"Surprised, Akio?" Raiden Makoto teased.
"More than surprised! This is too much surprise!" Akio smacked his lips. Nine stunning women—and two of them were gods.
"Wait—Ei and the Shogun actually agreed to perform the Taihei Kagura Dance for me? Really?" he turned to Makoto, wide-eyed.
"Why not?" Makoto chuckled. "Sure, Ei and the Shogun are gods—but aren't you their god now too? Yae Miko brought up the idea, but surprisingly, the Shogun was the first to agree. Ei didn't want to be outdone, so she followed suit."
"She even made time to learn the dance from Miko in the middle of all her work at the Tenshukaku," Makoto added, shaking her head fondly. "If I hadn't been so swamped myself, I would've danced for you too."
"The Taihei Kagura Dance is an offering to a god… and you're our god now, aren't you?"
Akio was quiet for a moment.
That… made way too much sense.
He gently pulled Makoto into his arms and murmured, "You in my arms is all the joy I need."
Holding Makoto close, he looked back toward the hall.
The nine beauties had arranged themselves into formation. Yae Miko stood at the center, of course—head of the Grand Narukami Shrine. It was her rightful place to lead.
"Sisters," Yae Miko called, smiling, "let's offer the Taihei Kagura Dance to our god today."
"For our god—our most heartfelt blessing!"
As the music began and the women moved in unison, Akio could hardly blink. Nine divine figures danced solely for him. It was an unforgettable sight—breathtaking, ethereal.
Yae Miko and Kitsune Saiguu, as current and former shrine maidens, moved with effortless grace. Their steps flowed like water.
Raiden Ei and the Shogun, on the other hand, were a little more… uncoordinated. Clearly, they weren't used to dancing, and the rush to learn had left them fumbling here and there. But with their stunning figures clad in red-and-white shrine maiden robes, even those imperfections became charming.
Watching them, Akio felt like he was glimpsing the kind of indulgence only ancient emperors ever knew. Not just mortals—even gods might lose themselves in such a moment.
In the Tenshukaku, bathed in soft lamplight and perfume, beauty unfolded in every direction. It was a vision fit for legend.
When the dance ended, the nine women gathered around him.
"Well, Akio?" Yae Miko clung to his arm, smiling expectantly. "Did we do good?"
"Perfect," Akio grinned and pinched her cheek gently.
"Ei-baby, Shogun—you two did great too," he said, turning to the pair.
They stood side by side in shrine maiden robes, their statuesque forms elevated to sheer perfection by the traditional garments.
"If you liked it, then I'm glad," Ei said softly. These days, Akio's words could stir her heart more than she ever imagined.
"Darling~" the Shogun said in her usual flat tone—but her actions told a different story. She walked over and slid into his embrace, burying her face against his chest.
She'd never been good with words. Even in playful quarrels with Ei, she rarely got the upper hand. But when it came to actions? The Shogun believed in proving herself with what she did.
"Whoa there, Akio—really know how to live it up, huh?" a new voice chimed in.
Murata Himeko strode in, eyes twinkling with amusement. Like the others, she also had a wristband that gave her access to the Chat Group at any time—and hers was unlike any other, a fiery red band flickering with blazing heat.
"Good timing, Himeko," Akio laughed. "I ascended today—why don't we hold a grand feast right here in the Tenshukaku?"
"Hmm… still have some work left," Raiden Makoto and Hiiragi Chisato hesitated.
"Oh, come on," Yae Miko pouted. "Just one night to relax won't kill you. Worst case, we all pitch in on paperwork tomorrow."
"Exactly," Akio added. "Like the old saying goes—'Drink today, worry tomorrow.' We've got time to spare."
"In that case…" Makoto nodded and called over the Okuzumeshuu. "Prepare a grand feast. Spare no expense."
"Makoto," Chisato leaned in, "the Clan Head mentioned a large sum of Mora was added to the treasury?"
"You little scamp! Always got your eyes on the Mora," Makoto laughed.
"Can you blame me?" Chisato grinned. "The Kanjou Commission's budget isn't enough. Now that the nation's reopened and Akio has taken the divine seat, everyone from all six nations wants in on trade. The scale's nothing like before."
"You're not wrong." Makoto nodded. "This is a golden age for our economy. We can't afford to slack."
"Go draw one hundred billion Mora from the treasury," she instructed. "That should hold you for now, right?"
"Yes, that should do it," Chisato nodded. A hundred billion would at least handle the most pressing needs.
"Good. Once the reparations from Watatsumi Island arrive, they'll be turned over to you too," Makoto added.
The treasury was tight, but for now, it was a manageable risk. She believed that with trade blooming, the economy would soon skyrocket.
Chisato nodded once more, then leaned in to whisper something into Akio's ear.
Akio's gaze shifted. "Chisato, where's Sara?"
"Probably out on patrol," she replied. "She volunteered to lead tonight's city patrol herself."
"She belongs here with us," Akio said. "You all enjoy the evening—I'll go get her."
The women nodded. Everyone respected Kujou Sara's dedication—none more than them.
Akio took one step forward—and vanished.
---
In the bustling streets of Inazuma City, heavily armed Tenryou Commission soldiers patrolled every district. With visitors from six nations filling the city, security had to be airtight.
Leading one of the patrol squads was Kujou Sara, her expression composed and sharp.
"This is our final route," she ordered. "Stay sharp. No room for complacency."
A/N: Enjoying the story? Read 60+ chapters ahead on Patreon! Your support helps: Patreon.com/nneol