Why Does No One Believe Me When I Tell the Truth?

Aye didn't say anything more, but habitually hid in the shadows and silently followed behind him.

The children have been hospitalized for nearly two months, and everyone's complexion has improved significantly; even their hidden ailments have been cured.

Today is the day they are discharged from the hospital.

However, when I arrived at the ward today, I didn't see Kanase Kanon was always busy for her friends.

Instead, a middle-aged man wearing glasses was waiting there, as if anticipating his arrival.

He was dressed in a white research coat, exuding the air of a scientific researcher, and appeared to be in his thirties.

"Hello, you must be Mr. Yotsuba Mahiro, right? It's a pleasure to meet you. I am..."

"I know you. Your name is Kanase Kensei, and you're Kanase Kanon's uncle, right?"

The man's outstretched hand froze in mid-air because of his words, as Mahiro's expression was anything but friendly; it could even be described as cold and stern.

His narrowed eyes subtly revealed a hint of inquiry.

But the man quickly recovered and continued with a smile:

"I never expected to be introduced to Mr. Yotsuba Mahiro, the youngest magic user on Itogami Island. I am truly honored. I am also very grateful for your help in taking care of Kanon Kanase during this time. Although I was busy with my research and left her at the monastery, I never expected that such a thing would happen!"

"Stop with those empty platitudes, Kanase Kensei."

Mahiro didn't give her a single pleasant look.

"I already knew about you and all of Kanase Kanon taking care of these children. You said you were focused on your research and accidentally left Kanon Kanase at the monastery, but that's just an excuse, isn't it?"

As far as I know, since Kanon Kanase was taken to the monastery, your uncle has never shown his face. Now that he has appeared... I wonder what exactly is Kanase Kensei's purpose?"

"This..."

Kanase Kensei was sweating profusely from what he said, especially from that intimidating, probing gaze. He felt as if everything about him was laid bare before him.

While wiping away cold sweat, Kanase Kensei hurriedly explained:

"Actually... Yotsuba Clan, you're right. I never understood who was so irresponsible as to abandon their sister and their daughter."

Because of some unpleasantness between my sister and me, we lost contact. But it wasn't until two months ago, when the Artificial Island Management Corporation contacted me and I learned about what had happened at the Aldegard Convent, that I understood everything.

In fact Kanase Kanon's father was the former king of Ardigia! To the then-queen, this was tantamount to an affair. Therefore, after giving birth, Kanon Kanase's mother returned to Japan without anyone knowing, eventually ending up on Itogami Island, abandoning Kanon Kanase at the Aldegard Convent...

I only recently found out about these things myself.

Kanase Kensei spoke with such emotion and conviction, as if he were truly just an uncle who felt sorry for his younger sister and wanted to make amends to his niece.

"Oh, so what are you trying to do here? Reunite with relatives?"

Kanase Kensei nodded.

"Yes, I want to acknowledge Kanon Kanase, adopt her, and make up for the lack of family ties she's had for my sister all these years."

Mahiro as he finished speaking, a smile slowly appeared on Makoto's cold and stern face. However, that smile terrified Kanase Kensei, who subconsciously took a few steps back.

"Yotsuba Clan, you..."

"Shh, listen to me, let me ask you, is it really as simple as just wanting to adopt Kanase Kanon?"

That extremely imposing posture made Kanase Kensei feel a sense of fear, but he still nodded and said:

"Yes. From now on, I will treat Kanon Kanase as my daughter, so please don't worry..."

"Heh, stop talking nonsense."

Mahiro interrupted with a cold laugh.

Do you think nobody knows about the research behind your work?

Under Kanase Kensei's horrified gaze, he approached the other person step by step and whispered in his ear:

"[Simulated Angel], is this your current research topic? And as far as I know, you didn't just find out about Kanase Kanon's existence now. To be precise, you are a former court magic engineer of the Aldegia Kingdom, and you personally sent Kanase Kanon to the monastery for hiding."

"Your research has hit a bottleneck, and you're lacking a good medium, which is why you want to find Kanon Kanase. The direct descendants of Ardigia have the most outstanding medium bloodline, right?"

Upon hearing his words, Kanase Kensei's pupils contracted sharply, his heart raced, and his breathing became heavier.

"I'm sorry, Yotsuba Clan, I don't understand what you're saying. All I know is that Kanon Kanase is my sister's child, and I just want to take care of her in my sister's place."

We cannot admit it! We absolutely cannot admit it!

"Yeah?"

Mahiro took two steps back and gave her a friendly smile.

"It doesn't matter if you don't admit it. To be precise, I'm not interested in the nonsense you're trying to do, but if you dare to set your sights on Kanase Kanon... I suppose Mr. Kanase Kensei, you're not unaware of my relationship with the guard of the Prison Barrier, Natsuki Minamiya, aren't you?"

I wouldn't mind having Natsuki -chan throw you in there.

Oh, I forgot to tell you something. Actually, I came from the Prison Barrier. And let me tell you, the Prison Barrier is full of talented people. If someone as small as you went in, you'd probably end up at the very bottom of the prison, and you'd probably suffer endless torture day and night.

He also deliberately showed off the bracelet on his wrist, indicating that Kanase Kensei was still under Natsuki Minamiya's surveillance.

"Mr. Kanase Kensei, now I'll give you a chance to rephrase your words. Tell me, what brings you to the hospital this time?"

This time, Kanase Kensei was truly afraid.

