Avant Heim is currently the only known phantasm species with a concrete physical form. Its true nature is like that of a giant whale, but from the outside, it merely looks like an enormous floating rock.
The Flügel live atop its body, treating it as a mobile aerial fortress.
For a race capable of flight, this is indeed the ideal homeland.
Flying across the back of this phantasmal creature alongside Jibril, the two of them passed by many residences built by other Flügel, heading toward the central area of the sky city.
Along the way, Origami Tobiichi brushed past several Flügel without drawing much attention.
And that was only natural.
In terms of appearance, Origami Tobiichi and the Flügel looked almost identical.
If Jibril hadn't happened to be passing by and detected the energy fluctuation caused by Origami using the enhancement ticket—and then proceeded to conduct a deep analysis with a detection spell—she wouldn't have noticed anything unusual about her either.
Soon, weaving through the architecture, the two arrived before a vast open-air venue.
Compared to the casually-built, stylistically varied homes of other Flügel, this building was clearly more formal and majestic.
"This is where the [Council of Eighteen Wings] discusses matters of war."
Taking into account Origami amnesia, Jibril kindly explained, "The nine strongest and most knowledgeable Flügel reside here most of the time. If anyone can figure out what happened to you, it would be them."
Origami didn't answer. She simply nodded slightly, showing little emotion.
Since she was already here, she might as well make the best of it.
After all, she had already been brought to the heart of the Flügel stronghold. The chance of escaping by transforming into Yatsuki Yabuki now was extremely slim.
Of course, she could always turn into Tokisaki Kurumi and flee through the shadows.
Even for a Flügel, there would be no way to stop her.
However, from the moment Jibril brought her here, she had sensed a gaze falling upon her—subtle, but undeniably present—making her wary of acting rashly.
She had a good idea of who the owner of that gaze might be.
But since the other party hadn't taken any action, it meant she was still relatively safe for now.
Upon entering the council chamber, Origami saw a Flügel at the center of the hall, busily organizing something.
"Azril, why are you here alone?"
Jibril scanned the vast meeting space, her detection spells activating. Upon sensing only a single person, she asked curiously, "Where did everyone else go?"
"Hunting, nya~"
The Flügel named Azril paused her work, turned to Jibril, and gave a cheerful smile. "While little Jib was away, a Dragonian appeared near Avant Heim and injured over ten of our kin. That kind of grudge can't be left unsettled, right?"
"That's rare. Such an important hunt—and you didn't go?"
"It's just a single Dragonian. The others can handle it. I've got other matters to attend to, nya~" Azril said with a serious tone, before suddenly softening again. "But no matter how important it is, nothing's more important than little Jib! So tell me—what brings my dear little sister to see her big sis?"
Azril, the very first Flügel created by the War God, the prototype individual, and also the current Chairwoman of the Council of Eighteen Wings.
As the firstborn Flügel, she was the most perfect creation among the War God's weapons—possessing ruthless logic and emotionless efficiency.
In past battles to hunt gods, she had coldly sacrificed her own kin as pawns, exchanging Flügel blood for victory.
As a god-slaying weapon, she was flawless.
However, all of that changed with the birth of the final Flügel—Jibril.
Perhaps due to complex emotions stirred by the War God's cessation of further Flügel creation, Azril came to view Jibril as her little sister—an obsession to the point of excessive affection, to the dismay of other Flügel who could only shake their heads at her behavior.
In front of Jibril, she showed none of the traits of a cold weapon—nor even a shred of the dignity and pride expected of a Flügel. Instead, she acted like a total sis-con who would do anything for her beloved little sister.
However, Jibril didn't feel much of a bond with this so-called "big sister." She regarded her as just another fellow Flügel, and even found her overbearing affection somewhat annoying.
"That's right. While I was hunting outside, I came across a rather unusual kin, so I brought her back."
Jibril stepped aside, revealing Origami behind her and briefly explained: "Her name is… hmm, I actually forgot to ask. But that's not important—she has amnesia, so I guess she probably doesn't remember her own name either."
"Ohhh?"
Azril merely gave Origami a brief glance, then refocused her attention back on Jibril.
But in the next moment, as if she had just noticed something strange, her gaze returned to Origami.
The glow of detection spells flickered in her eyes.
"Indeed… very unusual…"
"Right?" Jibril said excitedly. "I already did a deep scan—there are no traces of formula inscriptions on her body, not even on the inside. The most shocking thing is: this girl doesn't even have any Elemental Particles!"
"So that's why you came to me?"
Azril narrowed her eyes, her smile slowly fading.
"What's wrong?"
Noticing Azril change in demeanor, Jibril asked in confusion: "Did you discover something off about her?"
This was the first time Jibril had seen Azril wear such an expression.
Though she had heard from other Flügel that Azril could be terrifying—that most of their kin harbored fear toward her—in Jibril memory, Azril had always been cheerful and full of smiles. She had never taken those warnings seriously.
But now, her impression of Azril had been suddenly refreshed.
"..."
Azril stared intently at Origami without saying a word.
After a long silence, the glow of her detection spells faded.
Her previous smile returned.
"Mm, I have a general idea of what's going on, nya."
She walked over to Jibril and gently nudged her out of the council hall. "Little Jib, step outside for a bit. I have some things I need to say to this kin privately."
"Eh? That's not fair! I'm the one who brought her back! I have the right to listen too!"
"Be a good girl, nya~"
Without giving Jibril a chance to resist, Azril forcibly pushed her out.
Then, closing the door and setting up a soundproof barrier, Azril turned back around.
Her smile had completely vanished.
Seeing Azril current state, Origami felt her heart skip a beat.
"Well then, my 'kin'…"
Her eyes shimmered with dangerous light, and her voice grew cold.
"Tell me—what is your true purpose in getting close to little Jib?"