At that moment, in the reception room's U-shaped sofa area.
The atmosphere was slightly awkward.
At least after Luo Shu sat alone on the single sofa, Kurumi Tokisaki and Nia kept sneaking glances at him.
Origami Tobiichi was even more direct, staring unblinkingly at him, though no one knew what she was thinking.
As for Kotori, she sat in Miko's lap, the two of them sharing the single sofa opposite Luo Shu, looking deadly serious as if attending some high-level meeting.
In contrast, Mukuro Hoshimiya sat drowsily to the side, already half-asleep, the most carefree among the girls.
Surveying the Spirits present, Luo Shu thought of Sharon and Kotoko Iwanaga, who were still handling their own business outside.
Excluding Miko, this gathering essentially represented the Hidden Management Department's entire elite combat force.
Kurumi, who had firmly stepped into the Demigod Rank; Mukuro, who was gradually adapting to her Demigod powers; and Origami, who had just entered the Demigod realm and was still inexperienced.
Aside from reserve members Kotori and Nia, who couldn't advance for now, the SDS's top fighters were all here.
And to purge Tokyo of all its ghosts and other supernatural threats, they would need everyone's strength.
It was in this solemn (self-perceived) atmosphere that Kotori asked with utmost seriousness:
"So, what's the battle plan?"
Hearing this, Kurumi Tokisaki froze for a moment before asking in surprise:
"Battle plan? Was there ever such a thing?"
Nia Honjo also looked puzzled:
"Not that I know of. Weren't we just called here for tea and chat?"
"So sleepy... Can I go to bed now?" Mukuro Hoshimiya mumbled drowsily.
Origami Tobiichi remained silent, staring at Luo Shu until a trickle of blood seemed to seep from her nose.
Witnessing such lax attitudes, Kotori Itsuka's face twitched as she turned to Luo Shu.
Seeing Kotori's serious expression, Luo Shu casually waved his hand and crossed his legs, saying calmly:
"What plan?"
"My plan is to have no plan!"
"Nia and I will just pull up the list using Raziel and the Mysticism Encyclopaedia, then everyone here picks a few targets and delivers a basic attack. Simple as that."
"Why would we need any plan?"
"Unless Tokyo's hiding something that can suppress all of us?"
Hearing this, Kotori was dumbfounded.
Miko Yotsuya was utterly speechless.
'Director, when you say 'everyone here,' are you including me, too?'
'Everything you just said—I can't do any of it!!!'
As Miko screamed internally, Kotori said with a troubled expression:
"And that's enough to suppress and purge all Truth Astronomy members in Tokyo?"
"Obviously?" Luo Shu countered with confusion. "Aside from Aya, is there anyone else in Tokyo who can stop us?"
"It's not like Tokyo is their headquarters."
Nia Honjo chuckled beside them: "What Luo Shu and Lacus are actually worried about is the Union's stance. Their hidden methods can be quite intimidating, after all."
"Though honestly, I don't recommend mobilising everyone. It's overkill—like using a cannon to swat a mosquito."
However, Luo Shu disagreed:
"If we don't use a cannon to swat the mosquito, how do we intimidate the tiger?"
"I just got back from America, and someone's already giving me trouble. Is that any way to treat people?"
Nia tilted her head in confusion: "Wasn't the one giving you trouble that Miss Aya Tokoyogi?"
If Aya was the troublemaker, why was Luo Shu insisting on purging Truth Astronomy's rank-and-file members?
Luo Shu replied matter-of-factly:
"Aya ran away too fast. Can't catch her."
"If we can't catch the mastermind, we'll take it out on her underlings."
Nia blinked, her expression odd:
"But many of those underlings belong to factions that oppose Aya..."
Luo Shu shot her an annoyed look: "You ask too many questions."
"What good would it do us to go all-out against Aya?"
"...True, no benefits there." Nia stuck out her tongue.
As a Demigod, Aya Tokoyogi was troublesome indeed.
Her varied techniques, complex methods, and demon guardians made her both offensively and defensively formidable. Additionally, due to her connection with Natsuki Minamiya, she had some leverage—and even the qualifications to become a Familia.
While Luo Shu could potentially kill her if he went all-out, the benefits simply weren't worth it.
Compared to that, keeping her around would be far more interesting, especially in Nia Honjo's eyes.
After all, from Nia's perspective, Luo Shu had somewhat 'stolen' Aya Tokoyogi's thunder.
Just imagining Aya suppressing her complicated emotions to deliver the technique that would free her old friend, only to arrive in Japan and discover that said friend, Natsuki Minamiya, had already been saved by Luo Shu and become his ally...
What kind of 'hardworking cuckold ends up with nothing' script was this?!
The mere thought of Luo Shu possibly interacting with Aya Tokoyogi next had Nia Honjo brimming with excitement.
This development was absolutely thrilling!!
Luo Shu glanced at the inexplicably excited Nia Honjo, well aware that this woman was probably scheming something mischievous again.
However, given the current circumstances, Luo Shu wasn't about to bother with her.
"Our targets are the grassroots members of Truth Astronomy in Japan. Of course, if you have any personal enemies, you can take them out as well while we're at it."
"The operation is set for midnight. Any particular significance to that?"
Hearing Luo Shu's words, Kurumi Tokisaki, standing nearby, asked curiously:
"Didn't you plan to invite Her Majesty Leviathan earlier?"
"Serafall?"
At Kurumi's mention, Luo Shu replied with remarkable calm:
"I've already sent someone to contact her. By my estimate, they should be making contact soon."
"Though whether she's willing to expose herself before the Union is another matter entirely."
Luo Shu wasn't overly confident about successfully drawing Serafall, the Satan from the world of High School DxD, into action.
After all, his intention in luring Serafall into making a move was partly to divert the Union's attention and buy more time for development.
This strategy, while highly beneficial to him, was disadvantageous to Serafall and the demons behind her—hence his lack of confidence.
But that didn't stop Luo Shu from provoking Serafall a little.
The real question was whether a Satan comparable to a Demigod could withstand such provocation.
"Heh, I wonder if the Demon Class of Truth Astronomy could stir the mortal heart of our esteemed Leviathan~"
"If it works, then all's well. If not..."
Luo Shu trailed off here.
After all, he wasn't sure whether the Divine Pantheon could awaken a Class for a demon like Serafall...
Moreover, without some prior understanding, directly convincing Serafall to become a Familia would be troublesome.
So when it came to his relationship with Serafall... Luo Shu truly didn't have much confidence.
"Ah, well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
In the end, the best plan was no plan at all—winning by doing nothing, as the old master Jin Yong said...
Hopefully, he wasn't bluffing.