in2ebook Chapter 64, Part 2: The Incident After the Comic Convention
Chapter 64, Part 2: The Incident After the Comic Convention
"……………………"
Just after Ming apologized with a heavy heart, it was as if the surrounding air suddenly froze, and a subtle silence fell over the scene.
At this moment, Hiroki Takashiro, sitting next to Nia, quickly swept his already worried gaze over Ming, then fixed it on Nia, who was sitting next to him with her head down after hearing Ming's apology, and whose thoughts were unclear.
Her brows furrowed tightly. She didn't want this man, who had done her a great favor, to have a conflict with a friend she had only met a month ago and with whom she had a very good relationship.
"Teacher Cang Er, the president didn't do it on purpose. He's just a bit cold and emotionless..." Before Takashiro Hiroki could finish his hurried explanation...
Honjou Nia, who had been sitting, suddenly stood up and, in a rather flamboyant manner, straddled the distance between her and Ming, tightly gripping Ming's shoulders.
"Haha, young man, you're quite interesting~ I really liked your movements just now, especially your eye patch. How about becoming my comic material?" At this moment, Erya had shaken off the gloom of being mistaken for a boy by Ming, and her eyes lit up as she stared at Ming.
There's no way that a seemingly clueless, eyepatch-wearing black butler boy suddenly bowing deeply and apologizing in a serious manner can touch the heart of a seasoned anime fan.
They weren't just silent just now; they were gathering their strength for this charge!
Ming was taken aback by Er Ya's sudden action, his face slightly flushed, and he stammered, "Su...materials?"
"I was thinking about how to get closer to her, but I guess I'll just agree to this. I'll try to imitate Sawa's surprised expression first. As for... the [Whispering Tome], well, her using it saves us the trouble of coming clean." But Ming thought to himself.
Erya nodded excitedly, "That's right, that's right! It's rare to see someone as interesting as you, young man. You'll definitely give me a lot of inspiration!"
Hiroki Takashiro, standing to the side, breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed the storm had been averted. But he was also somewhat curious about how Ming would respond.
After thinking for a moment, Ming slowly said, "But I don't know much about how you comic artists gather material. If it won't be too troublesome, I can give it a try." Erya cheered and pulled Ming to prepare to go home and explain it to him in detail.
Erya's face was beaming with an incredibly bright smile, as if she were happily skipping and jumping, ready to pull Ming home.
Right beside them, Hiroki Takashiro silently watched this scene.
Her gaze was fixed on Ming, and she thought to herself, "Strange? Why is the president so approachable today? He's completely different from usual..."
Just as she was lost in thought, she was suddenly jolted back to reality as if struck by lightning—oh dear! He had almost forgotten something important!
Erya had painstakingly drawn those comics today, intending to sell them at the comic convention, but none of them had sold yet!
"Teacher Cang Er, wait a minute! You brought over 'Silver Bullet' today, but it hasn't been sold yet!"
Upon hearing this, Erya paused, a look of regret on her face. "Oh dear, I almost forgot about something so important!"
“It’s alright, we can deal with this first and then discuss the research,” Ming said. Although he had no expression, he gave the impression of being very understanding.
"Ah, you're so kind to your older sister, young man!" Seeing how understanding Ming was, Er Ya wanted to hug Ming tightly, but just as she was about to do so, Ming seemed to be resisting something and immediately dodged away.
Hiroki Takashiro, holding a stack of Silver Bullet comics, said somewhat helplessly, "However, because of some delays before, the comic convention has only just begun."
Niya's eyes darted around, and suddenly an idea struck her. "Then I'll sit here with this boy and Hiroki and sell our food!"
So the three of them found an empty seat and sat down, arranging the Silver Bullet comic book neatly.
Nia enthusiastically called out to the passersby, "Come and see! It's the latest volume of Honjou Souji's manga, 'Silver Bullet'!"
Ming sat quietly to the side, and as soon as he finished speaking, a large number of people from the entire comic convention rushed towards him.
After everyone gathered around, they all asked questions about the price and contents. Erya excitedly answered all their questions.
Mingze sat there quietly, waiting for them to sign for the package. Just then, a group of girls rushed towards Mingze.
Their faces beamed with excitement and anticipation, and they held pens and paper, eager to get Mingze's autograph.
However, judging from the curious yet bewildered looks in the girls' eyes, they seemed to know nothing about this best-selling comic.
After all, this is a work themed around action-packed adventure, with exciting plots and deep friendships, which is quite different from the romantic love stories that most girls usually like.
But clearly, what attracted these girls wasn't the comic itself, but rather Mingze's handsome and charming appearance, which led them to ask for autographs.
After signing Honjou Souji's name (it's not nice to write your own name on someone else's manga signature), the number of girls lining up for themselves actually increased instead of decreasing.
Ming was slightly impatient, but still politely took the pen and began to sign.
