Chapter 383: If You Think I'm Unfaithful, Then Don't Kiss Me
Inside the orphanage.
Shion, who had fallen into a deep coma, was placed in a room, with Yukina attentively caring for her.
Noticing Mahiro's arrival, Yukina set down the towel in her hand.
"Senpai."
"Mm, thank you for your hard work, Yukina. How is Shion?"
"Don't worry, Senpai. Shion is fine—she's just unconscious and will recover after some rest."
"..."
Looking at Shion lying on the bed, her fair face showing a peaceful sleeping expression, and hearing Yukina's reassurance, Mahiro finally felt relieved.
"I'll leave Shion in your care tonight~"
Mahiro said this in a playful tone, then turned to leave the room.
But as he reached the doorway, Yukina suddenly called out to stop him.
"Wait, Senpai. Are you going to see Lady Giada? Um... actually, this time, it was Lady Giada who saved me and Shion. If possible..."
"Mm, I know. I understand what you want to say. Don't worry, I'm just going to have a casual chat with her."
He wasn't someone who couldn't distinguish right from wrong.
When he saw Beatrice's lifeless state and noticed the presence beside Yukina—helping her carry Shion while engaging in idle chatter—Mahiro understood what had happened.
Naturally, gratitude was due where gratitude was owed.
But he had a feeling that this woman, who had lived for who knows how many years, had motives that weren't so simple.
However, when he found Giada, he discovered that she was actually telling stories to the children in the orphanage.
Seeming to sense his gaze, Giada looked up and met his eyes from across the room for two seconds.
Then, she lowered her head and smiled warmly at the children around her.
"Alright, that's all for the story. Good children should go to bed now~"
(00¯口) Okay, Sister Giada~
The children collectively addressed the Third Progenitor—a being who had lived for countless years and was enough to strike fear into the entire world—as "Sister."
This time, however, Mahiro didn't spoil the moment. After the children left, he walked over and naturally took a seat beside her.
"Today's battle truly opened my eyes. Even though it was a counterfeit, I never expected human power could bring it down from its divine pedestal... and even reverse its form, degrading it from an angel to a human."
Giada spoke while looking at Mahiro's profile, her eyes filled with amusement and a hint of nostalgia.
It was as if his figure gradually overlapped with that man who never played by the rules and was incredibly stubborn.
She remembered that Cain had once done something similarly incomprehensible—
bestowing life upon inorganic matter.
Unfortunately, Cain failed back then, while Mahiro succeeded.
"Haha, it was just a little trick that's not worth mentioning. Nothing extraordinary."
Mahiro didn't look at Giada, nor did he understand the meaning behind her gaze. He simply waved his hand dismissively.
"Hmph, not worth mentioning? You really dare to say that."
Giada immediately gave him a big, exaggerated eye-roll.
Whether it was the Magic that froze the sea back then, the long-range Magic that nearly killed her, or the power he displayed today—none of it could be ignored.
However, Mahiro did not respond to her words. Instead, he tilted his head, smiling as he looked at the woman dressed in black military uniform, examining her face.
"But you, how are you like a shape-shifting little witch, and still so popular with children... If I recall correctly, whether as a member of the Deva royal family or as a Progenitor with infinite lifespan, humans should be considered your food, right?"
"You're right, but also wrong."
Giada leaned back on her hands, swinging her legs like a little girl.
Gradually, the high heels on her feet fell to the ground with a clatter, revealing a pair of delicate feet wrapped in black stockings.
She seemed to have done this on purpose.
After the high heels fell, Giada turned her head to meet his gaze, her eyes now carrying a hint of playfulness and provocation.
Unfortunately, Mahiro gave her no reaction, simply waiting quietly for her to continue. This made Giada pout in slight frustration as she said:
"The reason I like children is influenced by Cain from back then. That person was a lot like you—not very serious, always defying common sense, and who knows what that damned head of his was always thinking, always making people angry!"
Giada gazed across the millennia at that familiar and infuriating face.
But amid her anger, she smiled again.
The sinner who led the Deva into corruption, the man called the God of Blame—was he truly wrong?
At the very least, Giada could not give a definitive answer.
No, it should be said that none of the three from back then could provide an answer; otherwise, they would not have chosen to assist Cain.
But soon, Giada set aside this memory, her expression returning to calm as she added:
"As for why I said you were wrong, it's because Progenitors are not truly immortal.
Whether it's me, that guy the Warlord, or the Eye of Extinction, we are all the same.
Beast Vassals reside within me and them, and it is through these Beast Vassals that we achieve so-called immortality. But Beast Vassals are hereditary. If I continuously give birth to direct descendants, my power will be divided, and my immortality will vanish as a result. As a Progenitor, I would die because of this.
So, do you want to give it a try?"
With these words, Giada turned to look at him, a seductive smile curling at the corner of her mouth.
The pair of fangs revealed at the corners of her lips added a touch of wicked charm to her smile.
Completely different from the caring older sister demeanor she had just shown while looking after the children, she now seemed like a bewitching Witch!
