The Mystery Behind the Scenes / The Hand Reaching Out from Behind

"Here, this is chocolate. It helps regulate emotions. Eat it." Shirou took out a bag from his clothes and began distributing round, pill-shaped chocolates to the elementary school students.

"So sweet~!"

"So happy~!"

"I came here tonight just for a taste!"

"Ah... we're finally alive!" The elementary school students, their violent heartbeats finally subsiding, looked at each other, their expressions of relief on their faces, and let out a long sigh of relief.

"But that's amazing! It's really incredible that she could stand up to such a monster head-on. As expected of Lady Black Rose ~!" The bespectacled class monitor among the elementary school students said admiringly to the silver-haired girl who was still sulking.

"Mmm~!" Little Jack nodded in agreement.

"That's right! And those flames, it's just like the sixth member of Super Sentai, Black, who saves everyone in times of crisis!" The bob-haired girl Meimei, said excitedly, striking a pose.

"Then... aren't we the five members of the Super Sentai team who were saved?" the timid little girl Lily said.

The children looked at the silver-haired girl with admiration and slowly moved closer to her.

"Can I use such cool flames too?" Little Rhyme looked at Black Saber with admiration, then lowered her head and opened her little hands to ask.

"Not handsome at all! Kids, go back to sleep, and don't call me 'Big Sister'!" the silver-haired girl said awkwardly, as she wasn't very good at dealing with children's stares.

"Okay, thank you, Black Rose Boss!" Little Rhyme replied.

"Okay, Black Rose boss!" Little Jack said.

"Hmph, if you want to become as powerful as Black Rose, then you must first join us and undergo the training necessary to become a witch."

Abigail and Lavinia stood in the doorway, the moonlight streaming in, making them appear to shimmer with a fluorescent glow. They looked at the people inside, each revealing a mysterious smile.

"Eh? Cultivation?" Little Rhyme said, her eyes lighting up.

"Why are you all here?" Black Saber asked irritably.

"Kukuku, as expected of the great witch we value, you found us so quickly." Abigail half-covered her eyes and said with a mischievous smile.

"No, you're standing at the door, how could we not see you?" Black Saber Alter retorted.

Lavinia remained unmoved and continued, "Kukuku... There's only one reason we came here! It's because we're witches!"

"As witches, vengeful spirits are like fuel to us. The ghosts that drifted to the junior high school have all been captured. But the evil god's belly is already full," said Lavinia, the albino horned girl.

"Ah, then that's perfect, put it in our bag. I'll go with you." Shirou said, taking out the bag Attila had given him.

"Oh, as expected of the Dragon Witch's familiar, you've already prepared a plan. Kukuku..." Abigail's eyes lit up, and she stretched out her hand to cover half of her face as she spoke.

"Kukuku, but the witch's assistance doesn't come for free." Lavinia and Abigail stood back to back, striking the same pose, and said with smug smiles.

"Yes, yes," Shirou replied knowingly, taking out the small bag from his pocket, pouring out the remaining two chocolate pills, and then throwing them into the two girls' wide-open mouths.

"So sweet... it's chocolate," Abigail said, her eyes sparkling as she put the candy in her mouth.

"It's so sweet~!" Lavinia squinted her eyes, revealing an expression of extreme comfort.

However, chocolate is easy to melt and digest, and it was quickly eaten up in her mouth. Abigail rolled her tongue around her mouth, looking like she wanted more.

After a while, she and her best friend Rani exchanged glances, whispered among themselves, and finally made a decision. She struck a pose once more and said to Shirou:

"Kukuku, these are indeed fine offerings, but they're not enough."

"Witches aren't that cheap," Lavinia said, her face hardening, reverting to her previous dark, witch-like demeanor. The adorable, blissful expression she'd shown while savoring the chocolate had completely ruined the atmosphere.

"There's nothing left." Shirou turned the bag over and poured it on the ground; nothing fell out.

"Eh?!" The two girls lowered their heads in disappointment.

"But I'll also send you the sweets from lunch tomorrow!" Shirou said with a smile.

"That's more like it!"

"The contract is established! Familiar of the Dragon Witch! You truly are our companion." The two girls were immediately overjoyed.

"What? You just wanted some snacks?" Little Saint exclaimed in sudden realization.

"That's so cunning! I want to eat Shirou- san's food too, it's delicious!" Little Jack said.

"Yes, we want some too! We'll help too!" the Little Rhyme quickly added.

"We want them too!"

"Shirou- sensei~!"

"Teacher~!"

