The Thrill of the Hunt (Part 2)

It's basically all thanks to Liu Bai. Without Liu Bai, Acheron would most likely not have paid any attention to them.

Where is your intelligence network?

"The battle tonight has damaged many places," Gray Serpent sighed.

He would have used it long ago if he still had it. After all, if he had been working for Mobius and constantly asking for favors, he would have been kicked out long ago.

"Do any of you know of any places Lord Acheron Quan might go?"

"... A fruit shop?" Sara seemed to have thought of something. "Lord Acheron really likes peaches... But it's only just dawn, and considering what happened last night, will the fruit shop be open?"

"Thank you, this is very important information." Gray Serpent nodded slightly, then turned and left.

He had pretty much figured it out; with these people, this was the best he could ask.

"It's strange that Lord Acheron Quan would act alone."

Kamisato Ayaka murmured something, and everyone else nodded in agreement instinctively.

Yes, Kamisato Ayaka's words hit the nail on the head.

It's no wonder that Gray Serpent was a little anxious that Acheron, who seemed to have no desires, would take the initiative to do so, even sending a note to inform him.

This is undoubtedly an unusual action, isn't it?

"Should we inform Lord Liu Bai?"

"... I don't think Lord Liu Bai would care too much."

Kujou Sara gave a somewhat strange look.

"He'll probably just reply, 'Oh, you won't get lost anyway, Acheron can go take a look if he wants.'"

"..."

Okay, Kujou Sara does know a little about Liu Bai.

Believe it or not, it's actually something Liu Bai would say.

"Anyway, let's go back first. What about Lord Liu Bai..."

Kujou Sara's expression grew increasingly strange as she considered the actions Liu Bai had prepared.

Giving the Herrscher of Dominion medicine... I have a feeling things are starting to go in a weird direction.

"... Not this one."

Acheron closed the book on physiological knowledge in his hand.

She doesn't need these kinds of academic popular science books that are full of formal language.

Although her feelings have faded, she hasn't reached the point where she doesn't understand love between men and women.

... although I have no experience.

What happened that morning could hardly be called experience, let alone lovemaking.

Liu Bai is trying her best, and she... although it's strange to use that word in this context, she also wants to try her best to respond.

"... Sir, what kind of book would you like to read?"

The Boss Liu of Sumeru Bookstore looked at the woman who had barged in with a bewildered expression.

Well, the bookstore is still open, not because they're particularly professional or greedy.

Rather, what's happening here needs to be reported to headquarters—that's another reason why there are branch stores.

Besides serving as a source of income, it also functioned as an intelligence outpost.

However, forces like Sumeru, which lack a strong fighting spirit, are mostly law-abiding citizens. What happened today is truly enormous—not just in terms of the scale of the event.

In reality, there wasn't much of a commotion.

The scale is massive: Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, Liyue, Inazuma, and World Serpent are all focusing their efforts on the same area.

That's the real problem. If this kind of information isn't passed back, there's really no point in keeping their bookstore open.

—Then Acheron barged in.

He exuded an aura that was not to be trifled with, and the bookstore Boss Liu did not want to provoke a powerful stranger at this time, so he could only let Acheron browse through the books in the bookstore.

"In this respect... but in a more in-depth way."

Acheron waved the physiology book in his hand.

"..."

The bookstore Boss Liu girl who wears glasses, adjusted her glasses.

"... Are you sure it's a book that goes into more depth on this topic?"

No, sis, if you go a step further... you mean... those... pornographic books?

What are you trying to do?

"Sure."

Acheron's indifferent gaze made the bookstore Boss Liu give up on asking further questions.

The bookstore Boss Liu adjusted his glasses again. "I'm sorry, but we don't have any books that go into more depth on this topic."

No matter what, our Sumeru Bookstore is a legitimate bookstore.

By the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata —how could we possibly sell such disreputable books!

"However, I do know where you might be able to buy the book you want."

"Where?"

Acheron showed a slightly curious expression.

"If you go out, turn right, walk straight for one kilometer, then turn left. There is a bookstore called 'Yae Publishing House' on the side of the road. They should have what you want."

Although she didn't know where to buy pornographic magazines, well... well, are there any differences between some of Yae Publishing House's light novels and pornographic magazines?

Okay, there are some, but they're not very big, are they?

This isn't some attack from competitors; it's a fact.

"Ye?"

Acheron tilted his head, remembering a fox at home.

Hmm... maybe it's a coincidence?

"Yes, Yae Publishing House, if you take your time, you're sure to find a book you like."

Thank you.

"Take care, come again next time~" The bespectacled shop Boss Liu warmly saw Acheron off.

At this moment, she didn't want to have any conflicts with anyone.

Following the bookstore Boss Liu's directions, Acheron quickly found the Yae Publishing House that the owner had mentioned.

"... Far Eastern style, huh?"

Acheron looked at Yae Publishing House, which was open for business as usual, with a slightly complicated expression.

This style is so similar to Izumo's... I never really felt it when I heard others describe it, but now that I see it...

I feel a little nostalgic.

"Welcome~ Uh, Lord Acheron Quan?"

The cashier at the counter was visibly startled when she saw Acheron.

"You know me?"

"Ahem, this is a branch of Yae Publishing House, under the jurisdiction of Yae Miko." The cashier bowed slightly to Acheron. "Is there anything you need today?"

Yae Publishing House is Inazuma's second intelligence and revenue system—mainly because the first system's shrines were too inadequate.

"Read a book."

"Um... then please make yourself at home?"

I had thought I might hear some orders from this big shot who had been emphasized by his superiors.

The result was such a plain answer... Oh well, at least she doesn't have to do any work.

Seeing Acheron nod, the cashier breathed a sigh of relief.

"..."

What are all these things?

Acheron frowned slightly as he looked at the names on the bookshelf that carried an eerie aura.

Why do these books use the synopsis as the title?

Well, at least I can understand what these books are about at a glance.

Will I really find the book I want here?

After glancing at the books on the first floor, Acheron slowly went upstairs.

"Mei- neechan! There's a new manga here!"

"...Um?"

Acheron had just stepped onto the second floor, was startled by the lively girl's voice.

Ya... Yi?

Did I hear that wrong? This pronunciation...

Acheron shook his head indifferently.

However, come to think of it, this voice does sound somewhat familiar.

After glancing around, Acheron silently walked toward the girl with purplish-black hair who was flipping through a book.

"Long time no see, Seele."

"Huh? Mei, you... eh?"

Just as Mei was about to complain about what Seele was saying, she turned around and saw Acheron's indifferent face, which startled her.

"Um, it's been so long! Sister Acheron!"

Seele's originally lively voice quickly became restrained.

"Hmm... you were just calling... Mei? That's the name, right?"

"Huh? Oh, right, um... is there a problem?"

Seele then realized that although Acheron and her sister Mei didn't look very alike, their voices were quite similar.

"No."

"..."

Acheron's overly cold words and responses made Seele was already socially anxious, even more so.

(Mei, help me—!)

She's completely inept at dealing with people like Acheron!

"Um, so, is Sister Acheron also buying books?"

"Yes."

"..."

No way! This would make it impossible to have a proper conversation!

(Mei, help me—!)

As if he had truly heard Seele's inner call, Acheron turned to look at the girl behind him.

"... And you are?"

Raiden Mei looked at Acheron in front of her with a rather strange feeling.

This woman... is so strong.