Yuuki wasn't sure which of the girls was going to give him the biggest headache.
Eunhwa, the former commander and perfectionist, was now eager to learn how to become a more lenient leader. She still had her sharp tongue and intimidating demeanor, but she was finally willing to reconsider her approach to leadership.
Emma had practically appointed herself his big sister, always ready to lean against him, fuss over him, and shower him with affection.
Vesti now relied on him to help her make more friends. The timid girl was gradually opening up to others, and Yuuki was determined to support her, even if that meant becoming her personal social coordinator.
Velvet, meanwhile, had decided that her next goal was to become his number one agent maid. Knowing her, she probably had an entire list of ways to secure that position.
Privaty was a tsundere agent through and through. She would deny being attached to him even while keeping a watchful eye on his every move.
Ludmilla was a high-class queen in her own right, essentially a more toned-down Nikke version of Elizabeth. She carried herself with noble elegance and expected a certain level of dignity from those around her.
Then there was Tove, a wannabe survivalist who knew an impressive amount of theory but struggled to put it into practice. Her real talent lay in guerrilla-style improvisation, turning discarded junk into bizarre yet surprisingly useful gadgets.
Alice was a cured Nikke who now walked a fine line between fantasy and reality. She understood the world more clearly than before, but her imagination remained an inseparable part of her personality.
And finally, Neve.
A polar bear enthusiast who had apparently decided that Yuuki himself was now her favorite bear.
Which one of you is going to give me the most trouble?
Yuuki pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Can I be alone for once? When we get back, try relying on Yorktown whenever I'm not around."
"Eh? But Cindy already claimed her," Vesti replied.
Yuuki stared at her.
"...Of course she did."
He had almost forgotten that Yorktown was already busy looking after Cinderella.
Still, that wasn't going to stop him from delegating some of his responsibilities.
"Just go to her anyway. You girls might be young, but you still need someone who can guide you, like a mother figure. Yorktown would gladly help you."
He paused.
"Unless you're planning to compete with Cindy for her attention. In that case, you can always ask Houshou, Friedrich, or Hood."
Privaty immediately stiffened.
"Not Lady Hood! She's an extremely refined and elegant lady! Belfast told me that she's strict about manners and ethics. I don't want to suddenly find myself wearing a dress and speaking like someone from the Royal Union!"
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"Would that really be so bad? At least you'd become a proper lady. Plus, every Royal Maid will be under her supervision. Even Ade is fine with it."
Privaty's face started to pale.
"That's because Ade is already a lady!" Velvet interjected, pointing at Privaty as though the answer should have been obvious. "Belfast has already changed my maid outfit once. If Lady Hood gets her hands on me, she'll turn me into a proper lady, too!"
She shuddered at the thought.
"I want to be your number one agent maid, not some elegant noblewoman!"
Yuuki gave her a sympathetic look.
"Hey, do you think she'll let me off the hook? Now that she's been revived, she'll probably beat some manners into me, too."
He sighed dramatically.
"I miss being a caveman."
"Ehee... Then let's find a cave and live together, Burly Bear," Neve suggested cheerfully.
Yuuki slowly turned to look at her.
"...That's even worse."
Neve merely nuzzled against his back, seemingly pleased with her proposal.
The others began laughing, though Privaty still looked genuinely concerned about the possibility of Lady Hood personally supervising her etiquette lessons.
Yuuki shook his head.
"Anyway, let's wake up first and figure everything out later. We've spent enough time here."
His expression became more focused as he turned toward the final crystal.
"Diane is the last one. Let's see what she has to offer."
The girls quieted down, their attention shifting to the crystal that held Diane's memories.
Yuuki took a breath.
One more memory to explore.
One more person to understand.
And then, hopefully, he could finally return to the real world—and find a few precious minutes of peace before the next girl decided to claim him.
The moment Yuuki touched the final crystal, the world around them shifted.
The familiar void vanished, replaced by a series of dark corridors, hidden chambers, and bloodstained memories. The atmosphere was oppressive, carrying the unmistakable weight of countless lives taken in silence.
They had entered the mind of Diane herself, the leader of Perilous Siege.
Her identity, position, and reputation were already common knowledge. Diane was a highly capable Nikke who commanded one of the Ark's most dangerous assassination squads.
But knowing her official records was one thing.
Seeing the truth with their own eyes was another.
Yuuki's expression grew serious as Diane's memories began to unfold.
Diane had been trained to kill from a very young age.
Even as a human, she had been subjected to brutal conditioning alongside numerous other girls. Their instructors taught them to wield weapons, eliminate targets, conceal their presence, and obey orders without hesitation.
They were also taught to suppress their emotions.
Fear was a weakness.
Compassion was a liability.
Hesitation meant failure.
The girls were not raised to become ordinary soldiers. They were being shaped into assassins, trained to kill before they were old enough to understand what kind of lives they might have lived otherwise.
And once their training was complete, they were converted into Nikkes.
Their already formidable abilities were enhanced by their new bodies, transforming them into exceptionally lethal weapons. Human assassins had become something far more dangerous: Nikkes capable of executing missions that ordinary operatives could never hope to survive.
Among the twenty-six assassins, Diane stood at the top.
She was the most lethal of them all.
The strongest assassins were assigned single-letter designations, while the others received double-letter codenames. Their identities were concealed, their records restricted, and their missions buried beneath layers of secrecy.
Perilous Siege was the Ark's largest assassination organization, operating from the shadows to eliminate designated targets.
Their role differed considerably from that of Triangle.
Triangle operated in the open, conducting investigations and carrying out official assignments under the Ark's authority. Its members were not supposed to execute targets as assassins.
Perilous Siege, however, existed for precisely that purpose.
They killed.
And they did so where nobody could see them.
The memories shifted to Diane's life as the organization's leader.
She commanded the entire unit with ruthless efficiency, supported by her second-in-command, another Nikke known by the codename Y.
Or Yor Briar.
Yor or Y was an assassin living within the Briar family, maintaining her position while concealing the dangerous reality of her work.
Together, Diane and Y managed the operations of Perilous Siege, directing their assassins toward targets selected by the Ark's judges.
To outsiders, the organization was a necessary instrument for preserving order.
To those who understood its true purpose, Perilous Siege was the blade held against the Ark's throat—one that could be turned against anyone its masters deemed inconvenient.
Yet Diane was not as emotionless as her reputation suggested.
There were moments when she hesitated.
Sometimes, she questioned an order. Sometimes, she investigated a target before carrying out an assassination. She examined their backgrounds, their activities, and the evidence supposedly justifying their deaths.
And sometimes, she discovered that the people she had been ordered to kill were innocent.
They were ordinary men and women who had committed no crime worthy of death.
Some had simply become inconvenient to powerful people.
Others had uncovered information that should never have reached the public.
Their deaths were not about protecting the Ark.
They were about protecting those who controlled it.
Diane knew this.
