Inside Saitenguu, Aslan sat in the main seat of the room with an utterly relaxed demeanor, arms resting on the armrests, as if he were on vacation.
Compared to Aslan, Luo Hao's posture was extremely upright. Despite the chair's backrest, she maintained a half-seated position, back straight, gazing forward.
Lilliana and Lu Yinghua, as usual, stood on either side, ready to receive orders.
As for the Kuhoutsuka Family and the History Compilation Committee members, they all stood with heads lowered, none daring to breathe freely.
They feared the elders of the Holy Cult of the Five Mountains would hold another lottery.
Sitting idly like this was somewhat boring, especially with a group of old people around, so Aslan decided to find some entertainment.
"Can anyone tell me how the preparations for opening the Keeper of the Horses' seal are going?"
Seated in the chair, he held the armrest with his left hand, his right arm around Athena, asking the Kuhoutsuka Family members below.
The group below exchanged glances, none daring to speak. The last person who answered this question was already dead.
"Yinghua, it seems there are no living people here."
Aslan wasn't angry. It appeared that nine out of ten surviving wasn't enough of a lesson. Well, the blade hadn't yet fallen on them.
"Your Majesty, please wait a moment, we're still—"
With no choice, after Kuhoutsuka Mikihiko's death, someone of higher status could only muster the courage to respond.
But before he could finish, he was killed with a sword.
"I hope the next one doesn't talk as much. It's really annoying."
Aslan lowered his hand, letting the assassin from the Holy Cult of the Five Mountains, hidden in the crowd, remain concealed.
"Next."
Another Kuhoutsuka Family elder stepped forward. It had to be said, no wonder they were called a great family—so many members in one clan.
"Your Majesty, we've made thorough preparations. All that's left is to retrieve the Zanryuuto Sword and invite a Hime-Miko with Disaster Purification abilities to break the seal."
The elder spoke with great confidence.
"Oh?"
Aslan showed interest, looking at the elder.
"However, the most crucial Heretic God with Dragon-Snake Divinity…"
The elder, still wanting to continue, suddenly felt breathless.
A gray python, appearing from nowhere, coiled around his body.
"A snake?! Why is there a snake here?!"
The elder was stunned. He hadn't even had time to realize what was happening or be shocked.
Countless snakes emerged from the ground, instantly engulfing him. They even crawled into his body through his six orifices (eyes, ears, nose, mouth), dragging him into the Netherworld.
The people present could only think: Serves you right.
They didn't dare look at Athena. This man dared to test his luck with her.
"Next."
Aslan waved his hand boredly.
But everyone present knew well this might be their last chance. If the answer was wrong again, there would likely be only one outcome for everyone there.
"Your Majesty, the Zanryuuto Sword that weakens the seal and the Hime-Miko with Disaster Purification abilities are in Saitenguu. We only lack the Dragon-Snake Divinity."
"We will immediately summon a Heretic God with Dragon-Snake Divinity. Please, Your Majesty, grant us a little time."
A fortunate soul pushed forward knelt on the ground, speaking while trembling.
Aslan propped his head with one hand, yawned, and said, "Sunset. If the seal isn't opened before the Hour of the Devil, none of you will live."
As expected, these Japanese were cheap. Put a blade to their necks, and didn't their work efficiency soar?
No Heretic God with Dragon-Snake Divinity?
If there's none, summon one!
Didn't their work efficiency skyrocket?
"Lu Yinghua."
"Your disciple is here."
Lu Yinghua behind him immediately stepped forward.
"Watch them. After all, I'm not a demon. They'll work for me."
"Let them move freely. They can do anything—settle final affairs or have their last meal."
"Clear?"
"Clear."
Lu Yinghua nodded, then walked toward the Kuhoutsuka Family, showing a bright smile.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please."
The Kuhoutsuka Family members nodded to Lu Yinghua, then left one by one.
"Oh, by the way, inform the other three Kyoto Great Families. If any of them do something they shouldn't, the nine clans of those three families will be eradicated too."
"Don't think your families are safe just because your relatives are abroad."
Instantly, Kaoru's expression changed. Her gaze toward the Kuhoutsuka Family was full of threat.
"No problem, right?"
Aslan said with a bright smile.
"No problem."
Kaoru nodded and led the History Compilation Committee members out of Saitenguu's Main Hall.
She had to keep an eye on the Kuhoutsuka Family to prevent them from truly destroying the Sayanomiya Family.
