"I know you're anxious! We all are! But the Bishop said the danger of other worlds lies in our lack of information."
"While we've gotten some intel from the officers who came back, it's too little and utterly useless for the current situation."
"We must follow the Bishop's orders and wait until the research team develops a communication device linking both worlds before launching any rescue operation."
"Otherwise, we'll just be throwing lives away for nothing."
The head of the technical department wore a frustrated expression but spoke with measured reason.
"So we just sit and watch? If we go, we might actually be able to do something. Staying here means we can do nothing at all!"
"Are you suggesting we defy the Bishop's command and force meaningless sacrifices?"
"Meaningless? Can't you understand that sometimes the weight of a single life can outweigh hundreds, even thousands?"
"Of course I understand! But that's only true if those hundreds or thousands actually have a chance of saving that one person!"
"Fine, then tell me this: how much longer until that communication device of yours is ready? Can you guarantee the Bishop won't suffer some irreversible accident during that time, stranded without support?"
"..."
There was no way to guarantee that.
The technical head lowered her gaze, remaining silent for a long moment before finally saying, "I am responsible for everyone's safety."
"That was the Bishop's specific order to me before she left. Perhaps you're right, but... I cannot betray her trust in me."
"You are truly incapable of the slightest flexibility!"
The Japanese branch head of Schicksal, seated at the head of the table, was grinding her teeth in frustration.
Although she was in charge here, the other woman had come from headquarters with the Bishop and had been appointed the full authority over the 'Gate' in the Bishop's absence.
If she refused to open the Gate, then even with the authority to deploy Valkyries, the branch head had nowhere to direct that strength.
"We are working at the absolute fastest pace possible. Give us two more days! If we haven't made a breakthrough by then, I will consider opening the Gate..."
"Not consider! You must open it! In two days, if you're still not ready, I will force the Gate open myself if I have to."
The technical head knew this was the other's limit—and indeed, her own as well.
While she believed the Bishop's orders were her highest priority, going days without any contact from the Bishop was driving her mad with worry.
Seeing today's argument finally reach some resolution, a Valkyrie who had been listening quietly pushed a report lying before her forward.
"Then, moving on to another matter. Concerning those two new star Valkyrie students from the other day."
"Did they encounter danger again? Or has something happened to Raiden Mei?"
The topic made the blonde Valkyrie at the head of the table frown.
She paid fairly close attention to Kiana Kaslana and Raiden Mei—after all, they were two fierce fighters who could face monsters head-on without even having Stigmata, and they had recently teamed up to defeat one of the enemy Cadres.
Using Schicksal's resources, she had uncovered far more than the speculative rumors online, though there were still significant gaps.
The biggest gaps were in Kiana's history, while Raiden Mei's background was comparatively transparent.
The two had only recently arrived in Japan.
Raiden Mei's father had been a high-ranking official at a tech company and had some connections within Schicksal.
Two years ago, he was framed for embezzlement and imprisoned.
Two months into his sentence, he was severely injured during a terrorist incident orchestrated by an enemy Cadre within the prison and had been bedridden ever since.
Later, with help and advocacy from an acquaintance within Schicksal, his case was overturned a year ago, and he was transferred to a hospital under that acquaintance's care.
This hospital happened to be in Japan, so Raiden Mei and her friend Kiana were both arranged to come over.
The identity of this 'acquaintance' was beyond her clearance level to know.
Like the hospital details, it was redacted into garbled code, indicating a rank higher than hers as the Japanese branch head.
But this was enough—it meant Raiden Mei's roots in Schicksal were legitimate.
However... they were still uncertain about the core inside Raiden Mei's body.
They had originally hoped to pry information from the captured enemy Cadre, but those who rose to become Cadres were rarely mentally weak.
No matter what hypnotic or psychological pressure methods they used, they couldn't extract any useful information.
Under these circumstances, that core was like a landmine, making them hesitant to act.
They worried the core might be a trap planted by the enemy Cadre, or even their leader.
If Raiden Mei were brought deep into Schicksal, it could cause a major incident—something they absolutely couldn't afford, especially now.
If she suddenly revealed her true colors and wrecked the technical department's research progress, rescuing the Bishop would be delayed even further.
On the other hand, they also worried their suspicions were unfounded.
If they rashly detained Raiden Mei, it might push her straight into the arms of the enemy organization.
There was precedent for that—pushing one's own allies into the enemy's camp. Even Schicksal wouldn't waste talent so carelessly.
Since Tsukinomori was currently closed and cleared out, with no one active there, they simply let the two remain.
While this might be a risk for Kiana, the two had been together for a long time without incident. Kiana clearly played a huge role in stabilizing Mei. For now, there was no better option.
But now they were bringing up those two again... Had something happened?
"They haven't encountered any danger."
"Then has there been progress in researching the core?"
"Raiden Mei isn't here, and without more data, we can't conduct in-depth research on the core for now," the technical department head answered before the other could speak.
"Besides, we're currently focusing all our efforts on developing the communication device."
Right. The Bishop's situation was paramount. But if it wasn't about those two, then what?
"It's about Kiana."
"Kiana?"
The branch head was taken aback, then recalled the extraordinary physical capabilities noted in Kiana's report. Had they discovered why her physique was so strong?
"Yes. According to an accidental discovery of ours..."
The person holding the report hesitated, then spoke up.
"Kiana Kaslana... likely has some familial relation to Bishop Theresa. Perhaps not a direct familial tie, but their medical reports both show unique, distinctive characteristics."
"...Huh?"
This statement made everyone present pause.
Then it struck them—both had white hair and blue eyes. Thinking deeper, their facial features did seem to share some similarities?
"Wait... Bishop Theresa never mentioned having a daughter..."
"Not just a daughter—she doesn't have any descendants at all!"
"That might not be something she'd announce publicly, right?"
"We haven't even confirmed if there's a real familial relationship yet!"
"Enough! This matter will be tabled for now!"
The branch head was also shocked by the news, but she quickly regained her composure.
"We'll have plenty of time to look into this after the Bishop returns. Since there's nothing else, return to your posts."
"Especially the technical department—you understand the current situation. Because of your delays, every passing second could increase the chance of failure for Bishop Theresa's rescue operation."
"Yes, ma'am."
--+--
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.