He walked to the window and opened it. Sunlight streamed in, falling on his face and making his dark eyes shine brightly.
"Big brother."
Illya stood in the doorway, her crimson eyes fixed on him.
"Someone's here."
Higashino Makoto did not turn back.
"I know."
Four people were walking towards the hotel from the street below.
Leading the way was a man with a beard on his chin and his hair tied into a long braid at the back.
He was dressed in black armor, with a long sword hanging at his waist, and his steps were steady and powerful.
His face wore a confident and cheerful expression, but a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
Bajed Peshmee.
The strongest of the Four Imperial Knights of the Baharuth Empire, the Earl, whose title is "Lightning Bolt".
Behind him followed a blond man with blue eyes, whose handsome features and tightly pressed lips exuded a strong will.
He was also wearing a full set of black armor, after all, it was the standard equipment of the Four Imperial Knights of the Baharuth Empire.
Two slender swords hung at his waist, and his steps were light and steady.
Nimble Yak Thir Annouk.
Four Imperial Knights of the Baharuth Empire, Earl, whose title is "Fierce Gale".
The third one was a woman.
Long, light blonde hair hung down, obscuring the right half of her face.
She wore the same black armor, held a spear of the same color, and moved with elegance and composure.
Her exposed left cheek was as delicate as a porcelain doll's, and her deep blue eyes gleamed with a cold light in the sunlight.
Leinas Rockbruise.
The Four Imperial Knights of the Baharuth Empire possess the strongest attack power, earning them the title "Heavy Bomber."
The last one was a tall man, holding a giant shield that was almost as tall as a person.
He was dressed in heavy black armor, his steps heavy and powerful, each step feeling like it was treading on a person's heart.
Nazami Enek, one of the Four Imperial Knights of the Baharuth Empire, possesses the strongest defense and is known as "The Unassailable".
Four people, four different temperaments, but when they stand together, there is a wonderful sense of harmony.
Higashino Makoto stood by the window, looking at them, his dark eyes devoid of any emotion.
"The Four Imperial Knights... they arrived so quickly."
Illya walked to his side, her long, silvery-white hair gleaming golden in the sunlight.
"Big brother, shall we go down?"
"No rush."
Higashino Makoto leaned against the window frame, arms crossed over his chest.
"Make them wait."
Downstairs, Bajed stopped, looked up, and stared at the open window.
He saw the man with black hair and black eyes, and he saw the little girl with long silver hair.
"Higashino. Higashino."
His voice was deep and steady.
"The Four Imperial Knights of the Baharuth Empire, by order of His Majesty the Emperor, have come to greet you."
Higashino Makoto looked at him for two seconds.
"Come on up."
He turned around and went back to his room.
Illya followed behind him, her crimson eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Downstairs, Bajed paused for a moment, then stepped into the hotel.
Nimble followed behind him, Leinas followed, and Nazari brought up the rear.
The four people walked up the stairs, their footsteps echoing in the empty corridor.
The door to Higashino Makoto's room was open.
He sat in an armchair by the window, holding a cup of hot tea and sipping it leisurely.
Illya stood behind him, her long, silvery-white hair shimmering with golden light in the sunlight, and her purple dress standing out vividly in the room.
Bajed walked to the door, stopped, placed his right hand on his chest, and bowed slightly.
"Mr. Higashino, I have long admired your name."
"Come in and sit down."
Higashino Makoto put down his teacup and pointed to the chair opposite him.
Bajed entered the room and sat down in a chair.
Nimble stood behind him, Leinas stood by the door, Nazarmi stood in the corridor, and the giant shield leaned against the wall.
"His Majesty the Emperor has sent us to welcome you."
Bajed's voice was calm.
He said, "You deserve the Baharuth Empire's hospitality."
Higashino Makoto raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? He's quite polite."
"His Majesty has always been courteous to true powerhouses."
Higashino Makoto chuckled softly.
