In the bathroom filled with the faint sound of flowing water, the atmosphere suddenly became a little strange.
There was no helping it. This was just a bathtub inside the shrine office building of a shrine, not a bathhouse that could accommodate multiple people.
After Kaiser and Luo Hao got into the water together, even though they were sitting face to face, it was inevitable that their legs would overlap, their feet would touch, and there would even be some rubbing against each other.
Moreover, Kaiser had filled the tub with plain water—not a milk bath, nor a petal bath, not even any bath additives or foam. This led to a situation where, even though they were soaking in the water, one glance could still clearly see everything.
As a result, Kaiser's distortion worsened, and even Luo Hao's face inevitably showed a blush.
Just when Kaiser's gaze began to carry a hint of aggression, Luo Hao finally couldn't endure it and was the first to speak.
"Your battle with the Great Sage—I watched it in its entirety." Luo Hao made an effort to adopt the demeanor of a senior, and said, "I must admit, your strength is far greater than I had imagined. Though you're still a bit immature in how you handle affairs and not yet fully mature on the path of kingship, when it comes to battle, even I, as the King of Martial Arts, cannot find any significant flaws."
"Your Authorities are powerful, your Magical Power is, for reasons unknown, far stronger than even mine, who is without equal under heaven, and combined with your unique body and all kinds of divine weapons..."
"Your victory over Marquis Voban was clearly not by chance, but earned through sheer strength."
Luo Hao looked at Kaiser with eyes full of admiration and gratification.
"This is excellent. As a king of the land of China, you should win in an upright and honorable manner, defeating foreign enemies head-on, and demonstrating your greatness and strength."
"Luo Cuilian did not mistake her younger brother. You've slain the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, and also defeated a suddenly appearing God's Shadow and Witch Queen. This has already proven your ability."
"You did not disappoint me—you've made me proud."
For Luo Hao to offer praise to this extent was truly a rare event, enough to show how satisfied she was with Kaiser's performance.
"It's enough that I didn't fail my duty." Kaiser wasn't overly flattered, instead he replied rather indifferently, "Now that the curse of the Keeper of the Horses has been broken, and the home-grown hero raised by the Yamato nation has also been vanquished, we've more or less recovered the face our country had lost, right?"
"Of course." Luo Hao nodded and smiled, "I've already ordered Ying'er to proclaim your illustrious achievements far and wide, so that all of the martial world, and even the entire world, may come to revere your glory."
"Now, all of the land of China knows that following me, our country has produced yet another unmatched king."
"Dear brother, if you are willing, why not return? I'll make you the Vice Hierarch of the Five Prisons Holy Sect. If you wish to found your own sect, I will have the entire martial world support you with everything they have, and help you ascend to the throne."
Upon hearing this, Kaiser actually did hesitate a bit.
Whether or not he sat on a throne, he didn't really care, but he did want to return to that homeland, to that land, and take a look.
Ever since becoming the Librarian of the Fantasy Library, he had almost never returned to that homeland. Only once, during his time in the High School DxD World, when he traveled all over the world with Kuroka and Asia, had he gone back to that world's homeland, but not for long.
After that, Kaiser spent several decades in the world of Bleach, which meant he hadn't returned to his homeland for what was equivalent to decades.
To be honest, he really did want to go back and take a look.
But after thinking it over carefully, Kaiser still shook his head.
"My homeland—I'll definitely go back and visit if I have the chance, but not now."
Kaiser's words caused Luo Hao to furrow her brows.
"Why? Could it be you're attached to this land?" Luo Hao spoke somewhat discontentedly, "It's just a tiny speck of land. How could it compare to our vast and rich Central Plains?"
"If you return, you and I, brother and sister, could rule the entire martial world together. You could also come to Mount Lu and accompany me."
"Then, you and I could spar together, chat and laugh about the world, live like carefree hermits beyond the mundane world—wouldn't that be delightful?"
...Are you sure that's how siblings are supposed to live?
Why does it sound like a couple's life together...
Kaiser rolled his eyes at Luo Hao, then voiced his own plan.
"Sister Cuilian has already roamed the world, set foot in every land, and seen through the mortal world, so naturally you see reclusion in the mountains as a form of enjoyment. But I haven't traveled this world yet, haven't seen the various countries, and there are many things I still want to experience."
"I still want to seek out the Heretic Gods sealed or descended across the world. I want to battle gods from various mythologies."
"I also want to see what's special about the mystical factions in different countries. I'm interested in the divine artifacts left behind in this world."
"So, for now, I don't want to live in seclusion, nor do I want to settle down anywhere and idle away my time."
These words caused Luo Hao's furrowed brows to relax.
