Chapter 348: The Secret of Itogami Island
Slurp.
Slurp—
"Ahhh~"
Mahiro sat curled up on the sofa with the two lolis, Est and Avrora, savoring Natsuki Minamiya's treasured black tea—a sight that filled Natsuki, who was busy with official duties, with irritation and helplessness.
"...Yotsuba Mahiro, are you that bored?!"
"Mhm, mhm, I really am bored."
"If you're so bored, you could go visit the welfare home and see that little girl Kanon Kanase instead of disturbing my work here!"
"I already went this morning. Even had a carefully prepared breakfast by Little Kanon."
Mahiro spoke as if it were only natural, and Est and Avrora nodded along in agreement.
The food Kanon Kanase prepared truly was delicious.
"Then don't you have anywhere else you want to go?!"
"Nope. It's too hot outside. Nowhere is as comfortable as here."
His tone was utterly righteous and unapologetic.
While part of it was payback for Natsuki forcing him into a student identity, there was no denying that Natsuki-chan's office was exceptionally comfortable.
More comfortable than his apartment, especially with its spacious layout and understated yet luxurious décor—it was practically more opulent than the principal's office.
And so, he had holed up here for nearly the entire vacation.
At first, he had brought three little lolis with him. Then somehow, perhaps feeling she would cause Natsuki-chan trouble, Yuuma stopped coming and stayed home to study diligently.
Over time, it became just the three of them—one adult and two children, a trio of parasites.
Every time she saw them, Natsuki Minamiya developed a terrible headache. She wanted to assign them work, but there simply weren't any emergencies occurring.
She wanted to chase them out, but Mahiro's thick skin left her helpless.
Even if she forcibly sent him away, he would use spatial teleportation to return the very next second.
As Mahiro put it: "You insisted on keeping me by your side to monitor me, so please take responsibility and see that through."
Well, it was a reasonable argument—one Natsuki had no way to refute.
"Fine, do as you please. But if you're going to drink tea, drink quietly! Don't make noise!"
The three nodded in unison, making zipping motions across their mouths to show they wouldn't make another sound.
But after finishing their tea, Mahiro felt somewhat bored again and began wandering around the office, treading silently, looking left and right, until he finally circled around to Natsuki Minamiya's desk.
Black lines instantly appeared across Natsuki-chan's forehead, her face darkening as she hissed in a low voice:
"Did you forget everything I just said?!"
Mahiro said nothing, simply picking up the neatly organized documents on the desk and flipping through them.
They were new student enrollment files.
He hadn't gotten through many pages before spotting a familiar name—
Motoki Yaze.
His status was as a transfer student into Saikai Academy's second year of middle school.
If he remembered correctly, this guy was a Hyper Adapter, something akin to a Psychic, and also the young master of the Yaze Family, one of Itogami Island's great houses.
But beyond that, there was another special identity: in the original story, he had been the secret monitor of the Fourth Primogenitor, Akatsuki Kojou.
Yet now he appeared on the enrollment list...
Something was wrong.
Very wrong—nine out of ten wrong.
Mahiro felt his head growing muddled.
Setting aside whether this guy had been a transfer student in the original storyline, the matter of the Fourth Primogenitor hadn't even been settled yet, and here this guy suddenly popped up.
Who had he come to monitor?
To monitor him?
At this thought, his gaze involuntarily fell upon the black gothic lolita working diligently beside him. From his position, he could just see Natsuki-chan's delicate, snow-white collarbone.
Because of the crisscross lacing on her black dress, the lace frills at her neckline and the softness of the subtly gleaming black fabric were all perfectly visible.
But after a few seconds, he withdrew his gaze.
Well, he definitely wasn't here to monitor him. After all, he was a perfectly harmless five-star model citizen of Itogami Island.
Not to mention he had the legitimate official identity of a Demon Hunter.
Thus, he continued flipping downward, and after just a few more pages, he saw another familiar name—
Akatsuki Kojou, Class 2-B of middle school, a transfer student much like Motoki Yaze.