The three elementary school students forgot their previous ordeal as soon as they heard about the delicious food, and their eyes sparkled.

"I know, I know, everyone gets some. I'll have Little Saint bring you the dessert tomorrow, so now that you've already had your chocolate, go back to your dorm, brush your teeth, and go to bed," Shirou chuckled in agreement.

"Yes! That's great! Shirou -sensei! I love you the most!" the elementary school students cheered.

"Little Saint, could you please take these children back?" Shirou asked, looking at his youngest sister.

"Okay, leave it to me!" Little Saint patted his chest and said confidently.

Haha, I can't wait for tomorrow!

"Hey~!" The children chatted and laughed as they walked towards the student dormitory.

"Could you please follow me quietly?" Shirou looked at the blonde girl, smiled, and pointed with his finger at the elementary school students who had just left.

"Yes, of course." The blonde girl understood Shirou's hint in less than a second, nodded happily, and followed behind the girls, escorting them back to their dormitory.

Chapter 530 The Mystery Behind the Scenes

Watching the blonde girl who was protecting the children as they returned to their dormitory leave, Shirou turned back to look behind him.

At this moment, the silver-haired girl stood silently with her arms crossed, seemingly waiting for something, while deliberately turning her head to the other side, pretending to be looking at the scenery.

Shirou said with a smile:

"Then, Jeanne d'Arc, you will come with me."

"Who wants to keep you company? Hmph! I'd rather go home and sleep. But... the fight just now wasn't satisfying at all, I want to take a walk, so I'll go with you." The silver-haired girl pouted at Shirou and said.

"Let's go then!"

Let's go!

Abigail and Lavinia raised their hands, their long sleeves waving as they ran towards the junior high school area.

Inside the classroom of the Black Magic and Evil God Research Society in the junior high school building.

"It wasn't like this when I came here last time..." Shirou looked at the twisting scarecrow with a puzzled expression. The last time he saw it, it had black round holes as eyes and mouth. Although it was quite strange, at least its face looked kind and honest.

This time, however, his face became sharp and thin, with a protruding part resembling a straight hooked nose. His eyes were squeezed into a fierce light, and his mouth grinned menacingly. His body, made of straw, had sprouted twisted, gray-blue tree roots, as if he were cursed.

"Ugh, what is this thing?!" Black Saber instinctively raised a hand to shield herself.

"It's quite handsome, isn't it? But its belly is already full, and the child isn't feeling well right now. Anyway, let's get the bag over here first," Lavinia said, rubbing the scarecrow's belly.

"What exactly should we do?" Shirou asked, handing over his long bag.

"That's it, it's very simple." Abigail took the bag, jumped up, and put it to the straw monster's mouth.

Then Lavinia kicked the bulging belly hard.

The scarecrow grabbed the bag and vomited into it.

"Uh... uh... lol!!!"

With a disgusting vomiting sound, clumps of white stuff came out of its mouth and fell into the bag. It was not a solid or liquid, but rather a kind of cold gas.

The bag that Shirou handed to Abigail and Lavinia contained all the ghosts that the Straw God had sucked into. The bag, like an inflating balloon, gradually expanded until it was full, with ghosts trying to crawl out of it.

"Ah, don't let it get away!" Abigail exclaimed.

The ghost twisted and turned, trying to escape out the window.

Boom!

A demonic flame ignited, blocking the ghost's path.

It turned out that the silver-haired girl had intervened just in time.

The ghost instinctively sensed danger and turned back, trying to escape through the other exit.

Shirou quickly picked up the bag, and Levinia pulled a broom from the evil god and pounced on the ghost. However, this light and airy ghost was as elusive as a mouse, constantly hiding and dodging.

It took quite a bit of effort to stuff the ghost back in, but once the bag was tied with a rope, the ghost inside immediately calmed down and didn't move at all.

Since one bag wasn't enough, Jeanne d'Arc's bag was also taken. When the second bag was also full, the Straw God's stomach was finally emptied, and its hideous appearance returned to its original harmless, straw-like snowman form.

"Finally done, but this bag is so light, it feels like it'll float away in the wind. I really don't understand these ghosts." The silver-haired girl lifted the bulging bag.

"Then let's leave these bags here for now," Abigail said with a smile as she walked over, hugged the bulging bags.

"Well, please bring us the offerings on time tomorrow, otherwise..." Lavinia continued.

"Okay, I understand. Then please keep an eye on it. I'll come back to pick it up tomorrow," Shirou replied with a smile.

