50 Snow Girl (2/2)
Seiji felt it was impossible for her to be incognizant of that guy’s true feelings towards her. In fact, she was probably crystal-clear about it. If that was all she had to say about him, it meant…
Ooike-san, you’re not even at the level of a ”nice person” in her heart!!
Even Seiji felt a twinge of pity for that guy.
Well, forget about it; it had nothing to do with him.
In actuality, Seiji could’ve kept asking why she was studying here if she couldn’t make any appropriate friends. However, he wisely avoided this question as he believed she had her own reasons; it might even end up being a minefield question!
Seiji decided to get to the main topic at hand.
”Actually, I received some information yesterday…”
He informed her of what he learned from the Juumonji group while skipping over the details of how exactly they invited him.
Natsuya Yoruhana and Hitaka Shuho silently listened to his tale.
”I didn’t expect that the local mafia would have such backbone.” Natsuya sighed before continuing, ”Normally speaking, people like them would avoid this topic when they discover that even the police are keeping silent.”
”As I expected—it has something to do with Yin Yang Masters, right?”
”Indeed.” Natsuya acknowledged his assumption with a nod before she fell silent, evidently in midst of considering something.
Seiji patiently waited for her.
”The enemy is making arrangements for a large spell formation.”
Natsuya finally looked back at Seiji and spoke up again.
”Arrangements for a spell formation?”
”Yes, my opponent… It’s almost certain that it’s my opponent who’s about to challenge me to a duel who’s making these arrangements. That mysterious drug is probably something used for absorbing ordinary people’s spiritual energy… Although I don’t know what that drug is specifically, from its description and the reactions of its users, that’s probably what it’s for. Gathering a large amount of spiritual energy for a massive spell is one type of preparation that a Yin Yang Master will do before a duel. In order to prevent a massive outcry, the ordinary people that have spiritual energy stolen from them won’t die… nor will there be any severe aftereffects, but they’ll still be permanently weakened.” Natsuya sighed.
”Actually, I’ve already had Hitaka attempt some countermeasures, but they haven’t been working well.”
”Milady…” Hitaka seemed downcast: ”My apologies, I was useless.”
”I said it already, Hitaka—it’s not your fault.” Natsuya furrowed her brows as she looked meaningfully at her good friend: ”If only my spells were more powerful, you would’ve been able to stop the enemy’s Spirit-branded Retainers.”
”It’s because I’m not fast enough! Every time, I’m always just a little late…” Hitaka chewed on her lips, expressing her discontentment.
Seiji blinked in realization.
”So, these incidents… Those corpses were all because of the enemy’s Spirit-branded Retainers?”
”Yes, the enemy is ordering their Spirit-branded Retainers to make use of those hoodlums to peddle the spiritual energy absorption drugs. As a precaution, they also cursed those hoodlums so that if there was any risk of them being discovered, or if they broke some restriction that was imposed on them, the curse would activate and kill them. I attempted to use spells to locate the enemy’s retainers, but every time we were always just a minute too late, so Hitaka was unable to catch them.”
Natsuya lowered her head.
”I know… I’m not good enough as a Yin Yang Master.”
”No, Milady is excellent!” Hitaka wore an unhappy expression: ”If it wasn’t for me…”
”Don’t say anything more, Hitaka—my strength is insufficient. That’s an indisputable fact.”
Natsuya Yoruhana raised her head again as her expression turned serious.
”I need to… work harder!”
Seiji could only look on in silence.
”Haruta-kun, tell that mafia group to cease attempting to investigate this affair, and advise them to avoid it entirely,” Natsuya cautioned in a grave tone.
”The enemy will continue to use his or her Spirit-branded Retainers to do what they’ve been doing, and I’ll try my utmost to prevent it. This is a duel between Yin Yang Masters—ordinary people shouldn’t get involved.”
”If they interfere… they’ll be eliminated by the enemy’s retainers, right?” Seiji clutched his arms.
”That’s right—since it’s allowed by our own rules for Yin Yang Masters to get rid of anyone that may discover their identity, the enemy’s Spirit-branded Retainers will kill any interfering parties without hesitation,” Natsuya stated. ”Presently… we can’t even find out the identity of the enemy’s Spirit-branded Retainers, much less order around whoever this enemy Yin Yang Master is. All I know is that the spirit that this retainer’s bonded with is most likely one of the strongest among the spirits with ice powers—Snow Girl!”