Closing her eyes, Rias released her perception.
Her perception range was far greater and more precise than any detector; soon, Rias found her target.
Because it involved ancient heritage, Lindy Harlaown, the captain of the Asura, had brought her to the Time-Space Administration Bureau headquarters.
This was an artificial satellite floating in the dimensional sea, symbolizing the peak of Midchilda's archaeology.
Having been escorted here, Fate seemed to have not yet been interrogated.
Of course, while it was called an interrogation, the Time-Space Administration Bureau had basically determined Fate's innocence; there were just some questions they needed her to answer.
Furthermore, there would be a period of monitoring to prevent any unforeseen circumstances.
With Fate's talent, combined with her kind nature, and most importantly, Lindy Harlaown's firm guarantee—
Fate's release was basically a matter of time.
However, before that could happen, Fate would have to break out of prison, whether she wanted to or not.
Naturally, if she knew the news that Presea was still alive, she would leave regardless of the consequences.
Though, there wouldn't really be any consequences anyway~
Rias thought to herself as she arrived at the cell where Fate was held.
Surveillance was everywhere, but it didn't affect Rias in the slightest.
With a light snap of her fingers, Fate was transferred right in front of Rias.
Returning from the Time-Space Administration Bureau headquarters to Earth took nothing more than a snap of the fingers.
"Hmm? This place is..."
Fate looked at her surroundings in surprise.
One moment she was in an environment with a metallic luster, and the next, she suddenly appeared here.
And this environment was, without a doubt, a planet full of life.
Was it a simulated environment, or had she been brought back to Earth by teleportation magic?
Fate speculated inwardly, her gaze steadying as she looked at Rias.
When she saw that the person in front of her was a child of her own age, her eyes couldn't help but widen slightly.
Red... a very vivid red.
It was an impressive sight, an image so deep that even a single glance would make one remember it for a lifetime, etched into the mind.
I feel... so beautiful... Having lost her mother, the hollow-hearted Fate couldn't help but lose herself, her mind filled with this red figure.
"Fate Testarossa."
Rias called out softly, bringing Fate back to her senses.
"Who are you?"
Even though it was an extremely abnormal situation, for some reason, Fate felt no wariness toward the girl in front of her.
Even when she met Nanoha, she didn't have this feeling.
"I... well, you could say I'm your whole family's savior~"
Rias chuckled.
"Whole family... whole... family...!!!"
Fate murmured, then suddenly realizing something, her voice couldn't help but turn slightly sharp.
That's right, it wasn't just about saving Fate.
Because being saved from the Time-Space Administration Bureau meant nothing to Fate herself.
If a criminal organization had saved Fate, she would have to endure a difficult time.
If some pervert had saved Fate, taking advantage of her vulnerability, they might have been able to walk into Fate's heart.
Of course, considering Fate's age, that could only be a long-term 'grooming' project.
But none of this mattered to Fate herself.
Because the person she cared about was gone.
If some more time passed, Fate might very well have seen Nanoha as her emotional pillar.
But before that, Rias brought news that could truly redeem Fate.
"Presea, and Alicia."
Rias smiled and said, "They are still alive."
"Mother..."
Hearing this, Fate couldn't help but weep with joy.
From great sorrow to great joy, the bitterness in her heart surged, causing her to lose control of her emotions.
Even though she knew she shouldn't show such an embarrassing state in front of her savior, no matter how hard she tried to wipe her tears, it was useless.
"No need to hold back. You're a good child; it's already wonderful that you've made it this far."
Rias held Fate's head and pulled her into an embrace.
"Waaaah~!!"
Hearing Rias's words, Fate could no longer hold back and cried out loud.
Rias held Fate, gently stroking her blonde hair, but her thoughts weren't as pure as one might imagine.
Am I... acting like a 'NTR' protagonist here?
Probably not, right?
After all, while Nanoha and Fate are a 'CP', that was entirely a pairing made by the readers themselves.
To the individuals themselves, Nanoha's feelings for Fate seem to be pure friendship.
Of course, it initially started because Nanoha felt Fate's eyes were very sad, and her heart felt similar to how Nanoha's was when she was little, so an emotional resonance occurred.
Nanoha is the same with her adopted daughter Vivio; that kind of emotion isn't romance, but a resonance between 'lonely people'.
As for Fate, she simply sees Nanoha as a friend and an emotional support.
The grown-up Fate might have some different feelings for Nanoha, but unfortunately, Nanoha is a'single-for-life' type~
Once Fate had vented enough of the pressure in her heart, the two finally separated.
Looking at the wet patch on Rias's shoulder, Fate said somewhat shyly, "Sorry, I got your clothes wet."
"It's okay. Isn't there a saying that women are made of water? I don't hate girls who are 'watery'~"
Rias joked.
"Ugh~"
Not quite understanding the double meaning in Rias's words, Fate instinctively felt even more bashful.
"Um... may I ask your name?"
Fate said, as if to change the subject.
"My name is Rias Gremory. You can just call me Rias."
Rias said.
"Even though you already know my name, as a return of courtesy, I should make a formal self-introduction."
Fate bowed and said, "I am Fate Testarossa. Thank you for saving my mother... and my sister."
A hint of complexity and worry flickered in Fate's eyes.
As she straightened up, Rias caught it.
Even though Rias wouldn't casually pry into others' hearts and privacy, her senses were very sharp; even with her perception restrained, she could still grasp Fate's inner thoughts.
Instantly, Rias knew what Fate was thinking.
"Are you worried that if your mother saves Alicia, she won't acknowledge you as her daughter anymore?"
Rias asked.
Fate fell silent, her eyes looking a bit dim.
"You don't have to worry about that at all."
Rias said, "The reason Presea abused you was because she was afraid that the time spent with you would be too wonderful, and that she would forget Alicia."
"Presea has always been quite conflicted, abusing you while simultaneously abusing her own heart. You could say she was already maddened at that time."
"When Presea activated the jewel seeds to open the channel, she had actually already regretted it, but she had no way back."
"Now that I have resurrected Alicia, they will definitely accept you. In the end, you are still her daughter."
Rias's words made Fate couldn't help but imagine the wonderful times ahead.
A family of three, living together in harmony.
Just thinking about such days made one want to throw themselves into it without hesitation.
If Rias were a liar, Fate would probably be willing to follow her even into the abyss.
Fortunately, what Rias hated most were tragedies.
Saving a young girl's heart and gaining a promising loli for the future—this is what you call double the happiness~
If you add Alicia, that's triple the happiness~
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