Although she didn't want to admit it, Touka Kirishima's heart almost jumped out when she saw Lancer appear. Of course, this wasn't just because of Lancer status as a 'Ghoul Investigator.' After all, since he went missing, 'Anteiku,' as one of the places he frequently visited, had been investigated by the CCG several times, and during this time, many Investigators had become regular customers because of the manager's craftsmanship.
It was strange to say that the staff of a coffee shop were Ghouls, and the customers included ordinary people, Ghouls, and Ghoul Investigators, but everyone didn't know each other's identities and got along relatively harmoniously.
What truly concerned Touka Kirishima was the 'secret' Lancer knew.
The phrase he spoke before he left more than two years ago, "Is it because you're a 'Ghoul' that you can't understand ordinary people's preference for sweet and bitter tastes?" left a deep impression on her. Even to this day, she sometimes heard that sentence in her dreams.
However, Lancer later mysteriously went missing, and even the CCG was looking for him. The fact that neither she nor 'Anteiku' were raided by the CCG undoubtedly made her very puzzled.
'Why didn't he tell the CCG about her?'
After much hesitation, Touka Kirishima still told the manager about the incident, and the manager's expression also became very serious after hearing Touka Kirishima's words.
"The opponent might already know that everyone in 'Anteiku' is a Ghoul. I even suspect he might know about me, but not reporting us could be for the sake of cooperation with us, or perhaps because... forget it, that's not very likely."
Although Yoshimura Kuzen didn't finish his sentence at the time, Touka Kirishima could still guess what he meant. However, the opponent later disappeared completely, and she had kept the matter buried in her heart. Now, the opponent's sudden appearance completely messed up her mind.
Was the opponent here to capture her?
If not, what was the opponent's purpose?
Because her mind was quite confused, she went directly to the lounge, and Yoshimura Kuzen, who was in the lounge, was also stunned when he heard Touka Kirishima's words. He also hadn't expected Lancer to suddenly appear at this time. He knew that after Lancer 'went missing,' he had pulled his own strings to prevent information about Anteiku from spreading, and he had also asked Renji Yomo to notify many people to look for Lancer whereabouts, but unfortunately, he still came up empty-handed.
But the opponent suddenly appeared without any warning. Was something about to happen?
However, despite the tension, since 'Anteiku' was not being raided by heavily armed CCG Investigators, it meant that the opponent's purpose in coming here was at least not to capture them.
"Touka, since the opponent came alone, he shouldn't be here to capture us. I'll have someone hang up the 'Closed for Business' sign outside the shop first. You should have a good talk with the opponent."
Although Yoshimura Kuzen suspected that Lancer already knew his identity, since the opponent hadn't revealed it, he wouldn't be the one to break the ice first. Therefore, the best choice was to let Touka Kirishima, whose identity had already been exposed, negotiate with the opponent. If the opponent's purpose was him, they would negotiate then.
However, neither Yoshimura Kuzen nor Touka Kirishima expected the first thing Lancer said after sitting down to be a critique of the coffee, which left Touka Kirishima at a loss for what to say for a moment, but in the end, she still habitually said, "I'm glad you like it."
After all, as a coffee shop staff member, she had to respond to a customer's praise. However, she later realized that she probably shouldn't have said 'thank you' in this situation, but when she tried to put on a serious face again, she found that she couldn't maintain a poker face anymore.
The solemn atmosphere that was originally in the room also gradually dissipated.
"Alright, since I've taken the initiative to come here, it means I plan to have a good talk with you... or rather, all of you."
As Lancer words fell, Yoshimura Kuzen, wearing an apron, walked out of the lounge.
"Long time no see, Mr. Lancer."
"Yes, long time no see, Manager Yoshimura~"
Yoshimura Kuzen used to be an almost final boss-like existence to Lancer. Every time he interacted with the opponent, he needed to 'borrow prestige' to ensure his safety. For example, when he first arrived here, he relied on his status as a CCG Investigator to pressure the opponent, so that he could ensure his safety.
But now, he was confident enough to stand in front of the opponent and talk to him as an equal. However, even so, Lancer still acted very politely. One reason was that his purpose was to seek cooperation from the opponent, not to cause trouble. A more important reason was that he couldn't determine Yoshimura Kuzen's exact strength.
That's right, the 'Owl' was rated as an SSS-rank Ghoul by the CCG, but this 'Owl' did not actually refer to Yoshimura Kuzen but to Takatsuki Sen, or rather, Eto Yoshimura. In this case, the opponent's strength could be weaker than the 'Owl' in the CCG's database, or it could also be stronger.
