The Greatest Warrior of All Time Returns-Chapter 396

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Chapter 396

I suppose I really did underestimate Lucifer’s existence.

I responded immediately, so I no longer hear his voice, but the fact that he could still initiate conversation despite a fairly strong seal being placed on him…

It’s honestly absurd.

“Um… is something wrong, Sir Leon?”

“No, it’s nothing. But—when you say something feels strange, what exactly do you mean?”

“Ah, well… according to the Intelligence Bureau’s own assessment, he’s considered an ordinary, harmless, decent individual. Ah—no, never mind. Please don’t concern yourself with it.”

“It’s fine. Please, tell me.”

At my insistence, he hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.

“I’ve worked in intelligence for decades. To be completely honest—judging purely by an information officer’s intuition—he’s someone you absolutely shouldn’t get close to.”

With an uneasy expression, he continued.

“Do you have any concrete evidence?”

“Well… that’s the problem. How should I put it… it’s nothing but experience and gut instinct. Ah, but even so, it’s not a case involving political issues or a severely twisted personality, so there’s no need to worry about that.”

If it had only been the viscount’s words, I wouldn’t have given it much thought.

But—

What Lucifer said before being sealed lingered in my mind.

‘An interesting one? Someone who’d be troublesome to keep close?’

I don’t know whether that bastard was lying or not.

But if—just in case—it was true…

Then it would be better to cut it off before my sister gets hurt.

I nodded and gathered the documents.

“Thank you for your concern.”

“Not at all, Sir Leon. One of my relatives once had their life saved thanks to you in the territory of Berner. If you ever need anything, please contact me. I’ll help as much as I can.”

Leaving behind his friendly smile, I returned to Cascadia.

Luna, who had gone out with Lispa, didn’t seem to be back yet.

“You’re back?”

“Hey. Where did you meet that guy?”

“That guy? Who are you talking about?”

“No—this guy you’ve been seeing lately.”

“Oh. Him…”

She finally seemed to understand and narrowed her eyes.

“And why do you ask?”

“Just curious.”

“Mind your own business. I have eyes too—I don’t date trash.”

She turned away, clearly not intending to explain.

Yeah.

That wasn’t surprising.

Siblings don’t usually share every detail, and for Melissa, talking about this with her older brother would obviously be embarrassing.

Honestly, just having this much conversation between siblings who aren’t especially close is already more than enough for me.

So, armed with understanding and caution, I smiled gently at Melissa.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Creepy. You crazy bastard.”

“Stop messing around and spill it already!”

And with that, I grabbed her by the collar and shook her violently.

“Ugh!! Ack!! Ghk!!”

Screaming and flailing, she finally slapped my hands away.

“Enough!! Why do I have to report every detail of my love life?! What are you, Mom and Dad?!”

Well.

I’m not her parents.

I calmed myself and let go.

Then, after some thought, I asked—

“Then… can I go see him?”

“Hey! If you even try that, I swear I’ll die and you’ll survive—got it?! Mind your own business and take care of yourself!!”

Seeing her snap like a teenage girl in full rebellion really drove home the feeling that Melissa never got to experience a normal romance at her age.

Honestly, it made me feel a little sorry for her.

“Good grief, that temper. At the very least, he could end up being your husband—you should let me know who he is. Don’t forget your position.”

“Get lost! I looked into him carefully myself!”

At that, I raised both hands and decided to retreat.

—Kuhahaha! Hahahahaha! This is hilarious! Truly amusing! To think a human this strong would be reduced to such helplessness!

Lucifer’s voice echoed again.

Even with a double-layered, reinforced seal, he pierced through it as if it were nothing.

I’m not exactly bad at sealing techniques—but seeing how effortlessly he found gaps made it painfully clear just how powerful he really was.

How is this bastard even talking to me?

Was it a mistake to bring that necklace?

Frowning deeply at the booming laughter echoing inside subspace, I fell into thought.

Technically, I could ask him why this person shouldn’t be approached.

But he’s an absolutely untrustworthy and dangerous entity.

Talking to him would be the worst possible choice—only to be used as a last resort.

“…Why. What. What are you going to do just because you’re frowning like that? What can you even do!”

“…No. It’s nothing. Because of you. Fine. Your marriage is your decision. I’ll respect it.”

“….”

When I calmly declared my defeat, she looked at me awkwardly before turning away.

“I met him by chance at a city festival near the academy. That’s all. He’s kind, a bit clumsy, and warm-hearted—so don’t worry.”

The fact that she eventually answered made me realize how much she’d changed.

Leaving the room, I naturally scooped up Grivy, who was running down the hallway.

“Dad?”

“Did you have fun?”

“Yeah! It was suuuuper fun!”

Arsha had been busy studying lately, so Grivy hadn’t been played with much—but she was still bright and cheerful.

“When the baby’s born, Grivy will feed them milk and sing lullabies!”

“Right. Whether you become a big sister or an older sister, I’ll leave the baby in your care.”

“Leave it to Grivy!”

I genuinely liked how innocently Grivy was growing up.

Holding her as I walked, I watched her hop out of my arms and run over to Sur and Serqet, then turned around.

For now, the only option regarding Melissa was to consult someone with more life experience.

After some deliberation, I moved.

* * *

“So. That’s why you came to see me?”

“Yeah. You’ve lived a long time, Verus.”

“Heh… to come to me over something like this—must mean you’re quite desperate, young master.”

