Cotton-colored objects are floating in the sky, and the snow has not stopped since we entered the imperial capital.

The footprints left by the army gradually disappeared in the heavy snow.

But I can still feel the aura left by the masked man, it's the first time in my life that I've been so shocked.

How could the masked man have that person's aura?

It seems that I have to be more vigilant, if it's really him.

No... it's impossible, it should just be an illusion caused by the exhaustion of energy from my battle with the Black Dragon Emperor, right?

"I'll go get some lunch, you guys discuss the strategy first."

"Okay, see if they have any special local delicacies here and order some for us!"

Under Yuanhui's urging, I left the hotel and went to a neighboring restaurant that had a comfortable atmosphere.

There were no extravagant decorations outside the restaurant door, and the walls were made of stone.

"Alright, let's choose this one!"

Ordinary is the best, I have always followed this principle, until before I entered.

As soon as I pushed the door open, the real show began when the waitress greeted me.

"Ah, welcome...!"

The female waitress had a big mouth, and she carefully looked me up and down.

Is there something strange about my appearance? I should finish shopping and leave early.

That's what I thought, but as soon as I entered, I was startled by the looks of the people around me.

Wherever I went, men, women, young and old, all panicked and avoided my gaze.

It felt the same as when I first entered the bar.

When I arrived at the counter, the manager was a relatively young man, but he lacked the confidence like the others.

"Excuse me, I want... um, the fish fillet rice, curry beef rice, and two servings of egg fried rice to go."

"Yes... yes, please wait!"

The manager spoke tremblingly, as if he owed me something.

Feeling a bit puzzled, I chose a seat by the window that I liked and sat next to a mother and daughter.

"Uncle, my doll is by the window..."

"Lan, don't disturb the adults' rest!"

"But my doll is still there!"

The chubby-faced little girl pouted angrily, and she was the only one in the restaurant who wasn't afraid of me.

But why did everyone, including the little girl's mother and the manager, call me an adult? It's really puzzling.

"This is ridiculous!"

The girl's mother was anxious and at her wit's end, so she could only request me to be understanding.

"Adult, I'm really sorry, my daughter is not sensible, please forgive her."

The little girl's mother even had the intention to kneel down.

"..."

Now the whole restaurant is anxiously watching my every move, some people have even finished eating but still dare not leave their seats.

It seems like I need to do something...

"Here, this is for you."

To smooth things over, I casually handed the pink cat doll that looked like it was on the window sill back to the little girl with a smile.

"Thank you, uncle!"

The girl's sweet and slightly childish voice actually touched me a little.

So, I shook my head, gently lifted a strand of her golden hair that was hanging by her ear, and whispered.

"No need to thank me. Actually, I should be the one thanking you. It was the little girl who saved me."

"It's you, Uncle? But my mom just told me that Uncle is the hero who fights against the demon race, the war god of the empire."

"Is that so? I'm not as impressive as your mom made me out to be."

"That's what I said!"

The innocent and lively look in the little girl's eyes first surprised me, then I jokingly asked her.

"You're clearly a great hero, but why aren't you respected by others? Isn't that strange?"

"Well, um..."

"And another thing, you're not a war god!"

The girl stood on her tiptoes and pressed her small face against my strong chest.

This seemingly ordinary and unpredictable action shocked everyone present.

"Lan, come back..."

She didn't listen to her parents' advice, and I was also very interested in this second point.

"Listen, you're also a person with a heartbeat, right?"

"Yes, what's wrong?"

"My mom told me you're a cold-blooded creature, but your chest is clearly warm!"

The girl, without deception, conveyed that highly insulting language to me in full detail.

At this moment, the girl's mother's face turned pale instantly.

"No... that's not true..."

She seemed as if she had committed an unforgivable sin, her speech became stuttered.

"Adults, you can't take children's words seriously!"

Even though she said that, am I really like a demon king?

"I..." (I was about to explain and clarify for myself)

"Lan, come here to mommy!"

The little girl, who had received the doll, returned to her mother's side.

The mother, as if she had just experienced a life-and-death separation with her daughter (am I a monster?), tightly embraced her.

"Please, I'll accept any punishment, but please don't touch my daughter!!"

This statement sounded more like a threat, and I still don't understand their strange behavior.

Also, although my own white robe is a bit different, is it enough to scare them like this?

After a while, he handed me the prepared food.

"Sir, with your distinguished status, how can you talk to lower-class people like me?"

