The moment the train doors slid open at Kyoto Station, a soft rush of morning air greeted them, carrying with it the faint scent of the city.
Arthur stepped out first, hands casually tucked into his pockets, his posture relaxed as if he were simply a tourist with no urgent responsibilities.
Behind him, Valerie followed, her eyes already wandering.
"So this is Kyoto."
She murmured, her voice filled with quiet wonder.
Arthur glanced back at her and smirked.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?"
Valerie nodded, taking in the architecture around them, the subtle blend of modern infrastructure and traditional design.
"It is beautiful."
Arthur extended his hand toward her without a word.
Valerie blinked.
"Huh?"
"Come on. Let's get going before you get lost staring at everything."
She hesitated for half a second, then gently intertwined her fingers with his.
"So, what's the plan?"
Valerie asked after a moment as they began walking.
Arthur gave her hand a small squeeze.
"First, we're gonna visit a few popular attractions, and then we're gonna visit a particular shrine."
Valerie tilted her head slightly.
"And where exactly is this shrine?"
Arthur looks at Valerie and gives her a mysterious smile.
"You'll know when we get there."
Their walk turned into a journey towards their first stop, Kyoto Tower.
From above, the city stretched endlessly, a quiet harmony of past and present.
Valerie stood near the glass, her hands lightly pressed against it as she gazed out.
"It's incredible…"
Arthur leaned against the railing behind her, watching the view alongside her.
"Didn't you read about this place in one of your books, Val?"
Valerie nodded eagerly.
"Yes, I did! Did you know that Kyoto Tower was proposed in the early 1960s, and it was planned to be constructed and completed in time to correspond with the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Its construction began in 1963 on the former site of Kyoto's-"
She paused when she noticed Arthur was staring at her.
"What?"
He smirked slightly.
"Nothing."
She narrowed her eyes, pouting slightly.
"You're doing that thing again."
"What thing?"
"Looking at me like that."
Arthur shrugged.
"Can't help it, okay? Sorry, not sorry."
They moved again to Kiyomizu-dera.
The wooden stage extended outward, offering a breathtaking view of the surrounding hills.
Valerie's eyes sparkled.
"This temple dates back to 778. It's famous for being built without nails."
Arthur leaned beside her.
"You really did your homework."
Valerie smiled shyly.
"I like reading and learning new things like this."
Arthur chuckled, his hand tightened slightly around hers.
"Yeah. I can tell."
They continued through Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji, and finally...
To the endless vermillion gates of Fushimi Inari-taisha.
Valerie walked slightly ahead now, her pace a bit faster, her awe barely contained.
"It is said that during the Heian Era, the reigning emperor became sick, and people thought that the reason was that the trees of Mt. Inari were cut down to make the Five-storied pagoda of Toji Temple. To make peace with the Gods, the Imperial Court made Fushimi Inari-taisha, which was a shrine only for the Hata clan, also become a shrine for the higher status. Because of this, Fushimi Inari-taisha also became famous among the common people."
She explained, turning slightly toward Arthur as they passed through the endless tunnel of red.
"Each one has inscriptions-"
Valerie stopped mid-sentence when Arthur squeezed her hand gently.
"Huh?"
He stepped closer.
"You wanna know something?"
She blinked.
"Y-Yes?"
Arthur smiled softly.
"You're so cute when you get excited."
Valerie froze as her face slowly turned red and her brain visibly short-circuited.
"W-What?! W-Where did that come from?!"
Arthur shrugged casually.
"I just felt like complimenting you."
Valerie made a small, flustered sound.
All of a sudden, she started lightly punching his chest with her free hand.
"S-Stop saying things like that all of a sudden!"
Arthur barely reacted, letting the harmless hits land.
"What? It's true."
"That doesn't mean you just say it like that!"
Arthur laughed softly.
Suddenly, he pulled her closer, making Valerie gasp.
Before she could react, he leaned in and gave her a deep kiss on the lips.
"Mmm?!"
Her brain shut down.
Before she could even process that, Arthur pulled away and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a full hug.
Valerie froze in his arms, her face burning as her thoughts completely failed her.
