Unlike Mobius, Durandal didn't initially strike Takamiya Mio as much of a threat... until Durandal absorbed part of the Neighboring World into herself.
One has to understand—Mio had tried countless ways to end her own life.
Yet no matter the method, death never came.
She couldn't even grasp a moment of suffering, let alone true oblivion. That was why she grew ever more determined to revive Takamiya Shin.
If I can't go to you, then you'll have to come to me.
According to Mio's understanding, the only beings capable of harming her were the Spirits, who shared the same origin of power as herself. Everything else posed no threat whatsoever.
But Durandal's appearance shattered that belief.
Even though the world whispered that Durandal was a prodigy picked up by Mobius, Mio stubbornly believed she must be a vessel—a price Mobius had claimed in return.
She always remembered Mobius saying, "The time wasn't right to help you then."
Thinking about it, it made sense—Mio's spiritual power alone was more than enough to revive just one person.
She couldn't even distribute more power if she tried. Even after separating all her Sephira Crystals, their combined strength was but a drop in the ocean to her.
And that single drop was already sufficient to bring Shiori back in her plan.
Though she didn't know what Mobius's own scheme entailed, Mio believed it must be more sophisticated than her own.
Or perhaps she hoped Mobius had a more foolproof plan—a fallback in case her own efforts failed.
Her current plan was progressing steadily. Mio believed she had plenty of time to observe.
Of course, she'd also ensure Mobius lived long enough to remain a reliable insurance for her scheme.
She had even considered extending Mobius's lifespan, but judging by recent years, that didn't seem necessary.
In summary, apart from these four individuals, Mio didn't care about anyone else's life or death.
She held respect for the Spirits as "lifesavers of her beloved," but if sacrificing them became necessary, she wouldn't hesitate for a second.
Now, Tohka—already successfully "conquered"—was added to that list.
Dinner passed quickly. "Dark Amber" had no desire to linger, though she feigned concern with a remark, "Natsumi probably doesn't want to see Seele right now," before leaving the aerial ship with Fraxinus's help.
Once this "outsider" was completely gone, Kotori turned to Shiori. "So, how do you plan to deal with the Witch?"
Worried Shiori might let empathy cloud her judgment and forget what Natsumi had done, Kotori continued, "Even if she looks pitiful now, based on Tohka's account and Fraxinus's analysis, her target was undoubtedly you."
"We don't know her intentions, but that level of disguise even fooled Tohka. As long as she wears your face, anything she does could cause major trouble."
As Kotori said, although Natsumi had, in a way, taken the fall for Shiori this time—possibly preventing her capture by DEM—that didn't erase the clear malice Natsumi held toward Shiori.
Tohka chimed in, "Shiori... I really don't like her... Even more than Seele, I dislike that person..."
She looked rather pitiful, seemingly aware that Shiori would now treat that disliked being the same way she had treated Tohka.
Yet, because Tohka understood the loneliness of being rejected by the world all too well, she couldn't selfishly object.
In the end, she could only throw shade based on personal dislike.
Shiori understood Tohka's feelings—it was like suddenly having a younger sibling at home. The older sibling would naturally worry about losing their exclusive share of affection to the newcomer.
After all, Shiori somewhat related to this situation, though she was the one who had been inserted into the family—and as the older sister, no less.
She ruffled Tohka's hair to comfort her but couldn't find more words.
Because anything she said would come from a standpoint of "greater good," not "Tohka's feelings."
Tohka was willing to endure for the greater good because she was kind and understanding, but if Shiori used that reasoning, it would just be emotional manipulation.
"Anyway... I'd like to try contacting her first. I don't even know why she suddenly started hating me," Shiori said to Kotori.
"I knew you'd say that."
Kotori wasn't surprised. Her earlier reminder wasn't meant to stop Shiori but to help her make a decision from a broader perspective.
It was like dodging a skill shot—whether it's a prediction or a lucky guess, the difference is huge.
"But my advice is, Shiori, you really shouldn't meet her alone. You may heal fast, but you're not immortal. Facing a hostile Spirit with just sincerity won't work."
Shiori knew that, of course. Even though Natsumi had taken the hit for her, it didn't mean Shiori was unaffected by what happened.
As an ordinary high school girl, she never imagined she'd become a kidnapping target—and so close to school, too.
That realization drove home the fact that she was now caught in a whirlpool, sending chills down her spine.
Because the timing had been far too coincidental. If Natsumi hadn't chosen to disguise herself as Shiori for revenge, Shiori would undoubtedly have been taken.
How long before anyone noticed?
How long before a rescue?
All unknowns—and what might happen in the meantime was an even greater unknown.
Even her previous near-death experience hadn't made her feel this level of danger.
"But..."
If not alone, then how?
Look at Schicksal and DEM—they treated Spirits with such casual disdain, as if they were just dishes to be served at will. But aside from these two organizations, any other group facing a Spirit would simply get crushed.
Ratatoskr (without deploying Elliot) was no exception.
In a way, Kotori's suggestion was almost like telling her to give up on the "conquest."
That was the underlying message Kotori was hinting at.
Shiori was her sister—her very dear sister.
Even though Kotori often teased her harshly in Commander Mode, it didn't change Shiori's place in Kotori's heart.
How could Kotori possibly send Shiori to "conquer" a clearly hostile Spirit who could harm her at any moment?
As Kotori's close friend, Murasame Reine naturally caught the subtext.
While they could extract the Sephira Crystal and give it to someone else... without a compatible vessel like Natsumi, it would require a long purification process again.
If possible, Reine didn't want to waste that much time. It would be better to first try resolving Natsumi's hostility.
With that in mind, Reine spoke up. "Why not ask Durandal?"
It's been so long now—that Mobius must have seen through my plans by now.
She probably wouldn't mind helping me, since she needs my power and goodwill anyway.
Even without meeting or confirming it, Reine's keen, almost prophetic mind had guessed Mobius's desire for her power.
But Mio didn't care in the slightest—she had no attachment to her own strength, only to whether she could bring Shin back.
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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.