0p0 Chapter 126 Madness Part 3: The Evil Spirit
Chapter 126 Madness Part 3: The Evil Spirit
As night falls deeply over Japan, all is quiet, and the city lights twinkle in the stillness of the land.
Meanwhile, in Britain, across the ocean, it was a bright and sunny morning at 11 a.m.
In a secluded underground meeting room, three people were sitting at a round table. Upon closer inspection, it would be discovered that all three were prominent and influential figures in Britain.
Looking clockwise, the white-haired man sitting at the head of the table is DEM's highest-ranking chairman, Isaac Ray Perlem Westcott.
The second person was a blue-haired woman whose eyes were already filled with dark circles, but everyone in the upper echelons of the SSS knew her name: Kefelt Helarim, the highest-ranking official of the SSS.
"Hey, you've dragged me here for so long just to discuss how to deal with the Flame Beasts that are currently active in Japan. In my opinion, we should just send someone to capture or kill them. Why have to talk about it for so long?"
The unruly, childlike voice came from the last seat. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a blonde girl with pigtails who looked like she was not yet an adult.
But if it were magicians with over 2000 years of experience who had seen her, world magicians, former ace of SSS, Jolena Pierre, a magician known as the ageless girl simply for her magic.
"On the contrary, doesn't DEM intend to give an explanation regarding my student Artemisia's matter, Director Isaac?"
Isaac leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped together, and smiled leisurely. "Miss Jolena, the Artemisia incident was just an accident. I also personally executed Director Edgar to give you an explanation, didn't I?"
"However, the matter concerning the Flame Beast is more urgent now, as its existence has threatened the interests of both of us."
Horalim rubbed his tired eyes and slowly said, "It can't be denied that those higher-ups who still want to live longer have been urging our SSS to capture the Undead [Flame Beast] ever since they heard there was new information about it. So, Miss Jolena's idea isn't entirely unacceptable. What do you think, Director Ejac?"
Speaking of this, Horalim couldn't help but recall a certain boy whose workload was equivalent to six of his own. When that boy was still alive, when had he ever had such a heavy workload? He could easily push all the work onto him with a gentle push. But alas, that boy is gone.
"Hahaha! As expected of Miss Jolena, this is indeed a good suggestion. I never thought that Miss Horalim and I could discuss it for so long and it would be as simple as your one sentence. You are truly admirable."
"Mr. Isaac, please speak like a human being!"
"I'm sorry, Miss Jolena, I just suddenly felt a surge of admiration for you. It is indeed a good idea, so let's do as you say."
Jolena snorted, "Fine, but Mr. Isaac, you don't actually want our SSS to just rush up there for nothing, do you?"
In response, Westcott bowed slightly and pushed the two prepared items to the front of the stage. "Those who know me understand that I would never trouble my friends, so please accept this as a small token of my respect."
Horalim reached out and carefully took the item. Her expression shifted from confusion to surprise as she looked closely; the first item before her was a display device equipped with DEM's latest research and development technology.
"Lancelot, the Knight of Lake Light, known as the paragon of knights, is a small compensation I am offering to Miss Artemisia on behalf of DEM. Once I have thoroughly investigated the matter, further compensation will be given to everyone."
Westcott spoke with great sincerity, even giving this director a slightly higher opinion of Jolena, who was well aware of the corruption within DEM.
Then, in his happy state, Horalim glanced at another folder that was pushed towards him, picked it up, and tore open the seal without hesitation.
"Wow! This is!!!" Upon looking at the contents of the file folder, three photos that would make any magician's heart tremble came into view.
"My little darling! Let me see everything!"
Joliana snatched the three photos out and examined them carefully. "Mr. Isaac, what do you mean by this?" She pushed the photos back to Westcott, her expression slightly puzzled.
"Are you two surprised? Since our DEM company has accepted your invitation, of course we have to show some sincerity, don't we?"
As the outlines of the photos gradually become clearer, Möbius and two men with very different styles appear in the three photos.
"What if two world-class magicians, one top magician, plus the world's strongest magician that I will add later, Alan Miramathers, a total of four people, went together with the two you currently have?" Westcott smiled knowingly, as if he had already firmly grasped the thoughts of the two of them.
The other party sent four people, and even the "world's strongest" as a guarantee, while he only needed to give up two world magicians to complete this cooperation. When the [Flame Beast] was captured, the government would praise him for his excellent teaching. Horalim had no reason to refuse.
"Damn it, who asked you that? I was asking why that green-haired dog came along too!" Jolena pointed at Mobius's photo and questioned Westcott.
"what?"
Isaac paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Miss Jolena, Mobius is a key member of our DEM company. His abilities are not to be underestimated. More people mean more strength. Moreover, this operation is against a mysterious and powerful fire beast, so the better the personnel, the better."
"Hmph, I'll just hope that her green-haired dog doesn't drag me down. But since you're so sincere, I'll reluctantly agree. But if she dares to cause trouble, I won't be so lenient."
Horrium quickly said from the side, "Then let's arrange for people to set off for Japan as soon as possible. The whereabouts of that fire beast are unpredictable, so we need to hurry."
"That's right. I hope our cooperation goes smoothly and that we can successfully capture or eliminate the Flame Beast."
