HI3: I Don't Want to Be a Valkyrie

"Switched already? It feels as if my Valkyrie body is just armor I can slip into..." Yae Sakura, now once again embodying the Gyakushinn Miko form she had possessed for four years, quickly acclimated to her familiar sensation.

"So, I'm Yae Sakura now, not Theresa." She took out a mirror, examining her current appearance with a satisfied nod. "Finally at a normal height..."

"Valkyrie Yae Sakura reporting for duty! Ha ha..."

The mischievous "Yae Sakura" suddenly realized something was amiss. Looking around, she asked, "Little Miss System, where has my adorable Higokumaru gone?"

"Oh, Big Sister misses me already? How delightful!" Just as Yae Sakura pondered this predicament, the tiny Higokumaru materialized beside her in an instant, clutching her cheeks adorably while gazing up at Yae Sakura with sheer happiness.

"Higokumaru..."

Relief washed over Yae Sakura upon seeing the cute girl appear. Her little darling hadn't been lost after all. Though sometimes annoying, even during their brief separation, Yae Sakura found herself genuinely missing her presence.

Habits were indeed formidable things; without the constant chatter of "Big Sister, Big Sister" from Higokumaru by her side each day, there remained an unsettling emptiness—a lingering sense of unease that wouldn't dissipate easily.

"Big Sister," Higokumaru asked curiously as she perched on Yae Sakura's shoulder, no larger than three palm widths across, "Where exactly are we?"

"We're in another world," Yae Sakura replied softly, allowing her to sit comfortably.

"Oh, I see... So it doesn't matter where we are, so long as we can be together." Higokumaru nodded calmly at this revelation before adding with a smile, "...as long as Big Sister is by my side."

Well now, that's just too sentimental for its own good, thought Yae wryly.

"Let's rest up tonight," she said after a moment. "Tomorrow, we have some business to attend to."

There was still time left until dawn. After all, both Higokumaru and Yae Sakura could only remain in this world for twenty-four hours with their current bodies. However, that would be more than enough time to complete their commission.

"Big Sister, look at all these people," Higokumaru remarked, her eyes wide with wonder as she followed Yae Sakura towards the palace.

Around them, adventurers of various guises were making their way to the royal residence. The king's call had proven immensely powerful; adventurers from several neighboring kingdoms had flocked to this one.

Groups both large and small, along with lone wolves, walked together on the path. Notable adventurers drew greetings from many passersby eager to network and make connections.

At that moment, Yae Sakura appeared unusually withdrawn, exuding an aura that seemed to say, "Keep your distance." True enough, no one ventured near the pair.

Higokumaru, meanwhile, had concealed the ears atop her head and the tail trailing behind her, presenting herself simply as an ordinary girl with crimson hair. Compared to Yae Sakura's reserved demeanor, Higokumaru radiated boundless energy.

"All right, don't talk too much," Yae Sakura cautioned, envy creeping into her voice as she observed Higokumaru's excitement. Why can she hide her ears and tail so easily? she wondered ruefully. Can't I do the same with mine?

"I understand," replied Higokumaru, reigning in her enthusiasm upon hearing Yae Sakura's words.

As they continued their journey, the two made quite a sight—Yae Sakura shrouded in mystery beneath her hat, and Higokumaru, now indistinguishable from any other young maiden save for her spirited presence. Their contrast was striking, yet neither seemed out of place amidst the vibrant tapestry of adventurers heading towards the palace.

Upon reaching the royal palace, the guards led all the adventurers into a vast hall—a space easily accommodating hundreds of people without issue.

As Yae Sakura and Higokumaru entered this grand chamber, they found themselves amidst clusters of adventurers engaged in animated conversation, their voices rising like those at a bustling marketplace.

After some time, with most of the adventurers now present, a high-ranking minister of the kingdom emerged, accompanied by his guards. Only then did the clamor subside throughout the hall.

The minister appeared to be in his fifties, crafty as an old fox—a true kitsune in human form.

"Big Sister," whispered Higokumaru, observing the soldiers standing behind the minister, "these soldiers... I sense something akin to yokai entities attached to them."

Yae Sakura also noticed the phenomenon. She couldn't quite discern how it was done, but these lower-ranked demons had somehow possessed the soldiers' bodies undetected by ordinary eyes. It seemed almost miraculous that such concealment could exist.

"The minister himself seems unaffected though," Higokumaru remarked upon hearing her thoughts.

"He must have been bought off by the demons..." Yae Sakura surmised, piecing together the likely scenario based on what she'd observed.

-

The minister ascended slowly to his position at the steps leading up to the dais within the grand hall. He gazed down upon the adventurers—some two hundred or three hundred strong—seeming quite satisfied with their number.

"Firstly..." he began, "on behalf of His Majesty the King, I extend our deepest gratitude for your presence here today. Secondly..."

Before he could continue, an adventurer interrupted from below. "What about His Majesty himself? Wasn't it he who invited us all here? Why hasn't he come out personally?"

"...," The minister paused, clearly displeased by this interruption but careful not to show it too overtly. "...His Majesty is feeling unwell. After all, age does take its toll; please be considerate of his condition." As he spoke these words, the minister dabbed his handkerchief against his forehead, feigning concern.

This explanation effectively silenced most of the adventurers in the hall, as expected.

"Although His Majesty cannot greet you in person, let me assure you that he deeply appreciates your arrival," the minister continued. "Now, there is something else I must inform you about—one which requires composure on everyone's part." At this point, he cast a sweeping glance over the assembled adventurers.

Seeing they were all attentive, he proceeded cautiously: "The previous group dispatched to confront the demon... met a heroic end... fallen victim to that vile creature." A look of profound anger and sorrow crossed the minister's face—a performance worthy of an Academy Award winner.

"What—" An adventurer started to question further before abruptly cutting off mid-word.

"The previous batch of adventurers included some truly renowned figures," someone remarked. "Yet they all perished at the hands of demonic people?"

"That can't be possible!"

"Are these magical beasts that powerful? My apologies! I won't accept this mission; please allow me to withdraw."

Upon hearing the minister's news, panic erupted among the adventurers gathered in the grand hall. Many cowards were already preparing to back out, terrified by the prospect of certain death.