"That's true. You're still young, and you shouldn't live a hermit's life like I do." Luo Hao looked at Kaiser with softened eyes, her voice also becoming gentle as she said, "That's fine too. Go see the world, go out and explore—it will broaden your horizons and temper your state of mind."
"To me, the mortal world is but a dream, the world like rain—now that the dream has ended and the rain has passed, naturally nothing remains to be nostalgic for."
"But you're different. You still need trials, you still need to experience the joys and sorrows of the human world. Only then can you see through the illusions and attain great enlightenment."
Luo Hao stood up, her stunning body gleaming with water before Kaiser.
"In that case, do as you wish."
"When you're tired of seeing the world, when you've traveled far and wide and want to return, come to Mount Lu and visit your sister."
"Don't forget, in that homeland, I—Luo Cuilian—am waiting for you."
Leaving behind those words, the beautiful immortal princess disappeared before Kaiser, like dispersing rain mist, leaving no trace.
"...I'll remember, Sister Cuilian."
Kaiser gazed in the direction where Luo Hao vanished, and only after a long while did he softly murmur.
......
In fact, after locating the Last King and using his authority to erase him, Kaiser had received a notification from the Fantasy Library.
[You have reached a key point in this fantasy world. This life experience is preliminarily complete.]
[The Librarian may choose to return at will and proceed with settlement of this life experience in the Library.]
After eliminating the final boss of the original story, Kaiser had unsurprisingly reached the moment of returning to the Fantasy Library.
However, Kaiser did not intend to return just yet.
Because there were still benefits in this world worth digging up.
With the Circle of Usurpation in his possession, and the ability to continuously grow stronger by slaying gods, Kaiser naturally wouldn't miss out on this opportunity.
Thus, Kaiser decided to delay his return and travel the world with Mariya Yuri in search of Heretic Gods.
He very quickly acted on this plan. A few days after Mariya Yuri returned to the shrine office, he brought it up.
Only, besides the must-have Mariya Yuri, Erica, Liliana, and Seishuin Ena were all prepared to follow him and tour the countries together.
Under these circumstances, the five of them set off on their journey.
And it worked out well—with the assistance of Mariya Yuri's extraordinary Spirit Vision, Kaiser successfully found all kinds of gods.
The first god Kaiser found was the goddess sealed in a remote corner of the Far Eastern island nation—Kaguya-hime, just like Sun Wukong.
Kaguya-hime, a character from the famous literary work The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, a mythical figure from the moon, also known as Princess Kaguyahime or Princess Kaguya. Originally a celestial maiden of the Moon Palace, she was exiled to the human world as punishment for a transgression. From a young age, she captivated others with her peerless beauty and innate radiance—a goddess whose beauty rivaled even that of Luo Hao.
Her power wasn't very strong, which was why, with immense cost from human magi, she was sealed within the Sagano bamboo grove of Arashiyama. To release her, one had to find five special bamboo stalks within the grove and destroy them in the correct sequence.
With the aid of Mariya Yuri's Spirit Vision, Kaiser successfully released the bamboo cutter princess. After slaying her, he obtained the five famed treasures of the tale—Buddha's Stone Bowl, Jeweled Branch of Hourai, Fire Rat's Robe, Dragon's Jewel, and the Cowrie Shell of the Swallow.
These five divine artifacts formed a complete set, each with its own effect.
Buddha's Stone Bowl symbolized sanctity and transcendence, able to repel evil and purify.
The Jeweled Branch of Hourai symbolized immortality and the beauty of fairyland, capable of extending life and healing.
The Fire Rat's Robe symbolized wondrous power and precious treasure, able to resist cold, and wash through fire unscathed, allowing free movement.
The Dragon's Jewel symbolized power and wisdom, able to enhance charm and boost luck.
The Cowrie Shell was an ancient protective talisman that safeguarded peace; the Cowrie Shell of the Swallow carried mystery and rarity, granting concealment abilities.
These five divine artifacts weren't especially powerful, but each had its unique use, and Kaiser accepted them without hesitation.
After that, Kaiser led the girls to foreign lands, where they successively encountered three more deities.
The first was Ea, god of waters in Mesopotamian religion, creator of humanity and culture, god of wisdom and sorcery.
The second was Typhon, the storm-bringer of Greek mythology, possessing a hundred dragon heads, black tongues and fire-spewing eyes. His body towered to the heavens, covered in feathers with a pair of wings—king of monsters.
The third was Horus, the falcon-headed god of Egyptian mythology, protector of Pharaohs, symbol of royal power, and god of vengeance.
After slaying these three gods, Kaiser gained one divine artifact and two types of abilities.
Yes.
From two of the gods, instead of artifacts, he acquired abilities.