Chapter 65: The Heavy Iron Fist from the Mentor

The mysterious figure glanced back in the direction of the Magic Academy once more. Sensing Tolan's magical aura, she decided to leave the scene.

However, the moment she turned around, she saw two fully armed Hatters standing directly behind her.

"Hello. Would you be so kind as to accompany us back?"

"Her Imperial Highness has given orders for us to ensure the security of Lord Roland."

"Although you have indeed helped Lord Roland eliminate many hidden troubles, we must... ask you to state your identity."

The two Hatters blocked the mysterious figure's path from left and right.

The mysterious figure glanced at the Hatter on her left: "You guys, didn't we just meet last night? I even greeted you."

"Besides, since our goal is to protect that fellow Roland anyway, shouldn't we be on the same side?"

"Harming an ally by mistake is a foolish endeavor."

The two Hatters did not lower their guard because of her words.

Both kept their hands resting on their weapons, ready at any moment to draw the handaxes at their waists and the modified, high-caliber hand cannons.

The mysterious figure seemed to realize something as she looked at them: "Ah, don't tell me you two haven't even reported my existence to that Her Imperial Highness yet."

The two Hatters fell silent.

It wasn't that they didn't want to inform Iluvia, but rather that she had left with Flam before they even had the chance.

Seeing that the two Hatters had no intention of speaking, the mysterious figure sighed.

Well, communication failed.

Every time she carried out a mission, she ran into people like this.

So what if she dressed a little stealthily?

Why couldn't people just place a bit more trust in her?

Fortunately, that old man Tolan didn't forbid her from revealing her employer.

"Don't worry, I was sent by Master Tolan to protect his student. There is no conflict of stance between us."

"How are we supposed to believe that?"

The Hatter's question plunged the mysterious figure into silence once more.

That... well, she supposed she didn't really have any proof.

"Sigh... I actually don't have any evidence."

The two Hatters tightened their grips on their weapons.

"Fine, but you two won't be able to stop me."

The mysterious figure leaned forward slightly, and the moment she moved, both Hatters launched their attack.

One closed in wielding a handaxe, while the other provided cover fire with a hand cannon.

Their coordination was as seamless as if they had practiced it countless times, one melee and one ranged, completely sealing off any possibility of the mysterious figure breaking through to the front.

As for why they didn't block the retreat path behind her... right behind her was the Magic Academy, which housed three Eighth-Ring professors, ten Seventh-Ring teaching assistants, and countless magical artifacts in various experimental states.

For an unidentified individual to run in that direction would be pure suicide, so the two felt it unnecessary.

Likewise, the mysterious figure had no intention of running backward.

With a punch, she sent her old acquaintance flying away.

With a sprint and a kick, she tilted her head to dodge the blast from the hand cannon.

Then, she vanished from their line of sight.

Her utterly absurd physical fitness and reflexes made the two battle-hardened Hatters curse inwardly.

Especially the unlucky fellow named Delan who had been sent flying.

He felt as though his head had almost been knocked clean off by that punch.

Just a fraction of an inch more, and his life would have been over.

Yet, it was clear that the opponent had held back.

"It seems our estimation of her strength was off."

"Indeed... though at least we'll have something to report when we brief the Imperial Princess."

Delan was philosophical about it; the opponent's strength was clearly beyond what the two of them could match.

As a Seventh-Ring transcendent accompanied by a Sixth-Ring warrior, their combined assault hadn't even been able to make the intruder pause for half a second.

And the opponent had clearly shown restraint. Otherwise, both of them would be corpses right now.

"Let's report it truthfully. An unidentified powerhouse; it would take at least an Eighth-Ring Enforcer to intercept her."

"However, she harbors no ill intent toward Lord Roland and shares a temporary stance with us. There is no need to provoke a conflict unless necessary."

"If the opportunity arises, we should express our apologies for this incident and smooth things over."

"Of course, should she display hostility toward our operations in the future, we must avoid initiating combat and prioritize passive defense and retreat."

"Let's report it to Her Imperial Highness just like that. My head is spinning a bit; I need to find a doctor."

The other Hatter looked utterly speechless: "Lord Delan, if you want to slack off, just say so. I can handle the report."

"Haha, then many thanks."

"Don't mention it, Instructor. But we need to move. Academy security isn't that lax; someone will be here shortly."

...

Roland stared at the sword in front of him, while Tolan, standing behind him, also fixed his gaze upon the blade.

Calyx... Calyx was busy eating the remaining half of the beef jerky.

Damn it, why was this beef jerky so tough? It was completely impossible to chew!

Though once she ground it down, the beef flavor was actually quite fragrant.

"Teacher, do you think I should pull this thing out? I feel like it really wants me to pull it out."

"Calm down, boy Roland." Tolan crossed his arms, lowering his head to stare at the sword: "Surely you've heard the legends of demonic swords, haven't you?"

"During the struggle for the Demon King's throne, the souls of those Great Demons whose physical bodies were slain by the Demon King were sealed inside magic swords personally forged by the Demon King himself."

"They serve as the power source for the demonic swords, while also allowing the wielder to borrow a portion of the Great Demon's power."

"I have a feeling this thing looks a lot like a demonic sword."

"It will lure you into picking it up, and it even moves on its own. It's obviously no ordinary cursed blade, so don't be fooled."

"The souls of those Great Demons have been sealed for so long that most are filled with fury and hatred. Anyone ordinary who grasps it will instantly become a slave to the sword."

"And then devolve into a distorted monster driven solely by the urge for frenzied slaughter."

Roland nodded: "I know, Teacher. But I'm confident. Besides, aren't you right here by my side? If anything feels off, you can just snatch the sword right out of my hand and throw it away."

"Also, when I reach for it, I'll have the Moon Spirit Marrow coat my hand to provide an extra layer of insulation."

Tolan was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Fine. Demonic swords take time to usurp a host anyway, and I'll be paying close attention."

"The moment you show any hesitation or blankness after touching the sword, I'll punch you flying and snatch the sword out of your hands."

Roland: "..."

"You aren't going to actually punch me to death, are you?"

"Rest assured, I know my own strength."

Roland didn't quite trust Tolan's words, but he had no other choice.

At least he had the World Tree's protection as a fallback.

Worst case scenario, his rune skills would just go on cooldown.

He definitely wouldn't die.

Calyx also began gnawing on her beef jerky with extreme tension.

She was nervous too.

Yet she trusted that Roland wouldn't do anything without being sure of himself.

Besides, she felt that this sword probably didn't have any major issues.

In fact, she felt a rather strange sense of familiarity with it, as if the sword should have belonged to her in the first place.

Mh... wait, it wouldn't really be a demonic sword, would it? She was a witch, after all, and she didn't even use swords.

Roland took a deep breath. The gauntlet formed by the Moon Spirit Marrow completely covered his palm before he reached out and grasped the hilt.

The exact moment his hand fully closed around the hilt, the system in his mind rang out.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for seizing the Sword of Silence from Sloth, the Apostle of Wild Desire! The culprit behind the fall of the capital has lost their greatest protective artifact.]

[Ding! The host may choose to hand this sword over to the Eternal Night Witch, Calyx, for disposal, leaving it to her to decide the fate of the artifact that caused her powers to spiral out of control, turning most of the royal capital into an eternal night and a dead zone.]

[Note: Regardless of what choice Calyx makes, progress points toward turning over a new leaf will be awarded.]

Why had Calyx's title changed? Wasn't she the Nightmarish Witch? How did she become the Eternal Night Witch?!

Roland was stunned.

And in the next instant, he was sent flying by a tremendous force, while the sword in his hand clattered to the ground.

He had let his guard down!