Nearby pedestrians immediately looked away.
Some coughed awkwardly, others pretended not to notice, and one Hikikomori in the distance clutched his chest dramatically.
"KAMI-SAMA?!!! DOUSHITE?!!!"
He shouted in despair, cursing at Arthur and Valerie's public display of affection.
Valerie let out a small whimper.
"A-Arthur… p-people are watching…"
Arthur chuckled softly against her shoulder.
"Let them."
"P-Please let go…"
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
After a moment, Arthur relented.
"Alright, alright."
He released her, though his hand naturally found hers again.
Valerie kept her head down, still red, still recovering.
"You're so mean…"
Arthur smirked.
"C'mon, you and I both know you love it when I do that."
She lightly pouted.
"…Maybe…"
They walked again until they reached their destination.
Yasaka Shrine.
The shrine stood proudly, its lanterns and architecture carrying a quiet, sacred presence that contrasted the lively streets around it.
Valerie was still slightly flustered from earlier, though she had mostly recovered.
"This is where you wanted to go?"
Arthur nodded.
"Yes."
Valerie blinked, tilting her head.
"So... What exactly are we doing here?"
Arthur didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his flip phone.
Valerie blinked curiously as Arthur scrolled through his contacts before selecting one with the ridiculously long name...
The Golden-Fingered Junior That Recognizes Mount Tai After Courting Jade Beauty (Cao Cao).
Then he raised the phone to his ear.
Almost a minute later, the phone clicked, making Arthur grin slightly.
"Hey... Yeah, I'm doing well... Can you do me a solid and pick us up?"
He glanced toward the shrine entrance.
"We're in front of Yasaka Shrine... I'll explain later..."
Then Arthur chuckled.
"Thanks."
He closed the phone.
Valerie tilted her head.
"Who was that?"
Arthur smirked.
"You'll see in a second."
Sure enough, about a minute later, a large blue magic circle suddenly manifested a few feet in front of them.
Nearby civilians continued walking without reaction, seemingly unable to perceive the supernatural phenomenon.
The magic circle glowed brighter, and then from within it, a figure emerged.
A handsome young man stepped forward calmly, his movements graceful and composed.
He had short black hair, piercing blue eyes, and wore traditional Japanese clothing consisting of a deep blue kimono beneath a black hakama and a white haori draped over his shoulders.
The moment the two saw him, Valerie's eyes widened slightly, while Arthur grinned immediately.
"Yo."
The young man smiled back.
"So it wasn't a prank call after all. I can't believe you guys are here."
The two boys approached each other without hesitation...
*DAP!*
Afterwards, they immediately pulled each other into a brief one-armed bro hug.
"Good to see you again, Arthur."
Arthur smirked.
"Likewise, Cao Cao."
They pulled away.
Arthur looked him up and down before saying.
"Damn, Cao Cao. Nice new look. You actually look cool in Japanese clothes."
He gestured at the outfit.
Cao Cao sighed with the expression of a man who had accepted his fate long ago.
"Yasaka is very insistent that I wear this attire. Apparently, it helps with diplomacy."
Arthur immediately burst out laughing.
"Hehahahaha! You finally got yourself a girlfriend, and you're already being treated like a dress-up doll!"
Cao Cao narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Says the redhead that gets his ass whopped by one of his girlfriends when he does something stupid."
"…Fair point."
Valerie giggled softly at their exchange.
Cao Cao's expression softened slightly as he turned toward her, then politely bowed.
"Lady Valerie. It's good to see you again."
Valerie blinked before quickly bowing back.
"Hello, Cao Cao. I didn't know you were here in Kyoto."
Cao Cao's gaze shifted toward the shrine behind them.
"Well, I've been stationed here for months now, representing Avalon."
Arthur nodded slightly.
"The Youkai Faction and Avalon have been slowly building diplomatic ties."
Cao Cao continued, and a small smile appeared on his face.
"Trust takes time. Especially with supernatural factions that have remained isolated for centuries. Fortunately, I managed to earn their trust in many ways."
Valerie looked impressed.
"So you've been acting as an ambassador?"
