Shirley's Kiss and the Gray-Robed Woman at the God of War Festival (5K) (Continued)

Something's not right...

How did their positions suddenly reverse?!

Mahiro suddenly realized.

"What, do you have a problem with that?!"

"No, no... I know I was wrong, please forgive me, Lord Alpha."

All right.

Under Alpha's rather imposing gaze, he finally bowed his head obediently.

However, seeing his goofy antics, Alpha was also quite troubled.

"Sigh, I didn't mean to blame you, I just wanted to tell you not to spoil Ita too much."

Okay, cheer up, everyone's watching you!

Alpha considerately straightened his clothes, smoothed out the wrinkles, and dusted them off.

Her virtuous demeanor was completely different from her previous stern appearance; she looked just like a virtuous wife and loving mother.

This is Alpha.

The most imposing presence in the Shadow Garden; once those blue crystal eyes glare out, no one dares to defy them.

Overall, however, Ita's research was quite successful, and he truly deserves to be called a genius.

Now that Ita's matter is settled, the next step is Sherry's matter.

Sherry was placed in the same luxurious reception room she had visited before. She sat alone on the sofa, her head slightly lowered, her fingers deeply embedded in the crease between her thighs, which were covered by black stockings. Her eyes revealed a somewhat drowsy indifference, yet also a faint sadness.

Even the iced tea and dessert placed in front of them were left untouched, as the ice in the glass gradually melted, condensing into droplets that slowly slid down the smooth glass.

"Why don't you try some first? It's delicious!"

Mahiro gently pushed the plate of pastries in front of him toward Sherry, while he himself was chewing on a red macaron.

Mmm, it tastes really good.

But faced with such delicious food, Sherry simply shook her head and pursed her lips.

Her fingers unconsciously gripped the soft flesh of her inner thighs, and her alluring thin lips parted slightly.

He looked like he wanted to say something but hesitated.

"Just say what you want to say. Although I'm your teacher, I'm also your friend, aren't I?"

"Teacher Yotsuba Clan..."

Hearing him say that, Sherry couldn't help but look up at him.

I don't know if it's just my imagination, but I feel like there's something strange about the way this girl is looking at him.

Especially that tearful look on her face, as if she might burst into tears at any moment.

Then, Sherry said something that surprised him quite a bit.

"Teacher, my father abandoned me..."

Although it was a bit of a surprise, it was also within expectations. I just didn't expect that Lutheran would actually keep his promise.

But it seems there's more to it than that.

"Before my father passed away, he told me some stories from the past..."

To be precise, that's not a thing of the past.

Instead, it tells the story of how Lutheran killed Sherry's mother, Lucrezia.

Even now, Shirley still clearly remembers Lu Silan's ferocious look when he told her the truth.

It's like taking off a mask.

His usual kindness and gentleness have vanished, replaced by endless greed and twisted behavior.

"Starting from her hands and feet, the knife slowly pierced her body, one cut at a time, until it finally pierced her heart, then the blade was twisted."

These words echoed in Sherry's mind like a nightmare.

"Teacher, you said Dad... why was Dad so cruel? Why did he kill Mom...?"

Sherry sobbed softly, covering her eyes with her hands, hoping that Mahiro wouldn't see her in this ugly state.

She was even trying her best to suppress herself, hoping not to continue crying.

But tears kept spilling from between her fingers.

Warm tears dripped onto the black stockings on her thighs, spreading out in patches of dark coolness.

Just then, Sherry suddenly felt the sofa sink slightly. She lowered her hands and looked to her side through teary eyes. Through her blurry vision, she saw Mahiro sitting next to her, looking at her with a gentle smile.

And he gently stroked his head with his hand.

Contrary to her expectations of being rough and unkind, she was actually very delicate and gentle, and the warmth she brought reminded her of her own mother.

My mother used to comfort me in the same way...

"Teacher..."

"Okay, if you want to cry, just cry it out. Don't hold it in."

Hearing him say that, Sherry could no longer hold back and burst into tears, burying her face in his arms and sobbing uncontrollably.

His clothes were quickly soaked with tears.

Alas, the adult world can sometimes be so cruel and cunning.

But to kill someone's mother and then raise the child for one's own use—frankly, this is the first time he's ever seen something like this.

