Mission Complete and What Comes Next / Ifrit Awakens

Looking at the cake and coffee in front of her, Sakura yawned and sighed softly.

"Well, Sakura, are you really alright? I didn't expect you to reply to my message so soon this afternoon." Looking at her friend who looked a little tired, Muelsyse's expression was rather helpless.

She did want to ask Sakura out to ask about some details. But she originally wanted to ask her out in the evening! Who knew that as soon as she sent the message, Sakura replied instantly.

Then the dinner mentioned in the message simply turned into afternoon tea...

"I'm adjusting my sleep schedule, so I didn't sleep during the day. Besides, after what happened... I'm having trouble sleeping now." Hearing this, Sakura gently shook her head and said with a complicated expression.

"That's right, I'm also very frustrated right now..." After hearing Sakura's words, Muelsyse nodded in agreement.

Then, as if remembering something, Sakura asked seriously, "So, what did Muelsyse want to ask me this time?"

"Well, I just wanted to ask if you noticed anything suspicious while you were on duty, Sakura." When asked about something serious, Muelsyse's expression became serious as well.

"Hmm... I didn't notice anything unusual." After thinking for a while, Sakura gave a definite answer.

"I can't guarantee anything else, but I can confirm that since I started my night shift, no one has entered through the door I'm guarding."

"Because apart from the very beginning, I've been guarding the door every night without leaving or patrolling."

"Ah, I still really want to complain... Sakura, you're taking this way way too seriously." After hearing Sakura's answer, Muelsyse touched her nose and muttered to herself.

The elf lady had no doubts about Sakura's words, because she and Saria had already investigated and reviewed a lot of recent surveillance footage from the Structural Department.

Just as Sakura said, not only did she not abandon her post, but she was also quite serious during her night watch... This was something that Muelsyse had wanted to complain about before, but she had never had the chance.

"Once you've chosen to do something, you should naturally put your heart into it." Sakura looked at Muelsyse, who was muttering to himself, shook her head helplessly, and then answered seriously.

"Even so... but you stayed up all night and barely yawned or blinked. Aren't you taking this too seriously?" Muelsyse couldn't help but rub her forehead as she looked at her serious-looking friend.

Honestly, in this respect, Miss Elf is almost seeing the shadow of a certain straight woman in Sakura... Is it really true that they are subordinate and boss?

"Alright, alright, let's not talk about this anymore." With that, Muelsyse waved her hand lightly, then changed the subject and continued, "Whether it was before or after your night watch, Sakura, the surveillance footage didn't capture that guy, nor were there any signs of lock-picking..."

"If that's the case, they probably didn't enter through the main gate... It seems they have a special ability, but I wonder if it's something like mine, or a spatial Originium Arts?"

Muelsyse, who was muttering to himself and piecing together clues, suddenly seemed to remember something, then looked at Sakura again and asked, "Sakura, did you hear any strange noises while you were on duty last night?"

"... No, no, to be precise, I don't know. Because the Structural Department lab is very soundproof. If someone really did sneak in using other methods, I probably wouldn't be able to hear them communicating inside." After a moment of thought, Sakura gave Muelsyse a vague answer.

Sakura neither said she heard it nor definitively said she didn't; her main goal was to muddy the waters and obscure the investigation path of Muelsyse and the other person.

After all, she herself was involved in the matter the two were investigating, and in a sense, she was one of the main executors.

"Ugh, those guys can't even figure out the infiltration timeframe? That's frustrating..." Even Muelsyse felt a little discouraged after hearing Sakura's words.

"I'm sorry... I couldn't help you Muelsyse."

Looking at Muelsyse, who was slumped on the table, looking somewhat dejected and listless, Sakura's beautiful blue eyes revealed a hint of apology as she spoke.

Muelsyse stared at his innocent friend, who was apologizing for not being able to help, and slammed his fist on the table indignantly, saying:

"What does this have to do with you, Sakura... It's all those awful guys' fault! Where did they take Ifrit?!"

"..."

