Sky Striker Princess, but the swan song of Valkyrie.

"Never mind, at least your question has been answered and you have no more doubts."

Seeing Tachibana Hibiki's expression of "not understanding at all, but inexplicably being convinced," Rei sighed.

"Hahaha.."

Hibiki Tachibana laughed it off.

Although the information flowed through her mind like water without leaving any trace, for some reason, Tachibana Hibiki's mood was not as uneasy as before.

"Alright, you know what you need to know. If you have no questions, then get ready to be discharged from the hospital in a few days and participate in the relevant experiments."

"And, your tongue should be fine now, so finish these nutritional supplements as soon as possible. If the temperature drops, it will affect digestion."

Seeing that Tachibana Hibiki had returned to normal, Rei ended the conversation, picked up the still-warm lunchbox again, and said to Tachibana Hibiki.

"okay."

Hearing what Rei said, Tachibana Hibiki stopped thinking, which she was not good at, and began to accept Rei's feeding.

Perhaps due to a change in mindset, no unexpected incidents occurred during the subsequent routine check-ups and care of Hibiki Tachibana, and the process was completed smoothly.

"Next, let's go to Chris's side. I don't know if she has completed the training targets I set for her."

Once one task is completed, Lingyi immediately begins the next.

In past battles, Zero has realized that due to Chris's own adaptability to the artifacts, she can easily maximize their power and obtain immense strength.

However, it is only commendable in its use of relics.

Aside from her use of relics, Chris's combat skills and tactical planning contain aspects that Zero finds somewhat difficult to understand.

Therefore, in order to prevent Chris from potentially becoming a hindrance in future battles, Rei has been spending the rest of her time adjusting Chris's combat-related abilities, aside from taking care of Tachibana Hibiki and handling base defense work.

"Hi, Zero, are you going to Chris's place?"

As Lingyi walked along, lost in thought, her employer, Finney, approached her and greeted her.

"Yes, that's right. Chris's fighting style still needs to be corrected and improved."

"Physical training as arranged"

Despite not really wanting to pay attention to Finney, Zero still engages in basic communication with him in accordance with the spirit of the contract.

"Oh-----it seems you really care about Chris, Zero."

With a strange smile, Finney said casually.

"It's just that Chris's combat level is such that without some adjustments and training, she'll hardly be of any use. Besides, I don't think Chris sees what I'm doing as 'concern' in your eyes."

Lingyi responded.

"Is that so? Well, let's leave it at that. But sometimes I'm really curious, Xiaolingyi, is there really nothing you care about?"

Seeing that Lingyi's expression remained unchanged, Finney spoke in a somewhat bored tone.

"This shouldn't be something we should discuss just because we have an employment relationship. Just like I don't care what you want to do, I hope you'll have less unnecessary curiosity."

Lingyi responded with a slightly cold expression.

“Alright, then let’s talk about something we should discuss. Zero, from what I understand, those people in Section Two are almost breaking free from the ‘web of the mind’ you’ve set up. Are you prepared?”

Upon seeing this, Finney ended the topic and changed the subject to work-related matters.

"'The Spiderweb of the Mind'... Finney, are you still using that name, which sounds a bit like a chuunibyou (middle school syndrome)?"

Looking at the text displayed on the screen, Lingyi said somewhat speechlessly.

"Hmph, Lingyi, don't you think that's a very charming way to address me?"

Finney seemed very confident in her taste.

"I don't quite understand it. I prefer to use the concise and easy-to-record term 'disruptive operations' to refer to those actions."

Lingyi politely declined.

P.S. Goodnight.

Chapter 132 Conversation and Training

What Finney was referring to was that Zero had done some necessary work in order to delay the Second Section's offensive operation as much as possible in order to deal with the problem of the base's location being exposed.

However, in Lingyi's view, it was just a temporary expedient, a way to delay as long as possible. There were benefits, but how much of it involved was entirely random action.

However, Finney doesn't seem to think so.

[Give those who pursue profit 'appealing benefits,' and those who seek justice 'unjust cases,' so that they may fight each other.]

[It sows the seeds of doubt in organizations that trust each other, provides provocative topics for a stable society, and undermines the sense of order that could otherwise be maintained.]

The political maneuvering and endless debates fully stimulate the inherent human tendency towards infighting, thereby diverting their attention from external influences.

[The elegant methods are like binding everything in an invisible spider web.]

"Ah, speaking of which, this series of traps you set up, well, let's call it 'The Spiderweb of the Mind.' How about that? Well, if you're not satisfied, how about 'The Puppet of the Will'?"

After learning about the effectiveness of Operation Zero from somewhere, Finney made this assessment.

Faced with this label, which sounded like someone suffering from chuunibyou (middle school syndrome), Lingyi immediately rejected it, arguing that it was not simple and easy to understand and would reduce work efficiency.

"Phew... In short, I also have my own channels to know the information you have, and you don't need to worry about it. Although Section Two has successfully extricated itself from the internal strife, it is only Section Two that has successfully extricated itself."

"Currently, those involved in other events are still immersed in their own game of fighting each other. Without their assistance, Section Two, whose sharpest teeth have been removed, is unable to organize any particularly large-scale operations."

"So, things haven't gotten to the point where we need to panic. If that's all you wanted to say, then there's no need to continue this conversation."

Having finished reminiscing about the previous trivial matter, he turned his gaze to Lingyi in front of him and slowly began to recount his story.

