Yuri Mariya, the shrine maiden, did not deliberate for long before agreeing to Erica and Satsuki's request with a sense of self-sacrificial resolve.
In her view, if she could persuade this foreign Campione to protect this land and confront the gods who descended in the form of Heretic Gods, then the comrades of the Committee for the Compilation of True History would surely understand her.
Thus, after school, she invited the two of them to the shrine where she worked as a miko. It was located near Shiba Park Station on the subway line, a shrine not even marked on any map.
This did not mean the shrine was unimportant—on the contrary, it was so important that it had to be kept secret from the public.
After climbing more than thirty tall stone steps and passing through the torii gate, Satsuki and Erica followed Yuri Mariya into the shrine grounds.
"Compared to the Four Great Shrines in the InuYasha world, this shrine falls far short in every aspect," the system commented in her mind after making a comparison.
Satsuki was not surprised.
In this world, shrine maidens were not primarily responsible for combat as they were in the InuYasha world.
Their main duties were to guard key locations or regional shrines, handle specialized Shinto affairs, and assist the Compilation Committee according to their abilities... and so on.
Many of these tasks did not require the shrine maiden herself to possess exceptional combat power. They were more akin to support units.
And their most important role—
Was to bear children.
...
Surprised?—Not really.
The existence of shrine maidens had originally been to serve gods who selected them. And in this world, where gods truly existed and could descend, that role was naturally not some empty abstraction.
Erica and Satsuki waited outside for a short while.
Since she was within the shrine, Yuri Mariya had changed into her miko attire. Her temperament was already outstanding, and now she fully embodied the elegance of a Yamato Nadeshiko.
Her light chestnut hair swayed with her movements. The contrast between the white kosode and crimson pleated hakama was dazzling. When she lifted her head, even Erica was momentarily stunned.
Yuri Mariya truly lived up to the rumors—she was a beautiful girl. Not only beautiful, but her face also carried an air of nobility and refined wisdom.
Among the people Satsuki knew in this world, Erica's appearance could certainly be considered exceptional.
Yet this shrine maiden was no less impressive.
If Erica was like a grand camellia in full bloom, then this graceful girl was like a blossoming cherry tree, delicate and captivating.
"So this is a Japanese magician? It's my first time seeing this kind of attire in Japan."
"Yes... Lady Erica, although I would prefer not to be grouped together like that, your understanding is not entirely incorrect. As the shrine maiden who guards Musashino, I work at this shrine. Though it is only superficial knowledge, I do know some spells."
Satsuki looked around and nodded.
"Then... is it only you here, Mariya-san? Is there no one else? What about that ninja from before?"
"Mr. Amakasu Touma? He is not here at the moment. I am alone."
Satsuki spoke directly. "So, regarding our previous discussion—what is your decision?"
"I wish to request that the two of you protect Japan from the devastation of Heretic Gods. For that, I am willing to offer everything I have."
She glanced at Satsuki. She knew that the black-haired girl before her was not only unfathomably powerful but also held considerable weight in Erica's heart. Thus she bowed deeply and spoke in a reverent tone.
"There is no need for you to offer everything. I only require the intelligence provided by your eyes."
After becoming a Godslayer, even Erica's manner of self-reference had changed slightly, carrying more authority.
And after some thought, she had discerned more from Yuri Mariya's attitude.
"Miss Mariya, judging from your demeanor, this isn't your first time encountering a Godslayer, is it?"
"Yes. I once had a brief meeting with Marquis Voban."
"Voban—the one they call the Marquis? No wonder you treat Godslayers this way."
Erica understood at once. The Marquis had crossed paths with this shrine maiden. There was likely more beneath the surface.
Satsuki, however, showed no particular reaction. She merely asked calmly, "How strong is this Marquis Voban you speak of?"
Erica looked astonished. "Marquis Voban is the oldest living Godslayer. Haven't you heard of him, Satsuki?"
"I can't even remember the names of gods. Why would I need to know the names of those weaker than them?" Satsuki replied matter-of-factly.
