Chapter 220: Sherry's Kiss and the Gray-Robed Woman of the Bushin Festival
That's brutal...
Just watching those two hammer strikes makes me feel the pain.
Seeing Eta being dragged away, Mahiro slightly averted his gaze.
"And you."
"Yes!"
Alpha suddenly turned her head, her authoritative gaze directly falling upon him.
Startled, Mahiro trembled slightly and immediately straightened his posture.
"Don't always follow Eta's mischief either!"
"Yes! I understand."
Wait.
Something's not right...
When did our positions suddenly reverse!
Mahiro suddenly realized.
"What, do you have any objections?!"
"No, none... I acknowledge my mistake and beg for Lady Alpha's forgiveness."
Under Alpha's authoritative stare, he ultimately cooperated by lowering his head.
However, seeing his comical demeanor gave Alpha quite a headache.
"Sigh, I don't mean to scold you. I just want you to stop spoiling Eta so much.
Come on, cheer up. Everyone else is watching you."
Alpha thoughtfully straightened his clothes, smoothing out the wrinkles and brushing off the dust.
Her virtuous appearance was completely different from her authoritative demeanor moments ago, more like a devoted wife and mother.
This was Alpha.
The most authoritative presence in Shadow Garden. When those sapphire-like eyes glared, no one dared to oppose her.
Overall though, Eta's research could be considered quite successful. One had to admit she was a genius.
With Eta's matter settled, next came Sherry's situation.
Sherry was placed in the luxurious reception room they had visited before, sitting alone on the sofa with her head slightly lowered. Her fingers dug into the soft flesh between her black-stockinged thighs, her eyes revealing a weary dullness with faint traces of sorrow swirling within.
She showed no interest in the iced tea and desserts placed before her, letting the ice cubes in the glass gradually melt, condensation forming droplets that slowly slid down the smooth surface.
"Would you like to try some? It's really delicious."
Mahiro gently pushed the plate of pastries toward Sherry while chewing on a red macaron himself.
Mmm, truly delicious.
But faced with such delicious food, Sherry only shook her head and pursed her lips.
Her fingers unconsciously tightened on the soft flesh of her inner thighs, her alluring thin lips slightly parting.
She seemed to hesitate to speak.
"If you have something to say, just say it. Although I'm your teacher, I'm also your friend, right?"
"Yotsuba-sensei..."
Hearing this, Sherry couldn't help but look up at him.
Was it just his imagination, or was there something strange about how this girl was looking at him?
Especially with that tearful expression, as if she might burst into tears at any moment.
Then Sherry said something that rather surprised him.
"Sensei, my father abandoned me..."
While somewhat unexpected, it was within expectations. He just hadn't thought Lutheran would actually keep his promise so obediently.
But it seemed there was more to it.
"Before father left, he told me some things about the past..."
To be precise, it wasn't about the past.
Rather, it was about how Lutheran killed Sherry's mother, Lukreia.
Even now, Sherry vividly remembered Lutheran's grim expression when he revealed the truth to her.
It was as if he had removed a mask.
Not a trace of his usual kindness and benevolence remained, replaced instead by boundless greed and distortion.
"From the limbs to the center, slowly stab through her body one cut at a time, finally piercing the heart, then twisting the blade."
These words echoed incessantly in Sherry's mind like a nightmare.
"Teacher, why... why did Dad have to be so cruel? Why did he have to kill Mom…"
Sherry whispered through sobs, covering her eyes with both hands, hoping Mahiro wouldn't see her in such an ugly state.
She was even trying her utmost to restrain herself, wishing she could stop crying.
But tears kept overflowing through the gaps between her fingers.
Warm teardrops fell on the black stockings covering her thighs, spreading patches of dark, cool dampness.
Just then, Sherry suddenly felt the sofa dip slightly. She lowered her hands and turned her tear-blurred gaze toward the side. Through her hazy vision, she saw Mahiro sitting beside her, looking at her with a gentle smile.
And softly stroking her head with his hand.
It wasn't rough and broad as she had imagined, but rather delicate and tender. The warmth it brought couldn't help but remind her of her own mother.
Her mother used to comfort her like this too...
"..."
"Alright, cry as much as you want. Don't hold back."
Hearing this, Sherry could no longer contain herself. She broke down completely, burying herself in his embrace and weeping uncontrollably.
Soon, her tears soaked through his clothes.
Ah, the world of adults could be so cruel and deceitful at times.
But raising someone's child after killing their mother to use for his own purposes—this was honestly the first time he had encountered such a scheme.
If not for his deal with Lutheran, Sherry would have remained in the dark, never learning the truth.
While that might have been a blissful ignorance, who knows what insane things Lutheran might have eventually done to Sherry...
As he was thinking this, a pair of slender arms suddenly wrapped around his neck.
