Chapter 179: One After Another

That said, Alwen clearly wasn’t the type who enjoyed socializing and couldn’t stop talking.

In fact, aside from occasionally exchanging a few words with Edwina, she mostly spent her time slowly savoring her rice and listening, hardly ever paying much attention to the unfamiliar Miss Vilyric duo.

However, it was just right that a certain Miss White Fox shared a similar dislike for trouble; even with one more person now present, everything went smoothly, and the atmosphere remained relatively harmonious.

As for the boss lady’s decision to join the meal without asking, Edwina seemed to have gotten used to it already. When she saw the White Fox Girl opposite her not making any fuss, she simply accepted it as is.

“Speaking of which, I haven’t had a chance to ask you, Alwen, how have you been these past two years?”

Casually using public chopsticks to pick up some bamboo shoots for her bowl, the emerald-haired girl shrugged indifferently.

“What else could it be? Just the same, eating, drinking, and passing the days. You know, not many people come around here, mostly just a few well-mannered regulars. Life isn’t particularly surprising but is certainly quiet and stable.”

“I see… Haha, that’s true.”

Feeling this topic might not be quite appropriate, Edwina quickly moved on, steering the conversation in a direction that all four could participate in.

After all, today wasn’t just about reminiscing with a familiar friend; she had to consider the feelings of the others as well.

Just as Edwina previously mentioned, while the food here was light and simple, its ingredients, cooking standards, and presentation were all quite impressive. Even if it couldn’t compare to the delicacies found in the Royal Palace of the United Kingdom, considering that almost all the dishes were made from bland bamboo series materials, it could still be called extraordinary craftsmanship.

Indeed, it lived up to the Holy Knight’s strong recommendation.

Unfortunately… not long after, as everyone was chatting and seemingly in a good mood, Alwen suddenly seemed to sense something, her brows frowning slightly. She glanced toward the only entrance of the Bamboo House, seemingly muttering to herself.

“Why are they actually here? Are these guys that idle lately?”

Similarly pulling her gaze back from beyond the bamboo curtain, Miss White Fox shook her head helplessly.

“Oh dear… this is going to be quite a spectacle…”

No sooner had she spoken than—

“Holy Empire Arbitration Office! Stop the deadly brawl at once and surrender!!!”

The curtain was flung open with a bang, and a dozen fully armed figures in uniforms surged into the Bamboo House. The gust of wind met with the booming shout of the leading figure, intensifying the already tense atmosphere that had just begun to calm down.

There weren’t many guests in the Bamboo House to begin with, and with a few scattered figures in sight, the newcomers’ eyes naturally landed on a certain Miss White Fox, whose attire and demeanor stood out sharply in this place.

“Is it her?”

A middle-aged man dressed like the team leader subtly conversed with a sweating student beside him as their pressed voices reached Miss Vilyric’s ears.

“Uh, yes… it’s them, but…”

“Take them down!”

“Clang clang clang!”

A torrent of hurried footsteps came rushing in, instantly surrounding the table where the four girls sat, while the imposing team leader disregarded the hesitant student next to him and the terrified guests. He strode forward, parting the surrounding circle to approach Miss White Fox.

“Entering the Holy Empire Academy without permission and engaging in a vicious sword fight with a student… this unknown miss, your actions have seriously violated our academy’s regulations. I now have reason to suspect you are a disruptor sent by hostile forces. Please come with us for investigation.”

“…?”

Putting down her bamboo chopsticks, she gently patted the shoulder of the visibly uneasy Little Loli to soothe her before turning to the tall arbitration officers at the table, her silver-blue eyes showing an unusual expression.

Why does it always end up being her who gets caught in the line of fire…

Realizing the predicament, Edwina quickly understood why the arbitration personnel were here. A flicker of annoyance over her earlier oversight flashed across her face as she promptly stood to clarify.

“You’ve got it wrong! The ones fighting with weapons are me! This is a personal conflict between Yulrin Ulysses and me, and it has already been resolved. It has nothing to do with this Xi…”

However, before she could finish, the arbitration officer team leader impatiently waved his hand to interrupt her.

“Enough with the nonsense! I’ve been in this line of work for over a decade. Not many troublemakers admit they aren’t innocent, and their excuses are always similar to yours. Regardless of who threw the first punch, since you’re all together, no one is getting away.”

He pointed to the sword and chain badge on his uniform and said in a threatening tone, “Understand this—we are arbitrators, not a charity bureau. We are here to arrest, not mediate or listen to your excuses. The arbitration office never leaves empty-handed. Everyone at this table is coming with us, got it?”

“Wait, I have to go too?”

For some unknown reason, although the team leader only vaguely pointed at three people, it was the bamboo house owner, Alwen, who reacted most vehemently, promptly slamming the table and standing up, aggressively pointing her finger at the team leader.

“Are you guys just bored out of your minds?! Or are you blind? That giant Holy Emblem around your neck isn’t something you can just ignore! Don’t tell me you don’t recognize her! Plus, my Bamboo House has rules, you fool! You’ve been roaming this academy for over ten years, and you still don’t know I never leave this place? Looking for a fight?!”

This outburst naturally caused the team leader, who had initially considered excluding her, to frown slightly. But before he could say anything…

“Presumptuous! Are you resisting arrest?”

An aggressive-looking arbitrator suddenly stepped forward, reaching to swat Alwen’s hand that was almost poking the team leader’s face.

“I’ll resist! So what?!”

The emerald-haired girl defiantly shot back, unafraid, swiftly swatting away the outstretched hand as if swatting a fly, a visible force sending the half-beastman flying straight out, crashing through the bamboo curtain. A loud ‘bang’ echoed from outside, stirring several shocked voices around.

“You’re bold!”

“Are you trying to stir up trouble!?”

The situation had undoubtedly turned chaotic, binding Alwen and the three others together. Now, they could no longer escape even if the others wanted to avoid her.

The officer who was just pointed at by Alwen twitched as his facial muscles twitched, raising his hand to stop his subordinates who were on edge and glaring at Alwen. He glanced over the three girls, each wearing different expressions, and spoke in a tone that seemed both persuasive and provocative.

“Alwen, the Bamboo House owner. I’ve heard about you, and I know you’re strong and have a remarkable background… but don’t forget where this is. Your Bamboo House, no matter how impressive, is still part of the Holy Academy. Everything in the Holy Academy, from top to bottom, must obey the arbitration office because we are the will of the Holy Court, the emissaries of the Gods.”

“Am I to understand that your recent actions mean you intend to resist the arbitration office and assist suspected spies sent by hostile forces to infiltrate the academy?”

   

---