Confronted by the overwhelming power of the Hero Faction, even Kunou's composure cracked. Panic swept through the gathered yokai, their fear palpable. Shuo saw his moment.
He knelt beside Kunou, voice gentle but sly.
"I can save your mother, but you'll have to agree to a little condition."
Kunou blinked, desperate hope flickering in her golden eyes.
"A condition? What is it?"
"Whatever it takes—if you can rescue my mother, I'll do anything!"
She barely hesitated, clinging to the lifeline he offered.
Shuo's smile widened, teasing but sincere.
"It's simple, really. I like you, Kunou. Someday, I want you to be my wife. No rush—we can take our time, get to know each other. But I want you to promise you'll give it a chance."
He reached out, ruffling her hair with a tenderness that made the crowd of yokai collectively freeze.
A stunned silence. Then—
"Are you—are you actually a pervert?!"
Kunou's cheeks flared crimson, her glare a mixture of outrage and flustered embarrassment.
He wanted her to marry him? Now? She was barely into her teens!
Mother was right—human boys really were incorrigible.
Shuo just grinned, shameless.
"Not a lolicon, I swear. It's just that the girl I like happens to be a loli. Fox girls like you are my weakness."
He leaned in, eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Honestly, the thought of watching little Kunou grow up, seeing you blossom into a beautiful woman—it's almost too much for me."
The yokai stared, jaws slack. Kunou's forehead practically sprouted exasperation lines.
But beneath her scowl, his words planted a seed of happiness. He thought she was cute. He liked her.
Kunou bit her lip, cheeks still burning.
"Fine. I'll agree—if you save my mother, and she's unharmed. That's my condition."
For a moment, she looked shy, almost sweet.
Sure, he was a bit of a flirt, a bit of a weirdo—but he was strong, and he was risking everything for her family.
Shuo's confidence was unshakable.
"Of course! That's my future mother-in-law we're talking about."
Mother-in-law? The entire crowd groaned in disbelief. Kunou's eyes widened, utterly speechless at his nerve.
Before anyone could protest, Shuo swept Kunou into his arms and planted a kiss on her cheek.
Kunou squeaked, face now red enough to rival her shrine robes.
"Wh-what are you doing?!"
Steam practically poured from her ears. The word "wife" echoed in her head, short-circuiting her thoughts.
Shuo just held her close, grinning.
"What am I doing? Just showing my wife a little affection."
The yokai's jaws dropped. Kunou's brain threatened to crash.
She wriggled free, chin lifted in stubborn pride.
"You haven't rescued my mother yet, so I'm not your wife! You can't just do whatever you want!"
Her tsundere pout only made her more adorable. Shuo winked.
"Alright, alright. Let's go save your mother, future Mrs. Nangong."
A magic circle spun into existence beneath their feet. Light flared, and in a heartbeat, Shuo and Kunou vanished—leaving the stunned yokai shouting after them.
They reappeared on the outskirts of Kyoto. Shuo felt hostile gazes sweep over them, and a thick purple mist began to coil around their feet.
Kunou slipped from his arms, tense and alert.
"What's with all this fog?"
Shuo took her hand, steadying her nerves.
"It's a Sacred Gear—Dimension Lost. The ones who took your mother are close."
Kunou's grip tightened, voice trembling.
"That's what Mother's guards said—they were attacked in a strange mist."
Shuo waved a hand, and the fog vanished, swept away as if it had never existed.
The scene before them snapped into focus. Yasaka, the Kyoto yokai general, was bound atop a sprawling magic array, tangled in glowing purple sigils.
Surrounding her stood the Hero Faction:
Cao Cao, True Longinus in hand, his gaze sharp and calculating.
Georg, master of Dimension Lost, shadows swirling at his fingertips.
Siegfried, the Church's demon-slaying prodigy, swords bristling from every angle.
Heracles, a giant bearing the soul of the Greek legend, his fists crackling with power.
Leonardo, the youngest, eyes gleaming with genius, Annihilation Maker at his side.
Jeanne, the golden-haired beauty, Blade Blacksmith shimmering in her grip.
Three Longinus wielders, plus legendary hero bloodlines. The rest barely registered—no system missions triggered. Weak.
Kunou's eyes locked on her mother, fury and heartbreak mingling.
"Mother!"
But Yasaka, mind shackled, didn't respond.
Shuo squeezed Kunou's hand.
"She's under their control. Leave this to me."
Kunou nodded, eyes shining with hope and fear.
The Hero Faction stepped forward, every face radiating hostility. The battle lines were drawn.
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