She understood what she was seeing, and the realization ate away at her.
But understanding the truth did not mean she was free to act upon it.
Perilous Siege's limiters had been removed, allowing its members to operate without the usual restrictions imposed on Nikkes. On paper, this made them exceptionally independent and effective.
In reality, their freedom was an illusion.
Every member of Perilous Siege had been implanted with a kill switch. The Ark's authorities could remotely terminate any of them whenever they wished.
Their lives remained in the hands of the very people who issued their orders.
Refusal was not an option.
If Diane declined a mission, another assassin would take her place. The target would still die, and Diane would have gained nothing except suspicion from her superiors.
If she openly rebelled, the judges could kill her with a single command.
So she continued to obey.
She investigated her targets, confirmed their innocence, and carried out the executions anyway.
Each mission left another wound in her conscience.
The organization she led had once existed to protect the Ark from genuine threats. Its assassins had been trained to eliminate dangerous individuals who threatened the lives of innocent citizens.
But somewhere along the way, its purpose had been corrupted.
Perilous Siege no longer protected the Ark's people.
It protected the people who ruled them.
Greed and corruption had taken root within the system, and those in power used the language of justice and security to disguise their own ambitions.
The Ark was not the innocent sanctuary Diane had once believed it to be.
The distinction between good and evil had become increasingly difficult to recognize—not because right and wrong no longer existed, but because evil had learned to disguise itself as good.
And Diane was one of the instruments used to maintain that deception.
She could no longer bear it.
The breaking point came when she received another assassination order.
The targets were innocent men and women. Diane had investigated them herself and found no evidence that justified their deaths.
Yet the judges had ordered their elimination.
She stared at the mission details, her fingers tightening around the documents.
She knew what would happen if she refused.
Another assassin would be sent.
The targets would die regardless.
And she would remain trapped in the same system, forced to watch as her organization continued to murder people in the name of protecting the Ark.
For years, Diane had searched for a way out.
She had considered her options, examined the system's weaknesses, and waited for an opportunity that might never come.
Then she heard rumors that some Nikkes had begun to regain their freedom.
The possibility changed everything.
If Nikkes could break free from the control imposed upon them, then perhaps she and her subordinates could escape their own chains.
Perhaps Perilous Siege could finally cease being a weapon wielded by corrupt authorities.
But Diane could not simply abandon her position. Nor could she trust the rumors without investigating them herself.
She needed to find the truth.
And that meant finding the person responsible for freeing the Nikkes.
The judges, naturally, had reached the same conclusion.
They recognized the danger such a development posed to their authority. If the Ark's Nikkes discovered that their restrictions could be removed and their freedom restored, the existing power structure could collapse.
The judges could no longer guarantee unquestioning obedience.
Their solution was straightforward.
Find the person responsible.
Eliminate him.
Diane was assigned a mission.
Her target was the person responsible for freeing the Nikkes.
The memories showed Diane receiving her orders. She studied the available information, examining every detail with the same meticulous discipline she had applied to countless missions before.
Yet this assignment presented a problem she had never encountered before.
She had no idea who her target was.
She didn't know his name, his location, or even where to begin searching. All she knew was that someone had managed to free Nikkes from the restrictions imposed upon them—and that the judges considered this person a threat to the Ark's existing order.
For an assassin, being sent after an unknown target was an enormous disadvantage.
But Diane saw something else in this mission.
An opportunity.
If the rumors were true, she might finally discover a way to free herself and her subordinates from Perilous Siege.
This time, she wasn't merely following orders.
She had a personal reason to see the mission through.
Diane wanted answers, and she knew she needed information from outside the Ark's increasingly unreliable system.
Her first move was to seek out the president of the Eagle Union.
During her operations on the surface, Diane had gradually uncovered the corruption and lies concealed beneath the Ark's carefully maintained image. The more she investigated, the more she realized that the sanctuary she had sworn to protect was far from the innocent refuge she had once believed it to be.
The Ark's population knew that the surface had fallen to the Raptures. Most believed that humanity's former factions had either perished or become irrelevant.
They were wrong.
Former factions had survived, hiding themselves from the Raptures and Sirens while quietly preserving their organizations, resources, and military capabilities.
The Ark's citizens knew almost nothing about them.
Diane, however, had discovered enough to understand that the world beyond the Ark was not as empty as its authorities claimed.
Rather than continue working blindly within a corrupt system, she decided to establish contact with the Eagle Union's president. She offered information about the Ark in exchange for intelligence concerning the surviving factions on the surface.
It was a calculated risk, but Diane had always understood the value of information.
And she needed every advantage she could obtain.
Through this exchange, she learned that the Eagle Union possessed credible intelligence about a faction known as the Diving Eagle.
It was her first lead.
For the first time in her investigation, Diane had something concrete to pursue.
She began following the available information, tracing connections and examining reports that might lead her to the person responsible for freeing the Nikkes.
She wanted to know whether the rumors were true.
She wanted to discover whether Nikkes could genuinely escape the control imposed upon them.
Most importantly, she wanted to understand whether Yuuki was the key to a future in which she and her subordinates would no longer be forced to murder innocent people.
She had already decided what she would do once she found him.
If Yuuki was nothing more than a threat to the Ark, she would complete her mission.
If he truly possessed the means to free Nikkes, then she would have to reconsider everything she had been taught to believe.
Diane had placed herself at a crossroads, with no guarantee that either path would lead to salvation.
Kill the man, and she would fulfill her duty as the leader of Perilous Siege.
Fail to kill him, and she would have a chance to escape the organization that had consumed her life.
She chose to give herself that chance.
Eventually, Diane's investigation led her to Yuuki during his encounter with Rosalia's fleet.
There he was—the person she had spent so much time searching for.
Diane wasted no time.
She attacked with every ounce of skill and experience she possessed, employing the techniques that had made her the most lethal assassin among twenty-six highly trained killers.
Her movements were precise. Her attacks were calculated. Every opening was exploited, and every strike was intended to end the fight as efficiently as possible.
Yet, despite her extraordinary abilities, she could not bring him down.
Yuuki was not merely an expert commander.
He was also an exceptionally capable survivor.
His battlefield experience, instincts, and ability to adapt made him a far more dangerous opponent than Diane had anticipated. No matter how carefully she planned her attacks, he continued to survive and counter her attempts to kill him.
To Diane, it was like confronting an unkillable target.
She had faced dangerous opponents before, but Yuuki was different. He possessed the ability to turn situations that should have ended in his death into opportunities to survive.
And eventually, Diane failed.
She could not kill him.
The memories lingered on that encounter, revealing something the official records could never have explained.
Diane had not simply lost a fight.
She had reached the end of the path she had walked since childhood.
Her mission was over. Her orders had not been fulfilled, and the person she had been sent to eliminate remained alive.
By the standards of Perilous Siege, she had failed.
But to Diane, that failure offered something she had not possessed in years.
