Fantasy Library, Ch 451-455

Chapter 451 – Just a Few Tricks

Catching a Forged Holy Sword barehanded!

Seeing this, not only the onlookers but even Lucas himself couldn’t help but change expression.

And then, what happened next would forever be etched in their memories.

The brilliant, radiant battle axe cleaved down toward Kaiser’s outstretched hand—only to be stopped cold, as if an invisible force had blocked it, unable to advance another inch.

“Divide!”

An inorganic voice echoed from Kaiser’s body. The moment it rang out, the Forged Holy Sword in Lucas’s hands felt as though it had been sharply pared away—its power instantly halved.

“What…?” Lucas’s face went pale with shock.

But the voice didn’t stop there.

“Divide!”

“Divide!”

“Divide!”

Second by second, a total of ten such voices rang out from Kaiser.

With each one, the Forged Holy Sword’s power was cut in half again, its once dazzling radiance dimming bit by bit.

Without even fully manifesting the White Dragon Emperor’s Light Wings, Kaiser had used just a fraction of their power to suppress the famous Forged Holy Sword of the Aldegyr Kingdom.

In the past, borrowing only part of the Light Wings’ power meant Kaiser could use the halving ability just once. But ever since becoming a God-Slayer, and with the Hōgyoku constantly converting his potential into his own strength, not only had the Light Wings grown stronger, but the amount of power he could draw on had also greatly increased.

Now, even without manifesting the Light Wings, he could use the halving ability once per second—up to ten times in total.

Unfortunately, he could only halve; the absorption ability still required the full manifestation. Otherwise, even without summoning the Light Wings, he could simply drain his opponent’s power to strengthen himself.

Even so, under the effect of ten successive halvings, the Forged Holy Sword in Lucas’s hands was reduced to a mere sliver of its former power—no longer any threat at all.

“What… what trick did you use?” Lucas’s expression shifted again and again.

The knights of Aldegyr surrounding them looked equally shaken and furious.

The Forged Holy Sword created by the Völundr system was the foundation of Aldegyr’s military might, the reason they could stand toe-to-toe with the demon clans of the Warlord’s Dominion, and the weapon that had earned the Holy Ring Knights their fearsome reputation.

For such a globally renowned technique to be so casually nullified—this was not something any citizen of Aldegyr could simply overlook.

Of course, they had no idea that their Forged Holy Sword had run up against the power of the strongest dragon—a force that could match, and even slay, gods themselves. The power of mere spirits could never contend with it.

“Just as you said… let’s fight fair and square.”

A chilling smile spread across Kaiser’s face.

“Do try to hold out, Your Majesty.”

The moment the words left his mouth, the extreme draconic aura in his palm shifted—into a surging, biting cold.

The power of Hyōrinmaru.

Crack… crack… crack!

The frost spread first along the battle axe, encasing it in ice, then swept rapidly over Lucas’s body, freezing him from head to toe.

“W-wait…! Stop—aaaah!”

Lucas had time only for that desperate cry before he was sealed completely into an ice sculpture, unable to move.

“Your Majesty!”

The surrounding knights could no longer stay still. All at once they rushed forward—some to shield Lucas, others brandishing their weapons at Kaiser with murderous glares.

La Folia opened her mouth to stop them—but she was a moment too late.

“That’s enough. Stand down. His Majesty is unharmed.”

A warm, gentle voice carried from the direction of the airborne warship.

A figure approached at a measured pace—a young-looking, graceful woman with silver hair strikingly similar to both La Folia’s and Kanon Kanase’s, her refined beauty tinged with a serene warmth.

“Mother!” La Folia called out.

“Eh?” Kanon’s eyes widened, staring at her in disbelief.

The woman’s gaze found Kanon first, her smile radiating gentle affection, before turning toward Kaiser.

“My husband seems to have troubled you. I must apologize.”

She dipped into a graceful bow. Her etiquette was impeccable, her bearing elegant—yet something about the way she apologized reminded Kaiser distinctly of the way Kanon often did: pure, innocent, almost sacred in its sincerity.

That innocence, La Folia had not inherited—but in this woman it was exactly the same, only tempered by a mature, elegant air.

And Kaiser could feel it—immense spiritual power, carrying the same aura La Folia gave off when summoning her spirit.

So that was it—the vast energy that had empowered Lucas’s Forged Holy Sword hadn’t come from the spirit furnace aboard the warship, but from this graceful woman herself.

Her identity was now clear as day.

“I am Polifonia Rihavein, Queen of the Aldegyr Kingdom, mother of La Folia… and elder sister to Kanon Kanase.”

