Traces of a rinkaku...
Louis narrowed his eyes, considered for a moment, then withdrew the Ice Blade hanging in front of Tsukiyama.
Although he could not rule out the possibility that Aoi had acquired a new type of kagune through cannibalism, it was extremely unlikely. Living at Anteiku, she was unlikely to engage in extensive cannibalism.
"What happened?"
Louis kept the other members of the Tsukiyama Family restrained as he questioned Tsukiyama.
"That matter you've been concerned about-there were at least two humans mixed into that ghoul squad." Seeing the blade threatening his life move away, Tsukiyama pressed his bloodstained fingers onto Kanae's shoulder before she could lash out.
"Before I explain, could you release my subordinates?"
"Hmm..." At those words, Louis let the ice crystals floating before them dissolve into wisps of icy mist, his attention drawn to the ghoul squad Tsukiyama had mentioned.
A known squad composed of both ghouls and humans...
As Tsukiyama described what had happened, the broad outline became clear.
Aoi and Tsukiyama had been traveling together when six people ambushed them. Every one of them was formidable. While Tsukiyama was tied up fighting the rinkaku ghoul among them, Aoi had been taken down almost instantly and carried away.
"I was badly wounded by an attack too, but they had no intention of pursuing me. They withdrew as soon as they succeeded." Tsukiyama moved the arm covering his lower abdomen, revealing a round wound that had yet to heal.
"Those two humans didn't fight. They were human-I could tell. They stood at the rear, like a unit sent to oversee the operation."
They had a clear target, struck decisively, and withdrew after succeeding without getting bogged down.
They had clearly undergone some training, and their overall strength was far from low.
Just as Louis sank