Does Our Earlier Bet Still Stand? (5K) (Continued)

Mahiro gave the pretty face that was leaning towards her a sincere smile.

But in my heart, I was counting down.

Observe the corner and infer the third...

The emperor's command is absolute...

Raiden Mei!

"You snake woman, stay away from Mahiro!!!"

Just as he finished counting down, a furious shout rang out, sounding particularly jarring even in the bustling hall.

Kisara, rushed over and swung his fist, gloved with black stockings, straight at Miori Shiba's body.

Unfortunately, Miori Shiba dodged it, and even made a sarcastic remark.

"Oh, so it's Tendo Milk Cow. If we're talking about seduction, those filthy things on your chest are the real seduction. My darling and I are true love~"

"Stop spouting your disgusting 'true love' nonsense, you're just seducing me!"

Before long, Kisara and Miori Shiba in a fierce fight. The servants on the side wanted to stop them, but the fight was too intense for them to dare to intervene.

Upon seeing this, Mahiro couldn't help but reveal an expression of "I knew it."

Every time Miori Shiba appears, it is always accompanied by the appearance of Kisara Tendo. The two of them are simply a match made in heaven, attracting each other like magnets.

However, just as he was about to step forward to stop him, he suddenly stopped, and the expression on his face became quite interested.

"Brother Mahiro, shouldn't we go and stop him?" Miyuki asked curiously after finishing her lobster pie.

But Mahiro shook his head and said:

"No need, let's watch the show."

"?"

Miyuki was still a little confused, but when she turned her head, she saw several well-dressed young men, probably in their early twenties, gradually approaching Kisara and Miori.

"Some people are like bedbugs, they'll stop at nothing to climb the social ladder, haha..."

Mahiro's laughter was cold.

Miyuki's eyes were unfathomable, and her expression gradually darkened.

The men then took the initiative to approach and strike up a conversation.

"Ladies, fighting in such a refined and elegant place might not be appropriate. How about we sit down, have a drink, and chat? Let me introduce myself, I am..."

Several men in suits each presented what they considered to be their most handsome side.

The battle between Kisara and Miori did indeed stop because of those words, but their gazes swept over the group.

Miori Shiba straightened her slightly disheveled kimono, a graceful smile playing on her lips, and chuckled softly:

"Oh dear, a few cockroaches are wearing human clothes and they really think they're human!"

Her words were full of sarcasm, which immediately made the man who had just struck up a conversation look rather unpleasant.

"Miss, aren't you being a bit too harsh with your words?"

"Oh? Is that too much? I don't think so."

Miori Shiba maintained his nonchalant attitude.

Having been immersed in business for so many years, what tricks and schemes hasn't she seen?

Would this person in front of her not know her identity?

No, they definitely know, and probably even know everything about her family situation.

But knowing full well that she already has someone she likes, why did he still come up to chat her up? Was he really that reckless?

However, the fact that the man in front of them didn't dare to get angry didn't mean that there weren't any hotheads among them.

Just then, another man angrily said:

"Miss Miori Shiba, what gives you the right to be so arrogant? To put it bluntly, you're just a newly rich businessman who rose to prominence by relying on the Yotsuba Clan, while our families have been in business for a century! Do you think that Yotsuba Mahiro can protect you if our families get angry?"

That guy is just a mere mage; that's just a weapon to be used and discarded!

These words were spoken.

The entire room fell silent.

Everyone looked at them in astonishment.

That gaze, that look, clearly said—

"You guys are really brave..."

The girls, especially those connected to Yotsuba Mahiro, frowned slightly and sized up the group with unfriendly eyes.

Miyuki's face was extremely gloomy, and she exuded a chilling aura, as if she could freeze everything.

"Tendo Style Technique, Form 8 - Firework Fan!"

A sharp shout broke the silence.

Kisara stomped on the ground, instantly shattering the floor tiles beneath his feet, and then delivered a heavy punch to the arrogant man.

With a snap, the ribcage clearly caved in.

The person was sent flying backward, sliding along the floor tiles before crashing into the French windows with a thud.

If the glass hadn't been so sturdy, the man would probably have smashed through the window and fallen out.

Kisara slowly withdrew his fist, glancing sideways at the group of men, who immediately fell silent.

"You guys remember this: if you ever try to chat me up again, this is what will happen to you!"

"That's right, hehe... A century-old family like yours, I, Miori Shiba, wouldn't mind having a run with you."

One was ruthless, the other charming.

Although the two of them were extremely at odds, they had always been allies when it came to dealing with such clueless individuals.

Upon hearing this, the group was so frightened that they scrambled out of the banquet hall.

"Minami, help me investigate the families of those people from earlier, and then hand it over to Madam Maya. She knows what to do."

