Chapter 1252: Something Happened on Shinto Island
Shinto Island.
Visibly, the atmosphere was as tranquil as before a storm.
Posters put up by the Artificial Island Management Corporation were everywhere on the streets, and the LCD screens along the roads all displayed an elderly man in a kimono solemnly emphasizing something.
"To all 560,000 residents of Shinto Island, I am Akishage Aru, a director of the Artificial Island Management Corporation, issuing this announcement."
"Regarding Nangong Li, a student from Class 1-B of Saikai Academy, the Shinto Island Council has classified him as a Class One Magical Criminal. Any resident who discovers clues about him and reports them will receive a cash reward from the city government! However, please be absolutely cautious: as a criminal, he is extremely dangerous and possesses a rare brainwashing ability. Do not attempt to contact this criminal privately under any circumstances. Ensuring the security team arrives on the scene is the top priority…"
Everywhere, the danger of the Class One Magical Criminal Nangong Li was being exaggerated.
His portrait was plastered all over, with the words "WANTED" written in large letters.
The Artificial Island Management Corporation blatantly encouraged anyone with information to report Nangong Li's whereabouts and activities.
"Since yesterday, this news has been everywhere!"
On the streets, pedestrians looked at the overwhelming coverage, exchanging comments with either amusement or annoyance.
"The reward is quite generous, but the title of top-level magical criminal is terrifying!"
"I heard many demon bounty hunters on the island have already mobilized, searching all over for that Nangong Li!"
"With so many people after him, that guy is really unlucky. Who knows where he's hiding now?"
"But then again, his face is really handsome…"
Such voices were countless.
Most passersby were just watching the spectacle, not considering themselves among the lucky 560,000, but merely treating the matter as gossip for after meals.
"So, they plan to fight me to the death?"
Amid such a crowd, one person let out a sigh of understanding.
He wore ordinary casual clothes—a white T-shirt and black trousers—but even such simple attire looked pleasingly aesthetic on his well-proportioned frame.
"Y-You! Aren't you…!?"
A nearby passerby, hearing his murmur, couldn't help but glance at him.
Immediately, the passerby's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Hello, I'm Nangong Li."
The young man, seeing this, revealed a dashing smile.
His outstanding charm made the smile dazzlingly brilliant.
"Currently, I'm enthusiastically wanted!"
He was Eiji, who had returned from Shengsheng Lake.
He wore no sunglasses or mask, presenting his original appearance openly to the public.
The surrounding citizens felt their vision blur.
"Run!"
Immediately afterward, those who realized what was happening screamed and fled.
In an instant, the street became deserted, with hardly anyone left.
"Tsk, tsk."
Eiji shook his head with a click of his tongue.
Clearly, without using his charm, the Artificial Island Management Corporation's overwhelming propaganda had etched itself deeper into the hearts of ordinary citizens. Even a handsome man couldn't override people's panic.
"The Yase Clan... one of the Forbidden Four."
Eiji turned his head, his gaze falling upon the liquid crystal displays.
On the surface, Itogami Island was governed by the Assembly, with all policies directly issued by the parliament.
However, anyone with even basic common sense knew that the parliamentary organization was merely a puppet. The true authority on Itogami Island was a corporation known as the Artificial Island Management Corporation.
Water, electricity, natural gas—the operation of all these fundamental resources, along with the import and distribution of various food supplies, were without exception controlled by the Artificial Island Management Corporation!
The Artificial Island Management Corporation monopolized Itogami Island's water, electricity, and commerce. Even the parliament had to survive by following the Corporation's lead.
If one were to ask why, this system had been in place since the very construction of Itogami Island.
And the true reason lay with the Forbidden Four.
The so-called "Forbidden Four" referred to four ancient families within Japan.
They were the Kijin, Aiba, Yase, and Hiiragi clans.
These four families claimed descent from the Sin God Cain, dedicated themselves to resurrecting the Sin God, and had been striving toward this goal all along.
Cain was a god cursed by the earth, unable to set foot on land. Thus, he could only be revived by creating an artificial landmass on the sea.
Therefore, the Kijin Clan poured their entire clan's resources into constructing this artificial island on the ocean.
During Itogami Island's creation, the Aiba and Yase clans provided support in their respective ways.
The Aiba Clan established the Assembly, supporting Itogami Island's founding from a political perspective.
The Yase Clan founded the Artificial Island Management Corporation, becoming the island's de facto ruler from economic and operational standpoints.
As for the Hiiragi Clan... Koyomi Shizuka hailed from this lineage.
The goal of these Forbidden Four families was none other than to resurrect the Sin God Cain on Itogami Island—at least, that was the public narrative.
And now, Yase Akishige, the current head of the Yase Clan—also a director of the Artificial Island Management Corporation and the true authority of Itogami Island—had branded Eiji a magical criminal, intending to fight him to the death.
The trigger was undoubtedly his previous battle with Natsuki Minamiya.
Back then, Natsuki Minamiya had warned him.
If he chose to leave Itogami Island, the entire island would become his enemy.
Because that would signify "Narcissus is out of control"!
Until now, Eiji had been able to live peacefully because Natsuki Minamiya had vouched for him. Whenever anything happened, she bore the consequences. The higher-ups, seeing that Eiji generally obeyed Natsuki Minamiya, reluctantly allowed him to remain on Itogami Island.
Of course, there were likely also schemers among them who wanted to exploit him.
But once Narcissus went berserk, those higher-ups who feared his abilities would inevitably brand him a criminal at the fastest possible speed and arrest him with lightning-fast actions!
Or simply eliminate him on the spot!
No one dared to make contact with him.
Because even the most insignificant contact could become the trigger for turning oneself into a dog!
Even those who wanted to exploit him would absolutely not show any mercy at this moment!
"Hahaha, no one else here?"
Amidst wild laughter, a muscular giant over three meters tall appeared at the end of the street.
"It seems I'm the first to receive the news and arrive. The reward this time shall be claimed by me, a member of the Giant Clan!"
The burly man lifted his foot and charged toward Eiji with great strides.
With each step, the ground trembled violently—the giant tribe was renowned for their monstrous strength.
As he reached Eiji, the burly man swung a palm toward his head with a vicious grin.
"Boom!"
And then.
The burly man was sent flying backward ten times faster than he had arrived, slamming into the concrete wall and remaining stuck there for a long moment.
"Heh."
Eiji let out a light chuckle, crossing his arms over his chest, his demeanor calm and composed.
In his perception, over a dozen demons were already swarming in from all directions.
"Let's see just how many cards the Artificial Island Management Corporation has prepared!"