A choice.
She could continue living as an assassin, waiting for the judges to issue another order and wondering when they would finally decide she had outlived her usefulness.
Or she could seize the opportunity she had created for herself and pursue the freedom she had spent so long searching for.
For once, she did not have to pretend that killing an innocent person was an act of justice.
For once, she could choose what happened next.
The memories gradually slowed, leaving Yuuki and the others standing amid the final fragments of Diane's past.
Nobody spoke immediately.
The revelation was difficult to digest.
Diane, the leader of Perilous Siege, had been raised to kill, converted into a Nikke, and placed in command of an organization whose members were kept obedient through remotely activated kill switches.
She had spent years executing orders she knew were wrong, not because she lacked a conscience, but because the system had made disobedience almost synonymous with death.
When she finally discovered a possible way out, she had been ordered to kill the very person who might offer her that freedom.
Yuuki exhaled slowly.
"So that's what happened..."
His gaze lowered as he considered Diane's choices.
"She wasn't just trying to find out whether I could free Nikkes. She was trying to determine whether there was still a way for someone like her to escape the life she'd been forced into."
The girls remained quiet, each processing the memories in her own way.
Diane had been trained to suppress her emotions, obey without question, and kill without hesitation.
Yet beneath that conditioning, she had continued to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
She had never truly lost herself.
She had simply been trapped in a world that punished her whenever she tried to act on what she knew was right.
Yuuki looked toward the place where Diane's memories had last appeared.
Then, Diane was there. on the grass hugging her legs. He walked up to her before sitting next to her.
"Well, Diane..."
His expression softened.
"You failed your mission."
He paused, a faint smile appearing on his face.
"But maybe that was the first mission in your life that was worth failing."
Diane sighed as she gazed across the seemingly infinite grassland stretching toward the horizon.
"I'm not some homicidal maniac who kills indiscriminately," she remarked.
Yuuki stood beside her, listening quietly.
"I used to believe that if someone wore the crown of a leader, they should be capable of bearing its weight." Diane glanced at him. "What about you, Commander? Do you wish to wear the crown? Can you truly bear its burden?"
She paused.
"Heavy is the head that wears the crown."
Yuuki chuckled softly.
"It depends, Diane. It depends on the person wearing it. A leader can be good or evil. Sometimes, good disguises itself as evil, and sometimes, evil disguises itself as good."
He shrugged.
"Take your pick."
Diane studied him.
"Then what kind of person are you?"
Yuuki met her gaze.
"You can sense my heart, can't you? Find out for yourself, then answer that question."
She watched him for a moment before turning back toward the horizon.
"You're a good person. Try to keep it that way."
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"I knew you were a good person. If everyone were like you, I wouldn't have to work so much."
He gave her a faint smile.
"You truly are unique, in nearly every way possible."
"It depends on how you look at it," Yuuki replied. "Personally, I'm done being a hero."
Diane turned toward him again.
"Done being a hero?"
"That's right. The last time I tried to be one, the entire world betrayed us. So I left them behind. I took the loyal members who stood by my side, and together, we established a new faction in a new world."
His expression grew serious.
"I used my crown to protect my people. That's what it means to me. I don't wear it to please the world, nor do I need the world's approval to justify my existence."
He looked out over the endless grassland.
"I've already learned what happens when you sacrifice everything for people who eventually decide you're no longer needed."
Diane lowered her eyes, contemplating his words.
"Commander... if I join you, am I going to end up doing the same things I've always done?"
Yuuki considered her question before answering.
"Can you simply stop doing what you've been trained to do your entire life? You were raised as an assassin. You were taught to evaluate threats, eliminate targets, and follow orders. You can't just erase all that experience overnight."
He gently patted her head.
"But here's what I can offer you. You'll be your own judge. You'll decide what is right and act accordingly, while protecting GDI's interests."
Diane remained still, listening.
"I won't order you to annihilate innocent people just to eliminate a single target. You won't have judges sitting above you, deciding who deserves to live or die. No one will dictate your every move."
Yuuki's voice became firmer.
"But freedom doesn't mean you can do whatever you want without consequences. If you choose to kill someone, you must understand why you're doing it and accept responsibility for that decision. Make sure you're doing it for a greater good, not simply because someone gave you an order."
Diane fell silent.
Then she spoke again.
"Committing a crime is unforgivable. Perhaps it sounds cliché, but that's what I believe. What do you think, Commander?"
Yuuki tilted his head thoughtfully.
"It depends on the circumstances."
Diane looked at him, seemingly surprised by his answer.
"You can't prevent every crime from happening. Sometimes, people turn to crime because they're desperate to feed their families. The money might be dirty, and what they do might be wrong, but what choice do they believe they have?"
He folded his arms.
"Suppose you kill someone who steals or deals in illegal goods to feed their children. What happens to that person's family afterward? Who's going to provide for them? If nobody helps them, what stops those children from growing up and following the same path?"
Diane said nothing.
"Of course, that doesn't mean we should excuse every criminal. Some people commit crimes because they're greedy, cruel, or simply enjoy hurting others. They should be held accountable for what they've done."
Yuuki paused before continuing.
"But you have to understand that every person you kill affects someone else. A criminal has family, friends, and people who depend on them. Their death can create new problems, and those problems can lead to more suffering. You can't eliminate every consequence simply by removing one person."
He looked toward the horizon.
"Personally, I'd rather target the person at the top—the one exploiting everyone beneath them. What happens to the people working under that person afterward is another matter. They can choose what to do with their lives once the person controlling them is gone."
Diane considered his words.
"But what if you're in a situation where it's either kill or be killed?"
"Then do whatever it takes to survive."
Yuuki answered without hesitation.
"If your life is in danger, protect yourself. And if the situation demands a difficult decision to safeguard GDI, then make that decision."
Diane frowned slightly.
"Compromise?"
"Suppose you encounter someone you don't want to kill, but that person poses a serious threat to GDI. Maybe they have information that could expose our bases, or perhaps they're planning an attack that would endanger our people. You try to find another solution, but none exists."
Yuuki met her eyes.
"Then you may have no choice but to eliminate them, regardless of their reasons. That's the nature of this cruel, unforgiving prison of a world, Diane. Sometimes, every available option comes with a price."
He paused, letting the words sink in.
"Imagine you discover a family living in a village devastated by a contagious disease. They're being hunted because the infection could spread, and they beg you to spare them. What would you do?"
Diane's expression tightened.
"Would you let them leave, knowing they might carry the disease to another village and infect hundreds of innocent people? Or would you stop them, even if doing so meant condemning that family to death?"
"I..."
Diane struggled to answer.
There was no easy solution. Letting the family go could endanger others, but killing them would mean taking innocent lives to prevent a possible catastrophe.
Yuuki sighed.
"Actions have consequences, Diane. You need to understand whether your decisions will ultimately do more good than harm. Even if its harmful to your conscience. You can try to stop a crime, but you also have to consider what happens afterward."
