You're Seriously Asking Raven to Fight That Stupid Goose?

Underground, in Jackal's lab, she leaned against a workbench, clutching Stan's collar, her expression stormy.

Click, click, click… Footsteps echoed through the corridor. The lab's warped door creaked open, raising a cloud of dust.

The newcomer stepped back, wrinkling their nose. "Jackal, what happened here?"

Jackal scowled, embarrassed by the state of her lab. She forced a calm facade, but her reflection in the polished—now dusty—workbenches betrayed her.

After a moment of composure, she asked, "Raven, how did you get in?"

"Don't call me that. Haven't I told you before?" the hooded figure replied, their voice muffled. "As for how I got in…" They pointed upwards. "There was just a bizarre earthquake. Everyone evacuated. The place is deserted. I walked in like a normal person, took the elevator, pressed the button… and here I am." They surveyed the wreckage. "Looks like the epicenter was right here."

"Everyone evacuated?" Jackal exploded. "Those useless fools can't even guard a door!" Even though the surface lab personnel were just for show, she couldn't help but lash out.

"...Should I leave then?" Raven turned to go, clearly not wanting to stay.

"Stop!" Jackal snapped. She glared at the hooded figure. "Did you leak my information to Lin Wei?"

"What? How could you even ask that?" Raven turned back, incredulous. They crossed their arms, leaning against the doorframe. "Why don't you wash your face first and clear your head?"

"If you hadn't interfered with the 3rd Divine Key, that scheming little weasel wouldn't have been able to control my Stan!" Jackal insisted, her voice laced with indignation and pride. "Even Schicksal's S-rank Valkyries are no match for him!"

The mention of the "3rd Divine Key" piqued Raven's—or rather, Yae Sakura's—interest. She retorted, "You're blaming me? You never even showed me this… 'Stan'… what a ridiculous name."

Jackal paused, remembering Raven's hasty departure last time, like they were fleeing a plague. She hadn't had a chance to show off her creation. If they didn't know about Stan, they couldn't have warned Lin Wei.

Well, that clears her, but it's still annoying. She recalled Raven's condescending look.

"Fine, I apologize for the accusation," she conceded. "What do you want? Here to gloat?"

"Hmm… that's part of it," Yae Sakura replied, mimicking Raven's mannerisms, then, before Jackal could react, continued in a more serious tone, "Alright, jokes aside. I have a discovery you should know about. Wouldn't want you to be caught off guard…"

"You're being helpful? How unusual," Jackal quipped.

"Well, Gray Serpent asked me to keep you alive. Mercenary's gotta do her job," Yae Sakura shrugged, deflecting the sarcasm with practiced ease.

"Hmph. What's so important that it brought you out of retirement?"

Now serious, Raven said, "I've detected the presence of Schicksal's S-rank Valkyrie, Durandal, in this city."

......

Earlier, above ground…

"It's time Jackal became aware of my existence," Lin Wei said, leaning against a wall in the shade. "Otherwise, I'm afraid our dear, overconfident Dr. Jackal will fall prey to Otto's schemes."

"So you used the Key of Corruption to tamper with the inhibitor?" Yae Sakura asked.

"Just a little gift," he admitted with a mischievous grin. "Judging by the commotion, she's received it. Hopefully, she'll be… surprised."

Besides Stan himself, there was another, higher level of access to the inhibitor. Only authorized personnel could remove it. If anyone tried to remove it prematurely, the inhibitor would trigger Stan's transformation, turning the tables on the would-be thief.

This authorization was originally linked to Jackal.

But Lin Wei's subtle touch had transferred the authorization to himself, rendering Jackal an unauthorized user.

So, when she tried to remove the collar…

"Good luck," he whispered, a malicious glint in his eyes.

"...What if something goes wrong? What if she's killed and your plan fails?" Yae Sakura asked, seeing his expression.

"Don't worry, Sakura," he reassured her. "Jackal is a MANTIS. Have some faith in their training."

"You have a backup plan." Yae Sakura saw through his facade.

"Of course," he admitted, missing her former naiveté. "If she dies, it's just a lab accident. Nothing to do with me." He revealed his true motive, "And my little problem would be conveniently solved."

"...What about Anna?" Yae Sakura reminded him.

"Anna… well, I can't intervene directly anymore," he sighed. "But Durandal is here. We'll figure something out." Durandal's presence offered another solution, but it was a risky gamble. Neither she nor Rita had shown Anna any mercy in Coral Island.

He couldn't be sure of Anna's importance to Durandal.

He could try, but his own intervention would be more reliable.

"Sakura, I need you to do something for me…" he said with a smile. "If Jackal perishes in her lab accident, offer my condolences. And… dispose of the culprit. Consider it revenge on her behalf."

