— — — — — —
"You drive a hard bargain."
Appearing in full view now, Ryo stood there, grinning as he spoke.
"So… if I accept your terms, you'll be assigning one of the big-shot 'Three Saints' from the Marriage Agency?"
"???"
Koyomi was stunned for a moment—visibly and completely stunned.
Did he just say… Marriage Agency?
Was he really talking about them?
Even someone as emotionally flat as Koyomi couldn't stop her expression from turning weird.
"That person will only operate within the range of your permission," she answered stiffly. "Of course, that's assuming you emerge as the final victor of the Blazing Banquet."
In other words, whether or not someone follows Ryo depends on his decision. If he wants someone, they'll send someone. Simple as that.
But seriously—marriage agency? How the hell did that rumor spread? Just because most of their members were female?
Who started this slander? Koyomi was internally spiraling.
"The Blazing Banquet, huh? That outcome's already set in stone."
Ryo waved it off casually, then smiled slyly as he added. "So, I get to pick my 'girl,' right?"
Koyomi's mouth twitched. After a long moment of silence, she nodded.
He was entitled to that much, especially since they were promising full cooperation.
"Great. Then let's say… big size, high potential, good voice— B+ cup or above is a nice bonus, preferably someone with a serious personality. Tsunderes, gals, and legal lolis are all fair game. Can I pick the hair color?"
Koyomi was silent for a very long time.
When she finally spoke, it was with great effort: "We are not a matchmaking service."
Not even actual matchmaking services would provide someone like that.
What the hell was going on in this guy's head?
Ryo leaned in with a cheeky smile. "I'm just asking if it's possible."
Koyomi's face twisted into a mix of confusion and disbelief. After a few seconds, she reluctantly replied: "There might be a few candidates... in the reserve corps."
What was this man's deal?
There wasn't anything pervy or gross in his tone—his eyes were oddly clear and sincere—but still… something felt off.
We are NOT a damn marriage agency!!
Ryo grinned again. "When the Banquet's over, I want to see your roster. Feel free to toss in some milf candidates too."
"...Fine."
Koyomi nodded stiffly, doing her best to suppress a sigh.
She exhaled slowly and spoke with measured calm. "In that case, once the Electors begin gathering on Itogami Island, we'll hold the opening ceremony of the Blazing Banquet. The Lion King Agency will be expecting your arrival."
With that, she bowed slightly and vanished into the shadows of the alley.
Ryo looked up and watched the faint blur of her retreating figure across the rooftops.
"Interesting woman," he chuckled. "Too bad she's not my type."
"You bastard… so you're a loli type?"
Behind him, Natsuki Minamiya took a few steps back, looking at him like he was human garbage.
Ryo turned to glance at her and laughed.
"Chill. I will come for you too."
"That's not reassuring!"
Hands on her hips, Natsuki glared at him. "Even if you were trying to test the Lion King Agency, this was a messed-up way to do it!"
"Test them?" Ryo raised an eyebrow, genuinely puzzled. "They're a minor group. Why would I bother testing them?"
"…You were serious?"
Natsuki blinked, eyes wide in disbelief.
Liana Caruana was a total beauty, and he barely gave her the time of day. In fact, he'd ditched her on this very island and hadn't spoken a single kind word since.
This man—the one who meditated with his eyes shut on the plane, in the taxi, and even in her own house—he had a thing for lolis!?
That was insane and gross.
Ryo shot her a look and muttered, "You're definitely judging me right now, Natsuki-chan. Can't I have a hobby or two? I also said legal ones, hmm...like you but with boobs."
"Dammit..."
Natsuki shot back with a sigh. "Whatever."
"And let me guess—you're planning to win the Banquet with Avrora, take the deal, and let the Lion King Agency send over their little 'offerings' to spy on you?"
She looked at him skeptically. "Why? What's your endgame?"
Ryo glanced at her, voice light and casual.
"For now? I'm thinking of building a Night Empire. Just to see how the world reacts."
"...You're kidding."
Natsuki froze. "You're not seriously planning to do that here, on Itogami Island?"
Ryo gave her a teasing smile, his gaze almost mocking.
"You really are stating the obvious, huh?"
Natsuki rubbed her forehead, visibly stressed. "Why here of all places?"
"Because," Ryo said, still smiling, "this island is Cain's Ark. It's also where Cain's Coffin is located. Isn't that enough reason?"
Natsuki fell silent for a long while.
Then she snorted coldly. "Figures. Another priestess of Cain, another Ark... The Artificial Island Management Corporation sure is pulling out all the stops, huh?"
She could already picture the chaos this would bring. The casualties would be massive.
Hell, all 56,000 residents could end up dead.
"So what now? You want to team up?"
Ryo's voice was light, almost amused.
"Be honest, Natsuki. With your strength alone, can you really protect the people you care about?"
Once word got out that both Cain's Ark and his priestess were ready to go, Itogami Island would become ground zero for every major force out there. Destruction wouldn't just be possible—it'd be guaranteed.
Natsuki looked up at him, then let out a dry laugh. "Didn't think you'd start sweet-talking girls like me."
Ryo smirked. "I prefer the term partner-in-crime."
"Partner-in-crime, huh?" Natsuki raised an eyebrow. "And what's in it for me?"
With a mischievous glint in his eye, Ryo offered, "How about… Chief of Police? You'll be the top enforcer of law and order in the Night Empire."
"Hah! You capitalist scumbag."
Natsuki scoffed.
So basically, a title with no short-term perks, and in the long run, she'd be working herself to death. What a deal.
This guy should've been a slave trader.
Still smirking, Ryo watched as she turned and walked toward the mouth of the alley.
Before she disappeared, she called out casually. "Better start flapping those silver-tongued lips of yours and reel in that priestess already, partner-in-crime!"
Oh? So all that complaining, and she still agreed in the end?
Ryo shrugged and let his spirit projection dissolve, chuckling as he faded away.
"Things like that… gotta take them slow~~"
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