Chapter 87

Black Amber took the file bag from Rita with a bored expression, glanced through the records and research documents inside, then sneered and tossed it aside. She leaned back lazily in her chair, her legs, encased in black stockings, crossed and making a soft rubbing sound.

"Find the signatories of the report and kill them."

"Yes."

Rita hadn't seen the contents, but that didn't stop her from following orders.

"Even Ratatoskr, which advocates peaceful coexistence with the elves, does not treat elves as ordinary people in essence. Apart from its methods, it is no different from DEM."

Black Amber said, "Is Kotori Itsuka still playing house?"

"After all, you frightened her last time, Bishop."

Rita laughed.

"Hmph, in the end he's just a child."

Black Amber remained noncommittal. "Go back and rest. I don't have the habit of exploiting a subordinate who works all night."

Although she really wanted to say that you had exploited her quite a bit in the past, Rita knew that if she said it, you would hold a grudge, so she gave up on that idea and instead asked, "Does the Blade of Immortality need to serve you regarding the Global Conference?"

Black Amber hadn't mentioned this before, and based on her past interactions with her, she basically meant it wasn't necessary. But considering that this situation might be a bit special, Rita still said, "This is your first time participating in Mahito life. There are quite a few rats in this world waiting for this opportunity."

"There's no need."

Black Amber knew the other party's concerns. "Although I am a researcher, I also know a little about fighting if they don't intend to confront me with words."

After saying that, she turned the chair around to face Miku, who was slumped on the ground. She rested her chin on her hand and playfully used the tip of her black high heel to lift the girl's chin, revealing her delicate face with a blank expression and saliva overflowing from the corner of her mouth.

"At that time, I will still have this useful little mouse. Letting the mice tear each other apart will be a good way to make the most of it."

"She..."

"Don't worry, I don't intend for her to stay like this forever. It's just that... it would be a shame for someone who manipulates others' emotions to never have experienced being manipulated themselves."

...Too.

Rita immediately withdrew her misplaced goodwill. "In that case, Rita will take her leave."

Since there was nothing important to do here, and thinking of the blonde girl waiting for her in bed, Rita took the initiative to leave.

Only after her figure completely disappeared and she was teleported back to St. Freya from Hyperion did Black Amber release the Feathered Dust she had used on Miku.

The girl, who had just been drooling uncontrollably, instantly regained focus. As she lowered her head and wiped the corners of her mouth, a sense of unease crept into her heart.

Miku thought she had grasped the cold exterior but warm interior of the beautiful girl and planned to close Miku distance between them in Hyperion with Black Amber. Not long after entering the laboratory, she felt as if her whole body was no longer her own. Not only her body, but even her emotions became pessimistic and empty, and even the meaning of life became increasingly blurred.

Then she realized that it wasn't that her body wasn't her own anymore, but that because her heart was dead, she had absolutely no desire to move her body.

Although she had just recovered, it didn't mean she had forgotten her emotions or what had happened.

How terrifying... My mood and thoughts are completely out of my control. It's as if my emotions no longer belong to me. Yet, in this situation, I clearly know why these emotions are changing. I watch helplessly as all my thoughts become more and more indifferent until I become like a puppet.

Miku had never felt so out of control before, not even during her lowest point. Back then, she had only lost her sense of direction in life, but just now, she had lost the motivation to live.

How scary... This person is so scary...

She didn't even dare to look up, afraid to see the other person's devilish smile.

"What's wrong? Don't you like me anymore?"

Seeing her sweating profusely, Black Amber asked in a sweet but clearly mocking voice.

Even though she knew the other person was terrifying, the sound, like a lover whispering intimately in her ear, still made Miku feel a little longing, her expression a mixture of sadness and joy.

Black Amber, who had intended to see Miku make a fool of herself, lifted her face with her toes again, only to see a look of fear mixed with satisfaction on her face.

Black Amber:...

How can this make you feel good?

Chapter 48 Kotori's Stalemate

Is there anything important happening today?

Shiori was puzzled when she saw her younger sister, wearing a black ribbon, coming downstairs after she had just finished making breakfast.

Although she had gotten used to her sister's different personalities under the two headbands, judging from the habits of the past few days, Kotori always wore the white ribbon when she came down to eat and then went to school. The commander mode was only activated when she needed to work.

"Ah."

Kotori's expression was somewhat grim. "That guy Möbius has already arrived in Japan and plans to hold Global Conference here... Of course, not the kind that's in the news, since the matter of the elves is completely hidden from the public."

"Is the meeting being held here...?"

Shiori scratched her cheek.

