The night was deep and quiet, and all was still.

The moonlight poured down like mercury into the quiet courtyard, making the "thud" of the bamboo tube tapping the stone even clearer.

On the tatami mat, Yuzuru held two sleeping girls in his arms, his breathing even and his chest rising and falling slightly, a picture of a life winner sleeping peacefully.

Shimabukuro Kimie nestled beside him, her face serene, as if she too was immersed in a sweet dream, blending seamlessly with her surroundings.

However, the next second, the shrine maiden's clear and gentle eyes suddenly opened, filled with no trace of sleepiness, only a stern clarity, like a star suddenly lit up in the dark night.

She rose very gently, without disturbing anyone around her, then quietly opened the door, stepped into the courtyard, and walked barefoot on the cool bluestone slabs without making a sound.

The red and white shrine maiden's robes shimmered with a soft and holy luster under the moonlight.

A night breeze swept by, bringing with it an unusual fluctuation of magic.

She looked up at the dark blue night sky, studded with stars.

Before that crescent moon, a figure of excessive slenderness floated leisurely, riding a magical broom that was so ornate it was almost ostentatious, and inlaid with various gems.

The deep V-neck black witch dress boldly outlines her breathtaking curves, while her long, red hair flows like a burning waterfall, dancing wildly in the night wind.

Koizumi Akako casually rested one hand on the broom handle, her posture languid, while tossing a small crystal bottle that shimmered with an eerie purplish-black light in the other hand—the same potion essence that had previously given a certain famous detective the experience of the "random transformation blind box."

The witch looked down at the priestess standing alone in the courtyard, her blood-red pupils scrutinizing and slightly amused.

"Oh? You have a keen sense of perception." Koizumi Akako's voice carried the languid allure and innate arrogance unique to witches. "It seems you're not just a pretty face."

Her tone was flippant, with a hint of provocation.

Shimabukuro Kimie stood quietly, her posture upright. The night breeze blew the sleeves and hem of her shrine maiden's outfit, making her look like a tranquil water lily. Her eyes were calm and unwavering, and she did not waver in the slightest despite the powerful magical pressure from the other party.

"Miss Hongzi, what brings you here so late at night?"

The priestess's voice was cold and clear, like striking ice jade.

Although it was her first time meeting Koizumi Akako in person, she recognized her immediately.

After all, the unique magical aura emanating from the other party was exactly the same as the aura remaining on the priestess's inheritance scroll brought back by the god, making it difficult to mistake one for the other.

"Could I borrow something, and also..."

Koizumi Akako shook the dangerous bottle of potion in her hand, a highly aggressive, witch-like provocative smile curling at the corner of her lips. "Let's see what kind of person dares to compete with Lady Akako for the man I've had my eye on for a long time."

She made no attempt to hide her purpose or her subtle displeasure.

Her order for Kaito to steal the treasure sword was merely a smokescreen; her real purpose was the ancient potion essence that the Mine family had secretly kept, capable of disrupting life forms, which would be useful for her research on red magic.

Unexpectedly, there was an additional "gain"—

Oh, priestess!

She is the third person in the world, after Hanyu Nan, to step into the Otherworld.

Although she knew that the other world would soon have a real shrine maiden after Hanyu Nan "snatched" (the witch insisted it was borrowed) the shrine maiden's legacy from her last time, she still felt a little complicated when she actually met her.

Kimie Shimabukuro and Kusunoki Hanyu are quite different from each other in their unorthodox approaches.

The difference between a priestess and a witch is only one word, but in a sense they are opposites, and their methods of cultivation are also completely different.

Witches in legends are usually associated with demons and black magic, and are known for their eccentric behavior and their worship of power and self.

Shrine maidens, on the other hand, are attendants of the gods. Because they need to maintain their purity, they wear white robes and scarlet hakama and communicate with the gods through Kagura dance, conveying divine messages. They are often regarded as "wives of the gods".

One is often regarded as "evil," while the other is revered as "holy."

The two have a long history of connection, but their relationship is usually not very good.

......

"I don't need to fight you for anything."

Looking at the languid yet powerfully magical witch above her, Shimabukuro Kimie calmly replied, "Everything I possess comes from the grace of the gods. What I protect is the peace of the gods, and I have no intention of seizing it."

"Lord God?"

Koizumi Akako seemed to have heard something extremely funny, and let out her signature arrogant laughter, which was a little neurotic. "Heh~ Heh heh~ So what if he's a little more powerful and a little more beautiful! He can call himself a god? You've been completely fooled by him, you innocent and cute little shrine maiden."

"To speak ill of the gods is a great disrespect."

Kimie Shimabukuro's gaze turned slightly cold.

"Hmph! Then let me see just how much pathetic confidence this 'god' you speak of has given you!"

Koizumi Akako snorted coldly, a nameless anger rising in her heart. She disliked the shrine maiden's eyes filled with complete trust when she looked at Hanyu Nan, and she disliked even more her calm demeanor as if it were her right to stay by his side.

That was clearly the one that Lady Hongzi had her eye on first (although she hadn't gotten it yet)!

Although she probably can't beat that cheating guy now, she doesn't believe she can't beat him forever.

Sooner or later, she will make Yuzuru Nanasu the most perfect captive who belongs only to her, Lady Akako!

The proud witch, who had never been in love, was unaware that her feeling of having something she coveted touched by someone else first, and then being taken for granted, was collectively known in the history of human relationships as—jealousy.

Moreover, arrogant people have always been the ones who lose out!

The witch's slender fingers swiftly traced several complex runes in the air, and a surge of magic condensed, transforming into a dark red fireball that shot towards Shimabukuro Kimie with incredible speed and scorching heat.

Shimabukuro Kimie neither dodged nor evaded, but simply raised her delicate hand and traced a line with her fingertips in front of her. Instantly, a soft yet resilient white light barrier appeared, precisely blocking the crimson fireball.

"Bang!"

The collision of magic and spiritual power produced a soft, muffled sound, and dark red and pure white light spots scattered like miniature fireworks.

"Oh? You do have some skill, not as frail as you look." Koizumi Akako raised an eyebrow, seemingly intrigued, but her attacks became even more aggressive.

She unleashed several low-level spells in succession: wind blades, ice spikes, mental shocks... various spells were casually tossed at Shimabukuro Kimie.

Shimabukuro Kimie focused intently on the situation, dodging and parrying, and although it was somewhat difficult, she managed to receive each attack.

Her learning ability and adaptability are astonishing, and her use of spiritual power in actual combat has become increasingly proficient.