Vol 4. Chapter 177: Accusation

"Miss Yu, since you are suspected of controlling Abyss Demons, please come with us."

??!

Hm?

These sudden words left Miss Yumo, who had been filled with anticipation, momentarily stunned. Her thoughts were abruptly dragged back from her fantasies into reality, and she turned in bewilderment toward the source of the voice.

At this moment,

Under Yumo's azure-blue gaze, a man with an imposing bearing, dressed in crimson-gold armor and a brilliant red cloak, stepped out of the shadows and slowly approached her. He had a thick, rugged beard, and as he walked, he gradually drew the sword at his waist. Intense Seventh-Tier battle aura poured continuously from his body, enveloping the blade.

His gaze toward Yumo was filled with coldness and hostility. Not even the black-haired girl's appearance stirred the slightest desire in him to show tenderness toward a beauty.

As the man drew his sword,

Dozens of soldiers wearing black-and-red armor and carrying long spears and enormous shields emerged one after another from a nearby grove. With practiced efficiency, they immediately surrounded the utterly bewildered black-haired girl.

The sharp spearheads, glinting with cold light, were aimed directly at the girl's delicate body.

Furthermore, behind the soldiers stood dozens of mages who began rapidly chanting incantations. A variety of magic formations appeared behind the soldiers' ranks, seemingly ready to coordinate with the rugged man and his squad to launch a combined assault against the black-haired girl at any moment.

An enormous barrier was suddenly erected as well, sealing everyone inside.

In an instant, the previously warm and peaceful surroundings of the apartment building were enveloped in a dense, murderous atmosphere. Tension filled the open space, with weapons drawn and everyone poised for battle.

Sensing this atmosphere, the nearby staff members and teachers who witnessed the scene immediately realized something was wrong and hurriedly evacuated. Only a small number of people who considered themselves powerful and possessed an overwhelming curiosity remained nearby, hoping to discover what was happening.

"That emblem... Aren't those people from the Imperial Secret Investigation Department? Why are they trying to arrest Teacher Yu? Did something happen?"

A young teacher who had just walked out of the apartment building couldn't help muttering to himself upon seeing the scene.

Naturally, Miss Yumo heard his words.

Looking at the aggressive members of the Crimson Leaf Empire surrounding her, who were clearly not here with friendly intentions, the black-haired girl frowned in confusion.

Hm?

The Secret Investigation Department?

That enormous investigative organization of the Crimson Leaf Empire?

Since they could openly enter Yexinlian Royal Academy to arrest someone, and that someone was supposedly the young lady of the Black Rose Family, they probably weren't impostors.

And besides...

"Suspected of controlling Abyss Demons..."

Recalling the words spoken by the bearded man just now, Yumo couldn't help biting her lip as her heart began pounding wildly.

At that instant, Miss Yumo's nerves were stretched as tightly as a fully drawn bowstring. She hardly dared to breathe, fearing that if she opened her mouth, her heart, which had already leaped into her throat, might fall right out.

Could it be,

Has my identity been exposed??

Such a thought involuntarily surfaced in Yumo's mind.

However, after carefully considering the situation and observing her surroundings, Miss Yumo raised a hand to her forehead and shook her head, rejecting her own suspicion.

After all, not only had she completely suppressed the Shadow of Silence Power within her body, but she also had the Veil of Deception assisting her.

One had to remember that even Luokefei, the Grand General who protected the nation and possessed Peak Eighth-Tier strength, had failed to see through her disguise during the banquet in the Snow Night Empire.

Furthermore, she had been exceptionally careful and cautious recently, hardly ever releasing any of the Shadow of Silence Power within her body.

There was no reason anyone should have discovered her identity.

Besides,

If they really knew who she was, then what should have greeted her upon leaving the teachers' dormitory wouldn't have been this group of investigators, but a bombardment of Sanctuary-level magic spells, or even forbidden spells.

Having reached this conclusion, Yumo took a deep breath and calmed herself.

Then,

Miss Yumo put the acting skills she had learned from Saiboke-Baniya to excellent use.

Under the hostile gazes of the Secret Investigation Department's personnel, Miss Yumo scratched her little cheek with one finger, tilted her head in apparent astonishment, and glanced toward the rugged, bearded man leading the group.

"Um... Who are you people?"

"I am General Bo'an of the Crimson Leaf Empire, and these men are law enforcement officers of the Secret Investigation Department."

Although his eyes were filled with hostility and his entire body radiated an intense battle aura, the general named Bo'an nevertheless displayed a certain degree of gentlemanly courtesy by introducing himself.

