Knock, knock!
The sound of knocking echoed.
Luo Shu, seated in his office chair, looked up and said:
"Come in."
As soon as he spoke, Yukino Yukinoshita led a woman dressed in a plain white kimono into the room.
Luo Shu remained seated, observing the newcomer.
She was quite tall, standing half a head taller than Yukino Yukinoshita, who was 162 cm. Her features were even more aloof and noble than those of the younger Yukino.
If Yukino Yukinoshita's coldness was like the end of winter, just before early spring—a chill still brimming with vitality—then this woman was the icy cold of autumn having passed, with the harsh winter approaching.
Shizuka Hio.
The last remaining member of the Hio family among the Pureblood Vampire clans.
In terms of status, Pureblood Vampires were the destined rulers of the Vampire race.
All noble Vampires and common Vampires were descendants created by the Purebloods dispersing their power.
However, according to the documents Meer had delivered to Luo Shu's desk, the Vampires were now governed by the aristocratic Council, with Asato Ichijo, known as the First Elder, at its helm.
And the woman before him was currently being pursued under Asato Ichijo's orders.
Swiftly running through the intelligence in his mind, Luo Shu stood up as Shizuka Hio fully entered the room and Yukino Yukinoshita prepared tea beside them:
"I had assumed Miss Hio would choose a more comfortable evening to meet me."
Shizuka Hio glanced up slightly at Luo Shu before speaking:
"What is your purpose?"
"Hmm?" Luo Shu raised an eyebrow at her directness.
He looked at Shizuka Hio for a moment, then walked towards the sofa in front of the desk, saying as he moved:
"Let's sit down for this conversation."
With that, Luo Shu took the single sofa on the left, gesturing for Shizuka Hio to sit opposite him.
Shizuka Hio stared at him intently, only moving towards the facing sofa after Luo Shu had seated himself.
Two cups of black tea and sliced chestnut yokan were placed on the central table by Yukino Yukinoshita.
"Please help yourselves."
Having set out the hospitality items, Yukino stood behind Luo Shu with an expression as cold as ice.
Not that Luo Shu had any intention of teasing this temporarily acting secretary right now.
He picked up his tea, took a small sip, and said:
"I need subordinates who can intervene in Vampire politics from within."
"I wonder if that answer satisfies you?"
Since Shizuka Hio had been so direct, Luo Shu saw no reason to mince words about needing a mole in Vampire affairs.
Hearing his blunt statement, Shizuka Hio's cool crimson eyes remained fixed on him:
"Does the SDS's Hidden Management Department have authority to interfere in supernatural races' internal affairs?"
Clearly, Shizuka Hio thought she'd discerned Luo Shu's aim - to install her as a puppet ruler of the Vampires.
"That could be arranged."
Luo Shu nodded, acknowledging her suggestion.
Meddling in the politics of supernatural races aligned with humanity was sensitive business he'd rather avoid.
Originally, Luo Shu had planned to recruit Shizuka Hio as an ordinary subordinate after making contact.
But the advancement ritual for Calamity Bringer demanded he find a willing scapegoat to stir up trouble.
After all, Luo Shu was confident he'd eventually gather the required 360,000 Points for advancement materials - he already had 210,000, leaving just 150,000 to acquire. Even doing nothing, his monthly income would cover the shortfall within a year or two.
Though his current progress in digesting the Calamity Bringer was minimal, preparing rituals early was only prudent.
Thus, Luo Shu now sought someone willing to orchestrate a disaster affecting half a million people.
Currently, Asato Ichijo's vendetta against Pureblood Vampires shows potential.
Naturally, this raised Luo Shu's interest in Vampire politics considerably, creating a need to interfere.
Yet faced with his probing, Shizuka Hio responded coldly:
"If your condition involves using my identity to meddle in the Council's affairs, I must decline your recruitment."
This surprised Luo Shu somewhat:
"It seems Miss Hio has some misconceptions about our SDS?"
Although it might sound self-aggrandising, among mystical organisations, both official and unofficial, the SDS and certain Chinese groups probably had the best reputations.
Shizuka Hio didn't even trust the SDS, which surprised Luo Shu somewhat.
Yet contrary to Luo Shu's expectations, Shizuka Hio actually spoke in defence of the very person who persecuted her:
"It's not a misunderstanding. Having Asato Ichijo lead the Vampires is, in my view, the most correct decision."
Luo Shu paused briefly upon hearing this before responding: "I'd like to hear your reasoning."