Polifonia Rihavein—direct-line royal blood of Aldegyr, a natural spirit medium like La Folia and Kanon, capable of providing immense spiritual power to activate the Forged Holy Sword unaided.

Though Lucas was King, he was born a commoner and had no royal blood; he could not wield the Völundr system on his own. His ability to use the Forged Holy Sword came entirely from the power his wife provided.

In Aldegyr, royal lineage mattered less than the blessing of the spirits. If the princess acknowledged someone as her partner, he could claim the crown.

The previous king had been of direct royal descent—hence Kanon’s inheritance of the bloodline. Polifonia was his daughter, making her and Kanon half-sisters by the same father.

Which meant La Folia’s “grandfather” was, in truth, her maternal grandfather.

Until La Folia inherited the throne, the true heart of the Aldegyr Kingdom… was this queen before him.

“I hope you’ll forgive any offense, great Beast King,” Polifonia said with a smile.

The entire atmosphere shifted under her gentle control—no one else dared speak.

After that “thorough” little airport welcome, the group boarded a long limousine and departed the central terminal.

This time, Kaiser sat between La Folia and Kanon, while across from him were Lucas and Polifonia.

“A… a-choo!”

Lucas had been freed from the ice by the court magisters, but now he sat bundled in a heavy coat, sniffling and shivering.

“D-damn brat, what kind of magic was that? How can it be that cold?” he demanded, arms crossed against the chill.

“It truly was an impressive freezing spell,” Polifonia added with open admiration. “Even in our kingdom, I’ve never seen ice magic so potent.”

Aldegyr was a northern country, its climate the opposite of Itogami Island’s—practically a land of eternal winter. Ice magic there was highly developed.

La Folia, for instance, when acting as a spirit user, often favored ice magic outside of wielding the Forged Holy Sword.

So it was no wonder Polifonia was both surprised and intrigued.

“I didn’t know you could use ice magic,” La Folia remarked, the faintest smile playing in her eyes.

It seemed the scheming princess was rather pleased with Kaiser’s display—especially considering her father’s strength. Even without royal blood, Lucas had been the most formidable knight in Aldegyr before becoming king, able to wrestle orcs without yielding.

Yet after less than ten minutes frozen solid, he’d caught a cold and was still shivering. That said plenty about Kaiser’s ice.

For La Folia, it was an unexpected bonus.

“Just a few tricks,” Kaiser said modestly.

His modesty only made Lucas’s face darken.

“You trying to say even your tricks are enough to put me down?” Lucas shot to his feet, glaring daggers.

“Arrogant! Fight me again if you—”

“A… a-choo!”

…The man really had caught a cold.

Chapter 452 – A Person Easily Satisfied

Even though he had caught a cold, His Majesty the King clearly wasn’t willing to concede defeat.

He insisted that he had simply been careless—caught off guard by the sheer power of his opponent’s ice magic. He claimed that he’d underestimated Kaiser and had merely fallen into the boy’s trap. Otherwise, how could a proud warrior of the battle-hardened nation, a former chief knight no less, lose to some rookie spellcaster? Impossible!

Unfortunately for him, that excuse held no water—not with his daughter, and not even with his own wife.

“Rookie or not, he’s still the Beast King. My dear, no matter how valiant you are, you wouldn’t be a match for him,” Polifonia said, cutting down her husband without mercy and leaving Lucas looking a little green.

La Folia’s remark was even harsher.

“In the end, Father, you even brought out the Holy Sword, only for him to put you down in a matter of moments. That alone proves you’re no match for him, doesn’t it?”

Lucas’ glare immediately snapped toward Kaiser.

“What trick did you use? How could our proud Holy Sword be broken like that?”

Kaiser’s answer was nothing but perfunctory.

“Just a little trick, nothing worth dwelling on.”

The blatant brush-off nearly made Lucas blow a gasket.

“That’s enough. Stop embarrassing yourself,” Polifonia chided, holding him back. “He’s not even one of your subjects—and even if he were, you’d have no right to interrogate him like that.”

“You really have no regal bearing at all,” La Folia added coldly. “To treat the man who saved your daughter and your family this way… I never realized my father had become that kind of person.”

“Hmph!” Lucas snorted, still unwilling to yield. Sniffling, he muttered, “I don’t acknowledge any ‘savior’ who has designs on my daughter!”

The doting father had clearly lost all sense of proportion.

“Just ignore him and let him sulk,” Polifonia said at last, her patience worn thin. She turned to Kaiser with a warm smile. “The Kingdom of Aldegyr would never repay the man who saved our beloved princess with ingratitude.”

