Zenless Zone Zero.

"So these are the Black Tide creations..." Liuyin looked at the rabbit senior beside her with a meaningful gaze. "Senior Akira, the heads of these monsters actually have a 'core'-like structure too."

"Yeah, I'm afraid they're just like Ethereals; as long as you can effectively strike the 'core', you can kill them. But the key lies in the origin of these Black Tide creations." Akira rubbed his fluffy cheeks, his expression turning serious. "Are they monsters generated by the Black Tide itself, or are they monsters transformed from human bodies by ether Erosion, like in the hollows?"

"If it's the latter, then once the Black Tide completely swallows the Arbor Court, every scholar in the Arbor Court will become one of those Black Tide monsters, further threatening Okhema."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk..." Liuyin rested her chin on one hand, letting out a series of sighs. "Can the Re-Genesis mentioned by those Chrysos Heirs really save Amphoreus? But the oracle didn't say that the Re-Genesis could resolve the Black Tide in one fell swoop, did it? If we follow the style of TOPS, they'd probably send Senior Akira and me deep into the center of the Black Tide to investigate, wouldn't they?"

"Liuyin, that place is far more dangerous than a hollow; sending any living creature in there is just sending them to their death. To uncover the truth of the Black Tide, we must deploy anti-hollow robots. I'm afraid only Inorganic Life can explore that forbidden zone... or perhaps, use even more cutting-edge technology to analyze the Black Tide matter."

At this point, Akira sighed softly: "...However, with the technology of Amphoreus, it probably isn't sufficient to support such complex techniques."

"But Senior Akira, that might not be the case?" Liuyin smiled gracefully and held up a finger. "I'll give you an example: the medical technology of Amphoreus. If you really compare the technology of Amphoreus to ancient times, then medical technology capable of 'repairing human tissue fibrosis' couldn't possibly exist. Either Hyacine possesses a divine power similar to 【Abundance】, or the medical level of Amphoreus far exceeds the era... otherwise, it would be extremely difficult to treat that injured person."

"Senior Akira, I'm giving this example just to say that the technology of Amphoreus isn't as backward as you imagine. Whether it's those slates used for communication, photography, or cutting-edge medicine... none of those could appear in an ancient civilization."

——

【Tribbie's face instantly turned pale: "The Arbor Court? Could it be..."】

【Aglaea nodded: "Calculating the time, Castorice and the others should be arriving soon."】

【Suddenly, Tribbie received a message from Trianne. Things were just as Aglaea had suspected: the Arbor Court had already been invaded by Black Tide creations. Through the golden threads, she could not sense the presence of any survivors for the time being.】

【Tribbie suddenly panicked: "...Wh-what should we do, Aglaia?"】

【“...The Black Tide threat has indeed intensified; I just didn't expect the Arbor Court to be the first to bear the brunt.” Aglaea asked, "Can they sense where the Spark is now?"】

【“Um...” Tribbie closed her eyes, trying hard to connect to Trianne's vision, and soon had an answer: "*We* see it... the Spark is still there, it's just... it's just... they can't confirm if the Nautiluss have also been infected by the Black Tide..."】

【Aglaea let out a deep sigh: "Sigh..."】

【“The priority is to confirm and transfer the Spark as soon as possible, and search for survivors to clarify the beginning and end of the Arbor Court disaster... Tell them that. Also—please be sure to confirm the whereabouts of Anaxa. Barring any accidents, he must still be alive.”】

【“They've set out. I hope everyone is safe...”】

【Aglaea looked up into the distance: "...I hope so."】

【Tribbie scratched her head in confusion: "But, Aglaia, how do you know Anaxa is still alive?"】

【“I know his character all too well. If that sacrilegious 'Grand Performer' knew his end was near, he would definitely set his sights on the Spark and make the Nautiluss be buried with him.”】

——

A Certain Scientific Railgun.

"Huh? Making the Nautiluss be buried with him??"

Even though she recognized every word, reading them together felt incredibly alien to Shirai Kuroko. Was this the kind of thinking a 'teacher' should have?

The black-haired twin-ponytail young girl frowned, then massaged her temples with her index finger. She suddenly felt that her view of the people of Amphoreus was a bit too conservative.

"A sacrilegious Grand Performer? Why does that sound like a circus performer?"

Mikoto frowned slightly. Based on the descriptions from those people earlier, Anaxa's image had undergone a world-shaking change in her mind. Although the Anaxa in the Celestial Screen had only one eye, the way he sat under the tree looked very handsome and refined. Could it be that his appearance was just an act?

"He's probably the mad scientist type," Ruiko lowered her voice, intentionally putting on a mysterious and scary expression. "An important quality of a scientist is doubt. When doubt is proportional to one's own ability, it breeds madness, just like in the movies... perhaps the demigods of Okhema have long been his experimental targets, and even the Nautiluss too."

"Using Nautiluss as experimental targets? The only Nautilus living in the Arbor Court is Celsis, right? Would he just willingly cooperate with Anaxa?"

Even if the Titan of Reason was one of the few Nautiluss on humanity's side, submitting oneself to human experiments like a lab rat... was still a bit too abstract.

——

【“Is this... also a joke?”】

【“No, this time it's serious.” Aglaea let out a deep sigh, her expression heavy with gravity. “Internal troubles and external threats. Although the painful slaughter has ceased, the arch-enemies of Okhema have been honing their edges under our noses until now... Now, they may have already prepared the noose for us.”】

【Tribbie: “You mean...”】

【“Even if the authority of Strife is suspended, this black giant wave has come far too suddenly... I suspect this tragedy isn't just a natural disaster. Unfortunately, now that it's happened, I'm afraid the The Senate will take the opportunity to make a move... I will block the news as much as possible, and you must stay alert to prevent any trouble before it happens.”】

【Tribbie nodded: “Mm. Then... should we tell little Hyacine?”】

【“Later... she has been performing surgeries for days and is already exhausted. I don't want her to be crushed by this sudden bad news.” Aglaea said in a heavy voice, “My teacher, just looking at that patient's condition, you and I should prepare for the worst... Aside from him fighting his way out, I'm afraid the Arbor Court is likely doomed.”】