Chapter 7: The Night is My Veil
Natsuba Hanae and Natsuba Rinrei resided in a detached house on the Natsuba estate.
The nearest gate was the west gate.
Theoretically, the Chikari branch only needed to replace the guards at the west gate with their own people. However, for greater secrecy and safety, they replaced the personnel at all the gates.
Chikari Tanishi was the head of the Chikari branch and one of the high-ranking stewards of the Natsuba conglomerate.
Apart from the Natsuba head, no one would question his orders.
Moreover…
The Natsuba conglomerate was currently facing internal strife, rife with power struggles.
The head of the family was old and frail, relying on supernatural elixirs to prolong his life, clinging to power and refusing to let go.
His eldest son, with his wings fully grown, was plotting to seize control.
The second son, although slightly less powerful than the first, had awakened supernatural abilities and could rival his older brother.
Only the third son…
—Was a weakling.
Born only five years before Natsuba Hanae, his power had already been usurped by his two older brothers, leaving him with practically nothing.
He pathetically allied himself with a minor branch of the Nenba family, a relationship that wasn’t even master-servant, but more of a partnership.
Since tonight’s operation was orchestrated by Chikari Tanishi, even if those with ulterior motives noticed something, they wouldn’t intentionally investigate.
They would simply assume it was another internal power struggle.
This was also Chikari Tanishi’s own thinking. If only the west gate’s personnel were changed, it would appear suspicious.
This was also why Natsuba Hanae valued Chikari Tanishi.
Although his strength had almost reached its limit, with no further room for growth…
He was experienced and efficient, a loyal subordinate who used his mind to address minor details, making him trustworthy.
Of course, although the Natsuba conglomerate was beginning to fracture internally…
As long as the head remained in power, this seemingly disintegrating conglomerate would be held together by force.
This was one of the hidden dangers of the Natsuba conglomerate’s rapid expansion and absorption of numerous families:
An unstable foundation.
However, this had nothing to do with the current Natsuba Hanae.
At this moment, a black luxury car sped towards Ginza.
Natsuba Hanae sat in the passenger seat.
It wouldn’t be appropriate for the Second Miss to drive herself, especially since she had never driven before.
However…
Natsuba Hanae pursed her lips, looked at the excitedly driving Chikari Makoto, and asked,
“Makoto, do you have a driver’s license?”
Hearing this, Chikari Makoto blinked, furrowed her brows slightly, and glanced sideways at Natsuba Hanae.
“A driver’s license? What’s that? Wait, I’ll search for it on my phone.”
“…Don’t bother. Focus on driving.”
She should have known. Chikari Makoto was only fourteen; how could she have a license? Good children shouldn’t imitate Chikari Makoto.
It wasn’t a big deal. Even if the car crashed, she wouldn’t be harmed.
The repair costs would simply be deducted from Chikari Makoto’s salary.
Thinking this way, Natsuba Hanae calmed down, and even the erratic swerving of the car seemed less bothersome.
About an hour later…
Chikari Makoto began to observe their surroundings.
Earlier, she had run back to the Natsuba estate, arriving over ten minutes faster than driving.
However, she couldn’t possibly run with Second Miss.
So, they drove.
Besides, Second Miss had told her that with the strength of an elite-level supernatural being, it wouldn’t be easily defeated by two C-rank users.
There was no need to rush.
Now, they had arrived near Ginza.
But she couldn’t sense the elite-level supernatural being’s presence in the car.
“Strange, I remember it being around here.”
Chikari Makoto’s pupils constricted slightly, and her amber eyes shimmered as she scanned their surroundings.
Hearing this, Natsuba Hanae already had a guess.
Most likely, the two groups had lured the elite-level supernatural being to a more secluded location for a proper fight.
Now, night had fallen.
Moonlight cast a silvery veil over the earth. Natsuba Hanae took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
Suddenly, an invisible force erupted outwards in a violent surge, as if the world had momentarily stopped.
Resting birds, lurking snakes, scurrying rats…
She sensed them all.
The tips of her silver, moonlit hair were now faintly tinged with a deep, dark Sanctuary Flame, her divine power immense.
Between her brows, a golden, cherry blossom-like pattern appeared, flickering in and out of existence.
[Night-Wandering Woman Activated]
[One hooks the stars, one flies unseen, flying by night, hidden by day, like a ghost or a god.]
At that moment, Natsuba Hanae abruptly opened her eyes.
Her eyes, bright and dazzling, like the rising sun, exuded a powerful aura that made Chikari Makoto beside her stiffen.
A faint smile slowly appeared on Hanae’s lips.
“Found it.”
She looked at the anxious Chikari Makoto.
Slightly restraining her aura, she said softly,
“Makoto, let’s go.”
With a clear direction, Natsuba Hanae’s actions were direct and simple.
She opened the car door and walked towards the location she sensed.
Seeing Natsuba Hanae get out of the car, Chikari Makoto’s trembling finally subsided, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
“Second Miss’s power is becoming truly terrifying.”
“But…”
“Wakuwaku!”
“Super exciting! This time, I’ll also let Second… Mom see the results of my training! I’ll…”
“Kill them all!”
Chikari Makoto’s eyes burned with fighting spirit, and the corners of her mouth curled upwards uncontrollably.
Looking at the back of Natsuba Hanae in her black dress, Chikari Makoto grabbed her sword and hurried out of the car, running after her.
“Mom, wait for me!”
The bright, full moon hanging in the sky took on a faint crimson hue.
The car remained parked by the roadside.
Two girls, one walking, one running, ventured into the unknown mountain path.
And within their shadows, two enormous, terrifying bird-like creatures flickered in and out of existence.
Leave a Reply