"Third Tactical Unit has arrived on-site!"
"Target confirmed. Is it the creature under the Divine Maiden's feet? Do we engage?"
A group of heavily armed JSDF soldiers arrived first on the scene. However, instead of encountering a giant monster, they saw something small and dark wriggling under the feet of a girl identified as a 'Divine Maiden.'
In Japan, a 'Divine Maiden' refers to a female shrine priestess presiding over sacred rites. She could also be respectfully addressed as 'O-Mikoko.'
Clad in ceremonial attire, there was no mistaking her identity for any Japanese citizen.
"Hold your fire!!"
A voice boomed over their headsets, nearly making a few soldiers stumble.
"All units, disengage! I repeat, disengage all attacks!"
"Then what do we do...?"
The newly arrived JSDF soldiers looked at each other, silently relieved. Earlier, the gunfire and smoke erupting in Arakawa Ward had resembled a battlefield between two nations. Just watching from afar had sent chills down their spines. Now, with a sudden ceasefire order, they welcomed the reprieve.
"Secure the Divine Maiden. Wait—"
The shifting tone in their earpieces made the soldiers frown. They were on-site but had no full understanding of the situation.
Those fools at the top!
But it wasn't entirely their fault.
The higher-ups had access to real-time drone footage and could clearly see the center of the incident.
"Ichiyo, your leg..."
"It's nothing, just a scratch."
That mysterious trip earlier had caused Ichiyo Nagi to smash her knee against the ground. The impact left a finger-length gash, bleeding profusely. Normally, such an injury would be a big deal.
But compared to just escaping death, it felt trivial.
"Eiko, what is that..."
Pointing at the strange fish-like creature near her older sister's feet, Ichiyo didn't even know how to phrase her question.
"Oh, that? That's the monster from earlier. I don't really know how, but I somehow tamed it."
Even now, the elaborately dressed Eiko was confused. Yet something instinctual had settled in her mind.
For example: the monster would no longer attack. It now obeyed her.
And:
"Let me try something. I think it works like this."
Jingle jingle~~
With her right hand habitually shaking the ritual suzu bell, she placed her left hand over her sister's injured knee. A soft green glow radiated. The bleeding stopped, the wound healed rapidly, and the skin looked flawless once more.
"It worked!"
Her first attempt at using divine magic had succeeded.
This bolstered Eiko's belief in the knowledge that had appeared in her mind.
At the Tokyo Metropolitan Police HQ in Chiyoda, Director Takegaya watched all this unfold through countless surveillance feeds. He leapt toward the monitor, eyes locked on Eiko.
Don't misunderstand. As the head of Tokyo's police force, he had seen countless beauties.
But someone who could command a supernatural creature and heal injuries...
He had never seen anything like it!
"Three minutes. I want every piece of information on that girl!"
With a grand gesture, Director Takegaya shouted a line worthy of any overbearing executive.
But unlike fiction, he actually controlled a real power: sixty thousand Tokyo officers, and he was among Japan's elite.
Instantly, commands were issued from the operations room. Just as quickly, reports began to flow in. The power of modern networks was on full display.
Not just the now-ecstatic Director Takegaya—
Everyone else in the room, including Brigadier General Thomas and high-ranking JSDF officers, had their eyes glowing with excitement.
From drone footage, they saw the Divine Maiden reach out and heal another girl's knee. She stood up completely recovered.
This was the supernatural power they desired most!
Flames, lightning, bizarre ghosts—these were all nuisances to powerful people.
But healing? No one could say no to that.
These elites invested hundreds of billions—even trillions—into biological research each year. Was it really to benefit the public?
Don't kid yourself. They sought humanity's ultimate dream:
Immortality.
Ordinary people lacked the qualifications and means.
But those in power, throughout history, would try any method, no matter how absurd.
Of the world's Eight Wonders, most were tombs or statues.
Their true desire was obvious.
"Quick, apprehend that girl—no, invite her. No, I'll go in person!"
Takegaya's orders changed mid-sentence as excitement overtook him.
He was nearly losing composure.
What had been a national disaster involving a seismic catfish had now turned into a creature obediently circling the Divine Maiden's feet. She had healing powers, and her profile had already come in, thrilling Takegaya.
Eiko Amano.
Illegitimate daughter of the Nagi Financial Group's head.
Abandoned at birth, raised by the priest of Sugamo Town's Inari Shrine in Toshima Ward.
