The Reincarnation Room
Bal Masque

With the talk of Alastor, the rest of the voices in the room disappeared. Only the sound of Shana's rhythmic breathing was still heard.

Ryan was silent too. This was the umpteenth time someone had asked Reiji Maigo of him. He was almost bored with all this.

But, Ryan understood why Alastor again proposed this discourse. Sydonay was the Alastor concentration on the security of Reiji Maigo.

"Thousand Changes has always been an anomaly among the Crimson Lords. He prefers to be a mercenary and accepts missions from other Denizen. However, his attitude towards Reiji Maigo was very different from that of the other Crimson Denizen."

Alastor said, "Although Reiji Maigo is the most valuable Treasure Tool (Hogu) and has always been the longing of the Crimson Denizen, the excitement Thousand Changes showed when he saw Reiji Maigo was very different. Surely he had another very different reason to most Crimson Denizen."

Alastor's guess is almost completely correct.

There must be something hidden in Sydonay's attitude.

Otherwise, if this Crimson Lord of antiquity really wanted Reiji Maigo, then he would make every effort to snatch it from Ryan. Sydonay has a chance to kill Ryan. 

But, among the options available, he preferred to retreat. From here, it was certain that he had a certain reason 

"And this reason must be very important."

Alastor said to Ryan, "I thought, Sydonay will never stop there and will definitely come again to take Reiji Maigo. When that happens, with your own strength, I'm not sure you can protect Reiji Maigo."

Alastor said so, not without reason.

"After all, Thousand Changes is one of the Crimson Lord of Bal Masque."

Hearing this, Ryan's eyes suddenly began to shine.

Bal Masque, is a fairly large Crimson Denizen organization. 

Although the Crimson Denizen who came to the world now from the Crimson Realm always did his own thing and liked to be alone, but it was not all that way.

Such denizens eventually gathered together and created a large organization called Bal Masque.

Because the number of Crimson Denizen who joined was quite a lot, this made Flame Haze very careful when dealing with them.

Sydonay was one of the members of Bal Masque, and also one of the three Crimson Lords who led this organization. The three leaders are called Trinity.

Ever since the main leader Bal Masque disappeared, Thousand Changes along with two other Crimson Lord Trinity had taken care of this organization so as not to be destroyed.

Alastor then said in a quite serious tone. "But, there is no denying that this most likely has something to do with Bal Masque's organization."

In other words, Sydonay's attitude towards Reiji Maigo was very strange because of Bal Masque.

The target of Reiji Maigo is not an individual like Sydonay, but a Denizen organization.

"If my guess is true, it'll be very troublesome."

Alastor says that Ryan will not be able to protect Reiji Maigo. Fighting Thousand Changes alone was already extremely difficult, let alone fighting against the entire organization.

In Bal Masque, there were many Crimson Lords. Although not as strong as Friagne, but the quantity is very troublesome. In addition, there are two more Denizens inside Trinity, which means, the two Denizens are no weaker than Thousand Changes.

"With a situation like this, the existence of Reiji Maigo in your hands is extremely insecure." Alastor weighed his words and said, "But, if Reiji Maigo is dealt with by us, maybe we can work together with the other Flame Haze to protect him."

"Or we'll use another way to keep another Crimson Denizen from having it."

Even Alastor made such a statement. It is conceivable that this is not a problem that can be solved by one or two individuals alone.

And of course, Ryan knew about this as well.

"Before I answer, let me ask you.'

Ryan then asked, "If I were to hand Reiji Maigo over to you, what do you think would be the best way for Reiji Maigo not to be captured by Crimson Denizen?"

Hearing this, Alastor paused for a moment to think.

Shortly after, Alastor said, "The best way I can think of is destroying Reiji Maigo. This way, no matter what kind of conspiracy one faces, they will never get it."

That's the best way to deal with it.

Although Reiji Maigo was the most valuable Treasure Tool (Hogu), but it was only valuable to Crimson Denizen who needed the Power of Existence. Flame Haze was also unable to use it. Due to its extremely limited use, this item only had Bronze levels.

So, if Reiji Maigo was destroyed, only the evil Crimson Denizen would be the one to take issue with it. 

However, unexpectedly Alastor, it turns out Ryan denies it.

"If I want to destroy it, then I have done it. Why do I have to wait for your appearance to destroy it?"

As someone who has seen Shakugan no Shana, Ryan knows the secret of Reiji Maigo. He knew that if Reiji Maigo was destroyed, there would be a huge Butterfly Effect.

Moreover, Reiji Maigo himself is still useful for Ryan. With the combination of the Ionic Ring, Reiji Maigo becomes the unlimited Power Bank for Ryan every midnight.

"This is my thing, so it's up to me that Reiji Maigo wants me to use it." Ryan said. He then gave Alastor advice. "If you don't want to get involved in this whirlpool, you better leave this town early."

Hearing this suggestion, Alastor fell silent again and no longer spoke.

