The Shrine Maiden Joins Us, and Itsukushima of Eternal Night

[Only companions of Demon Hidden Village will receive its full protection.]

The girl fell silent at his answer.

Yet complex emotions flickered in Shion's violet eyes, and her teeth gently worried her soft lower lip.

From one prophecy to a lifetime of prophecies.

What a greedy leader.

The thought whispered through Shion's mind.

"Forgive my bluntness, Lord Demon Shadow,"

"but your demand is far too harsh. Lady Shion is the shrine maiden of our country!"

As the room fell briefly silent over Arata's demand, the guard beside the girl strode forward and voiced his objection for the first time.

Demon Hidden Village would devote itself to protecting its own. The statement sounded perfectly reasonable, but it also imposed an exceedingly harsh condition on their request for protection:

Lady Shion would receive that protection only if she joined Demon Hidden Village.

Taruho did not particularly like his work as a guard, nor was he so selfless that he could readily lay down his life.

But his family had once received Lady Shion's mother's kindness. Indeed, the entire Land of Demons had lived under the former shrine maiden's grace!

No matter how much he disliked the duty, he would do everything he could to remain at Lady Shion's side and defend her dignity.

"Please name a reasonable price for this commission. Whatever it is, I'll find a way to raise the money."

"Please!"

Taruho knelt before the young leader again, bowing until he felt the cold floor beneath his forehead.

"A reasonable price?"

"I thought someone serving at a shrine maiden's side would have better judgment. It seems you're even more arrogant than she is."

Arata scoffed at the guard's plea. He had no intention of accepting it.

Monsters from another world.

Arata did not know exactly what those creatures could do.