As a result, SSS and DEM reached an agreement, and the three of them left the conference table.
In the spacious and comfortable sedan that carried them back to DEM, Allen sat steadily in the driver's seat, his hands skillfully gripping the steering wheel, his eyes focused intently on the road ahead.
She was wearing a well-tailored black suit, which, combined with her blonde hair, made her look extremely aloof.
In the back seat sat Westcott, looking completely at ease. He was leaning back in the soft seat, his legs casually crossed, one hand resting lightly on the armrest, while the other hand casually flipped through a document.
"Ike, are you really sure about the abilities of that powerful magician 'Ling Qianqing' who was transferred from China?"
"It's alright, it's just that you're good at fighting, plus you're the strongest, Allen. We at DEM should test the abilities of the others too," Westcott said casually.
"What about the [Flame Beast]? After all, we've already proposed a collaboration with him, and we've even collected and gifted him all the artifacts and crafts we could find from villages and around the world. He's already turning his back on us before we've even shown him what we want. Isn't that a bit premature..."
As Allen earnestly stated his position, Westcott simply gazed quietly at London outside the car window. "Allen, you must understand, I want his power, or he may want to destroy this world. If he can defeat everyone except you, the strongest one, that is also his power."
“And…” Viscar looked out the car window, recalling the perfect figure of the [Flame Beast] he first saw in the video, and then continued with a look of ecstasy, “After he is killed, can’t we also take back at least three Reversal Spirit Crystals? Allen, you need to learn to use your brain more.”
"Huh? Ike, what do you mean?!"
"It's nothing, just reminding you."
"Oh, I see, I understand." Allen nodded blankly and continued to concentrate on driving.
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the thin clouds and fell softly on Tengu City. At that moment, Raizen High School appeared before people's eyes like a tranquil and beautiful painting.
The school gates slowly opened, and after letting Tohka go in first, Shido walked into the school alone, filled with a mixture of trepidation and composure. He came to the shoe cabinet and was about to put his shoes in.
"Oh, Shido-san, hello there~"
After putting the shoes in the closet, Shido heard Kurumi, who had come to see him as expected, say, "Good morning." After greeting her, Shido turned around seriously and looked at Kurumi.
"Itsukawa Shidou!"
"How dare you come to school!"
"Ma Ji washes pantyhose! (I can't stand it!)"
As expected, Ai, Mai, and Mii from the diary also arrived here and began to criticize Shido, whom they saw as the Sea King.
But soon, Tohka pushed him away, preparing to find another place to explain to them.
Here, the serious atmosphere returns to being just Kurumi and Shido.
"But I was really startled. I thought Shido would definitely ask for leave~" Kurumi said with a grin, looking quite innocent to others.
"Kurumi".
"Yes~"
"I've decided to save you!" Shido said with unwavering determination.
"Huh... what are you talking about?" Kurumi was stunned for a moment after hearing Shido's unexpected words.
"I will never let you kill again, nor will I let you let Mana kill you again."
Kurumi frowned slightly, then quickly relaxed, turning back to a smile and saying, "I see~"
After saying that, she turned and left, while Shido simply watched Kurumi leave in the direction she had gone, his expression still resolute.
After that, time passed quietly like a fleeting moment, and everything on campus proceeded in an orderly manner according to the established rhythm.
Students either rushed to their classrooms or played and joked in small groups, while teachers strolled leisurely between the teaching buildings.
The clock struck the end of the first class of the morning. Shido simply looked out the window, took a deep breath to muster his courage, and prepared to go find Kurumi and win her over.
At the same time, Kurumi, dressed in her Raizen school uniform, walked to the locked rooftop door. As the heavy door was slowly pushed open, a gust of cold wind rushed in, and at the same time, a cold voice rang out from the rooftop:
"You've arrived. Are you ready?" The voice was cold and devoid of any emotion.
Kurumi narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze passing over Ming in front of her as she walked straight towards the rooftop. She gracefully walked past Ming, who was now wearing a mask.
Stepping onto the balcony and standing still, she gazed quietly at the view below. The city of Tengu, several floors below, unfolded before her like a magnificent and colorful painting.
The bustling streets are filled with traffic and pedestrians hurrying by; skyscrapers stand side by side, reaching into the clouds; in the distance, the rolling mountains create a picturesque scene against the backdrop of blue sky and white clouds.
Kurumi's gaze swept lightly over the scenery, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Yes, everything was prepared long ago~"
As she answered Ming, a deep red light enveloped her, and when the light dissipated, a striking red and black Gothic Lolita-style spirit dress appeared.
The golden clock-like pupil in her left eye spun, and Kurumi sensed the spiritual power and time. Then, the shadow beneath her feet began to move and spread, turning crimson and enveloping the entire school—the broad domain [City of Time Eaters] was activated.
"You'll help me, right? Okamine-kun," Kurumi asked calmly.
"I won't interfere with your battle here, but if AST tries to break in, I'll help you intercept them."
After he finished speaking, Ming's body began to disintegrate into countless black butterflies that flew in all directions.
Feeling the vast expanse covering the school, Kurumi murmured to herself, "And then, Shido, let me test whether your words are sincere."