Having gathered sufficient information, Xu Yang wanted to package it and forward it to Kirino Reisei, but he felt that some things were too complicated to explain clearly without discussing them in person.
At that point, he understood Kirino Reisei’s preference for using the virtual pod to load the phantom meetings—it indeed was more convenient than joining an online meeting via call, as it helped dissolve the sense of unfamiliarity and quickly fostered closer relationships.
After contacting Kirino Reisei, they used the same old method, entering the courtyard area they had previously loaded one after the other.
"I’ve been waiting for you," Kirino Reisei bowed to Xu Yang in greeting.
Newly married and though behind a fox mask, Xu Yang could still sense her good mood.
"Investigation has a direction now. ’Hundred-eyes Demon’ has indeed been tampered with." Xu Yang lifted his head, an operation panel appearing in the air, and he forwarded several files to Kirino Reisei.
"I see," Kirino Reisei silently observed the decoded files, "5% of Hundred-eyes Demon’s functional permissions have been stolen, no wonder we were defeated so badly. But who did it?"
"I have information on the suspect, but you know the condition," Xu Yang momentarily held back the news about Tenjouin Shino.
"I apologize, I will send you what you need right away," Kirino Reisei handed over Pan Ruiyi’s movement and itinerary report to Xu Yang.
After checking, Xu Yang realized the situation was extremely dangerous; it was time to talk to Farosa.
He passed the second half of the investigation results to Kirino Reisei.
"As for the Tenjouin side, keep an eye on it yourself," Xu Yang said.
Kirino Reisei finished reading the report, understanding the behind-the-scenes maneuvers of the Tenjouin Family.
"I understand," Kirino Reisei gave Xu Yang a deep bow, "The New World Mechanism truly knows no bounds; you have greatly broadened my horizons."
"If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going first," Xu Yang prepared to log off.
"Yes, thank you. Please, take care," Kirino Reisei bade Xu Yang farewell with utmost respect.
Logging off from the courtyard, Kirino Reisei awoke from the virtual pod.
She took a bath, drank tea, brushed her hair, lit scented candles, contacted a flower arranging teacher for remote guidance, spent 30 minutes practicing flower arrangements, and then went to her desk. On the smart screen, she found Tenjouin Shino’s contact information, her fingers quickly tapping the keyboard, composing a 1500-word encrypted letter to send to her.
Due to a staff shortage, Tenjouin Shino was now the highest-level person responsible for Kyoto Infinity’s animation production department. Her most frequent job was to criticize the current anime writers and directors.
At the moment, employees were gathering, requesting Tenjouin Shino to shorten work hours, and many wanted transfers to more remote islands to avoid the approach of Black Fire Innovation’s army.
"Lazy, huh? Unwilling to create because we’re at war?" Tenjouin Shino was very dissatisfied with their morale, "Even if Black Fire Innovation’s people break in and point guns at your heads, you still have to remain in your positions and earnestly complete your work! Kyoto Infinity is the world’s best anime production company, it was in the past, it is now, and it will be in the future; inherit the business of our predecessors properly! If you’re whining and tired, you might as well bury your face in a pillow and commit suicide!"
Already a woman with a strong presence, her outburst now made the company’s people turn pale with shame, meekly complying without daring to utter a word.
"Those excellent plans," Tenjouin Shino clenched her fist, "those novels and comics waiting for adaptation, they all need your efforts to magnify their dreams! You are to transform those monotonous words and rough drafts into anime that touches the hearts of people! A writer is one person, a manga artist might have a few assistants, but you, as directors, screenwriters, supervisors, original artists, colorists, voice actors, sound technicians, special effects, AI... you are the entire team, and you should produce works that leave everyone deeply satisfied. If one person fails, it affects the experience of audiences all around the world!"
The employees exchanged looks.
"You exhaust your brains, strain your necks, and bolster your bodies not for yourselves, but for the ’world’!" Tenjouin Shino stood up, waving her arms furiously, "The people of the whole world who suffer, who are anxious, once they see the high-quality anime we produce, will feel pleasure and enjoyment from the bottom of their hearts. It allows them to escape the stress of reality and sail into a tranquil haven of the mind... This is our mission!"
"Oh oh!" They chorused, realizing they couldn’t reason with Tenjouin Shino, and as riot control robots approached from outside the glass walls, they gradually dispersed and returned to their workstations.
Where had the spirit of the older generation, who were capable of enduring hardship and fighting bravely, gone? Tenjouin Shino frowned as she watched people scatter.
As a middle-age witch, she grew up with the entire company, having witnessed several turnovers of company personnel. This latest batch was the least effective, doing little but demanding much, completely lacking the precious spirit of struggle.
Her message bar lit up, and Tenjouin Shino checked the encrypted letter sent by Kirino Reisei. After skimming through it, she felt uneasy and immediately communicated with Kirino Reisei.
"Reisei," Tenjouin Shino said, "It’s not what you think. We will conduct a self-examination."
"Then, those little rumors specifically meant to sour our relationship, who sent them to you?"
"We’ll all meet up," Kirino Reisei said, "Time to bring what’s been under the surface up to light."
