Chapter 94: Uneasy

Masaki Hinaki’s call request was not made through the usual communication network, but by specifically using a secret communication line.

Due to serious incidents of intelligence leaks and internal personnel infiltration within the Order Organization, Masaki Hinaki was now using this special communication line to contact Ephnel much more frequently than before.

Ephnel accepted the communication request from Masaki Hinaki.

A cacophony of noise came through the earpiece, suggesting that Masaki Hinaki was neither in her office nor at the command post.

But she didn’t think too much about it.

Although she was still angry, a mission was a mission, and she shouldn’t let her emotions get in the way.

She spoke in her usual calm voice, “This is Ephnel.”

[“Ephnel, has anything unexpected happened on your end?”]

Masaki Hinaki’s voice came through the earpiece.

Ephnel glanced at Yukina, who was staring at her with wide eyes, and pursed her lips.

“No.”

Ephnel said.

‘If you don’t count the mid-air trapeze act with my little sister just now as an accident.’

Just thinking about it made Ephnel angry, but at this point, there was nothing she could say.

If Yukina insisted on following, she surely had a hundred ways to make Ephnel willingly bring her along.

From that leap Yukina took, Ephnel had fully understood her feelings.

And that was why Ephnel was angry.

Because of Yukina’s recklessness, and also because of the wavering in her own heart.

From Yukina’s “forceful” confession yesterday until this afternoon, although it wasn’t a long time, the romantic relationship between Ephnel and Yukina had rapidly intensified.

The happiness born from this soft and warm love had firmly suppressed the faint unease that had been emerging in Ephnel’s heart, numbing her.

Love was indeed more intoxicating than alcohol.

Even Ephnel was so immersed in it that she couldn’t extricate herself, almost forgetting her own mission.

This mission, however, had mercilessly pulled Ephnel back to reality, and made her recognize a fact once again: she could not live a carefree life with Yukina forever.

She was an Agent.

It wouldn’t be surprising if she died at any time.

She had long been mentally prepared for this.

But all of this was just Ephnel’s one-sided resolve.

What about Yukina?

It was too cruel.

For Yukina, their relationship was unfair.

Ephnel could understand the unwilling heart that made Yukina chase after her regardless of everything, so… in the end, Ephnel compromised.

She could have knocked Yukina out and sent her down, but she didn’t.

She could no longer find an answer.

[“Very well, then Ephnel, there’s something I need to tell you first.”]

Masaki Hinaki’s voice pulled Ephnel’s thoughts back.

She sighed softly and returned to the mission at hand.

“What is it?”

[“Alright, I’ll be brief. I’m actually calling to remind you not to rush into battle if one breaks out later.”]

“You don’t need me to fight? Why?”

Hearing Masaki Hinaki’s words, Ephnel asked in confusion.

The sole purpose of an Agent since their inception was to fight, to eliminate Erosion Organisms, and to protect the peace of the city.

Receiving a mission notification and then going into battle was a life trajectory that Ephnel had long grown accustomed to.

But this time, Masaki Hinaki seemed to have other arrangements.

Ephnel frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and asked, “I haven’t received any notification of an Erosion disaster… could it be that the mission is not related to Erosion?”

[“I can’t be sure, but it’s possible.”]

Masaki Hinaki said.

“Can’t be sure?” Ephnel asked, puzzled, “What does that mean? Has the detection gone wrong?”

[“That’s not the reason. To be precise, we haven’t detected any very obvious signals of Erosion Organisms appearing yet. The reason I’m not letting you join the battle is that this mission may not necessarily be a battlefield for Agents.”]

Masaki Hinaki’s voice, mixed with some sort of static, came through the earpiece.

[“The initial confirmed target for this mission is armed militants with lethal firearms. Therefore, this operation will be temporarily led by the Special Disaster Division, with Chief Fushihara Ayaka in overall command. And we, the Order, are participating as a non-rostered action team on standby for support in case of an ‘accident.’ In other words, we are the insurance and the trump card. If there’s no need to use us, that would undoubtedly be the most fortunate outcome. But we don’t know if such a fluke will happen, so don’t let your guard down. In short, do not act on your own before the Special Disaster Division gives the signal. That is not your battlefield.”]

“Armed militants…? I heard that there have been some restless lawless elements in some urban areas recently. Could it be them?”

[“If it were that simple, I wouldn’t have called you over. I could take care of those guys myself.”]

“Then can I know what’s going on?”

[“Yes, we’ve received some intelligence… to put it simply—we’ve found Nishizaki Yuuki.”]

“Yuuki!?” Hearing her friend’s name again, Ephnel couldn’t help but ask worriedly, “Where is she? Is she alright?”

[“I can’t disclose the detailed situation here, Ephnel. This is also why I’m using the secret communication line to contact you.”]

Masaki Hinaki did not answer Ephnel’s question, but instead changed the subject.

[“I know you have many questions, but you should be able to find out soon. And, someone will tell you about the specific arrangements for this operation. Alright, that’s all I have to say for now. So, for now, remember not to engage in battle on your own. Wait for instructions…”]

“Please wait, I have something to report.”

[“What is it?”]

“I need to add a combat personnel slot on my end.”

[“Hmm? That’s rare, but no problem. And… you can just tell Yonomori Nami to handle such small matters.”]

“I’m just contacting you to be safe, Hinaki.”

Ephnel glanced at Yukina beside her, and her eyes met Yukina’s, who had been looking at her all along.

She paused for a moment.

“Because the slot I’m adding is for my younger sister, Shiomi Yukina. She will be joining me in this operation as an Agent candidate, using the codename… ‘Fifina’.”

[“W-Wait!? You said… your sister? Shiomi Yukina??”]

Masaki Hinaki’s voice suddenly changed pitch.

It was clear she was surprised.

[“Why is your sister there?”]

“Something… unexpected happened…”

…

[“You plan… to make her an Agent?”]

Masaki Hinaki’s tone sounded as flat as ever, but Ephnel could still detect a hint of surprise in it.

“No, not yet.”

[“Then you…?”]

“I already told you, it was an accident.”

Ephnel took a deep breath and emphasized again.

“To be on the safe side, I plan to temporarily give her the ‘Fifina’ that is currently in my possession to use…”

Masaki Hinaki fell silent.

After a moment, her voice came again.

[“The ‘Fifina’ Beacon is in your hands. As an experienced Agent, you have the right to make temporary changes to its ownership. There’s no need to report such matters to me.”]

Masaki Hinaki paused, then continued.

[“But… is it really alright? If you let her follow you, it might be dangerous. Of course, I’m not saying it’s not okay. On the contrary, I’ve always believed that if your sister, Shiomi Yukina, were to become an Agent, it might not necessarily be a bad thing. This applies to us, to you, and to her. You can’t protect her forever; she needs to grow up on her own.”]

“Yes, thank you for granting permission. After all, it is an important asset of the organization. With your promise, it will be much more convenient for me. However, the last sentence was unnecessary.”

[“In that case, I won’t say any more. Let’s talk about anything else after the battle. The mission must go on. May you return victorious.”]

“I will.”

The communication was cut off.

…