Although it wasn't the kind of event featured in the news, for her, the only reference point for a 'Global Conference' was the news. And the venues for Global Conference were basically places with very strong economies and development, such as 'New York,' 'Singapore,' 'Paris,' and 'Beijing.' It was somewhat unimaginable that Global Conference would be held in a small place like theirs.

"You've got one thing wrong. It's not in 'Japan,' but here in 'Möbius.'"

Kotori sighed, "Moreover, this is the first time Möbius has appeared in Mahito at such an event. According to the analysis of Ratatoskr's think tank, this may indicate that Möbius has some big plans. However, according to the intelligence gathered by Ratatoskr, most forces, even some top forces, believe that she appeared this time to 'apologize'."

"Apologize?"

Shiori was somewhat puzzled as to why Kotori would use this word.

"Shiori, you haven't forgotten about the time when Schicksal prevented DEM from killing Tohka, have you?"

Kotori remained silent.

"I do remember... but... so it was something that required an apology...?"

Shiori then realized that the seriousness of the matter was somewhat beyond her imagination.

Kotori pursed her lips.

Yes, it's very serious. After all, leaving elves alive is an act against humanity, and acts against humanity are the number one crime in the entire world.

In fact, every country has some unspeakable experiments or actions behind the scenes. Everyone knows the saying that if the water is too clear, there will be no fish. But these actions cannot be really made public for everyone to see.

The reason for Schicksal's current state is undoubtedly his own arbitrary and autocratic behavior.

She was indeed wary of Möbius and held a great prejudice against Möbius, but that didn't mean she could be completely unrepentant or turn a blind eye to the mistakes she had made. After all, so far, Möbius hadn't done anything to wrong her, and their last discussion had only been at the stage of negotiating a lower price when switching jobs.

Okay, actually it's a bit abnormal, but the consequences of my actions this time have exceeded the level of 'looking for trouble'.

Tohka, who was still Tohka asleep as she went downstairs, overheard this and rushed out. "Is Yulande in trouble!?"

Kotori felt this was her problem, but wasn't Tohka the same? Whether it was Shiori, Kotori, or Yulande, in her eyes they were all forced to confront their own kind for her sake.

"You don't need to worry about this."

Finally, Kotori brought the topic to a close. "I'm saying this just so you don't hear embellished 'facts' from other people. The truth of the matter is still undetermined. You should go to school after you finish your breakfast, not only during this period but also afterward. No matter what anyone tells you, you must come to me immediately."

Although Ratatoskr believed that Möbius was not trying to apologize, regardless of whether he apologized or not, the cooperation between Schicksal and Ratatoskr had to be made clear at this meeting. Under such circumstances, no matter how much they tried to hide Shiori's existence, it would be impossible to hide the investigations of so many forces.

At least not in Ratatoskr.

Among so many investigations, it's impossible that they were all the docile types. Kotori was genuinely afraid that Shiori and Tohka would be deceived by someone.

This is also the point of greatest dilemma for Kotori right now.

The accusation that protecting spirits is against humanity is very sharp, but if you explain that the fundamental purpose is to 'protect spirits in order to protect humanity,' then it's not such a big deal. This is why Kotori felt guilty but wasn't in a hurry.

She wanted to put Shiori and Tohka under Schicksal's protection, since Ratatoskr definitely couldn't protect them, but Schicksal might. However... she had just put Schicksal in an awkward situation, even though the situation wasn't actually that difficult to resolve. Kotori didn't think Möbius was someone who could laugh off this.

"I see."

Shiori trusted Kotori quite a bit, after all, she was her younger sister, and apart from keeping the matter of the elves and Ratatoskr from her for so long, she had always been very reliable.

"But I want to help too!"

Tohka cannot let this matter pass with just one sentence.

"Now is not the time to need you. I will let you know when I do."

Although Tohka did the most help without doing anything, Kotori definitely wouldn't say that, otherwise she wouldn't be in a good mood, and perhaps some unexpected situation would occur.

"Leave it to me then!"

Hearing this, Tohka was immediately energized; it was finally her turn to help Yulande.

After settling the two of them in, Kotori took the bento box that Shiori had prepared and returned to Ratatoskr, heading towards Chiyoda in Tokyo, where the National Diet Building is located.

Meanwhile, Wescott was sitting in a black sedan, looking out the window at the scenery, a smile on his face, but his eyes seemed thoughtful. "First time appearing in Mahito, what a grand welcome ceremony."

"Welcome ceremony?"

Sitting next to him, Ellen looked at him with a puzzled expression. "Currently, nearly half of the forces believe that Möbius's actions demonstrate his concern for the protection of the elves by Schicksal."

