Chapter 685: Takamiya Mana

"Murasame Reine, an hour has already passed!"

Aboard the Fraxinus, Kannazuki Kyouhei looked at Murasame Reine, his tone laced with an irrepressible anxiety. The Commander's situation was unclear, yet they could only wait here; this state of affairs truly made him feel restless.

"Report, the signal from the Commander's side has been re-established!" Just at this moment, a voice filled with pleasant surprise came through.

"What?" Everyone present simultaneously turned their gaze toward the direction of that crew member.

"Commander, are you alright?" Murasame Reine steadied herself and asked Itsuka Kotori.

"Um, I'm fine." Itsuka Kotori's voice came through the speakers. "It's just that I've run into a little trouble right now."

"What kind of trouble? Do you need our support?" Kannazuki Kyouhei asked hurriedly.

"This, that won't be necessary for the time being." Itsuka Kotori glanced ahead of herself and said with some helplessness. "It's just that I'm afraid it will take us a while longer before we can return."

"Is that so?" Kannazuki Kyouhei pondered for a moment, then nodded. "But, Commander, what exactly was the situation with the loss of contact just now?"

"The Mysterious Shop was surrounded by the Swordsman's power. This power is very strong; it even blocked our newly developed communicators," Itsuka Kotori said.

"To think it was like this..." Murasame Reine's pupils constricted, not knowing what she was thinking.

"Alright, I still have some things to do on this side. We can discuss other matters once I return to the Fraxinus," Itsuka Kotori said, then cut off the communication.

"Alright, Tohka, I've already spoken with them. Now, go do what you want to do," Itsuka Kotori turned her head and said to Yatogami Tohka.

"Yay, that's great!" Yatogami Tohka cheered and ran toward the direction of Asuna. "Asuna, let's start now. I must learn how to make snacks so that that cold, icy tin can knows that I am definitely better than her!"

Watching the high-spirited Yatogami Tohka, Asuna also shook her head with some helplessness; Yatogami Tohka seemed to be naturally at odds with Tobiichi Origami. She waved her hand at Lingyun, then led Yatogami Tohka toward the kitchen.

"This is what I saw inside the Mysterious Shop." Itsuka Kotori placed a document on the table and said to the crew members in front of her.

"My god, you're not joking, are you? Inside this Mysterious Shop, there are actually four Spirits!" After reading the document in front of them, the faces of the many crew members were filled with astonishment.

"Spirits, who have always acted alone, have actually shown such a rare phenomenon of living in groups. This is a topic very worthy of research!" another crew member said.

"From this report, it can be seen that the reason these Spirits have gathered together is because of this Swordsman," Murasame Reine said.

"It seems that during this period, we really must study this Swordsman carefully. After all, he not only has a deep understanding of human society but also possesses powerful martial force. If he really wants to stir up trouble, it will be difficult for us to stop him," Kannazuki Kyouhei's tone held a hint of caution.

"Mm, this matter truly cannot be ignored," Itsuka Kotori nodded and said.

"Isaac, this is the latest intelligence we have received."

Inside the Tengu City branch of the DEM company, Ellen placed a stack of data in front of Westcott.

"Hmm, this is... traces of the Nightmare have been discovered in Tengu City?" Seeing the report in front of him, Westcott's brows couldn't help but arch.

"Yes, this is also information we just received earlier. The dangerous Spirit, Nightmare, appearing in Tengu City might just be targeting you. You must be careful during this time!" Ellen's face held a trace of worry.

"No, I actually think that the Nightmare appearing in Tengu City is something within my expectations!" Westcott shook his head and said.

"Why?" Ellen was somewhat puzzled.

"Because, according to our deductions, the owner of that Mysterious Shop is highly likely to be the Swordsman. If the Swordsman is in Tengu City, then the Nightmare appearing in Tengu City is not a confusing matter at all. I even suspect that Subject A, who disappeared after Nilier Island was destroyed, is also in Tengu City," Westcott put down the data in his hand.

"Subject A is also in Tengu City?"

"That's right. If the owner of the Mysterious Shop is indeed the Swordsman, there is a very high possibility that Subject A is in Tengu City. Moreover, Subject A is also a trump card for us!"

"However, regarding the Nightmare..." Ellen's tone still held a hint of hesitation.

"Even if the Nightmare comes to attack me, don't I still have you?" Westcott said nonchalantly.

"That's right. With me here, even if it's the Nightmare, I can cut her down under my sword!" Ellen had twelve points of confidence in her own strength.

"I think there is another person who will be even more interested in the Nightmare!" A hint of mischief suddenly appeared on Westcott's face.

"Another person? You mean, her?" Hearing Westcott's words, Ellen couldn't help but be stunned, and then she thought of someone.

"Yes, that's her. Transfer her to Tengu City!" Westcott said.

"Yes!"

In a secret training base of the DEM company, a young girl wearing a Realizer was undergoing training. Under her attacks, training targets fell one after another; however, in the span of a few breaths, the training targets in the field were completely destroyed.

"Second Lieutenant Takamiya!"

Just as Takamiya Mana stopped, a voice came over.

"Is there something?" Takamiya Mana put away the Light Sword in her hand and asked the person who had arrived.

"This is the transfer order that was just sent over." The person handed the transfer order in their hand to her.

"To think that the Nightmare, who had disappeared for so long, has actually appeared again? This guy really is impossible to kill no matter how many times!" Looking at the transfer order in her hand, Takamiya Mana couldn't help but frown. "Tengu City? The Nightmare actually appeared in that place? It seems I have to leave here."

"Headquarters said that if Second Lieutenant Takamiya has any requirements, they will do their best to satisfy them!"

"Requirements, you say? I want to reach Tengu City in the shortest amount of time possible!" Takamiya Mana put away the Realizer on her body and said.

"Yes, I understand." The person nodded, then turned and left.

"In order to ensure that those innocent people are no longer harmed, this time I will definitely kill you completely, Nightmare!" Takamiya Mana clenched her fists, her tone full of determination.