After all, everything they knew about the Seventh Campione painted her as a force to be reckoned with. In less than three months, she had slain multiple Heretic Gods, forged a sisterly bond with the infamous Cult Leader Luo Hao, and, most crucially, had just defeated the King of Swords.
Now she was arriving in Japan... the mere thought gave Kaoru a headache.
"Well... no. The new King didn't notify official channels of her arrival. We wouldn't dare overstep our bounds by sending a welcoming party. If she thought we were monitoring her every move, it would cause serious trouble."
Amakasu Touma hesitated before shaking his head. After all, intelligence reports indicated that this Seventh Campione was far from approachable. If anything went wrong...
The consequences would be unimaginable.
"Hmm, you've handled this well. Since the Seventh Campione hasn't contacted us directly, it's clear he doesn't wish to be disturbed..." Sayanomiya Kaoru nodded in approval.
"However..."
Just as Sayanomiya Kaoru was about to continue, the office door burst open, and a flustered member rushed in.
Before Sayanomiya Kaoru could scold him, the member hurried to her side and whispered something in her ear.
Kaoru's expression changed instantly, her face paling.
She waved the member away and turned to the other members, her face grim.
"Branch Director, what's wrong?" Amakasu Touma and the others stared at Sayanomiya Kaoru, utterly confused.
"I just received intelligence," Sayanomiya Kaoru said, taking a deep breath, her voice growing grave. "Not only has the Seventh Campione arrived in Japan, but Marquis Voban, the most ancient of the Demon Lords, is also here."
"W-what?! Marquis Voban is in Tokyo too?"
"Why would two Campiones suddenly descend upon our insignificant island nation?"
"Does this mean something major is about to happen in Tokyo? Two godslayers! This is a disaster!"
Sayanomiya Kaoru's words threw the conference room into chaos. People clamored for answers, their faces etched with terror and dread.
Japan had no Campione of its own. The arrival of two such beings was akin to a devastating earthquake for the nation.
After all, battles between Campiones were notoriously destructive.
If they clashed, Tokyo itself could be annihilated—like two nuclear warheads hovering over the city. One wrong move... and the Abyss would swallow them whole.
Moreover, neither of these Campione had a particularly good reputation, especially Marquis Voban. For him, even death might be considered a welcome release.
Marquis Voban possessed an Authority related to the dead: he could resurrect those he had personally killed, imprisoning their souls as his loyal servants while retaining their former strength.
It could be said that Marquis Voban was the last person anyone in the world would want to face.
"Why have two Campione suddenly descended upon Tokyo? Could it be... that something major is about to happen?"
Amakasu Touma rubbed his temples, a headache brewing. Japan couldn't withstand a battle between two Campione.
"What could Japan possibly have that would attract the attention of two Campione?"
"What if they're trying to summon a Heretic God?"
Sayanomiya Kaoru pondered for a moment, her gaze shifting thoughtfully between the group.
"Could it be... Yuri Mariya?!" Amakasu Touma exclaimed, his realization striking him like a bolt of lightning.
"Yuri Mariya!"
"That's right, it must be Yuri Mariya. The Italian King is clearly trying to emulate the Marquis and summon a Heretic God himself."
"The Marquis has always considered Yuri Mariya his most prized possession. He would never relinquish her to the New King. We can't afford to sit idly by. This is likely the greatest crisis I've faced since becoming Branch Director of the Tokyo Branch."
"...Mr. Amakasu, find Yuri Mariya immediately. Get her out of Japan—anywhere will do, just don't let her stay here..."
Sayanomiya Kaoru paused briefly before issuing an urgent order to Amakasu Touma.
"For a single Miko Maiden to ignite a battle between two Campione in Tokyo? That's far too high a price. The city can't withstand such chaos."
Amakasu Touma froze momentarily, then his eyes widened in understanding. "...You mean to use Yuri Mariya as bait to lure both Kings away from Japan?"
"That's right. The mission of the Historical Compilation Committee of Japan is to ensure the safety of Japan's territory and its people. Against two Campione, we have no means to protect Yuri Mariya.
Therefore, our only course of action is to prevent these two Kings from clashing on Japanese soil, especially not in Tokyo!"
"Compared to the security of our nation, one Miko Maiden is insignificant, no matter how talented she may be—even if she has attracted the attention of both Kings!"
"...Amakasu, don't hesitate! Execute the mission immediately!"
Sayanomiya Kaoru issued the resolute order. The other members of the Tokyo Branch remained silent. In their eyes, sacrificing one miko to safeguard Japan was a perfectly justifiable decision.
"Understood, Branch Director!"
Amakasu Touma acknowledged the order and swiftly moved to carry it out.
On a street in Tokyo, five peerless beauties strode swiftly in the same direction.
Oddly, despite their captivating charm, enough to make anyone fall in love at first sight, the people around them seemed oblivious to their presence, as if they didn't exist at all.
"King, where are we going?" Erica asked, trailing behind Phoenix. Even now, Erica had no idea where Phoenix intended to go or what she planned to do.
"To meet someone—a Miko Maiden who can assist me in summoning a Heretic God," Phoenix replied without hesitation.
"But why not simply notify the Japanese authorities? That would surely be much simpler. They couldn't refuse a direct order from you," Erica persisted, still puzzled.
"Not necessarily. I have zero trust in the Historical Compilation Committee of Japan. Those hypocritical fools would likely entangle me in endless bureaucratic nonsense. Instead of waiting for them to deliver Yuri Mariya, it's far more efficient to simply retrieve her myself."
Phoenix understood the Committee's tendencies all too well, which is why she had never considered approaching them through proper channels.
Instead, she planned to... simply take her by force.
Simple and direct.
Moreover, Phoenix planned to use the miko not only to summon a Heretic God but also as bait to lure a Campione into her trap.
And eliminate him in the process.