Get Lost or Die (5.6K) (continued)

Lutheran's smile changed.

To be precise, his entire demeanor has changed.

If he was just a kind old man who looked like he was in his eighties and was not particularly noticeable, then now he is like a sharp blade drawn from its sheath, revealing a sharp edge all over!

"I'm amazed you noticed that."

Lutheran slowly sat up straight, and even the few strands of white hair mixed in with his neat suit and hairstyle could not conceal the majesty that emanated from him.

"However, as a reference, may I ask why you discovered my true identity Yotsuba Mahiro- sensei?"

"Just look with your eyes."

Mahiro glanced across at the person opposite him, then turned his gaze back to the faint ripples spreading across the teacup.

"You know what? It's hard to change a person's habits, especially for a martial artist. No matter how well you try to hide it, you can't completely conceal the way you walk or the details of your gestures."

"Therefore, the moment I saw you, I knew that you were stronger than Teacher Jeno."

"However, as the vice-principal of the Magic Sword Academy, it's understandable that you possess such strength. But what's curious is why you deliberately concealed this fact?"

"So, out of curiosity, I did some research on your past."

"Lutheran Barnett, you won the championship in the past Bushin Festival, right? But you mysteriously disappeared after that."

"However, I don't think a powerful figure who won the Bushin Festival should just disappear like that... I guess you must have found a path to become even stronger back then."

"For example, joining the Diabolos Cult and becoming a high-ranking member means you rarely show your face in public. Is that right?"

Mahiro put down his teacup and looked at Lutheran was sitting opposite him.

The above content, such as observations and investigations, is completely fabricated and used to deceive people.

In fact, he already knew Lutheran's true nature, including his past as the champion of the Bushin Festival.

As for the cadres within the cult, that was purely his speculation.

Although it wasn't mentioned in the original text, judging from the actual situation, it should have had a close relationship with the cult.

However, those few words alone were enough to move Lutheran.

"I see... I've really learned something."

Lutheran laughed.

But his smile wasn't mocking; instead, it revealed a hint of weariness, and perhaps a touch of nostalgia.

"What you said is all true. I was indeed the champion of the Bushin Festival, and everyone thought that was the pinnacle."

But in reality, the Bushin Festival was indeed just the beginning; the true pinnacle lies in a higher and more distant place."

"In pursuit of this power, I ventured into a realm that ordinary people could never reach."

That is, he joined the Diabolos Cult and became a member of the Knights of the Rounds.

Unfortunately, this good fortune didn't last long.

He stepped down from his seat as Knights of the Rounds due to illness.

Not only has his magic power greatly declined, but his strength has also diminished considerably.

Relying on connections and past honors, he became the vice-principal of the Midgar Royal Spellsword Academy.

"But what surprised me was that you were able to find out the name of the Diabolos Cult... It seems your identity is not simple either, Yotsuba Clan- sensei."

No past, no resume.

No information can be found.

He possesses only a letter of recommendation from Kagenou Baron House, and also has extremely formidable strength; he is no ordinary man.

A force worth cultivating relationships with.

This is the information Lutheran knows.

"Yotsuba Mahiro- sensei, who exactly are you?"

"I'm just an unknown nobody. But if I had to name someone, besides Yotsuba Mahiro, I do have another title—"

Mahiro smiled slightly and said, word by word:

"Lord of the Shadow Garden"

"Shadow Garden..."

Lutheran was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"A nobody... The Shadow Garden, which has repeatedly breached the Order's strongholds and given the Order headaches, if you, as its master, are a nobody, then there are basically no big shots around, hahaha!"

Lutheran had no doubts about Yotsuba Mahiro's words, or rather, only this made sense.

If it's someone from the Shadow Garden, or even the master, it's normal that he can't find it.

After all, even the Order itself didn't know much about the Shadow Garden; all they knew was that it was a group of women, and they had no idea who was behind it.

If there's anything surprising, it's that the master of the Shadow Garden is a man.

His rough voice echoed in the room for a long time before gradually subsiding.

"Then, Lord of the Shadow Garden, what is your purpose in risking your identity to sit here and speak with me, a member of the Order?"

Lutheran didn't think the other party wanted to fight him; otherwise, there would be no need for so much nonsense.

He was right.

"My goal is simple: hand Sherry over to me."

Mahiro said calmly, "I know you're using Sherry, and I also know what you were after all those awful things you did to Sherry's mother. So, in exchange, I can have someone help Sherry decipher the ancient artifact 'Eye of Avarice' for you."

"Oh?"

Mahiro's answer surprised Lutheran, and a playful smile gradually appeared on his lips.

