Chapter 349: Lion King Matchmaking Agency
Apart from Shizuka Koyomi, there was a third person present—a young woman standing beside her.
She was much older than Shizuka Koyomi, a tall woman dressed in a white lab coat with a mostly expressionless face.
"If I remember correctly, you're the assistant working under Mimori Akatsuki, aren't you?" Natsuki Minamiya asked bluntly, exposing the woman's identity.
"Yes. My name is Toyama Miwa. In addition to being Ms. Mimori Akatsuki's assistant, I am also a special operative of the Lion King Organization and the observer of the Twelfth Progenitor."
"Your purpose?"
Upon hearing the woman introduce herself as the observer of the Twelfth Progenitor, Natsuki Minamiya's brow furrowed. She knew the people from that "Lion King Matchmaking Agency" never had good intentions, but she hadn't expected the woman to say something so ridiculous it almost made her burst into laughter.
"I hope Yotsuba Mahiro will return the twelfth Night Lord of the Blazing Light. She does not belong to him."
Natsuki Minamiya did not answer immediately. Instead, she looked at the plain-looking girl and asked, "Is this Shizuka Koyomi's intention?"
Shizuka Koyomi shook her head and said expressionlessly, "It has nothing to do with me. I only hope that Lady Natsuki Minamiya can persuade Yotsuba Mahiro to withdraw from the Banquet of Blazing Light."
As soon as those words were spoken, a brief silence fell between the three of them.
Natsuki's breathing became slightly hurried and suppressed. Her small hand gripped her parasol so tightly that her knuckles turned white, as if she were restraining herself.
Then she smiled, a smile that was chillingly cold.
"People say your Lion King Organization is shameless, and today I've truly seen it for myself."
She first looked at the tall Toyama Miwa.
"You say the Twelfth Progenitor of the Fourth Primogenitor doesn't belong to Yotsuba Mahiro? Then I'd like to ask, who does she belong to? Does she belong to your Lion King Organization? I recall the Fourth Primogenitor existed long before your Lion King Organization even began. Since when did a Primogenitor become your property to distribute as you see fit?
Or do you intend to use your title as an observer to forcibly demand the Twelfth Progenitor just to give her to your paramour?
I heard that Akatsuki Kojou and Mimori Akatsuki have a strained relationship and have already divorced. Are you so anxious to use this chance to take her place?"
"Kojou and I are not in that kind of relationship!"
Toyama Miwa immediately retorted loudly, her breathing quickening with anger. Seeing this, Natsuki Minamiya couldn't help but sneer.
"Heh, did I hit a sore spot? Who doesn't know that your Lion King Organization's nickname is the 'Lion King Matchmaking Agency'? You send women to various factions under the guise of observation."
Now, not only Toyama Miwa, but even Shizuka Koyomi's expression turned unsightly.
"Lady Natsuki Minamiya, you are overstepping."
Although she was the new Shizuka Koyomi, she was also the foster sister of the previous Shizuka Koyomi, Fujisaka Touka, and was well-acquainted with the internal affairs of the Lion King Organization.
However, understanding is one thing; many things simply aren't meant to be said out loud.
Clearly, Natsuki Minamiya had broken that rule.
"Overstepping? I haven't even started on you yet, little girl."
Natsuki Minamiya turned her head to the plain girl and said, "As far as I know, your Lion King Organization is merely a facilitator for this Banquet of Blazing Light. The real decision-makers are those three old geezers, right? In what capacity, and for what reason, are you stopping Mahiro from participating in this banquet?"
"Yotsuba Mahiro and the 'Secretary Witch' at his side are dangerous and uncontrolled. I need to ensure that the Banquet of Blazing Light proceeds without any issues," Shizuka Koyomi responded in a deep voice.
But her words only made Natsuki Minamiya want to laugh more.
"Dangerous? Setting aside the man Yotsuba Mahiro, tell me, when has Tokoyogi Aya ever shown dangerous or overstepping behavior? Although she was released from the Prison Barrier, she is still under my supervision. In these past few months, Aya has never done anything out of line!"
Shizuka Koyomi shook her head and said, "No, there was something. At the MAR Research Institute on Gozo Island, Tokoyogi Aya killed many beastmen, and Yotsuba Mahiro personally killed Golan Hazaroff."
