Chapter 201: Connection

Perseus POV

"It's a ring." Grandpa laker commented as I got the chest opened

I'm keeping the chest, it's made of the same wood from this tree, I can maybe use it to bash someone or store Vince's toy at home. In the palm of my hand is a ring made of violet-colored steel, it's just a regular round ring with no design whatsoever, but apparently, the enchantment on it was made from the original demon lord's blood from both when he was the hero and the demon lord.

If a hero steps within my vicinity, they should be somewhat weakened, I don't understand how enchantments work to the fullest extent, but I'm not gonna question a genius. I put the ring on my right middle finger, it feels so uncomfortable though, I don't get how people get on their day with it, so I'm gonna store it for now, but it'll be useful against Rolan.

My grandfather didn't question it much as he just made sure that I won't dig up the grounds of the Paradis tree without permission again. It's mainly for safety reasons since people have carried out attacks by plantings bombs or doing some other things before, even if the tree can take it without a scratch, they still need to keep watch.

Just as my grandfather was leaving, Maple got this surprised and ominous look as a bright light appeared in front of me that flashbanged me, it also gave off a very familiar powerful floral scent.

"You," Cassius said with an angry expression "What do you know about the attack?"

"What attack?"

"My cathedral!" he retorted "I let you get away with killing those fake priests who used my name terribly, I ignored the prayers of my followers pleading with me everyday, 'Lord Cassius, please tell me who the killer is', lord Cassius this and that, all because I placed my trust in you.

"I helped deter the investigations away from your name at the price of my people's faith in me, and you repay my beautiful name by destroying my cathedral." he accused

"I didn't?"

"No, that's what you want me to think." he countered "You hired someone while you were in that fight, it's to have an alibi."

"You do realize that your sister was there with me, right? You're accusing her too?"

"No, the Maple Autumn I know would never do such a thing due to her naivety. You've hired someone from the black market to do it, that's why the investigation is still unsolved."

"But I didn't do it. I do know who did, but I wouldn't give you a name."

He then sighs and released a veil of magic, where a lot of floral clouds of dust lingered in the air around us.

"Alright, tell me the truth, if you lie to me even once, you will be cursed to have parasitic mushrooms grow on you everyday for the rest of your life." he warned

"I didn't hire these attackers. They are not from the black market, and I do know who they are and what their motives were.."

None of what I said are lies, well not technicality, I didn't hire them, I did request them to do it, just not hire, it's all in the wording. TO lie better, all you gotta do is incorporate some truths.

"Dammit, nothing but the truth." he clicked his tongue and disappeared with only his floral cloud left behind which Maple cleared

Buddy was coughing and sneezing, his nose is more sensitive than mine and Cassius did not help. My grandfather was just standing there in shock.

"Wait..." he said as he tried to rack up about what just happened "He said his followers called him Cassius...her last name is Autumn...wait..."

Oh c'mon, just when I think I live in a world of an isekai novel, he actually made the connection, and judging by the wide-eyed Maple, Grandpa Laker isn't dumb.

"Those names..." he muttered

"Come on old man, you're still hungover, let's go home and rest."

"Right, I must be dreaming then." he nodded and head back home

*****

As I got home, I washed up and helped Buddy clear his nose from the earlier powerful floral scent, I went to bed to take a short power nap due to how tired we were, we have been working nonstop for the past couple hours and our muscles were sore.

I slept for a good 40 minutes and woke up with Lilith sitting right next to me.

"I'm here to claim my prize." she said once she saw me woke up

"What prize?"

"Remember that-"

"Oh no, I thought that you'll forget."

"I did, but the appearance of those children reminded me of it, I was stressed and needed a way to help calm me down."

"Can we not do it today? I'm fricking tired."

"That's fine, tomorrow night then." she giggled and kissed me on the nose "Not even Maple and Leilah combined can save you now."

"Since when did you start becoming sweet?"

"None of your concerns."

"Besides, I do know a way to escape this and delay it further."

"What is it?" she asked curiously

"I met your mom recently and she kis-"

I didn't even finish my sentence before a knife was planted right beside my head, even my face got grazed in the process even though I dodged from certain death. Man, for a woman who hates being compared to her sister, they're oddly similar, except one prefers to crush bones with her bare strength while this one uses knives and swords.

"It was only on the cheek."

"Do you think that making me angry will delay my reward any longer?" she asked

Buddy then got between us as she lay beside me, he was trying to protect me, but with a snap of her fingers, he teleported outside the room where she shut it with a barrier on top, I can hear him whimpering outside, but I don't think he'll be getting in soon.

"If anything, I'll just make sure to do everything in my power to make you forget about her." she said in a very ominous tone "Make sure to eat a lot tomorrow, you're going to need the stamina."