Keeping her hand on Serafall's shoulder, Aya Tokoyogi slowly turned her head towards the man sitting on the roof's edge.
Black hair matching hers, eyes darker than hers, a pale, handsome face brimming with cheerful delight, as if encountering some joyous occasion, his lips unable to suppress his inner mirth.
Seeing Luo Shu like this, Aya Tokoyogi merely stated flatly:
"It appears Japan's higher-ups have offered you satisfactory terms."
"Couldn't hide it from you, could I?!"
Luo Shu scratched the back of his head, looking somewhat troubled, even lowering his eyes to avoid Aya Tokoyogi's gaze as he said:
"Should we say we have a tacit understanding, or are we just on the same wavelength?"
"In any case, because of the commotion you and Serafall caused, Tokyo probably lost tens of trillions of yen, forcing those old officials to compromise with me...."
"Sigh, it even makes me feel a bit embarrassed, after all, it's because of you two that I gained such benefits."
Hearing Luo Shu's feigned remorse, Aya Tokoyogi merely said indifferently:
"So, having received your reward, you now intend to stop me?"
"Ah, that does seem rather unethical, doesn't it? After all, I've gained benefits while you're taking Serafall away. It should be mutually beneficial, except..."
Luo Shu slightly raised his lowered eyes, gazing calmly at Aya Tokoyogi as he said:
"I'm the type of person who always prefers winner takes all!!"
"So, I'll be taking Serafall too!!"
Hearing this, Aya Tokoyogi slowly released her grip on Serafall's shoulder. Yet as she let go, Serafall collapsed weakly to the ground, her body limp. From her shoulders and exposed skin, black characters could be seen rapidly multiplying beneath the surface.
"Ara ara? My magic power... seems to have suddenly disappeared..."
Serafall was shocked by the abnormality in her body. She had deliberately conserved half her magic power precisely for a counterattack.
How could it be that the moment these black characters appeared on her body, her magic power vanished completely, leaving her unable to cast even the simplest spell?
What on earth was happening?
Meanwhile, noticing the anomaly, Luo Shu glanced at Serafall. Recalling her mention of disappearing magic power, he frowned and said:
"The Dark Oath Grimoire that nullifies all supernatural arts?"
At Luo Shu's mention of the Dark Oath Grimoire, Aya Tokoyogi's expression darkened considerably. The look she gave Luo Shu was practically seething with resentment:
"So Natsuki Minamiya even told you about the existence of the Dark Oath Grimoire..."
Seeing Aya Tokoyogi's visibly shaken reaction, Luo Shu sighed somewhat helplessly:
"Natsuki didn't tell me anything. I have my own sources of information."
"Whether it's the Four Primogenitors of your world, the Deva, or even Cain... I know certain things."
"And among these things... includes your ambitions, Aya."
Here, Luo Shu frowned, asking with clear hesitation:
"Are you still pursuing that ordinary world without supernatural powers or witches, Aya?"
Hearing this, Aya Tokoyogi's expression gradually turned icy:
"I see. So Natsuki even told you about my ideal of creating an ordinary world without magic or supernatural abilities?"
"It seems your relationship with her is far more intimate than I imagined."
Luo Shu jumped down from the rooftop edge, dusting off his trousers as he gave Aya Tokoyogi a resigned look:
"Jumping to conclusions? Or are you repeatedly emphasising Natsuki in hopes I'll go easy on you?"
Aya Tokoyogi's expression grew progressively colder:
"Go easy on me?"
"Don't make me laugh... From the very beginning, you lot have been trying to encircle me. Did you ever consider going easy?"
As Aya Tokoyogi's words fell...
Directly behind her stood Kurumi Tokisaki, clad in red-and-black gothic Spiritual Equipment, twin pistols in hand, her lips curved in a smile.
To Aya Tokoyogi's left, Mukuro Hoshimiya hovered mid-air, gripping the Master of Seal and Unlock, her golden locks dancing in the breeze.
And to her right, Origami Tobiichi watched calmly ahead, draped in a pure white bridal gown woven from luminous feathers, her azure eyes unblinking.
With Luo Shu blocking the path ahead, Aya Tokoyogi found herself surrounded.
Aya Tokoyogi glanced around at the group, her gaze lingering momentarily on Origami Tobiichi's visibly fluctuating Spiritual Power, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes:
"Four Demigods... Oh, it seems one of them was recently promoted..."
"How very cautious of you..."
"As the art of war states, with tenfold strength, surround them; with fivefold, attack; with double, engage..."
Luo Shu, one hand in his pocket, slowly approached Aya Tokoyogi as he spoke:
"A fourfold advantage is enough for me to make a safe judgment."
"But before we act, though the chances seem slim, I still want to ask..."
At this point, Luo Shu fixed his deep gaze on Aya Tokoyogi:
"Aya, have you considered joining the Hidden Management Department?"
Aya Tokoyogi was somewhat taken aback by this, but after a moment of surprise, a cold smile appeared on her face:
"Is this Natsuki Minamiya's idea?"
"It's my need!" Luo Shu admitted without hesitation. "Having a Demigod join my department would bring me tremendous benefits."
"For that, even offending Japan's authorities or the Union would be worth it."
Hearing Luo Shu's words, Aya Tokoyogi gave him a meaningful glance before letting out a cold, mocking laugh:
"I don't share Natsuki Minamiya's habit of yielding to men!"
At this, Luo Shu fell silent for a moment before offering what he thought was an enticing proposition:
"If Natsuki ever has children in the future, I wouldn't mind letting you take care of them."
"Having you as their godmother is actually fine by me!"
Hearing this, Aya Tokoyogi went quiet.
Several seconds later, she tilted her head slightly and gave Luo Shu a strange look. Then she took a deep breath, her expression caught between mockery and shock at the revelation that Natsuki Minamiya might already be pregnant.
"Pathetic verbal tricks!"
A black-covered book materialised in Aya Tokoyogi's hand as she sneered:
"Do you really think bringing along these half-baked amateurs who can't even control their Spiritual Power properly will stop me?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu finally had to abandon any hope of a peaceful resolution:
"Well then, there's no other choice!"
As his words fell.
Pure white light gathered, bit by bit, behind Luo Shu, forming one white feather after another until they coalesced into a pair of pristine, angelic wings.
As the white wings unfurled.
Luo Shu, now sharing Origami Tobiichi's Angel, Metatron, through the Divine Pantheon Reconstruction System, opened his eyes glowing with sky-blue radiance:
"Looks like I'll have to break your arms and legs before dragging you home for some... re-education."
The moment he finished speaking.
Pure white light flooded the entire night sky!