Occult Research Club.
"Ayato, this time I called you here still about the Khaos Brigade."
Rias handed a cup of brewed black tea to Ayato.
Ayato took a sip of the black tea and smiled. "Having me come all the way here makes it seem like it's not just the usual small-time stuff, right?"
"Of course."
Rias nodded. "It is said that this operation is related to Athena."
"Oh?"
Ayato's eyes flickered. He asked instinctively, "Which Athena?"
"Heretic God."
Rias said seriously. "But the specific details are unclear. It seems to be related to some ruins."
"However, since it concerns a Heretic God, I thought you might be interested."
"Indeed."
Ayato nodded. "I don't know what they're up to, but since it involves a Heretic God, it's definitely worth a trip."
"Where is it?"
"Near Kamakura City."
Ayato: "???"
'Good grief. It involved Athena, but it wasn't far away.'
He had thought he might need to go abroad this time.
But thinking about it, it made sense.
In this world, there were too many messy patches. Existence was justified in itself.
…
In a passenger plane, in the first class area.
"I thought Master would just fly there directly. I didn't expect you to choose ordinary people's transportation."
Erica leaned on Ayato's shoulder and smiled. "But this isn't bad. It feels like a date."
Then, she glanced quietly at Liliana. "Of course, it would be best if Lily hadn't followed."
"She-fox. As a knight of the King, when it comes to a Heretic God, of course I have a duty to accompany him."
Liliana glanced at her. "Not everyone is like you, unable to separate public and private matters."
"What did you say?"
"She-fox. I think I made myself quite clear."
"Do you want to fight?"
"Fine. Anytime."
The two women's eyes met, sparks seeming to fly.
"You two, that's enough."
Ayato said helplessly. "By the way, how are things in the Geass World?"
Recently,
He hadn't really paid much attention to matters over there.
"Everything is proceeding in an orderly fashion. Cornelia is a very capable person."
Erica said. "And it is said that she has also found many people suitable to become servants."
She hugged Ayato's arm tightly and sighed. "Sigh, I really worry about someone. She's already been surpassed by many newcomers."
"W-Who are you talking about?" Liliana was furious.
But in her heart, she began to reflect.
Thinking carefully, it did seem to be true.
She was sure that she liked the King.
'Perhaps I should take the initiative to take a step forward.'
Thinking this, gathering courage from somewhere, she also imitated the action and hugged Ayato's arm.
Immediately, Ayato felt like he was in a surging ocean.
'Well done, Erica.'
In his heart, Ayato quietly gave Erica a thumbs up.
Seeing Ayato's expression, Erica became even more enthusiastic.
As a knight of the King, it was natural to understand his wishes and help him solve problems.
Not to mention that Liliana was her childhood friend. She was also worried about her.
"Excuse me, I think you're sitting in my seat?"
Just then, a figure approached.
She was a girl with long straight black hair and a very cold expression.
She had only taken a few steps when she saw the situation in the seats and paused.
'Good grief!'
'Two women fighting over one man, this exciting?'
'Yukinoshita Yukino.'
The moment he saw her, Ayato recognized her identity.
The corner of his mouth curved into a smile.
By choosing to travel by plane, he had also thought about whether he might run into someone interesting.
As it stood, his luck was indeed good.
Ayato spoke. "Erica, are we in the wrong seats?"
"King, I just confirmed. No mistake."
'King?'
'She called this man King?'
'What was this?'
Hearing Erica's address to Ayato, Yukino's eyelid twitched.
'Could it be... this was a case of Chuunibyou?'
Liliana said, "Miss, please double-check your seat. Please don't cause trouble for the King."
'Another Chuunibyou?'
Yukino was a bit stunned, but still looked at her ticket again.
Then, her fingers tightened slightly. She said apologetically, "Sorry, I made a mistake."
With that, she was about to leave, but Ayato stopped her. "Wait a moment. You have some bad aura on you."
"Now that the King mentions it..."
Erica sized up Yukino for a few moments and also nodded. "There is indeed a bit of a problem. You might attract Cursed Spirits."
Liliana said, "Have you been to any special places recently?"
"???"
Yukino's head was full of question marks.
'What was all this?'
She felt these three people in front of her were severely afflicted with Chuunibyou.
'What a shame.'
'They were clearly two beautiful girls and a handsome guy.'
As she thought about how to quickly end this conversation, Ayato spoke again. "I know you don't believe me, so I won't force it."
"But I hope you'll keep this. You might need it later."
As he spoke, Ayato took out a Devil's flyer.
"D-Devil summoning?"
Taking it instinctively, looking at the content of the flyer, Yukino didn't know what to say anymore.
'This person's Chuunibyou was quite eclectic.'
'First a king, now even Devils.'
After a moment of silence, Yukino said, "I'll remember that."
This was, in her opinion, the fastest way to end the conversation.
Putting the flyer away, Yukino quickly found her seat and sat down.
She put on her headphones and started looking for a movie to watch on the plane.
"Master, it seems she didn't believe you."
Liliana said quietly. "Your plan has failed."
"Not believing is normal."
Ayato smiled and shook his head. "She will come to me on her own."
"Yes, after all, that Cursed Spirit will come knocking sooner or later."
Erica nodded. "But it is also her luck that she encountered the King."