Sky Striker Princess, but the swan song of Valkyrie.

Hearing Rei say this, Tsukuyomi was somewhat amazed by Rei's actions.

"That's not the reason... Never mind, since we've received the gift, we should reciprocate. Is there anything you'd like?"

She denied the Tsukuyomi Chronicle theory, but considering the potential trouble, Rei didn't elaborate further, instead asking what the two of them preferred.

"A return gift? Hmm... I can't think of one. I wasn't expecting anything in return. You can decide, Zero-chan."

"We can accept anything as long as it's from Lingyi's heart. Besides, we didn't know if Lingyi would like it when we made it."

In response, Xiaoqiege and Yuedu Diao both shook their heads, indicating that the content of the return gift did not matter.

"That's true, but it would be even better if it were more practical. Well then, let me think about it for a moment. I've got it. Wait a minute, Armament request? Bumblebee Floating Unit? Level 1."

The two men's attitudes did not affect Lingyi's thoughts, so she asked them to wait for the time being, then placed the gift box on the table and closed her eyes in front of them.

"Hey, Sister Lingyi, what kind of death is this?"

"I don't know, um...?"

After a while, amidst curious gazes and whispered chatter, Lingyi, who had been standing for about two or three minutes, reopened her eyes and stretched out her hands in mid-air.

Immediately afterwards, a white-glowing hexagonal portal appeared out of thin air above her palm, and then two exquisite gift boxes fell into her hands one above the other.

"Is this also a heretical technology like Symphogear? Death?"

Xiaoqiege asked curiously about this strange scene.

"Alright, these are your return gifts. Hmm, the yellow-green one is for Qiege, and the black-pink one is for Tiao. If there's nothing else, I need to rest some more. You two can go back now."

Without explaining much, Lingyi handed the gift box to Xiaoqiege after receiving it, while also indicating that she needed to continue resting.

"Okay, let's go back together, Death."

After thinking for a moment, Xiaoqiege felt that she had already done what she needed to do, so she decided to go back directly with Yuedu Diao.

But just then, she noticed that Tsukuyomi was silently watching, and the scene in Zero's room was revealed because she was about to hand over the box.

"Sister Lingyi, why is your room so messy?"

With doubts in her voice, Tsukuyomi asked Zero with concern.

Although it was dark and she couldn't see clearly, she could see that there were many broken objects of various materials on the floor in Lingyi's room, making the whole place look very messy.

"...Like I just said, this is not something you should be concerned about. You should be more concerned about yourselves than about me."

After a long silence, Lingyi continued to use this argument, indicating that the two of them didn't need to put any effort into it.

"But even if we don't care, we should be able to help you with tidying up the room, right, Kirika?"

"Is that so? And thinking about it carefully, giving one gift and receiving two in return completely defeats the purpose of our trip, doesn't it?"

Tsukuyomi made the suggestion, and after seeing the situation in the room, Akatsuki also supported Tsukuyomi's idea after thinking for a moment.

"...Fine, since you insist, so be it."

Lingyi seemed somewhat conflicted about their request, but ultimately, for reasons unknown, she agreed.

"Okay, mission accomplished, Death!"

"Yes, we'll do our best."

Following her previous training methods, Xiaoqiege smiled and made a promise, and Yue Du Diao followed with a smile after Xiaoqiege.

Chapter Fifty-Three: Thoughts of Gratitude

The cleaning work was being carried out in an orderly and rapid manner, though that's what I'd say it was, in reality it was progressing very slowly.

The reason lies in the fact that the trash in the room is not only numerous, but also diverse in type.

Steel twisted by some force, glassware shattered, and wood bearing horrific scratch marks.

These items, which were originally neatly arranged and functioning in the room, have now become mixed waste that is difficult to recycle.

“Death…”

Exhausted, Xiaoqiege leaned against the wall, having exerted all her strength, as if her very soul had been consumed by the cleaning work.

"Chess is so tired that she can't say anything except 'Death'."

Although Tsukuyomi was also very tired, she did not have the energy to move like Akatsuki Kirika.

"Thank you for your hard work. I was planning to clean these up another day."

Leaning against the wall, watching the two clean up the mess, she thanked them, but only Tsukuyomi had the energy to respond.

"Sister Lingyi, where...where should we throw these?"

Turning her head to look at Rei, Tsukuyomi wanted to know why things were like this, but considering that Rei hadn't been willing to say much before, she suppressed her curiosity.

"I'll have someone come and pack these up and deal with them later."

Looking at Tsukuyomi's tone, Rei seemed to have noticed her question, but since she didn't ask, she decided to keep quiet and not say anything more.

"Okay, then Che-chan and I will be going now."

With the unconscious Akatsuki Kagami in tow, Tsukuyomi Tō left the room, which had become somewhat empty due to the loss of many things.

"Qie Jiang, are you alright?"

Back in their dorm room, Tsukuyomi asked about the listless Akatsuki's condition.

"Death!"

Xiaoqiege sat up in bed and tried her best to appear to be in good spirits.

When you don't know how to say something, don't always use "Death" to answer.

Sitting down in the chair, Tsukuyomi complained somewhat helplessly about her friend's verbal tic.

"By the way, Kiri-chan, why do you think Zero's room looks like that?"

After the commotion, Tsukuyomi's expression turned serious, and she asked Xiaoqiege for her opinion.

Although Lingyi didn't seem to intend to explain the reason to them, that didn't mean they couldn't guess what had happened.

