'Hey, hey, hey, hey! What's going on here?　What?　Ryo!

It's just... I'm sorry. I don't understand it either, Toshio.

　The agency's SS-ranked [Heaven's Clothesless], Wang Shunhao, gazed at this current situation from the rooftop of the hotel, which was a high-rise building in Yangra, the second largest city in Millmar, with a sour look.
　A few moments ago, Wang Shungo saw a horde of unsuspecting demons from the outskirts of Yangura heading towards Yangura.
　Shungo took a cumbersome glance at them, as if he were looking at something trivial again, and instructed Liang to head to Yangra for now, saying "Ahhhh" in a loud voice, and groping for the scimitar wrapped in cloth.
　However, when they arrived at Yangra, the demons were beginning to be wiped out.
　The girl who was wiping out that horde of demons just before the city of Yangra glared at the girl from the top of the building, wrinkling her brow and clicking her tongue.

'That wasn't a human, was it?　He's a pretty high-spirited guy. A summoner?　Or is it the contractor? Ryo!

Hold on, I'm working on it.

　Shungo's valet, Wang Liang, looked into his tablet PC and deftly checked the data on the abilities that Wang Liang had compiled himself.

''No, Shungo. This time, there's no information on any of the ability holders in Millmar who have signed up with such a high-spirituality outsider. There's no information on the summoner either. The three from the Japanese branch are all newcomers, led by a spirit user from the Shitenji family, the same rank A exorcist, Marion Mia Shurian, and the other one is a rank D.......

Enough!　You've got to be kidding me. But, Ryo, anyone can make a deal with an outsider, right?　If only I had the strength. Either one of the new guys from the Japan Division has a contract or....

''Shuntao, that's true, but you need to prepare accordingly for the contract. Not to mention, a high spiritual outsider has an unusually high level of pride and it's hard to just get them to manifest. There shouldn't be even ten families in the world with the knowledge and power to do that...

I know what to do!　But there will be exceptions, right?　Ryo......

"...there is indeed. Like me. But....

　Shungo stops Ryo with his hand.

''So this is your send-off too?　What?　It's Mr. Bartolo!

　Shungo turned his head toward the doorway on the roof of the building.
　Ryo also turned around after that.

''Huh, you noticed.

　With Shungo and Ryo's eyes on him, Bartolo opened the door quietly and walked towards Shungo and the others. Behind that Bartolo, two men follow Balto.
　The two brown-haired men behind Bartolo were black-clad, closely packed, and dressed in military uniforms that were clearly designed for ease of movement.

'If you're coming, I want you to show your face now!　So, this is your guy's work, too. I mean, this is a pretty slick move, man. Are you really that short of cash?　The agency,

You're in rough shape, Tenko. But you've misunderstood.

What?

I don't know what happened to you. No, what's more, we're a little confused, just like you.

What did you say?

''We don't know what's going on right now either. What we do know is that there was a demon horde that attacked seven major cities in Millamar. And in those six cities, with the exception of Minra, we only know that powerful anthropomorphic aliens like those over there are intercepting the attacking demons and even destroying them.

Na!

　Ryo couldn't help but shout out.
　He was astonished to see that there were five other cities in five other cities where there was an outsider who was still facing off with overwhelming force against the horde of youkai demons outside of Yangura, where Bartolo said he was now over there.
　Shuntao narrowed his eyes at Bartolo's words, and once again looked at White, who had more than half of the demons destroyed.

'So?　How do you guys see this?　Is it a friend?　And what about Lokiarum, the leader of the Sword of Surt?　You came all the way to see me because you got some information, didn't you?　Otherwise, I wouldn't be here when you guys are trying to outsmart me.

''Huh, yes. The reason I'm here is to clear up any misunderstandings that Ten-i-Muhae might have in this situation and to share information with you as a client to show you that we are sincere. We don't really have any intention of displeasing Ten-i-Muso. Well, I'll admit that we were struggling with a too high fee.

　Bartolo gave the Shuntao an old, seamless smile, and the Shuntao clicked his tongue.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in this situation. First of all, as for this situation, nearly 7,000 hordes of demons attacked each of the seven major cities in Millamar at the same time.

　Shungo listens to Bartolo with a cold expression on his face, but Ryo's eyes widen and his face tightens. He knew of no summoner in Ryo's knowledge who could summon so many demons all at once, nor did he know of any precedent for this.

