In the Netherworld, the boundary between life and undeath—
Inside a small cabin in a stormy valley, three figures sat: the tall and mighty Susanoo, an old black-robed monk, and the dignified and beautiful Glass-Eyed Princess.
"All right, now it's about time to evaluate that Lord Kusanagi, isn't it?"
The hoarse voice of the old monk broke the silence first. This enlightened monk, who had freed himself from the constraints of the flesh at the end of his ascetic practice and approached immortality, spoke.
"Anyone whom I consider a good man usually becomes an excellent ruler. When the sleeping child awakens, he will surely become the protector of the earth."
The one who spoke was the Glass-Eyed Princess, a beautiful princess with glass-colored pupils. She seemed to recall something, and a faint blush appeared on her exquisite face.
"Hmph! Princess, is that the reason you did what you did regardless of your status?"
"That man is too reckless and willful, only caring about himself and his woman. Do you really think such a person can stand up to save the world at a critical moment?"
The old monk snorted coldly, his tone full of endless sarcasm.
Having been treated arrogantly by that reckless demon king junior, the old monk was already displeased. Seeing the Glass-Eyed Princess not only help in battle but also defend Sora, the old monk was filled with an inexplicable anger.
"Master, although I have some acquaintance with you, it's not to the extent that I have to report and explain everything to you, right?"
The Glass-Eyed Princess was a gentle woman, who had almost never been angry with anyone for thousands of years. Even if the old monk nagged, she would only smile faintly. But now, looking at the old smonk's mummy-like shriveled face, she felt a wave of disgust.
"You say Lord Kusanagi is reckless and willful. I do not deny that, but that is the right and demeanor of a king."
"As for whether Lord Kusanagi will stand up to save the world at a critical moment, I have seen him intervene many times when the human world was in crisis. Meanwhile, some people shout about saving all beings but I have never seen them do anything!"
This time, the Glass-Eyed Princess was also a bit angry, bluntly retorting to the old monk with sarcasm.
"Princess, you…"
The old monk's face turned dark. He never expected the Glass-Eyed Princess to speak to him in such a tone because of that arrogant young man!
"That young man dotes too much on his woman. If one day he has to choose between saving his woman and saving the world, do you really think he would selflessly give up his woman to save the world?"
With a gloomy expression, the Glass-Eyed Princess's defense of that arrogant young man made the old monk even more disapproving!
The old monk thought he had found a reason to completely defeat the princess: that young man spoiled his woman too much. Both the old monk, the Glass-Eyed Princess, and the bearded Susanoo all deeply understood this.
But precisely because of this, if one day that young man had to choose between his woman and the world, which would he choose?!
"Hehehehe…"
Hearing the old monk's words, the princess did not retort again but gently touched her pink lips and laughed happily. Elegant and beautiful, leaving the old monk somewhat baffled.
"Monk, have you forgotten that I am also a woman?!"
Her expression changed, and the princess's voice was filled with endless coldness and sarcasm. Her look no longer concealed her disgust toward the old monk.
The old monk's face was full of astonishment, as if he never expected the princess to refute him with such a reason! Moreover, the princess's look of disappointment mixed with disdain made the old monk feel incredulous.
Is this still the gentle, kind, and righteous princess he once knew? The old monk suddenly realized that perhaps in all these hundreds of years, he had never truly understood the woman before him…
The entire small room fell silent, the atmosphere turning strange and uncomfortably tense.
Glug glug…
Without a care, Susanoo gulped down some wine, drooping his large head as he glanced at the displeased old monk, then at the princess with her icy, glassy eyes. He finally understood: because of that brat, these two had completely fallen out today.
"Ahem… let me say something."
Clearing his throat and smacking his lips, Susanoo looked at the two who had turned against each other and felt somewhat dismissive.
Damn it, what are you two fighting about? My divine artifact was stolen by that brat and I haven't even said a word!
