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Knock, knock, knock!
"Your Majesty, Yuri Mariya and Hikari Mariya have arrived."
Liliana's voice carried through the door after three firm knocks. From inside came a deep male voice. "Come in."
At the sound, Liliana turned the handle. Under Yuri's nervous gaze, the door opened.
The room beyond was spacious and bright, but what caught Yuri's eyes most was the figure by the floor-to-ceiling windows, seated on a cream-striped sofa.
A man.
Black hair slicked back without gel, a little messy but giving off a strong, soldierly impression. His sharp features would have been severe, but the slight lift of his lips softened them into something disarmingly handsome. His eyes were dark, with a hint of brown when they caught the light—bright, but impossibly deep.
He sat casually, one leg crossed, holding a notebook bound with hand-stitched brown leather. The pages were filled with Greek script; Yuri couldn't make much sense of it, but she caught glimpses of words like Sasha's diary.
The man snapped it shut. The notebook dissolved into golden motes of light that scattered into the air.
Yuri quickly lowered her gaze, heart pounding. She didn't dare stare too long.
Then came his voice.
"Come closer, you can sit there."
Teeth clenched, Yuri squeezed her sister's hand and led Hikari forward. They sat on the sofa opposite him. Liliana took her place at his left, standing like a loyal knight beside her king.
Ryo let his eyes drift over Yuri. Her long black hair tinged with brown, delicate features—a classic Japanese beauty.
But that was all.
He shifted his gaze to Hikari. The younger girl was staring straight at him, eyes wide with curiosity. When his gaze met hers, she flinched, then boldly looked him over again.
'Lively one, isn't she?' Ryo chuckled faintly and cleared his throat.
"Lily, how many shrine maidens have arrived?"
"Including Sayanomiya Kaoru, fifteen in total," Liliana answered with a bow.
He'd told her beforehand—three particular maidens needed to be singled out. So far, only two had arrived, Kaoru and Hikari. The third had yet to appear.
"Fifteen already?"
Ryo's lips curved slightly as his thoughts turned to the one who truly mattered.
Ena Seishuuin.
The highest-ranked shrine maiden in Japan. In name, the leader of all priestesses. She served Susanoo directly, guarding his divine sword, Ame no Murakumo. Known also as Kusanagi no Tsurugi or Grasscutter.
Whether the Japanese factions were serious about this gathering would be clear the moment she appeared. If she came, it meant they were working hard—though it also meant Susanoo was busy plotting something, as always.
But whether it was him or Susanoo making moves, Ena's presence was essential.
"…Too few," Ryo murmured.
"Tell the History Compilation Committee to move faster. Bring in the higher-ranked maidens. Weren't they the ones who promised to gather as much as possible?"
Yuri trembled. Gathering her courage, she spoke up timidly. "Y-Your Majesty… may I speak?"
Ryo tilted his head. "Speak."
With permission granted, Yuri tightened her grip on her sister's hand and forced the words out.
"The descent ritual demands great mental strength. My sister Hikari is still a child. She can't possibly bear it. Please—allow me to take on her share instead."
Hikari stirred at her side, but Yuri clamped down on her hand, hard enough to hurt. This time, though, Hikari didn't cry out. She stayed silent, uncharacteristically so.
Trading her life to protect her sister? Liliana's expression softened briefly, but she said nothing, only a look of pity.
Head bowed, lip caught between her teeth, Yuri didn't dare speak further.
Across from her, Ryo studied her with something close to amusement.
This timid girl, who barely dared breathe in front of him… was this really the same one who, in the "original story," had kept Godou Kusanagi on such a tight leash?
Was he simply too domineering—or was Godou just that pathetic? He hadn't even done much, and yet here Yuri was, crumbling.
After a long silence, Yuri risked glancing up. Even then, her eyes only flicked to his chin before darting down again.
Finally, Ryo's lips curved. His voice was calm, but there was no kindness in it. "Seems my luck is better than I thought."
"…?" Yuri blinked, confused.
Ryo leaned back, the corner of his mouth quirking higher—not at her, but at the girl sitting beside her.
"To think the Committee still hasn't realized the 'Disaster Purification Maiden' is right here. Now that's interesting."
"Huh?" Yuri stared blankly. None of it made sense to her.
Liliana let out a soft sigh and explained.
"Sun Wukong sealed by the Keeper of the Horses spell requires three conditions to be unbound."
"First, a snake or dragon Heretic God."
"Second, a Hime-Miko with the power of Disaster Purification."
"Third, the treasure sword Zanryuuto."
Her gaze turned toward Hikari. "The dragon-serpent, we already have. The blade is easy to get. But the most crucial—the Disaster Purification Maiden."
"And it's here, your sister, Hikari Mariya."
"WHAT?"
Yuri's world tilted.
Liliana's voice was almost gentle, but the words cut like a knife.
"Do you understand now, Yuri? To the King, you're nothing but an add-on. A freebie that came with your sister."
She paused, her tone laced with pity. "Like buying a new TV… and getting a roll of toilet paper thrown in."
.
.
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