Over the past few days, the latest intelligence concerning Kaiser had been circulating within the mystical communities of various nations, letting many people know of the great feat he had accomplished.
"Simultaneously slaying two Heretic Gods…"
Standing under the showerhead, Mariya Yuri softly muttered this to herself, her expression a little dazed.
She still remembered how shocked she had been when Sayanomiya Kaoru called and informed her of this news.
A newly crowned Campione who had only just become a God-Slayer, and had left without anyone even noticing, had slain two deities on the other side of the planet—this was simply unbelievable.
Mariya Yuri was different from Erica. Several years ago, she had already been involved in incidents concerning Heretic Gods and had personally participated in summoning rituals for such beings. Therefore, she had a deep understanding of the terror that came with Heretic Gods and Campiones.
In her eyes, for a human to be able to slay even one god was already an extraordinary feat. To slay two at once was utterly beyond comprehension.
Even if the one performing such a feat wasn't an ordinary human, but a Demon Lord who had already slain a god before—it was still difficult to imagine.
Yet Kaiser had done it. And he had done it just a few days after becoming a Campione, while possessing only a single Authority.
Once this news got out, the entire mystical world was shaken. The History Compilation Committee, which had previously interacted with Kaiser, was utterly stunned. Sayanomiya Kaoru and Touma Amakasu even held an emergency meeting that very night to discuss the matter with headquarters.
They needed to reassess their stance and re-evaluate Kaiser's weight, seeking the most appropriate means of engagement to formulate an optimal response plan.
There was no other choice. After all, this king had achieved god-slaying success within their country's borders, thus becoming a Campione.
Moreover, he had already taken up residence in this country. Under such circumstances, even if he did not intend to treat this land as his homeland or his domain, they still needed to know how to maintain a good relationship with him.
For that reason, Sayanomiya Kaoru had specially instructed Mariya Yuri: if that king ever returned, she must receive him with utmost hospitality and fulfill his every request.
If necessary, she even hoped Mariya Yuri could personally serve him, draw him in as much as possible, please him, and help him develop favorable impressions of their nation.
That was what Mariya Yuri was currently troubled about.
"How could someone like me possibly win over that king?"
Mariya Yuri worried deeply, completely unaware of just how dangerously alluring her exposed body looked in the mirror beside her.
Of course, she would notice soon enough.
Because when she stepped out of the bathroom and returned to her bedroom, that man was already sitting on the floor, staring straight at her.
"No need to present me with such a generous gift the moment I return, is there?"
Sitting at a low table, his back facing the bed, propping his chin with one hand, and looking like someone who had been waiting for quite some time, Kaiser raised an eyebrow and said this as he gazed at the entering Mariya Yuri.
Under the weight of that gaze, which felt almost physically tangible, Mariya Yuri froze completely.
There was nothing she could do.
She wasn't wearing clothes—just a towel wrapped around her, her long hair still bundled in another towel. She had returned to her room with bare arms and legs exposed.
"Ki-Ki-Ki-Ki-Ki… King?!"
Due to the overwhelming shock, Mariya Yuri's voice completely distorted.
"Woof woof woof?" Kaiser teased with a half-smile. "Sounds like a puppy barking. Are you planning to become my pet now?"
"I-I'm not!" Mariya Yuri reflexively shouted, then realized something and cried out in alarm, "Wh-Why are you here?!"
"What?" Kaiser found her reaction too amusing and deliberately asked, "Are you saying I'm not welcome?"
"N-No!" Mariya Yuri was startled, hurriedly shook her head, and said repeatedly, "I-I was just a little surprised!"
"Mhm, I can tell—you're definitely shocked." Kaiser's gaze involuntarily drifted downward, then as if clicking his tongue in amazement, he said, "I know you're surprised, but maybe fix your towel before anything else?"
It had to be said—Hime-Miko truly were Hime-Miko. Compared to Erica, who had constantly declared her loyalty yet never offered him anything of substance, Mariya Yuri was far more sensible.
The towel had already fallen to the ground. What should have been covered was no longer hidden, giving Kaiser quite the visual treat.
"Ah!"
Mariya Yuri finally noticed something was wrong. With a sharp scream, she squatted down.
In the next second, the shrine maiden hurriedly grabbed the fallen towel and fled the scene like her life depended on it.
...
Half an hour later…
Inside Mariya Yuri's room, she and Kaiser finally sat down together and entered a state of conversation.
"…Please have some tea."
