So this is what it feels like to be pitied…
Sakiko could clearly feel it.
In the eyes of others, she was now a weakling in need of pity, a “poor thing” whose protests and dissatisfaction would be seen as only natural.
This was completely at odds with her own self-perception.
This state of passively accepting pity was suffocating, as if her dignity and self-respect were being invisibly stripped away.
Something faint in Sakiko’s eyes seemed to be slowly extinguishing.
After a long silence, she spoke.
“I’ve changed my mind.
I’m not quitting.”
“I will participate in the next operation!”
Sakiko clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms.
She instinctively felt that if she quit now, she would never be able to integrate into the circle of “monsters” again.
She would be stuck for the rest of her life as a pathetic, ordinary person, unable to move forward.
She could no longer stand this weak and powerless version of herself!
“Sakiko, we are a group that shares a common destiny.
You don’t have to force yourself.” Chiaki acknowledged her will, then continued, “In that case, let’s temporarily split the team into two groups.
It’s a waste of time for all of us to move together.
Kiana, Talulah, Raiden Mei, and I will be one team.
We’ll explore the TV World first and see if we can find the corresponding Palaces for Raiden Mei and Talulah.”
“As for the rest of you, a Divine Key called ‘Jizo Mitama’ is buried beneath Nagazora City.
Please find it.
If you run into any danger, you can communicate through the chat group.
At the same time, monitor the movements of Schicksal and Anti-Entropy.”
“That is all.”
The issue of splitting up was temporarily resolved.
However, as some members had yet to wake up and no one had eaten breakfast, the operation likely wouldn’t begin until ten o’clock, or possibly even noon.
But they weren’t a professional team.
It was normal for a first mission to have a few hiccups.
They would get better with more practice in the future.
For now, it was time to eat.
—o—
While the atmosphere at the Raiden residence was harmonious, the situation at ME Corp was far from it.
Cocolia was currently meeting with a very important guest—a partner who had provided great convenience for her operation.
In truth, Cocolia didn’t see him as a partner at all, but merely as a useful tool.
Once her plan was complete and she had control of the Herrscher of Thunder, the first thing she would do was kick this group of “snake-like” partners, who hid in the shadows, to the curb.
But for now, with the plan still incomplete, she had to show some respect to her partners from “World Serpent.”
“Gray Serpent, what brings you here this time?”
“Merely to confirm if your plan is proceeding smoothly.”
From the shadows, a figure in a black hoodie adorned with green lines emerged.
He wore a white mask that revealed only his right eye, upon which was painted a black emblem of two crossed daggers.
Gray Serpent’s silhouette gradually came into focus.
Even indoors, he held a black umbrella aloft, exuding a suffocating sense of pressure.
The awakening of the Herrscher of Thunder was crucial to whether their Lord could return.
Their Lord’s return was crucial to the grand plan of saving all of humanity.
He had to ensure the plan’s success.
But in Cocolia’s eyes, his caution was undoubtedly a sign of doubt and mistrust.
She strode to the sofa opposite Gray Serpent, completely disregarding him, and sat down.
She nonchalantly twirled a loose strand of her curly blonde hair.
Her voluptuous figure, tightly bound by a dark military uniform, swayed gently with her slight movements, faintly revealing the fair, well-defined curves of her chest.
Her legs, extending from beneath her uniform, were crossed at the thighs, casting a deep shadow.
Her reply was just as careless.
“Gray Serpent, I am the one who has been following this plan.
I can tell you in all seriousness that it is proceeding smoothly, without any hitches.
To ensure its completion, I have even dispatched my daughter, Bronya, to keep an eye on the vessel for the Third Herrscher.”
“Put away your arrogance, Cocolia.
As an Executor of Anti-Entropy, you know full well the strength of Schicksal.”
“Ha, Schicksal.
They probably don’t even know what’s about to happen in Nagazora City.”
“Never underestimate that man.
As the Overseer of Schicksal, his senses are sharper than a hyena’s.
Not a single rustle in the grass can escape his eyes.
We must be even more cautious before the plan is complete.”
“Tsk.” Cocolia clicked her tongue in annoyance.
Although she hated to admit it, Schicksal’s Overseer was indeed an extremely troublesome fellow.
If her activities here were exposed, she would have to face Schicksal’s sharpest spear and sword—the Immortal Blades.
While she was confident, facing an S-rank Valkyrie from the Immortal Blades without the Third Herrscher in hand…
the outcome was obvious.
And falling into the Overseer’s hands was a fate far worse than death.
“I will be careful,” Cocolia said, clearing her throat.
She commanded the central console to activate.
A cold blue light flashed across the conference room as the screen lit up, displaying all the information on Nagazora City.
“Telecommunications technology is Anti-Entropy’s strong suit.
All information in Nagazora City is under my surveillance.
Any intelligence related to this place requires my approval to be transmitted to the outside world.
The only people in Nagazora City who can directly contact the outside world are myself, my daughter, and you, Gray Serpent,” Cocolia said smugly.
She and her daughter would certainly not collude with Schicksal, so it was obvious who her words were aimed at.
“I hope so,” Gray Serpent’s voice was devoid of any emotion.
He turned to leave.
Since the plan was proceeding without issue for now, this “snake” needed to return to the shadows.
Until the Lord returned and the plan was set in motion, World Serpent had to remain hidden.
She was not an idiot like Cocolia, who thought a single Herrscher of Thunder could stand against Schicksal.
Only through caution and prudence could they evade Schicksal’s eyes and achieve victory.
Just as he was about to leave, a tremendous roar came from outside ME Corp.
Gray Serpent and Cocolia turned their heads to see a massive black shadow approaching at low altitude.
It was an attack helicopter, with silver, wing-like symbols printed on its sides and nose.
“Impossible!” Cocolia cried out.
The next moment, the helicopter crashed directly into the ME Corp building, heading straight for Cocolia and Gray Serpent.
Seeing the situation turn dire, Gray Serpent silently pulled Cocolia in front of him as a shield.
But a lance, whistling through the air, shattered his dream of escape, pinning him to the wall in a single strike.
Cocolia pulled out her gun, intending to fight back, but a sudden blow to her abdomen sent her flying into the wall just like Gray Serpent.
She coughed up a mouthful of blood and fainted on the spot.
Before she lost consciousness, she saw her attacker’s true face.
It was a girl of sixteen or seventeen with long, wavy golden hair, dressed in casual summer clothes, looking as if she were on vacation.
The Strongest S-rank Valkyrie, Durandal.
After resolving the problem with a single punch and a single lance thrust, the girl who looked like she was on vacation took out her phone and dialed a number.
“Rita, I have arrived in Nagazora City.”
Durandal.jpg