Yongye slowly withdrew his gaze and turned to Himiko's expectant face, then glanced at Asano Nene, who had remained silent by the door. An almost imperceptible, wicked smile curved his lips.
"Truly pure? Hmm, I like that!"
"Unfortunately, the multiverse is in crisis right now."
"Once I get through this busy spell, I'll definitely go..."
He deliberately left the sentence unfinished.
But the instant Himiko heard it, her taut shoulders relaxed.
Himiko immediately lowered her head, concealing the delight in her eyes. Wisps of hair fell across her forehead, hiding the fleeting smugness at the corners of her mouth.
She bowed deeply, the skirts of her dark silver twelve-layered robes spreading over the threshold like a night-blooming cereus quietly blossoming in the darkness.
Having achieved her aim, Himiko decisively chose to take her leave and bring the good news back as soon as possible.
"Then I shall take my leave and return to the Divine Kingdom to arrange everything for you."
She paused, turned her head, and shot a meaningful glance at the figure in plain white behind her. Rapid calculations and a warning surged through that look, like a string stretched to its limit, silently snapping against Asano Nene's nerves.
-Follow the plan.
-Make no mistakes.
With her eyes lowered, Asano Nene gave a tiny nod, as light and almost imperceptible as a cherry blossom falling in the wind.
Himiko straightened, the skirts of her dark silver twelve-layered robes trailing over the corridor's gray marble. Her steps were a little lighter than when she had arrived, her back perfectly straight. After a few steps, she stopped again and turned her face, the corridor's wall lamps tracing her profile in alternating light and shadow.
"Lord Yongye."
"I shall await your arrival in Takamagahara."
The door closed behind her, and the