Arriving in the West District, Kamisato Ayaka quickly found the tavern.
Pushing the door open, a wave of noisy chatter rushed into her ears.
She frowned slightly.
She had never liked places this loud.
Scanning the room, she soon spotted several familiar figures.
"There they are."
She quickly walked over.
"Oh? Miss Kamisato, you're here too?"
Dehya was the first to notice her and greeted her enthusiastically.
"Yes. I'm here to recruit companions."
Ayaka looked around the table.
Dehya, Cyno, Yukong, and Barbara.
"You're the Hero?"
Ayaka nodded.
Instantly, the group grew excited.
Finally, a Hero had appeared.
Which meant that if they joined her party, they could finally leave the city and explore the world.
"Miss Kamisato, what do you think about me?" Dehya said eagerly. "Level 21 Warrior. Pure physical damage. I hit really hard."
She immediately began advertising herself.
There were many companion professions.
There was no guarantee she'd be chosen.
She had to seize this opportunity.
Cyno also began promoting himself.
"Level 17 Card Master. I specialize in support abilities. I'll definitely be useful."
Yukong added calmly, "Level 28 Elven Archer. I use a bow, so I won't compete with you for equipment. I can also cast wind magic."
Watching everyone eagerly pitch themselves, only Barbara remained calm.
After everyone finished speaking, she gently said,
"Level 11 Priest. I can heal."
In an instant, Ayaka's eyes lit up.
That profession was perfect.
With Barbara in the party, they could save a lot on potions.
Without hesitation, Ayaka grabbed Barbara's hand excitedly.
"Miss Barbara, let's form a party!"
"No problem."
Barbara smiled confidently.
She had known she would be chosen.
Her class was simply too valuable.
"Miss Kamisato, I think your team needs a front-line fighter."
"No, no, support is just as important."
"Ranged firepower matters too!"
If Barbara could leave this tavern, there was no reason the others couldn't.
"Let's all form a party," Ayaka said kindly.
She was an easygoing person.
"Everyone can join. I have four slots anyway."
Looking around again, she didn't see Kujou Sara anywhere.
"That's strange. Thoma said General Kujou Sara was here."
"If you're looking for Kujou Sara," Dehya said, "you don't need to search anymore."
"She left yesterday."
"Left?"
"Yeah. She went outside the city to find the Demon King's army."
"…The Demon King's army?"
Ayaka blinked in confusion.
Why would Sara go there?
Did she plan to fight them alone?
But then Ayaka remembered—
The Demon King's army currently had the Raiden Shogun.
Which meant there was only one possibility.
Sara had defected.
Although Ayaka thought that sounded completely unreliable, she kept the thought to herself.
"So… what should we do now?" Ayaka asked.
She had only just arrived and lacked information.
She had to rely on the others.
"I think we should stay here," Dehya suggested. "If the Demon King's army attacks the city, we can farm some experience."
The enemy players were practically at their doorstep.
Why not fight them?
"That's not wise," Yukong said, shaking her head.
"The Hero's level is still too low. We can't win right now."
"We should leave the city before it's surrounded. Train and level up, then come back later."
"But if we leave," Dehya argued, "the city might fall before we return."
"Not necessarily," Yukong replied. "Lady Yae Miko is very capable. She should be able to defend the city for a while."
"Wait… who?" Ayaka suddenly interrupted.
"Yae Miko."
Ayaka blinked in shock.
She hadn't known Yae Miko was here.
And she was defending the city?
That meant—
She was opposing the Raiden Shogun.
"You didn't know?" Dehya explained. "Lady Yae Miko's role is the kingdom's Grand Strategist."
"When the Raiden Shogun attacked the city earlier, she was the one directing the defense."
Ayaka sighed internally.
So just like she suspected—
Those two had ended up opposing each other again.
But then a thought occurred to her.
If Yae Miko was the kingdom's strategist, perhaps she could ask for some support.
Even if that wasn't possible, Yae Miko could probably give advice.
Ayaka trusted the shrine maiden.
Surely she wouldn't sabotage her own people.
After explaining her idea, the others agreed.
They immediately stood up and headed toward Yae Miko's location.
On the city walls—
Yae Miko stood high above, looking at the monsters wandering outside the city.
Her expression was extremely displeased.
"That idiot… Ei, you idiot."
Her role this time was quite good.
She was a high-ranking minister of the kingdom.
Originally, she had planned to enjoy the authority.
But the monsters had attacked far too quickly.
And the worst part—
The one leading them was her best friend.
Although she was currently responsible for the defense, things were not as stable as they appeared.
Only she knew the truth.
They couldn't hold out much longer.
Her strength and military ability were simply not on the same level as Raiden Ei's.
The city walls were the only reason they had lasted this long.
Just then, a soldier approached to report that someone wanted to see her.
"Bring them here."
She already knew it must be another player.
She was curious to see who it would be this time.
When Ayaka approached, Yae Miko smiled immediately.
"Oh? Isn't this the little lady of the Kamisato Clan?"
"What brings you here? Don't tell me you're planning to defect like Kujou Sara did?"
A dangerous glint appeared in her eyes.
She was still furious about letting Sara escape earlier.
There was no way she would allow another one to slip away.
If everyone defected to Raiden Ei's side, she would be finished.
"Um… Lady Guuji, I'm the Hero. I can't change factions."
"The Hero?!"
Yae Miko's eyes lit up.
She grabbed Ayaka's arm and pointed toward the monster army outside.
"Perfect timing. Go defeat those monsters for me."
"…What?"
Ayaka froze.
There were so many monsters.
How could she defeat them alone?
Was Yae Miko trying to get her killed?
"Lady Guuji… I'm only level 16."
"Tch. Some Hero you are."
Yae Miko glanced at her with clear disappointment.
"You probably couldn't even survive one slash from Ei."
Ayaka looked embarrassed.
She was weaker than Kujou Sara, the traitor.
If she fought now, she wouldn't even defeat Sara, let alone the Shogun.
"…Wait."
Suddenly, Yae Miko's eyes sparkled.
Kujou Sara had defected.
Ayaka was also from Inazuma.
If Sara could betray Ei—
Why couldn't Ayaka do the opposite?
"Ei probably wouldn't suspect this little girl…"
Her eyes spun thoughtfully before her lips curled into a sly smile.
"I've got an idea."
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