Volume Four: Withering in the Human World, Chapter 309: The Operation Begins

"Excuse my intrusion, Blood Emperor, but why is there a... faint, Killing Intent about you?"

"--!!!!"

This woman!

I thought I could get away with it, but I didn't expect this woman to be so perceptive!

"... There's bound to be some kind of Killing Intent. After all, I often go into battle and fight, I've been through many life-or-death situations, and many lives have died at my hands, so it's natural for me to have a certain Killing Intent."

"No, you misunderstand. I'm not talking about the kind of murderous Killing Intent accumulated through countless battles, but rather..." She blinked, as if considering the right description, "But rather that innate, malevolent aura, more like something else than 'a person's temperament,' like something you're born with... that feeling."

... Couldn't I have fooled her? Sure enough, the ferocious aura contained in the Rakshasa True Word and the malevolent Killing Intent accumulated through countless battles were far superior in both quality and quantity.

"... Excuse me for being blunt, but could I... shake your hand?"

"Well..."

Oh no! A look of suspicion has appeared on her face! What should I do? She is the Sect Master of the Rakshasa Divine Sect. She must have been exposed to the Rakshasa True Word many times in the past, which is why she is so sensitive to its malevolent aura! If I have physical contact with her again, won't I be completely exposed?!

"Is that not allowed, Blood Emperor?"

"Uh... of course it's not impossible, but actually I--"

"No, Sect Master, Xiao Ye hates physical contact with people she doesn't know well. As the sect leader, can't you even understand other people's difficulties?"

Seeing the situation was turning bad, Haoyue immediately stepped in to shield me. Thank goodness for Haoyue! Now she had nothing to say!

Please understand my predicament! This matter is very important, I must—

Yun Can's expression suddenly turned anxious. Sure enough, any clue about the stolen sect's most prized treasure was extremely important to her. But, but I also--

"I said, what's going on here? The tension is palpable."

At this critical moment—

The door suddenly opened again.

A cool, punk-style girl, about my age, appeared at the door.

It's Xiao Wu.

But she didn't have the usual white hair and black eyes.

Its pupils, as black as black holes, flickered with purple light. Purple lightning crackled around its body, its fingernails had transformed into claws, and small horns had sprouted from the ends of its eyebrows. It also continuously emitted icy and ferocious waves of energy.

It's demonization, and a high-level demonization that leans towards becoming an "evil demon."

Faced with this strange and uninvited guest, Yun Can couldn't help but be distracted.

"Excuse me, may I ask who you are? Huh? Oh?"

She seemed suddenly confused.

Her beautiful golden eyes darted left and right, sometimes looking at me, sometimes at Xiao Wu, her expression becoming confused.

"Um, forgive my intrusion, but this is..."

"Sorry, did I scare you?" Xiao Wu shook her head nonchalantly. "As you can see, I'm Ye's friend, and also an Oni —the kind that's half human and half Oni. I'm currently practicing controlling my demon form, so I can't just stop at will. Please forgive me."

"So that's how it is... Ah! I see!"

Yun Can was confused for a moment, then suddenly seemed to have a sudden realization.

"I'm so sorry." She turned to me. "It was so offensive of me to mistake it for... never mind, anyway, I'm really sorry for having unfounded suspicions about you."

"Ah, uh, I'm okay..."

"Well then, I'll take my leave now. There are still many matters to attend to with the Rakshasa Army."

After saying that, she gave a slight bow and left, seemingly a little embarrassed.

I see...

It took me until now to understand the situation. When Xiao Wu enters her demonic state, especially a deep demonic state, her aura and power become tainted with the ferocity and rage of a demon. This rage has many similarities to the fluctuations of the Rakshasa True Word, so similar that Yun Can couldn't tell them apart!

Yun Can thought that she had mistaken Xiao Wu's demonic Killing Intent for the evil aura of the Rakshasa True Word, so she thought that Saki had misunderstood her and let it go!

You've got it covered, Xiao Wu!

I looked at her gratefully, and she shrugged a little awkwardly.

"... Well, my hearing is very good. I could hear from afar that there seemed to be trouble here, so I rushed over."

"Real?"

"Of course it's fake, it's all thanks to her for sending me the message."

That's when I noticed the person behind her.

The girl with long, light brown hair smiled slightly at me.

"Givinia!?"

"I haven't seen you for a few days, it's so great that A Ye is still in such good spirits."

"What have you been up to these past few days? I haven't seen you at all."

"My words... um?"

Givinia noticed the stranger's presence.

Little Ying blinked her big eyes, looking back and forth at the two new people who had appeared, somewhat at a loss.

"A beautiful girl with light brown hair... and a super beautiful girl with white hair and Extra Skill!? Why are all the girls around Xiao Ye so good-looking!?"

"Just call me Xiao Wu Mai... Because in that deadbeat author's eyes, looks and fighting power are directly proportional, so the most beautiful Leader is also the strongest. Even though he's a guy, he's described as so♂beautiful. The author is definitely gay."

Huh!?

"No... I'm sorry, I don't know why those words suddenly popped into my head and I couldn't help but say them out loud." Xiao Wu scratched her head.

"Hello, lovely lady, my name is Givinia Sorel, and I'm A Ye's— "

"Ah! You're the navigator from the Northern Realm Rally, aren't you!"

"Oh, so someone still remembers me. I'm honored."

"My brother is a fan of yours! He's collected all your merchandise, including pillows and badges!"

"I'm so sorry... uh? the surrounding area?"