Seeing his file, Mahiro was slightly surprised.
This guy had really come to Itogami Island just like in the original story?
But he no longer had any connection to Avrora, nor had he become her Blood Servant. He was registered as a human.
So what had this guy come here for?
To be forcibly made to participate in the Festival of the Blazing Light, then consume twelve Beast Vassals with a human body to become the Fourth Primogenitor?
If that was the case, it was complete delusion.
Although he hadn't yet seen the true Fourth Primogenitor, merely the Twelfth Progenitor, the Azure Frost of the Enchantress dwelling within Avrora, would be enough to burst or drain a human dry.
Yet it wasn't just Akatsuki Kojou—even his sister Nagisa Akatsuki had come to Itogami Island, enrolled in Saikai Academy's middle school division, one year younger than her brother and one grade lower.
Like Kanon Kanase, she was in the first year of middle school.
One could say they were only missing Himeragi Yukina to complete the cast of this stage play.
Mahiro only felt his head was a complete mess at this moment, his thoughts somewhat tangled. The plot seemed to be starting to spiral out of control, yet simultaneously being forcibly dragged back to its original course.
"You're quite interested in the new student files?"
Natsuki-chan's sudden voice pulled him back to his senses.
Noticing he had been looking at the new student enrollment materials for quite some time, Natsuki Minamiya couldn't help but ask.
But Mahiro simply shook his head:
"Not particularly. I just saw two familiar youngsters."
He deliberately pulled out Akatsuki Kojou and Nagisa Akatsuki's files and placed them before Natsuki Minamiya. After a glance, she spoke:
"Oh, this pair of siblings. I know them."
One could say she was deeply impressed.
Because when she had been observing from the shadows, she had personally witnessed Mahiro use some unknown magic to reverse life and death, pulling the two back from the brink of death.
Oh, and a Vampire too.
Afterward, she had investigated the siblings' backgrounds. What she discovered left her expression rather grave.
The siblings' mother was Mimori Akatsuki, a chief researcher in MAR's medical department.
Their father was Akatsuki Kojou, a man known as the "Returner from the Underworld," who had survived numerous dangerous ruins alone and even once visited the "Dead City" ruin, where he reportedly encountered mortal danger yet still managed to return alive.
He hadn't died during the previous attack by the "Deadly Emperor's Brother" Golan Hazaroff either, somehow surviving through unknown means.
He was practically an indestructible cockroach.
But most crucial of all was the siblings' grandmother—Hisano Akatsuki.
Born into a Demon Hunter family, she was a priestess of Kamioda Temple.
Hisano Akatsuki had trained numerous disciples who entered service in the Lion King Organization, forming a cross-institutional network of succession.
And most critically, Nagisa's inherited spiritual medium constitution came from this very Hisano Akatsuki.
Moreover, the siblings' trip to Gozo Island last time had been no simple vacation. Akatsuki Kojou had intended to use Nagisa's constitution to awaken Avrora.
Who knew what kind of scoundrel this man had to be to make his own daughter undertake such a dangerous task!
Though inwardly furious, her time spent with Mahiro had forged an exceptionally strong heart, and she quickly quelled her anger, speaking coldly:
"This pair of siblings came with their mother Mimori Akatsuki. Currently, Mimori Akatsuki serves as research director at MAR's Itogami Island branch."
"Oh."
Mahiro's reaction was quite bland, casually returning the two files to the enrollment list.
Though he didn't know what this group was plotting this time, he could be certain it absolutely had an inseparable connection to the Fourth Primogenitor—or rather, to Avrora as the Twelfth Progenitor.
However, just as he had settled into the seat across from Natsuki Minamiya's desk, Avrora, who had somehow set down her teacup, came over as well.
Her eyes fixed intently upon Mahiro's wrist, then she quietly leaned her head closer, her cute little mouth opening slightly.
"...Mmph!"
