Chapter 326: After All, We Are Friends
Gu Jie was dead.
He had been slapped to death, his head shattered into pieces, then burned to ashes.
But the search team formed by the four families knew nothing of this.
All they knew was that a chaotic battle had taken place in the commercial street nearest to the New Port docks.
When they arrived, only two corpses remained at the scene—and both were familiar faces, people they actually knew.
One was the eldest son of the Chiba family, Chiba Toshikazu, and the other was his partner, Inagaki.
Both had been missing for some time, and no one expected them to turn up here.
Moreover, their deaths were gruesome—their necks had been severed, leaving their heads separated from their bodies.
Not only that, but their pale, bluish skin didn't look like that of people who had just died.
To investigate further, Shiba Tatsuya used his ability to analyze information bodies and discovered that the two had been dead for over 24 hours, possibly even longer.
At that point, even modern magicians with no knowledge of ancient magic could understand.
These two had died long ago and had been manipulated as puppets.
After a brief investigation of the bodies, the group sent them back to the main Chiba family.
Chiba Toshikazu, as the eldest son of the Chiba family, naturally had to be returned to his roots after death. Inagaki, as a disciple of the Chiba family, was also included. After an overnight discussion between the families, it was decided that their funerals would be held together.
The Chiba family naturally sent out invitations.
The next day, an invitation from the Chiba family lay on the table in front of Mahiro.
Staring at the black envelope, he was unusually lost in thought.
"Hiro, what are you thinking about?"
A somewhat alluring, lazy voice interrupted his thoughts.
Looking up, he saw Maya sitting across from him, still exuding an air of grace and elegance.
"Nothing in particular."
Mahiro took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
"I was just wondering how Erika got along with her older brother."
"Hmm, the relationships among the Chiba siblings… I'd say they're fairly good."
Maya tapped her finger against the corner of her lips in thought before giving that answer.
At the very least, she hadn't heard much about discord among the Chiba siblings. Even if there was any, it was likely just minor squabbles.
But what followed was Mahiro's silence.
Because in his eyes, that wasn't the case at all.
Chiba Erika was the youngest child of the Chiba family and also an illegitimate daughter, born to the head of the Chiba family, Chiba Jouichirou, and Anna Rosen Katori, a woman of mixed Japanese and German descent.
Not only that, but Erika's childhood wasn't particularly happy.
Sent back to the main Chiba family at the age of ten, she was subtly looked down upon by others due to her status as an illegitimate child. She wasn't even allowed to use the Chiba family name publicly, living each day in quiet, shrinking silence.
To gain recognition for herself and her mother, Erika didn't give up. Instead, she diligently practiced swordsmanship every day, gradually earning the acknowledgment of her family and fellow disciples after achieving some success.
It wasn't until just before her high school entrance exams that she was finally permitted to use the Chiba surname.
So, given such a relationship, were Erika and Chiba Toshikazu really on good terms?
He found it hard to judge. Even the original work didn't mention such details, only noting that her relationship with the second son, Chiba Naotsugu, was somewhat better.
"If you're so concerned, why not go and ask her yourself?"
Noticing he was still lost in thought, Maya's red lips curled slightly, seemingly quite amused.
"You're right. What's the point of me sitting here overthinking this?"
Mahiro rarely cursed, but this time he muttered a curse at himself, a self-mocking smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
He realized he might have been too exhausted lately, to the point where he couldn't even think clearly about such matters.
After silently calling himself an idiot a few times in his mind, Mahiro casually picked up the invitation on the desk and strode out of the room.
"Have you decided to attend the funeral?"
As he left the study, he heard Maya's voice asking from behind.
"Of course. Whether I'm representing the Yotsuba family or not, I have to go. After all, Erika is my friend."
His words were followed by the sound of the door closing.
Watching the door shut once again, Maya leaned back in her soft chair, her gaze revealing a subtle and complex emotion.
She was already aware of Gu Jie's death.
Mahiro hadn't kept it from her, telling her everything that had happened.
She hadn't expected her child to help her once again, and in doing so, also do the Yotsuba family a great favor.
The only regret was that she hadn't been able to personally eliminate this final nightmare herself.
She felt a mix of regret and relief.
At the same time, she understood that she owed her child more and more…
In terms of status, the Chiba family currently had no way of inviting the Yotsuba family, such a prominent figure, to attend the funeral. Even if they did attend, sending a butler to convey condolences would have been sufficient.
But because of Mahiro, the Yotsuba family chose to attend in a dignified manner.
When the Yotsuba family's car slowly drove into the Chiba estate, they found the Chiba household, where Chiba Toshikazu's body lay, enveloped in a heavy atmosphere.
"I am deeply sorry for the loss of your child. Please accept my condolences, Mr. Jouichirou."
The speaker was Maya, who had just stepped out of the car.
Today, she had shed her usual wine-red gown and wore a pure black form-fitting dress, which still accentuated her tall and graceful figure.
