Part 4
“WuWu….. How can it be that you dislike the most sexy and cute outfit that I have chosen for you from my precious collection after much deliberation?”
“…. I don’t care!”
Kuro Usagi’s cheeks and ears were red and turned her face as she threw a small tantrum. The female shop assistant looked upon the two squabbling people with disdain. However, her facial expression changed to a tense one, once they have entered the mansion.
[In spite of the [Divinity]’s return, word was that Bull Demon Lord harbored a hatred against the Buddhist World that could not be written off easily. Even though the possibility is small, I must be alert and ready at all times to prevent them from making any moves on Shiroyasha-sama….]
Walking within the mansion, the female shop assistant had her anxiety plastered across her face while shifting her Gift card to be hidden within the sleeve of her wafuku.
Shiroyasha on the other hand, walks boldly into the mansion that was devoid of presences. Cold sweat had already started to soak the backs of the shop assistant and Kuro Usagi who were still following her while taking much care about their steps.
“How is it that there isn’t anyone here, do they really have to be so unwelcoming towards us to this extent?”
At the corner of Shiroyasha’s mouth, her lips twitched slightly.
The mansion which would normally be bustling with life with the underlings of Bull Demon King rushing to and fro with their tasks would already seem spacious. Without their presence, it seemed much bigger and a little empty.
Though it felt quiet and empty, it was evident from signs of daily life still left behind from the surroundings that there was a recent evacuation. From the silence that caused one to feel ill at ease, one can already deduce how guarded the other party is at the visit of Shiroyasha.
Passing the outer wall corridor, a sudden breeze carrying a light pleasant scent flowed pass them. The sight before them also gradually widened and brightened with light that streamed down from above.
The trio has arrived at the centre of the mansion. The Bull Demon King’s throne was just at the end of this walkway.
The imminent audience with the Bull Demon King caused Kuro Usagi to feel more anxious, and she couldn’t help but look up at the sky to calm her nerves------
---- At this moment, a curious phenomenon descended from the sky.
“…. Sunlight?”
The ray of light in the air rapidly grew in intensity as it descended before them, from the original warmth of sun-rays to a light of the furthest end on the infrared spectrum that could literally burn the skin with its intensity
A shadow of what may be the source of the heat shimmered in the glaring midst of the space it landed. However, the angle of refraction that they were at forbid them from having a clearer image.
Though the identity of the enemy was still unknown as with their powers, it was clearly an instigative attack on them.
“An ambush like we expected!”
“Shiroyasha-sama, please stand back!”
Kuro Usagi and the shop assistant quickly stood in front of Shiroyasha to shield her, only for Shiroyasha herself to stand with her both arms akimbo, authoritatively and challengingly looking at the attacker. From the body that continued to emit heat waves, one piece fell away, two, three pieces of gold glittery feathers that lightly spun as they fell to the ground.
Looking at the feathers, Shiroyasha immediately guessed the identity of the person and her expression changed to that of surprise.
“…… That’s surprising. Have you forgotten the letter of greeting, or were you unable to bear to let your sworn brother meet up with people who have close relations with the Buddhist world, Roc Demon King?”
“Eh?”
The sound escaped from Kuro Usagi and the shop assistant at the same time.
In a flash, sunlight was converted to a stifling heat wave that covered the skies and illuminated the area.
“---- King of the White Night, if only the guest didn’t include any others, I would not be this preposterous.”
The voice of a woman seemed to resound from the air above them.
Heat and light surrounded the inner court, gradually becoming golden flames that surrounded Shiroyasha and her entourage. The feathers that floated around lightly---- no, it was a whirlwind created from the movements of the blazing golden wings that hailed the entrance of the attacker.
The attacker had tied back her black hair, wearing an outfit embroidered with elegant designs that boldly exposed her back and arms. A pair of blazing golden wings could be seen on her back.
Having seen their attacker’s appearance, Kuro Usagi and the shop assistant turned pale.
“A human appearance and those blazing golden wings….. could it be------ Great Garuda!”
“How can it be! The highest divine bird that is on par with the Juniten(12) Deva Guardians[8]…….”
Flames continued to surround the two who kept staring at the aggressor---- Roc Demon King with eyes that seemed to voice their surprise.
Still having cold sweat, the two hurriedly tried to ready their stance for an upcoming battle. However, Shiroyasha patted their shoulders, seemingly to signal them to calm down their hyped up tension.
“Well now, you two should just cool it. This person is undoubtedly a phoenix, but not of the purest lineage. She’s just a runaway royal princess.”
