In the following two days, the abnormal situation in Nikko City continued to expand and had already begun affecting the surrounding cities.
The History Compilation Committee dispatched numerous mages and professionals into the area, intending to uncover the root cause of the abnormal situation. However, as they approached Mount Nikko, they were forced to retreat due to being unable to withstand the increasingly powerful magical power. Some withdrew from Mount Nikko, while others, like the ordinary residents, turned into monkeys. They couldn't even enter the precincts of Tōshō-gū.
As the mage family protecting the Western Heaven Palace, the Kuhoutsuka family was suspected of dereliction of duty in this incident, but the History Compilation Committee could no longer hold them accountable.
Because everyone from the Kuhoutsuka family who remained in the Western Heaven Palace perished. They were among the first to be turned into monkeys, including the next head of the Kuhoutsuka family.
To prevent the situation from worsening, the History Compilation Committee began organizing the evacuation of residents from cities surrounding Nikko City, while also dispatching personnel to establish a barrier around the city to block the magical power that was turning people into monkeys.
Thanks to this, the situation was temporarily under control. However, as a tourist destination, Nikko City had to be temporarily sealed off, with ordinary people forbidden from entering or leaving. If the root cause was not resolved, this was merely treating the symptoms and not the cause.
Several Hime-Miko of the History Compilation Committee had observed the magical power on Mount Nikko steadily growing stronger.
At this point, anyone not entirely dull would understand one thing.
"The Heretic Monkey Deity that broke the seal is accumulating power and gradually becoming more and more powerful."
Once the opponent's power had been fully gathered, then, when the Heretic Sun Wukong formally emerged, the situation would not be as simple as merely turning people into monkeys.
This matter was no longer just growing within the jutsu world of Japan—it was gradually being picked up by major powers all over the world.
"A Heretic God appeared again in that far eastern island nation?"
"Why is it always there?"
"Isn't that the domain of the King of Sacred Treasures?"
"To be accurate, that place isn't the King of Sacred Treasures' territory yet. The King of Sacred Treasures hasn't subjugated that country. The country's magical society… is it called the History Compilation Committee? It doesn't seem to have submitted to that king either."
"But that king is currently in that far eastern island nation, isn't he?"
"Looks like that person is about to face a sixth god to challenge."
"He's only been king for less than a month…"
Some sighed, some were amazed, some watched for entertainment, and some found it unbelievable…
In short, that far eastern island nation once again became the focus of global attention, with many forces casting their attention toward it.
Including the Campiones Kaiser had previously encountered—they were no exception.
"Brother, how did you run into another Heretic God? That's just too enviable, isn't it?"
In a remote small country searching for traces of deities, Salvatore Doni was filled with envy.
"Hmph, if I'd known, I'd have lingered there a bit longer."
Having returned to the Balkan Peninsula, Voban snorted coldly. He actually had a bit of an urge to imitate Doni's previous tactic of snatching prey from him.
"Looks like my junior has already succeeded in releasing the Monkey Deity… no, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven."
In front of a hermitage on Mount Lu, Luo Hao strolled out and looked toward the east, as if she could see the Western Heaven Palace atop Mount Nikko, and suddenly smiled.
"Congratulations, Master, congratulations! You've finally fulfilled your century-old wish!"
Lu Yinghua knelt in front of the hermitage with his head bowed, offering an extremely respectful congratulation.
"The Great Sage Equal to Heaven has broken free of the seal. Next, if Master takes action personally and slays him with your own hands, not only can you wash away the humiliation of many years, but also allow the world to further recognize Master's greatness. Truly…"
Before he could finish his sentence, Lu Yinghua was sent flying.
"Ying'er, how many times have I taught you? Flattery is the conduct of treacherous ministers, especially now, when we're at the brink of battle." Luo Hao scolded like a master reprimanding her unworthy disciple. "Moreover, I am the emperor, overlord, and general who surpasses all ages and lands, inherently deserving of reverence no ruler can compare to. Why would I need to prove anything to others?"