Sherry actually kissed him directly.
Perhaps overwhelmed by grief, the girl had committed such an irrational act.
Pushing open the gates, they exchanged breaths.
They were so close he could clearly feel the warmth of her tears and her moist breath.
After a long while, they parted.
Sherry slumped against him, tilting her head back to offer him a smile.
But her tear-filled smile appeared utterly desolate.
"Thank you, Teacher. For always tolerating my willfulness, and not rejecting me even when I'm like this... But I still feel somewhat guilty toward Claire."
"It's fine."
"Claire won't mind."
This wasn't Mahiro's certainty.
Rather, Claire had long seen through Sherry and Rose's feelings.
She also understood perfectly what positions Alpha and Yukime held by Mahiro's side.
Even she would likely find it difficult to shake their standing.
"Instead, I want to ask you, Sherry—do you want to avenge your mother, Lady Lukreia? If you do, your teacher will help you."
"No need..."
Sherry gently rested her head against his chest, her hands slightly clutching the fabric on his shoulders.
Although she had felt resentment toward Lutheran upon learning the truth, he had, after all, raised her for so many years, regardless of his intentions.
But why did she feel so unwilling...
Tears once again fell uncontrollably, pattering down.
She clearly didn't want to cry anymore...
Soon, Sherry had cried herself to exhaustion. Combined with her lack of rest lately, she fell asleep directly in his embrace.
Her haggard appearance was truly pitiable.
Mahiro gently brushed aside the disheveled strands of hair covering her face and wiped away the remaining tears at the corners of her eyes.
"Sleep well. When you wake up, you'll forget everything."
He casually took out a blanket and draped it over her.
However, as he stood up to leave the reception room, Sherry suddenly grabbed his sleeve.
"...Don't go, Teacher. Sherry... only has you left... Please don't leave Sher..."
"Don't worry, I won't abandon you. Never."
Seeing her mumble in her sleep, lost in dreams, Mahiro gently loosened her small hand, carefully tucked it back under the blanket, and after making sure she was settled, he left the reception room.
But as soon as he stepped out, he saw a beautiful golden-haired elf leaning against the doorframe.
"Hey, Alpha, waiting for me?"
"What are you planning to do?"
"Eavesdropping isn't a good habit, you know."
"If it were anyone else, I wouldn't have listened. But that girl—I can tell she's important to you. And I judged that you might need my help."
Alpha's tone was earnest.
The help she referred to was naturally about Lutheran.
"Alright, alright, you always have a point."
Mahiro shrugged helplessly. "So, what's Lutheran's current whereabouts?"
"Our subordinates report that Lutheran has left the royal capital. He used 'Eye of Avarice' to absorb magical power and has restored his strength to its peak."
"Is that so?"
Restoring his strength to its peak wasn't exactly good news, but it didn't seem to pose a problem either.
As he looked at Alpha, especially the sword at her waist, he couldn't help but think:
Then I'll leave it to you, Alpha. You take care of it personally and send Lutheran on his way. You know, I made a promise to that guy—I won't take action myself—so I have to keep my word.
Ah, what a cunning fellow I am.
Mahiro mocked himself inwardly, though it was of little consequence.
Besides, he had only said he wouldn't act himself—he never said his subordinates couldn't.
And given Alpha's current strength, especially after inheriting Olivier's legacy, she could practically roam freely in this world, except when encountering a bug like Cid.
There was no need to worry at all.
"Alright, I understand."
Alpha accepted the order.
But then she asked another question:
"There's one more thing. Are you participating in the Bushin Festival this year?"
"Mhm, of course."
He had missed the last one because of Elisabeth. This time, he absolutely couldn't miss it again.
Not to mention, Cid would most likely participate in this Bushin Festival, giving him even more reason not to miss it.
"That's good. By the way, Elisabeth and Yukime have also come to the royal capital. They made a special trip to watch your match. You better do your best."
After winking at him, Alpha left.
Leaving Mahiro standing there alone in a daze.
Wait, what did she say?
Elisabeth and Yukime came to the royal capital to watch his match?
Hold on, how did those two know he was participating in the competition?
"Ah-ee!"
Ekds
"Lady Elisabeth, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
"I'm fine, Mary."
Elisabeth gave her maid a reassuring smile. Eds
Inside the dimly lit carriage, the mistress and her maid traveled along the royal capital's roads, gently swaying with the faint rocking of the vehicle.
Not a single ray of light could penetrate the tightly drawn curtains.
Passersby couldn't help but feel curious—such an extravagant carriage sealed so thoroughly, could something improper be happening inside?
But soon, their attention was captured by another carriage. January 5th
Emblazoned with the Snow Fox Trading Company emblem on its door, everyone instinctively made way.
The famous nine-tailed Yukime sat inside, flanked by two trusted maids.
