"Are you sure it's 'receiving' and not something else?"
Luo Shu, seated at his desk, couldn't help but comment upon hearing this.
"What's this~" Kisara turned to him, puffing her cheeks and looking aggrieved: "In Shu-kun's eyes, am I just some bully who picks on newcomers?"
"Did I say you were a bully who picks on newcomers? Don't put words in my mouth..."
Luo Shu sighed before addressing Erina Nakiri:
"This is Kisara, one of my demons and your senior."
"Demons?" Erina's eyelid twitched.
"Belonging to Shu-kun?" Kisara's eyes lit up before she began fidgeting with her hands: "Shu-kun, really~"
Watching this scene unfold, Erina's mouth twitched slightly.
'Demon? This girl?'
Erina suddenly felt an urge to call Alice over to see Kisara.
'Look, this is what a real lovestruck fool looks like~!'
Luo Shu, seemingly accustomed to Kisara's behaviour, continued calmly explaining:
"The one who just took Hisako away was Yukino Yukinoshita, currently responsible for the department's secretarial work."
"Aside from that, there are several other members in the department, though they haven't arrived yet."
After speaking, Luo Shu added:
"Since the Hidden Management Department is newly established by the SDS, related equipment, newcomer training, and positions haven't been finalised yet."
"So for the next month, your work will be quite complex."
"Kisara."
"Here!" Kisara quickly straightened up and responded.
"Aren't you supposed to guide the newcomers? First, take Erina around to familiarise her with the various areas of the base and brief her on the situation. Then, have her physical condition tested before notifying Yukino to coordinate with the research department regarding the Adjuster Drug certification."
"Understood."
Upon receiving the order, Kisara immediately turned to leave with Erina Nakiri.
Erina Nakiri glanced at Luo Shu at this moment and, seeing him nod, promptly followed Kisara out of the office.
When only Luo Shu remained in the office, he suddenly turned towards the empty sofa and said:
"Last night, Hagoromo Gitsune sent a messenger, requesting a meeting tonight at midnight."
As his words fell, black and red hues intertwined on the vacant sofa, eventually weaving into the petite figure of a girl with twin tails.
"Ara ara~ Does Shu-kun mean to ask me to accompany you?"
Kurumi Tokisaki sat elegantly sideways on the sofa, smiling faintly at Luo Shu:
"Are you certain this is a meeting and not a showdown?"
"Just a precaution."
Luo Shu then said self-deprecatingly:
"After all, I value my life."
"Is that so?" Kurumi's lips curled slightly as she regarded Luo Shu with an ambiguous expression. "Yet I can't help but feel that what Shu-kun fears isn't that Hagoromo Gitsune, but someone else entirely?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu didn't deny it. He interlaced his fingers beneath his chin, pondering for a moment before replying:
"Though the probability is low, we can't rule out the possibility that Hao Asakura is also keeping an eye on Hagoromo Gitsune."
"That true Abe no Seimei?" Kurumi looked genuinely surprised. "Could he really have ties with Hagoromo Gitsune?"
"I won't gamble on mere probabilities," Luo Shu emphasised.
Kurumi immediately understood—Luo Shu was operating on the principle of presuming guilt, first considering Hao Asakura's potential involvement before making further arrangements.
"If it's that Hao, who's suspected to be a Demigod, no wonder Shu-kun wants me to accompany you personally."
Kurumi herself harboured deep wariness towards Hao Asakura.
Based on her experience in the Dream Simulation Chamber, where she lost every battle against her own Demigod Rank self, a true Demigod was undoubtedly a terrifying existence—each one a veritable natural disaster capable of effortlessly destroying an entire international metropolis.
Against such an enemy, mere clones would be meaningless; only her true self would suffice.
"For the foreseeable future, I'll be lurking within Shu-kun's shadow."
"I appreciate it."
...
Adachi Ward, a shrine nestled within the forest.
"Sister, the newly acquired intelligence has arrived."
Kyokotsu entered the shrine's reception room carrying several USB drives, where she saw Hagoromo Gitsune lying amidst her fluffy fox tails, seemingly deep in slumber.
Kyokotsu gazed at Hagoromo Gitsune with admiration before shifting her attention to the low table nearby.
On the low table, only a simple setup of a laptop, a mouse, and a small pile of USB drives were placed.
Kyokotsu tiptoed across the tatami and placed the USB in her hand on the table, separating it from the others that had already been read.
"...Kyokotsu." Hagoromo Gitsune spoke in her characteristically soft and alluring voice, her eyes still closed.
Kyokotsu startled, quickly straightening her posture as she apologised:
"Forgive me, sister. Did I wake you?"
Hagoromo Gitsune didn't answer, only asking:
"What new intelligence have you acquired this time?"
After a pause, she added: "How much cash remains in the group's funds?"
"Only six kilograms of gold remain. As for the new intelligence..."
Kyokotsu hesitated before continuing:
"This batch was given freely by that information dealer Meer, who called it a 'premium customer benefit'."
"Oh? What does it contain?" Hagoromo Gitsune slightly opened her eyes, revealing bloodshot pupils that spoke of prolonged sleeplessness.
"It's about a proposal the SDS will issue this afternoon regarding defining power rankings for sorcerers. What we have here is leaked information."
"Power rankings?" Hagoromo Gitsune pondered this briefly before asking: "Is it related to that child Hao?"
Though they'd only collaborated for a day, Hagoromo Gitsune had gained some understanding of Meer's methods - the dealer typically gifted intelligence she knew would interest her clients.
Kyokotsu nodded in confirmation and explained:
"According to the leaked information, the SDS proposes classifying sorcerers across nations into five tiers: Common, Excellent, Elite, Hero, and Demigod. The report specifically evaluates Lord Hao as Demigod Rank, possessing power sufficient to destroy a major nation single-handedly."
Hagoromo Gitsune fell silent for a long moment before murmuring wistfully:
"...That child must have suffered greatly during all these years of cultivation."
"..."
Faced with this reaction, Kyokotsu found herself at a loss for words.
'Sister, haven't you still not determined whether Lord Seimei or Lord Hao is your actual child? Why are you already grieving like this?'
Kyokotsu kept her head bowed, not daring to voice her thoughts.
Emerging from her melancholic reverie, Hagoromo Gitsune commanded:
"Prepare to depart."
"We shall meet this SDS Director Luo."
"As you command!"