Sky Striker Princess, but the swan song of Valkyrie.

"What are you looking at, Zero-chan?"

Approaching Rei's side, Tachibana Hibiki asked with concern.

In this space of memory, the two women who shared a hospital room with Lingyi became somewhat familiar with each other during this time.

Furthermore, since Lingyi had been diligently learning the local language during this period and mastered it within a few days, there were no problems with communication.

"It's nothing, Tachibana, I was just looking over there."

Lingyi reached out and pointed in the direction her gaze was fixed on.

This area is inherently illogical, so this space seems to automatically rationalize some information, such as images and names, which remain consistent with reality and will not be erased unless they are particularly incongruous.

"what?"

Following the direction Rei was pointing, Tachibana Hibiki saw it.

The concrete buildings were dilapidated, and people scurried up and down the holes in the ruins like ants, searching for usable supplies and the possible survivors and corpses buried underneath.

"Was it caused by last night's explosion...?"

Hibiki Tachibana had an idea.

Last night in this memory space, while she was lying in bed, she heard a loud noise and then saw flames raging in the distant residential area.

The consequences of that phenomenon are clearly the sad scenes we see today.

"Is there anything you're concerned about, Rei-chan?"

Withdrawing her gaze, Tachibana Hibiki turned her attention back to Rei beside her.

"There are many things I care about..."

After Tachibana Hibiki asked her, Rei's eyes dimmed, her expression became gloomy, and she fell silent.

War... Just yesterday, these were homes where people strived to live, places where people came and went, taking steps towards the future. Today, they are cold corpses, chaotic ruins, and memories of the past.

My understanding is that war is an inevitable part of human development. When the conflict escalates to the point where neither side can tolerate the other's existence, they resort to this most extreme method of resolving the problem. This is a dark cloud that has been, is, and will likely remain in the future.

However, as expected, it's unacceptable. Life is precious, and we only get one chance to live it. I can't accept it. Death is so terrifying that it makes you want to stay away. I can't accept resolving the problem in this most harmful way, where there are no winners.

Then, in the silence, similar thoughts kept appearing in Rei's mind, and were seen by Tachibana Hibiki in writing.

"Lingyi-chan, you don't look well. Is there anything you can tell me?"

After a moment of silence, Tachibana Hibiki placed her hand on Rei's arm and extended an invitation to talk.

Although it seems that one can understand Lingyi's inner thoughts just by looking at her, she believes that communication is the only way to bring their hearts closer together.

"It's just that I'm not used to it here. I've always lived in peaceful places and have never experienced this kind of uncertainty."

I closed my eyes, and when I opened them again, my face was normal. I simply shared my feelings.

"Is it painful, Rei-chan?"

Hibiki Tachibana asked instinctively.

It was both an inquiry into their current rootless and adrift state and an inquiry into Lingyi's feelings about the current situation.

"Well, not really. Rather, I'm very fortunate to be alive. I'm fortunate that I'm still alive, and that's enough for me."

With a slight smile, Lingyi indicated in a relaxed manner that she was fine.

"Yes, that's enough. That's fine. Anyway, they're just strangers living and dying, it's none of my business. I've seen it, so I've seen it. I should focus my energy on how to survive."

Meanwhile, in her heart, Lingyi seemed to continue thinking the same thing, gradually pulling herself out of this sentimental mood.

"Zero-chan..."

He moved closer to her and took her arm in his own. Hibiki could feel her trembling.

Although she pretended to be calm on the surface, Lingyi was actually still filled with panic and helplessness after the great change.

This has never eased, and has only intensified with these days of witnessing the destruction and death caused by the war.

"It's okay, Tachibana... Phew, alright, I was just overthinking things. Don't worry about it. More importantly, it's almost time to get discharged. Let's not keep the doctors waiting too long."

Without another word, Lingyi turned and left.

Once the injury has mostly healed, it's impossible to waste resources by staying in the hospital indefinitely.

So, some people found a building nearby and cleared out several large rooms to serve as a temporary accommodation for those of them who were homeless.

"Ah."

In response, Tachibana Hibiki, who was also discharged from the hospital at the same time, left with Rei.

It seems that because her injuries were similar in severity to Lingyi's, she was scheduled to be discharged on the same day, which is why only she and Lingyi were in the ward.

Stepping out of the room, you enter a bustling corridor where doctors and nurses in coats carry medical equipment and patients with them.

"Antibiotics! Where can we get any antibiotics? Patient 304 has a serious bacterial infection. We need some, any kind, as long as they're usable!"

"Don't worry, I remember there's still some antibiotic left. There's some unused antibiotic left over at 102..."

"Oh, great, this is exactly what we need!"

Lingyi, who had just come out, soon saw a nurse and a doctor separating after such a conversation.

"Shit, haven't the new supplies arrived yet? It's already a week late!"

"The situation has worsened again. It is said that the old supply lines have been cut off by the battlefield, and headquarters is trying to find a way to open a new supply line."

"Oh God, the number of children suffering from the bombing is increasing. If this continues, this place will collapse. We must think of a solution. We need more supplies and manpower."

"Sukabrye, do those guys treat the convention like trash to wipe their asses?!"

"Don't worry too much. Headquarters has been contacting the various branches and will be able to send some personnel over in a while. The children here can also be sent over."

"Hopefully... Oh, right, besides that area, another residential area in the %??%& region was also bombed yesterday. Regarding the free clinic there..."

Immediately afterwards, the doctor on the other side and the doctors around him began to talk to each other with worried expressions.

Judging from the content alone, the situation seems to be getting worse, but the people here have no power to change the status quo and can only pray that reinforcements will arrive soon.

