Nissae received a report from Shima yesterday afternoon from Mizuho, and her brows wrinkled at the unusual situation.

''........Shima, take those guys to the institute. I'll go with you. I have a bit of a bad feeling about this, it might have something to do with a request from the Japanese government. I don't think.........

　Shima was surprised by this instruction from Nisasae, but she turned serious and nodded.

''Okay, I'll turn the car around right away.''

Please.

　Shima didn't say anything to Sae's instructions that day, which could be called uncertain impressions, but he acted without saying anything.
　The ability holders have a keen intuition compared to ordinary humans. It is said that this tendency is especially strong among spirit users. In fact, Hisae's intuition is often right.
　It was not something that she wanted to be hit too often, but her ability to sense danger was also an ability worthy of the head of the agency's Japanese branch.
　Did Shima have a keen intuition before, as well as Mizuho, before?　I once asked Nissae, "What do you mean by that?
　At that time, Hisae had a bitter smile on her face.

''Mizuho-chan is a passionate person........so the spirits are very careful with her. That's proof that the spirits love you, though.''

　Shima had heard this and thought that just because they were spirit users didn't mean they had keen intuition, and that there was a diversity of abilities among the spirit users.
　As soon as they entered the institute's grounds and stopped the car, a convoy of people who seemed to be carrying the abilities that had attacked Mizuho and the others entered.
　Shima and Hisae got out of the car after confirming this and went straight to the convoy.

''Are these the people who claimed to have attacked Mizuho and the others?''

Yes, I'm afraid so.

　Nisae faints and stares at the strange appearance of the attackers, who are being held up by the agency's special ropes. One of them has rotten arms, and the other two look like beasts in appearance, indicating that they are werewolves (lycanthropes).

'Hmm, get ready for interrogation at once. I'll make you tell me what you want. Have the Thought Concentrator (Psychometrist) and the Satori ability on standby.

'I understand ... oh!　Lord Omine!

　Shima shouts loudly and looks in astonishment at the attackers

What?

　Suddenly, the attackers woke up and moaned, and then they began to scream and writhe in intense pain.

'Nuh-uh!　The Count!　Oh, I'm sorry!

　The man with both arms rotting let out a scream and the ropes wrapped around his body loosened as the bones in his body made a gurgling sound.

'Shima!　This!

I don't know!　This is........my body melted!

　The beastmen screamed in agony as well, and their bodies became impossibly thin, and a slime like liquid began to pool on the ground. The beastmen grabbed their own throats with both hands, perhaps due to their intense suffering, and their sharp claws dug in.

''Ha!　I don't care if it's a part of their body or a hair!　Cut it off!

　Even Nissae was stunned by what happened, but as soon as she could, she sent instructions to the agency staff in a loud voice. If the body parts were left behind, they could be investigated later by the psychometrists.
　Surprised by the situation, one of the agency staff, whose body had gone rigid, reacted to Nisae's instructions and took out the dagger for the anti-demons and demonic beasts that the agency had prepared from the convoy, and thrust the dagger into the hands of the suffering and writhing beastmen.
　The agency personnel were also fighting against fear, and their hands, which were about to thrust the dagger, were going crazy. However, it was rather a blessing.
　Thanks to the slight madness in his hand, he was able to bounce off the beast's little finger with the dagger.
　And beside him, a man whose arms were covered in pus half raised his body and held it around his neck.
　Then, Nissae saw what looked like a small metal card falling from that neck, along with a clear liquid that overflowed from the inside of the skin.
　Immediately, the color of that pus man's decapitated voice changes.

''Guaaaah!　d*mn it!　d*mn you, Count.　d*mn it!

(...what?　I didn't get the same impression as before. The Count?　(You said Earl earlier...)

　The word "Earl", which he had used earlier in his agony, seemed to be an expression of respect. Now, however, he's spitting as if he's carrying a grudge.
　Immediately after that, the assailants' entire bodies liquefy, and their bodies disappear while the surface of their bodies are hitting the water like a wave.
　And........even in the puddle that formed where the beastmen should have been, only something that looked like a metal card remained.



　Nissae finished her explanation to Mizuho and the others in a nonchalant manner.

'And that's when this recognition card fell from around the attacker's throat.

　Mizuho and Akara wrinkled their brows at Hisae's story.

''........Hisae, can I?''

Yeah?

