Chapter 69: Bullied Mercilessly
"Karen, brew some tea," Shirou instructed.
"Certainly!" Upon hearing this, Karen, who had been busy in the kitchen, immediately jogged out and answered.
Then, she looked toward Yuri. "Um, what would Miss Mariya like to drink? Coffee or black tea?"
"Black tea, please... thank you." Yuri lowered her head slightly toward the maid, her demeanor full of etiquette.
Sitting on the single sofa nearby, Yuri kept her hands clasped restrainedly over her knees.
"The [History Compilation Committee] sent you, didn't they?" Seeing the girl's nervous state, Shirou immediately guessed the reason.
"Ah... yes." Yuri hesitated for a few seconds before finally nodding.
"Since you are here today, you might as well help me take a look at this."
Rather than letting the girl sit there in solitary tension, Shirou took out the "Gorgoneion" and placed it on the coffee table in front of Yuri.
"This is...!?" Yuri stared at the object for only a few seconds, looking at the obsidian-like medal and the portrait of the Gorgon carved upon it, and felt an oppressive sensation that made it difficult for her to breathe.
"Well? Did you see anything?"
Seeing the 'Hime-Miko' in this state, Shirou immediately understood that she had perceived something from the Gorgoneion, so he questioned her.
"It bears a sacred seal of an ancient divinity. A snake god... the mark of a great serpent... no, it is even more primordial, a spiral engraving centered around Mother Earth."
Yuri narrowed her eyes, picked up the Gorgoneion from the table, and observed it meticulously, not missing a single detail.
"This is just my personal intuition, but this medal might be a cultural relic unearthed in North Africa. Egypt, Algeria... somehow those places come to mind."
Activating her Spirit Vision, Yuri let out a cry of admiration after sensing the divine aura contained within the Gorgoneion.
"That object is called the 'Gorgoneion.' It seems to be a divine tool related to Athena," Shirou explained, resolving the girl's doubts about the item.
"The Gorgoneion... to think such a divine object actually exists..."
Yuri's eyes widened as she looked at the obsidian medal in her hand, her expression showing great shock.
Suddenly, Yuri remembered the words spoken by Sayanomiya Sayaka, the Tokyo branch chief of the [History Compilation Committee], who had come to find her that morning. Sayanomiya Sayaka had guessed that this 'King,' after defeating Marquis Voban, intended neither to summon a 'Heretic God' nor to leave immediately, as if something was attracting him to stay here.
Thinking about it now, it was highly likely because of this Gorgoneion which possessed a divine nature!
Given the situation, the 'King's' next target was likely the Heretic God, Athena. At the thought of this, the girl's expression immediately became tense. If a battle between a 'Heretic God' and a 'Demon King' broke out in Japan, it was impossible to predict what kind of terrifying disaster would ensue.
"O King, do you intend to draw a 'Heretic God' to Tokyo? Have—have you considered the safety of the local residents—"
Mariya Yuri stopped abruptly before she could finish, suddenly remembering that when the 'King' fought Marquis Voban yesterday, he seemed completely indifferent to the surrounding area being easily destroyed. Her persuasion might not only be ineffective but could even incur the 'King's' resentment.
However, how could the girl know that the level of destruction yesterday was already considered an act of utmost benevolence? If he had fought without restraint, the island would have sunk long ago.
Although Marquis Voban possessed the Authority [Storm and Stress] which could manipulate global weather, expanding the range to the entire world would not significantly affect the battle; it would merely waste a vast amount of cursed energy, and Voban was not that foolish. Battles between Campiones require causing effective damage to the enemy in front of them, rather than wantonly wasting cursed energy on meaningless acts like destroying continents or cities.
"O King, I implore you, do not involve the innocent civilians of the city..."
Yuri suddenly stood up and bowed deeply toward Shirou.
However, Erica looked at Yuri's display with displeasure.
"You think you can interfere with the 'King's' will? That is far too naive! Did those fools at the [History Compilation Committee] send you for such a purpose?"
Erica herself had once thought of interfering with the 'King's' will, but she later discovered that such thoughts could not be hidden from the 'King's' eyes and would only put her in a dangerous position. Thus, sensing Yuri's intention, she spoke up immediately.
"I..."
Erica's aggressiveness caused Yuri's body to tremble with fear, and her eyes turned red with a sense of grievance.
Reprimanded, Yuri looked up at the beautiful girl with long golden hair. She was wearing a red cardigan over a black short-sleeved shirt and a red skirt, with her slender, fair legs exposed as if reflecting light. The girl's magnificent aura was outstanding, and her proud temperament even caused Yuri to involuntarily feel a sense of inferiority.
But regardless, Yuri was a high-ranking shrine maiden who protected the group of spirit-users in the Kanto region. Belonging to the rare rank of 'Hime-Miko,' she was not only equal to Erica or Liliana in appearance, but even in terms of presence, she braced herself to avoid falling behind.
If she was suppressed by the Knight-Princesses at the 'King's' side the moment she arrived, Yuri could imagine how much she would be marginalized in the future. Therefore, she absolutely could not show weakness.
"Miss Erica, please mind your behavior. Does a Knight-Princess such as yourself have the right to interrupt a conversation between the 'King' and me so casually?"
Although she was restrained when speaking to the 'King' due to her awe of him, Yuri felt she could hold her own when facing Erica.
"Heh, you've become a bit assertive, haven't you? Quite different from the 'stray dog' look you had yesterday."
Erica smiled nonchalantly, easily neutralizing Yuri's counterattack.
"You...!!"
Yuri gritted her teeth in anger. At that moment, Princess Alice walked out of the bedroom and spoke to Erica.
"That's enough, Erica. Stop bullying the 'King's' guest."
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