Kaiser was someone that Sayaka Kirasaka considered herself quite familiar with.
Though unwilling to admit it, back at High God's Forest, aside from her beloved junior, the person she dealt with the most was likely this detestable, filthy man.
As the saying goes, the person who understands you best is not necessarily the one closest to you, but your enemy, your rival. Sayaka Kirasaka's understanding of Kaiser was arguably unmatched.
Thus, Sayaka Kirasaka knew very well just how strong this man in front of her was.
Due to his unique nature, he was not permitted to learn jutsu, nor was he allowed to study magic. As a result, he never once attended any classes related to spellcraft, didn't even have test scores in those subjects, making him undoubtedly the bottom of the class at High God's Forest in that regard.
Conversely, in close combat, martial arts, and hand-to-hand techniques, his abilities were exceptional.
In simulated battles meant to approximate real combat as closely as possible, everyone else could use martial arts, jutsu, magic—everything was allowed. In theory, they should all be stronger than someone who could not use jutsu or magic. Yet this filthy man, even without those arts, relied solely on his hand-to-hand combat skills to consistently rank among the top five in practical results—sometimes even reaching the top three, or competing for second or first place. This alone proved how formidable he was in physical combat.
Precisely because of this, when the Lion King Agency decided to custom-make a divine armament for him, they ultimately chose to base it on the sword form of the Type VI Heavy Demon-Slaying Bow, because the sword form's abilities were extremely well-suited for Kaiser.
This sword, engraved with an artificial space-severing formula, not only possessed a blade that could sever spatial connections—granting it terrifying sharpness—but could also create a blockade effect once those connections were severed, forming an absolute defensive barrier that nullified physical attacks. For someone like Kaiser, who excelled in close combat but lacked jutsu and magical protection, it was undeniably the perfect match.
Sayaka Kirasaka had expected that Kaiser would become much stronger after obtaining the Type 100 Heavy Demon-Slaying Blade.
But what she didn't expect was that the opponent didn't even display the full extent of the Type 100 Heavy Demon-Slaying Blade, nor had he shown the power of Silver Radiant Qilin, yet he still subdued her effortlessly.
Though she hadn't used jutsu or magic either, wasn't the gap in strength just too vast?
She'd only graduated a year ago, and this guy had already become this strong?
"L-Let me go!"
Sayaka Kirasaka's pretty face turned red—whether from anger or embarrassment was unclear—as she struggled and cried out.
However, she had completely forgotten that the reason she couldn't move was because her clothes had been pinned to the ground.
When she struggled forcefully, the poor-quality outfit she wore immediately endured pressure it wasn't designed for.
Then—
"Riiip!"
As expected, a tearing sound rang out.
Sayaka Kirasaka froze in place, unmoving.
Looking down at her from above, Kaiser raised an eyebrow. Seeing the sudden exposure of a large area of her fair skin, he couldn't help but whistle.
"I know you've got a great figure, but there's no need to show it off to the man you hate the most, right?" Kaiser said, as if pouring oil on the fire. "If anything, I'd rather see Yukina's instead."
See Yukina's…
Yukina's…
'…s…
That sentence echoed in Sayaka Kirasaka's mind.
"Go to hell!"
With tears in her eyes, the dancing shrine maiden exploded once more. Her ripped clothes fluttered in the wind like a tattered flag as she raised her hand and scattered a large number of spell talismans.
"Roar!"
"Roar!"
The talismans lit up and twisted midair, transforming into ferocious beasts that pounced toward Kaiser.
But Kaiser, as if he had anticipated it all, suddenly released countless flashes of silver light from around him.
They were silver throwing knives.
Like intersecting flashes of light weaving through space, the silver blades flew back and forth, piercing through the beasts.
"Shlick!" "Shlick!" "Shlick!"...
The blades repeatedly pierced the beasts' bodies, reverting them back into talismans, which shattered on the spot.
At that moment, Sayaka Kirasaka stepped silently, ghost-like, instantly closing the distance to Kaiser.
"Star Filler / Age Break!"
A surge of dense spiritual power gathered in Sayaka Kirasaka's palm, which she then thrust toward Kaiser's chest.
"Eight Generals Divine Technique!"
Kaiser immediately recognized the technique.
It was the Lion King Agency's silent assassination art, one of the close-combat skills exclusive to dancing shrine maidens.
It used jutsu to enhance physical strength and attack power. If struck by this move, even a strong beastman would be killed instantly.
In other words, a human body couldn't possibly endure this attack.
