Whether it was Miss Kaoru, Yuri, or Ena, as daughters of noble families, they had to observe many strict formalities in front of outsiders. Only when they were together with their close girlfriends could they let loose and play around like this.
What might be ordinary fun for others was extremely precious to them. Being born into a noble family might have given them more than ordinary people, but at the same time, they lost some things too. It was a small kind of sadness…
Of course, the little miko Hikari was an exception. She couldn't really understand those things yet and was just there to join the fun.
…
"So, what's your plan? What are you going to do?"
Back in the room, Miss Kaoru had returned to her usual upright and serious demeanor. She took a sip of the hot tea that little miko Hikari had brought and asked Ena, who was sitting nearby.
Her clothes were still a bit disheveled, even torn in a few places—ripped by some wild person earlier. This was one of her favorite outfits, and it had caused Miss Kaoru a lot of heartache. She thought to herself that next time, she would definitely make that brat Ena pay for it!
"A plan… hehehe, Ena hasn't thought of one yet!"
Ena took a carefree sip of tea and replied with a lighthearted expression.
The corners of their eyes twitched as both Miss Kaoru and Yuri looked at this straightforward and bold girl with speechless expressions.
"Kaoru-nee, Ena-nee, what are you talking about? Hikari wants to know too!"
Having just gone to make tea for the older sisters, little miko Hikari didn't know what they were discussing and immediately showed a curious look.
"Adults are talking, little girl, don't interrupt!"
Miss Kaoru shot a glare at Hikari and replied with a scolding tone.
What they were discussing now wasn't exactly something appropriate for a little girl to join in on.
"Damn you, Kaoru-nee, I'm not a little kid anymore!"
"Don't think I don't know—you're definitely talking about Brother Sora. You can't stop me from asking. Once I find out your little secret, I'll go tell Brother Sora!"
Pouting her little mouth, Hikari thought angrily to herself. Her big eyes darted around, and she quickly came up with an idea. She stopped trying to join the argument and instead sat obediently to the side, listening quietly.
…
"Ena, I think you should give up, okay? If Sora finds out, he'll be unhappy."
Yuri spoke hesitantly to Ena.
If Ena was just fulfilling the original promise to become Sora's knight, Yuri wouldn't mind. Even if Ena accepted the lord's order to become Sora's concubine, though it made her feel shy and a bit sour inside, there were many precedents, and the mikos could accept it.
But Ena's grandfather even wanted her to drive away the other women around Sora, which made Yuri uneasy. Knowing Sora very well, Yuri knew he would never allow such a thing. If Ena made Sora angry…
Besides, even the pure miko had some feelings about this. She was also one of Sora's women. If Ena wanted to drive away the other women around Sora, wouldn't that mean she might be driven away too? Although as childhood friends, Yuri trusted Ena wouldn't do that to her.
"Although I don't want to discourage you, Ena, I advise you to give up those unrealistic ideas."
"The old folks in the family are all so self-centered and stubborn, always thinking the world still belongs to them. They even dare to plot against the Demon King—how foolish!"
"Although I hate to admit it, Sora really cares about his women. You can ask Yuri, who knows firsthand. Even though he seems carefree on the surface and has been pushed to the brink by enemies many times without showing anger, that's only because they haven't touched what he truly cares about…"
Sighing slightly, Miss Kaoru looked at Ena with a complicated expression.
She only said these things to people she absolutely trusted. If others heard that the next head of the Sayanomiya family had such thoughts about the old ancestors, her position as heir might be over.
…
"Hehehe… Yuri, isn't Kaoru right? Sora really cares about you all. Didn't everyone say before that the Demon King and the gods only see us mortals as insignificant ants?"
Still wearing a carefree expression, Ena asked Yuri with a smile.
"Hmm… Sora is different from those people. He's special!"
Though shy, Yuri nodded with a blush.
Besides the shyness, Yuri also felt a bit of happiness and pride. As she had just said, her Demon King was different from the others—he was special!
