"Is the hypnosis you mentioned the kind of hypnosis I'm thinking of?"
Luo Shu looked uncertainly at Tachibana Kirika, who was sitting beside him. Inwardly, though, he was amazed that such a "good thing" even existed.
"It's hypnosis in the literal sense. According to the intelligence we've received, quite a few female adult film stars in Europe have already reported it to the police. Apparently, the hypnosis wears off when the user dies."
Hearing Tachibana Kirika's words, Luo Shu paused, then said with a peculiar expression:
"So it really is that kind of hypnosis... But from what you're saying, the thing came here from overseas?"
"That's right." Tachibana Kirika nodded slightly, then explained, "Although the Demon Hunters are a branch of the Golden Dawn, they operate exactly as their name suggests. They're a group of hunters who pursue demons."
"They're sworn enemies of those Demon Warlocks from Astronomy of Truth, in every sense of the term."
"This time, a Demon Warlock from Astronomy of Truth entered the country carrying the Demon Heart. A Seven-Star Demon Hunter from the Demon Hunters followed him here and gravely wounded him. Before the fleeing Demon Warlock died, he used an artifact to hypnotize a woman passing by and sent the Demon Heart and a few other things away with her."
Luo Shu immediately frowned. "That hypnotized woman was my neighbor?"
Tachibana Kirika shook her head and said:
"No, it was a female employee at the jewelry store your beautiful neighbor owns. After receiving the Demon Heart, she sorted everything and sent it off separately. The ruby ring was sold to the store, which means it ended up in the hands of your dear neighbor, Miss Tsubakihara."
"And the Nakamura Yuuichi you encountered was a hound sent by that Seven-Star Demon Hunter to retrieve the Demon Heart. He was a veteran with three years on the job. If you hadn't scared him by claiming to be a cop, you wouldn't have killed him so easily."
Tachibana Kirika found it amusing as she spoke.
After all, it was impossible for members of criminal organizations like these not to have blood on their hands. Many were experienced murderers whose crimes warranted nothing less than the death penalty.
Because of that background, once they crossed into another country, these organization members generally avoided attracting the local police's attention. They steered clear of officials whenever possible.
But this time, he had run into Luo Shu, who broke all the rules by opening fire immediately, and wound up dead.
It really was an ignominious way to die.
After listening to Tachibana Kirika's explanation, Luo Shu let out a chuckle and laughed despite himself:
"So this was all a coincidence? Anyway, how did you get this intelligence? Don't tell me someone infiltrated their upper ranks?"
Tachibana Kirika gave him a meaningful smile. "The living aren't the only source of intelligence."
"You read the information from Nakamura Yuuichi's corpse... No, from his brain...?"
Luo Shu immediately understood how Tachibana Kirika had figured everything out. So SDS had someone with that kind of ability? Or was it an Abyssal Artifact?
"Then is the Demon Heart that can hypnotize people in Miss Tsubakihara's hands right now?"
"No. All we can say for now is that it passed through her hands. The lady herself doesn't know exactly where it is."
Tachibana Kirika shook her head, then added what sounded like a warning:
"All the supernatural artifacts in this world-or, more accurately, the Abyssal Artifacts that came into our world from the Abyss-have side effects to some degree."
"My wallet, the Lucky Wallet, for instance, has drawbacks like 'getting lost at any moment' and actively choosing 'an owner with better luck.'"
"The more powerful an Abyssal Artifact is, the stronger and more concealed its side effects are. That makes some Abyssal Artifacts extremely dangerous in their own right. It's best not to use them before they've been studied and tested."
After giving Luo Shu a brief rundown of the characteristics of Abyssal Artifacts, Tachibana Kirika explained:
"Naturally, the Demon Heart has its own side effects under this rule. One confirmed side effect is that 'when a woman obtains it, she forgets its existence unless she's been hypnotized.'"
"Heh. Just like its wicked function, this thing apparently doesn't want anyone but men using it. It's also very good at hiding itself, enough to make you wonder whether it has a will of its own."
Luo Shu understood at once, then frowned at the windshield and said:
"So you mean Tsubakihara Mira had the Demon Heart, but now she's forgotten it, which is why she doesn't know what's going on either?"
"Yes." Tachibana Kirika turned and started the car. Over the rumble of the engine, she said suggestively, "That means you've got an assignment, boy~"
"My assignment is to retrieve the Demon Heart? But why not just detain her and search the place?" Luo Shu sounded puzzled. That was the simplest approach, after all.
As she drove, Tachibana Kirika replied calmly:
"Her father is a legislator in the Eastern Capital, her uncle is a senior figure in the civil service, and her mother comes from an American financial conglomerate. Get it?"