This brainless fetishist woman actually went for a killing move. It seemed she needed to be taught a lesson.
"Bakudō #9: Disintegrating Circle."
At the last critical moment, Kaiser extended his hand and released yellow, rope-like reishi from his fingertips.
The rope-like reishi shot out like a serpent, instantly wrapping around Sayaka Kirasaka before her palm strike could land, tightly binding her.
"W-What is this…?!"
Sayaka Kirasaka froze in shock.
Kaiser appeared at her side, reached out, and touched her waist.
"Hadō #11: Bound Lightning!"
Dazzling lightning burst from Kaiser's palm.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhh...!"
Accompanied by Sayaka Kirasaka's scream, electricity wildly surged over her body.
The lightning, transmitted at point-blank range, left her scorched inside and out.
"You… Since when… could you use… jutsu…?"
Filled with confusion, Sayaka Kirasaka collapsed to the ground, losing consciousness.
"Did you think I'm still the same as before?"
Kaiser finally retracted his palm, speaking as if to vent.
Unfortunately, Sayaka Kirasaka could no longer hear this sentence.
"Take a good moment to reflect here, fetishist woman."
Kaiser commanded the bird that had become his familiar to fetch a rope from somewhere. He then tied up the disheveled Sayaka Kirasaka to the water tower ladder nearby—in a five-point bind no less.
Originally, the body of a war dancer was extremely dangerous and must not be touched casually to avoid curses. But with Kaiser's magical resistance so strong it could repel even True Ancestor-class familiars, he could completely ignore that concern.
In other words, if he wanted to, he could pose Sayaka Kirasaka in all sorts of ways and thoroughly train her.
But it was nearly time for class, and the first period was taught by Natsuki Minamiya. If he was late, that old loli would definitely seize the chance to hassle him.
"I'll let it go this time. But next time…"
Kaiser looked at Sayaka Kirasaka, who hung her head and was tied up messily, and muttered a warning that no one else would hear.
Just as he was about to leave, he noticed a letter had fallen from her body.
"This is…?"
Kaiser was slightly startled and picked up the letter.
It was encased in a luxurious envelope of gold foil, sealed with silver wax.
Kaiser noticed the wax seal's imprint.
It was an emblem carved in the image of a snake and sword—elegant in design, yet disturbingly eerie.
Upon seeing the seal, Kaiser understood.
"This fetishist woman probably came to deliver a letter. Attacking me was just incidental."
Remembering Natsuki Minamiya's warning from yesterday, Kaiser sighed.
"That was fast, though."
Thinking it over, Kaiser still decided to take the letter.
After all, unless he missed his guess, this letter was likely addressed to Nagisa Akatsuki.
If he didn't take it, Sayaka Kirasaka might seek out Nagisa directly after waking up.
"You're just a surveillance agent. Why are you delivering letters for others?"
Kaiser grumbled as he smacked Sayaka Kirasaka's head, prompting a sleepy mumble from the unconscious shrine maiden.
Annoyed, Kaiser summoned a few cats that had followed him to Saikai Academy.
"Go catch some rats."
...
"Mmm…"
On the deserted rooftop, after who knows how long, a dreamy groan finally rang out.
"Where… am I…?"
Sayaka Kirasaka finally stirred and opened her eyes.
Her whole body still tingled, and her limbs were weak.
She also felt an obvious sense of restraint—her entire torso was tied up, not just her hands and feet.
As her awareness returned, Sayaka Kirasaka spent a few moments in a daze before recalling what happened before she passed out.
"That filthy man! I'll never forgive him!"
Sayaka Kirasaka's emotions spiraled, and she let out a loud yell.
But her cry drew reactions from the small animals around her.
"Squeak squeak…"
"Squeak squeak squeak…"
Hearing these noises, Sayaka Kirasaka's expression froze, and an ominous feeling welled up in her heart.
"No way…"
She guessed where the noises came from, but didn't want to believe it.
Yet, when she felt a furry sensation at her feet, her face instantly went pale.
Tears welled up in her eyes, and her neck stiffened.
Trying to deny reality, Sayaka Kirasaka eventually forced herself to lower her head and look at her feet.
In the next second, the sight of several black rats crawling around her feet entered her vision.
Sayaka Kirasaka's mental state shattered. Tears burst from her eyes uncontrollably.
"Noooooooooooooooo…!"
Not long after, the sound of a girl's wretched scream echoed across the empty rooftop.
At that moment, a bird perched on the rooftop's edge finally flew away, seemingly satisfied, leaving behind the broken girl still screaming—a scream that echoed for a long, long time…
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