Sky Striker Princess, but the swan song of Valkyrie.

At the same moment, Rei began to devise another way to make Tachibana Hibiki leave on her own.

"Haha, that's true, Rosé-chan. After all, we come to the hot springs to relax... relax... ah, yes, I'm here to relax."

Hearing Rei's concern, Tachibana Hibiki was about to change her troubled expression, but for some reason, her expression became somewhat complicated, as if she had thought of something.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing the change in Tachibana Hibiki's expression, Rei asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Hmm, haha...it's nothing, I just thought of some bad things."

In response to Rei's question, Tachibana Hibiki simply chuckled twice and then said this.

"Ah, as expected, I still can't accept that kind of thing..."

After saying that, Tachibana Hibiki was no longer as lively as before. She sat on the bench with her legs together, arms crossed, and brows furrowed, as if she was thinking about something particularly difficult.

"What's wrong with this guy? He was fine just a moment ago, how did he suddenly become like this?"

Seeing Tachibana Hibiki's transformation from a sunny and cheerful girl into a self-pitying and withdrawn one, Rei was genuinely confused.

[By the way, if I say I have to leave now, I doubt Tachibana Hibiki will follow me.]

The next moment, Lingyi thought to herself, since reaching a safe area was her primary goal right now.

[Hmm, we can give it a try. If it's the current Tachibana Hibiki, it should work.]

Lingyi was deep in thought.

While Rei was still pondering, Hibiki Tachibana was lost in a daze.

Those words reminded Tachibana Hibiki of the feeling of having postponed her invitation to a hot spring trip when the commander invited her.

"Why do we have to fight each other? We're all human beings."

Hibiki Tachibana muttered to herself things she couldn't understand.

She could never forget the malice directed at her by humans. She couldn't understand why people of the same kind would hurt each other.

The emotions that had been relieved by the hot spring trip now completely overwhelmed my mind.

No, in the end, it was just a temporary escape and did not really solve the problem. The question of why people fight each other has always been in Tachibana Hibiki's mind.

"I don't understand, I don't understand at all."

Sitting on the bench, the flaxen-haired girl lowered her head, her expression gloomy, as if some emotion was brewing within her.

I have absolutely no idea what she's thinking.

Hibiki Tachibana didn't understand, and neither did Rei. She couldn't understand what strange things were going on in the mind of this teenage girl.

But one thing I understand is that I can't let her continue thinking like this.

Seeing the warning pop up on her tablet about the increased artifact fluctuations, Lingyi felt a headache coming on and abandoned her previous plan, instead starting to think about how to resolve her current predicament.

P.S. Goodnight, underworld.

Chapter 51 Suppression (4k)

We can't let her think like this anymore.

Relics, as a unique form of advanced technology in this world, emit a strange waveform when used.

By detecting this strange waveform, one can often obtain basic information about the activation status and type of an artifact.

Therefore, it is only natural that Zero always carries a device to detect the status of the surrounding artifacts in order to prevent attacks by others using artifacts.

When Tachibana Hibiki showed unusual behavior, the sensitive detectors on Rei's body immediately detected this and quickly sent the corresponding alarm information to the computer in her hand.

Then, Rei realized that she couldn't let Tachibana Hibiki's situation continue like this.

[While the characteristics of the product resulting from the fusion of a relic and a human body are still unclear, and what will happen next, it certainly won't be anything good.]

Lingyi thought to herself with some pain.

The reason for this thinking is that relics not only possess various strange functions, but also contain extremely high density of energy that can be used as a power source.

In Lingyi's view, when a high-energy object and a human body are fused in an extremely crude way, the final result will either be that the artifact goes berserk or explodes. At the very least, the body may suffer some kind of damage. It is a low-probability event that nothing happens.

【Ugh, why did this happen to you of all times, right when I was right next to you? Do you have a problem with me?】

Lingyi complained helplessly to herself.

