"Requisition?"
"That's right. This Bangboo from the Academy... I need it to keep guiding us in the upcoming operation."
"Is that alright?"
Tsukishiro Yanagi spoke in a strictly professional tone. Although it sounded like a question, her words carried the weight of a formal notification.
And she wasn't speaking to Hare's House—but to the investigator.
"The target has deviated from the projected path. We need the Bangboo that holds the 'Carrot' data to navigate—this is an emergency requisition of critical assets."
To Tsukishiro Yanagi, Eous was simply a pilot Bangboo from the White Star Institute, so she didn't bother with politeness.
Harumasa, standing beside her, offered a mild smile to ease the mood.
"In other words, if any equipment is damaged, we'll compensate for it."
"Mm-hmm?!"
Belle responded in Bangboo language, conveying clear human-like surprise.
"Please, little Bangboo, I'll protect you!"
Soukaku placed her hands on her hips with a gentle smile. She didn't realize it was Belle speaking from within Eous—she simply thought the Bangboo was nervous.
"Hmm... since you're an officer from the Anti-Hollow Division..."
The investigator hesitated. Not knowing the exact situation, she assumed Eous was affiliated with the Academy and that the three from Hare's House were just a freelance investigation team.
Just as she was about to give the go-ahead, the trio from Hare's House began to fidget uneasily.
"Hey, Nicole, maybe we should... rescue the store manager?"
Billy had been listening and quickly leaned over to whisper to Nicole.
Going on a mission with special ops to face a super-sized Ethereal, with the risk of damage involved—just thinking about it was terrifying!
Nicole nodded in full agreement. She promptly explained Eous's true affiliation to the Anti-Hollow Unit and made it clear they needed to reconsider.
The three of them and Eous soon huddled to the side.
"Store manager, what do you think?"
After 'rescuing' Eous, Billy leaned in and asked quietly.
"Yeah, Proxy, this just feels off. That Ethereal's massive—and it flies. Plus, Zane's not even with us right now..."
"Our assessment is done. There's no harm in turning them down. It's private property—they can't just take it."
Nicole's expression was tense. Her meaning was clear:
Retreat!
Retreat!
Definitely retreat!
"I'm with Nicole on this."
Billy nodded firmly.
Anby stayed silent, as always, but her eyes rested on Eous, still deep in thought.
She understood—if Belle was thinking, then it meant she wasn't planning on backing down.
Thinking... was to find a way forward.
Belle, controlling Eous, looked toward the distant sky. The woman was no longer in sight, but a small black dot was still on the move.
That was Nineveh.
"Zane hasn't been gone for long. He can't be too far. There's no way he didn't notice this commotion."
"He'll go after Nineveh. We can't stop here. And besides..."
Eous glanced at the trio from Anti-Hollow Unit 6.
"These guys have skills. They can keep us safe. I'm just showing the way."
"If we refuse... it might create unnecessary trouble."
After weighing it all, Belle chose to proceed with the mission.
"Ugh... but still..."
"Whatever. Let's go with Proxy's call. We'll come too—consider it part of our job protecting you."
Nicole waved it off, her tone annoyed but with a hint of warmth.
After finalizing the decision, Nicole, as the de facto leader, gave the Unit 6 trio her answer.
"Alright. But any damage during this operation falls on Anti-Hollow Unit 6."
Harumasa didn't argue. After all, they were borrowing someone else's Bangboo, and the three from Hare's House—even if not elite—had passed an assessment and could be reliable.
Anby nodded silently, calm as ever.
But Billy, on the other hand, visibly lit up.
"So... will you guys also cover my ammo expenses?"
Tsukishiro Yanagi glanced at him and gave a knowing smile—clearly familiar with how Billy worked.
"Of course."
She nodded, and Billy cheered.
Back in the Dead End Butcher fight, he burned through so much ammo that Nicole gave him an earful when they got back.
This time? With someone footing the bill, he could go wild!
To Billy, two things in life brought the greatest joy:
First—being a Starlight Knight!
Second—unleashing his Fire Picker without limits!
With the arrangements settled, both sides moved out immediately under Eous's lead.
...
A hazy afterglow pierced the thick clouds above, casting shimmering crosses through the gaps—like beams of heavenly light descending from the sky.
Floating ruins drifted through the air—some still, some moving—gilded in a soft, golden shimmer under the light.
"Still no sign?"
Harumasa ran full tilt, panting heavily. Tsukishiro Yanagi and Soukaku matched his pace step for step.
A little behind them, Eous dashed forward on his tiny legs, his upper body tilted backward from the wind resistance.
Trailing behind Eous, Nicole and Billy were gasping for breath—Anby, naturally, faring much better.
"Nicole... what the hell is that girl?! She's tiny, holding a massive weapon—and she's running faster than anyone!"
Billy's wide eyes were locked on Soukaku ahead, visibly stunned.
"You're asking me? I'm dying over here..."
Nicole stumbled slightly, wiping sweat from her brow as she grit her teeth to keep going.
This whole trip had been a non-stop mix of parkour, fights, and destruction—she hadn't had a single break.
Her stamina was hitting its limit.
Up ahead, Harumasa suddenly narrowed his eyes, even his breathing hitching.
"There! That way!"
He pointed toward a floating ruin, where a swift figure darted from ledge to ledge at incredible speed.
At that moment, Hoshimi Miyabi had blocked out all distractions—her eyes locked on one target: Nineveh.
Just a little faster...
She pushed forward again, blade drawn. Cold light flashed—buildings and Ethereals in her path were cleaved apart without mercy.
She had caught up!
Her eyes focused. In a heartbeat, she had already mapped out a route to get ahead of Nineveh—and where to cut her off.
Just as the drone beside her glowed and elemental energy surged through her blade, she readied herself to strike—
Then, a burst of red light exploded right in front of her.