She bit down with closed jaws, but instead of the comfortable sensation she remembered, there came a faint pain in her head.
Mahiro raised his hand and delivered a chop to the top of Avrora's head, drawing a small whimper of grief from the girl.
"Uuu... Mahiro, why did you hit my head? I merely wished to drink your blood. You are far too stingy."
"Obviously. I'm not your mobile blood bank, nor your livestock. You can't just drink from me whenever you want. Have you forgotten who's in charge here?"
Mahiro showed no mercy as he rapped Avrora's head, and she crouched on the ground like some vampire young miss, assuming a head-hugging defensive posture.
Though, while he said he showed no mercy, he actually didn't use much strength at all.
As for why Avrora wanted to drink his blood, it was rather strange to say. Ever since they had resolved the matter at Adelard's Abbey and analyzed the Wiseman's Blood several months ago, Avrora had developed peculiar thoughts about him.
Much like that prostitute vampire in prison back then, she had conceived a desire to drink his blood.
He had once tried giving Avrora a small feeding, but not only did it provide no relief, it only intensified her craving for him.
She was practically showing peach-colored marks in her eyes.
Like an animal in springtime, and exclusively for him alone at that.
But hitting aside, he was still quite fond of this little one. He picked her up from the floor and held her in his arms.
Simultaneously, he cut his fingertip and held it to Avrora's lips, speaking softly:
"Only a tiny sip, then no more fussing. Understood?"
"Mhm, mhm."
Avrora nodded eagerly, then opened her small mouth to take in his index finger, emitting sounds of pure bliss.
"Mmm~ Mahiro's blood is so delicious."
She squinted her eyes in satisfaction, and Mahiro also leaned back comfortably in his chair.
He could clearly feel his finger enveloped in softness, gently, tenderly.
From time to time, sharp little fangs would lightly graze across his fingertip.
Just as he was enjoying this comfort, a sudden chill ran up his spine. Turning his head, he saw Est standing behind him, her expressionless gaze fixed upon him and Avrora in his arms.
That calm, quietly imposing look clearly said: "I'm jealous. I want some too."
And Natsuki Minamiya was watching him with an even more amused gaze, her eyes seeming to laugh, seeming to say: "And you still say you're not a lolicon?"
Mahiro couldn't be bothered to deal with this petty Witch he infuriated eight hundred times a day.
Since Est was jealous, what could he do?
Naturally, hold her in his arms too.
And so, while Avrora clung to his arm savoring her treat, he freed his other hand to pull Est from behind, then lifted her up and placed her on his lap.
Enveloped in familiar presence, feeling familiar warmth, Est no longer threw her little tantrum.
Her cold, sharp gaze gradually softened, returning to calmness.
After holding the two lolis for a while, Mahiro spoke again:
"By the way, Natsuki-chan, there's something I wanted to ask you."
"Speak, but don't bring up anything about dragon veins again. That's impossible."
Natsuki Minamiya issued her warning preemptively.
Recently, she had no idea what this bastard's head was filled with, always coming up with one bizarre idea after another, forcing her to stay on guard.
As for the "Natsuki-chan" address, she had completely given up trying to correct it—or rather, it was utterly uncorrectable.
"It's nothing much."
Mahiro's palm rested on Est's black stockings, his fingertips tapping lightly. "I just wanted to ask—do you know what exactly is going on with Itogami Island?"
"Hm? Is there a problem with Itogami Island?"
"There is, and it's a major one."
Mahiro nodded, his expression unusually serious for once.
In the months spent on this island, he hadn't simply been idling away his days. He had surveyed the island's full expanse and discovered four massive floating islands around Itogami Island, positioned precisely corresponding to the four cardinal directions.
In other worlds, one might call it purely aesthetic, but in this world that clearly wasn't the case. Not to mention this island was the life's masterwork of that feng shui master named Senzaki Chira.
It was evidently imbued with some magical function.
