Himejima Akeno

Higashino Makoto leaned against the window of the royal palace room, his fingers gently stroking the rim of his teacup, his gaze fixed on the two palm-sized fairies on the windowsill.

Yuko and Mebi are fighting over a candy. Their purple and blue hair are intertwined, their gothic skirts cast a small shadow on the windowsill, and their small crowns sparkle in the sunlight.

They're quite cute, like two exquisite collectibles.

"Yuko! I saw it first!"

"What I got first is mine!"

"You... you're being unreasonable!"

"So what if I'm being unreasonable?"

The blue-haired one was so angry that it cried, tears falling onto the windowsill, its wings drooping, and its little crown tilted to one side.

The purple-haired victor stuffed the candy into his mouth, his cheeks puffed out, and his eyes narrowed into slits.

"Tasty!"

Higashino Makoto looked at them, a thought popped into his mind.

I'd really like to collect this rare species.

A tiny fairy, dressed in a gothic dress and wearing a small crown, who can argue, cry, and steal candy.

It would be quite interesting to place it in the Silent Great Library for the witches to study, or simply use it as a decoration.

No rush, they can't escape anyway, so he secretly marked them.

Purple magic threads drifted from their fingertips, landing on the back of Yuko and Mebi's necks, transforming into a small, invisible rune.

Marking magic is a very useful skill, and Higashino Makoto certainly doesn't lack it.

Alice Kuonji stood behind him, her black pupils fixed on the two fairies.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto, what did you put on them?"

"It's just a small mark."

"Why?"

"Because they are rare, especially the rare species that are cute, they are even more worthy of being collected."

Alice Kuonji remained silent for a moment, then sighed inwardly.

"Then why don't you take it now?"

"No rush, let's deal with the superior races first. After that, we can go and check on their world."

He paused.

"The gods of that world must be quite interesting."

Judging mainly from the power of the two fairies, that god is probably not very strong.

Yuko seemed to sense something, turned her head, and looked at him warily with her purple eyes.

"What... what are you looking at?"

"Look at you guys."

What are you looking at me for?

"Interesting, good-looking."

Yuko's face flushed slightly.

You... you bastard!

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing!"

She turned her head away from him, but her ears were still red.

Mebi had stopped crying. She sat on the windowsill, hugging her little crown, her blue eyes looking at him.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto, are you really capable of defeating a superior race?"

"Able."

"Then can you protect us?"

"Can."

"Thank you, you're a good person!"

Higashino Makoto's face darkened. Who is he cursing?!

They suddenly attacked me and gave me the "friend zone" treatment.

How could that fairy be so wicked!

No, I have to take him home and teach him a lesson!

Don't think you can give me the "friend zone" treatment just because you're cute.

"Oh? I'm praising you as a good person, why aren't you happy?"

Mebi looked at her for a long time.

"... You're such a weirdo."

Higashino Makoto chuckled softly.

"I know, Alice Kuonji left, went back to the Demon King's Castle."

"Yes."

Higashino Makoto stood up and walked out of the room, with Alice Kuonji following behind him.

Yuko watched his retreating figure, her purple eyes swirling with complex emotions, until he disappeared at the end of the corridor.

"... wack."

She said in a low voice.

At the top of the tower in the Demon King's castle, the night wind blew from the plains, carrying the scent of earth.

Higashino Makoto stood on the edge of the tower, looking up at the sky dotted with starlight.

Her long, silvery-white hair fluttered in the wind, her expression serene.

Alice Kuonji stood behind him, holding a teapot and refilling it with a new batch of black tea.

It has to be said, she truly loves black tea.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto."

"Um."

What are you looking at?

"Behold God."

Alice Kuonji looked up, all she could see were the stars.

"... I can't see it."

"Yes, you can't see it without special powers, but you might be able to sense it."

Alice Kuonji remained silent for a moment, then closed her eyes.

The wind blew past her ears, carrying the scents of the distant forest and the city.

And yet she still didn't notice.

Higashino Makoto felt somewhat helpless about this.

