Journey to Find Heroic Spirits

"Why would it be like this..."

"Precisely because the world is so cruel to these children, you need to help them. Look at the Cursed Children in the outer districts; without you, they would be even worse off, unable to eat, unable to stay warm, with no one to teach them knowledge or show them affection."

"Atalanta, are you going to give up on your wish? Isn't what you're doing exactly what you've always wanted most? Be strong!"

Yuxian continuously comforted her, genuinely afraid that Atalanta might give up at this moment, which would cause her even deeper pain.

What a screwed-up world!

"Come on, let's go return her favorite toy to her." Seeing that Atalanta was somewhat moved, Yuxian quickly pulled her outside. "This is something she risked everything to get back; it must be her most cherished treasure."

The two arrived at the seaside, and Yuxian handed her the box. "This must be her final wish."

Atalanta took out the Sky-Piercing Bow, hung the box on an arrow, drew the bowstring taut, and shot it towards the sea.

Plop!

The box landed at Scorpio's death location and slowly sank into the sea, returning to its former owner.

Having done all this, Atalanta collapsed onto the ground, tears blurring her vision. She seemed to see a little girl in the distance thanking her from afar.

She burst into tears...

Yuxian quietly stayed by her side, his heart also feeling incredibly heavy.

Humans truly are the most cruel creatures in the world. For their own selfish desires, they can arbitrarily harm their own kind, turning children who should have been happy into monsters capable of destroying the world.

Whether it's Scorpio or the Cursed Children, they have no right to choose; they can only silently endure it all.

Seeing Atalanta's sorrowful crying, Yuxian secretly made a decision.

Whoever makes my Tiamat cry, I'll make sure they can never cry again!

This world is sick, and it's time to heal it.

I'll be the villain; Chaldea's Masters are never on the side of good!

Section 37 Chapter 17 Kohina is Coming to School

Atalanta was weeping, and Yuxian stood quietly beside her, letting her vent her grief. At this moment, all he could do was accompany her.

However, this scene was interrupted by an unwelcome guest, or rather, two of them.

Hiruko Kage胤 and his daughter Kohina appeared in Yuxian's line of sight at a most inopportune moment.

Yuxian cast a look of disgust at them. He wasn't in the mood to fight Hiruko Kage胤 right now, nor was he in the mood for his nonsense.

But Hiruko Kage胤 seemed oblivious, as if he hadn't seen Yuxian's unwelcoming gaze. He spoke from a distance, "Did I come at a bad time?"

"If you know it's a bad time, then get lost!" Yuxian unceremoniously ordered him to leave.

"Unbelievable, Yuxian-kun." Hiruko Kage胤 showed no intention of leaving and began to speak to himself. "A legendary hero appearing in the Tokyo Area; that strike from the stars was a divine miracle. Even though I'm reluctant to believe it, I have to admit this fact."

"Atalanta, the heroine and huntress from ancient Greek mythology; Chiron, also the great sage from ancient Greek mythology, the teacher of many heroes. I thought they were just namesakes, but I never expected to meet them in person."

Hiruko Kage胤 took off his fedora and bowed to Atalanta. "My respects to you, esteemed lady!"

Atalanta had already composed herself and stood beside Yuxian. She wasn't good at interacting with people and quietly stood to the side, leaving everything to Yuxian. Her gaze lingered more on Kohina.

"You're very perceptive!" Yuxian knew that Chiron and the others' identities couldn't be hidden from those who were paying attention, but he hadn't expected Hiruko Kage胤 to accept this incredible fact so quickly.

Hiruko Kage胤 said calmly, "When you eliminate all impossibilities, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. Even if this truth completely exceeds previous understanding."

"State your purpose. You wouldn't have just come to admire a hero's prowess, would you?"

Yuxian didn't believe Hiruko Kage胤 had simply come to show off his cleverness. He must have a purpose, and Yuxian was too lazy to guess what it was. Since he was here, he would surely state it. Yuxian decided to ask directly.

"To make myths reappear, the company around Yuxian-kun is indeed incredibly interesting. I've become very interested in your invitation from last time."

Hiruko Kage胤 was referring to the time he had invited Yuxian to be his partner, and Yuxian had counter-invited him.

But Yuxian had no desire to accept Hiruko Kageyasu's offer at all. Without a second thought, he refused, "I've changed my mind. You'd better get lost while I'm still not in the mood to kill you!"

"Yuxian-kun, with legendary heroes as your companions, you naturally don't lack someone as insignificant as me." Hiruko Kage胤 didn't move an inch and continued as if nothing had happened. "However, there are some things that heroes cannot do. You will need someone who can help you complete some dirty work."