''Why did this recognition slip remain with the assailant ... the dark night leopard's ability to not completely dissolve?　I was told earlier that these recognition slips would be completely assimilated into the body.

'That's the thing I don't know exactly. The assimilation of the body is also something we found out about when we had the psychometrists read the residual thoughts left on these identification slips. The enemy surgeon who is thought to have made it was too confident, and didn't take any countermeasures against the psychometrists. Well, it's fortunate that we were able to get information about these guys being Dark Night's Panther and recognition slips. It's just....

　Nissae shifts her attention to the recognition form.

'If it wasn't strictly necessary I would have assumed some of the reasons.

What's that?

　Mizuho frowned.

''This was investigated in the lab soon after that, and it was found that this recognition slip, as I said before, assimilates with the body when it touches the body and releases its spiritual or magical power. So, it is possible that for some reason they did not assimilate. For example, could it be that there are individual differences in the assimilation of this cognitive form?　That's what it's called. It's very unlikely, though. Because this time it was all three of us.

....

And one more thing. If it's a hit, it's complicated in many ways. Because, again, there are more things I don't understand. This is pretty unlikely, though.

　Hissae ruffled her hair languidly and looked at Shima. Shima nodded as she met Nisasae's gaze and looked forward.
　Mizuho saw this exchange between Nisasae and Shima and sensed that what she was about to say was probably the leading candidate.
　Then Shima turns to Mizuho and opens her mouth.

It's not just a matter of time before you get your hands on it. However, it was strongly applied to other "powers", wasn't it?　That's what it's called.

Or else?

''That's right. There is a possibility that the magic embedded in the cognitive vouchers has gone awry after being hit by a force equivalent to or not belonging to spiritual and magical power. An advanced and complicated technique embedded in these things, much less this cognitive slip, is delicate. Moreover, I've never seen anything that, when triggered, affects the mind of the opponent, completely assimilates the body, and can even dispose of the assimilator without leaving any evidence. This is so much more than a magical tool. Frankly speaking, the person with the ability to create this outrageous thing is no ordinary person. The agency is currently investigating, but we haven't been able to figure it out at all, and we're requesting support from headquarters to investigate.

....

　Indeed, if there was someone who could make such a thing, Mizuho understood that there was nothing so terrifying for those with abilities. This was a magical tool that had the ability to force the ability holders into servitude. What kind of person could have created this?
　Moreover, the fact that one nation's unit of ability holders is already using and operating this recognition slip....
　Mizuho looked at Shima with a serious expression.

''And I said earlier that the psychometrist countermeasures were not taken, but it's not that they weren't, it could be that they couldn't put in any more jutsu. It's just that when a strong force comes in with such a complicated technique, it can cause a malfunction.

What is this "power"?

　At this natural question from Mizuho, Hisae asked Mizuho in reverse with a serious face.

''I wonder if you've ever heard of it, Mizuho?　As you know, almost all of us abilities are divided into those that deal with spiritual and magical powers. But there's one more thing. You don't see them very often, though.

　Mizuho widens her eyes here. Mizuho has a "power" that comes to her mind when she hears that story from Hisae.

"No way.........Sendo.

　Hisae looked impressed with the answer Mizuho gave her.

''You're right, Mizuho-chan, you're right.

'But ... that can't be ... ha!

　Mizuho recalled the battle yesterday. That Mizuho's Xian Dao user, Yuto, had given the two beastmen a palm strike filled with Xian Qi.

''What's wrong?''　Mizuho-chan.

'Oh, no, it's nothing.... But why are you with Sendo?

(But ... it's still weird. Yuto is putting his hand down on the beastman, but he's not attacking the other one. (According to Nisae, recognition slips are coming from all three of the attackers.

''Yes, there is a lot of mystery about the Xian Dao, but we do know a few characteristics. First of all, the Xian Dao does not repel spiritual or magical power. What can I say........I don't know if the expression "tolerant of both".......I don't know if that's the right word, but it has an affinity with spiritual and magical power, but it also doesn't interfere with it. There are even references in the literature of the institution's management that the Xian Dao is the root of spiritual and demonic power..........and it even neutralizes spiritual and demonic power.

....

　In front of Shima, Nissae crossed her arms as she listened to Shima's explanation.

