Yae Miko had never found being the Guuji to be an enjoyable affair.
She could no longer show her carefree innocence as she had in her childhood.
The festivals she once loved now required her to attend in full regalia, to act with measured steps, and to remain seated within the shrine hall.
While brilliant fireworks blossomed in the night sky and the shrine bustled with crowds, the Guuji had to maintain a dignified smile for the entire duration...
Such a disaster was more terrifying than the complete disappearance of fried tofu from the world.
And in the long passage of time, boredom was the most difficult enemy to resist.
Mt. Yougou, unlike the rest of Inazuma, seemed to be blessed with eternally clear skies and a gentle breeze.
The clear sunlight slanted down, carried into the Grand Narukami Shrine by the refreshing wind.
Feathery petals from the Sacred Sakura drifted onto the tatami mats. Yae Miko lay on her side in the shade of the wooden veranda, propping her chin on her hand.
Her crimson hakama rippled like silk at her waist. The loose collar of her under-kimono revealed a line of jade-white skin, and her long furisode sleeve had slipped down to her elbow, exposing the wrist that held a book, which gleamed in the motes of dust as she turned the pages.
Her bent right leg suddenly swayed. Her foot, freed from its white tabi sock, hooked the red strap of a lacquered geta sandal, swinging it gently.
Having been busy for several days straight, the Guuji had acquired the most popular new light novel from the Yae Publishing House and bought several pieces of fried tofu from Kiminami Restaurant, intending to thoroughly pamper herself today.
"Oh my, this premise is rather interesting."
Reincarnated as the Raiden Shogun, My Counterattack Begins as a Maid.
Growing excited, she curled her toes to reach for a quill pen lying on the low table.
Her suspended calf tensed slightly, her arch forming a crescent moon's curve. Her taut toes slowly curled again, the nails gleaming like honey-glazed cherries in the sunlight.
If any of the shrine maidens of the Grand Narukami Shrine were to witness this scene, their mouths would probably hang open wide enough to swallow two eggs.
In their minds, the Guuji was always graceful and dignified. How could she ever do something like using her foot to grab a quill?
Zzzrrra—
A crack suddenly split the air, and a figure stepped out from it.
"?"
Yae Miko's jade-like foot froze in mid-air, the faint blue veins on her smooth arch barely visible.
Yae Miko blinked. Seeing that the newcomer made no move, she silently retracted her foot, stood up, and calmly straightened her Guuji attire.
She picked up the plate beside her and offered it forward. "Fried tofu? Would you like some?"
The Herrscher of the Void was puzzled by her actions, narrowing her eyes. "Aren't you going to ask who I am?"
Yae Miko covered her mouth and nose with her sleeve, a smile in her eyes. "I sense no hostility from you, nor have you shown any intent to attack. More importantly, you seem rather interesting... I mean, a guest is a guest. As the host, it is only natural for me to offer proper hospitality."
The Herrscher of the Void's gaze swept over the fried tofu in her hand. She clasped her hands behind her back and said majestically, "You are much more sensible than that little god among mortals."
A little god among mortals?
Who? A youkai from the forest?
"Oh my, there are some ill-mannered creatures who like to call themselves gods and play tricks on people. As long as they don't cause too much trouble, I hope you won't bully them too much. By the way, my name is Yae Miko, the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine. May I ask for your name, milady?"
Ah Quan?
Little Void?
The Herrscher of the Void felt that none of these names suited her status.
But as for a name...
"You may call me Her Majesty the Queen."
"Oh my, what an interesting title. Her Majesty the Queen."
The pink-haired fox called her that with a beaming smile.
From the Guuji's expression, it was clear she was thinking, "This person is truly amusing."
But the Herrscher of the Void couldn't tell.
Because, much like a certain King of Knights, she did not understand the hearts of people.
Let alone the heart of a fox.
"May I ask what business brings Your Majesty to my humble shrine?"
"I am simply to stay here."
A question mark appeared above Yae Miko's head. "Just stay here? Oh, have you taken a liking to shrine maiden culture? Do you wish to become one yourself? That is possible, of course, but you would need to start as an apprentice."
The Herrscher of the Void shook her head. "I am just to stay here."
"?"
Another question mark popped up over Yae Miko's head.
This was utterly baffling.
The Herrscher of the Void thought for a moment and added, "I can only leave when you are able to travel to another world."
Can only leave?
Yae Miko noted her choice of words.
Is she restrained by some kind of power? A curse, perhaps?
So she hopes to find a way to break the curse at the shrine?
No, what does she mean by 'when I travel to another world'?
What does that have to do with her staying here?
Yae Miko picked up a piece of fried tofu, popped it into her mouth, and once again pushed the white porcelain dish towards the Herrscher of the Void. "Try some. It's delicious."
Her Majesty the Queen did not refuse this time. She copied Yae Miko, pinching a piece of fried tofu with her fingers.
"How is it? Delicious, right?"
A flicker of uncertainty crossed the Herrscher of the Void's eyes.
It wasn't a question of whether it was good or not. After all, when she thought about it, this was truly her first time "eating something."
Although Cecilia cooked for her every day in the snowy village, that was a simulated world. The virtual data-food required her to set the taste herself, and it lacked a sense of reality.
The "maps" outside the simulated world were no different from reality.
But—aside from consuming Ye Feng's essence, the Herrscher had never eaten anything else there.
"Hmph. It's average," the Herrscher of the Void said haughtily.
Yae Miko simply smiled, pressing her lips together.
"There's plenty more here."
Yae Miko brought out another bowl of fried tofu, planning to "converse" slowly while they ate.
Tap, tap, tap!
Accompanied by a series of hurried footsteps, a shrine maiden came running.
"Lady Guuji, Lady Guuji!!"
"What is it? Why are you running in the corridor in such an unseemly manner?" Yae Miko said, looking at the shrine maiden who stood with her head bowed at the entrance.
The shrine maiden, far from being nervous, was excited. "Lady Guuji, an auspicious omen has descended upon Inazuma City!"
"What? An omen? What kind of omen?"
"The dark clouds above the Tenshukaku have dissipated, revealing a clear and peaceful sky. The Raiden Shogun herself stood and received a person who descended from the heavens... hm?"
The shrine maiden's gaze fell upon the Herrscher of the Void, who was currently eating fried tofu.
Brilliant golden eyes, long white hair... why does she look a bit like the person from the report?
... ...
Through the Herrscher of the Void, Ye Feng could clearly see the situation on her end.
"Without any special training from me, Ah Quan has already become quite skilled at this job."
Ye Feng muttered to himself.
He opened the [Character List]. Yae Miko had not appeared.
"She should appear after a certain period of contact."
That's what his innate knowledge told him.
"However..."
Ye Feng looked at the Raiden Ei NPC sitting in front of him. He patted her fair, smooth cheek with his forearm. "There's no rush. I'll properly guide and educate Ei first, then I'll collect the fox."