"Yes, Young Master Mahiro."

Minami bowed very respectfully, then left the banquet with steady steps, though his steps seemed to be very forceful.

"Brother Mahiro, I think people like that have absolutely no reason to exist in this world."

Miyuki's voice was cold, but her eyes were resolute.

But this time, Mahiro didn't try to stop her. Instead, she put down the plate, picked up a glass of juice, took a sip, and smiled.

"Yes, they really don't know their own limitations, always believing that the power they hold can restrain forces beyond their power... Sigh, I really don't know how these people's brains are structured."

Perhaps, they don't even have a brain.

As for their fate, Mahiro didn't care, but he was certain that it wouldn't be good.

Even if the Yotsuba Family and Saegusa Family don't intervene, the Kitayama Family and Shiba Heavy Industries alone could easily wipe out these people.

However, this was merely a minor incident at the banquet.

Soon, the entire venue returned to its previous lively atmosphere.

And the banquet officially began when the music started.

On the empty stage, two people are standing now.

Chandrasekhar, representative of the "Magic Practitioners' Mutual Aid Association," and witness Mark Rode.

Since Shiba Tatsuya, as the deputy representative, was not present, the two of them had to take turns speaking.

He explained the purpose of establishing the Magic Practitioners' Mutual Aid Association to the guests present.

The headquarters location was then described as Galle, a city in southern Sri Lanka.

After that, Yotsuba Mahiro didn't pay attention to what the two foreigners on stage said next.

Because he was a little sleepy.

So he slumped back on the sofa in the corner of the venue and closed his eyes to rest.

I don't know how much time passed, but it seemed like the sound from the stage disappeared, and then I felt the other side of the sofa sink slightly.

He didn't open his eyes, but just by smelling the sweet fragrance that filled his nostrils, he knew who it was.

He then spoke directly:

"Speaking of which, you asked me to guess the purpose of this party, right?"

"Mahiro, how did you know it was me?"

Mayumi was very surprised.

She was sitting next to Mahiro, her black-stockinged legs pressed together to one side, her gaze fixed on Yotsuba Mahiro's face.

There was no fluctuation of Psions.

There was no sign of him opening his eyes.

How could you guess that it was her?

The next second, she saw the corners of Yotsuba Mahiro's mouth slowly turn up.

"Of course, you all smell different. I remember it very clearly. And when you came today, the perfume you wore was also very unique. The top notes were freesia mixed with musk, the middle notes were cinnamon and orange with a hint of musk, and as for the base notes..."

"Alright, alright, stop talking. I know you're observant."

For some reason, Mayumi's face turned red, even her ears turned bright red.

It felt like someone had exposed my little secret.

Mahiro didn't understand either, but since that's what he said, he naturally changed the subject.

"So let's talk about this party. The host of this banquet should be that foreigner named Chandrasekhar, right? He's the representative of the Magician Association Federation. The purpose of inviting so many people is simple: he wants to expand his organization in Japan, and he also plans to use the Yotsuba Family's name to pay his respects to some powerful figures..."

But I don't really think it's necessary to do that, since our Yotsuba Family has already withdrawn from Japan and our focus is completely elsewhere."

"Yes, that's what I think too."

Mayumi largely agreed with Mahiro's words.

Although Yotsuba Mahiro from home for a long time, it doesn't mean he's unaware of what's happening at home.

Currently, Shiba Heavy Industries' focus is on California in North America, where it is fiercely competing with several other major companies and the New USNA.

Four Leaves Technology serves as a supporting player, while also expanding into the Europe and Asia markets.

Penglai Island serves as a scientific research base.

The Mashima Island and the expanded islands served as a base, Arcadia's paradise.

As for Itogami Island, as mentioned before, he plans to develop it into a diversified business system, shifting the Kitayama Family's focus to Itogami Island.

It just so happens that the Kitayama Family is collaborating with Shiba Tatsuya on a Stellar Reactor project. Itogami Island has many composite materials that don't exist in this world, making it very suitable for this project.

As for the members of the Ten Master Clans and the Hundred Families.

The purpose of unifying them was simply to prevent this group from causing trouble.

Therefore, as long as he doesn't cause trouble, he doesn't mind letting these family businesses develop independently, as long as they pay a sum of money every year.

It's equivalent to protection money.

"However, I think the Magician Association Federation's purpose is probably not just this."

His sudden re-speech caught Mayumi's attention.

"Do they have other motives?"

"Uh-huh."

Mahiro nodded with his eyes closed and said:

"Not long ago, I received some information from Ayako that apparently a spy from the New USNA had also infiltrated the party..."

"?!!!"

Upon hearing the news, Mayumi's eyes widened suddenly. Before she could say anything, Mahiro grabbed her hand.