'To be honest, I don't know what the Sendo is, but there are definitely Sendo users out there. That's because there have been a few cases where the agency has confirmed those guys in the past. They are said to be powerful messengers, but there are a lot of unusual people who don't seem to be interested in the world, let alone the institutions. Well, there was a time when they were synonymous with recluses, so it's only natural.

　At this point, Shima returned to the main point of the conversation that was about to go off on a tangent.

''Yes, and that's why we're here. Didn't the attackers this time happen to be under the power of Sendo in some way or another?　The assumption was made that this was the case. Because the point is that it neutralizes the spiritual and magical power of this Sacred Dao.

Neutralizing...?

　Shima's story was about the recognition slip of the Dark Night's Leopard, but Mizuho had a complicated look on her face as the conditions for activating that power of Yuto's went over her head.

'I can't deny that it's unlikely. It's because this is a hypothesis that I came up with through a process of elimination, using the facts of what happened and the knowledge and information I have right now.''

　Mizuho ponders. If this is true, then the beastmen have an explanation. She couldn't tell Hisae and the others, because Yuto had attacked her directly. However, the other man with both arms covered in pus couldn't explain it for the life of him.

''At first, I immediately suspected it might have been a third party as well. That someone who might have been trying to make a difference between the Chinese and the agency by making sure that the evidence of a recognition slip would remain intact. But when it was a Sendo user, the credibility of the story went down a notch. There's no way a Sendo user would be interested or concerned about that kind of thing.

　Nissae sighed and rested her back on the couch.

''Well, there's no point in thinking about it any longer. What's more important is the fact that the Dark Night's Leopard has been attacking the agency's affiliated abilities.........Mizuho-chan and the others.

　Mizuho looked up as if she was huffing and puffing.
　Then Hisae's eyes became sharp.

''We can't overlook this as an agency. Since they set up the attack without any fault on our side, of course we can't just sit back and let them do it. Honestly, we don't want to go at each other, but we can't be licked as an institution. Right now, there's a strong trend of enclosure of competence between nations. Look at what's going on at that Millmar.

What?

'Oh, don't worry, it's not Mizuho-chan's fault. But think about it and look. Even though it's a small country, a few people with some abilities drove a nation to the brink of overthrowing it, right?　Moreover, it was also stopped by a mysterious entity that seems to be a person with abilities whose identity is still unknown.... I can't help but see why such a trend would arise.

....

'But this isn't a good situation for the agency. If, for whatever reason, the gifted are treated as dogs of the state, we're going back to the old days. This is contrary to the institution's philosophy of social participation of the gifted. So, I am sorry to say to the Chinese Communist People's Republic, but let me give them a strong kick in the butt. It is also for the purpose of showing off the power of the institution. It is also meant to put a nail in the coffin of the present state which is enclosing the gifted and talented people.

　Mizuho sweat from her forehead at the fact that what Yuto had done was affecting such a place. Moreover, things are on a national level.

(Yuto you're in big trouble!)

　Hisae smiled reassuringly as Mizuho's expression seemed to harden.

''Haha, it's okay, Mizuho. Did I surprise you with a little political talk?　It's not that we're talking about an all-out war with China. We're just going to embarrass them a little bit and show the world what the institution is capable of.

Yes, yes....

　Then Nissae changed and showed a dim smile.

I've been told by the Japanese government to be quiet about this curse, but there's no reason to stop them in this case. We need to find out why they attacked us. And, most importantly.　I'm going to make you regret messing with my lovely cousin. Fufu.........

　Mizuho and Shima were drawn back by Nisae's smile, but Akera, who had been listening silently until now, opened her mouth from the side.

''So the reason for this attack by the Dark Night's Leopard is that we don't know the reason for this attack.............and its connection to the curse.

　At Meira's words, Hisae's face turns serious.

''Well ... for now. I was surprised when I heard that Mizuho-chan was working to resolve the curse case regardless of us. But from now on, we'll keep this case with the agency. It's just the content, you know. No matter how much Mizuho-chan or Marion-san, if the other party is a big country, it's a heavy burden indeed.

'What?　Wait a minute!　Hisae, this is for us!

　Hearing Nisasae's decision, Mizuho was about to chant the significance, but Nisasae raised her hand to stop Mizuho.

''Not this time. There is no way that these newcomers will be able to compete with the Chinese. Moreover, the way they fight is very delicate. It's not enough to just fight and win, you have to consider the political aspects. We have to consider the political aspects. We're not looking at an all-out war. We have to think carefully about choosing the people with the ability to mobilize them. This isn't just a problem for the Japanese section anymore, okay?　Of course, I'd like the Japan Branch to solve the problem on its own.