"Really? That's reassuring as always. Whether in the past or present, Rei, you've always been able to solve any problem exceptionally well..."

Faced with Lingyi's calm explanation, Finney's expression changed for a moment.

"...Ah, speaking of which, Lingyi, are you really not going to consider my suggestion, which is just a matter of changing how we address each other?"

The changes were fleeting, and Finney remained as unreliable as ever.

"Alright, since there's nothing else, I still need to test Chris's training progress and provide medical support."

Seeing that Finney was trying to steer the conversation away from trivial matters, Lingyi immediately stepped past Finney, leaving her with only her disappearing back as she spoke.

......

Lingyi disappeared from Finney's sight, and with her, Finney's expression also vanished.

"Ugh... I don't understand, what happened to make your personality so unlovable?"

"However, even with such a personality, I can still sense that your core has never changed from beginning to end."

"In other words, if you knew about my actions, you would definitely be the first person to stop me, right? Ah, I understand, that's the kind of person you are."

Finney muttered to himself, a hint of annoyance on his face.

"Repulsive".

"It was clearly its own fault that it failed to fulfill my wish, yet just when I was about to do so, it appeared before me in such an innocent manner."

"If you can't do it, then just disappear quietly. Why did you have to reappear now of all times!"

For some unknown reason, Finney's irritability turned into anger, and his rage was palpable.

"Phew, whatever, it's fine. Since you're willing to adopt this innocent stance, I'll do what I'm supposed to do."

After a short while, Finney readjusted his emotions and began to walk while deep in thought.

......

"Chris, where do you get the confidence to fight in close combat?"

Having arrived at the training ground, Lingyi briefly reviewed Chris's test videos and recalled her performance over the past few weeks. A thousand thoughts swirled in her mind, culminating in this single question.

It's not that Chris is completely useless in close combat, it's just that her abilities, well, let's just say...

With high emotional intelligence, an office clerk position is recommended.

Low emotional intelligence makes you a useless melee fighter and physically weakling.

"It's because you set the standards too high, Zero, and the training you've designed is simply beyond the capabilities of a normal person!"

Chris complained, her eyes seemingly still glistening with tears.

“Chris, all I can say is that this is a training volume that even someone a year younger than you could complete with some effort.”

"How lazy were you in close combat training before? Or how did Finney train you to make your foundation so bad?"

Lingyi stated helplessly.

"I... I... there's nothing I can do about it. I spend most of my time learning how to control artifacts, so I don't have much time to practice."

Seemingly in an attempt to save face, Chris offered this explanation.

"The juniors I'm referring to are also artifact users like you; their training also includes artifact manipulation training."

Lingyi added later.

"Oh, you're kidding, right?"

Chris couldn't quite accept it; was her fighting ability really inferior to that of her junior?

"If Chris's melee abilities remain the same, my suggestion is to try a different fighting style."

Zero seriously raised this consideration with Chris.

"Other fighting styles, hey, Zero, you mean...?"

Upon hearing Zero's words, Chris realized something.

"Yes, use the 'Demon Bow' armor. That relic is more suitable for you than the Bronze Serpent Armor, especially in combat."

Lingyi made the suggestion directly.

"But the Bronze Serpent Armor, as a complete relic, is clearly stronger than the Demon Bow, which is merely a fragment of a relic, right?"

Chris was somewhat reluctant to accept Zero's suggestion, because for some personal reasons, she didn't really like the armor that required her to sing her heart out.

"Is that so, Chris? Is that what you think?"

"Phew... I thought that despite some issues with your combat abilities, your combat skills were still up to par."

Faced with Chris's resistance, Zero thought for a moment and then sighed with a somewhat helpless expression.

"So now it seems that only by physically demonstrating to Chris just how bad your melee skills are can you wake up a little."

Before Chris could even process Zero's meaning, Zero had already raised the Flash Blade she carried and stated this to Chris.

P.S. Good morning.

Chapter 133 Combat Training

"Personal experience... means, Zero, you want to fight me? No, no, no, no matter what, I can't possibly beat you, Zero."

Realizing what Zero meant, Chris quickly shook her head, intending to refuse. She had no habit of getting beaten up, and it was better to avoid fighting against someone with Zero's power.

"This is also part of the training. Only by truly recognizing your own weaknesses can you address them in a targeted manner or shift the focus of your combat approach."

Lingyi calmly recounted the story without putting down the flashing sword.

"But can simply being beaten really have a training effect?"

Thinking back on Zero's numerous abilities and weapons, Chris felt a little worried.

“I understand your concerns, Chris. Don’t worry, I will limit myself in this training battle and will not use my full strength. After all, that would defeat the purpose of training.”

Seeing that Chris still had some doubts, Zero explained the special rules of this battle.

"What exactly do you mean by 'not using full strength'?"

Hearing Lingyi say this, Chris subconsciously asked, if Lingyi had gone a little further, she felt there might still be a chance.

"First, in this battle, I will only use the Sky Blade weapon; I will not use other Sky Blade machines or any other heretical technologies."

"Secondly, during the battle, I will only use one attack that can break through the defense of the Bronze Serpent Armor. If you can dodge it, you win."

"Third, if Chris can hit my body with an attack, even just once, this training session will also be a victory for you."

Lingyi slowly explained these three limitations she imposed on herself.

“…?!”

After hearing Zero's explanation, Chris's expression twisted.