Five minutes later.
At the Takanashi family dining table.
Rikka Takanashi stole a glance at Kotoko Iwanaga, sitting beside her, while eating her pork cutlet rice.
Next to her, Serafall was in a dazed state after learning that Magical Girl aired in the early hours, barely touching her food.
The only normal person in the room was Tōka Takanashi.
At this moment, she, who hadn't yet touched her chopsticks, crossed her arms and stared expressionlessly at Kotoko Iwanaga as she asked:
"I recall there wasn't someone like you among the creditors, was there?"
Because of their late father's medical expenses, the Takanashi family had incurred substantial debts.
This debt had been mainly repaid through Tōka Takanashi's relentless work and the support of their remarried mother.
The remaining amount was less than 1.2 million yen – hardly enough to cripple a family financially.
But for Rikka Takanashi, who didn't know the exact figures and only saw creditors visiting periodically, anyone knocking on their door besides salespeople or TV licence collectors could only be a creditor.
"My, my, it seems there's been some misunderstanding in communication."
Kotoko shifted her gaze slightly upward from the pork cutlet rice to meet Tōka's completely expressionless face.
Then, smiling like a cat, she said:
"While I am indeed a creditor to many people, I don't believe I hold any IOUs from either of you young ladies."
"Moreover, this visit is on behalf of my lord, representing the Hidden Management Department to pay respects to Her Majesty Leviathan."
"Huh?"
Serafall, who had been scooping up the last grains of rice, looked up in confusion:
"You're here for me?"
"Leviathan?!"
Rikka Takanashi stared at Serafall in awe:
"That's amazing!!"
Hearing this, Tōka gave her a sidelong glance before calmly remarking:
"I don't know what you find amazing about that, but it's definitely some nonsensical interpretation that doesn't match reality."
"What's that supposed to mean~"
Rikka immediately protested:
"Having comrades who share the same dreams isn't unrealistic at all."
"Oh, so you interpreted it as them being fellow chuunibyou? That does suit your personality."
Tōka took a candy from her pocket, unwrapped it, popped it into her mouth, and savoured the cloying sweetness while glancing at Kotoko:
"So Director Luo Shu has business with Serafall."
"Correct."
Kotoko nodded, then tilted her head:
"According to the information Director Luo Shu provided me, Miss Tōka should currently be an outsider to our circles, yes?"
Tōka replied impassively: "So you want me to give you space to talk?"
"That won't be necessary." Kotoko shook her head. "Although you're not yet involved, as Her Majesty Leviathan's disciple, you knowing about these matters doesn't violate any regulations."
"I see."
Tōka stood up, grabbed Rikka by the collar with one hand while picking up the pork cutlet rice with the other, stating matter-of-factly:
"Then all irrelevant personnel should clear out immediately."
Rikka, held by her "destiny's nape", wailed:
"Wait, I'm part of the circle too!"
"But even among chuunibyou, there are hierarchies – and you, my foolish little sister, are at the lowest tier."
With that, Tōka shoved both the girl and the pork cutlet rice into the room before closing the door, murmuring:
"You know what happens if you open this door."
No sooner had she spoken than frantic knocking sounds erupted from behind the door.
"I protest, Saint Regulator! You're discriminating against me!!"
Ignoring Rikka Takanashi's protest, Tōka turned back and pulled out her chair to sit down again:
"Right, now that the bystander's been dealt with, you can discuss serious matters."
"Miss Rikka could actually be considered—"
Before Kotoko Iwanaga could finish, she noticed Tōka's gaze and immediately understood. Smiling, she said:
"I see. Now I understand Miss Tōka's meaning."
With that, Kotoko turned to Serafall with a smile:
"Well then, Your Majesty Leviathan, shall we begin our discussion?"
"I'm ready whenever~"
Serafall swayed her twin tails—the kind that could accelerate any man's attack speed:
"Though I must say, I'm quite curious about Director Luo Shu's reason for sending you here..."
At this, Serafall narrowed her eyes and grinned:
"Just so you know, my services don't come cheap~"
Kotoko pressed her lips together, her smile catlike:
"How considerate of you. Truly touching."
'It's not the high price I fear—it's your refusal to act.'
A Familia candidate without desires was the most troublesome kind.
Compared to that sort, Serafall was indeed considerate.
As for the so-called high price...
'What a joke. Hiring a Satan of the Underworld would naturally cost a fortune.'
"The purpose of this visit is to request that you, representing the Underworld, publicly target at least ten members of hidden organisations around midnight tonight..."
"Killing or capturing are both acceptable. All we require is the dissemination of information that demons from another world have attacked mystic-side personnel."
Hearing this, Serafall grinned:
"Do these hidden organisation members include the Hidden Management Department?"
Kotoko gave Serafall a surprised glance before smiling:
"If you're willing, that's also acceptable—though we won't raise our offer for it."
"Ehhh~"
Serafall drew out the syllable before lazily flopping onto the table, looking bored:
"You're no fun at all. I want Luo Shu to negotiate with me~"
Faced with this display, Kotoko merely smiled:
"Our offer concerns intelligence about a Class."
Serafall blinked in mild surprise:
"I never mentioned my purpose for coming to this world... Ohhh. Is this the so-called 'divination' they talk about in Akihabara?"
Kotoko showed no surprise, replying with a smile:
"It seems you've gathered quite a bit of intelligence from Akihabara's markets recently."
Serafall lifted her chin proudly:
"Hmph, my all-nighters these past few days weren't for nothing."
"In that case, let's both be frank."
Kotoko smiled:
"Director Luo Shu hopes Your Majesty Serafall will attack several members of illegal organisations—whether in the Underworld's name or another's matters little. The key is establishing the narrative of a deep incursion."
"Naturally, it would be ideal if you could also assume a position as an executive of Truth Astronomy."
Serafall blinked, then asked with a playful smile:
"And the compensation?"
"As I said—my fees are very high~"
At this moment, Kotoko Iwanaga said with a smile:
"Truth Astronomy possesses complete demon Classes, so comprehensive that they even reach the level of Demigods. Moreover, there are at least three such Classes."
Serafall was somewhat surprised. She knew about demon Classes—after all, Ajuka had also traded for information on them—but reaching the Demigod level, and with three or more?
In other words, Truth Astronomy had mastered at least three distinct Classes that could elevate demons to the Demigod Rank?
Now this was interesting...
Just then, Kotoko Iwanaga smiled and said:
"Our side can provide intelligence on these Class holders."
Hearing this, Serafall's lips curled upwards:
"Deal!"