For no other reason than that the Snow Fox Trading Company was the sole partner of the Arcadia Trading Company!
Offending the Snow Fox Trading Company was equivalent to crossing the Arcadia Trading Company.
As for the consequences, they still vividly remembered how the Great Merchant Alliance met its end—
All its leaders died overnight, followed by the complete collapse of their businesses.
Though no one knew who was behind the former, they attributed it to the Arcadia Trading Company.
Yet one figure stood out even more—a person draped in a tattered, faded gray robe, walking right beside the Snow Fox Trading Company's carriage!
From the silhouette, it appeared to be a woman, with a strand of faded golden hair peeking out.
Though that lock of hair seemed silky smooth, it couldn't conceal her vagabond-like attire.
Just then, as if sensing something, both Elisabeth and Yukime—one gently lifting a corner of the curtain—simultaneously glanced outside.
Their eyes met the gaze of the figure beneath the gray robe. January 5th
Time seemed to freeze in that moment.
Yukime's eyes widened slightly, and she snapped open her folding fan to cover her surprised lips.
"My, my, this is quite unexpected..."
Meanwhile, Elisabeth tilted her head innocently.
She felt this person's appearance seemed familiar, yet somehow different from the one in her memory—this individual appeared more mature, with indigo-blue eyes and hair color that was subtly distinct...
The gray-robed woman studied them both, slightly wrinkling her nose before tilting her head in puzzlement.
"There's the scent of an elf, but it's very faint... Should I go ask?"
As the gray-robed woman hesitated, an even more luxurious carriage passed by them.
Similarly sealed tight against prying eyes.
Inside sat a man with a goatee.
Perv Asshat, a duke from the artistic kingdom of Oriana, was also Rose Oriana's fiancé. Just by looking at his age, one could tell this was a political marriage.
But for Perv, this union meant more than that. It was his ticket to ascending the ladder of power and influence!
[Perv.]
Just as Perv was lost in these thoughts, an indifferent voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
"L-Lord Mordred!"
Perv immediately grew excited.
This Mordred was the key figure helping him climb the power structure—the Ninth Seat of the Diablos Knights of Rounds!
[Perv, is everything prepared?]
"Yes, Lord Mordred! Everything is as you requested. I've obtained the 'Ring of Inheritance.'"
He had personally taken it from the finger of the King of Oriana!
Thanks to that foolish Queen Reina, otherwise it wouldn't have gone so smoothly.
[Good work. I've arranged the rest. A first-class Child of Diablos will provide you support. Furthermore, through Round Table deliberations, as long as you complete this mission, the Twelfth Seat of the Knights of Rounds will be yours. Rejoice in this.]
"Yes! Lord Mordred, I will spare no effort for this cause!"
[I look forward to your performance—do not disappoint me.]
"Y-Yes... understood."
Perv was overwhelmed with excitement.
He never expected the task assigned by Lord Mordred to be so simple.
All he had to do was retrieve the ancient artifact, the "Ring of Succession," from the King of Oriana and activate it in the royal capital of Midgar.
However, to use this ring, the direct bloodline of Oriana was required.
That meant choosing between the senile king and Rose.
For some reason, Lord Mordred insisted that Rose be the one to activate it.
But that wasn't for him to question. His only duty was to carry out the task, after which he could ascend the elusive ladder to godhood!
At this thought, Perv's heart burned with fervor, and he tightly clenched the ruby-encrusted ring in his pocket.
...
To participate in the Bushin Festival, one had to register at the arena's counter.
Of course, that was for ordinary people. As a swordsmanship instructor at the Magic Swordsman Academy, the process was much simpler.
He could simply submit his entry form.
Moreover, he could skip the preliminary and qualifying rounds, advancing directly to the main tournament.
While it wasn't as privileged as former champions who could represent the Magic Swordsman Academy and proceed straight to the finals, it was still a considerable advantage.
At least he didn't have to compete on some grassy field in an outdoor park, like some underground brawler.
However, when he arrived at the venue, he noticed something.
"There aren't many people here..."
Indeed, there really weren't many.
The vast arena's spectator stands were sparsely populated, far from full.
Although it was the main tournament, audiences typically focused on the semifinals, finals, or matches featuring their favorite competitors.
After all, those were the true battles between the strongest.
In this regard, it was completely different from the Nine Schools Competition.
After casually winning a match and walking through the player's tunnel, someone suddenly brushed past him.
A very familiar feeling...
Mahiro instinctively stopped in his tracks.
Half a beat later, the other person also halted.
Almost simultaneously, they both turned to face each other.
Beneath a gray robe, a pair of bright indigo eyes stared directly at him.
"You carry the scent of an elf as well," the woman stated in a calm, slightly low voice as she faintly twitched her nose.
And then asked:
"Do you know anyone from the elf race?"