"Xiao Lingyi, Xiao Xiang, over here, stay close to me. It's a bit chaotic here, I'll take you to the dormitory."

As the two were waiting at the door, the familiar nurse in charge of their ward came over.

At this moment, she had dark circles under her eyes and was more listless than usual. During this period, everyone here, including her, was being used as two or even three people by one person.

"Ah."

Seeing the busy scene, Rei and Hibiki Tachibana didn't say much and silently followed.

Nothing much happened on the way, except for a chance encounter with some doctors and nurses talking to each other.

“Hey, what are you still doing here? You need to get treatment, not drink here.”

"It's alright, a little vodka will do the trick for this minor injury. Don't waste medicine on me."

“Oh, that won’t do, buddy, for God’s sake…”

Some tried to endure the explosion injuries they sustained during the free clinic, but their companions forcibly dragged them to receive treatment.

"My God, I never thought I would eat something even worse than the hellish food in my junior high school cafeteria."

"It's good enough that it's here, let's just bear with it for a while longer, burp burp, oh, the surprise is still acceptable, although it's not as good as fish and chips."

"That's because your damn taste buds have degenerated!"

Some people, having just finished work, wolf down their rough energy supplements and complain about the taste of the food.

"Dear God, may the brevity of life teach us to cherish one another and to unite and help one another. Let us live in mutual love and support..."

"Doctor, Room 207 needs surgery, emergency treatment."

"Oh, okay, &&**-%?, I'll be right there."

He had time to pray during his spare time between surgeries, but then he was rushed off to work after quickly reciting a prayer to God, which was a heavy workload.

.............

Finally, after some time, we finally made our way through the chaotic crowd and arrived at the back of the hospital, in a shadowy place, where a gray cement building stood facing south.

In the open space in front of the building, some children whose injuries were visible were moving around and playing games under the supervision of adults.

Hibiki Tachibana also saw it; her companions were among the crowd at the edge of the group.

"Alright, once we get here, we can go find the doctor here. Also, Xiaolingyi, can I ask you for a favor?"

After arriving at the destination, the nurse did not leave. Instead, she squatted down, looked at Lingyi at eye level, and put her hands together in a pleading manner.

"I? "

Seemingly puzzled by the unexpected action, Lingyi pointed to herself and subconsciously asked a question.

"Yes, I know, Xiaolingyi, you've always been the smartest one, so could I ask you to help take care of the children around here who are like you?"

"Simply put, it means that when someone has a problem, they are responsible for informing the doctors here about their situation."

The nurse slowly told Lingyi her thoughts about Lingyi.

Why me?

Lingyi didn't immediately agree; she subconsciously felt some resistance to doing such a thing.

Rather than dealing with such troublesome matters, she subconsciously preferred to keep herself quietly hidden away, minimizing her interactions with others as much as possible, just like before.

"Well, it's just that, for some reason, I always feel that you, Xiaolingyi, are always so lonely... Of course, I don't mean it's a bad thing, but I think you should try to make more friends."

“I know you’ve always been smart, so you should understand, right? No matter what, it’s always better to carry those sad things alone than to have friends and companions helping each other.”

The nurse explained her reasons in a concerned tone.

During these days, while taking care of Lingyi, she, who has dealt with children for many years, realized that although this child was quieter and less troublesome, she was also more worrying in some ways.

She always subconsciously isolates herself from others, refusing to give her heart to anyone, as if she has suffered some kind of trauma.

Therefore, adhering to her reasons for coming here, she still tried her best to take care of this unexpectedly intelligent and mature child who had come to this hospital.

"I understand, I'll consider it..."

After a long silence, facing the nurse's earnest gaze, Lingyi ultimately did not refuse immediately.

However, not refusing does not mean agreeing. When it comes to such troublesome matters, it is more worthwhile to consider how to live a more relaxed and enjoyable life.

"Okay, I'm busy, I'll be going now."

Faced with Lingyi's somewhat perfunctory response, the nurse felt helpless, said nothing more, got up and turned to leave; she had other work to do.

...........

Watching her leave, Lingyi didn't say anything more. She turned and walked towards a corner of the open space, preparing to quietly hide herself and wait for time to pass.

However, just because she doesn't want to cause trouble doesn't mean trouble won't come looking for her.

"Hey, you must be Lingyi, right? I've heard you're really good. Want to have a competition to see who's better?"

Not long after Lingyi arrived, a little girl noticed her and came up to her, wagging her tail like a rooster.

"ha? "

Lingyi was puzzled, not understanding why she had gotten herself into this mess for no reason.

"I've heard the doctors say that you're amazing, very strong, and very smart—basically, you're incredibly powerful. So, I challenge you to a duel, and if I win, you'll have to listen to me."

Their thought processes, resembling those of elementary school students, are quite fitting for the age group gathered here.

"Ah, I think I understand now, this is so troublesome."

From the other party's statement, Lingyi roughly understood the reason.

His performance, through word of mouth, reached this place and aroused the competitive spirit of the leader of the children here.

Indeed, my behavior was somewhat unlike that of a typical child. I did behave smarter and more obediently in order to get a good environment, and I was indeed like the standard child that other people admire.

Therefore, after my arrival, it seemed only natural that this childish 'duel,' which resembled a battle to establish leadership in the animal kingdom, would find itself on my face.

Chapter Nine Gradually Integrating

"It seems like Rei-chan is in trouble in the future. Shouldn't we help her out?"

On the other side, seeing the situation on Zero's side, Tachibana Hibiki asked her companion with some concern.

"Hibiki... well, you're new here and don't know the truth yet. Anyway, they meant no harm."

However, when faced with Hibiki Tachibana's question, Mirai Kohinata hesitated for a moment before telling Hibiki Tachibana to calm down.