Crossover: The Problematic Deity of Arcadia

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In the alley where the Butterfly Mansion stood.

Under the influence of Nakime's Blood Demon Art, Ryo and Kanae reappeared at the entrance to the alley.

As soon as they did, Ryo let go of Kanae's waist and looked at her pale face with a hint of concern.

"You okay?"

"Just give me a second... I'll be fine."

Kanae gave a weak smile, though her expression was still shaken. She took a deep breath and pressed a hand to her chest, trying to calm herself down.

Facing off with the Upper Kizuki like that all of a sudden had seriously rattled her.

It wasn't just the fear—it was them. The stench those demons carried.

Demons that fed on humans had a foul, indescribable odor clinging to them. And the stronger they were, the more they'd consumed.

The Upper Kizuki were among the worst. Twelve of them gathered in one place? The stench alone had almost made her pass out.

Only Kokushibo, Upper Kizuki One, seemed to lack that awful smell—probably because he didn't eat people that often.

But... was he a good person just because of that?

Hardly. The sheer pressure of the killing intent he gave off made Kanae instinctively inch closer to Ryo for protection.

She had no doubt: he may not eat people, but he had definitely killed more than enough of them.

Then there was Doma—Upper Kizuki Two. That twisted smile, those eyes full of something wrong—he made her skin crawl.

And the rest of the Upper Kizuki? Every last one of them was off in some way. Twisted, perverse, terrifying.

Even the already-extinct Lower Kizuki had left her with an awful impression.

Ryo gently patted her shoulder and said calmly, "Come on. Let's head home."

Kanae looked at him quietly, then followed in silence as they made their way around to the back of the Butterfly Mansion.

Just as they were about to step inside...

She stopped.

Then, with a strange, somewhat bitter smile, she said, "Ryo... do you think I'm an idiot?"

He paused, turned to look at her face... and nodded.

"Yeah. A little."

She blinked, stunned for a second, but then her smile brightened, a little more genuine now.

"Isn't this the part where you're supposed to say something nice~?"

She appreciated that he was honest with her. Still, calling her an idiot right to her face stung a little.

"Sorry," he shrugged, "I just think it's better if you face reality."

He looked up at the sky and said softly, "Doesn't matter which world you're in—if there are people, there's conflict. And if there's conflict... there's fighting."

"It could be a world of gods and Buddhas, or one without anything supernatural at all. In the end, people are always slaves to something."

"Power, beauty, status... you name it."

Then, with a small chuckle, he glanced at her. "And what about you, Kanae? Are you a slave to that idea of 'peaceful coexistence'?"

Kanae blinked, caught off guard, then smiled quietly. "Maybe I am~"

Ryo didn't say anything else. He just watched her, waiting.

Kanae clasped her hands behind her back and walked into the Butterfly Mansion's back garden. Then she turned her head and gave him a playful look.

"But you know... I am curious to see what kind of 'peaceful coexistence' Ryo is aiming for."

Peace, huh?

Was it the kind of peace that came from wiping out every last demon and pretending the world was whole again?

Ryo raised a brow but said nothing. He could tell Kanae had let go of that naïve dream she used to cling to.

'Guess I just corrupted a little saint, huh...'

He laughed inwardly, a little bitterly—but in truth, he figured she'd be better off this way. Stronger. More grounded.

— — —

Shouting erupted from inside the Butterfly Mansion.

"Kanao~ Let your big sister hug you! I've had such a rough day~!"

"Big sis! I just gave her a bath!!"

"Eh? Really? No wonder she smells so nice~ Let me sniff you again~!"

"Sis!! You're a girl too—can't you act a little more dignified?!"

Hearing the commotion, Ryo casually stuck his pinky into his ear, gave it a little twist, and then strolled into the house like nothing was out of the ordinary.

Inside, Shinobu was trying her best to separate Kanae from Kanao—who was currently trapped in a cuddly headlock. When she saw Ryo, she gave him a helpless look.

"Tough day?" he asked.

"More or less... I'm starting to get used to it," she sighed.

Then she glanced up at him and asked seriously, "So? Ryo-san, did you get everything done?"

"Pretty much." He nodded. "The rest depends on Ubuyashiki. Once he gathers the Hashira, we'll move forward."

"I see..." Shinobu's face turned serious. She could already tell a big fight was coming.

She turned to glance at Kanae, who was still rubbing her cheek against poor Kanao's face, and muttered under her breath, "Kanao, if you're uncomfortable, I can help you pry your sister off."

Before Kanao could answer, Kanae hugged her even tighter and whined, "That's so mean, Shinobu! Right, Kanao?"

Kanao glanced between the two, hesitated, and then gave a small nod. "Mm!"

Ryo caught Shinobu balling her fists at her sides, clearly trying very hard not to explode.

"You two...!"

Then, trying to steer the chaos elsewhere, Kanae chirped, "Oh, right—Shinobu, is there any dinner left?"

"Ah... I set aside two portions."

Shinobu blinked, then turned to Ryo.

"If you don't mind, Ryo-san, would you like to stay and eat with us?"

Ryo's expression turned a little strange. "Shinobu... did you forget something?"

"Hmm?" She tilted her head in confusion. "Did I?"

Ryo chuckled and said, a bit teasingly, "Didn't someone promise to 'compensate' me earlier?"

"Ah... that."

Shinobu's face turned slightly pink, a mix of embarrassment and awkwardness.

She had said something like that earlier—after poisoning him with wisteria, no less. The whole "compensation" thing had come up.

"Ehh~ So Ryo picked Shinobu, huh?" Kanae giggled, still clinging to a very squishy-looking Kanao.

Ryo smirked. "Did I say I picked her?"

Kanae froze, then immediately tightened her grip on Kanao and changed the subject. "I'm starving! Kanao, let's go eat, okay? Ryo, are you coming too?"

But right at that moment, a commotion erupted outside the Mansion.

Kanae turned toward the door, puzzled. "What's going on out there?"

Ryo glanced toward the entrance and explained, "Sounds like some girls are headed to a festival. There a shrine nearby?"

Kanae's eyes lit up. "Ohhh, the festival! I forgot it was today!"

"I remember mentioning it a few days ago, but now... going to a festival seems a bit—"

Shinobu didn't get to finish her sentence.

"Kanao~ Let's go to the festival together~!" Kanae interrupted with sparkles in her eyes.

Shinobu raised an eyebrow. "Sister, Ryo-san hasn't eaten yet."

"A festival, huh... sounds kinda fun."

Ryo glanced at the two sisters and Kanao.

"Want to go together?"

"But dinner—"

Shinobu started, but Kanae had already grabbed her arm.

"Come on, come on! Get the yukata we bought last time! Kanao~ let's get dressed up and go to the festival!"

"Big sis!!"

Shinobu's protest fell on deaf ears. She turned to Ryo for backup, only to see him wave lazily.

"Go on. Just don't be too long. I'll wait at the gate."

Shinobu groaned and covered her face. "Could someone in this house please act normal for once?!"

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