Danmaku, my skills refresh weekly.

His hand, which was supporting his lower abdomen, slid down his slender waist and wrapped around it.

Ryu's hand, which was pressing on Ciel's shoulder, also hooked around his neck.

"..."

Their eyes met, so close they could almost feel each other's breath, and an air of ambiguity filled the air.

“Ryu…”

The girl could feel Ciel's heart pounding. Hearing his soft call, she unconsciously lowered her eyes, then curiously looked up, gazing shyly into Ciel's eyes.

“Mr. Charles…” Ryu raised his head and closed his eyes.

"Miss Ryu..."

Charles's hand moved from her waist back to her lower abdomen, and he changed his tone, pinching her abdomen: "Miss Ryu, even women, powerful adventurers, do have abs."

Liu suddenly opened her eyes, and her momentary confusion shattered into pieces:

"..."

Immediately following was a loud 'boom', followed by a burst of lightning that shattered the enchanting atmosphere.

"We have to leave quickly!" Liu suddenly stood up and fled as if escaping.

She felt that she was indeed as the witch had said, shameless, actually thinking such filthy things in the middle of such a dangerous battlefield...

If you want to express your love for each other, you should at least exchange tokens under the moonlight in the forest of your hometown...

Wow! Love!

Wait... when did I do that?!

Damn it, it must be Kaguya's fault and this outfit!

A jumble of thoughts flooded her mind, making her forget about her sprained ankle.

A sharp pain shot through her, and Liu staggered, falling again, only to be enveloped in a gentle embrace once more.

"Be careful... get on my back, let's get out of here first." Charles said earnestly; if it weren't for the awkward way he was bending over, he could probably win an Oscar.

The two dodged the dazzling lightning and slashing attacks behind them, quickly retreating to a safe location.

Charles bent over and placed Liu against the wall.

"Mr. Charles, are you injured too?"

"It's okay...it'll be fine in a bit."

"Let me take a look."

"Hey, don't do it! You really don't need to!"

Charles quickly sat down and breathed a sigh of relief.

The two completed the treatment in silence.

After a moment, Liu turned her head and changed the subject, saying, "Mr. Charles, why did that witch bring you to the pleasure district?"

"You don't actually think I'm just here for fun, do you?"

"Of course not..." Ryu's expression turned solemn: "All of this was forced upon you by that witch, right!"

"Yes...and no." Charles sighed.

"Can't I say?" Ryu sensed Ciel's helplessness.

“…” Ciel paused for a moment: “We’re here to find the Joker. According to our intelligence, someone has seen him frequently going in and out of the Pleasure District. We suspect that he may be disguised as a prostitute and lurking in the shadows.”

"You guys...? Ciel, have you been doing this kind of thing lately? Investigating the Joker?"

Ciel nodded with a wry smile: "That witch seems to care a lot about the Joker, to whom [Silence] entrusted her last wish, and has been asking me to help her find him. We've also gotten a few clues..."

"What clue? Do you need my help?" Liu asked subconsciously, then paused and smiled, "I almost forgot, Ciel, you no longer need to be forced to do these dangerous things."

"No, this situation is only temporary. Given my current status in the city, it's actually safer for me to follow the [Witch]." Charles said seriously, "The same goes for Haruhime; we absolutely cannot let anyone else in the city discover that she possesses 'Ascension' magic."

"Once the news spreads, forces both inside and outside the city will launch an assassination attempt against Chun Ji."

"If you can't have her, destroy her. It's not as simple as it sounds. And you can't possibly send a large number of cadres to protect her all the time."

Although Ciel was referring to Haruhime, he was clearly alluding to himself.

"I can protect you too!" Ryu exclaimed excitedly.

"Don't joke around. You, who can't let go of your ideals and justice, can't do it. I don't want to become an executioner who stifles other people's ideals either."

“I…” Liu lowered her head, pursed her lips, and asked again, “What is the clue? It concerns the Dark Faction. Can I help?”

