Chapter 213: Either Get Lost, or Die
In the end, even when Alexia used this to threaten him, Mahiro still didn't agree to her request.
What a joke—he had a mountain of things to deal with next, where would he find time to bother with this second princess?
Moreover, he wouldn't be staying at the academy much longer either.
Afterward, Mahiro went to find Vice Academy Head Lutheran.
The slightly harsh afternoon sunlight streamed into the room, illuminating the vice academy head's office with exceptional brightness.
"Yotsuba-sensei, what brings you here at this hour?"
Vice Academy Head Lutheran, dressed in simple attire, brought over a cup of tea and placed it before him. His aged face, marked by the passage of time, maintained a kindly smile.
"Nothing particularly important."
Mahiro picked up the teacup, took a small sip to taste it, then set it down and said:
"I just wanted to chat with you, Vice Academy Head, about Zenon Griffey."
"Ah, Zenon-sensei... What a pity. I originally thought he was quite a decent teacher—never imagined he'd engage in thieving activities behind the scenes.Lutheran's expression turned regretful, his eyes filled with deep regret.
After a moment, he looked up and met Mahiro's gaze, asking:
"So what would you like to know, Yotsuba-sensei? I recall this matter falls under the knights' jurisdiction, and I heard the case has already been closed."
"That was originally the case."
Mahiro nodded in agreement, then said calmly, "But my disciple Claire told me that when she tried to rescue Princess Alexia, she encountered a powerful individual.
His swordsmanship was exceptionally high-level, capable of suppressing the magical power she released in a single strike."
"Oh? Swordsmanship that could suppress Claire? That is indeed impressive... Could that person have been Zenon-sensei?"
"I don't think that's possible." Mahiro shook his head. "I'm quite clear about Claire's abilities—it must have been someone else."
Due to Claire's rapid growth rate, bolstered by potions and her own considerable talent, plus having a monstrously gifted rival like Rose pushing her,
her development has far exceeded expectations. By now, her magical power is no less than Princess Iris's.
And in terms of swordsmanship, she's even stronger than Princess Iris.
Even if placed in Shadow Garden, she would at least rank among the lowest of the 'Numbered'.
Therefore, even if Zenon Griffey were strong and had hidden his true power within the academy,
without using enhancement drugs, he couldn't possibly possess the strength to suppress Claire.
"Hmm, if you don't believe it was Zenon-sensei, Yotsuba-sensei, then it's indeed likely someone else."
Lutheran's aged brow furrowed slightly, as if pondering alongside him.
"However, within the entire royal capital, aside from the royal family's First Princess, Lady Iris, those with such exceptional prowess are probably only found here at our Midgar Academy for Dark Knights."
"So, Yotsuba-sensei, are you suggesting this person is hiding within the academy?"
"Mhm."
Mahiro hummed lightly, leisurely picking up his tea for another sip, "Not just within the academy, but right under our noses.
Don't you think so, Vice Academy Head Lutheran?"
"What... what are you talking about, Yotsuba-sensei?" A strained smile immediately appeared on Lutheran's face.
"Don't you understand? That night, the one who assisted Zenon Griffey in kidnapping Alexia and blocking Claire was none other than you, Vice Dean Lutheran Barnett, wasn't it?"
Mahiro spoke in a calm voice, as if recounting an ordinary matter.
Yet the moment his words fell.
The smile on Lutheran's face changed.
To be precise, the aura emanating from his entire being transformed completely.
If moments ago he resembled an inconspicuous, kindly old man in his twilight years, now he was like an unsheathed blade, radiating sharp brilliance from head to toe!
"Quite impressive that you noticed."
Lutheran slowly straightened his posture, and even though his neatly styled hair contained strands of white, it couldn't conceal the overwhelming authority he now exuded.
"However, for reference, may I ask how you discovered my true identity? Yotsuba-sensei."
"One simply needs to observe with their eyes."
Mahiro glanced briefly across the table before shifting his gaze back to the faint ripples in his teacup.
"You know? A person's habits are difficult to change, especially for a warrior. No matter how well you conceal it, the way you walk or the subtle details in your movements can never be completely hidden."
