Chapter 1162: Rumors of the Fourth True Ancestor
She was just about to go all out, wasn't she?
"But, Master, didn't you say you witnessed the Fourth True Ancestor's battle?"
"Exactly!"
The black cat looked at her with an expression that suggested it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Even if I only took a distant glance, doesn't that still count as witnessing it?"
Ah, this.
Kousaka Sayaka found herself at a loss for words.
"You don't actually think I'd dare to get involved in that kind of battle, do you?"
The black cat stared at her as if she were an idiot.
At that time, the entire Island of Itogami was shaking violently, the entire southeastern island had vanished, casualties numbered over twenty thousand, and the battle's aftermath was apocalyptic. How could she possibly have dared to go anywhere near it?
Not to mention, she wasn't the only one paying attention to that battle.
She had only watched from a few kilometers away, taking a few distant glances.
Even so, her memories were still devoured by the Fourth True Ancestor. Fortunately, her centuries of existence hadn't been for nothing—she had long prepared backups.
Since the devoured memories were minimal, she recovered quickly.
Sayaka had nothing to say in response.
Well, if the Fourth True Ancestor truly was the strongest True Ancestor as the legends claimed, then it made sense that her master didn't dare to get close.
Besides, this black cat was just a familiar and didn't possess much combat capability on its own.
"However, although I don't know where the Fourth True Ancestor is, I do have clues related to them!"
But then, the black cat confidently smiled.
"Clues?"
Sayaka's eyes immediately lit up.
Even just having clues was better than nothing!
At least it was better than her current aimless flailing around!
"Correct."
The black cat stood up on its hind legs, crossing its front paws over its chest.
"There's a place where the owner might know where the Fourth True Ancestor's true form is hiding."
"What place is that?"
"Adeleade Abbey!"
The black cat replied.
Adeleade... Abbey?
Kousaka Sayaka suddenly froze.
An expression of utter disbelief spread across her face.
"What? You know of that place too?"
Seeing her strange reaction, the black cat couldn't help but ask.
"No, it's not so much that I know of it..."
Sayaka was completely caught off guard.
It took her a long moment to collect herself, her expression complex.
"Actually, the destination for this lute case that the Three Saints ordered me to escort... is Adeleade Abbey on the Island of Itogami!"
Why would the Three Saints order her to deliver something of such high confidentiality to Adeleade Abbey, which was connected to the Fourth True Ancestor?
If the Three Saints already knew there was something suspicious here, why send her to investigate instead of dispatching someone to resolve it?
The black cat made a very human-like expression of raising its eyebrows.
It looked as if to say, "There's such a thing?"
"Anyway, you should be able to get your answers once you get there."
"You're... probably right."
Sayaka found it difficult to calm her emotions.
But she still politely bid her master farewell.
No matter what, since she had accepted the mission, she couldn't give up halfway. And since the escort mission wasn't completed yet, she might as well go check out this so-called Adeleade Abbey!
"Ah, that's right..."
Suddenly remembering something, Sayaka quickly told her master about her experiences on the way here.
Although she was confident in her ability to conceal her whereabouts, to avoid being tracked down by the security team, it would be better to have her mentor go through the official procedures.
"Beauties really have it tough!"
The black cat teased and agreed.
Sayoka subtly rolled her eyes.
In terms of appearance, she wouldn't dare compete with her mentor.
This way, she could carry out her mission with peace of mind.
As for the mishap along the way...
Sayoka recalled the young man she had left behind in the nearby love hotel.
Hmm.
She absolutely must not tell her mentor!
Otherwise, her mentor would surely laugh at her and make her return to school for remedial training!
Watching Sayoka's retreating figure, the black cat sighed.
"Was Sayoka the one chosen?"
At the entrance of the love hotel, Sayoka took a deep breath, swiftly cast a spell on herself to lower her presence, and then stiffly stepped into the hotel.
The boss lady rubbed her eyes, thinking she might be seeing things.
Arriving at the room door, Sayoka suddenly grew extremely nervous.
Even though there wasn't the slightest hint of anything inappropriate involved, the fact that she had come to a love hotel with a boy was overwhelmingly shocking for a young woman like her who had never even been in a relationship!
Even without that context, her heart was pounding wildly!
"Why am I so nervous? Ultimately, it's all the fault of the Lion King Organization for having such a bizarre base on Itogami Island!"
Sayoka tried hard to convince herself.
That's right.
Why build the base next to a love hotel?
Whoever did this, it's all their fault!
Her mind racing with chaotic thoughts, Sayoka steeled herself and forcefully pushed the door open.
"What are you going to do to me?"
Then she saw at a glance the person curled up on the heart-shaped bed, looking like a frightened young bride about to be assaulted, with an expression of sheer terror.
"I didn't do anything!"
Sayoka roared angrily.
What are you doing!
Why are you acting like the victim!
Are you trying to say that a proper girl like me would do something to you?
Have you no shame!
Do you think you're so handsome?
So angry!
Extremely angry!
Furious enough that her chest hurt, Sayoka almost completely forgot about her androphobia in that moment.
In short.
It was a very unpleasant first meeting.
Though she couldn't clearly see his face at the time, ten years later when Sayoka recalled this scene, she could say with certainty—
That bastard must have been laughing happily back then!
...
As the sun set, Sayoka walked out of the love hotel looking utterly exhausted.
The young man who had introduced himself as Eiji followed closely behind her.
"...Why are you still following me?"
Sayoka, looking completely burned out, stared at him with a dazed expression.
"Of course to get compensation from you!"
Eiji replied matter-of-factly.
"Back then I was thinking of saving you, but you attacked without even asking. I can't just let that slide. Plus, you injured me—how could I let you off so easily?"
Sayoka groaned.
She knew the power of her own attacks well.
It was essentially the specialized martial art of the Lion King Organization's Dance of Might, called the Eight General Gods Technique—a close-quarters combat style created by synthesizing the strengths of various schools specifically to deal with demons, moving silently like an assassination art.
Being a combat technique designed for use against demons, its power was considerable.
When dealing with demons, it was acceptable to use such methods, given their formidable physical strength and astonishing regenerative abilities.
However, when facing humans, unless they possessed supernatural powers themselves, such techniques were essentially forbidden.
In fact, she was even more surprised that he had regained consciousness after just two hours of being knocked out.
His own explanation was that he was naturally gifted, and judging by his robust physique, she considered him an anomaly among humans.
After all, from his appearance alone, there was nothing particularly special about him.