However, immediately after his introduction, the rugged man pointed his enormous sword directly between Yumo's eyebrows with unmistakable hostility.

"Please cooperate with our investigation."

"Um, what investigation?"

"We suspect that you and the Black Rose Family behind you have been secretly controlling Abyss Demons, disrupting order within our Crimson Leaf Empire and endangering innocent civilians. Therefore, please accompany us to the headquarters of the Secret Investigation Department."

"Controlling Abyss Demons?"

Yumo blinked, revealing an innocent, utterly guileless expression.

"Um... Mister, what are you talking about? I don't quite understand. It's true that I teach students how to deal with Abyss Demons, and I do know a little about them. But how could I possibly control such ruthless, cruel, and terrifying creatures? You should know that throughout history, even those famous Eighth-Tier summoning mages have never successfully brought Abyss Demons under their control."

Yumo attempted to defend herself.

"Besides, do you have any evidence?"

As she spoke, dissatisfaction gradually appeared in Yumo's eyes. Pretending to be displeased, she placed both hands on her hips and swept an angry gaze across the surrounding soldiers.

It was common knowledge that although the war had ended, the Crimson Leaf Empire and the Sadik Empire still maintained an extremely hostile relationship.

In Miss Yumo's opinion, this group of Crimson Leaf Empire officials might very well be the radical extremists Saiboke-Baniya had mentioned.

Perhaps they intended to use some 'fabricated' criminal accusation to take control of her, thereby threatening the Black Rose Family behind her and indirectly exploiting its influence to interfere with the Sadik Empire.

Faced with such a situation, she absolutely couldn't allow these people to take her away without resistance.

Instead, she needed to make a scene.

That way, Saiboke-Baniya and the others still inside the apartment building would notice what was happening and notify the Sadik Empire's embassy, prompting a diplomatic protest.

As long as the matter was thoroughly investigated, the accusations made by these investigators would undoubtedly collapse.

After all,

In Yumo's mind, her disguise was flawless, especially with the Black Rose Family providing additional 'cover.'

There was simply no way these people from the Crimson Leaf Empire could have discovered the truth.

"Without any evidence, you're trying to arrest me, the young lady of the Black Rose Family, just like that? Isn't that going a little too far?!"

"..."

Faced with Yumo's words, Bo'an fell briefly silent.

Unsurprisingly, Yumo interpreted that silence as a tacit admission.

Growing even more confident, the black-haired girl raised her hand and slapped Bo'an's sword aside, speaking with obvious displeasure.

"And you're even pointing a sword at me? General Bo'an, this is going much too far, isn't it?!"

"..."

After another moment of silence, Bo'an let out a cold chuckle. His hostile gaze remained fixed on Yumo's azure-blue eyes.

"Evidence? It seems, Miss Yu, that you really won't shed a tear until you see the coffin."

Before his words had even faded,

Bo'an raised his hand in a signal.

The soldiers slowly opened a narrow passage through their formation, and a gray-haired woman led a young brown-haired commoner boy, dressed in simple clothing, toward Bo'an.

After patting the little boy on the shoulder, Bo'an raised his hand and pointed toward the black-haired girl standing before them.

"Is she the woman who transformed those spirit beasts into Abyss Demons?"

?!?

Hm?!

"He is..."

After observing Bo'an's every movement, Yumo withdrew the arrogant expression she had been displaying like a spoiled noble young lady. Her gaze grew slightly solemn as she looked toward the brown-haired boy standing beside Bo'an.

Although the boy's clothing and complexion were completely different from what she remembered, Yumo recognized him at a glance.

After all, this child was the very first child she had rescued after arriving in the Crimson Leaf Empire, and he had left a particularly deep impression on her.

"You're... Tala?"

This child,

Why is he here?

...

Meanwhile,

Under Yumo's somewhat confused and astonished gaze,

The little boy followed Bo'an's pointing finger and looked toward her.

The instant he saw the black-haired girl, the boy named 'Tala' immediately revealed a look of hatred and disgust. Hidden almost imperceptibly within that gaze was even a trace of greed.

The next moment, the little boy ducked behind Bo'an and shouted in a shrill voice:

"Yes! It's her! She's the one! This witch is the one who transformed those spirit beasts into Abyss Demons!! She's the one who got everyone in the village killed!!! It was this witch!!"

"..."

As the little boy voiced his accusation, everything fell silent.

The surrounding atmosphere took a sudden turn for the worse, and Miss Yumo's usually gentle face was gradually shrouded in shadow...