"So, the moment I first saw you, I understood that your strength surpasses even Zenon-sensei's."
"Though, as the vice dean of the Magic Swordsman Academy, having such power is reasonable. What's curious is why you deliberately conceal this fact?"
"Thus, out of curiosity, I conducted some investigation into your past."
"Lutheran Barnett, you once won the championship in a past Bushin Festival, correct? But after that, you inexplicably vanished from public view."
"Yet I thought a champion of the Bushin Festival shouldn't just disappear like that... I suspect you found a path to become even stronger back then."
"For instance, joining the Cult of Diablos and becoming one of its executives, hence rarely appearing in public. Am I right?"
Mahiro set down his teacup and met the gaze of Lutheran sitting across from him.
All the content above about observation and investigation was completely fabricated nonsense meant to deceive.
In truth, he had known Lutheran's true identity from the beginning, including his past as a Bushin Festival champion.
As for being an executive in the cult, that was purely his speculation.
Because the original work never mentioned it, but judging from actual circumstances, he likely had significant connections with the cult.
Yet these few words alone were enough to make Lutheran show emotion.
"I see... I've truly learned something today."
Lutheran laughed.
But his laughter carried no mockery; instead, it revealed traces of faint weariness, almost as if tinged with nostalgia.
"Everything you said is correct. I was indeed once the Bushin Festival champion, and everyone considered that the pinnacle."
"But in reality, the Bushin Festival was merely a beginning. The true summit lies much higher and farther away."
"In pursuit of that power, I stepped into a realm ordinary people could never hope to reach."
That is to say, he joined the Cult of Diablos and became one of the Knights of Rounds.
Unfortunately, the good times didn't last.
Due to illness, he stepped down from his position as a Knight of Round. Not only did his magical power greatly decline, but his strength was also no longer what it used to be.
Relying on connections and past honors, he became the vice-principal of Midgar Academy for Dark Knights.
"But what surprises me is that you actually managed to investigate the name of the Cult of Diablos... It seems your identity is not simple either, Yotsuba-sensei."
No past, no records. No information could be found about him.
The only thing he had was a letter of recommendation from the Baron Kagenou family, and he possessed exceptionally formidable strength—an extraordinary man.
A figure worth winning over.
This was all the information Lutheran knew.
"Yotsuba-sensei, just who are you?"
"I am merely an insignificant nobody. But if I must say, aside from the name Yotsuba Mahiro, I do indeed have another title—"
Mahiro smiled faintly and spoke word by word:
"The Master of Shadow Garden."
"Shadow Garden..."
Lutheran was momentarily stunned, then burst into loud laughter.
"A nobody... The Shadow Garden, which has repeatedly destroyed the cult's strongholds and given the cult headaches—if you, as its master, are a nobody, then there are basically no significant figures left in this world, hahahaha!"
Lutheran had no doubt about Mahiro's words; in fact, this was the only explanation that made sense.
If he was from Shadow Garden, and even its master, it was normal that Lutheran couldn't find any information about him.
After all, even within the cult, details about Shadow Garden were unclear. They only knew it was an organization composed of women, and the identity of the person behind it remained completely unknown.
If there was any surprise, it was only that the master of Shadow Garden turned out to be a man.
His boisterous laughter echoed in the room for a long time before gradually fading.
"So, Master of Shadow Garden, what is your purpose in revealing your identity to sit here and speak with a member of the cult like me?"
Lutheran didn't believe the other party intended to fight him; otherwise, there would be no need for so much talk.
He guessed correctly.
"My goal is simple: hand Sherry over to me."
Mahiro said calmly, "I know you are using Sherry, and I also know what you did to Sherry's mother, Lukreia, and why. So, in exchange, I can have someone assist Sherry in helping you decipher the ancient relic 'Eye of Avarice.'"
"Oh?"
Mahiro's response surprised Lutheran, and a playful smile gradually curled at the corner of his lips.
"Since you know what I did to Sherry's mother, Lukreia, and you know my goals, yet still propose such an exchange, it seems you, Master of Shadow Garden, are quite an interesting person."
