Chapter 1206: The Previously Agreed Compensation
Deep within the artificial island.
This was a warehouse whose original purpose was long forgotten, now repurposed into a prison cell.
Though calling it a prison cell hardly did justice to its lavishness compared to standard confinement facilities.
Multiple computers stood side by side on the desk, surrounded by an assortment of snacks covering the surface.
The chairs had even been thoughtfully replaced with comfortable computer chairs.
Aoko sat before the computers, her face etched with utter boredom.
The computer screen displayed a prominent "All Clear" message.
"Why hasn't anyone come to rescue me yet?"
Aoko cradled her head in her hands, unconsciously swiveling in the computer chair.
It all started with a challenge days earlier.
An unknown account had sent her an invitation to attempt deciphering a set of ancient script.
After immense effort, she finally succeeded in cracking the 9,000-year-old writing, only to be forcibly kidnapped by several beastmen while returning home that evening.
The beastmen were terrorists from the Black Death Emperor faction, yet they hadn't mistreated her. Instead, they provided comfortable accommodations and ample food.
It wasn't until she met their leader, the elderly beastman named Christopher Gadreel, that she learned the full story.
The text she deciphered was one of the 54 control commands for the super-ancient weapon Nakk Le Va, created by the gods.
Gadreel ordered her to decipher the remaining 53 commands, threatening to unleash Nakk Le Va on Itogami Island with the single "indiscriminate slaughter" command if she refused.
Left with no choice, Aoko complied with the threat and deciphered all remaining commands overnight.
She had, of course, already sent out a distress call through Magus Eye.
But still, no one had come to rescue her.
"Even though I input the self-created 55th command 'self-destruct' into Nakk Le Va, there shouldn't be anything left outside that could stop the security team, right?"
Given the firepower possessed by the Special Zone Security Team, a group of beastmen without heavy weaponry should be no match.
BAM!
Just as she was thinking this, the door was violently kicked in.
Startled, she snapped back to reality and saw the masked figure in the doorway, immediately lighting up with joy.
"Eiji, why are you the one who came?"
"Got a distress call from this thing."
Eiji shook his phone, a doll pattern flashing briefly on the screen.
"When did you become so strong?"
She glanced at the metal footprint left on the demolished door, her gaze toward Eiji now tinged with newfound respect.
"I didn't spend all that time living with Natsuki-chan for nothing."
"Oh right, Natsuki-chan is supposed to be a pretty powerful Attack Mage, isn't she?"
Aoko readily accepted this explanation.
She patted her rear, picked up a bag of chips, and walked out.
"And this is...?"
As soon as she stepped out, she spotted the silver-haired beauty leaning against the nearby wall.
What a stunning beauty!
Aoko felt an immediate surge of intense rivalry!
"Hello, you can call me Luvia."
Luvia patted her head, offering Aoko a flawless smile.
Her mind still felt a bit hazy.
Damn it, how can just a face have that kind of power?
Laphria was still trembling with fear, haunted by lingering dread.
If this person had even the slightest intention of charming her just now, she might have been done for!
"Laphria? Why does that name sound somewhat familiar..."
Asagi fell into thoughtful contemplation.
"Your Highness!"
"Eiji!"
At that moment, anxious calls came from all around.
The surrounding mist had long since dissipated. Fuyuki Kiriya, Kataya, and Kojou Sasaski all rushed in from outside, appearing before the three of them.
"We're over here."
Laphria waved to them.
"Your Highness!"
Asagi suddenly snapped back to reality.
Laphria—wasn't that the name of the princess from a certain European kingdom who was recently scheduled to visit Itogami Island, as reported on TV?!
Had the scale of the enemy suddenly become this terrifying?!
"Your Highness, are you alright?!"
Kataya rushed over with tears in her eyes.
"No matter how you look at it, I'm not injured, right?"
Laphria gestured to her parade-style dress suit, smiling with an air of refined elegance.
"I hope Your Highness will be more considerate of us bodyguards' feelings next time."
Fuyuki Kiriya let out a slight sigh of relief, voicing her complaint.
"Eiji, y-you're alright too? What a disappointment!"
Kojou Sasaski ran over like the wind. Seeing that Eiji didn't even have a speck of dust on him, her anxious expression immediately relaxed. Only after realizing it did she put on a cold facade.
Eiji shrugged in response.
Whatever makes you happy.
"By the way, what happened just now? It felt like there was a huge commotion inside!"
"Oh, actually, the Fourth True Ancestor appeared again!"
Eiji said with utmost seriousness.
"Wow, it was really amazing! The Nalakuvera or whatever were no match for the Fourth True Ancestor at all—they were all blown to bits in just a few moves! And the armor was as cool as ever!"
"Pfft!"
Laphria couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.
"Was there something wrong with what I just said?"
Feeling Eiji's gaze and the murderous intent in his eyes, she shuddered and quickly covered her mouth.
"No, no, not at all, it's absolutely correct!"
Laphria waved her arms, her eyes sparkling as she exclaimed.
"The Fourth True Ancestor is really cool and incredibly strong!"
"The Fourth True Ancestor?!"
"He appeared again?"
Sasaski and Fuyuki Kiriya were both deeply shocked once more.
Identical expressions of surprise and regret appeared on their faces.
"Such a great chance to meet the Fourth True Ancestor!"
"To think we completely missed it!"
These two would definitely become good friends.
Laphria dared to assert that.
"Sasaski-san? Th-the Fourth True Ancestor?"
Asagi was completely confused by the current situation.
Why did she feel like she was the only outsider here?
"Your Highness, the Knights have been searching for you for a long time. Please come back with me quickly! Otherwise, the Knights will turn Itogami Island upside down!"
Kataya grabbed Laphria's hand, urging her anxiously.
"You're right. We can't keep everyone waiting—I should let them know I'm safe."
Laphria nodded in agreement, though her expression held a hint of regret.
"After we return, I'll probably have to go back to Aldeigia, right?"
That was what the schedule dictated.
"Oh, that's right!"
Her eyes suddenly lit up, and she clapped her hands.
She came before Eiji and stood on her tiptoes.
"This is the compensation we agreed upon earlier!"
She reached out and lifted his mask, pressing her lips lightly against his.
The girls nearby instantly froze like statues.
"I'm heading back now. Looking forward to interesting things happening later. Farewell~!"
Lavria cast a charming, ambiguous glance his way.
Then she strode briskly toward the edge of the island, looking refreshed.
"Eiji, what's your relationship with that princess!?"
"You... you... you're really something else, really something else, waaah!"
Eiji was left alone, caught in the crossfire of Asagi and Sayoka's accusations.
"This might become an international issue, won't it?"
Kiriya Koyomi laughed delightedly.