Cao Cao sighed dramatically.
"I prefer the term: overworked minimum-waged negotiator that his boss forces to work on an assignment that he is underqualified for."
Arthur chuckled.
"Heh. Sounds about right."
Cao Cao looked between the two of them curiously.
"Though… I gotta ask."
His sharp gaze narrowed slightly.
"What exactly are you two doing in Kyoto?"
Arthur's expression shifted slightly, not serious but more focused.
"It's... a long story."
Cao Cao immediately understood that tone.
"…I see."
Arthur continued.
"The reason why I called you here is that we need your help to enter the Youkai Faction without causing a panic... and if possible... discuss with the Youkai Faction's leader about the reason why we're here in the first place."
Cao Cao stared at him for a moment before nodding once.
"Understood."
He turned around calmly.
"Follow me."
Arthur and Valerie exchanged a glance before following behind him toward the shrine.
Together, the three walked through the grounds of Yasaka Shrine, eventually approaching the large torii gate deeper within the area.
The moment they crossed through, the world changed.
Valerie gasped softly.
Arthur's eyes widened slightly.
The ordinary shrine scenery vanished instantly, and before them stretched an enormous city with ancient Japanese architecture mixed seamlessly with supernatural beauty.
Massive lantern-lit streets, traditional wooden buildings, bridges crossing glowing rivers, and floating wisps drift through the air like fireflies.
The distant sounds of bustling crowds echoed throughout the city.
And everywhere are Youkai of countless kinds.
Kitsune, Tanuki, Tengu, Nekomata, Kappa, Oni, etc.
Beings both humanoid and monstrous walked openly through the streets with their friends and family in harmony.
Valerie stared in complete awe.
"…Woah…"
Even Arthur looked genuinely impressed.
"Holy shit."
Cao Cao chuckled softly at their reactions.
"I know, right? I reacted the same when I got here the first time."
Then spread his arms slightly.
"Lady and not-so-gentle man, welcome to the Youkai Faction's Youkai City."
After a minute of admiration, the trio began moving forward.
The deeper Arthur, Valerie, and Cao Cao ventured into the streets of the Youkai City, the more alive the place seemed to become.
The sounds of merchants, conversations, laughter, and distant shamisen music blended into an oddly peaceful atmosphere.
Arthur walked casually beside Valerie with his hands in his pockets while Cao Cao guided them from the front.
But as they continued onward, Arthur began noticing something strange.
The moment the Youkai citizens noticed Cao Cao, they reacted immediately.
Some gasped and muttered quietly, others quickly stepped aside to clear a path for him, several bowed respectfully as he passed, a few elderly Youkai even lowered their heads deeply in gratitude, and then a group of young female fox Youkai near a food stall spotted him.
"Kyaaaa!"
"He's here!"
"Cao Cao-sama!"
"He's so handsome!"
"Marry me!"
"I want your babies!"
One of them even fainted, while another aggressively fanned herself with both hands.
Arthur blinked slowly as he looked toward Cao Cao, who immediately turned his face away slightly while awkwardly raising one hand to poorly shield himself.
"Damn it… I knew I forgot something."
Cao Cao muttered under his breath.
"What's that?"
Arthur raised a brow.
"My straw hat."
Cao Cao muttered.
Valerie tilted her head curiously.
"So that people don't recognize you immediately?"
Cao Cao nodded.
Arthur snorted.
Valerie smiled softly before looking around again, clearly noticing the civilians' reaction of reverence, admiration, and excitement.
"You seem very respected here, Cao Cao."
Cao Cao visibly stiffened, which Arthur immediately noticed.
"Oh boy. This is gonna be good."
Arthur said with growing amusement.
Valerie blinked.
"Hm?"
Cao Cao scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Well… It's somewhat complicated... I merely assisted during several incidents in Kyoto over the past few months."
Valerie raised an eyebrow.
"What kind of incidents?"
Before Cao Cao could answer, Arthur suddenly stopped walking.
Valerie nearly bumped into him before pausing too.
"…Arthur?"
Arthur didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he slowly raised a finger and silently pointed forward.