Before Yuxian could reply, Atalanta's anger flared up again. She raised the Sky-Piercing Bow in her hand, pointed it at Hiruko Kage, and coldly questioned, "Are you going to make this child do those dirty things!?"

Seeing this, Kohina immediately drew the two katanas from her back and assumed a fighting stance.

Hiruko Kage胤 reached out and stopped her. He took a piece of paper from his pocket and threw it to Yuxian. "We'll be settling nearby. Contact me anytime if you need anything."

He then turned and left with Kohina. After walking a short distance, he paused and turned back. "Kohina will bother you then. After all, he's a great sage who has taught countless heroes; even I can't resist wanting to receive his teachings."

After saying this, the two didn't look back again, and their figures slowly disappeared from view.

Yuxian picked up the piece of paper. It only had a simple string of numbers, clearly Hiruko Kage's contact information.

Atalanta asked with a displeased expression, "Are you planning to accept him?"

"Why not?" Yuxian no longer indulged Atalanta. He put away the note and said calmly, "Sometimes, dark methods can solve many things more easily."

"But..."

"No 'buts'!" Yuxian rudely interrupted Atalanta. "If it can prevent more people from getting hurt, even if it's not righteous, so what? I'm not an ally of justice."

Yuxian realized his emotions were a bit off, and his words were a bit harsh. He adjusted his mindset and spoke in a gentler tone. "Atalanta, we are just passing through here. We don't need to become heroes of this world. Those children don't have much time to wait for us to complete everything slowly. Creating a happy environment for them more quickly is our top priority."

Atalanta fell silent. She couldn't refute him.

Meanwhile, Hiruko Kage胤 and Kohina found an abandoned old house, which they decided to use as a temporary base.

Kohina sat by the entrance, resting her head in her hand, and asked curiously, "Dad, why do I have to go to school there?"

Hiruko Kage胤 was diligently cleaning the inside of the house and replied without turning his head, "You'll be able to make a lot of new friends there."

"Can I not go?"

"No!" Hiruko Kage胤 refused decisively. He then sighed and said earnestly, "I can't be with you forever, Kohina. You need to have your own life from now on."

"No! I want to be with Dad!" Kohina stubbornly resisted the arrangement.

Hiruko Kage胤 stopped what he was doing, walked over to Kohina's side, and stroked her head. The corners of his mouth curved into a smile beneath his mask.

After spending so much time together, he had developed an unbreakable bond with Kohina. No father would want his daughter to live a life of constant killing.

He saw hope in Yuxian. This era was about to change, and Kohina would no longer need to kill with a knife. What she needed were bright classrooms and a happy childhood.

He hoped that when the new era arrived, Kohina would have returned to a normal child's life, rather than continuing to stay by his side and kill in the shadows.

This was the only thing he could do as a father.

ps

Gray is so cute!!!

Section 38: Chapter 18 - Hot Pot Again? I'm going to get a sore throat!

What Hiruko Kage胤 could think of, the higher-ups in the Tokyo Area couldn't possibly not consider. However, they had more concerns, which led to a delayed reaction.

After Kikunojo Tendo's death, Kisaragi Tendo inherited some of the family's resources and became an advisor to Seitenshi.

She arranged to meet Yuxian at the Tendo Civil Security Company, and Yuxian did not refuse.

A few days later, he returned to the city with Mash and the four children, his mood completely different.

Rentaro Satomi and Enju Aihara were also in the office. Everyone was gathered.

"Yo! Long time no see!" Yuxian greeted with a smile as soon as he entered, showing no signs of awkwardness from their previous encounters.

Rentaro was still angry about Yuxian influencing Kisaragi Tendo and remained silent with a stern face.

Enju was happily reunited with her friends, chattering about the fun things they had done recently. Children's minds are simple and don't dwell on such matters.

"Yuxian, tell us about yourself," Kisaragi Tendo asked first.

"About me?" Yuxian scratched his head and asked, "What aspect?"

"For example, your origin, or that great sage from mythology," Kisaragi Tendo looked at Yuxian meaningfully.

"We come from a place called Chaldea, which you wouldn't know even if I told you," Yuxian shrugged and told the truth. "Chiron and the others are my companions. As for why we're here, I can only say it was an accident."

"An accident?" Kisaragi Tendo nodded, pondering the deeper meaning of Yuxian's words. "Then what are your plans now?"

"For now, I plan to create a stable living environment for the Cursed Children in the outer areas," Yuxian replied calmly.

"And for that, you killed Kikunojo Tendo?" Kisaragi Tendo's tone became sharp.

"That was also an accident. He tried to attack me, and I ended up killing him in self-defense," Yuxian spread his hands, indicating his helplessness.