“Whether it’s La Folia or Kanon Kanase, the debt we owe you for saving them is one we will never forget.”

She offered a deep, formal bow, leaving Lucas sitting there, sulking like a child.

“It was just a job. Don’t think too much of it,” Kaiser replied with a shake of his head, unmoved by her gratitude.

He hadn’t rescued La Folia to earn the Kingdom’s thanks. He hadn’t even done it because of the Lion King Organization’s mission. He had gone to that deserted island for one reason: because Kanon was there.

Saving La Folia, in his eyes, had simply been a matter of convenience.

“To you it may be nothing, but to us it’s an immeasurable kindness,” Polifonia said, shaking her head. “One way or another, we will find a way to repay you. Please, don’t refuse us that much.”

Kaiser simply nodded, not inclined to argue further.

Polifonia then turned to Kanon, her expression softening with deep warmth.

“So, we finally meet, Kanon.”

Her gentle tone made it impossible for Kanon to remain silent.

“Y-Your Majesty the Queen…” Kanon said nervously, bowing her head.

“None of that,” Polifonia quickly said, moving to support her with a wry smile. “I’m your sister by blood, Kanon. Even if you’re younger than La Folia, you’re still my little sister. There’s no need to be so formal.”

“Sorry… I’m just not used to it yet.” Kanon kept her head lowered. “To know that I still have family in this world… I’m happy. But royalty still feels far too distant for me.”

Though hailed as the Saint of the Central District, Kanon was, at heart, just a girl who had grown up in a monastery, an orphan until her uncle took her in five years ago.

Even then, her life hadn’t changed much. The setting was different—her uncle Kensei Kanase was hardly cruel—but he was a pure scholar of magic, obsessed with forbidden research, and emotional warmth wasn’t something he had much to give.

At school, her striking beauty had kept her peers at a distance. She had spent much of her life alone, convinced she was unwanted, quietly nursing feelings of inferiority.

Her habit of raising stray kittens, unable to stand seeing them abandoned, was just another reflection of that deep-seated loneliness—finding comfort in creatures more helpless than herself.

On top of that, she had been subjected to human experimentation, nearly turned into an artificial angel. That kind of trauma could never be erased.

To her, the idea that she was of royal blood—equal in status to a princess, with a princess calling her “Aunt”—was almost absurd.

What had she done to deserve such a thing?

Polifonia understood all too well what her sister was feeling.

“I’m sorry… for letting you wander in the outside world for so many years.” Polifonia’s eyes brimmed with regret. “You should have been the most cherished of all, but because of our father’s cowardice, you suffered so much.”

“This is our fault. Please… give us the chance to make it right.”

But Kanon shook her head.

“I don’t see it that way.” A gentle smile, so like Polifonia’s own, bloomed on her face. “I heard that the monastery where I grew up was built by the late king in memory of my mother, correct?”

“Even though it’s gone now, it sheltered many children before the end. I was one of them. Without it, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”

“I only feel gratitude, never resentment. So please, don’t say such things again.”

Her words left both Polifonia and Lucas moved.

“Just that alone is enough for you?” Polifonia asked, incredulous.

“Yes.” Kanon’s smile was pure and sincere. “It wasn’t perfect, but I was content.”

It was no lie, and no forced politeness.

Despite all she had suffered, Kanon didn’t believe anyone owed her anything. She had seen stray kittens, shivering and hungry in cardboard boxes. She had seen other orphans like herself, with no parents and no one to rely on.

For someone like her, having a roof over her head—a place like the monastery—was already a blessing. She would never ask for more. That was who Kanon Kanase truly was: someone who was easily moved to gratitude, easily satisfied.

Even toward the foster father who had turned her into an artificial angel, she bore no hatred—only thanks for the five years he had raised her.

Everyone present could see that sincerity, that kindness, in her smile.

“You really are a good child,” Polifonia said, with a mix of admiration and pity. Kanon’s cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

“See? Didn’t I tell you?” La Folia chimed in with a laugh. “Kanon’s not the type to get carried away just because she’s of royal blood.”

No doubt the princess had already observed and judged her aunt’s character, and had relayed that assessment back to the royal family.

This trip might have been a family reunion on the surface, but whether Kanon would be accepted as a member of the Aldegyr royal family was another matter entirely.

What if the one they found turned out to be someone intent on seizing power?

What if she resented the royal family for abandoning her?

Such a person, even if found, would be more of a liability than an asset to the Kingdom.

After all, Kanon was an illegitimate child. Even as Polifonia’s sister by blood, the fact they didn’t share the same mother meant there would always be cause for caution.

In royal families, even true siblings could end up as bitter rivals. The court was rarely a place for sentiment.