Hearing Yuri's answer, Ena didn't react much, but her clear eyes flashed with a strange light—surprise, joy, and a small sense of relief.
Thankfully, even though Sora had become king, he still seemed to be the same Sora. If he had turned into one of those legendary Demon Kings, Ena would have been very troubled!
…
"Ugh… this is difficult. Ena still wants to be Sora's knight and concubine, but she doesn't want to make Sora angry or dislike her. But the grandfather's orders must be carried out. Yuri, Kaoru, what should Ena do?"
Holding her little head, Ena looked troubled and cast a pleading glance at Yuri and Miss Kaoru.
Although her little head was quite smart, Ena was the type who preferred action over thinking. Besides, there were three smart heads here—well, two and a half, since the little girl only counted as half. She'd let them figure it out.
Yuri's mouth twitched, and Miss Kaoru almost had the urge to pounce on her again and kill her for being so irresponsible and casually passing the trouble to others!
"Hmph, that's your problem. Don't come to us!"
Miss Kaoru snorted and replied with a scowl.
Yuri said nothing but lowered her head. It wasn't about loyalty or not; she just didn't want to get involved in trouble.
…
"Ena-nee, don't listen to those annoying old ancestors. Sora Onii-chan is the Demon King, right? Why don't we ask Sora Onii-chan to help teach them a lesson?"
Well, that was little miko Hikari's voice, clenching her tiny fists with a fierce expression.
The little girl had been listening for a long time and barely understood the situation. Now that she had a chance, she quickly spoke up to show off.
Seeing the three older sisters all drawn in by her words, the little girl felt very proud, tilting her head up as if her nose was almost touching the ceiling. She thought to herself that she was smart to come up with a solution none of the sisters had thought of.
Of course, the proud little miko didn't notice the strange and speechless looks the three older sisters were giving her.
"You smart-aleck brat, stop butting in!"
She gave the little miko Hikari a hard knock on the head. Not only did Miss Kaoru ignore her, but even Yuri and Ena completely disregarded the little girl's mischievous ideas.
"Ugh… Sister Kaoru, my idea was clearly good," Hikari said, hugging her little head with a look of grievance. The little witch didn't understand why, even though her idea was perfect, Sister Kaoru still knocked her on the head and the other two sisters ignored her.
With teary eyes, the little miko expressed how hurt her little heart was…
"Enough of that! If you want to be heard, then be quiet and behave, or I'll throw you out!" Miss Kaoru threatened with a fierce expression, too lazy to explain to the little girl.
Pouting with a sulky look, although a bit dissatisfied, the little witch obediently quieted down. She still wanted to eavesdrop on the big sisters' secrets and didn't want to be thrown out so soon.
Miss Kaoru glanced at Hikari and shook her head helplessly. Although the little girl was smart, she was still too young to understand the seriousness and the stakes involved. If it were really that simple, they wouldn't be so troubled here.
Ena had been raised by the Seishuuin family as a secret weapon since childhood. They even went to great lengths to have her inherit the powers of that great master. Whether personally or for the family, Ena had no choice but to obey their orders.
Not just Ena, even Miss Kaoru herself was the same. Although she hated and was disgusted by the old folks in the family, she had no choice but to obey their commands—she couldn't disobey.
Though she was gifted and had good cultivation, and her status and position made many envious, all of that was still given by the family. Without the family, could she have come this far?
The answer was no. Neither she, nor Yuri, nor Ena could. Even Erica and Liliana, who were hailed as super geniuses in the magic world, couldn't make it without the backing of their organizations!
Of course, there were exceptions, like that guy Sora.
He managed to reach the same level as them, or even surpass them, relying solely on himself without any family support or inheritance. That guy was a miracle in himself!
That was why Miss Kaoru was so determined to bring Sora under her wing back then, and why she wasn't too surprised when she learned he had become a God Slayer.
That guy already had too many incredible things about him. Even becoming a demon king who slays gods seemed normal on him—not something worth being shocked about…