I'm on the Ark, and I start out as Gretchen.

Honestly, Muirsay had almost gotten used to Saria's "ruthlessness".

So, while they were talking, she also used her secret weapon for this trip, gently waving the document she had taken from the secretary in front of someone.

"Does the commander-in-chief need to speak with us?"

As she spoke, Saria picked up the document that was dangling in front of her and began to read it.

After taking a quick look and weighing the pros and cons, she turned around and planned to arrange for other people to take the data for the newcomers.

"Hey! Wait a minute, this isn't urgent. Finish the interviews first, don't rush." ​​Muirsey, who could tell what Saria was planning to do at a glance, quickly reached out and grabbed her, saying.

"But……"

Upon hearing this, Saria paused slightly, recalling the contents of the document she had just seen, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes.

Judging from the contents of this document, Christensen must have some important mission this time, otherwise she wouldn't have approached Muirsey at the same time as looking for her.

"Really, there's no rush. No buts, don't keep the newcomers waiting too long." With that, Muirseth reached out and gently pushed Saria.

"……it is good."

Seeing her friend's attitude, Saria shook her head helplessly, then stopped worrying about it and quickly turned to look at Sakura, who was still waiting obediently, intending to end the interview quickly.

Just as Saria turned around and stopped blocking the doorway, Muirseth stuck out her tongue slightly, a triumphant smile in her eyes, and followed her.

However... her smile didn't last long, and it quickly turned into surprise.

"Eh……?!"

"?"

"Muir Seth?"

Clearly, Muirsay's exclamation drew the attention of the two people present.

"The interviewee is actually Sakura! You! No, what were you thinking, adding her..." Upon suddenly seeing a familiar face, Muirsey was so surprised that she started babbling on and on.

However, before she could finish speaking, she covered her mouth and fell silent under Saria's slightly lowered gaze.

"Do you know?"

After Muirseth finished speaking, Saria glanced at the two of them and then asked.

"Sakura and I are friends."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Saria's expression changed, and she slowly turned her gaze back to Sakura.

"Sigh... Section Chief Saria, since you have something to do later, let's start the test quickly."

Looking at Saria, whose eyes became even more serious and even somewhat sharp upon learning that she and Muerses were friends, Sakura suddenly felt overwhelmed.

After being disturbed by that elf lady, she could guess how strict Saria would be with her next.

After all, this certain straight-laced woman is known for her integrity and would never allow anyone to get in through connections under her wing.

Moreover, it wasn't just Muirsey who was surprised; Sakura was also very surprised to see her here.

Although she had been anticipating Muirsey's expression when they met at Rhine Lab... that would be after she joined the company. Meeting her now wouldn't do any good; it would only make it harder for her to get the job.

"Ah."

After listening to Sakura's words, Saria nodded slightly. Then, after giving Muirses a warning look, she began to conduct various numerical tests on the interviewees.

The elf, having been warned, had no choice but to abandon her playful nature and obediently sit aside and watch quietly.

……

"..."

After a basic combat capability test, Saria looked down at the excellent data in her hand and fell into a strange state of deep thought.

Previously, after Sakura acknowledged their friendship, she had asked her to undergo a test. Sakura initially thought the interviewee was trying to use connections… therefore, she even… during the recent measurement…

It's become much stricter.

But who knows…

'call……'

Stopping her thoughts, Saria sighed helplessly in her heart, then looked at Sakura and said in a slightly gentler tone, "The data is excellent, you've passed in this aspect."

"However, data is just data. Let me see your practical skills."

In fact, this interview would have been over by now, and Sakura would have been accepted.

However, Sakura's combat stats were exceptionally high, prompting Saria to consider testing her strength. After all, she needed to have a good understanding of the capabilities of her subordinates.

"Hmm, what kind of combat experience does Director Saria want to conduct? And can we use weapons?" Sakura nodded slightly in response to Saria's invitation to a combat exercise.

Sakura may not be knowledgeable or skilled in rhetoric or professional matters. However, in terms of combat alone, while suppressing her strength to fight Saria might be a bit troublesome, overall there shouldn't be any major problems.

"Fight me, and you'll find training weapons there. Of course, you can use your own too," Saria said calmly to her new subordinate as she bandaged her hand.

"..."

Upon hearing this, Sakura abandoned her own weapon without a second thought and walked towards the weapon rack next to her.

After all, the power was still too great for the people here. She was here for an interview, not to kill anyone, so it was best to stop there.