La Folia’s mission to Itogami Island had been publicly called a diplomatic visit, privately framed as a search for lost kin—but in truth, it was also an evaluation, to determine whether Kanon would bring trouble to the royal family.

After this time together, La Folia had decided: her aunt was harmless.

Welcoming her home would be nothing but a joy.

A girl who carried the royal bloodline and possessed such a strong spirit medium talent could only be a boon to Aldegyr.

Perhaps Kanon’s return could even bring the Kingdom new strength.

Unfortunately…

“You really won’t come back to Aldegyr with us, Kanon?” Polifonia finally asked.

Chapter 453 – This Woman Really Is Vicious

In that instant, everyone’s gaze focused squarely on Kanon Kanase.

Lucas and Polifonia both wore expressions that were equal parts anticipation and gravity.

La Folia watched quietly.

Kaiser did the same—he clearly had no intention of interfering in this family’s discussion.

And under the attention of everyone present, the usually timid Kanon Kanase showed an unexpected firmness and resolve.

“Yes. I have no intention of going to the Kingdom of Aldegyr.”

There wasn’t the slightest trace of hesitation in her reply.

“Why?” Lucas couldn’t hold back, blurting out, “If you come back to Aldegyr with us, you’ll be a royal princess—far better than staying in some remote demon district in the Far East!”

Lucas had no particular fondness for Itogami Island.

Aldegyr had long stood on the front lines against the Warlord’s Dominion, locked in centuries of war with the demons. The relationship between the two sides was like water and fire—one could even say they were mortal enemies.

Though the Sanctuary Treaty had greatly eased tensions and the two nations no longer fought to the death as they once had, countless citizens of Aldegyr had still lost their lives to the demons. Many still bore deep-seated hatred.

Lucas wasn’t one to despise every demon outright—after all, nearly twenty percent of Aldegyr’s population were immigrants from the Warlord’s Dominion, and another ten percent were half-bloods—but as someone who’d fought on the front lines for years, his hands stained with demon blood, his feelings toward them were far from friendly.

For him, a demon special zone like Itogami Island was certainly not somewhere his family should want to remain.

But Kanon Kanase felt differently.

“I grew up here. I’ve never wanted to live a royal life.” She spoke with a touch of apology. “I may be shy and have few friends, but there are still people and places here I’m attached to.”

“So… please allow me to refuse your kindness.”

“I’m truly sorry.”

She bowed her head to Lucas and Polifonia, prompting the two to exchange glances.

“You really won’t reconsider?” Polifonia still tried to persuade her. “Your adoptive father—and uncle—has already been convicted by the Administration Bureau for the crime of forbidden human experimentation. It’s unlikely he’ll ever be released.”

“If you insist on staying here, then once we leave, you’ll have no one.”

“And when that happens… what will you do?”

It was a question she couldn’t ignore.

The convent where she’d been raised no longer existed, and her adoptive father-uncle was gone. If Kanon Kanase stayed behind, who would she rely on?

Live alone?

A fourteen-year-old girl, without an adult to look after her—who could feel at ease with that?

Even if the Aldegyr royal family arranged for her to live comfortably, wouldn’t it still be lonely? Isolated? Was that really fine?

“I…”

She wanted to say she’d be fine on her own, but the words caught in her throat.

Clearly, even she had no real confidence in her ability to get by alone on Itogami Island. She wasn’t incapable—just unsure.

Could she really manage on her own? The thought left her uneasy.

And then—she couldn’t help but turn her head toward Kaiser.

That glance drew everyone else’s eyes to him as well.

“?”

A question mark practically appeared over Kaiser’s head.

…Why is everyone looking at me?

“Kid,” Lucas growled, his expression darkening, “don’t tell me you’re the one who talked Kanon into this?”

His hand was already reaching for the war axe at his side.

“What would I even have talked her into?” Kaiser frowned. “This has nothing to do with me.”

“You—!” Lucas started, but was cut off.

“Father, perhaps you should stop talking for now,” La Folia interrupted smoothly. “I can assure you, Kanon’s decision wasn’t influenced by anyone. The fact that she looked at Kaiser just now simply shows her trust in him.”

Lucas clearly didn’t like that explanation, but within this family, his say didn’t seem to carry much weight.

“I understand what you mean, Kanon,” Polifonia said gently, as though she could see straight through the girl’s heart. “Are you truly decided?”

“Mhm.” Kanon’s cheeks flushed pink, and with a shy nod she murmured, “I want to live with him… with Senpai.”

Kaiser finally understood.

She was really planning to move in with him—permanently.

