Tokyo.
Lion King Organization.
Shirona Kuraki looked at Koyomi Shizuka expectantly and asked, "So? Did you find anything?"
Koyomi Shizuka remained calm, kneeling properly on the tatami floor, and nodded. "Lynn Valefor. A senior student at Shuchiin Academy, and the director of the Supernatural Investigation Club."
She had already discovered this much after witnessing Lynn's overwhelming power the other day.
Moreover…
The Supernatural Investigation Club had become quite infamous within Shuchiin.
Though the reputation wasn't necessarily good, it saved Koyomi Shizuka a lot of time in her investigation.
Shirona Kuraki's expression twisted strangely.
Such a powerful figure, hiding in a school, pretending to be a student?
What kind of… hobby is that?
But…
This information alone was still insufficient. It wasn't enough to deal a decisive blow to Lynn.
Unable to hold back, Shirona Kuraki asked, "Anything else? Does he have any particular hobbies?"
"Hobbies…"
Koyomi Shizuka pursed her lips. "He seems to enjoy building a harem."
"…Huh?"
Shirona Kuraki was stunned.
"A… harem?"
She looked at Koyomi Shizuka with disbelief, as if she had misheard.
However, Koyomi Shizuka nodded seriously and began explaining the rumors circulating about the so-called Supernatural Investigation Club—which many referred to as the "Harem Club."
And in the spirit of proper investigation, Koyomi Shizuka had personally looked into the matter.
Within Shuchiin Academy alone, several beautiful girls were already part of this so-called "Supernatural Investigation Club."
Even more telling was the appearance of various girls on campus who weren't even students at Shuchiin.
This clearly indicated that Lynn's "recruitment" was no longer confined to the school.
To make it worse…
Koyomi Shizuka had accidentally learned this from Miura Yumiko, who spoke of another subgroup within the Club—called the "Service Department."
The moment Koyomi Shizuka heard that name, her expression had become indescribable.
"Service Department…"
Shirona Kuraki's face twitched. She let out a bitter laugh. "This Maou's taste… is surprisingly straightforward…"
Koyomi Shizuka hesitated for a moment but continued, "There's another thing."
"It's said that the Witch of the Void also has a very close relationship with Lynn Valefor."
Koyomi Shizuka had seen it herself, the way Natsuki Minamiya and Lynn interacted that day made it obvious they were well-acquainted.
She had also heard from Yumiko Miura that when she tried reporting the situation to Natsuki, the result was… nothing. Not only did the Supernatural Investigation Club go unpunished, but their activity room had been expanded.
Back then, Yumiko had suspected that Natsuki was deliberately shielding Lynn.
Maybe… Natsuki Minamiya was also one of Lynn's harem members?
It wasn't until Lynn displayed his power alongside Natsuki Minamiya that Yumiko understood everything.
They were beings from another world.
That also explained what Yukinoshita and Yui had been up to.
Damn it!
Why hadn't she realized this sooner?
If she had, maybe she could have crossed into that other world like Yui had…
Koyomi Shizuka finished sharing all this information with Shirona Kuraki.
"The Witch of the Void…"
Shirona Kuraki muttered, grinding her teeth. "Natsuki Minamiya."
"As expected of a witch."
"There's such a dangerous individual in human society, yet we received no intel on her."
Given how little they knew about Lynn's personality, it was only natural for Shirona Kuraki to feel uneasy.
She cursed Natsuki Minamiya silently for a while before shifting her focus back to the key information Koyomi Shizuka had brought.
The Harem Department…
Shirona Kuraki's expression turned dark.
But at the very least…
Koyomi Shizuka had indeed brought back valuable intel.
"He likes building a harem…"
"Then why not just offer him a few more?"
Shirona Kuraki's eyes lit up as the idea struck her.
Koyomi Shizuka: "…"
Yukari: "…"
Both of them were stunned by Shirona Kuraki's blunt proposal.
But they couldn't deny…
It fit the situation perfectly.
However…
Yukari hesitated. "But… ordinary women probably won't catch the eye of a Maou like him, right?"
Shirona Kuraki waved her hand dismissively. "Don't we have our own highly-trained priestesses at the Lion King Organization?"
Yukari's expression stiffened. "You… you don't mean Yukina, do you?"
She grew visibly agitated.
She had just watched as Kirasaka Sayaka got caught up in this mess, and now they were about to send another of her apprentices into the fire?
This was too cruel!
"No!"
"I object!"
Yukari's voice was firm and unwavering.
"Besides… the miko I've worked so hard to train, you're just going to give her away as someone else's dependent?"
Shirona Kuraki replied calmly, "You said it yourself, didn't you? They are shrine maidens. You should understand better than anyone what their role is meant to be."
Yukari fell silent.
Shirona Kuraki continued, "If sacrificing a few shrine maidens helps clear the misunderstanding with the Maou and even earns his favor, I say it's a worthwhile trade."
"In my eyes, this is a guaranteed win."
Yukari lowered her gaze.
The logic… was hard to argue with.
But still…
She muttered, "Then… why does it have to be Yukina?"
