The Ice Queen and Alpha (6K)

In the end, he never showed up, leaving her feeling very unsettled.

Even though Miyuki often came to Arcadia to comfort herself.

But I still can't accept it!!!

"Giggle..."

Maya Yotsuba, the current head of the Yotsuba Family, put down her teacup and laughed at Lina, who was fleeing in a panic, and Mahiro, who had a teasing and amused Mahiro his face.

Her demeanor and expression remained as elegant and alluring as ever.

"Your relationship is as good as ever."

It wasn't mockery, but rather words tinged with gentleness.

"Really? I don't think so. Besides, Lina's behavior towards me is entirely my own fault."

Mahiro shrugged, quite nonchalantly.

They were even open to accepting Lina's attitude.

What does it matter?

"Alright, let me introduce them to you first."

Mahiro chose to change the subject, and Maya Yotsuba nodded slightly in acquiescence to his actions.

Although this is just a habitual action of hers and cannot change anything.

Afterwards, Mahiro introduced each of them to Maya.

Apart from Omega, also known as Beatrice, everyone else could be said to have been raised by him.

Maya was slightly surprised when she heard this, and so was Yotsuba Miya, who looked at him with a hint of astonishment.

Have they acquired another batch of spirits this time?

Moreover, it's like the kind of ethereal spirits found in fairy tales, not the kind summoned by ancient magic.

But in reality, there are many elves like Alpha, at least several hundred, and even many orcs, as well as two vampires.

This immediately enriched the species diversity of Arcadia.

However, when introducing the members of the Yotsuba Family to Alpha and the others, they encountered some difficulties.

"This is my cousin, Miyuki Shiba; and this is... my aunt, Yotsuba Clan Yotsuba Miya; and the other one is... my mother, Maya Yotsuba."

It's normal to feel awkward introducing Yotsuba Miya and Maya, after all, their relationship has become less than normal.

However, in comparison, Alpha and her team were truly in a difficult situation.

Master's mother?

They always regarded Mahiro, who raised them, as their master.

The problem is, how should we address the master's mother?

The group looked at each other for a long time, bewildered.

Finally, Beta suddenly stood up and said something that left everyone speechless.

"Nice to meet you, Madam Maya. I am Beta, and I am a subordinate of Mahiro."

Upon hearing this, the room fell silent.

Miyuki, who was drinking tea, almost choked and even thought she had misheard.

What did she just hear?

Lord, Lord, Lord's Mistress?!

Alpha, slightly embarrassed, rubbed his forehead and asked in a low voice:

"Beta, do you know what 'mistress' means?"

"She is the master's mother, or simply the mistress."

Beta replied with a smile.

Her words amused Maya Yotsuba, who gently supported her abdomen, her pale hand covering her red lips, laughing uncontrollably.

"Hmm~ That's how you should address me from now on."

She seemed very happy.

But the question is, is this right?

It seems... it appears...

No problem at all.

"Hayama, have someone bring in a few more seats so they can also be seated."

The title "Mistress" filled her with immense joy, especially considering that Mahiro had previously addressed her as "Mother" in front of these girls.

Thinking of this, Maya's mood improved even more.

As per her request, Hayama quickly arranged several seats and let Alpha and the others take their seats as well.

"Oh, right, there's something I should tell you, Makoto."

Maya picked up her black tea, took a sip, and said casually, "You've been expelled from First High School."

"Oh."

Upon hearing this news, Mahiro didn't react much.

That's perfectly normal, absolutely normal.

I remember he left during summer vacation, and when he came back in the blink of an eye, it was already winter, almost New Year's Day.

It would be strange if he weren't expelled, even though he's the eldest son of the Yotsuba Family.

Besides, I've already done everything I needed to do at school, so there's really no need to go back.

Besides that, Maya chatted with him like old friends, telling him many trivial things about the Yotsuba Family and Arcadia.

Once they start talking, they become like chatterboxes, going on and on.

Beta and the others, however, listened with great interest.

Because all of these things are about Mahiro.

But something did pique his interest.