Looking at Alastor's attitude, Ryan gave a small smile. After a while staring at Shana's sweet sleeping face, Ryan closed his eyes, and went back to sleep.

The night passed quietly.

~***~

Elsewhere far from Ryan's location, there is an open building that resembles a temple.

This building has a row of white poles neatly arranged. This pole soared up until the end was not visible.

There were no walls, no ceilings, only deep-rooted pillars and a dark, crystal-like ground.

And in the middle of this circular building surrounded by white cylinders, there is also an altar made of clean white stone.

The little girl was wearing a big robe and also a big hat. He had a petite stature and short, shoulder-length light blue hair. 

Although the appearance of the girl seemed very holy, but unfortunately, the face of the holy girl seemed to have no emotions.

That gentle and delicate charming face had a feeling as if she was not a living being. He was more like a carefully carved statue, thus adding a lot of ice-cold feeling.

The young girl closed her eyes and prayed expressionlessly at the altar.

This solemn and silent atmosphere suddenly broke in the next second.

From behind the girl, there were footsteps. Hearing such a voice, the girl did not care about him at all and kept her eyes closed, as if she had no interest in the newcomer.

And it seemed, this newcomer was already used to the attitude of the young girl. 

"Hi, cute Hecate …"

"You're still just like before, always being cold to me …"

Along with such remarks, appeared a middle-aged tall man wearing a suit and dark glasses, giving off the feeling he was a mafia boss.

The man was Sydonay. He then took off his dark glasses and acted rather spoiled. "Can't you just welcome me once when I come?"

Who would have thought, the dashing and extremely savage middle-aged man while fighting against Ryan, was now being gentle and spoiled.

However, the girl named Hecate was still silently kneeling there expressionlessly, as if Sydonay was just a wind then, so cold and sad.

Sydonay could only shrug his shoulders with a long sigh, as if he had been rejected by his cute daughter.

"Are you angry because I haven't been back in too long?"

Getting such a question, Hecate remained silent a thousand languages. However, there was another voice answering him from the side.

"You fantasized too much, General. You should have known that Hecate always behaved like this."

It is a very mature feminine voice and has its own charm.

Hearing this voice, Sydonay turned his head and looked towards the left.

There, a tall figure walking with sharp footsteps came slowly.

The woman was wearing a dark colored dress. Around his body, there was a large chain that floated like a scarf. Dark red hair dangled long behind the figure of the adult woman.

The body of the mature woman exuded a dazzling temperament. However, in this enchantment, there was a kind of evil and strange aura.

Perhaps this is due to the woman wearing an eye patch and also having one eye on her forehead.

Looking at this woman, Sydonay raised her eyebrows, and said in a completely different manner while talking to Hecate.

"Oh, long time no see, old grandma …"

Hearing this impolite call, the woman's feet immediately stopped. Soon after, he smiled and said, "General, I hope you can change the way you call me."

"Okay, our greatest military strategist, Bel Peol" replied Sydonay, raising his hand as if he had surrendered.

"Don't call me that old name." Bel Peol said, "Now, the people at Bal Masque call me Chief of Staff."

"really?" Sydonay looked at Bel Peol and grinned. He then looked at Hecate once more and said, "By the way, Trinity very rarely gathers. So, don't worry about such little things."

The three Crimson Lords gathered in front of this altar were Trinity, Bal Masque's Board of Responsibilities. After Supreme Leader Bal Masque disappeared, the three of them managed the organization.

The three Crimson Lords called Trinity had their respective duties.

The general responsible for leading, Thousand Changes, Sydonay.

Strategist responsible for organizational strategy creation, Arbitrator of Reverse Reasoning, Bel Peol.

And Miko is responsible for listening to the orders of the Great Leader Bal Masque, the Throne Master, Hecate.

The three had been leaders of Bal Masque for Thousands of years after the Snake of Festival disappeared.

"You're really funny to say that, General .." Bel Peol smiled disapprovingly. "You've always been busy being a mercenary outside. While Hecate, he just kept quiet the whole time and prayed."

"Among the three of us, only I was always busy all the time taking care of Bal Masque. I really hope you can stay here and help me ease some of my burden, General …"

"Then, you're happy with that kind of work?" Sydonay said without hesitation. "Oh yes, my arrival this time, brought a very important information."

Without further ado, Sydonay revealed the information he was carrying.

"I found Reiji Maigo."

The moment this information came out of Sydonay's mouth, the atmosphere in that place changed completely.

"Hehehehe .." Bel Peol smiled and laughed, showing great joy. "Finally meet."

And on the altar, the young girl who had been praying had suddenly opened her eyes.

His eyes looked transparent like beautiful crystals.

Soon after, a young girl named Hecate slowly opened her mouth. "Must get Reiji Maigo."

Shortly after, Hecate turned his head and looked at Sydonay. "Where is Reiji Maigo?"

Sydonay answered without hesitation. "Misaki City."