"You promised not to send me on solo missions," she said flatly, refusing.

"Come on, Sakura! Coral Island was far away. This is practically under our feet! It's a joint operation!" he wheedled. "Besides, you're the perfect person for this. Please?"

"Fine… but don't make it a habit." She couldn't resist his pleading. "What if she survives? Should I still eliminate her?" She spoke of killing with chilling indifference.

"No!" Lin Wei's playful demeanor vanished. "If she's alive, deliver a different gift—tell her about Durandal."

......

Back in the lab…

"I've detected Durandal in this city," Yae Sakura informed Jackal, as instructed. "You might want to consider that in your plans."

"Durandal?" Jackal frowned. She knew of the highly active S-rank Valkyrie, but she hadn't considered her a threat. "Just an S-rank. If she interferes, I'll eliminate her." She'd been wanting to teach Schicksal a lesson for coveting the 2nd Divine Key. Durandal's presence presented an opportunity.

"...Are you sure?" Yae Sakura was astonished by her arrogance. "Don't overestimate yourself."

"I know my limits. But thank you for the warning." Jackal paused, realizing Durandal could disrupt her plans. She paced nervously, then turned to Raven. "Are you saying Lin Wei is working with Schicksal?"

Before Yae Sakura could answer, Jackal had convinced herself. "That explains it… A surprise attack by an S-rank Valkyrie, allowing Lin Wei to sabotage Stan… That cowardly snake…"

Yae Sakura remained silent, letting Jackal's assumptions work in their favor.

...

Above ground…

"Tell her about Durandal," Lin Wei reiterated, "and make her think I'm working with Durandal."

"Why?" Yae Sakura asked, confused.

"To make our arrogant doctor a little more cautious. She's acting like a reckless teenager." He chuckled. "A MANTIS (Otto), an S-rank Valkyrie, and the wielder of the Key of Corruption? She can't defeat all three."

"That's why I want her to think they're working together. I need her to be careful." His smile turned predatory. "Then, she'll want to break up this 'alliance.'"

"And I, a lone operative, become an easy target."

"And to deal with a surprise attack by an S-rank Valkyrie, she'll turn to you for help, Ms. Raven." He slowly closed his hand into a fist, admiring his knuckles. "And then… we control both sides."

"Whether it's Jackal, or the all-knowing Otto…"

"They'll dance to my tune."

......

"Raven!" Jackal's voice snapped Yae Sakura out of her thoughts.

"...I told you not to call me that," she grumbled, staying in character.

Jackal was too agitated to argue. "Deal with the S-rank Valkyrie."

"What?!" Yae Sakura was stunned, both by the success of Lin Wei's plan and Jackal's audacity.

You're asking Raven to fight Durandal? Are you serious?

"Are you insane? That's an S-rank Valkyrie!" She scoffed. "Too risky. Count me out." She turned to leave.

"Stop!" Jackal panicked. If her only ally abandoned her, she'd be alone. If they escaped… "I'm doing this for the Sovereign! How can you stand by and do nothing?!"

"I quit," Raven replied flatly. "Besides, I've already helped you. I delivered valuable intel. Gray Serpent only asked me to ensure your survival. My job is done." She shifted the blame.

"...Gray Serpent... Hmph." Jackal seethed, then regained her composure. "I entrusted you with the 3rd Divine Key. It belongs to World Serpent. As long as you possess it, you are still a member. You will cooperate." Her voice was firm.

"The 3rd Divine Key is still with Raven?" Yae Sakura thought, surprised. Jackal had mentioned it before, but now it was confirmed.

"...Fine. What do you need? Nothing too dangerous. I don't want to get caught in the crossfire." She feigned reluctance. "I have children to take care of. I can always return the Divine Key if you find someone else."

"You… Hmph!" Jackal was still annoyed, but having Raven under her thumb was enough.

She hurried into a back room, returning with an antique-looking box, which she carefully handed to Raven.

"What is this?" Yae Sakura examined it curiously.

"Be careful! That's a relic from the Previous Era. Even we can't replicate it!" Jackal scolded. "It contains a special bullet. A 'Godsbane(God Killer)' round, designed for the 3rd Divine Key. Unfortunately, the Person (MANTIS for clue) who wielded it used it elsewhere, and production ceased. This is the last one in existence."

She winced at the thought of using such a precious artifact.

"Your mission is simple, Raven—eliminate the Valkyrie."

......

Above ground, Yae Sakura handed Lin Wei two items: a small communicator for contacting Jackal, and the box containing the bullet.

As she recounted the events, Lin Wei opened the box, gazing at the gleaming, ancient bullet.

He burst into laughter.