"By the way, where are Akame and Cornelia? I haven't seen them."

Not only the Assassination Squad members, but also Mine, Sheele, and Leone were nowhere to be found.

"They've gone off to become idols."

With a pleased expression, Maya picked up her teacup and took a sip.

Miyuki, standing nearby, nodded in agreement, saying, "Yes, Mahiro, Miss Akame and the others are amazing! In just a few months, they've gained countless fans and become national idols!"

This idea was proposed by Tsukushi.

However, it was the somewhat airheaded Akame who carried out the plan; you could say that the group of them hit it off immediately and ran off.

Mahiro didn't seem to have any opinion on this.

Let them have fun if they want; it's much better to have something to do than to be idle on Mashima Island.

Moreover, with the Yotsuba Family backing them up, and their own strength being by no means weak, they have nothing to fear from anyone daring to harm them.

And it seems quite interesting that a former assassin could become an idol...

"Oh, and one more thing, Tatsuya has left the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion."

It was Yotsuba Clan Yotsuba Miya who said those words.

Her tone was calm, and she seemed indifferent to the matter.

But...

"Tatsuya actually decided to back out of there?"

Of course, it's impossible for me to give it up.

However, the Yotsuba Family exerted no restraint in pressuring the military. No matter how much Saeki Hiromi, the commander of the Army 101st Brigade Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion, resisted the pressure and how much he hated the Ten Master Clans, he could not withstand the pressure from the Yotsuba Family.

In the end, they had no choice but to let Shiba Tatsuya go.

Besides these, there is one more crucial piece of news—

"Your little girlfriend, Esdeath, is coming back!"

Maya's face was radiant with a smile, like a bewitching witch.

"You called her back?"

"Uh-huh."

"What's the reason?"

"Because I plan to hold the New Year's Day gathering [Keishun-kai] at the Yotsuba Clan main family residence, which is right here."

Maya said it casually, but Mahiro was very bothered by it.

His eyebrows were almost furrowed into a V-shape.

He asked with some doubt:

"Have you made up your mind?"

"Hmm, it's about time we made a decision. After all these years, and you've grown up so much, little Mahiro."

Maya Yotsuba seemed to breathe a heavy sigh of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders.

That is indeed a considerable burden.

Because the Yotsuba Family's [Spring Festival Gathering] is a bit different, in the past, it was just a matter of whoever was willing to return to the main family to offer a brief greeting.

Just like Miyuki, it returns to its ancestral home every year for the New Year.

However, the head of the branch family was never summoned to attend the Spring Festival celebration.

The fact that all the branch families have been summoned means that something big is about to happen in the Yotsuba Family.

And for the Yotsuba Family, there is only one major matter at present—

To select the next head of the Yotsuba Family.

That's why Mahiro asked that question.

That's why Maya felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted off her shoulders.

"Whatever, I don't care about this anymore, as long as you've thought it through."

Mahiro picked up his coffee cup and took a small sip.

Let the bitter taste spread in your mouth.

He already had some simple plans in mind, and it was indeed time for the Yotsuba Family to make a change.

Chapter 232 The Ice Queen and Alpha (6K)

New Year's Day, January 1st, arrived as scheduled.

Meanwhile, the Yotsuba Clan family's Spring Festival celebration is about to begin, and Mashima Island, which rarely sees strangers, is gradually becoming lively.

Aside from the presence of many unfamiliar faces, the main reason is that Esdeath has returned.

She was accompanied by several subordinates— Mez and Suzuka —as well as Tina's sisters, who were responsible for supporting Esdeath.

The children hadn't changed much, but after their mischievous adventures with Esdeath, they were happy to see Tina, their eldest sister, and the other children they got along with so well.

Louise, who hadn't seen him in a long time, was even more excited to see him. She actually rushed into his arms right in front of the other children and rubbed her little head against him.

He was muttering something about needing to absorb his older brother's energy.

The other women were filled with envy.

As for Mez and Suzuka, they've changed quite a bit.

In terms of personality, one is frivolous and careless, while the other is a perverted masochist.