"For now, the Gods of Takamagahara are forbidden from taking action against Kikyo in any form."
"Anyone who violates this order will be killed without mercy."
Silence returned to the Divine Council Hall.
Between the Seventy-Two Divine Pillars, all that remained was the hum of the divine flame burning at the center and the mortal-world image slowly fading on the main screen.
Meanwhile, in that Manhattan living room, Kikyo remained kneeling on the carpet.
She pressed her forehead against the backs of her hands again. Her trimmed Shrine Maiden Robe spread around her feet, her black hair fell down her back, and the plain white cord tied at its ends rested against the floor. Her back curved in a gentle arc.
"Thank you, Lord Yongye."
Her voice was steady and clear, carrying the stillness and solemnity unique to a shrine maiden. Beneath that stillness, however, surged a deep, hidden satisfaction that was almost impossible to detect.
The backstab had worked!
The Gods of Takamagahara must be absolutely furious!
The next moment, a cold system notification sounded right on cue in Yongye's mind.
[Ding! Detected: All chief gods of Takamagahara have been backstabbed by Kikyo's "final choice." All their expectations, schemes, and trump cards have come to nothing. The Eight Million Gods have collectively lost their composure, and their fortune has been seized. Heart-Severing points have exceeded the limit. Super Blind Box ×1 obtained. Open it now?]
The smile at the corner of Yongye's mouth deepened from satisfaction into sheer delight.
"Open it."
[Ding! Super Blind Box opened!] [Congratulations, host! Reward obtained: Investiture of the Gods · Immortal-Slaying Flying Blade!]
A vast flood of memories poured into his mind.
Deep within the system space, a fierce blade-light slowly appeared. It was impossibly fine, thin, and sharp, like