February 17th, Saturday.
The day of DEM's large scale attack was drawing closer step by step, yet Tengu City remained as peaceful as ever. The dark currents surging beneath the shadows did not seem to affect the city's liveliness and bustle. The streets were filled with crowds.
"Waaaah—my balloon!"
In the shade of a tree by the street, a boy was crying loudly. Above him, a balloon with a cartoon pattern was caught on a branch more than four ters off the ground.
"Ah… looks like we can't get it back."
The boy's mother crouched down and comforted him, stroking his head.
"Don't cry. How about Mommy takes you to buy a new balloon?"
"Nooo—I want that balloon! If I can't have it, I won't go ho!"
"Eh… you really only want that one…"
Seeing the boy shake his head firmly, his mother could not help looking troubled.
"Excuse , are you having so trouble?"
At that mont, soone spoke to her from behind. The boy's mother turned around and saw an extrely beautiful blonde woman. Her gentle smile and noble aura were like those of a young lady from an aristocratic family.
The boy's mother stared blankly for a few seconds before saying awkwardly,
"Ah… I'm sorry for making so much noise here."
"It's all right. Rather, what happened?"
"Well, it's nothing serious. This child's balloon accidentally drifted up into the tree, and then he started crying."
"I see."
Hearing the boy's mother's words, the blonde woman smiled faintly.
"Then I will help him take it down."
"Eh?"
Before the boy's mother could understand, the blonde woman lightly leapt up, jumping into the air like a nimble antelope.
At just the right position, she grabbed the balloon's string and then landed lightly.
"Here, your balloon."
The blonde woman handed the balloon to the boy.
"Ha…"
At so point, the boy had stopped crying. His mouth hung open as he stared at her in astonishnt.
"Onee-chan, you're amazing."
"Thank you for the complint."
The blonde woman smiled kindly.
"That jump just now really was amazing. Do you play so kind of sport?"
The boy's mother asked curiously.
"Well… I train a little, that is all. It is nothing impressive."
The blonde woman gave a sowhat vague answer.
"I see. Thank you very much."
"Thank you, onee-chan."
"You're welco. Then I shall take my leave."
Sensing the people around them beginning to gather, the blonde woman said farewell and hurried away.
…
"Hah…"
After saying goodbye to the mother and son, Artemisia quietly let out a breath.
"It seems no one followed … Honestly, what am I doing, accidentally doing sothing so conspicuous?"
Artemisia could not help reflecting on her actions. Although she had been careful not to show strength beyond the range of ordinary humans, even so, a blonde foreigner was still extrely noticeable in this city.
(Still, seeing that child smile again made it worth it.)
Artemisia thought with satisfaction.
(This really is a nice city.)
As she walked down the street and observed the city scenery, Artemisia could not help sighing to herself.
(Although I heard spacequakes happen here quite frequently, the city itself has developed well. It may not be as prosperous as London, but it is lively enough. The citizens's eyes are also full of vitality and energy.)
It had already been almost three months since she was transferred to this city, but most of Artemisia's ti had been spent helping Ellen handle paper work or busying herself with intensive Wizard training. She rarely left the base. On the few occasions she did, it was either when a Spirit appeared or when she flew directly out of the atmosphere. There were few chances for her to tour the city like this.
Of course, her purpose in leaving the base this ti was not simply sightseeing.
Thinking of that, Artemisia's expression beca a little grave.
Two days ago, her phone had received a text ssage from an unfamiliar number. Although she did not recognize the number, the sender had very considerately written her na at the end of the ssage—Ryougi Yutsuki.
Artemisia naturally knew that na. Hacker, the most dangerous Spirit to humanity, who controlled lightning and magnetism and could easily invade the machinery and networks invented by humans.
The contents of the ssage were not complicated. It stated a ti and place, simply expressed the desire to speak with Artemisia, and added one note.
[I can answer the questions in your heart.]
After that, Artemisia tried calling the number that sent the ssage, but it was no longer in service.
