Isn't Talia the Poet of Great Love?

The torrential rain over Ikerite grew heavier and heavier. Even Boss Cat Restaurant had not seen a customer push through its doors in quite some time. Inside, the wooden building felt exceptionally peaceful. The hanging chandelier cast a soft glow, its warm yellow light reflecting off the vintage wooden staircase and shutting out the tempest outside entirely. Most patrons in the dining hall were leisurely enjoying their meals, glancing out at the intensity of the rain from time to time. "..." Phoenix looked up at the clock in between sips of his coffee. If the target did not appear within another hour, he would hypnotize himself once more, temporarily abandon the mission, and seek the next opportunity. Last night, after Lanqi escorted the young duchess here, he made two more round trips, and then the two parted ways. Right now, Lanqi was in the midst of a Shadow World duel against Adams at Ikerite Academy, unable to pull away anytime soon. Meanwhile, Frey and the student council president were entertaining the academic delegation that had gone to the School of Knights. Both of the greatest wild cards were absent, and the young duchess remained completely oblivious that danger had crept right up beside her. This was a foolproof opportunity to kill her. Formidable as the trio was together, upon returning to the mortal world, their daily life in Ikerite had grown far too lax and complacent. The only one who possessed any vigilance was Lanqi, who had entrusted his ace summon, [Poet of Great Love], to accompany Hyperion. According to intelligence, this summon possessed immense self-awareness and intelligence, as well as a telepathic link with Lanqi; should anything threaten the summon, Lanqi would sense it immediately. Earlier, in [Purgatory Corridor Academy], the reason Decay Cardinal's subordinate Lilette had failed was precisely because she inadvertently killed the Poet of Great Love at the very end, allowing Lanqi in the headmaster's office to detect the situation and rush over to save Hyperion. Yet this time, such good fortune would not strike twice. No one could save Hyperion. Suddenly, light, cheerful laughter drifted from the banister of the second-floor loft. Seated on the first floor, Phoenix slightly tilted his head up. His gaze drifted across the restaurant's elaborate timber architecture and landed on the stairs. A young woman wearing a tailored Ikerite Academy uniform was chatting with her companion. Silver hair, amber eyes, tall and elegantly dignified—it was indeed the young duchess, Hyperion. And beside her was another gray-haired woman whose expression appeared aloof. Though her disguise and acting were impeccable, she was without a doubt Lanqi's ace summon, [Poet of Great Love]. Her aura was faint, no different from that of a Tier 1 civilian. As they chatted, their descent naturally slowed. "Miss Tata, why didn't you wake me?" Hyperion seemed slightly sheepish. She had never slept so deeply before, sleeping for over ten straight hours before finally waking up. "You seemed sound asleep," Talia replied nonchalantly, the heels of her shoes tapping lightly against the wooden treads with each step, producing soft echoes. "Still, you didn't need to lie beside me and watch me the whole time..." When they reached the landing halfway down, Hyperion glanced at the rainy view outside the window and muttered with mild embarrassment. Although seeing Tata's lovely face and golden eyes the instant she opened hers had brought immense comfort, Hyperion was no longer a child. Being watched over as if put to bed by a mother made her blush with embarrassment. "I was afraid you would be scared alone." Talia's expression didn't change in the slightest. "Fair enough..." It was precisely because Tata had stayed by her side that she had slept with such unprecedented peace of mind. Hyperion said no more on the matter, instead asking what Tata wanted to eat later. If she didn't object, Tata might keep accompanying her like this tonight as well. Even if seeking so much pampering from Tata—who had only entered a temporary contract agreeing to protect her—felt a bit sly, it was a rare indulgence Hyperion allowed herself. The two continued down the spiral staircase, their voices drifting until they reached the first floor and blended into the dining hall aisle. "Once the rain lets up, let's head over to Ikerite Academy. Lanqi might be dueling Aloran Academy's ace right now," Hyperion glanced at the clock above the counter and suggested to Talia. "What's there to see?" Talia answered instinctively. Yet upon reflection, she found herself somewhat curious about what Lanqi was up to. "Still, if you want to go, we can go together," Talia added. "Haha, let's go catch Lanqi in the act of being an absolute menace." Hyperion's laughter sounded relaxed and natural, while beside her, Talia gazed calmly ahead as they walked toward the counter to order. Neither of them noticed— The figure of Phoenix sitting by the dining table in the aisle they were about to pass. "..." Phoenix slowly raised the coffee cup to his lips. It had grown slightly cold. At last. The exact instant Hyperion and Talia walked past. Phoenix sat quietly in his seat, a barely perceptible sneer curling at the corner of his lips. Beneath the table, a magic card glowing with brilliant pink radiance had already appeared in his other hand. A flash of lightning ripped through the gloom outside the windows, instantly illuminating the faces inside as bright as day. *Rumble!!* The gentle background music floating through the restaurant was briefly drowned out by the rolling thunder outside. And at that very moment. Unnoticed by anyone, beneath the thunder, the tune of the music had shifted. Customers in the aisles and seats abruptly froze whatever they were doing. Their expressions turned rigid and devoid of emotion, their eyes hollow. In eerie unison, they stood up, turned around, stomped heavily forward, and fixed their gazes entirely on Hyperion! It was not just the clap of thunder—Phoenix had struck as well. The dagger gripped tightly in his right hand, flashing with cold light, had already been hurled with every ounce of strength in his body before Hyperion could even turn her head—a strike powerful enough to cleave the Tier 4 Hyperion in two! Even as shock registered on Hyperion's face, the floorboards in the distance were split by a sharp, clean incision. Yet as the fracture along the floor reached Hyperion's side, it seemed repelled by a vastly superior force and vanished entirely. The reason Hyperion appeared completely unharmed was that she possessed a life-saving card. Furthermore, the strike had cleaved right through the Poet of Great Love beside her; as a mere Tier 1, she would dissipate in the blink of an eye. *Young duchess, you won't escape today!* His cold expression no longer hiding his murderous intent, Phoenix rose and closed in on Hyperion. Like mechanical puppets, the civilians in the restaurant snatched up knives and forks and charged at Hyperion in a suicidal assault. Even if. Lanqi detected the danger to Hyperion right this second. There was no way he could make it in time! This battle would be over in moments. Next, Hyperion would be locked in an inescapable deathmatch against Phoenix, who commanded this horde of civilians. At all costs, he would kill Hyperion as swiftly as possible—or drag her down to the grave with him. And yet. An eerie sensation coiled around Phoenix's heart. A chill surged up his spine and instantly shot through his entire body. A pair of golden pupils was gazing at him, freezing his body completely in place. At this moment, it felt as though the true puppet was him. Someone seemed to be looking down upon him. It was a pair of terrifying eyes that chilled him to the marrow. The entire space of the restaurant seemed to plunge into pitch-black darkness, leaving only those demon-god-like golden eyes burning with vivid clarity, reducing him to absolute insignificance.