Mmph...
Miu trembled slightly, her face feeling a bit hot.
No matter what, this was her first kiss.
Shouldn't she be a little more reserved?
Would the King mistakenly think she was some kind of shameless woman?
No one knew how long passed.
Miu staggered back a few steps, her cheeks flushed red, her eyes dazed.
Then!
She instinctively looked around and was met with several smiling faces.
Instantly!
Miu's body stiffened slightly, becoming flustered.
Oh no!
She had forgotten there were so many people around.
S-so embarrassing.
Miu was at a loss, taking several deep breaths before barely regaining her composure.
"Oh, right." Shizuka deliberately tried to ease her embarrassment, changing the subject. "Why did you come to this city, anyway?"
"It's about the Dark Martial Arts world."
Miu said seriously. "They've been very active in this city."
"I came to investigate."
Shizuka frowned. "And Masters were okay with you coming alone?"
"Hehe, they're just some small fry."
Miu smiled. "After all, I need some real combat experience."
"It's perfect for me to practice on."
Just then, a phone rang.
"Oh, it's Shigure-nee?"
"Let me take this call."
Miu smiled apologetically and answered the phone.
"Miu, the situation has changed. Leave that city immediately."
A cold voice came from the phone.
"According to the latest information, Kushinada Mikumo of the One Shadows Nine Fist is suspected to be in this city. She's no longer an opponent you can handle."
"It's fine, Shigure-nee. I..."
On the other end of the phone, Kosaka Shigure frowned, a look of confusion appearing in her eyes.
"Miu, you sound very confident?"
"Do you think you can handle a Master-Class fighter alone?"
Miu glanced at Ayato and smiled. "Yes, something has happened here, but I can't say more right now. Just trust me."
Kosaka Shigure: "..."
What was going on?
Had Miu taken something?
That was One Shadows Nine Fist. Even she would need to be careful against such an opponent.
She quickly said, "Whatever has happened, don't do anything rash."
"That's One Shadows Nine Fist. It's too dangerous."
"Alright, Shigure-nee. I won't act recklessly."
The call ended.
A look of regret appeared on Miu's face.
She had thought that with her greatly increased strength...
She could try her hand against a Master-Class fighter.
"It's fine. We'll go together."
Ayato smiled. "You just became a Devil. You want to test your power too, right?"
"Really?"
Miu's eyes sparkled.
With the King accompanying her...
Shigure's warnings were instantly thrown to the back of her mind.
"Master, if it's just some martial artists, you don't need to come yourself."
Yuri said, "A few of us can go with Miu."
Shizuka said quietly, "Miko, you're completely missing the point. From what I know, that Kushinada Mikumo is supposed to be quite a beauty."
"Exactly. You guys go fight. I'll happen to recruit a servant while I'm at it."
"..." xN
As expected!
Their master's mind was filled with nothing but women.
…
The night was like water.
An abandoned warehouse.
A woman wearing a wide shrine maiden outfit, with a string of prayer beads around her neck and long black hair, stood there.
"Say, next time you choose a meeting place, can you not always pick places like this?"
Kushinada Mikumo looked around, a look of disgust on her face.
"I'm sorry, Mikumo-sama. Because we have quite a few people, only here can we avoid attracting attention."
"That's right, Mikumo-sama, please be patient. The reason we chose here is because it's sufficiently secluded."
The Dark Martial Artists all around knelt on one knee.
"Secluded?"
Mikumo sneered. "Then what about those people?"
"Hmm?"
Everyone was stunned and instinctively turned their heads.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The sound of clear footsteps came.
A man and six women came into view.
Why was there a child?
Looking at Yayoi, Mikumo was also somewhat surprised.
And!
That man... had no aura whatsoever?
"Who are you people?"
"When did you get here?"
At this point, the Dark Martial Artists, having snapped out of it, flickered and surrounded Ayato and the others.
But!
Facing all this!
The expressions of Ayato and the others didn't change in the slightest.
Stare!
Especially Shizuka and the others, they stared intently at Mikumo.
No wonder Master made a special trip.
This figure... was simply unfair.