In the world of Little Garden, East Side, at the four-digit outer gate, within the "Thousand Eyes" commercial community.
When Shiroyasha—Celestial Spirit of the Sun and the White Night, Floor Master of the East Side, and one of the Three Great Problem Children of Little Garden—realized she had been inexplicably added to some "chat group," her first reaction wasn't surprise, as a normal person's might be, but rather amusement.
"What kind of Gift could possibly affect me?"
Even though she had voluntarily sealed her Geocentric Model Spiritual Rank, demoting herself from the Two-Digit Full Authority Domain to the Three-Digits, and then accepted the divine status of a Yaksha from the Buddhist Sects, further lowering her Spiritual Rank to the Four-Digits where she was merely in the same star-destroying tier as common Asuras, gods, and buddhas...
There were still vast differences between Four-Digit beings.
As the holder of fourteen Solar Sovereignties, she was a top-tier combatant even among the Four-Digits and wouldn't necessarily be at a disadvantage against an average Three-Digit entity.
And yet, with her level of power, just sitting quietly inside the Thousand Eyes shop, she had still been affected by some unknown Gift.
This was a power that surpassed the boundaries of ordinary Asuras, gods, and buddhas.
"Let's see just who's behind this... Could it be that Queen playing a prank?"
A few suspects crossed her mind, but the Solar Spirit, having made her fair share of enemies, couldn't be certain who was responsible. She decided to observe first.
And then, she saw the message Su Mo had sent.
Creating a Celestial Spirit?
The moment she read such an absurd statement, she almost subconsciously ruled out the possibility of it being her rival, the Halloween Queen.
Because, as a fellow Solar Spirit, even if the Queen wanted to mess with her, she would never say something so utterly foolish.
Having confirmed that, Shiroyasha almost instantly went on the offensive.
Shiroyasha: "Creating a Celestial Spirit? What kind of charlatan is this, trying to pull a fast one on me? You got a death wish or something?"
With that one message, the previously lively chat group fell completely silent, like a haunted ghost town.
Several dozen seconds passed before anyone realized what had happened.
Madoka: "A n-new member?"
Kanae: "I didn't expect a new member to join at a time like this, but... to say something like that right after joining..."
Kanae: "I can understand your feelings. Encountering something beyond your comprehension for the first time can be startling, but before you understand the facts, could you please not make such slanderous judgments?"
Kanae: "@Shiroyasha."
In the world of Demon Slayer, Kanae suppressed her frustration and typed out the gentlest reminder she could manage.
If she didn't know from experience that the existence of the chat group wasn't something everyone could accept immediately, she and the others would have already started flaming the newcomer.
Although she didn't fully understand Su Mo's words either, she had personally witnessed his accomplishments and the miracles he had performed.
To call a being who went from Tier 0 to Tier 6 in a single month a "charlatan"?
Do you even have the right to make such a judgment?
Kanae's wording was tactful, and her tone was as gentle as ever.
Jibril and Erica, however, were not so good-tempered.
Erica: "Plenty of people can't believe the Master's wisdom at first, but you're the only one who's dared to be so insolent!"
Jibril: "Newbie, can you send an invite? I'd love to have a little 'chat' with you!"
Erica confronted her directly, while Jibril was already preparing for an offline one-shot kill.
No matter how impressive the newcomer's tone sounded, it was no excuse to speak to her master that way.
Rin Tohsaka: "Just this once, I support Jibril. While it's normal for a newcomer to be confused, questioning Lord Su Mo so quickly is far too reckless."
The twintailed girl also showed her displeasure.
She hadn't completely trusted Su Mo at first either, but she was a coward! She had never questioned him like this; in fact, she'd actively tried to get on his good side!
She knew Su Mo wouldn't actually let Jibril attack. A little scare would be enough for someone who was merely confused for a moment. It wasn't a crime punishable by death.
From the perspective of long-time members, they were already being remarkably polite.
If she weren't a group member, they wouldn't have even bothered to reply.
But to the new member, Shiroyasha, it felt like she was being completely ostracized.
She had spoken a single truth, and now she was being ganged up on like this?
"Damn it! This is infuriating!" the silver-haired loli yelled, clenching her fists.
If she were a cold and detached person, she would just let them attack her, leave the group, and forget about it. After all, it was none of her business if these people were being scammed.
But as it happened, this particular Celestial Spirit had a kind heart. Even though the others were attacking her, in her eyes, they were only doing it because they had been brainwashed by Su Mo.
Just as a sane person wouldn't take the words of a pyramid scheme victim seriously, she saw this chat group as a cult's den.
So, after a furious roar, she decided to catch the ringleader to catch the whole gang, going directly after Su Mo.
Shiroyasha: "@Su Mo."
Shiroyasha: "I don't know how you've deceived the others, and I don't know if you have a pantheon backing you, but running into me is just your bad luck."
