Kali lifted the Mimicry Greatsword, turning her head sharply, her eyes fixed steadily upon X.
"How about I use this?"
She brought the greatsword down decisively, embedding its blade deeply into the floor, casually leaning against its hilt. The razor-sharp edge cut cleanly through the flooring beneath.
X remained silent for a moment, then lowered his head slightly and spoke calmly:
"If you're hired, the repair cost for the floor will be deducted from your first month's pay… But go ahead, swing that EGO around and show me."
"Hm…? Is there no one here who can wield it?"
Kali swung the Mimicry EGO with effortless ease, as if it were an extension of her own arm… and indeed, in a certain sense, Kali was the perfect wielder for this particular EGO.
One could even say that she commanded it flawlessly.
"…There are a few, but very few. However, you're the first to handle it so naturally... Da'at, please step outside for a moment. I still have a few questions to ask her."
X set down the pen he'd been holding, lifting his gaze to Kali as he spoke. Da'at nodded obediently and left the room. Kali set the Mimicry EGO aside temporarily, awaiting X's next words.
"…Now it's my turn to ask you: for someone as powerful as you clearly are, why choose to become Da'at's personal guard? As her colleague, it's my duty to be cautious… she's always lacked the appropriate vigilance."
X watched carefully, only speaking again once Da'at was fully out of sight.
"…Ha, asking me something like that?"
Exhaling quietly, Kali sat opposite X, speaking frankly without much hesitation:
"Of course, it's because… there are certain feelings I've placed upon her."
"…"
X's gaze flickered briefly before he continued:
"For now, I'll believe that explanation. Then, the next question—no, more like a request."
"I approve your employment. But alongside it, I have a condition… or rather, a hope."
"Da'at may not always stay within L Corp; she'll likely travel to various places. When that time comes, I hope you'll ensure her safety no matter where she goes. More than that—I hope…"
"…you'll ensure she remains exactly as she is right now."
X stared at Kali intently, enunciating every word. Kali closed her eyes briefly, then reopened them, smirking slightly as she spoke:
"Naturally… or rather, that's exactly my intention."
"Then it's settled."
X replied calmly, swiftly pulling out an employment form, filling it out briefly, and handing it to Kali. After she filled in her personal details, X archived the document, then looked back up at Kali and spoke once more:
"However… as for you, there's still an employment test of sorts."
"Da'at will soon head to Siracusa. Your performance there will serve as your employment assessment. For now, please go back to Da'at's side."
Moments later, Kali exited the office. Da'at had been waiting just outside, head slightly lowered. When Kali emerged, Da'at lifted her head, beaming with anticipation:
"So, how did it go?"
"Of course, there were no issues…"
Facing Da'at, Kali unconsciously softened her usually blunt speech—something she hadn't done when speaking with X. She smiled gently at Da'at as she spoke.
"Whew, that's a relief! I knew you'd be fine."
Upon hearing this, Kali quickly averted her gaze, only looking back after a brief pause, softly asking:
"Right… you mentioned there's some kind of mission coming up?"
"Yep, there's a mission… to Siracusa. Apparently, two Abnormalities have been sighted nearby. I need to head over to handle their retrieval. Initially, I planned on bringing along a few L Corp staff and maybe asking for assistance from the Hana Association…"
"…What risk level?"
"Both should be around WAW-class, I think."
"…Then I alone am enough. Rest assured, I can handle it on my own—and ensure your safety at the same time."
Kali spoke without thinking, the words tumbling from her lips. But immediately afterward, she saw Da'at's eyes sparkling with excitement. Da'at abruptly jumped up, throwing her arms around Kali's neck and burying her face against Kali's left shoulder, cheering joyfully. Instinctively, Kali leaned back slightly—
"—I knew you could handle it! I'm counting on you this time!"
After completing this celebratory gesture, Da'at stood properly again, hands clasped lightly behind her back, smiling brightly at Kali.
Kali nodded blankly. Afterward, the two left L Corp, spent the remainder of the day resting outside, then set out directly for Siracusa… Truthfully, Kali hardly knew how she spent the rest of that day…
But, at any rate, they had begun their journey to Siracusa.
Meanwhile, elsewhere—at T Corp—Hugh quickly delegated his tasks to dozens of T Corp employees before hurriedly departing for Siracusa himself.
"The arrangements with L Corp regarding T Corp's preparations are complete… Next up is heading to Siracusa."
While waiting for his transportation, Hugh silently organized his thoughts.
In truth, the reason L Corp's two Abnormalities had been sighted near Siracusa was precisely because of Hugh—it was part of a joint plan between him and X.
Ultimately, all of this was to ensure T Corp's smooth development…
After all, if T Corp succeeded this time, it would be a monumental leap forward for the entire City. L Corp's energy output would explode yet again, as would K Corp's ampoule production. Other smaller boosts to productivity across the board didn't even need mentioning.
"Da'at and I will probably both arrive in Siracusa in about three days… By then, some people in the City should also be receiving news from Siracusa—or perhaps elsewhere—prompting them to rush there as well…"
Hugh mentally calculated all these points, then allowed himself a smile.
"Well then, let's wait and see."
In fact, most things went exactly as Hugh expected.
...
On the very next day, Texas—now leader of the Thumb—received a message.
A message… ordering her return to Siracusa.