"In the end, we didn't actually reach any concrete conclusion about the main issue."
In the third-floor corridor.
Mira Tsubakihara stretched lazily, emitting a pleasant hum.
She glanced at Kirika Tachibana and Lacus beside her before chuckling softly:
"Though Luo Shu didn't ask, I can't shake the feeling that you two already have the answer to that question? Or is it just my imagination?"
If another faction held a crucial promotion material, would they seize it at all costs or patiently accumulate resources?
Luo Shu had avoided the topic, fearing ideological clashes, yet Mira suspected the answer had been decided long ago.
Just then, with a metallic click -
Kirika Tachibana produced a silver lighter, lighting a slender cigarette between her lips as she remarked with amusement:
"Honestly, I'm surprised."
She exhaled a smoke ring, barely suppressing laughter as she eyed Lacus's back:
"That anyone could believe the Enchantress is some pure, kind-hearted girl."
"Is this the beautiful delusion men harbour about women, limited by their reproductive instincts?"
"How naive that boy is."
"Does he really think all those Abyss Artefacts in the SDS's inventory were just picked up off the street?"
Lacus turned her head, fixing Kirika with an eerily placid stare.
Kirika's face twitched as she hastily stubbed out her cigarette, gradually falling silent under that gaze.
Meeting her eyes briefly, Lacus finally turned away, her smile returning as she inquired:
"Dr. Shinonono should have already informed Meer about the Essence Blood of a Nature Spirit and the Calamity Jade Seal, correct?"
As she finished speaking, the response from Tabane Shinonono immediately came through the hair ornament on Lacus's head:
["Of course~ Don't underestimate Dr. Shinonono's communication technology!!"]
"That's good." Lacus nodded slightly before continuing, "Have the Intelligence Department verify the inventories of all factions again to see if there's anything we need."
"If potential targets are identified, first assess the difficulty of acquisition, then submit it to me for decision. If possible, prioritise peaceful transactions."
["Understood."]
Hearing Lacus speak this way, Mira Tsubakihara couldn't help but remark:
"Chairwoman Clyne's temperament truly is as gentle as the rumours say."
"Gentle?"
Kirika Tachibana gave Mira a strange look. 'That's because you haven't seen her lose it, have you?'
'Beneath that Adjuster's overly calm mind lay something called berserker mode...'
Kirika mentally complained before trying to hint at Mira:
"Lacus, this 'peaceful transaction' of yours... you're not planning to bring along that Ms. Kurumi Tokisaki for a 'peaceful visit', are you?"
Lacus turned her head, giving Kirika a surprised look:
"Why would you think that?"
Kirika's eyebrows twitched in surprise.
Had she misjudged?
"If I thought that way, Mukuro would cry, you know? After all, that child would definitely want to come along too. If I only brought Ms. Tokisaki, she'd hate me, wouldn't she?"
'Well, I was wrong...'
Kirika's mouth twitched.
'Bringing two Demigod Rank Spirits along for a "peaceful transaction"... how very peace-loving of you...'
'Is this a case of "hand it over or face nuclear peace"?'
'Just who's the militant faction in SDS here...'
At that moment, Mira beside her smiled gently:
"I never imagined Miss Clyne doted on little Mukuro so much, actually considering bringing her along. If successful, everyone would be happy, wouldn't they?"
Hearing this, Kirika's eyelid twitched as she glanced at the smiling Mira.
'Confirmed - this one's just as ruthless underneath.'
'Doves, hawks... pfft.'
Thinking of the outside world's assessment of the SDS's two internal factions, Kirika wanted to laugh.
Their so-called 'dove faction' was fundamentally more radical than the hawks could ever be.
Kirika shook her head, checking her watch before saying:
"It's about time you switched back with Meer. Keeping this up too long will cause complications."
"No need to worry about that for now. There's still business to handle at Copernicus."
Lacus approached the elevator, pressing the button before turning to Mira:
"Mira-san, would you like to join me for another coffee at Copernicus?"
"Gladly~" Mira clasped her hands together cheerfully. "I've been wanting to experience space travel anyway. It should be fun, no?"
Seeing them decide the itinerary so casually, Kirika sighed:
"Fine, I can't control you two."
Since the passageway was now open, they could reach the moon directly from the Hidden Management Department's underground gate without much time loss. Under these circumstances, Kirika couldn't be bothered to interfere.
Let them do as they please!
...
Hidden Management Department, 3rd Floor, Reception Room.
"Surprisingly refined here."
Luo Shu fiddled with Tabane Shinonono's hand, lifting it up to reveal the smooth, pale underarm:
"I didn't even realise this wasn't a real person earlier. I thought the doctor had come down from the moon."
Beside them, Yukino Yukinoshita watched as Luo Shu occasionally lifted Tabane Shinonono's arms and legs, even prying open the mouth at times to examine its internal structure.
Seeing this scene unfold, Yukino Yukinoshita's expression became visibly uncomfortable:
"Even if it's just a robot, Director, is this really necessary?"
"Aren't you curious, Yukino?" Luo Shu pinched Tabane Shinonono's cheek and turned to ask.
"I am a little curious, but..." Yukino Yukinoshita hesitated awkwardly before sighing. "I just remembered I haven't prepared the cat food yet. My apologies, I'll excuse myself first."
Watching Yukino Yukinoshita hurry away, Luo Shu turned and sat right beside Tabane Shinonono, leaning back on the sofa before addressing Natsuki Minamiya, who was seated nearby:
"Is this machine new technology as well?"
"A simulated mechanical test model incorporating the demonic mimicry function."
Natsuki Minamiya took a sip of black tea before calmly stating:
"Your Kisara contributed to this as well, since it was her technology that made it possible."
"Is that so?" Luo Shu sighed, then glanced at Natsuki Minamiya and asked, "Don't you have anything you want to ask?"
"No need to ask, nor do I want to." Natsuki raised an eyebrow at Luo Shu before continuing, "After all, that Enchantress will have everything prepared for you."
"Now that makes it sound like I'm living off women."
Luo Shu chuckled, then leaned his head back against the sofa, staring at the ceiling as he fell into thought.
Seeing this, Natsuki, who was somewhat curious, couldn't help but ask:
"Earlier, you avoided discussing that matter on purpose to see how Lacus would react?"
Luo Shu's expression wavered between speech and silence before he finally sighed:
"No, you've got it wrong."
"I'm worried Lacus might take things too far."
"Given her personality, she might very well force everyone to choose selfless dedication."
"Huh?" Natsuki was stunned, momentarily unable to grasp Luo Shu's meaning.
"You wouldn't understand." Luo Shu couldn't help but sigh again.
Although he had intervened to restore Lacus's hormonal balance and emotional system, he couldn't guarantee she wouldn't still resort to extremes.
And when it came to a woman who could even entertain the idea of making him, the chief god, a breeding stallion just to ensure fairness within the Familia—well, Luo Shu truly couldn't predict how low her limits might be.
So, his earlier behaviour was more about setting a baseline for Lacus.
But Natsuki, unaware of the full context, wouldn't understand this. After all, the Lacus in her eyes and the Lacus in his were two entirely different people.
"Speaking of which, did Eriri come for special training today?"
"Why bring that up all of a sudden?" Natsuki frowned at Luo Shu's abrupt change of subject but still replied, "Ms. Tokisaki should be conducting her training in the Hidden Management Zone. Do you want to go see?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu stretched and stood up:
"Then let's go take a look."
"After all, poor training won't convince Sayuri."