The doors closed with a soft click. Inside the elegant room reserved for private family discussions, an ominous air settled as Rin returned to the Empire. He was greeted not with hugs, but with three very charming smiles, all laced with equally dark auras.
Akane, Miharu, and Suzuki stood in perfect alignment like judges of fate, arms folded, lips curled into practiced grins that didn't quite reach their eyes.
Rin, in contrast, was crouched near a low table, humming peacefully to himself as he pulled souvenirs from a travel chest.
"Oooh, Miharu, this ribbon reminded me of your usual disguise colors," Rin said innocently, handing it to her without making eye contact.
"Oh, how thoughtful," Miharu responded sweetly. "A reward for being loyal while you were romancing a Saintess, hmm?"
"Akane," Rin continued, unfazed, "I found this scroll on regional tax structures. Thought you'd like it."
"How charming. A bribe?" Akane replied, her eye twitching as she clutched the scroll.
"Ah, and Suzuki—here, I got you incense. It's supposed to enhance mental clarity."
Suzuki accepted it with a polite smile, but her Mana Eyes glowed faintly. "So you can gift me clarity, but not a proper explanation of what you did with the Saintess?"
Behind them, Kazuo, Izumi, and Aya all watched like a live court drama was unfolding. Aya whispered to Izumi, "Should we sell tickets next time?"
Kazuo simply rubbed his temple. "I told him this would happen."
Rei sat on the couch, sipping tea calmly, watching Rin being smothered by passive-aggressive affection. He wasn't breaking a sweat.
Finally, Miharu turned toward Rei. "So? You were there, Rei. Why didn't you stop this... saintly affair?"
Rei set her cup down and crossed her arms. "Because there was no affair. Honestly, you three are hopeless."
Akane narrowed her eyes. "Explain."
Rei stood and walked toward the group, her voice calm. "Saintess Elaine is not in love with Rin. She's involved because she holds knowledge about the cycle resets. You three know how serious that is."
That made them pause. Their expressions stiffened.
Rei continued, "Rin publicly declared feelings to protect her from being removed or replaced by corrupt members of the current Heavenly Doctrine. His actions were political. Not romantic."
"And he had to use that method?" Suzuki asked, still skeptical.
"It was the most effective route. The moment the Saintess is discredited, we lose a major piece in the reformation of the doctrine," Rei explained, then turned to them with narrowed eyes. "And Rin… is doing all this knowing full well that her knowledge could be tied to his future death."
Silence fell.
Rin, still crouched at the table, gently pushed the last gift forward. "Also, I brought you all snacks from the Crimson Valor Kingdom. They're limited edition."
Akane clicked her tongue. "You can't sweet-talk your way out of this, you know."
"I'm not. I'm bribing you with sincerity and sugar."
Suzuki turned away, flustered. "You idiot."
Miharu sighed, twirling the ribbon between her fingers. "You're lucky we love you."
Aya grinned from her perch on the window. "Awww, they forgave him already?"
Izumi giggled. "They always do."
Kazuo muttered, "They're more terrifying than enemy generals."
As the air began to clear, Rei walked back to the couch, muttering under her breath just loud enough for Rin to hear, "You owe me."
"I already brought you roasted nuts and wine," Rin whispered back.
"...Fair enough."
Rei crossed her arms and watched as Rin was dragged away by Akane, Suzuki, and Miharu with a mix of exasperation and amusement.
"…Not even going to help him?" Rei muttered, glancing at the three Imperial Siblings left behind.
Izumi leaned into her seat with a grin. "Nope. He deserves it."
Aya snickered. "He's better at handling diplomatic talks with foreign kings than navigating love with four fiancées."
Kazuo sighed, rubbing his forehead. "He's still learning. Let him suffer a bit."
The three of them watched as Rin disappeared behind the shoji doors, sighing in resignation.
Rin sat properly and respectfully as he poured tea for the three very patient yet still clearly annoyed women seated around him. Their gazes were sharp, but their movements elegant—proper consorts of the Empire, even in irritation.
"Thank you," Akane said curtly as she accepted her tea.
Miharu smiled sweetly, though her eyes shimmered with suspicion. "Let's hear it."
Suzuki didn't even pretend to be polite. "Start talking. Slowly."
Rin let out a breath as he poured his own tea, then placed the teapot down carefully before speaking.