Aslan's words were clear. If the seal wasn't opened before sunset, all three of their families would be wiped out.
Seeing the Kuhoutsuka Family and the History Compilation Committee under Kaoru's leadership looking highly motivated and enthusiastic, Luo Hao couldn't help but nod.
(I've learned, I've learned.)
Even Athena had to admit, this efficiency was truly high. Terrifyingly high. Frighteningly high.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Facts proved, as Aslan said, once the order was given, Kaoru immediately relayed the news.
The other three Great Families were shocked. Why should the Kuhoutsuka Family's issue involve their nine clans?
The Kuhoutsuka Family was done for. Settle final affairs? Still want to settle final affairs? After settling, they'd be finished!
The last meal was the same. After eating, their heads would truly roll. Even if the Holy Cult of the Five Mountains didn't act, the other three Great Families surely would.
They weren't even allowed a sip of water. Anything unrelated to undoing the seal or summoning a Heretic God, the Kuhoutsuka Family members couldn't even glance at.
Of course, since this concerned their nine clans, they wouldn't obstruct either. All sorts of desperately needed resources were mobilized to the fullest.
All four of Japan's Great Families sprang into action. The History Compilation Committee transported vast amounts of materials and resources to Saitenguu.
In less than two hours, the ritual was roughly prepared. Meanwhile, the mages and other Hime-Miko tirelessly drew the patterns needed for the ritual.
This was a Heretic God summoning ritual! The last time Marquis Voban wanted to summon a Heretic God, it took over a month of preparation and arrangements.
And now, just a few hours!
Indeed, human potential was limitless. Aslan was also slightly surprised they actually pulled it off, though he had set the deadline arbitrarily.
Except, to achieve such efficiency, many sacrifices were made.
"Your Majesty, please have mercy on them!"
Seeing a Kuhoutsuka Family member collapse from mana exhaustion and be executed, Yuri, standing beside Touma, finally couldn't take it. She stepped forward, knelt before Aslan, pleading, her entire body trembling uncontrollably.
"You've made all the preparations. There's no need to kill them anymore."
Aslan looked at the girl kneeling before him. He couldn't help but tilt his head, showing a puzzled expression.
"Are you trying to teach me how to act?"
"No! Not at all! I only hope Your Majesty will have mercy, show your compassion. I believe there must be a heart full of mercy within you."
"If I've angered you, I'm willing to accept any punishment, as long as you spare them."
This was the advantage of the naive. With a few words, Mariya could be persuaded.
In the original work, after being convinced by Touma, she also thought she was Tokyo's guardian Hime-Miko and had to protect others.
So she said the same to the male protagonist, always talking about punishing herself to spare others.
"Hmm… I see…"
Aslan looked at Yuri, pondering for a moment. He thought, as a savior, he should show some mercy.
"Since you've said that, I'll spare them. You'll take their punishment instead."
Hearing Aslan's words, the burden in Yuri's heart finally lifted. At the same time, she felt a bit of despair. Perhaps death awaited her.
But sacrificing herself to save so many others should be worth it, right?
"Considering you're a highly talented Hime-Miko, I won't kill you."
A spark of hope suddenly ignited in Yuri's heart.
(Maybe I don't have to die? What kind of punishment is it?)
"Here's the deal. If anything goes wrong, your nine clans… no, your entire ten clans will die in their place."
"Since you might not know what ten clans means, I can explain. Your father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, your mother, your mother's grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, and everyone related to you by blood."
"Oh, almost forgot. Also your classmates, your friends, everyone you know—they'll die in your place."
Aslan casually pronounced the death sentence for Mariya's family. After finishing, he smiled and leaned back in his chair.
Meanwhile, Yuri froze on the ground in despair.
"Remember, they'll die because of you."
Saying this, Aslan spoke with bad taste.
"Oh, by the way, you might not know, right? The Hime-Miko with Disaster Purification abilities is your younger sister."
"The people you're trying to save are, step by step, pushing your sister into the abyss."
(No, no, no, it shouldn't be like this…) Yuri's entire body was consumed by despair.
(It shouldn't be like this. Wasn't I supposed to save everyone with my life? Why did it end up like this?)
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Please listen, they're innocent! If you must punish someone, punish me alone! Don't involve them!"
Yuri knelt on the ground, repeatedly banging her head, pleading with Aslan to change his decision.