"Oh? Is that so? Yinghua."
Luo Hao became interested, but she didn't immediately believe the Japanese woman's words. Instead, she looked at her disciple, Lu Yinghua.
She rarely left Mount Lu and was essentially a super hikikomori. She usually left information gathering to her disciples. In truth, she seldom actively sought out specific news.
Except regarding her mortal enemy, Marquis Voban.
She had heard about the emergence of the Seventh Campione but hadn't paid it much mind, continuing her quiet life on Mount Lu.
But now, hearing that the Seventh Campione might be a fellow countryman piqued her interest. This was different from the other Campiones.
Being fellow countrymen, sharing the same bloodline, naturally brought a sense of closeness.
Hearing her master's words, Lu Yinghua scratched his head uncertainly, "I've heard about this, Master. The Seventh King does indeed have Asian features. But according to the intelligence, his first appearance was in Japan, and he clashed with the History Compilation Committee, reportedly trying to seize the Authority of a certain Heretic God."
As he spoke, Lu Yinghua spread his hands, "So I think even with Asian features... he's most likely Japanese, right? After all, we've never heard any news of a Campione appearing anywhere in our country before."
"I see." After listening, Luo Hao slowly closed her eyes, pondering slightly.
"Yinghua, go and confirm it. If he is a fellow countryman, extend an invitation for him to visit Mount Lu. If not, there's no need to report back to me."
"Yes, Master."
Lu Yinghua bowed respectfully. Upon hearing this, Kaoru, standing nearby, grew anxious.
"King, please listen to our proposed trans-"
"Enough! Yinghua, take her away!"
An unquestionable command cut her off. Kaoru's voice stopped abruptly. She understood she was no longer permitted to continue the conversation.
Feeling helpless and powerless, she could only follow Lu Yinghua down from the peak of Mount Lu.
Back at the thatched cottage at the mountain's base, Lu Yinghua left immediately after escorting Kaoru, saying he needed to change clothes and asking them to wait a moment.
Touma, who had been waiting in the cottage, saw Kaoru return and quickly asked, "How did it go?"
Kaoru's expression was somewhat grim, and she sighed, "Not exactly successful. The Fist King wouldn't even listen to the details of our proposed transaction."
Touma's face also fell. If the Fist King refused to help, and if that Seventh Campione truly intended to wipe them out, they would indeed face destruction.
They had actually employed a small trick. Because the Seventh King first appeared in Japan, combined with a series of specific details, they speculated the Seventh King was Japanese.
Telling the Fist King that the Seventh King might be Chinese was merely to pique her interest and make her intervene. But their true goal was the subsequent transaction with the Fist King.
Now that the Fist King showed no interest in their transaction, were they forced to pin all their hopes on Mariya Yuri and the possibility that the King was Japanese?
This tightrope walk was not what the History Compilation Committee wanted.
Seeing Touma's extremely troubled expression, Kaoru sighed and tried to comfort him.
"Don't worry too much. The Fist King is sending her disciple to accompany us to confirm the Eighth King's identity. If the other party is Chinese, the Fist King will intervene."
"But even then, we don't gain anything," Touma said with a bitter face.
If the Seventh King were Chinese, wouldn't they be at an even greater disadvantage?
"There's no other way now. We can only place our hopes on Mariya Yuri, hoping she can appease the King's wrath."
"Sigh... That seems to be the only option. But I think dealing with the Red Devil with just Mariya Yuri alone might not be enough."
"You mean... Seishuuin Ena?"
"Exactly, that's what I mean."
"Let's discuss the details after we return and ask for their opinions."
Their conversation gradually lowered as they sensed someone approaching quickly from outside.
Soon, the cottage door opened. Lu Yinghua, now dressed in casual clothes like a teenager, grinned at them.
"Yo, let's go. To Japan."
…
Meanwhile, Western Europe.
In a castle that looked gloomy and terrifying.
The long corridor was lit only by dim candlelight. The airtight design allowed almost no sunlight into the castle's interior.
An old clock made an unpleasant sound, its hands moving with a grating, horrifying tick.
A girl with white hair tied in a ponytail, wearing a knight's uniform, walked through this place with a normal expression. She was accustomed to this environment.
Whether for her current self or her self from four years ago, this place was not unfamiliar.
Following the long corridor, stepping on a carpet that could kick up dust, the girl arrived at the castle's great hall.
Just as she reached the hall's entrance, the bronze doors automatically swung open, as if aware of her arrival, specially welcoming her.
The white-haired girl took a deep breath, her expression serious as she walked in.
The hall's furnishings were extremely simple, with almost no decorations. The only thing that might indicate wealth was the seemingly valuable chair in the very center.
On that chair sat an old man with white hair, wearing a tailcoat. His eyes had vertical pupils, glowing with a green light, like the eyes of a wolf in the night.
The old man looked very spirited. Seeing the white-haired knight enter, a playful smile appeared on his face.
"Kranjcar, how goes the matter I asked you to investigate?"
The white-haired knight respectfully knelt on one knee, performing a knight's salute.
"Report, my King. The Seventh King has gone to Japan. The reason is currently unknown. However, based on intelligence, the Japanese's History Compilation Committee seems to be intentionally hiding. I suspect this is related to the Seventh King's sudden trip to Japan."
"I see."
Upon hearing the girl's report, the old man rubbed his hands together, an interested look on his face.
"To be able to face two alone and slay two Heretic Gods right after becoming a Campione... another exciting fellow."
The white-haired knight remained kneeling on one knee, neither responding, affirming, nor interrupting.
The person before her was the Marquis Voban, who struck fear throughout Western Europe, the most brutal and cold-blooded Campione.