The restaurant waiter hinted that I should leave early. It's all because this outfit isn't very popular.

According to the clearly marked price of this shop, I took out a silver coin from my clothes and handed it to him.

But this act of handing money seemed to surprise him.

"For... for me? Can I really take it..."

"I bought your things and paid you, didn't I?"

I really can't understand the people here, but after I said that, he also tried to take the brand new silver coin from my palm.

"Lacey, don't take it, give the money back to the gentleman!"

Just as his hand and mine were about to touch, a bearded old man rushed out of the kitchen and slapped the young man's hand.

In addition, he kept apologizing to me. I really don't understand what's going on here.

Am I receiving respect or discrimination?

No, there must be a hidden story. It seems that I need to investigate what special status and meaning this outfit represents.

Before leaving, to show my apology, I specifically went to the little girl.

"..."

Unfortunately, her mother was greatly disturbed (I didn't do anything), and she held the girl tightly in her arms, refusing to let go.

Helplessly, I lightly brushed the girl's doll with my hand, offering my blessings.

"May the omnipotent God King bring you happiness..."

After the ceremony, I walked out of the restaurant amidst the astonished expressions of the crowd.

As I left, I recalled in my heart the words my comrade had insisted on saying before his death - "The exploration of the new world cannot be done without you!"

"Hehe, is this the mess you left behind for me, comrade?"

I have tried several times to take off this robe, but every time, as long as I don't control the eruption of my elemental power properly, it reappears on my body before long!

Yes, ultimately it is because I still cannot control this power, so I am restricted by this garment's spiritual energy.

"Juxi... Juxi..."

"Who is it? Who is speaking to me over there?"

I felt a chill running down my back, it's there!

Boom!

Everything around suddenly came to a halt, and the intense heat scorched the ground here.

If it weren't for my identity as a Shura, I might have already turned into a puddle!

"Carelessness can cost you your life, but I knew something was off about you!"

The masked person walked gracefully behind me.

"Oh, I didn't realize you were a woman?"

"What? You're so annoying, mistaking me for... a man?"

Um... um, is this not an atmosphere worth being coy about?

But the masked woman seemed to find it amusing to tease me like this.

But I don't have the leisure to waste time with her like this now, after all, Yukari and the others have been waiting for me for too long, and the food in my hands will get cold.

"But it's really impressive that you could guess I am a gentle and refined woman from this oversized robe."

Looking at her shameless appearance, the situation might be that of an enemy character!

Of course, it would be best to maintain peace, even if there is a barrier protecting me, I don't want any innocent people to get hurt.

The more casual the opponent, the more likely there is deception.

"Hey, I didn't come to the imperial capital specifically to fight you, or anyone else for that matter!"

"So you're here to take the entrance exam for the academy, right?"

I didn't expect this woman to appear foolish, but she is so perceptive, truly a formidable opponent!

"How did you know?" (I said it even though I knew she already knew)

"Haha, we provide some personal information for every student we accept into the empire."

Isn't the academy violating personal privacy with this?

The way the masked woman said it so nonchalantly, I can already guess why I was looked down upon when I entered the restaurant.

It's mainly because of the strict hierarchical system in the empire, right?

"That's right, it's the first time I've seen someone running around the streets wearing Shura's clothes!"

From her words, I learned about her true identity.

There are rumors about the Four Emperors who can kill gods on the continent of Saint Veronica, which means there are four humans who can fight against the Eight Kings of the gods.

Before the last generation ruled by the Black Dragon Emperor, the Four Emperors openly challenged the gods, and it was in the Star Lili Temple, later known as the Hall of Heroes, that the God King and the Four Emperors engaged in a world-shaking battle that made ghosts and gods weep.

"What is the purpose of you looking for me?"

"That's right, the whereabouts of the Fourth Emperor have always been unknown. As long as the Fourth Emperor is in power, the Eight Kings Association will not dare to act rashly."

From the words of the masked woman, I could somewhat guess what she meant. She said so much that made me feel indifferent, but in fact, she wanted...

"Just because of this matter, you want me to do something stupid?"

"It's not a big deal, I just want you to obtain a proof of being a superior teacher at this school, isn't that difficult?"

There was a hint of threat in her tone.

"No, no, I just want to become a teacher and teach students..."

Wait...

Before I hastily refuse, let me think from my perspective. This method might not be a bad idea, or rather, it could be a wonderful opportunity!