Chapter 48

Kyoto.

The next day.

Well, the conversation wasn't rescheduled after all. However, we had time to settle things last night.

The churchmen were confused about the fused Excalibur being in Artoria's hands. Of course, I wasn't about to hand over the sword, which I told them to their faces. Strangely enough, the straightforward and stubborn Zenobia did not object to me, though it was probably because of the revelation of my identity. Irina simply looked at me like an idol and silently absorbed my every word.

In contrast, Griselda said what I already knew: destabilizing the balance of power, the loss of weapons against demons and so on. I just waved her off and asked her to tell Michael directly that I now had the sword. She had nothing to say about it. That was the end of it.

Now about the Pendragons.

During that time, which, I should say, was no more than ten hours, Mordred managed to resolve her issues with Artoria. Of course, with shouting, poking with a sharp stick, and even the use of Noble Phantasm, but still.

Plus, she started calling Archer "Mother" basically without embarrassment or anything like that. To this, Emiya himself first raised an eyebrow and then accepted the situation with Artoria accepting Morderd's attitude with a calm face. And now Queen Shirou had truly become 'Queen'.

As for Morgan and the local Pendragon descendants, they are the easiest to deal with - they all moved in with me. Could I have objected? Nope. The Fey Queen had simply put me to the fact, and her axe staff she held up as if to hint at the consequences of a possible refusal. Arthur, on the other hand, fell under Artoria's wing, and Le Faye was taken care of personally by Morgan. Well, the Pendragon house maid that Arthur had fallen in love with was now living in Emiya's residence as well.

Now Tia and I were having a nice time walking around the cultural capital of Japan, or rather the supernatural part of it. Of course, the duo of dragon and human auras attracted attention, but not so much that it interfered with our date. I was dressed in my usual Romani outfit, and Tia was wearing a blue, non-warm sweater and a long white skirt.

Well, I could tell that Tia loves to eat. We visited almost every food stall that came our way. And at the moment, I was relaxedly sipping my favorite coffee while watching Tia enthusiastically devouring her fifth udon.

We were in a small cafe with a long counter along its entire area and tables for a maximum of two people. And the only employee of the place was some elderly yōkai with wolf ears, who was probably also the owner.

At some point, the doorbell rang, which I didn't pay attention to at first. But then I felt a stare from the entrance, and interest did take over.

There were three people standing at the door, two of whom I knew well: Yasaka, Kunou, and some other teenage girl of about fourteen in a school uniform. What was notable was that the teenager had a divinity about her that was as bright and warm as....

Оh? I hadn't expected SHE to look like that.

Noticing my gaze, a cheeky grin appeared on the girl's face, and then she waltzed over to the counter where Tia and I were sitting and sat down next to us. Yasaka silently and meekly followed her, as did Kunou, looking at Tia with childlike interest.

- Udon, please! - she shouted cheerfully to the youkai and, receiving a short nod, turned to me - It's nice to meet you in person. I've heard a lot of good things about you, especially from a decrepit old man, magician.

Heh. How open-minded. Given her attitude, she's counting on me to guess her identity, which is actually already done. But what if we play around a bit?

- It's not polite to call those who are several decades older than you 'decrepit old men', young miss. You should respect the older generation,'' with a cute smile on my face, I said and started pinching her cheek.

At this, Yasaka and Kunou rounded their eyes in shock and their mouths took on an oval shape. The owner of the establishment on the other hand stopped shaking the noodles and froze like a statue.

- I can call him whatever I want," the girl said in a voice that matched her appearance and pulled my hand away, "My name is Amaterasu, magician. And don't you dare do that again. My anger is comparable to the brightness of the sun.

- Hmm? - my eyebrow raised playfully - Amaterasu Oomikami herself?

- Yes!

- One of the three main deities of the Shinto faction?

- That's right!

- A majestic and wise goddess whose beauty is known throughout the world?

- Absolutely! - Her nose turned up in pride.