Not just temporarily, but to settle down by his side after the Aldegyr delegation left.

That was… basically a request to live together.

“No! I don’t approve! Absolutely not!”

Lucas exploded, leaping to his feet in outrage.

“Dear.”

“Father.”

Both Polifonia and La Folia voiced their disapproval at his outburst, but this time he ignored them.

“My daughter already refuses to marry anyone else, and now you want my wife’s sister too?!” Lucas roared. “What the hell have you been feeding them?!”

“I don’t approve! Absolutely not!”

“How could I just let some punk take my family?!”

With a bellow, Lucas seized his war axe.

“If you insist on taking both La Folia and Kanon, then you’ll have to defeat me first!”

He seemed deadly serious—immediately activating the axe’s magic circuits. Runes along its head began to glow, gathering vast amounts of mana, shaping it into a forged holy sword.

A brilliant light bloomed along the weapon, Lucas’s presence swelling in power. The sacred aura, enough to make even high-ranking demons tremble, only earned an unimpressed look from Kaiser.

“Your Majesty, can you not get so worked up all the time?” Kaiser sighed, as though dealing with a particularly troublesome child. “You’re not my match—why keep drawing your weapon?”

“What did you say?!” Lucas grew even more agitated. “Don’t think beating me once means you’ve got me figured out! If I get serious, someone like you—”

Before he could finish, his daughter interrupted him yet again.

“Keep running your mouth and you won’t just be disgracing yourself, Father—you’ll be disgracing the entire Aldegyr royal family.” La Folia didn’t spare him any face. “Let’s be honest—Kaiser easily defeated Dimitrie Vattler. Where exactly are you getting the confidence to claim you could beat him?”

In the Warlord’s Dominion, the territory bordering Aldegyr belonged to Vattler’s Duchy of Ardeal.

In other words, the enemy Aldegyr had clashed with for centuries was Vattler himself.

They knew better than anyone how terrifyingly strong he was.

If Kaiser could defeat him with ease, then there was no way Lucas could treat him as an opponent he could simply crush.

“Grk…” Lucas swallowed hard, though he still muttered defiantly, “I’ve long decided to take that battle-addicted show-off’s head. He’s nothing special just because you beat him.”

That level of stubbornness made him sound less like a king and more like a sulking old man.

“How about this, then?” La Folia’s eyes gleamed as she suddenly smiled. “If you lose to Kaiser again in a duel, you won’t interfere with our marriage anymore.”

“If you’re defeated, whether it’s me or Kanon, we’ll both be free to marry Kaiser. What do you say?”

She punctuated that by wrapping her arms around Kaiser’s, pressing him deep into a soft embrace.

“Kanon, would that be acceptable to you?”

La Folia looked to her, and Kanon’s face went bright red.

“Um… I’m not worthy… please take care of me, Senpai.”

The girl bowed to Kaiser at the most inopportune moment, speaking as if this were already decided.

“Wait—I—”

Kaiser was blindsided by the sudden turn of events, trying to speak—only to be silenced by La Folia pressing against him even harder.

“I believe in you. You won’t lose to Father—not against someone of his level. Right?”

The silver-haired princess smiled sweetly, her warm breath brushing against him, her lush figure making sure to keep him pinned. Kaiser sucked in a sharp breath.

This woman really was vicious—trying to use her body to make him submit.

“You… you… you…!”

Lucas trembled with rage at the sight before him, so angry he could barely speak.

“Oh dear,” Polifonia sighed, smiling wryly as though at her wits’ end. “It seems our daughter truly has her own ideas now.”

She knew exactly why La Folia was doing this.

In the Aldegyr Senate, there were already plenty plotting to marry La Folia off to some royal or noble, domestic or foreign, to stabilize the kingdom’s political landscape.

No one knew her daughter better than she did—and she knew La Folia would never submit to such an arrangement. Of course she would take measures to resist.

And if she declared her chosen husband to be the Beast King who could easily defeat Dimitrie Vattler, the Senate would have little choice but to back down.

The question was—was this merely a convenient ruse? Or did she truly intend to take the Beast King as her husband?

Polifonia decided she’d have to observe this matter very carefully.

Chapter 454 – Shaped Like Me

Lucas’s outburst never found the chance to be unleashed—because they had arrived at their destination.

During their stay on Itogami Island, the Aldegyr royal family was lodging in the top-floor estate of a luxury hotel. In the coming days, they would be meeting with the upper management of the Artificial Island Management Corporation, high-ranking officials from their own country, and influential figures from various nations, factions, and organizations also present on the island for this period—including Vattler.

