Winter passed and spring came, and then it was summer.
During the summer vacation of the first year in college, Aozawa didn't stay in Tokyo but instead took a flight to Manila, the capital of the Philippines.
This place is known as Asian New York.
Of course, people used to mention this as a compliment.
With the advent of the internet age, many inside stories and information about the Philippines have been revealed, aside from the well-known Tomb Faction, turning Manila, this Asian New York, into something else entirely.
In Manila, the most developed areas boast clusters of high-rise buildings, clean and orderly roads, and green environments, compelling one to genuinely commend it as Asian New York, living up to its name.
But leaving the developed area of Makati, slums abounding everywhere become a breeding ground for crime.
Sometimes, even a hundred US dollars can buy a person's life.
Plus, the unique national conditions of the Philippines have made this place a hotbed for the Four Great Evil Gods.
Even though Aozawa never responded to any requests as one of the Four Great Evil Gods,
rumors about the Four Great Evil Gods responding to believers are still rampant across the world.
He hasn't completely clarified these rumors.
The main idea is that maintaining external pressure can somewhat ease the conflict between countries.
At least, this year could be said to be the only peaceful year globally without news of any country being at war.
Even Africa, known for its chaos, has entered a rare period of no war.
This all stems from the United Nations exerting the restraining power that people hoped for all along.
And it is not heading in the direction of the United States' unilateral dominance.
After all, the current president David has always emphasized opposing unjust wars and refuses to fan flames externally, inciting any conflict.
He even cut down a large number of soldiers who use illicit substances and some transgender individuals, arranging for them to re-enter employment in factories or undergo drug rehabilitation.
A lot of military bases stationed abroad have also been dismantled.
Not in small countries, but in those well-known developed nations like Japan, England, and Germany.
All in all, the current international situation is good, and the Four Great Evil Gods indeed contributed some effort in uniting countries to jointly tackle potential doomsday crises.
Of course, there are downsides.
Some people with ulterior motives use the name of the Four Great Evil Gods to conduct scams.
However, even without the Four Great Evil Gods, those people would still think of other ways to commit crimes.
Overall, the existence of the Four Great Evil Gods does more good than harm.
Aozawa does not intend to abolish it, planning to let this potential threat replace nuclear deterrence, exerting influence as evil god deterrence, accompanying humanity.
"What are you daydreaming about?"
The clear voice interrupted Aozawa's thoughts.
He looked towards the petite figure in front.
Emily, with her blonde hair tied into twin tails, wore a Gothic-style black and red camisole dress.
Her small shoulders were exposed to the air, her chest appearing petite as well.
She held a giant suitcase larger than herself in her right hand, unable to lift it from the handle but holding onto the mid-handle.
The suitcase contained the already distant City of Ideals.
"It's my first time flying abroad, so I'm a bit curious about the outside world."
There was no hint of falsehood in Aozawa's words.
In the past, he had always used global travel to go abroad, or else the Shadow Emperor would swiftly circle the globe.
Recently, he acquired a superpower that allows him to move at the speed of light, letting him turn into light-speed flight around the world.
Flying abroad by plane is truly like a girl getting married for the first time.
"It's alright, I have experience."
Emily patted her chest, trying to present herself as a matured older sister.
This time she accompanied Aozawa here to investigate matters regarding the Ganqi Cult.
According to agreements between countries at the United Nations, to better tackle the believers of the Four Great Evil Gods, a special exorcism plan was initiated for ten years.
The plan grants each nation's Treasure Users and dedicated Exorcism Police the power to pursue criminal cults across borders.
It's akin to the International Criminal Police yet with significantly more power.
The Ganqi Cult Emily investigated had developed a branch in Tokyo, Japan.
Recently, it had been dismantled by them.
Following the clues, they discovered the headquarters was unexpectedly in Manila, Philippines.
They decided to come here to destroy the headquarters of the Ganqi Cult.
Since everyone else had work to attend to, Emily brought along Aozawa to serve as her guardian.
Katerina, on the other hand, is currently in a passionate romance.
Every time Emily thinks of this fact, she can't help but feel sorrow.
She always believed Katerina would end up just like her, single till the end; however, that fellow surprisingly betrayed their single friendship midway.
At some unknown time, she hooked up with Okayama Buji.
Emily could accept others falling in love, but for her close sister to break free from singlehood made her feel anxious.
Damned!
She cursed silently in her heart, dragging the suitcase and walking out of the airport.
There is no subway station at Manila's airport.
However, Emily doesn't need to travel by subway like ordinary people.
Manila's police station specially sent a car to pick them up.
...
"Hello, I am Bol Sienas."
The man guarding beside the police car immediately approached when he saw the two emerge; his figure was obese, his waistline befit the image of a Filipino policeman.
Sienas was not aware of their identities as Treasure Users, but he knew they were here in Manila to handle a major case.
The task assigned from above was for him to act as a guide.
"It's truly hard for you to be on this business trip; let's first go to the hotel to drop off luggage."
He stepped forward, intending to take the luggage.
Emily didn't allow him to touch the suitcase; the already distant City of Ideals in her hands was as light as a feather.
To others, it was a forbidden object not to be meddled with.
