Tonight, the weather in Inazuma was unusually pleasant. Soft moonlight poured down from the sky, draping Akira Shindo and Yae Miko—who were locked in a kiss—in a layer of pure, luminous light.
"How wonderful… Miko has finally found someone who will accompany her through the rest of her journey."
From a nearby room's window, Kitsune Saiguu watched the two figures. Her eyes were filled with warmth. For five hundred years… it had truly been hard on her.
"…But why am I feeling a little envious of Miko?"
After a long while, Akira Shindo and Yae Miko finally parted their lips. In their eyes, there was only each other.
"There aren't many beautiful things in this world," Akira Shindo said softly. "Tonight's moonlight… and you smiling."
Yae Miko's eyes, bright like amethysts, were filled with tenderness. She smiled gently and buried her face into Akira Shindo's chest.
"The road ahead may be difficult," Akira Shindo said quietly. "Miko, are you willing to hold my hand and face it together with me?"
"Of course," Yae Miko replied firmly. "I would be delighted!"
The moment she gave her answer, all of Yae Miko's power was copied and poured into Akira Shindo's body.
Akira Shindo didn't even bother checking those new abilities. He had never expected that the most cunning and scheming fox lady would actually be the easiest one to win over.
Ding~
Host confirmed to have entered a romantic relationship with Yae Miko.
Reward unlocked: Blazing Stones ×10
Blazing Stone: When the host encounters danger, it can automatically deploy a protective barrier. The barrier can withstand three full-power attacks from top-tier Archon-level beings, and completely ignore attacks below Archon level. Duration: 1 hour. Cooldown: 1 day.
Blazing Stones also grant complete immunity to soul and mental attacks.
"!"
Akira Shindo's eyes widened.
Blazing Stones… this was ridiculously overpowered!
And they were absolute lifesaving treasures!
Especially the immunity to soul attacks—that was simply outrageous.
Ding~
Blazing Stones will be granted to the host in the form of necklaces.
Immediately afterward, Akira Shindo saw ten exquisitely crafted necklaces appear within his Imaginary Space.
"I see now, System," Akira Shindo said suddenly. "You're basically telling me to give gifts to my wives, right?"
"Not bad. You did well."
"No, no," the system replied modestly. "It's simply because the host's luck is good."
"A-Shindo~"
Akira Shindo snapped out of his thoughts when he saw Yae Miko looking at him with deep affection.
Five hundred years of suppressed emotions had burst out all at once. At this moment, Yae Miko didn't feel sly or mischievous at all.
She was simply gentle and warm.
"Miko, I have a gift for you."
A necklace appeared in Akira Shindo's hand.
"What a beautiful necklace!" Yae Miko exclaimed.
After all, she was still a woman—and women loved shiny, beautiful things.
The necklace was made of silver-white metal, with a blue gemstone hanging in the center, glowing with a faint azure light.
"Let me put it on for you."
Akira Shindo gently fastened the necklace around her neck. Under the brilliance of the Blazing Stone, Yae Miko looked even more breathtaking.
"How does it look?" Yae Miko asked him.
"Absolutely beautiful," Akira Shindo said with a nod.
Then he suddenly lifted Yae Miko into his arms and walked toward the house.
"Miko," Akira Shindo said with a mischievous grin, "can I hug your big tail again tonight?"
"Only the tail?" Yae Miko covered her mouth and laughed softly.
"A-Shindo… you're such a coward. You don't even dare to imagine more~"
"I don't dare imagine?" Akira Shindo snorted.
"I dare to do it."
Yae Miko's teasing had instantly ignited his pride.
How dare she provoke him like that?
"Come now~ my dear husband~" Yae Miko teased sweetly.
"Let's go!"
Akira Shindo, now thoroughly fired up, strode into the room and slammed the door shut behind them.
Soon afterward—
Some rather mysterious sounds began to echo from inside.
…
"Tsk… those two are really too much."
In the room next door, Kitsune Saiguu's face had turned so red it looked as if water might drip from it.
As a pure woman who had never experienced such things since birth, the temptation of those sounds was unimaginable.
"Akira Shindo…"
Her eyes slowly became unfocused, and her hands began to move restlessly.
…
Meanwhile—
Outside Chinju Forest, at the Kamisato Estate.
Kamisato Ayato sat quietly while reviewing intelligence reports, his expression unusually serious.
"Brother, what happened?"
The silver-haired, peerlessly beautiful girl kneeling beside him asked curiously.
It had been a long time since she had seen her brother look this grave.
"Ayaka," Kamisato Ayato said with a frown, "the Grand Narukami Shrine has reinstated the position of Chief Divine Priest."
"What?!"
Kamisato Ayaka gasped.
"The Chief Divine Priest? But that position hasn't existed for centuries!"
"Exactly," Ayato said, rubbing his forehead.
"That's why I don't understand what Lady Guuji is thinking."
"Right now, we only know that the Chief Divine Priest's name is Akira Shindo."
"I had people investigate him earlier," Ayato continued.
"But before this… there has never been anyone named Akira Shindo in Inazuma."
"In other words—"
"He isn't from Inazuma."
"Then why would Lady Guuji give such an important position to an outsider?" Ayaka asked in disbelief.
"I don't know."
Ayato shook his head.
"The Shuumatsuban cannot extend its reach into the Grand Narukami Shrine."
"So we know almost nothing about this Akira Shindo."
"What should we do then?" Ayaka asked worriedly.
"If—"
"That's enough, Ayaka," Ayato interrupted gently.
"You should go rest now. I'll find a way to investigate Akira Shindo myself."
"You don't need to get involved."
"Brother!"
Ayaka protested softly.
It was always like this—he never wanted her to involve herself in these matters.
"I'm tired as well," Ayato said calmly.
"Go rest early."
"…Understood, brother."
Ayaka sighed and stood up before leaving the room.
Watching her departing figure, Ayato murmured softly:
"To become the Chief Divine Priest directly… that Akira Shindo must possess extremely mysterious methods."
"Ayaka… I will not allow you to face even the slightest danger."
Meanwhile—
Back in her own room, Ayaka sat cross-legged on the bed, muttering to herself.
"Brother always treats me like a child… but I've already grown up."
"The burden of the Kamisato Clan shouldn't fall on him alone. I should share it too."
She paused for a moment, thinking deeply.
"For Lady Guuji to appoint him directly as Chief Divine Priest…"
"This Akira Shindo must be a good person, right?"
"I should find a chance to meet him and learn more about him."
"The Chief Divine Priest oversees all ceremonial affairs."
"He's practically one of the Kamisato Clan's superiors."
"We should build a good relationship with him."
After all—
The Chief Divine Priest controlled all ritual matters.
Although the Yashiro Commission reported directly to the Raiden Shogun, their decisions still needed approval from the Chief Divine Priest.
Previously, because the position had been vacant, the Yashiro Commission handled everything themselves.
But now—
With the position restored—
Every plan the Yashiro Commission made would need to be approved by Akira Shindo first.
In other words—
A large portion of the Yashiro Commission's authority had just been taken away.
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.