After Shido and Tohka stepped onto the Sunset Platform, the atmosphere on the Fraxinus bridge was quite relaxed, even carrying a few hints of "old fatherly" relief.
The main screen was transmitting Shido and Tohka's conversation and interaction in real-time.
Listening to Shido's clumsy yet incredibly sincere affirmation, and watching Tohka's process of moving from confusion and self-doubt to gradually opening her heart, even the usually strict Kotori nodded slightly.
"Hmm... although he's still a bit green, compared to the virgin who used to blush just talking normally to a girl..."
Kotori, chewing on her precious jewel, let the corner of her mouth curl up slightly. Uncharacteristically, she didn't use her sharp tongue, her tone carrying a trace of imperceptible approval.
"Although it was clumsy, his words were decent enough. It seems our Idiot Older Brother has finally made some progress after experiencing a few setbacks."
"Indeed, Shido's performance this time was full of genuine strength, which is crucial for calming the Spirit's emotions."
Murasame Reine also nodded softly: "Shido... he has truly grown. Compared to his previous state of merely repeating our instructions, he is now better able to Understanding and interact with the Spirits from the heart."
"This is truly the power of love! Commander!"
Kannazuki Kyohei immediately seized the opportunity, dropping to one knee, holding his hands over his heart, and proclaiming in an aria-like tone, "It is your wise leadership, your selfless dedication, your... (His gaze inadvertently swept over Kotori's flat chest)... Er, it is your broad, plains-like, magnanimous bosom that provided the soil for Shido-kun's growth!"
"Bang!" The familiar fierce kick descended once more, and Kannazuki skillfully rolled to the side.
Yet, even while rolling, he stubbornly shouted the latter half of his sentence: "—And I believe it was the failure of the previous capture attempt targeting Heavenly Judgment Chinatsu that brought about a huge impact and self-reflection for Shido-kun, allowing him to progress so rapidly! Failure is the mother of success, Commander!"
The atmosphere inside the bridge subtly froze for a moment because of that statement.
Kotori and Reine exchanged glances but said nothing. Although Kannazuki's words were inappropriate, they might have pointed out a partial truth.
The complex and painful entanglement with Chinatsu may indeed have served as a catalyst for Shido's accelerated growth.
However, Kannazuki's unintentional mention of Chinatsu still caused everyone's heartstrings to subtly tighten for a moment.
That white-haired, golden-eyed Spirit was perpetually the Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.
However, this brief atmosphere of mild satisfaction was utterly shattered the next second.
On the screen, the muzzle flash of a sniper rifle flickered and vanished!
Shido's figure violently jolted, a dazzling burst of blood bloomed on his chest, and he immediately collapsed limply.
"Ah!" "Shido-san!" A chorus of panicked cries immediately erupted on the bridge, the crew members' faces filled with disbelief and fear.
"Shut up! All of you be quiet!" Kotori slammed the armrest of the command seat and shouted sternly.
"Why panic? It's not the first time we've seen this! That kind of injury won't kill the current Shido!"
Though she scolded fiercely, she understood her subordinates' agitation. After all, witnessing someone being "sniped" firsthand was too impactful.
However, Kotori, Reine, and the newly recovered Kannazuki did not show much alarm on their faces.
They knew clearly that the current Shido had merged Kotori's Spirit powers within him, possessing extremely strong self-healing abilities.
A gunshot wound that would be fatal to an ordinary person was, for him, merely a "severe injury" that required lying on the ground for a while and expending some Spirit power to recover.
The real trouble lay in the subsequent developments.
The Spatial Quake alarm wailed sharply, but it was too late.
Tohka's Spirit power completely ran wild; the slash unleashed by sandalphon effortlessly split the vast development area in two, creating a shocking abyss.
This destructive power, far exceeding her previous capabilities, made the previous Tohka seem like a docile kitten.
The AST Unit struggled desperately against the berserk Tohka, while their strongest "weapon," Shido, lay in a pool of blood, his "life or death unknown."
Everything seemed to be sliding toward the worst possible outcome.
"Oh dear, although it wasn't elegant, as a knight, his score is passing." Kotori even had the presence of mind to make a sarcastic remark.
"If the princess had been killed just now, that would have been truly disastrous."
She attempted to maintain calm on the bridge this way, planning the next steps to salvage the situation—such as how to calm the rampaging Tohka after Shido recovered.
However, this forced composure was utterly shattered the very next instant!
A spatial gate, its edges flickering with ominous electrical light, opened without warning above the battlefield!
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Rexlent
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"