A Core Ship From The Start
Chapter 1494 - 1009: Arrival

Chapter 1494: Chapter 1009: Arrival

As usual, Naruse Mio and Banriya headed home together after meeting up, only today Duanmu Huai, who was usually with them, was absent. Instead, Liliath was with them—after all, she now lived in Duanmu Huai’s house. Moreover, compared to Naruse Mio and Banriya, Liliath’s strength was notably greater, so having her around gave Duanmu Huai peace of mind.

The reason Duanmu Huai wasn’t with them was simple. The Kansai competition was about to begin, and the Wind Band Club had to stay behind for intensive training, forcing Duanmu Huai to endure the grueling sessions along with them...

Walking along the road, the three girls felt a bit uneasy. Naturally, their thoughts all revolved around the same topic: the looming arrival of the Tribunal member mentioned by Duanmu Huai. Since Duanmu Huai hadn’t said much, they had no idea if the person was male or female or what kind of personality this individual had.

Although Duanmu Huai mentioned that the person had a good temperament and was easy to get along with... well... anyone who wasn’t easy to get along with would likely have long perished in Duanmu Huai’s presence, wouldn’t they?

"Hmm?"

As the three girls reached the doorway of the house, Liliath lifted her head and looked forward, her expression shifting to one of puzzlement.

"What’s wrong?"

"I sense something unusual..."

"Huh?"

Hearing Liliath’s words, Naruse Mio and Banriya immediately felt a surge of tension. They cautiously looked ahead—and there, at the entrance, stood a girl. Perhaps alerted by the sound of their footsteps, the girl turned around and gazed at them.

"............"

Naruse Mio couldn’t help but hold her breath the moment she laid eyes on the girl before her.

She couldn’t deny—the girl was extraordinarily beautiful.

With lustrous golden hair as radiant as sunlight, a perfectly sculpted, doll-like face, and, most strikingly, captivating eyes. Her right eye was a golden vertical slit akin to a cat’s, while her left eye was a gentle ocean blue. The girl held a parasol in one hand and a small travel case in the other, dressed in elegant and refined Western attire. Simply standing there, she emanated an aura of noble sophistication—a demeanor reminiscent of an aristocratic young lady.

Naruse Mio herself took pride in her looks; when it came to pure beauty, she believed she could hold her own. Yet, the golden-haired girl possessed a unique and entrancing charisma—an air of elegance and dignity that, under her gaze, even someone as confident as Naruse Mio felt a bit self-conscious.

It was as if a ragged beggar was standing before a lavishly dressed princess.

"May I ask who you are?"

Liliath seemed better equipped to handle the atmosphere than Naruse Mio. She took a step forward and politely asked the girl. The latter closed her parasol and looked at the three of them.

"Is this Mr. Duanmu’s residence?"

"It is. May I ask who you are...?"

"Oh, hello. A pleasure to meet you."

The golden-haired girl replied to Liliath’s inquiry with an amicable smile and a graceful bow.

"I am Mary Clarissa Christie, Mr. Duanmu’s associate and a member of the Tribunal. It’s a pleasure to meet you all. I hope to receive your kind guidance."

"............ Huh!?"

Afterward, the three girls brought Mary inside—but...

... it felt so uncomfortable...

Sitting at the table and watching Mary elegantly savor her tea, Naruse Mio felt an inexplicable sense of unease. It wasn’t that Mary radiated the oppressive aura Duanmu Huai often did; instead, it was her inherent disposition. Mary’s exceptional presence naturally compelled those around her to act with respectful decorum. Initially, Banriya had suggested that Naruse Mio change into her maid outfit once she got home, but seeing Mary seated there, Naruse Mio adamantly refused.

Liliath, on the other hand, appeared outwardly calm, effortlessly engaging Mary in conversation.

"So, Miss Mary, you’re also a member of the Tribunal?"

"Yes. My current position is that of Mr. Duanmu’s assistant."

Mary’s official role was as Regent—a position serving as an assistant to the Judge. Lumiaire and Axelle were still apprentices, but Mary had advanced further. Once Duanmu Huai deemed she was capable of handling matters independently, she would be authorized to assume full responsibilities as a formal Judge.

Of course, the privilege of being a formal Judge lay in the ability to personally sign off on Extinction orders.

Well, Mary likely wasn’t particularly interested in such matters.

"So, was there a reason our teacher asked you to come here?"

"I’m not entirely sure myself, though it’s certainly fortuitous for me. Strictly speaking, I came here to find refuge..."

"Refuge?"

Both Liliath and Naruse Mio were startled by Mary’s somewhat embarrassed response. But indeed... she was telling the truth.

The reason was simple—her newest book.

As the saying goes, "a tall tree catches the wind." In her own world, Mary was a well-known author, and her novels were widely loved by readers.

However, there was one major issue.

Mary’s works were considered highly "politically incorrect" by numerous literary critics.

For instance, her trilogy *Mass Effect* garnered praise from many critics and scientists for its theories and scientific advancements, yet Tribunal’s pro-human ideology depicted in the novels faced severe scrutiny. Especially the Tribunal’s actions—using Reapers to annihilate other alien races to establish human superiority—were harshly condemned by many commentators.