"That guy is definitely not the type to care about such trivial matters."

Wescott chuckled, then said, "This venue was merely an opening act specially designed by Möbius to allow her ambitions to truly encompass the globe."

Seeing that Ellen still didn't understand, Wescott wasn't in a hurry to explain.

What worried him was that he hadn't expected Möbius to progress so quickly.

Although he didn't know what Möbius had obtained or controlled, there was no doubt that since Möbius had stepped out of Schicksal, it meant that her plan had reached a crucial point, and all that was left was to wait for the right opportunity.

What they had initially thought was a promising progress now seemed to slow down under these circumstances.

Thinking of this, Wescott's eyes narrowed slightly.

Chapter 49. Möbius's ambition was common knowledge.

The world's attention has unknowingly turned to this tiny island nation. Even though it is well known that these eyes and attention are not directed at itself, but at Möbius, Japan still indulges in the illusion of being the host country.

Regardless of why everyone came, just tell me whether they came to Thief Country.

Facing this familiar country with a very similar national situation, Japan now has the confidence to feel superior, even if it's just a facade.

As time passed, representatives from various countries and their factions entered the council chamber one by one. With Möbius's final entrance, many people subtly turned their gazes toward her.

Although no one has actually met her in person, photos and videos of her are still frequently seen. It must be said that Möbius is far more beautiful in person than in photos. Even though she doesn't look very old, her beauty is clearly beyond her years.

Proportional to this is the same sense of danger that surpasses even that of photographs. Anyone who actually meets Möbius will inevitably categorize her as someone who is 'definitely plotting something'.

Kotori sat in the second seat in Ratatoskr, a seat she had requested. After all, she was the person in Ratatoskr who had the most contact with Schicksal, and given her status as an elf, Eliot gave her the seat without much hesitation.

It was the first time Kotori had seen the person in person through a monitor and a photo, and she always felt a suffocating sensation as if she were surrounded by a python. This suffocating feeling was even more pronounced when the other person looked at her with those smiling eyes.

She wanted to return the smile, but due to various reasons, the smile felt somewhat forced and insincere.

The meeting did not get straight to the point. Instead, Japan, as the nominal host, gave the opening remarks and engaged in some wrangling over strategic resources. In the past, wrangling over resources and mutual accusations of probing actions were the main themes of such meetings, with the ultimate goal being self-interest.

But today is different, and the reason is simple: it's Möbius, or rather, Schicksal.

Black Amber knew, of course, that everyone was waiting for her to speak, but she showed no sign of urgency. This leisurely attitude confirmed the thoughts of some people and made many others feel a little uneasy, and they looked again at the document in their hands used for condemnation.

Unlike the composed Black Amber, Miku felt a chill run down her spine. This kind of situation had never crossed her mind before. Whether as a student or an idol, she never thought she would one day feel so uneasy sitting in such a serious meeting room.

She wasn't wearing her spirit dress, nor was she wearing her usual school uniform; instead, Black Amber had made her wear a black formal suit.

Good-looking people look good in anything, but Miku seems out of place in this environment.

First, her features weren't the kind of striking and mature beauty; rather, they were the kind of soft and non-aggressive beauty. Second, she looked noticeably young. But most importantly... she completely lacked the presence to appear natural in this kind of setting.

Kotori Itsuka is clearly younger and has a more delicate, girl-next-door appearance, but her strong aura makes her sit here with dignity.

Looking at Miku, who seemed out of place in her surroundings, everyone had some guesses in their minds.

Actually, although Miku has soft features, she is normally a very strong-willed person, but unfortunately... that was before.

Right now, Miku just wants to end this inexplicable trip as soon as possible, return to her comfort zone, and then have Yulande help her fend off that wicked woman, Möbius.

She was truly afraid, not only of Möbius trampling on her self-esteem and sense of shame with all sorts of punishments, but also of... that she didn't feel excessive disgust towards this behavior. Even though she knew that this behavior and feeling were wrong, she couldn't help but want to peek more.

To be honest, I still don't know why I was brought here...

Miku cautiously glanced at the Green-haired Girl sitting in front of her, who maintained her languid demeanor even in this setting.

With everyone deliberately shortening the wrangling, it was soon Schicksal's turn. Black Amber stood up listlessly and dropped a bombshell. "Schicksal plans to provide assistance to East Asia regarding Spatial Quake, which is expected to be officially completed within six months."

Are you talking about yourself?

"I have no objection."

"That's what the person in charge of Shenzhou said."

"I have no objection either."

The Japan leader said.