At those words, Natsuki Minamiya's face went completely cold.
The anger in her heart reached an unprecedented peak!
"I see the Lion King Organization really is rotten to the core! Little girl, do you not know who attacked the MAR Research Institute? Do you not know those beastmen, or Golan Hazaroff's identity?!"
That was a key cadre of the Black Death Emperor Faction—a terrorist organization that tore up the Holy Ground Treaty!
Forget killing him; he deserved to be pulled out and cut into a thousand pieces, and it wouldn't be a problem no matter who did it!
"I am merely speaking of the facts."
"A fine 'speaking of facts'!"
Natsuki Minamiya felt her body tremble slightly with rage, her eyes almost spitting fire. However, she suppressed her temper, a cold sneer forming on her lips.
"Since we're speaking of facts, then I have something to say. Everyone knows that the entirety of Europe belongs to the territory of the First Night Empire of the Lost Warlord, Qi Juranbalada. Gozo Island also falls under the jurisdiction of the Lost Warlord. Even that old man hasn't spoken up; in what capacity does your Lion King Organization speak today?
Does it mean the Lion King Organization's hands have reached even that old man? Or has the Three Saints of the Lion King Organization allied with the notorious terrorist group, the Black Death Emperor Faction?"
Hearing this, Shizuka Koyomi frowned. "Please do not make groundless accusations, and do not divert the topic. We are talking about Yotsuba Mahiro. Please keep that in mind, Ms. Natsuki Minamiya."
"Heh, before you say that, consider your own words, little girl. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind going to that old man to discuss this matter with your Three Saints. Distorting the truth?"
She could do that too.
She was already suppressed by a stomach full of fire because of the situation on Itogami Island, and she hadn't expected the Lion King Organization to be so shameless...
No, she already knew they were shameless, but she hadn't expected it to reach this level.
"Oh, right, let me tell you. Yotsuba Mahiro's current identity is a Demon Hunter. If you want to take action, you'd better think about the consequences."
"Doesn't your Lion King Organization love sending women to monitor targets? Why don't you consider sending a few girls to Yotsuba Mahiro? That guy would probably like that very much. Maybe he'd even listen to you then."
Natsuki Minamiya offered the suggestion kindly.
Though it was a suggestion, it was filled with sarcasm and cynicism.
This time, Shizuka Koyomi did not get angry. Instead, she pondered for a moment and nodded seriously.
"Very well, I will consider it. That is all for today. I apologize for the trouble, Lady Natsuki Minamiya."
After saying that, she turned and left with Toyama Miwa, looking as though she had made some sort of decision.
Toyama Miwa gave Natsuki Minamiya a cold glance before following Shizuka Koyomi away.
Watching their backs distort and disappear under the scorching heat, Natsuki Minamiya said nothing more, returning to her elegant, composed, and small, cute self.
Alone, she walked down the street under the blistering sun, heading off to investigate matters regarding Itogami Island.
Was Natsuki Minamiya protective?
Naturally, she was extremely protective; otherwise, she wouldn't have locked herself in the Eternal Slumber for Tokoyogi Aya.
Her purpose was to protect Aya from being harmed by anyone.
Otherwise, given what Tokoyogi Aya had done in the past, even a Progenitor stepping in to handle her wouldn't have been excessive.
As for protecting Mahiro?
It was just a convenient side task.
At least, that was the subjective thought in her mind.
Mahiro was unaware of the conflict between Natsuki Minamiya and the Lion King Matchmaking Agency. Even if he had known, he wouldn't have had the time to care, because when he returned home in the evening, he was entangled by a woman.
"Waaaah... please, have a big heart and give the Twelfth Progenitor back to me! If you don't give her back, I'm not letting go today!"
In the apartment corridor, a woman in a white lab coat with a baby face and a strikingly busty figure was hugging his leg, wailing like a shrew.
She hadn't looked after herself well; her long hair looked messy and unkempt.
Under her glasses, there were heavy dark circles under her eyes; it was obvious she hadn't slept for days.