"It was this disciple's mistake." Lu Yinghua quickly recovered from his upside-down position in the tree and knelt again with lightning speed, respectfully saying, "The Holy Leader of our Five Prisons Holy Sect can slay thousands of soldiers with a wave of her fists, fell tens of thousands of beasts with a sweep of her weapons. The world knows that the Martial Hero King of our China is the pinnacle of martial arts—indeed, there is no need to prove anything further."
However, just as this sentence ended, Lu Yinghua was sent flying again.
"Ying'er, even if what you say is fact, that's no excuse for laziness." Luo Hao rebuked again, "Even if the King does not need to, a minister must not remain unmoved. If your Master chooses not to prove herself, does that mean, as her disciple, you won't spread the greatness and nobility of Luo Cuilian to the world?"
"I may choose not to act, but you must. This is not only your duty as a disciple, but also as a minister!"
"Your resolve is still too weak, Ying'er. Looks like I've spoiled you too much lately. Once the Great Sage is slain by my junior's hand, I shall personally retrain you—may you recover your original heart!"
Hearing this, Lu Yinghua, once again hanging from the tree, although already used to his master's unreasonable ways, still felt an urge to cry.
It's just too hard for me!
...
With such a major incident happening in Nikko City, of course it couldn't be concealed from the general public.
Ordinary citizens didn't know exactly what was happening in Nikko City, but as a well-known tourist destination, it had now been completely sealed off, with no entry or exit allowed. Naturally, this caused widespread uproar across the entire nation and even worldwide.
Especially those who had acquaintances in Nikko City, or who originally lived there and narrowly escaped by being away—they could no longer sit still.
Some couldn't return home, some couldn't reach their loved ones no matter how hard they tried. This led to official report hotlines, inquiry calls, and even police emergency lines being flooded, causing great unrest.
Naturally, the Shichio Shrine in Tokyo, which was also in the Kanto Region like Nikko City, was among the first to learn of the incident.
"This is a sign of a Heretic God's descent!"
Dressed in a maid outfit, Liliana held a mop in one hand and a water bucket in the other, watching the morning news on TV and stating with utmost conviction.
"An entire key city suddenly sealed off without any reason, with all internal residents completely unreachable—based on past experiences, it can only be due to the appearance of a Heretic God. That's the only reason this country's authorities would handle the situation like this!"
As a native European from the birthplace of magic, Liliana, though rarely having faced deities directly like Erica, still had the full backing of the Bronze Black Cross and was well-versed in the signs and response protocols for the descent of Heretic Gods.
Thus, the moment she saw the morning news report, Liliana immediately made such a judgment.
"You're sharp."
Kaiser lay on the sofa in the living room, casually playing on his phone as he responded to Liliana absentmindedly.
Only Kaiser and Liliana were in the living room. There was no third person.
Seishuin Ena was still training deep in the mountains and hadn't returned.
Mariya Yuri had just received a sudden phone call and left.
In such a situation, Kaiser acted like nothing concerned him, lying on the sofa playing on his phone as if it were none of his business.
"Your Majesty, this is the descent of a Heretic God. Don't you intend to…?"
Liliana looked at Kaiser with some confusion.
She thought he would jump to action the moment he heard those words.
No Campione could resist the appearance of a Heretic God, especially not when it was right nearby.
This newly crowned king had only recently ascended yet had already slain five gods, a belligerent individual who once traveled all the way to Sardinia to slay a deity—why was he so calm this time?
Could it be… he had a cold?
Could Campiones even catch colds?
As Liliana wondered, Kaiser's voice reached her ears.
"Just looking at you, I can tell you're imagining things again. Got some new inspiration?" Kaiser said without even turning his head. "Instead of turning it into a novel, why not read it to me first?"
"H-How could I read it out loud?! That'd be way too embarrassing!" Liliana instinctively retorted, then realized and quickly added, "No! I wasn't thinking up any storylines, and I wasn't daydreaming!"
