Chapter 192 – Good Things Come in Pairs

Xia Xun found this Dragon Girl rather baffling.

“You seem to hate me,” she said, reading it in Thor’s voice and expression.

“Obviously.” If Lin Xi had not warned her over and over again, Thor would have challenged Xia Xun to a duel long ago.

Something else puzzled Xia Xun as well. This girl was far too calm and composed for a prisoner.

“You won’t tell us anything, yet you’re completely at ease. Do you think someone is certain to come and rescue you-and certain to succeed?”

“I don’t know.” Thor was not about to admit it.

Her refusal did nothing to stop Xia Xun from guessing the truth. “It seems you have a great deal of faith in your companions.”

Unable to get anything out of her, Xia Xun gave up.

Misaka Shirai and Su Tang had already interrogated Thor without learning a thing. Unsurprisingly, Xia Xun had fared no better.

“We won’t torture you,” Xia Xun said before leaving the room. “But we have other ways to make you talk.”

“Heh.” Thor took that for a last-ditch attempt at a threat. “You’d better not try anything on me. Otherwise-“

“Otherwise what?” Xia Xun was curious to hear how this girl planned to threaten her.

Thor clamped her mouth shut, but inwardly she shouted:

Otherwise, prepare to take a Flame Fist from my Master!

Thor firmly believed that if these detestable Magical Girls tortured her to death, Lin Xi would avenge her with a Flame Fist.

Thor was getting ahead of herself. The three Magical Girls had no intention of torturing her to death.

She was indeed a Special-Grade Disaster, but as she had pointed out, she had neither killed anyone nor set any fires.

That was precisely why Misaka Shirai and Su Tang had captured her alive instead of executing her on the spot.

“It’s obvious that she’s waiting for someone to rescue her, and she’s convinced they’ll succeed,” Misaka Shirai said.

Su Tang and Xia Xun had both seen it too.

“The people who come for her will be the same ones I saw that day,” Xia Xun said.

“And the strongest among them is that Super-Grade Disaster who uses Fireball.”

“I’ll remain here until Dr. Vanessa delivers the improved formula,” Su Tang said.

They truly did not intend to torture Thor. They had another way to make her answer their questions: the Truth Serum Dr. Vanessa was currently refining.

Tests had shown that the serum could compel a First Grade Dark Realm Disaster to answer questions honestly.

Thor was a Special-Grade Disaster, however, so Dr. Vanessa needed time to strengthen the Truth Serum.

That was why the Countermeasures Bureau had decided to hold Thor in this Safe House for the time being instead of transferring her directly to the Undersea Prison.

“How much longer will it take?” Xia Xun asked.

“Two days… three at most,” Su Tang said. “Dr. Vanessa is also very interested in seeing what effect the Truth Serum will have on a Special-Grade Disaster.”

“I’ll stay here throughout those three days. You two need to keep a close watch on what’s happening outside.”

“Now that we’ve captured this Dragon Girl, her companions must be frantic. There’s no telling what they might do.”

“I hope they make their move soon,” Xia Xun said. “This time, we’ll capture that Super-Grade Disaster for sure!”

Xia Xun left the Safe House, and her phone signal returned.

“Hm? Three missed calls? All from Lin Xi?”

Xia Xun had already been in a good mood. Seeing that Lin Xi had called her of her own accord made it even better.

She called back.

…

“Ah, Xia Xun is calling me back.” Lin Xi had finally received the call she was waiting for.

“Keep her talking for a while,” Qin Ling said. “She must have just left the Safe House. I can use the opportunity to track her location.”

“Mm!”

Lin Xi answered while Qin Ling worked at the computer.

“Hello? Xia Xun?”

“Mm, it’s me. Lin Xi, did you need something?”

“Ha-ha, listen to you. Am I not allowed to call unless I need something?”

“Oh?! I never expected you to start missing me after only half a day. I’m so happy!” Xia Xun laughed sweetly.

She would never have guessed that her flirtatious words had reached more than just Lin Xi.

Zheng Mo, Shi Yu, Lu Yi, and Qin Ling all turned to look at Lin Xi at once. Lin Xi could practically hear what they were thinking.

You don’t think I sold Thor out, do you?!

I swear I’m not fraternizing with the enemy!

Lin Xi was about to bring up Thor, but the question would have come completely out of nowhere.

Who called someone three times in a row just to chat about the evening news?

An idea struck her. She could invite Xia Xun out for a meal, then steer the conversation toward the capture of the Giant Dragon naturally while they ate.

That would be both safer and more reliable.

“There’s nothing particularly important. I just found a restaurant that opened recently and thought we could try it together. Are you free right now?”

“Yes! I’m free!”

“Then I’ll head over first and send you the address-” Lin Xi saw Qin Ling give her an okay sign and prepared to hang up. “I’ll see you at the restaurant.”

“All right. See you soon!”

Lin Xi lowered her phone and walked over to Qin Ling, looking at the computer screen.

“How did it go? Did you locate her?”

“Xia Xun was probably in a taxi when she called,” Qin Ling said. “Based on her route, I was able to trace her point of origin to…”

Qin Ling marked an area in red.

“All I can confirm is that their Safe House is somewhere in this area.”

“It’s a shame. If Xia Xun hadn’t been moving while she talked, I could have pinpointed the exact location in one go.”

“It’s fine,” Lin Xi said. “Every little bit helps.”

“I’ll meet Xia Xun for dinner next and find a chance to coax some useful information out of her.”

…

“Ha-ha-ha!” Xia Xun hung up in exceptionally high spirits.

Lin Xi had invited her to dinner!

Did that mean… she was going to accept Xia Xun’s confession?!

It had to, right?!

Misaka Shirai, who had left in the same taxi, asked casually, “What good news has you this happy?”

“Wonderful news!” Xia Xun said. “Two good things happened to me today.”

Misaka Shirai stared at her in confusion.

“Did we capture another one of them?”

“No.” Xia Xun shook her head. “Don’t think about work all the time.”

Unlike the relentlessly driven Misaka Shirai and Su Tang, Xia Xun knew there was more to life than work. There was also the joy of living-and the sweetness of love.

“The person I like invited me to dinner.” Xia Xun shared the happy news with her friend.

Misaka Shirai showed no particular reaction, so Xia Xun added, “You’ll understand how I feel once you have someone you like.”

“So, sorry. Let’s have dinner together another time.”

Misaka Shirai did not mind. Then she suddenly asked, “Who do you like?”

“Huh? I didn’t know you liked gossip.”

“I’m merely curious. You’re the Ice Sprite who always turned down everyone else, aren’t you? Why did you suddenly accept someone’s advances?”

“I didn’t accept anyone. I’m the one pursuing her.”

“What?! Now I’m even more curious.”

“You’ve met her,” Xia Xun said. “I’ll tell you who she is after we’re officially together.”