"Heh. If I actually picked that up, I'd be the real fool."
Kawashima Toya looked calmly at the statues and chuckled. "Do you take me for an idiot?"
"An artifact like the Genesis Disc doesn't just get 'lost.' And even if it did, retrieving it would be trivial for beings of your stature."
"That strange illusion just now... I assume that was your gaze?"
With that, Toya turned decisively and left the hall.
The chamber remained silent. Nothing happened.
However, after a long pause, Toya walked back into the main hall.
"So, you're dead set on giving this to me."
Toya looked down at the Disc lying on the floor. He had to admit, he was tempted.
Currently, what he lacked most was a source of Spiritual Energy. Without it, Kasumigaoka Utaha and the others couldn't practice Onmyodo.
He could cultivate using the System and strengthen himself with items from the Shop, but the girls didn't have that luxury.
"I might as well take it."
"It's not my fault that Abe no Seimei drained this world's mystery dry."
Forced by circumstance, Toya reluctantly bent down and picked up the Genesis Disc lying before the statues.
The moment his fingers brushed against the disc surface, a flood of mysterious cosmic laws and universal principles surged into his mind.
These were the core rules of the Root itself.
It felt as if he only needed to reach out to cross the boundary between mortal and divine, instantly becoming an eternal, supreme entity.
Toya's expression remained flat. He completely ignored the temptation of the absolute power radiating from the disc.
Having nearly become the embodiment of the Divine Will once before, and remembering Nyaruko's warning about the path to godhood, he knew better.
He had absolutely no interest in ascending to godhood in a single step using this artifact.
Becoming a god through the lost Disc carried too many hidden dangers.
It was better to rely on his own efforts and climb to the divine throne step by step.
The trip to the Emerald Spire soon came to an end.
Aside from the Genesis Disc, there was nothing special about the entire complex.
There was only a thick historical atmosphere, a sense of ancient times that the structure had endured.
.....
Nighttime.
At the best viewing terrace in the resort hotel.
Under the watchful eyes of Nyaruko and Kuuko, Toya took out the Genesis Disc, which he had placed in a simple box.
"Nyaruko, is this dangerous?"
"That is...!" Nyaruko and Kuuko's eyes widened in disbelief. "Darling, that's the Genesis Disc!"
"It's the most critical artifact from the Eastern Pantheon. It's practically the center of the world's rules. How could it not be important?"
"Every pantheon covets it, but no deity dares to try and snatch it."
Nyaruko stared intensely at the Disc. "Darling, where did you get this?"
"This thing is guarded by the Six Sages of the East. How did it end up with you?"
"It seems to have recovered all its fragments. It's in a complete, perfect state."
"Wait, wasn't the Genesis Disc supposed to be damaged in the legends?"
"It was just lying in the main hall of the Emerald Spire. I assume the Sages left it there for me," Toya said calmly, showing no joy or eagerness about obtaining such a treasure.
Before transmigrating, he had read countless novels featuring the Genesis Disc.
As a key artifact spanning the history of Eastern Mythology, its appearance in his hands definitely carried significant weight.
As a mortal, he really had no business being involved in such high-level secrets.
"Left it for you?" Nyaruko looked suspicious. "They're crazy, but even crazy gods wouldn't just give away the Genesis Disc."
"Could it really have been lost?"
Toya picked up the Disc and weighed it in his hand, joking, "It looks quite nice. I wonder how it would work as a serving plate for vegetables?"
The Genesis Disc showed no reaction; to the naked eye, it remained nothing more than a smooth, gentle plate.
"You can't do that! Those Gods are very petty," Nyaruko said seriously. "Regardless of the reason, Darling, you must keep it safe."
"Do not ever think about using it to serve food."
"Recently, the gods of that pantheon have been wandering across various dimensions. It might have something to do with this disc."
Nyaruko herself eyed the artifact with desire, but she understood clearly that this was designated for Toya by the Six Sages.
Toya could touch it without consequence.
But if anyone else—even a God—touched it, the consequences would be catastrophic.
"Since there won't be any problems, I'll keep it safe and use it as a source of Spiritual Energy later."
Toya tossed the Disc back into the box and turned his attention to the delicious dish the hotel had prepared.
Watching Toya's nonchalant attitude, Nyaruko sighed. "I thought I was calm enough, but I'm still far behind Darling."
As she spoke, she cast a sharp glance at Kuuko, who seemed tempted to make a move.
"Kuuko, suppress your foolish thoughts."
"The Genesis Disc isn't something you can touch. Even if your true body arrived, it wouldn't have the guts to lay a finger on it."
"That was close..." Kuuko snapped out of her trance, realizing just how dangerous her impulse had been.
Even as a Great Old One, it would be quite hard to challenge the Six Sages.
Toya savored the food while admiring the distant view of the mountain, feeling that this was the most leisurely and comfortable moment of his life.
.....
"Cast Off!"
Suddenly, two cold mechanical voices rang out.
Toya looked up to see Kamen Rider Sasword and Kamen Rider Gatack running side by side in the distance.
The two seemed unconvinced by the other's prowess and were racing to see who was faster.
"They're playing too wildly." Toya smiled faintly. "But since today is a special occasion, I'll let them be."
"Once we return to Japan, all their free time will be dedicated to practicing Onmyodo."
Now that he had the Genesis Disc, he had an infinite source of energy.
As long as they didn't try to understand or touch the Rules contained within the disc itself, there shouldn't be any problems utilizing the energy leaking from it.
Just as Toya was preparing to leave, Kasugano Sora's delighted voice called out. "Onii-chan, look what I caught!"
"I found such a cute little puppy!"
"Found a puppy on a snowy mountain?" A flicker of doubt crossed Toya's eyes. "Sora, let me see."
"It's super cute!"
Sora presented her find like a precious gift, holding a pure white puppy in her hands.
The white puppy looked at Toya with clear, innocent eyes. It was incredibly adorable.
If it were any other girl, she would probably have been captivated by its cuteness instantly.
"Is that really a dog?" Toya's eyes narrowed. Something about this creature felt wrong.
Mystic Eyes of Death Perception.
Instantly, the status window for the "puppy" Sora had found appeared before his eyes.