"Speaking of which, Lin has been on missions with many people, but never alone with me, right?"
"Mmh."
"Then why are we on a mission together this time?"
"...Probably because we're teammates now, and I'm still your adjutant." Lin leaned expressionlessly in the corner of the sofa, compressing his space as much as possible to distance himself from that approaching, smiling face.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the exquisite, transparent crystal flower pinned to the girl's chest. Judging by its form and carving, it was as flawless as its current owner—this was the result of Lin learning for an afternoon at Aponia. Fortunately, Aponia usually bought some craft materials as spares, and she happened to have what he needed. However, he didn't know if this crystal material was good or bad; based on Lin past experience living outside, it should be a relatively cheap plastic-like material.
But when he processed it, the material's texture, hardness, and transparency were not something plastic could compare to. Aponia had only smiled mysteriously and told him to use it as he pleased. Aponia had also suggested doing it herself; after all, her craft experience and skill were much higher than Lin. Aponia could make anything he asked for, but Lin insisted on making it himself. If Elysia didn't receive a gift at the same time as the others, he could only give her something even more special. He hoped this sentiment would be special enough for Elysia.
...Judging by the result, she definitely felt his sentiment and found it incomparably special. The proof was that she had been sticking to him since yesterday as if she wanted to be glued to him and become one person. Even now, on a mission, it was still like this.
Lin greatest wish now was for Elysia to... just... keep a bit of distance, and for Prometheus to come and stop her instead of pretending not to see. Perhaps noticing Lin silent plea, Prometheus stood in place blankly: "Visual system under maintenance."
"..."
Lin shook his head helplessly and could only shift the topic to this mission: "This mission is in Knox on the Mu Continent, to investigate an 'urban legend'."
"Urban legend? How interesting~" Elysia interest was piqued. "But since when is Fire Moth bored enough to investigate urban legends?"
In fact, Fire Moth had done similar things more than once. For example, the investigation in Twilight Street—Lin had originally thought it was just a search for traitors, but he sensed something odd in the ambiguous attitudes of the higher-ups afterward. Lin had organized the events of Twilight Street again, and one point caught his attention.
It was the sanitarium in Twilight Street—the one where Aponia was located. A nursery rhyme had once circulated there. Before he intervened in the investigation, that rhyme was already outdated. But looking at records from all sides, the point in time when Fire Moth began investigating the traitors in Twilight Street was exactly when that rhyme was most prevalent. Only after that was it investigated that the Chairman had been active in Twilight Street.
Perhaps it was just a coincidence, but it made Lin nerves twitch. Do you know why the Chairman chose to buy property in Twilight Street? Because it was disorderly, chaotic, yet inconspicuous. Fire Moth noticing Twilight Street for no reason—was that truly a coincidence?
Then, Lin obtained that rhyme from Aponia and the collected information.
"On that day, 'they' fell from the sky. The people on the ground looked up, and so they saw the starry sky..."
What was the meaning in this rhyme? If Fire Moth truly noticed it because of this rhyme, what kind of hidden, surging thing within Fire Moth reacted to it?
And this time, the urban legend was even harder to describe.
"The 1:15 AM Video. That's the name of the urban legend." Lin transferred the organized files and the map of Knox to Elysia terminal. "The places we need to investigate after arriving at the branch are these..."
"Hi hi! Teacher Lin! I have a question!" Elysia raised her hand.
"Student Elysia, Teacher hates being interrupted during lectures most." Lin said plainly, folding his arms. "Disobedient students need to be educated."
"But shouldn't a student who is diligent and inquisitive be praised?"
"This teacher is different from others. If necessary, I'll let a student who calls being naughty 'diligent and inquisitive' see what an adult is." Lin said this, but Elysia was his captain after all. "...So what do you want to ask?"
"Why is the team split into so many groups for investigation this time?"
What Elysia referred to was her 13th Squad being split into many groups. She and Lin came to Knox as a pair for investigation, while other groups had other tasks.
"Similar situations have appeared elsewhere... that's why Fire Moth is intervening. Because it's an event potentially related to Honkai, some branches without armed forces can only intervene in the strange events of their area by applying to headquarters for investigators."
But the current situation was not enough to cause serious concern, so only the 13th Squad was performing the mission.
"The 1:15 AM Video. The content of this urban legend is that if someone sees a recording on a computer or phone screen at 1:15 AM, they will lose consciousness and fall into a coma."
"The fact that people are currently in a coma has been confirmed, but whether the recording exists and what its content is remains unknown."
A pensive light flashed in Elysia eyes: "Is it similar to a cursed videotape..."
...
"...Heh, you're here again. Last time Lin saved your life; are you planning to come and seek death again?"
Kalpas leisurely put down the small toy he was playing with. His back was to the person who entered the room, and a sneer hung on his lips. After the banquet, Kalpas had not been locked back in the Deepest Place. Aponia hadn't taken him back when she left. In fact, due to what happened when they left the Deepest Place, he was now somewhat afraid of Aponia—though he would never admit it. He was placed here, and he heard from those who came that a way to handle him would be arranged next.
However, Kalpas was not stupid. He was far from as arrogant and foolish as he appeared. Since Fire Moth had released him and had that woman place an emergency measure on him, they likely intended to use him.
And Kalpas... didn't care. At this moment, he turned around, smiling playfully as he looked at the twisted face of Immer.