He glanced at her.
"That's why I don't believe a person should blindly follow orders just because someone claims they're doing the right thing. You have to think for yourself. Examine the circumstances. Consider the consequences. And if you make the wrong decision, take responsibility for it."
Diane slowly nodded.
"There are lines from a movie I once watched that made me think about this very subject."
She looked at him curiously.
"It must have been a great movie."
Yuuki laughed.
"Maybe. But the idea stuck with me."
His expression turned contemplative.
"Think about heroes and villains. What really separates them? Both sides believe they're fighting for a cause. Both sides think they're doing what's necessary. And both sides can convince themselves that they're the heroes of their own stories."
He looked at Diane.
"You chose the path of the shadows through Perilous Siege. Triangle operates in the open, supposedly walking the path of justice. One is considered dark, the other light, but both claim to protect the same people."
He shook his head.
"Sometimes, the difference isn't the cause they're fighting for. It's how they pursue it, what they're willing to sacrifice, and whether they're prepared to question their own actions."
Diane listened intently.
Yuuki continued.
"There's another thing people love to see in a hero."
He paused.
"They love seeing that hero fail."
Diane's eyes widened slightly.
"Even after everything you've done for them, eventually, some will hate you. They'll turn against you. And given enough time, some might even rise up to fight you."
The other girls, who had been listening to their conversation, exchanged stunned glances.
They understood exactly what Yuuki meant.
Nikkes had once been celebrated as the Goddesses of Victory, humanity's defenders against the Raptures. Their sacrifices had inspired hope, and their victories had given the Ark a reason to keep fighting.
Yet when Nikkes failed, many of those same people treated them as outcasts.
Their achievements were forgotten. Their sacrifices became irrelevant. The very society they had protected could turn against them the moment they were no longer useful.
Yuuki continued, his voice carrying the weight of personal experience.
"It's the same with us. We're GDI. We once fought to protect the world, and we won."
He let out a humorless laugh.
"And what happened afterward? The world wanted us gone. They wanted us dismantled, our resources divided, and everything we had built torn apart. They wanted to feast on us like vultures picking over a carcass."
His gaze hardened.
"They couldn't take the sword from the person who had slain the Demon Lord, so they tried to condemn the person carrying it instead."
Yuuki shook his head.
"They dragged us into selfish conflicts, blamed us for the consequences, and kept demanding that we fight their battles and giving them our resources. Again and again and again, until there was nothing left of us."
He fell silent for a moment.
"Eventually, they would have been satisfied only when we were both dead. Then, what about the sword? Another person picks it up and the cycle start over."
Diane lowered her head.
She understood the bitterness in his voice. She had spent years watching the Ark use the language of protection and justice to justify its own corruption.
Yuuki had seen the same pattern on a far larger scale.
"That's human nature," he continued. "People need heroes during their darkest hours. They want someone strong enough to defeat their enemies, protect their homes, and shoulder burdens they cannot carry themselves."
He looked toward the distant horizon.
"But what happens when the crisis ends? What happens when the hero becomes too powerful, too independent, or simply inconvenient?"
His expression turned cold.
"Either the hero falls and dies a hero, or lives long enough to become the villain in someone else's story."
Nobody interrupted him.
"Nikkes are protectors as long as the Raptures exist. Shipgirls are protectors as long as the Sirens remain a threat. But what happens when those enemies are gone?"
Yuuki spread his hands.
"Humanity might finally achieve peace, but some people will start asking whether Nikkes and Shipgirls are still necessary. They'll look at their strength, their weapons, powers, skills and their independence, and they'll begin seeing them as liabilities instead of protectors."
He looked back at Diane and the others.
"Some will demand that they be disarmed. Others will want them dismantled or controlled. And the moment they refuse to surrender everything they've fought for, those same people might label them threats to humanity."
Yuuki exhaled slowly.
"That's why I'm gathering Nikkes and Shipgirls under a single banner. I'm building a faction where they can stand together, protect one another, and decide their own future."
His expression remained resolute.
"We'll help humanity when we can. We'll protect innocent people when they're in danger. We won't abandon the world simply because some people are ungrateful."
He paused.
"But we won't sacrifice ourselves just to earn their approval, either."
Diane watched him carefully.
"You're saying GDI won't fight for humanity?"
"I'm saying GDI won't exist solely to serve humanity."
Yuuki corrected her gently.
"There's a difference. We'll cooperate with those who are willing to cooperate with us. We'll help people who genuinely need our help. But if they decide we're a liability and try to destroy us, we won't stand still and let them do it."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"We won't hesitate to punch back."
The other girls remained quiet.
For them, the conversation was more than a discussion about leadership or morality. It was a reminder of how fragile their place in the world could be.
They had spent their lives fighting for humanity, often at the cost of their own happiness, freedom, and even their lives.
Now, Yuuki was offering them something different.
Not an obligation to serve.
Not another authority demanding their obedience.
But a place where they could make their own choices, protect the people they cared about, and defend themselves if the world ever turned against them.
Diane looked down at her hands.
For most of her life, she had believed that being a good person meant following the rules, obeying legitimate authority, and carrying out her duty regardless of the cost.
She had learned the hard way that those in power could twist every one of those principles into a weapon.
Now, Yuuki was asking her to do something far more difficult.
Think for herself.
Judge her own actions.
And accept responsibility for the consequences.
She slowly raised her head.
"Commander... if I join GDI, I won't have judges telling me what to do anymore."
"No. But you'll still have responsibilities."
Yuuki smiled faintly.
"Freedom doesn't mean you'll never face another difficult decision. It means you'll have the right to make that decision yourself."
Diane studied him for a long moment.
Then she glanced back toward the endless grassland, her expression thoughtful.
Perhaps she had spent so many years searching for a way to escape her chains that she had forgotten what it meant to live without them.
She had wanted freedom.
Now she had to decide what to do with it.
And for the first time, that decision would belong to her.
"Commander..."
Emma's voice interrupted the silence. She had approached Yuuki and Diane, her expression unusually serious.
"Is it true that no matter what we Nikkes do, there will always be people who hate us?"
Yuuki turned toward her.
"That depends on who's watching and how they interpret what happens."
Emma tilted her head, waiting for him to elaborate.
"Imagine you're fighting a group of Rapture droids. You destroy them, protect a settlement, and save hundreds of lives. To the people you rescued, you're a hero."
He paused.
"But suppose one of your stray bullets hits an innocent civilian during the battle. Even if it was an accident and you were trying to protect everyone, the people who witnessed that incident might see you differently. They might focus entirely on the civilian who died and ignore all the people you saved."
Emma's expression gradually darkened.
"Some might blame you personally. Others might condemn Nikkes as a whole, claiming you're too dangerous to be allowed to operate freely. And there will always be people willing to exploit such incidents for their own benefit. They might spread rumors, stir up public anger, or conspire against you."