So, Mr. Nisae, please submit your request to us.

　Mizuho bites down. I really don't want to back out here. The matter of the attack is fine, at a hundred steps. But not about the curse. Mizuho's classmates have been victimized.
　And........now that she had seen the condition of Houzuki Akiko when she went to visit her yesterday, Mizuho couldn't just sit back and let people handle it.

'I don't mind about the attack. I'll leave it to you. But at least about the curse thing...''

....

　Receiving Mizuho's serious gaze, Hisae turned to Shima as if in trouble.
　Shima showed a distressed expression, but she shook her head.

''As for the curse, I've already sent a request to the Snake Eater family. Besides, this matter is a situation where the Japanese government is now in contact with China under the radar, so we can't stir things up openly. Our action is only in response to the Dark Night Leopard's attack on our agency's ability.

'But!　Wasn't it the Dark Night's Leopard that planted the curse and attacked us!　And we're the ones who were attacked for no apparent reason!　And besides!　It was a classmate of mine who was cursed and is still suffering!

....

''Mizuho-sama.......leave this to Nisae.......''

Shut up, Meira!

　Mei Liang tried to quiet Mizuho's fury, but Mizuho wouldn't stop.
　Mizuho gave the respected Nissae a strong gaze that she had never directed at her before.

''If you don't want to submit a request to us, that's fine. Then we will be allowed to move independently. The independence of abilities is something the agency recognizes, right?　Hisae.

Well, yeah. As long as they don't harm the public without a reason.

　Hisae answered Mizuho's question with a blank expression.
　Right now, Hisae was watching Mizuho's growth with a feeling that she was watching her. Originally, Mizuho has a strong sense of justice and a straightforward personality. That was something that Hisae saw in Mizuho as a desirable personality.
　However, she also knows that she has a vicious habit of getting emotional because of it.
　Whenever she was facing a higher-ranking outsider, or in some cases, a human with a hand-held ability, she had to keep her cool side in mind. Because no matter how much Ruiho was touted as a genius and became a rank A at a young age, she could still be scooped up by a lower-ranked person because she didn't have this calmness.
　In fact, Hisae doesn't intend to deny Mizuho out of hand. In some cases, I even thought it was okay for me to give detailed instructions and ask for help. However, if Mizuho was just going to rush through with her emotions, it would not benefit Mizuho's growth.
　Mizuho's motivation to move now is good. Because it comes from conscience and a sense of justice.
　But even after that, I was never going to allow her to move by force with a narrow-minded and childish plan that was driven by her emotions.

''Then the three of us will be free to do what we want. We will not bother you. We will act at our own risk, regardless of the agency.

　Nissae listened in silence, feeling Mizuho's strong determination, but there was one thing that bothered her.

''........Three?　One of them would be Marion, of course, but the other one?

This is my classmate, Yuto Du Du, who submitted the request in person.

　Nissae's eyes widened in surprise for a moment. Then Shima, who was standing behind her, also twitched her eyebrows with a jerk. Hisae quickly returned her expression and asked Mizuho.

''Doudou-kun.....................I believe your rank was D. Last time I had you go to Miremar with Mizuho and the others. 　Does he know anything about spells and such?　Because we're in sync?

　Mizuho didn't understand the intent of Nisae's question, but she responded with what she thought.

''No, it's not. And he's not an expert in spells and such. But ... he has the ability to judge situations that we don't have. We thought this ability of his would be useful in identifying the original person who planted this curse.

　Hisae was inwardly impressed. No, she wasn't saying much, but if she was Mizuho before, she wouldn't evaluate others like this. She was glad to see that she had come back from Miremar and had peeled back. But, of course, he didn't show it on his face.

''So, you said you were going to move independently, what were you going to do?

''We hadn't decided on all the details, but broadly speaking, I was planning to infiltrate Yuto, who is confident in his covert actions, to destroy the ritual vessels and other items used in this curse. I think Marion and I will be the backup for that.

