The True Dragon Sorcerer Class possessed by the True Dragon Legacy was obviously related to dragons, without even needing to think about it.
And unfortunately, the Seto Group was a yokai faction related to dragons.
Seto Group's leader, Gōzaburō Seto, was in recent years the only one in the Seto Inland Sea to leap over the dragon gate, successfully evolving from a mermaid into a dragon fish - a dragon species.
Although not a true dragon, it still belonged to the sub-dragon category.
And as Gōzaburō Seto's daughter, Sun Seto naturally possessed dragon bloodline - it wouldn't be wrong to call her a half-dragon.
Under these circumstances, the True Dragon Legacy's invitation targeting Sun Seto made it hard not to associate it with her bloodline.
"So that invitation selects as many species as possible?"
Hearing Gōzaburō Seto's explanation, Kotoko Iwanaga couldn't help but stroke her chin and mutter:
"Looking at it this way, the reason for targeting the Kyushu sea yokai is also obvious - to lock onto as many species as possible?"
"In other words, having numerous species is a condition for achieving the True Dragon Sorcerer Class?"
At this moment, Gōzaburō Seto sat beside Sun Seto, crossing his arms with a frustrated expression:
"I don't care about how this True Dragon Sorcerer Class works. What I find strange is why I can't replace the lock on Sun."
"Logically speaking, as a sub-dragon like me, I should be more suitable than Sun, right?"
Hearing this, Shiranui calmly explained:
"You are more suitable, but precisely because you're more suitable, that's why you're not allowed to participate, right?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Luo Shu and Kotoko Iwanaga immediately understood Shiranui's meaning.
Similarly, Gōzaburō Seto, realising this point, also turned pale:
"Worried that I might take the True Dragon Legacy because I'm more suitable?"
Gōzaburō Seto finally understood - it was a bunch of bastards fearing his bloodline who were targeting his daughter.
Thinking of this, Gōzaburō Seto couldn't help but look at Luo Shu and said:
"Can you remove this lock, Mr Luo Shu?"
In response, Luo Shu asked in return:
"Would just removing it have any meaning?"
Luo Shu hadn't detected the invitation's lock before, but now that he'd been reminded, he naturally understood the principle behind it.
That feeling of automatic locking was something Luo Shu, having used authority multiple times in the Divine Kingdom, was all too familiar with.
It was the anchoring power inherent to authority.
And removing this power was simple - Luo Shu could just use his authority to counteract it.
But while he could intervene to counteract it, that didn't mean it was the solution to the problem.
"In Miss Seto's situation, unless she remains with my Hidden Management Department, once she goes outside, the likelihood of being targeted again surely needs no further explanation from me."
"And at that point, whether the person controlling the invitations would still use such gentle methods is another matter entirely."
Hearing this, Gōzaburō Seto's face immediately turned ashen.
He had to admit that Luo Shu's concerns were entirely justified.
If the invitation could lock onto Sun Seto and couldn't even be transferred, then the invitation's creator couldn't possibly have failed to notice Sun Seto.
Under these circumstances, the probability of Sun Seto being targeted, or even captured, was far too high.
And Gōzaburō Seto had no effective solution to this problem.
Using crude concepts to isolate the True Dragon Legacy invitation, preventing it from reaching Sun Seto, was the absolute limit of what he could accomplish.
To resolve this completely would clearly require an expert like Luo Shu.
Thinking of his daughter's predicament, Gōzaburō Seto couldn't help but become more subdued, even unconsciously lowering his voice:
"So, how can we resolve the issue with Sun?"
"There are two methods."
Luo Shu glanced at the deflated Gōzaburō Seto, understanding perfectly well that this was how someone appeared when their weakness had been exposed:
"One option is for me to personally intervene, remove the lock on Sun Seto, and have her remain with the Hidden Management Department until the True Dragon Legacy's ownership is decided."
"The other option is to have 'Sun Seto' participate in the competition for the True Dragon Legacy, though in this case, I would provide someone to assume her identity."
Upon hearing Luo Shu's two proposed solutions, Gōzaburō Seto found both quite satisfactory.
But aside from satisfaction, the cost of having Luo Shu take such action...
Gōzaburō Seto fell silent for a moment before saying:
"Since you're being so gracious, I won't mince words either. From now on, the Seto Group pledges its loyal service to you!!"
Looking at the solemnly bowing Gōzaburō Seto before him, Luo Shu felt somewhat surprised.
After all, his primary target was actually Sun Seto, who possessed Familia qualifications, while the Seto Group was merely a bonus.
After all, there were too many Japanese forces now wanting to pledge allegiance to the Hidden Management Department, with Yukino Yukinoshita receiving piles of greeting letters daily.
For such nominal additions that barely made a difference, Luo Shu paid them no mind.
In comparison, Sun Seto—who could be locked onto by the True Dragon Legacy invitation and was certain to have some connection to the True Dragon Sorcerer—was far more important to Luo Shu.
After all, if by any chance the True Dragon Sorcerer Class was actually obtained, and Sun Seto could meet the requirements...
Someone with the potential to become an Angel would be far more valuable than any Seto Group.
Just as numerous thoughts flashed through Luo Shu's mind, Kotoko Iwanaga, standing nearby, suddenly blinked and said:
"Wait, does that mean little Sun will be working with me at the Hidden Management Department?"
"With you?" Gōzaburō Seto was stunned, looking at Kotoko Iwanaga in astonishment: "Princess, you..."
The princess of the yokai was a member of the Hidden Management Department? This was something he'd never heard of before!!
At this moment, Kotoko Iwanaga 'only then realised' she had misspoken and immediately stuck out her tongue:
"Oh dear, it seems I forgot this was supposed to be confidential."
That wasn't a slip of the tongue - you were trying to cement Sun Seto's entry into the Familia and make it a done deal, weren't you?
Luo Shu's mouth twitched as he glanced at Kotoko Iwanaga.
Now that he knew this secret, even if Gōzaburō Seto didn't send his daughter over, he'd probably fear being silenced!!
Sure enough, after Kotoko Iwanaga revealed the truth, Gōzaburō Seto's expression shifted several times before he awkwardly said:
"Having the princess look after her would be wonderful!!"
After speaking, Gōzaburō Seto turned and fixed his gaze on Sun Seto:
"Sun, from now on, you must follow the princess and learn how things are done in the department, understand?"
"I personally don't have any objections..." Sun Seto seemed to understand the situation clearly, yet still appeared somewhat confused: "But aren't Mr Luo Shu and I already comrades-in-arms?"
And so, with Sun Seto looking thoroughly bewildered, the matter appeared to be settled.
...
Just over 20 minutes later.
After a relatively short wait, Rihan Nura and the others received a reminder from staff:
"Members of the Nura Clan, please follow me. The Director is already waiting for you."