Chapter 274

[Senior Solomon... Ah, sorry, you're the Headmistress now.]

Liang's expression remained unchanged. She calmly played with a strand of hair falling over her shoulder, asking curiously:

"So, Professor Roland, what brings you here to see me this time?"

[My original intention, of course, was to interrupt my senior's good time, just like before.]

The opening statement was quite astonishing.

However, the conversation then shifted.

[Unfortunately, due to my carelessness, I seem to have accidentally let another very important senior colleague come here as well, so I had no choice but to bring her along.]

This time, even Roland's tone revealed a hint of trouble.

At first, Liang was puzzled for a moment when she heard this description from another remarkable senior, but only for a moment. She quickly realized what was going on, and her previously cheerful gaze immediately darkened.

Unconsciously, her slender fingers curled her hair, wrapping it around her fingers again and again.

"That troublesome woman... what was her identity when she came here?"

She didn't want to see that woman if she could.

In a sense, she came to Earth precisely because she didn't want to see some of the people from her past.

To this day, R'lyeh's description of her whereabouts remains unknown.

I knew she was a teacher here on Earth, and Roland was enough, but now that woman is on the list too?

This is really causing a lot of trouble.

As a result, she was met with a rare moment of silence from Roland.

The silence on the other end of the phone lasted so long that Liang even wondered if her phone was broken. Just as she was about to ask Roland if he could hear her, she suddenly heard Roland's clear response—

[She said it was... her ex-boyfriend.]

"... What?"

Liang regained some of her usual aloofness.

Liang confirmed with Roland again before realizing she hadn't misheard.

Thus, even the learned Solomon, the Witch of yesteryear, couldn't help but fall into deep thought at this moment.

Why does the word "ex-boyfriend" sound so familiar?

A word that shouldn't be here.

No, she seemed to vaguely remember... once, Kiriori had muttered that word through gritted teeth, looking quite resentful at the time.

So, she was very concerned at the time and asked about it.

Then she became just like her disciples.

Now, being as clever as she is, she quickly came to a bold yet rigorous possibility after connecting it with Roland's earlier statement.

"..."

I see.

Who would have thought that this blonde, seemingly foolish woman was actually so cunning?

Then, she said coldly and silently:

"Tell her to stop acting crazy, or we'll both bombard her with Solomon's Destruction and the Everlasting Brilliant Gemstone Land."

Although the outcome of a battle against the opponent's true form is still uncertain.

But she and Roland could easily obliterate even a mere clone.

[Understood~]

Roland responded cheerfully.

[But if that's the case, in what capacity should His Majesty remain by our side?]

Just then, Ryo saw that Haihara had finished paying the bill and was about to come out, and she sighed.

She lowered her voice slightly and whispered to Roland:

"Didn't she used to like pretending to be Lily's penguin and spying from the corner? Let her become whatever bird she wants this time."

In any case, she wouldn't let that woman approach Lily again under that joking, ghostly identity.

And then Roland's laughter came through the phone:

[That's a bit too pitiful, but I'll suggest to His Majesty that we take a look.]

[Then let's meet at the nearby park later. After all, it's been a long time since we've had a get-together, although the last time we got together wasn't exactly a pleasant memory.]

Even at this moment, Roland's tone remained light and elegant, as melodious as a silver bell.

Then the call ended.

Savoring Roland's last words, Liang remained silent for a while, then put down the phone expressionlessly. Without looking at Lily, he simply gazed at the snowy night, feeling the cold wind.

The last time we gathered...

She was talking to herself.

Whether it's her, Roland Eldritch, or the woman who came with Roland, they all share the same title among the Magic girls of R'lyeh.

Those who are worthy of being called "the Crowned Ones" will be those who are above the Sacred Domain, the King of Magic, and the Sage.

That is, Crown Rank Magic Girl.

Every Crown Rank Magic Girl possesses strength equal to or even surpassing that of Demon King in his prime.

In theory, the kind of enemy that requires Crown Rank Magic Girl to fight together does not exist in R'lyeh.

---That's how it should be.

However, in her memory, the time she gathered with Lord Gemstone Roland and the other Crown Rank Magic Girls was during a war that she did not want to recall.

As she was lost in thought, she suddenly heard a low, hoarse female voice calling out:

"Cool? It's cold standing there."

It was a cold voice, yet one tinged with concern.

Liang turned her head and saw the person she cared about most. Lily was holding a cup of coffee and handed it to her, waving it in front of her.

She snapped out of her reverie, took the coffee, and held it in her hands.

It's quite heartwarming.