Valerie looked towards where his finger was pointing, and what she saw made her eyes widen.
"…Ohhh..."
Cao Cao froze.
He slowly turned his head forward.
The moment he saw it, he closed his eyes and breathed through his teeth.
"…Ah."
A long sigh escaped him.
Towering before them in the center of a large plaza was a gigantic golden statue of Cao Cao.
The statue depicted him standing proudly with a serious, heroic expression while holding the True Longinus upright toward the heavens like a centurion.
At the base of the statue were engraved words:
"Hero of Kyoto."
"Hero Of Chaos."
"Heavenly Lancer."
"Holy Spear Emperor"
"Savior Of Yasaka."
"Champion Of Avalon."
Both Arthur and Valerie turned their heads toward Cao Cao simultaneously.
The poor man could physically feel their stares drilling into the back of his skull.
"I told them so many times not to build this..."
Arthur was already grinning.
"Seriously, Cao Cao?"
Cao Cao immediately pointed defensively at the statue while turning around to face the duo.
"Listen here, Arthur! The people insisted, okay! I didn't even want the statue to begin with! Especially, the titles!"
Arthur's shoulders began shaking.
"No matter how much I refused, they kept pestering me to do this! They even said it was either this, or I spend the night in a hot spring with a group of Oiran!"
Cao Cao continued quickly.
Arthur finally broke.
"Hehahahahahahahahaha!"
Arthur wheezed, clutching his stomach slightly.
"O-Oh, God! Hehahaha-I can't! I fucking ca-hahahahahaha!"
Valerie tried desperately to suppress her laughter.
A tiny snort escaped her.
Cao Cao looked betrayed.
"Valerie... you too?"
"I-I'm sorry... It's just…"
She covered her mouth, looking back at the massive golden statue and its titles.
"…It's so funny…"
Arthur managed to recover and pointed dramatically upward.
"Bro, they gave you really badass titles!"
"Arthur, please."
"They even made you taller in your statue!"
"Please stop."
"You did a good job, Husband Of Yasaka!"
"Stop it."
"You're one step away from finally achieving your dream!"
Cao Cao pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I one hundred percent regret bringing you here."
Valerie quietly walked beside Cao Cao, still smiling warmly.
"I think it's nice."
Cao Cao looked at her.
"…Really?"
She nodded gently.
"These people clearly admire you."
Her expression softened.
"You must've done something incredible for them to honor you like this."
For the first time since arriving at the now crowded plaza, Cao Cao went quiet.
His embarrassment faded slightly.
"Perhaps..."
He admitted softly.
Arthur glanced at him briefly and noticed the crowd of Youkai surrounding them.
More and more Youkai civilians gathered around the plaza, whispering among themselves while sneaking glances toward Cao Cao.
(Cao Cao is genuinely respected in this city and its people.)
Arthur smiled proudly at his friend.
"You did a really good job, you know that?"
Cao Cao looked away again.
"It was merely my duty as a member of C×C."
Arthur snorted.
"Sure, Hero of Kyoto."
"Shut it before I stab you where the sun doesn't shine."
"With the True Longinus?"
"Especially with the True Longinus!"
Cao Cao yelled, and a cross-popping vein appeared in his forehead.
But then, one voice suddenly shouted from the crowd.
"Oi!"
The atmosphere shifted slightly.
Arthur, Valerie, and Cao Cao turned toward the source of the noise.
The surrounding civilians stepped aside as three Oni youths pushed through the crowd aggressively.
Leading them was a muscular teenage Oni with short green hair and a single horn protruding from his forehead.
His sleeveless outfit exposed his toned arms while his expression burned with righteous indignation.
Beside him were two other Oni boys, one red-haired, one blue-haired, and both looking equally fired up.
The moment Cao Cao saw them, he felt a growing sense of dread.
"…Oh no."
The green-haired Oni marched forward dramatically before stopping directly in front of Arthur.
"How dare you mock our hero, you naive foreigner!"
He barked loudly.
Arthur blinked once.
"…Huh?"
The Oni pointed accusingly at him.
"Do you even realize who you're making fun of?! That is Cao Cao-sama!"