"Hmm... I do have some thoughts. Actually, I feel that Lingyi might have destroyed those things herself."

Xiaoqiege pondered for a moment and then gave this answer.

"Kiri-chan, do you think so too?"

Tsukuyomi confirmed the conjecture regarding Xiaoqiege.

"Of course, once you see those things, it's easy to understand Death."

Xiaoqiege said matter-of-factly.

At first, they were unsure what had happened, but as the cleanup progressed, the traces of the wreckage all pointed to the same result.

"Indeed, although at first I wondered if Sister Zero was experimenting with something, or fighting something."

"But putting aside the fact that it's completely destroyed, it's hard to imagine anyone here being able to beat Sister Zero."

Then, Tsukuyomi further confirmed this idea.

"Sister Lingyi, is she under too much pressure? Sometimes when I'm under a lot of pressure, I also want to squeeze something to release my stress."

After confirming this fact, Xiaoqiege couldn't help but feel a little worried.

The only reason she could think of for destroying things without any apparent cause was to release her frustration and stress.

"Maybe so. Sister Lingyi may have accumulated too much pressure due to her busy life, which is why she did such a thing in her room."

Nodding, Tsukuyomi Chō further provided a reasonable explanation for this conjecture.

"Hmm... I knew it, I wanted to help Zero-chan in this regard, Death!"

After discussing this point, Xiaoqiege thought for a moment before making this decision.

She could deeply feel the changes between the past and the present, and vaguely felt that only by doing this could she live up to the sense of security that Lingyi brought them.

"But there's no other way, Kiri-chan. You saw it yourself. If we just say it directly, Zero-chan will definitely reject us."

Faced with Xiaoqiege's enthusiasm, Yuedu Diao shook his head and pointed out the problems.

"Yeah, if I asked directly, Sister Lingyi would probably change the subject like before. I don't really understand why Sister Lingyi is so reluctant to get along with Death."

Faced with the question raised by Tsukuyomi, Akatsuki had no particularly good solution and couldn't help but feel a little distressed.

"We can only think of a way... Speaking of which, should we open the gift now, Che-chan? I'm a little curious about what's inside."

Having no ideas for the moment, Tsukuyomi's attention shifted to the return gift that the two had given them when they left, which was placed on the table.

"Erling I}/I1 mixed with lymph, um, super curious about Death"

After Tsukuyomi's voice was raised, Akatsuki nodded firmly, her expectant gaze fixed on the gift box that she hadn't opened yet due to exhaustion after returning.

Let's open it together.

As she spoke, Tsukuyomi took out scissors and cut open her gift, while Akatsuki followed suit and opened her gift box.

"This is the kitchenware I've always wanted but never been able to buy!"

"Ugh, how did Zero-chan know I wanted this Death game console!"

Soon, both of them saw the gifts that had been given to them.

Tsukuyomi's gift box contained kitchenware that she hadn't been able to find at the exchange shop before, while Akatsuki's gift box contained a game console set that she had always wanted.

They were overjoyed to receive the gifts they had wanted, but soon, an idea appeared in their minds at the same time.

"Although she usually appears very reserved, Sister Lingyi has always been paying attention to our thoughts."

"Ugh, I was going to thank Zero-chan today, but with such a wonderful return gift, ugh—I feel like I owe her more and more Death."

Tsukuyomi Chowa and Akatsuki Uta successively expressed their feelings about Rei's awkward approach.

"Kiri-chan, we really need to help Rei-nee-nee."

After tidying up the unwrapped gifts, Tsukuyomi pondered for a moment and said firmly.

"Have you thought about it, Death?"

“I’ve got some ideas, Kiri-chan. Since directly expressing it won’t be accepted by Rei-nee-chan, let’s try a different approach.”

What does "Death" mean?

Hearing this, Xiaoqiege was a little confused, not understanding what Tsukuyomi was trying to say.

"These are just some naive ideas, Kiri-chan. Let's go ask Rei-nee-san for some 'help'."

After saying that, Tsukuyomi began to discuss the specific steps with Akatsuki.

Chapter Fifty-Four: Daily Life

"Hmm, the reaction speed has improved a lot compared to last time, well done, but the linker's time limit is approaching, let's stop here for today."

Rei sheathed the flash sword in her hand and ended the daily combat training for the three.

After receiving permission, Maria and the others removed their clothing and sat down on the ground with a sigh of relief.

Compared to last time, this time they coordinated their actions from the very beginning of the battle, but Zero still managed to disrupt their rhythm, and ended up rolling on the ground in frustration.

After training, Lingyi planned to do other work on her own, just like before.

However, just as she was thinking this, Xiaoqiege and Yuedu Diao stood in front of her as if they were afraid she would run away.

"what's up?"

Seeing the two of them looking a little awkward, Lingyi asked in confusion, not understanding.

"Phew, um... I have something I'd like to ask Zero-chan for help with."

After relaxing a little, Tsukuyomi calmly presented her request to Rei.

"Ah...right, I also have something I'd like Zero-nee to help me with, Death."

Xiaoqiege, after a moment of surprise, nervously echoed a similar sentiment.

"Help? Can't you ask someone else? Is there something you absolutely need my help with?"

Faced with their statements, Lingyi's expression showed even greater confusion.

In reality, there weren't many problems that Xiaoqiege and Yuedu Diao, the test subjects, would encounter.

In other words, the problems they encountered basically did not necessarily require Zero's help.

"...Because, well, I'm not very good at accepting other people. The only person I can think of who makes me feel at ease and can help me is you, Sister Lingyi."