"So, do you think I'm a 'true strong person'?"
Bajed looked at him for two seconds.
"... yes."
"Why?"
"Because I can't beat you."
Higashino Makoto raised an eyebrow.
"How do you know you can't win before you've even made a move?"
"Intuition."
Bajed's answer was concise and to the point.
"I've lived for over forty years and seen countless powerful people. But none of them have given me this feeling, like standing on the edge of a cliff with an Abyss below."
Higashino Makoto looked at him for two seconds.
"You have a good intuition."
"Thank you for the compliment."
The two remained silent for a moment.
Nimble stood behind Bajed, watching Higashino Makoto, his hand on the hilt of his sword.
Leinas stood by the door, her deep blue eyes fixed on Higashino Makoto, her lips slightly pursed.
"Mr. Higashino."
Leinas spoke, her voice calm, but carrying a sense of suppressed urgency.
I have a request.
Higashino Makoto looked at her.
"Explain."
Leinas stepped forward, reached out, and lifted the hair that was covering the right half of her face.
Her right cheek was disfigured.
It wasn't an ordinary scar, but a more disgusting kind of skin, pitted and uneven, as if it had been corroded by something.
Yellow pus continuously oozes from the skin's surface, emitting a putrid odor.
She only showed herself for a short time before Leinas covered the Curse half of her face with her hair again.
Illya frowned slightly, but remained silent.
"This is Curse."
Leinas's voice was calm.
"It was cast by a demon before it died. I've consulted countless people—priests, magicians, alchemists, wandering witch doctors—but no one can undo it."
She let her hair down to cover her right cheek.
"Mr. Higashino, can you undo it?"
Higashino Makoto looked at her for two seconds.
"Able."
Leinas's pupils contracted slightly.
Are you sure?
"Sure."
Higashino Makoto stood up and walked up to her.
"But this Curse cannot be broken simply by lifting it."
"What's the meaning?"
"This Curse has two effects. First, it changes one's appearance. Second, it fixes the changed state."
Higashino Makoto's tone was flat.
"Ordinary Curse- removing magic can only remove the effect of altering appearance, but fixing the altered state will keep the appearance unchanged. So, the people you consulted aren't incapable of breaking the curse; it's just that it wouldn't have helped them."
Leinas's lips trembled.
"Then... what should we do?"
"First, lift the Curse, then reshape the face."
Higashino Makoto raised his hand, and a pale golden light appeared in his palm.
"The key is to remove the Curse that has been immobilized; only then can we restore your appearance."
Leinas looked excited and stepped forward to grab Higashino Makoto's hand, but Illya slapped it away.
"You thieving cat, stay away from Illya's big brother!"
Higashino Makoto reached out and patted Illya's head with a hint of helplessness, as a way of comforting her.
The Four Imperial Knights looked at Illya in shock.
This little girl is actually much faster than Leinas!
Leinas didn't care about any of that.
"Please help me! I'll do anything you ask to lift the Curse."
"Hmm... I need to think about the price. How about this, you can come see me alone later; now is not the time."
Leinas wasn't willing to wait. She turned to her colleague, her determined eyes conveying a clear message.
Get out of here!
The three exchanged glances and made their decision.
"Higashino, we will visit you again later."
Bajed nodded and stepped out of the room. Nimble followed behind him, and Nazami picked up the giant shield from the corridor and followed.
The three people walked down the stairs, their footsteps gradually fading into the distance.
Only Leinas, Illya, and Higashino Makoto remained in the room.
Illya stood by the window, watching their backs, her crimson eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Higashino Makoto reached out and pinched Illya's protein-rich face.
"Alright, Illya, go back to your room. This young lady probably doesn't like showing that face in front of others."
Even though she usually acts very willful, Illya will still obey Higashino Makoto's requests without hesitation.
Although she pouted her pink lips and stared at Higashino Makoto with her big, watery eyes, she was hoping he would change his mind.
"--yes."