Space Colony Copernicus.
Within an isolation chamber at the main shaft's terminus.
"In the end, we didn't even need the White Knight, even though I had such high hopes for it, waaah~~"
Luo Shu watched expressionlessly as Tabane Shinonono fake-sobbed while clinging to his arm, pushing against her cheek to dislodge her:
"If you're going to cry, at least don't wipe snot on me... hey!!"
"Stop messing around, Tabane Shinonono. The mission is to capture Mukuro, not eliminate her. You know full well the destructive power of the weapons equipped on the White Knight. Isn't it perfectly normal for Director Luo not to use it?"
Ania, standing nearby, couldn't help but interject.
Hearing this, Luo Shu turned his head and explained:
"It's not that I'm avoiding using the White Knight for that reason. I'm worried that if I use it, Mukuro Hoshimiya might seal my attacks and then reflect them back at me. That would be embarrassing!"
Natsuki Minamiya blinked at this, then stroked her chin thoughtfully:
"That's actually quite plausible. Given how unexpectedly convenient this little one's abilities are, it's not impossible for her to pull that off."
"In that case, using the White Knight would just hold Luo Shu back."
"Eh? Is that so?"
Tabane Shinonono released Luo Shu, crossed her arms and grumbled:
"How annoying. Conceptual abilities are such a pain. Maybe I should develop a conceptual interference device for the IS units?"
"If you're experimenting with a new research topic, remember to report it on time. Also, your future research funding will be halved."
Lacus spoke calmly while turning to observe the numerous Kurumi Tokisakis binding Mukuro Hoshimiya to the metal platform with restraints.
At that moment, five Kurumi Tokisakis surrounded the platform—one cradling Mukuro's head while the others secured her limbs with black restraint straps.
Watching the petite girl's pained expression as she was bound, Lacus sighed softly and said:
"Isn't this a bit too much?"
Luo Shu retorted, "She didn't think it was too much when she stabbed me with a knife."
Lacus shook her head. "No, what I meant was that submerging her in an anaesthetic solution might be more humane."
After all, restraint straps and straightjackets were far more uncomfortable than anaesthesia.
'You're not much better either...' Luo Shu thought to himself, glancing at Mukuro on the platform.
Mukuro had been fitted with a white straightjacket by Ania to suppress her abilities, while the straps binding her limbs and torso were specially designed to restrict both physical and mental activity.
Even with these measures, the probability of Mukuro escaping upon waking... still seemed alarmingly high.
"Master of Seal and Unlock is such a ridiculously overpowered ability..."
Luo Shu couldn't help but sigh before turning to Kurumi Tokisaki:
"Just to be safe, Kurumi, you'll need to leave a clone hidden in Mukuro's shadow. The moment she shows signs of movement, use Concept Entanglement to knock her out."
Hearing this, Kurumi glanced between Luo Shu and Lacus before bursting into laughter:
"Are you two competing to see who can be more ruthless?"
One wanted to preserve her in formaldehyde, the other wanted to knock her out at any moment—these two were truly entertaining.
"Given our current equipment, forceful measures are indeed more practical."
Ania spoke while looking at Luo Shu:
"After all, letting her move freely in Copernicus does pose some risks."
Luo Shu understood her meaning and nodded. "I know. If Mukuro refuses to cooperate, we'll transfer her to the Hidden Management Zone for confinement."
Natsuki Minamiya raised an eyebrow. "What if she pretends to cooperate after waking up? Would you dare let her roam freely in Copernicus?"
"Free movement should still be possible."
Lacus smiled faintly as she observed the still-unconscious Mukuro:
"The instruments used in our previous operations were all custom detectors. Mukuro's appearance wasn't exposed, so the staff only know a dangerous individual is being held in Copernicus—not who it is specifically."
"As long as this girl behaves, she won't face discrimination. After all, she never actually harmed anyone in Copernicus."
"That's not what I was asking."
She was clearly worried about Mukuro feigning compliance and complicating their handling of the situation...
Natsuki shot Lacus a glance and sighed:
"Why do I get the feeling you've already assumed this little one will join us?"
"You've even considered how to get along afterwards."
Lacus simply smiled and blinked at Luo Shu.
'Blinking at me won't help. You believe I can succeed, but I can't guarantee whether I'll be able to persuade Mukuro...' Luo Shu mentally complained, but decided to try persuasion first, resorting to other methods if it failed:
"Kurumi, wake Mukuro up first."
"Oh? Understood." Kurumi Tokisaki smirked playfully as four clones merged into Mukuro Hoshimiya's shadow, while her main body, cradling Mukuro's head, raised a hand and gently patted Mukuro's cheek.
Tap! Tap~
With two soft patting sounds, Mukuro's eyelashes fluttered slightly.
"Mmm~~"
With a soft murmur, Mukuro slowly opened her eyes. Her pure amber gaze first scanned the surroundings before finally focusing on Luo Shu.
At last, Mukuro responded with remarkable calm:
"I see. So Muku has been captured by you?"
"Have you decided what to do with Muku then?"
"Violation? Human experimentation? Or do you want Muku's power?"
"Such a reaction... doesn't seem like a prisoner's."
Observing Mukuro's indifferent response, Natsuki Minamiya opened her folding fan, covering half her face.
Lacus didn't seem particularly surprised either:
"It's because of the emotional seal, isn't it? I heard this girl used her ability to lock away her emotions, hence her current state."
"In this condition, negotiation is actually the most difficult, as this girl is essentially in a state of complete apathy."
As she spoke, Lacus turned to Luo Shu and asked:
"Can you undo this state, Luo Shu?"
"...I'll need to try to know for sure." Luo Shu wasn't entirely confident either.
After all, he couldn't guarantee whether Mukuro's act of sealing her own emotions could be classified as a calamity.
Natsuki closed her fan and sighed: "Then perhaps we should try. We can't exactly negotiate with a robot, can we?"
Beside them, Tabane Shinonono chimed in with a mischievous grin:
"Only those who value emotions deeply would fear being hurt by them!"
"So don't be fooled by her indifferent expression now. Once her emotions return, she might be more afraid than anyone."
Luo Shu thought there was some truth to that. After all, previous attempts to communicate with Mukuro using family members like parents or sisters had only provoked immediate attacks.
But if her emotions were restored, the reaction might be different.
"Then let's give it a try."
As he spoke, Luo Shu stepped forward and gently placed his hand on Mukuro's forehead.
Feeling the warmth on her forehead, Mukuro shifted her gaze slightly, her tranquil amber eyes silently watching Luo Shu.
Seeing this, Luo Shu took a deep breath. After confirming with his ability that the emotional seal could indeed be absorbed, he curled his lips into a smile. As he activated his ability, he asked Mukuro with a grin:
"May I ask—are you really sure you want me to proceed with the violation experiment?"
Mukuro's previously indifferent eyes flickered slightly before instantly becoming flustered and trembling.
The real Mukuro Hoshimiya seemed to have awakened.