Before coming to the Hidden Management Department garrison, Natsuki Minamiya had speculated about how the SDS planned to transport her to outer space.
Originally, Natsuki assumed they'd use the SDS's space centre in Florida.
After all, the SDS's commercial space department headquarters was located there, having completed multiple manned spaceflights.
But then she realised another problem.
That was the SDS space outpost, a fact unknown to the outside world.
This "outside world" even included the Union.
Natsuki Minamiya only learned about the SDS having a space outpost through Meer's slip of the tongue and Luo Shu's explicit hints.
But what exactly this outpost was, or where in space it was located—she knew none of that.
To construct a space station on Earth that even the Union couldn't detect, it could only be the work of an Abyss Artefact.
"Come to think of it, the only possible reason for you, the Supreme Chairwoman of the SDS, to disguise yourself and come alone, evading everyone's notice, must be this."
Natsuki Minamiya sighed meaningfully as she looked at Lacus, who maintained her gentle smile.
"The Abyss Artefact that leads to space—it's on you right now, isn't it?"
Hearing Natsuki's speculation, Lacus exhaled softly before raising her hand slightly and applauding:
"Natsuki, are you really not considering joining us?"
Seeing Lacus's tacit admission, Natsuki couldn't help but scoff:
"I don't have your noble sentiment of wanting to protect humanity's survival. Right now, I'm retired—fighting and killing just aren't my style."
As she said this, she glanced at Luo Shu before adding:
"Besides, don't you already have the best knight by your side?"
Luo Shu shrugged at the title. "Can't argue with that."
"Another failed invitation."
Lacus shook her head regretfully before turning to Luo Shu with a smile:
"It seems Natsuki's matter will have to be entirely left to you now, my Director."
Luo Shu chuckled, giving Lacus's hand a light squeeze.
"Leave it to me. I'll persuade Natsuki-chan properly."
Hearing this exchange, Natsuki's face twitched:
"You two—if persuasion doesn't work, are you planning to resort to force?"
"Of course not!"
Luo Shu immediately put on an exaggerated look of shock.
"Lacus and I have always been in complete agreement about convincing you to join. There's no way we'd use force."
'If I believe even a single word of that, I'd be an idiot...' Natsuki shot Luo Shu a disdainful look, clearly not buying his words.
Unfazed, Luo Shu simply smiled.
"Seems Natsuki-chan doesn't trust me~"
"What do you think?"
Natsuki rolled her eyes. She had figured it out—these two were in cahoots, likely targeting her for some reason, dead set on dragging her into their group.
From the looks of it, Lacus had insisted on a peaceful invitation, while Luo Shu was the opposite, believing some... alternative methods might be necessary.
Now, Lacus had failed and abandoned her approach, throwing her support behind Luo Shu.
Tch. One wielding a stick, the other a peach—it was practically a repeat of Tachibana Kirika and Lacus during the SDS's early days in America.
Except now, after all these years, the wooden stick had been replaced with steel alloy...
Natsuki shot Luo Shu a sidelong glance before crossing her legs.
"Alright, enough small talk."
Natsuki paused, glancing at Lacus before continuing:
"The space Spirit, that shouldn't be false information, right?"
Hearing this, Lacus glanced at Luo Shu with some surprise:
"You told Natsuki about Miss Tokisaki's existence?"
Based on Lacus' understanding of Luo Shu, he wasn't the type to be loose-lipped.
But now, how had he leaked information about the SDS's current strongest combatant?
"Without doing this, there'd be no way to invite Natsuki here, would there?"
Luo Shu spread his hands, indicating this was a necessary move.
If he wanted Natsuki Minamiya's help, especially for a mission in space, he needed a convincing reason.
And ordinary reasons would likely be dismissed by Natsuki Minamiya with "the SDS can handle it themselves."
The only thing that wouldn't be refused and might even pique Natsuki Minamiya's curiosity was probably the existence of Spirits.
These beings, born at Hero Rank and capable of becoming Demigods with minimal effort, were naturally understood by Natsuki Minamiya to be dangerous.
They were forces that could influence the world's balance with the slightest carelessness.
Because in the world Natsuki Minamiya originally came from, there existed similar beings called True Ancestors, which was why she took Spirits so seriously.
"...And, does it seem strange to you that I'd do this?" Luo Shu blinked at Lacus.
"I understand your point—this is indeed the approach with the highest chance of success. I'm just a bit curious that you'd disclose so much."
Lacus smiled lightly at this and said no more.
But in her heart, she already had some guesses.
Given Luo Shu's cautious nature—the kind that would prepare five or six contingencies even when dealing with Abe no Seimei—he probably had some leverage to force Natsuki Minamiya into joining the SDS.
"Enough of your flirting, you two." Natsuki Minamiya clicked her tongue in annoyance.
These two brats, exchanging meaningful glances right in front of her—did they think she, their teacher, didn't exist?
At the very least, she had taught both of them, so they could at least acknowledge her presence.
Natsuki Minamiya shot Lacus a cold glance before saying:
"Since you're carrying the item with you, that means we can actually go straight to space from here, correct?"
"At present, that's the case." Lacus nodded slightly, admitting it directly.
"But in practice, we'll need to take some detours." Luo Shu added, following Lacus' lead.
Watching the two of them play off each other, Natsuki Minamiya's eyebrows twitched as she said:
"Then, if I may ask, what exactly are these so-called detours?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu narrowed his eyes, studying Natsuki Minamiya for a moment before smiling:
"Don't rush. The detours are actually quite simple."
"We'll first pass through the Hidden Management Zone beneath the Hidden Management Department to reach the Abyssal alternate dimension under our control. From there, we'll activate the Star Gate to reach space."
At these words, Natsuki Minamiya froze:
"First, go to an alternate dimension under your control?"
"Are you sure about this?"