That wretched girl, Sakura, after hearing her friend's indignant words, touched her nose somewhat guiltily before offering words of comfort:

"Muelsyse, you don't need to worry so much. Since they've taken action, they'll definitely leave clues. As long as there are clues, they'll eventually be found. Maybe they'll be back later?"

"Sigh, if only that were the case... Now we can only hope that Saria can make some progress." Upon hearing this, Muelsyse couldn't help but sigh.

"Um."

After hearing Muelsyse' words, Sakura nodded in agreement. However, she knew very well that the situation on Saria's side was likely even worse than hers.

Because Silence had already developed a deep misunderstanding about Saria while she was frantically investigating outside... If the misunderstanding isn't cleared up, let alone revealing the secret, she probably won't even get a friendly look.

On the other side--

Although the accident did not injure many people, Ahrens Parvis, the head of the Structural Department, still gave the researchers in the laboratory leave so they could go home and rest.

And it is precisely because of this situation that Saria's actions have become much more troublesome and difficult.

You see, her initial target was Silence, who usually took care of Ifrit, but unfortunately, she couldn't find him because he was on vacation, and no one answered her messages or calls.

So, she had no choice but to temporarily settle for second best and went to ask other people in the lab about the matter.

Unfortunately, Saria has not gotten any useful information after asking around so far.

Finally, having obtained no useful information, Saria decided to go to Silence's dormitory room again to try her luck.

P. S.: Give it a push.

Chapter 150 Mission Completed and Follow-up

Frustrated by Ifrit's situation, Silence quickly treated her scrapes and left the Rhine Lab headquarters building to wander aimlessly.

Because she always kept her electronic devices on silent during work hours, she didn't notice that Saria had sent her messages and made phone calls while she was outside.

After all, if she had noticed, Silence would probably be even more agitated right now... because the last person she wanted to see was Saria, the one who made her feel so conflicted.

However, no matter how much you wander around, it eventually comes to an end... After realizing that it was getting late, Silence, having cleared her head, stopped lingering outside and headed back.

However, it was this very decision that led her to bump into Saria standing at her room door.

"Director Saria, is there something you need from me?" Silence looked at the person in front of her whom she didn't want to see at all, and quietly switched back to her previous form of address.

"... Yes, I'd like to ask about some details regarding Ifrit."

Seeing Silence's somewhat pale face, Saria assumed she was upset because of Ifrit, so she carefully considered her words before asking.

"You... go ahead and ask."

Upon hearing the purpose of Saria's visit, Silence was initially taken aback, but then tried to remain calm and spoke.

"There's no need to be so nervous. Ifrit should be out of danger; she's just been taken away." Seeing Silence's somewhat off expression, Saria couldn't help but reassure her.

"Eh... why do you say that?"

After hearing Saria's words, Silence was startled again and quickly asked another question.

Faced with Silence's persistent questioning, Saria did not provide an answer. Instead, she gently shook her head, then lowered her eyes and said:

"This matter involves Sheng Guang, so it's best if you don't know about it. This is for your own good. As for Ifrit, I will find her and have her bring her back."

Although Saria wanted to explain everything to Silence, the issues involved were far too complicated.

To protect Silence's safety, she had no choice but to remain silent on these matters.

"..."

After hearing Saria's explanation and promise, Silence didn't react much, but simply lowered her eyes slightly to avoid eye contact.

To be honest, Saria's explanation wasn't too unexpected for Silence... but even so, a sense of disappointment and resentment still welled up in her heart.

She was disappointed that Saria, whom she had always admired, was really like that, and she was unwilling to accept her own weakness...

After taking a short while to calm herself down, Silence said, "Director Saria, please feel free to ask me anything. I'll tell you everything I know."

"Um."

Mobius's Secret Laboratory--

"Call--"

With all the Originium in Ifrit's body meticulously emptied and all her wounds healed, Bianca, whose nerves had been on edge, finally let out a soft breath and relaxed.

After several hours of such meticulous operation, it eventually took a toll on her mental and physical energy.

Just as Bianca relaxed, the system's long-absent voice rang in her (and their) minds.

[Ding--Congratulations, host, for successfully completing the mission to save Ifrit.]

[The reward has been issued; please check it yourself.]