"Well, don't worry, with the evil god here, the ghost can't do anything. We look forward to tomorrow. Black Rose Great Witch Lord ~! We also welcome you to come and visit anytime." Abigail and Lavinia smiled as they saw the two off.

"You brats are so long-winded! And don't call me Black Rose anymore!" Black Saber said impatiently.

"Yes, Lady Black Rose."

"Yes, Lady Black Rose, ahahaha."

Abigail waved and laughed with Lavinia, then ran off.

After leaving the junior high school area, Shirou and the silver-haired girl headed towards the school's exit gate. Since Little Saint to the blonde girl, there was nothing to worry about. So, without waiting for them, the two headed straight for their home, which was near the café at the bottom of the slope.

Standing on the slope at the school gate and looking down, the town below can be clearly seen. Every household is lit up with white and beige lights, mixed with some vibrant colors. In the distance, cars drive along the highway, leaving streaks of light in their wake.

Shirou gazed at these scenes, lost in thought.

Things are getting increasingly complicated, because judging from Sachiko's previous behavior, the Ghost Four Heavenly Kings seem to be connected with each other, and may even be allies, or even have a more intricate cooperative relationship.

The clearly intelligent Kuro Neko we saw earlier was probably the Kuro Neko from the Kayako ghost story that Abigail and Lavinia had mentioned before. And Sachiko said we could go to the high school to find her, so it seems that Miss Hanako from the restroom also has a special relationship with them.

"But judging from Sachiko's tone, she seems to harbor a deep resentment towards you. Don't you have any recollection of that? For example, where did you bully Sachiko when she was in human form?" Shirou asked.

"Ha! Why would I bully others? How could I do something like that for no reason?!" The silver-haired girl punched Shirou's shoulder in annoyance.

"Hmm... don't get agitated, I didn't say it was definitely your fault," Shirou said, trying to calm the girl down.

"Hmph, that's more like it," the silver-haired girl said, crossing her arms.

Jeanne d'Arc was straightforward and had a fiery temper, which did cause her a lot of trouble in the past, but at most she'd only beat up some thugs and send them to the hospital. She certainly wouldn't do anything to the extent that would incur the wrath of a female ghost, right? Although, as the saying goes, ghosts are beings with unfathomable thoughts.

"That makes sense, though. It seems necessary to investigate." Shirou rested his chin on his hand, gazing in the direction of the city, deep in thought.

Chapter 531 The Hand Reaching Out from Behind

The mysteries surrounding this small world and these ghosts remain numerous. Shirou and the three sisters returned to the café, had a cup of tea together, and then went back to their rooms to rest.

The next day, Shirou delivered delicious sweets to the students as promised, waiting for the appointed time to arrive.

That evening, Shirou and the Jeanne's Three Sisters arrived at the high school district and came to the door of the legendary restroom.

The surroundings were completely quiet, so it seemed they would have to find the hidden ghost themselves. "Well, it's the women's restroom after all, so I'll leave the inside to you. I'll stay at the door; just call me if there are any problems," Shirou said to the girls.

"Leave it to us. With the three of us together, we can handle any problem," the blonde girl said confidently with a smile. With her defense and the silver-haired girl's explosive power, the combination of offense and defense was already very strong, not to mention that Little Saint was helping to assist her.

"Okay, I know," Little Saint replied obediently.

"Tch, I'm already here, so I don't really need anyone else. I'll take care of them all tonight. Shirou, you can rest outside." The silver-haired girl waved her hand dismissively.

Three girls entered the restroom. They looked at each other, staring at one another, and then they had a question.

"Who went in?"

"You're White Rose, right? It's time for you to dedicate yourself to your favorite school and students. So go up there. When the female ghost comes out, hug her, and then I'll just set her on fire," the silver-haired girl said.

"Of course, I have no problem with that, but because the Lord's favor is so strong, I emit Holy Light, so it seems that ghosts can't get close to me," the blonde girl explained with a smile.

"Tsk, then you can go in, little girl," Black Saber said, looking at Little Saint.

"Hey! Wait! Why me? This isn't fair! You didn't say that to Shirou- nii before. Didn't you just say that with you around, we don't need each other at all?" Little Saint retorted logically.

"Uh..." Black Saber was speechless after being refuted.

Seeing that neither side could convince the other, they ultimately chose the fairest method.

The three girls put their hands behind their backs and looked intently into each other's eyes, as if trying to discover something hidden in their hearts through their incredibly similar faces.

"Come on! Rock, paper, scissors!"