The Vongola Ring.
It was an heirloom ring from a mafia family in a certain delinquent-teacher anime, symbolising the identity of the boss and core members.
Naturally, being the protagonist's possession, this ring wasn't ordinary. Essentially, it seemed to be one of the world's foundational stones, a key to maintaining the balance of space-time order.
Of course, the ring Verde gave Luo Shu couldn't possibly be the real Vongola Ring, but rather a replica he claimed was made from leftover materials.
Yet to even have scraps of the world's foundation stones—Verde truly had countless hidden cards up his sleeve.
Playing with the Vongola Ring in his hand, Luo Shu narrowed his eyes and tentatively channelled his spiritual energy into it.
Whoosh!
Blue flames erupted from the gemstone. Seeing this, Luo Shu smiled:
"Blue flames... so this is the Mist Guardian's ring then?"
"If I recall correctly, Mist flames' ability is construction—creating illusions, the standard for illusionists. For Verde to give me this... that must mean the one he gave Lacus is the Sky attribute ring, right?"
Indeed, Verde hadn't given rings only to Luo Shu, but also to Lacus and Kirika Tachibana.
According to the concepts from Verde's original world, the Sky ring was exclusively for the boss—activated only by someone whose personality could embrace everything. Its characteristic was harmony, with the ability to petrify objects.
Though he didn't get the protagonist's signature Sky ring, Luo Shu didn't dispute Verde's judgment.
The Sky ring really was quite suitable for Lacus.
"What kind of cryptic exchange were you having with Verde just now?"
In the underground hospital corridor, Kirika Tachibana held a similar-looking ring, eyeing Luo Shu suspiciously as they walked side by side:
"That guy gave rings to you, me and Lacus. Hah, this thing can't be a normal detection machine, can it?"
"Ah, it certainly isn't."
Luo Shu glanced at Kirika Tachibana and explained:
"Verde should have only made seven of these rings. Those who possess them are likely the core members of the family in Verde's eyes."
"Core members of the family?"
Kirika Tachibana froze at these words, then immediately adopted a peculiar expression:
"That guy Verde claims to come from a yakuza family. Tch, could it be he sees Lacus as some kind of crime boss?"
"You could say that."
Luo Shu chuckled as he slipped the Mist Ring onto his left hand.
Come to think of it, in Verde's world, the holders of the Mist Ring all seemed to have a history of rebellion.
Was Verde hinting that I'd eventually revolt against Lacus and overthrow her to become the master?
'Though I'd rather ride her as the master... Well, in a way, his insight is quite accurate...' Luo Shu mentally complained before continuing:
"If your mental strength is sufficient, you can use this ring to produce flames with special abilities."
"As for the specific flame abilities, you'll have to ask Verde. Don't ask me—I only know the theory, unlike him, who has practical experience."
"Let's leave that for now. Lacus is currently helping Verde with his memory seals."
At this point, Kirika couldn't help but rub her temples:
"Experiencing that even once is no joke."
Seeing Kirika's traumatised expression, Luo Shu grew curious:
"Seems you've got plenty of experience."
"All SDS higher-ups have suffered through it. Especially when you learn certain things, then you get to suffer repeatedly."
Kirika rolled her eyes at this:
"Everyone's been through it except you. Even Lacus."
Her tone grew increasingly frustrated:
"Before, I couldn't understand what kind of love potion you'd fed her to make her spoil you like this. Now that I do understand, it just makes me even more annoyed."
The thought of her best friend likely being bullied by this man—possibly even getting pregnant—left Kirika thoroughly vexed.
It felt like watching a beautiful flower about to be devoured by a pig, with her powerless to intervene.
Absolutely maddening.
"Annoyed? Then stay annoyed."
Luo Shu smirked, clearly enjoying her frustration:
"Anything else we need to cover?"
"We still need to show you the new base. It's in Chiyoda Ward, so not far."
Luo Shu nodded: "Then let's go."
...
Warsaw, Poland.
Within a gothic building bearing the logo of an Environmental and Wildlife Protection Association.
Masked gentlemen in tailored suits danced the polonaise with equally masked female companions across the grand hall.
In one corner of the banquet, two masked men in suits stood by the balcony railing, red wine glasses in hand.
"Councilman Rhodes, have you heard the news?"
"About the Knowledge Faction's complete withdrawal from East Asia?"
"Your information network remains impeccable."
The younger black-haired man on the left smiled:
"Just days after Ishaha stole the Association's treasure and entered East Asia, the Knowledge Faction retreated entirely. One can't help but draw... interesting conclusions."
The golden-haired man, Rhodes, responded with a charming smile: "You're referring to Isaha's failure to steal Asmodeus's legacy, aren't you, Mr Itogami?"
Meiga Itogami narrowed his eyes, regarding Rhodes before him with a sceptical tone:
"Asmodeus's legacy? You mean the High-Rank demon sealed in East Asia... the legacy of the King of Desire?"
"Councilman, this intelligence seems never to have been mentioned within the Association before."
Asmodeus, known as the Demon King and the supreme-ranking King of Desire, was the Demon God worshipped by the Succubi and Witches of the Desire Faction within Truth Astronomy.
That his legacy had appeared in East Asia, and worse, that the Knowledge Faction had beaten them to its recovery?
Meiga Itogami instantly detected the stench of conspiracy.
"It's being mentioned now, isn't it?" Rhodes replied with an amused smile.
Meiga Itogami felt a chill run down his spine, though outwardly he maintained an indifferent facade:
"The Witches of the Desire Faction will surely go berserk."
"Wouldn't that be better?"
Rhodes raised his wine glass towards Meiga Itogami:
"Many council members in the Association are curious about what exactly happened in East Asia that made the Knowledge Faction declare it a forbidden zone."
Hearing this, Meiga Itogami narrowed his eyes and smiled: "Does this curious group of council members include our esteemed Chairman?"
Rhodes took a sip of wine before gently swirling his glass:
"Heh, the Chairman isn't concerned with such matters. What truly piques his interest is the recent appearance of that Enchantress of America in Japan."
"After all, he's coveted that one's soul for quite some time now, hasn't he?"
Meiga Itogami didn't respond. The Truth Astronomy Chairman's thirst for noble souls was hardly a secret worldwide.
What intrigued him more was Rhodes's role in this affair.
How exactly had the Knowledge Faction's Ishaha learned about Asmodeus's legacy? How had they so easily stolen the Association's inheritance? Was this Councilman Rhodes involved?
As Meiga Itogami pondered, a slightly overweight middle-aged man wearing a masquerade mask stood at the centre of the stage and loudly announced:
"Next, let us enjoy a piano performance by our new Environmental Angel, Miss Kurumi Tokisaki~~"
Thunderous applause erupted. Meiga Itogami stared at the beautiful girl in the black evening dress at centre stage, her fringe covering her right eye, and suddenly felt a chill down his spine.
This sense of danger was akin to encountering a deadly monster.
Environmental Angel? Wasn't that just a figurehead the Association created to annoy various nations? Who was that woman? Why did she give him such a dangerous feeling?
When Meiga Itogami was on high alert, Rhodes beside him placed a finger to his lips and smiled:
"Don't be nervous."
"She's just having her meal."
"Meal?"
Meiga Itogami looked at the elegant girl playing piano, overwhelmed by intense fear.
He suddenly regretted agreeing to Natsuki Minamiya's request to infiltrate this place.
Truth Astronomy housed far too many monsters!