Jet-black hair cascaded like a waterfall down to her waist. With her hands clasped behind her elbows, she gently twirled a strand of her dark locks, her posture exuding elegance. Her tall stature was in no way inferior to that of the other woman.
She wore a black evening gown with a cinched waist that accentuated her slender figure. Though the design was simple, on her, it carried a stunning allure.
"There's a familiar scent about her."
Sayaka frowned, scrutinizing the girl cautiously.
This girl was no ordinary person.
Even from their first eting, she could sense it.
Though she didn't recognize her, the aura the girl emitted was strikingly similar to that of a childhood friend she held dear!
"I see. You're a Maiden of the Lion King Organization?"
The girl across from her studied her for a mont and was the first to recognize her.
"Constantly enveloped in curses, allowing only permitted individuals to touch you, while others are electrocuted into unconsciousness upon approach... That is indeed the style of the Lion King Organization's Maidens."
She laughed cheerfully.
"My, how interesting. As a Maiden of the Lion King Organization, you're flirting with a masked man in such a setting. Aren't you ashad?"
Her tone was clearly provocative.
Where was the professionalism of a trained agent?
She openly mocked Sayaka without restraint.
"At your age, you don't even have a man to flirt with? How pitiful!"
The girl stiffened slightly.
Her narrow eyes narrowed further as she turned her gaze to the man beside Sayaka.
"Eiji?"
Even Sayaka looked taken aback.
Had he actually taken the initiative to attack this girl?
Was he speaking up for her?
A warmth spread through Sayaka's heart.
What was this? This jerk actually knew how to say sothing nice once in a while!
Though his mouth was truly insufferable, as a companion, there was no one more reliable!
"And who might this be?"
The girl with waist-length black hair studied Eiji with a dangerous expression.
Outwardly, there was nothing particularly special about him.
Oh, he had a good physique.
No, it was genuinely impressive.
But aside from that, there didn't seem to be much else.
Why was he walking alongside a Maiden of the Lion King Organization?
"How rude. Should I teach you what to do before asking for soone's na?"
Eiji lifted his chin arrogantly.
What a joke!
Sayaka was his plaything, but she was his plaything alone!
Did she think anyone could just bully her?
The black-haired girl was montarily speechless.
Her gaze toward Eiji grew even more dangerous.
Sayaka covered her mouth, barely suppressing a laugh.
"My apologies for the rudeness. Allow to introduce myself."
The girl took a deep breath, suppressing her irritation, and offered a flawlessly polite smile.
"My na is Kiriye Kisaki. Like the Maiden over there, I am a governnt agent of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. However, my organization is not the Lion King Organization but the Taishi Bureau. I am one of the 'Six Blades' of the Taishi Bureau."
"The Six Blades of the Taishi Bureau!"
Sayaka's expression tightened instantly.
She was all too familiar with this organization!
Under the direct jurisdiction of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, there were three major organizations dedicated to responding to anomalous disasters: the Anti-Disaster Counterasures Bureau, the Lion King Organization, and the Taishi Bureau!
Among these, the Demon Attack Bureau holds a transcendent position, generally leaning more towards the collection of data and intelligence, and is also responsible for the assessnt of dostic demon attack mages and disasters caused by sorcerers.
The Lion King Organization, on the other hand, handles large-scale artificial sorcery disasters and intelligence work, while also representing the Japanese governnt in receiving and protecting important international guests.
Lastly, the Taishi Bureau has a weaker presence, only dealing with naturally occurring sorcery disasters—specifically, calamities and prevention related to magical beasts and ancient ruins.
In terms of functions, these three organizations have distinct roles but also overlap.
Aside from the relatively unique Demon Attack Bureau, the relationship between the Lion King Organization and the Taishi Bureau is more delicate, often leading to conflicts depending on the situation.
For example, if magical beasts are discovered and the Taishi Bureau is dispatched first, but it is suddenly revealed that the beasts are being controlled by soone, then the Lion King Organization should also be mobilized. This leads to disputes over which side should take responsibility.
Thus, while they are not quite political rivals, their relationship is far from good.
Especially in recent years, as the Lion King Organization has grown increasingly powerful, the Taishi Bureau has voiced growing complaints and dissatisfaction, causing their relationship to deteriorate further.
"Shouldn't the Taishi Bureau be responsible for dostic natural sorcery disasters?"
Kousaka Sayaka's tone turned cold, her eyes fixed squarely on Kisaki Tsuwabuki.
"Why are you here?"
"So, you are?"
"Kousaka Sayaka, as you can see, I'm a Maihi of the Lion King Organization."
"Understood."
Kisaki Tsuwabuki nodded lightly.
"This is exactly what we dislike most about your Lion King Organization. Even when encountering incidents under our Taishi Bureau's jurisdiction, you always have to ddle. If not intervening directly, you still act high and mighty, demanding to know every detail. Don't you think your thods are becoming increasingly overbearing?"
"Hah? This isn't just any ordinary place. I have to clarify your intentions!"
Sayaka instantly flared up.
Who's ddling?
Who's acting high and mighty?
Aren't those who, as fellow governnt agents, refuse to communicate and instead engage in internal strife the real fools?
Eiji shrugged.
He decided to remain silent. You two keep fighting!
Just make it entertaining!
"Ladies, please calm down."
Just as Kisaki Tsuwabuki was about to say sothing, a voice from the side interrupted their exchange.
Eiji glanced displeasedly at the newcor. Why interrupt?
Standing before them was a young man with blond hair and blue eyes.
Dressed in a matching white suit, he had a slender build and strikingly handso features, appearing at first glance as an elegant and beautiful man.
"I wouldn't want my banquet to end in an unexpected way. Moreover, if you two were to start a serious fight here, it would cause problems, wouldn't it?"
The blond man stepped between the two girls, his lodious tone carrying a will that neither of them could ignore.
"You are right, Duke Aldiaryu."
Kisaki Tsuwabuki was the first to react, giving a slight bow.
"It was indeed our rudeness."
Sayaka also reined in her anger.
No matter how much the Lion King Organization and the Taishi Bureau might clash, it's an internal matter of the Japanese governnt.
If they were to cause a scene in front of a noble from the Warring Domains, it would disgrace the entire nation.
"Very well, thank you for your understanding."
A handso man, whose na was Dmitri Vatler, was a duke possessing the Principality of Aldearu in the Warring Monarch's Domain—an undoubted aristocrat of high standing.
His composed gaze swept over the two young won, seemingly lacking much interest.
Imdiately after, his eyes settled upon the third person—Eiji.
"Welco to my banquet, the legendary Narcissus."
A aningful smile appeared on his face.
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