Faced with Lana's astonishment, Echidna maintained her smile.
She shook the glass bottle in her hand, watching the swirling ice crystals within as she cheerfully explained:
"As you just mentioned, that enemy who battled the Witch of the Notaria in Tokyo, triggering the ice disaster."
"This power in my hands comes from her remnants and serves as irrefutable evidence."
Hearing this, Lana suddenly realised something and asked warily:
"Are you saying the one who fought the Witch of the Notaria was a pureblood demon?"
"The one hidden by the Hidden Management Department? No, that one's power leans towards the mental aspect, not ice... So another pureblood demon?"
"What incredible fortune!"
Lana couldn't help but marvel at Tokyo's abundant resources.
As all knew, for a witch to ascend to Demigod status required the sacrifice of a pureblood demon.
That Tokyo housed two Purebloods was simply unbelievable.
After all, between Truth Astronomy's organised hunts, the Demon Hunters' activities, and various official research projects, pureblood demons had become an endangered species among endangered species in this world.
According to internal estimates by Truth Astronomy, there are likely fewer than ten pureblood demons left in the entire world.
Yet now, Tokyo has witnessed the appearance of two Purebloods.
No wonder Aya Tokoyogi had been operating so brazenly in Tokyo, ultimately falling into a trap set by the Hidden Management Department.
Two pureblood demons—such value would make even Lana reluctant to leave, let alone Aya Tokoyogi, who had personally experienced their benefits and used them to ascend to Demigod status.
"It seems you're also interested in this Pureblood, Lana."
Echidna's smile was positively foxlike.
"But Lana, is this really wise? Keeping an eye on the Hidden Management Department's target while also watching this one—won't you be overextending yourself?"
To this, Lana replied coolly: "My primary target remains the Hidden Management Department. You needn't worry about that."
"As for the other one... if you haven't captured it by the time our operation against the Hidden Management Department concludes, then we'll each rely on our own abilities."
Lana didn't promise to abandon the pursuit of this newly emerged pureblood demon, but made clear her focus remained chiefly on the Hidden Management Department's specimen.
This stance drew a knowing smile from Echidna:
"Is such greed truly appropriate?"
Lana countered with a smile of her own:
"But isn't greed the very essence of a witch?"
The two witches, each harbouring their own designs, exchanged smiles as if everything had been said without words.
...
May 16th, evening.
A French restaurant in Minato Ward.
Luo Shu stepped out of the car, glanced up at the restaurant's sign, adjusted his clothes, and strode inside.
Guided by a waiter, Luo Shu entered a private dining room where he encountered Oko Shinomiya.
Oko Shinomiya bore little physical resemblance to his sister Kaguya Shinomiya.
Although not particularly old, his receding hairline had prompted him to shave his head, lending his unremarkable features a sternness more befitting a yakuza boss than a corporate executive of the Shinomiya conglomerate.
Despite such outward appearances, he was indeed the second-in-command of the Shinomiya conglomerate, ranking only below the family head Gan'an Shinomiya and holding equal or even greater authority than some of the elder clan members.
Compared to him, Kaguya Shinomiya was nothing more than a caged canary.
Even after meeting this pair of unrelated Shinomiya siblings, Luo Shu could still sense a peculiar duality between them.
Though Oko Shinomiya treated him with noticeably more warmth than Kaguya, whose politeness carried only a faint trace of approachability, Luo Shu felt that at their core, the two were cut from the same cloth.
If he had to describe that duality, it would be the face of ruthless utilitarianism—calculating the value of every human aspect to determine their own stance.
"Your acceptance of this invitation truly brings honour to my humble abode."
The moment Luo Shu entered, Oko Shinomiya enthusiastically stepped forward. After exchanging polite handshakes, they took their seats.
Once seated, Luo Shu glanced at the opulent surroundings and remarked with a smile:
"Choosing such a venue for our meeting must have cost you quite a sum, Mr Shinomiya."
For someone of his corporate stature, money was simultaneously the most and least meaningful thing.
What truly mattered was the time and effort invested in an undertaking.
Before arriving, Luo Shu had already researched the designated restaurant—Shino's, originally based in France, had been hastily relocated to Japan by Oko Shinomiya within the past two days as a new branch. Rumour had it that the head chef was even a distant relative of the Shinomiya family.
Pulling a renowned restaurant all the way from France just for a single meeting spoke volumes about the effort Oko had expended—and such extravagance hinted at equally grand ambitions.
Thus, as Luo Shu spoke, his gaze naturally carried a scrutinising edge.
It practically said, 'Begin your performance.'
"Hardly a significant expense. In fact, I fear this establishment may still fall short of your esteemed standing."
Oko Shinomiya chuckled amiably, his usually harsh features softening noticeably:
"Fortunately, the head chef specialising in French cuisine is an excellent graduate of Totsuki. I trust his skills will meet your expectations, at least partially."
"Totsuki? Then 'partially' would be an understatement—I'd say six or seven out of ten."
Hearing the chef was a Totsuki alumnus, Luo Shu's expectations rose accordingly.
Having tasted Erina Nakiri's cooking, his impression of Totsuki's culinary prowess was genuinely favourable.
"If your expectations are that high, I might start feeling rather nervous."
Oko Shinomiya quipped before signalling an attendant to begin serving. Turning back to Luo Shu, he continued:
"Forgive my bluntness, Mr Luo, but I shall cut straight to the point."
Here, he glanced at Luo Shu, whose smile revealed nothing of his thoughts, then adopted a deferential tone:
"You may already be aware that recently, our Shinomiya family has faced certain... threats from the mystic side."
"Perhaps trivial matters in your eyes, but for us, they threaten our very survival."
Luo Shu raised a brow. "So you seek my protection?"
Oko Shinomiya quickly nodded, then said with a solemn expression:
"For this, we are willing to spare no effort in meeting your demands in exchange for a normal business environment."
Hearing Oko Shinomiya's words, Luo Shu ignored the attendants serving the dishes and replied with a smile:
"Does the Shinomiya family currently know who their enemies are?"
Oko Shinomiya fell silent for a moment before sighing:
"At present, I only know that the Desire Faction branch of Truth Astronomy and several Divine Generals from the Onmyou Agency have set their sights on the Shinomiya family."
"To be frank with you, I've already been threatened by the Desire Faction and had no choice but to cooperate with them to some extent."
Seeing Oko Shinomiya's candid admission, Luo Shu raised an eyebrow in surprise before asking:
"Is this all you've uncovered?"
Oko Shinomiya's heart skipped a beat. Unable to restrain himself despite the attendants entering, he asked:
"Are you implying more forces are targeting the Shinomiya family?"
Luo Shu narrowed his eyes, confirming Oko Shinomiya's genuine lack of knowledge. With a casual wave, he produced a stack of documents and placed them on the table, then picked up his wine glass:
"Take a look. Consider it compensation for the Hayasaka family."