The last time Rebecca went missing caused such a huge stir that many had heard about Duke Ruta finding his long-lost granddaughter. So when Rebecca mentioned she’d been in the Demon Grand Canyon, Noko instantly connected the dots. Then he got excited.
“Is my brother still alive? Is he in the Dark Forest?”
Rebecca nodded, but she couldn’t help wondering: was that fool who dared to challenge her father really there to save people? Or just to fight?
“Rebecca, is my brother doing well now?” Eleven years. Noko had lost contact with his brother for eleven long years. Now, hearing news of him, a whirlwind of emotions crossed his face.
“He’s doing great…” Rebecca told the truth. Yasuo hadn’t been harmed by her father at all. He was living quite well in the Demon Grand Canyon. At least, the last time she saw him, he’d been happily holding a giant pumpkin he’d grown, inviting her to try his pumpkin porridge.
“Is that so… That’s wonderful…” Noko didn’t doubt her. To him, if Duke Ruta’s granddaughter could stay unharmed in the Dark Forest, it wasn’t strange his brother was alive. Though he didn’t know why the terrifying Demon Race hadn’t killed them. But Rebecca’s safe return—and her familiarity with the Wind God Sword Art—proved she’d met his brother. His brother was alive!
Rebecca looked at Noko. She wanted to tell him his brother could leave the Demon Grand Canyon anytime but chose to stay. She knew why, but it was a huge secret she couldn’t share.
Noko didn’t press further. For him, just knowing his brother lived was his greatest wish.
“Back then, you and your parents vanished near the Dark Forest. After His Majesty the Emperor learned of it, he sent soldiers to search and comfort Duke Ruta. They found nothing. Finally, your grandfather turned to my brother, hoping he’d find your family.”
So that overly dramatic Sword Saint really was there to rescue people. But he seemed to forget his main goal and instead challenged the Dark Lord…
“I’d planned to go with my brother. But he left without saying goodbye, rushing to the Dark Forest overnight to complete your grandfather’s task. And then… he never came back…”
Yeah, he’d been knocked out by a single whack from the powerful Demon Queen’s rice spoon, then thrown into a vegetable patch to farm.
“All these years, I’ve kept going to the Dark Forest. But it’s forbidden for humans. The outskirts are manageable; deeper areas—no one’s ever reached them. No one knows the paths. It’s too dangerous. I couldn’t go deep. After all this time, I’ve wandered aimlessly like a headless fly, finding no trace of my brother.”
Rebecca glanced at Noko helplessly, thinking, So you caused some of that commotion in the Dark Forest too.
“Your rescue was a miracle. These days, Rucadan’s bustling with celebrations—everyone’s rejoicing that Laura, Lilia, Kami, and Emily from our academy seized the Dark Lord’s crown and rescued the duke’s granddaughter. But I happen to know a secret: demons in the Dark Forest have sharply decreased recently. They were just lucky. Lately, few demons remain there, and the weak ones at that. I don’t know what’s happening. Maybe the Demon Race is carrying out some sinister plan. I guess the missing demons were used as sacrifices! But because of that, you were fortunate to be found and brought back.”
Demons decreasing? Well, Rebecca had taken them to the Endless Abyss deep in the Dark Forest to gather herbs… As for that sinister plan… Hey, rein in your imagination.
After hearing Noko, Rebecca realized something new: Yasuo, that uncle obsessed with growing pumpkins lately, was utterly unreliable…
“Sorry for rambling so much.”
You should be embarrassed too.
“I need some quiet time. You read your book…”
Go be alone then…
The news about his brother hit Noko hard. Irresponsibly, this teacher abandoned his students and retreated to a corner to reminisce.
Rebecca watched him leave, sighed, and thought, How unlucky. One casual remark brought all this trouble. Noko’s rambling wasted so much of my time!
Rebecca slammed her book shut with a snap. She glanced at the distant students brawling in a heap, shook her head, and decided to skip class. The teacher was gone anyway.
But first, she needed to deal with those disobedient kids.
“Hey!” Rebecca walked over and called out.
The kids, who’d been having a blast, finally noticed an unwelcome guest.
“W-What do you want!” The boy who’d teased Rebecca that morning looked at her timidly. Then, seeing his friends and nearby teachers from other classes, his courage grew a little. Just a little…
Rebecca looked at him coolly and handed him her book. “Take it…”
“I… I won’t take it! What can you do? The teachers are right there!” He acted like a brat.
But what happened next shocked everyone!
As soon as he finished speaking, Rebecca said nothing. She just kicked him straight in the gut. Hmm… still no glimpse of panties… her dress was too long!!
Decisive! Ruthless! No mercy! No book as padding this time—no pretense, just a straight punch.
“Don’t mess with me…” Rebecca glanced coolly at the boy clutching his stomach and curled up on the ground. Guys like him only deserved a harsh lesson!
All the students froze. The commotion drew nearby teachers’ attention, but Rebecca turned gracefully and slipped away first.
“Hmm… I’ll check the pharmacy for herbs. That old man’s heart condition needs treatment…” Rebecca thought of Duke Ruta’s kind face. Though she rudely called him “old man,” a faint smile appeared on her lips. She clearly liked the kind-hearted duke.