At this moment, Shizuka Hio spoke calmly:
"Just like the Ghouls being exterminated now, the Vampires who first arrived in this world a decade ago faced the same situation."
"Vampires need blood to survive, making attacks on humans inevitable. But as you know, humans aren't a race that waits to be slaughtered."
"During the war between both sides - or rather, humanity's one-sided massacre of Vampires - one Pureblood Vampire family after another was wiped out. The Hio family was reduced to just me in an instant."
"The person who ended this war was none other than Asato Ichijo."
"Having lost his wife and children in the conflict, he was the first to step forward, suppressing his hatred to negotiate with humans on behalf of Vampires."
"Though he did betray some Purebloods to gain human trust during the process, he genuinely preserved the Vampire race."
"After the ceasefire that was practically a surrender, whether it was exchanging Vampire technology for hospital support from human authorities to serve as feeding grounds, or developing artificial blood so lower-class Vampires could survive - these were things I could never have achieved."
At this point, Shizuka Hio looked at Luo Shu calmly and said:
"Asking me to challenge his position was impossible from the start."
Luo Shu expressed surprise: "Even though he persecuted Pureblood Vampires, including yourself?"
Hearing this, a flicker of emotion passed through Shizuka Hio's eyes before she replied evenly:
"The Hio family were Purebloods who supported the war against humans."
With that sentence, Luo Shu understood everything.
Persecuting the leaders who started the war - this kind of retaliatory purge helped secure the current leadership's position.
So Shizuka Hio's persecution was likely not just Asato Ichijo's idea, but was probably shared by the Council and ordinary Vampires alike.
"Such circumstances exist..." Luo Shu found this quite unexpected.
The intelligence Meer provided hadn't recorded these details, a consequence of Luo Shu not sharing his own thoughts with her.
Yet Luo Shu had no choice.
He couldn't very well tell Meer he intended to trigger a disaster affecting 500,000 people to gain advanced power.
He absolutely knew that upon hearing such words, Lacus, Meer and Kirika Tachibana would all step forward to have a serious talk about restraining this dangerous idea.
Deliberately endangering innocent lives for greater power - even Luo Shu thought this ritual was utterly despicable.
Though the plan involved him eventually stopping the disaster, to those unaware, this hypocritical behaviour would mark him as insane.
Who in their right mind would start a catastrophe only to end it?
Normally, only sociopaths or delusional megalomaniacs would attempt such things.
So until finding a suitable scapegoat, Luo Shu could only secretly search for opportunities...
He had originally thought that internal strife among Vampires would be a good option, but when Shizuka Hio recounted Asato Ichijo's deeds, Luo Shu realised it was impossible.
A leadership that could endure the death of their wife and children while calmly contemplating the future of their race—Luo Shu didn't believe such a person was foolish enough to miss his ritual arrangements.
Even if he needed a scapegoat, Asato Ichijo was clearly the worst possible choice.
'Honestly, aren't there any dumber ambitious schemers in this world?'
While mentally complaining, Luo Shu abandoned his plans targeting the Vampires and sought another path.
Fortunately, this world was full of holes like a sieve. If Luo Shu were willing to wait, opportunities would eventually appear.
With the grand objective out of reach, Luo Shu naturally focused on smaller goals.
He glanced at Shizuka Hio, then smiled faintly:
"It seems Miss Hio truly only wishes to protect herself, unlike those who speculate she seeks to restore the rule of the pureblood families."
In that instant, the schemer Luo Shu logged off, and the patriotic, people-minded Mr. Luo Shu came online.
Shizuka Hio tilted her head slightly at Luo Shu's words, seemingly unable to gauge his true attitude.
At this moment, Luo Shu clasped his hands together and said with a smile:
"Congratulations, you've passed the hazard test."
"Next, as long as you're willing to accept certain contractual constraints and work for me, I'll provide you with corresponding protection."
"..." Shizuka Hio frowned as she looked at Luo Shu.
She couldn't shake the feeling that Luo Shu's words just now were completely serious, rather than part of some so-called test.
But with the SDS's reputation established, while Shizuka thought this so-called peacekeeping organisation had too much time on their hands, she couldn't deny its capability to offer protection.
"What are the terms of the contract?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu smiled and said:
"I'll have Takatsuki Izumi bring you the documents. You'll have one day to consider."
"Is that so..." Shizuka stood up and, before leaving, turned sideways to say: "I hope we can cooperate pleasantly."
"That's my hope as well."
Luo Shu maintained his standard smile.