Just as the signature was almost finished, my phone suddenly rang in my pocket. I subtly peeked at the screen, peeking out a corner of the phone.
Then he saw a message sent to him by Kurumi, who had left earlier.
"Okamine-kun, that 'girl' next to you might be an elf! Although she's hiding it well, I can still sense a faint fluctuation of spiritual energy emanating from her. I'm not sure if Mio created it on purpose, so be careful!"
As she spoke, Kurumi sent herself a file she had recently created, which contained "Honjou Nia's" ID card and other information.
After reading the messages and documents sent by Kurumi, Ming remained calm and composed. He typed quietly without making a sound.
"So that's why you rushed off so hastily – to take your clone with you to open the box? Ms. Tokisaki, that's hardly the kind of good behavior a righteous person should exhibit!" Ming retorted coldly.
"Hey, how did you know I was looking up her information through a clone?!" Kurumi stared wide-eyed at the screen.
"Hmph, judging from the methods you usually display, besides using shadows to achieve high-speed movement, do you have any other way of moving? Isn't that obvious?"
Upon hearing this, Kurumi's expression suddenly froze, but she quickly recovered and continued to press for answers:
"Even so, I have never mentioned to anyone that I have the ability to create clones. How did you find out?"
At this moment, Ming crossed his arms, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, before he said deceptively:
"Speaking of opening boxes, I, Gangfeng Ming, was already doing this business in London long before you appeared in the world. Now you're running around in various countries, isn't it easy to speculate on the abilities of [Zafkiel]? You're not me, you don't have immortality."
Ming put away his phone and looked at the book signing event for Erya. The fans in line chattered excitedly about the plot.
Just then, Erya suddenly leaned over curiously and asked, "Whose message was that? You seemed to be talking about it very mysteriously."
Ming said in a relatively calm tone, "It's nothing. It's just that a sponsor who thinks he's very clever approached me. After all, I work for a publishing company."
Erya pursed her lips after hearing Ming's words, "Sponsorship matters are always so troublesome. It's so easy for us anime fans to understand~ It's so simple and easy to understand, isn't it?" After saying that, she enthusiastically interacted with the fans.
Ming nodded, not denying it, and suddenly Er Ya's expression changed slightly.
"What's wrong, Miss Erya?" Ming asked, feigning concern.
"Sorry, sorry, oh, young man, I suddenly have an urgent matter and need to go to the toilet! You and Hiroki, can you watch the stall for me?" With that, Nia hurriedly rushed out of the stall and headed for the toilet.
Time passed slowly in this relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. The sun gradually set in the west, and the sky was painted with a magnificent sunset.
The comic convention at Akihabara Garden was also coming to an end, and the crowd began to gradually disperse.
At the station entrance, Nia stood in the setting sun, bidding farewell to Hiroki Takashiro, whose home was in another direction.
"Bye-bye, Hiroki!" Facing the rising sun, Niya waved cheerfully, bidding farewell to her friend.
Then, Erya slowly turned her head, her bright eyes fixed on Ming, completely betraying her previous impetuous and cheerful demeanor.
"Let's go." Erya led the way, and the two gradually entered a small alley.
"..." After entering the alley, the surroundings became quiet.
As time passed, Ming's expression began to subtly change. At first, he had a slightly stiff and cold face, but gradually his expression became completely icy.
At the same time, Er Ya's previously gentle tone suddenly turned serious and cold. She stared directly into Ming's eyes and questioned him word by word:
"Speak, why did you intentionally or unintentionally approach me just now, killing more than 90 people, all of whom were philanthropists, including even the princess's most heinous criminals... Or rather, what business does the elf [Flame Beast] have with me?"
Ming's expression remained completely unchanged after hearing this, showing no sign of nervousness, as if he had expected it all along.
"Oh, I knew it! As expected of the 'Nun' who is known as the all-knowing elf, her insight is indeed sharp." Ming praised, but then paused, placed his hand on the blindfold, and gently removed it.
"So, when did you realize it?" Miss Honjou Nia. "Ming said, enunciating each word clearly, appearing very respectful, but a crimson light emanated from his left eye, its oppressive aura pressing down on Nia, who was covered in cold sweat.
After a long pause, Nia took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. "From the moment you answered my question... it's simple. I don't completely trust people, except for simple-minded people like Hiroki..."
"so what."
"When you answered me, there was a momentary difference in your eyes, something I can only catch when you lie. From that moment on, I began to have some doubts about you... But because Hiroki was there, I didn't point it out on the spot. Instead, I took the opportunity to go to the restroom to confirm that you are her benefactor."
Erya stared directly at Ming, looking very serious, but her uncontrollably trembling legs proved everything.
"So? Is it your angel [Whispering Scripture]?"
“That’s right, my angel [Whispering Scroll] can know many things,” Nia said through gritted teeth. “So I dug up your recent past, and now everything you know.”
"But you also know that your angel isn't omnipotent, right? So why did you come back on your own initiative?"
