"Ugh…!" Tsugumi groaned in pain, glaring resentfully at Souta.
No one came to her defense, everyone was used to it by now.
Even Ayase calmly ignored the scene.
Over the past two months, Tsugumi had been bonked by Souta more times than she could count.
Tease, then get corrected. It was her daily routine. Everyone had gotten used to it.
In fact, if there ever came a day Souta didn't smack this little brat, someone might actually find it suspicious.
"Didn't you hear what Shibungi said? This isn't as simple as it looks."
Souta faced everyone and continued:
"Why did GHQ announce the attack on Roppongi the moment Shuichiro Keido was captured? You think that's a coincidence?"
"You mean… Keido might be scheming something?" Gai asked.
He was getting a strange feeling, too.
Keido was a shrewd man. Why would he get captured for no reason?
"Very likely," Souta said with a smile. "And we can find out directly."
"Find out?" Tsugumi rubbed her head. "How?"
"Like this."
Souta waved his hand, and a large mirror appeared in front of everyone.
Ripples spread across the mirror's surface, and soon an image formed.
Inside a prison cell, two people were having a conversation.
A middle-aged man and a teenage boy. Gai's pupils shrank, he recognized the man immediately: his "father," Shuichiro Keido, head of the Antibodies.
Souta clapped his hands.
A deep voice echoed from the scene:
"I've already ordered the Antibodies to activate the Mana's song tomorrow. It will resonate with the Apocalypse Virus and spread the infection, eliminating GHQ."
"As for Roppongi, the threat of the Leukocyte will throw the Illuminati into chaos. I don't know if the god they worship is real. Even if he is, he'll have to deal with the satellite strike. He won't have time to worry about anything else."
"Yuu, while they're in disarray, bring that vessel [Inori] back."
In the image, Keido calmly shared his plan with the teenager.
"Oh? Keido, still clinging to the dream of becoming Adam, huh? Should I be impressed?"
The boy's voice was slightly youthful.
"But maybe you're underestimating that god?"
"Hmph, if that god were really powerful, he wouldn't have been hiding in Roppongi for so long."
Keido scoffed.
"He's probably a fake. The Illuminati is just using void power. Yuu, you know that as well as I do."
"I haven't checked for myself, so I can't say for sure," Yuu replied, refusing to jump to conclusions.
At that moment, Souta clapped his hands again to bring everyone's attention back.
He pointed at the boy in the image and said:
"Nice timing. We caught them chatting live. Everyone, pay attention, this thick-browed teen is Yuu, the Envoy of Da'ath. His true form is a consciousness construct, immortal, capable of drawing power from the void. Not particularly strong, but he does have spatial movement abilities. Be careful not to get caught off guard."
As he was talking, the scene continued playing:
"Whether he's real or not, my mind is made up," Keido said. "Even if Eve didn't choose me, I can still forge a contract by using the apocalypse virus to control her."
"I will ensure the Fourth Apocalypse takes place and create a new humanity with Eve. That's your goal too, isn't it, Yuu? You'll help me, right?"
"Disgusting…"
Souta pointed at Keido, his tone full of contempt.
"Filthy old perv. Still obsessed with a little girl named Mana. She was only twelve when she died. You guys tell me, isn't that pure degeneracy?"
No one responded.
The whole situation felt… surreal.
They were all just grateful that Souta wasn't on the enemy's side.
Broadcasting your enemy's entire plan live? How are they even supposed to fight back?
"Keido is Gai's father, right?" Tsugumi asked without holding back.
"Both of them obsessed with a twelve-year-old girl… clearly, the hentai gene runs in the family!"
Gai: "…"
"Ahem." Gai couldn't take it anymore and stepped up. "I'm adopted."
"But still a perv, right?" Tsugumi stabbed right at the heart of it.
At that moment, Gai really wanted to imitate Souta and bonk the loli.
But with everyone watching, he held back.
"Alright, look... Gai was younger than Mana back then. At most it was puppy love. Keido's the real creep."
Souta pointed to the image again.
"Now that we know their plan, it's time to make our own."
"Should we go right into the center of it?" Gai asked.
"No need. Let Yuu and Keido do the work. We'll swoop in and take Mana's soul at the perfect moment."
Souta laid out his strategy.
"Do you need me to do anything?" Inori asked.
"Yes," Souta nodded. "We'll split into three teams. Gai, you gather the Illuminati and calm the masses. Tell them a miracle will happen tomorrow."
"I'll take care of the Leukocyte."
"And Inori… you go meet Yuu and Keido. Show them some convincing acting. Seal Mana's soul inside yourself, that'll make it easier for me to take over."
Yuu was no match for Inori, who could casually sling around Level 4 miracles. She was in no danger.
"…Okay, I understand." Inori nodded softly.
Souta noticed her small hands clenching tightly, she was clearly nervous.
"Relax." He reached out and rubbed her head. "Don't forget what I told you, I'll protect you."
After a pause, he added:
"Come to my room tonight. Don't worry, I'll take the necessary safety measures."
"…Mm." Inori nodded instinctively. Then her eyes widened in realization.
She tilted her head slightly, confused and flustered an utterly adorable reaction.
Should she say no?
"Wait a second! What are you saying!?" Tsugumi yelled, her face red.
"I didn't think you were that kind of god! I misjudged you!"
The others looked at Souta, clearly surprised.
Ayase opened her mouth, then shut it again, unsure what to say.
"Inori…" Gai hesitated, then sighed. "Lord Souta… please take good care of her."
Souta stared at them all with a deadpan look.
"I meant," he said calmly, "that I'll help Inori set up spiritual defenses in my room to prevent Eve from assimilating her."
He curled his lip in disdain.
"What kind of filthy thoughts are you people even having?"