　Although Nisae sounded like a very lax strategy, I don't think it would be lax in some cases. I'm sure you'll agree that the ability of the infiltrator has a great impact on the accuracy and meaning of the mission.
　In other words, in this case, depending on the ability of the infiltrator, Yuto, it could be a great strategy or a ridiculous one.
　Hisae thinks that Mizuho and Marion should know this much. So, she guessed that this was the result of the two girls who were expected to have a future in this World Organization of Gifted People judging that they could do it.
　Also, what Nissae personally finds interesting is that the self-righteous Hitenji Mizuho has handed over her leading role to a rank D boy, and has stated that she will be the backup.
　Nissae continues her question.

''........Such an important role to a rank D boy, Doudou?　Honestly, I don't think we can rely on them to call it an operation.

　Mizuho heard Nisae's words and smiled bitterly with a mature expression.
　It's not an attitude, not an attitude one would have towards a superior person. However, Hisae was personally interested in this Mizuho's reaction. To that boy named Du Du Yuto.

''Yuto would do it. That is, if there is an unforeseen situation at the infiltration site, Marion and I can't use our quick thinking on the spur of the moment, but Yuto can do it. Besides, from the point of view of ability, it's obvious that he's better at covert action than Marion and me.

....

　Mizuho closed her eyes and looked resigned, but she immediately opened her eyes and sent a strong willed gaze to Hisae and Shima.

''Besides........his abilities are beyond me and Marion in many ways.

"....!　Mizuho-chan, that's........

'Of course, the abilities I just mentioned include combat skills. I think I've told you before, but I don't feel like I can win in a one-on-one fight with him at all. Now......... But this........this is why Marion and I have chosen this strategy.

　At these words from Mizuho, the reception room fell silent.
　Meira, who was listening beside her, was most surprised.
　Hisae looked into Mizuho's eyes. Mizuho also met her gaze from the front.
　

''Alright, Mizuho. I'll make a request to you guys.

''Eh ... really?　Hisae.

'Yes, I'll trust Mizuho's judgment here. Just wait for me to make the formal request later. Also, the agency has your full backing, so say what you want, you'll need a lot of subterfuge to get into China, right?　And it's good that rank A Mizuho-chan didn't suddenly move. And for the first move, it's good to have a rank D, Doudou-kun, make a move.

Thank you!

　After that, they exchanged a few words, including Shima, and Mizuho and Akera left the reception room.



　As Mizuho and the others left, Hisae and Shima silently looked towards the door in the reception room, which felt quiet.
　Shima moved from behind Nisasae and sat down on the sofa in Nisasae's eyes, where Mizuho had been sitting earlier.

'Oomine-sama I was surprised by what you said earlier.

''Yes but I feel bad for Mizuho, but this is killing two birds with one stone.

Yes it was good timing, albeit a coincidence.

Oh, no, no, no! Adults are not afraid to do this kind of thing~. And they're so patronizing.

''Please don't say that. Even if you didn't mention Dou Dou Doukou's name, didn't Master Oofeng submit the request to Ruiho?

I don't know about that.

　Hisae responds by standing tall, using her hands as a pillow behind her head.
　Shima smiles lightly at the sight of Hisasae and then returns to a serious face.

And his first request from the agency is Brigadier General Mattoo at Millimer, the current Prime Minister's guard.......

　Nisae looked forward and put her hand on her chin with a serious face.

''Honestly, I don't think you'd expect me to... but if it's Bartolo-san's request at headquarters, I can't refuse.

''Yes I can't believe that such a rookie boy could have had something to do with the destruction of Surt's sword either. Moreover, the remarks could have had something to do with the defeat of Nosferak during the rookie test?　It also says,

'I don't think that's true. That was settled by Mizuho and Marion and the Yellow Family's bonbons that defeated them. Besides, I was there too...

''Yes ... but even Oho-sama doesn't remember his existence.

....

''And the same reports have been coming up in Millamar. No one remembered Mr. Du Du. Including the people who should have been involved. Moreover, we didn't remember that we had been sent there either, until Mizuho and Marion told us.

　Shima and Hisae look at each other with raised eyebrows.

''Don't they look alike?　These two situations......... If...........the hypothesis based on Master Bartolo's investigation is correct.......then the agency has a boy of tremendous strength.

　Nissae didn't reply to Shima's words, but instead shifted her attention from the large windows in the reception room to the buildings in Shinjuku as the sun was setting.

'It's a ridiculously thin hypothesis, Shima. .... well, let's trace his movements well this time.

Yes.

　After breaking off the conversation, Nisasae disappeared into the branch manager's office, and Shima watched her disappear with only her eyes.