Chapter 66: Mariya Yuri's Worry
Simply by observing these signs, she was able to discern the remnants of a battle; Leader Luo Hao's exceptional insight filled Guinevere with a sense of admiration.
"Precisely. She had essentially become a corpse, and her soul was on the verge of entering the destiny of reincarnation, but I shared a small portion of my own life force with her."
Guinevere lowered her posture slightly, not daring to meet the Leader's gaze even once—this was the mandatory etiquette when receiving a supreme queen. From start to finish, the blonde young girl maintained a humble stance toward Luo Hao, who stood with her back turned, inspecting Ancilla.
"Since you intend to offer this compatriot to me, then speak your wish."
"No... I have none..."
Hearing this, Luo Hao promptly turned around. Her majestic and beautiful eyes instantly fell upon Guinevere, causing the latter's small frame to tremble slightly.
"I, Luo Hao, am no fool who has forgotten the meaning of shame. I am not stingy with rewards for those who present me with something useful. Speak: what kind of reward do you desire?"
She paid no mind to whether the "Heretic Snake" offered by this seemingly young blonde girl hid some ulterior motive, nor did she guard against whether the other party harbored ambitions; such things were beneath the conduct of a King.
If there is a trap, crush it with absolute power; if there is a conspiracy, grind the conspirator to dust; if there is a rebellion, let them learn the severity of the consequences through the stature of a "King."
This was the conduct of a King at the pinnacle of martial arts. It was precisely because she possessed the power to justify such pride that Luo Hao could stand at the summit of the martial path.
However, facing the pressure of a King, the blonde young girl still answered without being overawed or servile.
"...No, I want for nothing."
Luo Hao frowned slightly at Guinevere's response.
"If that 'Steel Hero' is resurrected, that lord will certainly battle the Leader. If the 'Steel Hero' is victorious, it will bring about the new event that I, Guinevere, wish to realize."
As she watched the girl speak, the corners of Luo Hao's mouth curled upward in a faint, fleeting smile.
"If the Leader is victorious, it will prove that the hero is not the person Guinevere hopes for. Either way, there is no disadvantage for Guinevere."
"So, the match between myself and that individual is the reward—is that what you mean?"
Tracing a beautiful smile, Leader Luo Hao said:
"Very well. Instead of begging for a reward, you use me to gain your own benefit... such spirit is good. I like this answer."
"You flatter me, Leader," Guinevere answered, bowing her head respectfully.
Looking at Guinevere, Luo Hao spoke in a slightly sharp tone.
"Divine Ancestor Guinevere: for now, find a place to settle this Ancilla. My subordinates will arrive shortly."
"Your subordinates... which means someone from the Sacred Cult will be accompanying Ancilla?"
The "Five Sacred Mountain Cult," which worshipped Luo Hao as its Leader, was referred to by European mages as a demonic cult. Thirty percent of all martial artists and sorcerers belonged to it, swearing absolute obedience to the Leader.
"Mhm... as for whether this girl can be put to use... that is the question..."
"The seal of the Dragon-Snake has already been broken, so she cannot last long. But there is still about a month's time... will that suffice, Ancilla?"
Hearing these words, Ancilla slowly stood up, a wicked and excited smile playing on her lips. Seeing her smile, Luo Hao likewise displayed a smile.
"Then, send this 'Ancestor' ahead. Use her as a sacrifice... I shall be there soon. Wait for me here, Guinevere."
"...Yes."
The moment Guinevere accepted the royal command, Luo Hao's figure vanished instantly into the seawater.
The residence of the beautiful demonic cult leader was located at Mount Lu in the far East. In a small hermitage deep within the mountains, she would not easily leave her home unless there was a matter of great importance. Every interaction with the witch thus far had been through a clone of Luo Hao flown in from that location.
One could call her a Daoist well-versed in sorcery, or perhaps a Daoist nun.
The peerless martial artist and Daoist nun Luo Cuilian was, among the seven Campiones, the most fearsome "King," comparable to Voban of Eastern Europe.
Just after Leader Luo Hao's beautiful form vanished into the sea, the blonde girl who appeared to be a child suddenly felt something. She quickly turned her head to look at the sky toward Tokyo.
The sky, stained with a mysterious blue light and lightning, seemed to have completely swept away the dark clouds of the night, revealing a bright crescent moon that had been hidden.
"That is..." Guinevere's lips parted slightly, an expression of surprise appearing on her face. "A battle between 'Kings'...?"
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Shiba Park is not far from Tokyo Tower. Near the area—which contains luxury hotels, schools, television stations, radio stations, and embassies—there are many beautiful shrines and temples.
In that neighborhood, there are many small paths. Most of them face the main street, but if one doesn't know they are there, they are very easy to miss. On one of these intricate roads, there is a set of stone steps consisting of a full 200 steps; for stone stairs in the city center, they are exceptionally high.
At the top of this stone stairway is a shrine called the [Nanaki Shrine]. Surrounded by lush green trees, the shrine gives off a quiet and comfortable feeling. Within the grounds, not far from the front hall, stands a shrine office built in a bungalow style.
In that room, Mariya Yuri was currently getting dressed. Wearing white robes and a jade-green hakama skirt, she faced her dressing table and combed her long hair. The girl had brownish-long hair and eyes of the same color. Her face was delicate and fair, and while her arms looked slender, her bust was unexpectedly impressive—even Erica, a girl of outstanding figure, might have paled in comparison in that regard.
Mariya Yuri was combing her long hair from top to bottom, but when she reached the middle section behind her, the wooden comb suddenly snapped.
Crack—
"Eh... how could this happen..."
Just now, there had been no feeling of snagging as she combed; it naturally couldn't have been caused by a knot in her hair.
"I have a feeling this is an ill omen... I hope nothing bad happens today."
Mariya Yuri, who had recently been fought over by two Campiones, was now left with a psychological shadow and was prone to all sorts of worries.
"That 'King' still hasn't left Japan yet. Surely he isn't preparing a ritual to summon a Heretic God..."
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