"Because I still have an ace up my sleeve." Erya tried to appear calm, but inside she was panicking.
Ming laughed, his laughter echoing through the alley, sending chills down everyone's spine.
(Upon entering the alley, Ming activated his Free Domain to block sound and prevent the spread of spiritual energy fluctuations.)
"Your trump card? Is it the angelic ability that hasn't been revealed yet? Unfortunately, in the face of absolute power, all of that is in vain." Ming took a step forward, his oppressive aura intensifying.
In that instant, Ming suddenly felt an invisible force tightly binding his legs, preventing him from taking another step forward.
"Oh, what's this?"
At the same time, standing not far away, Erya slowly raised her right hand, and a jet-black book radiating holy light gradually appeared in her palm.
This is the angel—[The Whispering Book]! And the blank pages inside show a drawing that says, "The one before her will always stand here."
"A record of the future? Interesting." He seemed completely unfazed.
As for Nia, she was holding the [Whispering Scripture] in one hand and her phone in the other, and she was wearing a rather revealing nun's habit.
(This is a rather unique spiritual garment, with a pen adorning its veil and a semi-transparent nun's habit with a cross, as deep as ink. Although it is extremely covered up, it reveals everything that should be revealed.)
She began, "Young man, I know you're stubborn, but have you ever thought about reporting me to AST right now? This book contains the future I've already recorded, and you have absolutely no chance of escaping it!" Niya's expression gradually became confident, and she even shook her phone from time to time.
"So? Miss Erya, if I get arrested, do you think I'll report you too?" Ming's expression remained completely calm, as if he didn't care at all.
"This..." Erya's expression was a little awkward, but she quickly regained her composure.
"Then...then you can't attack me! Although I don't know why writing your future is so difficult, if I keep transferring spiritual energy, you can be trapped for at least three days!"
"Oh? Is that so? Why don't you take another look?" Ming said, showing his left hand, which was wearing a black glove, then somewhat awkwardly shook it off.
In that instant, Erya's eyes widened in astonishment as she stared in disbelief at the scene unfolding before her.
Ming's thumb just vanished into thin air without a trace!
"Oh no, when?!" Erya shouted nervously.
But Ming remained calm and composed, saying, "I remember you drew a future where someone stands still in front of you, right? Who do you think my master is?"
"I don't prepare second-hand when entering a venue chosen by someone else!"
"Oh no!" Before Erya could even flip through the [Whispering Chapter] in her hand again, her thumb, which had been cut off by Ming with a scalpel when she entered and thrown behind her, began to burn rapidly.
The next moment, Ming in front of her turned to ashes, and Ming reappeared behind her and instantly appeared in front of her, grabbing her hand that was about to pick up a pen.
In that instant, Ya Er finally understood what a 'Violent Evil Spirit' was. Just by looking into his eyes, every cell in his body trembled.
"Now you can't use the angel anymore, right? The future record of the [Whispering Tome] needs to be drawn first, and I'll grab your pen at this distance. Do you dare to move?"
"Wait...wait a minute, what...what are you going to do?"
"I'm not trying to make you understand the difference in our abilities. I don't like asking for favors unless it's absolutely necessary, so I'm resorting to this tactic. Come on, let's have a proper talk."
At this moment, Ming's crimson sheep-like eyes were extremely close to Nia's face. "Talk...talk about what..."
Erya was so frightened that she collapsed to the ground. If she could say anything, she wished she could escape from here as quickly as possible.
"Thump!" The cane grazed his cheek and stuck straight into the ground.
“It’s very simple. I need you to believe in me, join my publishing house, and develop a friendship with me. Can you do that?” Ming said, then pressed his face close to Er Ya’s ear, the crimson light emanating from his left eye intensifying.
"No, so you were just after my sister's beauty? Uh... can... can you refuse?" Erya asked Ming, whether she was so frightened that she forgot to think or what.
“Sure, that’s your freedom,” Ming replied, and 'friendly' stomped his foot. The sound of the earth cracking rang out, and the ground beneath his feet was immediately vaporized by the intense heat.
"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! Big brother, I'm calling you big brother! Let's talk this out properly." Er Ya shouted frantically, crawling backward several times, afraid that he would be the next one to be vaporized by the high temperature.
Hearing Er Ya address him as "elder brother," Ming, who hadn't intended to make things difficult for her, suddenly turned cold. "I don't need sworn brothers, or rather, there has only ever been one person in history who could become my sworn brother."
"Huh, what's that?"
Ming walked up to Er Ya, squatted down, and looked into her eyes again. "Let's talk about the deal."
"……………………"
After the conversation, Ming walked out of the alley, satisfied, while Erya, dressed in her somewhat strange nun's habit (spirit dress), lay on the ground for a long time, unable to recover.
"I feel like it would be really weird if someone saw this," I muttered to myself on my way home.
"Kurumi should be the one to do such despicable things. It's so hard to play the villain and threaten others."