"It's about the upcoming global conference."
Amber understood immediately.
"After all, the commotion last time was just too big, beyond what anyone could pretend not to notice."
Rita shrugged helplessly. As Artemisia had said earlier, this wasn't like last time.
Last time, it was Durandal and Ellen fighting—both humans—while Tohka was hidden away with Shiori. So, even if the fight caused a big stir, it didn't matter much.
But this time, Tohka fought Mana right in front of everyone for a long while. Then DEM and AST were deployed, and Durandal ended up rescuing Tohka in plain sight.
This situation was completely different. Everyone has their own organizations and secrets.
As the world's strongest armed force, Schicksal often gets a pass when it comes to certain operations. But this time, there was just no way to pretend they hadn't seen it.
This global conference would absolutely demand an explanation from Schicksal.
After such a huge disturbance, even smaller organizations probably caught wind of it. If they still claimed ignorance, did they even deserve to be called top-tier powers?
If they stayed silent any longer, the smaller factions aligned with them might start having doubts, and who's to say they wouldn't turn around and cozy up to DEM—or even Schicksal?
They had to speak up, whether for humanity's sake or their own interests.
And Schicksal needed to provide a convincing reason.
Amber understood all this, but was it really so urgent? Couldn't it wait even a single day?
Though puzzled, she knew official business took precedence over everything. "In that case, I should also—"
"The Overseer specifically instructed me not to bring Lady Durandal along."
Rita cut her off directly. "It's fine. Lady Durandal needn't trouble herself with such minor matters. I'll be back soon."
With that, she pulled shut the inner blackout curtains, turned off the lights, and left the room. Heading straight for the underground training area, she sent a signal to the Hyperion.
With a flicker of blue static, Rita's figure appeared in the ship's teleportation chamber.
She was no stranger to this vessel and soon arrived at Black Amber's lab.
The moment she stepped inside, Rita saw a girl with pale lavender hair slumped on the floor, utterly motionless.
Izayoi Miku? Tamed already?
Though curious about what had happened, Rita didn't bother asking. She stepped over the girl's form and handed the documents in her hand to the green-haired girl who stood facing a computer screen, her profile to Rita.
Black Amber took the file folder from Rita with an air of boredom, flipping roughly through the few records and research documents inside.
She let out a cold snort, tossed them aside, and leaned lazily back in her chair. Her legs, clad in black stockings, crossed with a soft whisper of friction.
"Find the person who signed that report and eliminate them."
"Yes."
Rita hadn't seen the contents, but that didn't stop her from accepting the order.
"Even Ratatoskr, which advocates for peaceful engagement and friendly coexistence with Spirits, doesn't essentially 'treat Spirits as ordinary people.' Aside from their methods, they're not much different from DEM."
Black Amber remarked. "Is Itsuka Kotori still playing house?"
"Well, you did frighten her quite badly last time, Overseer."
Rita chuckled.
"Hmph. In the end, she's just a child."
Black Amber didn't press the point. "Go and rest. I don't have a habit of overworking subordinates who've been up all night."
Though tempted to mention that she'd done exactly that plenty of times before, Rita knew bringing it up would earn her a mark.
She shelved the thought and instead asked, "Regarding the global conference, would you like the Immortal Blades to assist you?"
Black Amber hadn't brought it up herself.
Based on past experience, that usually meant she didn't need help. But considering this situation might be special, Rita added, "This is your first time attending in person. There are many rats in this world waiting for just such an opportunity."
"Unnecessary."
Black Amber understood the concern. "Though I am a researcher, if they choose not to settle things with words, I am also... somewhat acquainted with fist and foot."
After speaking, she swiveled her chair around to face the slumped Miku.
Propping her cheek on her hand, she playfully lifted the girl's chin with the tip of her black high heel, revealing a delicate face gone slack, drool trailing from the corner of her mouth.
"Besides, I have this useful little rat here. Letting rats tear at each other is just making the most of what's available."
"She..."
"Don't worry. I don't intend to leave her like this forever. However... it would be a shame if someone who manipulates others' emotions never experienced being manipulated themselves."
...Fair point.
Rita promptly withdrew her misplaced sympathy. "In that case, I shall take my leave."
Seeing there was no further business here, and thinking of the blonde girl waiting in bed, Rita took her leave.
Only after Rita's figure had completely vanished, teleported back from the Hyperion to St. Freya, did Black Amber release the Fenghuang Down hypnosis she'd placed on Miku.
The girl, who moments ago couldn't even control her own drool, instantly regained focus in her eyes. She lowered her head, wiping the disgrace from her mouth with her hand, a wave of fear rising within her.
Thinking she had figured out the beautiful girl's cold-exterior-warm-heart personality, Miku had hoped to close the distance between them in one go.
Completely unprepared, she followed Black Amber onto the Hyperion. Not long after entering the lab, she felt as if her whole body wasn't her own.
Not just her body, but her emotions turned pessimistic and hollow, the very meaning of living growing increasingly blurry.
Then she understood.
It wasn't that her body wasn't hers—it was that her heart had died, leaving her with no desire to move at all.
Now, though she had just recovered, it didn't mean she'd forgotten the emotions she'd felt or what had happened.
So terrifying... Her mood and thoughts were completely beyond her control.
Her entire emotional state felt like it belonged to someone else. And the worst part was, in that state, she was acutely aware of why her feelings were shifting, forced to watch as every thought and desire faded away until she became like a doll.
Miku had never felt so utterly debased, not even during her lowest point in the past. Back then, she had merely lost her direction in life.
Just now, she had lost the very will to live.
So terrifying... This person is so terrifying...
She didn't dare look up, afraid to see that demonic smile.
"What's wrong? Don't you like me anymore?"
Seeing Miku drenched in cold sweat, Black Amber's voice turned honey-sweet, laced with unmistakable mockery.
Even knowing how terrifying the other was, that voice—like a lover's intimate whisper in her ear—made Miku's heart flutter with yearning despite herself.
Her expression was a confused mix of fear and twisted pleasure.
Black Amber, who had intended to humiliate Miku further by lifting her face with her shoe again, was instead met with this expression of fear mingled with satisfaction.
Black Amber: ...
How do you even get off on this?
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.