Sky Striker Princess, but the swan song of Valkyrie.

"is that so?"

Lingyi feigned curiosity at the opportune moment, while simultaneously allowing the floating units to continue their clandestine investigation.

Under her control, small aircraft flew covertly high above the hot spring town, constantly gathering valuable intelligence through long-range cameras.

To be honest, dealing with public conversations while operating the floating units is not easy, but if done properly, it can greatly improve efficiency.

Just like now, in less than ten minutes, Lingyi had already used the machine to analyze the personnel configuration and status of the Second Division in this hot spring town.

According to her organization's observations, the basic members of Section Two are mostly scattered throughout the hot spring town, with very few individuals carrying weapons. The stronger combat forces are mainly concentrated in the men's and women's hot springs nearby.

Fortunately, she didn't rush to attack, otherwise she would probably be stuck in the quagmire of battle now, unable to extricate herself.

What should we do next?

After confirming the information in his mind, Zero couldn't help but think about it.

If it's for peace of mind, then Lingyi should stop here. She already has enough information to leave without arousing suspicion.

However, after analyzing the current situation, Lingyi had a new idea.

[There are two choices: one is to remain hidden and leave like a passerby while we are still undetected; the other is to immediately devise a plan to capture Hibiki Hana and seize this opportunity to execute it.]

Thinking of this, Lingyi's gaze focused on the girl in front of her who was wrapped in a thin bath towel.

The reason she had this idea was that, after analysis, she found that launching an attack now seemed to be much less risky than launching one later.

First of all, this place is not their own base, which the Second Division has been operating for a long time, but a bustling hot spring town with many innocent people.

Having lost the base's defensive fortifications, and also having to protect civilians during the fighting, the Second Division's combat effectiveness will inevitably be greatly reduced.

Secondly, compared to the last time she infiltrated alone with the Sky Blade, this time she has the Staff of Solomon, a powerful and complete artifact, in her possession.

Although she didn't particularly like noise, she had to admit that noise posed an absolute threat to humanity. Releasing a certain amount of noise could easily restrain those guys who had caused her so much trouble in the last operation.

Finally, even if this operation fails, it will still put psychological pressure on the members of Section Two.

After all, their team building trip was kept quite secret to prevent enemy attacks, and the fact that even such a highly secretive operation could still be attacked made them suspicious for a while.

P.S. Goodnight. I feel so creepy.

Chapter Forty-Seven: An Unexpected Event

While Lingyi was nervously contemplating whether to take action, Chris, who had gone outside alone, was caught up in a dilemma.

Although she appeared somewhat aggressive in front of Lingyi before, that was just a manifestation of her panic.

After calming down, Chris was in a bad mood.

Because of this incident, no matter what Zero decides in the end, she will no longer be able to maintain her previous mindset and fully enjoy her first hot spring trip.

This means that her previously envisioned relaxing hot spring trip has been completely ruined by this unexpected event.

This situation, like meeting a client during a holiday date and then suddenly receiving a project that she has to solve immediately with her laptop, made Chris experience the helplessness of adults at a young age.

But there was nothing she could do; the deed was done, and who knew that the place she randomly chose would become the enemy's team-building activity.

Let's do as Lingyi says first.

Chris silently thought that, surrounded by enemies and without any means of resistance, she could only do as Zero said and disguise herself well, pretending to be an ordinary person.

"Let's see what's available around here. Oh, there seems to be a snack shop over there."

Relaxed, Chris took out the magical little card she had on her person and quickly found one of those small convenience stores that would naturally appear in the vicinity where there was a lot of foot traffic.

Upon entering the convenience store, just like most convenience stores, there is a counter at the entrance, behind which is a female cashier with her head half-down, playing on her phone. Inside, several rows of shelves are neatly arranged with various snacks, drinks, and hot spring supplies.

Perhaps because it wasn't peak time yet, the store was rather quiet with few customers.

[Try to act normal... wait, how does a normal person buy things again?]

As Chris walked into the somewhat deserted shop, she thought to herself, and then tried to recall her memories of normal people going into a store to buy things.

In recent years, Chris has hardly lived a normal life. She has either been living a life of constant displacement or being kept like a caged bird. Her life is not only completely different from that of a normal person, but it is at least worlds apart.

This kind of life over a long period of time, while not enough to turn her into an ignorant young lady (after all, she had a normal life when she was young), has at least made her somewhat out of touch with modern society.

"Hmm, I remember now, let's do it that way."

Not long after, since it wasn't a difficult task, and supported by her memories, Chris quickly understood what she should do.

Chris then took a basket from the door and went inside the store. The cashier next to her didn't look up; she was still playing on her phone with her head half-down.

"Potato chips, chocolate, cookies, and snacks... choose your flavor... and then grab a few cartons of milk, oh, and canned coffee."

Looking at the wide variety of goods on the shelves, Chris began to choose snacks and drinks according to her interests.

Sometimes he would glance at something and put it in the basket, sometimes he would look at it again, shake his head, and put it back. In between, he would also put things that had already been put in the basket back in.

Since Chris didn't know how much time Zero would need, she used as much delaying as possible to select items, and to be honest, she was quite interested in these snacks that she rarely saw before.

"How about we bring some for that guy too? Hmm... but would he really eat the stuff sold outside? Maybe we should forget it."

During the selection process, Chris considered bringing some snacks for Lingyi according to her tastes, but considering that Lingyi didn't even want to eat the food she cooked herself, she eventually gave up on the idea.

For some reason, Chris had never seen Lingyi eat normal food. For the past two days, she had been eating that milky white, viscous substance from who-knows-where.

"Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore. What she wants to do has nothing to do with me."

Chris said this, then picked up the shopping basket that had somehow become full. She thought she had stalled for enough time and planned to go back and check on Zero.