East corresponded to the Azure Dragon;
West corresponded to the White Tiger;
South corresponded to the Suzaku;
North corresponded to the Black Tortoise!
Exactly the Four Divine Phases of geomancy, combined with the suppressed dragon vein below—one could say the entirety of Itogami Island formed a massive feng shui altar!
Had he not once analyzed the Demon Gate Escape Armor technique, he truly wouldn't have seen through these intricacies.
But after he finished speaking, Natsuki Minamiya pressed her folding fan to her chin, her eyes showing confusion.
"You say... an altar?"
"Precisely, a massive feng shui altar. If activated, linked to the underground dragon vein, likely every living being on this island would become living sacrifices."
Hearing these words, Natsuki Minamiya opened her mouth to speak, yet couldn't utter a single syllable.
She believed Mahiro. This fellow might be improper, might hold countless secrets, might always find ways to deliberately infuriate her—but she knew well that Mahiro harbored no malice whatsoever.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have arranged for him to stay by her side, living together for so long.
However—
It was difficult to accept.
She had given up her own freedom to guard this island, yet knew nothing of this artificial island's true purpose.
To be precise, it wasn't just her—the vast majority of people wouldn't know this island's function. Mahiro didn't know either, because for this series he had only watched two cours, not even the OVAs.
But seeing Natsuki Minamiya's expression was enough to understand—she knew nothing.
"Seems you've been deceived too, Natsuki-chan." Mahiro shook his head with a helpless sigh.
Natsuki Minamiya finally closed her mouth, her face becoming expressionless.
She was about to speak when suddenly the door was pushed open.
"Heh, Natsuki, I once told you—those people are not worth your protection. They laid a massive trap for you!"
Aya entered from outside, mercilessly mocking Natsuki Minamiya with cold sarcasm.
From her appearance, she had likely been waiting outside for quite some time, clearly hearing their entire conversation.
And this time, Natsuki Minamiya uncharacteristically offered no rebuttal, merely gazing silently at Aya as she entered, then silently at Mahiro sitting across from her.
"No matter what, I... wait, we'll discuss this later. I have some matters to attend to."
She had only gotten halfway through her sentence when she sensed something. The doll-like, exquisite black-haired gothic lolita immediately stood and used spatial teleportation to depart.
Only a velvet luxury chair, still retaining residual warmth, remained in her place.
"Hmph, stubborn."
Watching the direction her friend had left, Aya let out a disdainful snort.
Mahiro offered no particular opinion on this matter.
Indifferent, unconcerned—that was his attitude. The lives of people on the island had nothing to do with him; tending to his own small patch of land was sufficient.
Moreover, he had seen the uncertainty that had appeared in Natsuki Minamiya's eyes just moments ago.
He also believed that what Natsuki Minamiya had been about to say was definitely not about continuing to guard this artificial island without reservation.
Indeed so. While Natsuki Minamiya was stubborn and kind, she hadn't reached the degree of being a hopelessly foolish do-gooder.
Protecting those innocent people was naturally something she would do, but she would also investigate everything thoroughly in her own way!
But for now, she had more pressing matters to handle.
In a hidden corner of a street not far from Saikai Academy, a young girl stood before Natsuki Minamiya, who held a black parasol, and bowed slightly:
"First time meeting you, Lady Natsuki Minamiya. I am Shizuka Koyomi—please look after me in the future."
"Oh? You're the current Shizuka Koyomi? You appear more composed than Fujisaka Touka."
"Thank you for your praise."
The girl responded with equanimity, her demeanor calm.
She was an unremarkable-looking girl, with two black braids hanging before her chest, swaying slightly with the sea breeze. She wore round-framed glasses, her eyes as blue and profound as the ocean.
She looked like a country bumpkin just arrived from the countryside, not very old—perhaps around thirteen.
Yet it was precisely this unremarkable existence who was actually the current Shizuka Koyomi of the Lion King Organization's Three Saints!
Byname: the "Paper Noise"!