"Since you know what I did to Sherry's mother, Lucrezia, and you know my purpose, yet you still propose such a deal, it seems the Lord of the Shadow Garden is quite an interesting person."

"If I could, I'd certainly like to kill you right now, you piece of trash, but—"

Mahiro suddenly stopped speaking, and his tone gradually softened, as if he were sighing.

"However, I can see that Sherry approves of your adoptive father and treats you like her own father."

"If I kill you, she will hate me for the rest of her life."

"So, this is the exchange condition you've proposed?"

"That's not all. Once the 'Eye of Avarice' is deciphered, I need you to tell Sherry the truth about what happened back then, and then leave Sherry's side with your ancient relics."

Hearing him propose such conditions...

Lutheran was taken aback for a moment, then laughed again.

"Hahaha, Lord of Shadow, you've really got a good plan. How can I be sure you won't turn against me after I obtain the 'Eye of Avarice'?"

"It's impossible to be sure."

Mahiro frankly said:

"But you have no other choice."

Either agree to my conditions, or you'll be able to leave alive with the "Eye of Avarice";

Either refuse, or I'll kill you right now.

This is out of respect for Sherry; this is my final act of mercy towards you.

Sherry Barnett, it must be said, was indeed a pitiful child.

His mother was killed by his enemy, and he was raised by that enemy and funded to study ancient artifacts.

If possible, Mahiro didn't want to make her too sad, which is why he made this request.

Of course, if that old guy Lutheran is really so reckless, then he wouldn't mind taking action now and sending him on his way ahead of time.

Unfortunately, Lutheran never responded in the end.

Sherry returned and suddenly knocked on the office door, interrupting their conversation.

And Lutheran instantly transformed back into a loving father, his smile so kind and approachable.

Yotsuba Mahiro didn't bother her too much, simply saying goodbye to Sherry before leaving the vice-principal's office.

"Mahiro, that person has ill intentions towards you."

After leaving the office, Est suddenly appeared and said this.

"I know."

"So what do you plan to do?"

"Hehe, kids shouldn't pry into adults' affairs."

"Um... I'm not a child, I'm much older than you, Mahiro."

"Yes, yes, then my dear Lady Est, I'm going to eat now. What would you like to eat?"

While kneading Est's expressionless face, Mahiro asked.

"Don't rub my face... and I want to eat fried tofu."

"Okay, no problem, then let's go eat fried tofu."

Upon hearing Mahiro, Est immediately stopped struggling, her eyes practically shining, and she even forgave his presumptuous act.

So easily coaxed, yet you say you're not a child...

Days passed one by one.

Some time has passed since that conversation with Lutheran.

Just as summer vacation was approaching, Mahiro set off from the academy for the Sacred Land Lindwurm.

According to intelligence from Alpha, the Sacred Land Lindwurm is holding a celebration called "The Trial of the Goddess".

During her investigation of the Holy Land, Archbishop Durek, the most exalted figure in the Holy Church, was murdered.

"It seems that nothing has changed in this regard..."

Mahiro immersed her entire body in the hot water, murmuring softly.

He had arrived in the Sacred Land Lindwurm, booked a spa hotel, and was enjoying the local specialties all by himself.

Meanwhile, he was also thinking about the "Trial of the Goddess" festival that would begin tomorrow.

The so-called "Trial of the Goddess" is actually a projection competition, in which the projection of an ancient warrior is summoned through special means to conduct a written test with the contestants.

To be honest, this thing looks a lot like a defensive mechanism of the "Sanctuary" hidden behind the Holy Land.

This "Trial of the Goddess" seems more like a tool for the order to select those suited to magic, that is, potential [Demonic Possession], descendants of heroes...

However, these were all irrelevant matters. What he was really curious about was what kind of creatures he would summon.

Is it summoning the Calamity Witch Aurora, just like the Shadow?

Or something like the Three Heroes?

I'm kind of looking forward to it...

Just as he was thinking this, the bathhouse door was opened.

A slender girl with short brown hair walked in, wearing a bath towel.

"Mahiro, please allow me to scrub your back."

"Oh, it's New York, no problem."

Mahiro lazily climbed out of the hot spring and then lay down on the massage bed that the girl had prepared in advance.

Then, he felt the comfortable sensation of the girl's delicate fingertips being wrapped in a wet bath towel and moving back and forth on his back.

It's practically royal treatment...

While rubbing her back, Niu spoke:

"Mahiro, registration for tomorrow's 'Trial of the Goddess' event is ready for you."

"Okay, thank you, thank you for your help."