Chapter 1254: Entertain Me to Your Heart's Content
After all, it only took him half a year to reach the realm of severing causality. Would it really be so strange if he reached a whole new realm in another half year?
"You don't mean to say that even just standing there, you can launch attacks against anyone anywhere in the world, do you?"
Sasasaki Keiko's cold sweat kept pouring down uncontrollably.
"Not bad comprehension."
Eiji nodded approvingly.
"Even if I stand right here, as long as I swing my hand like a blade, Arashizaki Atsushi will lose his head. That's what I mean. But that would be too boring, so I gave him the chance to entertain me!"
His words spread throughout Itogami Island through familiars, shikigami, and drones.
Arashizaki Atsushi, sitting in front of the television, instantly changed his expression.
"I originally didn't plan to move against Itogami Island so soon, since the Japanese government is more of an eyesore to me. But since you've all so warmly invited me, I can't very well refuse."
Eiji spread his arms wide, his face full of an encouraging smile.
"You can struggle to your heart's content! Use every means at your disposal to entertain me! But of course, the time you have is limited to today!"
"Boom!"
A tidal wave of magical power instantly surged, transforming into a substantial storm that swept up all the shikigami and drones in the sky.
Sasasaki Keiko quickly got up and ran for her life.
"Oh no, those soldiers...!"
Only after jumping away over a hundred meters, where the magical pressure had lessened considerably, did Sasasaki Keiko realize.
Turning to look, she saw that the private soldiers of the commune wearing flesh armor had been swept into the violent wind, their fates unknown.
"It's over! The security team is no match. You'll have to find someone else!"
Sasasaki Keiko slapped her rear.
She yelled randomly into the phone at the commune official on the other end and fled as if flying.
The Special Zone Security Team employed dozens of attack mages and a large number of demon tribe mercenaries, with experts as numerous as clouds.
But with Natsuki Minami not making a move, Sasasaki Keiko was the second-ranked top expert.
If the second had lost, and the first had already lost long ago.
The entire Special Zone Security Team couldn't find anyone left who could make a move.
On the other side.
Central Island, Itogami Island.
Top floor of the Keystone Gate, Commune Director's Office.
The young man held the disconnected phone, silent for a long time.
"Father, Sasasaki Keiko has given up."
He turned around and reported expressionlessly to the kimono-clad old man sitting on the sofa.
"I never had any expectations of her from the start!"
The kimono-clad old man's face was gloomy as he fiercely struck his cane.
"Contact that lone wolf of the Itogami family for me! Tell him he can make his move!"
"...Is it really wise to continue opposing him? According to what he just said, all it would take is one hand blade—"
"Silence! Do you think I'd believe such intimidating, one-sided words?"
The kimono-clad old man roared angrily, gripping his cane tightly with both hands.
"Arashizaki Kima, you do what I tell you to do! If you're unwilling, there are plenty of people who can replace you. Don't think that just because you're my son you can defy my orders. Sons are something I can have as many as I want!"
"...Yes!"
The young man paused, then nodded in acknowledgment.
Southern Island, roadside.
After the magical storm swept through the area, the surroundings became much cleaner.
Eiji nodded in satisfaction as he surveyed the brightly lit streets.
"This should keep the riff-raff from daring to approach, right?"
He hoped some formidable figures would come instead.
Someone like Misaki Sasasaki would be nice—at least they'd be worth crushing.
"Beep—!"
Just as he finished speaking, the sound of a car horn grew from the distance.
"The scent of ordinary people."
Eiji turned to look.
A sedan stopped not far ahead of him.
From the back seat emerged a middle-aged man who looked familiar, his stern expression suggesting someone owed him money. At first glance, he gave off the aura of someone involved in underworld dealings.
"Nangong Li, can we talk?"
He glanced at the fallen private soldiers of the commune scattered around, their conditions unknown, and his eyes twitched slightly.
Though trembling inside, he stepped forward and approached Eiji.
"Aoi Ushio, you arrived quite quickly."
Eiji chuckled lightly, revealing the other's identity.
"Are you here as a council member or in a personal capacity?"
"What difference does it make?" Aoi Ushio asked in a low voice.
"If you're here on behalf of the council or the commune to beg for mercy, then out of consideration for Asagi, you can leave safely right now."
Eiji smiled meaningfully.
"But if you're here as a father, I might just grant your request."
Even when facing Asagi's father, Eiji's tone held no trace of politeness.
"I am the latter."
Aoi Ushio breathed a slight sigh of relief, then grew puzzled.
"You knew I came to you with a request?"
"Of course."
Eiji nodded as if it were obvious.
"About eighty percent of what happens on Itogami Island, I'm aware of. So, of course, I know—Asagi has disappeared, right?"
"Exactly!"
Aoi Ushio nodded with a heavy expression.
"Yesterday morning, Asagi was attacked by unknown assailants on her way home and has been missing ever since."
"Missing?"
Eiji laughed upon hearing this.
"Is she really missing? Do you believe that story?"
"It's just the official explanation."
Aoi Ushio twitched his lips, his beard moving along.
"Asagi can only be in one place—the Zeroeth Floor of the Keystone! That's where Itogami Island's five supercomputers are located. By harnessing their computational power, one can recreate the power of the Holy Annihilation!"
The Aoi clan had always been one of the Forbidden Four.
Beyond their control over the council, the key point was that the Cain Priestess had always appeared within the Aoi lineage!
Every generation of the Cain Priestess bore the crucial task of activating the Holy Annihilation!
And in this generation, the Cain Priestess happened to be Aoi Asagi!
Asagi herself held the power of the Holy Annihilation!
"Asagi's disappearance is most likely the work of Akishige Yabase!"
Aoi Ushio's face darkened.
"He wants to use the power of the Holy Annihilation to destroy you. His clan's reach is growing longer by the day!"
Originally, the Forbidden Four families should have stood united.
If Itogami Island faced a life-or-death crisis, Aoi Ushio wouldn't refuse to let Asagi assist.
But the problem now was that the move against Nangong Li was not something Aoi Ushio wanted to see.
Because of Asagi, Aoi Ushio actually regarded Eiji as half an ally.
Once Eiji and Asagi are married, they will be considered family sooner or later.
In other words, there was a divergence in attitude toward Narcissus among the Four Taboos.
At this critical moment requiring further communication, Akishige Yaze unilaterally sent people to kidnap Asagi without any discussion, as if looking down on the Asagi clan. This thoroughly enraged Senzai Asagi!