IBHJ 1208

Ever since Shirou had decided to export culture to the Empire, Heroic Spirits like Shakespeare and other writers had quickly created a series of works tailored to the Empire's cultural climate. They then entrusted these books to well-known traveling Heroic Spirits like Xuanzang Sanzang to spread them far and wide.

"But hardly anyone wants to read them," Ayaka groaned, collapsing onto the pile of books and giving Xuanzang a tired look.

"Don't worry so much. Even the classics need to be adapted to local customs before people will embrace them. That's why Shakespeare and the others asked us to gather feedback from local readers," Xuanzang said with an encouraging smile at the dejected Ayaka.

"I guess that's true, but it still feels like we're getting nowhere. I wonder how Kiara's doing with her books?"

"Probably facing the same challenges we are," she replied with a light chuckle.

Ayaka sighed again, then looked up at her with puzzled eyes. "How come you're not worried at all, Master Xuanzang?"

"Some things just take time," she responded with a serene smile. "Especially when it comes to spreading new ideas."

Ayaka suddenly realized that Xuanzang was famous for spreading Buddhist teachings and must have faced countless obstacles along that journey. She'd definitely been through these same frustrations before. No wonder management had specifically chosen Xuanzang to handle the book distribution.

As for why Ayaka herself was tagging along, it was because humans didn't leave magical signatures that could be easily detected. While the Empire's attention was currently focused on Tír na nÓg, allowing Heroic Spirits with fainter signatures like Xuanzang to slip through and distribute books, any Heroic Spirit still naturally emitted some trace of power. Humans, however, could blend right in with the Empire's population.

Of course, this kind of work came with serious risks, but Ayaka was prepared to face those dangers.

"Let's just keep doing our best going forward," Xuanzang said with an encouraging smile that lifted both their spirits.

Ayaka nodded, then helped pack up the remaining books before heading out with Xuanzang.

They planned to stay in this small village a bit longer to gather information about what kind of stories the Empire's people actually enjoyed. Basically, they'd collect reading preferences, organize the data, and send it back to their base. This would allow creative Heroic Spirits like Shakespeare to craft new works specifically designed to appeal to the Empire's citizens, based on solid reader feedback.

Whatever happened after that wasn't really their responsibility.

"Let's go," Ayaka said with a determined nod.

As she watched Ayaka and Xuanzang walking away with their baskets of books, Manaka finally turned her attention elsewhere—only to find herself staring directly into a pair of dark golden eyes.

"What are you looking at?" she asked, clearly annoyed with Ritsuka standing in front of her.

"Hmm." Ritsuka didn't say anything, just stared intently into Manaka's blue eyes while leaning uncomfortably close to her face.

"You're too close!" she frowned in annoyance and tried to push her away, but Ritsuka quickly caught her wrist.

She struggled to free herself, only to realize with dismay that she couldn't physically overpower Beast VII.

"Let go!" she demanded, trying to sound more confident than she felt.

"Oh, sorry." Ritsuka suddenly snapped back to reality and released Manaka's hand. "I'm sorry. I tend to zone out when I'm thinking about things."

Manaka glanced at her bruised wrist, recognizing this had been Ritsuka's instinctive defensive reaction due to her true identity as the Queen of Evil, and remained extremely wary.

"By the way, Manaka. That's your sister, right?" Ritsuka pointed toward Ayaka's retreating figure in the distance. "Aren't you and your sister close? Why didn't you go say hello to her?"

Manaka rubbed her wrist while responding flatly, "You should be able to tell just by looking at her hair color that she's not my sister."

"Well... I might not be the smartest person around, but if you keep treating me like I'm completely clueless, you're only hurting yourself, Manaka."

"Are you really in a position to say that?"

"It's fine. Instead of hiding behind fancy words and fake masks, I prefer to just say what I'm really thinking. Even if it's not always nice to hear, as long as my friends still like me, that's what matters. We are friends, aren't we?"

Manaka's blue eyes flickered slightly as she sighed to herself. Despite possessing the incredible power of Beast VII, and despite her irritating way of talking, this girl is completely naive.

After spending just a few days together, just because I didn't turn down her request, she considers me—her natural enemy—to be a friend...

Too naive!

Ritsuka, completely oblivious to Manaka's thoughts, looked into her eyes and asked, "You had a fight with your sister, didn't you?"

"...Something like that," Manaka admitted reluctantly.

"Oh, I see." Ritsuka nodded thoughtfully, then turned and started walking in the direction Ayaka had gone.

Seeing this, Manaka's heart raced. She quickly grabbed her shoulder and asked urgently, "What do you think you're doing?"

"I'm going to help you patch things up with your sister."

Hearing this, Manaka was so alarmed that she completely forgot about their power difference and blurted out, "Don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong!"

Ritsuka just stared at her, surprised by the outburst.

Manaka realized her tone had been too harsh. Escalating the conflict wouldn't do her any favors, so she softened her voice and said, "Weren't you looking for your sister? We shouldn't waste time here."

"That's true," Ritsuka nodded.

Manaka let out a small sigh of relief.

She really couldn't face Ayaka right now, not looking like this, in such a sorry state.

Being hated and despised by Ayaka was unavoidable. But if Ayaka was going to hate her, it should be as the proud and fearsome Queen of Evil—not as this pathetic, broken version of herself.

Ritsuka observed Manaka's relief, thoughtfully rubbing her chin.

Kirschtaria watched Ritsuka's behavior and sighed. "Leader, I know you probably won't listen to my advice, but that dangerous woman is a major threat to you too. I suggest staying out of her personal issues and just having her take you to your sister as quickly as possible."

"And then, let Zeus and the others surround and kill her, right?" Ritsuka asked with a smile.

Kirschtaria didn't answer.

"After I became Beast VII, I made Mash leave me because I kept losing control. And since then, you've always stayed by my side, watching over me and helping me. How many years has it been now? Anyway, you understand me even better than Mash who grew up with me, Krista." Ritsuka gave him a warm smile.

"You give me too much credit, leader," he replied evenly.

"And it means you can't stop me from doing what I want." Ritsuka smiled, taking quick steps to catch up with Manaka.

"Master's at it again," Orion sighed, holding his forehead in frustration.

"That's just how Master is," Europa remarked with an affectionate smile.

"Actually... letting the person of destiny interact with that vessel of evil may not be a bad thing," King Hassan stated solemnly.

Hearing this, all the Heroic Spirits turned to him in surprise—both shocked that the typically silent King Hassan had spoken at all and startled by what he'd actually said.

Holmes adjusted his glasses thoughtfully.

"Hmph." Zeus crossed his arms and snorted dismissively before looking toward Kirschtaria.

Kirschtaria sighed heavily. "Let's follow them."

The Heroic Spirits nodded in agreement.

"Also, when will she ever get my name right? I'm not 'Krista,' I'm Kirschtaria," he muttered, feeling utterly defeated. As a perfectionist, he simply couldn't stand Ritsuka's casual disregard for precision.