“….what?”
“Run, Runaway… Princess?”
“Roc Demon Lord?” Both of them asked at once, while looking her over calculatingly.
Much as her clothing and accessories look resplendent with their elegant designs, the bare back that exposed much of her skin, Roc Demon Lord’s appearance seemed youthful. Despite of the addition of makeup, the baby face under the cosmetics was still visible.
The glittery accessories that act as decorum for her soft and tender complexion.
In addition to the aura that exudes from her dainty movement that shows her noble backgrounds.
The cross between the two makes a powerful charm that could release worldly desires to commit sins.
Roc Demon King’s body exuded an aura that was different from the other Demon Lords and she seemed to detest being called “hime”. Walking over in a huff, she stared angrily at Shiroyasha.
“King of the White Night, please know the limits and not use that kind of nickname. A thousand years have passed and the girl has since grown up. A princess would be a queen by now.”
“Then you should also change the way you call me. I’m not a Demon Lord anymore. If you do not agree…Hmph, I will just follow your lead and call you like how I used to a thousand years ago. Calling you in front of others in a loving voice ‘Karyou-chan ♪’------”
In a flash, the flames of the surroundings rushed towards Shiroyasha and the others.
Flames of the Golden Wing is a Gift of the highest order that is often used against Gods and Dragons for it can disintegrate anything that it touches.
Even then, those flames that should reduce people to nothingness---- were collected within the palm of Shiroyasha, without letting the heat escape from her grasp.
[Flames…Flames of the Golden Wing was so easily….]
The legendary Flames of the Golden Wing that was rumored to be stronger than that of the flames of Hell has coagulated in a clump within Shiroyasha’s palm before it was pinched into powder. Shiroyasha who had returned her [Divinity] could now utilize her original Celestial Spiritual powers and would be more than a match for Roc Demon King.
Kuro Usagi who had collapsed on the floor just from the heat waves, held her breath as she watched the confrontation.
The kind of heat that she wouldn’t dream to try touching with her own power was that easily crushed by Shiroyasha to nonexistence. It is evident from this that those who live a Demon Lord’s existence can crush others while having an enjoyable conversation within a flash.
It is only now that Kuro Usagi realized how terrible a place she has been brought to and her ears immediately pressed against the side of her head.
Roc Demon King’s brows rose slightly for a while after attacking Shiroyasha. Though her veins started to become more prominent due to her anger, she still kept her attitude of being authoritative as she continued the tongue fight.
“…..Heh. Seems like your power is just as monstrous as ever, King of the White Night.”
“Then that means you are just a little runt too, Karyou-chan?”
Shiroyasha replied while laughing, clearly not caring about her choice of words.
A few more veins became more evident on the face of Roc Demon King, but she realized that a battle of tongues would not lead her anywhere and decided to leave it as that. She then dismissed the heat wave that seemed to feel like the burning of phosphorus with her flaming golden wings.
The two followers scrambled to their feet in embarrassment having collapsed on the ground from the series of events, and only just returning to their senses.
[Little did I expect her to be a princess of the Phoenix lineage. It is said that Roc Demon King’s rank is only around the middle of the Seven Great Demon Kings……]
One can already deduce how monstrous the other six Demon Kings are.
What would the power of “Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven” ----the oldest of the Seven Great Demon Kings, whom they are going to meet, be like? Just imagining it was able to cause one to feel chilly down their spines and shiver involuntarily.
Roc Demon King gave a sidelong glance at Kuro Usagi before turning her gaze back to Shiroyasha.
“What is your business with my Big Brother? If it were only you who have returned your [Divinity], it would have been more forgivable. You just had to bring Indra’s toy into the headquarters of “The One that Flattens Heaven”…. This is a preposterous action enough for us to assume your declaration of war.”
“Oh, GomeGome(very sorry). I also have my difficult circumstances. I will explain after we go in, so would you please help to lead the way to the throne room?”
Shiroyasha stepped forward a little as she smiled warmly, seeming to try shield Kuro Usagi with herself. They expected Roc Demon King to use violence again but she only gave a sheepish expression as she replied.
“….Sorry to say, my Big Brother isn’t in.”
“What did you say?”
This answer was definitely beyond Shiroyasha’s expectations.
Roc Demon King folded her arms after arranging her sleeves while she narrated the reason for his absence.
“Ever since Big Brother left to help out the [OniHime] Alliance about half a month ago, he hasn’t been back. However, Brother has always been like this, and most likely to be enjoying himself somewhere now.”
