Facing Kotori's words, Amber naturally understood that this matter couldn't be rushed.
It wasn't that the other side was unwilling to showcase their technology, but rather, this 'technology' wasn't actually in their grasp yet.
The person in question was still just an ordinary high school student.
Though she knew this, Amber still pretended to furrow her brows.
Kotori's expression remained neutral, as if she was merely giving both sides more time to negotiate, but inwardly, she was feeling a bit uncertain.
Ratatoskr had approached Schicksal to propose cooperation because DEM was persistently pursuing the capture of Spirits.
At the slightest hint of activity, they would immediately dispatch personnel. This was especially true for Japan, the so-called 'beautiful star.'
Nominally, half of Japan's local anti-Spirit military force, the AST, was controlled by DEM. Even though the other half was under Ratatoskr's control, any Spirit appearances couldn't be hidden from DEM.
If they wanted Itsuka Shiori, the core of everything, to make contact with Spirits, they had to resolve the issue of DEM and AST intervention.
While Ratatoskr also possessed Realizer technology and a certain number of combat personnel, their level was on par with DEM's, perhaps even slightly inferior. DEM's strength was greater.
So, relying on their own strength to confront DEM might work in the short term, but what about long-term?
DEM wasn't limited to just a single branch in Japan.
Therefore, they needed to find a partner whose armed strength would make DEM wary—ideally, one capable of directly suppressing DEM.
The only organization in the world that met this requirement was Schicksal, which held sway over half the globe.
With World Serpent, a global intelligence and logistics department, and Schicksal, a widespread armed organization, these two forces combined made Schicksal the largest giant in the world today.
Only by combining Ratatoskr and DEM could there be any hope of matching them.
By cooperating with Schicksal to drive out DEM, Ratatoskr could then freely proceed with their operation to seal Spirit power.
In other words, they needed to secure cooperation first, before they could demonstrate their capabilities to Schicksal.
"Lady Durandal, Bishop Mobius did not set a deadline for us to finalize the cooperation."
Seeing the atmosphere growing somewhat heavy, Rita finally spoke up: "Moreover, they have not been lacking in sincerity. Perhaps we should wait until Commander Kotori gives us her response before making a judgment."
The gazes of both women shifted to her.
"Rita…"
Amber pondered for a moment, then finally relaxed her brow: "Very well."
She turned her attention back to Kotori: "Schicksal also has the desire to fundamentally resolve the issue of Spacequakes, but we cannot accept a completely opaque cooperation process. We hope Ratatoskr can provide an answer that satisfies Schicksal."
Inwardly, Kotori was cursing up a storm, but she maintained a smile on her face: "Of course, Schicksal is our primary choice for cooperation."
Although the three of them had only been standing together briefly, she had already figured out that this Durandal wasn't the type skilled in negotiation.
Instead, this Rita seemed more like the specialist in that area.
Yet, despite being the expert, Rita hadn't participated at all earlier, hadn't even entered the room to hear the situation.
Proposing the impossible first, then gradually conceding to reveal the real deal—that was a standard negotiation tactic, and Ratatoskr was no exception.
But the other side had deliberately sent an amateur in first. What else could that mean but a power play?
Unfortunately, circumstances forced her hand. Ratatoskr was the one seeking cooperation now.
Plus, they genuinely couldn't make the process transparent at the moment, putting them at a disadvantage. So, she had no choice but to swallow her pride.
Though her words sounded agreeable, Kotori knew full well that the response from the higher-ups was unlikely to satisfy Schicksal.
Most probably, they would cling desperately to Schicksal's leg, using promises and gestures to buy time.
After all, the technology for sealing Spirit power was completely unstable; there was no guarantee when it could even begin.
Being the one to negotiate this cooperation was pure torture—essentially acting as a mouthpiece and scapegoat for those higher-ups.
Frustrated enough to explode, Kotori still maintained a confident, almost domineering smile, like a host firmly in control: "Shall we arrange accommodations for you?"