"Yes, merchandise from your Ferruggio Silver Wolf Team is sold everywhere, and since it seems like no one from you has ever come forward to ask for royalties or image fees, many Business Capital making a fortune."

""Eeeeeeeeeeeee!?"

"Don't you know? There are cushions, badges, posters, wall hangings, and... how to describe it? Life-sized, highly realistic silicone dolls..."

""Depend on!!!!!!""

The moment has finally arrived.

We can't delay any longer.

The next operation will begin with us.

"It's time we took action..."

This operation must succeed no matter what.

"Why! Why do we have to separate after just meeting Xiao Ye?!!"

Even if you say that...

On the eve of my departure, Torres City, Little Ying was looking at me with tears in her eyes.

"Listen to me, Little Ying, the battle plan has already been set and cannot be changed..."

Xiao quickly stepped forward to comfort her younger sister, but Little Ying seemed even more upset.

"Then take me with you! My explosives will definitely come in handy for infiltration operations!"

"Well..."

"What are you talking about, you little brat?" Haoyue scoffed dismissively. "You know best how loud your exploding bubble is. It would be a miracle if we could successfully infiltrate Sadington City with you in tow."

"But... sob..."

Little Ying had nothing to say, and I had no choice but to send a messenger to comfort her.

Hmm... Anyway, let's hug first.

Pu Niu.

"Hey, Xiao Ye, what are you doing?!"

As I pressed her forcefully against my chest, I gently stroked her head and said in the softest voice, "Be a good girl, Little Ying. I know you wanted to come along because you were worried about me. But we're adults now. As adults, we should think about the bigger picture. Is Si Nan Ying the kind of person who would let personal desires ruin the greater good?"

"Of course not! By the way Xiao Ye, I'm so bored..."

"That's right, so listen to your sister. Gather your strength here, and then attack Sadington with the army. That's your mission."

"Ugh... I know... but Xiao Ye, I... I can't breathe..."

"Yoshi yoshi, stay here while I'm gone, okay? If you're really lonely, my underwear is in the second drawer under the bedside table."

"Huffing... huffing... suffocating... wailing..."

"Okay, I understand? That's good!"

I finally freed her from my intense embrace. Slightly oxygen-deprived, she staggered a few steps before collapsing limply into her sister's arms. Hmm, this little girl would be even cuter if she just stayed still and didn't say a word.

"Xiao Ye ..." Uh?

Looking back, I saw Haoyue tugging at my clothes, her eyes filled with sorrow.

"Xiao Ye, I want to bury my face in your chest too..."

"Don't you rub, lick, suck, and nuzzle every day? Aren't you tired of it yet?"

"I can never get tired of playing with Xiao Ye's breasts!"

"This isn't something you should say right before leaving..."

"It's perfect that Xiao Wu, that third wheel, isn't coming with us. This way, we can have some alone time for the whole trip! Yay!"

"Watch out, she might flatten your breasts!"

Watching us chatter without any sense of tension, Loxue coughed a few times, while Nid stood to the side, looking a little lost. This guy, he doesn't understand girls' topics at all... even though the things we usually talk about are very different from what ordinary girls talk about.

"Ahem! Anyway, a new battle has begun! Ye, Haoyue, Xiao Wu... Xiao Wu?"

She didn't come.

"He didn't come!?"

Bradwich and his sister were quite surprised; after all, this was a farewell party for their comrade-in-arms, yet she didn't even show her face.

"You may not know her very well; she's not the kind of person who likes to put on a show or engage in formal social interactions."

"So it's easy for people to misunderstand him, but that guy is definitely cold on the outside but warm on the inside, a sharp tongue but a soft heart."

"Is he the kind of selfless, dedicated person who would push himself to the limit for others, or a typical self-sacrificing individual?"

"From what you've said, this Miss Xiao Wu is really... amazing."

"Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief and the General Staff: Everything is ready!"

A messenger saluted, behind him were the Seventh Division in charge of the infiltration mission, and three trucks loaded with books that Xiao had read.

The Seventh Division Commander Sasin, and his deputy, Dorothy, were also inside. She waved to me, and I smiled back.

"As planned," Nid raised his voice, "The advance force will split into two groups for safety. The members of the Seventh Division will take Route One in the trucks transporting the books, while His Majesty the Blood Emperor and Miss Tartaglia will take Route Two! They are expected to meet in a town not far from Sadington City in three days. Xiao Wu will also arrive on time. The three ladies will lie in wait in the city, ready to act in coordination with us from within and without. The Seventh Division must firmly control the large teleportation array. Is that clear?"

""""""Understood!!!""""""

"The success or failure of your advance force directly determines the outcome of this battle! Everyone here is a hero! A hero fighting for the victory of the revolution!!"

"For the great revolution!!!"

"Comrades! Hardship makes us strong, pain makes us resilient, despair makes us wise, and failure makes us move forward! As the commander-in-chief, I hope you will complete the mission no matter the cost! And as individuals, I hope you will all return victorious, all alive! Revolutionary fighters are fearless, and you are the most fearless fighters about to turn a new page in history! Now, I declare—the operation begins!!!"

But Nid was unaware of this.

While he was giving a passionate and inspiring speech, a small figure, shielding himself from all life force, watched everything unfold from atop a massive fortification.

"... Finally, it's about to begin. Let's start with the pink-haired girl."

With a Sin Annihilation, Zuimie vanished.

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The main story is finally starting! As usual, the cute beginning of each volume ends here; what follows is high-energy content.