The doubtful voice naturally came from the Three-Eyed Spider.
Perched on the shrine's dilapidated torii gate plaque, its legs skittered agitatedly across the pale latticework:
"Of course... Aldegia's Silver Princess visiting Japan without reason was suspicious from the start."
"Though ostensibly here for a state visit, attending an English diplomat's funeral immediately after meeting the Prime Minister is suspicious in itself."
"Was she fostered in that diplomat's household?"
"Or was that exiled princess among the funeral attendees? Someone who would definitely attend? Perhaps staying with the diplomat's relatives?"
Enigma smiled as she watched Three-Eyed Spider muttering to herself, neither stopping the other's conjectures nor explaining that the deceased diplomat had actually been one of her avatars.
She knew full well that Three-Eyed Spider's priority was completing the Flame Demon summoning ritual to fulfil the task assigned by important figures from True Hell.
Thus, she naturally steered matters in that direction.
Transforming those temporarily assigned Hell Girls into avatars had been her trap all along.
She needed to project an utterly lawless attitude before Three-Eyed Spider to indirectly prove the authenticity of the intelligence about the princess being in exile.
To put it bluntly, she had to appear completely unconstrained in Three-Eyed Spider's presence.
Just then, Three-Eyed Spider gradually calmed down, playing with her spider legs in evident pleasure:
"I'm beginning to understand how you earned your reputation as the 'Middlewoman'."
Three-Eyed Spider cared nothing for the Hell Girls Enigma had taken and turned into avatars.
Even now, surrounded by these Hell Girls, she remained indifferent.
Apart from carefully selected Hell Girls like Ai Enma, made from Spirit Mediums, those she'd assigned to Enigma were mostly inferior products from recent generations - mere placeholders whose sacrifice didn't trouble her in the slightest.
Compared to the intelligence Enigma brought, these losses meant nothing to Three-Eyed Spider.
"So you want to trade the princess's location with me?"
Three-Eyed Spider knew perfectly well that Greed's mission was to seize the Abyss Artefact Star Gate potentially hidden beneath the SDS Hidden Management Department, which didn't conflict with her own task of summoning and capturing the Flame Demon.
Of course, no conflict also meant no connection, so in principle Enigma had no obligation to reveal the princess's whereabouts - even if she possessed concrete intelligence.
Yet here Enigma stood before her.
Considering the other's role as the Middlewoman, Three-Eyed Spider naturally understood this was a business proposition.
Enigma placed one hand on her hip, smirking at Three-Eyed Spider:
"I do have the location, but you surely understand this intelligence's value to you~."
"So let's skip the tedious probing. I'll state two conditions - agree, and it's yours."
"Go on." Understanding, Three-Eyed Spider gestured for Enigma to proceed.
Pleased by Three-Eyed Spider's cooperation, Enigma raised the corner of her mouth:
"First condition: While capturing the Flame Demon, you'll join me in infiltrating the Hidden Management Department's underground to retrieve the Star Gate located there."
Hearing this, Three-Eyed Spider replied without surprise:
"I see. So you've confirmed the Star Gate's presence in the Hidden Management Department?"
Enigma tilted her head slightly, her smile turning playful:
"If my intelligence is correct, it's definitely there."
As for the source of the information, it naturally came from a certain Director of the Hidden Management Department.
The reason Enigma proposed this condition was precisely because it aligned perfectly with Three-Eyed Spider's expectations.
After all, Three-Eyed Spider knew her mission target was the Star Gate.
Having anticipated the first condition and mentally prepared for it, Three-Eyed Spider naturally focused her attention on the next one:
"What's the second condition?"
At this moment, Enigma suddenly glanced at Ai Enma, who had remained silent beside them.
Noticing this, Three-Eyed Spider said lightly:
"Ai, from now on, you belong to her."
With those words, Ai Enma felt the unseen contract binding her to the Three-Eyed Spider transfer; her allegiance now truly shifted to Enigma by her side.
To this, Ai Enma showed no reaction, merely watching indifferently as if utterly unconcerned about her fate.
Three-Eyed Spider paid no mind to her lack of response, simply turning her gaze back to Enigma and saying:
"A small token of sincerity. Please don't think too much of it."
Hearing this, Enigma revealed a satisfied smile: "I quite like this gesture of goodwill."
A Hell Girl whose strength could be considered decent—barely reaching Elite Rank—had a reasonably high probability of awakening Hero Rank abilities if turned into a Familia.
With some polishing, she would gain a Hero Rank ally within the Familia.
Most importantly, this emotionless, obedient girl might appeal to that man's tastes...
If that were possible, it would be the most significant value of this operation!
"So, what's the second condition?" Three-Eyed Spider seemed perceptive, understanding that Ai Enma was just an add-on, and what Enigma truly desired hadn't yet been obtained, hence the question.
"The second condition..." Enigma curled her lips into a smile. "...Jealousy, I heard you control a rift between hell and the human world?"
Three-Eyed Spider was visibly startled, seemingly surprised that Enigma would make such a demand.
After a pause, it hesitated before speaking:
"Are you certain you want this?"
"What do you think?" Enigma replied with a faint smile. "Or do you believe the rewards offered by those behind us would be inferior to your current dwelling?"
Hearing this, Three-Eyed Spider pondered for a moment before sighing:
"...Fine."
"The rift between worlds I currently inhabit can be transferred to you!"
"But let me be clear—I don't want some half-blood. I demand a true, legitimate princess of the Aldegia Kingdom!"
Enigma merely smiled, offering no direct response, and said lightly:
"You'll be satisfied."
Three-Eyed Spider gave Enigma a deep look before stating:
"Follow me. Transferring the rift will take some time, so let's expedite the process."
"After the handover, I expect to see that princess brought before me."
"That shouldn't be difficult for someone with as many clones as you, right?"
Enigma grinned in response:
"Of course~"
With that, the two ignored Ai Enma and followed the Three-Eyed Spider into the rift world.
...
5:00 PM.
While handling documents, Luo Shu suddenly heard his phone ring.
He glanced down, retrieved his phone from his pocket, and, seeing an unfamiliar number, pressed the answer button:
"Hello?"
"Is this Luo Shu~?" A seductive, amused female voice chimed.
Recognising the voice after a brief silence, Luo Shu realised it was Enigma:
"It's you. What do you want?"
Enigma's laughter echoed through the phone:
"Luo Shu~ Do you want a girl? A black-haired, straight-haired, emotionless kimono girl~"
Luo Shu could only utter one word in response:
"Huh?"