The Not-So-Clever Girl

Thanks to chatting with Philly, Ash managed to stay conscious long enough to rush out of the storm-lashed Black Sea region.

But perhaps because of the White Mist, the outskirts of Canaan City were also veiled in a fine drizzle. There was not a single building around, so he could not even take shelter from the rain and could only stop by the roadside.

"Philly, call Rose and have her come pick us up."

The moment Ash's feet touched the ground, he collapsed like a robot falling apart, yet he still carefully set Niya down. "And see if you can contact the others while you're at it."

Inside the White Mist, communication signals were naturally cut off, making calls impossible, but now, with the storm and lightning, he had no idea whether Multistar Country's infrastructure was reliable or not.

Ash looked at Niya. This Death Frenzy wanted criminal had been quiet ever since earlier, as if the arrogant, unruly Red-Haired Girl from their last meeting had only been Ash's imagination. But when Niya raised her head, Ash saw a murky light in those scarlet eyes.

"You said before," she said, "that you were willing to help me with anything?"

Philly watched the two of them from the corner of her eye while making the call. Ash nodded calmly. "Yes."

"Good." Niya pointed at the ram horns on Philly's head. "I want to obtain power from you like she did. Or you can just give me the power directly."

Should he say she was worthy of being Sword Maiden's projection, or should he say she had the insight of a serial killer? It was not strange that she had seen Ash and Philly possessed supernatural powers, but seeing that Philly's power came from Ash was enough to prove that Niya had