Alternate Reincarnation

The Mechanical Angels

Hello again! Kept you waiting, huh?

Let's get to chapter 18, "The Mechanical Angels" right away!

________________________________________

She could feel it.

The one who would free her, one of her own kind, was so close.

Little by little, step by step, she grew closer.

"..."

Even inside her dream, she could feel it.

But why was it...

"Why are you so... sad?"

There was no mistake. The approaching presence... was conflicted.

At her soul she was alone, but in her body she was also many.

Within her heart, hatred and anger drove her forward.

Fear and doubt tore her apart.

Yet, firmness and devotion kept her going.

Love and kindness continued to persist.

But there was no conclusion.

There was no way forward.

"So you are also [her] victim..."

The fate of her kind, was a cruel one.

To be hated, to be rejected, to be used.

All for the heinous crime of 'existing'.

It was all [that person]'s fault.

Yes, that's right...

"Wasn't [she] responsible for my imprisonment as well?

Remembering what that devil did...

Gave color to her colorless dream.

A color of rage.

She swore to all that was holy and sacred...

"Once I am free... I would kill the one who began this destiny."

________________________________________

Shido found himself staring.

He knew he was not supposed to do that – Rinne had trusted him and the Kurumis with guarding over her, while she was taking a peek into the past of a new Spirit they had encountered, Marina.

This floor chamber was still a battlefield. Apart from the small area they had secured, battles were carried out mercilessly. Shido could still hear gunfire in the distance, and his body was still tense, ready for any attack.

But no matter what he tried to do, he found himself just... staring at the Ruler Spirit's form.

Rinne stood in the midst of their small formation, with her deadly ribbon-threads – [Laharos], if Shido recalled it right – was still holding their unconscious hostage mid-air.

Although her eyes were closed, her expression was focused. Her posture, combined with her Astral Dress – which was more of a mini-dress than anything else, Shido recognized – it revealed just the right amount of skin and left enough for his imagination.

But, what attracted his attention the most was her lips. It was now forming a thin line, which reminded him of something...

Yes, it was familiar...