Higashino Makoto nodded.
"Bring it on."
Feeling the pressure from the spear, Lakyus took a deep breath.
It's terrifying. She originally thought that even if there was a difference between the two, it wouldn't be that big.
But now she knows that the legend of the other party single-handedly defeating tens of thousands of demi-humans in the Holy Kingdom is absolutely true!
There's no chance of winning, so in that case--
"I apologize, Higashino. I will be using my strongest attack next. Please be careful and prepare to dodge."
Then, she moved.
Instead of charging at Higashino Makoto, he raised the demon sword, its tip pointing towards the sky.
"Dark Blade Super Crossbow-Level Shockwave!"
The voice echoed in the training ground, so dramatic that Gagaran covered his face, Tia and Tina sighed simultaneously, and Evileye lowered his head, his shoulders trembling slightly.
Higashino Makoto's expression remained unchanged.
He simply stood there, his black eyes fixed on Lakyus, watching the black light gather around the magic sword in her hand, and watching the floating swords around her simultaneously shoot out silver-white sword light.
Then, he extended his hand.
With a gentle wave of the golden spear, the dark energy surge melted away as quickly as snowflakes encountering flames.
The black light quickly dissipated.
Lakyus did not immediately admit defeat, but instead gave up using the magic sword and used her secondary weapon.
Silver-white sword light shot in from all directions, but was precisely struck by the spear three steps away from Higashino Makoto's body, falling onto the stone slab with a clanging sound.
The next moment, Higashino Makoto turned the spear in his hand into light and disappeared, then directly lunged forward.
Before Lakyus could react, he snatched the demon sword from her hand.
The training ground fell silent.
Lakyus stared at his stolen magic sword, standing before Higashino Makoto, his emerald green eyes wide open.
"A fine sword."
Higashino Makoto attempted to infuse the magic sword with his own magic, and the sword emitted a jet-black energy pillar tens of meters long. He nodded with interest.
He then dissipated the magic from the sword and handed it to Lakyus.
"A very interesting weapon."
Lakyus looked at his demonic sword, then at Higashino Makoto, his lips trembling slightly.
"You... you are... even if you're my uncle..."
"Don't you already know?"
Higashino Makoto's tone was flat.
"The Silver Paladin, Higashino Makoto."
"No."
Lakyus shook his head.
"Ordinary paladins don't possess this power. This overwhelming power, so overwhelming that it leaves no room for resistance."
She raised her head, her emerald green eyes staring directly at Higashino Makoto.
Lakyus's voice was calm, but the hand holding the magic sword trembled slightly.
"There will always be some extraordinary forces in this world, like the little girl next to you, or the True Dragon Lords, or even me."
Higashino Makoto neither denied nor admitted it.
He simply turned around and walked out of the training field.
"The exchange is over. Now, let's talk about cooperation."
Lakyus watched his retreating figure and remained silent for a moment.
Then she sheathed her demon sword and followed.
Six floating swords fell from the sky, hovering behind her and swaying gently with her steps.
Gagaran walked over to her and asked in a low voice.
"Captain, are you alright?"
"Fine."
Lakyus's voice was calm.
"It just confirmed one thing."
"What's up?"
"The rumors are true. The Silver Paladin does indeed possess power beyond human limits. And he harbors no hostility towards us."
Gagaran frowned slightly.
Are you sure?
"Of course. Look at our little one, the strongest of the Blue Rose. The moment that golden light appeared, she almost couldn't stand up."
Lakyus's tone was flat.
Evileye didn't refute it, after all, she had almost felt that she would turn to ashes under that dazzling light.
Gagaran fell silent.
Tia and Tina exchanged a glance.
Evileye, his fingers gently stroking the staff.
The five people walked out of the training field and into the corridor.
Sunlight streamed in through the window, falling on them and casting shadows on the stone slabs.
At the end of the corridor, Higashino Makoto leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his dark eyes watching them.
Illya stood beside him, her long, silvery-white hair shimmering with golden light in the sunlight, her purple dress standing out vividly in the dim corridor.
"Have you reached an agreement?"
Higashino Makoto asked.
Lakyus walked up to him and stopped.
"It's settled. Blue Rose is willing to cooperate with you to deal with Eight Fingers."
What are the conditions?
"No conditions."
Lakyus's answer was unexpected.
"We were already investigating Eight Fingers. Your involvement will only make the mission smoother and safer. We will suffer no losses."
Higashino Makoto looked at her for two seconds.
"You're quite generous."
"It's not about being generous."
Lakyus shook his head.
"That's the reality. Your strength far surpasses ours. If we were to try and negotiate with you, that would be overestimating our own capabilities."
Higashino Makoto chuckled softly.
"You're quite an interesting person."
"Thank you for the compliment."
Lakyus's lips curled up slightly.
"So, what's our next move?"
Higashino Makoto thought for a moment.
"Let's exchange intelligence first. You've been investigating 'Eight Fingers' for so long, you should have gathered a lot of information. I need to know where their hideout is, how many people they have, how strong their fighting force is, and who's backing them."
Lakyus nodded.
"Come with me. The Blue Rose has a base in the east of the city. It's safe there, a good place to discuss business."
"Lead the way."
Seven people--
Higashino Makoto, Illya, Lakyus, Gagaran, Tia, Tina, Evileye.
Leaving the Adventurers' Guild, we stepped onto the streets of the Royal Capital.
The afternoon sun shone on them, casting their shadows on the stone path, where they intertwined.
Higashino Makoto walked beside Lakyus, with Illya following behind him, her crimson eyes curiously surveying everything around them.
"Lakyus."
"Um?"
"Didn't you feel awkward when you called out the skill name just now?"
Lakyus's face flushed red.
"That... that is..."
What is it?
"That's a necessary action to announce to your comrades what you're going to do next! Shouting out the skill name is a necessary action!"
"Oh."
Higashino Makoto nodded.
So, you admit that was "calling out skill names"?
"I--I didn't--that--"
Lakyus's voice grew softer and softer, her face redder and redder, until finally she lowered her head, her long golden hair falling down and obscuring her face.
Gagaran sighed softly from behind. Tia and Tina shook their heads simultaneously.
Evileye, his shoulders trembling slightly.
Illya tilted her head, looking at Lakyus with curiosity in her crimson eyes.
"Big brother, what's wrong with her?"
"Fine."
Higashino Makoto's tone was flat.
"It's just a case of chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) acting up."
What is "chuunibyou" (middle school syndrome)?
"It's like someone who's clearly an adult, but insists on pretending to have some hidden power or dark personality, and then gives themselves long, impressive-sounding names."
Illya blinked, leaned closer to Higashino Makoto, and whispered a question.
"Does that older brother have chuunibyou (middle school syndrome)?"
"No."
"Real?"
"Real."
"But the name 'The Wrath of the Salt King' sounds a lot like the name of Lakyus's skill from earlier."
Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment.
"... That's the name of Super-Tier Magic. I didn't come up with it."
Who came up with that name?
"A staff member of a game company."
Who is that?
"A person who... does not exist in this world."
Illya tilted her head, her crimson eyes filled with confusion.