Whether Hibiki Tachibana goes berserk or explodes, the end result will be that Section 2 will impose a very high level of martial law on this place, and will naturally conduct an in-depth investigation into her, who is currently in this place.

If things really escalate to that point, her subsequent work will become extremely difficult. The difference in difficulty between working when the other party is completely unaware and working when the other party is on guard is as great as the difference between having the initiative and having the counter-initiative.

Okay, enough complaining. Let's address the psychological issues of this teenage girl as quickly as possible.

Having finished her pointless contemplation, Lingyi turned her gaze to the flaxen-haired girl who now looked dejected.

Hu Pingyi

Taking a deep breath, Lingyi regained her composure.

Then, Zero stood up and first picked up the guitar case that was next to her. The guitar case contained her Flash Blade. In case of any mishap, she could put on her armor and protect herself as quickly as possible.

"Hmm, Tachibana, what's wrong? You seem to be in a bad mood. Is something bothering you?"

After making preparations, Lingyi casually asked him a question and leaned against him.

On the one hand, only by asking her the reason for her troubles can she find a targeted solution; on the other hand, she can also use this contact to more accurately determine the other person's physical condition.

"Hey one 99

Hibiki Tachibana was startled, seemingly by Rei's sudden movement.

"Ahaha... Um, sorry, Rosé-chan, I made you worry."

Upon realizing it was Miss 'Luo' whom she had just met, she relaxed and said with an awkward smile.

"No need for an apology. I'm just curious, Tachibana, what was you thinking about just now that made you look so down? If you can tell me, maybe I can give you some advice."

Lingyi remained expressionless and continued in a normal, curious tone.

"Hmm—okay."

After thinking for a moment, Hibiki Tachibana couldn't resist the urge to confide in him.

"Well—actually, the thing is, I don't quite understand why people fight each other, why we can't understand each other, even though we're all human."

Hibiki Tachibana frowned and confided her troubles to the girl beside her, whom she had only known for less than ten minutes.

This is something she has never understood: why should we, who are all human, be enemies and communicate with swords instead of language?

"I see. Is that what you think, Tachibana?"

Seeing Tachibana Hibiki deep in thought about the question, Rei said this, while also considering how to answer Tachibana Hibiki's question.

To be honest, Lingyi didn't expect that Tachibana Hibiki's troubles would be such an abstract thing. At first, she thought that she was troubled by a broken friendship or some kind of family conflict.

[This is a really troublesome idea, but no matter how troublesome it is, we have to get her out of this situation.]

If she could, Lingyi really didn't want to deal with these adolescent angst and cringeworthy problems, but given her lack of preparation, she could only take it one step at a time.

"So, Tachibana, is it because you're having a conflict with your friends and don't know what to do that's causing you to have these thoughts?"

Zero wore a gentle smile and made a guess as if she didn't know Tachibana Hibiki's identity.

She hadn't forgotten that she was now a complete stranger, so she had to set the stage for a more ordinary conversation.

"Well—you could say that."

Faced with Rei's explanation, Tachibana Hibiki, who was already somewhat troubled about how to explain, agreed after thinking for a moment.

"Well, in my opinion, Tachibana, you don't need to worry about this."

Lingyi said calmly.

"Sigh, why do you say that?"

Upon hearing Rei's answer, Tachibana Hibiki tilted her head and asked, puzzled.

"Because there will always be many conflicts between people for various reasons, it is almost impossible for humans to have no conflicts at all. This is not a problem worth worrying about."

Rei calmly explained to Tachibana Hibiki.

"There are countless contradictions, such as those related to resources, beliefs, survival, and life. If a person insists on being troubled by these contradictions, they could probably be troubled for a lifetime without ever finishing them."

Lingyi said this in a relaxed tone.

"I don't understand, I don't get it... So, do people really have to fight each other? Isn't there any other way?"

Hibiki Tachibana found it hard to accept Rei's statement and became depressed.

