843 Ultimate Living Weapon
That morning, Erina and Mio enjoyed their morning tea on the bedroom balcony. The birds chirping in the calming atmosphere made their heart feel at peace.
Erina occasionally gazed at the western horizon. After a while, she put down her teacup and closed her eyes. She clasped her hands in prayer when she could no longer feel the connection to Elysia’s presence.
As she expected, Elysia and all the Guardians of Dream members had probably already left for a place impossible for ordinary mortal humans to reach.
Whatever the reason and the circumstances, she hoped Elysia could return in good condition.
“…” Mio also did the same as if she was praying for someone’s well-being.
*Knock* *Knock*
Moments later, a sudden knock on the door broke the atmosphere. Erina and Mio stared at each other for a moment.
“I will open the door.” Mio excused herself and then hurriedly opened the door.
“So, you have returned to Japan without notice, Erina.” Kenji walked into his daughter’s room with a sigh of relief.
“Yes, Ellie took Mio and me home last night. We fell asleep right after. Father, grandfather, would you like to have a morning tea?” Erina smiled happily when she saw that her father was fully healthy and able to move freely again.
“Yeah, I guess we shall join. Have you had breakfast?” Mitsuzuka could only shrug his shoulders and sit down on the empty chair.
Mio immediately took two extra stools for Erina’s father and herself. She then sat down beside Erina.
“Not yet. We just woke up a while ago.” Erina shook her head and then threw her attention to her father. “Father, have you fully recovered? Do you have any complaints or discomforts?”
“Hmm, I feel much fresher and fitter than ever before. I feel like I can return to my usual activities, but I shouldn’t push myself. It would be a bit embarrassing if Elysia needed to heal me again as soon as I recovered, haha.” Kenji did a light stretch to prove his daughter that he was okay.
“Thank goodness.” Erina put her hand on her upper chest and heaved a subtle sigh of relief. She then poured hot tea for her father and grandfather. “Here, your tea. Sugar, cream, and milk separate.”
“Thank you. I chose no sugar.” Mitsuzuka sipped his hot tea without adding anything to it. He then put his cup down and opened the conversation. “So, how was your trip to South Korea? Then, how was the Hong Clan situation?”
“Mm-hmm~ It was so much fun. We spent the whole day having fun singing, playing music, dancing, then walking around town.” Erina put her hands together with a bright yet cheerful expression. She then recalled Hong Clan’s situation yesterday. “Hmm… Ellie only took two hours to help the Hong Clan out of a predicament. After that, the Hong Clan did a bit of cleaning, maybe? We decided to leave there and return at night at the request of the Hong Clan.”
“Only two hours and all the important people were saved? She doesn’t seem like an ordinary doctor but a healer. Do you know what caused Hong Clan’s predicament? The one that their young master calls a rotten scheme makes me a little wary.” Kenji wanted to feel surprised, but it was Elysia. The fantastic versatile magical girl.
“Mio, you know more about this than I do. Can you help me explain it?” Erina handed the explanation to Mio.
“Please allow me.” Mio bowed slightly and then described the Hong Clan’s situation.
“I see, but black magic? And those evil masterminds are their own clan members. The purge left Hong Clan temporarily paralyzed and took several years to recover.” Mitsuzuka stroked his beard and sighed. The situation was worse than he thought.
“Hmm, Elysia is a healer and so valuable for her background. They also gave her freedom and sent some super strong bodyguards to ensure her safety in certain circumstances.
Erina, do you think, if someone had bad intentions and hurt Elysia, what kind of thing would her background possibly do in retaliation?” Kenji had other worries. He let Erina have an unconditional relationship with someone dangerous yet so precious.
Erina considered a few things for a moment before answering. “Hmm, I guess Ellie will forgive others if it’s unintentional or within reasonable limits. However, the problem isn’t with Ellie but with her bodyguards and background. They’ll annihilate the other party instantly if they perceive it as a threat.”
“Hmm, so it’s like that.” Kenji nodded in understanding.
“Ah!” Erina held her forehead. She just remembered something.
“What is it?” Kenji was surprised.
“I forgot to tell the pilot to fly to Japan without passengers. She’s probably still at Seoul International Airport right now.” Erina rubbed her head as she answered with an innocent smile.
“Oh, I thought something was up. I sent someone to fly the plane back to Japan this morning. Also, the plane was piloted by Mio and Granpa Five, right?” Kenji smiled in amusement.
“Oh, ah, yes, hahaha… how could I forget? Tee-hee~” Erina was acting cute like a silly little girl.
“So, I guess you’ve tasted the experience of an instant transfer between places. How does it feel about switching places instantly? That’s one of Elysia’s special abilities, right?” Mitsuzuka was feeling curious. He wanted to experience that, but the opportunity came to his granddaughter first.
“Mm, it was a bit dizzy at first, but it’ll be fine once we get used to it.” Erina tilted her head slightly.
“Well, that’s amazing. Maybe, I can ask Elysia to take me away with an instant transfer next time, hahaha!” Mitsuzuka laughed heartily at the thought of that event.
“Hehe, you need to persuade Ellie first, grandfather.” Erin chuckled.
“Anyhow, Erina…” Mitsuzuka suddenly changed his expression to a solemn one. He swung his hand to the side, and the room was enveloped by an invisible wind.