The princess and the old monk both looked over at him. Since they each held their own opinions, Susanoo's perspective as the third party became especially important.
"So, old sir, what's your opinion?"
Although the princess had fallen out with the old monk, she was a woman who clearly distinguished between grievances and kindness, showing no coldness toward Susanoo.
As for the old monk, he cast Susanoo a look that said, You should understand my righteous position, which gave Susanoo goosebumps.
"We sent little Ena over originally to test the qualifications of that King Kusanagi. Although the appearance of that madwoman Metis was unexpected, she actually helped us by revealing the boy's potential more clearly."
"Heh heh heh… The monk's words are not without reason, but monk, you don't expect us heretic gods and demon kings to be humble and kind do you?"
After stating the facts, Susanoo chuckled and looked at the embarrassed old monk with a teasing expression.
Talking about Sora being arrogant and willful, this old monk was just looking for trouble. Among these god-slayers and demon kings, who isn't arrogant?
In some ways, Sora was actually quite decent. At least if you didn't provoke him, he would smile and not put on airs.
The princess with glassy eyes nodded slightly. Susanoo's words were reasonable, unlike the old monk who was stubborn and inflexible, as if the whole world had to learn from him to be good!
"It's almost time for that guy to awaken. If anyone can stop him, it's probably only that Kusanagi boy."
Taking another sip of wine, Susanoo finally voiced his opinion.
Silence followed. Even the old monk did not argue this time.
Although there are many strong god-slayers today, whether it's the ancient Marquis Voban or the undefeated Luo Hao, they are all top-tier experts.
But to deal with the soon-to-awaken Last King, they are still not enough!
Although Sora himself cannot handle the Last King now, his potential is great. Not only him, but the women around him are also growing at an astonishing rate. He has already tamed two Earth Mother Goddesses.
If this trend continues, when the Last King awakens, this boy might really have the power to confront him!
"It seems we agree on this point. The matter of using those girls to test Lord Kusanagi's qualifications should end here. It makes me feel somewhat unpleasant."
After a brief pause, the princess's voice sounded both like a sigh and a warning.
She seemed unwilling to continue the conversation, and after speaking, her figure vanished from the spot.
"It seems our princess has completely pinned her hopes on that boy. Old monk, don't badmouth him in front of the princess anymore, hahaha…"
A strange gleam flashed in Susanoo's tiger-like eyes as he laughed heartily.
"Hmph!"
The old monk snorted coldly, feeling deeply aggrieved, and instantly vanished from the small room.
"The former Lord of the Gods Athena, the Earth Mother Goddess Metis, the Divine Ancestor Princess with Glassy Eyes, and so many knight witches… Ah, that brat really is someone to be insanely jealous of…"
In the small wooden cabin, Susanoo murmured while drinking, his expression full of a strange anticipation.
How much more surprise will that boy bring them…
…
London, the luxurious Duke's mansion
Princess Alice lay on her small lounge chair in the courtyard as usual, enjoying the warm afternoon sun.
Since she regained the freedom to move her body, this had become her habit.
"Princess, the prophecy of the Starless Night has been averted. This is the latest intelligence."
Miss Ericson, dressed in a professional pencil skirt uniform, entered with a complex expression and handed a thick stack of documents to Princess Alice.
Supporting herself up, the princess elegantly brushed her platinum hair and took the documents, showing no surprise.
"Hehehe, little Sora is getting worse and worse! Last time it was Athena, and now he hasn't spared even Metis…"
Looking at the pictures of Sora rubbing the cheeks of two cute little girls, Princess Alice's expression brightened as she covered her mouth and laughed softly.
After carefully reading all the intelligence, Princess Alice stood and returned the documents to Miss Ericson, who had been waiting by her side.
"It won't be long before we meet again, little Sora. Alice has a feeling…"
Looking toward the distant horizon, Princess Alice smiled gracefully with a hint of playfulness.