Shiroyasha: "If you know what's good for you, confess now. Admit that there's no such thing as creating a Celestial Spirit and that you're a fraud. Otherwise, I swear on the name of the Twin Goddesses, if I ever find you, the consequences won't be so simple."
As a former "Final Trial of Humanity," Shiroyasha spoke with great confidence.
No matter what kind of power her opponent had behind them, once she exposed this lie, they would be in deep trouble.
In her mind, her threat was simple and effective.
If nothing else, just seeing her name should have been enough to prove the truth of her words.
However, to the other members of the group, her threat was like pouring gasoline on a fire.
Jibril: "I've rarely seen someone so arrogant. I'd love to add her head to my collection!"
Erica: "It seems her world has a similar power, which is why she hasn't realized the problem and is still misunderstanding things?"
Kanae: "Oh, right! She mentioned pantheons and knows about Celestial Spirits. She must be someone important!"
Madoka: "So... who are the Twin Goddesses? Are they strong?"
Rin Tohsaka: "Hold on... I'll look it up!"
Rin Tohsaka: "A Tier 5 powerhouse. She's definitely got some skills."
Rin Tohsaka: "However, in my opinion, she's still not as good as the bird... I mean, the person clinging to Lord Su Mo."
Jibril: "?"
Rin Tohsaka: "Ahem! I meant the lovely Flügel big sister!"
The twintailed girl was nothing if not adaptable, quickly correcting herself.
At least in her eyes, Shiroyasha and Jibril were on the same level.
Hearing the group's discussion, Shiroyasha was a little stunned.
Shiroyasha: "You don't know the Twin Goddesses? And you don't know me?"
Shiroyasha: "That can't be right. My popularity should have skyrocketed since I became a Floor Master. And what's this 'Tier 5' setting? Is a 'Flügel' a new type of Phantasmal Beast?"
Finally sensing that something was off, she listened as Kanae and the others explained the chat group's premise.
Shiroyasha: "So, this is a chat group that connects infinite parallel universes?"
Shiroyasha: "Halloween Queen, come on out! Still trying to say this isn't your doing?!"
Having cleared up one misunderstanding, she promptly fell into another.
In her understanding, there were only two existences capable of interfering with the "three-dimensional parallel intersecting universes": the Central Hub of Little Garden, and the Halloween Queen.
With her mastery over gold and boundaries, the Queen certainly possessed the power to communicate with parallel universes.
However...
Rin Tohsaka: "Halloween Queen? What a strange name. Who's that?"
Shiroyasha: "?!"
Shiroyasha: "Are you okay, @Rin Tohsaka?"
Rin Tohsaka: "Of course I'm okay. Why wouldn't I be? Are you trying to make me die of laughter?" the twintailed girl replied strangely.
Shiroyasha: "With that fickle woman's personality, she'd never allow someone to speak so disrespectfully. It seems you really have nothing to do with the Queen... So, the worlds you all live in are actually outside of Little Garden?"
Kanae: "Thank goodness, you finally understand the situation!"
Kanae breathed a sigh of relief.
This incident made her realize that powerful figures like Shiroyasha actually had a harder time grasping the chat group's existence than rookies like herself.
For people from ordinary worlds like them, once the amount of information in the chat group exceeded a certain threshold, they could easily recognize it as a miracle beyond their comprehension. After all, even with Blood Demon Arts or illusions, those uneducated creatures could never fabricate so much genuine knowledge and information.
Conversely, for a powerful being, there were far too many possible explanations for the chat group's existence. March 7th hadn't even batted an eye when she heard about world-traveling, and Shiroyasha wasn't fazed by the mention of parallel universes.
If a Tier 7 or Tier 8 being were to join, they would probably think it was all perfectly normal.
With that thought, Kanae came back to her senses and continued.
Kanae: "Now that you understand, remember to apologize to Lord Su Mo!"
Kanae: "Even if you were confused, slandering people is not okay!"
Madoka: "+1!"
You mess up, you fess up. That was basic social etiquette.
Just then, however, Jibril voiced her dissatisfaction.
Jibril: "If apologies were enough, why would the Master keep me around? A crime like this should at least warrant seppuku, right?"
As Su Mo's die-hard loyalist, her disregard for life meant she didn't think a few dry words of apology could ever compensate for the offense.
Hearing this, the equally petty Rin Tohsaka nodded in agreement.
Rin Tohsaka: "Jibril has a point, but..."
Her tone shifted, and the twintailed girl couldn't help but roast her.
Rin Tohsaka: "If the newbie has to commit seppuku, shouldn't you be drawn and quartered, Jibril?"
Jibril: "?"
The Flügel girl slowly typed out a question mark.
Jibril: "I am completely loyal to the Master! Why should I be drawn and quartered?!"
Rin Tohsaka: "Did you forget what you did when you first joined?"
March 7th: "?! Ooh! I sense some tea! What happened before I joined? I'm so curious!"
Rin Tohsaka: "The newbie was just mistaken. You, on the other hand, declared that you were going to challenge Lord Su Mo and make him your property!"
