"How dare they!" Liliana exclaimed, bewildered. "Would they defy even the King's command?"
"Based on my intelligence, the Historical Compilation Committee of Japan might actually do something like this," Princess Alice, the beautiful White Miko Maiden, replied casually as she walked beside Phoenix. The relaxed pace of their journey had kept Alice in excellent spirits.
"Is that so? Then let's proceed to the shrine and 'invite' the Miko Maiden to join us," Phoenix said, glancing at the Japanese shrine before them. She couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia; compared to her own Yae Shrine, this one paled in comparison.
As Phoenix and her group stepped through the shrine's torii gate, Amakasu Touma arrived at the shrine with the Historical Compilation Committee. Spotting the retreating figures, Amakasu's face turned livid.
"Damn it! We're too late!"
Amakasu had never anticipated that the Seventh Campione would act so unpredictably.
As soon as they left the airport, they rushed straight to Yuri Mariya's location, only to find they were a step too late.
Amakasu Touma wasn't surprised that the New King knew Yuri Mariya's whereabouts. Leaving aside the King's immense and mysterious Authority, the White Miko Maiden at her side could easily track down anyone.
"What should we do now?" The members behind Amakasu Touma were starting to panic.
"What else can we do? We'll wait here for the Seventh Campione to emerge. Also... contact the Branch Director and explain the situation."
"Understood."
It was the weekend, so Yuri Mariya wasn't at school but at the shrine.
As a high-ranking miko protecting the spirit users of the Kanto region—and a rare "Miko Maiden" among high-ranking miko—Yuri's public identity was that of a first-year high school student at Private Jounan Academy.
She was also the school's "Beauty Queen," a member of the Tea Ceremony Club, and idolized for her striking appearance. However... Yuri's thinking was somewhat old-fashioned, and she struggled to use even a smartphone.
Possessing Spirit Vision, Yuri had the crucial ability to receive Divine Revelations from Yōsei, allowing her to discern the true nature and origins of Heretic Gods.
She resembled Princess Alice, though she still had much to learn compared to the princess. Nevertheless, her natural talent was undeniably formidable.
The shrine was usually deserted, with Yuri as its sole occupant, leaving her responsible for all its upkeep.
This included chores like cleaning.
But as a quintessential Yamato Nadeshiko, Yuri had naturally mastered all domestic skills.
Thus, when Phoenix and her four companions entered the shrine, the first thing they saw was...
Yuri Mariya, dressed in her white and green miko robes, sweeping the shrine grounds.
"Mariya..."
As Phoenix entered the shrine, she noticed the miko ahead, her hands tucked into her pockets.
"Who are you...?" Phoenix asked.
Yuri Mariya stopped sweeping when she realized someone had entered. She turned to face the group of five.
The moment she saw Phoenix, her expression instantly changed.
That immense cursed power... there's no need to think twice. She's a Campione.
"The Seventh... King..."
An Eastern Campione who wasn't Luo Hao, the Cult Leader... That meant she must be the Seventh Campione.
"Miko Maiden Yuri Mariya greets the King. May I ask what brings Your Majesty to this humble shrine?" Yuri quickly composed herself and bowed deeply to Phoenix. However, deep down, she felt a mixture of fear and repulsion toward this sudden visitor.
Phoenix observed Yuri's fearful, repulsed demeanor and immediately understood. This wasn't a personal rejection; it was a universal aversion to all Campiones.
Roughly three or four years prior, Marquis Voban had conducted a ritual to summon a Heretic God. Yuri was the sole survivor among the miko who participated. The others had perished.
Given this history, Yuri's terror and loathing toward Campiones were entirely understandable.
"Mariya... I need you to do something for me."
Phoenix gazed at the miko before her, her tone commanding and devoid of politeness.
"What does the esteemed King wish Mariya to do?" Yuri Mariya replied, already suspecting what Phoenix was about to ask, her reluctance growing stronger.
Last time, I survived by sheer luck. If I try again...
"I'm preparing a magical ritual to summon a Heretic God, and I need a miko to conduct the sacrifice. I've heard you have experience with this, so I'd like to 'request' your assistance once more. How does that sound?"
Phoenix stepped closer, her voice forceful as she observed the young girl's slightly paling complexion.
The word "request" felt more like a thinly veiled threat.
"Esteemed King, I..." Yuri Mariya began to panic.
"Of course, you can refuse. But... I might get angry. And when I lose my temper, even I can't control myself. I could become even more volatile than Voban or Luo Hao."
"..."
Faced with Phoenix's blunt threat, what could Yuri Mariya say?
If she agreed, she might die. But if she refused... death was certain, and her entire nation would be dragged into the disaster.
"I... I agree..."
"A wise choice. From today onward, regardless of your past identity, you are my exclusive miko. You have no further ties to this nation..."
Phoenix strode directly to Yuri Mariya, completely disregarding her fear and resistance. She placed a hand on Yuri's head and declared possessively, giving her no chance to object.
Phoenix had come to claim what was hers, and she had no intention of negotiating with the Japanese authorities. What she declared to be hers would be hers, no matter what.
Who dared to object?
"Rest assured... the high mortality rate when summoning Heretic Gods stems from two reasons: the gods' descent and the Campione's eagerness to slay them without managing the aftermath. This leaves you vulnerable to the residual power of the Heretic God's Authority or the Campione's own Authority.
Unlike Voban, I guarantee your safety. Even if you were to die... I have the power to resurrect you. So, you have nothing to fear."
To alleviate the Miko Maiden's terror, Phoenix offered a brief reassurance.
"I..."
Yuri Mariya continued to gaze at Phoenix with a mixture of fear and anxiety. She had long understood the Campione's domineering nature, but Phoenix's arrogance was beyond anything she had imagined.
Upon their first meeting, Phoenix had claimed Yuri as her own, severing all ties to her homeland.
Yuri wanted to refuse, but she feared Phoenix would vent her anger on others.
This was Tokyo, after all. A single exercise of her Authority could obliterate tens of millions of lives, making Phoenix an eternal pariah.
To Yuri Mariya, Phoenix now seemed like the ultimate Demon Lord.
-
Alice, Erica, and Liliana saw nothing wrong with Phoenix's actions.
Campiones were Demon Lords, free to do as they pleased in this world without fear of resistance.
A mere miko, even one as gifted as Yuri, couldn't possibly compel Japan to defy a Campione.
Yuri herself was powerless to resist.