'Brigadier General Mattoo, the escort target of the mission of this request, is currently working with the rookie abilities dispatched by the Japanese Branch in Minra to fend it off. They seem to be quite good recruits. So ... six other cities, including this one here in Yangura, and it's like this everywhere else.

　As Bartolo said this, he raised his left arm in the direction of the horde of demons.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to do with your own money, as well as the reason why you're defending each of the major cities, each summoner or contractor is unknown. However, there are a total of seven human gaijin. Each of them are repelling those demons' attacks almost unharmed. Right now, my men are on their way to each of the cities, and I've told them to try to contact these extraterrestrials.

　The Shuntao listened to Bartolo as he crossed his arms, but he let out a breath through his nose as if he was disappointed.

''What? You know, you barely know anything.

''Well, that's what I'm going to say in a nutshell. But I've already received reports from my subordinates who have come in contact with these outsiders. Not all of them are outsiders yet, but according to them, it is possible that there is one master of these outsiders.

What... what?

　Then Wang Liang unexpectedly takes a step forward.

''No way!　Seven such high-ranking inhuman beings in one!　You can't do that!　Summoning ... no, you can't do that one!　So does that mean you have a contracted one?　But, Mr. Bartolo, how did you know that?

'It's a trade secret I'd say, but it's not much of a secret, is it?　I'm going to say this in good faith, Ryo. As for you, you already know that we are a counter-capability unit in the agency. Well, although we call it a top-secret unit, we don't hide it very well. It's also necessary, to some extent, to tell the people around us that the agency doesn't just operate on a clean slate, either. Especially as long as there are people who are after some sort of bad feelings and interests against the agency.

　Ryo nodded cautiously at Bartolo's statement, his face tightening.
　He knew for sure what Bartolo was talking about.
　Bartolo's unit is working behind the World Ability Agency's stated goal of taking on a part of society's role and eventually gaining public recognition, with the goal of upgrading to a public institution.
　The agency is essentially an organization that does not interfere as much as possible with the general public, and is designed to help people who are afflicted by extrapersonal or spiritual phenomena. Through their steady efforts, they are trying to become a member of society.
　It will take a long time, but it is this accumulation of efforts that will allow it to reach the time when it can be announced to society without causing too much confusion.
　But that is not the primary mission of Bartolo's unit.
　There are organizations that are willing to be an overt obstacle to the altruistic goals of this institution. There are organizations like Surt's Sword, and some of these organizations are also found in national organizations.
　If these organizations see that an institution is defenseless, they will think of a way to enclose themselves in their abilities, even if it means resorting to manipulation.
　Bartolo's unit serves as a deterrent to the world's movement against these institutions.
　That's how useful the existence of gifted people is.
　Particularly in the world's backstage battle.
　For this reason, if the World Organization of Gifted Persons attempt to harm and disrupt the governance of gifted people, Bartolo's troops will move immediately.
　Because of this, it was not surprising that Bartolo's troops had many specialists in anti-personnel and anti-capability.
　Also, Ryo understood that Bartolo's statement that they didn't hide it too strictly was also aimed at this deterrent.
　In fact, each state also kept the movements of its intelligence agents secret, but they did not deny the existence itself.
　Although the content is slightly different, it's better to not dare to hide it as if it's there than to pretend that it's not, and the other party will find it formidable.
　Bartolo sensed an air of intelligence in Ryo's expression and smiled.

He said, "We have a specialist in countermeasures against foreign contractors. There is a special ability person who can detect to which person those contracted outsiders are connected. He used to be a natural born psychic, but thanks to him, attacks on our agency from non-human contractors have greatly diminished. We can't see this guy, but it seems we can see a thread-like connection between the contracted outsider and his master.

　Ryo showed a look of surprise at that, that very special ability.
　Shungo sharpened his gaze and Bartolo grinned.

''Well, he's a guy who's a bit of a battle buff. But that guy said that he had checked out about three of those outsiders, and each of them had the thickest strings of light he had ever seen glowing, and they were heading in one direction. He also said that he had never seen such a strong connection of master and servant. Moreover, since there was an equality in each of those threads as directed to the Lord, I wondered if the Lord was alone.

'Hey!　 Moreover, if they have such a strong connection, a family that secretly produces some of the greatest contractors in the world is involved?　...The Liu family and the Jahami family, no way!　The Schwartzhahle family!