Yuuki shrugged.
"That's how it works sometimes. You can save a thousand people and still be remembered for the one person you couldn't save."
The girls fell silent.
"That's why being a hero isn't just about winning battles or defeating enemies," Yuuki continued. "It's also about dealing with what comes afterward. If your actions cause harm, you need to take responsibility for them. If people have legitimate grievances, address them. If you've made a mistake, acknowledge it and learn from it."
He looked directly at Emma.
"But if someone deliberately exploits your kindness, spreads lies about you, or conspires to harm you simply because you're a Nikke, then you have every right to defend yourself."
Emma blinked.
Yuuki folded his arms.
"You girls might be restricted by the Ark's rules and politics. As Nikkes are forbidden to raise a hand against a human. You might have to tolerate people who insult you, mistreat you, or treat you as disposable weapons because you have little choice but to obey."
His expression became firm.
"But things are different under GDI now that your limiters are removed."
He glanced at the other girls.
"If someone threatens you, you can withdraw from the situation. If someone tries to exploit you, you can refuse to cooperate. And if someone physically attacks you, you have the right to defend yourself."
He paused, then added with a faint grin, "If someone punches a hero in the face, they shouldn't be surprised when the hero punches back."
Velvet snickered.
"Commander, are you giving us permission to punch people?"
"I'm telling you that you don't have to stand there and let someone beat or use you up just because they think you're supposed to be a good girl."
Yuuki gave her a pointed look.
"There's a difference between defending yourself and picking fights with people. Don't confuse the two. I forbid you girls from picking fights or starting one but, I won't held it against you for fighting back."
"Aw, there goes my plan," Velvet teased.
Eunhwa rolled her eyes.
"Knowing you, you never had a plan. You just wanted an excuse to punch someone."
"How cruel! I can be perfectly professional!"
"That's debatable," Privaty muttered.
Velvet turned toward her.
"Hey!"
Their brief exchange brought a little warmth back into the atmosphere, but Emma remained thoughtful.
"So... we don't have to endure everything just because we're supposed to be humanity's protectors?"
"Exactly."
Yuuki's answer was immediate.
"Being a hero doesn't mean allowing everyone to walk all over you. Protecting people doesn't mean surrendering your own rights. And doing the right thing doesn't mean you have to accept mistreatment from those you're trying to help."
He softened his expression.
"Remember this, girls. GDI will help people because we choose to, not because we're obligated to obey every demand they make. We can be compassionate without being naive, and we can be kind without being defenseless."
Emma lowered her gaze, absorbing his words.
For so long, Nikkes had been expected to fight, sacrifice, and endure. Their worth had been measured by their usefulness to humanity, while their own feelings and needs were often pushed aside.
Yuuki was telling them that they mattered, too.
They were allowed to have boundaries.
They were allowed to say no.
And they were allowed to defend themselves.
Emma smiled softly.
"I think I understand, Commander."
"Good."
Yuuki patted her shoulder.
"You're free to help people, Emma. Just don't forget that you're one of the people worth protecting, too."
Emma's eyes widened slightly before she gave him a warm smile.
"Thank you, Commander."
Diane watched the exchange quietly.
It was a simple lesson, yet one that would have been almost unthinkable within Perilous Siege. There, an assassin's duty had always come before her own life, and obedience had been valued more highly than conscience.
Under Yuuki's command, things would be different.
Not easier, necessarily. Freedom would still bring difficult decisions, and the consequences of those decisions would not disappear.
But at least she would have the right to make them herself.
And perhaps that was what Yuuki had been trying to teach her all along.
A hero could protect others without becoming their prisoner.
And a good person didn't have to surrender everything just to prove they were good.
Diane finally had her answer.
For most of her life, she had protected the crown—the authority that decided who lived and who died. She had followed orders, eliminated targets, and convinced herself that her actions served a greater purpose.
No longer.
From now on, she would decide for herself whom she would protect and what she would fight for.
A faint smile appeared on her face as she leaned against Yuuki's side.
"I'll use my powers and abilities to protect our faction's interests. Even if it means standing against the very people I once protected. If they dare to harm our comrades or friends, I won't hesitate to eliminate them if necessary."
She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"Even if they're former humans I once swore to protect."
Yuuki gently patted her head.
"That's fine, Diane. There are good people out there, too. Innocent people who deserve to be protected. We shouldn't forget them just because some humans are selfish or corrupt."
He gave her a reassuring smile.
"As for the others? Well, if they try to take advantage of you girls or lay their hands on you without permission, we can always punch them in the face."
He paused, then added with a mischievous grin.
"Besides, I'm connected to all of you now. I might get a little jealous if some man tries to touch my girls."
The girls froze.
Then, one by one, their faces turned red.
Even Eunhwa, who usually prided herself on maintaining a composed expression, couldn't completely hide her embarrassment.
"I-It's not like I need your protection or anything!" Privaty protested, turning her face away.
Velvet smirked, clearly enjoying the reaction.
"Oh? I don't mind at all, Commander\~"
Eunhwa sighed and crossed her arms.
"How troublesome..."
Despite her complaint, the faint blush on her cheeks betrayed her.
Emma giggled.
"Ehee... Then I won't let any man take advantage of me."
Vesti smiled shyly, looking rather pleased by Yuuki's declaration.
Ludmilla raised her chin with her usual regal composure.
"A gentleman should always protect his lady—or ladies, in this particular context."
She gave Yuuki an approving nod.
"That is only proper conduct."
Alice immediately raised her hand.
"Alice is for Rabbity only!"
Yuuki blinked.
"...Alice, that wasn't exactly what I meant."
"But Alice has already decided!"
Tove scratched her cheek, looking thoughtful.
"Well, I won't mind taking down anyone who tries to take advantage of us. I just need to figure out how to do it without accidentally blowing something up."
Eunhwa gave her a sidelong glance.
"Please don't turn defending yourself into another one of your experiments."
"I'll try!"
"That's not reassuring."
Meanwhile, Neve hugged Yuuki from behind, resting her head against his back.
"Burly Bear is my pillow! Nobody can take my pillow!"
Yuuki stared blankly ahead.
"...I really need to establish some rules about personal space."
Nobody paid him any attention.
Diane chuckled softly at the commotion before looking up at him.
"I suppose you're putting quite a lot of work on my shoulders, Commander."
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"Already complaining about your new job?"
"Not at all."
She smiled and leaned against him again.
"If everything I've been through has taught me anything, it's that protecting the wrong people can be just as dangerous as failing to protect the right ones. If working for GDI means I can use my abilities for the greater good of our faction, then I don't see why I should refuse."
Her expression became more resolute.
"Besides, I have to earn my keep here. I can't expect you to take me in and give me a place to belong without contributing anything in return."
Yuuki chuckled.
"You don't have to prove your worth every second of the day, Diane."
