Chapter 67: Sayanomiya Sayaka's Request
There was never any evidence to suggest that this "King" had no intention of summoning a "Heretic God." If he were to perform such a ritual, he would naturally require a "Hime-Miko" (Princess Shrine Maiden) possessing powerful spiritual energy like herself.
"However, the 'King' already has a 'White Princess' by his side. He shouldn't be interested in me, right?"
Mariya Yuri felt her heartbeat flutter with panic. She whispered comforts to herself, trying her best to calm her rising anxiety. Unlike those Knight-Princesses, she did not harbor any romantic yearning for an existence like a "King," even though one could say she was rescued by him during the previous incident.
Yuri knew she owed a debt of gratitude to this "King," but she still hoped to repay it in some other way. Under no circumstances did she want to be dragged back into a struggle between a "King" and a "Heretic God." Such a turbulent life only filled Yuri with fear.
Taking a deep breath, Yuri stood up and forced her thoughts to shift to other matters. Having straightened her attire, she left the shrine. On her way to the front hall, she brushed past several shrine staff members.
When they bowed in greeting, Yuri returned the gesture with a smile. There was a reason for the respectful and cautious conduct of this fourteen-year-old "Miko Princess." Within this shrine, Yuri was an existence of higher rank than anyone else because she belonged to the rare sequence of high-ranking "Hime-Miko." She possessed the vital ability to receive revelations from the Netherworld to see through the essence and origins of Heretic Gods.
As such, she bore the responsibility of guarding the group of spiritual practitioners in the Kanto region. This was why she was so deeply respected.
At that moment, a woman walked toward Yuri from the opposite direction. It was Sayanomiya Sayaka, dressed in men's clothing.
"Good morning, Yuri. Long time no see... No, wait, we just saw each other yesterday. Saying it like that feels a bit off, doesn't it?"
Sayanomiya Sayaka offered a smile, but when she mentioned "yesterday," she seemed to recall the scenes of the battle between the Campiones. Her body gave a slight, subconscious shiver.
"Thinking back on it now, it's truly a blessing that we are still alive."
Sayaka shrugged slightly and gave Yuri a bitter smile. Hearing this, a trace of sorrow also appeared on Yuri's face.
"Indeed. Without experiencing an event like that, it's truly hard to realize that simply being alive is a beautiful thing."
Yuri paused mid-sentence. Remembering the earlier incident where her wooden comb snapped, her heart couldn't help but grow alert. This head of the Tokyo branch of the [History Compilation Committee] wouldn't show up at her door just to engage in small talk.
Inexplicably, an ill omen stirred in Yuri's heart.
"Branch Chief Sayanomiya, why exactly have you come to see me...?"
Yuri didn't believe the people from the [History Compilation Committee] would seek her out without cause. Furthermore, although she and Sayanomiya Sayaka attended the same high school, they didn't have much interaction. They weren't exactly friends; at most, they were people who had witnessed a battle between Campiones together yesterday.
Moreover, Yuri could not forget that the [History Compilation Committee] had intended to use her as a bargaining chip to be exchanged with this new "King." It was naturally impossible for her to place any trust in the Committee now.
"In truth, I've come to see you regarding this 'King.' That 'King' has now defeated Marquis Voban on our soil, and his fame will surely resound throughout the world. When that happens, Marquis Voban's mortal enemy—Luo Hao, the Leader of the Five Prison Sacred Cult and the 'Martial Arts King' of China—is extremely likely to come here to challenge this 'King' to a duel..."
Sayanomiya Sayaka weighed her words carefully before speaking to Yuri.
"As the 'Hime-Miko' of Musashino, you have the obligation to assist our [History Compilation Committee]. We hope you can persuade this 'King' to leave Japan. We are willing to accept any kind of compensation he requires. For the sake of Japan, I hope you can agree to the Committee's request, Yuri."
Sayaka did not speak in her personal capacity, but rather on behalf of the [History Compilation Committee]. There were not many mages or spiritualists who had inherited Japan's ancient sorcery, and Mariya Yuri happened to be one of those few.
And "Musashino" was the group that protected the Kanto region. Though she was young, a high-ranking shrine maiden titled "Hime" had duties and obligations she had to fulfill.
Although Sayaka was correct, Yuri's body still trembled slightly with lingering fear. Scenes of yesterday's earth-shaking battle between the Campiones seemed to resurface in her mind. If she had seen such a scene on television, she would have felt nothing, but having been at the scene personally—knowing she could be annihilated by the mere aftershock of a "Demon King's" casual strike at any moment—was something she never wanted to experience again.
"Why me...?" Yuri let out a sigh of resignation.
"Surely after yesterday, you understand the strength of this 'King,' Yuri. He hasn't left Japan yet. It seems that even after defeating Marquis Voban, there is still something here attracting him. For a powerful 'Demon King' like him to be interested... money, beauty, or magical
knowledge... these are naturally impossible. Otherwise, we wouldn't be in such a difficult position."
Sayanomiya Sayaka stepped forward and stood beside Yuri. Folding her arms, her expression took on a hint of seriousness.
Hearing this, how could Yuri not understand what Sayanomiya Sayaka was trying to say? Her voice trembled as she uttered that name, which felt almost like a taboo.
"Could it be... a 'Heretic God'...!?"
This was likely the only possibility. The only things that could interest a "Demon King" of the earth—who could destroy a city with a wave of his hand and whom no mage, however excellent, was qualified to be compared to—were other "Kings" who were fellow Campiones... and "Heretic Gods."
Even though she had known this for a long time, hearing the term again caused Sayaka to offer a bitter smile. She was only seventeen years old herself, still a student, yet at this age, she had experienced and seen things that even the world's most elite mages might never witness: the sight of a battle between Campiones.
Hearing Yuri's voice, Sayaka nodded and continued bitterly.
"Exactly. That is also the [History Compilation Committee's] guess. And if this 'King' were to start a war with a 'Heretic God' here, one can only imagine the terrifying disaster that would ensue. For this reason, we need you to be the person who diverts the 'King's' attention. Therefore, Yuri, we need your power now."
Yuri vaguely realized something. Her eyes grew slightly red, and she asked nervously.
"So, what do you need me to do...?"
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