What he feared was not Natsuki Minamiya or the Prison Barrier, but that the man in front of him had actually come from the Prison Barrier!

I've never seen it with my own eyes, but I've heard the legends about what kind of people are imprisoned there.

That's a gathering place for the world's most vicious and ruthless people!

How could someone like that even be allowed to appear in the outside world?!

However, he still mustered his courage and said earnestly and firmly:

"I know you're worried about Kanon Kanase, Yotsuba Clan, but I genuinely want to take Kanon Kanase back. After all, I'm that child's uncle, and she's my sister's biological child. How could I possibly harm her!"

He spoke with such force and conviction that even Mahiro couldn't help but sigh.

"What a stubborn bastard! Since you're so adamant, why not ask for his opinion? Kanon Kanase, you've had enough, haven't you? Why don't you come out and share your thoughts?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the ward door was suddenly pulled open with a whoosh.

A silver-haired girl, barely half the height of the door, appeared in the doorway. Her pure, pretty face shone brightly, and her clear eyes lingered on them for a long time.

"Big brother, uncle..."

"Kanon Kanase..."

Upon seeing his niece again, Kanase Kensei appeared deeply moved.

He stepped forward, opening his arms to embrace the girl, but Kanase Kanon took a small step back, avoiding Kanase Kensei's embrace.

"... Xia, Kanon Kanase? I'm your uncle, your mother's brother."

"I... I know..."

In a very soft voice, she said gently, "But I don't want to live with you, Uncle. I'm very happy at the monastery, and I have many friends there, so... I'm sorry, Uncle."

Kanase Kanon bowed deeply to Kanase Kensei.

She naturally heard a lot of the conversation outside the door, but as a young child, she couldn't possibly understand it all.

She only knew one thing: if she had to choose, she would rather choose the gentle older brother who had been with her day and night for two months than choose a maternal uncle who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Her choice was a huge blow to Kanase Kensei.

He had calculated every step perfectly, except for the fact that Kanon Kanase would reject him.

"Kanon Kanase, if you can't let go of your friends, then your uncle can..."

He wanted to step forward and say something, but Mahiro stepped to the side, shielding Kanon Kanase behind him and blocking Kanase Kensei's path.

"Didn't you hear what Kanon Kanase said? And I advise you not to mess with those kids, or I won't let you off the hook either."

Are those children important?

It is indeed very important. Even if they are not as outstanding as Kanon Kanase, they are still spiritual mediums, otherwise they would not have been targeted by the Sage's Blood.

"You..."

Blocked by Yotsuba Mahiro, Kanase Kensei dared not speak out in anger, and finally, like a deflated balloon, he sighed:

"Okay, I'll come visit again next time."

In the end, Kanase Kensei left unwillingly, his fleeing figure disappearing at the end of the hospital corridor.

"Big brother, would you like to adopt Kanon Kanase?"

After Kanase Kensei left, Kanase Kanon raised her head and looked up at him with her bright, clear eyes.

Mahiro smiled, slowly squatted down, and gently stroked Kanon Kanase's little head, saying:

"Does Kanon Kanase hope that big brother will adopt you?"

She nodded, then shook her head.

"... Big brother, I have many friends here, so..."

"Yes, I know, Kanon Kanase is indeed very kind."

It's fair to say that Kanase Kanon is the kindest girl in Strike the Blood, like a little angel fallen to earth.

Mahiro continued gently, "But it's okay. It's fine if Kanon Kanase wants to be with her friends. Big brother can fund the construction of an orphanage for you, and you can live there, how about that?"

"R-Really? Is it really okay? Won't it cause you trouble, big brother?"

How could that be?

Given his status, the biggest problem in building an orphanage would be money.

But how could someone with alchemy skills be short of money?

As for handing over Kanase Kanon to Kanase Kensei?

Just kidding! If he were to hand over the angelic and adorable Xia Kanon Kanase to that guy who's worse than a CS player, wouldn't he have wasted his time-traveling experience?!

Chapter 347 Why does nobody believe me when I tell the truth? (5K)

During the discharge process, Mahiro and Kanon Kanase had a long chat.

I know she's about to graduate from elementary school and is planning to study at the Saikai Academy.

As for the orphanage, Mahiro had spoken to the children who were discharged, and they were very happy.

He also discussed this matter with Natsuki Minamiya over the phone.

Surprisingly, this time the adorable Natsuki- chan didn't say much and agreed without hesitation, without even asking him to pay.

"Changed your ways? You're actually being so kind?"

"No need for gratitude, just please stop causing me trouble!"

Even through the receiver, one could hear the gritted teeth in Natsuki Minamiya's voice.

But Mahiro simply gave a faint "Oh," and continued:

"Oh, right, Natsuki -chan, there's something else I need to ask you for a favor."

"Speak!"

"Excuse me, could you lend me the dragon Dragon Vein beneath Itogami Island?"

The words had barely left his mouth when heavy breathing could be heard from the other end of the phone, followed by a roar.

"Get out of here!!!"

"Okay."

Ignoring the furious outburst on the other end, Mahiro immediately hung up the phone.

[Daily Quest: Teasing Natsuki Minamiya (1/1)]

Yes, it was another happy day.

I suddenly realized that teasing Natsuki -chan every day is quite fun; at least it makes life less boring.

I wonder when this Feast of the Flame will begin, since Avrora Florestina from the 12th has already been released.

Seeing his happy expression, Aye gracefully emerged from the shadows of the corridor.

"Do you need me to get rid of that man for you?"

"Hmm? No need."