Editing Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha:Volume 9 Chapter 2 (section)

==Part 2==

Mio was taken back by the Ceremonial Chamber. To keep its sanctity, there was not a single window in the chamber. Nor were there any lights or candles. Yet, there was a warmth and glow in the room.
“Oh…”
Mio saw the source of the warm glow of the room. She saw some items places in the four corners of the chamber. And one of them, she definitely recognized. The long white spear was the weapon used by Hayase Takashi to try and kill her.
Byakko.
The tranquil way it lay in its corner was very different to the out-of-control spear she remembered.
That meant that the other three weapons lying in their respective corners must be “Suzaku”, “Seiryuu” and “Genbu”. Judging by the layout of the room, the weapon to the left of Byakko should be Suzaku, with Genbu to the right. And Seiryuu across the room on the other side.
The sanctity of this chamber was most likely brought from the existence of the four weapons. And it would explain why spirits found it easy to relax and sign pacts in this chamber.
Surprisingly, even with her demon blood, Mio didn’t feel like the chamber was rejecting her. Although the large room did have a slight chill in the air.
“You’re…. Here.”
In front of them, sitting on a slightly elevated platform, were three old men. The one in the middle was the one who spoke. The old men were exactly like how Basara described them to be before they arrived at the Village.
They were the Three Elders who governed the Hero Clan of Japan.
Which would mean, that it was these three men, who drove out Basara and Jin from the Village 5 years ago.
Mio cares very deeply for Basara. And no matter the reason, she just couldn’t find it in her to trust these men who made Basara suffer so much.
But that being said, if Basara was never driven out of the Village, the two of them would have never met. And even if they did meet, if the circumstances were different, they may have even been enemies. The irony of all of this might just be something she can never really figure out.
However, it wasn’t just Basara and Mio. All of them were raised in the most ironic of situations. Sisters who live with the outcast and demons while serving the Village, a succubus who had to betray her master in order to save her own mother, a daughter created by a monster who now lives as a maid.
And it is because of such ironies, that they are all able to live together. Overcoming many trials together and surviving together.
But what if this was the trial, they couldn’t overcome? What if the Village didn’t accept them for what they were? Mio was lost in her nervousness when she was interrupted.
“What are you doing just standing there? Come here.” The Elder on the left spoke in his rough voice.
Shuuya approached the platform then sat on his heels right in front of it. Mio and the others also walked towards where Shuuya was sitting.
“Well, you lot should take a seat as well. You must have been tired from your long trip.”
With that, Mio and the others all sat down as well, with Basara sitting between Yuki and Mio, and Kurumi sitting next to Yuki. While they all sat on their heels in the polite Japanese manner, Takigawa opted to sit with his legs crossed on the floor.
“Hey! Takigawa…”
Mio hissed at his rudeness.
“Let him sit as he wishes.”
The elder ignored Mio’s hiss and looked at Takigawa.
“You must be the special envoy from the Demons that Shuuya spoke about. I heard that the two factions decided to send you here. They did…strongly insist.”
While the elder spoke in a joking manner, it was nothing but, and suddenly tension in the room became thick.
“Yea well, both Basacchi and the old man there said the same thing too. But ya know, I’m just a lowly henchman. The higher ups wanted me here so here I am. If you guys wanna complain, please direct your anger their way.”
“Well, depending on the contents of your top-secret document, we might just do that.” After saying so, the Elder in the middle turned to Mio.
“So you must be the daughter of Wilbert.”
“….”
Mio couldn’t say anything. For she saw in their eyes, something very cold. When Elders in the Hero Tribe assume their position, they are given a name for their position. The Elder in the middle must be “Fuji”, and the Elder on his right being “Kumano” and the Elder on his left, “Atsuta”. Their names are chosen from the 3 mountains of Japan where the gods are said to reside.
Ancient China also worshipped 4 different gods. When their culture came over to Japan a long time ago, Japan also started to worship the 4 deities from China. And they are now represented by the 4 weapons in this very chamber.
It was no accident that 3 Japanese gods were chosen along with the 4 Chinese gods. By having even and odd numbers, there are no power struggles between the two groups, which means that any additional dimensional barrier created by the gods will not negate each other. Further to that, together they form the number 7. 7, as is displayed in the number of days, holds a very special power on its own, and it was this type of power that led to the powerful barrier protecting the Village.
Mio maintained her silence as she stared at the Elders. While she could not hide her nervousness, she wasn’t scared. After having faced the likes of Ramusas, Leohart, Belphegor and Zolgear, she has built up some tolerance towards things that scare her.
And of course, she has Basara with her. Yuki and Kurumi too. And Zest and Maria were not too far either. So there was nothing to fear.
As if to see through Mio’s strength, Fuji spoke up. “Ahh… I see. That’s how it is.”
He stroked his beard with his right hand.
“Well then…”
And with these words, the meeting began. All the Elders faced the man sitting next to Mio. “It’s been a while… Basara.”