"My ancestor?" Hulim Heyerar looked at Holstin with confusion.

  "Dean Holstin, are you saying... my ancestor also studied at Manacos?"

  "Haha~, isn't that obvious, Miss Hulim?" Professor Dez Swan laughed.

  "You should know from your family history that your ancestor was originally a commoner. Your family's history likely begins from when he joined the knight order of his time. In truth, Olubet was recruited and rose through the ranks precisely because he displayed extraordinary talent at Manacos."

  "Such talent attracted many powerful forces. In the end, the royal family of the Parasara Empire personally intervened with generous offers to secure his service."

  I see, thought Hulim. So that's how her ancestor rose so quickly through the ranks—with the connections of Manacos, such advancement was only natural.

  "Indeed," said Holstin, "Olubet's talent was rare even in Manacos's history. His archives are still carefully preserved by the academy. If only—"

  Holstin sighed regretfully, "—such a person could be born in this era..."

  He then looked back at Hulim.

  "Fortunately, we still have young geniuses like you!"

  "Um... Dean Holstin, are you referring to the Demon King?"

  Holstin nodded.

  "Yes, time draws near. I wonder how many lives will be lost in Himmler this time..."

  "..."

  "Dean, you worry too much," said Dez. "I believe that if all races work together, we can drive away the new Demon King just as we did four hundred years ago."

  Holstin nodded at Dez's words, but his expression remained troubled.

  "I'm not concerned about whether the four races can unite... I'm worried about certain poisons festering within."

  At this, Dez's expression darkened as if recalling something grave.

  "Dean, you mean that..."

  Hulim watched the cryptic exchange, perplexed.

  "Dean Holstin, what do you mean by 'poisons festering within'?"

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  Both Holstin and Dez fell silent.

  Then Holstin spoke in a somber tone:

  "—Gulos!"

  ...

  Gulos...

  Hulim was taken aback. This was the second time she'd heard this name...

  "Gulos is a vast, worldwide evil organization whose goal is to subject the entire world to demon rule and even transform humans into demons to achieve eternal life..."

  "Now that the Demon King's return approaches, these creatures grow more active by the day. They're likely plotting some cataclysmic scheme..."

  Gulos... So it was the name of a group?

  The curse-like words Silabain spoke before dying—could they have meant not that a person would avenge him, but that she had stepped into forbidden territory?

  "Hulim, you must be extremely cautious in the future. Never associate with these people—they are truly dangerous. If you ever encounter them, never face them alone—they're not something one person can handle..."

  "Um, Dean Holstin—"

  Hulim interrupted, "Is Gulos... strong?"

  Both Holstin and Dez fell silent again.

  After a full three seconds, Holstin finally spoke: "Gulos... It's not a matter of 'strong' or 'not strong'—it's horrifyingly powerful!"

  "..."

  "Gulos has what are called the Three Pillars: the Pillar of Information, the Pillar of Force, and the Pillar of Wealth. These three are at the apex of A-rank strength. Beneath them are other A-rank powerhouses and numerous B-rank ones, plus their ability to control demons—"

  "Perhaps this is better explained another way: the world's four major powers, each the cornerstone of their respective races and critical to the alliance against the Demon King's army—not one of these nations could defeat Gulos alone!"

  "Not even the Parasara Empire?"

  "No."

  Holstin shook his head.

  "Neither the Parasara Empire, the Indam Federation, nor the Lidoyar Kingdom could win. Ravenrim might have a chance of resisting by relying on the World Tree, but as demon creatures appear more frequently, Gulos's power will rapidly grow. How long that chance would last is anyone's guess..."

  I see. So it wasn't just about strength—Gulos had surpassed the scale of a normal criminal organization. It couldn't be measured by conventional standards, and its true power was indeed terrifying.

  But now... what should she do?

  It had been months since that incident. Did they not know about her? Had they forgotten? Or were they already preparing...?

  Seeing Hulim lost in thought, Holstin felt he might have said too much. These children shouldn't have to face such harsh realities so soon.

  He smiled reassuringly: "Hulim, don't worry too much. Gulos would never dare show its face in Langard. Even if they did, it would only be peripheral members or insignificant lackeys."

  "What?"

  Hulim couldn't hide her surprise.

  "Why wouldn't Gulos appear in Langard?"

  Holstin and Dez exchanged knowing smiles.

  "Because there is someone in Langard whom even Gulos fears. They wouldn't dare set foot here."

  Someone...

  Now Hulim understood why no one had come after her yet.

  After that, despite Hulim's attempts to find out who this "someone" was, both men remained tight-lipped. Finally, she gave up and bid them farewell to study her Tier 4 magic.

  What a rollercoaster of emotions today—like the first time Semiris took her flying through the sky as a shooting star.

  "I wonder what Semiris is doing now..."

  Gulos... Such a threat to the world—did the gods of Tiramshuin know about this?

  "Let's hope this doesn't cause too much trouble..."

  ...