- Would you like some candy?

- Yes! I mean, no! You still don't believe me, mortal?

- Ah-ah-ah... - I mumbled thoughtfully and nodded my head - Your mental state raises questions for me, young miss. I am a doctor after all. I suggest you visit the hospital for a detailed analysis of your situation. They say Japan has the most qualified doctors in the world.

- That's enough! - She shouted. Her body began to emit waves of divine power, and then became covered in bright and very hot flames, making the furniture begin to catch fire and melt. Yasaka took her daughter in her arms and stepped away from us, the wolf youkai jumped back, and Tia just continued to devour the udon as if nothing had happened. I, on the other hand, didn't react in any way to her outburst with the same sweet smile - Now you believe me, mortal-.

- Ahhhh... Maybe there's a problem in your family? Some accident damaged your brain? - I mumbled loudly in the same thoughtfulness, at which her head began to smoke with anger, and the temperature increased by a couple hundred degrees - Tia, dear, you need your maternal support here.

- I-" The disguised goddess wanted to object, but she couldn't finish her sentence. Her head was almost instantly sandwiched between Tia's breasts, and Beast II's hand soothingly began stroking her head.

- Aaaaaaaa~ - Tia sang out, looking up at the goddess.

- Let me go! - The teenage girl squealed and began to twist her arms and legs to break free somehow. To no avail, though.

Heh. The scene of Amaterasu herself, the main deity of Shinto mythology, trying to free herself from the loving embrace of Beast II was really funny. Tia's Endurance attribute makes her practically invulnerable. And that, please note, is for the Nasuverse. For DxD, though? Well, aside from Trihexa, Great Red, and Ophis, no one can basically hurt her.

- I... can't... breathe..." Amaterasu practically whispered before passing out in Tia's arms, and the temperature of the surroundings returned to normal.

At this, Beast II worriedly released the goddess and looked at her. And after realizing that she was unconscious, tear drops began to gather on her face, after which Tia's gaze headed in my direction.

- Aaaaa~~- she asked with a crying face.

- It's alright. She just couldn't stand your love.

- Aa~~

- Yeah. Don't worry. - I waved her off and looked around.

The place was almost completely reduced to ashes. So was everything within a half kilometer radius. The moisture had evaporated, and the air still showed distortions from the heat released by Amaterasu.

Well, the material damage is definitely going to cost some money, eh?

- You realized perfectly well that it was really Amaterasu-sama, didn't you? - Yasaka asked in a concerned voice.

- Yeah," I admitted honestly, to which I received a judgmental look, "But can you blame me for finding it rather hard to believe?

- Well... Amaterasu-sama is rather... peculiar....

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks so. I haven't come across the other pantheons yet, but judging by the Shinto and Scandinavian pantheons, they all have their own cadres. The same Odin is a pervert who isn't shy about showing it, judging by canon.

- By the way, you were looking for me, I take it?

- You're right," she nodded, "Amaterasu-sama wanted to talk to you about the recent incident in Kuoh.

- Oya? My identity has been revealed? - I grinned.

- Solomon. Someone whose power could rival that of the gods. You yourself must understand the circumstances, since all of this happened on our land.

I grinned.

"Ars Almadel Solomonos definitely made some noise. And not just in Shinto, but in all other pantheons I'm sure. A power like that can't go unnoticed, no matter what you do. The balance of power is a delicate thing, after all.

- Shall we head to your palace, Yasaka-san? - I asked, to which she nodded briefly, "You don't mind if your goddess is carried by my companion, do you? She's a little concerned about the latter's condition.

- I wish I could say no, but I don't think you'll listen to me," Yasaka sighed tiredly and rubbed her temples, "Follow me. Hopefully Amaterasu-sama will be awake by the time we arrive.

- As you wish. - I shrugged and with a brief nod to Tia, we set off towards Yasaka.

I wonder how many other gods are out of their minds? Besides Odin and Amaterasu, I mean.

-0-

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