Breakthrough with the Forbidden Master Chapter 433: Countdown

“Master Paripi, um, you have a visitor……”

“Wheeeey!”

Within the secluded refuge of Paripi, identified as the Worst of the Six Supremacy, a rare occurrence unfolded. Typically, only his trusted aide, Coman Paiper, was granted access to this private domain.

Considered officially deceased, the mere whisper of his continued existence would undoubtedly invite a swarm of relentless pursuers and hidden assassins.

This inherent danger was the very reason he kept his sanctuary from all others.

Therefore, if an invitation was extended, it signaled highly unusual circumstances.

“Oh no~, my apologies. Thank you for making the journey. I could have visited you myself, or perhaps dispatched dear Coman, but those bothersome Empire agents are currently swarming Cacretale. Thus, I opted to have you come to me instead ♥.”

“Hmph…… when someone like you summons me by name… the thought of refusal is rather terrifying, you know.”

“Aww, come now~, I’m merely a devoted subordinate to the Boss now, you wound me~, Wacha Huacha. My apologies for that entire affair in the Heavenly Realm~, heeey, but I didn't actually kill you, so we're even, right?”

The individual who ventured into Paripi’s hidden sanctuary was none other than Wacha Huacha, the assistant instructor of Cacretale’s esteemed Arcane True Zenith Style.

“So, regarding the item you requested from me… what precisely are your intentions with it?”

“Oh, that’s precisely it, that’s the very one♪.”

With that declaration, Wacha produced an item from his pocket.

Despite a smile gracing his lips, his complexion was noticeably ashen, a clear indicator of his apprehension.

“I’ve already settled matters with Shitnei, the son of the Bockmati family you are affiliated with. That young hothead? It appears he shares a penchant for revelry, much like myself.”

“…… What on earth are you planning to do with this… this magic crystal.”

The object Wacha had procured at Paripi’s insistence was, in fact, a magic crystal.

Upon its presentation, Paripi’s grin widened, taking on an even more sinister aspect.

“Kehehehehe, remarkable! The magic crystal you deployed within Cacretale to observe and glean intelligence on Sis Jamdi’el and dear Kron… the very one entrusted to you by Chief Hakuki for reporting purposes…… That is precisely what I desired. Now, hand it over ♥.”

“W, wait! What will you utilize this for… um… Master… no, Jamdi’el and Kron, are your plans directed against them?”

“Hm? No, no, nothing of the sort… well… as characters within this narrative… Keheheh, I comprehend. For the sake of universal understanding, they would ultimately… Well, perhaps it’s acceptable. That could prove rather intriguing as well.”

“Wh, what do you mean?”

“Are you experiencing affection and concern for those two? That is most commendable. However, rest assured. In fact, this may even sway public sentiment in their favor. Moreover, the primary target is not those two—it is the Boss… Earth Lagann.”

As a former member of the Bockmati Family, he felt compelled to obey the commands of Shitnei, the successor to the organization, even though the original structure had long since dissolved.

Yet, an undeniable curiosity gnawed at him regarding the precise nature of his involvement.

Despite the intricate machinations that had transpired behind the scenes, as Paripi had accurately observed, Wacha had developed a degree of genuine affection for Jamdi’el and Kron through their shared experiences.

However, the fact that Paripi’s ultimate objective was Earth Lagann, rather than Jamdi’el or Kron, was entirely unanticipated.

“Why Earth…?”

“Hihahaha, once you relinquish that item… well, I shall dedicate another all-nighter to its refinement, assembling every piece… indeed, I anticipate having everything prepared for presentation by tomorrow. Since you are present, why not remain? If your schedule permits, you could assist dear Coman. She is currently preparing refreshments for the unveiling ceremony. Specifically, Magical Popcorn and Magical Soda, it seems.”

“An, unveiling? For what purpose…?”

Paripi’s motivations deviated from Wacha’s initial fears. Nevertheless, no sense of relief emanated from him.

This was solely due to Paripi’s smile… it conveyed far more than mere malevolence; it embodied the very essence of a mind meticulously plotting something profoundly sinister.

“What? It is quite self-evident. The grand unveiling of a legend!! We are unable to disseminate anything deemed prohibited… however, the world must be made aware! The champion of a new epoch, the genuine hero concealed within the annals of history! Hahahahahahahaha!”

Thus, the countdown to this legendary unveiling commenced.

Its revelations would cascade upon every sentient being across this world.