[Okay, now that the problem is clear, all we need to do is try to keep up this pace and give her some encouragement, and that should be enough.]

Seeing Tachibana Hibiki's reaction, Rei thought for a moment, then placed her gloved hand on Tachibana Hibiki's head.

"Huh?"

Feeling the touch from above her head, Tachibana Hibiki was somewhat at a loss.

"Alright, Tachibana, you've already done a great job by showing this kind of thoughtfulness. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."

Stroking the girl's flaxen hair, Zero spoke in a gentle tone.

"Hmm, this feeling... is so strange."

As the other person stroked her, Hibiki Tachibana felt the irritation she had just felt gradually subside, for some reason.

[Proper head massage can effectively reduce feelings of irritability. Hmm, this guy's hair feels pretty good.]

Rei thought to herself as she stroked Hibiki Tachibana's head.

"Tachibana, you must understand that a person's abilities are ultimately limited. Worrying about things that are beyond your capabilities will only waste your energy."

Then, without stroking for long, Lingyi quickly withdrew her hand and offered this words of comfort.

"If you really feel uncomfortable about this, Tachibana, I have a small suggestion: you can take some action yourself to mediate the conflicts between people that you think are wrong."

Subsequently, Zero-clothes-moon chair "Yingsanwuqi?Lingsan〦、Ershunshi made such a suggestion to Tachibana Hibiki.

"Um, can I do it? How do I do it?"

Hearing Rei's suggestion, Tachibana Hibiki felt a little insecure, because there were really many things she didn't know how to handle, whether it was Tsubasa-san's pain or the malice directed at her.

"Don't worry, you can do it. In my opinion, there are actually very few irreconcilable conflicts in interpersonal relationships. Most conflicts can be resolved. The reason they seem unsolvable is simply because the solution has not yet been found."

"As long as the right solution is found and proper and normal communication channels are established, the worst outcome of conflict can generally be avoided, and both sides can reach a consensus."

"Besides, if a lovely child like you, Xiao Xiang, were to help mediate, it would definitely be twice as effective and successful in no time."

Seeing that Tachibana Hibiki had basically accepted her point of view, Rei narrowed her eyes slightly and said to Tachibana Hibiki with a gentle smile.

"Is that so, Koroyo? What if I fail?"

Hibiki Tachibana had basically accepted what 'Rakuyo' said, but a tiny bit of worry still lingered in her heart.

"Seriously, Tachibana, cheer up, okay? Just show the same enthusiasm you had when you were recommending food to me."

In response to Tachibana Hibiki's concern, Rei simply patted her back gently, offering quiet encouragement.

"Besides, even if you fail, so what? At worst, you can relearn and improve your skills, and then try again when you have the chance. As long as the situation is not too extreme, with repeated attempts, one day you will get the result you want."

Then, Lingyi struck while the iron was hot, finishing up her freshly made chicken soup.

As Rei's actions and words changed, Hibiki Tachibana's expression visibly shifted away from her dejected state.

"Yes, thank you, Rosé-chan. I understand what I should do next."

Soon, Tachibana Hibiki stopped feeling sorry for herself and returned to her previous energetic self.

"Really? That's good."

Lingyi said with a normal expression.

[In that case, there shouldn't be any major problems with Tachibana Hibiki until I leave this danger zone.]

Seeing the change in Tachibana Hibiki's expression, Rei deduced this in her mind.

Let's double-check the artifact fluctuations. Hmm, the warnings are no longer coming out, so it should be resolved.

Lingyi checked the waveform window related to artifacts on the tablet again, and after confirming that the artifact fluctuations that had just shown an upward trend had become a stable straight line, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hey, by the way, Ruki-chan, how about we go to a hot spring together later?"

At this moment, Tachibana Hibiki, whose mood had improved after venting her frustrations, took the opportunity to invite 'Rokuyo,' with whom she had just had a pleasant conversation, to enjoy the hot springs together.