After dumping Megumin’s work on Naruto, Russell quickly returned to his residence.
Thanks to the sweat of Megumin and Naruto, and the selfless contribution of Valmont, his life was gradually getting back on track.
However, some problems had also arisen.
For instance, because of the Causality Law: One Thousand Years of Death, he had postured like some kind of badass villain in front of Talulah.
Talulah, the adopted daughter of the Black Snake, Grand Duke Koschei.
Koschei, the deathless one from Slavic mythology.
That demon resided within Talulah’s body, waiting for her to accept him and be assimilated.
Since he had left a deep impression on Talulah, he would certainly be noticed by the Black Snake.
And it would be unscientific for that monster, which fancied itself the national will of Ursus, not to react upon discovering a power that was seemingly vying for the throne of Victoria.
Hmm, I might face some probing attempts later?
That sounded a bit troublesome.
But on second thought, it wasn’t a huge deal.
After all, Megumin was already working on the tool to utilize the Oni Mask.
The Shadowkhan lived up to their name; they were both evil spirits and shadows.
They could lurk in the shadows and even achieve an effect similar to a spatial jump through them.
In fact, using the Shadowkhan as laborers was a complete misuse of their talents.
—Their true profession was assassination.
Just imagine waking up to find yourself surrounded by a hundred-odd ninjas.
Without Jackie Chan’s invincibility-in-a-furniture-store plot armor, you’d get your balls kicked into oblivion.
Even if the old snake Koschei powered up, he could have the Shadowkhan whisk him away, or simply have a group member open a portal…
He could just go to Valmont’s world later to find the other masks.
When the time came, he’d lead the Shadowkhan army and crush these bastards.
At this thought, Russell’s mood improved considerably, and he prepared to go to sleep.
And then—
[Oh, friend, did you forget something?]
The detector abruptly popped up in his vision.
Huh?
Russell was stunned.
[You promised to help Raiden Mei feed Kiana.]
Understanding dawned on Russell.
Right, there was that.
Raiden Mei’s keys and bank card were in his possession.
It was just that Valmont had suddenly dumped Shendu’s statue and the Oni Mask on him, and he had been so preoccupied with figuring out how to control the Shadowkhan and torture Shendu that he’d completely forgotten.
Ermm…
Russell looked at the night sky outside the window, a little embarrassed.
He had completely forgotten about Kiana.
Although he didn’t know Kiana at all and thus felt no guilt for letting her down, it was still a task entrusted to him by Raiden Mei…
and Russell cared about what Raiden Mei thought.
After all, she was a member of the chat group.
Barring any accidents, they were all in the same boat now.
As one of the grasshoppers on that string, Russell certainly couldn’t do anything that would seriously piss off another.
The system’s reply was merciless.
“Is there any possibility that you’re just too useless?
If you had given me a Genesis Star Chart or the Ophiuchus Gold Cloth as a check-in reward at the start, would I be this damn busy?” Russell retorted at the detector on his body as he got up and started packing.
In truth, there wasn’t much to prepare.
After all, the Dragon Talisman had been left at the mine as equipment, and the Oni Mask had been taken to the Crimson Demon Village by Megumin.
The only thing he could bring was the Sheep Talisman.
Honestly, going to the Honkai world with only a Sheep Talisman was a bit rash.
The energy source in the Honkai world was the highly corrosive Honkai energy.
While the ambient levels were low and harmless, running into a source of infection would definitely end badly.
But fortunately, the mission this time was just to find Kiana, toss a bank card in front of her, and head back.
If he wanted to be even safer, he could just use the Sheep Talisman’s ability to send a dream, telling Kiana in her sleep where Raiden Mei’s bank card and apartment keys were.
If he wanted to add a little drama for himself, he could coolly say, “Take the money and get out of the Raiden house.”
Hmm, the upside was that it would be fun.
The downside was that Kiana might load the Dragon King script, turn into the Herrscher of Flamescion in two days, and smash his head in.
