''Can someone tell me what just happened?" Alex couldn't help but utter this, facing the absurdity that just occurred.
''How can any of us know? Weren't you the one that used?"
Sakuya answered Alex's question with another question.
Alex scratched his head in embarrassment; he decided to postpone the matter for now and later investigate it. As for now, they have a more pressing matter to take care of.
''Girls, get ready. A big shot is coming.'' Alex warned them before resealing his power; he became Rank 7 again, same with the girls. Quickly, they slapped the Baron awake after putting some injuries on their bodies, not to raise any suspicion.
''Huh! What happened?"
It was the first thing the Baron asked after he wakes up. Sam gave him a brief summary of what happened, how the demon escaped because he sensed something unusual; of course, it was a lie. However, Clemens had no way knowing this, especially when he saw the state which Sam and the girls were in, that must have been a tough fight, thought the Baron.
''I w-"
Just as Clemens was about to say something, a massive amount of pressure descending on the whole mansion, Clemens immediately kneeling because of the sheer power of the incoming person, who could be none other than the Duke.
The burly man with spiky red hair and beautifully strimmed red beard that appeared from the third-floor window landed in front of Sam's group before controlling his power.
''Not bad.''
It was a short glance, however, from this Duke Keller saw a brief future for these youngsters who were able to stand under his pressure, if only he knew the truth.
''Clemens! Tell me what happened?" The Duke asked.
Another two individuals coming in; however, unlike the Duke, their entry was expected; they used the door.
''Duke, how many times do I have to tell you not to come through the window. Doors exist for a purpose.''
One among the newcomers, a woman wearing glasses, short light blue eyes, and green eyes, wore a white mage dress chided the Duke.
''Shut up, Millis, there was an emergency so that it couldn't be helped. I will pay for the damage.'' The Duke responded.
''That goes without saying, however, it would be with your own money.'' The one called Millis said while adjusted her glasses.
''What? You damn witch Millis.'' The Duke swore.
''Nothing you said going to change this. By the way, my name is not Millis; it's Millia, do you remember correctly.''
When Millia was saying this, her eyes behind the glasses gleamed dangerously; the Duke gulped; even though he was stronger than this woman (Rank 9), she could be scary once angered.
''I say, will you stop it with the drama? This is not a theater. We come here for a reason. We have no time to waste.'' The second person who entered with Millia finally spoke; it was a middle-aged man, dressed all black; he crossed his arms, and inside his arms was a black katana.
Mio's (Sakuya) eyes went on that katana when the man entered. The most surprising thing was that this man had his eyes closed as if he was blind; however, Alex had the feeling that the moment this man opened his eyes, something terrible would happen.
〖You are right. This man is really strong. He is the strongest in this room.〗Silveria said.
''What?"
Sam (Alex) was so shocked that he unconsciously raised his voice; everyone in the hall turned their heads in his direction, wondering what's up.
''Cough! My bad, I was lost in thoughts. Please don't mind me.'' Sam (Alex) said.
The others returned back to what they were doing, only the man in black gaze lingered on Alex for a moment; even though his eyes were still closed, Alex felt almost naked in front of the man; finally, the man stopped gazing at Alex.
''Phew!" Alex breathed a sigh of relief.
〖This man must be here on the emperor's order.〗Nyx announced the man's identity; if the latter were to hear this, he would be shocked. As Nyx said, he came here on the emperor's order; he would unleash his full strength in case of unforeseen circumstances if Alex were not able to deal with that demon, and even the Duke couldn't, the man would have stepped forward and take care of it, he is one of the members of the Emperor's Shadow.
After listening to Clemens' explanation and Sam's group testimony, the three understood what happened; the demon must have fled after he sensed them coming. Among the three, only the man with katana found hard to believe what this story, he knows how stubborn demon could be, once they set to do something, nothing can stop them, especially when it question of their ambition, damaged one part of the hexagon would be a huge accomplishment in their step to overwhelm human's race in the incoming war. So, it makes no sense for them to escape just because someone strong was coming, not when their goal was so close to getting completed; there must be a story, something this group was hiding.
Just as the man in black was about to stealthy make a move on Alex's group, on the weakest, it was to say Sakuya, the man felt a strong killing intent that froze even his soul. It was as if there was a pair of eyes at his back trying to suck his soul away.
'F-Forgive me. I-i promise to retire and never try to h-harm these people again.'
The man who had trained under every circumstance had experienced numerous life and death situations, the man who learned never to feel fear as he could cause the failure of a mission became scared, a fear like never before. He knew he would die if he ever attempts anything on this group; however, he didn't know why these murderous intentions were coming from even his Rank 12; he didn't dare to search for it because he believes the other party stronger than him might take this as him going against them and kill him. However, he feared death; he feared not being able to accomplish his goal, so the man, one of the Emperor's Shadow, pleaded and promised to never try anything against Alex's group; it was then that killing intent vanished as if it had never existed.
''Kyle, what's going on? You look so pale?" The Duke asked, concerned because Kyle turned pale suddenly, almost as if he had seen a ghost.
Alex and the girls were interested in the reason behind Kyle's sudden paleness.
''No, it's nothing. I'm feeling unwell. It must be because of the fight. I shall retreat to rest.'' Kyle said before leaving.
The Duke, Millia found Kyle's reaction a bit weird; however, there was nothing they could do about it. They decided to wrap things up here and focus on strengthening their defense afterward.
Only Silveria and Nyx were aware of what happened.