Chapter 404: Does the Previous Bet Still Count?
"Mahiro-niisan, come try these, they're delicious~ Miyuki specially prepared them all for you."
While taking the half-eaten lobster pie from his mouth, Miyuki handed him a plate filled with various foods.
Indeed, every single one was something Mahiro liked to eat.
Then, without a second thought, she placed the leftover lobster pie he had been eating into her own mouth.
Carefully savoring its flavor.
To be honest, Mahiro was somewhat surprised to see Miyuki here.
But upon further thought, it made perfect sense.
What was surprising was that everything Miyuki was involved with seemed far removed from this kind of cocktail party—one could even say that aside from both involving magic, there was no connection at all.
What made sense was that Miyuki was now the public head of the Yotsuba Family, the queen standing at the pinnacle of Japan's magical world.
If the Magical United Association wanted to develop, they definitely couldn't avoid dealing with Miyuki.
Somehow it felt contradictory...
"Long time no see, Mahiro-sama."
Accompanying Miyuki was Sakurai Minami, her face radiant with a bright, captivating smile as she bowed slightly toward Mahiro.
"Yes, it's been a while, Minami. I'm glad to see you're doing well."
Although it sounded somewhat like a formal greeting, it truly came from his heart.
Ever since settling on Mishima Island, because he was often away and Tatsuya had also become busy with his own pursuits, Miyuki had been left without a Guardian.
Thus, Minami, who had free time, was assigned to stay by Miyuki's side.
In addition to her bodyguard duties, she also took care of Miyuki's daily life.
"Dar~ling~"
An extremely sweet and cloying voice suddenly rang out.
Miyuki's hand, holding the lobster pie, paused, while Mahiro didn't even need to look up to sense a fragrant breeze approaching.
Immediately after, a soft, delicate body embraced him.
Even without looking up, he knew exactly who it was.
With such a heavy Kansai accent and such a nauseatingly affectionate term of address, who else could it be but Shiba Miori?
"Darling, I've missed you so much~ You've been back for so long, yet you never came to see me~"
"I couldn't help it. I just got back recently and still have a lot to deal with."
Mahiro offered a sincere smile to the lovely face leaning toward him.
In his heart, however, he was counting down.
Observing the corner to infer the whole...
A lord's command is not to be questioned...
Raiden Mei!
"You snake woman, get away from Mahiro-kun!!!"
The moment his countdown ended, he heard this furious shout, which stood out sharply even amidst the lively venue.
Kisara, wearing a black evening gown, charged over, her fist clad in black silk gloves swinging directly toward Shiba Miori's body.
Unfortunately, Shiba Miori dodged it, tossing out a taunt in the process.
"Ara, if it isn't the Tendou cow. If we're talking about seduction, those indecent things on your chest are the real seduction. What Darling and I have is true love~"
"Stop spouting that disgusting 'true love' nonsense—you're the one seducing him!"
Before long, Kisara and Shiba Miori were tangled in a fight. The nearby waitstaff wanted to intervene, but the two were fighting so fiercely that they didn't dare approach.
Seeing this, Mahiro couldn't help but wear an expression that said, "I knew this would happen."
Every time Shiba Miori appears, Tendo Kisara is sure to show up as well. These two are practically a match made in heaven, drawn together like magnets.
However, just as he was about to step forward to intervene, he suddenly halted his movements, his expression turning intrigued.
"Mahiro-nii, aren't you going to stop them?" Miyuki, who had just finished her lobster pie, asked curiously.
But Mahiro shook his head and said:
"No need. Let's enjoy the show."
"?"
Miyuki was still puzzled, but when she turned her head, she saw several well-dressed young men in their twenties gradually approaching Kisara and Miori.
"Some people are like pests, willing to do anything to climb higher, heh..."
Mahiro's laughter was cold.
Miyuki's gaze grew obscure, and her expression gradually darkened.
