The Vongola Ring.
It was the "ring" passed down through generations in the protagonist's mafia family from that famous mafia tutor anime, symbolizing the status of the boss and core members.
Naturally, being a signature item of a protagonist, this ring was far from simple. In essence, the rings were said to be a cornerstone of the world, a crucial element for balancing the order of space and time.
Of course, the ring Verde threw to Luo Shu couldn't possibly be a genuine Vongola Ring. Instead, just as Verde put it, it was a "replica made from leftover scraps."
Still, to even possess the "leftover scraps" of the world's cornerstones meant that a guy like Verde really had a ton of hidden cards up his sleeve.
Playing with the "Vongola Ring" in his hand, Luo Shu narrowed his eyes and tentatively poured his spiritual energy into it.
Whoosh!
An indigo flame flared up from the gemstone. Seeing this flame, Luo Shu immediately chuckled.
"An indigo flame... Does that mean this is a Mist Guardian's ring?"
"I remember the Mist Flame's attribute is Construction. It can create illusions and is the standard equipment for illusionists. To think Verde would give me this... That must mean the ring he gave Lacus is a 'Sky' attribute ring, right?"
Exactly.
Verde didn't just give a ring to Luo Shu; Lacus and Kirika Tachibana received one as well.
According to the concepts from the world Verde originated from, the Sky Ring was exclusive to the boss. It was a ring that could only be activated by someone whose personality could embrace and accept everything. Its characteristic was Harmony, and it possessed the ability to petrify objects.
Even though he didn't get the protagonist-exclusive Sky Ring, Luo Shu had no intention of questioning Verde's judgment. The Sky Ring truly did suit Lacus perfectly.
"What kind of riddles were you and Verde exchanging just now?"
In the corridor of the underground hospital, Kirika Tachibana held a similar-looking ring, looking suspiciously at Luo Shu walking beside her.
"That kid gave a ring to you and then gave one to me and Lacus. Hah, this thing isn't just some normal 'testing device', is it?"
"Ah, it definitely isn't." Luo Shu turned his head to glance at Kirika, then explained, "Verde probably only made seven of these rings. Anyone who possesses one is likely considered a core member of his 'family' in his eyes."
"A core family member?" Kirika was taken aback by this. Her expression then turned rather subtle. "That guy Verde seemingly claims to come from a mafia family. Tsk, don't tell me he considers Lacus to be our 'mafia boss'?"
"You could say that." Luo Shu smiled and slipped the Mist Ring onto his left hand.
Speaking of which, in Verde's world, it seemed that every possessor of the Mist Ring had a track record of insubordination and treason. Was Verde implying that sooner or later, Luo Shu was going to "rebel" against Lacus and overthrow the master to take charge?
But I just want to take charge in bed... well, in a certain sense, his judgment is quite accurate, Luo Shu mused sarcastically in his mind. He then continued aloud, "As for this thing, if your mental strength is high enough, you can use the ring to manifest flames with special abilities."
"For the specific abilities of the flames, you can go ask Verde. Don't ask me. I only have theoretical knowledge about them, unlike him who has practical experience. Though, you should probably let it go for now, seeing as Lacus is currently helping that guy 'seal his memories'."
Hearing this, Kirika couldn't help but raise a hand to massage her temples. "Enduring that process even once is not a pleasant experience."
Seeing her lingering fear, Luo Shu suddenly grew curious. "It looks like you have plenty of experience with it."
"All the higher-ups in SDS have suffered through it. It's even worse when you learn certain things; you just have to suffer through it repeatedly." Kirika rolled her eyes. "Other than you, practically everyone has endured it, Lacus included."
Speaking of this made Kirika feel somewhat depressed. "Before this, I didn't know what kind of magic potion you fed her to make her spoil you so much. Now that I understand, it just makes me even more annoyed."
The mere thought that her best friend was highly likely to be taken advantage of by the man standing in front of her, and might even end up pregnant with his child, left Kirika deeply frustrated. The feeling was akin to watching a beautiful, pristine bellflower about to be chewed up by a pig, while she could do nothing but watch. It really messed with her mind.
"Annoyed? Then you'll just have to hold it in." Luo Shu chuckled, deliberately trying to get under her skin a bit more. "Do we have anything else on the agenda?"
