Sky Striker Princess, but the swan song of Valkyrie.

After witnessing Zero's overwhelming power, Vanessa gained some understanding of the current situation.

Unbeknownst to her, the society's enemies had grown to a level far exceeding what they once were, and even if the three of them exerted all their strength, it would be unlikely that they could defeat them.

Therefore, she could only submit to Lingyi, offering the information she possessed in exchange for the possible forgiveness of her beloved companion, whom she considered family.

Chapter Twenty: Loyalty

"Mmm—mmm" "Mmm"

Seeing Vanessa's performance, both Miraalk and Elsa wanted to say something.

However, Lingyi, who sensed what the two were about to say first, immediately silenced them, as she had no interest in watching any melodramatic scenes.

"Stop talking nonsense and get to the point. My patience is limited."

After calming the two who were inexplicably agitated, Lingyi turned back to Vanessa and spoke somewhat impatiently.

"I understand……"

Upon seeing Zero's attitude, Vanessa dared not delay and began to use the fastest and most concise language she had ever used to inform Zero of all the information about herself and her two companions.

"Hmm, it's similar to the information I've roughly gone through in your mind. It seems your words are quite credible. So, what are your plans after you escape the Bavarian Light Society?"

After casually saying something that made Vanessa break out in a cold sweat, Lingyi then casually inquired about the three of them's current purpose.

"As monsters, we are destined to be unable to integrate into human society. Afterwards, we will probably try our best to find a way to become human again. Only after finding a way to become human again will we think about what to do in the future."

Faced with Lingyi's question, Vanessa suppressed her fear, thought rationally for a moment, and then nervously told her what their purpose was if they hadn't met Lingyi, not daring to lie in the slightest.

She dared not gamble on what would happen to herself and her companions if she lied to them.

"To become human again... Well, indeed, your current bodies are a problem. Human bodies have been mixed with non-human components, causing a rejection reaction."

"Although it is connected with Panacea fluid, it will gradually become cloudy over time and eventually lead to death. To remove this cloudiness, it is necessary to have blood of the precious Rh soil type, which is only found in one million people."

"When you calculate it this way, the cost of just maintaining life is quite expensive."

After a brief analysis of the three people's bodies, Lingyi understood Vanessa's thoughts. Although this body could barely keep them alive, the cost was still too high.

In that case, it's not hard for her to understand why the Society chose to dispose of these three test subjects. The Society, which she had practically purged, no longer had the funds to supply the rare blood they needed.

"...Actually, these are still acceptable. As long as the power of the monster is not used, the maintenance cost can be reduced a lot. However, as a monster, this body is ultimately not accepted by ordinary people and cannot bear the loneliness of being excluded. This kind of pain can only be solved by restoring a human body."

Vanessa shook her head, indicating that cost was secondary; what they could not accept was this lowly monster body. As long as they remained monsters, they would forever suffer the pain of being rejected as monsters.

"Restore your human body? At least not now. Neither heretical nor modern technology can restore you to a human body without harming your lives."

"The non-human components have been integrated into your bodies, mixed together under the connection of Panacia fluid, you are in me and I am in you, and have become a part of your body."

After briefly examining their bodies, Zero-Il concluded that Vanessa's idea was based on existing technology.

"It can't be done...it's impossible. There must be another way, there must be a way for us to return to human bodies!"

Vanessa found it hard to believe, and could not believe, the conclusion about Zero.

After all, if there really is no way to reverse their monstrous bodies, wouldn't that mean that she and her companions would have to live a painful life as monsters forever?

"Maybe, but I don't have one. But there's no need to necessarily restore it to a human form. As long as we can minimize the side effects of this body, that should be fine too."

"In that case, even ordinary techniques can achieve this. As long as the non-human parts are prevented from continuing to move and the rate at which the liquid becomes cloudy is reduced, a small amount of rare blood will be enough for you to survive for a long time."

Faced with Vanessa's struggle, Lingyi pondered for a moment and, based on the current technological feasibility, made this suggestion.

At the same time, he also took the opportunity to untie Elsa and Miralke, who had calmed down after realizing the situation, and let them return to Vanessa's back.

"However, this still doesn't solve the fundamental problem. The gap between us monsters and humans will ultimately lead to our exclusion..."

"It's strange. You keep emphasizing that you are monsters or something, but apart from having some things implanted, you are not that different from humans. There's no need to care so much about that."

Vanessa was still muttering to herself when Zero interrupted her self-pitying rant with a questioning look, raising her objection to their ideas.

"No, no, no, how could that be? If I can't become human, how can I integrate into the human world?"

Vanessa was equally confused by Zero's point of view, not understanding why Zero would question something so obvious.

"Then let me ask you, what are you now? What are you, the one who is talking to me now, who worries about her companions, and who possesses considerable knowledge?"

