Chapter 1221: Should We Buy Some Children's Underwear?
The spatial distortion that swept across all of Itogami Island gradually faded away before nightfall.
The stone island that appeared at the northern tip of Itogami Island also slowly vanished from sight as night approached.
The Lion King Organization, the Imperial Astrology Bureau, the Artificial Island Management Corporation, as well as Duke Ardeal and the Ninth Prince, witnessed the entire scene unfold.
Their reverence for the Fourth True Ancestor reached new heights.
To so easily seize even the Prison Barrier—one couldn't help but feel fear!
That was a prison capable of confining even the gods!
After this battle, everyone truly understood that the Fourth True Ancestor's power genuinely surpassed that of the ancient deities!
Worthy of the title of the world's strongest vampire!
Cough, haah!
Just moments before the stone island disappeared from the mortal realm.
A disheveled figure scrambled out, coughing violently like a drowning victim. His pale skin reflected a delicate face, his eyes filled with intense relief.
"I escaped... I really escaped... Hah, I thought I was really going to die!"
That armored man was too terrifying!
After charging into the Prison Barrier, he started cutting people down without a word!
Descendants of the Heavenly Tribe and dragon slayers with considerable strength couldn't even withstand a single strike before becoming victims of his blade!
With each swing of his sword, the entire Prison Barrier became a river of blood.
Even vampires reputed to be immortal completely lost their life force under his blade.
His strength was utterly unreasonable!
He had also encountered that armored man once.
But after just that one encounter, he was killed.
In just a few minutes, the Prison Barrier was completely cleared out.
"Fortunately, fortunately I'm a zombie ghost. That armored man didn't know, which allowed me to escape...!"
He stood up from the shoreline, limping as he made his way toward the city.
"First, I need to retrieve Ming Elang, then recover properly... Lion King Organization, I will definitely take revenge on you. Just you wait!"
His back exuded a lonely, wolf-like aura of vengeance.
But he didn't notice.
Not far behind him.
A girl with braided hair was silently monitoring him.
"What a pity, Kijima Kojima. You're just another pawn dancing in the palm of my master's hand."
...
Nighttime.
Itogami Island remained brightly lit, with residents celebrating the arrival of the Hollow Festival. The minor disturbances couldn't dampen their enthusiasm.
Western District of Itogami Island, apartment building.
This usually quiet apartment building appeared even more isolated amidst the island-wide celebrations.
"I'm back."
Nangong Nayue opened the apartment door, her expression somewhat displeased.
She had been delayed again and could only return home late, but there was nothing to be done—after all, she was one of the parties involved this time.
"Welcome back, Instructor."
Astarte, who had been sitting blankly on the sofa, quickly came to the doorway.
One could sense her sudden uplift in mood.
"Inquiry: Would you like some black tea?"
"Yes, but wait a moment. Help me draw hot water first."
"Hot water?"
Astarte blinked in confusion.
"Yes, I'm going to take a bath."
Natsuki Minamiya replied naturally, but immediately afterward, her expression darkened.
"Damn it, there isn't even a change of clothes at home... Fine then, Astarte, bring me a set of that brat's clothes!"
"Understood."
Astarte gave Natsuki Minamiya a surprised look before heading into the bathroom to run hot water.
She had been in this household for nearly two months, and the instructor had rarely taken baths.
She had never changed clothes either.
Why the sudden change today?
Half an hour later.
"Sigh!"
Freshly bathed, Natsuki Minamiya sat rather ungracefully on the low sofa in the living room, wearing an ill-fitting long T-shirt and oversized boxers.
"Returning to the real world with my true body means it will gradually grow and start caring about dust—what a hassle!"
Her real body had been sealed in the Prison Barrier since middle school, while she used a magical clone to move around outside.
Since then, her body hadn't grown at all.
But now things were different. With the Prison Barrier taken away, her clone vanished, and her true body returned to the real world, it would grow like a normal person's.
In the past, she never needed to change clothes, and bathing was merely for enjoyment.
Now she'd have to bathe and change clothes regularly, and even worry about cosmetics—just thinking about it was annoying!
And her period... by her calculations, it should be arriving around this time.
"So frustrating!"
Natsuki Minamiya angrily punched the sofa.
Of course, she was somewhat happy to be freed from the Prison Barrier... Okay, she was genuinely thrilled. But the thought of facing the same troubles ordinary girls dealt with at eleven or twelve made her happiness fade.
Irritating.
She felt like hitting someone!
"I'm back!"
Just then, the apartment door opened again.
"Huh, Natsuki-chan, why are you wearing my clothes?"
Natsuki Minamiya's gaze instantly sharpened.
"Come here!"
"Whoa, Natsuki-chan, is it that time of the month? Why so aggressive?"
"#!"
Several veins bulged on Natsuki Minamiya's forehead.
She raised her folding fan and swung it down hard.
"Whack!"
A mysterious shockwave struck Eiji's skull.
Congratulations to Natsuki Minamiya for achieving the server-first accomplishment of dealing damage to the Fourth True Ancestor!
"Ow, that hurts!"
Eiji cried out and collapsed onto the sofa.
"Stop fooling around!"
Natsuki Minamiya glared at him fiercely, her face dark.
"You had quite the fun day today, didn't you?"
"Yeah, yeah, it was really awesome!"
Eiji nodded repeatedly.
Moving his hand away from his forehead, there wasn't even a red mark.
"You have no idea how ridiculous Kojou Akatsuki looked in a maid outfit, hahaha!"
He pulled out his phone, showing a photo in the album of Kojou Akatsuki wearing a maid outfit with a completely deadpan expression while working.
This photo would serve as blackmail material against Kojou Akatsuki for a long time to come.
"...Whatever."
Natsuki Minamiya paused for a moment, then sighed slowly.
"Don't take it too far."
"Okay, okay, got it!"
Eiji chuckled and put his phone away.
"Grumble~"
Natsuki Minamiya tightened her empty stomach, ignoring Eiji's mocking gaze.
She hadn't felt the pangs of hunger in over a decade.
"Astarte, you can try practicing your cooking skills from now on."
"Accept."
For today, let's just order takeout first!
"But speaking of which..."
While Nazuki-chan was elegantly yet quickly finishing her bowl of ramen, Eiji suddenly narrowed his eyes.
He remembered something very important.
"Nazuki-chan, you're not wearing any underwear right now, are you?"
"Cough cough cough cough!"
Kōjo Nazuki instantly choked on her ramen broth, her small face turning bright red.
"Should I go buy you some children's underwear?"
"Get lost!!"