Eh? You want to try the humanoid girl's iron fist too?

Takashi Okita was a victim of the Great Depression triggered by the craze for relic technology. His company went bankrupt, and his family income plummeted, making it impossible for him and his wife to afford the heavy loan.

Their only child died in a car accident, and his wife suffered a mental breakdown from the shock, but Okita managed to hold on.

However, at some point, he joined a cult. Based on information gathered by CIA agents who observed him, it is speculated that he was recruited into the cult around 10 years ago.

The reason can be seen from Takashi Okita's bank account: his regular income was insufficient to support his wife.

They were admitted to what is now a mental hospital.

That was a price that Okita Takashi could not afford.

The remaining information explains that this person, in the anti-relics movement, launched an attack on the staff of the UN Relics Agency who were about to land, at the request of the sect, which became the climax of the anti-relics movement.

Further down the file are various photos taken by agents while tracking Okita, including pictures of him driving, tidying up his yard at home, and him devoutly praying while in a cult.

The fact that this file ended up in her hands was certainly not because DARPA thought she was too idle, but because the CIA and the Japanese Public Security Bureau were short-handed and simply couldn't spare more manpower to deal with a minor cult leader.

"Raphael, have you looked at the target file by your bedside?"

When the bird saw Raphael come down, it casually asked:

"The weapon will be delivered tonight. They said it's specially made with camouflage to make it easier for you to inspect it visually and with X-ray equipment."

"Oh……"

Raphael nodded, pulled up a chair, and sat down at the table. "Only one goal?"

Yes, this is the only one in Kyoto.

"It sounds so peaceful." Rinne lay on the sofa as usual, her attention completely focused on the screen.

"Is there a time limit for this assassination mission?" Raphael asked.

"Yes, but it can only be done at night."

This is a basic level test. Only by doing it well enough can you use it as a foundation to obtain more "business".

"Ok."

"Great!"

Raphael and Rin made different sounds. If Raphael could enjoy high school life while working during the day, then Rin would have to work.

As for Asuka, she was responsible for the daily lives of the three of them, so she stayed at home to provide support.

According to Raphael's idea, as long as she can spare the time, Suzune and Asuka's hands should not be stained with blood for the time being.

Although they all knew the reason for their existence: to enrich the host Raphael's tactical choices in battle.

But judging from her current appearance, she has quietly begun to assume the role of the "elder sister" and start protecting her "younger sisters" from the wind and rain.

Actually, it would have been more appropriate to let Suzune do it directly. Her value is nothing more than a core in decent condition plus a puppet of excellent specifications and craftsmanship.

The one who truly matters is always Raphael himself.

Rinne and Asuka rarely connect with each other, but on this matter, they are in perfect agreement, a rare occurrence.

What Asuka never said was that whenever Raphael was out, Rin would always be within 100 meters of her, and in case of any accident, she guaranteed to arrive at the scene within 20 seconds.

Their relationship was unequal from the very beginning.

"Then I'm off." Raphael picked up his empty schoolbag and walked into the street, bathed in the rising sun.

It was still early, but as she passed through the commercial district, she saw people who had already gotten up early to distribute leaflets and promote the anti-historical movement.

Raphael was simply passing through that intersection when several people forcibly handed him five or six flyers with different designs and wording.

She looked at what she was holding and asked in a voice only she could hear, "Peace...?"

The undercurrents here show no signs of stability or peace. Instead, it's more like a powder keg, just waiting for the spark to ignite it.

She shook her head, avoiding the seventh guy who came up to her trying to strike up a conversation.

With such drive to recruit people, they could do anything well, but they chose to stay on the street and hand out flyers to all the passersby.

Raphael might have shown some respect if the false god they worshipped could step in and save them, but such a supernatural development could not possibly occur in this material world.

She pondered the contents of the professional goal file as she walked in, and managed to enter the school just before the security guards were about to close the gate.

Time flies when you have something to focus on. Almost in the blink of an eye, the homeroom teacher left the classroom with her roster.

A short while later, strange shouts from the track and field team came from the playground outside the building.

Is this what they call youth?

Raphael had no interest in this; her studies, sports, romance, and so on were all irrelevant to her.

Just as she stepped out of the classroom, the old-fashioned homeroom teacher called her back.

Fortunately, it was just a few simple conversations, such as whether I was used to high school life, whether I could keep up with the course schedule, and whether I was being ostracized, so it didn't take up too much time.

"Are there any clubs you're interested in?" the homeroom teacher asked.

Remembering the gift he received yesterday, Raphael said somewhat uncertainly, "The band... I guess."

