In Japanese funerals, the wake ceremony is divided into two parts.
The first part is for colleagues and friends, who may leave after the evening banquet, while the second part is the traditional overnight vigil, where family members keep watch until morning.
Thanks to this custom, the SDS's meeting with Aldegia was scheduled for the latter half of the family vigil.
Re-entering the funeral hall, Luo Shu scanned the empty space before his gaze settled on the figure standing before the coffin.
"Has the time come already?" The monk in black robes standing by the coffin showed no surprise upon seeing Luo Shu.
Nodding slightly, Luo Shu said:
"We'll be troubling you next, Master Jingnian."
The monk was none other than Sensō-ji Temple's Master Jingnian - Sayuri Sawamura's uncle and the direct link between the Sawamura Family and the temple.
"Amitabha~"
"It's not so much hardship as it is a situation that invites reflection."
Jingnian chanted the Buddhist invocation before turning to gaze at the pristine remains within the open coffin, sighing:
"To speak of shame, over a decade ago, I never approved of Sayuri's marriage to him. It was only after the clan elders and Sayuri herself persuaded me with arguments about expanding the family's interests into Europe that I relented."
"At the time, I knew full well those reasons were merely excuses from a lovestruck Sayuri. Yet precisely because I recognised their genuine affection, I chose not to stand in their way."
Having said this, Jingnian sighed and shook his head:
"Only, I never imagined his—or rather, her true identity—would turn out to be a demon of that Hell Sect."
"Looking back now, whether I'd opposed the marriage or not likely wouldn't have changed the outcome."
"Or perhaps, had Sayuri not pursued that relationship, the Sawamura branch might have been exterminated back then."
As Jingnian recounted the past, Luo Shu listened quietly. Only when the monk paused did he speak:
"That's all in the past now, venerable."
"Indeed, it is past..." Jingnian murmured before sighing softly. "Just as I couldn't stop Robert back then, neither shall I stop you now, benefactor."
Hearing this, Luo Shu's expression faltered slightly as he remarked with peculiar emphasis:
"Sayuri told you about my situation?"
He'd figured it out—this monk was clearly speaking to him from the standpoint of a maternal uncle.
'No wonder he's suddenly spinning me this yarn.'
'But come to think of it, why did Sayuri go telling family elders about this?'
Jingnian snorted dismissively at the question:
"Hmph, had she remained silent, would Sensō-ji's main hall ever be lent to outsiders for clandestine meetings?"
"Using a branch family head's funeral as cover for scheming—such disgrace to the clan demands proper justification. Without compelling reasons, that girl would've been skinned alive by the abbot and elders afterwards."
Luo Shu's expression turned somewhat odd, though he privately acknowledged Jingnian's point.
Using her husband's funeral as cover for secret negotiations between two external factions?
Without an ironclad justification, Sensō-ji's elders would have undoubtedly purged Sayuri Sawamura from the family records.
Faced with such consequences, Sayuri's full disclosure made perfect sense.
And from the looks of it, after hearing the truth, these elders seemed to hold considerable grievances against Robert—or rather, Enigma—hence their cooperation.
Naturally, beyond these factors, the Sensō-ji old foxes likely intended for Luo Shu to owe them a favour.
Not one to miss such cues, Luo Shu readily acknowledged this—after all, in some sense, this was the ancestral temple of Kaguya Shinomiya, Sayuri and Eriri.
With three favours bundled into one, the arithmetic clearly worked in his favour.
"So that's how it is." Luo Shu nodded with understanding. "Please rest assured, Venerable, I shall remember the abbot's kindness."
Jingnian looked genuinely surprised at Luo Shu's perceptiveness.
However, he had no intention of making things difficult for Luo Shu. Though the man before him would likely never appear on the public stage, he was destined to become his nephew-in-law and the unseen pillar supporting the Sawamura Family's foundations. Naturally, he had to show him due respect.
"If the benefactor already has a plan in mind, this humble monk shall say no more."
Jingnian clasped his hands together and bowed slightly towards Luo Shu:
"Tonight, all the temple's monks and Robert's remains will be taken to the Mahavira Hall for rituals. The security here will be entirely handed over to your department and the Aldegia Royal Family."
Hearing that the remains would also be taken away, Luo Shu was momentarily surprised before asking in confusion:
"Even this fake body needs rituals?"
In response, Jingnian maintained his gentle expression with hands still clasped:
"The abbot and senior monks require the remains as a medium to perform basic exorcism rituals."
"It's merely a trivial matter. Benefactor Luo need not worry."
At these words, Luo Shu's eyelids twitched.
'Bloody hell, are you mobilising the entire temple's monks to collectively curse Enigma?'
'The whole monastery banding together to avenge their lay niece? You monks really don't hold back.'
Under Luo Shu's gaze, Jingnian single-handedly lifted the coffin and strode away with the remains in a remarkably bold manner.
Fortunately, with the wake ceremony essentially concluded, both reporters and guests had already been cleared out. Otherwise, this scene would have been difficult to explain if witnessed.
After Jingnian left, Luo Shu glanced at Megumi Kato and Utaha Kasumigaoka entering through the door and couldn't help but ask:
"Where's Kisara?"
Utaha replied calmly, "Probably escorting Fujiwara-san and the Natsume sisters on their way out."
Luo Shu's expression turned peculiar. Although these individuals hadn't been part of the original arrangements, the fact that Kisara personally insisted on seeing them off suggested that her grievances against Aya Natsume ran particularly deep.
Just as Luo Shu was silently pondering this, Angelene—unseen for several days—entered with several direct action team members:
"Director Luo, the area has been cleared. The Supreme Chairwoman will arrive on-site in less than ten minutes!"
"Thank you for your hard work, Angelene." Luo Shu smiled appreciatively. "Having just dealt with Kyoto's aftermath and now making you rush here—I truly owe you all."
"However, after today concludes, you should have some time off. If you don't mind, perhaps I could recommend some Tokyo sightseeing spots later?"
"Eh?" Angelene paused mid-step, resting one hand on her hip with feigned nonchalance. "Well, exhaustion isn't really an issue... and since you're offering recommendations, Luo Shu-san, I'll reserve some anticipation then."
As she mentally calculated how many days this holiday might last, Angelene shot her subordinates a meaningful glance. They nodded in understanding, dispersing naturally to secure strategic positions throughout the hall's interior and exterior while conducting security checks.
Luo Shu watched them work for a while until the faint hum of car engines reached his ears. His gaze sharpened at the sound, and he stepped out of the hall first, spotting several black modified bulletproof vehicles driving directly into the temple grounds, slowly approaching the venue.
Clearly, the person he'd been waiting for had arrived.