Mahiro, however, raised an eyebrow as if he hadn't understood, asking:
"Try what?"
"Naturally, to have a sweet romance with me. To unite with me, bear children, divide my power, and ultimately kill me."
As she spoke, Giada drew closer and closer, so close that he could clearly smell the sweet breath from her mouth and the unique, intoxicating fragrance on her body.
And in those emerald-green pupils, a layer of crimson desire had stained them.
Her bloodlust had flared up again.
Even Giada herself didn't understand why this was. Someone of her vampire lineage shouldn't be like this, yet whenever she saw Mahiro, her heart was always filled with longing.
Even when facing Cain, she had never felt this way.
Perhaps it was because, at that time, she was still a dignified young lady.
"I think we should just forget about it."
Mahiro stood up and distanced himself from her.
"I'm afraid you might drain me dry."
"Hehe, are you sure? This is your best chance to kill me, you know."
Giada rose and blocked his path once more.
But this time, what she displayed was no longer the shyness of a delicate woman, but a kind of dominance and assertiveness.
She directly grabbed his collar, stood on her tiptoes, and gently planted a kiss on the corner of his mouth.
Mahiro: "..."
That's it?
Is this all the dominance and assertiveness she could muster?
The moment Giada leaned in, Mahiro thought she was going to give him a deep kiss.
But it turned out to be so plain.
"What, are you dissatisfied with my kissing skills?"
"Of course, who do you think you're teasing?"
Mahiro didn't waste words. Before she could pull away, he wrapped an arm around Giada's waist.
However, he was surprised by what he felt.
Even though she was wearing a military uniform, he could still sense the slenderness of her waist.
And before Giada could react, his kiss landed directly on her lips.
Hmm, soft like marshmallows.
Compared to other girls, this woman seemed even sweeter, almost cloyingly so.
"Mmph—!!"
Once she realized what was happening, Giada immediately began to struggle.
Even though she was the Progenitor of martial arts, at this moment, she was using only light, soft, and feeble little fists.
Despite being a Progenitor, she didn't summon her Beast Vassal or use her Magical Power, struggling instead like a little girl.
And gradually, she stopped, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him even more fiercely.
The sound of soft smacking echoed through the empty hall.
This feeling was a first for him.
Her slightly widened eyes eventually narrowed into slits, as if she were sinking into and enjoying the moment.
Even though they had been fighting to the death during their previous two encounters, now they were embracing and kissing each other.
After a long while, their lips parted.
"Ahh..."
Giada let out a sigh like someone who had just been drowning.
A captivating blush spread across her pale cheeks, her eyes filled with satisfaction, and her graceful body pressed entirely against his.
It was like a bottle of aged wine that had been uncorked, exuding an alluring and mellow aroma.
Only the urge to drink blood in her eyes remained, growing even stronger.
"Alright, we've kissed. Now it's time to talk business."
He acted like a scoundrel who had gotten what he wanted and moved on.
One moment he was being affectionate with Giada, and the next, he unceremoniously dropped her back into her seat.
Even Giada, who had already regained her composure, couldn't help but cross her arms and glare at him with resentment.
Mahiro spoke bluntly, unfazed:
"Your appearance tonight wasn't a coincidence, was it? And those children seemed quite familiar with you. What's going on?"
"Hmph, don't think of me as some despicable person. I just happened to be passing by tonight. I stumbled upon this orphanage while wandering around, so I visited for a couple of days and got to know those little ones."
Giada crossed her arms and crossed her legs wrapped in black stockings, speaking with a look of disdain.
When she first encountered this orphanage, she had actually wanted to leave. Although she was somewhat interested in abandoned human children, after experiencing and seeing more, her interest wasn't that great anymore.
Moreover, at that time, Mahiro, that scumbag, was the one who intrigued her more.
Yet, as if guided by fate, she ended up walking in and staying for nearly a week, visiting punctually every day.
Looking back now, it was all fate at work!
"Oh, is that so."
Mahiro didn't doubt Giada's words. With her strength and status, there was no need for her to fabricate a lie. Besides, few people knew he was the true behind-the-scenes financier of this orphanage.
"Since you asked me, I have a question for you too."
"Hmm?"
Mahiro looked up slightly surprised, meeting Giada's gaze, then nodded. "Go ahead."
"Kanase Kensei—you intentionally let that man escape tonight, didn't you?"
"!!!"
A flicker of surprise flashed across Mahiro's face, but it quickly returned to calm. He smiled and asked, "Why would you think that?"
Hearing this, Giada looked at him with a meaningful glint in her eyes, her tone even more suggestive.
"Because killing that man would only take you an instant—it wouldn't even be an inconvenience."
"Yet, you didn't do it. That means Kanase Kensei still holds other value for you... Let me guess. I think the Artificial Angel plays a part, but it shouldn't be everything."
The Artificial Angel technique is indeed tempting, but at her level, it isn't something she cares much about. After all, the ritual known as the Artificial Angel is widely known among the Deva.
By artificially adding a spiritual energy core and endlessly amplifying Spiritual Power, a mortal can ascend to a higher-dimensional existence.
