MHGA Chapter 173 – Brave Miss Miko
"Guildmaster, are we really being fair to Kazuma-san?" Tanjiro couldn't bear the sight of Kazuma in this state. "Also… joining that Axis Order actually seems to have helped Miss Miko. Is there some hidden danger?"
"Kazuma-san." Tanjiro turned directly to the man tied to the table. "What is the Axis Order, really?"
Having joined the team late, Tanjiro hadn't had the chance to experience the chaos the other Hunters had been through. He didn't yet understand the threat of the Axis Order.
"I'm curious too," said Laios. "It sounds like a shady cult… but Miss Aqua said she's a goddess, and that might actually be true. And you guys didn't exactly object when Miko joined. So… what kind of group is the Axis Order?"
"T-that… that's…"
The wailing Kazuma suddenly grew meek, burying his face in the table. "It's… the religious order of Aqua, who really is a goddess…"
"It's a cult full of lunatics from Kazuma's world," Joseph said bluntly.
After roping Miko into becoming an Archbishop of the Axis Order, Aqua had taken a bonk on the head from Kazuma and was now being comforted by the other girls in another room.
Miko, however, had stayed behind—waiting for Kairo Retsu and the others to finish their trial.
"I won't deny it—Aqua is very powerful when it comes to purifying the undead," Kairo sighed. "And I don't think Miko's the kind of person who would end up like the other Axis followers just because she joined."
"But the most important issue is—!"
Kairo ruffled his hair in frustration. "Joining the Axis Order comes with a built-in buff!"
"Buff…?" Tanjiro looked puzzled. "What's that?"
"A status effect," Naofumi explained with a sigh. "Like how Nezuko's Blood Demon Art lets your blade ignite with fire. In Aqua's case, while she can repel the undead… that same holy aura of hers is so strong that low-level undead monsters instinctively flock toward her—drawn by the hope of salvation. That effect carries over to Axis Order members too…"
"Isn't that a good thing?" Tanjiro asked, confused. "It sounds like Miss Aqua really is a goddess who redeems the dead."
"It means you can't control when you attract the undead," Joseph explained. "No matter where or when, you'll always draw ghosts."
"That's the problem!" Kairo suddenly grabbed Kazuma by the neck. "We were trying to stop Miko from being hounded by ghosts! But now she's gonna be swarmed even more than before! It completely backfires!"
"How are you gonna atone to Miko for this, you born-evil bastard! I'll execute you right now!"
"Eeeeyaahhhh—I'm gonna diiiiiiie!! Aqua, save me!!" Kazuma screamed in terror as Kairo throttled him.
Meanwhile, Miko had finally grasped what all the fuss was about.
"Guildmaster… um…" Miko tugged at Kairo's sleeve gently. "Besides attracting ghosts… are there any other problems?"
"…No. But isn't that already a big enough issue for you?" Kairo let go of Kazuma and looked at Miko seriously. "I mean, Aqua's powers are undeniable. But being a monster magnet will make your life hard, right?"
"If it comes to that, you can just stay at the Gathering Hub for a while," Kairo said with a reassuring thumbs-up. "As the Guildmaster, I can't let any of our members live in constant fear!"
"Then… what can an Axis Archbishop do, exactly?" Miko asked quietly.
"Uhh…"
Kairo and the other Hunters all turned to Kazuma.
Sensing his chance to escape execution, Kazuma struggled to lift his head. "You can do a lot! Healing, purification, barrier magic, support spells, exorcism wards… and you get really multi-talented, too…"
"Guildmaster, may I… go back and give it a try?" Miko hesitated, then looked at Kairo. "If it really gets dangerous, I'll come straight back."
"You're not letting us come up with another plan?" Kairo scratched his head. "This mess is partly our fault. We could just keep Kazuma tied up as an apology. There's bound to be other solutions, so—"
"I want to try."
Miko clenched her fists lightly. "If those ghosts are being drawn to me because they want salvation… then maybe… maybe I can try to help them."
"I could put up protective barriers in my room, too. That way I'd at least have time to rest at night. During the day, I'll be careful," she said softly. "And if I can do that… then I won't have to pretend I can't see anymore. I might even be able to…"
—To speak to her father.
Miko's father, who had passed away, still lingered at home as a ghost. But because she couldn't explain her ability to see spirits, she had no choice but to keep ignoring his presence…
Kairo hadn't expected this from Miko. It seemed she had already made up her mind to face the spirits herself.
This girl—so brave in the face of terrifying apparitions—didn't need the Hunters to shield her.
Thinking about it… even the original Yotsuya Miko had been brave enough to visit that terrifying shrine alone, just to help others.
"…Looks like we were the ones overthinking things."
Kairo placed a firm hand on Miko's shoulder and gave her a smile. Then, more seriously, he said:
"But! One thing I have to make absolutely clear. If anything happens that you can't handle, you must come back to us for help!"
"And since you've made up your mind, as Guildmaster, I'll make sure the Hub gives you a little something to support you!"
With that declaration, Kairo turned and sprinted out of the room.
"Wait here—I'll be right back!"
As Kairo dashed off, Miko looked at the others and glanced at the bound Kazuma. "Um… now that it's settled, can we untie Satou-san…?"
"Miko-sama!!" Kazuma stared at her with teary eyes, deeply moved. "I swear I'll respect you with all my heart! I won't let Aqua drag you down with the Axis Order's brain-dead theology!!"
"Miss Aqua… she's a good person, actually." As Miko spoke, Kairo came charging back, fast as ever.
Strapped to his waist was a small, winged, lion-like Felyne—fluffy, lazy-looking, and very well-fed.
"Winged Lion! It's your time to shine! Do that thing I taught you!"
Like holding up Simba, Kairo hoisted the Winged Lion in front of Miko. "Grant Yotsuya Miko unlimited mana!"
"Sure…"
The Winged Lion, having been well-fed and pampered lately, lazily licked its fur and stretched.
"If it's just mana… you must be the one, huh?"
It licked its paw and gazed at Miko.
"Will you make a contract with me… and become the Dungeon Master?"
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