"Thanks."

She took a sip of coffee.

She had little interest in sweet things like fruit juice, but since coming to Earth, as a working woman who often works in an office, Liang had become fascinated with this bittersweet drink.

Actually, it's a bit cold, even though it's cool.

To look more attractive, she chose a low-cut top as an inner layer, but now her neck is so cold she wants to shrink back.

Liang knew very well that Lily was particularly obsessed with the neck area.

They are completely fascinated by both biting and kissing.

She held a coffee cup in one hand and touched her exposed neck with the other, trying to warm it up. After a while, she felt the woman's shoulder lean against hers, and her hair brushed against her previously cool neck.

The woman's body heat was transferred to the cold body.

Liang looked at Lily, who was leaning closer, with some surprise, and noticed that Lily had one hand around her arm.

You look beautiful today, sister.

This aloof woman, unusually, acted like a sweet and considerate younger sister, with a faint smile on her face.

Such praise and flirting were natural for Haihara.

But Liang could never truly accept it.

She felt a little embarrassed by her cute little sister's praise and turned her head away.

"Oh, Lily, let's go for a walk in the park."

There's a park nearby, about a two- or three-minute walk away. If they don't take the long way, there's actually a shortcut that leads directly there from right outside the restaurant.

On ordinary nights, many people would take a walk there, but because it is winter, no one has cleared the snow yet, making it very quiet.

Haihara thought it would be nice to stroll around the park, so she naturally had no objections.

However, in fact, not long after arriving there, Haihara discovered something amiss.

The streetlights illuminated the desolate Snowfield.

A thick layer of snow had accumulated on the bench, as if it wanted to forget the entire winter.

Several dark figures were visible on the silvery-white snow.

As soon as Haihara looked up, she saw several high school girls dressed in winter clothes standing at the other end of the Snowfield, pretending to be just passing by, seemingly trying to create the illusion of a "chance encounter".

As their teacher, Haihara didn't know whether she should play along with their act at this moment.

That's right.

Under the moonlight and snowy clouds, four girls who looked like high school girls stood there. Thankfully, these Problem Child at least knew to hide her puppy.

At first glance, Haihara thought the quantity seemed fine, but upon closer inspection, something was completely wrong.

Of those four high school girls, it seems one of them is fake...

She soon heard a familiar, sweet voice, like the sound of red tea.

"Teacher Haihara, you are as beautiful as ever. During the time I was away, did you ever think of me? But no matter what, it is a great honor for Roland to see you again."

Among this group of girls who look like high school students, there is a girl who uses exaggerated language and wears gold and silver. Although she looks like a little girl, she was actually Haihara's colleague at school.

In a sense, it wouldn't be wrong to say that this guy has Problem Child.

As for the other girls...

There were even her eldest and youngest filial daughters...

However, Kirishima isn't included this time.

Haihara didn't expect that Roland would come to Earth from R'lyeh not long after, although this time it seemed to be just a clone.

Could it be that these Problem Child summoned them?

Thinking of this, she looked over.

These Problem Child reacted in various ways instantly.

"Teacher! What a coincidence! I never expected to run into you here!"

As a popular idol, Sakaki Chika's acting skills are really nothing to write home about.

Her eyes darted around as if she were about to faint, and her face was flushed as if she had a fever.

"Yes... yes, what a coincidence!"

Takanashi turned her face away, seemingly unsure if such a chance encounter was too obvious or aroused suspicion. In any case, she spoke perfunctorily and awkwardly.

Only the eldest daughter remained as intelligent and perceptive as ever, understanding that fortune favors the bold.

"Mom, I heard about Aunt Liang and came here to go home with you."

She put her hands behind her back and flashed a bright, puppy-like smile, which made the other Magic girls secretly think she was despicable.

This group of Problem Child —including her eldest filial daughter this time—are as unpredictable as ever when they get together, always leaving one with an unexpected and difficult-to-judge situation.

The words Kazama Kiriori used just now also caught Haihara's attention.

"Is this cool news?"

She looked at Liang.

Although it sounded like a lie, it wouldn't hurt for her to play along at a time like this.

Roland stood happily in the Snowfield, like a cat slowly wading through it with its tail, and patiently and earnestly explained to her teacher's questions:

"It's rare to see such heavy snow today, and I just happened to run into Little Chika and Shiori outside. It's been so long since I've seen you, teacher. I was chatting with the principal just now and heard that you were nearby, so I thought it would be great to meet you."

At times like these, Roland certainly displayed much more maturity and wit than the naive Magic girls.