Without further ado, Lingyi went straight to asking a few of the most basic questions.

Zero understands Vanessa's stubbornness, but similarly, she believes that such thinking is not reasonable at all.

The most representative thing about humankind has never been the body or appearance, but the wisdom of the mind, the empathy that arises from thinking, and the consciousness that is composed of all sorts of things.

The outer shell is merely something that can be changed or modified at any time; it is one's own unique spirit and consciousness that proves what makes a person human.

“Well—I understand what you mean…but most humans don’t have the same mindset as you. It’s only natural that they would feel repulsion when they see monsters like us.”

Vanessa wasn't stupid, so she naturally understood what Zero was trying to say, but she still believed that her ideas had some merit.

"That's their problem, not yours. As long as no evil deeds are committed and no life is harmed, every life with intelligence and dignity has the right to be respected."

"Those who need to correct themselves are always those who cannot look directly at the reality before them, not innocent lives without any guilt."

Zero responded to Vanessa's statement with her own sincere thoughts.

"Hmm... yes, but ultimately we have to consider the practicalities. As long as we still carry the minions of these monsters and the chaotic curse, we will inevitably be rejected."

Vanessa had already acknowledged in her heart that Zero's theory was undoubtedly correct, but a correct theory is still just a correct theory. Her concerns about reality made her retain her own thoughts.

"I can handle those minor matters. Although I can't completely turn you back into humans, it's quite easy to just mimic your appearance and reduce the burden of your non-human bodies."

"And I can also help you with your identity issues. Whatever documents you need, as long as you have the ability, I can arrange them for you."

Having said that, Lingyi said simply that Vanessa's worries were completely unnecessary.

Although she cannot currently achieve the fundamental solution of turning back into a human, she has countless ways to merely treat the symptoms and deceive the surface.

"San Si Ling Qi Er】II48?"

The promise that Lingyi suddenly made caused Vanessa's consciousness to momentarily lapse.

Not only did she crash, but Miralk and Elsa also experienced a strange sense of hallucination, wondering if they had unknowingly fallen into some kind of mental attack.

"Hey, what exactly is your purpose? You suddenly appeared and defeated us, and now you're helping us so much. What is it all for?"

With a tone of extreme distrust, Miralk stood up and cast a look of intense doubt and worry at Zero.

Having experienced life as an experimental subject, she only trusts her fellow experimental subjects and doesn't believe anyone could be so kind as to give them so many benefits without asking for anything in return.

"Just as Miralk-chan said, hmph, what exactly do you want from us, power or some kind of knowledge, and what are your demands on us?"

Vanessa, who also didn't quite trust Zero on a rational level, quickly stepped forward, looking at the girl in front of her with wariness and unease, her expression tense.

"I don't care about your little bit of power and knowledge. Let me be blunt. I have only one goal: security. So I will fight against all unstable matters and use any means necessary to suppress unrest and conflict."

“The inhuman qualities you possess are one of the sources of unease. I need to decide how to deal with you based on the circumstances. If you are determined to do evil, I will execute you without mercy. If you are willing to live a compliant life, I will do my best to help you acquire the minimum necessities for survival.”

Seeing that the conversation had finally reached its final stage, Lingyi revealed her purpose: all she asked was that the three of them would not cause her any more trouble in the future. As long as this was met, she would not mind giving them some help.

Upon hearing Lingyi's purpose, the three of them could hardly believe it. They couldn't believe that someone would selflessly give them so many benefits, and the only price was that they would not cause trouble and live in peace.

"Then it's decided. Wait here for a moment while I prepare the equipment. I'll perform the surgery for you in a bit."

Without even asking whether the three agreed, Lingyi, having largely dispelled their resistance, revealed everything she had planned to do from the beginning.

After saying this, the three members of the Bavarian Light Society saw Zero's figure transform back into a small drone, hovering around them.

"Hey Vanessa, can we really trust her?"

Miraalk, whose mind was in complete confusion due to Zero's words, flapped her vampire wings and anxiously asked the eldest of her companions.

“Miralk-chan, there’s no reason other than to believe. According to the information Big Sister has, this being’s power far exceeds that of ordinary people. If she wanted to harm us, she could easily behead us without any resistance.”

Although she also felt a slight unease, Vanessa suppressed it and chose to believe in the person in front of her, whom she only knew a little about.

"Yes, I'll listen to Vanessa."

The somewhat introverted, light pink-haired kitten nodded, expressing her agreement with Vanessa's attitude.

"Now, all we can do is pray that she truly was a kind person..."

No longer thinking or worrying, Vanessa closed her eyes, resting while anxiously waiting for Zero's return. Miralk and Elsa also surrounded her, trying to calm their nerves, which had been tense ever since they escaped.

