Jiusao Lie's Roadblock (5K)

Erika chuckled softly, as if she were thinking of something.

"Mahiro, your magic... is there any way to do something?"

Erika suddenly spoke up, her expression now showing a hint of expectation and pleading.

She knew that Yotsuba Mahiro's "Regrowth" magic was outrageous, much stronger than Shiba Tatsuya's, and could even bring the dead back to life.

Just like Yotsuba Clan Yotsuba Miya, who was dead for several years but was able to be resurrected.

However, she also understood that such powerful magic must come at a price.

It's also clear that his elder brother's death was entirely his own fault, and he had no right to beg for anything.

Even so, Erika still wanted to ask and give it a try.

"Can."

"Really... I'm sorry, I was overthinking it..."

Erika's expression darkened.

Just when she thought he Mahiro couldn't do it, she suddenly realized what he meant and looked up at him abruptly.

"What... what did you just say?"

I said I could do it.

Mahiro's voice was soft, but carried an unwavering certainty. "The reason I'm attending this funeral today is to ask you in person, what kind of person is Chiba Toshikazu in your eyes?"

"... That's a really annoying guy."

Erika pursed her lips, and then, as if struck by a thought, involuntarily turned her head away.

"They're always very harsh on me, and they never give me a kind look at the dojo."

So, do you hate him?

Erika: "..."

The girl fell silent, then shook her head.

How could she hate it?

Although her silly older brother was indeed strict with her, it was mostly during sword practice. If it weren't for his supervision, she probably wouldn't have reached her current level.

"Okay, I understand."

Mahiro slowly stood up from the cushion and said, "Since you don't dislike him, Erika, then I'll step in and save him."

"Really?!"

Erika looked up at him in astonishment, her eyes filled with surprise.

"What, you don't want your older brother to come back to life?" Mahiro asked with a hint of mockery.

"No, no, it's mainly..."

"Brother Mahiro, are you sure it's okay?" Miyuki suddenly asked, her delicate brows furrowing slightly.

Although Erika was her classmate, she couldn't bear to see Erika so sad and upset, but if it would hurt her brother Mahiro, she would rather he not Mahiro.

Because she knew very well what price the "Regrowth" magic would come at.

That is magic that reads and recreates the target's information; the caster must experience all of the target's pain within a few seconds.

That is a pain that ordinary people can't even begin to comprehend.

"Yes, if... if the cost is too high... then..."

Erika wanted to agree, but Mahiro waved her away.

"Don't think about those things. I'm Shiba Tatsuya; I don't have to pay that kind of price."

"I understand," Erika said firmly. "I will make it up to you."

As soon as he finished speaking, Mahiro waved his hand in refusal again.

"Let's forget about compensation; it's unnecessary. After all, we're friends."

Chapter 327 Kudo Retsu's Roadblock (5K)

After their conversation in the meeting room, Mahiro kept his word.

In order not to cause too much trouble and frighten the Chiba Family, they took advantage of the darkness and did so the night before they were to stuff Chiba Toshikazu's body into the crematorium.

Chiba Toshikazu was naturally resurrected, along with his assistant Inatsune.

Although the two were initially disoriented upon regaining consciousness, they quickly learned about their ordeal from their terrified family members.

While the Chiba Family was all immersed in the joy of regaining what they had lost, Mahiro had already quietly left, concealing his achievements and fame.

However, this kind of thing is easy to guess, after all, the news of the Yotsuba Clan being resurrected Yotsuba Miya had already spread like wildfire in the Japan magic world.

Even the Saegusa and the Jumonji family have come forward to confirm this.

Therefore, it's easy to guess that Chiba Toshikazu's resurrection.

This incident caused another huge uproar in the Japan magical community.

After all, resurrecting the dead is beyond the realm of magic, a level that even Shiba Tatsuya's "Regrowth" cannot reach.

Many people have already referred to Yotsuba Mahiro's power as the power of a god.

However, Yotsuba Mahiro herself was completely unaware of all of this.

When Chiba Toshikazu and reunited with his family, Erika grabbed him and hurriedly left the Chiba Family, so fast that even Miyuki couldn't react in time.

"Miss Chiba Clan, where exactly are you taking me?"

Looking out the car window at the rapidly changing neon lights, Mahiro asked with a slightly teasing tone.

Since leaving the Chiba Family, Erika has remained silent the entire way, not saying a word.

Even now, he remains completely silent.

"Oh, I see. You must be trying to kidnap me and rip my kidneys out, right? Let me tell you, although I also know Shiba Tatsuya's 'Regrowth' magic, and can recover my kidneys even if I lose them, ripping kidneys out is very painful, so remember to give me anesthesia."

Mahiro continued to make jokes casually.

His incessant chatter annoyed Erika, causing her to tighten her grip on the steering wheel slightly.

"Shut up! Who wants to cut off your kidneys?!"

Finally, Erika blurted out these words, unable to bear it any longer.

But after that, Erika didn't say anything more.

