Chapter 299: Chapter 299

~ Support & Read 18 Advanced Chapters on

Just as Kotori was about to continue her rant, Reine stepped in to smooth things over.

"According to the intel we've gathered," she said in her usual calm tone, "nearly all of DEM's facilities have been destroyed, and most of their key personnel are dead. There's one other piece of news… DEM's executive director, Isaac Westcott, was also killed in the attack."

'So that's how it is…'

I considered it for a moment, then spoke. "To avoid global instability, I want Ratatoskr to take over DEM's assets. Can you handle it?"

DEM's influence was vast. If its collapse wasn't managed properly, it could cause widespread panic. Entrusting it to Ratatoskr was the best solution. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝔫𝔢𝔱

"No problem!" Kotori agreed immediately, as if afraid I might change my mind. "Don't worry, Ratatoskr will handle the entire takeover."

I looked at her, a shameless grin spreading across my face as I said something I knew would make her turn beet red.

"You seem a little too eager. It makes me feel like I'm getting a bad deal here. I mean, this is DEM we're talking about. As compensation, Ratatoskr should give me at least two… no, three Kotoris…"

I paused for dramatic effect. "And we'll need to throw in a Reine as well,"

'Three… Kotoris? And Reine too!?'

'What kind of outrageous demand is that!?'

Even the famously tsundere Commander Itsuka was completely stunned by my blunt proposition. She shot me a glare, furious that I would tease her right in front of Reine.

She chanced a glance at her second-in-command, only to see Reine calmly sipping her coffee, her eyes glued to the monitor as if nothing had happened.

'He's teasing me!' Kotori thought, her cheeks puffing out. 'Why are you acting like it has nothing to do with you!?'

She turned her attention back to me. "Kyoya, Are you saying you don't trust Ratatoskr?"

"No," I replied smoothly. "I trust you."

'What does he mean, he trusts me!?'

The blush on Kotori's face deepened, and she avoided my gaze. "W-Well… anyway, Ratatoskr has already sent people to take over DEM, so it's too late even if you change your mind."

I smiled and gently pinched her rosy cheek. "Relax, Since it's a request from my dear Kotori, of course I'd agree."

Still, I managed to extort a few other "rewards" from her before leaving the bridge in a very good mood.

Kotori stood frozen, her face beet red as she touched the cheek I had pinched. She stomped her foot in frustration.

"Damn it! That bastard!" she fumed. "All he does is tease me. If he tries that again, I swear I'll stomp on his head until it bursts!"

Reine, watching the girl curled up in the commander's chair. "Given how much of a pervert he is... are you sure that wouldn't just be a reward for him? Wouldn't that just make him more excited?"

A sly, almost wicked, glint appeared in her eyes. "Perhaps…" she said casually, "Kyoya-kun is still outside."

Kotori's breath caught in her throat. "H-He didn't hear that, did he?"

"No," Reine replied, her tone flat. "With his abilities, I'm sure he did."

Reine nodded once. "But he's already left."

"Phew, That's a relief," Kotori let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, then quickly recovered with a huff. "Hmph, It's not like I'm afraid of him!"

Reine glanced at her again, deciding not to comment further.

A classic tsundere, Though in her case, the 'dere' is definitely stronger than the 'tsun.' As for Kyoya… he's full of secrets.

Instead of returning to the villa, I went directly to the Shadow Realm.

When I arrived, I found Ellen floating in the void, her eyes closed, her breathing steady. With a gentle wave of my hand, I restored her shadow.

Alright, let's take her back first.

I gathered her slender form in my arms and, in a flash, teleported back to the villa.

At that moment, the only ones home were Mayuri, who was still "recovering" from the night before, Nia, our resident shut-in, and Yoshino.

Yoshino, who had been watching TV in the living room, looked over curiously as I entered with a strange woman in my arms. When she got a clear look at Ellen's face, the rabbit puppet on her hand spoke up.

"Hey, Is that big sister okay?"

I carried Ellen to an empty room, laid her gently on the bed, and pulled a blanket over her. When I turned around, I saw Yoshino and Yoshinon peeking around the doorframe, watching me with wide, unblinking eyes.

"What is it, Yoshino?"

"That big sister is so pretty, and she looks familiar," Yoshino said, stepping timidly into the room. "Is she one of Onii-chan's girlfriends too?"

I smiled, bent down, and scooped her up into my arms. Held princess-style, Yoshino blinked her large, ice-blue eyes and looked at me shyly.

"Onii-chan," she murmured, her voice sickeningly sweet. I couldn't help but melt a little. After several months with us, especially with Natsumi's recent arrival, Yoshino's personality had become much more cheerful and outgoing.

I carried her to the living room and sat down on the sofa.

"This big sister isn't my girlfriend right now," I explained softly. "She's a lost, homeless girl, so I couldn't just leave her. But she's made a lot of mistakes in the past. When she wakes up, we'll have to help her turn over a new leaf."

"Mhm," Yoshino nodded understandingly. But then, the puppet on her hand suddenly piped up.

"Gahaha, So that's how it is…" Yoshinon cackled. "I thought Kyoya was turning into a pervy big brother again."

~ 18 Advanced Chapters Available on my

https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx

(Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)