He paid no mind to how Asia, overjoyed at finally getting to attend school, was left almost speechless.
Meanwhile, Hikaru headed to the kitchen to prepare ingredients.
Once Asia realized he was cooking, she followed him in.
She had no idea how to repay his kindness, but she had already decided she was willing to devote her short life to him if that's what it took.
…
A young man in a suit strode quickly into the dimly lit room. Although an electric light hung from the ceiling, it was so weak that it barely revealed the vague outlines of the figures present.
There were already several people seated inside: Dorothy, a silver-haired gothic-lolita in a dark style; a nearly bald man Tenkai Nankoubou; and an older woman.
"Oswald, is there some urgent news?"
"A piece of bad news: Aogiri Tree's leader, Tatara, has died, and that organization has become all but defunct."
Reactions varied around the table, but they all shared a sense of regret. After all, the Replaceds had originally planned to target Tatara of Aogiri Tree. However, when Aogiri Tree started working with the Fallen Angels, they deemed it too risky and decided not to go after him immediately.
"Additionally, we've received word from Washuu Tsuneyoshi saying he's made contact with Valper Galilei. Going forward, the ghouls under his control will be cooperating with that Fallen Angel lord."
"A Fallen Angel? That might be too dangerous, no?"
Even though after possession, outsiders can hardly tell anything is amiss, there's always the chance of something going wrong.
"Washuu Tsuneyoshi says it's safe to approach; nothing to worry about. As soon as Kuubou can develop properly, we won't need to keep hiding like this."
Compared to ordinary humans, ghouls—though still flesh and blood, lacking much supernatural power—were the Replaceds' top priority for overtaking. It required hardly any effort to complete the process, after which they would assume the ghoul's memories and abilities, continuing to operate as a ghoul.
Washuu Tsuneyoshi was currently the Chairman of the CCG. The entire Washuu family had been slowly infiltrated by the Replaceds. Next on their agenda was investigating the death of Tatara and the other Aogiri Tree ghouls. Meanwhile, they intended to collaborate with Valper Galilei.
Word had it that the Fallen Angel lord in question was about to stir up a massive incident in Kuoh Town—kidnapping the sister of Lord Lucifer, who ruled that territory—and thus provoke a new war. In the ensuing chaos, they could possess many more targets. The more turbulent the world became, the greater the advantage for the Replaceds.
…
Hikaru was discussing the "Tyrant Dragon" state with Ddraig, who had been let out.
"Partner, are you absolutely sure about this? Don't you want to think it over a bit more?"
Ddraig's voice carried a tinge of concern. Even though it acknowledged Hikaru's monstrous talent, that only made it more uneasy. Finally encountering a host even more prodigious than past wielders, it didn't want him taking rash risks.
"There's nothing more to consider. I've actually found a way to trigger the Tyrant Dragon's power with no side effects, but I'll need your cooperation."
Hikaru said calmly.
"And that method would be?"
"I want you to open the innermost part of the Sacred Gear's consciousness. Let me deal with the vestiges of the past Red Dragon Emperors."
"That's too dangerous. Some of those old souls date back over a thousand years. They've never reincarnated—already turned into malevolent spirits. Altogether, there might be several dozen of them in there. If you enter physically, they'll all gang up on you."
"If you're that worried, why haven't these souls just vanished upon death instead of being sealed within the Gear?"
Hikaru asked with a faint smile.
"U-um… possibly because, when I unleashed my full power in the past, I automatically absorbed them? You know, I ran rampant in the old days—until the God of the Bible caught me and turned me into a Sacred Gear. I can't actually control that aspect of my power now."
Ddraig responded, a bit embarrassed.
"Anyway, just do as I say,"
Hikaru said in a no-nonsense tone, giving Ddraig no chance to talk him out of it.
"All right, but please be careful. I can't intervene in the consciousness realm. You'll be on your own."
Hikaru did not answer. His consciousness sank into the deepest level of the mind.
The void was cold and chaotic—so bitterly frigid that one might mistake it for one of Earth's polar regions, rather than an inner consciousness. Though it seemed to be nothing but darkness, Hikaru sensed countless hostile gazes all around him.
He knew those were likely the souls of past Red Dragon Emperor hosts. Maybe there were other presences, too. But it didn't matter—Hikaru had no interest in winning them over with words. In the end, truth belongs to the strong.
Willing his idea into being, a small banner materialized in that void.
"Let's see whether your malice is stronger or whether my banner can absorb you faster."
~~~
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