A Certain Multiverse's Holy Right

"Mr. Amakasu, how far do we have to run?"

In a dim alleyway in Tokyo, a girl clad in a miko's outfit sprinted alongside a middle-aged man in his thirties. As they ran, they frequently glanced behind them, fearfully expecting their pursuers to appear.

The girl's breaths came in rapid, uneven gasps, a clear sign that she wasn't accustomed to long-distance running.

"We're almost there, Mariya. Once we get through this alley, someone will meet us ahead. I'll do my best to distract the pursuers. You, Mariya, must head straight to Haneda Airport. The plane from the Official History Compilation Committee is already waiting there. Just board the plane and leave Japan."

Amakasu Touma, a descendant of ninja lineage, had exceptional stamina. Even while running, his breaths remained steady, and he spoke calmly to reassure Mariya Yuri.

"Is… is it that god-slaying Marquis coming to Tokyo again?"

Mariya Yuri's petite frame shuddered mid-stride. Memories of her terrifying experience two years ago resurfaced—when she was taken to Eastern Europe to serve as a ritual miko. The merciless demon king had paid no heed to the miko's will, using vile methods to conscript her into his plans.

During that summoning ritual for a Heretic God, Mariya Yuri witnessed firsthand the grim fates of countless witches and mikos. They perished one after another amidst the ritual. Even now, her sleep was haunted by their anguished expressions and the despair in their eyes as they met their tragic ends.

It was no wonder that Mariya Yuri harbored a deep-seated fear and rejection of the Campione, even bordering on hatred.

"This time, it's not just the Marquis. The new King has also come to Tokyo, and both of their targets are you."

Amakasu Touma gave a bitter smile, the situation akin to the adage: "An innocent man gets into trouble for holding a valuable treasure." Japan, a relatively small nation with no Campione and lacking sufficient mystical means, became an easy target for those coveting a miko as talented and powerful as Mariya Yuri.

Hearing this, Mariya Yuri felt a wave of self-loathing for her innate abilities as a miko. If she didn't possess these gifts, she could live the simple life of a normal student, free from danger and unburdened by the trouble she brought to others.

"But... if I leave Tokyo and the Marquis or the new King can't find me, wouldn't they do something extreme to Tokyo?"

Mariya abruptly stopped in her tracks and, with a firm expression, declared, "...I can't leave, Mr. Amakasu! I won't let Tokyo suffer because of me. That's something I absolutely cannot accept."

Seeing her halt, Amakasu Touma's expression turned grim. Grabbing her wrist, he tugged her forward, resuming their desperate run. He hated this obstinate nature of hers. Couldn't she understand the gravity of the situation? How could the collective decision of the Official History Compilation Committee be dismissed just because of her personal stubbornness? If she stayed in Tokyo, it would lead to nothing short of catastrophe!

"Believe me, Mariya! You'll only be safe if you leave Tokyo. Besides, the two Kings have already started fighting. One of Tokyo's wards is probably in ruins by now. If you leave Tokyo, those two might stop their destruction to pursue you instead!"

To the Official History Compilation Committee, it seemed unlikely that the two Campione could easily determine a victor. Thus, they hoped to use Mariya Yuri as a diversion. If one of the Kings could swiftly triumph over the other, there'd be no need for such caution. In that case, they could simply offer Mariya Yuri to the winner.

The scenario the committee feared most was a prolonged battle between the two Campione. Even the aftershocks of such a conflict would bring catastrophic destruction.

"You knew the Kings were after this girl, and yet you still dared to flee with her. Such audacity!"

At that moment, a stern, commanding female voice rang out behind them.

"Watch out, Mr. Amakasu!"

Thanks to her clairvoyance as a miko, Mariya Yuri sensed the danger and cried out a warning.

As a ninja, Amakasu Touma was similarly alert to threats, but he was still a fraction too slow.

"Shink!"

A sharp blade pierced through Amakasu Touma's chest. The middle-aged man came to an abrupt halt, staring down in shock at the sword tip protruding from his chest. Blood trickled down the blade, and as pain surged through his body, he collapsed, consciousness fading into darkness.