The men actually took the initiative to approach and strike up a conversation.
"Ladies, fighting in such a high-class and elegant place might not be appropriate. How about we sit down together for a drink and chat? Let me introduce myself, I am..."
The men in suits all tried to present what they thought was their most handsome side.
The conflict between Kisara and Miori did indeed pause because of these words, but they merely glanced over at the men.
Shiba Miori, while straightening her slightly disheveled kimono, forced an elegant smile and said lightly:
"My, my, a few cockroaches put on human clothes and really think they're people now~"
Her words were full of sarcasm, immediately making the man who had just approached them look rather displeased.
"Miss, isn't that a bit too harsh?"
"Oh? Too harsh? I don't think so."
Shiba Miori maintained her airy attitude.
Having been immersed in the business world for so many years, what tricks or schemes hadn't she seen?
Could the person in front of her not know her identity?
No, he surely did, and probably even knew the details of her family situation.
Yet, knowing full well that she already had someone she was interested in, he still came up to flirt—was he really that reckless?
However, just because the man in front of her didn't dare get angry didn't mean there weren't any hotheads among the group.
At that moment, another man angrily said:
"Miss Shiba Miori, how dare you act so high and mighty? To put it bluntly, you're just a business upstart who rose with the help of the Yotsuba family, while our families have been operating for a hundred years! Do you think that pretty boy called Mahiro can protect you if our families get angry?
That guy is nothing but a mere Mage, just a disposable weapon!"
As soon as these words were spoken.
The entire place fell into silence.
Everyone looked over with stunned expressions.
Their gazes, their eyes clearly said—
"Young men, you really are brave..."
Especially the girls connected to Mahiro, who all frowned slightly and eyed the men with unfriendly looks.
Miyuki's expression grew even more somber, and an icy aura emanated from her, as if ready to freeze everything in its path.
"Tendo Style Martial Arts, First Form, Eighth Style—Flame Fan!"
A sharp cry shattered the silence.
Kisara stomped the ground fiercely, instantly shattering the floor tiles beneath her feet, followed by a heavy punch slamming into the man who had spoken so arrogantly.
Crack! The ribs in his chest visibly caved in.
The man was sent flying backward, sliding along the floor tiles before thudding against the floor-to-ceiling window.
If the glass hadn't been sturdy enough, he would have likely crashed through the window and fallen out.
Kisara slowly retracted her fist, glancing sideways at the other men, who immediately fell silent, trembling with fear.
"Remember this, all of you. If you ever dare to hit on me again, this man's fate will be yours!"
"That's right, hehe... A century-old family? I, Shiba Miori, wouldn't mind clashing with you either."
One was ruthless, the other charming.
Although the two of them were at odds with each other, when it came to dealing with such clueless fools, they had always been allies.
Upon hearing this, the men were already scared out of their wits, scrambling and crawling their way out of the banquet hall.
"Minami, help me investigate the families of those men just now, then report it to Lady Maya. She'll know what to do."
"Yes, Mahiro-sama."
Minami bowed respectfully and then left the banquet with steady steps, though her stride seemed unusually forceful.
"Mahiro-niisan, I think people like this have no reason to exist in this world at all."
Miyuki's voice was cold, but her gaze was resolute.
This time, however, Mahiro did not try to dissuade her. Instead, he put down his plate, picked up a glass of juice, took a sip, and smiled.
"Indeed, they have no idea of their own insignificance, always believing that the power in their hands can restrain forces beyond their control... Sigh, I really don't know how these people's brains work."
"Perhaps they simply have no brains at all."
As for their fate, Mahiro wasn't concerned, but one thing was certain: it wouldn't be pleasant.
Even if the Yotsuba Family and the Saegusa Family didn't intervene, the Kitayama Family alone, along with Shiba Heavy Industries, would be enough to ruin these men.
But this was merely a small episode in the banquet.
Soon, the entire venue returned to its previous lively atmosphere.