"Alright, all done. The three of you can just walk into this portal."

After about several tens of minutes, the three test subjects were awakened by Zero's question and looked at the portal that had opened in front of them at some point. Zero's voice came from the floating unit next to the portal.

Without saying much, having already decided to face it together no matter what, they resolutely stepped into the portal prepared by Lingyi.

...

Soon, things came to a conclusion, and it went very smoothly, even more smoothly than expected.

"The ears have returned to normal, but the wings are nowhere to be seen!"

"Here too, the tail has disappeared..."

"My body feels so light, and the Panacea liquid is turning cloudy at such a low rate. What's the underlying principle?"

After taking them to a laboratory-like place, Lingyi simply used the equipment to examine the three of them before focusing on performing surgery on them.

And the final result was entirely true.

"Fortunately, I already possessed the technology to construct human bodies using energy. After scanning your bodies, I simply implanted a few wasp-like floating units to create a disguise. As for the non-human elements within your bodies, I cannot remove them, but I can suppress them to operate at low power."

"From now on, as long as you don't use the abilities of those monsters on your bodies, you will basically no longer be troubled by the turbidity of Panacia Liquid. In addition, I have also processed your identities. After that, you can work and go to school as you please and live a stable life."

Seeing the three women delighted with the changes in their bodies, Lingyi quietly offered after-sales reminders, informing them of the precautions she had to take after the treatment.

"Phew, Miralk, Elsa, since we've been treated this way by this lord, it seems we only have one answer left."

After confirming that Zero truly had no other desires, Vanessa breathed a sigh of relief and looked at her two companions, who responded to her.

"We cannot express our gratitude enough. The only way we can repay you is through our own efforts. From now on, we, the proud and deep red, will offer you our eternal loyalty that we will never betray."

Kneeling on one knee and bowing their heads in a vow, Vanessa, along with Elsa and Miraalk behind her, expressed their complete submission and resolved to offer up the only thing they possessed: absolute loyalty.

Chapter Twenty-One: Bound

In the laboratory, seeing the three test subjects in front of her, whom she had only lent a hand to, kneeling on one knee to pay their respects, Lingyi was momentarily at a loss for how to react.

"Ha—what use is your loyalty to me? And what is this 'Proud Crimson' title? Did you just come up with it on the spot?"

Unable to understand the three women's thoughts, Lingyi asked them what they specifically wanted to do, her tone full of incomprehension.

"Please, I know that a noble person like you does not seek our reward, but if we do not, we cannot accept your help with a clear conscience."

Despite Lingyi's question, Vanessa and the other two remained kneeling with their heads bowed, seemingly unwilling to get up until Lingyi agreed.

"...Alright then, I accept your loyalty. Now you can rest assured."

Although she was indifferent to it, since they had said so, Lingyi was too lazy to dwell on the topic any longer. She simply agreed verbally, since it wouldn't hurt her to just say it.

"Thank you so much for accepting. Please don't hesitate to help us in the future if there's ever a need for our assistance!"

After Lingyi agreed, Vanessa and the two people behind her finally stood up and expressed their deepest gratitude to her.

"Then you may leave as you see fit. I have other things to do."

No longer caring about this accidental incident during the purge of the Bavarian Light Society, Zero opened a portal, signaling the three to leave. The three thanked Zero once again and walked out of the portal.

"Phew, this took a while. Let's go back; we still need to assign someone to cook."

After confirming that the three had left, Lingyi's attention shifted to what had happened before she came here.

The next moment, her figure here dissipated into floating units, and her consciousness crossed half the earth again to return to Lydian Music Academy.

As she focused her consciousness, Lingyi regained the senses of her body that she had left behind.

Then, she immediately noticed that her body posture was not the same as when she was lying on the table before she left.

[?]

Doubts arose from the bottom of her heart, and she subconsciously began to perceive her surroundings. Lingyi quickly realized what kind of situation her body was in.

My entire body was lifted onto the upper bunk of the bunk bed and laid flat. I felt a different kind of cramped and soft sensation on both arms.

The one on the left is as pure and soft as a marshmallow, while the one on the right is noticeably more elastic because it contains some subtle muscles.

It's easy to understand without much thought. For some reason, her body, which she left behind, was moved to their bed by Kohinata Mirai and Tachibana Hibiki, and she unconsciously clamped her arm between her legs while sleeping.

Let me see what's going on.

In order to understand what happened, Lingyi turned on the monitoring record and planned to take a look at what was going on. Soon, the record from about an hour ago was transmitted to her consciousness.

An hour earlier, while Rei was performing surgery on three experimental subjects of the Light Society, Tachibana Hibiki turned her curious gaze to Rei's body, which was lying on their dormitory table.

"Won't Rei-chan feel uncomfortable sleeping like this in the future?"