Fraxinus is the name of an aerial battleship, and besides that name, it can also be called the headquarters of Ratatoskr.
Led by Kannazuki Kyouhei, Yoshino and the others boarded this aerial vessel and followed Kannazuki Kyouhei towards the Command Room, where Ratatoskr's Commander, Itsuka Kotori, was waiting for their arrival.
Along the way, Toujou Nozomi and the others curiously surveyed the interior of the entire Fraxinus, which made Toujou Nozomi and the others marvel at how much scientific power had developed in this world. Their original world's battleships were still floating on the water, while other people's battleships had already developed to the point where they could float in the air. Both Ratatoskr and the powerful Realizer devices of the AST clearly demonstrated the strength of this world's technology, after all, it allowed humans to gain enough power to confront and defeat Spirits.
However, almost all the black technology in this world was developed specifically for Spirits. In some aspects, it was still somewhat lacking compared to Academy City. But in terms of using technological means to enhance personal strength, this world was more developed, as the invention of the Realizer device already illustrated this point well.
Passing through automatic doors one after another, it wasn't long before, with the opening of an automatic door, a spacious Command Room appeared before Yoshino and the others.
Directly opposite was a large screen much bigger than a movie screen, and on both sides below the large screen were two rows of seats. Below the seats were also some screens, but they were all the size of a television. And on a high platform directly opposite the large screen was the so-called Command Platform.
Yoshino and the others turned to look and saw a petite figure sitting there with her legs crossed. In addition to her school uniform, she was wearing a red-bottomed, black-patterned jacket that added a touch of authority to her small and cute face... Itsuka Kotori! Ratatoskr's Commander, and also a Spirit.
Standing next to Itsuka Kotori was a woman with silver twin tails tied to one side, blue eyes, a plush teddy bear with many mending marks placed in her chest pocket, and deep dark circles under her eyes, looking like she hadn't slept for days. This was Ratatoskr's analyst: Murasame Reine. It is said that she hadn't slept for over thirty years.
"Welcome to Ratatoskr. I am the Commander here, Itsuka Kotori." Itsuka Kotori rested one hand on her chin and held a Chupa Chups in the other. Her crimson pupils stared directly at the adorable Yoshino, making her a little scared and hide behind Toujou Nozomi, clutching her hem and cautiously looking at Itsuka Kotori.
"Today, my foolish brother seems to have caused you trouble, and I apologize again." Although she said she was sorry, there was no sense of apology at all. She still sat in her chair, staring directly at Toujou Nozomi and the others, sucking on her favorite Chupa Chups, as if trying to discern the secrets on their bodies.
"Hehe~ Just an apology shouldn't require calling us to a place like this, you know. The existence of an organization like yours isn't something ordinary citizens like us can just casually know. Just be direct about whatever you want to say, no need to beat around the bush. As the Commander, are you perhaps thinking something bad?" Although Yoshino would become her friend in the future, even if this was the opponent's home ground, they couldn't let their momentum be lost. In a conversation, if one's momentum is lost, then control is gone.
"Oh~ How interesting. You don't look like an ordinary citizen at all, Miss Toujou Nozomi. But you're right. I do have something very important to talk to you about. Since you want to get straight to the point, that's fine. It'll save us a lot of time." Itsuka Kotori smiled and switched to crossing her other leg, making Kannazuki Kyouhei swallow, as if he wanted to be fiercely stomped on by those legs.
"Ugh!?" Noticing Kannazuki Kyouhei's hesitant gaze, Itsuka Kotori skillfully spun her wheelchair, delivering a direct punch to his abdomen that instantly knocked him out. He fell to the ground, unable to get up. Seeing him lying there, she still wasn't satisfied, kicked him a couple of times, then sat back in her chair, crossing her legs again, as if nothing had happened.
'These people are probably trying to ease the tense atmosphere this way... probably.'
Sweating, she looked at Kannazuki Kyouhei twitching on the ground. It seemed this organization wasn't as serious as she had imagined.
"Ahem! Now I want to ask you, you should know about Yoshino's identity as a Spirit, right?" Deliberately coughing to break the awkward silence, Itsuka Kotori put on a serious expression and looked at Toujou Nozomi.
"Eh! Of course, we know. The first time we met, we knew Yoshino was definitely not simple. Your question is very lacking in technical content, Commander. I think you should go and learn how to properly find the key points of a matter." Putting on a 'for your own good' expression made a big 'well' mark appear on Itsuka Kotori's face, and she looked at Toujou Nozomi with anger.
"Thank you for your concern. What I want to say is, after knowing her identity as a Spirit, have you ever thought about how to protect her?" Angrily, she pulled out the stick of the Chupa Chups and put the lollipop directly into her mouth. She looked at her with anger, while secretly feeling triumphant. She knew that if the other party realized they couldn't protect the Spirit, they might let Ratatoskr take on the task of protecting the Spirit.
"What do you mean?" Toujou Nozomi narrowed her eyes, looking at Itsuka Kotori. Did this mean she wanted to use force to take Yoshino away from her? How bold. Minami Kotori and Hoshizora Rin behind her also narrowed their eyes, stepping forward to shield Yoshino. The atmosphere in the bridge began to slowly become serious.
"You should know that Ratatoskr is an organization formed with the goal of communicating with Spirits and resolving the disasters caused by Spatial Quakes through peaceful means. And the AST, a special unit of the Ground Self-Defense Forces, is specifically for confronting Spirit units. When Yoshino first appeared, they were the ones who attacked her. If they discover the presence of a Spirit in your home, they might directly launch an attack. Ratatoskr has the power to protect Spirits, so I want you to hand her over to us for proper protection. This can ensure Yoshino's safety, can't it?" Although she knew this persuasion would be useless, she still said it. After all, it was the organization's mission, and she still had to try.
"You mean we don't have the power to protect Yoshino if she's discovered, and might even implicate her, leading to her being captured?" For those without power, it is indeed very helpless. Being unable to protect someone important, one can only send her away to ensure her safety.
"So, as long as we have enough power, we can keep Yoshino, right?" Toujou Nozomi looked at Itsuka Kotori with a smile, feeling a bit angry at her words. Did she not have enough strength to protect Yoshino?
"Then why don't I show you whether I have the strength or not?" As soon as she finished speaking, countless tarot cards appeared around her, completely surrounding the Commander's office, causing Itsuka Kotori to stand up in surprise, looking at Toujou Nozomi in disbelief. Hadn't they said the other party was just an ordinary civilian? Have ordinary civilians become this terrifying now?
Minami Kotori and Hoshizora Rin also materialized their staffs and double-edged weapons, standing by Toujou Nozomi's side with vigilant expressions.
"Now, can you tell us if we have the strength to protect Yoshino's safety?"
The tarot cards floating around emitted a purple light, letting her know that this was no mere illusion.
Instead, it was another unknown power.
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