The little fox Higokumaru tumbled from the Gyakushinn Miko's shoulder and landed with a thud. Blinks of confusion later—rubbing her eyes as if waking from a dream—she sprang to her feet.
At present, Higokumaru stood barely half a meter tall, about the size of an ordinary pet fox. She looked no different from a game character, standing there... gazing up at the imposing, larger fox brimming with familiar power. Higokumaru couldn't quite wrap her mind around this sight.
Isn't this just my dark side... the Herrscher-controlled kitsune monster known as "Higokumaru"?
Though both Higokumaru and Higokumaru shared the same pronunciation and were indeed the same entity, their meanings for Yae Sakura were entirely different.
Higokumaru was her enemy...
An evil fox spirit and Herrscher who had tormented Sakura for five centuries. If not for Theresa's intervention, Sakura might have been completely erased from existence.
But Higokumaru... Higokumaru was the little pet Sakura had found. A constant follower, always tagging along behind her like a shadow. A being meant to atone for the sins committed against Sakura in the past.
The two were as opposite as night and day.
"B... Big Sister, that's... Higokumaru... Has my ruler consciousness awakened again? Why... why am I still here?" Higokumaru clung to Sakura's skirt, her voice trembling with worry. She feared that if the ruler consciousness took control, she might forever lose her big sister.
The thought of losing Big Sister is truly terrifying!
Big Sister is more important than fried tofu. I'd rather go without fried tofu for a lifetime than lose Big Sister.
These were Higokumaru's innermost thoughts.
However... because Higokumaru was standing at the Gyakushinn Miko's feet, and she was so tiny, whenever she looked up... all Higokumaru could see beneath the Miko's... traditional robes... were her undergarments...
This sight made Higokumaru's heart... can't help but race a little faster.
"Higokumaru, don't be afraid. That wasn't your Herrscher consciousness... You understand parallel worlds, right? We are currently in a parallel world, and this is...the exact moment when Higokumaru was just released from the box."
The Gyakushin Miko immediately crouched down and picked up Higokumaru as if cradling a puppy.
Higokumaru and Higokumaru were completely different entities; the Gyakushin Miko could tell them apart.
She wouldn't hold Higokumaru responsible for what Higokumaru had done. In fact...the Gyakushin Miko liked Higokumaru very much.
"A parallel world, huh? Then...is that Yae Sakura not just the younger Big Sister? Oh no, Big Sister, we must hurry and stop Higokumaru. We can't let that happen again." Seeing the Yae Sakura sisters and Kallen nearby, Higokumaru's expression changed.
After being adopted by Yae Sakura, Higokumaru deeply regretted what she had done to her. Now, witnessing the same situation unfold once more, she felt compelled to prevent it at all costs.
"Yes, indeed..."
The Gyakushin Miko, holding Higokumaru, spotted Higokumaru about to cross two Oaths of Judah up ahead and wasted no time.
Locking onto Higokumaru, she transformed into a sword slash... In a flash, she appeared directly in front of Higokumaru...
"Shuryu Slash!"
In a flash, it was over. Yae Sakura, holding Higokumaru in one arm, stood at the peak of the Judas Cross, spiritual blade Sakura Blossom in hand.
-
"What... When did you appear?"
"Yae Sakura? Two Yae Sakuras... No, wait, those ears..."
"Where's Serenade?"
Ever since the Sixth Serenade had been kicked away moments ago, she smoothly transitioned into the guise of Valkyrie Gyakushinn Miko. In their confrontation with Higokumaru, Kallen and the sisters failed to notice this transformation.
The sight of a Gyakushinn Miko, identical to Yae Sakura, suddenly appearing on the cross left observers utterly astonished.
It was one thing for Older Sister Serenade to look exactly like Kallen, but now this miko cradling a little fox actually matched Yae Sakura's appearance too?
"Don't jump to conclusions... I am Serenade. Sakura, Rin, didn't I mention this to you before? I have the ability to transform into other people."
In such a situation, the Sixth Serenade had been prepared from earlier, so she had warned them beforehand. Now, to prevent further misunderstanding, she reminded them once again.
"Serenade... Sis Serenade?"
Hearing the words of the Gyakushinn Miko who looked just like her confirmed that it was indeed Serenade. Although the Sixth Serenade had mentioned something about this before, Yae Sakura was still surprised by her actual appearance now.
"Is it really Sis Serenade? You look just like my sister, but with a pair of strange long ears? Like... a little bunny? A big sister with rabbit ears is so pretty..."
Unlike Yae Sakura, Yae Rin quickly accepted the situation and glanced between the Gyakushinn Miko before them and her own sister...
My sister with animal ears is so beautiful...
"..."
Only Kallen remained utterly confused.
She has this kind of ability too? But... such an ability seems...
Though it seemed like an eternity, it was merely the time it takes to utter a single sentence. At this moment, Higokumaru would not pause to listen to their idle chatter.
Having shed the Oath of Judah, Higokumaru directed its massive maw straight at the Gyakushinn Miko.
Unlike before, when it was merely a demonic fox transformed by Honkai, Higokumaru now seemed akin to a Herrscher.
Its power radiated a strong corrosivity...
"Sakura... scatter!"
As Higokumaru bore down, the Gyakushinn Miko tossed the little fox perched on her shoulder skyward, sending Higokumaru soaring into the heavens.
"Explode! Shunmetsu!"
In the next instant, Gyakushinn Miko transformed into a blur of sword slashes, flashing behind Higokumaru. Exploiting the unique property of her blade—though her new body was rendered formless, she unleashed a single sword slash, triggering the destined explosion.
The violent Sword Force detonated within Higokumaru's body, causing the creature to freeze mid-flight. Overwhelmed by agony, it lost its ability to fly and plummeted to the ground.
However... Gyakushinn Miko knew that although Higokumaru would likely be in a lot of pain, her injuries were not actually severe.
Because... she was now like a Herrscher!
The Gyakushinn Miko did not pause her attack even when Higokumaru plummeted to the ground. Instead, she continued to target her... with an unrelenting barrage of sword flashes and Shunmetsu strikes.