Sky Striker Princess, but the swan song of Valkyrie.

Rubbing her temples, Lingyi ultimately gave Finney some face, after all, she was still her boss and she couldn't say anything too harsh.

"Okay, I understand. But putting that aside for now, what are your thoughts on Chris's issue, Zero?"

After Lingyi finished speaking, Finnie, realizing she had made a fool of herself, shifted the topic back to Chris's problem. After all, no matter what, if Chris's psychological issues weren't resolved, her goal would be severely delayed.

P.S. I got ganked by the physical test yesterday; I felt like I was going to die after it. I'll try my best to write today.

Chapter 18 Idol or Date, You Have No Choice

"As I've said before, this isn't my area of ​​expertise."

In response to Finney's remarks, Lingyi simply reiterated that she was not capable enough to shoulder such a great responsibility.

"This is just to get the ball rolling. I actually already have a solution for the problem with Chris, but I'd still like to hear your opinion."

When Zero declined, Finney simply smiled and said this.

"...All right."

Seeing that Finney was so insistent, Zero could only give up the idea of ​​relaxing a little and think about how to solve the problem of missing string gain.

"In that case, let Chris debut as an idol."

After thinking for a short while, Lingyi said this.

This is a very moderate and feasible solution.

First, the fact that concerts can amplify string gain has already been verified during the activation of the Bronze Serpent Armor. At that time, the string gain was so great that when Zero took it, they had to suppress the armor's berserk state first.

Secondly, for Lingyi, simply making an idol popular is far simpler than solving the psychological problems of teenage girls. As long as she is willing to spend money on promotion, she can gather enough popularity in a short period of time.

Finally, Lingyi knew that Chris's temperament and abilities gave her the potential to become an idol. Although she was now estranged from him, she acknowledged that Chris would not lose to anyone as an idol.

"Becoming an idol? Indeed, having Chris become an idol would be a good solution to the problem of insufficient string gain output."

Listening to Zero's explanation, Finney quickly realized the feasibility of Zero's plan.

If we could hold a grand concert, it might not only make up for the losses of the past two weeks, but also bring the plans forward by a significant amount of time.

"Right? So Chris really should become an idol."

Lingyi nodded and said, "Although the solution may be somewhat abstract, it is indeed a solution with extremely high stability and feasibility."

"What are you talking about? Did you even ask for my opinion? I hate singing the most, how could I possibly become an idol!"

Just as Lingyi was about to reach an agreement with Finney on this matter, Chris, with a bandage wrapped around her neck, suddenly rushed in from outside the door with a flushed face.

She had just changed the burn ointment on her neck and was wondering how to get along with Lingyi, who seemed to have changed a lot, when she came back and heard the two people inside discussing how to become an idol.

"Hmm, is that so? It seems my information was outdated. I originally thought you still liked singing as much as before."

After reading what Chris said, Zero said thoughtfully.

"Yes, yes, I hate singing the most, so how could someone like me become an idol who brings happiness to others through singing? After all, I'm not happy even when I sing."

Chris said this as if she were trying to persuade Zero to give up the idea, or as if she were trying to persuade herself.

“It’s okay, Chris. Even if you don’t like singing, it won’t affect your ability to be an idol.”

Lingyi said this.

"ha?"

Zero's sudden words threw Chris into a state of utter confusion.

"Although my aversion to singing may cause a decrease in string gain, as long as I gather enough popularity, I should be able to obtain a considerable string gain by accumulating popularity."

"Moreover, it has never been said that being an idol requires a love of singing. Ultimately, being an idol is just a job. As long as the earnings are high enough, even if you don't like singing, you can offset that resistance through the sense of accomplishment."

Ignoring the crashed Chris, Zero continued to analyze the feasibility of Chris becoming an idol.

"I don't care, I would never become an idol. I'm fighting for the goal of 'ending all wars in the world,' so how could I possibly play the idol game?"

Faced with Lingyi's analysis, Chris quickly stated her position. She was afraid that if she listened to Lingyi's words any longer, she would really put on a little skirt and jump around on the stage. That kind of thing was strange no matter how you looked at it.