However, after spending so much time with Mahiro and observing him in secret, she had come to understand this man to some extent.
He was someone who showed extraordinary care for human children.
Logically, with his personality, he would never allow Kanase Kensei to harm the children.
But he did, which meant there was a more significant target he was focused on.
Combining this with Kanase Kensei's life trajectory and recent events, only one conclusion could be drawn—
"Your target should be the First Princess of the Aldegyr Kingdom, La Folia Rihavein, right?"
A confident smile gradually spread across Giada's lips.
Perhaps even she hadn't noticed how girlish her actions had become, completely shedding the demeanor of a Progenitor, as if she had returned to her days as a Deva royal.
"Not bad, quite impressive. Few people can guess my intentions—you're one of them."
Mahiro clapped his hands while praising Giada, which greatly satisfied her.
"Hmph, of course. Don't underestimate my intelligence network."
It was almost like coaxing a child, effortlessly fooling this Third Progenitor.
"However, you truly are a promiscuous and unfaithful man."
The Demon Slayer Natsuki Minamiya, the Witch of the Notaria Tokoyogi Aya, the head of the Lion King Organization's Three Saints Shizuka Koyomi, the twelve Vessels of the Fourth Primogenitor, the Watcher of the Lion King Organization, and it's said that even the Sin God Priestess Aiba Asagi has some ambiguous relationship with this man...
"Really?"
Faced with Giada's disdain, Mahiro shrugged helplessly and said:
"I just want to give these girls a complete home."
"That doesn't change the fact that you're a scumbag."
"Then why did you kiss me?"
Giada Kukulcan: ""
The Third Progenitor who ruled over vast territories fell into a rare silence.
Not daring to meet Mahiro's gaze, a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
After a long while, she finally recovered from the awkwardness, cleared her throat to cover it up, and asked again:
"Ahem, I suppose that man Kanase Kensei has already gone to find the princess of Aldegyr, right? Since she's your target, what are you still waiting for?"
"I'm waiting for someone."
Mahiro answered directly.
To be precise, he was waiting for information.
It had to be said that Kanase Kensei was truly discreet in his actions.
Perhaps because of him, the battles between the artificial angels that originally occurred on Itogami Island did not happen as they should have.
According to the information provided by Gamma, this man had moved the experimental site off Itogami Island.
If not for the fact that the laboratory couldn't be easily relocated, he probably wouldn't have even set it up there.
When dawn finally broke, the information he needed finally arrived.
It was delivered personally by Zeta.
After escaping last night, Kanase Kensei had immediately left Itogami Island without stopping.
He headed to a small island about a hundred kilometers away from Itogami Island.
It was a crescent-shaped island covered with green forests at its center, with a diameter of less than twenty kilometers—it felt like you could circle the entire island in half a day.
From above, no traces of residential buildings could be seen; it was completely uninhabited.
Originally, it was a site used by various companies on Itogami Island for live-fire drills with mechanical dolls.
But through covert operations, it had been purchased by Kanase Kensei.
Transformed into an experimental site for battles between artificial angels.
It was said that La Folia was hiding there.
To be honest, when Mahiro learned this information, he couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his mouth.
Should he say La Folia was lucky or unlucky?
The good part was that, just like in the original story, she ended up on the same island.
The bad news was that it had become a place where a large group of artificial angels were fighting each other.
"I hope she's still alive and well."
Mahiro silently mourned for La Folia for three seconds in his heart.
Then he immediately set off for the island.
As for his companions, aside from the stubborn girl Yukina, there was also Giada.
According to her, she also wanted to see how far Kanase Kensei could take the artificial angel ritual.
However, halfway there, their group gained another member.
Also a girl.
She had a tall, slender figure, fair skin, and light-colored hair. Her elegant and beautiful face reminded one of blooming cherry blossoms.
It was the Lion King Organization's Shamanic War Dancer—Kirasaka Sayaka.
"Tsk, I say, Sayaka, why are you here too? Don't tell me you've been secretly following me? You stalker!"
"Huh?! What kind of joke are you making? Believe it or not, I'll cut you down with one swing! Who would stalk a pervert like you? If I were to stalk anyone, it would be Yukina!"
Sayaka retorted with righteous indignation.
"If it weren't for the First Princess of Aldegyr, do you think I'd want to share a plane with a pervert like you?!"
As expected, the two of them started arguing again as usual.
Although this time, it was Mahiro who provoked it.
"Sayaka... and Mahiro-senpai... Please, both of you, stop arguing..."
On the luxurious private jet, Yukina sat curled up in her seat, trembling slightly, but still spoke up to stop their quarrel.
Hearing Yukina's words, Sayaka quickly turned around and hugged her apologetically.
"Sorry, Yukina, I forgot you're not used to flying. I'll come comfort you right away."
No one would have imagined that the esteemed Sword Shaman of the Lion King Organization would be afraid of flying.
Even the well-traveled Giada couldn't help but feel a spark of interest in this young girl named Yukina.