— — — — — —
"How… how can this be?"
Yuri Mariya's composure shattered.
It wasn't Liliana's cruel metaphor that broke her.
It was the truth—that her younger sister, Hikari, was the real offering for the ritual. That fact crushed her heart.
She couldn't stop herself from looking at Ryo, wanting to beg him to spare her sister.
"Your Majesty…"
But before she could finish, she caught the faintly amused smile on his face.
And in that instant, Yuri understood.
Ryo might be more approachable than Marquis Voban, but he still shared the same identity.
A Campione. A heartless Godslayer. A king who slays deities, steals their powers, tramples the earth, and rules with arrogance.
So from the very beginning, there was never room for negotiation.
Watching Yuri slump back against the sofa, her eyes silent and defeated, Ryo raised an eyebrow. "Looks like you've finally come to terms with reality?"
He was no hypocrite pretending at pacifism while being more destructive than anyone else.
He wasn't above using ruthless means, either. Meaningless pleas were never going to sway his decision.
Beside him, Liliana sighed at the sight of her childhood friend but made no move to speak.
First, she was her king's knight. Then, his woman. After that, the successor to the Bronze Black Cross. And only at the very end, Yuri's childhood friend.
Besides, she knew Ryo wasn't really sacrificing lives; he just liked letting others misunderstand his intentions.
"..."
Meanwhile, little Hikari, seeing her sister's despair, tugged at her sleeve.
"Big sis, big sis~"
When she got no reaction, she turned to Ryo with wide, sparkling eyes and let out a little gasp.
"Whoa! So this is a Campione? Just a few words and you made my sister like this… amazing!"
What a child… Ryo couldn't help smiling wryly at her.
Hikari's eyes lit up even more.
"Then, Campione, are you gonna do something embarrassing to her next? Like, bully her in a bed?"
Ryo's expression froze for a moment.
But Hikari carried right on.
"Don't hold back, please! My sister's really tough. Even if she cries after being bullied, once she sleeps she'll be all energetic again."
At that, Ryo tilted his head slightly toward Liliana.
"Is this how the Mariya family raises their kids?"
Yuri, now back to her senses, clenched her fists, face burning red as she gritted her teeth.
"Your Majesty, may I have a moment alone with my sister?"
"No way!"
Hikari hopped up, darted across the room, and plopped down right next to Ryo. Grabbing his hand, she teased,
"Give it up, sis. I'm already the Campione's spoils of war. If you wanna rescue the princess, you'll have to beat the king first."
"Hikari!" Yuri shot to her feet, nearly losing it.
Startled, Hikari quickly shrank against Ryo's side.
"Come back here!" Yuri reached out in a rush.
"Hm?" Ryo let out a quiet hum.
Yuri froze, panic flashing in her eyes, before she sank back down in defeat, lips pressed tight.
Watching her sister collapse like that, Hikari let out a satisfied "Hehe~," then grinned.
"See, sis? You're just too timid. His Majesty's actually super nice, but you're so scared of him."
Nice? Ryo blinked, then chuckled as he ruffled Hikari's hair.
"Exactly. I've always thought of myself as a kind and gentle person."
"See? Told you!"
Puffed up with pride, Hikari pointed at her sister like a little commander. "You're such a cowardly girl. You should just go home already."
She even waved her hand, shooing her away.
But before she could bask in her mischief, a pair of hands pinched her cheeks. A warm voice murmured right by her ear.
"Not happening."
Hikari stiffened, turning to find Ryo's smiling face.
"Without your sister around, I doubt you'd behave yourself."
He gave her cheeks another playful squeeze, then mussed her hair. "Clever little brat. You were hoping I'd let your sister go, weren't you?"
"Eheh~" Hikari scratched her head, grinning sheepishly.
"Don't bother pretending. It won't work."
Ryo laughed, then leaned back on the sofa, eyes sliding back to Yuri.
"Tomorrow afternoon, I'll be taking you both to Monkey Temple. Until then, you'll spend the night here."
He stood, smiling faintly. "Of course, you're free to try escaping if you like."
With that, he left the suite with Liliana.
The door shut behind them.
Hikari slumped on the couch, arms folded, muttering with a pout far beyond her years.
"Tch, I really thought I had him fooled."
Yuri, only now recovering, could only give her sister a helpless look.
"You couldn't even fool me. Did you really think you could trick a Godslayer? Honestly…"
She trailed off with a heavy sigh.
"I never imagined you'd be the Miko of Disaster Purification."
Hikari tilted her head. "What's that? Why do you sound so freaked out?"
"It's a rare gift. A Disaster Purification's shrine maiden can nullify both magic and spiritual power. Though, against a Godslayer's spellcraft, it's almost useless."
Yuri rubbed her temples and added wearily, "If Liliana wasn't lying, then this temple is sealing away the Heretic God, Monkey King Sun Wukong—and you're the key to breaking that seal."
"Whoa!" Hikari's eyes went round, sparkling with excitement.
"So you're saying… they can't do it without me?"
Yuri immediately tensed. "What are you planning?"
"Nothing!" Hikari shook her head furiously, eyes darting everywhere but her sister's.
"Hikari, please… don't mess around at a time like this," Yuri pleaded, anxiety rising.
"I'm not messing around!" Hikari huffed, then hopped off the couch and ran toward the bedroom.
"I'm gonna check out what the Campione's castle looks like."
"Wait—get back here! You're not leaving until you tell me what's going through your head!"
Yuri scrambled after her, but Hikari slipped inside the room, slammed the door, and locked it.
Her triumphant laughter rang out from inside.
"Nope! Enjoy the cold shoulder, sis!"
"HIKARI!"
...
Out in the corridor.
Ryo paused. His gaze drifted toward the figure waiting at the far end.
A tall girl stood there, her long hair smooth and flowing in a traditional style. She wore a sailor uniform with black stockings, and in her hand gleamed a katana.
Ryo studied her with clear amusement. "A katana infused with divine power… and a shrine maiden to boot. So you're Ena Seishuuin, then?"
His eyes narrowed as his smile deepened.
"Leaking a trace of divinity outside on purpose… were you trying to lure me out, so you could free the two shrine maidens inside?"
"No, Your Majesty, you misunderstand."
Ena's voice brimmed with vitality, yet it carried a natural, refreshing quality.
"Grampsy ordered me to test whether Your Majesty is truly worthy of Ena."
"Test me?"
Ryo paused, then let out a cold laugh. "Well now… that's an interesting choice of words."
.
.
.