He dramatically gestured toward Cao Cao's massive statue.
"He is the Hero of Kyoto, the Savior of Yasaka-sama, and he even founded the now famous Counter Corps!"
Arthur slowly turned toward Cao Cao.
"You founded... what? Excuse me?"
Cao Cao immediately looked away.
"I didn't say that... the people did... I tried to clear things up, but-"
The Oni slammed a fist against his chest proudly.
"My name is Ichimaru!"
He pointed toward the red-haired Oni.
"That is Niimaru!"
Then toward the blue-haired one.
"And Sanmaru!"
The two brothers nodded dramatically.
"And together... We are the Triple Threat Trio!!! The disciples of Cao Cao-sama!!!"
Together they struck poses.
"And I..."
Ichimaru pointed directly at Arthur's face.
"...am the guy who's about to beat you up for disrespecting our Aniki!"
Niimaru and Sanmaru immediately cheered.
"Get him, Onii-san!"
"Show him the Onii-san special!"
Arthur stared silently for a second.
Then looked toward Cao Cao.
"You have disciples now?"
Cao Cao pinched the bridge of his nose.
"…Against my will, unfortunately."
Valerie covered her mouth, clearly entertained.
Cao Cao stepped forward slightly.
"Ichimaru, please calm down. There's no need for this shi-"
"DON'T WORRY, ANIKI!"
Ichimaru immediately cut him off while dramatically pointing at Arthur.
"I'll defend your honor!"
Then he turned toward Valerie and suddenly straightened his posture respectfully.
"And stay back, pretty Onee-san! I would never allow such a creep near a beautiful lady!"
Valerie blinked in surprise.
"Ah... Thank you?"
Arthur narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Did this kid just call me ugly indirectly?"
Cao Cao muttered under his breath.
"He's gonna get fucking killed one day."
Ichimaru then turned dramatically toward the surrounding crowd.
"EVERYONE, WITNESS ME!"
He pointed at Arthur like a protagonist challenging the final boss.
"I SHALL PUNISH THIS FOOL WITH A SINGLE PUNCH!"
The crowd gasped excitedly.
"OHHHH!"
"He's serious!"
"Ichimaru's using that technique!"
Ichimaru pulled his fist back.
A strange green aura suddenly enveloped his arm, swirling around his fist with mysterious energy.
Arthur's eyes narrowed slightly as he sensed the aura wasn't divine, demonic, or magical in nature.
(Hm? Touki…?)
Arthur paused for a second to observe it.
(No wait… This feels different.)
Beside him, Valerie glanced toward Cao Cao.
"Should we warn the boy or...?"
Cao Cao sighed tiredly.
"No need. Let Ichimaru learn. It's the only way he'll understand."
Ichimaru roared.
"TAKE THIS!"
*BOOM!*
He launched forward and threw a full-power punch directly toward Arthur's face.
The sheer force behind the attack created a powerful gust of wind that swept across the plaza.
Several civilians shut their eyes from the pressure.
Niimaru and Sanmaru raised their fists excitedly.
"YEAH!"
"GET HIM, ONII-SAN!"
The wind slowly faded.
The crowd opened their eyes... and froze.
Valerie simply watched calmly.
Cao Cao sighed again like a tired office worker who had predicted the outcome from the beginning.
The most shocked person there was Ichimaru himself.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
"…W-What…"
His fist had not hit Arthur's face.
Instead, it was stopped completely by the crimson gauntlet covering Arthur's right arm.
The Boosted Gear.
Arthur hadn't even moved.
Ichimaru's pupils trembled slightly as realization began to hit him.
"That gauntlet…"
His voice shook.
"…Y-You're… You are..."
Arthur calmly looked down at him.
"Okay. Not bad."
Then Arthur casually raised his left hand.
"…Now it's my turn."
[BOOST!!]
Power surged instantly through Arthur's body.
Then...
*Flick!*
Arthur lightly flicked Ichimaru's forehead with his left gauntlet.
*BOOM!!!*
A massive shockwave exploded outward.
Ichimaru vanished from sight instantly.
