So this is the Moth of the Flame Headquarters?
Sakura stood in the room, observing the unusual configuration of the space, which was unlike any ordinary room. Many structures and devices she didn't recognize were placed within it.
She had mentally prepared herself to accept the existence of the Moth of the Flame, but she was still utterly shocked by the existence of this base on the water.
"Hehe, Miss Sakura, it seems you already believe my words." The Councilman's voice came through the earpiece. His refined speaking style remained unchanged even through the headset. "The Headquarters base will soon be relocated to high altitude. We have mastered the anti-gravity levitation system."
"..."
High altitude?
An aerial base, then? Could something that only existed in science fiction truly be realized?
Regardless, the blade the Councilman gave her and the existence of the Moth of the Flame Headquarters had already confirmed that the Councilman hadn't lied to her. The next step was her mission.
"Well, the equipment and food have been placed in your room. Please wait patiently until nightfall. I will contact you again then."
The Councilman proactively ended the communication.
Sakura took a deep breath to adjust her mood, then looked at the equipment the Councilman had mentioned on the bed.
...Thigh-high socks?
After confirming that the white object on the bed was indeed thigh-high socks, Sakura looked at the other items and dialed the Councilman's communication line with a grim expression.
"What's wrong, Miss Sakura? Are you already impatient to excise the tumor for humanity?"
"What are these things? Thigh-high socks, hot pants, a button-down shirt... What exactly do you want me to do?"
"Oh, I apologize, Miss Sakura, I forgot to explain." The Councilman was also taken aback for a moment before chuckling lightly. "This is the Moth of the Flame's powered battlesuit."
"Battlesuit?"
To Sakura, they looked like ordinary clothes.
...And somewhat revealing.
"Yes, your battlesuit is a Fourth Generation lightweight, speed-specialized model. This technology has not yet been publicly disclosed to others, and it has been slightly redesigned according to your combat style. I believe you will find it easy to use. Hmm... also, I believe you are a beautiful woman, so I added some feminine designs."
"Also, I hope you like the phrase on the shirt: 'The Bird of Hermes is my name, eating my wings to master my heart.'"
"...I understand." Sakura hung up the communication with a cold face, looking at the so-called "lightweight" battlesuit with distress.
She had no choice. She had to try it out first.
Sakura put on the battlesuit and was astonished to find that her athletic abilities had genuinely improved significantly.
"Whoosh."
She leaped onto the ceiling, her feet adhering firmly to the ceiling panel, swift and light like a cat.
Incredible.
Sakura hung on the ceiling, looking down at the floor above her head.
If she possessed this battlesuit, her assault routes during assassinations would definitely increase, and the suit was assisting her in adjusting her movements, allowing for more precise, efficient, and extremely fast actions.
Sakura lightly pushed off with her foot, detached from the ceiling, and landed steadily after an airborne maneuver.
This trial made her curious about the nature of her target for this mission—a person who could be feared by someone like the Councilman, an existence regarded as an anomaly in the technologically advanced Moth of the Flame.
Sakura didn't dwell on it. She was only here to complete the mission; she didn't need to think about anything else.
She ate a piece of bread, then meditated quietly in the room, waiting for the night to arrive.
...
In meditation, a day passed quickly. When the Councilman's communication connected again, the sun had set, and the twilight that covered the entire sea surface had vanished.
"Miss Sakura, it is time for you to mobilize."
Sakura opened her eyes, looked at the coordinates displayed in the contact lens she was told was a miniaturized system, and nodded.
"There's been a slight accident, but I trust you can handle it."
"Accident?" Sakura was not going to ignore that statement.
"Perhaps our dear Doctor Mei planned a romantic date with her little boyfriend tonight. The location you see is the Moth of the Flame's artificial lake. They are heading to that spot."
"...That wasn't part of the plan."
"It's fine, Miss Sakura. Everyone has been cleared out. The stage is yours. Let the artificial lake be stained with the blood of the 'non-human.'"
The arrow was on the string and had to be loosed.
Sakura walked out into the corridor. The room door automatically closed. After observing for a moment and finding no one else, she lifted her foot and sprinted forward.
No footsteps.
Her speed was so fast that she only left afterimages, and her every step made no sound, like a phantom traversing the corridors of the Moth of the Flame Headquarters, racing toward the artificial lake.
"Rowing a boat? Two people rowing out to the center of the lake late at night? Haha, they are truly cutting off their own retreat."
"..."
In the center of the lake, huh? She could reach them with this blade, and they had nowhere to run. It seemed it wouldn't take much effort.
Sakura rounded another corner. She was very close to the artificial lake now. She just needed to turn right ahead and proceed straight.
She could smell the lake water.
Sakura lowered her gaze, placed a hand on her sheathed blade, twisted her feet, and instantly turned right, sprinting toward the final stretch.
Closer now.
Moonlight spilled from behind the large door. Sakura could already see the glistening reflection of the lake water and the ripples stirred by the breeze.
She sped up again, dashed through the large door, and stopped steadily one step behind it.
"..."
The sound of the wind, the water, and the rustling of leaves in the artificial woods.
Sakura calmly watched the lone boat in the center of the distant lake. A person stood up, seemingly looking in her direction.
It was useless. Even if they started running now, it would be too late.
"The alarm has been turned off for you. Now is your solo performance... Hmm? What's going on?"
Sakura frowned, a bad premonition in her heart: "What's wrong?"
"Why didn't I notice this before? There's another signal around the artificial lake. No, why is this happening?" The Councilman's voice was filled with confusion. He said to Sakura, "Miss Sakura, there is a signal approaching."
"Tap."
Sakura's eyes widened. She pulled her right leg back, placed her hand on the blade's hilt, and took a stance.
Footsteps.
Very close.
They were coming from the artificial woods next to the lake in front of her.
An invisible sense of pressure slowly emanated from that direction.
All her muscles tensed. Every sensory organ was operating at its peak.
This was definitely not an ordinary opponent.
Who was it?
Their bodyguard?
"Tap."
The footsteps were not deliberately muffled, as if to let Sakura know of his arrival.
"Tap."
They stopped.
Sakura saw a gloved hand push aside the branches and leaves in front of them, then a foot stepped out.
The azure visor silently watched the completely stunned Sakura in the evening breeze.
As merciless as a judge.