"If possible, of course, I would like to kill you, you scum, right now—but—"
Mahiro suddenly cut off his words, and his tone gradually softened, as if he had sighed.
"But I can see that Sherry truly acknowledges you as her adoptive father, regarding you as her own flesh and blood."
"If I were to kill you, she would hate me for life."
"So this is the exchange you propose?"
"Not only that. After 'Eye of Avarice' is deciphered, I need you to tell Sherry the truth about what happened back then, then take your ancient relic and leave her side."
Hearing these conditions, Lutheran was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter again.
"Hahaha, Lord Shadow really has calculated this well. How can I be sure you won't turn on me after obtaining 'Eye of Avarice'?"
"There's no way to be sure."
Mahiro stated frankly:
"But you don't have the right to choose otherwise."
"Either accept my conditions, and you'll still be able to take 'Eye of Avarice' and leave with your life..."
"Or refuse, and I'll kill you right now."
"This is for Sherry's sake—consider it my final act of mercy."
"Sherry Barnett was truly a pitiful child, it must be said."
Her mother was killed by her enemy, yet she was raised by that same enemy and funded to research ancient relics.
If possible, Mahiro didn't want to cause her too much pain, which was why he proposed these terms.
Of course, if that old fool Lutheran truly valued his life so little, Mahiro wouldn't mind acting now to send him on his final journey ahead of schedule.
But unfortunately, Lutheran never got to give his response in the end.
Because Sherry had returned, suddenly knocking on the office door and interrupting their conversation.
And Lutheran instantly reverted to his kind fatherly persona, his face breaking into that gentle, affectionate smile.
Mahiro didn't overstay his welcome either, merely exchanging brief greetings with Sherry before leaving the vice dean's office.
"Mahiro, that man means you harm."
After leaving the office, Est suddenly materialized and spoke these words.
"I know."
"Then what do you plan to do?"
"Heh, children shouldn't pry into adult matters."
"Hmph... I'm not a child. I'm much older than you, Mahiro."
"Yes, yes, of course. So my dear Lady Est, I'm going to eat now. What would you like?"
Mahiro asked while pinching Est's expressionless cheeks.
"Stop pinching my face... and I want fried tofu."
"Alright, no problem. Let's go get some fried tofu then."
Hearing Mahiro agree, Est immediately stopped struggling, her eyes practically sparkling, even forgiving his presumptuous behavior.
So easily pleased, and she claims not to be a child...
Days passed one after another.
Some time had already passed since that conversation with Lutheran.
Just as summer vacation was approaching, Mahiro departed from the academy, heading for the holy land of Lindwurm.
According to intelligence from Alpha, the holy land of Lindwurm was currently holding the Goddess's Trial.
During her investigation of the holy land, the highest-ranking archbishop of the sacred church, Drake, had actually been murdered.
"It seems this aspect remains unchanged after all..."
Mahiro fully immersed himself in the hot water, murmuring softly.
He had now arrived at the holy land of Lindwurm, having booked an entire hot spring inn to enjoy the local attractions and specialties alone.
Meanwhile, he was contemplating the Goddess's Trial that would begin tomorrow.
The so-called Goddess's Trial was actually a projection competition, where ancient warriors' projections were summoned through special means to spar with participants.
To be honest, this seemed very much like the defense mechanism of the "Sanctuary" hidden behind the holy land.
Moreover, this Goddess's Trial appeared more like a tool used by the cult to screen for magic adapters—potential Demon Possessors—descendants flowing with the blood of heroes...
But these matters were relatively unimportant. What mainly intrigued him was what kind of beings he would summon.
Would he summon the Calamity Witch Aurora like Shadow did?
Or perhaps one of the Three Heroes?
He was somewhat looking forward to it...
Just as he was thinking this, the bathhouse door slid open.
A slender girl with chestnut-brown short hair entered, wrapped in a bath towel.
"Lord Mahiro, please allow me to scrub your back."
"Oh, it's Nu. No problem."
Mahiro lazily climbed out of the hot spring and lay face down on the massage bed the girl had prepared beforehand.