"ONII-SAN!!" x2
Niimaru and Sanmaru screamed in horror as their sibling was launched through the air like a missile before crashing directly into a pile of spectators.
Several civilians scattered and yelled.
Dust exploded upward.
Arthur lowered his hand casually, but inside his mind, he spoke to Ddraig.
(That energy he used… I was right, wasn't I?)
Ddraig hummed thoughtfully.
(Indeed... That was Senjutsu.)
Arthur flexed his right hand slightly.
His wrist felt faintly numb.
Barely noticeable, but the lingering energy is still there.
(Huh... Interesting…)
Arthur stared thoughtfully at his hand, slowly clenching his fist experimentally.
(Could I learn that?)
Ddraig hummed.
(Perhaps.)
Meanwhile, Niimaru and Sanmaru ran frantically toward the crater where Ichimaru had landed.
"ONII-SAN, PLEASE DON'T DIE!"
"YOUR FOREHEAD IS BLEEDING!"
The crowd, meanwhile, slowly looked back toward Arthur, then toward the crimson gauntlets.
Whispers began spreading rapidly.
"Red gauntlets…"
"No way…"
"That's him…"
"The Red Dragon Emperor…"
"The strongest Sekiryuutei today…"
"The Vampire Slayer…"
"The monster who nearly drove the vampires extinct…"
"Cao Cao-sama's leader…"
Arthur immediately turned toward Cao Cao.
"Why do my titles sound like I'm evil?"
Cao Cao shrugged helplessly.
"They're just exaggerating."
Arthur pointed accusingly.
"They called me Vampire Slayer."
"Technically accurate."
"They are calling me in a way that sounds like I'm racist against vampires."
Valerie quietly giggled beside them.
Cao Cao stepped next to Arthur before lightly patting his shoulder.
"Did you really have to use your Longinus? Your bare hands would've been enough."
Arthur shrugged casually.
"No reason…I just felt like it."
Cao Cao stared at him for a second, then sighed in defeat.
The plaza was still recovering from Ichimaru's very brief and very unfortunate attempt at defending Cao Cao's honor.
Niimaru and Sanmaru were currently digging the poor green-haired teen out of a pile of overturned stalls while they cried dramatic tears beside him.
"My brother's forehead is swollen!"
"He was too young to become a corpse!"
Meanwhile, Arthur stood there casually flexing his right hand while still mentally thinking about Senjutsu.
(Hm… The numbness is already disappearing.)
He glanced at his wrist again.
Ddraig chuckled inside his mind.
(Your body is truly absurd. Usually, it would take hours for the average person to heal injuries caused by Senjutsu.)
Arthur ignored the comment as the whispers around the plaza continued growing louder.
"It really is him…"
"The Sekiryuutei…"
"The Counter Corps' leader…"
"The son of Sirzechs Lucifer…"
Arthur visibly grimaced.
(I seriously need new titles.)
But before anything else could happen, a mature, feminine voice echoed calmly across the plaza.
"What is all this commotion about?"
The moment the voice appeared, everything changed.
The noisy crowd instantly fell silent.
Arthur, Valerie, and Cao Cao turned toward the source.
Walking gracefully through the parted crowd while escorted by two kitsune Youkai was a breathtaking young woman with an elegant and mature beauty that immediately drew everyone's attention.
She possessed a voluptuous figure and extremely long blonde hair tied into a loose ponytail that extended all the way down past her legs, ending in a spiral wrapped with taut bandages.
She also has golden eyes, is wearing traditional shrine maiden attire, and over it she wore a pristine white coat fastened closed by a red ribbon beneath an ornate golden crown resting upon her head.
Behind her, nine massive golden fox tails swayed gently in the air with overwhelming dignity and power.
The pressure alone made the atmosphere shift.
The surrounding Youkai civilians immediately knelt down in front of their leader.
"It is an honor to be in your presence, Yasaka-sama!"
The entire plaza bowed their heads respectfully, but Arthur, meanwhile, stood completely silent.
On the outside, he is calm.
On the inside, however, his eyes widened at the busty figure in front of him.
(GOD MOTHERFUCKING DAMN, SHE THICC!!!)