After a moment's thought, Charles said calmly, "There seems to be a secret passage in Pleasure Street that has not yet been discovered, leading to an artificial maze. Our next step is to infiltrate it."

"What?! Charles, you're going to the Dark Faction?!"

Charles smiled and said, "The Jokers have been around for a while now, and I suspect they're gathering strength. I'm also very concerned about the Fallen Fairy Spirits. We need to get this information as soon as possible."

"Why go to such lengths!?"

"Because she gives me power! Those guys underground have their eyes on Alpha. Without power, I can only watch my comrades die and can't do anything about it."

"But you're only level 1, it's too dangerous!" Liu's face was full of worry: "We can do these things!"

"I'm already level 2."

Ciel's words left Ryu speechless.

It doesn't feel good to receive favors from others.

"You've met the main god 'noname'?" Liu Wei asked in surprise.

"Yes, he's a weirdo hiding behind a bunch of strange masks. Besides, this is a mission entrusted to me by Jester, and I have every reason to create an ending that satisfies everyone."

As he spoke, Charles stood up, his gaze falling on the distant battlefield…

"Alright, the short break is over. It's time for me to start again."

"Where are you going?"

"To the ideal world..."

As soon as she finished speaking, a dark shadow shot towards them from afar. Alfia lightly touched her jade-like feet and landed beside Charles: "Let's go!"

Charles reached out his hand, and then his body felt light as he rose into the air.

"Ciel! Wait a minute!"

Hearing Liu's exclamation, Ciel looked down at the elf chasing after him down the alley and waved his hand.

"Please give my regards to Lady Astrea."

Chapter 400 We must bring Charles back!

Whoosh...

Liu rushed out two steps, and several figures followed even faster than her.

But seeing the witch flying further and further away, Allen angrily kicked the wall.

"Damn it, she got away."

Ota remained silent, staring at the bruises on Allen's face, and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

What a terrifying enemy! Not only is he no weaker than Charles, but he can also incorporate an impact with the power of a wide-area magic into his fist.

"Hey, fellow members of the Astrea Familia. Did you fight this kind of monster before?" Hedin asked, pushing up his broken glasses with his wrist.

“I didn’t know that [Silence] didn’t attack us at all back then, and didn’t even move a step.”

"Seriously, both sisters are so difficult to deal with..."

"It's said to have devoured my sister's talent... even magic, a rare skill?"

"Wasn't it said that Hera's favorite concubine was also seriously ill, so why is there no reaction at all?"

"Is it cured? That was terrible, little sister."

Four Palums complained in succession.

Da da da……

With a crisp sound of high heels falling, the silver-haired goddess appeared, escorted by four Palums.

Otta lowered his head: "I'm sorry, I couldn't keep her here. And I didn't find out where Jester is either."

“Freya… Lady.” Ryu was surprised by the appearance of the goddess of beauty, and suddenly, as if remembering something, asked warily, “Are you here to take Ciel as well?”

"No, that's not it." Freya flashed a captivating smile. "I want to know where Jester is, and I'd like to ask Ciel-kun to take me there. You know that, Miss Elf?"

"I...I don't know either."

"Hmph, what about Ciel? Didn't he tell you where he went?"

“I…” Liu hesitated.

Ciel had already decided to do something dangerous, and if Freya were to act recklessly now, Ciel might lose his life… She bit her lip and looked away: “I don’t know.”

"You're lying." Freya lifted Ryu's chin, a smile playing on her lips, a faint red light shimmering in her eyes. "You'll tell me... won't you?"

"Ryu~~, you're here! Where's Ciel?"

A voice interrupted Freya's actions.

She was panting heavily when she rushed out from the end of the alley.

She was startled when she saw Freya's Familia and the main god surrounding her in the alley: "What...what are you going to do to Ryu?"

Seele spread her arms and stood in front of Ryu.

"Tsk, Mia's child?" Freya clicked her tongue and turned away listlessly. "Let's go, Ota. I don't want to be complained about by that child anymore."

"Yes……"

Everyone left, but Allen glanced at Liu, shouldered his gun, and leaped off the rooftops in the other direction.