Laughing heartily, Master craftsman Verus—reek­ing of alcohol—banged his short legs against the chair.

“Care for a drink?”

I accepted the cup and gulped it down, but the uneasy feeling refused to fade.

I’m not used to this sort of thing.

“Work going well lately?”

“When in my life would I ever have had the chance to mine orichalcum and mithril? And since the undead handle the hard labor while the territory’s miners do the rest, all I really do is manage things. Thanks to that, I’ve been able to light the forge again and swing my hammer.”

Lately, Verus always wore a satisfied smile.

After upgrading his equipment with newer methods, his efficiency had apparently multiplied several times.

I had no intention of expanding mining operations further.

Based on memories from my previous life, once a territory becomes too dependent on mining, it ends up collapsing when reserves run low.

That’s why we focused on artifact production and exporting Fairy Wood.

“That’s good to hear.”

“Hearing about the lord and young master reminds me of my own youth.”

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Verus laughed as he shared stories from his past.

Unfortunately, the old man’s memories weren’t particularly helpful.

“So. You think there’s something off about him?”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“Hmmm… well. If the Intelligence Bureau couldn’t uncover anything, there’s no way I could. In my experience, cases like that often turn out to be nothing. It’s all a matter of perspective—but to me, he doesn’t seem problematic.”

Well.

That left me with nothing to argue.

In the end, Verus provided no useful insight.

So I contacted my second option—Isna.

And mentioned the name Paris Oldian.

“Does that name appear in your Book of Life and Death?”

—…Do you think there’s only one or two people in the world? And no, there’s no such name.

Isna replied curtly—she was busy tracking Garlan.

“Ah… okay. Thanks. And good luck.”

—….

She cut the communication.

Honestly… I find the old Isna easier to deal with.

But until Garlan and the outer gods are dealt with, that version of her probably won’t return.

She still acts like her old self in front of those who don’t know the truth—but I find that deeply unfortunate.

After some thought, I kidnapped Marian, the succubus princess, who was admiring flowers in the garden.

“You’re a succubus. You can gather information through dreams, right?”

“Can’t you just extract it directly? You always say water and fire know all the answers.”

“If I do that, he might get hurt.”

“…That wording is terrifying.”

After hearing the situation, Marian eagerly agreed to help.

Paris Oldian was currently enrolled at the academy.

He enrolled late, and unlike Melissa or Ashuria, he wasn’t talented enough to graduate early.

In short—ordinary.

No sharp edges.

No outstanding qualities.

His status was sufficient but unremarkable—perfectly acceptable as a prospective live-in husband.

Melissa must have decided not to push him away after careful consideration.

Together with Marian and Ashuria, I murmured while reviewing documents containing his appearance.

“That him?”

“If you mean the man talking with children while eating ice cream—yes.”

“He’s dumb. Professor. Same age as you, and even looks similar, but the difference in knowledge is massive.”

At Ashuria’s calm remark, Marian and I glanced at her. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

She tilted her head.

“Why…?”

“When did you get here?”

“I followed because I had something to ask… but you looked busy.”

“Just talk normally.”

“Okay, Professor.”

She casually sat down at the café table with us.

“If I help, will you teach me what I’m curious about?”

“Do you know more about him?”

“Mm… not really. I’m not interested.”

In the end, we had no choice but to investigate directly.

I decided to tail him personally.

Marian would conduct her operation through dreams that night.

Ashuria would use her remaining academy connections to gather information.

Thus—

Wearing sunglasses, I followed him around for a full day.

And reached a conclusion.

He’s bizarrely harmless.

No clear flaws.

No sharp personality.

The feeling is completely different from when Dorn used to pretend to be kind as a prince of the Pascalia Empire.

Logically, he’s just an average guy.

But something still feels… off.

There’s no sign of power struggles in the royal family.

So what’s the problem?

Or is there no problem at all?

At this point, it feels like I’m just interfering in Melissa’s love life.

If there’s no issue, shouldn’t I simply accept it?

I did once say she should only marry someone stronger than me—but such a person doesn’t exist.

And if they did, there’s a near 100% chance they’d be mentally unstable.

That was when it happened.

“Watch out!”

While strolling through the market, Paris Oldian pulled a beautiful young lady in academy uniform out of the way of an oncoming carriage.

But perhaps because he really is ordinary, he stumbled as well—and the two rolled onto the ground together.

“Ow… I’m sorry.”

“Ah!”

“H—Hey! I’m sorry! I swear I didn’t mean to!”

The young lady, clutching her chest, flushed bright red as he hurriedly apologized.

“N—No. It was an accident. Please don’t worry.”

“Ah… yes.”

“Well then… excuse me.”

Judging by the situation, his hand must have landed somewhere unfortunate during the fall.

The girl, face still red, fled in embarrassment.

That reaction was… oddly intense for simple shame.

“Seriously… what do people even see in a guy like that….”

I was genuinely surprised—he really did resemble him in appearance.

“Oh, Professor.”

“What, Ashuria?”

“There are quite a few young ladies at the academy who are secretly interested in him.”

“Interested?”

“Yeah. But I don’t think there were ever rumors of him dating anyone.”

I narrowed my eyes.

At this point, his personality is the complete opposite.

In the end, I couldn’t uncover whatever unsettling aspect the intelligence viscount mentioned.

It would be easier if he were hiding malice—but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Maybe… there really is no problem.

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