Era of Heroic Spirits: I Was Exposed by Alaya

Boom~

A firework suddenly exploded.

The little loli who had followed him whispered, "Brother, the night is so beautiful tonight~"

"Indeed, the fireworks are beautiful."

Souma looked up at the vast night sky.

Unlike those deaf male protagonists in anime, he could clearly hear the little loli's words.

Perhaps it was the bond formed earlier by the Holy Grail that gave Miyu an instinctive, overwhelming fondness for him.

Having another little sister was quite nice.

He gently patted her head, "You should go to sleep early too. Tomorrow, you all still have to go for blessings."

"Mhm, you should sleep early too, brother."

Miyu nodded and turned back to her room.

In the cold winter, the three little lolis naturally slept together at night.

Making Souma want to join them for warmth.

Ahem, officer, I really just wanted to warm up—don't misunderstand!

By the next morning.

Souma had prepared breakfast in advance and woke up the still-groggy trio.

If they wanted to visit temples or shrines for New Year blessings, they had to go early.

After breakfast.

Roya blinked her big eyes and asked, "Souma, do you have confidence in dressing me in a kimono?"

This was the local Japanese girls' indirect way of confessing.

As soon as she said it.

The gazes of her two friends instantly focused on her.

Souma replied disdainfully, "Dress yourself—you're as lazy as a pig!"

"Tch, no wonder you're single!"

Roya pouted.

It seemed she still needed to grow up more—she had to possess "human kindness" to move him.

"Let's go, time to worship Amaterasu-ōmikami..."

Roya took the lead, walking out the door with her two friends.

Amaterasu-ōmikami, the supreme deity of Japan.

She could definitely use the New Year blessings to pray for divine intervention in their relationship!

Then, she'd make that otaku fall head over heels for her, never wanting to leave her side!

"Right, first I should pray to grow up and gain immense 'human kindness'!"

Roya solemnly tossed a coin, shook the thick rope, then clasped her hands and closed her eyes in earnest prayer.

Crack~

A sound of something breaking seemed to come from somewhere.

Like the sound of stone cracking.

"Huh, did I mishear?"

Roya looked around in confusion.

Everything was calm, and her two friends were still deep in prayer.

Probably just her imagination.

This was the sacred shrine of Amaterasu-ōmikami—even the Evils of Humanity wouldn't dare act recklessly here, right?

Roya continued praying, "Amaterasu-ōmikami, please bless me and make Souma completely obsessed with me!"

Crack~

This time, the sound of something breaking was unmistakably clear.

She stared in shock as the enshrined statue of Amaterasu in the main hall—

Shattered!

No one could believe it.

New Year's blessings, yet the statue of Amaterasu cracked—an unprecedented ominous sign.

Boom—

Under the stunned gazes of everyone, the massive statue completely collapsed!

Iliya muttered blankly, "Could it be that the Demon King Goetia, who seeks to destroy human history, is descending?"

Even Amaterasu, revered as the Sun Goddess, couldn't withstand it and crumbled. Only that terrifying Demon King could achieve such a feat.

"No idea..."

Roya was equally dumbfounded.

She was just an ordinary little girl—why did her simple prayer cause the statue to collapse?

Damn it, did Amaterasu not even want to grant her wish?

She was furious!

After the New Year's blessings, the three parted ways.

Each returned to their own home.

Back at her place, Roya still couldn't shake off her anger. "Earlier, when I prayed to Amaterasu, the statue actually collapsed!"

"Uh..."

Souma gave her a strange look.

Then, his gaze shifted to the fox-patterned scarf tucked inside a gift box.

That was the gift Qin Shi Huang personally crafted back then, using one of Tamamo-no-Mae's tails.

The nine-tailed fox spirit, with all her tails gathered, was revealed to be none other than the divine soul of Amaterasu.

She could practically be considered Amaterasu herself!

Roya couldn't help but pout in frustration. "What? Why are you looking at me like that? I'm not some villain—why won't you let me worship the gods?"

"Probably because… you're too strong."

Souma's lips twitched.

Even Tamamo-no-Mae with all nine tails combined couldn't compare to you!

You alone could easily overpower the other six Evils of Humanity!

He turned his gaze aside. "So, esteemed Mr. Gold, what brings you here again?"

Indeed, the man standing nearby, dressed impeccably in a suit, was none other than the King of Heroes!

He had followed Roya on her way back.

"My dear friend, this is the Spring Festival—the most important holiday in your beloved China. Naturally, I had to pay you a visit." Gilgamesh smiled in response.

Souma grew even more disdainful. "Since you're already here… why the hell didn't you bring a gift?"

The so-called richest man in the world always showed up empty-handed.