Following her were Mahiro and Miyuki Shiba, both dressed in pure black formal attire.
Even so, the man remained handsome, and the woman remained beautiful.
Arm in arm, they looked like a young married couple.
"You are too kind. Thank you, Mrs. Yotsuba, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to attend my son's funeral."
At the entrance of the Chiba estate, a middle-aged man bowed deeply to Maya and the others. This was the current head of the Chiba family, Chiba Jouichirou.
He was also the master of the Chiba Dojo. Even at fifty, his physique showed no signs of aging.
Unfortunately, the heavy grief of losing his son had taken a toll on him, causing his posture to stoop slightly.
Under the guidance of the Chiba family members, they entered the mourning hall. As soon as they stepped inside, the heavy scent of burning incense rushed to meet them, flooding their nostrils.
Immediately afterward, the sound of sobbing could be heard from within.
A woman dressed in a black kimono was kneeling beside the coffin where the body lay, covering her face as she wept.
If memory served, that should be the eldest daughter of the Chiba family, Chiba Toshikazu's older sister, Chiba Sanae.
On the seats lining both sides, the renowned heroes known as the distinguished disciples of the Chiba family could no longer hold back their tears, each of them crying openly.
However, among these people, the figure of Chiba Toshikazu's younger brother, the "Prodigy of Chiba," Chiba Naotsugu, seemed to be missing.
Although it was known that the relationship between these two brothers was not particularly close, his absence at such a time was likely due to being tied up with other matters.
Finally, standing at the forefront of those receiving guests was Erika.
She too had changed into black attire, her figure still upright and poised. Yet, on her usually bright and lively face, there was now a shadow of sorrow.
"Please follow me."
As their guide, Erika led them into the mourning hall. Upon entering, they realized that aside from the disciples and family members of the Chiba household, their classmates had also already arrived.
After paying their respects, offering incense, and completing the formalities, they took their seats.
Since they were the last to arrive, Erika was finally able to set aside her duties as a guide, though the weariness on her face remained largely unchanged.
Sitting alone with her head bowed, strands of her red hair fell across her face, obscuring her expression and making it impossible to tell what she was thinking.
Even as Shibata Mizuki tried to console her from the side, she showed little reaction.
Soon, the farewell ceremony came to an end.
Amidst the many cries of grief, the body was carried away, reportedly to the temple supported by the Chiba family.
The guests had also dispersed.
But Mahiro and Miyuki did not leave. Instead, they made their way to a room within the Chiba residence.
He remembered that the last time, Erika had brought him to this very reception room, and quite a few amusing incidents had occurred back then.
Yet, after such a short interval, returning to this reception room now felt as though everything had changed.
Aside from Miyuki accompanying him this time, Erika was no longer as bright and lively as before, nor as spirited as when she had challenged him.
The loss of a family member had cast a shadow of melancholy over her.
"Erika, I don't know how to comfort you, but please, you must stay strong, okay?"
Miyuki spoke softly, offering words of solace.
It wasn't that she didn't know how to comfort someone because she had never experienced such a loss. Rather, it was precisely because she had endured the pain of losing a loved one—her own mother, who had cherished her deeply—that she found herself at a loss for words.
She still remembered clearly how she had been back then.
After the death of her mother, Miya, her mind had grown hazy, and the world had briefly turned monochrome. In a daze, she had unconsciously made her way to the Fourth Research Institute on Shiyakishima.
There, she had found her dear Mahiro, and it was only after burying herself in his embrace and crying her heart out that she had managed to recover.
Thus, she understood that at times like these, the best choice was to seek refuge in the arms of the one you loved most and weep until the pain subsided.
But unfortunately, Erika didn't seem to have such a person in mind.
"Ugh, Miyuki, do you really think of me as that fragile?"
Erika lifted her head and gave them a smile, but anyone could see how forced that smile truly was.
Even so, Erika insisted:
"Actually... it's fine. My relationship with that idiot big brother wasn't that good to begin with. He was always strict with me since I was little, and he often bullied me when I entered the Chiba family."
"So... so..."
Plop.
A crystal-clear teardrop fell onto the tatami mat and shattered.
Even Erika herself didn't know when she had started crying. Tears kept falling uncontrollably.
But she made no move to wipe them away, as if she didn't even notice.
While complaining and cursing Chiba Toshikazu's faults, she silently shed tears.
At this moment, Erika hated herself deeply. After her mother passed away, she had vowed never to cry again.
So why couldn't she hold back now?
She didn't even like that idiot big brother—she even despised him—so why now...
However, she didn't realize that to others, she now seemed to be reminiscing about the past.
Mahiro and Miyuki remained silent, offering no comfort. They simply sat there quietly, listening attentively to Erika's ramblings as good listeners.
After who knows how long, Erika's tears finally stopped.
Lifting her head and seeing Mahiro's indifferent demeanor, Erika murmured sarcastically:
"When a girl is crying, at least offer her a handkerchief."
