Truly… a straightforward and unadorned idea.
Yae Miko looked at the well-prepared Shura Anyakonsen-shou.
Conspiracy was something that sounded chilling—everyone feared someone plotting against them in the dark.
But in reality, those who resorted to conspiracy were the truly weak ones.
Why play conspiracy? Why seek unconventional victory?
Did they want to?
No—it was because they couldn't win head-on, so they played dirty.
An unsolvable open strategy was actually the strongest. When I show all my cards and you still can't beat me—that was true despair.
Miko looked at Cid and smiled. This little one had already figured out quite a lot.
She had misjudged earlier when she called him a master manipulator of hearts…
Shura Anyakonsen-shou Cid walked the path of uprightness. No tricks, no shortcuts—just steady, honest progress.
One could say his approach was very grounded and lacking in novelty—like earth. Despite being the drifting wind, his style gave off a rock-solid, Geo-like reliability.
If you fought him head-on, you couldn't win. If you played dirty, you'd find yourself outmaneuvered to death with no openings to exploit.
"Little one, why are you showing me this token? Do you hope this Guuji will become your shrine maiden and follow you?"
The moment she saw the Shura token, Yae Miko understood that her old methods now had a chance of being implemented again.
Although the little one was being very subtle about it, Miko was certain: this little one was now on her side.
Since they were on the same side, she might as well have a little fun with him first…
Ahh, these upright, straight-laced types were the most entertaining…
As for Ei?
Judging from the volume of people's wishes in the Shura token, collecting enough would take years anyway.
Since letting the water overflow the bottle would require time regardless, there was no rush~
After all, Ei had already shut herself away for 500 years and ignored her for that long—what was a bit more time?
Now that she knew Ei would eventually be pulled out by her, Guuji Yae Miko's playful mood surged.
Cid, receiving Miko's seemingly confused response, was momentarily stunned.
What? Miko couldn't see the people's faith in the Shura token?
Even I can see it through adeptal arts—how could you, the Guuji who manages the faith of the Grand Narukami Shrine, not know?
But very quickly, Cid sensed the flavor of amusement and joy radiating from Miko.
This fox was treating him as her entertainment.
"We're talking serious business here, Guuji. How about we finish the serious matters first?"
Miko used the long sleeve of her robe to cover her mouth, smirking with narrowed eyes.
"How could that be? I'm already discussing serious business with Shura Anyakonsen-shou."
You sly fox, the scent of your mischief is already filling the entire Grand Narukami Shrine.
Cid knew very well that right now, he had two paths ahead: continue being serious, or just join the fox in mutual clowning around.
So what would Cid choose?
"Guuji Yae, you wouldn't want anything to happen to Ei that keeps her trapped forever, would you?"
I'm not as carefree as you fox—I'm busy, okay? Little Sara at home is still waiting for me to check her homework…
A man without distractions draws his sword like a god. What suppresses my desires is the responsibility called "home."
If I wanted to play mind games, I'd go find little Yoimiya instead.
"Ei?"
Yae Miko wasn't like Yumemizuki Mizuki beside them, who couldn't join the high-level conversation.
Facing Cid's probing threat, she chose to strike while the iron was hot.