Chapter 546: The Demon Hunting Ceremony
"Ankleya, hurry up, let me sit too!" Saijō said.
At that moment, Saijō paid no attention to Smoothie's return.
Her focus was entirely on Ankleya, or rather, the holy, platinum-like throne beneath her.
Golden lines formed intricate circular patterns on the throne's surface, giving it a majestic and sacred appearance.
This was the God Killer Throne of the Sky, with the Mythical beast Gem Princess as its core.
Saijō hugged Ankleya, who was seated on the Sky Throne, and sat beside her with a beaming smile.
"Get down." Ankleya said coldly, her demeanor unyielding.
"Don't be so cold! It's so spacious up here. It must be lonely sitting alone." Saijō replied.
"You were reckless outside, clinging to others' backs. You've completely tarnished the princess's dignity. I'll tell Bejana when we get back." Ankleya said.
Ankleya was accustomed to Saijō's clinginess and knew how to handle her.
"No, don't!" Saijō exclaimed.
"If you tell her, she'll nag me to death. Bejana's lectures last a whole day. That's too cruel!" she said, feigning distress.
Seeing Ankleya's unmoved expression, Saijō stopped her theatrics.
"Fine, I won't move."
Leaning close to Ankleya's ear, she whispered, "I'll let you in on a secret! The last time I went out with Master, Bejana drew several portraits of him."
"Hehe, I went through great effort to get two from Bejana."
"I can give you one!" she offered.
Despite Ankleya's cold expression, Saijō, who knew her well, could tell she was intrigued.
"Hey, I know you wouldn't dare ask Bejana for one, so I thought of you." Saijō said.
"Aren't you touched by this?" she asked.
"What's touching about it? Let's go, stop talking nonsense." Ankleya replied coldly.
She then controlled the God-Destroying Throne to float away, with her subordinates quickly following.
"I know you're just being stubborn! There are still conditions!" Saijō said.
"Ankleya, you smell so nice, like lilies. It'd be so calming to sleep holding you."
"So, I need a pillow tonight. Remember to come to my room!" she teased.
"Don't push it." Ankleya warned.
On the other side, Hikari, Nozomi, and their group were also preparing to leave.
Perched on Hikari's shoulder was a small, golden fairy-like figure.
Only Hikari and Nozomi could see her; not even Hina, one of the Twelve Holy Knights, could see her.
There was no doubt this was Jin, the current God of Holy Light in the Kingdom of Miracles.
"Little Hikari, you did well! It seems you can take charge this time!" Jin said.
"Though you were born last, you're much more sensible than your sisters."
"Artoria will surely be proud of you, and so will your father."
Clearly, Hikari's participation in the Mythical Beast Conference was largely due to Jin's encouragement.
"Really?" Hikari asked silently in her heart.
"Of course it's true. You're now one step closer to becoming a worthy king." Jin said.
"Artoria must be delighted." she added, patting Hikari's shoulder.
Her words were true, as Hikari's birth was largely orchestrated by Jin.
Initially, Artoria had no desire to have a child.
Even with Esdeath and others having children, Artoria wasn't envious.
She only wished to stay quietly by his side.
But Jin had persuaded her, saying the Kingdom of Miracles would need a king in the future. Raising one would allow Artoria to retire and remain by his side, bringing her happiness.
In the end, Jin convinced Artoria.
Thus, Hikari was born.
"I'll give you a surprise when we return to Amazon Lily." Jin said.
"What surprise?" Hikari asked.
"It's called a surprise, so I won't tell you now." Jin replied with a mischievous smile.
She had played a role in Hikari's creation.
Hikari's Radiance ability was added by Jin during her birth.
Thus, Jin saw Hikari as half her daughter.
But this daughter was stubborn. When younger, Hikari refused to call her mother.
Now that Hikari had matured into a regal figure, Jin thought she could easily handle her.
Unaware of Jin's plan to make her call her mother, Hikari assumed the surprise involved her father.
A bright smile appeared beneath her helmet, one so radiant it would embarrass her later.
In the Holy Land, Mariejois, after the live broadcast ended, the Five Elders in the Hall of Power fell silent.
After a long pause, the curly-haired Five Elder, Saint Saturn, spoke.
"It seems the purpose of this Mythical Beast Conference is not simple. Will the strongest God Killer Equipment, the Mythical Demon's Return, remain on the island?"
"For those eight orbs, let the CP organization, the monitors, and the Iron Sun arrange personnel to find them."
"Also, issue a treasure hunt commission. Each orb is valued at 100 billion Berries."
Hearing Saint Saturn casually mention 100 billion Berries, the long-bearded Five Elder, Saint Mars, glanced at him and said lightly, "A hundred billion Berries?"
"I see. Civilians lucky enough to find an orb will likely be dazzled and hand it over upon hearing that amount."
"But…"
"We need to guard against malicious competition among those forces."
His words made the others frown.
"It doesn't matter. Do your best. Those forces aren't fools either." Saint Saturn said, tapping his cane lightly to settle the matter.
"After this Mythical Beast Conference, the future will be turbulent."
"To keep those commoners from rushing to sea impulsively, once the conference's hype dies down in a few days, we'll announce news to shift their attention."
The other Five Elders took notice.
"So, which target?" asked the blond Five Elder, Saint Peter.
"Alabasta. According to the monitors' feedback, many top-level demons have been spotted in the depths of that large demon mine." Saint Saturn answered.
"The situation there is more severe than elsewhere."
Hearing Saint Saturn's response, the other Five Elders made their decision.
"In that case, let's settle on it, the Demon Hunting Ceremony."
(End of this chapter)