"Since Mr. Lancer, you said you came to 'talk' with us, then with 'what identity' and 'who' do you want to 'talk' with?"
"Don't worry, I'm here in a private capacity. After all, if the CCG were truly coming for you, it wouldn't be me, a First-Class Investigator, right? Don't you agree, Mr. 'Owl'~"
After directly revealing the opponent's identity, Lancer did not continue to speak. Instead, he raised his cup and took a sip of coffee, because he knew the opponent needed some time to process the information he had given. And as expected, Yoshimura Kuzen, whose face was originally only serious, straightened his face even more after hearing Lancer words. Although he remained silent, a powerful oppressive force unconsciously emanated from his body.
But unfortunately, Lancer in front of him was still drinking coffee with a relaxed expression despite this.
It was only at this moment that Yoshimura Kuzen realized something: the man in the suit in front of him was no longer the young Investigator he had cornered at the door with no choice more than two years ago, but a 'master' he couldn't even see through.
"Hoo~!"
As Yoshimura Kuzen let out a long breath, he stopped putting on a serious face. After all, he was only putting on a serious face for others to see, and since it was meaningless, there was no need for him to do it.
"Although I don't know how you know my identity, Mr. Lancer, since you already do, please speak plainly. What do you want from me?"
"Do you still remember the 'food' I gave you more than two years ago?"
Faced with Lancer inquiry, Yoshimura Kuzen nodded without hesitation. After all, that food had briefly reignited Yoshimura Kuzen's passion long ago. The unfortunate thing was that even after more than two years, the CCG still didn't seem to have researched anything from it.
"What if I told you that I now have a method to manufacture edible food for Ghouls?"
It was only at this moment that Lancer truly revealed his purpose.
The 'Holy Grail' might not be an omnipotent wish-granting device. It was merely an aggregate of immense magical power, but within its scope of ability, it could indeed be called 'omnipotent.' The 'data' Lancer requested originally included detailed information about RC cells, as well as all related information, including how to replenish RC cells.
And this simple sentence made Yoshimura Kuzen almost unable to sit still. He looked at Lancer in utter shock.
He originally thought Lancer intended to use his identity as the 'Owl' to help him do things. After all, a powerful enemy with leverage would definitely be the best pawn; he even suspected that the opponent came for Touka Kirishima. Although it was somewhat unbelievable, as one of the protagonists of a similar event in the past, he couldn't completely rule out this possibility, but the one thing he didn't expect was this matter?
"Is what you say true?"
Although Yoshimura Kuzen tried hard to control his emotions, his slightly trembling voice was enough to show that his mind was not calm at this moment.
"Of course, it's true. After all, if it were a lie, it would be too easy to expose, don't you agree?"
Yoshimura Kuzen did not respond to Lancer this time. Instead, he lowered his head and remained silent for a while before raising a single finger to Lancer.
"I have one question."
"Please ask."
"Why would you, a CCG Investigator, tell me such a thing? I don't think the so-called manufacturing method was found by the CCG, was it? In fact, I suspect that the two years you were missing were all related to this so-called 'recipe.' So, since it's your private property, why didn't you go to the CCG for cooperation? Instead, you came to me, an 'enemy'?"
Yoshimura Kuzen's question completely stunned Touka Kirishima, who was beside him, also because of her excitement.
She had been completely beside herself due to the sudden good news, but now that she thought about it carefully, something was indeed not quite right. She had chatted with Lancer many times before. The opponent might have known about her identity as a 'Ghoul' very early on, but he still expressed his dislike for Ghouls without hesitation.
So why would such a person seek cooperation with a Ghoul first?
"What will you do if I don't answer this question? Give up 'it'? Or kill me here?"
"No! I'm still willing to hear you out, because if what you say is all true, this will be an 'invention' powerful enough to change this world! Even if it means sacrificing myself, as long as you can prove that it's real, even if you ask me to die... I will not hesitate."
The young Yoshimura Kuzen was arguably no different from most Ghouls now. His life was full of slaughter, whether it was killing enemies or escaping their pursuit. It could be said that his life was a sea of blood until the day he met a girl with a bright smile. Everything changed.
Their union eventually ended in tragedy, but it made him truly 'awaken.' He yearned for a day when humans and 'Ghouls' could truly coexist harmoniously, and as he said, he was even willing to sacrifice himself for this wish.
Looking at the serious Yoshimura Kuzen, Lancer smiled.
"You don't have to be so serious, and there's nothing that can't be said."
From the moment Yoshimura Kuzen spoke, Lancer eyes had been fixed on the opponent. Although he couldn't be sure that everything the opponent said was sincere, it was enough for him to trust the opponent a little, such as telling him some insignificant answers.