Perhaps due to the level cap of the guardians, they are unable to effectively utilize the various special powers of the New World.

Perhaps, the portion of my level exceeding 110 that surpassed the level cap was converted into this kind of potential?

Higashino Makoto closed his eyes.

I saw something in that sky, behind those stars.

Huge, invisible, trembling.

It looked like it was struggling, it looked like it was crying.

After using magic to synchronize what she saw with Alice Kuonji, she seemed to be stunned for a moment.

"That god... is He weeping? Why?"

"Because His child is dying, this world is considered His child. The superior race will come to devour His child, and He is weeping, but He is powerless to stop it."

Alice Kuonji opened her eyes.

"Do the gods of this world seem to possess only instincts?"

"Yes, that's what I feel too. So far, apart from the God in the One Punch Man world who most likely has his own thoughts, the Divine Capital quite ignorant."

Higashino Makoto paused for a moment.

"Alice Kuonji, tell me, if I save this world this time, will God show any sign of retribution?"

"Maybe."

"That would be best, after all, I hate doing business at a loss."

Alice Kuonji watched his retreating figure for a moment.

You are so gentle.

Higashino Makoto did not respond.

The wind blew from the plain, stirring his robes.

The crack in the distant sky.

The hole had grown larger, like an eye opening, with black fissures spreading outwards from the center like a spider web.

In a week, the void transformed from a thin crack into a fissure, from a fissure into a door, and from a door into an eye that was slowly opening.

Higashino Makoto stood atop the tower, looking up at that eye, which seemed to be weeping.

He heard it.

Knock, knock, knock—the sound of knocking on the door rang out.

Three strokes, neither too fast nor too slow.

Higashino Makoto turned around.

"Come in."

The door was pushed open.

The footsteps were light and quiet, followed by a faint scent, like sandalwood.

A hand reached out from behind and gently put its arm around his shoulder, and then he felt it—

Soft.

Warmth.

Huge.

His head sank into a soft, warm K-cup bra, embraced by someone dressed in a red and white shrine maiden outfit.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto... it's been so long... I've missed you so much!"

Higashino Makoto did not struggle.

"... Akeno."

"Exist."

She let go of him and walked up to him.

She wore a red and white shrine maiden outfit, with the top of her robe slightly open to reveal her fair collarbone. Her long, crimson hakama (traditional Chinese shorts) reached her ankles, and her long black hair was tied in a high ponytail that fell to her waist, tied with a signature orange ribbon.

Her face was delicate and beautiful, her purple eyes were as clear as a spring, and a dignified yet sly smile played on her lips.

Himejima Akeno, one of the twenty-four guardians of Novas Etier.

Current secretary.

"My new secretary, which means Alice Kuonji to step up."

"Yes, she's already gone back."

Himejima Akeno tilted her head.

"Therefore, from today onwards, I will accompany you."

"Um."

She walked to his side and stood beside him on the edge of the tower, looking up at the widening crack through their shared view.

"That's where the superior races come from... Judging by this, it should be soon?"

"Yes, almost there."

Are you worried?

"Yes, I am indeed worried that those bastards have ruined my Garden too badly."

"You are truly confident. You haven't even considered the possibility of being outmatched. As expected of Novas Etier's master, our Supreme Beings."

"It's not confidence, it's a fact."

Against a superior race, with clear weaknesses and not particularly strong offensive capabilities, Higashino Makoto couldn't think of a reason for his defeat.

She looked at him, her purple eyes reflecting his face. After a moment, she smiled—a dignified smile, but with a hint of cunning.

I admire your confident demeanor.

In the distance, angels patrolled the night sky, their wings gleaming with a faint golden light under the moonlight.

"Akeno, do that brainwave again."

She paused for a moment, then her smile deepened.

"Yes, sir!"

Higashino Makoto once again felt that soft, warm embrace from a woman in a red and white shrine maiden outfit with K-cup breasts.

He closed his eyes.

The superior race has not yet descended; there is still time, He can hold on for a while longer.

The important thing now is to enjoy yourself.