"Thank you for your concern, Yuuki."
At this moment, Shizue was unaware of Yuuki Kagurazaka's true nature and ambitions.
She simply saw this as a student worrying about her, feeling warmed by the gesture.
"Shizu-sensei, did you encounter anything in the forest?"
Rather than genuine concern for Shizue, Yuuki's true goal was to pry information about the secrets of the Jura Forest from her.
Lately, the changes in the Jura Forest had become the vortex at the heart of the entire Central World.
There were all sorts of speculations.
Some said the Storm Dragon had been revived, others claimed terrifying monsters had emerged in the forest, or that it was a conspiracy by the eastern Demon Lords, or even a prelude to the Empire's westward invasion.
In short, it had caused widespread unease.
Even the Free Guild was affected, as the loss of the forest as a hunting ground led to a significant drop in quest commissions.
This showed just how much the commerce-dependent Kingdom of Falmuth had suffered recently.
"Yuuki, don't get involved with the forest!"
Shizue would never reveal Damien's secrets. She only warned Yuuki Kagurazaka, "The forest has undergone earth-shaking changes. The only thing I can tell you is this: whatever you do, do not make an enemy of it!"
As teacher and student, Shizue naturally hoped Yuuki would stand on her side.
With his talents, if she could introduce him to Damien, he'd surely be valued highly.
Unfortunately, Shizue didn't know that Yuuki Kagurazaka was not someone content to serve under others.
What he wanted was the entire world!
With that, Shizue ended the Thought Communication with Yuuki.
She glanced worriedly toward the Free Guild's headquarters before resuming her journey to the academy.
"..."
Yuuki Kagurazaka hadn't gotten any of the information he wanted from Shizue.
Well, not entirely.
Shizu-sensei knows about the changes in the forest!
This was the conclusion Yuuki reached based on her tone.
She knew!
And it was definitely highly confidential information!
But she's unwilling to tell me.
Was it because their relationship wasn't close enough?
No.
Yuuki understood Shizue and her character. In Shizu-sensei's view, not telling me the truth is what's best for me.
Why?
Perhaps Shizue thought Yuuki's strength wasn't enough, that he wasn't qualified to know the forest's secrets.
Poking around too much would only get him hurt.
Shizue was a good teacher and a very kind woman.
She was protecting her students in her own way.
Underestimated, huh, Shizu-sensei...
Yuuki was far stronger than he let on.
In terms of raw power, Yuuki was confident he wouldn't lose to an average True Demon Lord.
Of course, this referred to True Demon Lords without Ultimate Skills.
If he faced one with an Ultimate Skill, Yuuki's Unique Skill [Creator] would only leave him with one option: escape.
"She wouldn't tell you the truth, huh..."
Kagali teased, "That's what happens when you hide your true self too well."
"It's not like I got nothing."
Yuuki said, "The forest likely gave birth to a very powerful monster, one that's using a barrier to block outside prying."
"But from Shizu-sensei's safe return, it's clear the other party isn't entirely unapproachable."
"At the very least, it's not someone like the Storm Dragon."
"And based on the intel Laplace and the others sent back..."
Putting it all together, Yuuki reached a conclusion: "A new Demon Lord has been born!"
A new Demon Lord had emerged in the Jura Forest.
It was they who created the forest's barrier.
And it was they who met Shizue, making her realize the vast gap between them.
"That's why Shizu-sensei told me not to investigate too deeply."
If the other party was a Demon Lord, from Shizue's perspective, she'd naturally want Yuuki to stay as far away as possible.
"There's another possibility..."
"If the one in the forest has the power to fulfill Shizu-sensei's wish..."
Yuuki knew exactly what Shizue had been searching for all these years.
To heal the children's bodies, she had tried almost everything.
If this new Demon Lord truly had that ability, it wouldn't be surprising for Shizue to cooperate with them.
For her students, Shizue would even sacrifice her own life.
"What's your plan?"
"Stick to the original plan. Work with the Rosso to keep pushing the Kingdom of Falmuth's fear of the forest."
The Rosso was strikingly similar to a certain influential group from Damien's previous world.
Though they lacked a millennia-long history of wandering, the Rosso similarly manipulated continental affairs from behind the scenes, funding nations to wage wars.
Moreover, Yuuki Kagurazaka had a secret connection with the Rosso.
"Also..."
"I can give my old classmate a little heads-up."
Yuuki was, of course, referring to Hinata Sakaguchi, currently in the Holy Empire of Ruberios.
"What do you mean?"
Kagali asked, "Use her to spark a war between the Holy Empire and the forest?"
"But how?"
"Simple."
Yuuki explained, "If Shizu-sensei, as I suspect, takes the children from the academy and heads back to the forest..."
"That would mean she really found a solution to their problem."
Of course, it's also possible Shizue was deceived or coerced into making a bad choice.
"But we can't say that. Instead, we need to make Shizu-sensei's issue seem real!"
Yuuki grinned. "I'll tell Hinata that Shizu-sensei was bewitched by the Demon Lord in the forest and is now in danger along with the children!"
Given how much Hinata cared about Shizue, she'd definitely take action.
Even if there was only a sliver of possibility, Hinata would investigate to the end!
"This way..."
Yuuki continued, "With the Kingdom of Falmuth's army and Hinata's high-end combat power..."
Even if a new Demon Lord had truly emerged in the forest, they could handle it.
"What a devious man you are, Yuuki..."
Kagali sighed. "Even scheming against your own teacher and classmate."
***
If you want to read up to 50 chapters ahead, don't hesitate to visit our patron: pat reon . com / XElenea (remove space)