"Thank you for your concern, Yuki."
At this time, Shizue was completely unaware of Yuki Kagurazaka's character and ambition.
She simply took it as a student worrying about their teacher and felt genuinely comforted.
"Shizue-sensei, did you encounter anything in the forest?"
Compared to his apparent concern, Yuki's real intention was to probe for the secrets hidden within the Great Jura Forest.
During this period, the changes occurring in that forest had become the epicenter of turmoil across the entire Cardinal World.
Speculations abounded.
Some claimed Veldora had been resurrected, others believed a terrifying monster had emerged. Some said it was a conspiracy orchestrated by several Demon Lords from the East, or even the prelude to the Empire's invasion of the West.
In short, the entire continent was in a state of quiet panic.
Even the Free Guild had suffered a sharp decline in quest commissions due to the Jura Great Forest no longer being a viable hunting ground.
From this alone, it was evident just how much loss the Kingdom of Falmuth, which relied heavily on trade, had suffered during this period.
"Yuki, do not meddle in the forest's affairs."
Shizue couldn't reveal Rin's secret. She could only warn Yuki, her tone unusually serious.
"A cataclysmic change has occurred in that forest. The only thing I can tell you is this—absolutely, absolutely do not make it your enemy."
They were, after all, teacher and student. Naturally, Shizue hoped Yuki would side with her.
With his potential, if she introduced him to Rin, he would likely be highly regarded.
Unfortunately, Shizue didn't know that Yuki was not someone content with serving others.
What he desired was the entire world.
Just like that, Shizue ended the telepathic conversation.
She looked toward the Free Guild headquarters with a trace of unease, then once again resumed her journey toward the academy.
"…"
Yuki had failed to obtain the information he wanted.
But he didn't come away empty-handed.
Shizue knew.
That was the conclusion Yuki drew from her tone.
She knew exactly what was happening in the forest.
And that knowledge was clearly top secret.
But she chose not to tell him.
Was it because their relationship wasn't close enough?
No.
Yuki understood Shizue well and knew her character.
In her mind, withholding the truth was her way of protecting him.
Why?
Perhaps she believed he wasn't strong enough, unqualified to know the forest's secrets.
Excessive curiosity would only bring him harm.
Shizue was a good teacher, a very gentle woman.
She was protecting her student in her own way.
You're underestimating me, Shizue-sensei…
Yuki Kagurazaka was far stronger than he appeared.
In terms of real combat ability, he believed he was already on par with a typical Awakened Demon Lord.
Of course, this referred to those without an Ultimate Skill.
If he encountered someone who had awakened an Ultimate Skill, then with only his Unique Skill [Creator], he'd have no choice but to run.
"She's not telling you the truth…"
Kagali smirked. "This is the price you pay for acting too well."
"It's not like I gained nothing."
Yuki replied, "In the forest, a very powerful monster has likely been born. They've erected a barrier that prevents outside detection."
"But judging from Shizue's safe return, this being is not the uncommunicative type."
"At the very least, they're not like Veldora."
"And based on the intel Laplace and the others sent back…"
From all that, Yuki came to a conclusion.
"A new Demon Lord has been born."
Within the Great Jura Forest, a new Demon Lord had emerged.
It was this individual who created the barrier.
It was also this person who contacted Shizue and made her realize the overwhelming gap in power.
"That's why she told me not to dig too deeply."
If the other party was truly a Demon Lord, then in Shizue's eyes, it was only natural to hope he would stay far away.
"There's also another possibility…"
"If the being in that forest has the power to fulfill Shizue's wish…"
Yuki was very clear about what Shizue had been pursuing all these years.
To heal the children's bodies, she had tried nearly everything.
If that newly emerged Demon Lord really did possess that kind of power…
Then it wouldn't be strange for Shizue to choose to cooperate.
For her students, Shizue would gladly give her life.
"What do you plan to do?"
"Proceed with the original plan. Continue using the Rosso family to stoke the Kingdom of Falmuth's fear of the Great Jura Forest."
The Rosso family—this group was similar to the Jews from Rin's previous life.
Though they didn't have a two-thousand-year history of wandering, they manipulated the political structure of the Cardinal World from behind the scenes, funding nations and inciting wars.
And they were secretly working with Yuki.
"Also…"
"Send word to my classmate."
Yuki was referring to Sakaguchi Hinata, currently residing in the Holy Empire of Lubelius.
"What are you thinking?"
Kagali narrowed her eyes. "Are you planning to use her to provoke a conflict between Lubelius and the Jura Forest?"
"But how?"
"It's simple."
Yuki explained calmly. "If Shizue-sensei really brings the children from the academy to the Jura Forest, just as I suspect…"
"That would mean she truly found a solution."
Of course, it could also mean that Shizue had been misled or coerced into making a bad decision.
"But we won't say that. We'll fix her image in stone."
Yuki chuckled. "I'll tell Hinata that Shizue-sensei has been bewitched by the Demon Lord of the forest and is in danger, along with the children."
Given Hinata's concern for Shizue, she would act without hesitation.
Even if there were only a slight chance, Hinata would investigate.
"This way."
Yuki smiled. "With the Kingdom of Falmuth's army, plus Hinata's top-tier combat power…"
Even if a new Demon Lord had truly been born, they would still be able to handle it.
"You're one devious man, Yuki…"
Kagali sighed. "You even calculated your own teacher and classmates."
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)