High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 2129: Chapter 250: Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust

”Compared to keeping this mission a secret from the former Sin Bearer, I’m actually more curious... why investigate them?”

Mr. Belfinger, the Lazy, rarely appeared as if he had thought deeply. He held the long beak of his mask, his eyes burning as he looked at the Black Cat: ”You must know, there are at least thirty to fifty nameless wizard organizations hidden within the First University, including our Seven Sins... Do we have to investigate each one of them?”

”I thought the members in this meeting room would be more mature.” The Black Cat glanced at him: ”Does being curious or not curious matter to any of you? If I said those Ravens attacked my laboratory, causing me to lose a large sum of gold, is that reason sufficient enough?”

”Very sufficient.”

Mr. Arrogance spoke again, assuming the role of meeting host, and gave Belfinger a warning gaze: ”The purpose of the Seven Sins is unity and mutual assistance. We will not interfere with any member’s freedom, nor will we question any member’s private commission... Any curiosity should have a safe boundary.”

The other members all nodded in agreement with this statement.

Belfinger immediately raised both hands: ”I have no intention of prying... It’s just that it’s rare for the Sin Bearer to issue such a private commission. After all, on usual days, he is only responsible for overseeing and gathering ’opinions’.”

The so-called ’opinions’ are actually applications submitted by Seven Sins members, which are compiled by the Sin Bearer and handed over to the other three organizations associated with the Seven Sins.

Upon hearing this word, a subtle thought stirred in the Black Cat’s heart—in theory, as the ’Sin Bearer’ of the Seven Sins, he should have access to many official or unofficial wizard organizations. This way, the net cast over the ’Ravens’ seems like it could be expanded further.

The only problem is—

”After gathering the opinions, how do I contact other wizard organizations?” The Black Cat turned its head, curiously looking at the wizard wearing the Bat Mask: ”Is there a list or contact information?”

No sooner had he spoken did all seven pairs of eyes in the meeting room fixate on him.

The Black Cat felt uncomfortable under the intense stares.

”Is there a problem?” it asked softly.

”A big problem.”

Mammon, wearing the Fox Mask, sighed, his tone a bit peculiar: ”Isn’t contacting the other organizations supposed to be your responsibility? Why are you coming to us for contact information...”

The Witch with the Cat Mask interjected, her voice barely concealing her astonishment: ”Or is it that you don’t even know who to contact? You are the Sin Bearer, how could you not know such things?”

”Then what’s the point of holding this meeting tonight!” The Warlock in the Bat Mask said gloomily: ”Didn’t your predecessor explain the duties of a Sin Bearer during the handover?”

”To convene meetings, oversee internal ’transactions’ in the society, and gather requests from members,” the Black Cat, realizing the prickly nature of this problem, answered dryly: ”Other than that, it’s about hiding oneself and not letting others discover one’s true identity.”

”Is that all?” Mr. Wrath was a bit testy now.

”That’s all.” The Black Cat honestly spread its paws, with an expression of helplessness.

”Didn’t he tell you how to contact the other three organizations?” The Witch wearing the Cat Mask still seemed unable to believe what she heard.

”Besides taking me to the assessment tasks you all prepared,” the Black Cat sat in its place, pondering over the past few weeks’ experiences, eventually shaking its head affirmatively: ”...he really didn’t pass on any connections to me.”

”Hey, that guy is just as annoying as ever,” Mr. Greed in the Fox Mask sneered a couple of times: ”Spouting useless nonsense one after another, not willing to say a single useful word...”

Beelzebub pushed back his chair, stood up, interrupting Mammon’s complaint.

Noticing the inquisitive gazes from others, the Fat Wizard in the Pig Mask shook the box in his hand lazily: ”The convener of tonight’s meeting says this gathering is meaningless, so why am I still here? Stay overnight with this box of nearly finished jerky?”

The Warlock in the Sheep Mask leaned forward to the Black Cat, pointing to his own mouth.

The Black Cat irritably twisted the ring on its paw, lifting the silence magic on him.

”Good night, everyone.” The Sheep-headed Man, silenced twice in one evening, was much more subdued, nodded his head, and followed Beelzebub out of the meeting room.

Then came Samael.

Then Belfinger and Mammon.

Soon, only the Black Cat, Mr. Arrogance, and Miss Jealous were left in the meeting room.

”This is indeed the fastest meeting I’ve ever attended,” the Witch in the Cat Mask smiled at the Black Cat: ”What do you plan to do? Go back to your predecessor for a refresher course?”

”Then how do I contact him?” The Black Cat’s eyes lit up, eagerly looking at the Witch—this time, allowing the Witch to reach for its tail, it grit its teeth and accepted it.

”How would I know?” The Witch twirled the Black Cat’s tail with her fingertips, pointing to the Ruby Ring on the Black Cat’s paw, happily adding: ”He’s already given you the ring... and the only person we can contact now is the current Sin Bearer.”

The Black Cat weakly pulled back its tail.

”Perhaps you should wear that ring and wander around a bit privately, you might have some unexpected gains,” suggested Mr. Arrogance in the Bat Mask: ”At the very least, the Grey Wizards at the Wandering Bar should recognize it.”

...

...

Leaving the meeting room, the Black Cat headed straight for the Cat Fruit Tree, hoping to see the former bearer wearing a white mask under the tree—though it knew, this possibility was slim.

It’s Saturday today, the atmosphere in the academy tonight was a bit livelier than usual, yet still limited.

As it passed a secluded corner, it noticed a small pile of burning firelight and a few first-year warlocks gathered beside it.

The Black Cat’s ears twitched.

”...ashes to ashes, dust to dust, wealth and ugliness all have their masters...”

The freshmen chanted nonsensical prayers, occasionally waving their arms like crabs and jumping around the fire, resembling those Black Wizards performing evil rituals.

The curiosity of the cat was immediately piqued, deviating slightly from its intended course.

Then, it saw several straw dolls lying in the small fire—some with one head, some with two, familiar designs, and appearing brand new.

The Black Cat’s face turned a shade darker than the night.

It silently crept behind the freshmen and suddenly shouted:

”The patrol team is here!”

The freshmen immediately scattered in panic, one even lost his shoe. The Black Cat pulled its ears, tossed the lost shoe into the fire as a sacrifice for the straw dolls.

Then its mood improved a bit.