Chapter 18: Know Yourself and the SS Mission
"Zastin, was the food in the refrigerator deliberately defrosted by you, or was Lala involved too?"
Faced with Franklin's serious expression and the slight anger in his voice, Zastin still wore that same calm, indifferent look, as if nothing had happened at all.
"Whatever Lord Franklin wishes to think is fine. My explanation is of no importance."
The shift in how he addressed him — from "son-in-law" to "Lord Franklin" — made Franklin's heart tighten slightly. Looking at Zastin's detached demeanor, Franklin suddenly understood everything. Before he officially became Lala's fiancé, he was nothing.
This test was most likely orchestrated by the King of Deviluke himself. After all, his daughter was so devoted to some random blond boy that she even went to great lengths to search for special ingredients just to make him happy.
No father could accept that. Even if it were Franklin in his place, he wouldn't be able to accept it either.
Realizing this, Franklin's expression softened, and a faint smile returned to his face.
"I believe Lala wouldn't do something so childish. That means you're the one behind it. Even though you did it on purpose, I'll forgive you this time.
"In fact, I should thank you. Without being pushed like this, I might never have broken through again. But I hope this is the first and the last time."
Having said that, Franklin glanced at the information floating in front of him before heading toward where Lala and Haruna Sairenji were.
"Are you two alright?"
"I'm sorry, Lin… I just dragged you down."
Hearing Lala's slightly weak voice, Franklin nodded seriously.
"This weakness is definitely a liability. When we have time, we'll need to work on it. Once you get used to it, it won't be a weakness anymore."
"Work on it?" Lala repeated, confused, clearly not expecting Franklin to say that.
Franklin smiled meaningfully. "When it's just the two of us, I'll make sure to play with your tail — knead, rub, twist, tug… and if necessary, stimulate it a little more. I'm sure that after half a year or so, your tail won't be this sensitive anymore."
Realizing what he meant, Lala's cheeks instantly flushed bright red. Even when they had seen each other completely naked, she hadn't been this embarrassed. Franklin couldn't help but find this side of her even more adorable.
"Embarrassed? Lala, have you been learning too much indecent knowledge about Blue Star lately?"
"I haven't!" Lala protested, her face even redder. "It's just… what you said was way too explicit."
"Explicit? We first met completely naked in a bathroom, and now just a few words are too much?"
Lala's cheeks turned so red they looked like they might start dripping blood. "I-I-I haven't! Lin, you're awful! I'm not talking to you anymore!"
Watching her run off toward Zastin with a flushed face, Franklin smiled softly — but then a very important thought occurred to him.
"Lala, about the commotion at school — have Zastin handle it. Try not to cause too much of a stir. Ideally, classes should resume as normal tomorrow, and we don't want the students panicking."
With the topic changed, Lala's expression finally relaxed a little. "Got it. Lin, can you check on Haruna?"
Franklin nodded slightly, then helped Haruna Sairenji up. He took a vial of healing potion from his belt and dripped a few drops into her mouth. When she slowly regained consciousness, he lifted her into a princess carry and started toward the school infirmary.
"Lala, Zastin, I'm taking her to Ryōko to get checked. Make sure nothing else happens — I'm leaving the situation here to you."
As Haruna slowly woke, the first thing she saw was Franklin's handsome, sharply defined face.
"Huh? Franklin? Am I dreaming? But why would I dream about Franklin… Could it be that I really…"
Still dazed, she reached out and touched his cheek. Feeling the warmth and the solid presence, Haruna finally came to her senses.
"Ah! Put me down, Franklin! What are you doing? We're just classmates — we can't be this close!"
As she struggled violently, about to slip from his arms, Franklin quickly tightened his hold on her.
"Calm down. You fainted — don't you remember? The giant octopus, the tentacles?"
Prompted by his words, Haruna finally stopped resisting. "Franklin… please put me down. I can walk by myself."
"No need. We're already on the first floor. The infirmary's just a few steps away. Let Dr. Mikado check you — you did faint, after all. Better safe than sorry."
Haruna didn't argue anymore, but her face turned red fast enough to see it happen.
"Ryōko, open up! I've got a patient here."
"Ryōko?"
"Yes — my sister, Ryōko Mikado."
Before the door even opened, Ryōko's voice came from inside. "How many times do I have to tell you — use my title while we're at school."
"Fine, Dr. Mikado. Where should I put this injured student, Sairenji?"
The door opened to reveal Ryōko's face — and a deeply exasperated look when she saw Franklin's cheeky grin.
"On the bed is fine. You and Lala really know how to stir up trouble. I have a feeling this school's peaceful days are over."
After setting Haruna on the bed, Franklin began to explain.
"Don't say that. I didn't plan for any of this to happen. It was an accident this time. Next time, I'll make sure to take any danger far away from the school. By the way, do you have more healing potions? I've got another mission coming up, and I don't know how dangerous it'll be."
Ryōko's expression shifted slightly, but she quickly hid the trace of concern.
"You're such a handful. The potions are in the drawer. I'll take care of Sairenji — you can go."
Franklin didn't waste any time. As soon as he pulled out five vials from the drawer, he spotted a familiar waist pouch inside. Opening it, he found the seven vials he had prepared earlier still there.
He immediately strapped the hidden pouch back onto his waist. Together with the three potions still inside, he now had eight healing potions in total, along with two special aphrodisiacs, one special poison, and one bottle of special itching solution. That should be enough. Then, Franklin turned his attention back to the glowing text before him.
Guardian Sword · Kindred (Blue · Supreme Quality) (Growth-Type)
True Name: You Wange
Status: Bound to Franklin
Growth: 0%
Origin: Elven Continent
Race: Sword Spirit
Equipment Requirement: 100% Soul Synchronization
Soul Synchronization: 100%
Skill: Guardian Barrier (By infusing spiritual energy into the Guardian Sword, a protective barrier can be generated externally. The shape can be altered at will. The more energy infused, the stronger the defense.)
Overall Combat Power: 150–600 (Exact value depends on the user's overall power and synchronization.)
[Ding: Mission Triggered]
[Mission: Assimilate into the World]
[Mission Difficulty: SS+]
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