Chapter 533: Rescuing the Great General
The space behind the large doors was much vaster than Kazumi had imagined. It was a vast plaza, nearly as large as several playgrounds, sparsely dotted with small, intricately designed pavilions. Even from a distance, within the seats beneath these pavilions, Kazumi could see various strange, uniquely shaped humanoid creatures sitting in their designated spots.
Kazumi silently surveyed her surroundings. Meeting the gazes of those who had turned their attention to her due to her opening the door, she didn’t say a word. She silently walked towards an empty pavilion not too far away, reached out, pulled out a chair, and sat down. She then tilted her head slightly, the brim of her hat obscuring much of her face.
“?”
As Kazumi was carefully observing the unfamiliar environment with her hidden gaze, a familiar fluctuation came to her from beside her. Kazumi turned her head to see a teacup slowly appearing on the glass mirror in front of her, wisps of faint steam rising from its rim. The floating tea leaves seemed to confirm that this hot tea had just been freshly brewed.
“If you need anything, please just inform us at the table. We can provide all standard food items,” a deep, aged voice came again, this time from the table in front of the girl.
“Okay, thank you.” Kazumi was silent for a moment, then nodded and gently took a sip of the fresh, hot tea on the table, her mind automatically analyzing.
[Spatial ability? Or is it just the ability to traverse between objects?]
She had to admit, the old man’s trick had somewhat stunned the girl. After all, in any system, spatial abilities always ranked among the highest-tier powers in the world. Kazumi looked at herself; it was only after acquiring the [Ghost Gate] ability that her combat power had significantly increased. Take her previous battle with [Takeru Kamikami], for example. Strictly speaking, if Kazumi doubled his raw strength, she still wouldn’t have been a match for [Takeru Kamikami] at that time. However, with the mobility brought by [Ghost Gate], she had truly outmaneuvered that brute who only possessed physical abilities. If it weren’t for that guy’s abnormally high physical strength and stamina, Kazumi would already have an ace hero among her takedowns.
Moreover, the old man’s words and actions both indicated that he held a butler or attendant role within this base. Could it be that a spatial ability user was being employed as a server? Even if it was an elderly man who appeared to be on his last legs, it was an egregious waste. Such an ability, when used effectively, could be devastating in any situation.
The quick-witted girl had already begun to imagine cliché plotlines of a retired veteran from the front lines living out his retirement as a butler at headquarters. Regardless, the instruction was to try not to offend this somewhat mysterious old man. After all, the girl wasn’t someone who liked to cause trouble, and based on what the old man had said earlier, the headquarters in this area were for the various executives and their deputies. Her own boss was here, so hopefully, no one would be foolish enough to disturb others. Hopefully… right?
Kazumi’s internal analysis came to a sudden halt as her eyes looked with some surprise in a certain direction in the distance. It was something that attracted the attention of nearly everyone present. Striding across half the plaza, with a clear destination toward the girl’s location, was someone wearing strange clothing – a zebra man??
“… Is this Masashi Sakuraba’s person? Greetings, Master Cult Leader, Silver Ring Envoy.”
Meanwhile, the teacup in the girl’s right hand was gently placed down as she looked at the zebra-man bowing respectfully before her. For a moment, she was somewhat flustered, unsure of what to say.
[He really came looking for me?]
“You are… Masashi Sakuraba’s subordinate?”
At this moment, Kazumi was also a bit perplexed. His introduction told her that he was a subordinate of Masashi Sakuraba, but Kazumi didn’t think she was that close to Masashi Sakuraba. What right did she have to have someone sent to pay respects to her? Moreover, he used a title of respect towards her, and she didn’t recall Masashi Sakuraba being a very polite person.
“Yes, Master Cult Leader arranged for you to potentially come, and instructed me to get acquainted with you.” The Silver Ring Envoy nodded, a trace of fear in his yellowish-brown eyes, standing rooted to the spot as he replied. In fact, his original instructions were just to call out, and if the person seemed to be a subordinate of the Master Cult Leader, to offer help if needed.
But when the Silver Ring Envoy actually approached this black-robed [Cult Leader]’s subordinate, he felt a suppressive force and a sense of obedience emanating from the depths of his bloodline, as if he were meeting the Master Cult Leader himself. This oppressive feeling, which made him tremble uncontrollably and unable to move, subconsciously led him to treat the person before him in the most respectful manner he could conceive.
“Then I’ll trouble you. Please don’t be so polite, have a seat.”
The other party’s somewhat unusual state made Kazumi feel a little strange, but she didn’t dwell on it. After all, he was under Masashi Sakuraba. One couldn’t use common sense to deduce the actions of a cult fanatic. Who knew what he might have hidden under his loose clothing, perhaps dozens of venomous snakes playing with him? His trembling appearance could be from snake bites.
Green light enveloped the chair next to the Silver Ring Envoy, pulling it out to create an empty seat. The Silver Ring Envoy’s trembling pupils glanced at Kazumi. In that moment, it was as if he had seen some ancient ferocious beast. Stuttering, he opened his eyes, took a deep breath, and sat down, not daring to meet Kazumi’s gaze.
“Are… are you alright?”
The Silver Ring Envoy’s display added another question to Kazumi’s mind. Looking at the Silver Ring Envoy, who seemed to have been attacked for a moment, the girl couldn’t help but ask,
“Hoo… Thank you for your concern, Master. It’s just a side effect of my ability. It’s nothing. Please ask me anything you need.” He exhaled, and the black and white dots on the Silver Ring Envoy’s exposed skin seemed to come alive, contracting rhythmically. A strange energy emanated from before the girl. At least in Kazumi’s eyes, this person was slowly recovering.
“Then do you know why we were called here?”
Seeing the Silver Ring Envoy’s momentary near-death state, Kazumi’s contempt for cults grew, but she couldn’t say it directly. After a moment of thought, she threw out a question.
“You don’t know, Master?”
Kazumi’s question clearly surprised the Silver Ring Envoy. He tried to shake his head but quickly stopped. His black and white face turned to the other side, and small black and white snakes emerged from his sleeve, emitting the Silver Ring Envoy’s voice.
“Should… should I know?”
A look of dazed confusion appeared on the girl’s face. She turned to the blind little snake that was inexplicably speaking for the other party, asking uncertainly.
“Didn’t you already… But perhaps Master [Sakuraba] brought you here precisely to make you fully understand this matter.” The little snake tilted its head, pausing for a moment before continuing. “The [Rescuing the Great General Plan] initiated by the leader of the Kuromon Organization.”