"Perhaps not. But I still want to contribute."
She looked at him with a small, knowing smile.
"And I wouldn't mind being a hero again, this time to protect you and our people."
Diane glanced at his face.
"Even if you're perfectly capable of protecting yourself."
Yuuki gave her a playful grin.
"So, you're volunteering to become my bodyguard? Might have to discuss with Warspite and Eunhwa here."
"Think of it as an investment in our faction's continued survival."
"That's a very professional way of saying you want to look after me."
"Would you prefer that I say it differently? I won't mind if you started to see me as your Killer Wife."
Yuuki laughed.
"Fair enough. As for the wife part, let's discuss if you achieved Level 1000."
Diane smiled, feeling the weight of her former life loosen a little more.
She had once believed that her only purpose was to serve the crown and carry out its orders. Now, she had found a new purpose—one she had chosen for herself.
She would no longer be the blade wielded by distant judges.
She would be Diane, an assassin who had reclaimed her freedom and chosen whom she wished to protect.
And if anyone threatened the people she now called her comrades, they would have to answer to her.
Yuuki gave her head one final pat.
"Welcome to GDI, Diane."
Her smile widened.
"Thank you, Commander."
Then Neve tightened her embrace.
"Burly Bear, can we go back now? I want to sleep on you!"
Yuuki's smile vanished.
"...And there goes my personal space again."
After a while, something began to happen.
A soft glow enveloped Eunhwa, Emma, Vesti, Privaty, Velvet, Ludmilla, Alice, Tove, Neve, and Diane. One by one, their bodies radiated light as their connection with Yuuki grew stronger.
Their synchronization had reached its final stage.
The bond between them was no longer merely a connection between a commander and the Nikkes under his care. It had become something deeper, linking their hearts and souls.
They were now Yuuki's Nikkes.
And with that bond came responsibility.
Yuuki would have to train them, help them grow stronger, and prepare them to become powerful heroes capable of protecting themselves and the people they cared about.
Meanwhile, the surrounding grassland began to disintegrate. The endless horizon broke apart into countless glowing particles, signaling that their time inside the memory world was coming to an end.
Eunhwa stepped forward and gave Yuuki a playful punch on the arm.
"I wouldn't mind using this power to protect you, Commander."
She smiled confidently.
"Guide me. I'll learn to become a better leader than I was before. Consider it my way of thanking you for taking me in."
Before Yuuki could respond, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
He froze.
For several seconds, he simply stared at her.
Eunhwa raised an eyebrow.
"Well, don't just stand there like a statue! Do you realize how lucky you are that I'm giving you my attention?"
Yuuki slowly touched his cheek.
"...What am I even supposed to do with you?"
"Honestly..."
Eunhwa sighed and shook her head.
"I just saw potential in you. I suppose we still have a lot of work to do."
She turned away, looking rather pleased with herself.
Yuuki could only wonder how the former perfectionist had become so comfortable teasing him.
Then Emma stepped forward.
She smiled warmly before giving his other cheek a gentle kiss.
"Don't focus on Campion alone, Commander."
Yuuki blinked.
Emma giggled.
"You have me to look after, too. I enjoy taking care of people who push themselves too hard, like Campion and you. So whenever you feel tired, I'll be there for you."
She gave him an affectionate smile.
"Heehee. You don't always have to be the strong one, you know?"
Yuuki sighed.
"Don't forget that I still have the Shipgirls to attend to."
"Knowing you, you'll always find time for us."
Emma leaned against him briefly before stepping back.
"Thank you for taking us in, Commander. I know casual flings aren't what you're looking for, but if you ever decide to put a ring on my finger, please don't forget to pay attention to me, too."
Yuuki stared at her.
These girls really aren't going to make things easy for me, are they?
Before he could reply, Vesti stepped forward with a bright smile.
"Vesti has more friends now because of Commander!"
She clasped her hands together, looking genuinely happy.
"Vesti will protect her friends and you, too! Please continue helping Vesti make more friends!"
Yuuki smiled and patted her head.
"You can do that yourself, little one. Just approach someone and start talking. You don't always need me to introduce you."
He paused thoughtfully.
"Actually, I have a few suggestions. Why not try Tai Yuan, Ning Hai, or Ping Hai? Those little teddy bears could use some more friends, too. You might get along with the dumpling twins."
Vesti's eyes brightened.
"Really? I'll ask them when I get back!"
"That's the spirit."
She smiled happily, already looking forward to meeting them.
Next came Velvet.
The playful Nikke approached Yuuki with a knowing smile before leaning forward to kiss his cheek.
"You know, Commander, marriage was never really an option for Nikkes."
Her usual teasing expression softened.
"Most humans see us as weapons or objects to use for their pleasure. They rarely think about what we want for ourselves, much less offer us a future where we can build families of our own."
She lowered her gaze briefly.
"My beginnings aren't something I'm proud of. When you saw those memories, I was afraid you wouldn't accept me afterward."
Yuuki's expression softened, but Velvet continued before he could speak.
"Now, I want to become as strong as possible. Strong enough to stand beside you without feeling like I'm holding you back."
She smiled, her eyes carrying a determination that went beyond her usual flirtation.
"I wouldn't want my little Velvet to see her mother as a weak woman, would I?"
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"You're already thinking about that?"
"Of course!"
Velvet placed her hands on her hips.
"I don't want to lose to the Shipgirls! I want my own little Velvet someday, someone who can grow up knowing she's loved and protected. I don't want her to go through what I did."
Her expression became resolute.
"That's why I have to become as strong as I can. I want to be someone my daughter can look up to!"
Yuuki smiled.
"I'm sure you'll get there."
Velvet beamed at him, apparently satisfied with his answer.
Privaty, who had been listening nearby, finally stepped forward.
"Commander... why do you insist that we reach Level 1000 before you even consider marrying us?"
Yuuki folded his arms, considering how best to explain his reasoning.
"Because I want you girls to focus on becoming the strongest versions of yourselves first. There are always threats out there, whether they're Raptures, Sirens, or even aliens we haven't encountered yet."
He looked at her seriously.
"I want you to reach your full potential and become strong enough to protect yourselves. And if you eventually have families of your own, you'll have people depending on you. A husband, children, or even friends who need your support."
He paused.
"Marriage and motherhood come with responsibilities. You might have less time to train or carry out your duties. I don't want you to reach a point where you're forced to choose between protecting your family and protecting yourself simply because you haven't had the chance to become strong enough."
His expression softened.
"I want you to be strong enough that, even when I'm not around, you can keep your loved ones safe. That's what matters to me. Level 1000 isn't just an arbitrary requirement. It's a goal to help you prepare for the future."
Privaty stared at him for a moment.
Then she stepped closer and kissed his cheek.
"It's not like I want to become stronger for your sake or anything!"
Yuuki chuckled and patted her head.
"Sure you don't."
"Don't patronize me!"
