Chapter 6 - The Committee's Move
One week ago.
After returning Hikigaya Hachiman from Chiba Village to Chiba City, Seishuin Ena went back to a shrine located in a nearby area.
Although she was the future head of the Seishuin family, currently her identity was one of the Hime-miko of the History Compilation Committee in Musashino, that is, in the Kanto region.
In the entire magical society, beings like her were extremely rare.
In Europe, women like her were called witches, while in this country, they bore the title of Hime-miko.
Unlike ordinary shrine maidens, they were descendants of the Divine Ancestor. And the Divine Ancestor whose bloodline remained in Japan was still alive upon this land, and like the revered "Elder Lord" Susanoo-no-Mikoto, he was one of the great beings currently enshrined by the History Compilation Committee.
Seishuin Ena was the shrine maiden of the finest divine sword of this era — the heavenly blade Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi.
Her exceptional aptitude, combined with her status as the future head of the Seishuin family, made her an extraordinarily special existence even among the Hime-miko.
But even for a Hime-miko, being involved in two incidents of rogue gods descending was exhausting.
As the shrine maiden of the divine sword, even when resting, the sword never left her sight.
Just like now — while she was resting in her room, the sword sat quietly at her feet.
A sip of hot tea down her throat helped her body relax significantly.
And then, without meaning to, the image of that boy appeared again in her mind.
Campione, the God-Slayer — the term is Italian. It was first used by the Italian magician Alberto Licaro in his 19th-century book Demon King. He defined Campione as a king, a tyrant, a demon lord — one who slaughters gods from the heavens, seizes their supreme power originally held by the divine, and uses it to rule all beings on earth. A power no one could resist.
His claim was widely accepted across the global magical society.
In the early 20th century, Cardinal Antonio Teves, in a letter to the Papal Office, referred to Campione as the king admired by all magi who dabbled in demonic knowledge behind God's back. He also adopted the term Campione, similarly asserting that humans had no means to oppose such an existence.
In Japan, names more in tune with native traditions were used, such as the manifestation of the raging Oni-gami or the taboo incarnate Rasetsu King. For short, just "Rasetsu King" was sufficient.
Now, someone had slain a god and become the King of Kings upon this land — Japan had given birth to the seventh Campione in this era.
Unlike those who doubted it, Ena had directly witnessed it herself. She had already conveyed this to the Committee, and after the incident at Chiba Village, surely no one doubted anymore.
This was a being that all people in the world would fear. To achieve the feat of slaying a god — such a miracle could never be explained by "talent," "intelligence," or even just "strength." If it could be explained, it wouldn't be called a miracle.
It was said that European magicians trembled at the mere mention of such kings' names and would chant sacred prayers.
Now, such a person had appeared in Japan — whether this was good or bad for the country remained unknown.
But Seishuin Ena felt that Hikigaya Hachiman, whom she knew, was not a brutal king. However, he certainly wasn't the conventional sense of a "good man" either.
Because Hikigaya Hachiman was a Yomi warrior. You couldn't expect a Yomi warrior to be too kind.
No magical organization would ignore the existence of "Yomi" — the group he belonged to. It gathered and rallied the world's top martial artists, all united under the extreme philosophy of "changing the world through martial arts." To magicians, they were a very dangerous group.
Her recollection of Hikigaya Hachiman didn't last long — Ena soon sensed someone approaching.
Ena had long refined her powers and martial skills in the remote mountains far from urban centers. As a shrine maiden, she could hear the voices of gods. As a swordswoman, she had exceptional dynamic vision and hearing — just from the sound of footsteps, she could identify who was coming.
Someone who could approach this deeply without being stopped by the shrine's people could only be from the History Compilation Committee. But Ena had received no notice of a visit — meaning they weren't from her Seishuin faction.
She stood up, picked up her divine sword, and opened the door.
"Lady Ena, long time no see."
The visitors all bowed respectfully. About ten of them, all dressed in ordinary business suits, looking like average office workers.
The one speaking was a young man in his twenties.
Ena knew this man. He was a subordinate of the Sayanomiya family.
This man often carried out activities in Kanto for the Sayanomiya, barely qualifying as a ninja. His name was Amakasu Touma.
"Do you have business with me? I was hoping to rest."
Ena said bluntly.
This man was, in many senses, the type described in novels or movies as someone who did "dirty work."
Ena inherently disliked such things. Although she had no personal grudge against him, she couldn't bring herself to enjoy interacting with people like him.
"Lady Ena, it seems you have quite the bias against me." Amakasu gave a bitter smile.
But such a man couldn't be judged by facial expressions alone.
"Actually, I heard some things from Lady Kaoru. If you intend to proceed as you are, I have received orders to fully cooperate."
"Oh."
Ena sneered.
Though the Four Great Families had jointly established the History Compilation Committee, their relationships were quite distinct.
