Chapter 1113: As a reward, you can do whatever you want?
Tengu city...
It's been an hour since the spacequake event.
The alert state for spacequakes also got lifted. Citizens started making their way out of the shelters to see destroyed streets being repaired at a visible speed with Realizers. It didn't take long to repair Tengu City to its pre-spacequake appearance.
It's hard to imagine a section of the city got leveled an hour ago.
Naturally, nobody took note of the culprits who walked among them. The perpetrators are steadily walking towards their home.
Kotori, Kurumi, Tohka, and Yoshino are in casual clothes. They also used the Sealing Ring to seal their own powers. Along with Wu Yan, the spirits headed towards the Itsuka residence.
Tohka and Yoshino are especially happy. They skipped along the road, they just couldn't wait to go back home. Since Wu Yan, Kotori, and Kurumi walked at a leisure pace, the two bouncy girls had to slow down.
For the home that saved them from a life of hostile pursuit, Yoshino and Tohka reserved a special place in their hearts for that home.
Shiori also took good care of them. They missed her very much.
Kurumi strolled forward in style and elegance. Her narrow eyes and silent demeanor made it hard to see past her smile.
If one were to look closer, Kurumi is actually sticking closer to Wu Yan & Kotori, blocking them from Tohka and Yoshino's view.
Wu Yan gave her a thankful smile. Then, he looked at Kotori who is by his side.
Her bangs covered her face so it's hard to see her expression. Kotori's tiny frame is shaking slightly.
Wu Yan turned back. He whispered in a voice only Kotori can hear.
"You're still hung up on Tobiichi Origami's words?"
Kotori lowered her head further, she flinched so he must have hit the nail on its head.
"D-did I really kill her parents?"
"See, you're still thinking about that..."
Wu Yan sighed.
"It's not like you didn't kill people in Silvaria..."
"That's different."
Kotori accidentally raised her voice.
"Killing Silvarians is a deliberate decision. On the other hand, Tobiichi Origami's parents are defenseless humans. They didn't deserve their untimely deaths, I also didn't do it with my own will... This is different..."
"So you think you're at fault?"
"Am I not?!"
Kotori looked into Wu Yan's eyes with a very emotional look.
"Are you suggesting that it is ethical to kill average humans?!"
"I don't know about that."
Wu Yan waved his hand.
"However, we are not sure if you're actually the killer. Even if you are, that sin is not yours to bear alone."
"Not sure?"
Kotori's eyes dimmed down. She clenched her fists.
"Did I not kill her parents? I don't recall the details but Tobiichi Origami said she saw the whole thing..."
"She said she saw the whole thing?"
Wu Yan glanced at Kotori.
"Are you sure she really did witness you killing her parents?"
Kotori stopped. She frowned at him.
"What do you mean?"
"Five years ago, you are still a kid. It shouldn't be hard to recognize you, right?"
Wu Yan shook his head.
"Tobiichi Origami has a very unhealthy obsession with Shiori. It's impossible she couldn't recognize you from her proximity to Shiori. Why did she take a neutral position until she saw you in your Astral Dress?"
"I..."
Confused by this, she was interrupted.
"Tobiichi Origami said this..."
Wu Yan tried to analyze what they heard.
"Her parents were killed five years ago when you first obtained your Efreet powers. According to her, the great fire started around the same time a spirit killed her parents, right?"
"What are you saying?"
Kotori raised her eyebrow. She's looking at Wu Yan with hope in her eyes.
"Do you know something about this? Please tell me, Onii-san..."
Wu Yan bitterly laughed.
After getting summoned, Kotori never stopped verbally and physically abusing her "Onii-chan", most of these acts were done in her Commander Mode.
It's rare to see Commander Kotori begging him for help.
It looks like she's having a hard time processing the possibility of her hurting innocent humans during her rampage.
That's just how it is, she's kind deep down inside.
"It's a long story..."
Wu Yan thought about it.
"You lost your memories from the period where you got your powers, right? I can help you get your memories back, you can start from there."
"Taking my memories back?!"
Kotori turned stern.
"Can you do it?"
"With ease."
Wu Yan grinned.
"Forget recovering memories, I can even create fake memories!"
"You're dead if you pull that stunt on me!"
Kotori told Wu Yan off.
"You got that, buster? Forge memories for me and I will never forgive you."
"What if I got your memories back, proving your innocence?"
Wu Yan started teasing her.
"How will you repay me then? My cute imouto..."
"R-repay..."
Kotori saw that look in Wu Yan's eyes, she turned red while stuttering.
"I-if you can do it then I will do anything you want..."
Wu Yan gasped, he couldn't believe what he had just heard.
He started chuckling.
"You said it, Kotori-chan, no backsies..."
"You're so annoying!"
Kotori leered at him.
"What the commander promised is absolute. But, if you forge fake memories, I will..."
"Right right."
Wu Yan shrugged.
"I won't mess around like that."
"Good."
Kotori snorted. She continued moving forward while blushing.
That "You can do anything you want" promise was a herculean feat for Commander Kotori.
At least, she's back to normal.
She's so desperate to get to the bottom of this that she didn't mind giving an open-ended promise like that.
Fortunately, Kotori isn't the killer. Otherwise, Wu Yan isn't sure what would become of Kotori...
"Shido! Hurry up! I am leaving you behind, you slowpoke~"
"Coming!"
Wu Yan sped up after Tohka called out to him.