As dusk approached.
The sky was dyed with a touch of crimson.
On the way back.
"..."
Baal gazed at the Miko leading the way, unconsciously pursing her lips. This Miko's affinity was a bit too strong.
Even if she didn't want to leave human society for some reason.
However, she should have been more cautious.
"Baal, you need to choose a divine name."
Kikyo-sama suddenly turned her head and said to Baal, "This divine name should best reflect your 'divine duty' and 'status'."
Since Baal was to become a deity worshipped in the village, the villagers should have a corresponding title to reflect the deity's nobility and inviolability.
In short, the name needed to be resounding.
"A divine name, huh..."
Baal's delicate, pretty face showed a hint of distress. Her slender fingers lightly twirled the purple hair near her ear, and after serious thought, she gave an answer.
"How about, 'Eternal Reincarnation Mercury Serpent'?"
"..."
Kikyo-sama was slightly silent, her eyelids lowered slightly, and she asked calmly, "Are you sure you want to take such a name?"
"No?"
Baal blinked lightly, feeling that the name she chose was very cool. Didn't it sound incredibly powerful?
The 'coolness factor' should be... not bad.
"...It's not that it's impossible." Kikyo-sama's water-like black eyes gazed at Baal, "However, if you're just doing it for fun or as a prank, then I still hope you think carefully."
"...Cough, then I'll think about it again."
Baal's eyes awkwardly looked away, her slender fingers continued to twirl her purple hair, seriously considering a suitable divine name.
"Hmm, no... how about Ukanomitama no Kami?"
She asked tentatively.
This name could be said to directly parallel the Shinto supreme deity, 'Amaterasu Ukanomitama no Kami'.
Even if it was sternly rejected... it would be perfectly reasonable.
"..."
Kikyo-sama subconsciously wanted to refuse, but upon seeing Baal's delicate face, she inexplicably stopped the words at her lips.
"This name... is not suitable for you yet."
She said softly to Baal. If it were any other Miko, they would probably mock Baal fiercely for overestimating herself.
However, when 'Baal' spoke the honorific, it contained a peculiar power, so much so that it created an illusion.
This honorific was the most suitable honorific for Baal.
There was no more suitable choice.
"Then let's just call me Narukami." Baal didn't seem to care, her slender hand lightly brushed her purple hair, and lightning flashed and streaked through her strands, "Coincidentally, I also possess the authority to control lightning."
"...Alright."
Kikyo-sama nodded slightly. This time, the name wasn't too arrogant, reaching a level she found acceptable. Although Baal's strength was indeed weak.
However, with her help... it was barely suitable.
"Speaking of which, Kikyo-sama, does your village not have a deity?" Baal seemed to suddenly remember something, "If I go to your village to be a deity, will I be seen as competing for faith?"
"It's fine, our village doesn't worship any deity." Kikyo-sama gently shook her head, explaining calmly, "Unless necessary, we probably won't add any more deities to worship in the future."
"...I see." Baal nodded understandingly, then suddenly asked, "Then, Kikyo-sama, will you be my Miko from now on?"
If Kikyo-sama's village had no deity, did that mean Kikyo-sama automatically belonged to her as her Miko?
That feeling... was like a gain.
"...That's right." Kikyo-sama nodded lightly in admission, her voice without a trace of fluctuation, "From now on, I will be your Miko."
"...Sounds good." Baal smiled joyfully, her beautiful eyes gazing at Kikyo-sama as she inquired, "I heard that a Miko also means a deity's bride. Does that mean Kikyo-sama will be my bride from now on?"
"..."
Kikyo-sama's eyes glanced at Baal's prominent chest. Although she seemed to say nothing, she also seemed to have said everything.
Setting aside the question of whether a Miko was a deity's bride, even if her Miko was a deity's bride.
Baal also had no ability to do anything to her.
"..."
Baal followed the Miko's gaze, looking at her full chest, and suddenly felt a stab in her heart, completely shattering her joy.
Currently, she... didn't have the 'tools' for the job.
"..." Kikyo-sama looked at Baal, who had suddenly become downcast, and asked with some concern, "Baal, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, just remembering some sad things."
Baal said with some regret, but she didn't dwell on it too much. Being able to live again was already very satisfying, and life wasn't just about 'lewd' things to be happy.
There were many other... important things.
(Is Baal unhappy that I'm not her bride?)
Kikyo-sama continued to lead the way quietly, but some strange thoughts arose in her mind. However, she didn't dwell on them.
Until they arrived in front of a village.
"Kikyo-sama is back!"
Someone suddenly shouted, and a large number of villagers ran out of their houses. Moments later, they surrounded Kikyo-sama and Baal.
"Kikyo-sama, why are you back so late this time?"
"That's great, I've been worried about Kikyo-sama. Seeing you return safely, I can finally relax."
"Don't worry, how could demons be a match for Kikyo-sama?"
The crowded villagers genuinely welcomed Kikyo-sama's return. It was clear how much Kikyo-sama was loved and respected by the villagers. They even treated Kikyo-sama almost like a deity.
*
On the other side.
"This is truly an unexpected development."
Yakumo Yukari, tilting her head slightly, watched the scene in the distance, tapping her chin lightly with her folding fan, a wry and amused expression on her face.
"To actually become the enshrined deity of Maple Village, her luck is a bit too good,"
Her original intention was to see a conflict between Baal and Miko Kikyo, in order to test the power behind Baal; even if he didn't display the corresponding power, it wouldn't matter.
With her strength, she could completely save Baal in time, and also receive Baal's gratitude; it was simply a win-win situation.
However, who would have thought that things would develop unexpectedly.
Miko Kikyo, who should have annihilated countless youkai, did not harm Baal, but instead brought him back to the village to become an enshrined deity.
Even she, the Youkai Sage, had not anticipated such a development.
Baal undoubtedly gained.
If Baal becomes the deity of Maple Village, it would be equivalent to obtaining the strongest miko in this land, which would be equivalent to gaining an incredibly powerful bodyguard.
As long as he doesn't court death… his safety would be guaranteed.