"Well..."
Erica explained, "Marquis Voban is the most ancient surviving Godslayer. He also possesses the greatest number of Authorities among those alive today. Having lived the longest, his mastery over his powers is formidable. Outwardly he appears to be a gentleman, but in truth he is a beast—like a Wolf."
"Sounds like a somewhat capable old rogue."
Satsuki's summary was concise and sharp.
"Pfft..." Erica nearly burst into laughter. "Indeed. But what he craves is not worldly pleasures, but battle—and godslaying."
After the brief exchange, Yuri Mariya spoke.
"Before we finalize our cooperation, may I take a look at the Gorgon Stone?"
Her expression turned solemn as she spoke.
Erica nodded. "You may."
She retrieved the Gorgon Stone from her bag.
An obsidian medallion. Upon it was vividly carved the likeness of a Gorgon—at the mere sight of it, Yuri Mariya was struck speechless.
Originally, this object had been a troublesome item that the elders of the Copper-Black Cross had struggled to deal with.
A week after Erica arrived in Japan, they had contacted her through a secret ritual and promptly handed this hot potato over to her.
Through the Tenseigan, one could see that considerable divine power coiled around the Gorgon Stone. However, as before, when she attempted to discern the Authority hidden within the divine artifact, she was obstructed by the special effects of the Divine Arena.
Yet though the Tenseigan could not see through it, someone present could.
"As I thought. Within this Gorgon Stone is sealed a very, very ancient divinity. A serpent god, the mark of a great snake... no, it should belong to something more primordial—a spiral sigil encircling the Earth Mother. Though it is only my intuition, this medallion should have been excavated in North Africa. Egypt... Ethiopia... these place names arise in my mind unbidden."
As she spoke, her expression grew increasingly grave, until beads of sweat formed on her brow.
"Just as I feared. Japan may become the site spoken of in that prophecy."
"A prophecy?" Erica asked curiously.
—"When that god reclaims her true body, a starless night will shroud the skies, and the world shall be lured into the underworld."
"Are prophecies always accurate?"
Satsuki did not share the shrine maiden's attitude toward prophecy. In her view, it was most likely just one step in someone's larger plan.
Just like the lunar prophecy in the Naruto world, or the prophecy recorded on the stone tablet of the Uchiha clan.
The accuracy of such prophecies was not the crucial point. Rather—why did such a prophecy appear? What purpose was it meant to achieve?...
Those were the questions that truly mattered.
However, the shrine maiden clearly had not considered that layer of implication. She answered instinctively.
"The prophet is Princess Alice. It is said that she has mastered the Heaven position, and her prophecies have never been wrong. If the prophecy comes true, then only Lady Erica and Lady Satsuki would be capable of confronting the god...!"
Ever since Satsuki's victory in her spar against the King of Swords, her importance in the eyes of the Committee for the Compilation of True History had risen to nearly rival that of a Godslayer.
"Can you use this stone to reverse-lock onto that god's location?" Satsuki suddenly asked.
If her abilities had not been suppressed by the Divine Arena, then whether through the Tenseigan's perception of energy flow or the Three Thousand Insightful Eyes piercing fate itself, she would have been able to glimpse the existence behind the Gorgon Stone. But now, she could only rely on the shrine maiden before her.
Erica had the same thought and turned toward Yuri.
"Judging from your earlier reaction, Miss Mariya, you can perform spirit vision, can't you? Perfect timing—use divine revelation to sense which god intends to descend."
Looking at the Gorgon Stone in her hands, Yuri Mariya, dressed in her shrine maiden attire, let out a quiet sigh.
"I suppose there's no other way. I'll have to try."
She clasped the Gorgon Stone with both hands and began murmuring softly.
"Let me see... night. I cannot identify which goddess she is, only that she belongs to the night."
Earth goddess. Serpent. Gorgon Stone. Medusa.
The keywords they had gathered so far.