Hearing this, Mahiro and Miyuki exchanged a smile, and then Mahiro handed over the handkerchief from his pocket.
Her current state should mean she was okay now.
It was just that her bright, large eyes were now red and swollen from crying, resembling walnuts, and she carried an air of fragility about her.
But there was no sign of that fragility when she used his handkerchief.
Not only did she wipe her tears with it, but she also blew her nose into it, then casually handed it back to him as if nothing had happened.
"Here, take it back."
Mahiro: "..."
He looked down at the crumpled handkerchief, then back at Erika.
Seriously, girl, where are your manners?
You're just giving it back to me like this after using it?
He actually wanted to say she could keep it, but considering she had just lost a family member—a half-brother at that—he decided not to bother complaining.
In the end, he took it back.
"Thank you so much for bringing my brother back."
Just then, Erika suddenly sat up straight and bowed deeply to him.
Before he could even say anything, Erika continued:
"Please don't rush to deny it. I examined the knife wound on the idiot big brother's neck. If I remember correctly, that kind of mark could only be made by a girl named Akame under your command."
Sharp, and fatal with a single strike, without the slightest hesitation.
A complete assassination technique.
"Just one glance, and it's hard to forget, because I've fought against Akame before."
Once, I had underestimated the other party because they worked as an idol, and I learned a painful lesson from it.
"Ah, sorry."
"No need to apologize. It wasn't your fault. I know the conclusion the forensic examiner gave—that idiot big brother had already died long ago and was just being manipulated as a puppet. If anything, it was you who freed him."
The wording was the same as usual.
But the stern tone was different from before.
"However, aside from that, I hope you can tell me something. Has the magician who turned idiot big brother into a puppet been caught?"
"He's already dead."
Mahiro replied frankly and added, "I killed him with my own hands, leaving no trace of his body."
He had no intention of hiding it. Although almost no one knew Gu Jie was dead, there was no need to keep it from Erika.
"I see..."
Hearing his answer, Erika seemed to let out a sigh of relief.
But after a pause, she asked again, "—Mahiro. Was idiot big brother strong?"
"He was strong. Akame said that if it weren'tt for his corpse state, she probably wouldn't have found it easy to win."
"Is that so... What a stingy compliment, but it suits idiot big brother's eulogy well."
Erika seemed to think of something and chuckled softly.
"Mahiro, your magic... is there anything you can do?"
Erika suddenly asked, her expression tinged with hope and pleading.
She knew that Mahiro's "Regeneration" magic was absurdly powerful, far stronger than Shiba Tatsuya's, capable of even bringing the dead back to life.
Just like how Miya, who had been dead for several years, was able to be revived.
However, she also understood that such powerful magic must come with its own price.
And she was well aware that her big brother's death was entirely her own fault, leaving her with no right to beg for anything.
But even so, Erika still wanted to ask and try.
"I can."
"I see... Sorry, I was overthinking..."
Erika's expression darkened.
Just as she thought Mahiro was saying he couldn't do it, she suddenly realized what he meant and abruptly looked up at him.
"W-what did you just say?"
"I said I can do it."
Mahiro's voice was soft, but it carried an unwavering certainty. "The reason I attended this funeral ceremony today was to ask you in person what kind of person Chiba Toshikazu is in your heart."
"...He was a very annoying guy."
Erika pouted, seemingly thinking of something that made her involuntarily turn her head away.
"He was always strict with me and never gave me a good look in the dojo."
"So, do you hate him?"
Erika: "..."
The girl fell silent, then shook her head.
How could she hate him?
Although this idiot big brother was indeed strict with her, it was mostly during sword training. If it weren't for his supervision, she probably wouldn't have reached her current level.
"Alright, I understand."
Mahiro slowly stood up from the cushion and said, "Since you don't hate him, Erika, I'll make an exception and save him."
"Really?!"
Erika looked up at him in astonishment, her eyes filled with surprise.
"What, don't you want your older brother to come back to life?" Mahiro asked with a hint of teasing.
"No, it's not that, it's mainly..."
"Mahiro-nii, are you really sure about this?" Miyuki suddenly spoke up, her delicate brows slightly furrowed.
Although Erika was her classmate, and she couldn't bear to see Erika so heartbroken and distressed, if it would harm her Mahiro-nii, she would rather he not intervene.
Because she knew all too well what price the "Regeneration" magic demanded.
It was magic that read and reconstructed the target's information body, forcing the caster to experience all of the target's pain within mere seconds.
It was agony beyond what ordinary people could comprehend.
"Yes, if... if the cost is too great... then..."
Erika wanted to agree, but Mahiro waved his hand to cut her off.
"Don't worry about such things. I'm different from Shiba Tatsuya—there's no such price to pay."
"I understand," Erika said with a determined look in her eyes. "I will compensate you."
As soon as she finished speaking, Mahiro waved his hand again to refuse.
"Forget about compensation. It's unnecessary. After all, we're friends."