"Let's go," Kagami Ren said.
In the next moment, he appeared above the sea, having been kicked out of the Plane of Euthymia by Raiden Ei.
"You who question eternity!" The Raiden Shogun snorted coldly upon seeing him.
"…"
Kagami Ren felt a bit helpless. Was she really that petty?
But in the next instant, he noticed her demeanor change. The cold, rigid aura faded, replaced by a slightly dazed presence.
It was Ei. Kagami Ren recognized it immediately.
The Shogun was imposing and emotionless, exuding pure authority, while Ei herself was somewhat absent-minded—quiet, even a little adorable in her stiffness.
"Let's go quickly!" Ei said impatiently, grabbing Kagami Ren and turning into a streak of lightning as she rushed toward the Grand Narukami Shrine.
Inside the shrine…
"Miko, stop pacing back and forth," Fox Saiguu said with a slight headache as she watched Yae Miko.
"You don't understand! The Shogun is extremely rigid," Miko sighed, frowning. "And I don't want to see those two fight."
"A battle between gods—no matter who wins—would bring immeasurable loss to Inazuma."
"Since Kagami Ren said he has a way to restrain her, it should be fine," Saiguu said. "And if Ei learns he can revive others, she won't harm him."
"She would never give up a chance to bring Makoto back."
"I hope so…" Miko nodded, then suddenly looked toward the sky. A streak of lightning shot down and landed inside the shrine.
"Ah Ren!" As the lightning dispersed, Miko saw Kagami Ren and hurried over.
"The Shogun? No… you're Ei," she said, examining her.
"Miko…" Ei's voice softened slightly, aware of how much she owed her.
"Oh my, let me see who this is?" A teasing voice sounded behind Miko.
"Five hundred years and you're still the same, Ei—throwing little tantrums like a child."
"You haven't been rolling around in the Plane of Euthymia crying, have you?"
"Fox Saiguu…" Ei's voice trembled. Kagami Ren hadn't lied—he really could bring people back.
Kagami Ren watched Saiguu teasing Ei, then glanced at Miko. As expected—cut from the same cloth. Both were cunning foxes.
Though Saiguu was a bit more refined compared to Miko's mischievous nature.
Now that the truth was proven, Ei turned anxiously to Kagami Ren.
"I agree! I'll be your woman! Hurry and revive Makoto!"
"…"
Kagami Ren's lips twitched slightly.
"Oh? Someone gave herself away that easily?" Miko chuckled. "Looks like our Shogun is about to experience love."
Ei ignored her, her eyes fixed on Kagami Ren with anticipation.
"Ei, I just revived Saiguu. That took a huge toll on me. At least let me rest," Kagami Ren said helplessly. He wasn't some tireless machine.
With only an S-rank Death-and-Life Herrscher template, reviving Saiguu had already consumed most of his power. Reviving a god like Makoto right away would push him to his limit.
"…"
Ei fell silent. She understood that reviving the dead must come at a cost.
"Then come with me to Tenshukaku. You're not allowed to leave," she said firmly.
"No!" Miko immediately objected. "Ah Ren is the High Priest of the Grand Narukami Shrine. Why would he go to Tenshukaku? I refuse."
"Ei, don't worry," Kagami Ren said. "I told you—Inazuma is my home now. I won't leave."
"Exactly! And as High Priest, staying at Tenshukaku would cause all sorts of gossip. Besides, that position doesn't even grant residence there," Miko quickly added.
As if she'd let Ei take him away before she had her chance.
"Kagami Ren is a god. That title is beneath him," Ei said, glaring at Miko.
"Kagami Ren, if you come to Tenshukaku, I will immediately grant you the title of Supreme Deity of Inazuma," Ei said seriously. "If you revive Makoto, I will personally serve you."
"!!!"
Both Miko and Saiguu were stunned. Ei… was offering to elevate him to godhood?
Kagami Ren was also surprised, but after a moment of thought, he understood—Ei simply wanted to keep him close, afraid he might disappear.
"Let's talk about that after I revive Makoto," Kagami Ren said, shaking his head. He had no interest in being monitored.
"But—" Ei hesitated, but when she met his calm gaze, she couldn't force him.
She feared pushing him too far. If he left Inazuma, Makoto's revival would become impossible.
"…Alright." Ei lowered her head slightly. "But you're not allowed to leave."
"I promise," Kagami Ren said.
"Then I'll return to Tenshukaku. Once you recover, come find me immediately." With that, Ei vanished.
"I've never seen her like that before," Miko remarked, then looked at Kagami Ren with a sly smile. "Ah Ren, you actually refused her offer? That's the position of a god, far above a mere High Priest."
"She wasn't sincere. She just wanted to keep an eye on me," Kagami Ren said. "I don't like being watched."
"However… Miko…" Kagami Ren stepped closer, a mischievous smile on his face.
"Ah… Ah Ren, what are you doing?" Miko instinctively stepped back, a hint of panic in her voice.
"What am I doing? Have you forgotten your promise?" Kagami Ren pressed her against the wall, one arm braced beside her, trapping her in place.
"I… well… can you give me some time…" For once, the usually sharp-tongued Miko seemed at a loss.
"Nope." Kagami Ren smiled and gently lifted her chin, his gaze falling on her soft pink lips as he leaned closer.
Their lips met.
Soft. Sweet.
That was his first impression as he wrapped an arm around her slender waist, pulling her into his embrace.
"Mmm…" Miko's eyes slowly closed as she experienced this unfamiliar sensation, something she had never felt before, leaving her momentarily lost in it.
Her arms slowly rose, wrapping around his neck as she sank into the moment.