"Night... eyes of darkness... a silver-haired youthful goddess... no, not youthful—she is a goddess stripped of her age and status... that is why she appears young... that is why she is disobedient..."
Yuri muttered as the traits of the soon-to-descend Heretic God flowed from her lips.
"Her revered name is... ah!"
Yuri's eyes suddenly widened. She could not utter another word.
Erica and Satsuki exchanged a glance. For her to be this shocked—had she seen an extraordinary name?
"You saw it, didn't you? Well? Don't tell me it's a name even you recognize?"
"Y-Yes... but something must be wrong. Because... this goddess should be the enemy of the Gorgon... of the serpent god. Even I know that."
"A famous deity known even to a Japanese shrine maiden... then what is her name?"
Erica pressed further.
There was no trace of her earlier innocence in her sharp gaze.
The unruly pride of one who believed it natural to draw the attention of all, balanced exquisitely with a nobility worthy of the word itself, manifested in a domineering expression upon her face.
"She is—the goddess of wisdom and war from Greek mythology, one of the Twelve Olympian Gods. Her revered name should indeed be Athena. I can hardly believe it..."
The Gorgon Medusa, whose gaze turned those who beheld her into stone.
The hero who slew the monster was Perseus.
And the one who protected and guided him was the goddess who embodied wisdom and war—Athena. That was how it was recorded in Greek mythology...
That the god behind this Gorgon Stone would be her was truly beyond Erica's expectations.
As one of the Twelve Olympians, according to Apollodorus' Library, the sea god Poseidon—also a principal deity—was her rival.
Their conflict originated from their competition over the right to name Athens.
When the city was first established by a Phoenician, Poseidon and Athena vied for the honor of naming it. The one who could offer humanity the most useful gift would become the city's patron deity.
Poseidon struck the ground with his trident and produced a warhorse.
Athena, in turn, brought forth an olive tree—a symbol of peace and prosperity.
Since the warhorse was seen as representing war and sorrow, the city was named after the goddess instead. She swiftly placed it under her protection.
On the Acropolis of Athens still stand the remnants of one of ancient Greece's most famous structures—the Parthenon, built in reverence to the goddess Athena.
Thus, Athena and Poseidon became bound by rivalry.
Yet she did not despise the sea because of it. Both sea and earth were deeply connected to the essence that had been stripped from her—the source of life.
What she truly despised was the sun.
The blazing radiance, the resplendent throne of the sky—those were what truly displeased the Queen of the Night.
But perhaps "displeased" was not quite accurate. It was not something she could not endure.
The sun was also the fire of life, an indispensable element linking life and death. To willingly accept that light was also the queen's duty.
—No.
That sentiment was neither fitting nor correct. Because she was not yet the "Heretic God Athena." She had not yet reclaimed the throne of the Triune Queen.
What lingered within her hazy memories were her mother's sigh, the queen's humiliation, the old woman's wisdom.
Within her fragmented glory remained only a memory of resisting the sun ruled by her father—the King of the Sky, Zeus.
Just a little more.
So long as she reclaimed the Gorgon Stone representing the ancient Serpent, she would become the true Athena.
...
"Myths and legends are of no importance to me."
After listening to Yuri Mariya recite her explanation almost like poetry, Satsuki spoke slowly. "Can you lock onto her current location?"
"I can, but..."
Yuri hesitated. Erica immediately interjected.
"Satsuki, Athena is no ordinary deity. In terms of influence in this world, even that undefeated Persian war god does not possess her level of renown."
That was true. A god's inherent strength was constrained by their Name. Yet some divine names almost fully encompassed the Authorities they possessed.
Take Athena—her full name was Athena Gorgon.
Her primary aspect was the goddess of wisdom. Her secondary aspects included goddess of war and goddess of the arts. From her epithet ergane even arose the word "ergonomics."
To confront such a deity head-on was, in fact, something worth anticipating.
Even though Erica already knew that Satsuki was far from easy to deal with, she still felt a subconscious concern.
"Since I have already become a Godslayer, then leave this matter to me—this too is the duty of a Campione."