“Gulp…” Erina felt nervous. She knew her grandfather wanted to talk about something serious and confidential now.
“Is there something you want us to know before the primary conversation?” Mitsuzuka put his hands on the table and straightened his back.
“I can’t say much, and I won’t be able to. However, could you possibly send someone to spy on our activities in Seoul, grandfather?” Erina tried her best to be calm.
“No, but some people told us that some extra people joined your entourage yesterday. They are Elysia’s friends, yes? They are the same people in the photo from the other day?” Mitsuzuka shook his head.
“Mm, they are Ellie’s close friends. We met and traveled together.” Erina felt there was no point in keeping it a secret because that event wasn’t a confidential matter.
“I see. What do you think of them?” Mitsuzuka nodded in understanding.
“Some of them are friendly and kind, but some of them are pretty cold and indifferent. Ellie’s twin sister too. She is like Ellie with the opposite nature.” Erina elaborated a bit.
“Elysia’s twin sister? You mean this red-eyed Elysia?” Kenji took a photo and pointed at a girl who looked much like Elysia.
“Mm, she is Ellie’s twin sister.” Erina looked at the photo and nodded.
“You know quite a lot and are deeply involved in Elysia’s background, Erina. You have been trusted by them enough. Well then, can you remind us in some situations, so we don’t take wrong decisions and directions?” Mitsuzuka felt somewhat relieved and happy inside.
“Father, grandfather… You’d better stop any investigation into Elysia’s background no matter the reason. I’ll be happy to voice my opinion, but please listen to me.” Erina stated her request and emphasized the end of her sentence.
“Hmm, you will be our adviser regarding this good relationship. We will also share confidential information and involve you in the military. No need to worry because it will not significantly affect your career as a singer.” Mitsuzuka immediately agreed.
“All right, I’ll be happy to help.” Erina knew that she could only agree to the arrangement. However, not unconditional. “I’m just going to be a liaison, not a military pawn. Also, please don’t ever harbor plans to take advantage of Ellie. I’ll be on Ellie’s side if that happens.”
“Haha, we’ll put a good relationship at risk if that happens. That’s a stupid thing to do. Simply put, we put this good relationship as a clear threat so that no one dares to harbor ill intentions toward us. Powerhouses in various superpower countries have known Guardian of Dream’s capability.” Mitsuzuka laughed lightly. He could already guess that kind of response.
“Then, everything will be fine.” Erina felt that everything would be fine from now onwards.
“Okay, let’s get back to the topic we need to discuss. Do you remember this girl?” Kenji put another photo on the table. It was a girl who served as Elysia’s bodyguard with Sylvia.
“She is Xentia, right? Did something happen to her?” Erina looked at the photo and then at her father with a confused look.
“She is America’s hidden ultimate living weapon. Codename Xentia is the only artificial human successfully created with combat power of rank eight or higher. Do you know what her other title in that project is?” Kenji made a steeple of his fingers.
“That’s impossible, right? Is she an artificial human? Living weapon? Then, why did she become Ellie’s bodyguard?” Erina widened her eyes in disbelief.
“Calm yourself, Erina. We will not involve ourselves in any future conflicts.” Kenji raised his palm when he realized his daughter looked panicked and worried.
“Uhm…” Erina took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Conflict? Does America want to offend the Guardian of Dream?”
“Xentia’s other title is the God-slaying Angel. America wants the Guardian of Dream to return their living weapon to them. They informed the association that Guardian of Dream raided their secret base, and their ultimate living weapon was stolen.” Kenji heaved a subtle sigh.
“I don’t like how they think of Xenia as a tool rather than a human. America’s military cornered us so we could facilitate their meeting with the Guardians of Dream? Do they think we have the power to do that? That doesn’t make sense!” Erina clenched her fists. She was annoyed.
“Hmm, that will be discussed in the next grand meeting. Due to various circumstances and considerations, the meeting has been pushed forward to next week, the day after your grand concert in Tokyo. For the time being, we won’t do anything.” Mitsuzuka raised his palm to reassure Erina.
“I’m not sure that’s the real situation. Either way, they’ll kick the wall hard if they dare offend Ellie and those behind her. Should I tell Ellie to attend next week’s grand meeting?” Erina put her hand to her chin.
“Yeah, please do that. Here’s the time and place. All powerhouses from various countries will send their representatives. The Esper and Alchemy Association will also be present as neutral and arbiter parties.” Mitsuzuka displayed an invitation letter with a location marker on his tablet.
“Mm, I’ll tell Ellie soon. But, the ninth of may, huh… This week is going to be a little busy.” Erina wrote a message to Elysia using her smartphone. She sent it even though she knew Elysia couldn’t read it immediately.
“Those fools want to play with fire, but their opponent can burn them with no effort. That’s all for now because we won’t be doing anything for the time being either. Rather than that, your birthday is two days away. What kind of majestic party and gifts do you expect this year, my dear granddaughter?” Mitsuzuka ended the serious conversation earlier because he didn’t want to continue discussing it. After all, he could already interpret the essential things from Erina’s answers earlier.
“E-eh?” Erina was stunned for a moment. This was the first time her family had asked something like this.
Usually, the party was held without her knowing the details. Maybe this year’s birthday party would be a little different?