An Unfriendly Conversation

────Huh?

Xia Ya's mind went blank for an instant.

Sven Cal Bayang? A pilot from the Phantom Pain Corps? The man who piloted Strike Noir? Why was he here? It was C.E. 71 now!

"...You really are a Natural."

As turmoil surged through Xia Ya's heart, Nicol looked at Sven and quietly spoke in a confirming tone.

Sven turned his gaze toward Nicol and answered expressionlessly, "Yeah." After a pause, he asked in return, "You don't want to fight alongside Naturals?"

His question was direct, even carrying a hint of provocation.

Michel's brows immediately knitted together.

But Nicol shook his head and answered seriously, "No. I was just surprised. As long as you aren't pointing a gun at my people, I have no intention of harming you."

"Is that so?" The corner of Sven's mouth lifted into an almost imperceptible curve. "Then we should get along quite well."

He held out his hand to Nicol. Nicol froze for a moment, then reached out as well and shook his hand.

Watching this from the side, Xia Ya forced his chaotic thoughts to settle down.

...Right, calm down. Even Canard Pars, a Super Coordinator, could be brought over and become one of our own, so Sven Cal Bayang appearing here seemed... seemed like something he should be able to accept────Wait, no!?

This was completely wrong! What had happened to the timeline? Who had recruited him?

Muruta Azrael?

"Please take care of me."

A voice sounded beside him, interrupting Xia Ya's thoughts.

He came back to himself and discovered that Sven had somehow already walked up to him and extended his hand.

"Ah, yeah... Likewise. I'll be in your care."

Xia Ya suppressed every question in his heart, put on a professional smile, and reached out to shake Sven's hand as well.

The