"Saintess Elaine… isn't like other Saintesses. She's the vessel of a Deity—the one known as Heaven's Voice. That Deity remembers the past cycles."
That got their attention. Even Suzuki's frown faltered.
"She's the only living being outside of myself who has information about the resets. That's why I'm willing to support her reforming the corrupted Heavenly Doctrine."
Akane's eyes narrowed. "Tying her to the Hoshimi Empire would certainly make her untouchable by the other branches."
"Exactly," Rin nodded. "The best way to secure that was to give her a reason to insist on coming here herself. If the Doctrine thinks she's in love with me… they'll gladly send her. She's the perfect bait and symbol for their expansion."
Miharu raised a brow. "So you're using fake love as your weapon?"
Rin nodded again, solemn. "If they sent a different Saintess, I'd reject them outright. Elaine is… the only one I trust to change things."
Akane swirled her tea cup slowly. "It's clever. Using their expectations against them, anchoring her here under your shadow… Hmph. I hate it."
"I know," Rin said, placing a hand over his chest with exaggerated pain. "It hurt me too."
Akane rolled her eyes.
Rin turned serious. "But… I also want to promise something. I don't love Elaine. I never did. What I said—what I implied—was only to make her path easier. You three, and Rei… I care for you. And while I still can't say I love you the same way you love me…"
Suzuki interrupted him gently, "We know. You don't have to force those words."
Miharu leaned forward with a teasing smile. "You've already accepted us in private. You take care of us. That's more than enough… for now."
Akane gave a small nod. "Still, Rin… I want you to be honest with us when things like this happen. We are your partners in this, even if the Empire doesn't know it yet."
"…I will," Rin said softly, eyes meeting each of theirs. "You three… and Rei… you're all important to me."
They sipped their tea in silence, the tension thinning out into soft understanding.
Izumi raised a brow as the door remained shut. "Think they calmed down?"
Aya leaned back lazily. "Either that, or he's now their pillow."
Kazuo looked up at the ceiling and muttered, "He really needs to stop being that reckless."
Rei just smiled faintly. "…But that's why we love him."
A knock came at the tearoom's door.
"Pardon me, your highness," an attendant said, bowing. "You've been summoned by His Majesty and the White Empress."
The three consorts exchanged glances as Rin stood, fixing his robes.
"Good luck," Akane muttered under her breath. Rin just smiled wryly.
Rin entered to find Emperor Masaki seated at his desk, arms crossed, while White Empress Asami stood beside him—holding several captured mage photographs in her hands.
Each image was sharp and damning:
—Rin holding Saintess Elaine's hand tenderly.
—His lips gently brushing the back of her fingers.
—A soft, sincere look in his eyes.
—Taken from multiple angles. Professional. Intentional.
Masaki stared at him, clearly struggling to find words.
"…Is this really you?" he asked at last, tone caught between disbelief and disappointment.
Rin nodded calmly. "It is."
Asami slammed the photos down onto the desk.
"Then tell me why you did this," she demanded, voice edged with anger. "Do you have any idea the kind of political storm you've just kicked up?"
She stepped closer.
"Saintess Elaine is a symbol of the Heavenly Doctrine. Publicly, we've severed all ties with them. Generations ago, they tried to infiltrate and manipulate the throne. We crushed their influence. And now this—" she gestured sharply at the images, "—is going to make every noble and priest in the land start questioning the Empire's position."
Masaki leaned forward. "And worse—they'll see this as an opening. The corrupted Doctrine will twist this and claim you, of all people, have sided with them."
Rin stood tall and unfazed. "Do you truly think I'd betray the Empire?"
Both Masaki and Asami went silent. They exchanged a glance. Then finally—
"…No," Masaki said. "We know you wouldn't."
Asami sighed, rubbing her temple. "…But you could have told us."
Rin gave a faint, apologetic smile. "There wasn't time. And this couldn't be public knowledge—not yet."
He stepped forward, his expression turning serious.
"Elaine isn't just a Saintess. She's the chosen vessel of Heaven's Voice, a Deity. One that remembers the resets."
Asami's composure cracked. Masaki's eyes narrowed.
"…The Golden Princess," the Emperor said quietly. "She mentioned that?"
Rin nodded. "And me. My death. My fate. She knew things only a being from outside the loop could know. Which means this Deity, this Voice of Heaven, isn't bound by the cycle."
