Chapter 207: Silence Means Consent / Chapter 207 ...
Will the next part of the plot involve 100,000 special forces soldiers being parachuted in?
However, reality is ultimately not as bizarre as mindless short dramas.
Let alone 100,000 special forces soldiers, these delinquent girls couldn't even afford 100,000 yuan.
Moreover, after turning around to face the cold-faced Jeanne, the three delinquent high school girls immediately became like mice seeing a cat. Just as they were about to lash out, they were intimidated by the aura emanating from Jeanne. After saying a few harsh words to save face, they slunk away.
"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
Jeanne wore an apologetic expression.
"Although the city's public security is not bad, there are quite a lot of these kinds of people, and many of them are honey traps, specifically targeting foreigners like us."
"Have you been scammed before?"
Ren asked with great interest.
"No, but other members of the Hero Faction have been deceived before. Young boys are easily tempted by external factors. I was the one who cleared the way that time."
Although those who commit honey traps are usually ordinary people, the members of the Hero Faction would not target ordinary people.
From this perspective alone, it's not too bad.
She's just not very bright; she gets manipulated by a few words from others.
"It's still early, let's go to the coffee shop first."
Next, Jeanne chose a quiet corner of the café, ordered a hot latte, and Ren ordered an iced Americano and sat down facing each other.
Jeanne lowered her voice. "Cao Cao must have investigated your intelligence beforehand, which is why he chose an izakaya as the meeting place, saying that China people usually gather at the dinner table."
"However, I feel that there's more to this than meets the eye. I'm sure things aren't as simple as they seem."
"After we parted ways in Romania, I also investigated information about Cao Cao and found that the evaluation of Cao Cao in your country is completely different from that abroad."
"A ruthless and ambitious figure... what does that mean?"
"A tyrant or hero" often refers to a powerful and ambitious person.
Ren pressed the play button on his phone and played the meaning of that sentence for Jeanne.
"I certainly know that Cao Cao was very strong, but what exactly were Cao Cao ambitions?"
Jeanne fell into deep thought.
However, Ren didn't seem to care.
And so, time passed by, minute by minute, as Ren and Jeanne of Arc chatted.
As the time approached, Jeanne led Ren to the gathering place of the Hero Faction.
It was an izakaya (Japanese pub) located in a somewhat remote area.
The street in front of the shop was deserted, with not a single passerby in sight. Ren sensed a barrier-like presence nearby, suggesting that the area had already been cleared out.
Upon entering the izakaya, there was no owner or other staff behind the counter. Led by Jeanne, the two walked through the corridor and into a private room located at the far end.
Pushing open the door, a tantalizing aroma of food and the smell of charcoal fire wafts out.
At the same time, Ren finally met the other members of the Hero Faction.
On the tatami mat at the top, sat a handsome young man with long hair, dressed in a blue Hanfu. His tiger-like eyes swept across the room like lightning, and the oppressive aura emanating from him caused the decorative candles in the room to flicker slightly.
Beside him, the Hero Faction's vice-captain Sieg, sat languidly, one hand holding a wine glass, the other resting on his knee, his eyes almost slits, a hint of contempt and a sneer in his gaze.
Beside him stood a burly European man whose piercing gaze swept over Ren.
Besides them, there was a young man with glasses, wearing a magic robe and with messy hair, and a child with a buzz cut, who looked very young and was no more than thirteen or fourteen years old.
On either side sat young men and women dressed in school uniforms.
They also looked at Ren with curiosity, but they didn't exude the same pressure as Cao Cao and Sieg; their clear eyes revealed a hint of foolishness.
Ignoring the invisible pressure in the atmosphere, Ren's peripheral vision was mostly fixed on Jeanne Arc, whose back was turned to him.
I don't know why she wore jeans today, but from behind, her figure was absolutely perfect.
In short, it's about having a good baby.
"It's that rising star who's been making waves lately. I remember your name is Ren."
Cao Cao spoke calmly, but his gaze was full of scrutiny.
"I dare not presume. Compared to Cao Cao's fame, I am but a nobody."
Ren, feeling a strange sense of familiarity with the scene, immediately immersed himself in the role.
Cao Cao stared at him for a moment, his gaze seemingly piercing through to the heart. The only sound in the room was the sizzling of meat roasting in the stove.
Suddenly he burst into laughter, his voice booming like a bell, causing the air to ripple. He waved his hand and said, "I've heard about what you've been doing in Romania lately. Although it has affected the original plan, such things cannot be ignored."
"Please take a seat, Ren. And thank you for your help, Jeanne."
"..."
Chapter 207 Silence Means Acquisition
Chapter 207
As Jeanne of Arc stated, Cao Cao had indeed investigated Ren's background and learned of his recent activities with Jeanne in Romania.
Furthermore, while speaking, she observed Ren's every move with particular care, yet she could not discern any cunning in Ren' expression, only calmness and composure.
For Ren, he never intended to hide what he had done in Romania.
His role in Kuoh Town was well concealed.
However, this was not something he did himself; rather, the three major powers blocked information about him.
No matter how capable Cao Cao was, he couldn't possibly bypass the intelligence control of the three major powers to learn about the recent events in Kuoh Town.
The only thing that could be found was what Ren did outside of Kuoh Town.
But including the vampire case in Romania, there's nothing worth scrutinizing.
It's understandable that the group of members temporarily reassigned by Jeanne Arc would abandon their attack on the mythical forces and instead focus on eliminating the vampires' blood-producing factories.
