Ren narrowed his eyes.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
When the "Apocalypse" world's plot went off the rails, he'd suspected trouble.
He hadn't expected even Eirin to be unsettled—
or to warn him not to enter that world again until they'd talked it through.
"Ren-kun…" Saeko's pretty face tightened. Clearly, her world had changed in a terrifying way.
As for the rest—
she didn't dwell on it. In her culture, once you chose a man, you left the big stuff to him.
Of course, if a man couldn't provide—money or body—well, that was another matter.
For Saeko, only one thing weighed on her now: Shizuka, her friend.
"Don't rush it," Ren said, lifting a hand. "Kaguya—if Eirin says I shouldn't go, I won't. But we can have Saeko bring her friend back here."
"Saeko…" Kaguya thought, then nodded. "It's feasible, Father. I'll anchor 'Eternity and the Instant' on her. We brought plenty of divine tools from the Lunar Capital; since Saeko favors the blade, I'll choose a yokai sword for her."
"Saeko, what do you think?" Ren asked. "If it isn't urgent, Eirin will arrive tonight. Going tomorrow would be best."
"Ren-kun," Saeko said softly, smiling sweetly but shaking her head, eyes hardening like steel beneath amethyst. "I know you care. But she's my friend. I won't put you in danger for my sake."
"…Fair enough," Ren said.
Kaguya's hand shimmered; a stream of light sank into Saeko.
At once Saeko felt it—her stamina and state restored to peak, as if bottomless.
A moon rabbit stepped forward with a sword case.
"This yokai blade's origin is uncertain," Kaguya explained. "Many divine swords were born in the age of gods. Before Eirin settled in the Lunar Capital, she collected no small number. Take this. I've sealed its power so it won't influence your will."
"Thank you, Kaguya-hime."
Saeko rose, accepted the case, and slid the blade free.
A violet edge bloomed with eerie, alluring light.
With a single ring of steel, power coursed through her body like a flood.
"Normally it drinks a human's stamina—and life," Kaguya said. "But I've fixed your state and sealed the sword. Use it as you like."
"Ren-kun—your pardon," Saeko said, kneeling beautifully.
"No—" She corrected herself, voice steady. "City Lord."
Right words for the right work.
Ren nodded; a seam opened behind her.
"Saeko, I've granted you access. Find your friend. When you return, call for me and I'll grant her access as well."
"Yes."
Saeko stepped into the rift and vanished.
Kaguya watched, thoughtful. "Once you carry people between two worlds, their time streams begin to flow in sync. Father—your ability is truly terrifying."
A true power to cross myriad worlds.
She didn't show it, but inside, her heart pounded. With Father holding something this outrageous…
A war on the moon? Absolutely winnable. She could already see it: the Lunar "Father" hoisted upside down, trussed neatly, locked in the basement.
Just imagining it made her shift her feet beneath the twelve-layered kimono, a little thrill running down her legs. Ahem.
"What I'm most curious about," Ren said, "is what exactly happened to that 'Apocalypse' world. For Eirin to come down personally—and warn me to stay out?"
"This humble one doesn't know," Kaguya said, shaking her head. "But Eirin's tone was grave. Something must be wrong. Otherwise she wouldn't use 'supervising my punishment' as an excuse to descend so quickly."
Ren exhaled. "No point guessing."
"Tonight we'll know."
Until then, do what needed doing.
Worst case?
He'd shut the door. What—could it cross worlds to knock?
Don't make him laugh.
(End of Chapter)
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