and were taken to a room about four and a half tatami mats in size, with blank walls, floor, and ceiling.

There was a small table in the center of the room with a chair across from it.

One of them was offered to him, and <> sat down.

"I will prepare a chair for your companion.

<>.

"Thank you."

Thanking her, sat down in the chair.

"Now, I will speak to you briefly.

"Yes, please."

Across the table, <><> and <>Arianne sit facing each other.

"First of all, <>, you are a merchant, what do you deal in?"

"Mainly magic stones, magic crystals (magi crystals) and other magic materials.

Well, well, well. Do you have any samples of ......?

What?　Oh, yes. I'm a merchant, so I have a few things with me even when I'm on a sightseeing trip.

then took out about three magi crystals from the bag he had carry and placed them on the table.

"Let me see them."

Arianne said, and took the Magi Crystals.

"This is ............!"

"What is it?"

"......<>, your poor health is partly due to these materials."

"What?"

"Certain magi crystals can absorb the spirit (djinn) of the person who possesses them and can also spread evil thoughts.

I've never heard of this before.

I've never heard of it before. ...... This is one of the truths that we, the Sori Association, have discovered. People in the world who don't know anything about it are being poisoned in body and spirit before they know it.

"Oh, that's horrible. ......"

This seems to be the modus operandi of the , the piloting the guessed. And he tries to be attentive to the other party.

"...... what should I do?"

<

"I have received a large donation, and I will perform the . ......Oh, I'm sorry, I'll get you a drink now."

I hope you don't mind.

No, it's part of my job.

<

In her hand was a tray with three cups on it.

"Here you go."

, <, and <> Arianne places the cups in front of her and takes a sip.

It may be an appeal to show that the cup is not poisoned, but it does not make much sense since he does not show her pouring it into the cup.

But neither <> nor > points this out,

"Bon appétit!

and poured the contents of the cup into his mouth.

It seemed to be water, but it was a refreshing drink with a slight sourness from the lemon and sweetness from the honey.

It is what is called .

You can add squeezed juice of Ramon to diluted honey, but if you want to make it seriously, you should soak sliced Ramon (washed well, of course) in honey and leave it for a few days.

Aside from that, there was a very small amount of in it, which ...... humans would not be able to detect.

and gulped down the contents, showing no sign of noticing the <>.

"I was thirsty, so I enjoyed it.

"That's good to hear."

Arianne then makes a little small talk. This was supposedly to buy time for the to kick in.

The amount of given to her is very small, so that she feels only a short period of mental activation and elation. It does not remain in the body.

The brain, however, remembers the high and begins to want to experience it again. That's what <> is all about.

"Now, let me give you a simple ."

Arianne took out the pendant from around her neck, held it as if offering it with both hands, and chanted inaudibly.

The pendant begins to emit a faint light.

The light is very weak, but it seems to have a <> effect, <> he discerns.

(Hmmm, this is just when the <> starts to work. (Hmmm, this is a very elaborate performance. (...... normal people might be fooled by this.)

But neither <> nor <> is a human being. Such < and do not work.

However, this is the place to <> to be.

> is something that makes it easier to believe what say, and <> is something that gives you a high and makes you feel good.

It is not difficult to act as if you have received this effect.

"Oh, oh ......, I feel somewhat clear inside my head. The stagnant feeling in my body seems to have disappeared.

"Me too. ......"

and reacted as < Arianne would have wanted them to.

"Yes, that is the effect of the . But if you continue with your life as before, you will soon return to normal.

"Is that so?　I feel very good.

"Inside the cathedral it is easier to be cleansed of dirt, but once you step outside you are in the mundane world. A world full of lust, deceit, and malice.

"Ha, ha ......"

Sorry to take up so much of your time. If ...... you are interested in our activities, please come back."

Oh, yes.

Thank you for visiting us today.

It was a somewhat abrupt way to end the meeting, but if the "seduce" was working, the piloting the decided that this was the end of the preparation.

This dismissive attitude may have the psychological effect of making them want to cling to him.

Thank you very much. I'll donate the magi crystals to you, too, so please put them to good use.

"Well, thank you very much.

"Thank you very much."

and thanked him and left the room. The door on the opposite side of the room led to a hall in the back of the room, where several people dressed in white were also there, smiling at them as they were escorted out.

* * * * * * * * * * *

The old man, who had been observing the situation together with on the Horai Island, judged the series of exchanges as such.

This time, the drugs were hardly harmful to the body, but only to arouse the desire to go back.

And then they gradually drugged those who came back and made them work for them.

>.

<'s sensory organs.

> ......>>

An island in the southern sea of Kupu.

The island, which for some reason has no name, is supposed to be the headquarters of the <> and the <>. ......