"…That's classified information," Asami said softly. "You're saying a Saintess has knowledge even we have only in whispers?"
"Yes," Rin replied. "Which is why I need her here. Not as a Saintess of the Doctrine, but as the herald of a reformation."
Asami folded her arms. "And you thought seduction was the best method?"
Rin sighed. "I wouldn't call it seduction."
Both Masaki and Asami gave him blank stares.
He winced. "…Fine. It was strategic seduction. A little manipulative."
Masaki pinched the bridge of his nose.
Rin continued. "But Elaine isn't stupid. She knows she's just a figurehead in the Doctrine. They'll use her until she breaks. I offered her a way out. A place where her beliefs—the true beliefs—could actually take root."
He paused, lowering his gaze slightly.
"And for me… she might hold the key to understanding my fate. If this Deity is truly unshackled from the loops, then I need its insight."
Masaki leaned back, expression contemplative now. "So your plan is to bring her into the Empire's fold… use her position to spread the true teachings under our oversight…"
"Exactly," Rin said. "It won't harm the Empire. The Golden Oath we follow and the original Heavenly Doctrine have the same foundation. It's only the current corrupted structure that's a problem."
Asami's tone was cautious. "Then how do you keep Elaine from being pulled back into that corrupted system?"
Rin smiled thinly. "We bind her here—permanently. Not through politics. Through purpose. Through relationships. If she sees her future here, with us… if she finds a personal reason to cut ties…"
"She'll separate naturally," Masaki murmured.
"Correct," Rin confirmed. "And once she walks away from the Doctrine, they can't touch her. She'll become something new—something we help guide."
Silence stretched between them. Finally—
Asami let out a slow breath. "…It's a dangerous plan."
"But bold," Masaki added. "And it fits your style."
Rin gave a slight bow. "I'm prepared to bear the consequences."
Asami shook her head. "Just make sure she is too."
Rin looked up, eyes firm. "She will be."
The heavy doors shut behind Rin.
Silence lingered like smoke.
Emperor Masaki exhaled deeply, leaning back in his chair. "…Why is it always him?"
White Empress Asami folded her arms, her tone dry but tinged with reluctant pride. "Because no one else would dare do something that reckless and somehow make it work."
A beat passed before the doors swung open again—this time without announcement.
Three presences swept into the chamber like a change in weather.
—Vermillion Empress Hikari, clad in ceremonial red armor, her sword still at her side, posture taut and dangerous.
—Black Empress Minako, silent and elegant, her steps making no sound, shadows curling lightly around her feet.
—Azure Empress Nao, composed and cool-eyed, her magical aura rippling like a still pond disturbed by wind.
Hikari shut the door behind them. "We saw the photos."
Nao raised a brow. "The boy's stirring ripples again."
Minako vanished briefly into the corner shadows, her voice whispering from the dim. "More than ripples. If the Doctrine retaliates, this could shift the spiritual balance of the continent."
Asami didn't bother hiding her sarcasm. "Nice of you all to show up once the building's already burning."
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Hikari said with a grin, pulling out a chair.
Nao turned to Masaki. "You spoke with him?"
Masaki nodded grimly. "He knew exactly what he was doing. Said Elaine's link to the Voice of Heaven might reveal truths about the resets… and maybe even help prevent his destined death."
That drew silence.
Even Hikari stopped fidgeting. Minako's form stilled completely. Nao's eyes darkened.
"If that's true," Minako murmured, "then she's no longer a political risk. She's a divine anomaly."
Nao's expression turned sharp. "A threat… or a key."
Asami rested a hand on the desk. "And Rin wants her under our banner."
Hikari crossed her arms. "Then we adjust. If she holds even a sliver of truth about the Golden Princess and Rin's survival, we have to."
Masaki added, "He's giving her a place here. Possibly… forming a deeper bond to keep her anchored."
Nao's gaze turned pointed. "A fifth consort?"
"I don't think that's his intention," Masaki replied. "Publicly, Rin has no consorts. Those close to the Hoshimi family know otherwise—but the world still believes the four belong to Kazuo."
Minako's voice came soft and certain. "Regardless… if the Voice of Heaven lies beyond the reset's reach, and if it can help him escape death… we protect her."
Hikari's brow furrowed. "Even if she's a Saintess of our enemies?"
"Especially if," Nao countered coldly. "If she betrays us—I'll erase her myself."