“Ho, How can this be…..”
Shiroyasha stuttered in shock.
This was an answer that even Shiroyasha had not expected.
------ She had heard of the Bull Demon King’s departure to help the [OniHime] Alliance and the North Floor Master in the simultaneous attack of the Demon Lords half a month ago, but she had also received the reports that he had left quickly after defeating the demon lords. And so she had thought that Bull Demon King would have returned to his Community.
“Then your presence in this place is for?”
“Well, his advisors begged me to help my Big Brother welcome you. And we had actually readied a banquet…. Since you had to bring the livestock of the Buddhist World to this abode, I had no choice but to let it go to waste.”
“……Wu!”
Roc Demon King used her sleeve to cover her mouth as she shot an insulted look towards Kuro Usagi.
Even though Kuro Usagi has an amicable character, but being the target of insults one after another, her brows had furrowed in anger. After all, she was still one of the “Highborn of Little Garden” that had a long history in Little Garden. Not using her powers did not mean that she lacked pride or self-appreciation.
Kuro Usagi stepped forward a step, planning to give a piece of her mind back at the other party-----
“Why? DO YOU INTEND TO CHALLENGE ME, ‘Moon Rabbit’?”
------ Kuro Usagi rapidly retreated 3 steps back, with her rabbit ears flopping down.
The scene was like that of a snake staring till the frog retreated------No, it was a rabbit being stared into retreating by an eagle.
Let’s not mention about Shiroyasha. Even the shop assistant gave an icy glare at Kuro Usagi who backed away so quickly from the challenge.
“Kuro Usagi that was seriously an embarrassment.”
“That’s right. That’s why you are called by your companions as ‘[(Disgraceful) Highborn of Little Garden]’.”[9]
“No, it’s not like that! It’s just a tactical retreat since I remembered that Indra and Phoenix’s attributes are not able to have a good compatibility in a fight.---- Wait, how did you know of that nickname Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”
Kuro Usagi gave a moan from her soul. The shop assistant on the other hand froze for a moment before continuing:
“…. Huh? You mean that it is really the case that you are called ‘[(Disgraceful) Highborn of Little Garden]’?”
“-----Huh?” This time it was Kuro Usagi’s turn to freeze on the spot.
It would seem that the shop assistant’s surprise wasn’t feigned.
In other words, the words she used “just happen to be similar by coincidence”.
The lineage of “Moon Rabbits” with long history in Little Garden is now getting called that with the addition of ‘lol’……Though the shop assistant didn’t ask further, her expressions betrayed her thoughts.
And it was that pure gaze of puzzlement that cut deeper into Kuro Usagi’s pride.
“….Gu, GuWu…. Wa, Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa----------!”
With such a serious blow to her pride that she had never experienced before, Kuro Usagi broke down into tears while running back the way they came, continuing her weird wail as she ran.
Not expecting this turn of events, the shop assistant had a panicky expression as she watched the fleeing back of Kuro Usagi. Shiroyasha’s response was also out of the norm as she waved her right hand while feeling a headache from this trouble.
“Haiz, I’m going to be fine here. You better go catch and coax Kuro Usagi to come back. She must have worked too hard in the past few days and accumulated too much stress that exploded today.”
“G… Got it.”
Giving a respectful glance at Roc Demon King as she took her leave, she broke into a small jog in the same direction where Kuro Usagi had fled to.
Roc Demon King who had been out of the picture for a moment continued to be in a daze for a while longer before regaining her bearings after seeing the backs of those two disappear from her sight.
“…… It would seem that the one that you have brought is a very strange mutation.”
“Really? The rabbits that I know of are mostly like this.”
“Is it?” Roc Demon King doubtfully cocked her head to one side.
Shiroyasha sighed in aspiration as she gazed up at the banner of “Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven”.
“But, this is a real headache. To be unable to meet with the first candidate I have in mind: Bull Demon King… might as well pass it to those little rascals and be done with it…… No, not good. It is still too early for them……” Shiroyasha muttered for a while.
Perhaps the departure of Kuro Usagi made Roc Demon King feel more comfortable, her tone had warmed and softened a little. “Regardless, I have to apologize for the fact that my brother is unable to welcome you personally. I will help you take the message for him till he returns.”
“No, This matter will have no meaning if I do not do it personally. Moreover, I do not have the time. Since I do not know when he will be back, I will just have to find another candidate……”
“Candidate?”
“Yea.” Shiroyasha nodded her head vigorously.
