefully, it makes sense. After all, Richdo in the original work had no background other than Ratatoskr, so he had no other choice.

No, that's not quite right... Even if there was no other choice, it's too much trust. At first, I didn't think much of it because I thought it was a comedy romance, but as the world-building unfolded, it did seem a bit outrageous upon closer inspection...

"If Tohka is willing, she can come and live in Schicksal."

Amber gave her answer. Of course, she could decide this matter. After all, the leader of Schicksal was Möbius, and Möbius was another version of her. There was no need for them to distinguish between "yours" and "mine".

"Schicksal?"

The Princess didn't mind being called Tohka, since she didn't really know how to choose a name, and she didn't dislike Amber, the human, so she wasn't bothered by it.

More than the name, she was curious about the word the other person used.

"Schicksal is an organization dedicated to fighting against the elves."

Amber said.

Princess, or rather, Tohka had already accepted the name, frowned upon hearing this, but did not say anything immediately, instead waiting for what would follow.

"However, the reason why Schicksal opposes the Elves is because the Elves can cause damage to reality."