Kamisato Ayato felt no internal reaction to Yae Miko's seamless lies. His face remained as calm and gentle as ever, exuding a warm spring breeze. In his heart, however, he admired her. As expected of Lady Guuji Yae, her ability to execute a plan so perfectly right from the start was astounding. In fact, he and his sister only needed to play minor supporting roles.
Kamisato Ayaka, on the other hand, was brimming with excitent at the sight of this scene, which seed straight out of the novels published by Yae Publishing House. Her cheeks were flushed with exhilaration. Such a scenario was sothing unimaginable in Inazuma, yet she was now part of it.
In Inazuma, Ayaka could only release her inner pressure in the privacy of her room at the Kamisato Estate. Outside her room, she maintained her dignified and graceful deanor as the Kamisato Clan's eldest daughter. In the streets of Inazuma City, she was the admired "White Heron Princess," expected to act according to her noble status.
As her thoughts drifted wildly, a sudden cry brought her back to reality.
"Ah! So that's how it is! That explains everything! Our ancestors even got the gods' nas wrong! No wonder the Kamigakari clan's thousand years of worship toward the heavenly gods yielded no response. It all makes sense now!" The head priest of the Kamigakari clan pounded his chest in regret, alternating between crying and laughing.
In truth, he had begun to doubt whether gods truly existed.
But gods did exist—only the nas passed down by their ancestors had been wrong. It was all due to their ancestors' carelessness.
"So, the true divine na of Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto is Narukami no Mikoto," he said with a voice full of lant.
"May I ask for the honored titles of Lady Fox Spirit and the two celestial beings?" the head priest asked reverently. In his mind, the fox spirit must surely be one of Narukami no Mikoto's subordinate deities.
"As for , I am Yae Miko, the servant of Narukami no Mikoto. Oh, and one more thing—Narukami no Mikoto is not a male deity, but a goddess," Yae Miko said with a smile.
"A goddess? Of course, of course! Our ancestors must have gotten that wrong as well," the head priest lanted, pounding his chest in frustration.
"As for these two…" Yae Miko glanced at the Kamisato siblings behind her and signaled with her eyes.
"We are not retainers of Narukami no Mikoto but rely envoys who bear Visions," Kamisato Ayato said, stepping forward with a calm and pleasant smile. "My na is Kamisato Ayato."
"And I am Kamisato Ayaka," Ayaka added.
"Lord Kamisato Envoys!" The head priest imdiately addressed them with the utmost respect.
Kamisato Ayaka felt a little embarrassed but was secretly thrilled by the respectful title. Her flushed cheeks betrayed her excitent and exhilaration.
"A Vision?" muttered Shinobu Kocho, standing behind Kagaya Ubuyashiki. She couldn't help but whisper the words to herself.
Yae Miko's sharp ears picked up on the murmur. She turned toward the young girl who had spoken and smiled slyly.
"Oh~? This little girl seems quite interested in the Vision."
This startled everyone, and Shinobu Kocho's expression froze, realizing she might have caused trouble.
"My deepest apologies, Honored Lady Fox Spirit! My younger sister has always been mischievous. Please forgive us. We sisters humbly apologize," Kanae Kocho said, quickly pulling Shinobu down to kneel.
"I-I'm so sorry…" Shinobu Kocho stamred, her face pale with fear.
Though she never used to take the clay idols in shrines seriously, the being before her was undeniably real—a divine fox spirit, straight out of myth.
"There's no need to be so nervous. I am not a malicious deity," Yae Miko said gently. "In fact, soone like this little girl would have been highly regarded by the gods even during the Age of the Gods and would have likely been granted a Vision."
She spoke calmly but shifted her gaze toward the Hashira behind Kagaya Ubuyashiki, who were all visibly tense, fearing she might punish the girl.
"Not just this young girl—many of these little ones in the Demon Slayer Corps would have stood a good chance of being granted Visions during the Age of the Gods, becoming the legendary heroes of ancient stories."
"Lady Fox Spirit, could you explain what a Vision is?" asked Kyojuro Rengoku, who had recently joined the Demon Slayer Corps. His voice was full of energy, and his eyes sparkled with curiosity. At that ti, he was only 14 years old.
Even Shinjuro Rengoku was shocked by his son's boldness.
"Since this little one is so curious, I suppose I'll explain," Yae Miko said. She folded her right arm across her chest and rested her left hand on her chin thoughtfully. Kamisato Ayato stepped forward and handed his Vision to her.
"In the Age of the Gods, when soone's desire burned so strongly that it attracted the attention of the gods, they would be granted a Vision," Yae Miko began.
"Those who receive a Vision gain the ability to wield god-like powers: incredible Onmyōdō techniques, sword strikes that can split rivers, and elental abilities such as fire, ice, and the power of nature."