"It's fine if you were, relax." Kaiser kept his eyes on the phone and lazily replied, "Writing novels isn't some shameful thing. Even if you're writing smut, there'll still be a crowd begging you to send them a few chapters for 'research.'"
"Even if it's not the main story, it can always be a side story, right?"
"If you've got the writing talent, show it to me. Maybe I'll even vote for you and send some donations."
Kaiser said it casually, not seriously conversing with Liliana.
He was playing a game he'd never seen before, seemingly unique to this world.
He had no idea who the developer was, but the game's setting actually referenced deviant gods and humans slaying gods to save the world—such dissonance was almost comical.
The player was a savior who embarked on a god-slaying journey to save humanity, originally the king of a small nation.
To slay gods, the player had to collect various items from around the world—holy swords capable of slaying gods, ancient tomes of wisdom, and all sorts of other items…
During story events, the player would often go overboard and destroy buildings, leading the world to misunderstand them and call them a "Demon Lord"…
At first, Kaiser just felt like there was a massive complaint lodged in his throat, unable to vent it out.
But as he kept playing, he actually got into it, making him wonder if he had some kind of illness.
Still, he played on enthusiastically, so much so that he didn't even notice how his casual remarks nearly broke Liliana mentally.
"I-I would never write such indecent things!" Liliana shouted at first, then her voice lowered, and she murmured weakly, "Really, I wouldn't? It's just sometimes… my hand can't help itself and follows my emotions while writing, and before I know it, it gets out of hand…"
"It really was an accident, okay? I totally didn't mean to write it that way!"
You're totally exposed, girl.
Just as Kaiser was about to say that, Mariya Yuri returned to the living room.
"Your Majesty," the girl held her phone in hand and looked at Kaiser lying on the sofa with a face full of worry. "Do you have time right now?"
"What is it?" Kaiser still didn't turn around, replying casually, "Are you asking me out on a date?"
"Of course not!" Mariya Yuri's worried look instantly turned to embarrassment and irritation. "It's Kaoru… Director Sayanomiya of the History Compilation Committee wants to meet with you!"
At her words, before Kaiser could respond, Liliana immediately spoke up as if trying to change the subject and pretend nothing had happened.
"The History Compilation Committee? This country's magical society?"
Liliana's expression turned solemn, her knightly demeanor impressive… if only she were holding a sword and shield instead of a mop and bucket.
"They know to seek help from a Campione. That proves this country's magical society isn't too foolish."
Clearly, combining this with the earlier events, Liliana had already guessed their intention.
"Sayanomiya Kaoru, huh?" Only then did Kaiser move his gaze from the phone screen to Mariya Yuri. "Where is she?"
"In the front hall," Mariya Yuri's expression turned worried again as she said hesitantly, "Your Majesty, it seems there's a Heretic God descending in Nikko City of Tochigi Prefecture."
"I heard many people have already suffered… Would you please go take a look?"
This shrine maiden was still as kind-hearted as ever.
And precisely because of this, Kaiser didn't want her to know what he had done two days ago—and how this entire situation had been triggered by him. Otherwise, she'd nag him to death.
Kaiser put away his phone, sat up, and smiled at Mariya Yuri.
"She sent you to persuade me?"
Mariya Yuri immediately shook her head.
"N-No, I wanted to ask you myself."
Kaiser gave no clear response to that.
"Then let's go hear what this future head of the History Compilation Committee wants to say to me."
With that, Kaiser stood up and walked outside.
Mariya Yuri quickly followed.
Liliana instinctively wanted to follow too, but then hesitated.
She was just a maid right now, not a knight, and not even a citizen of this country—did she have the right to listen in?
After hesitating for a while, Liliana eventually took a step forward.
Even if she wasn't from this country, she was still a knight.
The world was in peril. As a knight, how could she sit idly by?
Thus, Liliana followed the two.
Soon, the three of them arrived at the front hall of Shichio Shrine, where they met Sayanomiya Kaoru.