Despite her protest, Privaty was smiling.
Ludmilla then approached with her usual regal composure. She raised one hand gracefully, offering it to Yuuki as though they were attending a formal gathering.
Yuuki understood the gesture and gently took her hand.
"A lady will always answer the call of her gentleman," Ludmilla declared. "She will fight until her last breath, knowing that her gentleman will always be there for her."
Yuuki smiled faintly.
"Those words sound familiar. You have something in common with Hood."
"Perhaps I should make her acquaintance."
Ludmilla's expression softened as she looked at him.
"Know that you have my attention, Commander. My life is in your hands, and I shall entrust you with my strength."
She leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
"Guide me. Show me how I can use my abilities to protect what matters."
Yuuki returned her smile with a small nod.
"I'll do my best, Ludmilla."
Then Alice bounced forward, practically radiating excitement.
"Rabbity is Rabbity!"
Before Yuuki could react, she planted a quick kiss on his cheek.
"As long as I can live like Alice in Wonderland, I'll be safe from harm!"
Her smile wavered slightly.
"I can see reality now, and I understand that the world isn't quite like the story I imagined. But..."
She looked up at him.
"I hope I can still see you as Rabbity, even if I can't see the world the way I used to."
Yuuki gently patted her head.
"Then keep seeing me as Rabbity if that makes you happy, Alice."
He smiled.
"This is reality, but the world isn't all that different from Wonderland. There's still plenty of wonder to discover. You just have to find it."
Alice's ears perked up.
"Then Alice will keep exploring!"
"That's right."
Tove came next, wearing a grin that Yuuki immediately recognized as dangerous.
"You promised to teach me how to survive on the surface, and I'll do my best to learn everything from you!"
She hesitated before adding, "But if you let me, I'd also like to keep building gadgets out of junk."
Yuuki laughed.
"Work with Akashi and Pinkashi. I'm sure the three of you could come up with something interesting. Knowing you three, you'll probably turn a pile of scrap into something nobody else would dare to use."
Tove's eyes lit up.
"Really? We could make a great team!"
"I'm sure you could. If you need someone to test your inventions, Neon will probably volunteer herself."
Tove blinked.
"Neon?"
"Just make sure your inventions are safe before putting them in her hands. Knowing Neon, she'll happily test something that explodes, then come out of the smoke laughing."
Tove looked thoughtful, already imagining the possibilities.
Yuuki continued.
"There's also a large storage room where the drones deposit reusable scrap and discarded components. Go there and see what you can build. Bring Akashi and Pinkashi with you."
"Really?!"
Tove practically bounced on her feet.
"Thank you, Commander! You're the best!"
She hurried forward and planted a kiss on his cheek before stepping back with a triumphant grin.
Yuuki shook his head, smiling despite himself.
"Just don't blow up the workshop."
"I'll try!"
That isn't reassuring at all.
Before he could dwell on it, a familiar pair of arms wrapped around him from behind.
"Burly Bear!"
Neve clung to him, rubbing her cheek against his back.
"Please take me to see the polar bears! If possible, I want to become a trainer!"
Yuuki thought about it for a moment.
"Hmm... I might be able to arrange something with the trainers in the training dimension. They could let you work with a polar bear cub and teach it to become a proper scout or combat bear."
Neve's eyes widened.
"My own polar bear?!"
"Well, not exactly your own. But you could train one and develop a bond with it. Don't worry, the cubs are docile under the handlers' supervision."
Neve practically trembled with excitement.
"I'm so happy! Please let me keep one!"
Yuuki chuckled.
"Keeping a polar bear permanently outside its native environment would be difficult. They need the cold climate of their dimension to survive comfortably."
Neve's ears drooped.
"Eh? So I can't keep it with me?"
"Not permanently. But I can give you a miniature chrono ring that lets you summon your assigned bear from the training dimension and send it back when you're done."
Her ears perked up again.
"Really?"
"Yes. You can spend time with it, train together, and bring it along when appropriate. But you'll need to return it to its dimension after an hour or so. It still needs its proper environment."
Neve's expression fell a little.
"Eh... okay..."
Yuuki gently patted her head.
"You'll still get to see it whenever you want, within reason. And you'll have plenty of time to bond with it."
Neve thought about that before smiling again.
"As long as Burly Bear takes me to see them, an hour is fine!"
She leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
Then it was Diane's turn.
"I'll use my power to protect us. You keep watching over me, and I'll keep watching over you."
She kissed his cheek before continuing with a thoughtful smile.
"If I have a mission, I propose we pretend to be newlyweds. We could work together more effectively that way."
"Hey! Don't forget we're here!" Velvet protested.
Diane glanced at her with a faint smile.
Yuuki sighs.
"I hope not every mission requires us to do that."
"I'll make sure we have plenty of opportunities," Diane replied playfully. "All the more reason for us to work together. Why not pose as newlyweds when the situation calls for it? If Kaguya and the others openly admit you as their 'supposed' husband, why not be newlyweds with me?"
Yuuki closed his eyes and sighed.
"I really need to establish some personal-space rules."
Nobody listened.
Instead, the girls gathered around him one last time, each wanting to express her gratitude and affection before their time together ended.
Yuuki found himself surrounded by hugs, warm smiles, and more than a few playful kisses.
He had absolutely no chance of escaping.
Then the light around them grew brighter.
Emma smiled at him as her figure began to fade.
"Thank you for everything, Commander! We'll see you back out there!"
Eunhwa gave him a confident nod, while Vesti waved enthusiastically. Privaty tried to maintain her usual composure, but her smile betrayed her. Velvet blew him a kiss, Ludmilla bowed gracefully, Alice waved both hands, and Tove looked as though she could hardly wait to start building her gadgets.
Neve clung to him until the very last moment, reluctant to let go.
Diane remained beside him, watching the others disappear with a quiet smile.
One by one, the girls dissolved into streams of light, returning to the world beyond the memory space.
Their connection with Yuuki remained firm.
The burdens of their memories had been lifted, and the physical changes that had troubled them were no longer weighing them down. They could finally move forward without being constantly haunted by their pasts.
They could look toward the future with genuine hope.
They had found a place where they could grow stronger, discover new possibilities, and build relationships without hiding their feelings.
More Nikkes would eventually join them, each carrying her own history and burdens. But the girls who had bonded with Yuuki had already made their choice.
They would no longer pretend their feelings didn't exist.
They would no longer hide behind the roles imposed upon them.
And they would no longer have to face the future alone.
Yuuki watched the last traces of light disappear, leaving him alone in the fading grassland.
"Two freaking weeks..."
He rubbed his face.
"Two weeks, and I've already got this many girls attached to me."
Despite his complaint, a faint smile tugged at his lips.
"I just hope this time, I can stay with them. I want to build something that lasts, like those men and women I once fought alongside."
The remaining landscape began to dissolve around him.