"But, Chris, don't forget why we discussed this in the first place, since the idol proposed this plan for your own goals."

"Your output needs to be increased in order to obtain enough string boosts to activate artifacts. In order to increase your output, a plan was proposed to make you an idol. And all of this is for your so-called common goal with Finn."

Faced with Chris's words, Zero seriously corrected the contradictions in her language.

"Ah, is that so?"

Rei's words, and seeing the other's calm, serious expression—simple and straightforward, devoid of any hint of teasing—Chris couldn't help but wonder if she had overreacted.

"So, should I become an idol?"

After thinking for a moment, Chris said somewhat uncertainly.

"Yes, that's right, for your dream."

Lingyi emphasized earnestly and firmly.

"Alright, Zero, stop teasing cute Chris. Oh, no, I mean, while your plan is good, I have a better one."

At this moment, Finney, who had been watching their conversation from the side, spoke up in a calm and unhurried tone.

"You? You have a better solution... Unbelievable."

Upon hearing Finney's words, Lingyi stopped trying to persuade (or coax) Chris and prepared to listen to Finney's plan, even though she felt in her heart that Finney was unlikely to come up with anything useful.

"My plan is actually very simple. It doesn't require much money and can be executed in sync with your plan, Zero. Most importantly, if we're lucky enough, it won't take too long for Chris to recover."

Finney said this with a very confident expression.

Is there such a way?

Lingyi found it increasingly impossible to come up with such a method, but out of respect for the other party's unorthodox technological expertise, she decided to listen first.

"Um, please, Finney, anything is fine as long as I don't have to be an idol."

Chris thought to herself, finally snapping out of her daze of being persuaded (or rather, conned).

“Since Chris is uneasy because Zero is different from the one in your memory, the problem can be solved by making Chris feel at ease.”

Facing the two men who were waiting to ask her questions, Finney stood up from her seat, displaying her perfect body to them, and then spoke.

"So, my plan is for you, Chris, to get to know Zero better and reduce your anxiety through more intimate daily interactions. As for the specific form, I think it would be good to take inspiration from modern high school girls shopping."

P.S. This is a very serious discussion about solutions, not a joke.

Chapter Nineteen: Pleasant Cooperation

? "

When I type a question mark, it's not that I have a problem, but that I think you have a problem.

"Hmm... Finney, what's the basis for your idea, and how feasible do you think it is?"

However, based on her basic trust in the other party's ability to discuss serious matters, Lingyi thought for a moment and then began to seriously inquire about the reasons behind Finney's proposed plan.

"By the way, if you're thinking of brushing this off with something like 'it was just a joke,' then you'll have to deal with this all by yourself."

However, while asking, Lingyi also indicated that if Finney couldn't convince her, she would immediately turn around and leave, ignoring the matter altogether.

"Oh... so even something like this didn't change you at all. It seems you really are quite inflexible, Rei."

Seeing Lingyi's behavior, Finney's expression changed slightly, and she gained a deeper understanding of how rigid Lingyi was.

"...

Lingyi felt that her patience was about to be exhausted by Finney.

"But if you ask for a reason, of course I have my reasons too."

Just as Lingyi was about to silently turn away, Finney began to explain the reasons behind her proposed solution.

"First of all, I want to clarify that my plan and your plan, Lingyi, are not contradictory and can be carried out simultaneously. Do you understand this, Lingyi?"

Finney said she did not intend to reject Zero's proposal.

"Indeed, while the 'idol' project has yielded stable and considerable results in the end, it requires a considerable amount of time to develop and launch in the early stages, and it does not have any substantial conflict with your 'dating' project, Finney."

After thinking about it for a moment, Lingyi agreed with Finney's opinion.

"That's it. Besides, in terms of cost, the time cost of the 'dating' plan is just a little bit of your rest time, and the resource cost is just a negligible entertainment expense."

However, the result is that it has a high probability of directly solving Chris's problem, eliminating the need to wait for the concert to reach its target audience.