"Although the mission is complete, just in case, you should check Ifrit again later. If there are any problems, continue; if not, I'll go back."

After storing the Abyss Flower in her hand into her spatial storage, Bianca turned to look at Mobius, who was diligently recording data, and said...

"Um."

Upon hearing this, Mobius, who was intently watching the recorder in his hand, didn't even look up.

"..."

Seeing Mobius working diligently and unable to break out of his reverie, Bianca shook her head helplessly and then found a corner in the lab to rest.

I have to say, I quite like someone when they're working—serious and not at all wicked... unlike their usual self, who's so sarcastic and annoying...

After recording the data, Mobius quickly examined Ifrit's body to check for any omissions.

After confirming that Ifrit's body contained no foreign objects other than the [Flame Demon Fragment], Mobius finally stopped what he was doing and smiled at Bianca, saying:

"Alright, everything's settled~ Our [Radiant Knight] lady can go back now~"

"You'd better shut up and go to work."

Hearing that familiar tone, Bianca's initially pleasant mood instantly soured. After a sharp retort, she immediately had Rita summon her back.

"Heh~"

Mobius looked at the spot where Bianca had disappeared, chuckled lightly with pleasure, and then turned his head thoughtfully to look at Ifrit was lying quietly on the lab table.

Although Charmander's illness has been cured, Mobius hasn't yet figured out what to do with her temporarily.

Although the terms had already been agreed upon with Kristen, establishing contact and cooperation with Rhodes Island would still take time. After all, that lynx was quite strict in its vetting process.

After some deliberation, Mobius decided to pass this problem on to Kristen. Since they were already collaborators, and he had promised her so many benefits, it was time for her to put in the work.

'Sakura, could you please summon her back for me?'

Having made his decision, Mobius silently called out to Sakura, who had just returned to Rhine Lab.

After successfully returning with Sakura's help, Mobius, carrying the prepared data, went to the commander's office again. Of course, not the original office...

"You cured it in such a short time?"

Upon seeing Mobius again, a hint of surprise flashed in Kristen's eyes. Clearly, she hadn't expected to see him again today...

"Okay, take a look at the relevant data."

Nodding slightly, Mobius placed the recording device he was holding on Kristen's table.

Kristen didn't stand on ceremony. After raising an eyebrow, she skillfully picked up a recording device from the table that she had never seen before and began to examine it.

P. S.: As it turns out, slacking off is a bad idea; before I knew it, it was so late again. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival everyone!

Chapter 151 Ifrit's Awakening

After quickly glancing at the documents in her hand, Kristen looked up at Mobius with a puzzled expression and said, "You didn't take out the [Flame Demon Fragment]?"

"Heh~ Putting aside the fact that the fragment and Ifrit have shown some signs of fusion, even if we take a step back, I still need to give you a reason to send someone to Rhodes Island for treatment, don't I?"

Upon hearing this, Mobius chuckled and explained in a playful tone.

"So you really do care about me." After hearing Mobius's explanation, Kristen raised an eyebrow slightly and replied in a calm tone.

However, even so, Kristen knew that Mobius's actions had indeed saved her a lot of trouble.

Because if Ifrit, the test subject, really has no problems at all, even if she wanted to put her into Rhodes Island, she would need to pay a considerable price and spend a lot of time.

Now that someone is offering to reduce her troubles and costs, Kristen naturally accepts. After all, why not take advantage of a good deal?

"After we finalized our cooperation, I looked into the Rhodes Island organization, and then I had a question. I wonder if Miss Mobius could answer it for me?" As if remembering something, Kristen looked up at Mobius and asked.

"What's the problem?"

In response to Kristen's question, Mobius blinked his gradient-colored snake eyes and said.

"I want to know, why did you insist on sending Ifrit, this experimental subject, to Rhodes Island? If it's just about medical conditions and care, leaving her here would have been perfectly acceptable, wouldn't it?"

After speaking, Kristen gazed intently at Mobius's delicate face, not wanting to miss the slightest change in her expression.

To be honest, if this condition had just been casually mentioned by Mobius, it wouldn't have seemed unreasonable or abnormal to Kristen.