Rentaro Satomi then stood up agitatedly and questioned, "This is just pure slaughter! Killing cannot bring peace!"

Yuxian looked at him deeply and said faintly, "Why can't killing bring peace? Rentaro Satomi, you're too self-righteous. The justice in your heart is worthless in my eyes. I've seen those a hundred times more steadfast than you, true allies of justice."

Yuxian glanced at Enju, who was playing nearby, and lowered his voice to provoke him further, "Enju's Gastrea Virus infection rate is already over 40%, isn't it? How are you going to protect her?"

Rentaro slumped back into his seat, lowering his head in silence.

Kisaragi Tendo took over the conversation and asked, "Do you have a way to suppress the Gastrea Virus? Is even a great sage like Chiron helpless against the Gastrea Virus?"

"It's very difficult. I asked him, and with his abilities, he can't completely solve the Gastrea Virus," Yuxian shook his head. He had asked Chiron long ago, but Chiron expressed his inability to help. "If it were his disciple, Asclepius, there might be a better solution."

This answer disheartened the other two present, but Yuxian's next words gave them hope.

"Chiron can try to develop some methods to inhibit the virus and slow down the increase in the infection rate within the Cursed Children. Eventually, there will be opportunities to find a complete solution to the Gastrea Virus, but for now, this is all we can do."

In terms of medicine, Asclepius was more professional than his teacher Chiron, and Yuxian believed he would have better methods. Moreover, Yuxian would travel to more different worlds in the future, and he was confident there would be worlds with highly developed medicine where a cure for the Gastrea Virus could be found.

"Really!" Yuxian's words excited both of them, sounding like heavenly music.

"But..." Yuxian immediately poured cold water on their enthusiasm. "Even if a drug to cure the Cursed Children is developed, are you really sure all the Cursed Children will be saved?"

Yuxian knew very well that even with such a drug, the Cursed Children would still exist. Not to mention the cost of the drug, but simply because of the powerful combat capabilities of the Cursed Children, someone would be reluctant to cure all of them.

This was such a simple truth that Yuxian didn't need to explicitly state it; Kisaragi Tendo and Rentaro quickly understood.

Rentaro said, "Seitenshi will soon promulgate the 'New Gastrea Law,' and the Cursed Children will be treated fairly."

Yuxian shook his head. "That's not enough. I hope you can gain more power. At least in the Tokyo Area, you must reach the top to ensure that no one can obstruct you."

"Is that why you asked me to take over the Tendo family's resources?"

"Something like that. You two have a natural advantage in this regard, and it's easier for you than for an outsider like me. Besides, we will leave someday, and many things will ultimately depend on you."

Yuxian couldn't be bound here forever. Allowing Kisaragi Tendo and Rentaro to control the entire Tokyo Area was the best option.

The two of them were the chosen children of this world, and many things would mysteriously develop in their favor.

"There's a contact here. If anyone has trouble they can't handle, they can have him take care of it."

Yuxian placed Hiruko Kageyasu's contact information on the table and pushed it towards Kisaragi Tendo.

Kisaragi Tendo took it and asked confusedly, "Who is he?"

Hiruko Kageyasu.

"Hiruko Kageyami!" Both of them were surprised.

"That lunatic almost destroyed the entire Tokyo Area! Why do you have his contact information?" Rentaro demanded.

Yuxian glanced at him and said gently, "Is there a problem?"

"You!..." Faced with Yuxian's calm demeanor, Rentaro was momentarily speechless.

Kisaragi Tendo, however, readily accepted this hidden assistance. She put away the note and said calmly, "I'll contact him if needed."

"Then you two best work hard, future rulers of the Tokyo Area."

Yuxian indicated that he had said all he needed to say and, with nothing more to add, got up to return to the city apartment with the little ones. It had been days since they'd stayed there, and it would surely need cleaning.

Seeing that the three had finished their discussion, Enju came over and said to Rentaro, "Rentaro, I invite everyone to my place for hot pot today. Hurry up and come with me to buy groceries!"

"Huh?" Rentaro looked at her in confusion, wondering why she would want hot pot on a day like this.

"Rentaro, don't you think the hot pot we had that day was incredibly delicious? We're returning the favor, and this time we're treating. Don't worry, I'll pay. After all, you're so poor, Rentaro! Ohohoho!"

As she spoke, Enju put her hands on her hips and laughed heartily, clearly proud of having control over the household finances.

Everyone agreed on a time to have hot pot at Rentaro's place that evening. Yuxian naturally went along with the little ones' decision; as long as they were happy, eating hot pot even on a sweltering day was fine.