Chapter 125: Demacia!

“Where is this...” Lanther did not see Akihiko Kayaba at the end; it seemed the latter had gone after Kirito as before. But at this moment, there was something more important.

“Hanazaru, prepare the carriage. We need to leave.” Calmly, Lanther removed all the items from his body. As for his hair? He didn’t care at all. What about the body? Although it was a “vacation,” as a heroic spirit, he could not be polluted at will, so there was no problem. Changing into a set of noble attire, Lanther hung an unopened knight’s stiletto sword at his waist.

“My lord, my name is not—” The rigid knight behind him was promptly ignored as Lanther strode decisively toward the outside.

“Phew! Though filled with the smell of exhaust fumes...” Lanther made a hugging gesture and sighed, “The feeling of freedom is wonderful.”

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“Whew—” Although he knew the game avatar was an exact replica of the real-world appearance, Lanther still couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion standing in front of Asuna’s hospital room. How did Lanther get the location? He could only say that being a noble was truly useful.

Without making a sound, Lanther signaled the one he mockingly called Hanazaru to guard the door. Holding lilies bought on the way, Lanther quietly stood before Asuna, or rather, Yuuki Asuna, unsure what to say. Although it was not as grand as in the days of King Arthur, Asuna’s smile had comforted him countless times when he was lonely and desolate.

While lost in silent memories, a voice came from the door again. Lanther knew without looking who it would be.

“Sir?” The middle-aged man looked at the person standing before his daughter, unsure what to say. Over the past two years, he had come to know many of his daughter’s friends, but this man was completely unfamiliar. That meant this man must be someone his daughter only knew in the game.

According to Lanther’s intelligence, though this man was not the mastermind or accomplice of the ALO incident, he certainly couldn’t be unaware of it. In other words, he tacitly approved. For someone who valued money above even their own family, if not for the fact he was Asuna’s father, Lanther wouldn’t hesitate to punch him.

“Mr. Yuuki...” After a moment, Lanther turned to the man behind him. “You are...” Though Lanther’s attire was not flashy, it was clearly made of uncommon materials, and the red dragon crest made him at a loss for words.

“I am Asuna’s friend in the game,” Lanther explained. Though he disliked this man, his purpose was to take Asuna away, so he refrained from using a harsh tone.

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“Oh, so you’re Asuna’s friend,” the man said, finally noticing the overly long hair Lanther had slicked back but not neatly arranged. Then he saw Lanther’s almost sickly pale complexion, yet he had appeared here less than two hours after the first person awakened. He found this man quite extraordinary.

“President.” At that moment, a voice came from outside the door, and the man showed a hint of embarrassment. Lanther naturally nodded, and the two of them moved to the entrance.

Asuna’s father looked at the scene in surprise, but Lanther paid no attention.

He only saw the man Lanther called Hanazaru press a knight’s thin sword against the newcomer’s throat. Normally, not officially titled, he shouldn’t draw his sword casually. But under Lanther’s order, things were different. Lanther had commanded, “Stop the guy with glasses and the fake smile. I won’t allow him to pollute the air in that room.” Though the reasons were unknown, Hanazaru did not hesitate to obey. In his eyes, since they had earned the “true” knight title, not just honorary, their actions must not violate knightly codes. Such people were his role models, so he had no doubt about Lanther’s order.

“President!” Sugō shouted at the newcomer like seeing a savior, but Hanazaru ignored him completely, unconcerned. After all, if the sky fell, a tall man would bear the weight. Even if they eliminated this guy, at worst he’d be deported.

“Sir!” Only then did the man notice Lanther’s complete lack of reaction to the outside affairs. Maybe he was careless, but he preferred to believe it was part of a plan.

“Hanazaru, release him. Since he’s a subordinate of the president, he likely isn’t an assassin. Just keep him under surveillance. If he makes any moves, I allow you to draw your sword.” Lanther gave the man some face, though he clearly disliked him. He said this to Hanazaru, who sheathed his sword and stood beside Lanther.

“Well then, goodbye.” Although Lanther wasn’t very polite, Yuuki didn’t mind. Since Lanther’s retainer dared to draw a sword openly in Japan, his status was unquestionably high—at least higher than his own. It was understandable for him to be somewhat arrogant, and Lanther was polite to him after all. As for Sugō? Just a subordinate.

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“That despicable guy! I will definitely take him down! After I succeed, I will...” Though undoubtedly a middle-aged chuunibyou in the game, he still had some common sense. Lanther was so strong that he didn’t dare act rashly now. At most, he fantasized about what he would do to Lanther after his experiment succeeded...

Unbeknownst to him, a sinister god named Lucifer quietly appeared behind him.

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“Master, are you really going to ignore that guy?” After the two left the ward, Hanazaru suddenly asked Lanther.

“Hm? Hanazaru, what did you notice?” Lanther was indifferent, but seeing how displeased Hanazaru was, and considering all the trouble he caused, Lanther decided to personally deal with him. But Hanazaru should have no grudge against him.

“Master! My knightly heart tells me that guy is definitely not a good person. I trust my instincts,” Hanazaru openly explained to Lanther.

“Alright, if that’s the case, I’ll teach you a trick.” Though Lanther wanted to scoff at this “knightly heart,” his time in this world was drawing to a close. He didn’t want to get involved in petty matters. Since Hanazaru already disliked him, Lanther didn’t mind teaching him a couple of moves.

“Please instruct me, master,” Hanazaru humbly asked.

“Demacia!” Lanther said calmly, uttering a word that left Hanazaru speechless.

“Please, master, explain,” Hanazaru politely requested.

“Find a patch of grass and ambush him once,” Lanther explained, then turned and walked away with a nonchalant air.