Don't be fooled by Sayanomiya Kaoru's appearance as a handsome woman in men's clothing—she is actually one of the Hime-Miko of Musashino.
Although she is not a Spirit Vision user like Mariya Yuri, as a highest-ranking miko, Sayanomiya Kaoru still possesses some degree of intuition and Spiritual Power, enough to perceive the mysterious things that others cannot sense.
And Touma Amakasu is a descendant of the now-rare ninja of the modern era, capable of using various ninjutsu and techniques from the mysterious arts; his skill in concealment is so profound that even Campione find it difficult to detect his presence, making him especially adept at discovering things others cannot.
In such circumstances, it was only natural that the two of them sensed the terror of Kaiser.
Because he had just reincarnated as a Campione, not only had Kaiser's body undergone a complete transformation both inside and out, even the Magical Power within his body had multiplied to a degree far beyond the reach of an ordinary Campione.
Such terrifying Magical Power appeared to Sayanomiya Kaoru and Touma Amakasu as an unspeakable horror—a bottomless black abyss.
It wasn't something benign or gentle like a vast ocean, but a storm that could swallow them at any moment.
"So this is… a Campione?"
Sayanomiya Kaoru and Touma Amakasu both tensed up completely, cold sweat streaming down their foreheads.
Even they were like this—how much worse must it have been for Mariya Yuri, who possessed extraordinary intuition and the highest-level Spirit Vision? Looking at Kaiser, her gaze no longer seemed to be directed at a fellow human, but rather at a dragon, a monster, a fierce beast.
For a moment, none of the three could speak. No one said a word. They just stood there, like statues, not daring to move.
Seeing this, Kaiser narrowed his eyes.
"Is it that you all disdain speaking with me? Or do you think there's no need to respond to my words?"
Though still spoken with a half-smiling tone, this remark snapped the three back to reality.
"Sayanomiya Kaoru greets the new king."
Sayanomiya Kaoru was the first to kneel on one knee before Kaiser, taking on the posture of a retainer before a monarch.
Touma Amakasu and Mariya Yuri also hurriedly knelt. The former no longer bore a lazy, carefree look—only reverence. The latter dropped both knees to the ground, her delicate body trembling, clearly terrified.
"Sayanomiya …"
Kaiser looked at Sayanomiya Kaoru and spoke.
"Is that the Sayanomiya who commands the History Compilation Committee? One of the Four Great Families?"
Hearing this, Sayanomiya Kaoru looked at Kaiser with some surprise.
"Yes, I am the Director of the Tokyo Branch Office of the History Compilation Committee, from the Sayanomiya family."
Sayanomiya Kaoru responded with utmost respect.
The History Compilation Committee is a national agency within Japan that controls magicians, sorcerers, and other elements of the mystical side.
It is an organization representing both the official Japanese government and the world of sorcery, governed by domestic sorcerers, spirit users, and similar individuals. Its members include, but are not limited to, talented individuals recruited from the Ministry of Education, National Diet Library, Imperial Household Agency, Agency for Shrines, Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, and so forth. Even those not part of the organization—so long as they possess Magical Power, such as mikos or religious personnel—are obligated to assist it.
Its duty is to preserve the modern form of society from the various phenomena involving magic, sorcery, gods, and countless other supernatural forces. Thus, it is named the "History Compilation" Committee.
As for the so-called Four Great Families, they refer to four ancient clans that have, since antiquity, served the reigning emperors of their eras through their own inherent abilities.
These four clans are Seishuuin, Kuhoutsuka, Renjou, Sayanomiya .
Among them, the Sayanomiya family forms the core think tank of the History Compilation Committee. The entire organization operates under the guidance of the Sayanomiya clan, which has a profound mastery of sorcery. Several generations ago, a family head even studied abroad in Europe and acquired knowledge of Western magic.
Sayanomiya Kaoru hails from that very family.
Despite her young age and penchant for wearing men's clothing, she is not only the Director of the Tokyo Branch Office of the History Compilation Committee, but also the central figure of authority in the Kanto Committee—and the next Supreme Commander of the History Compilation Committee. She is destined to one day stand at the pinnacle of power in Japan's world of sorcery.
Standing behind her, Touma Amakasu is an agent of the History Compilation Committee, and also her personal agent—her direct subordinate and trusted confidant.
As for Mariya Yuri, although she is the leader of the spirit users in Musashino, her status as a Hime-Miko—one of the highest-ranking mikos—means she is obligated to assist the History Compilation Committee. Her ties to the Committee are not entirely independent, and in fact, she is acquainted with many of its key figures, including Sayanomiya Kaoru.
Though Mariya Yuri holds a high position within the Shichio Shrine, her role is quite different from those of the shrine's religious officials.
