The atmosphere was tense, as if many were not yet sure the ritual had succeeded despite the appearance of the strange woman before them. Everything about her was strange, nothing at all like what they'd imagined either. The court had all expected a great warrior, each of them picturing some variation of some heroic ideal. Long arms, a sturdy stance, maybe a barrel chest, maybe even handsome for those courtly women who fancied a uniquely prestigious and enticing marriage prospect.<br/><br/>Instead, they stared at her lustrous, raven black hair, her exotic, soft features, and the telltale curves of a youthful, maturing woman. They might have noticed her odd weapon, but it barely registered because of how slim and unassuming it was compared to the great and heavy weapons of the knights. The king himself was frozen in place, a hand raised but uncommited to either a greeting or an order. Only his beautiful queen seemed free and in control of her own senses to smile, her delicate fingers grazing across her rosy, smiling lips seemingly amused by the surprise.<br/><br/>From the corner of Shizuka's field of view, a black panel materialized with a nostalgic beep. The white text on black background seemed reminiscent of those old games the few, disgusting otaku who managed to worm their way into her prestigious school would always show off to each other. One of them had the gall to waste her time with a magazine showing off a number of images from the latest upcoming game, as if the daughter of Arai Hevy Industries had any business with these childish toys.<br/><br/>But there it was, and there she was surrounded by what seemed like some strange historical reenactment of foreigners. She could see on the hovering screen in front of her a list of strange acronyms, numbers, and symbols:<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Shizuka</div><div class="spoiler_body">Hero Lvl 1<br/><table class="bbc_table"><tbody><tr><td>e Boken<br/>e School Uniform (Blouse)<br/>e School Uniform (Skirt)<br/>e Silk Bra (White)<br/>e Silk Panties (White)<br/>e Thigh-high Stockings (Black)<br/>e School Uniform (Shoes)<br/></td><td>HP 8/8<br/>MP 10/10<br/>Atk 10<br/>Def 5<br/>Cha 10<br/>Gld 0<br/>Exp 0<br/></td></tr></tbody></table><br/>&gt;Everyone is stunned by Shizuka's Charm!<br/></div></div><br/><br/>But by the time she was done reading, one of the knights - a particularly large and bald man three times as wide at the shoulder as Shizuka stepped forward.<br/><br/>"Demon!" he cried out, drawing a sword which looked all too real and serious for just a hobbyist. Otaku really did take things too far, even abroad one might say if this was all a game. One by one the crowd began to breathe and move again, and a murmur began rouse turning into a loud clamor.<br/><br/>"She has black hair, like the demon king of old!" someone shouted accusingly, pointing out how in a room of blondes, brunettes, and redheads Shizuka was alone with her Japanese features. "Can it be, was there some mistake?" said another concerned voice.