The change in the number of people around the Harem's perimeter was far too conspicuous.
Even Shrike noticed something was wrong.
All day, Shrike had refrained from approaching Li Xiang to chat as he usually did.
Meanwhile, freed from that shrewd man's pestering, Li Xiang inexplicably felt lighter and breathed a deep, private sigh of relief.
She reflected.
Honestly, that guy finally stopped bothering me.
Shrike: heartbroken.jpg.
At that moment, Shrike was roaming the Harem's guard posts, his gaze dark and watchful as he surveyed the scattered guards who remained.
There were no recorded casualties or reported escapes, yet large numbers of guards had vanished into thin air.
Shrike lightly rubbed his fingertips against his palm, rapidly working through the possibilities.
Whoever was behind this had acted covertly. This was clearly an organized operation.
He decided to lie in wait.
Since they secretly acted every night, all he had to do was patiently stake the place out. Sooner or later, he would catch whoever was behind it.
Night fell as expected, darkness washing over the wooded mountains until silence engulfed the Harem and its surroundings.
The evening breeze was cool, and swaying tree shadows concealed every movement in the dark.
Not long after nightfall, faint movement appeared in the shadows once again.
Several dark figures moved swiftly and silently, precisely targeting isolated guards and striking without hesitation.
Tsukasa subdued his target in an instant, and Hyoga followed close behind to bind and restrain him. With Senku's specially made sedative, the guard lost consciousness completely within seconds.
Shrike witnessed the entire scene, quietly watching every step.
He watched them finish clearing the scene and leave, only then setting off after them at an unhurried pace.
He maintained a safe distance the entire time, steadily trailing the group.
Following their steps, he