The raven made strange gurgling noises – though distorted, its aggrieved tone was unmistakable.
At that moment, a pale hand with faintly visible capillaries gently rested on its head, stroking it:
"There, there... I know you're upset, but bear with it. Now isn't the time to clash with the SDS."
The woman on the bench spoke these words gently as she lifted her face.
She had long black hair, deathly pale skin without a trace of colour, eyes the vivid red of fresh blood, and lips painted with an eerie purple gloss.
Most strikingly, hidden behind her hair were pointed ears – like those of an elf from folklore – clearly marking her non-human nature.
"Eat this. Regain some strength."
With a twist of her wrist, the bewitching woman produced a black, bread-like substance.
She handed the object to the raven, letting it peck at the morsel, then raised her hand and reached into the neckline of her black dress. From between the curves of mature femininity, she withdrew a brown parchment scroll.
With one hand, she untied the ribbon binding the scroll, allowing it to unfurl and float mid-air.
At that moment, strange green lights emerged from the hovering scroll, weaving into magical array patterns in the air.
Then a steady, intellectual voice resonated:
[Contacting me at this hour... I see you've located the dimensional rift's weak point.]
"Intermediary Enigma.]
As the composed male voice spoke, the woman named Enigma revealed an alluring smile:
"Indeed, the dimensional weak point you require has been found."
After this declaration, Enigma meaningfully uttered the other party's title:
"Your Majesty Beelzebub."
Beelzebub - in the Old Testament, referred to as the Lord of Flies, also regarded as a Demon King.
Naturally, Enigma had carefully calculated every word when communicating with such an entity, her speech laden with subtle probes.
The being addressed as Beelzebub showed no reaction, continuing impassively:
[I do sense the weakening of restraints, yet regrettably, the world's current fissures remain insufficient for my manifestation.]
[With present spatial parameters, these breaches would need a twentyfold expansion to permit my descent.]
[I've locked onto the fissure's coordinates. You may attempt their enlargement.]
As Beelzebub's words concluded, emerald light swiftly constructed a map in the air.
The chart was unmistakably identical to Kyoto's city plan.
Observing the marked breach locations - particularly the highlighted Nijo Castle at the centre - Enigma's eyes flickered before she responded:
"Your Majesty, I regret to inform you."
"Your marked breaches currently fall under surveillance by a major faction in our world."
"My power alone would prove inadequate to fulfil your requirements."
[A major faction?]
Beelzebub seemed unsurprised by potential obstacles, inquiring mildly:
[The Golden Dawn? Truth Astronomy? Perhaps the SDS? The Seven Knights Alliance? Or the Hell Sect?]
Hearing the Demon King effortlessly list major organisations, Enigma thought 'As expected' while explaining aloud:
"SDS personnel."
Enigma had long anticipated Beelzebub's numerous agents in this world; hence, she wasn't startled by his awareness of its power structures.
More astonishing was his precise simulation of Kyoto's entire map.
Had subordinates previously reported this intelligence? Or had this Demon King surveyed Kyoto's entirety the moment communication began?
If the latter... Enigma's expression gradually contorted into a peculiar, savage grin.
[The SDS, then...]
Beelzebub appeared to ponder this information.
Clearly, this entity possessed some understanding of the SDS's influence.
[Given their Chairwoman's principles, cooperation remains decidedly improbable.]
Beelzebub declared with apparent familiarity regarding the SDS's Supreme Chairwoman:
[The Hell Sect has secretly attempted to open the Gates of Hell multiple times, only to have their efforts thwarted by her. The demon summoning rituals of Truth Astronomy were also intercepted and destroyed by her and her subordinates.]
[Her stance has always been unwavering – there's no room for negotiation.]
"What do you mean by this?" Enigma detected subtle implications in these words.
It seemed His Majesty Beelzebub wasn't without designs on the SDS either.
[Cease these pointless probes. After all, your presence at this dimensional weak point suggests you're acting under orders.]
[Am I mistaken, Lady Greed of the Hell Sect?]
