Rewinding a bit, just as Chinatsu and Shido were enjoying shooting on the monorail, Origami had already quickened her pace to a relatively secluded corner of the Amusement Park. This area was shielded by large landscape plants, far from the bustling crowds of the main visitor routes.
She pressed the answer button, held the phone to her ear, and spoke in a calm, unruffled tone: "Captain."
"Origami! How are things on your end?"
On the other end of the line, Ryouko Kusakabe's voice carried clear concern.
"You haven't encountered any dangers, have you? Has the target shown any unusual behavior?"
"Everything is normal. The target's behavior pattern matches 'dating' characteristics, and she has not shown aggression. Itsuka Shido is safe."
Origami concisely reported the situation, omitting Chinatsu's brief "anger" after her intervention.
"That's good..."
Ryouko seemed to sigh in relief, but then her tone turned serious, switching to work mode.
"Origami, why didn't you activate the specialized communicator issued to the unit? Madam Ellen has an urgent situation here that needs to be synchronized with you, but a stable connection cannot be established."
Origami was well-prepared for this; her reply was calm and clear, as if stating an established fact:
"For safety reasons, Captain. I judged that in such close proximity to the suspected target, the Herrscher of Reason, activating any electronic device with obvious spiritual power or military characteristics carries an extremely high risk."
She paused, then continued to explain: "According to existing intelligence, the Herrscher of Reason's authority involves the Understanding and reconstruction of matter and information. Her detection accuracy of the surrounding environment may far exceed our imagination."
"Even in silent mode, the faint energy fluctuations and encrypted signal characteristics generated by the specialized communicator in standby could be captured and analyzed by the opponent, thereby exposing my identity and intentions, leading to unpredictable changes."
"Furthermore," Origami added the most crucial point, "we are currently under continuous surveillance by our observation units, and all of the target's movements are under control. Using a dedicated channel for communication 'under the target's nose' is not only redundant but also unnecessarily increases risk."
"I believe maintaining the disguise of a 'normal tourist' and using civilian communication equipment for the minimum necessary contact is the optimal choice at present."
Ryouko on the other end of the phone was silent for a few seconds, seemingly processing Origami's logic. Finally, she sighed:
"...I understand. Your concerns are valid. I will report these circumstances truthfully to the higher-ups, including Madam Ellen."
Her tone became solemn again: "Now, listen carefully. The technical department has calculated several priority guidance areas based on the Amusement Park's terrain and the Creator Reverser's optimal firing angle."
"I am now sending the coordinate data to your civilian phone's encrypted email. Your mission remains unchanged; when the scan is nearing completion, try to naturally guide the target to one of these areas."
"Additionally," Ryouko's voice lowered slightly, "outer monitoring points report traces of Nightmare's spiritual wave reaction. Although very faint and fleeting, it did appear. Priority directive: Once Madam Ellen's operation against the Herrscher of Reason officially begins, everything takes precedence over that operation. Nightmare's movements will be followed up by my team and Mana's team."
"Understood. Prioritize the purification operation against the Herrscher of Reason." Origami repeated the instruction, her tone completely flat, as if merely confirming something unrelated to herself.
"Stay vigilant, Origami. Report at all times." Ryouko finally urged.
"Yes." Origami responded, then decisively hung up the phone.
She quickly opened her phone's email, decrypted the recently received file, and firmly imprinted the red-marked guidance coordinate areas in her mind.
These were located on the outskirts of the Amusement Park, near the back of large attractions or in some relatively enclosed landscaped areas, where foot traffic was sparse, indeed suitable for a surprise attack.
(Guidance coordinates confirmed. Scan progress... According to the vague information received earlier, it should already be over sixty percent.) Origami analyzed calmly.
(Need to find a suitable opportunity...)
She put away her phone, her face still expressionless, but a hint of determination flashed in her light blue eyes.
Whether it was for the AST's mission or to divert potential danger away from Shido, she had to complete this inducement.
Adjusting the collar of her casual clothes, Origami took a step, calmly leaving the deserted corner and rejoining the bustling crowd of tourists, beginning to search for Shido and Chinatsu.
Her return meant that the brief "two-person time" was about to end, and the crisis hidden beneath the joyful facade was approaching step by step as the Creator Reverser's scan progressed.
And the faint, elusive traces of Nightmare in the distance added an unpredictable shadow to an already complex situation.
-------------------------
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!"