Meanwhile, Itsuki unconsciously pulled her husband's arm and hugged him tightly to her chest. Her attentive eyes looked at Ren with deep concern.
"Hubby... If you're a Campione, that means you do dangerous things, right?"
Ichika, who had been skeptical from the start, now looked at Ren with a serious expression.
"I don't want you doing dangerous things. I also don't want my younger sister to become a widow and a single mother raising a child alone."
However, although her words sounded like a joke, her tone carried genuine worry.
Ren remained calm and looked at both of them with a serious expression. "When someone becomes a Campione, their peaceful, everyday life disappears forever."
"That power gives Campione the most overwhelming strength, allowing them to reach the pinnacle of the world and enjoy all the pleasures that come with this identity. Even if they sleep on a golden bed every day, drink the most expensive wine as if it were water, and are surrounded by the most beautiful women every night, no one dares to oppose their commands."
Pausing for a moment, Ren looked into Itsuki's teary eyes before saying firmly, "Campione are the strongest group of people in the world, and also the most dangerous group of people in the world."
Sighing, Ren reached out to gently pat Itsuki's head.
"I've already become one of them, and there's no turning back for me now. But one thing you must know... For the sake of gaining the power to protect you, I'm willing to bear this heavy fate."
Itsuki's eyes trembled upon hearing those words, and without hesitation, she hugged her husband even tighter. "Hubby... I believe in you."
Kaoru and Touma exchanged glances before looking away, pretending to be busy counting the dust in the air. They didn't want to disturb this romantic moment.
On the other hand, Ichika snorted softly, but deep down, she felt a little envious of Itsuki.
'This man... is even more outstanding than Fuutarou.'
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
After the touching moment ended, Ren shifted his gaze to the two uninvited guests who had been silent, merely witnessing his private conversation with his wife and sister-in-law.
"So, you didn't come here just to watch my family melodrama, did you?"
Kaoru stepped forward respectfully, slightly bowing.
"King, we have come as representatives of the History Compilation Committee."
"And?" Ren looked at him with a flat expression.
Kaoru continued in a serious tone, "The Committee wishes to pledge our loyalty to you, King."
Ichika frowned upon hearing the term "King." while Itsuki looked at Ren with admiration.
"..."
Ren had anticipated this from the beginning.
Mage associations pledge loyalty to Campione solely to seek protection. For this purpose, they can provide human or material support.
Ren is a Campione; he won't do everything alone, and people don't want to see a human-shaped nuclear bomb like him wandering around.
If he agrees to the History Compilation Committee offer, it means he also takes responsibility for their protection. If a Heretic God threatens their territory, or if another Campione attacks, then Ren must act as their shield.
'The History Compilation Committee is a group of petty people. I don't want to be manipulated like Kusanagi Godou...'
Recalling the plot he knew, Ren had no good impression of the History Compilation Committee. They are a pragmatic group that only cares about their own interests.
'After becoming a Campione and gaining the power to dominate the world, Godou was manipulated by Erica and the Italian Mage Association.'
'It's understandable if Godou wanted to return to his normal life, but after returning home, he was forced by a letter to go back to Italy to prove his power to the Italian Mage Association. How foolish, he's so obedient like a slave.'
'What's even more disgusting is that the History Compilation Committee tried every means to control Godou. On the surface, they were loyal to Godou, but in reality, they played him and even let him clean up their mess without paying any price. This is truly a model of true loyalty.'
Ignoring Kaoru and Touma, who were waiting in tension, Ren belittled Godou in his heart.
'The methods used by the official History Compilation Committee are nothing more than a few tricks. They use verbal benefits to win people's hearts and minds and gain control. Aside from sacrificing women, the actual benefits are nothing special.'
'This is an organization that refuses to submit to others. Perhaps Susanoo in the Netherworld gives them the courage to act. However, that old man himself is just a coward who is so afraid of Campione that he hides in the Netherworld.'
Ren somewhat understood the arrogance of the History Compilation Committee, which didn't take Campione as seriously as the Mage Association. After all, Susanoo is their true backer.
'Godou remained under the control of the History Compilation Committee because of his status as a hot-blooded high school student who is easily swayed by emotions. But do they still think I'm that idiot Godou? Although we're both high school students, Godou was just an ordinary person before becoming a Campione, unlike me, who has seen the dark side of humanity since childhood.'
'As a Campione, Godou lived a completely useless life. Not to mention becoming a cruel Devil King like Marquis Voban, but doing whatever I want is also one of my life principles.'
"I refuse." Ren showed not the slightest hesitation in rejecting their offer.
"King, please reconsider—"
Before Kaoru could finish a single sentence, the atmosphere in the room drastically changed.
*BOOM!*
An oppressive and terrifying aura enveloped Kaoru and Touma without them realizing it. It wasn't a psychological feeling, but a real one.
Breathing rapidly, the two felt as if they were trapped in a closed room and gradually couldn't breathe.
However, what truly shook them wasn't just the pressure—it was Ren's next words.
"Don't overestimate yourselves. Even though the History Compilation Committee has Susanoo behind you, I'm not afraid of a coward who doesn't dare show his face. He's only good at using tricks to seal Sun Wukong. Leave, I don't want to see the History Compilation Committee again."
Ren made a strong and dominating statement.
Kaoru and Touma widened their eyes.
'He knows?!?!'
Rokuhara Ren, a new Campione, knew about their organization's greatest secret. About how Susanoo, one of the Heretic Gods, acted from behind the shadows of the History Compilation Committee, and about the sealed Sun Wukong.
'A newly born Campione shouldn't know this. So, how did this young man find out?'
Kaoru looked at the young man once more. Ren's gaze remained calm, but behind that calmness, there was something terrifying.
With a face that still tried to remain composed, he slightly bowed his head.
"We understand, King. We apologize for the disturbance."
Though still trembling, Touma followed Kaoru's lead and saluted before the two turned and left the apartment.