And as the music began to play, the banquet officially commenced.
On the empty stage now stood two people.
The representative of the Magician's Mutual Aid Association, Chandrasekhar, and the witness, McCloud.
Shiba Tatsuya, as the deputy representative, was not present, so these two had to take turns speaking.
They explained the purpose of establishing the Magician's Mutual Aid Association to the guests present.
Then they introduced the location of its headquarters, in the southern Sri Lankan city of Galle.
After that, Mahiro didn't pay attention to what the two foreigners on stage said next.
Because he was feeling a bit sleepy.
So he slumped back onto a sofa in the corner of the venue and began to rest with his eyes closed.
He didn't know how much time had passed, but it seemed the voices on stage had faded, and then he felt the other side of the sofa sink slightly.
He didn't open his eyes, but from the sweet fragrance that wafted into his nostrils, he knew who had arrived.
He spoke directly:
"By the way, you asked me earlier to guess the purpose of this banquet, right?"
"Mahiro-kouhai, how did you know it was me?"
Mayumi was very surprised.
At this moment, she was sitting beside Mahiro, her black-stockinged legs neatly together to one side, her gaze fixed intently on Mahiro's face.
There was no fluctuation of Psions.
Nor any sign of his eyes opening.
Yet he could guess that the visitor was her?
The next second, she saw the corners of Mahiro's mouth slowly curve upward.
"Of course, each of you has a different scent, and I remember them clearly. Moreover, the perfume you're wearing today is quite unique—the top notes are a blend of freesia and musk, the middle notes are cinnamon and orange with a hint of musk, and as for the base notes..."
"Alright, alright, stop. I know you're observant."
For some reason, Mayumi's face flushed red, even her ears turning crimson.
It was as if a little secret of hers had been exposed.
Mahiro didn't understand why, but since she had said so, he naturally changed the subject.
"Then let's talk about this cocktail party. The host of this banquet should be that foreigner named Chandrasekhar, right? He's a representative of the Magical United Association. His purpose in inviting so many people is simple: he wants to expand the organization in Japan, borrow the Yotsuba Family's name, and pay respects to the local powers... But honestly, I don't think it's necessary. After all, our Yotsuba Family has already withdrawn from Japan, and our focus is no longer here."
"Yes, I think so too."
Mayumi agreed wholeheartedly with Mahiro's words.
Although Mahiro had been away for a long time, it didn't mean he was unaware of family affairs.
Currently, Shiba Heavy Industries' focus is in California, North America, fiercely competing with other major corporations and the new USNA.
Yotsuba Technology serves as support while fully expanding into the European and Asian markets.
Penglai Island functions as a research base.
Mishima Island and the expanded islands serve as strongholds, a paradise of Arcadia.
As for Itogami Island, as mentioned before, he plans to develop it into a composite commercial system, shifting the Kitayama Family's focus there.
Coincidentally, the Kitayama Family is collaborating with Shiba Tatsuya on the Stellar Core project, and Itogami Island has many composite materials not found in this world, making it ideal for the project.
As for the Ten Master Clans and the Hundred Families.
The purpose of integrating them is simply to prevent these people from causing trouble for no reason.
So, as long as they don't stir up trouble, he doesn't mind letting these family businesses develop independently, as long as they pay an annual fee.
It's essentially protection money.
"However, I think the Magical United Association's goals might not be limited to just this."
His sudden remark caught Mayumi's attention.
"Do they have other objectives?"
"Mhm."
Mahiro nodded with his eyes closed:
"Not long ago, I received some intelligence from Ayako. It's said that spies from the new USNA have also infiltrated the cocktail party..."
"What?!"
Upon hearing this news, Mayumi's eyes widened instantly. Just as she was about to say something, Mahiro pressed his hand over hers.
"I know you're anxious, but don't rush. Let me finish."
