"So... I've fled straight into your garrison..."
Echidna's expression instantly turned extremely grim:
"I specifically divined this location and detected no danger whatsoever."
"That's probably because there aren't any mystic-side traps set up here..."
Luo Shu spread his hands innocently:
"After all, this place currently serves as the Hidden Management Department's dormitory near Ikebukuro."
"Including myself, most of the department's Demigods maintain rooms here."
Echidna fell silent at these words.
It wasn't that she doubted Luo Shu's honesty, but rather that his explanation seemed 'entirely reasonable'.
What need would there be for traps or barrier formations in an upscale apartment housing multiple Demigods?
The Demigods themselves were the most terrifying 'traps' in existence!
"Does this mean I've walked straight into the lion's den?"
A bitter smile surfaced on Echidna's face as she slowly raised her hands in surrender, addressing Luo Shu:
"Can I plead for leniency?"
Faced with this display, Luo Shu simply asked expressionlessly:
"Do you still possess human emotions now?"
The bitter smile vanished from Echidna's face.
She stared blankly at Luo Shu, her dark eyes filled with emptiness and... an intense, profound curiosity.
"I'm fascinated to know what basis you used to determine my condition."
"Instinct." Luo Shu replied calmly.
"Instinct?" Echidna tilted her head slightly before her face once again assumed that charming smile.
It was the smile she'd simulated from her living self's happiest moments:
"So, how do you intend to deal with me?"
Four against one. Echidna knew she stood no chance of victory, especially with Luo Shu—who had allegedly defeated an Apostle—standing before her, while she herself was far from her peak condition.
Resisting would only lead to a painful death, whereas surrender might earn her leniency.
With cold rationality, Echidna chose surrender. As for emotions, she had long since discarded them.
Faced with such a decision, Luo Shu simply stepped past her, walking unhurriedly towards Mahiru Shiina.
Before taking the girl's hand, he turned his head slightly, glancing at Echidna:
"Your opponent isn't me."
With that, he grasped Mahiru Shiina's hand, summoned the wind to carry the severely injured Asahi Shiina and Sayo Shiina, and strode towards the entryway.
Echidna turned slightly, watching Luo Shu's retreating back with a pensive gaze:
"My opponent isn't you...? Then that must mean..."
Her lips curled as she redirected her attention to the balcony. There, standing silently beyond the glass, was a slender, silver-haired girl with amethyst eyes—like a plum blossom blooming amidst a blizzard—staring straight at Echidna.
"So it's you... Emilia." Echidna's eyes widened in realisation before she smirked. "But you alone won't be enough to defeat me."
With a whoosh, Puck descended from above, arms crossed as he snorted:
"Which is why we're borrowing some outside help."
At that moment, Emilia took a deep breath, linked to the Divine Pantheon Reconstruction System, and cast one last profound glance at Echidna.
Then, through Possession, she temporarily acquired a portion of Luo Shu's abilities.
Her gaze locked onto Echidna as she activated Calamity Absorption—specifically targeting the misfortune of Echidna's transformation into a vengeful spirit.
Emotions surged back like a tidal wave.
In that instant, Echidna seemed to regain her human emotions, staring at Emilia in shock and disbelief:
"Emilia... you—! What have you done to me?!"
Her mind flooded with sensation, breath returned to her lungs, and chaotic thoughts and complex emotions rushed back.
But with their return came a sudden hollowness within—the loss of her strength.
Stripped of even her Greater Abilities, the Authority-level Calamity Absorption had, in an instant, robbed Echidna of her suffering, restoring her to the human form she once had before her ascension.
"Become human again, Echidna."
Emilia's face was tense as she closed her eyes, taking a steadying breath.
When she reopened them, she was met with a visage twisted in despair and ruin:
"And then—"
"Become my nourishment!"
...
Kamijo Hospital.
The floor housing the intensive care unit.
Luo Shu tilted a cup of warm coffee, letting a drop splash onto Mahiru Shiina's cheek.
"Eek!"
The sudden warmth made Mahiru yelp, startling her off the waiting bench.
Unfazed by his mischief, Luo Shu calmly offered her the coffee:
"Have some coffee. It'll help you relax."
"...Th-thank you."
Blushing, Mahiru glanced at him hesitantly before accepting the cup and sitting back down.
Luo Shu sat down right beside the girl, pressing close to her. With the girl looking visibly uncomfortable, he calmly asked:
"Aren't you going to ask about the situation?"
Hearing this, Mahiru, who had just opened the can, cautiously inquired:
"May I ask?"
Luo Shu tilted his head to look at her, his expression turning odd as he said:
"I shouldn't be so terrifying that you'd be afraid to even ask questions, should I?"
"That's not it at all." Mahiru hastily waved her hands before murmuring: "I just... don't know what to ask..."
After a moment's hesitation, Mahiru decided to start by asking about the person they both knew best:
"Is Sister Mira also a special person like Mr Luo Shu?"
"Mira?" Luo Shu wasn't particularly surprised to hear Mira Tsubakihara's name. "She was guided into this circle by me."
"I see..." Mahiru Shiina's face showed sudden understanding. If Mira Tsubakihara was Mr Luo Shu's disciple, then everything made sense.
Wait, this actually made even less sense—Sister Mira likes Mr Luo Shu!
A teacher-student romance?!!!
Just as Mahiru's face flushed red, Luo Shu suddenly said:
"In a sense, you being invited by Mira to live in the apartment was also due to my behind-the-scenes guidance."
"Eh?" Mahiru turned to look at Luo Shu in astonishment.
Luo Shu merely glanced at her before saying:
"Haven't you realised it yet?"
"In the so-called circle of those with supernatural abilities—the sorcerers' circle—your talent ranks among the highest tier!"
"That's also why you were targeted by that witch earlier."
Hearing this, Mahiru blinked blankly before replying somewhat foolishly:
"So I'm actually that amazing?"
Seeing her reaction, Luo Shu chuckled, took a sip of coffee, and calmly asked:
"So, would you like to join us?"