Shirona Kuraki gave her a calm glance. "It doesn't have to be Himeragi Yukina."
Yukari's eyes lit up slightly in relief.
Until Shirona Kuraki followed up with a smirk, "You could always go in her place, Yukari."
Yukari: "?"
"If we're talking about talented shrine maidens who might catch the eye of the Maou, you're the best choice, Yukari…"
Shirona's tone made it clear what she was suggesting.
Yukari's expression twitched violently.
"I'm too old! The Maou probably doesn't appreciate my type!"
After a moment, she changed the subject and added quickly, "Shio is still young and has great potential. She's the better choice."
"Which is why… let's send Yukina after all."
Shirona Kuraki stared at her coldly, her eyes filled with contempt.
Koyomi Shizuka pursed her lips, unsure how to respond.
"Hey, hey, hey!"
Yukari waved her paws, clearly unhappy. "Don't give me that look!"
"Becoming the Maou's miko is a once-in-a-lifetime blessing!"
"As her master, of course I want my apprentice to enjoy such good fortune!"
"That's what a responsible master does!"
She sounded almost righteous about it.
Shirona Kuraki replied perfunctorily, "Sure, sure…"
"So, Yukari…"
"I'll leave the task of notifying Himeragi Setsuna to you."
Yukari: "?"
Wasn't this just pushing the dirty work onto her?
You're downright evil, Shirona Kuraki!
You're trying to ruin my relationship with my apprentice!
Before Yukari could protest further, Koyomi Shizuka suddenly asked, "Speaking of which… what about Kirasaka Sayaka? Are we just abandoning her?"
The room went quiet.
Shirona Kuraki and Yukari exchanged glances, then responded in unison.
"We'll send her to Lord Lynn as a miko too."
Although…
That might already be a bit too late…
"By the way…"
Koyomi Shizuka's tone turned awkward. "If we just openly send shrine maidens to the Maou's harem like this…"
"Won't that ruin the reputation of the Lion King Organization?"
Shirona Kuraki fell silent for a moment before responding righteously, "What harem?"
"I told you already."
"They are mikos. Shrine maidens."
"And according to the Maou's terminology…"
"They're called Peerage!"
What harem? That word sounds so crude.
Calling them mikos or dependents sounds much more dignified!
Meanwhile.
After the high-level meeting of the Lion King Organization concluded, Yukari returned, her black cat shikigami vanishing into the shadows.
She turned to look at Himeragi Yukina, who was training diligently, her expression complicated.
How… how was she supposed to break the news?
She couldn't just walk up to Yukina and say, "The higher-ups have decided to send you to the Maou's bed," right?
That would completely ruin her image as the beloved master in Yukina's heart.
Yukari's expression grew serious.
She had to find a better way.
After thinking for a while, her eyes suddenly sparkled with inspiration.
Got it!
Her expression shifted quickly as she put on an exaggerated look of sorrow.
With a heavy sigh, she called out, "Yukina."
"?"
Himeragi Yukina stopped her training and looked over at her master.
Seeing Yukari's unusually somber face, Yukina's heart instantly grew uneasy.
"M-Master, what happened?"
Yukina hurried over, concern filling her voice.
"Ah…"
Yukari sighed again, her tone full of sorrow. "Yukina… Sayaka…"
Himeragi Yukina's eyes widened in alarm. "What happened to Sayaka?!"
"Well…"
Yukari sighed once more, watching as Yukina grew more and more anxious.
Seeing her apprentice this nervous, Yukari's expression became even more sorrowful as she spoke slowly, "She… she was captured by the Maou…"
Himeragi Yukina's eyes widened in shock. Her body stiffened, and she fell to the ground, unable to process what she had just heard.
"H-How could this happen…?"
Her mind went blank as panic and grief surged within her.
But almost immediately, determination returned to her eyes. She tightly gripped her beloved spear, the Snowdrift Wolf Schneewalzer, and stood up firmly.
"I'm going to save her!"
"Wait!"
Yukari quickly grabbed her arm to stop her.
Yukina turned to her, eyes filled with urgency. "Master?!"
Yukari shook her head with a grave expression. "Yukina, listen to me. It's useless."
"That person… is a Maou."
Hearing this, Yukina's grip on her weapon loosened slightly. The Snowdrift Wolf Schneewalzer fell to the floor with a soft clang as she stood there frozen, despair spreading across her face.
She knew. She knew how wide the gap was between herself and someone at the level of a Maou.
But still…
Even so, she clenched her fists tightly.
Even if it meant certain death, she wasn't going to sit back and do nothing!
Just as Yukina was about to pick up her spear again, Yukari suddenly softened her tone.
"Actually… there might be a way to save Sayaka."
Yukina's body trembled. She immediately looked at her master with hopeful eyes.
"Master! Tell me! Please! Is there a way?"
Yukari smiled faintly, her expression oddly gentle as she leaned closer and whispered the answer into Yukina's ear.
"Honey trap."
"…"
Himeragi Yukina froze.
Her face was blank for a few seconds as her mind processed the words.
"Huh…?"
Yukina blinked slowly, her brain clearly struggling to catch up.
"H-Honey trap…?"