Under normal circumstances, Artemisia would have dismissed it as an ordinary prank ssage with a laugh. But this ti was different. With Hacker's ability, it was indeed possible for her to acquire Artemisia's phone number without her knowledge.
"Mm… turn right after this intersection, then walk another hundred ters."
On the way, Artemisia saw an old woman carrying a suitcase at the stairs of a pedestrian bridge at the intersection.
"Ma'am, let help you."
"Oh my, I'm sorry, young lady. Then I'll trouble you."
"It's all right. This is only natural."
(What exactly am I doing…)
After carrying the old woman's luggage over the bridge, Artemisia thought this helplessly.
The other party was a Spirit, a disaster that threatened humanity, and her enemy. Even if that text ssage was real, it was very likely a trap set to harm her. She had no reason to fully accept the invitation.
Yet in reality, she had hidden it from Ellen and the others to co here, and had even deleted the text ssage sent by Hacker.
She had transferred to Japan in order to annihilate Spirits and resolve the threat caused by spacequakes. But recently, so of Westcott's actions had felt strangely unsettling to her.
For so reason, Artemisia felt that although they were all Wizards, and all human, the world seen through Westcott's, Ellen's, and Ai Mulian's eyes seed completely different from hers.
(Although it is not that I distrust them…)
"Welco."
The waiter's voice interrupted Artemisia's thoughts. She looked up and realized that she had sohow already arrived at her destination.
It was a very spacious café. Elegant classical music flowed through the paths between wooden tables. The deep brown walls and pale white lighting complented each other, creating a relaxing space.
"Hello. I am here to et soone."
"Are you Artemisia-san?"
"Yes."
"This way, please."
It seed the other party had explained things in advance. After hearing Artemisia's na, the waiter smiled and nodded, leading her toward a table deeper inside.
Soon, she saw a brown-haired girl wearing a baseball cap seated there. Although her hairstyle and clothing were sowhat different from Artemisia's mory, the girl was indeed that most dangerous Spirit—Hacker.
"Yo, you ca."
Yutsuki greeted Artemisia as if they were old acquaintances.
Ignoring Yutsuki, Artemisia quietly observed the surroundings.
(No magical reaction, no spirit power reaction, and no people with characteristics similar to the other Spirits… She ca alone?)
"Well, there's no need to be so nervous. Why don't you sit down first?"
"…"
After hesitating briefly, Artemisia sat across from Yutsuki.
"What would you like to eat?"
Taking the nu from the waiter, Yutsuki asked Artemisia.
"…"
"Not answering? Then I'll order for you. I'll have a Blue Mountain coffee with one spoon of milk and a sugar cube, and a tomato pasta. For her, a Darjeeling tea and a grilled pancake."
"Certainly. Please wait a mont."
After the order was placed, about ten minutes later, the waiter brought their food.
Facing the grilled pancake and black tea that gave off a rich aroma, Artemisia remained unmoved, showing no sign of starting to eat.
"What's wrong? Not to your taste? I thought British people would like this kind of place."
After taking a bite of pasta, Yutsuki asked curiously.
Artemisia remained silent. It was not that she was picky about black tea or desserts, but out of caution, she did not dare casually eat sothing Yutsuki had ordered.
"Well, I just randomly found a café online with decent reviews. If you suspect of doing anything to it, then next ti we can go on a date at a place you recomnd."
"…I am sorry, but Spirits are outside the scope of my consideration."
"Ah, sorry, sorry. I've been influenced by the friends around , so I use the word 'date' a bit too casually."
Completely unconcerned by Artemisia's icy gaze, Yutsuki smiled and waved her hand.
"I have no interest in getting along with a Spirit. I ca this ti only to confirm one thing."
Staring coldly at Yutsuki, Artemisia got straight to the point.
"What did the last sentence in your text ssage an?"
"It ans exactly what it said."
Hearing Artemisia's question, Yutsuki gave a aningful smile.
"I can tell you where your friends are now, what situation they are in, and the true nature of DEM."
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