Much like allied warlords of ancient times.
It wasn't quite that terrible, but it was true that each had its own intentions.
Ena had also received her family's instructions. And personally, if it came down to it, she'd rather have "our people" involved than outsiders. After all, Hikigaya Hachiman was a king of Japan — if foreign magicians got close to him, it would inevitably escalate into a national-level conflict.
Ena had no interest in political complications, but if she were to believe the Four Families would cooperate harmoniously on this matter, she'd have to be a fool.
"I appreciate the gesture, but I don't need your help. Why don't you just state your real purpose?"
She rejected him flatly.
"Well then, it's like this—" realizing the girl before him didn't trust him at all, Amakasu put on a serious face.
Sure enough, that previous attitude had been completely fake.
"Lady Kaoru feels that leaving this entirely to you is too much of a burden. So, she wants to increase the number of lovers."
The "Lady Kaoru" he mentioned — Ena knew her well.
Sayanomiya Kaoru, head of the Tokyo branch of the History Compilation Committee, a key figure in the Kanto Committee, and like Ena, a future leader of her family — in other words, Ena's rival.
The heirs of the Four Great Families were also the candidates to become the next commander-in-chief of the Committee.
Though Ena herself had little interest in this competition, she would inevitably be drawn into it.
"In that case, wouldn't it have been better for Kaoru to tell me herself?"
Ena said, then turned her beautiful face toward a spot behind the group.
A breeze blew, and a beautiful, feminine-looking youth appeared in that spot.
In reality, this was a girl who enjoyed cross-dressing as a boy.
Sayanomiya Kaoru had a taste for dressing as a man. Her elegant face and appropriately developed body — while not as explosive as Ena's — suited her age. But to those used to her male attire, seeing her in female clothing felt more out of place.
It was said this girl had quite a few female lovers. While others might suspect, Ena knew it for a fact — their mutual understanding ran deep.
"As expected of Ena — I couldn't hide from you."
Kaoru showed a cheerful smile. Facing her always gave Ena the feeling of dealing with both a man and a woman simultaneously.
"So the rumors are true — not only is this on the Seishuin head's orders, but even the Elder Lord has approved?"
The cross-dressing girl showed a troubled expression.
"At this point, having finally convinced Mariya, it's hard to imagine saying something like 'never mind, thanks for your trouble' to such a serious girl..."
"I don't know what my grandfather thinks, but if you treat Mariya like that, I won't forgive you," Ena glared.
What a headache. She hadn't expected this to involve Mariya.
Ena was sure this must have been very difficult for Mariya, who had gone through some things in the past. She could imagine the immense effort her friend must have made to agree to something like this.
It made her angry.
"Even if you say that, I won't mind. Because I really like you, Ena." Sayanomiya Kaoru smiled happily. "Even though there are many lover candidates, since he's a man who has slain a god, choosing a Hime-miko is inevitable. You understand, don't you?"
"Oh? So that includes you, Lady Kaoru?" Ena replied sarcastically, still angry.
Sayanomiya Kaoru was also a Hime-miko.
Putting this woman in feminine clothing to serve Hikigaya Hachiman might not be a bad idea.
Though her father would surely think it was terrible. Although she was a Hime-miko, her strength lay not in power but in intelligence. She was considered the most likely among the Four Families' heirs to become commander-in-chief. If she appeared at the Japanese king's side, her father — obsessed with family ambitions — would definitely see it as a serious disadvantage to the Seishuin.
"If the king is interested in me, then it can't be helped," Kaoru replied, unfazed by the sarcasm. "But I don't think he'll be. That's why we chose the equally outstanding Mariya instead."
This meeting ultimately ended on a sour note — at least that's how Ena felt.
This was the last time Seishuin Ena and Sayanomiya Kaoru met before they saw Hikigaya Hachiman again.
Afterward, through the Seishuin family's arrangements, Ena gained a new residence and identity in Chiba City.
However, when she stepped through the gates of Sobu High with anxious and uncertain feelings, she was shocked to hear that Hikigaya Hachiman had "made a move" on Yukinoshita Haruno in public.
Ena knew that person well. Though a subordinate, she affectionately called her "Haruno-neesan." A stunning beauty and highly social. Ena had even mentioned Hikigaya Hachiman to the Yukinoshita family head before, but never expected that to happen.
Maybe that was the real reason Sayanomiya Kaoru proposed increasing the number of lovers. Until now, all the kings had shown little interest in the opposite sex, but clearly Hachiman was "normal" in that regard. In fact, maybe too normal!
With that in mind, her actions were not just due to orders from her family head or grandfather — it was also for the sake of her friend.
She absolutely had to drive away all unrelated women. Otherwise, Mariya would be far too pitiful.
This was exactly what Seishuin Ena was thinking before she met Hikigaya Hachiman again.