Everything—――

“Damn it… futile… escape is impossible.”

“Indeed. These manacles effectively neutralize our spiritual energy… Shackles so potent, they defy severance even through dislocated joints… Our situation appears dire.”

This grim reality extended even to the couple confined within a dimly illuminated subterranean cell.

Among the world’s most celebrated heroes in contemporary times.

Yet, ensnared in this manner, their powers were rendered utterly useless.

And most critically of all…

“Damn it, how foolish we were!”

“Truly… Who could have possibly foreseen… being captured while submerged in the ocean!”

The circumstances leading to their capture were extraordinarily absurd.

Hiro and Mamu, attempting to traverse the expansive ocean in pursuit of the escaped Earth.

However, they were abruptly engulfed by a colossal tempest.

Driven by an unwavering tenacity, they fiercely battled the tumultuous sea, abandoning any semblance of direction, with sheer “spirit” as their guiding principle.

Alas, their spiritual energy and physical stamina faltered midway, leaving them succumbing to the ocean’s wrath.

The sole reason for their continued survival was attributable to an extraordinary resilience, defying all conventional understanding….

“My word, what utter simpletons you both are! When my associates informed me they’d captured the pair of you by sheer happenstance, I simply couldn’t credit my own ears.”

“”What!?””

An unexpected encounter with the arch-nemesis of all currently 'alive' in this realm.

“You lot are the ones who annihilated our Demon King Army… and went so far as to depose the Great Demon King himself. So, try not to meet a foolish, ignoble end, eh? It just makes us—the vanquished—look all the more pathetic, doesn’t it? Huh? Hiro. And Mamu.”

“Hakuki……”

In this present era, with the demise of the Great Demon King Tre’ainar, he stands as the world’s most formidable entity.

Hiro and Mamu, alongside the newly established Demon Realm Government, had pursued every possible lead in their search for him.

Despite their relentless efforts, they had failed to ascertain his location for over a decade.

Neither Hiro nor Mamu could have ever conceived of crossing paths with him again in such a bizarre fashion, under these peculiar circumstances.

“Hakuki…… aren’t you going to dispatch Mamu and me? If you fail to do so now, won’t you come to regret it?”

“Hmm?”

Hiro’s words were meant as a provocation. Both were currently restrained, their magical abilities completely sealed, rendering them incapable of even the slightest movement.

Their elimination at this moment would be effortless.

However, Hakuki merely let out a dismissive scoff at Hiro’s challenge.

“Hehehe, no need for such valiant declarations, Hiro, not when you’re being puppeteered by your own son. Can you believe it?”

“Wh—what?”

“You can’t even foster a proper bond with your own child… You’ve truly devolved into just another common, unremarkable human, much like the disheartening masses out there. That incandescent brilliance you once possessed—the spirit that scorned all logic and reason, shattering every obstacle and hardship without a moment’s hesitation—it’s vanished, hasn’t it?”

“Wha-what on earth… how could you possibly know that…?”

“Now, your son, on the other hand—he’s doing quite well, isn’t he? Absolutely brimming with vitality. He might be treading a different path than you two did back then, but the radiance he emits? It doesn’t pale in the slightest compared to your past glory. Not even a little bit.”

Both Hiro and Mamu instinctively clenched their jaws at Hakuki’s unexpected pronouncements.

They found themselves utterly incapable of refuting a single word—it was as if a sharp blade was twisting within their deepest wounds.

Simultaneously, they were taken aback by the extent of Hakuki’s knowledge regarding their affairs.

“Wait…… don’t tell me…… you were observing my son…… monitoring Earth, during that exhibition match? I recall La’iphant mentioning that a considerable number of individuals were viewing that particular contest……”

The Imperial Tournament showcased not only their son, Earth, but also the offspring of the other Seven Heroes: Phianse, Rebal, and Fu.

Hiro was well aware that various nations, and indeed even the demon forces, were monitoring the event with keen interest, seeking to gauge the potential strength of the rising generation of heroes.

“Well now… I did indeed observe that Imperial Tourney through the magic crystal, that much is true…… but that’s merely a trivial detail. The fact of the matter is, I’ve already encountered Earth Lagann on two separate occasions. The first time was face-to-face, a completely direct interaction. The second encounter was through an intermediary, you see…”

“”………… Huh…… Eh!?””

However, Hakuki’s revelation far exceeded even the wildest expectations of Hiro and Mamu.