Hidden Management Department, underground medical rehabilitation room.
Emilia watched through the glass as Echidna, clad in a black bodysuit, began rehabilitation exercises under Kanae Kocho's guidance, her expression turning slightly complicated.
Beside her, the floating Puck, acting as Emilia's expression interpreter, muttered under his breath:
"After all the trouble to seal Echidna's power to stir up trouble, we still end up working together? What rotten luck."
"Puck."
Hearing this, Emilia turned to him with a helpless look.
"Don't say such harsh things over there. After all, Echidna is your mother, isn't she?"
"Tch." Hearing this, Puck immediately looked displeased but couldn't refute it.
Because Echidna really was his mother!
"You should try to mend your relationship when you get the chance."
Emilia quietly advised Puck before hearing footsteps approach from behind. Turning her head, she saw Luo Shu standing beside her.
"How do you feel?"
Hearing this question, Emilia froze for a moment.
Seeing her reaction, Luo Shu repeated: "I mean, how does it feel seeing Echidna dead yet not quite gone?"
Emilia gave Luo Shu a wry smile: "Why are you asking me such a strange question?"
"I don't think it's strange at all. After all, you and Echidna were never on good terms from the start." Luo Shu added, "Of course, it's not your fault. The blame lies entirely with Echidna."
Emilia opened her mouth but could only sigh softly before asking quietly:
"Mr Luo Shu, are you planning to have me follow Echidna to bring Betty back?"
"That's the idea." Luo Shu nodded, then glanced at Echidna: "According to Echidna, Betty is currently hiding in the Osaka area, attempting to advance to Demigod."
"I want you to assist Betty in her advancement to Demigod, then bring her back."
"I think you understand the reason for this, Emilia."
Hearing this, Emilia couldn't help but smile, as any Familia member would understand Luo Shu's reasoning:
"Because the points gained from a Hero Rank joining the Familia are different from a Demigod joining, right?"
"Correct." A smile appeared on Luo Shu's face: "Speaking of which, with so many things happening recently, I haven't tallied up the recent point gains. But I imagine it must be quite a substantial amount."
After all, during this period, Hero Rank Classes, Demigods, and even an Apostle-level Tohka Yatogami had joined. With so many new Familia members, the points and Spiritual Essence gained must be considerable.
Of course, the amount wouldn't be enough for Luo Shu to advance to Apostle, but it should at least fill about a third of the requirement?
Thinking this, Luo Shu couldn't help but check his current point reserves.
Hmm... 1.69 million points, 113 units of Spiritual Essence, plus a monthly Spiritual Essence allowance of 24 units.
Hiss!! Seeing these numbers, Luo Shu couldn't help but inhale sharply.
The 1.69 million points aside, the 113 units of Spiritual Essence savings genuinely shocked him.
This amount far exceeded Luo Shu's expectations, as his Spiritual Essence reserves had previously been in the single digits.
Checking the data, Luo Shu found that the bulk of this windfall came from Tohka Yatogami's joining.
Her inclusion directly triggered the Divine Pantheon Reconstruction System to feed back 100 units of Spiritual Essence and increased the monthly allowance by 10 units.
These numbers represented an absolute windfall!
Considering Luo Shu only needed slightly over 300 Spiritual Essence to advance to Apostle, this single gain accounted for nearly a third of the requirement.
The amount was so substantial that it made Luo Shu drool, to the point where he was already anticipating just how much profit Betty would bring after becoming a Demigod and joining.
After all, judging by the pop-up information when Reverie Metherlence joined the Familia, a Demigod's recruitment would directly grant 10 Spiritual Essences and increase the monthly provision by 1.
Thinking about it this way, what Luo Shu lacked was probably 20 Demigod Familia members or 2 Apostle Familia members to ascend to Apostle?
Ah, better not dwell on that. Where would so many powerhouses even come from in this world?
As Luo Shu muttered to himself, Puck floated over and cautioned:
"Not that I want to dampen your enthusiasm, young man, but Echidna... honestly, the risks are far too high. Who knows what madness she might commit for her own goals?"
"After all, she's that kind of heartless witch."
Luo Shu's response was remarkably calm:
"That's precisely why I didn't directly recruit Echidna into the Familia, but set her a trial instead."
"On one hand, to confirm whether absorbing misfortune has truly restored her human emotions. On the other hand, to monitor her behavioural tendencies as she regains power and assess her danger level."
"If Echidna proves excessively dangerous..." Luo Shu turned to Emilia, "...we might need to trouble you then, Emilia."
Emilia's eyes widened in realisation at his implication. Facing Luo Shu's suggestion, she opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing, simply nodding in acknowledgement.
Seeing Emilia accept this surveillance duty, Luo Shu sighed in relief while rubbing his chin thoughtfully:
"Though come to think of it, Echidna mentioned Reverie's sealed coffin was apparently discovered by the Desire Faction in the Australian Demon Realm."
"Which means clues about Edel Garden might be there?"
"If that's truly the case, we're in trouble. SDS has precious little intelligence on the Australian Demon Realm."
Shaking his head, Luo Shu dismissed these concerns - after all, intelligence matters were Director Meer and Nia Honjo's responsibility.
Even if he'd personally promised Reverie, Familia members naturally served their Chief God!
Luo Shu rarely assigned tasks to his Familia, but that didn't mean he couldn't.
After simply deciding to delegate, Luo Shu stroked his chin, recalling Haruno Yukinoshita's earlier mention of the Shinomiya family.
By his estimation, the Shinomiyas should have received the news by now.
However, what Luo Shu hadn't anticipated was that this "soon" would drag on for a full two days.
...
May 21st, Sunday.
Shinomiya main residence.
Seiryu Shinomiya stared blankly at the subordinate reporting before him:
"What did you just say?"
"My missing elder brother has actually been detained at Metropolitan Police Department headquarters this whole time?"
"What kind of situation is this?"
"I filed a missing person report, only to find out he's been at the police station?"
"What are the authorities playing at? Don't they want our annual donations anymore?"
"Get someone to contact headquarters immediately and have him released!"
Upon hearing Seiryu's outburst, the subordinate cautiously lifted his head and stammered:
"The liaison at the Metropolitan Police Department said... Lord Oko cannot be bailed out until the case is resolved."
"What nonsense is this?" Seiryu's expression turned cold as he spoke sharply. "What exactly is the Metropolitan Police Department implying? What crime has my brother committed? Assassinating the Emperor?"
The subordinate's expression grew awkward: "It seems... slightly more serious than that."
Seiryu froze, then said incredulously:
"Assassinating the garrison commander? Since when was my brother that bold?"
"Even more serious than that." The subordinate made a tiny gesture with his fingers.
Hearing this, Seiryu was dumbfounded. He straightened up in his chair and demanded angrily:
"What exactly did he do? Spit it out!!"
At this, the subordinate whispered:
"The Metropolitan Police Department claims... Lord Oko was allegedly involved in a plot to assassinate... the Director of the Hidden Management Department."
CRASH.
Seiryu shot up from his chair, completely stunned.
A full two minutes passed before Seiryu recovered, his face pale as he said:
"My brother... has truly gone and toppled the heavens!!!"
"How could he dare?!!"
"Quick, to the hospital! We must see Father immediately, hurry!!"
"Yes, sir!!"
Instantly, chaos erupted throughout the Shinomiya residence.