IBHJ Chapter 971

Gao Changgong straightened as Hinako emerged from the room, his eyes searching her face. "How did it go, Lady Hinako?"

Hinako's frown deepened, her brow furrowed in thought. "I can't be sure," she said slowly. "It could be possession, but..."

She trailed off, recalling Kiara's report of Ayaka's odd behavior. While others might have dismissed it, Hinako's keen instincts had picked up on something... off.

Gao Changgong tilted his head, considering. "Perhaps we're reading too much into this, Lady Hinako," he suggested gently. "It could simply be a stress reaction from her encounter with the Lord of Salvation. Not every unusual behavior points to Taoist possession."

Her frown deepened as she considered his words. "It's not just stress I'm worried about. The symptoms... they're similar to possession techniques from East Asia."

Gao Changgong's eyes widened slightly in understanding. "Ah, you mean like the methods used by Japanese Onmyouji and Chinese Fangxiangshi?"

Hinako nodded, her expression grim. "Exactly. And given that the Council has established a Connection Point in China as well..."

"Our suspicions might not be unfounded," Gao Changgong finished.

"It's hard to say," Hinako mused for a moment, then flipped her hand to reveal Chaldea bracelet on her wrist. She pressed it and holographic screen flickered to life, hovering above her wrist. Her fingers moved quickly, inputting a complex series of passwords. After a moment of rapid input, the screen shimmered as a faint figure began to take shape within the projection.

A gentle yet deep voice came from the virtual screen. "Hinako? This is unexpected. What's the matter?"

If Shirou had been there, he would have instantly recognized the voice as that of Chaldea's founder — Marisbury.

"I need information on Ayaka Sajyou, Marisbury," Hinako stated coldly, cutting straight to the chase.

A soft chuckle came through the connection. "My, my. For an ace Team A member to take such interest in a new Master... This is quite out of character for you, Hinako."

Marisbury's voice became serious. "However, you should know better than most that everyone has a past they'd rather keep hidden. Chaldea takes great pains to protect such information. Even you can't simply demand access to others' personal data on a whim."

Hinako couldn't hide her annoyance anymore. "Enough games, Marisbury," she snapped. "If you don't want another beating, hand it over quickly!"

A heavy silence hung in the air for a moment. Then, Marisbury sighed helplessly. "...Very well. I understand."

Hinako stared at the empty screen where Marisbury had been, then, after a brief pause, she entered another string of passwords. The virtual display flickered, and a man with flowing golden hair, dressed in a white tailcoat, appeared.

"What is it, Hinako?" the man asked.

Hinako hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Kirschtaria... I need your help with something."

"What is it?" Kirschtaria Wodime asked.

"I need to investigate someone's information. Within Chaldea, besides Marisbury, only you have the authority to access everyone's files," Hinako explained.

Kirschtaria Wodime frowned. "For something like this, you should simply ask Lord Animusphere. He won't refuse you."

Hinako's eyes hardened. "Marisbury... he fabricated my identity, Kirschtaria. I can't trust him. If he could forge my information, who's to say he hasn't done the same with others?"

She locked eyes with him. "You're meticulous, thorough. I trust your judgment. Will you help me?"

Kirschtaria's eyes narrowed slightly as he considered her request. After a moment of deliberation, he gave a curt nod. "Very well, who do you want to investigate?"

"Ayaka Sajyou,"

"Why do you want to investigate a new Master?"

"As sharp as ever, Kirschtaria. Most wouldn't even remember a new Master like Ayaka." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "As for why I need to investigate her, the specific reason is—"

Kirschtaria raised a hand, cutting her off. "No, don't tell me. Whatever your reasons, I'd rather not know them beforehand. It would only color my investigation, potentially compromising its objectivity."

Hinako nodded, a look of understanding passing between them.

"I'll look into Ayaka Sajyou for you," Kirschtaria continued. "And I'll ensure Marisbury remains unaware of our little... side project." His expression turned serious. "But I'm afraid it will have to wait until I return from the Greek Connection Point."

Hinako's brow furrowed slightly. "Greek Connection Point... You've been there with Ritsuka for half a year now, right? I thought with Ritsuka's Grand Servants, it wouldn't be so troublesome."

"It's just a bit special, but the Gatekeepers are indeed troublesome, each having defeated several Grand Servants. But that's about it. We've already played our trump card, conquering this Connection Point is just a matter of time."

