Chapter 72: Master and Disciple—Both Absolutely Devious
"Honored guests, welcome to the Silverlake Estate. I, Theodore, extend my deepest gratitude."
His deep, resonant voice—amplified by [Sound Projection Magic]—echoed throughout the grand banquet hall.
"Since the outbreak of the total war, whether on the northern front or across the central and southern nations, humanity has stood united as one."
"As the commander-in-chief of the Allied Army, I am eternally grateful for mankind's solidarity and sacrifice."
"For those compatriots who fell on the northern battlefield, let us bow our heads in silent tribute."
"For the soldiers who still fight bravely at this very moment, let us offer our prayers and blessings!"
At his words, many guests lowered their heads or clasped their hands together.
Some imagined the brutality of the battlefield; others gave thanks for the peace of life within the Holy City.
Only Elias remained unmoved, his gaze steady and indifferent.
He cared nothing for the Demon King's ambitions.
He felt no reverence for Serie's obsessions.
At the end of the day—
This war between humans and demons had never been his concern to begin with.
At this very moment, his thoughts were fixed on a single thing:
The general's family's supreme treasure—
Arisols.
In fact, even before the carriage entered the estate, his Clairvoyance had already swept the entire grounds clean.
And yet—strangely enough—
No matter where he looked, he could not find the artifact.
Elias couldn't help but wonder—
Had it been concealed by magic?
After personally witnessing Theodore's formidable magical presence just moments ago, he was inclined to believe so.
For the Cole family to safeguard a relic from the Mythic Era for over a thousand years without loss…
They had to possess some extraordinary method.
It seemed the matter of the artifact would have to be set aside for now—investigated carefully at a later time.
Then there was Serie's commission…
Elias drew a slow breath and once again expanded his magical perception across the hall.
There was no mistake.
The strongest magical presence present belonged to the man standing on the second-floor balcony—the one currently leading the moment of silence.
Both Elias and Flamme suppressed their magic by habit, blending in with the rest.
And aside from that—
There was no trace of demonic aura anywhere.
So what exactly was that old dwarf suspecting?
Could even her intuition be wrong?
"All right, everyone!"
Theodore's booming voice snapped the hall back to attention.
"On behalf of all our soldiers—those who have fallen and those still standing—I thank you for your silence and prayers."
"Before the formal ball begins, there is one more important matter to announce."
At that moment, Flamme lightly nudged Elias's arm, signaling him to prepare.
"As many of you have heard, in order to select a personal guard for my beloved daughter, Leiya, I arranged a public trial within the Holy City."
"To ensure fairness, the candidates were not limited to military personnel, but open to all powerful mages."
"On the day of the trial, an outsider mage distinguished himself—defeating our military's Erwin and leaving a profound impression on everyone present!"
—Heh.
Flamme couldn't help but mutter inwardly:
If severing both of your opponent's hands and stitching them back on again counts as 'defeating' them…
Then yes, it certainly was unforgettable.
"That formidable mage will officially become Leiya's personal guard tonight—and a member of Allied Army!"
"His name is—Elias!"
At once, the butler Pierre raised his staff, activating the magical lights embedded in the domed ceiling.
In the next instant, radiant starlight descended—
Spotlighting the lone black-clad figure within the crowd.
The guests instinctively parted, leaving a wide open space around him.
Elias: ✧(≖_≖)✧
Ah…
Um…
So it was this grand of an occasion?
A mere guard's induction ceremony—yet it carried the gravity of a royal coronation.
Or perhaps…
More like the wedding ceremony he vaguely remembered.
After all—
He could no longer recall the last time he'd attended one.
But then again…
A great demon, disguised as a human, suddenly standing there glowing with golden light before such a crowd…
What a bizarre sight.
Elias glanced sideways—and saw Flamme.
Like everyone else, she had stepped back to the edge of the crowd, lips pursed, her expression clearly fighting the urge to burst out laughing.
Frieren was even worse—half-hidden behind Flamme, wiggling her eyebrows and snickering shamelessly.
Damn it…
They're mocking me, aren't they?
This master-and-disciple pair are both way too wicked!
As expected, murmurs quickly rippled through the crowd:
"So it's him!"
"He looks completely ordinary—I thought he was one of the estate's servants."
"Lower your voice! His methods are creepy. You might not even know how you died!"
"Exactly! Even Erwin, the one infamous for his cruelty, only threatened him a few times and somehow ended up crippled!"
"But that just proves how strong he is! Isn't the military supposed to worship strength?"
"Right! And he's not just powerful—he's surprisingly handsome too…"
"Tch. You're just a lovestruck idiot."
"Hey! Why are you insulting me?!"
"So what if I am?!"
Elias chuckled inwardly.
The moment he appeared, opinions about him split cleanly down the middle.
He couldn't help but wonder—
If these people knew that the man standing before them was actually a great demon…
Just how spectacular would that scene be?
"Everyone, please be quiet!"
Theodore spoke again. One booming shout suppressed the restless buzz of the hall.
"No matter what opinions you hold about Elias, it does not change the fact that he defeated multiple opponents and emerged as the final victor."
"That alone proves his strength!"
"Only a truly powerful mage is qualified to serve as my daughter's guard!"
Theodore swept his gaze across the hall.
"If there are no objections…"
"Then I invite my daughter, Leiya, to formally bestow the honor upon Elias!"
As his words fell, the doors behind him slowly opened.
A graceful figure stepped out, dressed in pure white, holding a small box in her hands, instantly drawing every gaze.
Though slender and delicate, every step she took down the stairs radiated elegance and dignity.
Jet-black hair, pale skin—no extravagant adornments, yet an air of pristine purity surrounded her.
Only when she came to a stop before him did Elias clearly see her smiling eyes.
Behind him, more than one man sharply sucked in a breath.
"My god… Lady Leiya rarely appears in public. Seeing her tonight—she's breathtaking."
"Like a little white flower—her looks and temperament are truly unique."
"I heard she used to excel at riding and archery… it's such a shame her health has declined."
"She should've been a heroic figure of beauty and talent, yet now she needs protection… sigh."
Under the crowd's complex gazes, Leiya remained composed, her expression unchanged.
Holding the red box, she walked steadily toward Elias.
Stopping before him, she gently tilted her head up and smiled softly.
"You are Elias, correct?"
Elias paused for two seconds.
"—That would be me."
Just moments ago, he had swiftly sensed the magic within her body.
It wasn't strong—but it was restless, as if stirring beneath suppression.
Perhaps…
Years of restraint had taken their toll.
It seemed she herself was unwilling to accept her condition.
"Very well, Elias."
"I now confer upon you the Special-Class Guardian Medal. From this moment on, my safety—will be entrusted to you."
As she spoke, Leiya opened the red box.
Inside lay a silver medal, set with a triangular sapphire—the emblem of the Allied Army.
Elias looked at the blue gemstone, then unconsciously raised his gaze to meet Leiya's smiling eyes.
And at the exact moment the box opened—
He felt something stir inside his body.
Deep within him, a dimensional storage pouch he carried internally—
Containing a skeletal dagger—
Begun to tremble, ever so slightly.