Ch.45Chapter 45. Knight of the Iron Wall (5)

“Phrysis.”

Lois alternated between thinking about the name Phrysis and Ryu who had just left.

It had been a much more productive dinner than expected.

Initially, he had simply come to see the commoner Ryu, who was both Elaine’s friend and the academy’s hot topic.

‘I didn’t expect the Phrysis Family to be moving this aggressively.’

Unexpectedly, he not only discovered Ryu’s identity but also learned who was behind him.

At first, Lois hadn’t believed Ryu’s words, but the more he thought about it, the more everything made sense.

Someone with skills that were hard to believe for an academy freshman couldn’t have appeared out of nowhere without backing.

A swordsman skilled enough to briefly cross blades with him as an equal.

To have such talent enrolled as a student rather than a professor would require backing from one of the Six Families.

Moreover, Lois felt that Ryu hadn’t been fighting at full strength.

There was a distinct sense of ease in his movements, suggesting he was deliberately holding back.

‘Where did they find someone with such skills?’

Lois was less curious about what the Phrysis Family had noticed and more about where they had found someone as skilled as Ryu.

Though the Phrysis Family must have provided support, it would still require immense natural talent to reach that level at such a young age.

Besides, the Phrysis Family was known for magic, not swordsmanship.

The swordsmanship Ryu had displayed earlier was something that couldn’t possibly be learned within the Phrysis Family.

Though lacking a formal system, it was extremely efficient and sharp—the sword of a knight with extensive combat experience.

‘I wonder how it would be to face him properly.’

Lois closed his eyes, recalling his earlier duel with Ryu.

Though he was at an age where retirement from active duty wouldn’t seem strange, Lois’s competitive spirit was still very much alive.

Seeing such a brilliant young talent after so long had ignited his passion.

Knock-knock-

“Yes?”

“Father, it’s Elaine.”

Lois, who had been lost in thought, snapped out of his contemplation at the sound of knocking.

The door opened to reveal Elaine with her flowing long hair.

“What brings you here?”

“Um… may I ask…”

“Hmm?”

Elaine hesitated before carefully opening her mouth.

“M-may I ask what conversation you had with Ryu earlier?”

“Hmm?”

Lois tilted his head at the unexpected question and looked at Elaine.

Naturally, the fact that Ryu was working under the Phrysis Family and had infiltrated the academy was a secret.

As a fellow member of the Six Families, Lois had agreed to turn a blind eye to Phrysis’s activities.

So they had mutually agreed to tell Elaine only that the duel had ended well.

“Why do you ask?”

“Well, Ryu said…”

“What did that friend of yours say?”

“He said he probably won’t be able to visit our home anymore…”

“Hmm. If a commoner has offended the head of the Sinclair Family inappropriately, it would be proper for him to show such restraint.”

“Father…!”

Elaine looked directly at Lois, startled by his words.

While factually correct, it had all happened during their duel.

The father she knew wouldn’t normally react this strongly to such provocation.

‘Huh…’

Though initially confused, Elaine felt her anxiety disappear when she saw Lois’s smiling face, though she didn’t understand why.

It had been a very long time since she’d seen her father smile like this.

“Hmph. ‘Won’t be able to visit again,’ he says. That simply won’t do. Elaine, make sure to bring him again when you have the chance. Tell him I personally requested it.”

“Ah.”

“If you tell him I personally invited him, he’ll probably come even if he doesn’t want to.”

“…Yes!”

‘Thank goodness.’

Elaine unconsciously let out a sigh of relief at her father’s words.

She had been worried since Ryu had said he wouldn’t be able to come here anymore as he left.

After all, she had invited her friends home with good intentions.

“Also tell him that next time, I’ll properly teach him a lesson.”

‘With his pride, this should be enough to bring him back.’

Though Lois had only crossed swords with Ryu a few times, he had clearly read the confidence and pride in Ryu’s movements.

Lois was quite good at handling such people.

“Yes! I’ll be going now!”

Seeing Elaine leave with a much brighter voice than when she had entered, Lois smiled.

Thinking that next time he met Ryu, he would really have to teach him a thing or two.

**

‘Was that really true?’

“That’s my opinion on the matter.”

“Uh…”

As soon as I left the Sinclair mansion, I thought I should find Yuria as quickly as possible, but there was no need.