"Indeed, nothing escapes your notice." Enigma's bewitching smile radiated both mystery and danger.
Beelzebub remained impassive before her:
[Is the Hell Sect attempting to summon the Demon Gods from hell again?]
[No... according to the data here, this dimensional anomaly resulted from a previous attempt to open the Gates of Hell.]
[So. You tried opening them once more, only to be stopped by the SDS again?]
Enigma offered no rebuttal, merely smiling at the parchment scroll emitting an emerald glow mid-air:
"Your wisdom never fails to astonish me."
Ignoring the compliment, Beelzebub continued:
[It appears you're planning action against the SDS... Uncharacteristic behaviour, given my intelligence indicates their influence has recently expanded dramatically. They've even begun implementing their own grade evaluation system in your world.]
[Normally, the Hell Sect should be lying low now. Unless... the Demon Gods you serve have issued new decrees.]
[Let me speculate about your motives regarding the SDS...]
[Actually, no need. Three years ago, your Sect lost a crucial Abyss Artefact to their Chairwoman – one reportedly capable of permanently linking hell to reality.]
[That's your objective, isn't it?]
Enigma's silence spoke volumes.
[So you're acting as the Hell Sect's intermediary this time?]
To Beelzebub's query, Enigma merely smiled:
"They require your expertise in crafting those Evil Pieces."
"In exchange, they'll open a gateway to the Underworld for you."
[Hmph. Attempting to use me? Bold indeed, you traitorous servants of Demon Gods.]
Beelzebub snorted before continuing:
[I'll provide the Evil Pieces technology. But I've no need for Underworld gateways, nor will I involve myself in your conflict with the SDS.]
"Then what do you propose?" Enigma grew cautious, her wariness palpable.
[I want the Hell Sect's complete Demon Class system.]
[Including the Original Sin-bearer at inception, the Excellent Rank Fallen, Elite Rank Demon, and Hero Rank Fallen Angel.]
[Surely this isn't beyond your capabilities?]
Hearing this, Enigma narrowed her eyes. After waiting a moment and realising Beelzebub wasn't going to continue, she smiled:
"I thought you might also want information about Demigod-level Demon Earls."
[It's merely equivalent exchange.]
Beelzebub sneered, as if to express that he would only demand items of equal value.
In Beelzebub's view, the value of Evil Pieces seemed only sufficient to exchange for information on up to the Hero Rank of the Demon Class, not reaching the Demigod level.
[In three days, I'll dispatch a messenger to deliver the Evil Pieces to Japan.]
Hearing this, Enigma stood up and bowed:
"Then, as you wish, I shall offer the Class research materials to you as a sacrifice once I obtain the Evil Pieces technology."
[You'd better.]
As the words faded, the faintly glowing green parchment spontaneously combusted without wind until it completely vanished from this world.
Enigma maintained her bowing posture for a while before straightening up and murmuring to herself:
"As expected, this one didn't agree to the passage matter."
She seemed surprised that Beelzebub hadn't agreed to help the Hell Sect open a passage from the Underworld to reality, and even his demand for the Demon Class hadn't been what she anticipated.
After all, wasn't the Hell Sect also coveting the Evil Piece technology in Beelzebub's possession?
To some extent, as Beelzebub had said, both parties were simply taking what they needed.
"Still, without this Demon King's vanguard troops, it seems retrieving that secret treasure will have to be my own task."
Enigma spoke with a smile, turning her gaze eastward and glancing in the direction of Nijo Castle.
Then, she turned her head and gradually disappeared into the night amidst the crisp sound of footsteps.
...
10 PM.
Sakura Apartment, Room 303.
With the ding-dong of the doorbell, rapid footsteps immediately echoed and quickly approached the entrance.
Click!
The door was swiftly pulled open, revealing Kisara's joyful smiling face.
"Welcome back, Shu... kun?!"
Her gaze fell upon the buxom blonde girl clinging tightly to Luo Shu's arm, and Lacus, who was waving with a smile.
The light in Kisara's eyes gradually began to fade...