CH 197

Chapter 197 – A Nostalgic Bunch

“Wow, this sure is interesting. It’s completely solid.” (Torimoto)

It was like hitting a rock.

So this is <Enhance>, huh? It’s a pretty good skill. Out of the ones I’ve seen so far, it’s the one I might be able to get the most out of.

It was a simple and straightforward power, which made it easy to use. It could be used in any situation depending on how it was used.

“Thank you. As thanks for letting me experience something so valuable, let me give you this.” (Torimoto)

From the <Box>, I took out a palm-sized stuffed panda doll.

“Eh?! W-Where did that come from?!” (Saniwa)

“Haha, I stored the reward that I received earlier. I took this out from that same storage place.” (Torimoto)

“Wow~, that’s convenient.” (Saniwa)

“I guess so. Well, what do you think? Do you want it? It’s just a little prize that I got from a claw crane game a while ago though.” (Torimoto)

“Ah, err… Is it okay for me to have it?” (Saniwa)

“I’ll put it here. You can take it if you’d like.” (Torimoto)

I put it on the table and stepped away. I was being cautious of getting too close to Saniwa. I didn’t want her to scream or cry.

Saniwa held the stuffed animal to her chest and let out a girlish giggle.

“It’s cute. Thank you, Torimoto-sama!” (Saniwa)

“You can do away with the honorifics if you want.” (Torimoto)

“But… You’re God’s Messenger, so I…” (Saniwa)

“No, no, I’m nothing of the sort. Well, you can refer to me however you like. Also, isn’t it about time for you to go talk to her now?” (Torimoto)

“Ah, yes! I-I’ll be going now!” (Saniwa)

Saniwa bowed before turning heel and leaving. As she went away, I took advantage of the moment to look at her using the [Appraisal Looking-Glass].

It indeed indicated that she had the <Enhance> skill. After confirming that, I quickly returned the [Appraisal Looking-Glass] back into my pocket.

Then, Saniwa opened the door, bowed to me again, and left.

I opened the <Shop> and navigated to the skills section.

“Yup, now I can purchase the <Enhance> skill whenever I want.” (Torimoto)

The updated list of skills I could buy now included the skill that Saniwa had.

“Now, there’s no need to be here anymore, right?” (Shiki)

It might also be a good idea to clear some advanced dungeons and get some [Dungeon Cores]. If I sold them, they would be worth billions. But even if I didn’t do that, it could be a good idea to make a dungeon and run it.

There were a lot of things I wanted to do. I didn’t want to waste my time here forever.

I was able to confirm Saniwa’s skill, so I no longer had any reason to stay here.

I was thinking of leaving right away, but…

“Milord, there are several cars approaching.” (Kaza)

I suddenly received contact from Kaza.

“Cars? From the Maiden’s Rebirth cult?” (Torimoto)

“It appears not. The driver seems to be a man.” (Kaza)

Hm, then it definitely wasn’t them. Sayuri had said that she would suspend their judgment if they were of benefit to the religious order, but that should’ve only started not long ago. They probably wouldn’t have applied it to someone like a chauffeur.

Then they’re probably from another group, but…

“It seems the women have noticed the car’s approach. They have now entered a state of alarm.” (Kaza)

According to Kaza, the women were starting to gather by the front gate with their equipment. There was a tower erected on this property that overlooked the surrounding area, so they must have been notified by the person on watch.

“What should we do, milord?” (Kaza)

“We’ll wait and see for now. It won’t be too late to go back after seeing what this is all about.” (Torimoto)

I was a little curious as to who would approach this womens’ nest, and for what.

I locked the door and took out the [Monitor] from the <Box>. Last night, Shiki and Kaza had set up [Camera Markers] at various points in the complex.

With these, I could check what was going on through the monitor at any time.

Well, well. I wonder what kind of people have come here.

I relaxed into my seat like I was watching a drama.

Three cars stopped in front of the gate. I couldn’t help being startled when I saw the face of the man who got out of the car.

“—Chake?!”

Chake—in other words, Chagashira Kensei, the trusty partner of Kuzuhara Saito, the leader of the Inochi-shirazu. I was also acquainted with him. But only as Torimoto and Torakado.

Why did he come here…?

Then, Chake approached the gate with what appeared to be his henchmen in tow.

“Don’t come any closer!”

The gate was tightly closed, and a bunch of gun-toting followers were standing in front of it.

“C-Calm down! We aren’t here to fight! We came here to talk!” (Chake)

Chake raised both hands in the air, showing that he had no intention of fighting.

“Talk? You’ve got some nerve, a man like you coming here. Wipe them all out!”

Right as everyone was about to pull the triggers…

“—<Air Wave>!”

The moment the voice rang out, the guns that the followers were holding were broken into pieces.

Just now, that was—!

Next to the car parked the furthest back, one man was standing there.

“Good grief. These women are way too dangerous, firing at will like that.”

That man, wearing a haori with the character for ‘evil’ engraved on its back, was none other than Kuzuhara Saito, the leader of the Inochi-shirazu.