Ahem, for the sake of his head, it was better not to add any drama.
With these thoughts, Russell quickly changed his clothes and sent a travel request to Raiden Mei.
……
The taste of unadon was exquisite.
The eel, coated in a sweet and salty sauce and laid over white rice, combined the sweetness of the rice with the flavor of the eel, instantly awakening the taste buds.
Sukiyaki, with its special Japanese soy sauce-based broth, cooked with slices of meat and various vegetables and then dipped in raw egg, was also extremely delicious.
Of course, for those who expended a great deal of physical energy, fried food was the most delicious of all delicacies.
Seafood and fresh vegetables, coated in an egg and flour batter and then deep-fried, provided a supreme enjoyment along with an explosion of calories.
The white-haired girl walked down the food street, exuding the aura of a starving ghost, making people shrink away in fear.
Kiana Kaslana.
Daughter of the Kaslana and Schariac families.
By bloodline, she was a genuine noble lady, one might even say a princess.
But just as one had to be respected by the people to become Hokage, one had to have power and influence to be called a princess.
Kiana felt that not only was she not a noble lady, she was more like a refugee.
Chiba City was a bustling metropolis.
And a bustling city was never short on delicious food.
“So hungry…” The girl fumbled with her wallet, shaking it vigorously.
A single 100-yen coin fluttered out.
One hundred yen.
About fifty cents.
Clearly, this was not enough to fill the stomach of a starving Samoyed.
Kiana was hungry.
Not just hungry, but very hungry.
When she was very young, her father had mysteriously disappeared, forcing her to set out from Northern Europe to find him.
She had heard rumors of a white-haired man appearing in Chiba City, which was why she had come here.
The Kaslanas were a clan of knights.
Out of a sense of honor, she had naturally stayed behind, trying to deal with the city’s problems.
Investigating the source of the Honkai alone was undoubtedly arduous.
Not only was it inefficient, but it was also extremely energy-consuming.
Kiana clutched her stomach, her expression pained.
She hadn’t found Siegfried, she hadn’t found the Honkai source, and she had been starving all day.
Life seemed to have lost all meaning.
Only Mei’s presence brought a little warmth.
Thinking of a certain beautiful senpai, Kiana’s expression finally improved.
Raiden Mei.
The senpai who was willing to provide her with any and all help, and also her best friend over these many years.
Elegant, calm, and accustomed to taking care of others.
Just being with her felt warm and comforting.
Her old man had said that when you meet someone who makes your heart race, you have to strike with all your might.
A real man’s pursuit should be as earth-shaking as the Rumbling!!
Without a doubt, Raiden Mei was the one worth pursuing with all her effort.
At this thought, Kiana’s pace couldn’t help but quicken.
Like a nimble cat, she easily leaped over a high wall and vaulted into a luxurious apartment complex.
In her line of sight, the lights of a certain apartment were on.
Mei…
is she waiting for me?
The girl’s face was filled with excitement.
Oh, oh, oh!!
Is Mei so used to preparing meals for me that she’d even decide to leave the lights on because I haven’t eaten?
This is too much like a fairy tale!
A smile spread across Kiana’s face.
This was a huge step in the warming of their relationship!
She took the elevator upstairs, knocked on the door, and waited for the beautiful girl to open it for her.
Kiana’s face was wreathed in smiles.
Not five seconds after she knocked, the sound of the lock turning came from the door.
Mei, I’m here!!
The smiling girl bent down slightly and then charged forward.
From past experience, this position was perfect for crashing into Mei’s chest and enjoying the soft, bouncy feeling.
Charge, charge, charge!!!
Following past experience, the girl turned into a human locomotive.
But, whether it was her imagination or not, she felt that Mei’s chest, far from being soft, was actually a bit…
hard.
Feeling that the texture was a bit off, Kiana warily raised her head.
A man with a slice of bread in his mouth looked down at her with a troubled expression.
???
Who the hell are you?!!
—o—