Her crying and shouting attracted the attention of many neighbors, but after seeing it was Mahiro, they all silently closed their doors. No one spoke up.
As neighbors, they already knew this man lived with Natsuki Minamiya and was not someone to be trifled with.
But more than that, Mahiro himself was completely dazed.
Who am I?
Where am I?
What am I doing?
The three existential questions of the soul.
He had just been coming home as usual, but as soon as he stepped out of the elevator, this woman suddenly rushed out, grabbed his leg, and started bawling, begging him to return the Twelfth Progenitor to her.
She didn't care about her image at all.
If he hadn't seen the MAR ID tag hanging from her white coat, he would have suspected she was a madwoman who had escaped from a mental asylum.
However, seeing her grieving like this, Mahiro couldn't help but sigh.
"Let go of me first. We can talk this through properly."
"No! Absolutely not! Give me back the Twelfth Progenitor and then I'll let go, otherwise no deal!"
Mahiro: "..."
This woman was practically a rogue!
However, just as he was about to grab her collar and toss her out, Est and Avrora couldn't bear to watch any longer. They stepped forward and pulled at the woman's arms.
"Let go! Mahiro is mine (ours)!"
The two lolis spoke almost in unison, easily prying the woman off Mahiro's leg.
"Eh? Eh?"
The woman, who had been picked up by the two lolis and tossed aside, snapped out of it, looking dazed and even forgetting to cry.
Especially when she saw the two lolis blocking the way in front of Mahiro.
What happened?
Wait, so cute!
Her gaze fell upon Est, her eyes glowing with affection. She was as cute as Nagisa Akatsuki!
Wait!
She then looked at Avrora next to Est, and surprise immediately appeared in her eyes.
"You must be the twelfth Night Lord of the Blazing Light?! You're just as beautiful as the legends say!"
"T-That is correct!"
Avrora puffed out her small chest slightly, striking a proud pose.
Although she was shy and reluctant to interact with strangers, hearing the other party's praise made her unable to resist lifting her head high with pride.
"S-Since you know of me, then I must warn you... d-don't even think of taking Mahiro from me. H-He is my Blood Servant, no one else is allowed to touch him!"
"Eh?"
Now it was the woman's turn to be confused. She looked blankly at Mahiro, then at the small Avrora in front of her.
Blood Servant?
But this man clearly didn't show the slightest sign of being turned into a vampire.
In the next second, however, Mahiro's hand lightly chopped down on Avrora's small head, causing her to let out a small whimper as tears welled up in her eyes.
"Why are you bullying me again..."
"Who told you to talk nonsense? I'm not your Blood Servant. I'm a genuine human being, and I'm your guardian!"
Mahiro lectured her in a tone that wasn't overly harsh.
But he was very persistent about his identity as a human. Even if he could have the endless life of a vampire, he didn't care.
He felt that if he threw away his identity as a human, he would stop being himself.
Mahiro would always be a human. That was something that would never change.
Then, he looked at the woman squatting on the ground and said, "From your behavior just now, you seem very familiar with matters regarding the Fourth Primogenitor. In that case, come along. Let's go inside and talk slowly."
Mahiro returned to the apartment with the two little ones.
Seeing that he had already pushed open the door, the woman finally reacted and stood up quickly.
"Wait! Wait for me, don't close the door!"
"Father, Mother, welcome back!"
Yuuma greeted them at the door with her usual enthusiasm, but when she saw a strange woman following them, she paused and asked in confusion, "Father, do we have a guest?"
"Yeah, something like that."
Mahiro nodded and said, "But there's no need to host her. Little Yuuma, take Avrora and Est back to the room first."
As he spoke, he gently pushed Avrora and Est's backs.
"Okay, Yuuma understands."
Although she wasn't sure what was going on, as long as it was an order from her Father, she would execute it without hesitation.
The same went for orders from Mother.
However, the process of taking the two lolis away wasn't smooth. Avrora was somewhat resistant, and Est flatly stated she wasn't a child and didn't need to be treated like one!
Mahiro patted Est and Avrora's small heads to comfort them. "Be good~ I'll make fried tofu and ice cream for you tonight."
Hearing this, the two little ones' eyes lit up immediately, and they obediently followed Yuuma back to the room.