"No need. Schicksal has its own hotel holdings in Japan. Just see us to the surface."
Seeing this, Kotori didn't press further. She led the two to the transport pod and sent them up to the surface.
Watching their figures vanish, she let out a long sigh. After adjusting her demeanor, she returned to the command room.
"Commander."
Seeing Kotori appear, Kannazuki gave a slight bow: "The Princess's manifestation did not last long. She is currently Lost. How did the discussions with Schicksal go on your end?"
"Not well."
Though Kotori's expression remained firm, it was tinged with unusual gloom: "The timing is terrible. Moreover, their objectives are clearly not limited to just 'fundamentally resolving the problem.'"
"Maybe that Durandal thinks that way, but Mobius definitely wants to know about the Spirit power sealing technology."
"Not surprising."
Kannazuki replied: "But what do you mean about the timing being bad?"
"This appearance of the Princess, and Durandal's arrival time—both are far too inconvenient. If Durandal had come a day earlier, or the Princess had appeared a day later, things wouldn't have become so tense. Now we're stuck at an impasse."
Kotori explained: "While Spirit manifestations are irregular, we can generally deduce a 'roughly once a month' pattern. I'm not confident I can delay Durandal's stay in Japan for a full month."
Schicksal wanted to know the method and technology for sealing Spirit power, and Ratatoskr couldn't produce it in the short term. This would inevitably lead to follow-up pressure from Schicksal.
The current problem was that it wasn't that they didn't want to explain, but that they couldn't.
Were they supposed to tell Schicksal, 'We have this method where you date Spirits to build up affection points, and when the points are high enough, you can seal their Spirit power'?
If we said that, would you believe it?
Murasame Reine's expression didn't change at all. While she generally didn't interfere, if she truly wished to, whether a Spirit manifested or not was just a matter of her will.
As for Ratatoskr's upcoming cooperation with Schicksal, she also hoped it would succeed. Using Schicksal to counter DEM seemed like a good move in her view.
However, Schicksal was indeed not easy to fool. It seemed it was time for Shiori to formally step onto the stage.
In that case, let tomorrow serve as the prologue.
Having decided to have the 'Princess' manifest again tomorrow, Murasame Reine began considering the Eighth Spirit and the Fourth Spirit.
For her plan to succeed, Shiori needed to successfully seal them as well. She had to find a way for them to have a chance to meet…
As for whether these three Spirits might develop feelings for someone else beforehand, Reine wasn't worried.
After all, they had already been treated as lab rats by that Mobius and had probably suffered considerable torment. In such a state, encountering someone like Shiori, they would inevitably be drawn to him. She was very confident in this.
--+--
And the three individuals Reine held in such high regard were indeed living through dire straits.
In a spacious living room, filled with various personal items and knick-knacks bearing traces of daily life, warm-toned wallpaper and furniture created an exceptionally cozy atmosphere.
But at this moment, the room was filled with alternating sharp cries and pleas for mercy.
Dozens of tentacles, composed of an unknown dark green substance, cast an eerie pall over the room.
They held two girls with short orange hair and exquisitely beautiful features suspended in the air, constantly roaming over their sensitive and delicate areas, stimulating their nerves.
"We're sorry! Wah~ S-Snake… Sis! We won't do it again!"
"Correction, uh… it was Kaguya's personal idea… Yuzuru was about to stop her…"
"What did you say!? Yuzuru was half willing half not… Agh! Snake Sis, don't touch there! Ahahahahaha!"
Sitting atop a floating crate, a girl with long, slightly wavy, light green hair showed no trace of mercy.
Listening to their mutual accusations, she simply smiled: "I already told you, if you ran off randomly, you'd be punished. Since you're sisters, even if it was really only one person's fault, you have to share the responsibility."
As her words fell, the tentacles' movements grew even more intense.
"Ahhhh!" x2
Hiding far behind the sofa, a blue-haired girl trembled as she watched the scene, praying in her heart for her golden-haired hero to return quickly and confront the demon king.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.