Because the Hime-Miko are special ability users dispatched by order of the History Compilation Committee.
Trained through the Committee's channels, the Hime-Miko are typically sent to important spiritual sites across the nation to serve as overseers.
So to the Shichio Shrine, Mariya Yuri is less its leader and more an honored guest.
In short...
"It's fair to say that you three represent the mystical side of this country, right?"
Kaiser walked past the three of them, heading deeper into the shrine while speaking.
The three quickly got up and followed behind him, walking closely in step. Sayanomiya Kaoru carefully chose her words to respond.
"If the king has anything he needs us to do, please feel free to command us. We will do everything in our power to carry it out."
Clearly, Sayanomiya Kaoru had begun to grasp how the magical circles of Europe treated the god-slaying Demon Lords.
Because they cannot afford to provoke them, they must instead strive to satisfy their every request, elevate them, and earn their favor.
Though it's described as the etiquette of a retainer, in truth, it is the attitude one adopts toward a plague god.
"Yesterday, those who took action near the coast to stop the tsunami—that was you all, wasn't it?"
Kaiser entered the inner sanctuary and saw the sacred object enshrined within. He noticed that it indeed emitted a flow of Spiritual Power.
This place did have a sacred nature—if something ominous were to enter, it would surely be purified and repelled.
Unfortunately, Kaiser was no ominous being—but a god-slaying Demon Lord.
His arrival not only repelled the sacred energies that tried to fall upon him, it also made this sacred place wither and weaken.
"That was indeed our arrangement." Sayanomiya Kaoru didn't know what Kaiser intended. While swiftly guessing in her heart, she cautiously asked, "Is there some issue with that?"
"No, I just wanted to say—you all helped a lot." Kaiser sat down cross-legged, seemingly making himself at home, and calmly said, "Although the true culprit behind that situation was Odin, it wasn't entirely unrelated to me."
"Since you took action, then I must acknowledge the favor."
Upon hearing this, the three present didn't first react to anything else, but instead noticed the divine name uttered by Kaiser.
"Odin..."
The chief god of Norse mythology—he was the Heretic God who descended this time?
The young man before them... actually slew a chief deity-level god?
Their hearts were filled with disbelief.
Especially Mariya Yuri—her eyes nearly turned hollow once again, as if seeing something.
"Smack!"
Just as Mariya Yuri was about to enter Spirit Vision mode, a flick to the forehead landed harshly on her, immediately pulling her out of that state. She clutched her head in pain.
"Haven't I already told you? Not everything in this world is something you can just look at." Kaiser said impatiently. "And you still dare to peek?"
These words made Mariya Yuri's face turn deathly pale as she hurriedly knelt down.
"Please forgive me!"
The young miko bowed her head deeply to Kaiser in a full dogeza.
Due to her sudden movement, her light chestnut-colored long hair fluttered for a while. Her face, though pale and full of fear, was undoubtedly that of a beautiful girl.
Her features were not only delicate, but exuded a noble elegance and a sacred aura—her pure and unblemished demeanor made Kaiser subconsciously think of Asia.
One a miko, the other a nun—indeed, they shared a certain professional overlap, both being religious figures. It was only natural that Kaiser would feel a sense of déjà vu.
However, compared to the somewhat naive and innocent Asia, Mariya Yuri was clearly someone far more aware of the ways of the world.
She knew very well just how terrifying the man before her was, and what kind of dreadful consequences would follow if he were angered.
She wasn't worried about what might happen to herself—but rather feared dragging others down with her.
So...
"The one who offended you was me alone. It was my rudeness that provoked your wrath. This is entirely my fault. I beg you, King—please show mercy and only punish me. Don't implicate the innocent people!"
Tears hung at the corners of Mariya Yuri's eyes as she pleaded sincerely. Her demeanor once again evoked images of a martyr—a sacrificial offering.
It had to be said, seeing her like this even made Kaiser want to tease her a little.
"What do you mean by that?" Kaiser said in a deliberately displeased tone. "Are you saying I'm a tyrant, and will definitely implicate innocent people over this?"
"N-No, that's not it!" Mariya Yuri panicked when she saw Kaiser's displeased expression. She quickly said, "I just mean that all the blame should fall on me alone. Only by showing compassion and mercy can one embody the true demeanor of a virtuous king!"
Kaiser rubbed his chin and said:
"So I can understand this as... you trying to morally coerce me?"
These words left Mariya Yuri completely stunned.
"N-No, that's not it…"
Unskilled with words, she was now completely flustered.
On the other hand, Sayanomiya Kaoru and Touma Amakasu seemed to have caught on to something—their expressions turned a little strange.
In such a moment, Kaiser stood up and walked toward Mariya Yuri...
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Extra chapter :)