"What an enormous dining table."
As night fell, at The Knave's notification, Shen Fei, Tohsaka Rin, Lord El-Melloi II, and Gray arrived at the second-floor hall. The first thing Shen Fei saw was the granite rectangular table in the very center, large enough to seat at least twenty people. It was the first time he had ever seen such a huge table; before this, he had only seen them on television.
"Greetings, Lord El-Melloi II. I apologize for being unable to properly greet you earlier."
Akeno Hishiri of the Department of Law and Politics appeared to have been waiting for Lord El-Melloi II by the dining table. As soon as he arrived, she immediately came forward and bowed to him.
"No need to be so formal, Miss Akeno." Lord El-Melloi II returned the bow with great seriousness.
Although the Department of Law and Politics held extraordinary authority within the Clock Tower, that was primarily directed at ordinary Magicians. No matter how weak Lord El-Melloi II was personally, he was still one of the Clock Tower's Twelve Lords and could not be treated too lightly.
"Lord El-Melloi II, you may simply call me Hishiri." Akeno Hishiri gave him a bewitching smile. The moment she did, the two young men beside the table both froze in unspoken agreement.
It had to be said that Akeno Hishiri was an exceptionally attractive woman. Beautiful and mysterious, the combination was practically fatal to men.
Even Shen Fei was briefly stunned, prompting Tohsaka Rin beside him to cough pointedly. Tohsaka Rin was naturally no less beautiful than Akeno Hishiri, but she was merely a high school student, while Akeno Hishiri was a mature woman.
"Miss Akeno, forgive me. I'm timid by nature and not good at dealing with beautiful women."
Though Akeno Hishiri was immensely alluring,