"Yes, that sort of group that specializes in making groundless accusations and doing disgraceful things behind the scenes is the worst," Tenjouin Shino agreed.
"I’m not talking about them, I’m talking about you."
"See you at the festival then, where everyone will be present," Kirino Reisei ended the communication.
Tenjouin Zina collapsed onto the desk.
Though she could have been enjoying life by now, she still wanted to stand by Kyoto Infinity until the final moment.
She made a phone call to her father. The father had strategically transferred his consciousness and was now a mechanized body of eternal life.
"Dad," she said, "someone has dug up your matters, and I always felt you didn’t handle them cleanly."
"...How did they find out?"
"They hired a third-party team, and they were quick." Tenjouin Zina lamented, "Why? Who made you do it? Don’t you know the risks are great? And it’s not just our family’s affair, our entire corporation..."
"It was the previous president." A heavy sigh came from the other end of the line, "This was the last wish of Takahashi Nozomi."
Tenjouin Zina held her breath.
Elsewhere, in Nestor Industrial Park, Xu Yang brought Pan Ruiyi’s whereabouts to Farosa.
Farosa lay on a pile of books in a secret room, stacking them into a bed-like shape and lying on top. She read at a rapid pace, three times faster than an ordinary person, flipping the pages so quickly that Xu Yang doubted she could actually see them clearly.
"Why do you love reading so much?" Xu Yang pulled up a stool and sat down.
Farosa turned over and looked at Xu Yang, examining him carefully for a while.
"I’m always superior to others," she said, "and this attitude is related to reading."
"Reading is supposed to broaden your mind."
"It was different in the Middle Ages," Farosa said, "When I first joined the Church, there were no other entertainments, only books. I still remember werewolves howling outside at night, while I could only face white candles and handwritten manuscripts, rats gnawing at the bindings, and the family cat urinating on open books. In the second year I went in, I had read and memorized 500 manuscripts and notes. They fed these to me, realizing this trait of mine, continuously buying copies from other major cities’ bookshops for me to memorize, and then recommended me to the gods. This knowledge made me feel superior to others."
"You were just a child back then," Xu Yang said, "Such excellent memory?"
"Yes, I was born noble. Do you ever feel," Farosa looked at him, "for a moment, a deep hatred for the fools in life, those flamboyant and brainless people, exuding idiocy from head to toe, annoyingly flitting before you. The more books I read, the more I realized I should domesticate, enslave, and kill those less capable than me."
"Of course not," Xu Yang said, "I think everyone is incredible, working hard in their own lives."
"Thanks to the post-industrial age," Farosa put down the book, "the books are now more beautifully printed."
Xu Yang sat beside her.
"Pan Ruiyi was sent to Nangong Island by Kirino Reisei." he said.
"What island, then call her back."
"That island has been submerged for over 300 years," Xu Yang explained, "and it’s not sunk to the seabed, but swallowed by a rift in space."
"A rift..." Farosa frowned.
"You must remember the great naval battle in the Warmstone Sea, where a Witch of Black Fire Innovation unleashed some kind of magic power that opened an interdimensional space," Xu Yang said, "and the final battle between Yan Duo and Dilnai nearly tore the world apart."
"Space has been affected." Farosa pondered.
"Right, if not for these two events, the impact wouldn’t have been so great," Xu Yang said, "Nangong Island was already one of the most unstable regions in the space of Archipelago Continent many years ago. These two events broke out one after the other, causing the region’s space, which had been stabilizing over the years, to start collapsing again. That’s why Kirino Reisei urgently formed a detachment to control the situation in Nangong Island, but they went missing in that region, vanished during the time we went to rescue Yan Duo."
"Then we really need to go to Nangong Island," Farosa said, "the widening of the rift could lead to strange life forms approaching. Oh... I need to read more books, I need to prepare; I hope Pan Ruiyi can hold on."
"You look very serious." Xu Yang watched Farosa, sensing her fatigue.
"Because I have to win." Farosa hugged Xu Yang’s neck and kissed his cheek, "I have high expectations for everyone, so I can’t allow my own flaws. I need to be the most perfect and then I can pick on others’ faults."
"Then prepare well." Xu Yang consoled her, "You’re no longer alone, everyone will help you."
Listening to Xu Yang’s heartbeat, Farosa closed her eyes, the pressure gradually dissipating because Xu Yang was always calm, never losing composure even in the face of great events. If she could adapt to his rhythm, she wouldn’t get too frazzled.
Farosa lay back to look through the materials, while Xu Yang sat beside her, receiving a new message from Kirino Reisei.
"The fox-faced is getting ready for a celebration," Xu Yang looked, "To celebrate a wedding, they’re planning to hold a fighting tournament in the Colosseum Arena of Anjiu City, also an event to show their current stance."
"A Lord’s wedding is always accompanied by knightly jousts," Farosa said, "the same old pattern. Are we participating? Let’s send 102, the child has been working hard lately."
"Forget it, the Little Witches need to conserve energy for Nangong Island." Xu Yang thought for a moment, then dialed A40’s communication number.