"Good evening, Your Eminence~"
A mature, slightly alluring female voice sounded as the blindfolded Sword Maiden gracefully entered the inner chamber.
Gone was the novice adventurer attire from days prior - Sword Maiden's appearance had undergone a dramatic transformation.
To maintain her Demigod Rank ability 'Blind Saintess', she wore a black cloth covering her eyes. As the Supreme God's personally blessed Maiden, she now donned the pure white robes symbolising her station, accentuated by a sapphire-blue corset and golden sun-themed ornaments.
Perhaps due to questionable design choices in the Maiden robes, which clung rather closely to her figure, Sword Maiden immediately drew the intense scrutiny of Mai Sakurajima and Ai Hoshino upon entering.
This unusual attention made even the blindfolded Sword Maiden sense something amiss. Tilting her head slightly, she asked in confusion:
"Your Highnesses, do I appear strange today?"
Though she'd rushed back to the Supreme Temple recently, she'd specifically bathed before this audience. Could something be amiss with her appearance?
To this, Mai Sakurajima replied in a rather peculiar tone:
"The clergy of this world are... quite bold, aren't they?"
Beside her, Ai Hoshino glanced at the silent Luo Shu before quipping:
"Seriously, even as a woman, I'm feeling tempted."
As she spoke, Ai stole another glance at Sword Maiden's... exceptional attributes. Though only a year younger, the difference in proportions seemed more like a decade's worth.
'We're both human, and I grew up in a modern society with better nutrition. How did the gap get this huge?'
Facing this interrogation from her Familia sisters, the usually composed Sword Maiden flustered like a teenage girl:
"Is my attire truly that peculiar?"
"It's not exactly peculiar," Luo Shu quickly reassured, though he couldn't resist adding, "But let's keep this between us - probably shouldn't wear it outside."
Sword Maiden immediately sighed in relief, patting her chest:
"Understood, Your Eminence."
"Mmm~" Ai clearly detected deeper implications, smirking as she teased: "Is this masculine possessiveness I detect?"
Mai sighed with an air of worldly understanding:
"Well, Luo Shu is a grown man after all. Such reactions are only natural."
'You two...' Luo Shu's eye twitched as he glanced at the unexpectedly united front formed by Ai Hoshino and Mai Sakurajima.
Both working in the entertainment industry, both members of a Familia, and both stranded in another world—these two had been growing increasingly in sync lately, even teaming up against him.
'Seems I need to put them in their place a little...' With that thought, Luo Shu decided to test their friendship:
"Such great teamwork. Pity you don't collaborate at night too."
The moment these words left his mouth, Mai Sakurajima immediately turned to stare at Ai Hoshino.
Ai's expression froze instantly, like a weasel caught red-handed stealing chickens, her entire body locking up briefly.
Mai recalled the events of recent days—how Ai, despite being clearly uncomfortable in this unfamiliar environment, had chosen to sleep alone at night. Realisation dawned, and her expression turned knowing:
"Miss Hoshino, didn't you once say you disliked transactions with clear price tags?"
After days of interaction, Mai understood perfectly well that Ai's initial appearance at the hotel had been due to an 'inter-agency resource exchange'—industry jargon for under-the-table deals.
The implication was clear: any relations between Ai and Luo Shu had been purely professional at first. But now, with no professional pressure, her nightly disappearances couldn't possibly be explained as mere transactions.
Faced with Mai's sarcasm, Ai blinked, then responded with her usual cheerful smile:
"Sorry, Mai. It's just... I feel so insecure."
'Insecure...'
Mai nearly scoffed aloud, but restrained herself. She had to admit—in this medieval society, Luo Shu, their shared origin, his formidable strength, and his position as Familia's Chief God did provide immense security.
But Ai, was crawling into his room at midnight really about 'security'?
Seeing Mai waver, Ai pressed her advantage, clinging to the other girl's arm while pouting:
"Please forgive me just this once, Mai~"
Dizzied by the sudden affection, Mai could only sigh:
"Fine. It's between you two anyway—not my business to interfere."
She wasn't Luo Shu's keeper, nor Ai's guardian. If these two wanted to tangle, who was she to judge?
Having rationalised it this way, Mai found herself surprisingly unbothered.
Watching Mai's anger dissipate, Ai secretly exhaled in relief, then flashed Luo Shu a discreet victory sign.
Luo Shu responded with nothing but an eye-roll before turning to Sword Maiden for serious matters:
"The miracle system collection is complete?"
"Yes, Your Eminence."
Recalling their recent hectic days, Sword Maiden relaxed slightly as she produced a blue diamond-shaped crystal:
"All twelve churches' 'miracle' systems have been integrated, awaiting your inspection."
In this world, devout prayers could invoke divine responses called 'miracles'—manifestations like the Supreme God's 'Revelation' and 'Judgement', or the Earth Mother Goddess's 'Healing' and 'Purification'.
Even daily spell quotas were considered miracles.
After learning this, Luo Shu sent Sword Maiden to collect these divine relics. By reverse-engineering the controlled deities, Sword Maiden visited five orthodox churches and six evil god cults, effectively consolidating all religious forces in this world.
The final result was this 'Record Crystal' documenting the divine relic system.
After examining the crystal and skimming the overview of the divine relic system, Luo Shu frowned slightly before nodding in understanding:
"Just as I expected - it's about borrowing the conceptual powers mastered by deities!"
As Luo Shu had previously speculated, the miracles exchanged by believers through faith were essentially applications of the conceptual powers wielded by gods.
Of course, the specifics would require further study by the Familia's technique experts to confirm.
If replicable, perhaps even non-Familia SDS personnel could borrow power from Demigods like them through this method.
Such technology would undoubtedly significantly enhance field operatives' capabilities.
"Well done." Luo Shu praised Sword Maiden encouragingly: "What reward would you like?"
Hearing this, Sword Maiden opened her mouth as if to speak, then hesitated.
Noticing this, Mai Sakurajima and Ai Hoshino seemed to realise something and quietly withdrew from the rear hall.
Sword Maiden's face showed gratitude at their discretion.
Only when the hall contained just Luo Shu and herself did Sword Maiden stand on tiptoe and request eagerly:
"Your Eminence, might I ask you to bestow a name upon me?"