NOVPUBThe downpour at Ichrite was getting heavier.
Even the Boss Cat Restaurant hasn’t had a customer for quite some time.
The interior of the wooden house was exceptionally quiet. The hanging lamp emitted a soft light, and the warm yellow light reflected on the vintage wooden stairs, completely blocking out the storm outside.
Most of the customers in the shop were leisurely enjoying their meals, occasionally looking at the rain outside the window.
"..."
Phoenix looked at the clock while sipping his coffee.
If the target doesn’t show up in another hour, he will hypnotize himself again, temporarily abandon the mission, and look for another opportunity.
Last night, after Lanci brought Miss Duchess to this place, he made two more trips and then separated from her.
Now, Lanci is in Ichrite Academy fighting Adams in a Shadow World duel, and he can’t get away for a while.
Meanwhile, Frey, along with the head of the Student Council, is entertaining a visiting academic team at the Knight College.
With the two biggest variables absent, the Miss Duchess is completely unaware of the danger that has already reached her side.
It is a perfect opportunity to kill Duchess without fail.
Although the three of them together are difficult to deal with, their lives in Ichrite after their return to the world are too casual and careless.
The only one who was a bit cautious was Lanci, who gave his trump card summon, the [Great Love Poet], to Huberian to accompany her.
According to intelligence, this summoned creature possesses a very high level of self-awareness and intelligence and can connect with Lanci’s mind. As soon as the summoned creature encounters any danger, Lanci can sense it immediately.
Previously, at the [Purgatory Corridor Academy], Lilette, a subordinate of the Archbishop of Decay, failed because she unintentionally killed the Great Love Poet, which made Lanci in the dean’s office aware of the situation and rushed to save Huberian.
But this time, such good luck will not happen again.
No one can save Duchess Huberian.
Suddenly, there was a light laugh from the railing of the mezzanine on the second floor.
Phoenix, who was sitting on the first floor, slightly raised his sight, his eyes penetrated the exquisite pavilion structure of the restaurant, and fell on the stairs.
A female student wearing a fitted Ichrite Academy uniform was chatting with her companions.
With silver hair and amber eyes, tall and dignified, it was Miss Duchess Huberian.
Beside her was another woman with grey hair and a seemingly cold expression. Despite her excellent disguise and acting skills, she was undoubtedly Lanci’s ace summon [Great Love Poet].
The aura on her is very weak, no different from a first-order civilian.
As they chatted, their steps naturally slowed down.
"Miss Tata, why didn’t you wake me up?"
Huberian appeared to be a bit guilty. She had never slept so heavily before; she didn’t wake up until she had slept more than ten hours.
"I saw you were sleeping soundly."
Talia said lightly. With every step, her heels gently hit the wooden steps, making a slight echo.
"But you didn’t have to lie next to me and watch me sleep all the time…"
When they reached the middle platform, Huberian looked at the rain-soaked scenery outside the window and grumbled awkwardly.
Although the first thing she saw upon waking up was Tata’s beautiful face and her golden eyes, which gave Huberian a great sense of security, Huberian was no longer a child. This feeling of mom taking care of her while she sleeps made her very shy.
"I was afraid you would be scared."
There was no change in Talia’s expression.
"That’s true..."
It was because Tata slept next to her that she had an unprecedented peaceful sleep.
Huberian didn’t mention anything else, instead, she started asking Tata what she was going to eat later.
If she didn’t say anything, Tata might continue to accompany her like this tonight.
Although it was a bit crafty to ask for excessive care from Tata, who had agreed to a temporary contract and promised to protect her, this was one of Huberian’s rare little thoughts.
The two of them walked down the spiral staircase, and their chat accompanied them until they reached the first floor, merging into the aisle of the restaurant.
"When the rain lightens, let’s go to Ichrite Academy to check it out. Lanci might be dueling with Arolan Academy’s ace."
Huberian looked at the clock above the counter and then suggested to Talia.
"There’s nothing worth watching."
Talia responded instinctively.
But upon reflecting, she found herself somewhat curious about what Lanci was currently up to.
"But if you want to take a look, let’s go together."
Talia suggested.
"Haha, let’s try to catch Lanci in an awkward moment."
The laughter from Duchess Hyperion was relaxed and easy, while Talia, who walked shoulder-to-shoulder with her, quietly looked ahead. Together, they walked towards the counter to order food.
Neither of them noticed—
The figure of Phoenix, who was sitting at the table they were about to pass in the hallway.
"..."
Phoenix slowly raised the coffee cup in his hand to his lips, feeling slightly chilled.
Finally.
In the moment when Duchess Hyperion and Talia passed by—
Phoenix quietly sat in his seat, a barely noticeable sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Under the table, a colorful magic card emitting a pink glow had appeared in his other hand.
Accompanied by electric light piercing through the dimness outside the window, it illuminated the faces of all the people in the room as if it were daylight.
Boom!!
The gentle background music floating in the restaurant was momentarily drowned by the rolling thunder outside.
At the same time—
No one noticed that the music amidst the thunder had changed its tone.
The customers in the corridor, on the seats, suddenly ceased all activities with emotionless, rigid expressions and vacant stares.
They all stood up in unison, turned around, took hefty steps, and all stared at Duchess Hyperion!
Not just by the thunderclap, Phoenix made his move too.
The cold light from the sharp blade of the dagger firmly held in his right hand was thrown with all his force, before Hyperion had time to turn around. It was enough to split the fourth-order Duchess Hyperion in half!
While Hyperion looked shocked, a clear cut mark had already appeared on the distant floor.
When the floor’s crack passed by Duchess Hyperion, it was as if a stronger force had stopped it, disappearing completely.
The reason Duchess Hyperion seemed unscathed was because she possessed a lifeline card.
This attack also struck the Great Love Poet, who, being only first-order, would disintegrate immediately.
Duchess, today, you won’t escape!
Phoenix, his cold countenance no longer concealing his murderous intent, stood up and approaches Huberian.
The civilians in the restaurant moved mechanically picking up knives and forks and charged at Duchess Hyperion like a death assault.
At this point—
Lanci sensed danger with Duchess Hyperion.
But he wouldn’t be able to rush over in time!
This battle will end soon.
Next, Duchess Hyperion will carry out a deadly battle with Phoenix, who was controlling the civilians in the restaurant, with nowhere to run.
He would spare no cost to kill Duchess Hyperion as quickly as possible, or take her along on the journey towards death.
However—
An unusual feeling lingered in Phoenix’s heart, a chill sprung up his spine and spread throughout his body in an instant.
A pair of golden pupils stared him down, rendering him motionless.
It seemed like he was the real puppet at this moment.
Who was looking down on him?
Those were a pair of terrifying eyes that sent chills down his spine.
The space within the entire restaurant seemed to go pitch dark, only the pair of demonic-like golden pupils were clear. It made him feel utterly insignificant.