Calm down, Ryo-kun. There is no involvement of those houses. As I suspected, we immediately checked and found that there was no such thing. And those houses have no motive to protect Millimer. No, we still don't know who or what this contractor is, and we have no idea what the hell he's trying to protect Millimer for. Well, it's a big world. There's a very low probability that there is a person with abilities we don't know about among the Millermen who has worked in the defense of the homeland... or that Brigadier Mattoo hired them through a route we didn't take... I can.

....

　Ryo thinks that such a thing is definitely not possible in Bartolo's words. A contractor with abilities unknown to the agency in Miremar is certainly not a zero possibility. But considering the fact that so many people with such abilities have not come to the surface at all until now, the odds of being able to sign a contract with such a high-ranking outsider in the first place have become astronomical, and it's not possible in the normal course of things.
　Also, Brigadier Mathew's own route is out of the question. If he had connections with people with this many abilities, he wouldn't have asked the agency to do it from the start.

(Even Bartolo-san should know that.)

　Ryo with a mysterious look on his face and Bartolo with a natural attitude. Then Shuntao interrupts with an exasperated tone of voice.

''It doesn't matter!　And where are those strings coming from those people?　It's Mr. Bartolo.

　Bartolo put a lot of effort into his eyes when he received the Shunta's question.

''It's.......Mount Gulwa.

　Ryo was surprised by this answer and Shungo sneered.

'Mount Gulwa!　That's with Lokiarum!

'Ha!　

It wouldn't do us any good, you know.

'Hmmm!　Hahaha!

　Suddenly, Shundo starts laughing.

'Good grief!　I don't know who you are, but you're trying to save the Millers all by yourself?　For nothing, not even money!

　Ryo was surprised when Shungo suddenly laughed out loud in a good mood.

''........Shungo?''

Hey, Ryo. Let's go home.

'What?　Hey, Shunrui!

I don't like the fact that you snatched my business and money from my side in a flashy way, but I'm in a one-man ding-dong fight on this scale. It's not cool for me to be in the middle here.

'But, but!　I was asked to do it, you know?

　The Shuntao carried his scimitar on his shoulder and turned to Bartolo.

''Hey, Mr. Bartolo. You'll get your money back. You were the one who offered me the piece rate system, what do you care?

　As expected, Bartolo was also puzzled for a moment by this Shuntao's proposal, but when he saw the strength of will behind the Shuntao's eyes, he took a deep breath.

''I understand. From our point of view, it's unfortunate to say the least, but I can't deny that some of the contents of this situation have changed too much since the time of the request. But is it good?　Tenkoku throws away his reward and withdraws?

'Ha!　I'm just going to get paid for what I'm worth on my battlefield!　That's what makes me proud to be a self-made man. I'm not the kind of man who takes handouts from other people's battles. Money is the measure of my excellence. But is there someone else who isn't?　Probably on Mount Gulwa. If you ask me, I'm just an idiot and I don't understand it, and I don't want to, but I don't hate it.

'Oh my God, the shunting is always so selfish... oh, my head is starting to hurt.

"Shut up, Ryo. Stop your rattling around. Phew!　Well, I'm going home, Mr. Bartolo.

　Shungo walked past Bartolo and the others and headed for the doorway on the roof of the building. Seeing this, Ryo hurriedly followed suit.
　Bartolo and the others saw them off in silence.

''Ah, it's Bartolo-san. Since it's you, you're going to thoroughly investigate this contractor after this, right?

''Um ... well, I suppose it will. Is it?

So why don't you tell me about it?

Huh?　Why?

This guy owes me a favor, and I'm sure you'll be paying him back later.

What do I owe you?

"I left this rat race with no pay. I'm going to make this guy pay for what he did to me. I'm curious to see what he's like. You let me show my face, and I'll buy you a special drink.

This contractor or whatever it is....

Hm!　Don't forget that, Mr. Bartolo.

　As he said that, [Heavenly Clothes] Wang Shunhao, for the first time in his career, finished his request without payment and disappeared from the door.
　Bartolo exhaled heavily again and instructed his subordinates to gather thorough information on this Millimer situation, and then accompanied by the rest of his subordinates, he made preparations at a rapid pace to head to Mount Gulwa, where Surt's Sword Chieftain Lokiarum was believed to be located.