Seeing the look in Kaguya's eyes, Yusei knew exactly what she was thinking and couldn't help but smile wryly.
"Do you remember Kiriko? The black swordsman. Although she's very skilled in the game, her real-world swordsmanship is still far behind. She also wants to achieve good results in this year's Kendo Tournament to get into a good university."
Yusei explained the whole story of how Kiriko had asked him for swordsmanship lessons. After hearing it, Kaguya finally understood and her face flushed slightly, whether from embarrassment or some other reason. But once she knew, she didn't press further.
"Alright then, I'm willing to teach her."
With that matter settled, Yusei breathed a sigh of relief. However, thinking about soon leaving his leisurely life behind for a world of conflict made him somewhat reluctant.
Who, aside from battle maniacs, actually wants to fight and kill?
With beautiful wives at home and a cute maid to attend to him, who wouldn't prefer to stay home and enjoy life every day?
But considering the distant future, Yusei gritted his teeth and resolved to continue.
Forget about power for a moment, just the issue of lifespan meant he had no choice but to strive.
A human life is only about a hundred years. Becoming a Campione might extend his lifespan, but the problem was he didn't have enough Authorities for all his loved ones.
Moreover, Campiones don't live forever, and they just have longer lifespans than ordinary humans.
'Perhaps after a thousand years, or even less, they would still die...'
Thinking of this, Yusei pulled Asuna and Kaguya close, embracing them both tightly, and gave each a firm kiss.
The two women let out embarrassed protests, blushing intensely. The feeling of being held by him together was strange, making them feel mortified and unable to look at each other.
Yusei released them, took Asuna's hand, and prepared to leave.
Before leaving, he still had to come up with a lie for his parents, otherwise, they'd be frantic searching for him all over the world.
Kaguya saw them off at the door, having Hayasaka drive Yusei and Asuna back.
Feeling the immense power within her body, Kaguya watched the receding car before turning back to the dojo.
The swordsmanship and archery blessings Yusei had bestowed were greatly beneficial. Not to mention the Authorities waiting to be explored, so she certainly wouldn't be idle.
After a moment's thought, a faint red light glimmered in Kaguya's eyes. As she waved her hand, a tall Death Knight riding a skeletal steed materialized.
The Death Knight, upon being summoned, immediately dismounted and knelt in obeisance, its voice raspy, "Your Majesty, what are your commands?"
Hearing the undead call her 'Your Majesty' again, Kaguya felt little. 'Your Majesty' sounded authoritative, and she neither disliked nor particularly liked it.
However, she was gradually acclimating to the identity of [Queen of the Dead].
Hearing the Death Knight's respectful greeting, Kaguya nodded faintly, "Pick up your sword. You will be my sparring partner."
"As you command."
…
Bamboo Forest of the Lost, Eientei.
Kanako had now been admitted inside, received by the rabbit Reisen.
After notifying Princess Kaguya, Princess Kaguya had instructed Reisen to bring the visitor in.
Princess Kaguya didn't actually know why this newly arrived god from the Age of Gods was visiting, but since the other party was a god from that era, she couldn't very well turn her away.
Moreover, during her long, boring hours online, Princess Kaguya was also interested in things other than online games.
Sitting in a room within the Eientei, Kanako looked around, feeling somewhat restless.
It sounded strange… a god feeling restless? But it was true. Because whether it was the chairs, tables, floor, or walls, they all exuded an indescribable aura.
Ordinary people wouldn't sense this anomaly, but Kanako was fairly capable among gods, so she perceived the strangeness of this place.
It was as if time operated without rules here.
More accurately, it seemed time moved in accordance with the will of this place's master, as if the one who dictated the flow of time here was none other than the master of the Eientei.
Encountering such a situation for the first time, Kanako was a bit bewildered.
Fortunately, Princess Kaguya didn't keep her waiting long.
Dressed in an elegant, ribbon-adorned gown of exquisite silk and satin, beautifully decorated with precious pearls, Princess Kaguya inherently possessed the Authority of [Beauty].
Now, paired with these luxurious garments, she appeared even more noble and breathtakingly beautiful.
Even Kanako, a god herself, felt somewhat inferior in Princess Kaguya's presence, feeling as if nothing in the world could surpass Kaguya's beauty.
After a brief moment of stunned admiration, Kanako quickly composed herself and bowed, "Esteemed Princess, please forgive my sudden intrusion."
"It is of no consequence. From where do you hail as a god?" Princess Kaguya asked directly.
Gods were of many kinds. There were born gods, like the Three Noble Gods, and also gods formed from the spirit of mountains, rivers, and nature, like Kanako herself.
Kanako naturally understood that Kaguya wasn't asking for her place of origin, but rather what type of god she was.
This wasn't a secret, so Kanako stated frankly, "I am a god of the mountains, born of the earth."
Gods born of the earth generally shared one characteristic: they possessed a 'serpentine' nature.
Upon hearing that the god before her was born of the earth, Princess Kaguya's eyes lifted slightly, but she soon lowered them again. After a moment's thought, she decided to be direct.
"In that case, what brings you here on this visit? Regarding these gifts... according to my father, this is called 'seeking favor through gifts'."
Having said that, Princess Kaguya cutely tilted her head slightly, adopting an innocent pose that was undeniably adorable.
Kanako felt somewhat awkward. This was indeed seeking favor through gifts, even though it wasn't common practice among gods.
But when truly facing trouble and needing to ask for help, this method was more likely to succeed.
Of course, one couldn't say it so bluntly, as both parties needed to save their honor.
"Not at all. These are merely a small token for visiting you, Princess. During the Age of Gods, I also received much care from the Great Gods."
She wasn't lying about this.
During the Age of Gods, she had received care from a Great God, though it wasn't Susanoo, but rather Tsukuyomi.
As she had stated earlier, she was a god born of the earth, while Tsukuyomi was the Mother Earth, the very incarnation of the earth itself, not merely born from it.