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Near Shiba Park and the Tokyo Tower, if you follow a narrow path to the end, you'll find a Shrine.
It wasn't open to the public. The shrine belonged to the History Compilation Committee and functioned mainly as a training ground for shrine maidens and priests—though the occasional monk would come for study as well.
Among those who came here, the one with the highest standing was Yuri Mariya.
She was born into the Mariya family, a lineage said to carry the blood of a divine ancestor, a former Mother Earth Goddess.
Though her own power wasn't remarkable, she had unexpectedly broad connections. That, combined with her heritage, made her someone the Committee considered worth protecting.
But no protection is flawless.
Four years ago, while traveling in Europe at the invitation of one of her father's old friends, Yuri was kidnapped by a magic society eager to curry favor with Marquis Voban.
They offered her as one of the shrine maidens for a summoning ritual.
Technically, she wasn't meant as the main sacrifice—more like support. The risk of death was low, though overloading her spiritual power could have left her weakened for a time. Even Voban understood shrine maidens were too precious to waste recklessly.
It was during this ritual that a Heretic God descended, summoned by Yuri and the others.
But the god was immediately intercepted—slain by the King of Swords, Salvatore Doni.
Then Voban and Doni clashed.
When Campiones fight, collateral damage is inevitable. Even though Voban tried not to harm the maidens, his fury turned the battlefield into a slaughterhouse.
Many shrine maidens died. The survivors were left with lifelong scars, physical or psychological.
Yuri was no exception.
And now, another "downfall" was knocking on her door.
Inside the shrine's tea room, Yuri sat pale-faced, staring at the bespectacled man smiling in front of her.
He introduced himself as Amakasu Touma, subordinate to Kaoru Sayanomiya, head of the Committee's Tokyo branch. He had come to invite her to attend "the King's banquet."
Yuri knew all too well what that meant. After what she'd endured four years ago, there was no mistaking it.
"Another… summoning ritual?" she whispered, her face drained of color.
Amakasu sighed regretfully. "I'd like to say no, but unfortunately, yes. The King has requested shrine maidens of the highest aptitude from Japan. Even my superior, Miss Kaoru, has been chosen."
"C-can I refuse?" Yuri asked, voice trembling, almost desperate. "Summoning a god here in Japan—it's insane! Do they realize what they're doing?"
"I'm sorry. The King's will is not something we can oppose," Amakasu replied. He removed his glasses and wiped them slowly.
"Of course, if you can persuade the King to change his mind, we would have no objections."
Yuri froze. A faint glimmer of hope flickered. Yes, kings were willful and capricious, but… what if?
What if this King was willing to listen? What if he gave up the idea?
But Amakasu's next words cut that thought down immediately.
"However, if your influence causes damage to the country, I imagine the higher-ups will still hold you accountable."
Yuri's eyes widened in shock.
So, if she was offered as a sacrifice, that was fine. But if she tried to save herself and it went wrong, she'd be blamed?
What next—if the Campione toppled a skyscraper, would she have to pay for it?
If she weren't so powerless, she'd be rallying a rebellion right now, like some character out of history.
But that was just wishful thinking.
"…I understand. I'll cooperate," Yuri murmured, bowing her head in resignation.
Amakasu's smile returned. "I'm glad you see reason."
"In that case, without delay, let's head to your home—"
"Wait!" Yuri blurted out in a panic. "Please… don't tell my family."
Amakasu tilted his head thoughtfully. "Ah, I see. You don't want to worry them, in case something happens to you?"
That unexpected sensitivity startled her. She nodded faintly.
But then Amakasu's smile sharpened. He put his glasses back on and said, "Unfortunately, we must visit your home. It's a necessary step."
"A… necessary step?" Yuri blinked, confused.
"Because," Amakasu said cheerfully, "your younger sister, Hikari Mariya, has also been chosen."
Yuri shot to her feet, her whole body stiffening.
Her emotions shattered all at once—panic, grief, fury—and tears welled in her eyes.
"Why? Why Hikari? She's only twelve! She's just a child!"
"I'm sorry," Amakasu said smoothly, adjusting his glasses. "That's the decision from above."
Yuri's nails dug into her palms. Her face darkened with rage as she spat, "So we are supposed to die? Just like this?"
Amakasu's smile faltered slightly. "The more Shrine Maidens, the higher your chance of surviving… Besides, the new King is from Japan, so I'm sure he wouldn't let any of you die—"
"Shut up!" Yuri snapped, before catching herself. Her shoulders slumped and her voice softened. "How long before we leave?"
"Immediately," Amakasu replied, still smiling, though inside he was cursing his higher-ups, Ryo Yagami, and even fate itself.
'Poor girl,' Amakasu thought as he watched Yuri crumble. 'She must have somehow offended someone high up, and now her whole family is being punished—maybe wiped out in a single stroke.'
What he didn't know was that Ryo had revealed Yuri and her sister were Hime-Mikos, which is why both of them had been summoned.
But regardless, it didn't sit right with him either. The Committee would take all the blame, even though they were only carrying out orders.
If Yuri broke down during the ritual, or something went wrong, they'd be the ones held responsible. And yet, part of him knew… letting her vent her hatred at the Committee might actually help her in the long run. Better than offending the new King.
"Yuri-san, we don't have much time," Amakasu urged.
Yuri staggered a few steps, her eyes hollow, and whispered, "Then let's go, Amakasu-san. We mustn't keep the King waiting."
Amakasu stood and followed her, his heart heavy.
Yuri's fate was tragic, but his wasn't much better. His boss was under Ryo's control, and he'd been sent to handle this nightmare job. Any hopes of promotion or reward were long gone.
What a miserable life.
What no one knew was that Ryo was simply enjoying himself; he meant no harm to anyone. As for why he specifically mentioned the two sisters… well, he had "admired" them before, and now it was finally time for a proper meeting.
He also kind of enjoyed the misunderstanding. When he learned about the whole China-Japan situation, he laughed hard. Like hell he cared about their problems—his goal was clear: drain the myth, prepare for Little Garden's observation, and strengthen his community.
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.
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