"You've caused countless casualties by your own will... Are you the 'Nightmare'?"
Rita's eyebrows knitted slightly.
The Nightmare was rather notorious in their circles.
After all, it was rare in this world to consistently detect Spirit wavelengths at crime scenes. What Spirit would be so idle as to kill defenseless humans without reason?
Only the Nightmare would engage in such seemingly pointless acts in everyone's eyes.
In the end, people could only attribute this behavior to her being an inherently evil Spirit. After all, humans had both good and bad among them, and no one ever said all Spirits had to be harmless to people.
"Since other... Bishop Mobius has accepted you, that means you aren't a Spirit that Schicksal finds intolerable."
Seeing that Yoshino, who had just begun to calm down, was frightened again by Kurumi's words, Amber spoke up while soothing her: "Otherwise, you wouldn't be here right now, but on an operating table."
To be honest, Amber didn't much care for Tokisaki Kurumi in the original story.
It was said that the people she killed were all morally flawed scum. But not every scum necessarily deserved to die; otherwise, the death penalty wouldn't be the law's final measure.
And yet... from an emotional standpoint, forget about scum who tried to force themselves on girls, even kids who bullied others at school—Amber secretly wished they'd all just vanish.
So, while she didn't like Kurumi's methods, she didn't exactly hate her either.
"Correct."
Since Amber put it that way, Rita also nodded in agreement.
Though she didn't know the further details, she could see the self-loathing on Kurumi's face.
Plus, if even Mobius had accepted her, there might be some hidden circumstances. "Bishop Mobius's judgment is Schicksal's judgment."
"...Schicksal is really something, entrusting the final say entirely to one person."
After a moment of silence, Kurumi forced herself to perk up and smiled.
"Still, I never imagined that a wicked Spirit like me would one day stand on the same front as the righteous knights. What a strange twist of fate."
Noticing her low spirits and the somewhat tense atmosphere, Rita decided to steer the topic back to daily matters, like discussing breakfast first.
Just as she was about to speak, a violent BAM! sounded from the door behind her, grabbing everyone's attention.
"Bianka! Yuzuru and I came to see you! Huh? Yoshino and that person are here too?"
Kurumi smiled: That person?
"Missing. Long time no see, Bianka, though we just spoke via video not long ago."
The two walked in one after the other, instantly sweeping away the previously chilly mood.
"Kaguya? Yuzuru?"
Amber was taken aback. "Aren't you two with Dr. Mobius?"
"Right now, it's free time granted by Sister Snake!"
Kaguya said with a relaxed laugh.
"Clarification. Sister Snake is eating alone in the dining hall. Kaguya intends to mooch a meal off Bianka."
Yuzuru added.
"Miss Yamais, while you are both very welcome to join us for breakfast, this is not Schicksal Headquarters. I hope you two can... temper your enthusiasm a little."
Pointing at the door, now wobbling precariously from the earlier excessive force, Rita offered a thin, not-quite-genuine smile.
"Ah! You're the one who ran off with Bianka..."
Kaguya, who had been quite loud, trailed off upon noticing Rita's somewhat dangerous smile. For some reason, it reminded her of Mobius, who often wore a similar smile when punishing her.
Thinking this, her voice unconsciously grew softer.
"And what did you mean by 'that person,' Miss Kaguya?"
Kurumi also wore a matching smile. "I remembered your name perfectly well. I never expected Miss Kaguya to forget mine completely in just one day."
"Uh... er, ah, um..."
Feeling a chill, Kaguya promptly pulled Yuzuru in front of her as a shield.
"Reminder. Please do not get angry at the fool, Miss Tokisaki Kurumi."
While Yuzuru's words disparaged Kaguya, who she was actually warning was open to interpretation.
"Oh right, it's Kurumi!"
Kaguya also felt a bit wronged. When Kurumi arrived yesterday, she'd been in the middle of a decisive game with Yuzuru. How could she have paid attention to Kurumi's self-introduction? And after missing that initial introduction, there just hadn't been a good chance to ask later...
"Anyway, let's have something to eat first."
Finally, Amber stepped in to smooth things over. Though, in a way, it was thanks to Kaguya's antics that the previously heavy atmosphere had been completely blown away.
"We'll have to trouble you again, Rita."
"It is my honor to be of assistance, Lady Durandal."
Rita didn't find it troublesome at all. She knew perfectly well how difficult it was to truly help the girl on the battlefield, but she still wanted to be her strength.
If she couldn't contribute much in battle, then being able to share worries and ease burdens elsewhere gave her a sense of being useful. Therefore, she never felt dissatisfied.
With Kaguya and Yuzuru joining the scene, it would never be boring.
The two perfectly embodied the classic duo of 'the brainless and the grumpy.' Plus, they loved turning everything into a 'competition,' constantly radiating endless enthusiasm.
The noisy, bustling breakfast gave Kurumi a feeling she hadn't experienced in a long time.
Familiar, yet strange, it left her with a complicated mix of emotions.
Rita, who had been keeping an eye on Kurumi, speculated about her past and wondered if she should ask Mobius for related information.
As one of the only two S-Rank Valkyries, her clearance for intelligence was quite high.
Compared to Rita, who had the leisure to observe Kurumi, Amber was somewhat busier. What should have been an ordinary breakfast became a bit 'overwhelming' thanks to three Spirits.
Perhaps out of longing and dependence, Yoshino leaned almost her entire body weight against Amber.
Kaguya poured out her grievances, complaining loudly about how merciless 'Black Amber' had been with her recently, while simultaneously being wary of Yuzuru's attempts to serve Amber food.
Every bite Yuzuru added to Amber's plate, Kaguya felt compelled to add one too—even though it was just various pickles and cold dishes.
Amber had to soothe the little bunny's feelings, listen to Kaguya's woes, and impartially finish everything the two served her.
Then, Kurumi, having regained her composure and finding the scene amusing, joined the Yamai duo, claiming she was 'learning from her seniors.'
Rita didn't mind this spectacle.
After all, these girls weren't like that pervert Origami. She simply watched the developments with an amused smile.
When the rather noisy breakfast finally ended, Amber let out a sigh of relief.
Planning to catch a little nap as Yoshino wished, and let Rita rest as well, the Spirits—knowing both had pulled an all-nighter and needed to recharge—obediently didn't linger. They decided to go out and find some amusement.
But as Amber was about to lie down, she noticed Rita hadn't settled in yet.
"Please rest first, Lady Durandal. I'll deliver the materials Bishop Mobius requested and be right back."
In her hands were the compiled documents sent by Ratatoskr during this period.
--+--
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.