— — — — — —
Japan, Muko City—
Two young women in long coats trudged along the roadside, each carrying an oversized backpack.
"Irina... how much farther is Kyoto?"
Xenovia Quarta, her shoulder-length light blue hair disheveled from exhaustion, leaned heavily on a stick she'd picked up from the side of the road.
The other girl looked even worse.
With her brown twin-tails hanging limply behind her, Irina Shido pulled out a map that a kind newspaper vendor had given them and studied it carefully.
"About one more city district before we reach Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto."
"And how far is that exactly?" At this point, Xenovia was barely managing to breathe.
Irina squinted at the map. "More than thirty kilometers in a straight line... I think?"
The moment she heard that, Xenovia's face fell.
She threw away the stick and sat down right in the middle of the roadside.
"Why... Why are we walking all the way to Yasaka Shrine?!"
"Because of you, obviously!" Irina immediately exploded. "I told you not to take a taxi from Osaka Airport! I told you! But you insisted, and by the time we got close to Kyoto we'd spent our entire budget! I've said it before. Never take taxis in Japan!"
"How was I supposed to know they'd cost that much?!" Xenovia protested miserably. "And wasn't that old driver a poor person? He said he hadn't had a customer in three days. I was just trying to help him out! How was I supposed to know he'd charge us that much?"
"He didn't overcharge us." Irina sighed. "That's just what taxis cost."
Anyone familiar with Japan's taxi fares knew exactly what she meant.
The driver had been pushing seventy years old. Once Xenovia climbed into the cab, Irina couldn't exactly drag her back out, so she'd reluctantly let her play Good Samaritan.
"Now what?" Xenovia looked up. "The Church's deadline is five this afternoon. We're supposed to report to Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto and join the training program. It's already ten in the morning."
Irina checked her watch and let out another sigh, "If representatives from the Church show up late, the Devils and Fallen Angels are definitely going to laugh at us."
"Seriously, why is the Church always so broke?" Xenovia angrily chewed on a twig. "I heard the Fallen Angels came over on chartered planes, and the Devils booked entire Underworld train cars for themselves. Meanwhile we're traveling on foot!"
"Please stop talking." Irina waved a fist threateningly. "The more you talk, the more I want to punch you."
"Fine." Xenovia pushed herself back to her feet. "You still have money left?"
"About fifteen hundred yen."
Irina dug into her pocket and produced three five-hundred-yen coins.
"How much food can that buy?"
"If we're talking rice balls..." Irina thought for a moment. "Maybe three packs? Three rice balls per pack. Each one's about half the size of my fist."
She hesitated, "Though that's based on prices from more than ten years ago. I have no idea now."
"Good enough." Xenovia dusted off her pants. "Let's find a convenience store, buy some rice balls, fill up on food, drink water from public sinks, then run all the way to Kyoto."
She clenched her fist dramatically, "We'll treat it as endurance training."
Irina sighed.
She had been born in Japan.
After finally returning to her birthplace, her first activity was apparently going to be a thirty-kilometer marathon.
This was a disaster.
"But I guess that's our only option..."
"Our lives are suffering."
The two girls trudged onward, lamenting their fate.
...
..
Aboard a VIP direct Shinkansen bound for Kyoto.
Asia Argento sat stiffly in her seat, nervously looking at the Fallen Angel across from her.
The woman, Raynare, wore a black outfit that was far too revealing and looked thoroughly annoyed.
"Um... where are we going?"
"Don't ask so many questions, rookie." Raynare's tone was as sharp as ever.
"Yes, ma'am!"
Asia immediately shrank back into her seat.
Even though she was hungry, she didn't dare complain.
"Someone's in a terrible mood today." A female Fallen Angel in the neighboring seat chuckled.
"Of course she is." Another one laughed. "A fallen nun who joined only a few days ago gets selected for the joint training program between all three factions and even gets to meet our mighty new leader. And poor Raynare can only serve as her bodyguard. How tragic~"
"Shut up, you sluts!" Raynare snapped. "Keep talking and I'll rip your mouths off."
"Ooooh, scary."
The entire carriage erupted in mocking laughter.
"Still, why did Ryo-sama specifically request this fallen nun?"
One of them looked at Asia curiously and blurted out, "Maybe he likes playing with nuns?"
"Eh?!"
Asia instantly covered her mouth.
Tears of panic welled up in her eyes.
No way.
The Fallen Angel Governor and supreme leader of three factions liked to toy with nuns?
Did that mean she was going to be toyed with too?
What was she supposed to do?! Who could protect her from him?
"Shut up!" Raynare barked again.
For a brief moment, Asia thought she was defending her.
Then Raynare folded her arms and huffed, "As if Governor-sama would be interested in a traitor like that. If he's going to play with anyone, it should be me."
"Eh? Wait, weren't you obsessed with former Governor Azazel?"
Several Fallen Angels stared at her.
"Please." One of the women burst out laughing. "She's not obsessed with Azazel. She likes Governors. It doesn't matter who the Governor is, whether they're human, what they look like, or anything else. As long as they're the Governor."
The truth hit its mark.
Raynare shot to her feet in embarrassment and fury, "You whores want a fight?!"
"Bring it on!"
"Like we're scared of you!"
Within seconds, the train carriage descended into complete chaos as a full-scale catfight erupted.
Hair flew. Clothes were yanked. Shouting echoed from every direction.
Meanwhile, Asia curled up in the corner by the window, trembling, "Someone please save me..."
...
..
Inside a private compartment aboard the Underworld train—
The sleep mask covering Ryo's eyes was suddenly removed.
Opening his eyes, he immediately saw Serafall twirling the mask around one finger with a mischievous grin.
"Are we in Kyoto already, Serafall?"
"Of course." Still smiling, Serafall spun the warm steam eye mask he'd been using.
A flash of transformation magic passed over her, replacing her barely-there attire with her usual outfit.
"Hurry up. My adorable Sona has finally agreed to see her big sister. If you don't get moving, I'm leaving without you."
"Heh, I'm not convinced she's coming because she wants to see you." Ryo mercilessly replied.
Serafall's cheeks puffed out instantly.
She kicked him in the leg.
Ryo ignored her and drew the curtain aside, peering out through the train window.
Outside, the Underworld station platform was already crowded.
A large group had gathered there, waiting quietly.
Ryo swept his gaze across the crowd and smiled, "Now that's a lot of familiar faces."
.
.
.
For every 200 Power Stones received, a bonus chapter will be released.
You can read 50 chapters ahead, or support me on: patreon.com/_Coreal