"Mr. Amakasu, Mr. Amakasu!"

Mariya Yuri supported Amakasu Touma and called out anxiously.

"If you call for an ambulance now and leave with me, there might still be a chance to save his life. But if you insist on running, you'll only watch him die."

Behind the fallen Amakasu Touma stood a beautiful girl. Her silver hair was tied into a ponytail, and she wore a blue-black shawl over her shoulders. Beneath her knee-length black skirt were slender legs clad in white stockings. The long sword in her hand still dripped with blood. It was Liliana.

"It's you?! The new King's knight!"

Mariya Yuri exclaimed in shock upon seeing Liliana.

Not long ago, she had been volunteering at a nearby shrine when this silver-haired girl and a blonde girl suddenly appeared, intending to "kidnap" her. Although Mariya Yuri was a powerful miko, she had no combat ability. Within moments, she was captured by Erica.

At that moment, more than a dozen figures who looked like lifeless but powerful knights and magicians appeared. They too aimed to capture her. The two groups, both intent on kidnapping her, clashed fiercely. Amid the chaos, Mariya Yuri managed to escape.

While fleeing, she encountered Amakasu Touma, who explained that Marquis Voban and King Roy had both arrived in Japan. She also learned that the two groups pursuing her were subordinates of the two Kings, leading to the current situation.

"Yes, I am Liliana Kranjcar, a knight of King Roy. I am striving to earn the title of his exclusive knight. Mariya Yuri, I hope you will not resist. If you come with me willingly, it will minimize casualties."

Even when facing an adversary, Liliana remained composed and polite. She was an upright knight who strictly adhered to her King's orders. However, she was not rigid in her ways. While her sense of duty allowed her to kill without hesitation, as she had done with Amakasu Touma, her inherent kindness meant she avoided unnecessary harm whenever possible.

"Another Campione..."

Mariya Yuri muttered bitterly, anger flickering across her face.

Liliana's calm tone concealed her anxiety, which only grew with each passing moment. She was deeply worried about Erica.

The lifeless knights and magicians Yuri had seen earlier were Voban's summoned servants. Each had been a famed knight or magician from the past two centuries, individuals who were the pride of their respective eras. Facing just one of them would already be a challenge, but confronting over a dozen simultaneously was tantamount to facing the full might of Marquis Voban's authority—practically a death sentence.

Even so, to fulfill the task Roy had assigned, Erica had used herself as bait, drawing away those terrifying servants with a determination to die, engaging them in guerrilla warfare. This allowed Liliana to focus on capturing Mariya Yuri to complete their mission.

For Liliana, a swift resolution was critical. Only after capturing Yuri could she alert Erica and ensure her safe withdrawal from the battle. The longer this dragged on, the greater the danger Erica faced.

Driven by her concern, Liliana abandoned her usual politeness. Her care for Erica overshadowed everything else. Taking two steps forward, she seized Mariya Yuri's wrist, eliciting a yelp of pain.

"Come with me now, Mariya Yuri! I'm sorry for handling this so roughly, but for my friend's sake, I have no choice."

Apologizing, Liliana began dragging Mariya Yuri away.

"If this friend of yours is the one in my hands, perhaps we can negotiate an exchange."

A gentle yet firm female voice suddenly echoed from the road ahead. Liliana tensed and looked forward, spotting a girl in a high school uniform holding a katana. In her other hand was a heavily injured Erica.

"…Grandfather said there was trouble in Tokyo and asked me to help escort a girl named Mariya Yuri out of Japan. I suppose this trouble must be you."

The girl spoke nonchalantly, her tone calm and introspective. She seemed like a well-mannered Yamato Nadeshiko, yet her actions and demeanor carried an unmistakable air of natural wildness.

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(T/N: Hope you are liking the chapters. And the next Bonus chapter will come at 135 Power Stones. So keep them stones coming. Also, I am currently wondering if I should post another Bleach fanfic that I have on the side, in that Aizen is MC's teacher. Do tell if you guys are interested in that. It won't interfere with update schedule of this fanfic so don't worry.)