Maintaining a polite yet slightly warm standard smile, Ge Huang observed the black-haired girl before her, who bore a resemblance to a Yamato Nadeshiko.
Aside from the white medical eyepatch over her right eye—which somewhat disrupted the atmosphere—the girl in the black gothic dress, devoid of any accessories, was the very picture of a refined noble lady.
Yet precisely because her demeanour was so textbook-perfect, Ge Huang felt an overwhelming sense of dissonance.
It was as if everything about this girl was a facade.
But whatever she was hiding held no significance for Ge Huang.
She was merely an emotionless courier, utterly unqualified to pry into the affairs of an SDS member.
Lifting the briefcase she had been carrying, she held it out horizontally to Kurumi Tokisaki and said calmly:
"Inside are 3 litres of Spirit Liquid. Would you like to inspect them?"
"Certainly." Kurumi didn't decline the offer. Holding the briefcase effortlessly in one hand, she entered the prearranged code to unlock it. Upon opening it, she saw 15 glass containers filled with viscous liquid.
Under the dim glow of the setting sun, the solution within the glass radiated a dazzling indigo brilliance.
Elemental Spirit Liquid referred to liquefied elements formed in areas of highly concentrated elemental energy.
These liquefied elements came in many varieties, all of which greatly replenished a sorcerer's Spiritual Power. They also served as auxiliary materials for certain Class advancements and acted as accelerators for elemental sorcerers' training.
Generally, Elemental Spirit Liquid only formed alongside nature spirits.
In the current world, only elemental sorcerer lineages contracted with the Spirit King could artificially produce corresponding Elemental Spirit Liquid using the divine artefacts bestowed by the Spirit King.
The Huang family was such a lineage, having utilised their family artefact, the Void Spear, to establish numerous Elemental Spirit Liquid production sites.
Even so, the 3 litres of Elemental Spirit Liquid before them represented nearly two years' worth of the Huang family's stockpile.
Handing over these stockpiles was undoubtedly painful for the Huang family, but if it could secure the SDS's support, the trade-off wasn't too severe.
Opening the briefcase, the eyepatch-wearing Kurumi curled her lips slightly at the sight of the elemental Spirit Liquid before her, saying cheerfully:
"These are indeed genuine~"
As an avatar of the Demigod Kurumi Tokisaki, though her power wasn't particularly formidable, discerning authentic elemental Spirit Liquid was well within her capabilities.
After confirming the Spirit Liquid's authenticity, she promptly relocked the briefcase, holding it in her left hand while extending her right towards Ge Huang:
"Well then, a pleasant partnership."
"...A pleasant partnership."
Ge Huang shook hands with eyepatch Kurumi, then couldn't resist adding after releasing her grip:
"Though Miss Tokisaki is likely already aware, I feel compelled to remind you."
"The transaction between the SDS and the Huang family isn't exactly discreet, especially in such a public location as Kai Tak."
Normally, a sealed-off airport would be the most suitable venue for such exchanges.
Neither the SDS nor the Huang family possessed the authority to shut down airports within China.
As one of the world's busiest airports, the economic losses from closing Kai Tak were something Hong Kong's authorities were unwilling to bear.
Thus, the transportation of Elemental Spirit Liquid had likely ceased to be a secret to certain factions.
Though the exact reasons behind the SDS's sudden demand for Spirit Liquid - enough to trade resources with the Huang family and even recruit their heiress into the Hidden Management Department - remained unclear, various parties undoubtedly had ample motivation to sabotage this operation for their own ends.
Having completed her role in the first leg of transportation, Ge Huang knew responsibility now lay beyond her purview, yet she offered kindly:
"If possible, do exercise caution on your journey."
Eyepatch Kurumi gave Ge Huang a meaningful look upon hearing this, then smiled:
"I'll be careful."
Simultaneously, the red-and-black interlaced domain of the City of Devouring Time enveloped the briefcase from within.
With the handover complete, eyepatch Kurumi turned unceremoniously and ascended the airstairs into the aircraft cabin.
Proceeding directly to the midsection, she seated herself ladylike upon a luxurious sofa, placing the silver briefcase across her knees.
Almost the moment she settled, the SDS flight attendants sprang into action.
Under the airport control tower's coordination, the plane began taxiing slowly from the runway.
As engines roared to life, Eyepatch Kurumi gazed through the window at the scenery gradually receding.
It was then that a distinctive tapping sound emerged.
Not the click of stewardesses' heels, but rather the tread of military boots against the flooring.
When eyepatch Kurumi turned towards the noise, a brown-cloaked figure had already seated itself opposite her.
"My my?"
Kurumi arched an eyebrow, glancing at the attending flight attendants - both remained at their posts, utterly unfazed by the newcomer, awaiting passengers' summons with professional detachment.
Observing this, eyepatch Kurumi remarked with amusement:
"Illusions? Or perhaps these people are yours to begin with?"
"Quite the intriguing spectacle, wouldn't you agree? Unidentified elf-san."
Hearing this, the cloaked girl sitting opposite the eyepatch-wearing Kurumi raised her head, revealing pure violet gem-like eyes beneath.
The newcomer took a deep breath, lifted her hand, and pulled back her hood, exposing her silvery-white straight hair and pointed, delicate elven ears:
"Though I apologise for the intrusion, could you hand over the Elemental Spirit Liquid you're holding?"
Upon hearing this, the eyepatch-wearing Kurumi showed an amused smile:
"Before business, shouldn't you introduce yourself first?"
The girl across from her froze momentarily, seemingly unable to follow Kurumi's train of thought.
Yet perhaps due to proper upbringing, she still offered her name:
"Emilia. That's my name."
As she spoke, the girl who called herself Emilia continued in a complex tone:
"Of course, if you haven't heard of me, you may also call me... the Witch of Envy."
"The Cardinal Witch of Truth Astronomy."
As her words fell, the gaze of the eyepatch-wearing Kurumi seemed to freeze in that instant.
...
Meanwhile.
Far away at the Hidden Management Department garrison in Tokyo's Akihabara.
Kurumi Tokisaki's main body smiled as she accepted the transparent glass bottle passed to her by numerous girlish hands. Swirling the indigo Spirit Liquid inside, she revealed a satisfied smile:
"Mission already completed? How very like me~"
"And to think you even hooked a cute little elf."
"It seems even the most talkative version of myself holds unexpected value."
With this charming smile, Kurumi Tokisaki's main body carefully stored the Spirit Liquid and began walking towards the third floor, heading for Luo Shu's office.