Yuuki took one final look at the empty horizon.
Then the light swallowed him, too.
His time in the memory world was over.
And waiting beyond it was a new chapter—for him, for his Nikkes, and for the faction they would build together.
==============
"So, that's what happened."
Rosalia sat in the meeting room, her holographic communicator projecting the image of another woman across the table.
The woman was the current Queen of the Royal Union.
Her royal highness herself.
She possessed an elegant, dignified appearance, with golden-blonde hair that fell gracefully around her shoulders and clear, piercing blue eyes. Her slender figure and regal bearing were complemented by a formal white-and-light-blue dress adorned with intricate embroidery and gold accents.
"Are you certain they can be trusted?" Cosette asked.
"He can, Cosette. I believe the Royal Union should consider reaching out to them as well," Rosalia replied.
"I suppose you're right, Rosa."
Cosette lowered her gaze briefly.
"For too long, the Royal Union has remained in hiding. Ever since Mother passed away, I've tried to manage the Union in her place, but the Raptures have taken control of the capital. The London Watchers are still monitoring the city. Every resistance movement, every uprising we've attempted, has ended in failure. Those things are simply too powerful."
Her expression tightened.
"People are beginning to lose hope. In humanity... and in me. Sometimes, I feel as though I've failed my mother. I've failed the De Elise royal family."
She clenched her hands.
"I'm not going to spend the rest of my life as a figurehead while watching my faction slowly fall apart. Some people even joined the new federation."
"Cosette..."
Rosalia's voice softened.
"If you could see what I saw when I met him, you'd understand that there is still hope. I won't claim that we can reclaim everything overnight, but I believe we finally have a chance to rise again."
She leaned back in her chair.
"I can recommend him to you. Find a suitable meeting place, or perhaps consider transferring some of your remaining Shipgirls to his faction. I'm certain the Royal Union Shipgirls would support you. They would want to see their princess and queen standing proudly once again."
"If this meeting could change the fate of our country and the Royal Union, then I'll take that chance."
Cosette looked toward the window.
"London must never fall. If we can claim or destroy the London Watchers, then perhaps we can finally bring London back."
"Meet him and ask for help. The Diving Eagle... no, the Global Defense Initiative. They'll help you."
"Is that their name?"
"Yes." Rosalia smiled. "And their High Commander is quite a hottie, too. So, how much longer are you planning to remain unmarried, Princess? I mean, royal highness."
"Rosa... This is serious."
"Hey, we share the same name, Rosie. Anyway, listen to me. Go to him and ask for help. Don't bring the entire Royal Union into this meeting. Just go yourself."
Rosalia's expression became serious again.
"He might not trust our nations or factions, but he'll trust you. You're the one asking for help, not the Royal Union making another political arrangement."
"I see..."
Cosette nodded slowly.
"Did you see their technology? Was it really as advanced as you described?"
"More than that. They have Shipgirls from several factions, including two Arcane Shipgirls."
Rosalia paused.
"Speaking of which, can you summon your Arcanes?"
"No. Mother could, but she took those secrets to her grave. She believed the Royal Union would eventually fall, so she refused to leave me with the responsibility of carrying the secrets of our Royal Arcanes."
"I see..."
Rosalia leaned forward.
"Rosie, I only know about six of the Twelve Arcanes of the West. Six of them belong to the Royal Union, after all. Do you have any idea where they might be?"
"No. I just told you, silly. Mother hid those secrets very carefully. All I know is that the Arcanes were concealed within high-class families. It was the perfect place to hide them. Their orders were very specific: never reveal themselves."
"Perhaps they're needed once more, Rosie."
"I know, Rosa... But even we cannot command them."
"That's where you're wrong."
Rosalia's expression brightened.
"He can. He can command the Arcanes. He can call upon them and awaken their powers. Right now, he already has Kaguya of the East and Irisviel of the North. We need to find the Arcanes of the West and bring them under his command as well."
She continued before Cosette could respond.
"He can train them and help them grow even stronger. We were always afraid that the Arcanes wouldn't be enough to stand against the Raptures and Sirens simultaneously. But with him guiding and training them, we might finally have the strength we need."
"Really?"
"Yes. That's why we need to meet him."
Cosette hesitated before speaking again.
"You mentioned transferring Shipgirls. Are you certain it's safe? I still have some of mine with me."
"Are they safe?"
"They're with me in our hidden sanctuary. I've kept them close because they're considered fugitives. Neither the Sirens nor the Raptures would think to search the Royal Family's hiding place."
"That's good. Then be prepared, Rosie. If necessary, you could use their transfer as part of your negotiations for favors."
"Is that really safe?"
"Yes. You need favors, Rosie. They might be willing to help us regardless, but having favors available could be useful when we face a bigger crisis. Still, I suggest meeting them first before making any arrangements."
Cosette nodded, though her expression remained troubled.
"Please arrange a meeting for me, Rosa. I'm in desperate need of help. I cannot risk sending my navy out of our hidden sanctuary. One of the META Shipgirls is currently leading the Siren fleet. I can't afford to expose everyone."
"One of the META Shipgirls?"
Rosalia frowned.
"Yes. It pains me to see her. I know she isn't the same head shipgirl maid who once served me, but she shares her appearance."
Cosette paused.
"Her codename is... Serene."
"Serene..."
Rosalia's expression darkened slightly.
"I'll arrange the meeting as soon as possible. Stay safe, Rosie."
"Please do. and be safe as well, Rosa."
The call ended.
Rosalia leaned back in her chair and let out a long sigh.
There was still so much she needed to learn about the Twelve Arcanes of the West. Cosette might be able to provide some answers regarding the Royal Union's six Arcanes, assuming the secrets had not been lost entirely.
But more importantly, her dear friend needed help.
There was no way the Royal Union could deal with a META Shipgirl commanding an entire Siren fleet on its own.
Rosalia would have to recommend that Yuuki meet Cosette as soon as possible.
Knock! Knock!
The meeting room door suddenly opened.
"Madam President, there's something you need to see."
Rosalia turned toward her aide.
"What's happened?"
The aide stepped aside, allowing the main display to come into view.
A surveillance feed showed a massive fleet approaching their hidden sanctuary.
Rosalia's eyes widened.
"How...?"
She stood up and stared at the screen.
"How is this fleet supposed to be invisible?! How did they find us?"
"We don't know, Madam President. But judging by the number of vessels detected, the Siren fleet consists of nearly a hundred ships."
"Damn it..."
Rosalia clenched her fist.
There was no way they could defeat a fleet of that size with their current forces. Their fleet had been hidden for a reason, and now that secrecy had been compromised, everything they had worked to protect was in danger.
Her gaze slowly shifted toward the Diving Eagle communicator on her wrist.
She had hoped to arrange a meeting with Yuuki first, but it seemed circumstances were no longer willing to wait.
Rosalia took a breath.
"Guess I'll have to ask for help after all."