While Aldegyr and the Dominion of Ardeal weren’t exactly on friendly terms, the Sanctuary Treaty had ended their large-scale wars. The two sides were now in a period of easing tensions—not a honeymoon, but far from open conflict—so encountering each other in the same demon district demanded at least a formal greeting and some diplomatic pleasantries.

Because of this, La Folia couldn’t stay at Kaiser’s place any longer. Lucas was adamantly against his beloved daughter returning to Kaiser’s home, so he forcefully brought her along to live in the estate.

Kanon Kanase was taken as well—Polifonia wanted to have a proper talk with her half-sister and reunite the family, so Kanon would be staying with the Aldegyr royals for the time being.

In the end, Kaiser was left on his own.

“Works for me,” Kaiser muttered, more than happy for the peace and quiet.

He had no interest in getting caught up in that family’s affairs—especially with La Folia. The princess was beautiful, yes, but far too scheming and deviously clever. Spend too much time with her, and he might find himself sweet-talked right onto her ship as her husband.

Kaiser could tell she had plans, but like Polifonia, he couldn’t tell if the black-bellied princess was truly serious. Best to keep his distance for now—if only to avoid becoming a target for Lucas, the troublesome daughter-obsessed king.

So Kaiser headed straight home.

Nagisa had already called to say that she and Kojou were meeting a local friend who had come to Itogami for the Festival.

“A local friend of the Akatsuki siblings, huh…”

Kaiser’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing. He simply placed the Gorgon Stone with Nagisa and had a certain night goddess handle the surveillance.

The goddess didn’t seem pleased with the arrangement—but she didn’t complain either.

After all, if nothing happened, she wouldn’t need to appear. She could just remain in the Gorgon Stone, watching. She still intended to draw Kaiser over to her side, and for that, she had patience to spare.

Patience stretching decades, centuries, millennia, tens of millennia—even millions of years. Time meant nothing to a god. She could wait.

Not that she had a choice—right now, she couldn’t resist Kaiser at all. She had no option but to obey his orders.

Surveilling a little girl? If Kaiser decided to drag her to bed right now and put her into every humiliating pose imaginable, she could only comply.

Athena was proud, but she was also a goddess who understood reality. She wouldn’t waste effort on pointless resistance—she would simply watch Kaiser quietly, and, when the time came, tempt him.

Her goal: to shape this extraordinary man into her own image.

And as the goddess of wisdom, Athena had no doubt she could.

If Kaiser knew her intentions, he’d probably just laugh.

“Before I take your shape, you’ll already have taken mine.”

That was simply how it was.

With Athena watching over Nagisa, Kaiser wasn’t worried.

Athena was one of his exclusive armaments—her strength grew as his did. Even before, she had been the threefold queen who ruled the Mediterranean, the sky, the land, and the sea—a great earth mother goddess whose power rivaled, if not surpassed, this world’s True Ancestors. Now, with Kaiser’s growth, her might had only risen further.

And a True Ancestor was already among the pinnacle of power in this world.

With Athena present, Nagisa would have a hard time finding trouble even if she tried. Should anything happen, Athena could alert Kaiser instantly, and he’d be there to handle it.

With that settled, Kaiser could finally relax.

He thought his night would be uneventful—until a text message appeared on his phone.

“…This is…”

Kaiser stared at the content for a moment—then smiled.

“Looks like I’m about to see an old friend again.”

Itogami Island, West Zone—Rokugō Hill.

For locals, this was a well-known, distinctive part of the island.

The reason was simple: this was Itogami’s most famous hotel district.

The street was a little cluttered, sparsely populated, yet carried a strange mix of quiet and tension. Here, hotels lined both sides, their signs and façades steeped in suggestive, pink-hued charm.

Clearly, these weren’t respectable inns for tourists—they were love hotels for couples looking to “deepen their relationship.”

Usually, this street was busiest right after nightfall. But tonight was different—being the eve of the Festival, most couples were likely out enjoying the festivities, leaving the area unusually quiet.

Kaiser stepped onto the street and headed deeper in.

Bzzzt…!

At a certain point, he felt himself pass through an invisible barrier. As it shattered, he entered a new space.

There, standing oddly out of place amid the love hotels, was a low red-brick building—as if it had appeared out of a vacuum.

Its windows were set with old stained glass, the door hung with a faded sign, and the shopfront décor suggested a store dealing in imported antique furniture.

“This is the place, huh?”

Kaiser clicked his tongue in mild admiration.

“Who would’ve guessed? The Lion King Agency’s Itogami branch is in a place like this?”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a voice answered.

“I wouldn’t have guessed it either—that the first person to break the ward I set here wouldn’t be an enemy, but my own disciple. Life’s full of surprises.”

