Riku stood outside Couronne room, his expression grim.
He did not doubt Schwi words.
As a member of the Ex-Machina a mid-tier race their combat prowess might not rival that of the higher races, but their analytical and observational abilities could surpass even them.
After all, their very creation was rooted in the purpose of observing the world and solving its countless mysteries.
They never participated in the War of the Gods; through the long expanse of time, every action they took was in pursuit of understanding this world's questions and enigmas.
Thus, Riku placed complete trust in Schwi judgment.
"A lifeform that doesn't exist in the Ex-Machina's databanks... A brand new race?"
Riku thoughts raced. In the span of just a few seconds, many ideas ran through his mind.
An uncontrollable variable had appeared in his home. If not handled properly, it could destroy the tribe he had painstakingly built and protected.
Suppressing his tension and fear, he said to Schwi, "This is a special situation—follow me closely. If I'm ever in life-threatening danger, use any magic you need to, but protect me no matter what."
"Understood."
Taking a deep breath, Riku slowly pushed open Couronne door.
There, he saw a young girl sleeping on the bed—someone unfamiliar. She appeared to be resting.
After a moment of hesitation, he decided to approach her.
Having an Ex-Machina at his side gave him enough confidence and courage.
Moreover, according to what Couronne had said, this girl named Origami Tobiichi likely bore no ill will toward the human tribe. Her purpose in infiltrating the village probably wasn't to bring destruction. In fact, she had requested to meet him.
That meant she was open to communication.
"Um…"
Standing beside the bed, Riku reached out his hand, intending to gently tap her shoulder to wake her.
But the moment he opened his mouth—before he could even touch her shoulder—the girl's eyes shot open.
Before Riku could react, she flipped off the bed and seized him, slamming him onto the cold floor in a throw.
"Ow ow ow!"
His cheek met the rough ground up close, one arm was pinned behind him while the other was twisted—pain surged through his muscles as if they were being torn.
The girl pinned him down with one knee on his neck, firmly subduing him.
Schwi stood by and witnessed the entire scene—but did not move.
"Schwi! Why are you just watching?!" Riku shouted. "Help me!"
"Because Riku life is not in danger. That is why Schwi did not intervene."
"What the hell—"
Riku tried to say more, but Origami suddenly applied more force, making him cry out in pain again.
"Pervert?" Origami asked coldly. "You sneak into my room while I'm resting—planning to do something dirty?"
"Of course not!" Riku gritted his teeth in protest. "And this isn't even your room—it clearly belongs to Couronne!"
Even though he had been subdued so easily by a girl, Riku didn't stop struggling.
But no matter how much he squirmed, the girl's grip didn't budge—her hands were as firm as iron, holding his arms immovably.
Despite her slender appearance, her strength surpassed that of an adult man—confirming she was definitely not human.
"You're right," she said. "But Couronne is a girl too. So why do you think it's okay to barge into a girl's room without permission?"
"I—"
Riku was silent for a moment.
He had intended to knock, but Schwi had interrupted him.
Once he learned the presence inside wasn't human, he had panicked a little. His cautious habits from the war made him instinctively want to avoid alerting this unknown being—so he snuck in quietly.
But heavens know he truly hadn't meant any harm—he just wanted to wake her up.
Who knew she'd be so alert and take him down the moment he got close?
"Alright, alright, I'm sorry, okay?" Riku cried in pain. "I swear I'm not a pervert. I'm Riku—the chief of this tribe! I came here to talk with you!"
"You're Riku?"
"I just said that, didn't I?!"
Origami was silent for a moment, then finally released him and stood up.
Finally free, Riku scrambled to his feet and immediately hid behind Schwi, still visibly shaken.
Origami stared at the man and the Ex-Machina in front of her, expressionless and wordless.
In truth, the moment she opened her eyes, she had already recognized the man as Riku.
Due to her being a transmigrator, she knew both Riku and Schwi. But in this world, to them, she was a complete stranger.
Thus, she had no choice but to act unfamiliar—to handle Riku the way Origami Tobiichi would respond to someone intruding into her room.
Still, as expected of a tribal chief, Riku mental resilience was impressive.
He quickly recovered from the encounter and regained his composure.
"Well then, allow me to introduce myself again—I'm Riku Dola, the chief of this tribe."
Using the Ex-Machina in front of him as a shield, Riku regained some confidence and asked directly, "If you bear no ill will toward us, please tell me your true identity and purpose. Don't give me that story about being a wanderer from a destroyed human village. This Ex-Machina here already determined you're not human."
So, even Schwi eyes couldn't be fooled.
Her disguise had been seen through immediately. But Origami wasn't surprised.
Even the Flügel could tell she was abnormal at first glance—so how could an Ex-Machina miss it?
"Chief of the human tribe, I am Origami Tobiichi, the incarnation of the collective will of the Spirit race."
Facing the two of them, Origami spoke calmly.
"I want to make a proposal to you."
"Spirit race? Incarnation of will?"
Riku eyebrows twitched—he clearly didn't understand.
Though he wasn't unfamiliar with the world or the fifteen races, he did know the essence of the Spirit.
The Spirit race, while alive, lacked consciousness and sentience—they were tools of war used by other races.
Since when did they have something like a will—much less an incarnation?
"Schwi, is she telling the truth?"
Unable to resolve his doubts, Riku turned to the Ex-Machina beside him.
"There is no information in Schwi database indicating that the Spirit race can manifest a will," she replied after quickly scanning her data. "However, this individual called Origami Tobiichi does share some traits with Spirit lifeforms."
"All right then. I'll accept your claim for now."
Riku gave a slow nod, then asked,
"What is this proposal you speak of?"
"I can offer protection and strength to your tribe," Origami replied.
She reached into her robe and pulled out a small figure of Mio Takamiya.
"In return, you all shall become followers of Mio Takamiya, so that the slumbering goddess of the Spirit race may awaken once more."