Chapter 82

The village of Kae, a remote little mountain hamlet, seemed unchanged from its former self.

But visibly, the villagers now no longer carried inner anxiety; instead, they harbored longing and pursuit for a better future.

Inside the shrine at the heart of the village.

There, a golden-haired beauty holding an umbrella now gazed solemnly at Kikyo—the former High Priestess—kneeling alone before the solemn statue within the shrine’s main hall.

“Since the Divine Descent Ritual, this High Priestess… no, the Demon-Slaying Star Lord… has become increasingly incomprehensible!”

Yagumo Shii narrowed her eyes; combining this period’s intermittent feeling of being watched, even the cunning—no, the ocean-deep wisdom of the Youkai Sage—now felt momentarily lost.

Cold moonlight slipped through the window lattice, quietly flowing over her.

A brilliant star in the heavens faintly resonated with her.

The radiance of the Nine Heavens’ Dawn Penglai Emperor, who was fiercely contending with Yatsukimi-no-Mikoto, the former sovereign of the moon, had already seized a portion of the moon’s sovereignty.

Moonlight, like water, continuously ebbed and flowed in rhythm with the Demon-Slaying Star Lord’s even, subtle breath.

Thus, the Demon-Slaying Star Lord’s power rose without cease.

And the Demon-Slaying Star Lord’s Purifying Arrows periodically struck down those reckless fools who dared appear beneath the moonlight, violating the Primordial Heavenly Laws!

“Yagumo Shii!”

As the golden-haired beauty pondered, Kikyo’s cold voice suddenly rang out.

“The Demon-Slaying Star Lord summoned me—what is the matter?”

Yagumo Shii nodded slightly in inquiry.

“It is the Great Celestial Emperor’s decree: during this time, do not engage in any unnecessary actions.”

On Kikyo’s increasingly beautiful and cold face, not a trace of emotion showed; with starlight, she transmitted the information directly to the golden-haired youkai.

“So all this time, Itachi’ve been studying my realm power…”

Upon receiving the information, the golden-haired beauty’s expression darkened further.

Wonderful.

Previously, it was merely observation and data collection.

Now Itachi want me to cooperate by posing in eight hundred different positions, is that it?

I, Yagumo Shii, am no coward!

Such an outrageous demand—I shall show unwavering defiance!

Otherwise, who knows what even more outrageous demands might come later?

Recalling her contracted spirit—Yagumo Blue, the Nine-Tailed Fox known as the Celestial Fox in White Robes—the golden-haired beauty hardened her resolve!

Even if I jump from here and die, I will never yield to this evil force!

“The Great Celestial Emperor said that if Itachi cooperate, he will pay Itachi wages—each time, Itachi’ll receive this much 【Merit】.”

Just as the golden-haired beauty prepared to demonstrate her unyielding spirit, Kikyo held up a hand, gesturing a number, and spoke softly.

“Really? Well then, if the Great Celestial Emperor commands it, I shall obey—but is the Merit settled in real time?”

Blinking her eyes, the golden-haired beauty smiled a saccharine grin and replied: “Besides the actions listed, do Itachi need me to perform any other movements?”

“For example…”

Mmm, delicious!

The Realm Youkai King swore to die rather than yield—unless…

There’s Merit to claim!

No choice—in this new era, even a Realm Youkai must eat!

The entire Yagumo household depends on her for sustenance!

…

Luo Qianqiu: “@Hermes, Itachi are truly a man of grave sins!”

Luo Qianqiu: “Look how quickly Itachi’ve turned the once mysterious, elegant, shadowy Youkai Sage into this.”

Luo Qianqiu, deeply interested in how to 【study】 and 【pose】 Yagumo Shii, had long ago instructed Kikyo to set up a live stream.

As a result, Yagumo Shii—one of the Three Great Eights of Gensokyo—felt her entire persona had changed…

Aozaki Suzu: “Kikyo’s transformation is incredible!”

Aozaki Suzu’s eyes gleamed with peculiar light.

She felt a sudden impulse.

Yet as a Crown Magician, Aozaki Suzu suppressed the urge.

Her talent was unquestionable; while clinging to a powerful ally was an option, she currently preferred to strive on her own.

Glancing at the group chat interface, Hermes went offline immediately.

At that moment,

A soft footstep accompanied the appearance of a figure with fiery crimson hair.

Himeko wore a simple white ceremonial gown, her body surrounded by faint ripples of Expansion.

Arriving beside Hermes, her golden eyes shimmered with quiet joy as she gazed at the busy man before her, a gentle smile on her face.

“Congratulations, Hermes.”

“The Star-Crowned Court—the land blessed by the stars—I am delighted to witness the beautiful world Itachi have forged.”

Himeko’s voice carried unhidden joy.

Though this man, on his path, had grown ever farther, ever deeper, becoming ever more perfect—seemingly unreachable…

Himeko could not help but feel a trace of loss.

To an ordinary person, even the courage to stand beside this man would be lacking.

Yet she still rejoiced inwardly at Hermes’ achievements.

She was Himeko, Navigator of the Stellar Express, a true Nameless Pioneer who had never lacked courage from the very beginning!

“Hehe, the other day, Muryōtō complained to me for hours, saying she hadn’t closed her eyes in days and wished she could split into a thousand or eight hundred clones to share the workload.”

Hermes set down what he held, gently drew Himeko to sit beside him, and told her of the amusing events of these days.

Hearing this, Himeko’s face softened with warmth.

Every time she was with Muryōtō Himeko, she felt something peculiar.

The two were like two branches diverging from the same great tree.

Whenever they met, there were endless strange and delightful stories—like sisters from different fathers, different mothers, different worlds.

“By the way, Himeko, keep this 【Key of Realm】 safe.”

The 【Key of Realm】 was the product of Hermes’ preliminary research on Yagumo Shii.

In the cosmos, many places, once entered, become nearly impossible to contact from outside.

For example…

Onphalos!

Perfect.

The 【Key of Realm】 is a product of Realm Power; to sever its connection, one must hack Hermes’ perception of it.

Otherwise…

Once the Stellar Express enters Onphalos, it will never escape again!

“The Eternal Land: Onphalos?”

Himeko, upon hearing this, quietly accepted the item, lost in thought.

She did not press for details; sometimes, a genius’s strategy, if probed too deeply, could backfire.

Yet as the two enjoyed rare leisure in the Star-Crowned Court, on the far side of the stars, a black cat was nearly driven mad…