Pausing for a moment to consider if her words would be appropriate to be told to others, she continued after concluding that it did not matter if it was made known----
“I ….. decided to temporarily resign from the position of Floor Master of the East sector.”
“……What?” Roc Demon King showed an unsurpassed amount of shock on her face upon hearing those words.
But in afterthought, this decision was only plausible. Shiroyasha had once been branded with the deeds of a Demon Lord. It was only due to having converted to the Buddhist World on the promise of becoming a kind deity that she obtained the rights to govern the lower levels.
Currently, Shiroyasha has lost her backing.
It is only expected for her movements to be restricted after returning her [Divinity].
“That’s why I needed someone to help me take on the job with sufficient power to be a [Floor Master].”
Shiroyasha’s words held a sense of unshakeable determination and decisiveness that included the weight of the responsibilities that was comparable to Mount Tai in stress and load. The severity of the atmosphere caused Roc Demon King to intake a breath as she guessed the meaning of Shiroyasha’s words.
“But after resigning from being the Floor Master….. shouldn’t you be going back to your former level in Little Garden and not here in the level 4 area?”
“Sorry, I still have another reason that I cannot tell you about…… Wherever I go to is not the problem but the need for a distinguished Floor master is indispensable.”
“And your point?”
“Hmh…. Currently the [Floor Master]s other than me would be [Salamandra], [OniHime] Alliance and [Draco Greif] Alliance that are still active. And their leaders were lacking in battle experience with Demon Lords.. So long as a situation of a huge scale occurs, I won’t be able to deal with it by myself.”
They were all from level five Communities and Alliances that boasted of their numbers. Within the middle levels, they were definitely a power to be reckon with, even countable within the Highest of the middle levels, with cohesiveness capable of dealing with Demon Lords. However, a fight with a Demon Lord would be a fierce battle beyond imagination.
Just like the previous encounter where there was a simultaneous attack by Demon Lords, they were ill prepared to deal with the situation with their capabilities.
And to lose the strongest [Floor Master], Shiroyasha, at this critical time would be very dangerous.
“Hence, I chose an experienced, knowledgeable and professional at Demon Lord games---- your sworn brother: Bull Demon King.”
Unfortunately, the most suitable candidate wasn’t at home.
If it were him who had rushed to the aid of [OniHime] Alliance when they were in need--------- it was the hope that she had, but the result was like using a wicker basket to fetch water----a futile effort.
The irritated and troubled Shiroyasha sank into deep thought as she tried to think up of another candidate.
But her thoughts was interrupted by the following words.
“…. Really? Since it seems like a hot matter, I will not withhold from you any longer.”
“What are you talking about?”
Shiroyasha asked in reflex. Roc Demon King remained silent but seemed to have given in as she took out a letter that she threw to Shiroyasha.
“This is something that the counsellor wanted me to pass to you-----“THIS IS THE LETTER THAT WAS WRITTEN TO SHIROYASHA BEFORE BULL EMPEROR LEFT TO PROVIDE AID’.”
“Wha…”
Shiroyasha was stumped for words this time.
If she told the truth, it would mean that Bull Demon King had predicted her visit. Moreover that letter had the wax seal emblem of ‘Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven’.
It would seem that there wasn’t a need to doubt any further. It was a letter written personally by Bull Demon King for Shiroyasha.
[ He was able to guess my visit?]
Knitting her brows together, she opened the letter in surprise.
Written in a line of untidy words----
“A Budding successor lies within the Southern Great Tree. May the lord make a trip yonder.”
The words were succinct without any extra details.
Shiroyasha read the line for two or three times, before feeling enlightened----- With that, she gave off a laugh that sounded like a cheer.
“Hahahah…… ‘Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven’ predicted the future even from a distance of a thousand miles! Looks like that old youth still has much tactics up his sleeve and still remains as sharp as ever!”
Shiroyasha clutched her sides as she burst into laughter.
…… Her judgement hadn’t been wrong. This piece of credibility has just strengthen it.
Happily turning back the way she came, her long silver hair spread outwards like an opened harisen[10].
“You have helped out lots, Karyou-chan! Thanks to you, I have found a sliver of light! I will prepare a present for you in the meantime!”
“……Since you want to express your gratitude, then stop calling me “Karyou-chan” already.”
Roc Demon King retorted in exasperation as her shoulders drooped slightly. But Shiroyasha continued to laugh as she walked the way back.
*Ding Ling* ---- Leaving a clear and crisp jingle of the bell that hung in the air, Shiroyasha walked briskly out of the headquarters of ‘Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven’.
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