And you say you're not children.
A soft smile appeared on Mahiro's face until the door was tightly closed. Standing in the entryway, he slowly pulled back his smile and looked expressionlessly at the woman behind him.
"Come in. If there's anything, we can talk slowly."
Although he had already guessed the woman's identity with eighty to ninety percent certainty.
As for her purpose, he was also quite curious.
In the living room, Natsuki Minamiya—who had returned at some point—was sitting on a single sofa, legs crossed, holding a tray and elegantly sipping fragrant red tea spiked with brandy.
Tokoyogi Aya sat on the opposite single sofa, holding a book in her hands.
The text recorded in it wasn't about magic, but rather philosophical stories. This was a hobby she had recently picked up.
Mahiro sat on the long sofa, leaning back in a rakish manner.
Their gazes were fixed on the woman sitting on a stool, looking somewhat cowering.
Just a moment ago, the woman had stated her identity and purpose.
Her name was Mimori Akatsuki, a lead researcher in the medical department of MAR, the ex-wife of Akatsuki Kojou, and the guardian of Nagisa and Akatsuki Kojou.
As for the purpose of her visit, it was indeed to demand the Twelfth Progenitor, Avrora Florestina.
But it wasn't to participate in the Banquet of Blazing Light; she had no interest in such things.
She only wanted to save her daughter, Nagisa.
Even her coming to Itogami Island was for this purpose.
After Nagisa had been brought back to life, her body suddenly became weak, and the situation was getting worse. Now, she was bedridden.
Because Nagisa's constitution was that of a medium—and a top-tier one at that—she had come into contact with the sleeping Avrora.
At that moment, the Root took the opportunity to attach itself to Nagisa.
Her fragile body was carrying two souls, one of which was immense, causing Nagisa's body to become extremely weak.
Thus, Mimori Akatsuki came seeking the Twelfth Progenitor, hoping to move the soul of the Root back into Avrora's body.
After listening, Mahiro was silent for a long time before he spoke.
"Since you care for your daughter so much, then why did you let your children board Gozo Island in the first place and go to the room housing the twelfth 'Faerie Coffin'? You thought you were being seamless, trying to use Nagisa as a medium to communicate with Avrora—did you think no one else would know?
And do you know what would have happened if I hadn't appeared that day, or if I hadn't stepped in?"
In the worst-case scenario, the siblings Akatsuki Kojou and Nagisa would have died on the spot.
In the best case, Akatsuki Kojou would have become Avrora's Blood Servant as in the original story, saving Nagisa.
But one thing wouldn't have changed: the soul of the Root would still be hidden within Nagisa.
"I... I know! But I wasn't aware of any of that!"
Mimori Akatsuki gritted her teeth and said resentfully, "It was all that bastard Akatsuki Kojou. Behind my back, I don't know what kind of deal he made with that vixen from the Kaluana family, wanting to use my precious daughter to establish a connection with Avrora!"
"As the research director of MAR, you weren't aware?"
Mahiro's gaze became increasingly strange. Mimori Akatsuki nodded heavily.
"Yes! Although I am the research director of MAR, MAR has many departments. This matter wouldn't pass through the medical department at all."
This explanation caused Mahiro to fall into thought once again.
Seeing that he hadn't agreed, the woman who had been sitting on the chair suddenly fell to her knees on the floor, her forehead touching the ground as she bowed deeply.
"I know my request is excessive, but I beg you, I just want to save my precious daughter."
The reason she divorced Akatsuki Kojou was precisely because of this.
And now, her children, Akatsuki Kojou and Nagisa, were everything to her.
As long as she could save Nagisa, she was willing to pay any price.
"Truly a great and moving mother."
As soon as he said that, Natsuki Minamiya and Tokoyogi Aya both looked at him. Even Mimori Akatsuki raised her head, her face full of excitement.
"Mr. Mahiro, you agree?!"
"No, I don't, and I won't hand Avrora over to you."
Mahiro refused bluntly. Mimori Akatsuki's expression immediately became dejected, and she slumped onto the cold floor with her legs splayed.
But the next sentence gave her a glimmer of hope.
"However, I can go with you first to check on your daughter's condition."