*I LIVE IN ISEKKAI* ARC 18 : ENLIGHTENMENT ARC
Chapter 85: "Absorb Lust"
Tadashi's eyes locked onto Michi's, his expression serious. "Michi, before you know everything, let's go to Airi's side. You need to absorb the lust stone from her, now that you have the other stones. It's crucial that you do this, Michi. The fate of the world depends on it."
Michi's brow furrowed. "I don't know where they are. I've been searching for them everywhere. I've been trying to find a way to save Airi, but I don't know how."
Tadashi nodded. "Follow me through the tunnel, Michi and Henu. I'll take you to them. We have to be careful, though. The government is still looking for us, and we can't let them find us."
They followed Tadashi through the winding tunnel, their hearts pounding with anticipation. The air was thick with tension, and Michi could feel the weight of their mission bearing down on him.
Finally, they reached a bunker-type location, hidden deep beneath the earth. Jigenshi and Velina rushed to Michi and Henu, embracing them tightly.
"I knew you could do it, Michi," Jigenshi said, his eyes shining with pride. "I knew you had it in you."
Velina's voice was filled with emotion. "Now you can make the era better, Michi. You have the power to change everything. You can bring peace and prosperity to the world."
Michi's eyes locked onto Airi, frozen in ice. He rushed to her side, his heart heavy with sorrow. He reached out, his hand brushing against the ice.
"Airi," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. "I'm so sorry. I should have been able to save you."
Tadashi's voice was low. "Use your absorbing powers, Michi. Retrieve the lust stone from Airi. It's the only way to save her."
Michi nodded, his eyes fixed on Airi. He reached out, his powers surging forth. The lust stone glowed brightly, then disappeared into Michi's forehead.
Tadashi's expression was grim. "We can't let Airi out, Michi. She'll die if we do. The ice is the only thing keeping her alive."
Michi's eyes narrowed. "So how do we help her? Is there a way to reverse the ice's effects?"
Tadashi's eyes locked onto Michi's. "At the palace, there may be something to help. A way to reverse the ice's effects. But we have to be careful, Michi. The palace is heavily guarded, and we can't let them catch us."
Michi's jaw clenched. "Well, now tell me everything. About the new era, and my forehead stone…I need to know. I need to understand what's going on."
Chapter 86: "King Of Sins"
Tadashi's eyes locked onto Michi's, his expression serious. "Michi, you've heard the stories about the King of Sins, right? He wasn't a hero, like everyone thinks. He was using the power of the stones to dominate other nations, to achieve his true motive: world domination. He was ruthless, Michi, and he'll stop at nothing to get what he wants."
Michi's eyes widened, his mind racing with the implications. "But why can't we talk about it? Why can't we tell the truth? Why do we have to keep it a secret?"
Tadashi's voice dropped to a whisper. "Because the spies of the government are everywhere, Michi. They're always watching, always listening. If we say anything against the government, if we reveal the truth, we'll die. Not just us, but everyone connected to us. Our families, our friends…they'll all be in danger. The government will stop at nothing to keep their secrets safe."
Velina's eyes filled with tears. "We can't even whisper the truth, Michi. We have to praise the government, no matter what. We have to pretend that everything is fine, even when it's not. It's a heavy burden to carry, Michi, but we have to do it. For our sake, for the sake of those we love."
Tadashi's gaze drifted to Velina, his eyes filled with sadness. "And as for the new age, Michi…the King who got the stones, he destroyed the old rules and systems. He started a new age, a new era. And he had a similar forehead stone like yours, one that controls the emotions of the user and gives the power of every user's emotions. He used it to manipulate people, Michi, to control their minds."
Michi's eyes narrowed. "What was the name of the King? I need to know."
Jigenshi's voice was low. "Isiya Uradhara, the King of Sins. And the new King…we don't even know his name. But he must have some connection to the past, some connection to Isiya Uradhara. He's trying something, Michi, something we don't know. Something big."
Michi's face twisted in confusion. "So I need to confront the King, right? I need to find out what's going on."
Tadashi nodded. "Before you do that, Michi, go to the location mentioned in the old books. It's linked to the stones, we don't know what it is. But you might find something, Michi. You might find a clue."