Mahiro said:
"I don't think CIA spies infiltrated this place. Given their capabilities, they couldn't possibly have sneaked into such a venue. It's more likely that the Magical United Association intentionally invited them here."
"Why?" Mayumi was puzzled.
Given the current situation where the new USNA is too preoccupied with its own troubles, they would be completely unable to assist this emerging organization.
"I suspect they're probably after the Holy Relic."
"Holy Relic?"
"Mhm."
Mahiro nodded again, "I heard that during the final battle in California, the new USNA unearthed a White Stone Tablet. It seems to record the location of a certain ruin. The Magical United Association probably wants to get a share of the spoils."
"After all, the value of a Holy Relic speaks for itself. If they can obtain it, they could gain some international influence."
Hearing this, Mayumi understood.
If it's a ruin, then indeed a large number of Holy Relics would be excavated.
But there was still one thing that puzzled her—
"Mahiro, how do you know so much?"
He seemed to know considerably more than she did.
That could only be attributed to the gap between intelligence agencies—the Kuroba Family is top-tier in intelligence gathering.
But naturally, Mahiro wouldn't say that. He simply replied, "A wise man has his own methods. Also, Saegusa, I wonder if what you promised earlier still holds?"
"Earlier?"
"Mhm, have you forgotten already? How forgetful of you. You promised that if I guessed the purpose of this reception, you'd wear the secretary outfit tonight. Ah, my expectations were in vain."
Mahiro feigned a sorrowful tone and sighed.
"And here I worked so hard to find out."
As soon as he finished speaking—
Poof!
Mayumi's face flushed completely red. She shot Mahiro a resentful glare.
Unfortunately, he was resting with his eyes closed and couldn't see it.
Helplessly, Mayumi could only suppress her embarrassment, slowly lean close to Mahiro's ear, gently exhale, and whisper softly:
"It's getting late. Time to rest."
"...Why can't I get pregnant?"
The corners of her eyes still retained a captivating blush.
Mayumi gently stroked her flat abdomen and sighed regretfully in a slightly hoarse voice.
Having just experienced a fierce "battle," Mayumi lay on Mahiro's chest, feeling the familiar texture of his muscles while listening to his vibrant heartbeat.
The "battle" had been intense—a back-and-forth tug-of-war repeated five times, leaving the hotel room in complete disarray.
Torn clothing was scattered on the floor and coffee table.
The entire room bore traces of their presence, and Mayumi's "injured" areas were smeared with white ointment.
But the most devastated item was undoubtedly the pair of pantyhose, now completely shredded and lying quietly in a corner of the room.
"Mmm... It can't be helped if you can't get pregnant."
Mahiro sighed softly.
Mayumi lifted her head to look at him, somewhat puzzled, and asked, "Why?"
She was well aware of Mahiro's background.
Although he is indeed an Adjusted Body Mage, Adjusted Bodies possess normal fertility.
The only drawback is that excessive use of magic shortens lifespan, but he had already compensated for that himself.
So it shouldn't be an issue.
Seeing her so flustered, Mahiro couldn't help but laugh.
"What are you thinking? It's not what you imagine at all. It's just that my genes are too strong for your egg cells to withstand."
He had once consulted Nina Adelard, the Great Alchemist, about this matter, as alchemy also involves the field of life sciences.
That was the answer she had given him.
However, upon hearing his words, Mayumi pouted in dissatisfaction.
"How could that be? I'm not as weak as you say, Mahiro-kohai."
Though she said this, she secretly felt relieved in her heart.
As long as her body was fine, that was all that mattered.
Then, as if remembering something, she suddenly flipped over and sat on top of Mahiro, looking down at him from above. Her long, dark hair cascaded down, just barely concealing her youthful prime.
Her long eyelashes cast shadows under the moonlight.
A mysterious smile still lingered on her face.
"Mahiro-kohai, how will you know it won't work if you don't give it your best?"
That was what she said.
Then, with a soft hum, she began the second round.