"Wow~" As Kagami Ren and the others stepped into the shrine's dining hall, over a hundred shrine maidens burst into excited exclamations.
"So that's our High Priest? He's so handsome!"
"Lord Kagami Ren! Lord Kagami Ren! Oh my, his smile is so gentle! Nana, I think I'm in love with him!"
"A-Xing, A-Xing, don't you think Lord Kagami Ren is amazing? And he looks so perfect standing next to Lady Guuji!"
"Stop it, Xuandong. Be careful or Lady Guuji will punish you with cleaning Mt. Yougou," Kuki Sachi muttered, lowering her head, her cheeks flushed red. Lord Kagami Ren was truly handsome…
With the "Teyvat's Most Devoted" buff, Kagami Ren was like walking pheromones. Already striking in appearance, he had an irresistible charm for these inexperienced young shrine maidens.
"Alright, everyone, quiet down," Yae Miko said, clapping her hands as she stepped forward.
Her authority quickly brought silence.
Pulling Fox Saiguu beside her, she introduced, "Everyone, let me introduce someone. This is Fox Saiguu, the first Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine, who silently protected Inazuma for five hundred years. She will now reside here permanently. I expect you to treat her with the same respect as you do me."
The shrine maidens turned their attention to Saiguu, whispering among themselves with curiosity and admiration.
"Lady Saiguu! Welcome back!" they called out enthusiastically.
Saiguu nodded gently, her expression soft. Seeing the shrine thriving like this filled her with satisfaction.
"And this," Miko continued, gesturing toward Kagami Ren, "is our High Priest—Kagami Ren."
She paused briefly, then added, "And… he is also my lover."
"Wha—?!" The room instantly erupted into chaos. The shrine maidens were stunned. Yae Miko, a great yokai who had lived for centuries, had never once been linked to any romance—and now she was openly declaring it?
Kagami Ren also looked at her in surprise. He hadn't expected her to reveal their relationship so openly.
"There's no need to hide it," Miko said lightly, taking his hand. "I want everyone to bless us."
"Woooah~!" The sight of them holding hands triggered another wave of excited squeals.
The older shrine maidens, however, looked on with warm smiles.
"Lady Guuji has given so much to Inazuma… She's always been alone," one murmured. "Lord Kagami Ren is no ordinary man. Perhaps he can truly stay by her side… so she won't be alone anymore."
"Alright, take your seats. Let's begin the banquet," Miko said as the three of them sat down.
"Begin!"
With that, the feast officially started.
Cups clinked, laughter filled the air, and the rich aroma of food and wine created a lively atmosphere. One after another, the young shrine maidens came forward to toast Kagami Ren and the others.
The celebration carried on deep into the night.
"Ugh… no more… A-Xing, stop making me drink…" Kagami Ren's face was flushed red, his eyes unfocused. He had never been good with alcohol, and he hadn't used any powers to cheat.
After countless cups, he was completely drunk, waving his hand weakly as Kuki Sachi approached with another drink.
"Ahhh! Drunk Lord Kagami Ren is so cute!" Sachi exclaimed, her heart melting at his dazed expression.
"Hahaha! Ah Ren, are you really that weak?" Saiguu laughed, teasing him. "No way, no way—you're already down after a few drinks?"
"Who… who said that?" Kagami Ren protested, sitting up unsteadily. He grabbed his cup and downed it in one go.
"Fox Saiguu! Again!" he declared, pouring another drink.
"Oh? Then come on," Saiguu grinned, clearly interested. Did he really think he could outdrink her? She had been sneaking alcohol even before she took human form.
"Miko! Why are you letting him drink so much? He's already drunk!" Miko glared at Saiguu.
"Oh? Feeling sorry for your little lover?" Saiguu teased.
"Hmph…" Miko snorted, reaching to take Kagami Ren's cup.
"No! Don't take it, babe. I'm settling this with Fox Saiguu tonight," Kagami Ren said stubbornly, dodging her hand.
"…"
That single "babe" made Miko's face flush.
"Ah Ren, drink less. It's not good for you," she said softly.
"It's fine. I'm a god. I'll teach her who's in charge of this house," Kagami Ren declared, pulling Miko into his arms and planting a quick kiss on her lips. "Be good. I'm going to win this."
"Waaahhh!" The bold display sent the shrine maidens into a frenzy of excited squeals.
Miko sighed helplessly. When Kagami Ren got drunk, he became a completely different person. Still, he was right—his body wouldn't be harmed by alcohol.
She pinched his cheek lightly before leaving him to chat with the others.
"Come on!" Saiguu was also getting tipsy, her competitive spirit rising. "Tonight, I'll show you what real drinking looks like! I'm the one in charge here!"
"Oh yeah?" Kagami Ren sneered. "Drink?"
"Drink!"
Neither of them backed down, gulping down cup after cup.
Who knew how long it went on…
Bang.
Kagami Ren collapsed onto the table first.
"Hahaha! Ah Ren, you're such a lightweight!" Saiguu laughed triumphantly—only to collapse onto the table herself the next second, fast asleep.
Miko: "…"
The shrine maidens: "…"
"…Sigh." Miko rubbed her forehead. "Honestly, neither of you are any trouble-saving at all."
"A-Xing, clean things up. I'll take these two drunkards back," she said.
"Yes, Lady Guuji. Leave it to us. Please take Lord Kagami Ren and Lady Saiguu to rest," Sachi replied.
As a powerful yokai, Miko easily lifted one in each arm, slinging them over her shoulders as she carried them back to her room.