A spectator of fate...
Maya Yotsuba pondered these words, yet remained uncertain about the identity of the person opposite her.
Someone who could command Sharon Holygrail? A high-ranking member of the Demon Hunters? Or perhaps the leader of some organisation within Golden Dawn? Or maybe something else entirely?
She couldn't quite grasp their origins, but the crucial point was that her own identity had been exposed.
Suppose her intelligence, magical abilities, and even Tatsuya Shiba's technique capabilities were all laid bare before this opponent - that would make the situation extremely dangerous.
At the very least, if this person wasn't merely bluffing, they likely possessed certain countermeasures against her faction. Even if they didn't, they would certainly research appropriate methods.
This was rather troublesome. Her understanding of this world remained too limited; she couldn't fully grasp the situation of its major organisations. If she accidentally provoked some dangerous individual, the risks would be immense.
However, Tatsuya Shiba was executing a decapitation mission against Hagoromo Gitsune, issued by the Cabinet. The fact that Sharon had been positioned to block them clearly indicated this was related to Hagoromo Gitsune.
Hagoromo Gitsune was an existence that Japan's Cabinet would go to great lengths to eliminate. The probability of unknown figures appearing around her being weak was extremely low.
Therefore, for now, she would assume this opponent could truly observe her fate...
With this thought, Maya Yotsuba immediately asked:
"Are you the power behind Hagoromo Gitsune?"
'Was it the so-called Abe no Seimei, or someone else?' Maya Yotsuba wondered.
"You may interpret it that way."
After responding, Sharon chuckled lightly, speaking in that androgynous voice:
"Go tell the Cabinet that Nue's resurrection isn't something they can prevent."
"Let them consider the consequences of interfering with the ritual."
With these words, Sharon merely cast a deep glance at Tatsuya Shiba's wristband before her eyes returned to their original emerald green.
Clearly, the being possessing her had departed.
Witnessing this, Tatsuya Shiba stated expressionlessly:
"Lady Maya, the subject has returned to normal."
"I understand," Maya Yotsuba replied.
'A ritual?'
Chewing over this term, Maya Yotsuba immediately connected it to existing intelligence.
Hagoromo Gitsune is attempting to resurrect Abe no Seimei. The Gokadoin clan members are suspected of being immortals.
Various pieces of intelligence flashed through Maya Yotsuba's mind, coalescing into one suspicion:
If the Gokadoin clan could achieve immortality, then surely their progenitor Abe no Seimei could as well?
The answer was obvious.
If Abe no Seimei could be immortal, why would he need Hagoromo Gitsune to rebirth him?
Or perhaps, having Hagoromo Gitsune give birth to him again was the so-called ritual?
Furthermore, could the entity possessing Sharon Holygrail have been Abe no Seimei himself?
A Great Onmyoji who died a millennium ago, residing in hell, could possess a modern person and converse with her across space?
This filled Maya Yotsuba with intense apprehension. Such a powerful being who could still manipulate events after death was far too dangerous.
So dangerous that Maya Yotsuba suspected she would be eliminated if she interfered with his ritual.
That threat to the Cabinet might not have been meant solely for them.
At this thought, Maya Yotsuba fell silent for a moment before speaking:
"Tatsuya, abort the mission and retreat immediately."
Hearing this, Tatsuya Shiba didn't hesitate in the slightest. Facing Sharon directly, he quickly leapt backwards up the steps and within seconds had returned to ground level before turning to withdraw.
Seeing this, Sharon made no move to stop him, merely glancing at the tunnel before turning to descend the steps once more.
After just a few steps, Angelene appeared before Sharon, her gaze solemn as she looked in the direction where Tatsuya Shiba had disappeared:
"Japan's Strategic Magician, Lieutenant Tatsuya Shiba? I never expected him to be such an ordinary young man."
"And even more unexpected is that in this world, I'd encounter a fellow countryman from the same world."
Angelene sighed with deep emotion at this point, then addressed Sharon:
"It's fortunate no conflict broke out just now. Otherwise, with the power of Lieutenant Tatsuya Shiba's Strategic Magic 'Material Burst', all of Kyoto might have been reduced to ruins."
Hearing this, Sharon joked instead:
"If he really unleashed power on that scale, the Cabinet would have to execute this so-called 'Lieutenant Tatsuya Shiba' themselves first."
"Alright, you continue keeping watch. I'll go report back first."
With that, Sharon walked past Angelene and descended the steps. Once alone, she shook her head, steadying her slightly dazed mind as she murmured:
"No matter how many times I experience it, Familia possession is always this unpleasant."
"But that Strategic Magician just now... To have Luo Shu personally intervene and prevent conflict, he must be an opponent beyond my capabilities."
At this thought, Sharon paused, considering her upcoming advancement ritual. Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward onto the next stair.
...
Meanwhile, in the Chamber of Nue...
Luo Shu, having just ended his possession, gazed through multiple barriers to lock onto Tatsuya Shiba, rapidly leaving Nijo Castle.
'To think Tatsuya Shiba, that anti-world maverick, has also crossed over to this world?'
'His Strategic Magic "Material Burst" seems to operate on principles similar to nuclear weapons - a highly dangerous individual indeed.'
'Should I eliminate him?'
After some consideration, Luo Shu dismissed the idea of killing Tatsuya Shiba.
The reason wasn't complicated - he suspected Tatsuya Shiba's sister, Miyuki Shiba, might be a Familia candidate.
'Killing her brother, then immediately trying to recruit her? Even I wouldn't stoop to such underhanded tactics.'
'Better have Kurumi send a clone to monitor him for now.'
With this thought, Luo Shu used his system to send a message to Kurumi Tokisaki, who was concealed within his shadow. Then he turned to Hagoromo Gitsune:
"Miss Hagoromo Gitsune, congratulations on not getting nuked today!"
Hearing this, Hagoromo Gitsune recalled the earlier footsteps before giving Luo Shu a meaningful look:
"You do honour contracts quite well."
Luo Shu didn't refute this, simply standing up and glancing at the bronze mirror showing various forces already withdrawing before remarking:
"The organs you need will be delivered shortly. Until then, rest here peacefully."
Before leaving, Luo Shu curiously eyed Hagoromo Gitsune's abdomen:
"By the way, when's your due date?"
Seeing this, Hagoromo Gitsune couldn't be bothered to explain that it was her avatar pregnant, not herself, and merely replied coolly:
"If the food supply is sufficient, it should be around dusk the day after tomorrow."
"Oh?"
Hearing the precise timing, Luo Shu couldn't help but raise an eyebrow before smiling playfully:
"It seems both sides have ample time to prepare!"