Asami sighed. "The four girls have sworn themselves to Rin in secret. But now the world believes he's in love with a saintess. That's going to test their trust."
Nao's voice was calm, but firm. "Good. Let it. They must grow. This won't be the last trial."
Hikari gave a sharp smirk. "He's our son. If anyone can survive the affection of five powerful women and manipulate an empire—it's him."
A quiet chuckle escaped Masaki. "Sometimes I wonder… is he our son, or our rival?"
Minako stepped forward, her voice a velvet thread. "Neither. He's the one who will succeed us all. Whether he wants to or not."
Then, more softly:
"…If only he wasn't fated to die, we'd have already made him Crown Prince. And Kazuo wouldn't object—he's always wanted to be an artist."
A moment passed in solemn agreement.
Nao placed a hand on the desk. "Then it's decided. We adapt. We observe. We prepare."
"And we protect him," Hikari said.
Asami, the last to speak, gave a weary smile.
"…From the world. From fate. And sometimes…"
She looked toward the door Rin had exited.
"…From himself."
Elaine sat alone in her chamber, the weight of silence pressing against her skin like a second robe. The soft light of the moon spilled across the floor, but it could not reach her heart.
The Voice spoke.
"As expected…"
It echoed through her mind—ancient, knowing, almost amused.
"He opened a path for you to enter the Hoshimi Empire naturally. The other Saintesses will try to replace you, of course… but that insignia he gave you ensures that only you will be granted an audience with him."
Elaine stared at the insignia resting in her palm, fingers tracing its intricate, divine engravings. Rin had handed it to her without hesitation—like he'd already chosen her.
"Hoshimi Rin has done his part."
A quiet chuckle followed.
"And you? You tried so hard to speak to him naturally, only to be overwhelmed the moment he turned his gaze on you. Honestly, it was quite entertaining. But grabbing him like that? Hitting him with a stick, pointing like a lost child, then panicking when you realized who he was?"
Elaine sighed, cheeks slightly flushed. She refused to rise to the bait.
"…Still," she admitted softly, "he was difficult to persuade. If you hadn't told me what to say, I would've ruined everything."
She clutched the insignia tighter, pressing it to her chest like a charm warding off doubt.
"…Oi, Elaine."
She ignored the voice.
"Elaine."
Another sigh escaped her lips. "Haaah… I probably got tricked. Manipulated."
The Voice hummed, neither agreeing nor denying.
"And yet," it said, voice growing faintly wistful, "his soul remains untainted. Not even a trace of corruption. Not a speck of malice… despite cornering you like that."
Elaine's brows furrowed.
She had felt it—how Rin had woven the encounter, turning every word, every motion, into an advantage. It was calculated… deliberate. And yet his soul remained radiantly clean.
She murmured, "…He was right about one thing. If I want to change the Heavenly Doctrine… I must leave it behind. Create something new in the Hoshimi Empire."
A pause.
"But I still can't accept it. Using evil to fight evil. That's not salvation… that's surrender."
The Voice turned quiet for a moment, then answered coolly.
"And that is why you'll never truly reform the Heavenly Doctrine."
Elaine flinched.
"Rin knew this the moment he met you. He sees you as kind. Innocent. But naïve. If you want to change the world, you must be willing to bleed for it… as he has."
She let out a small, bitter laugh. "Then I'll never understand him."
The Voice sighed.
"You will. In time. Or rather—you have… countless times already. And each time, you chased after him. And each time, you cried when you lost him."
Elaine's breath caught in her throat.
"…What do you mean by that?"
Silence. Then:
"Elaine… I am not long for this world. Once you're ready, I will pass my divine authority to you. You will carry on as the Saintess I chose. You will remember. And you will break."
Elaine's eyes widened.
"But Rin will be there. He always is. To help you back up."
A soft, mournful pause.
"I only hope… that next time, I won't meet you again."
"Why…?" Her voice trembled. "Do you regret choosing me?"
"No," the Voice whispered. "I never regretted choosing you. But… I cannot forgive myself. Not after remembering…"
The Voice faded.
"That's enough for now. Rest well, Elaine."
"But—"
Gone.
Elaine sat still, surrounded by silence once more.
The insignia lay against her chest, pulsing with a gentle warmth. She looked up at the ceiling, eyes shimmering with quiet sorrow.
"…Why does it feel like you're someone I knew?"