It was a smooth, clear voice, like jade striking jade.

And it belonged to… a cat.

Yes—a cat.

Jet black fur, graceful form, eyes like molten gold. A thin collar encircled her neck, set with a golden-green gemstone, giving her an air of refined elegance.

The black cat sat atop the antique shop’s roof, looking down at Kaiser and speaking those words.

Kaiser glanced up at her and smiled faintly.

“Knew it was you, Master Endō.”

The black cat’s name was Yukari Endō—or rather, the person controlling her was.

Yukari Endō was an attack mage of the Lion King Agency, the head instructor of High God Forest Academy, and a master of curses, magic, martial arts, and other anti-demon techniques. Her seniority in the agency surpassed even the current Three Saints, and nearly every graduate of High God Forest had trained under her—making them, in a sense, all her disciples.

Including Kaiser himself, who had spent several years at High God Forest under her tutelage.

Though she had never taught him curses or magic, she had passed on all her martial arts to him—earning her the title of Master in his eyes.

“Well, well—the great Beast King still calls me Master? I’m flattered,” the elegant black cat said with a teasing smile in her voice.

Kaiser just shrugged.

“Don’t start, Master Endō. If you were really that flattered, you wouldn’t have ordered me here by text.”

He knew full well the cat before him was just Yukari’s familiar—her real body was over three hundred kilometers away on the mainland, remotely controlling the shikigami to speak with him.

Yukari wasn’t even human—she was a long-lived species who had walked the earth for centuries. Her age and experience gave her an old-fashioned style; she wasn’t the type to be awed by titles like Beast King, especially when dealing with her own student.

“I’m just taking advantage of my seniority,” she said breezily, her tone as relaxed as ever, revealing the easy detachment of one who had lived far too long.

“I’ll take that as a joke,” Kaiser replied, arms crossed as he looked up at the black cat. “So you’re the one running this branch office?”

“More or less.” Yukari leapt gracefully down from the roof, strolling toward him. “At least, for as long as you and that so-called Fourth True Ancestor girl are here on this island, I’ll be in charge.”

Not just anyone could handle a responsibility like this. It had to be someone who was both Kaiser’s master and one of the most senior attack mages below the Three Saints.

Chapter 455 – Not Completely Unrelated

Under Yukari Endō’s lead, Kaiser stepped into the antique shop, arriving in what seemed to be a guest reception area.

“Where’s Silver Radiant Qilin?”

Perched before him, the black cat that Yukari was controlling with her shikigami form crouched elegantly and spoke.

“That Godslayer Armament, custom-made specifically for you—why didn’t you bring it?”

Kaiser didn’t answer immediately. He simply extended a hand and clenched his fingers.

In the next instant, a silver blade engraved with intricate, arcane patterns appeared in his grasp.

“Oh?” Yukari’s brows arched, genuine surprise flickering in her golden eyes. “A spatial technique? I didn’t expect you to pick that up after leaving High God Forest.”

“No choice,” Kaiser replied casually, setting the blade down. “Since Master Yukari refused to teach me sorcery or magic, I had to learn on my own.”

“I would’ve taught you—but the higher-ups wouldn’t allow it,” Yukari deflected without hesitation. “A teacher only wants to see their disciple grow stronger. The rest isn’t for me to meddle in.”

Clearly unwilling to dwell on the topic, Yukari narrowed her eyes and examined the silver blade before her.

Her expression shifted to one of faint surprise.

“Hm… almost no wear at all. The triple-layered techniques embedded within are still perfectly integrated, as pristine as the day it was forged. It doesn’t look like it’s been used at all—yet from the activation traces, it’s clear it’s seen plenty of action. You haven’t had it long, but there are obvious signs of multiple activations. And this aura… you handle it like it’s second nature.”

Kaiser couldn’t help but marvel inwardly at her keen insight.

Just from the faintest marks and residual aura, she could deduce his habits and frequency of use. That kind of eye for detail was exactly why she’d been qualified to train High God Forest's elite.

Of course, there was no way she could know that Silver Radiant Qilin had already been bound to him as his personal Armament—accepted by its very core. Any damage or wear it sustained would simply restore itself to its original state.

Still, aside from wear, Yukari had noticed plenty.

“The pseudo-spatial severance array’s been reinforced… its output’s much stronger than before,” she said, genuinely astonished as her gaze flicked back to him. “Don’t tell me you’ve somehow gained the ability to improve a Godslayer Armament yourself?”

This was no ordinary weapon—its creation had been so difficult that producing a second had been abandoned altogether.