Finnie said that after spending so much time together, she knew exactly how to get Zero to agree to a plan.

"It is indeed a viable strategy, if there is no significant contradiction."

After listening to Finney's explanation, Zero said this.

"Huh? What?"

Chris, already confused by their conversation, reflexively echoed.

"You should know that I will not allow any threatening being to get too close to me, and your proposed solution requires me to have some contact with Yukine Chris, a highly threatening individual. How do you intend to resolve this?" 59

Ignoring Chris, whose mind was already blank, Zero calmly said this, at which point a faint red light emanated from the blade at her waist.

This is an irreconcilable contradiction. Lingyi hates anything that could increase her own safety risks, so it's impossible for her to do what Finni described.

"I've already thought about that. Since you think Chris is a high threat, then we just need to reduce Chris's threat level to an acceptable level."

As she spoke, Finney sat back down on the sofa chair, her beautiful legs in black stockings resting comfortably on the table.

"You mean you want me to break her down into harmless, non-reusable inorganic matter called Chris?"

Looking at the text on the screen that had been identified and marked with the prefix "Phineas," Lingyi thought for a moment and then asked this question.

“Zero, you’re going a bit too far. Of course not. The premise of this plan is to at least ensure Chris’s safety, so Zero, you can’t kill Chris.”

Finney quickly stopped Zero from making a slightly unfriendly remark to Chris, which startled Chris and stopped her impulse to run away.

"So how do you plan to resolve this? I can't allow a powerful musician to get close enough that I can't launch a counterattack immediately."

Lingyi asked, noticing that the red light emanating from the flashing blade at her waist seemed to have intensified.

"As for a solution, how about we each compromise? Zero, you eliminate the threat to Chris and execute my plan while ensuring her safety, and I'll give you a condition you can't refuse."

In response to Lingyi's resolute words, Finni said this, and then took out a device from a "storage" spot on his body and pressed a few buttons on it.

"This is?!"

Looking at the text displayed on the screen in her right eye, a subtle change appeared on Lingyi's usually calm face.

"You handed over that information to me just for something like this? What exactly are you plotting?"

The payment that Finney had just sent her was the payment for the final collaboration that was originally scheduled for. Giving her these things meant that Finney had given up her initiative in this collaboration.

However, Lingyi couldn't understand why she would pay such a high price for the psychological problems of her subordinate. Could it be that Chris was actually Finney's illegitimate daughter?

"Well, this is our last collaboration, so what's wrong with me being a little generous? Besides, I believe you, Lingyi, can handle everything for me without breaching the contract, right?"

With a smile that Zero couldn't decipher, Finney said this.

"..."

Lingyi silently watched the woman in front of her, trying to discern her intentions from her expression.

However, although she could vaguely sense that the other party had some kind of purpose, she ultimately couldn't figure it out due to insufficient information.

"In addition, I will also hand over the temporary use of the Bronze Serpent Armor and the Staff of Solomon to you. Oh, right, since you are going to carry out my plan, I will also hand over the command of Chris to you. As long as you help me achieve my goal, that's all that matters. So, Zero, what are your thoughts?"

Perhaps feeling that this wasn't enough, Finney casually added another layer of weight.

"This... Finny, did you go somewhere for advanced training? How did you evolve from a hellish client to a godlike client?"

Hearing Finney's conditions, Zero felt a little unreal. Was this still the same guy who always caused trouble and made things difficult for her during missions?

"Then there is only one answer. I have no reason to refuse. I agree to this plan."

Although we don't know what got into Finney today, it's good that we've managed to take control of the operation.

She's had enough of being surrounded by allies because of poor communication. It's better to do more work within her own sphere of influence than to work well while having to watch out for her teammates' antics.

"Then, it's a pleasure to cooperate."

"Okay, it's a pleasure doing business with you."

Afterwards, the two shook hands, which was considered to confirm that they had reached an agreement, but someone's opinion was simply ignored.

[Photo: The Neglected]

Chapter Twenty: A New Beginning