Even Cu Chulainn would bring fish or other small gifts when visiting.

"Hey, you always lecture me about manners, so why are you like this?" Roya gave him a puzzled look.

Mr. Gold always came over enthusiastically, yet Souma always acted like he wanted to kick him out.

Their relationship was downright bizarre.

If not for the fact that the other party was male, one might suspect there was something going on between them.

Perhaps this was what people called "frenemies."

"It's fine. I don't mind," Gilgamesh waved it off.

The more this bastard of a best friend didn't want to see him, the more he wanted to drop by.

Just to piss you off!

"..."

Souma sighed in resignation.

Under this guy's "money talks" influence, the brat had absolutely no resistance.

Damn it, Goldie, just you wait!

Once I fully recover my strength, the first thing I'll do is force you to drink the Nyannīchuan—let's see if you'll still come swaggering around every day!

Since it was the New Year and he was already here, Souma naturally had to offer him lunch.

When it was time to eat, Roya suddenly struck a strange pose and grinned.

"Unlimited Rice Works!"

"Uh…"

Souma wanted to stop her, but Gilgamesh was already watching with amusement.

The brat solemnly raised her chopsticks and began chanting her release incantation—

"My body is made of rice."

"My eyes behold the ingredients, my hands wield the chopsticks."

"I have crossed countless dining tables, yet never known defeat."

"I know not hunger, nor have I ever been full."

"Once again, I stand alone, toiling in the kitchen."

"Thus, this life needs no meaning."

"This body is forged of infinite rice!"

Pointing her chopsticks like a sword at Gilgamesh, Roya declared, "Mr. Gold, is your stomach's capacity sufficient?"

It was clearly a parody of EMIYA's iconic move.

Yet, to her surprise, neither of them laughed.

Thwack!

Souma smacked her with his chopsticks. "If you don't eat properly, no wonder you're so short!"

Had this bastard really activated his Clairvoyance?

Otherwise, why would he let Roya perform this most humiliating public execution scene right in front of Gilgamesh?

Souma felt a twinge of concern.

He'd definitely have to add a few more restrictions on the brat later.

Damn it, Alaya!

If not for your relentless exposure videos, none of this would've happened!

Gilgamesh smiled. "Quite amusing, isn't it Souma? Why aren't you laughing?"

"Ahem, it is somewhat funny," Souma coughed awkwardly in agreement.

This wasn't just rubbing salt in the wound—it was outright stabbing someone and then asking if it hurt!

"Is it funny?" Gilgamesh smiled at him.

"...Let's eat, let's eat!"

Souma felt like he was seeing the crimson glow of Ea and quickly changed the subject.

Being publicly defeated and having his arm chopped off was undoubtedly Gilgamesh's greatest humiliation.

Too dangerous. Best not dwell on this topic.

"Mr. Gold, after the release of the 'Camelot Singularity' video, did King Arthur say anything?" Roya asked curiously.

She had wanted to ask Mordred, but the other party completely refused to discuss it.

"How should I know? I'm just an ordinary wealthy man," Gilgamesh shrugged.

Ordinary...

Souma looked at him, barely suppressing the urge to retort.

If he had even one-tenth of Gilgamesh's "ordinary" wealth, he could buy all of Fuyuki!

After dinner.

Roya brought out the fox scarf that had been delivered earlier and asked curiously, "Mr. Gold, how much do you think this fox scarf is worth?"

It was undoubtedly the most beautiful, most comfortable scarf she'd ever touched.

Unfortunately, Souma had claimed it as his own and refused to let her wear it.

"Oh, quite a nice item," Gilgamesh remarked with slight surprise.

[Sha Naqba Imuru] activated.

The clairvoyance allowed him to clearly see this scarf originated from Tamamo-no-Mae!

Interesting.

During the recent battle in Fuyuki City, he'd considered intervening to assist.

But he'd discovered Souma still retained formidable power, easily defeating Hundred-Face Hassan and Tamamo-no-Mae.

Yet Tamamo had left completely unharmed.

So who had sent this fox scarf?

Ding dong~

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Roya ran to open it, surprised at the visitor: "Mr. Qin, Happy New Year~"

The guest was none other than the person who'd delivered the fox scarf earlier—

A beauty whose charm transcended gender and common sense, someone who could debut as an idol effortlessly.

"Happy New Year, little Roya."

Qin Shi Huang smiled warmly, handing her a small gift.

Today being the first day of the Lunar New Year, it was traditional in China to pay respects to one's teacher.

Then.

Qin Shi Huang saw in the living room a strangely familiar figure sitting beside his teacher, carefully examining the fox scarf!

***

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