"I hope to see your name on the club roster, Fushimi Raphael."

The homeroom teacher, who taught music, clearly smiled when she heard Raphael's answer.

This is an expression rarely seen on her face. As a homeroom teacher, she is responsible for all the students in the class, and seriousness is a professional demeanor she should maintain.

However, once school is over in the afternoon, there is no need to maintain this strict demeanor.

If this continues, I will not be able to integrate into student club activities later on.

"I think I'll join, teacher. Goodbye." Raphael maintained his usual unapproachable politeness, turned around, and disappeared into the school corridor.

This is so troublesome! Simply being a member of the home-schooling group has attracted the teacher's attention.

Raphael took a deep breath, clearing his mind of these meaningless thoughts, and turned his attention to the equipment that would arrive that evening.

She began to look forward to it; what kind of thing would it be?

Book 1: The World Before the Great War: Chapter 114 Unnecessary Pretense

"I am back."

"Oh, you're back so late today?" Asuka asked, puzzled.

“I was caught by my homeroom teacher and kept behind for what they call a ‘two-way talk’.” Raphael stretched her legs forward, crossing them beneath her pleated long skirt. Asuka secretly stared at her firm legs encased in stockings.

"High school life sounds so great."

“Then you can go to school for me, bird.” Raphael shrugged with a mischievous smile. “That way I can finally get rid of this daily, tedious routine.”

"Unfortunately, Director Harry has ordered us not to interfere with your normal life."

"Really?" Raphael asked.

"What do you say?"

Are you answering a question with a question?

"Raphael was also answering questions with questions."

The bird, its trick exposed, gently...

"Oh?"

Raphael crossed her arms and turned to look at Asuka. Perhaps realizing Asuka's intention to make eye contact with her, Raphael pretended nothing was wrong and turned her face away.

“Read the instructions carefully,” Asuka repeated, finding Raphael’s eccentricities infuriating.

This is a portable weapon bag that cannot be penetrated by X-rays or other rays, but it has been disguised as an exquisitely designed women's backpack, which can also be used as a small handbag.

The backpack is not very large; it can only hold a pistol, 1+4 magazines, and two boxes of standard 30-round ammunition.

Following the instructions, Feiniao opened the bag, and the AREX Delta 2 tactical pistol popped out from the top of the bag; four pistol magazines were tucked into the bottom of the backpack...

Raphael was dumbfounded; what the hell was this?

This means that if she wants to make a move, she has to put her hand on her back first.

Instead, you could just wear loose jeans and a belt, tuck the gun into your lower back, and then wear a loose sweatshirt to cover up the marks.

I miss the first day of quickly drawing my gun from its holster.

"Did you get it?" Asuka demonstrated it once. "It looks like there's a III protection plate on the front."

"What's the point of such a tiny power strip!" Raphael rubbed his forehead. "The person who made this thing must have something wrong with their head. What high school girl would run around carrying a weapon around like that?!"

"You."

Hearing Asuka's matter-of-fact words, Raphael sighed sharply. Asuka couldn't tell if it was a genuine sigh or just a cold laugh.

"Except for me, such a character setting only exists in novels and comics."

"That's true."

The appearance and the essence of things are different, no matter how clear they may seem on the surface. It was too difficult for the bird to truly understand Raphael; a few days of living together weren't enough to see the true nature of things.

If Asuka were to stand in Raphael's shoes, she would surely be full of complaints as well. She might even go further, becoming like a predator hunting its prey, concealing her presence and waiting for the moment to retaliate or leave.

This wasn't submission; it was just that Asuka knew that even if she raised the flag of rebellion against them, things wouldn't improve.

Raphael understood this as well, and thus remained compliant. She wasn't the naive type, so before securing her livelihood, anything she said would be like casting pearls before swine.

With only hope in his heart, Raphael decided to be down-to-earth, slowly searching for hope step by step, and striving to get closer to it.

"Raphael, do you really believe it?"

"what?"

"Our situation will change in the future."

"I believe."

The words flowed smoothly and powerfully, like a sharp blade tearing through thin paper. The bird stared in astonishment at this sense of purity.

Are you serious?

"Yes, I'm serious."

Raphael fiddled with the new pistol, confirming that the 9mm bullets it was issued were genuine, and not just a toy that looked like a toy.

“Deep down I knew it was the right thing to do, and I knew it in the past, even with the disagreements. Although we ultimately failed, at least there was hope for success. If only I had been a little more cold-blooded back then…”

"That kind of thing only works when everyone is on the same 'right track'."