Arthur slowly turned his head toward Cao Cao.
(Cao Cao, you lucky bastard.)
Ddraig immediately laughed hysterically inside his mind.
(HAHAHAHAHAHA!)
Yasaka's golden gaze slowly swept across the plaza before landing on Cao Cao.
The moment she saw him, her expression softened instantly.
She immediately appeared in front of Cao Cao, wrapped her arms around his shoulder, and leaned on his chest, which made her cleavage more visible.
"Why did you take so long to return to the palace, Anata~?"
She pouted, cutely complaining like a needy wife.
Valerie's face turned slightly red at what she was seeing.
"A-Anata?"
Cao Cao blushed a little at her actions as he immediately coughed awkwardly into his fist.
"Sorry, Yasaka. I got a little sidetracked and was… briefly delayed."
Arthur narrowed his eyes slightly, no longer focusing on Yasaka's figure.
(Now that I think about it, she has a strong presence.)
Even Ddraig hummed thoughtfully.
(Indeed… she does. Probably almost as strong as her mother, Tamamo-no-Mae.)
Arthur agreed to Ddraig's words.
His eyes shifted slightly lower toward her abdomen.
From there, he can see a small but noticeable bump.
Arthur blinked once.
(Is that what I think it is?)
Yasaka noticed his stare immediately.
Her golden eyes narrowed slightly before shifting toward Cao Cao.
"Is this him?"
Cao Cao sighed softly before nodding once.
"Yes."
He turned his head slightly.
"Arthur."
Then gestured respectfully toward the nine-tailed fox woman with his fee hand.
"This is Yasaka. Leader of the Youkai Faction."
Arthur straightened slightly.
Cao Cao continued.
"Yasaka, this is Arthur Pendragon. The founder and leader of Avalon and the Counter Corps."
Yasaka's expression became composed and dignified once more.
She pulled away from Cao Cao and stepped forward gracefully.
"So you are my Anata's leader."
Her nine tails swayed softly behind her, then she bowed.
"It is an honor to finally meet you, Sekiryuutei-sama."
Arthur immediately returned the respect.
His usual joking demeanor faded slightly as he bowed properly.
"The honor is mine, Yasaka-sama."
Yasaka nodded approvingly.
For a brief moment, the atmosphere became calm.
But suddenly, Arthur raised his head slightly.
"By the way... I just wanna say something..."
Yasaka tilted her head curiously.
"Hm?"
Arthur smiled faintly.
"…B'sha'ah Tovah."
"..."
Cao Cao froze.
Valerie blinked in confusion.
Several nearby Youkai looked lost.
But Yasaka, her golden eyes widened slightly as a small flush appeared on her cheeks.
"Ara Ara~"
She covered her lips delicately with one sleeve while her tails swayed slightly faster behind her.
Cao Cao immediately rubbed his forehead.
"Arthur... Why?"
Arthur tilted his head.
"What? I was just saying what I think."
Valerie looked between them in confusion.
"Did I miss something?"
Cao Cao sighed deeply like a tired man whose secret had just been exposed publicly.
Arthur grinned.
"Oh, I definitely got that right."
Yasaka cleared her throat into her sleeve, clearly trying to maintain her composure.
"You are quite perceptive, Sekiryuutei-sama."
Arthur crossed his arms smugly.
"True... But there's another reason why I know."
Arthur looked at Cao Cao, who looked genuinely exhausted by Arthur's shenanigans.
"Can we please continue this conversation somewhere private?"
Arthur immediately pointed at him dramatically.
"MY MAN."
"Zip it."
Valerie finally looked at Cao Cao with dawning realization.
"...oh..."
Then toward Yasaka's stomach.
"Oh..."
Then back at Cao Cao.
"OH!"
Her eyes widened.
"Now I get it!"
Cao Cao looked away in defeat while Arthur tried, and failed, to stop himself from laughing again.
DxD
Hello readers!
Can anybody come up with a really, really, really long Chinese Cultivator name for this title, because this is the best I could make?
Also, can a non-Jewish person say Mazel Tov or B'sha'ah Tovah?
Thank you, everyone, and see you later!