Upon arriving at the store entrance, I placed the shopping basket on the checkout counter. It made a dull thud when it was placed on the counter, seemingly because it was filled with too many items.

Ah, I think I bought a bit too much. Oh well, I'll just take the rest home to eat.

Looking at the basket full of things, Chris realized that she seemed to have taken a bit too much without realizing it.

"Hello, how much do these cost in total?"

Shaking her head to banish the sudden thought, Chris asked this question.

"Um, oh, wait a minute, let me calculate."

The cashier, who was just scrolling through her phone, looked up.

[Should we contact Lingyi first? I remember she mentioned that this telepathic communication service has a fairly wide coverage area.]

Chris thought to herself after handing over the shopping basket.

Previously, Lingyi had only said that she wanted to buy some things to pass the time, but now that she had finished shopping, whether for information synchronization or other reasons, it seemed necessary for her to report to him.

Okay, I've decided. I'll tell her and ask if she wants to go straight back.

It didn't take long for Chris to make a decision and establish a telepathic connection in her mind.

"Um...excuse me, are you Little Chris?"

Just as Chris was about to make a call, an unexpected, very ordinary voice interrupted her.

...

Her heartbeat accelerated for a moment, and the vibrational information traveled through her auditory system to Chris's brain.

Soon, Chris realized what was happening and the cashier in front of her called out her real name.

What exactly happened? Wait, could it be...?

As mentioned before, the place Chris chose was a place she was very familiar with, a place where she and Zero had lived together.

Therefore, it is only natural that there would be people who had seen her when she was a child and were very familiar with her when she was a child.

This is bad.

Chris broke out in a cold sweat. She couldn't even imagine what would happen if her true identity were recognized here, surrounded by enemies.

To deny it or to admit it?

If you deny it, and you fail to completely deceive the other party, it may increase their suspicion.

If you admit it, it's tantamount to exposing the flaws in your identity in this space.

Chris was briefly confused, but there was clearly no time for her to be confused now.

P.S. Goodnight.

Chapter Forty-Eight Reflections

Deny or admit? Which side should we choose? What should we do?

Such thoughts echoed in Chris's mind, but she didn't have much time left. If she didn't make a choice soon, waiting too long might arouse more suspicion.

[I was just a little out of the loop, Chris, what happened to you again?]

Just as Chris was feeling nervous, a familiar voice came from her heart.

【Lingyi, why are you doing this again... Ah, I just dialed.】

Upon hearing the voice in her heart, Chris was initially puzzled, but then she understood what had happened.

"Alright, I understand the situation. Just chat with her casually, it's okay to reveal your real identity. I'll handle the aftermath for you."

Inside the hot spring inn less than 100 meters away, after seeing Chris's nervous appearance through the optically invisible wasp unit, Zero, dressed in black, sighed inwardly and made a decision for Chris through telepathic communication.

Is this okay? Won't it reveal my identity?

Despite what Zero said, Chris was still a little worried.

Don't worry about it. The fake identity I created isn't something that would be exposed at this level.

Regarding Chris's concerns, Lingyi directly stated that she was overthinking it. With this level of exposure, without evidence, at most people would be able to uncover two or three layers of concealment.

Okay, I'll do as you say.

After hearing what Lingyi said, Chris also calmed her worried heart.

"Okay, you can continue chatting there. I need some time to prepare. Once I'm ready, I'll tell Chris what to do next."

Lingyi said.

[Ready, Zero, what are you doing? Haven't you dealt with Tachibana Hibiki yet?]

Hearing Lingyi say this, Chris asked with some doubt.

[I've already dealt with this, but I plan to try and catch Tachibana Hibiki here. If that goes well, I won't need to expend any more effort.]

Lingyi said casually.

After careful consideration and research, Rei finally decided to make a small attempt to capture Tachibana Hibiki. After all, if they missed this good opportunity when the Second Division was off guard, there might not be another chance.

[Ha, wait, Lingyi, didn't you say it was too dangerous and we couldn't act now?]

Hearing Zero's words, Chris had even more doubts. When I said I wanted to fight, you stopped me. Now that I've calmed down and don't want to fight anymore, you want to fight again. Chris felt that Zero was targeting her.

[Don't misunderstand, I still believe that capturing Tachibana Hibiki without proper preparation is a dangerous act, because the entire Second Division is currently here for a team-building activity for unknown reasons, and the risk level here is undoubtedly high.]

If we act rashly, the probability of achieving our goal will be very low, and we may also encounter unknown risks.

Zero explained in response to Chris's question.

Ah, why did you start taking action so quickly, Zero?

Chris asked, puzzled.

[The risks are significant, but not insurmountable. The main risk stems from my identity, so I plan to capture Hibiki Tachibana without revealing my identity.]

Anyway, Chris, just wait for my instructions. I'll handle everything.

[That's all for now, I have to go. Good luck, Chris.]

Lingyi then gave a brief explanation before abruptly hanging up the call.

[Wait, so what are you planning to do, Zero...?]

Chris wanted to ask more, but all she got in response was a long silence. Clearly, at least for now, unless something important happened, Zero had no intention of paying any more attention to Chris.

Never mind, I'm not really that curious anyway.

Chris hates people who only say half of what they mean.

However, after Lingyi said that, Chris felt more at ease. In other words, as long as it wasn't something particularly outrageous, revealing a little bit of her identity was acceptable.

"Yes, that's right, my name is Chris. So who are you, and why do you know me?"

After thinking it over, Chris admitted her identity without hesitation, and then asked a question in return.

"It really is you, Chris! I knew I wouldn't mistake you. As for me, you forgot, didn't you and Lingyi used to come to my shop to buy things all the time?"

After Chris admitted it, the cashier behind the counter nodded, looking like she knew it, and then explained to Chris with a smile.