When she drove the car into a hotel, Mahiro was a little dumbfounded.

"No, what are you doing? Shouldn't you go to the hospital if you have kidney problems? What are you doing at the hotel?"

Erica didn't respond, but simply grabbed his wrist and pulled him out of the car, just as she had done after witnessing Chiba Toshikazu's resurrection at the Chiba Family, letting Erika pull him along.

He had considered countless possibilities. Perhaps Erika needed to vent her emotions at that moment, so she took him out for a drive or something, or perhaps she would treat him to a meal.

But to my surprise, they actually brought him directly to the hotel!

Even while he was distracted, Erika had already booked a room at the front desk and led him upstairs.

The receptionist was giving them a strange look.

Aside from Erika's beautiful face, the main reason was that she was wearing a black funeral suit and had a somewhat resolute look in her eyes.

In the deep of night, Erika led him into a newly booked room, took him directly to the bed, and pushed him onto it.

At the same time, he slowly unbuttoned his clothes.

Hearing the rustling sound of fabric rubbing against each other, Mahiro finally came to his senses.

Looking up, I saw that Erika had already taken off her dress, revealing her rather plain undergarments.

At this point, even a fool would understand what Erika really wanted to do.

"Hey Erika, are you in such a hurry already?" Mahiro retorted expressionlessly, though he secretly wanted to laugh.

What kind of "offering oneself in marriage" drama is this? How did it end up happening to him?

Moreover, given Erika's temperament, she would normally blush and argue back or yell at him if he criticized her like that at a time like this.

But in fact, he was overthinking it.

His words had no effect; instead, they spurred Erika to act even more swiftly.

She actually straddled him, just like a knight riding a warhorse.

A pleasant, delicate fragrance of a young girl wafted into his nostrils.

The girl looked down at him, her slightly reddish-brown, yet sharp eyes swirling with an unfathomable, intense emotion.

Under the moonlight that seemed to flow in like melting ice water, the girl's fiery red, flowing hair and pale skin came into full view of him.

Although she usually dresses in a boyish style, it must be said that Erika has a really good figure. Perhaps because of her mixed heritage, her tall figure is comparable to that of a model.

Bathed in the silvery moonlight, Erika's entire body seemed to radiate a halo of light, appearing as delicate, white, and soft skin, perfectly sized and hemispherical; her slender waist possessed a flawless shape, and her slightly concave navel looked small and adorable; though delicate, she did not appear fragile, her limbs resembling those of an antelope.

While her pretty face may not be as perfect as Miyuki's or Alpha's, it still possesses a certain charm.

As expected of the Chiba Family's [Phantom Sword Princess], but if the disciples knew that Erika was doing this kind of thing with him here, they'd probably cry, right?

Of course, he wasn't the kind of person to just sit and wait for his fate.

Just as he was about to get up and resist, Erika suppressed him with her hand, her slender and somewhat cold fingers grasping his palm and playfully wrapping around his fingers in the darkness.

Because he was afraid of hurting his opponent, Mahiro didn't use too much force. In addition, Erika, who was skilled in swordsmanship, was also very good at grappling and fighting.

Therefore, he was completely imprisoned and unable to move.

"I say, Erika, I think you really are hungry."

"Mahiro, are you scared? You have so many girlfriends and fiancées, you should be quite experienced, right?"

This time, Erika was no longer as serious as before; a smile appeared on her lips.

Yeah, they certainly have a lot of experience, enough to support a whole doujinshi club... what a load of rubbish!

"Putting aside whether I'm experienced or not, are you sure you want to do something so impulsive?"

He had completely given up on struggling and only wanted to have a proper talk with this decisive and fiery young woman.

Although he has always been open to all comers, it doesn't mean he would accept something so ambiguous.

However, Erika's answer surprised him somewhat.

"It wasn't an impulsive act, Mahiro- kun. You can interpret this as premeditated. You saw me naked in the bathroom last time, don't you want to take responsibility?"

Yotsuba Mahiro: "..."

Taking responsibility for something after just one glance? What kind of ridiculous plot is this?

Why don't you say that I'm still a benefactor of your Chiba Family?

"I know."

Erika took over the conversation and said softly:

"You did save my stupid older brother, that's true, but you should also know that I don't like owing people things. You should also know that my status in the Chiba Family is just that of an illegitimate daughter. There's no way I can repay such a huge debt of gratitude... no, the entire Chiba Family can't repay it."

So when you decided to save my stupid older brother, you already decided that I would give you everything I have."

"Don't joke around."

"I'm not joking."

When he met Erika's eyes again, the expression in them was more serious than ever before.

Even his usual lively and somewhat unserious attitude was nowhere to be seen.

"I understand that this might be just a small thing for you, but the debt of gratitude for saving your life is real. If you can, please don't refuse."

Erika's words effectively blocked all his paths.

But he clearly never intended to take these routes.

"Fine, whatever."

Mahiro gave up resisting, or rather, he figured it was like meat delivered to his door, so why not take it?