After all, those summoned by Cao Cao were all young men and women who joined the Hero Faction because they aspired to become heroes.
Since they are young, they are naturally prone to getting carried away with enthusiasm.
Moreover, what those vampires did was indeed a bit too much.
After everyone was seated, Cao Cao began the introductions. "Jeanne Sieg you've already met. This valiant man beside you is Heracles, a descendant of the giant warrior from Greek Mythology, inheriting the soul of the first Heracles and possessing the Sacred Gear 'Giant's Prank.' This man beside you is a descendant of Georg -Faust, possessing the Longinus 'Absolute Mist.' And this little boy over here is a descendant of the genius artist Leonardo da Vinci, also possessing the Longinus 'Annihilation Maker.' He's the youngest member of our Hero Faction."
These things weren't exactly secrets, so Cao Cao had nothing to hide.
Heracles looked at Ren, his gaze fixed on him, and said, "I know what you did in Romania. You did a good job. Those vampires deserved to die."
Ren nodded. "Indeed."
Judging from the current situation, there are surprisingly more "good guys" in the Hero Faction.
Apart from Cao Cao's unpredictable attitude, the personalities of the other characters were completely easy to understand.
Cao Cao then introduced the other people in the room to Ren one by one.
Of course, they were mostly nobodys.
However, Cao Cao was able to accurately name each of them.
From this perspective, Cao Cao truly deserves to have been able to persuade those heroes' successors in such a short time.
Being able to remember even one person's name is enough to make these people, who usually have no opportunity to use their talents, feel a strong sense of being valued.
It must be said that, although his methods were somewhat ridiculous, Cao Cao in this world still possessed some degree of leadership.
"Finally, it's my turn. I am Cao Cao, a descendant of Cao Cao of Wei during the Three Kingdoms period. You've probably heard of me. I possess what is said to be the strongest Longinus, the 'Twilight Holy Spear'."
After Cao Cao finished explaining his intelligence, he asked Ren a question.
"Your turn, Ren. What is your ability?"
"I'm faster, and I'm also using firearms."
Ren revealed some of his abilities, but kept a small part hidden.
This was also due to the abilities he displayed when he first met Jeanne.
It is likely that after that parting, Jeanne Arc told Cao Cao about his situation.
"Oh, I'm still the new host of the Longinus 'The Cross of the Purple Flame Sacrificial Lord'."
After thinking for a moment, Ren revealed that he possessed the Longinus.
After all, this thing is not easy to hide.
The vast majority of Hero Faction wield Sacred Gear and Longinus, and these Sacred Gear can influence each other.
The more powerful the Sacred Gear one possesses, the harder it is to hide.
"The Cross of the Purple Flame Sacrificial Lord? I remember that was the Sacred Gear of Jaucusta, the leader of the Witch's Night. How did it end up in your hands?"
Cao Cao inquired.
"I borrowed this from her. When I asked her, she didn't say anything, which means she agreed."
"?"
Does not answering mean you agree?
How should one respond if Jaucusta is dead?
Everyone was speechless.
However, they didn't say anything about it.
Jaucusta was, after all, a member of the Witch's Night faction, and their previous interactions were merely exchanges of interests. Whether Jaucusta lived or died had no impact on their Hero Faction.
However, just talking about it wasn't enough for everyone to understand Ren's actual skill level.
Even if you possess the Longinus, you won't be able to unleash its full combat power if you don't develop it properly. You might even injure your allies if the Longinus goes out of control.
Cao Cao said, "That's true, but we still don't know the extent of your strength, so could you demonstrate it to us?"
"If you show it, I can also arrange your role in the upcoming plans."
"Sure, but I need an opponent."
Ren did not refuse; after all, this was a necessary procedure for everyone to join the Hero Faction.
"In that case, I'll be Ren's opponent."
Jeanne of Arc, who had been watching the situation closely, looked up and spoke.
But just then, the ever-lazy Sieg burst out laughing, "Cao Cao, let me be this newcomer's opponent."
"Very well, Sieg, your abilities are clearly more suitable for testing than Jeanne of Sieg's."
Cao Cao agreed.
Actually, he wasn't unaware of Jeanne's deliberate favoritism and protection towards Ren. Although he didn't know what had happened between them during this time, he was also eager to know Ren's true abilities.
Of course, as the leader of the Hero Faction, he was actually the most suitable opponent.
However, as the leader, he naturally had to maintain a certain level of prestige and couldn't just step into the fray casually. So he sent out the person in the room who was the best in close combat besides himself.
Of course, the main reason is that the venue and the conditions in Kyoto are not suitable for high-intensity battles.
Neither Georg nor Leonardo are skilled in close combat, and Heracles has high destructive power. On the contrary, Sieg, as a former Church warrior, is second only to Hercules in close combat, making him the best candidate to test Ren's strength.
After receiving Cao Cao's consent, Sieg immediately jumped up from the tatami mat.
Siegfried's impression of Ren has not been very good ever since they met at the headquarters of the Khaos Brigade.
I can't give a specific reason.
Perhaps Siegfried felt that Ren was too pretentious, and given that Jeanne of Siegfried had been getting quite close to him lately, he volunteered to publicly teach Ren a lesson.
The battleground is located in the courtyard behind the izakaya. It's not a large area, but it puts the combatants' close-combat skills to the test.
Chapter 208 Baby-like Sleep
Chapter 208