"I still haven't taken you to see the base. Well, it's located in Chiyoda Ward, so it isn't too far."
Hearing this, Luo Shu nodded. "Then lead the way."
Europe, Warsaw, the capital of Poland.
Inside a Gothic-style building displaying the sign Environmental and Wildlife Protection Association. Gentlemen in sharp suits and masks were dancing the Polonaise in the grand hall with their equally masked female partners.
At this moment, in a secluded corner of the banquet.
Two men in formal wear and masquerade masks stood by the balcony railing, holding glasses of red wine and chatting casually.
"Councillor Rhodes, have you heard about that incident?"
"Are you referring to the Knowledge Faction completely withdrawing from East Asia?"
"Your information network is as well-informed as ever."
The slightly younger black-haired man on the left smiled. "Isaha stole the Association's treasure, yet just a few days after entering the East Asian region, the Knowledge Faction completely retreated. It's hard not to make some interesting connections."
Hearing this, the man with long blonde hair known as Rhodes revealed a charming smile. "Are you talking about Isaha's failure to steal Asmodeus's Legacy, Mr. Meiga?"
Meiga Itogami narrowed his eyes. He looked at Rhodes, his tone filled with skepticism. "Asmodeus's Legacy? Are you referring to the high-ranking demon sealed away in East Asia, the legacy of that King of Lust?"
"Councillor, this piece of intelligence seems to have never been mentioned within the Association."
Asmodeus. Known as the Demon King and the King of Lust. He was a highest-ranking demon, the very Demon God to whom the succubi and witches of the 'Lust' faction within Celestial Astronomy pledged their loyalty.
To think His legacy had actually appeared in East Asia, and that the Knowledge Faction had beaten everyone else to the punch to conduct recovery operations? Meiga Itogami instantly smelled the scent of a conspiracy.
"Well, it's being mentioned now, isn't it?" Rhodes said, displaying a playful smile.
Meiga felt a sudden chill in his heart, but on the surface, he pretended not to care. "Those witches from the Lust Faction are probably going to go insane over this."
"Isn't that for the best?" Rhodes raised his wine glass toward Meiga. "It just so happens that many councillors in the Association are very curious about what exactly happened over in East Asia that caused the Knowledge Faction to designate the area as a 'forbidden zone'."
Hearing this, Meiga narrowed his eyes and smiled faintly. "Do these curious councillors include our esteemed Chairman?"
Rhodes took a sip of red wine, then gently swirled the liquid in his glass. "Heh, the Chairman doesn't care about these matters. He is actually much more curious about the recent status of that enchantress from the Americas appearing in the island nation."
"After all, he has been coveting her soul for a very long time now, hasn't he?"
Meiga didn't reply. After all, the fact that the Chairman of Celestial Astronomy lusted after "noble souls" was no secret to the world. Right now, Meiga was far more curious about what role this man, Rhodes, played in this entire affair.
How exactly did Isaha of the Knowledge Faction learn the intel regarding Asmodeus's Legacy? And how did she manage to steal the Association's treasure so easily? Was Councillor Rhodes pulling the strings behind the scenes?
Just as Meiga was deep in thought, a slightly plump, middle-aged man wearing a masquerade mask shouted loudly from the center of the stage.
"Next up, let us enjoy a piano piece by our new 'Environmental Angel', Miss Kurumi Tokisaki!"
A dense round of applause broke out. Meiga looked toward the center of the stage at the stunningly beautiful girl wearing a pitch-black evening dress, her bangs covering her right eye. Suddenly, a violent chill washed over him.
This sense of crisis... it was as if he had just encountered a lethally dangerous monster.
An Environmental Angel? Wasn't that just a figurehead the Association pushed forward to cause political headaches for other countries? Who was that woman? Why did she give him such an overwhelmingly dangerous feeling?
Just as Meiga braced himself as if facing a deadly enemy, Rhodes raised an index finger to his lips and smiled.
"Don't be nervous."
"She is just dining."
"Dining?"
Looking at the elegant girl sitting by the piano and playing, an intense wave of terror surged up from within Meiga's heart.
He suddenly felt that he truly never should have agreed to Natsuki Minamiya's request to come here undercover.
There were simply far, far too many "monsters" lurking within Celestial Astronomy!
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