Chapter 1208: Natsuki Minamiya's Disappearance
Night.
In an apartment building on the western island of Itogami City, where only the top floor was occupied.
"After more than a month of practice, your tea-making skills have become increasingly proficient. Well done, Astarte."
In the spacious living room, Natsuki Minamiya set down her teacup with satisfaction.
Astarte gave a slight bow and cleared the teacup away.
A hint of pride showed on her typically expressionless face.
"Speaking of which, Natsuki-chan,"
Eiji, sitting across from her, also set down his teacup upon seeing this.
"Isn't it about that time of year again?"
Natsuki Minamiya's figure stiffened slightly.
She rubbed her head in a rather unladylike manner, as if troubled.
"Such a troublesome time is here again..."
She dragged out the last syllable, her face filled with undisguised annoyance.
"Query: What is this 'troublesome time'?"
Astarte tilted her head.
"You don't need to know."
Natsuki Minamiya waved her hand dismissively.
She clearly didn't want anyone to know—not just Astarte, but even Eiji wasn't permitted to know.
"In any case, I'll be leaving for a few days starting now. No, it would be more accurate to say I'll be disappearing for a while. No method will be able to locate me until after the Hollow Eve Festival concludes. Only then will I return."
She added.
It was already late October.
More than a month had passed since the incident on the newly constructed Ninth Island.
Due to all surveillance systems being hacked during that event, the upper echelons of Itogami City never managed to uncover the full truth of what happened.
The official authorities issued an apology statement regarding La Folia's assault and abduction. Through deliberate suppression, public interest quickly faded.
Not even a whisper leaked about the Beast Vassal of the Nergal faction.
Only rumors of "The Fourth Primogenitor has appeared again" circulated online, but without any evidence, they quickly passed without gaining traction—the incident's popularity vanished before it could even rise.
After that incident, La Folia soon returned to her home country.
Sayo Yukina remained on the island, continuing her investigation into the Fourth Primogenitor.
Vatler, as if planning to stay permanently, kept the Deep Marine anchored in the harbor with no intention of leaving.
Only the rumors about the Fourth Primogenitor never ceased.
Now, over a month later.
The affairs in the Fairy Kingdom had concluded. Morgan and her entire family had been brought back to the Singularity by Eiji, where they remained trapped in an endless struggle. Morgan, Arcueid, and the Artoria family surrounded him daily in intense conflicts, making every day a living hell.
Regarding this, Eiji could only sigh in relief that Aoko and Nero weren't present.
Otherwise, the conflict would have become even more terrifying!
Fortunately, the Eiji in this world of Strike the Blood could still enjoy some peace.
In fact, this version of him was living quite joyfully.
The minor conflicts remained well within his control.
It must be said—the levels of Akira Touyama, Sayo Yukina, and others simply couldn't compare to Morgan, Arcueid, and their counterparts!
Even so, he knew that this version of himself needed to accelerate his pace.
He had to obtain the Saint Annihilation magic before the UO tournament began in the Type-Moon world!
"In any case, while I'm away, Astarte, you should listen to him."
Nangong Nayue remained silent for a long while before pointing at Eiji.
"Wow, do I have such an honor?"
Eiji immediately exclaimed exaggeratedly.
"Stop fooling around and protect Astarte properly!"
"Alright, alright, no one will be able to harm her!"
Eiji patted his chest as he agreed.
"I accept."
Astarte nodded calmly.
Thus.
Nangong Nayue returned alone to that empty room without even a window.
Eiji knew.
From this moment on, Nangong Nayue had vanished from this world.
"Yay, I can do whatever I want now!"
Eiji cheered and jumped up from the sofa.
"I don't understand."
Astarte showed a slightly puzzled expression.
"You and the instructor both hide many secrets. Since you're family, why keep things from each other?"
"That's not quite right, Astarte."
Eiji patted the spot beside him.
"Come here, give me a lap pillow!"
Astarte froze for a moment.
Her cheeks flushed slightly before she obediently came to his side and offered her slender legs.
Eiji comfortably lay down.
"Sometimes, precisely because we're family, there are things we must keep hidden! For example, if your grandfather had a terminal illness but didn't know about it yet, would you tell him and make him suffer psychological torment?"
"This..."
Astarte immediately furrowed her brows.
"Don't worry, as the time approaches, there will inevitably be a day when everything comes out!"
Eiji reached out and patted her head, saying with a playful laugh.
"I see."
Astarte shrank her neck and nodded, seeming to understand but not quite.
"However."
As he spoke, Eiji suddenly narrowed his eyes.
His gaze became as cunning as a fox's.
"Before that, shouldn't we take this chance to deal with some unpleasant matters?"
...
Western District of Demon Sanctuary.
This artificial island, filled with numerous dining and commercial facilities, remained open around the clock due to its accessibility to nocturnal demon tribes, earning it the nickname "The City That Never Sleeps." Even after nightfall, darkness couldn't prevail here, with countless neon lights illuminating the area.
Further beyond the sleepless city, where waves continuously crashed against the cliffside.
"Rat-a-tat-tat—!"
Fierce gunfire echoed incessantly.
Figures clad in black uniforms wielded machine guns, unleashing a dense barrage of specially crafted bullets toward the intruders.
Their arsenal included large-caliber curse bullets and orichalcum rounds capable of incapacitating even beastmen in a single shot—ordinarily, a human struck by such firepower would likely have their body blown apart instantly.
Yet.
"What a boring welcome ceremony, sister!"
The one uttering these words with utter boredom was a witch who appeared to be only around twenty years old.
Her extremely revealing attire brought to mind exotic dancers, with her provocative stockings and tricorne hat all unified in a deep crimson hue.
Though she resembled a courtesan, her demonic aura evoked only the image of a witch spreading fear.
"Indeed! For our return after ten years apart, I'd hoped they'd prepare a more thoughtful welcome!"
Speaking with arrogant tone was another witch accompanying her.
She too wore a tall pointed hat, with a pitch-black cloak flowing behind her. The form-fitting black motorcycle suit accentuated her slender figure in a way more provocative than nudity.
The crimson witch and the pitch-black witch.
These two women, as if stepped out of an adult anime, faced the torrential downpour of specialized bullets without a trace of panic. Instead, they giggled coquettishly with utter composure.
"Whoosh!"
Before the bullets could reach their bodies, massive tentacles surged from the ocean depths, enveloping the two in an impenetrable shield within the blink of an eye.