That such a rare, near-irreplaceable Armament not only obeyed Kaiser’s will but had also been enhanced was enough to startle anyone.

“It was just a natural result of… certain circumstances,” Kaiser said, still offering no real explanation. “I don’t have the skill to reforge it.”

“Mm?” Yukari gave him a doubtful glance but didn’t press. “Fine. It’s yours now, and only you can use it. As long as you don’t break it, do whatever you like—I won’t interfere.”

Godslayer Armaments were priceless—each one a strategic weapon. Normally, even if one was entrusted to someone, it was only on loan; ownership remained with the Lion King Organization.

Take Sayaka Kirasaka’s Type-6 Heavy Armor Anti-Demon Bow—it was merely on loan, subject to recall at any time. Every activation was logged, and misuse could see her punished or stripped of it. That was why she never used its bow form’s wide-area magic barrages recklessly—too much scrutiny.

Kaiser’s case was different.

Due to Silver Radiant Qilin's unique nature, it was effectively his personal weapon. No one would try to take it back. It had been forged from the start as a parting gift—acknowledging that once he left High God Forest and came to Itogami Island, meeting the Fourth Progenitor, he would be a force beyond their ability to leash.

If they couldn’t control the dragon, they might as well offer a token to keep relations amicable. Yukari understood this better than anyone—so she treated the matter lightly.

If it were anyone else, tampering with a Godslayer Armament would be unthinkable. Kaiser alone could do so without repercussions.

“You putting it to good use is already more than I expected,” Yukari said with a sigh. “Frankly, I thought you no longer had any need for such a weapon.”

A Godslayer Armament was powerful, yes—but still within the realm of comprehension. The mythical beasts he commanded, however, were another matter entirely—beings beyond human understanding.

If possible, the Lion King Organization would rather study those creatures than his weapon. If they could recreate and mass-produce the bioweapons of the mythic age, even ruling the world wouldn’t be out of reach.

Yukari remembered well: back when Kaiser was still at High God Forest, many had proposed dissecting him, trying to find a way to mass-produce Leviathans. Some even wanted to abduct him outright, causing no small amount of unrest. But after he defeated Dimitrie Vattler and unleashed his mythical beast army, all such voices had gone silent overnight.

When the Three Saints sent him to Itogami Island, contingency plans had been drawn up to prevent opportunistic attacks. Now, those precautions were pointless.

That battle had made it clear to the world: this man—this vessel from the mythic age—was not someone to be toyed with.

He was as strong as any Progenitor. Perhaps stronger.

To strike at him unprovoked was suicide.

“…Master Yukari?”

Her disciple’s voice broke her thoughts.

“It’s nothing,” Yukari said, shaking her head. “Put your weapon away.”

Kaiser nodded, lifting Silver Radiant Qilin and recalling it into himself.

Again, Yukari found herself musing at the mystery—she couldn’t detect even the faintest residue of a magic array.

“How’s the mission to monitor the Fourth Progenitor going?” she asked.

“You should already have the intel,” Kaiser replied with a faint smirk. “Aside from one initial stir, the Avrora inside Nagisa Akatsuki has stayed sound asleep. Her consciousness hasn’t surfaced once.”

He leaned back slightly. “For all the talk about her being the Fourth Progenitor, she’s just an ordinary girl. Neither that snake-charmer nor the Artificial Angel mess ever touched her.”

The implication was clear: Nagisa’s peaceful life was no accident—he’d made sure of it.

“You’re quite protective of her,” Yukari noted.

She knew full well it was because of him that Vattler hadn’t targeted Nagisa—or the Avrora inside her—and that the Artificial Angel incident hadn’t pulled her in.

The world’s strongest vampire was a magnet for trouble. Without Kaiser’s intervention, Nagisa would inevitably have been caught up in something.

Kaiser didn’t deny it.

“The sleeping beauty inside her isn’t completely unrelated to me,” he said—referring to their shared status as vessels and the resonance they’d once experienced.

“As long as you understand that,” Yukari said, her gaze intent. “The Lion King Organization’s stance is clear: we don’t intend to interfere too much in your… mutual development. As long as you’re aware of that, you won’t have to worry about us making trouble for you.”

Kaiser’s expression didn’t change. He wasn’t sure if they’d truly stay out of his way—but if they thought he was still as easy to handle as back at High God Forest, he’d have no problem teaching them otherwise.

Mythic beasts? That was just one of his authorities. His true trump cards—the god-slaying Armaments—no one in this world had even seen yet.

He was about to speak when a voice came from behind him.

“Senpai?”

The voice was filled with surprise—and delight.

(End of Chapter)