Couronne's frantic SOS hit the group chat like a stone dropped into a still lake, shattering the calm at once.
But almost in the next second, a reply popped up from Rei Ao—carrying that same unhurried composure as always.
Rei Ao: "Don't panic."
Just three simple words, yet they seemed to carry a strange power.
Far away in Disboard, Couronne—whose heart had been hammering in her chest—suddenly exhaled in relief.
Rei Ao: "With the power-ups I gave Jibril and Schwi, as long as an Old Deus isn't intervening personally, it shouldn't be a big problem."
Couronne: "!!!"
At that, half the weight crushing Couronne's heart lifted immediately.
She didn't fully grasp how "strong" strong was, but she trusted Rei Ao's judgment unconditionally.
If he said it wasn't a big problem, then it wasn't.
She hurried to report what she'd seen.
Couronne: "Rei Ao-sama! Jibril and Schwi are facing off against the new Flügel right now!"
Couronne: "Her name is Azril. Jibril looks very serious and tense—they seem to know each other!"
Azril…
Seeing that name, a glint of understanding—and interest—flickered in Rei Ao's eyes.
Of course he remembered.
Among the mighty Flügel, Jibril is special.
She is the terminal unit, with potential nearly equal to the gods.
Azril is special as well.
In contrast to Jibril, she is the first unit.
She's also the Flügel Council Chair and can draw on the power of the Phantasma Avant Heim.
Her strength in that world is equally unfathomable—in some respects even broader and more stable than Jibril's.
They're arguably the two most exceptional, top-tier Flügel.
Misaka Mikoto: "Azril? She's from Jibril's race, right? Sounds scary strong?"
Miko Yotsuya: "If they're the same race, why the hostility? Do they have a grudge?"
Frieren: "Ohoho, I suspect this is definitely Rei Ao's fault~"
Marcille: "Eh? What do you mean?"
Enju Aihara: "What's this got to do with big bro Rei Ao?"
Frieren: "I think we should let Rei Ao explain it himself—he's probably already figured it out."
Rei Ao: "Mm. It's probably related to me."
Rei Ao: "Simply put, I took Jibril in. But she used to belong to the Flügel. If she's been missing this long, of course they'd notice."
Misaka Mikoto: "!!!"
Misaka Mikoto: "So the other one came to bring her back?"
Shinoa Hiiragi: "Naive. She's most likely here to evaluate whether Jibril is betraying them."
Couronne: "So that's it!"
Couronne: "No wonder that Flügel's aura suddenly felt so terrifying!"
Miyuki Shiba: "If she came alone, that means she's very strong—and very confident, right?"
Rei Ao: "That's a fair read."
Rei Ao: "If Jibril is the Flügel's 'strongest spear,' all about ultimate destructive power and growth potential—"
Rei Ao: "Then Azril is likely the 'strongest shield' and 'command tower,' with greater raw energy, broader abilities, and richer combat experience."
Rei Ao: "If the two of them actually fought…"
He paused deliberately, then continued:
Rei Ao: "They'd probably plow that whole continent over again."
Couronne: "P-plow the continent?!"
Couronne's jaw dropped. That was far beyond anything she could imagine.
Once he had the gist, Rei Ao made up his mind.
He'd said it wasn't a big problem—but letting two Flügel really go at it would cause massive collateral damage.
And he was, frankly, curious about that "first unit."
Rei Ao: "@Couronne, got it. I'll head over."
Seeing that, Couronne's heart leapt—
then her cheeks flamed bright red.
She knew what "heading over" implied—she'd have to cover the "travel fee."
Without much hesitation—or rather, with no real choice—she flushed and initiated a trade with her will.
Soon after—
[Ding! Trade initiated!]
[Trade Content]: Resolve the crisis facing the Humans.
[Trade Terms]: "Unlimited usage rights of my body."
The trade notice popped up in the chat and drew a brief wave of attention—
but everyone seemed used to this by now.
…
Back at the dessert shop,
Rei Ao naturally saw the trade notice and Couronne's decisiveness.
He looked up at Michiru, whose cheeks were still pink from the photo and that "indirect kiss."
"Sorry, Michiru—something urgent just came up that I need to handle."
There was a tinge of apology in his voice. "As for Kanna…"
Before he could finish, Michiru waved her hands in a hurry. "I-I don't mind! Go take care of your important business. I'll look after Kanna."
Even if she couldn't speak in the main chat, she was fully aware of everything happening there.
Kanna—seated between them and scraping up the last of her parfait—suddenly looked up.
She reached out with both small hands, taking one of Rei Ao's fingers and one of Michiru's.
Blinking those clear blue eyes, she spoke in her trademark, even but earnest voice:
"We are… a family."
"?"
Michiru blinked, not quite following what Kanna meant.
But Rei Ao understood instantly.
The little one had really slipped into the family role-play and didn't want the "family" to disband so soon.
He couldn't help a soft chuckle.
Turning his hand to hold Kanna's, he said to Michiru, "Kanna's saying—since we played at being a family today, why not extend the role a little?"
He paused, then offered an invitation.
"How about we take a little 'trip'? Consider it a family outing."
~~~
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