Without his deal with Lutheran, Sherry would have remained in the dark and never learned the truth.

Although that would be happy too, who knows what kind of heinous things Lutheran might do to Sherry in the end...

Just as he was thinking this, a pair of slender arms suddenly wrapped around his neck.

Sherry actually kissed him.

Perhaps it was the overwhelming grief that caused this girl to act so irrationally.

They knocked on the door and exchanged greetings.

The two were so close that he could clearly feel the warmth emanating from the tears and the moist breath.

After a long while, their lips parted.

Sherry slumped onto him, tilted her head back, and smiled at him.

However, the smile with tears in her eyes looked so desolate.

"Thank you, teacher. You've always been so tolerant of my stubbornness, and you haven't refused me even in my current state... But I still feel a little sorry for Claire."

"Claire won't mind."

This is not a certainty of Mahiro.

Claire had already seen through Sherry and Rose's intentions.

She was also well aware of the true status of Alpha and Snow Woman, who were by Mahiro's side.

Even she would likely find it difficult to shake their position.

"Rather, I'd like to ask you, Sherry, do you want to avenge your mother, Ms. Lucrezia? If so, your teacher will help you."

"No..."

Sherry gently rested her head against his chest, her hands slightly gripping the clothes on his shoulders.

Although he did feel hatred towards Lutheran when he learned the truth, Ruslan had raised him for so many years, regardless of Lutheran's motives.

But why am I so unwilling to accept this...?

Tears streamed down my face again, uncontrollably.

She clearly didn't want to cry anymore...

Soon, Sherry was exhausted from crying, and having not rested well recently, she fell asleep in his arms.

His haggard appearance was truly pitiful.

Mahiro brushed aside the disheveled long hair that covered her face and the tears that remained in the corners of her eyes.

"Get a good night's sleep, and you'll forget everything when you wake up."

He casually pulled out a blanket and covered her with it.

However, as he got up to leave the meeting room, Sherry suddenly grabbed his sleeve.

"... Don't go, teacher, Sherry... you're all that's left... please don't leave Sherry..."

Don't worry, I won't abandon you, never.

I watched her drift off to sleep, murmuring in her sleep.

Mahiro untied her small hands, carefully tucked them back into the blanket, and left the reception room after tidying her up.

But as soon as they stepped out of the door, they saw a beautiful blonde elf leaning against the door.

"Hey, Alpha, were you waiting for me?"

What are you planning to do?

"Eavesdropping on other people's conversations is not a good habit."

"If it were anyone else, I definitely wouldn't listen, but that girl, I can tell she's very important to you. And I judge that you need my help."

Alpha spoke with great sincerity.

The help she was referring to was naturally about Lutheran.

"Okay, okay, you always have a point."

Mahiro shrugged helplessly. "So, what's the current situation with Lutheran?"

"My subordinates reported that Lutheran has left the capital and has used the 'Eye of Avarice' to absorb magic power, restoring his strength to its peak."

"Yeah?"

Returning to peak condition isn't exactly good news, but it doesn't seem like there's a problem either.

He thought this more than once when he looked at Alpha, especially at the sword at his waist.

"Then it's up to you, Alpha. You can take care of it yourself and send Lutheran on his way. You know, I made an agreement with that guy that I wouldn't do anything, so I have to keep my promise."

"Oh, I'm such a cunning fellow."

Mahiro even mocked himself, saying that it was nothing serious.

Moreover, he was only told not to take action himself, but his subordinates were not forbidden from doing so.

Moreover, with Alpha's current strength, especially after receiving Olivier's inheritance, it can basically roam freely in this world, except for encountering the bug that is Cid.

There's absolutely no need to worry.

"Okay, I understand."

Alpha gave the order.

But then he asked:

"Besides that, there's one more thing. Are you going to participate in the 'Bushin Festival' this year?"

"Hmm, of course."

I missed it last time because of Elizabeth's situation, I absolutely cannot miss it this time.

Not to mention, Cid will most likely participate in this year's Bushin Festival, so there's even less reason for him not to.

"That's good. By the way, Elizabeth and Snow Princess have also come to the capital. They came especially to watch your match. Good luck!"

Alpha winked at him and then left.

Mahiro was left standing there, stunned.

Wait, what did she say?

Did Elizabeth and the Snow Woman come all the way to the capital to watch his match?