"We cannot immediately verify the authenticity of this'secret history.' The data regarding the Eurasian Great Disaster thirty years ago is top secret, and the DEM Company is extremely secretive about it. But if it is true..."
She paused, her tone heavy, "That would completely change our Understanding of the Spirits' origins and nail the DEM Company to the pillar of shame for crimes against humanity."
"But equally, this could be fabricated by 'Welt' for some purpose, whether to gain sympathy or to divert attention."
"Secondly, Phoenix-in Chinatsu's condition." Kotori's fingers unconsciously tapped on the table.
"Based on your description and our data analysis, what she first displayed was indeed the authority of the Herrscher of Reason, but the power level was low, seemingly because the Spirit Crystal, the source of her power, was damaged. This partially aligns with the claim that she received an 'inheritance.' However..."
Kotori's tone suddenly intensified, carrying deep confusion and vigilance:
"The form she later displayed, the one called 'Heavenly Judgment,' its power attributes—space and thunder—are significantly different from the Authority of Reason Law!"
"The energy level is also worlds apart! This absolutely cannot be power that someone who just received an inheritance could immediately master and use so proficiently! It's more like..."
Her gaze sharpened, "A separate, more complete, and more powerful source of power was already latent within her, and it was only triggered at the critical moment!"
"Furthermore," Kotori added.
"Her final declaration that 'all humans are mistakes,' and her behavior of summoning monsters and mercilessly destroying everything, stands in huge contradiction to the tragic image you previously described of her 'leaving so as not to burden you'!
"The change was too fast, too extreme!"
Shido opened his mouth, wanting to defend Chinatsu, wanting to say that perhaps she was corrupted by the power, or that the loss of control was caused by inheriting Welt's painful memories... but he couldn't speak. Reason told him that Kotori's analysis hit the mark. That absolute indifference and desire for destruction made her seem like a completely different person from the Chinatsu he knew.
Kotori stood up and paced the room. "To summarize, Shido."
She stopped and looked at her older brother, speaking word by word.
"Phoenix-in Chinatsu, or rather, this newly appointed 'Herrscher of Reason' and 'Herrscher of Heavenly Judgment,' is shrouded in mystery. She displayed multiple, potentially contradictory, facets of personality and sources of power."
"She could be a victim burdened by a tragic past, or she could be a deeply hidden, dangerous entity possessing terrifying power."
Seeing Shido's confused and pained expression, Kotori sighed, jumped off the chair, walked up to him, and pressed her hands firmly onto his shoulders, forcing him to meet her intensely serious gaze.
"Shido, I know she was the first Spi... girl you actively tried to capture, and it's understandable that you have special feelings for her. Her final confession and that 'fallen' appearance definitely make it easy to trigger protective and saving instincts."
Kotori's voice carried unquestionable seriousness.
"But listen! Until we fully figure out her true nature, the source of that terrifying power inside her, and the real intent behind her contradictory words and actions, you must remain vigilant!"
Her tone was almost a warning: "The destructive power she displayed today is catastrophic! If that power goes out of control, or if her 'madness' is genuine, the consequences would be unimaginable!"
"This will no longer be a matter of personal feelings, but a safety crisis concerning the entire Amamiya City, and even the world!"
Shido lowered his head, looking at his hands. Images of Chinatsu tearfully confessing flashed through his mind, as did the sight of her maniacally laughing and destroying everything.
The two images intertwined, leaving his mind in utter turmoil.
"I... I know, Kotori," he replied hoarsely.
"But... I can't give up. No matter what, I want to know the truth. I want to know why she became like that... I want to know if there's any possibility... of pulling her back from that path."
Kotori looked at the familiar, almost stubborn kindness and determination in Shido's eyes and sighed softly. "I knew you'd say that... idiot big brother."
She released him and sat back down on the chair. "Ratatoskr will dedicate all efforts to analyzing all the data acquired today, trying to verify 'Welt's' story, and tracking Chinatsu's whereabouts."
"As for you." She looked at Shido.
"You need to rest properly and clear your head. Moving forward, the situation we face may be more complex and dangerous than we imagine."
"Let's assume that some part of 'Welt's' story is true," Reine's gentle but calm voice interjected. She lightly pushed up her glasses.
"In that case, Miss Chinatsu may indeed be bearing certain heavy memories and powers. But the subsequent power of 'Heavenly Judgment' is an extra variable."
"We need to figure out where this power came from, why it merged with her, and... whether it will continuously and completely change her psyche."
Kotori nodded and took over: "In summary, Shido, regarding Phoenix-in Chinatsu, Ratatoskr will raise her danger level to the highest rank, equivalent to 'Nightmare' and the unconfirmed 'First Spirit,' or even higher."
"Until she actively appears, or we find new clues, all plans for active contact targeting her must be temporarily halted."
She looked at Shido, who still seemed somewhat distraught, and softened her tone slightly, but remained resolute.
"I know this is difficult. But what you need to do now is protect yourself and clear your thoughts. The prerequisite for salvation is Understanding."
"And before we truly understand her... blindly approaching her will only put both yourself and her in a more dangerous situation."
Shido remained silent for a long time, eventually nodding slowly.
He knew Kotori and Reine were right, but the worry he felt for Chinatsu, the reluctance at being left behind, and the desire to uncover the whole truth grew wildly in his heart like weeds.
Today's experience, like a nightmare he couldn't wake up from, forcibly inserted a more cruel and complicated world into his life.
And Phoenix-in Chinatsu, the girl he had just realized already held a certain weight in his heart, had transformed into the most mysterious and dangerous entity at the eye of this storm.
Starting today, the daily life he was familiar with was completely gone.
He had stepped into a world that was darker and crueler, yet one from which he could not turn back because of that figure.
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