"Got it."
Luo Shu understood instantly. She was a well-connected heiress they couldn't strong-arm.
At that thought, he shook his head, then said with a smile:
"But if you send me to find it, aren't you afraid I'll pocket it?"
"Then pocket it. It doesn't matter, as long as you don't use the hypnosis on our own people."
Tachibana Kirika stepped on the accelerator and said in a teasing tone:
"Rather than let those idiots at the Metropolitan Police Department take it, or have someone from the Garrison sell it for money or use it for pleasure, I'd
"rather leave it in your hands. Besides, if you get it, won't I be able to borrow it and enjoy its benefits too?"
"Of course, it's still somewhat dangerous, so we'll need to run the necessary tests. Nobody wants to get screwed over by some inexplicable side effect."
Hearing that, Luo Shu couldn't help asking in surprise:
"People in the department can keep Abyssal Artifacts with dangerous functions like that? We really don't have to turn them in?"
It wasn't that Luo Shu wanted to belabor the point. If an official organization like SDS could keep Abyssal Artifacts for itself, the implications were deeply concerning.
Was SDS really an official organization, or was it merely an organization using an official name to line certain people's pockets?
"Of course not. Chisato has an Abyssal Artifact, and I haven't made her turn it in, have I? Besides, once something reaches our department, as long as it's used 'within the department,' what difference does it make who uses it?"
"As for the higher-ups, why should I give a damn about them? A bunch of useless fools."
As she spoke, Tachibana Kirika showily picked up the sunglasses beside her and put them on, then said with complete indifference:
"What concerns me more is that Seven-Star Demon Hunter whose whereabouts are still unknown. Hah. A high-ranking member of a secret organization infiltrated the Eastern Capital, and those bastards at the Metropolitan Police Department didn't even send me a report. They really are a bunch of assholes."
Luo Shu couldn't resist teasing her. "Should you really let me hear about the Celestial Dragons at the top throwing their weight around against each other?"
Tachibana Kirika responded with mischievous delight:
"Of course. After all, if you get the Demon Heart, I can introduce you to the wives of those 'Celestial Dragons'~"
"With that face of yours and the Demon Heart, wouldn't a few thrusts of your hips get you anything you wanted?"
"...You're unbelievable." The remark about a few thrusts getting him anything left Luo Shu utterly speechless. Did he look like someone with Cao Cao's taste for other men's wives? Not in the slightest.
Luo Shu sighed and stopped trading barbs with Tachibana Kirika. Instead, he asked:
"How's my neighbor?"
"We let her go home. Relax. I just had Chisato ask her about a few things she knew. She'll be fine. Surely you trust Chisato?"
"Chisato, huh... Then there really isn't anything to worry about."
Luo Shu shook his head, then said uncertainly:
"But speaking of that, I can't guarantee I'll actually find the thing. Besides, isn't that Seven-Star Demon Hunter still after it? Are you sure letting her go home like this... Wait, you're not planning to use Miss Tsubakihara and me as bait, are you?"
"You're overthinking it." Tachibana Kirika snorted, then said, "The Metropolitan Police Department contacted the Onmyoryo this afternoon and had them mobilize."
"Given the timing, they might already be fighting by now."
"As for your other concerns, all I reported externally was that we'd stumbled upon a 'hound.' I didn't provide any information about the Demon Heart."
"Nobody's a fool. Do you really think I'd give up something that was practically already mine?"
"Is that so?" Luo Shu understood, then let out a relieved breath. "Well, that couldn't be better."
Having a high-ranking member of a secret organization lurking in the shadows, watching for an opportunity to strike, would make Luo Shu nervous too. Oh, I'm also a high-ranking member of a secret organization lurking in the shadows? Never mind, then.
Just as Luo Shu was easing his nerves with that little joke, Tachibana Kirika slowly stepped on the brake. She glanced at the brightly lit apartment building nearby and said suggestively:
"Hope you get a good night's sleep tonight."
"You're overthinking it." Luo Shu picked up his things, got out, and slammed the car door shut.
As Luo Shu walked past the front of the car, Tachibana Kirika flashed the headlights, then said:
"Remember to stay in touch, and find that thing soon. Ideally, bring it with you when you report to Lycoris the day after tomorrow."
"Got it."
With his back to her, Luo Shu waved, then turned and walked a few steps. With a soft squelch, he seemed to step on something.
"What the...?"
Luo Shu looked down and saw a dark red wallet. He paused, then turned to see Tachibana Kirika's car driving away with its engine humming.
Watching the white car recede into the distance, Luo Shu held the wallet and muttered blankly:
"How... did this thing fall out...?"
Before you continue