"Those who possess Visions are also referred to as 'Genshin'—Allogenes."
"Why are they called 'Genshin'?" Shinobu, restrained by her sister, blurted out.
Yae Miko's lips curled into a mysterious smile. She held the Vision aloft for everyone to see.
"Because those who are granted a Vision gain the potential to ascend to godhood. That is why they are called Genshin."
"To beco a god!"
Everyone's eyes widened in shock, staring at the Vision in Yae Miko's hand. They were utterly dumbfounded. Though the concept of mortals ascending to godhood existed in myths, seeing it presented before their eyes was as earth-shattering as stars falling from the heavens.
The atmosphere beca eerily silent, with only the sound of pounding hearts echoing in the air. Their astonishnt was palpable.
"Of course, it's only a possibility," Yae Miko said playfully as she returned the Vision to Kamisato Ayato.
"This must depend on the nature of one's wish, correct? Not just any wish can attract the attention of the gods," Kyojuro Rengoku said, his clear mind processing the information carefully.
"This young one is quite perceptive," Yae Miko said, nodding approvingly. As expected of soone destined to shine brightly in the future, he would undoubtedly have been granted a Vision in Teyvat.
"You're correct. Wishes for wealth or immortality, no matter how fervent, will never draw the gods' gaze. Only desires rooted in beauty and humanity's love for the world can do so."
"For example, a doctor dedicating their life to saving others, a scholar yearning to uncover the mysteries of knowledge, a protector with the will to defend their people, or soone striving to uphold justice for the weak through the law."
"It must be a wish one is willing to dedicate their entire life to that will earn the gods' attention."
"To beco a god is the reward for fully realizing such a wish."
"For example, a doctor who, through tireless efforts, eradicates disease entirely would then have the qualification to ascend to godhood. The Vision is rely a tool to help them achieve their wish," Yae Miko concluded with a smile, recalling the words of Lord Noah, who had explained it to her with his characteristic playful deanor.
"No wonder the heroes blessed by the gods in myths are all great figures. It makes perfect sense," Kyojuro Rengoku said passionately.
"You little brat! Shut your mouth! Stop spouting nonsense in this kind of setting!" Shinjuro Rengoku scolded, smacking his son on the head. This was no place for his impudence.
"Ow!" Kyoujurou winced, clutching his head.
"Ahahaha…" Yae Miko laughed, clearly amused by the scene.
"All right, let's get back to the main topic," she said, regaining her composure.
"From now on, Narukami no Mikoto will be watching over this land. Who knows, perhaps witnessing the bravery of the Demon Slayer Corps as they slay demons will earn so of you a Vision in the future."
"Do not rely on the gods for everything. Gods only grant you opportunities. When you display your resolve and will, only then will they bestow their blessings upon you."
…
The group staggered out of Narukami no Mikoto's shrine, Yae Miko's words still echoing in their minds.
Even the most stoic of the Hashira, who had slain countless man-eating demons, could not suppress the excitent in their hearts.
The fox spirit had said that even people like them, had they lived during the Age of the Gods, would have been blessed with the gods' gaze and granted a Vision.
Through the fox spirit's explanation, they now understood much more than just the concept of Visions.
Takamagahara, they learned, was rely the mortal na for the world of the gods. The gods themselves called their ho Teyvat.
The mighty heroes of legend, whose strength bordered on the divine, were strong precisely because they were those deed worthy of ascending to godhood.
"Oyakata-sama, why didn't you ask Lady Fox Spirit to lift your curse?" Sanemi Shinazugawa asked, looking at Kagaya's ever-calm and kind face.
"Sanemi, my good child, I am already content knowing that Narukami no Mikoto has witnessed the sins caused by the man-eating demons on this land, prompting the descent of Lady Fox Spirit and her two divine envoys," Kagaya replied gently. His one visible eye turned toward them.
"Muzan Kibutsuji will undoubtedly be defeated by you children in the near future."
His tone carried relief and blessing as he spoke.
"You are children who can earn the blessings of the gods. And once Muzan is vanquished, the curse upon my family will also be lifted, ending the original sin of our bloodline."
"The suffering caused by my curse pales in comparison to the pain of those who have lost their loved ones to demons. What is my suffering worth when weighed against their loss of happiness?"
"Only those with noble, beautiful wishes can attract the gods' gaze…" Shinjuro Rengoku's eyes dimd as he muttered to himself. Even if he were to pray for the gods to heal his wife, they likely wouldn't heed him.
But as he thought of the fox spirit at the shrine, the light in his eyes reignited.
If he could pray to the fox spirit… no matter the cost, he would never give up.
