"Bianka Durandal Ataegina, is there a problem?"
Amber hadn't expected the other party to ask again, though this reaction wasn't surprising.
The gap between Asian and European names was vast, and most people would be momentarily stunned upon hearing her full string of names.
"It might be difficult for you to remember, so just call me Durandal."
After speaking, she gestured toward the girl beside her. "This is Tobiichi Origami, my maid."
"Ah... right... Durandal, and Tobiichi Origami, correct?"
Miku's stiff limbs relaxed slightly as she scrutinized the girl before her once more, her heart slowly settling back down from her throat.
She didn't know what Durandal looked like—only that she had golden hair, blue eyes, and was female.
While the girl before her perfectly matched these traits, there was one decisive difference: Durandal should be a 15-year-old girl. Two years later, she should be 17.
But the girl in front of her couldn't possibly be over fourteen; she looked about twelve or thirteen.
Still... could a coincidence in names really be this extreme? It might be common for foreigners to share given names, but for both the first and last names to match consecutively like this... that should be nearly impossible, right?
Unable to gauge the true depths of the two before her, Miku didn't dare act recklessly.
But... to let two such beautiful girls slip away?
Had her ability's first-strike charm worked on those DEM combatants but failed against Durandal?
Looking on the bright side, if the other really was the world's strongest combatant, then once under her control, wouldn't she be able to do as she pleased? She wouldn't have to worry about hiding her identity anymore.
If it wasn't her, then all the better—she was utterly captivated by the two beauties before her.
"I heard you're the co-managers for Monica? How did someone as young as you end up...?"
Miku trailed off in a very Japanese manner.
"Despite how I look, I'm actually seventeen. It's just due to some... circumstances that I appear like this," Amber explained.
"You don't need to worry about the contract's validity. I'm not the signatory; I'm only here to handle negotiations."
"I see."
Miku's body grew even stiffer.
Seventeen—so it really is Durandal, after all!
Think about it—why would they specifically seek out this kind of collaboration? And why send Durandal herself?
Could it be that they're already suspicious of me?
Did I slip up during one of my concerts? But I've mastered how much spiritual power to use without triggering the spirit wave detectors.
Could Schicksal's detection of spirit waves be stronger than DEM's?
But... Miku knew she could never give up using her spiritual power.
Her singing was her everything. If she lost her voice, she would be left with nothing once again. No matter what, she couldn't allow herself to fall back into that despair.
Why are they targeting me? Why can't they just pretend I don't exist? I've been so careful, suppressing my feelings every moment—why can't they let me live in peace?
Malice surged within her.
Since they were already suspicious, they would surely intensify their investigation.
If that happened, forget the future—her afternoon concert would likely expose her. In that case, better to strike first and seize the initiative!
"Become mine."
Miku suddenly spoke up, this time no longer suppressing her spiritual power but instead unleashing the full force of her brainwashing.
If she didn't succeed with one strike, she probably wouldn't get a second chance. Even if she were detected now, with Durandal as her enforcer, she wouldn't have to worry about anything.
"Alright."
A calm, concise reply rang out. Miku finally let out a sigh of relief, but in the next instant, she realized something was wrong.
Only one voice had answered her.
In horror, she turned to the golden-haired girl, who was now frowning.
"So this is your ability," the girl said, her tone filled with understanding.
Cold sweat dripped down Miku's back. She could no longer maintain her dignified composure and shot up from her seat. "You've misunderstood!"
"Return Origami to normal."
Amber didn't say anything else, nor did she make any move to attack. Instead, she made her demand first.
However, Miku quickly calmed down and assessed the situation.
Noticing her forehead was damp enough to cling to her bangs and her entire back felt chilly from sweat, Miku forced a smile, struggling to project an air of calm arrogance.
"Don't misunderstand. This is just a warning. My abilities go far beyond this."
Seeing the golden-haired girl remain silent, merely raising a slight eyebrow, Miku continued her bluff. "I know who you are—humanity's strongest, Schicksal's Valkyrie, Durandal. As a hero who fights for humanity, you wouldn't want to see this place reduced to ruins, would you?"
"That won't happen."
Amber was baffled by Miku's reaction.
Why had she suddenly lashed out and then exposed herself? And from the sound of it, she seemed to know who Amber was.
Strange—there were no records of the 'Diva' appearing yet, so conversely, Miku shouldn't know much about Spirits or the organizations that deal with them, right?
"So confident. But what about your maid—no, your subordinate?"
Miku hadn't expected the other to dismiss her threat without a hint of hesitation. It was clear she believed she could subdue Miku before any real damage could be done.
But based on their earlier conversation, Miku was sure the other hadn't fully grasped her abilities yet. This was the foundation of her bluff.
"Even if you kill me, your subordinate won't return to normal. In fact, if I die, your subordinate will die along with me."
Miku spread this false information while emphasizing her own power. "And do you really think it'll be that easy to take me down?"
Amber: ...
If I hadn't read the original work, I might've actually been fooled by a rookie like you.
"You don't have that kind of power. I know that very well."
Amber had no intention of playing games. "Release Origami from your control, then explain to me where you learned about me, when you became a Spirit, and what you've done since then."
How could she be?! She saw through my bluff? Why? Aside from standing up earlier, I didn't give anything away! Even that shouldn't have been enough to confirm anything!
But... it sounds like she doesn't intend to kill me? No, what if she's bluffing too? The moment I release control, she might attack me immediately.
But... if she were bluffing, she wouldn't strike right away, because she can't be sure my claims are false. That means I still have the potential to cause significant casualties.
Miku felt her heart pounding wildly. She kept analyzing the possibilities, panic stripping away her forced composure until she finally revealed the vulnerability that matched her delicate appearance.
Amber was a bit confused about how things had escalated so suddenly, but she couldn't accept her subordinate remaining brainwashed.
Before Miku could react, the tip of a cyan spear was already pressed against her throat. The bone-chilling cold instantly drained all will to resist from her.
"I... I understand..."
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! 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.