At these words, March 7th's eyes sparkled, and the others remembered it as well.
Kanae: "Oh, right! Compared to just questioning him, wasn't Miss Jibril's direct challenge even worse?"
March 7th: "Seeing how obediently Miss Jibril always says 'Master, Master,' I never would have guessed she had such a domineering side!"
The pink-haired girl felt like she had gotten her fill of gossip.
Her dark past suddenly unearthed, Jibril was completely dumbfounded.
Jibril: "Wait! That doesn't count! I've turned over a new leaf now! Besides, didn't we agree not to bring that up again?!"
Jibril: "And besides, I have absolutely no memory of anything disadvantageous to the Master, so it never happened! That's right! It never happened!"
She may have had a dark past, but that was no problem. As long as she was stubborn enough, she could brazen it out.
Seeing her act like this, the others in the group shared a knowing smile.
Kanae: "Alright, alright, it never happened. But we shouldn't be too harsh on the newbie, okay?"
Not wanting to dredge up old history, they smoothly moved past the issue.
Jibril: "Hmph!"
The Flügel left a tsundere-like sound, which was taken as tacit agreement.
After all, everyone has their moments of ignorance.
Seeing this, Kanae's expression relaxed slightly.
Kanae: "@Shiroyasha, so you don't need to worry. Just apologize and it'll be fine. Everyone makes mistakes at the beginning!"
Just as she and everyone else in the group thought the matter was successfully resolved, that Jibril would no longer pursue it, and that the newbie was ready to accept reality...
The newcomer sent the following message.
Shiroyasha: "So, why should I apologize?"
Jibril: "?"
Erica: "?"
Kanae: "?"
Madoka: "?"
Everyone was shocked by the newcomer's attitude.
Meanwhile, she was still going.
Shiroyasha: "Even if I was mistaken at first, and this chat group connects all the myriad worlds, based on your previous descriptions of the 'Celestial Spirit' concept, I still stand by my original point."
Shiroyasha: "Celestial Spirits cannot be created. I will stand by that statement no matter who says otherwise."
Shiroyasha: "I'll stake the honor of the White Night King on this, and I'll say it again: anyone who claims they can create a Celestial Spirit is, without exception, a fraud!"
Shiroyasha: "The origin of Celestial Spirits has nothing to do with humanity, and humanity can absolutely never create a Celestial Spirit!"
Shiroyasha's words were firm and decisive.
Now that she understood that everyone else was from universes outside of Little Garden's connections, she immediately understood why they were being fooled on such a common-sense issue.
They didn't know about Little Garden, they had never seen a Celestial Spirit, and they certainly didn't know anything about the Celestial Spirits of her world. Of course they wouldn't realize they were being deceived by this man.
While gods could perhaps be created, it was an absolute impossibility for Celestial Spirits.
Even if the information he revealed was extremely similar to the concept of Earth's Celestial Spirit, the internal mechanisms had to be completely different.
On this point, she would bet her life.
Madoka: "Oh, um!"
Kanae: "...The newcomer is so stubborn, she's really hard to convince. I've done my best. 1.4"
Rin Tohsaka: "I guess we'll have to leave the professional theories to Lord Su Mo."
The girls shook their heads.
They weren't going to start doubting Su Mo just because of what the newcomer said.
Honestly, plenty of people had doubted Su Mo, but that never stopped him from creating one miracle after another.
Right now, although Shiroyasha's reasoning sounded forceful and logical, there had been countless people who had confidently declared something was impossible right before Su Mo performed a miracle. In the end, without exception, they were always the ones who were wrong.
The reason they weren't speaking up now was that they knew for a stubborn person like this, ordinary words would have no effect.
Only someone who could truly refute the belief she held so dear could make her see the truth.
And unfortunately, the only one in the group who could understand Su Mo's ideas was Su Mo himself.
No one else could take his place.
Rin Tohsaka: "If Lord Su Mo has no intention of enlightening the newcomer, I'll just send the invitation now. Once she sees your achievements in the future, she'll come around."
Convincing newcomers and educating the ignorant wasn't Su Mo's obligation, after all. The twintailed girl felt that leaving her be was fine.
Besides, at Su Mo's pace, it wouldn't take him long to actually create a Celestial Spirit.
At that time, all the slander would speak for itself.
However, it seemed Su Mo was in no hurry at the moment.
Su Mo: "It's fine. This is just a simple Q&A session."
With that, he directly addressed Shiroyasha's challenge.
Su Mo: "@Shiroyasha, this belief you hold that Celestial Spirits cannot be created... have you ever considered the possibility that it's because you don't actually understand Celestial Spirits?"
It was a light, simple question.
But the moment it was asked, it made the silver-haired loli see red.
Staring at Su Mo's message in the chat group, Shiroyasha's eyes widened. She looked back and forth at her own barren chest, and her voice began to tremble.
"He's saying... I don't understand Celestial Spirits?!"