In the bedroom.
Sharon calmly donned the deep blue nun's habit, smoothing out the golden strands of hair caught within the fabric before casting a glance at Luo Shu seated by the window:
"Quite surprising, isn't it? That child actually awakened with a Hero Rank Top Tier Class at first attempt. This seems to be a first in the Familia, no?"
"Mahiru's aptitude did exceed my expectations."
Luo Shu kept his head lowered, seemingly deep in thought, yet still responded to Sharon's query:
"Normally, even if a Common Rank Familia member awakens abilities, they'd only reach Elite Rank at most to avoid physical strain."
Sharon picked up the nun's headpiece from the floor, dusted it off, and placed it atop her head:
"So that child is a special case then?"
"Indeed." Luo Shu sighed at this point. "When joining the Familia, Mahiru already harboured considerable Spiritual Power from Echidna within her."
"It appears Echidna had prepared this for her possession attempt. Yet ultimately, it became the catalyst for Mahiru's talents."
"Oh? That witch..."
An expression of surprise crossed Sharon's face upon hearing this:
"Truly a case of going for wool and coming home shorn."
Having voluntarily abandoned her physical form in pursuit of Demigod status, Echidna had left her post-ascension state imperfect.
In her quest for perfection, she'd targeted Mahiru Shiina for possession.
Yet in the end, not only did she become nourishment for Emilia's ascension, but even her residual power served as the perfect boost for Mahiru Shiina.
Frankly, Sharon found herself feeling somewhat sorry for Echidna now.
At that moment, Luo Shu turned to observe the now fully-dressed Sharon and inquired curiously:
"You're returning to the EU already?"
"What else?"
Sharon maintained her faint smile as she regarded Luo Shu with amusement:
"Whether it's establishing the European Hidden Management Department or concluding matters with the Desire Faction, don't they all require someone familiar with local affairs?"
"Could it be... you're reluctant to see me go?"
"If that's the case, I could request an extended stay from the Chairwoman."
Luo Shu's expression remained largely unchanged by her teasing. The old him might have reacted, but present-day Luo Shu had developed complete immunity to such feminine provocations.
Thus he easily steered the conversation back to business:
"Have you visited the Dream Simulation Chamber yet?"
Sharon paused briefly before replying calmly:
"I've already been."
Nodding slightly, Luo Shu then asked:
"What's your Demigod ascension ritual?"
Sharon's Top Tier Class Sanctuary Guardian had been attained during the incident of Abe no Seimei's resurrection.
Yet curiously, documentation for this ritual only extended to Hero Rank - beyond that lay uncharted territory.
This explained why, despite being among the first Top Tier Class holders in the Familia, Sharon remained stuck at Hero Rank, gradually falling behind many Spirits.
Fortunately, after Luo Shu's own ascension to Demigod status, the Dream Simulation Chamber's enhanced functions could now provide Sharon with complete Class advancement information.
Having received Luo Shu's message earlier, Sharon naturally hadn't delayed in acquiring this intelligence.
"The Class name is Dragon Subduing Saintess. Just hearing that should give you an idea of the complications involved in advancement."
Sharon stated this with her characteristic smile directed at Luo Shu.
"The main materials are the soul and heart of a dragon species with at least a Demigod life level. The ritual involves consuming the materials without external assistance, then directly slaying or subduing a pureblood dragon species. The stronger the dragon, the better the effect—though the minimum requirement for the ritual's dragon is still Demigod level."
"So? My godly one, are you going to help me solve this problem?"
Though she said this, Sharon didn't think it could be resolved quickly.
A dragon species at the Demigod life level—in all her time active in the real world, Sharon had never encountered even one. At most, there were only rumours.
And her ritual required both a dragon's soul and heart, followed by challenging a pureblood dragon species.
This meant Sharon's ritual required the use of two dragon species, both at least Demigod level.
Something that couldn't even be found in the present world, yet the ritual demanded two. Naturally, Sharon understood that her advancement would have to be a slow, painstaking search.
Still, even knowing it was a long-term endeavour, that didn't stop her from teasing Luo Shu about it.
However, before she could finish her jest, Luo Shu gave her a strange look and said:
"How did you know I captured a dragon species from the Abyss world?"
Sharon froze for a moment, stunned. "There's such a thing?"
"Yes, there is." Luo Shu smiled as he explained to Sharon, "Remember that Lana from the Desire Faction who deliberately trapped me in that Abyss world before?"
"I captured twelve Demigod-level beings there, including one that called itself the Dragon God."
"Though there's only one, it should suffice for the advancement materials."
"As for the second one..."
Luo Shu paused in thought before continuing:
"You might not know this, but Serafall's world is formally known as Demon x Dragon or DxD among certain powerhouses."
"That world has no shortage of dragons. Finding a suitable dragon species shouldn't be too difficult."
Hearing this, Sharon remained silent for a moment before asking Luo Shu with a peculiar tone:
"How about erecting a memorial for those witches?"
At this, Luo Shu couldn't help but chuckle:
"I'll have Maria Naruse handle the memorial. After all, Lacus plans to support her as the new leader of the Desire Faction."
"Such a wonderful organisation - it would be a shame to let them disappear completely."
After jokingly referencing the Desire Faction's "top donor" behaviour toward the Hidden Management Department, Luo Shu stood up, brushing off his pants:
"It's about time I head to the garrison."
"Megumi has already sent messages urging me to hurry."
With that, Luo Shu smiled at Sharon:
"For now, let's stay in Japan a while longer."
"If that's what you wish..."
Sharon naturally understood Luo Shu's implication.
With materials gathered and the ritual planned, it made sense to wait until after his advancement to Demigod before leaving.
Moreover, according to Familia's internal consensus, any Familia overseeing an entire continent required at least Demigod-level members - and not hastily elevated ones like Spirits, but true Demigod powerhouses who had fully mastered their Gevurah.
"With this free time, I can also teach Mahiru how to wield her power properly."
Hearing this, Luo Shu couldn't help but interject:
"Just don't teach her anything strange!"
Sharon gave Luo Shu a meaningful glance downward before letting out a cold laugh:
"Don't worry, I'll let her learn from you directly. After all, isn't it every man's dream to transform an innocent girl into a wanton woman?"
Luo Shu: "..."
Could he say that wasn't what he meant at all?