Six years ago, the former priest died, and Eiko succeeded him. She thus became the shrine's new Divine Maiden.
Inari-sama.
One of Japan's most venerated deities, with over 9,000 shrines in their honor!
As the god of prosperity, Inari had been revered in every era.
"Wait. Mr. Takegaya, I want to come too."
Brigadier General Thomas's voice made Takegaya pause mid-step.
"But the catfish is still on-site. It could be dangerous—"
"You're not afraid. Why should I be?"
As Tokyo's top brass rushed to the scene, police and soldiers received their orders.
"O-Mikoko-sama!"
"Ahem, Divine Maiden-sama."
"Eh? You mean me?"
Eiko, busy healing a wounded classmate, turned around.
Looking down at her ornate garments, she finally realized the respectful officer was addressing her.
"Ah, sorry. I forgot my status for a moment."
"No, I disturbed you. My deepest apologies."
The officer bowed so deeply he was nearly at a 45-degree angle.
"Um... Divine Maiden-sama, do you have any instructions?"
"Not really. Could I ask you to help rescue the injured?"
Realizing her newfound power could be of use, Eiko added:
"If anyone is seriously wounded, let me know."
"Understood!"
The officer saluted and barked orders:
"All personnel, assist in rescuing the injured! Bring severely wounded individuals here!"
"Eh...?"
Eiko glanced down at the black fish swimming at her feet. After a moment of thought, she patted its head.
"Kuro, go help too."
The fish wagged its tail and swam toward the rubble.
When Director Takegaya and Brigadier General Thomas stepped off their helicopter, they were greeted by the sight of the massive seismic catfish clearing rubble and gently lifting trapped civilians.
"Incredible..."
They had just been fighting this creature with their troops, so they were well aware of its power.
Yet now, before Eiko Amano, it behaved like a loyal pet.
"Miss Amano,"
Seeing her stabilizing injured civilians with glowing hands, Takegaya tidied his tie, forced a smile, and stepped forward.
"I am Haru Takegaya, Director of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police."
"Ah? Ah! The Director?!"
Eiko froze. To her, someone of his rank only existed on TV news.
"No need to be nervous, Miss Amano."
"On behalf of the government, thank you for your aid. Without you, many wouldn't have made it to the hospital. And also, thank you for—"
He glanced at the massive catfish.
"Defeating this supernatural creature."
"Actually... I didn't really defeat it. It was likely the power of O-Matsutsu-sama."
Eiko didn't even know what to call the fish, but she recognized the torii gate on its back—it matched the one at her family shrine.
"Is that so..."
Takegaya's expression turned serious.
Indeed.
Eiko Amano's background was flawless.
Though abandoned by her parents, she was cheerful, self-reliant, academically decent, and had long helped her adoptive grandfather with shrine duties. Later, she managed the shrine alone.
Such a person receiving divine favor made perfect sense.
"May we visit your shrine to pay respects to O-Matsutsu-sama?"
"Of course."
As the shrine's custodian, Eiko had no reason to refuse worshippers.
O-Matsutsu was another name for Inari!
Who would dare disrespect the Divine Maiden of the god of prosperity?
Especially now, in a world where the supernatural was becoming real. The seismic catfish had already taught the JSDF a harsh lesson.
If monsters were like this... what about the gods?
Unthinkable.
"So slow."
Back at Ousakura Academy, Akiyama Sora muttered as she waited quietly, following Souta Kiryuu's instructions.
"There was... some trouble on the way."
"You look pale."
Sora stepped forward, studying her brother closely. She leaned in so close her breath tickled his neck.
"You alright?"
"Probably..."
Souta fumbled for an excuse, but class rep Nao spoke up.
"The terrorist attack in Arakawa spread here. He was worried about you."
"You didn't have to say that."
Sora's expression softened.
"I'm fine."
Souta's pale face was due to spiritual exhaustion. After battling the JSDF and summoning the torii gate from Eiko's shrine, his mana was drained.
Thankfully, the "performance" had ended smoothly.
"Let's go home."
"Where's Eiko?"
"With Nagi. They should be home by now."
After turning two corners, the three of them saw a ruined street, luxury cars scattered everywhere, and—
Eiko Amano, surrounded by high-ranking officials!
"Is that...?"
"Yeah, it's her. But—"
Souta pointed to the surrounding ring of police and soldiers and joked:
"It seems there's now a thick wall between us."
At the same time, Eiko, still dressed in ceremonial garb, looked back.
She saw her three friends disappearing into the distance.