P.S.: Sorry, it's so late. I need to figure out how to update earlier tomorrow and get this messed-up sleep schedule back on track. I'm drowsy all day and wide awake at night. I need to urge them to get back on track.

Chapter 79 Horhaya's Desire

Walking to the weapon rack, Sakura didn't hesitate for long. She casually picked up an unsheathed longsword that looked fairly handy and swung it lightly, thus preparing herself.

"I'm ready."

Reaching a suitable position, Sakura looked at Saria with a serious expression and said...

Honestly, although she wasn't afraid of Saria, the "Rhine Fist Queen," she would still need to put in some effort in this upcoming sparring match.

After all, the goal is to lose to Saria without revealing any weaknesses, while carefully controlling the intensity of the attack.

As for why they lost, it was similar to Mebius's reason: to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Although Saria is not the type to be jealous of her subordinates' talents, it doesn't matter if Sakura shows some of her brilliance. In fact, she will be given important responsibilities after a thorough evaluation of her character.

However, this would still cause a lot of trouble in the end, so in her opinion, it's better to avoid trouble.

Moreover, based on Sakura's performance so far, her qualities and strength are already considered excellent by ordinary people. This level is more than enough for now.

It's important to understand that as long as Saria is still at Rhine Lab, Sakura will never be able to surpass her in promotion, so there's absolutely no need for her to reveal anything more.

Even if she wants to show her talent later, she'll have to wait until the Mebius Plan succeeds and Saria leaves.

"Alright, let's begin, Muirsay."

Upon hearing this, Saria, who was also prepared, nodded slightly and then looked at Muirseth to the side.

"okay!"

Muirse, who instantly understood Saria's meaning, stood up with a grin and walked to a spot not far from the two of them.

"Ahem... Let the sparring begin!"

After speaking, Muirsey quickly retreated to avoid being caught in the crossfire. She couldn't say for sure about Sakura's strength, but she had a pretty good idea of ​​the strength of the person she had added as a friend.

However, the moment the sparring began, both parties subconsciously gave up the opportunity to attack first, and neither made the first move.

Only after they had reacted in the next instant did they launch an attack on their opponent.

Saria's bandaged fist, carrying a fierce punch, aimed straight for Sakura's chest without any hesitation.

Seeing this, Sakura wasn't stupid. Although she could tell that Saria wasn't using her full strength, it didn't mean she had to take the punch head-on.

Thinking it over, she easily dodged with her speed, and at the same time, she used the back of her long sword to slash at Saria in a tricky manner.

"boom--"

As expected, Sakura's attack was blocked by Saria's calcified arm, producing a muffled thud.

At the same time, Saria seized the opportunity and launched a barrage of attacks at Sakura.

……

"...?"

As the two fought back and forth, getting a little carried away, Muirsay's expression, which was watching from a distance, became quite subtle.

If she remembered correctly, Sakura had told her that she only knew some self-defense techniques...?

How could some self-defense techniques be enough to put him, an old friend whose strength is practically absurd, to this extent?

Even if there might be some ambiguity involved, Muirsey suddenly felt that her understanding of self-defense and Sakura's self-defense seemed to be completely different things.

hateful……

Feeling cheated and a bit cheated, Muirsey decided to treat herself to candy later, after Sakura joined the company!

----------------------

In the cafeteria—

Möbius, who was quietly eating breakfast, finally encountered...

An uninvited guest...

"Isn't this Researcher Möbius? I heard there were no lights in your office last night. Did you make some major breakthrough?"

"..."

The familiar voice made Möbius, who was deep in thought, suddenly stop, and a hint of impatience flashed quickly in his beautiful, gradient-colored snake eyes.

Then, completely ignoring the visitor, Snake picked up her plate, which was almost empty, and prepared to leave.

"Don't leave so fast. I'm really curious about your research, Researcher Möbius." Seeing that someone was about to leave, Horhaia helplessly tried to persuade them to stay.

To be honest, Mebius's intimidation last time was actually quite effective. At least it made Horhaia think for so long that she finally made the necessary preparations and mustered up the courage to come to her today.

There was nothing she could do; Holhaya was simply too concerned about what someone had said last time. In fact, because of what that person had said at the end, she hadn't been able to rest well recently and had been feeling somewhat lost.

Moreover, besides these, there were other things about this "ancient" figure, Mebius, that attracted her attention and piqued her curiosity.

If we were to use a metaphor, Möbius would be like a living history book, containing the "knowledge" or "answers" that Horheimer craved.

Is there a way to solve the problems that mortals face when they pursue "gods" they disdain?