I returned to the office to ask Addy about Yuria’s whereabouts, only to find Yuria right in front of me.

Yuria, drinking tea with Addy in my office, looked the same as when I had last seen her.

She still had that uniquely relaxed and elegant atmosphere, and her mage-like attire was the same too.

Of course, none of that was particularly important—what mattered was that I had met Yuria before Lois.

I wondered if this was finally the effect of investing my stat points in luck.

What incredible timing for Yuria to visit the office.

My luck was truly good.

I told Yuria about what had happened with Lois Sinclair and how I had covered things up with him.

After listening to me, Yuria smiled and said she understood.

Now I could relax.

From there, it was Yuria’s turn.

The reason for Yuria’s visit was to examine the ghoul corpses I had retrieved from the inter-year competition, and she had already completed a preliminary investigation with Addy.

And the words coming out of Yuria’s mouth were completely unexpected.

“This worked out perfectly. I wanted to investigate inside the academy anyway. As you know, the Crescen Academy is directly under imperial control, so external intervention is extremely difficult. Our leader has quite the foresight, doesn’t he?”

“That’s… what?”

Yuria took another sip of tea with a slight smile.

The words I had hastily made up for Lois Sinclair had somehow become reality.

Yuria was genuinely suspicious of someone inside the academy and apparently had evidence to back it up.

What I had fabricated for Lois turned out to be actually happening—suspicious activities were really occurring inside the academy.

“Having been at the academy myself, I know that such incidents absolutely cannot be orchestrated from outside without internal cooperation. There must be collaborators inside.”

Yuria spoke with a confident tone.

Given the situation, my decision to bring back several ghoul corpses from the competition turned out to be extremely helpful.

I had collected the undead corpses thinking that more data would help the Black Shadow Corps, with no other intention.

Yuria said examining the ghoul corpses had further confirmed her suspicions.

“But I can’t figure out their objective. I thought they would move more cautiously after we took the hourglass.”

Yuria put down her teacup with a serious expression.

“Are the hourglass people and these guys the same?”

“Most likely.”

“Oh.”

I wasn’t sure where she got her information, but Yuria’s knowledge was truly extensive.

The way she spoke with such certainty about facts even Addy didn’t know confirmed this.

‘I’m really glad she’s on our side.’

If Yuria had been my enemy rather than a member of our corps, she might have already discovered my identity.

“If the hourglass group and the masterminds behind this undead incident are the same people, this is bigger than I thought.”

I had felt it when I went with Erika to steal the hourglass.

The hourglass heist was no simple task.

Erika, who extremely disliked accepting help from others, had been the first to say she needed my assistance.

Without me, they probably couldn’t have stolen the hourglass at all.

The barrier surrounding the hourglass that day was a new type I had never seen before.

Plus, the two people guarding the hourglass were quite formidable.

Not to brag, but I played a crucial role that day.

“Yes. This isn’t confirmed information, but…”

“What is it?”

“I believe that organization’s goal is to resurrect a demon.”

“Resurrect a demon?”

“Yes. The resurrection of a nameless demon. Looking at their actions, that’s the most logical objective.”

Yuria continued with her serious expression.

I couldn’t quite grasp the scale of a demon resurrection, but judging by Yuria’s expression, it seemed to be a serious matter.

“Fufu. Since things have turned out this way, why don’t you really work under me, Leader?”

“Hmm?”

Yuria quickly changed her expression and spoke with a bright smile.

“I have more information on this matter than the entire Black Shadow Corps.”

“Come on. You’re part of the Black Shadow Corps too, Yuria.”

“That’s true, but…”

Yuria shrugged with a smile.

“So, is there something we actually need to do?”

“Yes. I have a few suspects in mind. If our leader investigates personally, I think we’ll find out quickly.”

“Hmm. Is that so?”

“Yes. I’ll provide those details separately later. By the way.”

Yuria stood up from her seat and dusted off her clothes, apparently finished with the conversation.

“Show me that green one.”

“Oh. You know about Greenie?”

“Addy told me earlier.”

“Ha! So Addy couldn’t resist bragging. It does have quite the impressive appearance.”

“Fufu.”

Yuria just laughed silently.

I should definitely show off Greenie to Yuria first.