Soon, he felt the comfortable sensation of the girl's delicate fingertips, wrapped in a damp towel, moving back and forth across his back.
This was truly imperial-level enjoyment...
While scrubbing his back, Nu spoke up:
"Lord Mahiro, your registration for tomorrow's 'Goddess's Trial' event has been prepared."
"Mmm, thank you. Sorry for the trouble."
"Not at all. Being able to serve you is my honor." Nu replied somewhat nervously, her voice seeming to tremble slightly.
Hmm, it seemed she was not only skilled at back-scrubbing but also good with words.
This was only natural.
Nu was the thirteenth member of Shadow Garden, belonging to the letter series that came after the Seven Shadows, and her status was second only to Lambda, the instructor of Shadow Garden.
She belonged to Gamma's faction.
After joining, she had always stayed by Gamma's side, helping handle various matters related to the merchant guild.
Upon hearing that he was coming to the holy land, Gamma specifically assigned her to accompany him as both his caretaker and liaison.
Incidentally, Nu was one of the rare humans within Shadow Garden.
Being human made it more convenient for her to move around him, hence she was appointed to this duty.
"Speaking of which, Nu, your original name was Nicoletta, the eldest daughter of the Marquez family, right?"
"Yes, Lord Mahiro."
"Don't you want to return to the Marquez family?"
The moment he asked this question, Nu's hand movements paused slightly, and her entire body stiffened.
What was her lord doing?
Why was he asking such a question?
Was he testing her loyalty?
Though she had once been the young lady of a marquis household and was skilled in social interactions, Mahiro's single sentence now threw her thoughts into disarray, as if facing a formidable enemy.
"Alright, no need to be so tense. I was just asking casually, making conversation."
"Yes, I understand."
Do you really understand?
"But I don't want to go back. The former Nicoletta Marquez has already died as a Demon Possessor. Now there is only Nu of Shadow Garden, who no longer has any connection with the Marquez family."
These weren't words spoken to flatter or tease Mahiro, but her genuine feelings.
Originally, following the normal course of events, she should have been a second-year student at the academy now.
It was only because she usually wore mature makeup that made her appear slightly older.
But from the moment Demon Possession symptoms appeared, her life had completely vanished into thin air.
She had been mercilessly abandoned by her former family and parents.
Even her name had been erased from the marquis family's history.
As for those once-close friends, probably none of them would remember her anymore.
It wasn't that she couldn't understand this approach, but understanding was one thing—she also had the right to choose.
Since her former family wasn't willing to accept her former self, why should her current self return?
Clearly, Shadow Garden was her home now.
Though they had to lurk in the shadows, with no place for her on the world's visible stage, she still had so many family companions by her side.
Moreover, she also had her revered lord nearby.
Humans were weak creatures who sought to rely on supreme beings—this was something she had understood since childhood.
Therefore.
If for the entire world, the supreme being was God.
Then, for "Shadow Garden," Lord Mahiro was the supreme being.
However, he was more ideal than God.
Because just by opening her eyes, she could see him within her sight.
Just by reaching out her hand, she could touch him.
Just like now.
"Alright, alright. Since you don't want to talk about this, let's change the subject. How is Sherry doing at the academy?"
Because he was lying face down, he couldn't see Nu's face, nor did he know what she was thinking inside, so he simply assumed Nu didn't want to discuss it.
But Nu's response was even more concise—
"Lady Eta has made contact with Miss Sherry. News from the academy says the two are getting along quite well."
"What about Lutheran? Any movements?"
"Same as always."
"That's good."
Mahiro sighed softly.
It seemed that old fox Lutheran was quite sensible.
Then he asked again:
"What about the holy land? When do Alpha and the others plan to make their move?"
"Lady Alpha asked me to convey that you should enjoy the festival to your heart's content. She will personally take care of the remaining matters."
"Is it really that simple?"
"Yes, it's really that simple."
Nu nodded seriously.
She suddenly realized.
Lord Mahiro not only possessed the dignity and great power of a god, but occasionally also displayed human-like endearing qualities.
No wonder all the ladies were so fond of Lord Mahiro...