POV Tenno Hinako-no-miko
— What do you say, Wakana? — The priestess held her mother's fan in her hands, stroking it gently with her fingertips, feeling the taste of her mother's and her goddess's power in the mighty artifact. — What is the reason for the return of the regalia?
— Mistress, do not look for tricks from the Celestial Family, this time fate has turned in your direction. — Wakana looked aloofly at the garden, her heavy hair swaying slightly in the warm spring breeze. — Junko-san had done what her conscience and her heart told her to do.
— But she couldn't help but know the power the Regalia held. By returning them to her mistress, the huntress must have realized how much she was strengthening the enemy. — The priestess did not take her eyes off the fan, but she could feel the quick glance of her advisor.
— Both of them, mother and son, are faithful to their old vows and do not see us as enemies. — The Spiderwoman paused for a moment, as if searching for words, then continued in a softer voice. — Sora sees us as equals, and I saw his pain when he touched my and Mai's past. It was only his genuine concern and understanding that made the miracle possible. — The girl smiled affectionately and covered her eyes.
— You won't tell him, will you? — The priestess snickered at the spider woman, but she pretended not to notice. — Or do you think he won't find out... eventually?
The Spiderwoman jerked her shoulder and abruptly turned away with her whole body, not just her head. The somewhat distant, unemotional girl now looked more like Maya, in whose company she had spent more than a year, or one of the priestess' daughters, who were just as happy and boisterous.
— I see what you are. — Hinako replied with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes and white teeth, but immediately, her expression and tone changed drastically. — So you think there's no threat in this gesture?
— No. — Wakana realized immediately what she meant. — I'll tell you more, neither mother nor son thought of a reward when they helped us in any way. And Sora-kun's story about Miyazaki's "plan" opened up new paths of destiny for me. I have SEEN what the magicians are striving for... — the Spiderwoman's voice became very serious and worried.
— Details? — The priestess replied in the same tone.
— No, — the heavy black hair swayed. — The mages are somehow clouding the future, — she paused briefly, and everything is covered in dark smoke. — I'll need Sora-kun's help, and with his help, I can do it. — The girl looked confidently into her mistress' face.
— Do you think he'll agree to help? — A thin eyebrow arched gracefully.
— No doubt about it. — The Spiderwoman nodded in agreement. — But one must not forget gratitude — I have seen the differences in the souls of mother and son. She is loyalty, honor, and virtue; he is pride, power, courage, and loyalty. His "authority" weighs and remembers, judges and executes. He will not take revenge, but he will not forget ingratitude. — The spider woman spoke with a VERY serious look, never taking her eyes off him.
— Yes, Amaterasu-sama has been hinting at this since the beginning of our acquaintance, so don't worry — the Heavenly Fox's gratitude will be generous. This family has earned my gratitude and respect... and I even have a few thoughts about them... or even three... — The mischievous and cunning smile of the lady gave the Counselor a bad feeling...