"This mission is to investigate Akihiro Kanou. You already know that."
When Akira and Kiyoko Aura weren't paying attention, Byakuya took the opportunity to speak privately with Kurona and Nashiro.
"Mm. Nashiro and I will try to avoid that Kanou guy when the time comes."
"That's right. Byakuya-oniichan can rest assured—we won't expose our 'one-eyed ghoul' identities."
Kurona and Nashiro said one after another.
"No, what I mean is—just act normally. Even if Kanou points out that you're 'one-eyed ghouls,' it doesn't matter. Leave the aftermath to me. You don't need to worry about anything."
But Byakuya said.
Kurona asked with some surprise: "...Is that really okay?"
"It's fine. Trust me—CCG will need your strength."
Byakuya explained.
"Mm. We believe in you, Byakuya-oniichan."
Nashiro nodded.
...
"Kurona? Nashiro? You're here too? And you're..."
Upon seeing Kurona and Nashiro before her, Madam A was immediately surprised.
Especially when she noticed the Quinque briefcases in their hands, which confused her even more.
She had no idea that Kurona and Nashiro were now working normally at CCG. She still thought they were with Dr. Kanou.
So when she saw Kurona and Nashiro with these "Doves" and carrying Quinque briefcases, her face was full of bewilderment.
"That's right. Is there a problem?"
Kurona asked expressionlessly.
"Madam Auntie looks quite haggard. Seems like Cochlea hasn't been treating you well."
Nashiro said evenly.
With Byakuya's words before the operation began, Kurona and Nashiro had no reservations. That's why they could remain so composed facing Madam A.
"I'm not 'Madam Auntie'—please call me 'Madam A'!"
Madam A was immediately triggered by "Madam Auntie."
Her attention was successfully diverted, and for the moment she didn't continue asking about Kurona and Nashiro's connection to these "Doves."
She wouldn't get another chance to ask either, because Akira was annoyed at her wasting time. "It's time to go inside. Stop wasting time."
"Okay! Okay!"
Madam A immediately led Byakuya's group into the mansion.
At this moment, Akira appeared calm on the surface, but she had actually noticed something was off.
The way Kurona and Nashiro knew Madam A didn't seem like a simple acquaintance—it gave her the feeling that "both parties had worked together."
Her intuition told her something was wrong with Kurona and Nashiro.
But now wasn't the time to stop and question them. Besides, their superior Special Class Aura hadn't said anything, so as a Rank 2 investigator, it wasn't her place to speak up. She'd wait until after this investigation...
Actually, it wasn't just Akira—Kiyoko had also noticed something unusual.
But she was willing to believe that Kurona and Nashiro were on CCG's side. After all, as their superior, she'd been working closely with them for quite some time, and they'd always worked diligently as investigators.
So she didn't question it immediately either, planning to ask Kurona and Nashiro afterward.
"...!"
Akira stepped forward and tried pushing the front door, only to find it wasn't locked at all. She could push it right open. "It's not locked..."
Her first thought was whether there might be an ambush. "Let's be careful. Don't split up."
"The basement of this mansion—do you know where it is?"
Byakuya then asked Madam A.
"Basement? There's something like that here?..."
Madam A looked confused.
She wasn't pretending—she genuinely didn't know there was a basement here.
After all, Dr. Kanou didn't trust Madam A very much. He only used her to cultivate humans for his experiments and wouldn't let her know too many secrets.
"...You don't know?"
Byakuya feigned a threatening tone.
Hearing that cold voice, Madam A trembled. "I—I really don't know..."
"Then where did you usually meet with Dr. Kanou?"
Byakuya continued asking.
"I didn't come here often. Let me think... I remember it was some kind of reception room..."
Madam A's tone was uncertain.
"Let's check there first."
Byakuya said.
"Okay."
Madam A hurriedly led the way.
But along the way, Byakuya noticed stairs leading downward off to the side.
"Stop."
Byakuya's sudden command caught the unprepared Madam A off guard, nearly making her trip.
"There's a downward staircase over there. The basement might be below."
Byakuya said.
The group followed Byakuya to the staircase. Going down, they indeed found a basement—and it was massive.
However, after walking through it, they found nothing and saw no sign of Dr. Kanou.
Though Kurona and Nashiro knew the basement's layout well and how to reach Dr. Kanou's location, they felt they shouldn't reveal themselves so directly before Byakuya gave them a signal.
"Are you sure you've seen Dr. Kanou here?"
Byakuya stopped at a certain spot and questioned Madam A.
"I'm sure!"
Madam A nodded vigorously.
"Sure?"
Byakuya suddenly closed in on Madam A, the briefcase in his hand transforming into 13's Jason's sword form.
Seeing this, Madam A's face went pale with terror. "I really am! I really am sure!"
At that moment, Byakuya's 13's Jason slashed forward.
"Kyaaa!!"
Madam A screamed and scrambled to dodge. A tuft of her hair was cut off, but at least she kept her life.
"I—I was telling the truth..."
Madam A was so scared she was crying, looking utterly aggrieved.
Byakuya knew full well that Madam A wasn't lying. But he wasn't bullying her—this was to achieve the goal of "accidentally finding the entrance."
"First Class Amaha, inside this wall...!"
Akira exclaimed softly.
The wall before them had been sliced open by Byakuya's earlier strike, revealing a large hole. Inside was a narrow passage, its walls lined with writhing flesh—remarkably similar to the underground labyrinth of Ward 24!
[Ding! Host used exceptional acting skills to find the "underground laboratory" entrance without arousing suspicion. Reward: 20 Fusion Points!]
...
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