Chapter 534: He Who Devours Spirits?  

[TL/N: Read my new work - Detective Conan: I'm a Succubus?!] 

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Alexander left Miku's house with one clear goal in mind: to find the Yamai sisters. His method for locating them was surprisingly simple—just go where the wind is strongest. 

However, as Alexander stepped out of Miku's home, a familiar figure appeared in front of him. It was Kotori, whom he hadn't seen in a long time. She looked directly at him, her tone sharp as she spoke. 

"Alexander, you've finally shown up!" 

"Kotori? How did you get here so quickly?" Alexander frowned as he glanced back at Miku's house. 

"Were you… spying on Miku?" 

"It's not spying—it's basic protection," Kotori replied. "Although I don't know how you've managed to suppress the Spirit powers within Miku, whenever she holds a concert, traces of her power still fluctuate. That's a risk." 

Kotori's concern was understandable. If Miku's identity as a Spirit were exposed, it could lead to a major confrontation. While Yoshino or Tohka could flee to another world without leaving a trace, Miku's decision to stay posed a significant risk. But that's in the past.

"You don't need to worry about Miku's safety," Alexander said calmly. "She'll be fine. But we don't appreciate being watched." 

Alexander's confidence in Miku's abilities was unwavering. He knew she was more than capable of handling herself in this world. 

As Alexander turned to leave, Kotori called out to stop him. 

"Wait! I need to ask you something," she said. "Do you know who left this seal?" 

Kotori touched her forehead, and instantly, a glowing sigil appeared. Alexander stared at the light, stunned. 

"Is this… a sealing technique? This…" Alexander frowned. "This should be an ability only I possess. How did you get it? I don't recall ever giving you this seal." 

The revelation left Alexander baffled. As far as he knew, he was the only one capable of using the sealing technique in this world. 

"What happened? How did you end up with this seal?" Alexander asked, his curiosity growing. 

Kotori lowered her head, disappointment evident in her voice. "So it wasn't you? Forget it. I shouldn't have asked." 

She quickly changed the subject. "As for the Yamai Sisters you're looking for, they should be near Arubi Island." 

"Huh?" Alexander blinked in surprise. "You're just telling me that outright? I thought you wouldn't help me." 

Alexander hadn't expected Kotori to offer assistance so easily. He had assumed she and the others wouldn't support his efforts to bring the spirits with him. 

Seeing his reaction, Kotori smiled. 

"Originally, we were suspicious of you," she admitted. "Every Spirit you encountered seemed to mysteriously vanish from this world, and then you would gain abilities similar to theirs. To us, it looked like you were devouring the spirits, and we thought you might be dangerous." 

Alexander froze at Kotori's blunt words. 'Devouring spirits?' Did they really think that? 

'If I didn't know the truth, I might even look like a villain abducting innocent girls,' he thought awkwardly. 

Kotori gave an embarrassed smile. "But with Miku still around, we realized we might've been wrong. Even though we don't know where the other spirits have gone, the fact that you helped Miku control her powers—and that she's safe despite initially wanting to harm you—proves you're not a bad person." 

Hearing this, Alexander let out a sigh of relief. 'Thank goodness for Miku's concert.' Without it, his reputation might've taken an irreparable hit. 

"Thank you for trusting me," Alexander said. "Don't worry. From now on, leave the spirits' matters to me." 

Kotori hesitated. "Are you sure you can handle it?" 

She paused before adding, "And this time, can you tell us more about yourself? We still don't know much about you." 

"Of course," Alexander replied. "If you'd like, I can even show you what life is like for the spirits after they leave this world." 

With that, Alexander disappeared into the sky. 

Watching him vanish, Kotori murmured to herself, "I hope you can truly bring the spirits a brighter future. Next time we meet, I trust you'll return with the Yamai Sisters." 

Just as Kotori finished speaking, Alexander suddenly flew back from the distant sky. 

"What are you doing?! Why are you back so soon?!" she shouted, startled. 

Kotori had barely adjusted her emotions, and here he was, ruining the moment. 

Alexander scratched his head in embarrassment. "Well… I was in such a rush to leave earlier that I forgot to ask—where is Arubi Island?" 

"Get out of here!" Kotori snapped. "You ruined the atmosphere! Go figure it out yourself! Don't expect me to help you!" 

Alexander, thoroughly scolded, left with a sheepish grin.