Now fully clad in a tightly secured shrine maiden outfit, Mariya Yuri's eyes were tearful, her cheeks flushed, as she trembled while pushing a cup of hot tea toward Kaiser.
If possible, she wished she could run away right this instant—or even die on the spot—just so she wouldn't have to endure this shame and keep playing host to Kaiser. After all, he had seen everything, yet she still had to be polite to him.
"Thank you." Kaiser, in contrast, appeared far more at ease. He picked up the tea, sipped it casually, and said, "Sorry for bothering you so late."
…So you do know it's late?
It's already dark outside. What kind of decent person visits a young maiden at this hour?
Can't you come during the day instead?
Just recalling what had just happened made Mariya Yuri's head feel like it would burst from the heat. She nearly passed out from embarrassment.
Even now, her entire body felt uncomfortable—especially whenever Kaiser looked at her.
That gaze, while clearly calm, normal, even slightly appreciative, gave Mariya Yuri the illusion that he could see right through her clothes to her bare body underneath. It made her want to dash out of the room immediately.
If only she knew a spell that could erase memories…
No, spells and magic were ineffective against a Campione.
Then… erase her own memories?
Mariya Yuri's thoughts were turning more and more dangerous.
Meanwhile, Kaiser sat across from her, thoroughly enjoying the sight of her rapid emotional transformations, clearly amused.
Eventually, Mariya Yuri managed to shake off her despair.
"…May I ask, why have you graced me with your presence at this hour?"
Her tone was stiff, clearly still reeling from earlier.
Unfortunately, Kaiser was not empathetic enough to comfort a sensitive maiden. After all, he was the one who had benefited from the situation.
Moreover, despite his calm demeanor, this had actually been the first time he had ever seen a beautiful girl completely nude in front of him.
Yes… seen in person, not through a screen.
Otherwise, the mysterious websites he had saved might have something to say about it.
Speaking of which, now that he had become the Librarian of the Fantasy Library, what had happened to his belongings in the real world?
Had someone picked up his phone?
Wouldn't that mean even his innocence couldn't remain in the human world?
Thinking of this, Kaiser suddenly felt miserable.
"…King?"
Mariya Yuri's puzzled voice brought Kaiser back from his dejected thoughts.
"It's nothing." Kaiser composed himself, forced himself to stop thinking about it, took another sip of tea, and said, "Shrine maiden, you're in trouble, did you know that?"
That one sentence completely flustered Mariya Yuri.
"D-Did I do something inappropriate?"
Mariya Yuri began to panic.
Kaiser really wanted to say: inappropriate, no—but your indecent state earlier definitely qualified.
Thankfully, he held that line back. Otherwise, Mariya Yuri might really have bolted from the room.
"What I did in Sardinia—you should already be aware of it, right?"
Instead of answering directly, Kaiser posed a counter-question and changed the topic.
"Yes." Mariya Yuri lowered her gaze and, with a voice that seemed forced, said, "I've heard of the king's bravery and greatness. To slay two gods alone with nothing but your own power is without a doubt a feat worthy of being recorded in history."
"It's just… if the king could pay a bit more attention to his surroundings and consider the ordinary people, minimizing the impact as much as possible, that would be even better."
Mariya Yuri had seen the news. She had witnessed Sardinia's current state.
The devastation, resembling a post-disaster zone, had deeply affected her.
That's why she couldn't help but say what she did.
"Don't say that to me—go tell those gods." Kaiser said blandly, "I at least try to be careful. It's those gods who are truly reckless."
Otherwise, Kaiser would've directly used Bankai back then.
Being able to restrain himself and not unleash Bankai was already his way of showing concern for Sardinia's situation.
"Besides, that's not what I came to talk about." Kaiser looked at Mariya Yuri, smiled, and said, "What I want to talk about is this—I encountered the Sword King of Italy there."
"From his mouth, I learned a bit about what happened four years ago."
"The incident where you were taken by that old fossil Voban to summon a Heretic God."
Upon hearing this, Mariya Yuri's face instantly changed.
And then, Kaiser's next words made her face turn deathly pale.
"That unreliable guy also told me something else—apparently that old fossil seems to be paying attention to this country."
"If I'm not mistaken, he's probably coming for you."
"Or rather—for the same purpose as four years ago."
That's right.
Sasha Dejanstahl Voban—that elderly Campione—had turned his gaze toward this far eastern island nation once again, for the purpose of repeating what he did four years ago.
He intended to summon another Heretic God.
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