After a pause, he asked, "I heard from Solomon that you're currently in the South American Connection Point, is that right?"

"Yes," she nodded.

His expression grew serious. "Be careful, Hinako. That Connection Point... it was originally intended for me and the team leader. It's not simple."

She nodded and Kirschtaria closed the communication.

Hinako entered another series of codes and contacted Waver. "I need you to help me investigate someone, Waver."

Waver's brow furrowed in confusion. "Wouldn't Director Marisbury or Wodime be better suited for this? They have direct access to the information archives."

"I don't trust them," Hinako said calmly. "Help me investigate Ayaka Sajyou. It's related to the South American Connection Point."

"I see. I'll look into it," Waver nodded, then closed the communication.

As the screen faded, Gao Changgong let out a soft sigh. "My Lady," he began, his voice tinged with concern, "I understand your distrust of humans, but... is it necessary to trouble three people?"

She turned to face him. "Changgong, in all of Chaldea, besides you, I only trust Morgan."

Gao Changgong thought to himself, I know that of course. But it was precisely because of this that he felt helpless.

"Hinako!"

Illya came rushing in, her voice filled with worry, "Have you seen Ayaka?"

Hinako and Gao Changgong exchanged glances, then turned to Illya, "What's wrong?"

"Ayaka's gone!" Illya blurted out, her eyes wide with anxiety.

At this, Hinako froze, then quickly hurried into Ayaka's room.

Venus, Tiamat, and God Brain were already there, but Ayaka was nowhere to be found.

"Strange. I can't sense Ayaka's presence in this domain. Tiamat, can you?" Venus turned to Tiamat.

Tiamat shook her head.

"Was she attacked and taken away?" Venus asked.

Tiamat shook her head again: "There are no signs of an attack."

Hinako's brow furrowed.

Ayaka had vanished.

She had been here just moments ago, and now she was gone.

Neither she, Venus, nor Tiamat could detect her presence.

She had disappeared without a trace!

What was going on?

Illya's voice shook with worry. "Where could Ayaka have gone?" Everyone had trusted her to look after Ayaka, but now something like this had happened. She felt responsible.

Hinako's gaze fell on God Brain, who had been staring intently at the sky. A thought struck her. "God Brain," she asked, "have you noticed something?"

God Brain's answer was puzzling. "She is not her. She has come out."

"What?" Hinako was confused.

God Brain turned to look at Hinako, and simply repeated, "Her."

Illya, getting more worried, couldn't wait any longer. "Please," she begged, "where did Ayaka go?"

God Brain looked at Illya, her face blank. "She went to find something."

"Find what?"

"Find herself."

...

The Holy Land, also known as Sanctuary, was the beating heart of all racial capitals. A true sky island, it floated high above the world. Once God Brain's domain, it now stood as the first line of defense against Emperor Frieza, a gathering place for the South American Connection Point's most powerful Guilds and Adventurers.

Through the Andes Mountains, Shirou and the others were transported into the Sanctuary.

"Can you believe the entrance to the Sanctuary was in that cave?" Mordred grumbled, stepping out of the teleportation circle.

Morrigan chuckled, "Well, that's why the NPCs called Pluto the Gatekeeper, right?"

"Hmph!" Mordred pouted, then turned to Shirou, tugging at his trouser leg. "Mom, what are we going to do now?"

Shirou didn't react. Mordred looked up, confused.

Still no response. Artoria, beside him, spoke up, "We need to find an inn first."

Mordred was about to pout again, but Shirou gave a slight nod and managed to say, "Right."

Hearing this, Mordred fell silent.

Morrigan, catching Shirou's odd behavior, seemed to understand what was happening. She looked at him and Artoria with surprise.

Noticing her gaze, he nodded helplessly and gestured for her to keep quiet. Then, he led the group towards a nearby inn. His movements were stiff and slow, like a patient recovering from a severe illness. But the truth was, his soul and body were becoming increasingly out of sync.

With each step, he could feel his soul gradually loosening its grip on his body. It was as if he were wearing a suit that was becoming increasingly large, ready to fall away at any moment. A sidelong glance at Artoria confirmed she was experiencing the same disconcerting sensation.

The body swap caused by the formless vortex was fading...