"How flamboyant! A Vision, huh? Hahaha! If I really got one, that would be amazing. But, one cannot force such things—what is mine will always co to , and what isn't mine will never co, no matter how hard I beg," Tengen Uzui said, laughing loudly and patting his chest.
"Instead of overthinking things, why don't we focus on killing more demons now? Every day we rest, there's a chance another person will be eaten by demons."
"Demons won't stop eating people just because we decide to take a break," he added.
"Indeed. For now, let's escort Oyakata-sama back to the estate and resu our missions as usual," Obanai Iguro said in his typically quiet tone.
"I'll accompany Iguro to take Oyakata-sama back. The rest of you should continue your duties," Sanemi Shinazugawa said firmly.
"Amitābha… The man-eating demons, born of sorrow, will soon disappear from this grand stage now that the gods' gaze is upon this land," Gyoi Hijima muttered, clasping his prayer beads as tears stread down his face.
"Well then, Oyakata-sama, I shall take my leave," he said and descended the mountain alone.
"I will also take my leave. Please take care of yourself, Oyakata-sama," Giyu Tomioka said expressionlessly before turning and leaving.
"We will escort Oyakata-sama back to headquarters together," Shinjuro Rengoku said.
"I also need to begin my training for the day, and I'll be helping this new recruit with her swordsmanship. Don't worry; I'll train her to the best of my ability," Kyojuro Rengoku said with fiery enthusiasm, pounding his chest.
"Ah! I-I'll do my best to train in swordsmanship, Rengoku-senpai!"
The future Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji, stamred nervously in response.
Ah! Rengoku-san is only a year older than , yet he's already so hardworking. If I didn't have my natural strength, I wouldn't have been able to handle his intense training regin.
On her first day in the Demon Slayer Corps, she had been required to swing her sword five thousand tis in a single day. By the ti she was done, she was so hungry she couldn't even muster the strength to eat…
"With three Hashira escorting Oyakata-sama, we sisters will head to investigate the area where demons were reported. Farewell, everyone," Kanae said gently, waving to the group before dragging her rebellious younger sister Shinobu away.
As the Demon Slayer Corps mbers left Mount Raiden, they resud their usual tasks.
But their hearts felt different. It was as if they had gained an unshakable confidence.
After all, the gods were watching over them from above.
"Sister, do you think Narukami no Mikoto really watches us from the heavens?" Shinobu asked, tilting her head toward the sky with a rebellious glint in her eye.
"Shinobu, don't be disrespectful to the gods," Kanae said with a helpless smile, lightly knocking her sister on the head.
"Lady Fox Spirit wasn't angry earlier because she is kind-hearted. You should learn your lesson."
"I wasn't being disrespectful to the gods," Shinobu muttered, puffing her cheeks. "By the way, do you think you could receive a Vision, Sister?"
"I doubt it," Kanae said with a small frown. "I don't have a noble and beautiful wish great enough for the gods to notice . Perhaps the Sound Hashira or Stone Hashira could, though."
"If even you don't have confidence, then I definitely won't get one. I don't have any grand wishes, either," Shinobu said nonchalantly. She figured if her incredible sister couldn't receive a Vision, the gods would surely overlook soone like her.
As the sisters chatted, they unknowingly wandered onto a mountain path. The sky quickly grew dark.
Tonight, there was no moon, and the cawing of crows made the atmosphere feel eerie.
"All right, Shinobu. We need to investigate that place called the Paradise Faith Cult. According to the crow's ssage, female followers have been disappearing there…"
Before Kanae could finish her sentence, her expression changed abruptly. She scanned the surroundings with heightened vigilance.
The rustling of leaves ca from the surrounding forest.
Kanae's Nichirin Blade was instantly unsheathed, and she assud a battle stance.
"Shinobu, be careful. There are demons here. More than one."
"What?" Shinobu gasped, drawing her own blade and reaching into her pocket for a pouch of wisteria flower powder. Back-to-back with her sister, her violet eyes darted around, watching every shadow.
A smooth, almost priest-like voice filled with charm echoed from sowhere unseen.
"Oh my, such alert girls. I had intended to follow you for a while longer and wait until you were far enough from the mountain before making my move."
Cold sweat broke out on Kanae's forehead as she felt an unprecedented pressure. Her light purple eyes trembled slightly.
This kind of pressure… she had never encountered it before. Not even from a Lower Moon.
Could it be… an Upper Moon?
"But when I heard you ntion the Paradise Faith Cult, I couldn't help but co out imdiately. After all, I am the demon you're looking for. Hehehe…"
"No need to search for —I was already coming to find you. But before we begin, could you grant a small favor?"
"What is it?" Kanae asked, gripping her blade tightly.
"We have nothing to say to demons! Show yourself now!" Shinobu snapped angrily.
"It's simple. You just ca from that shrine on the mountain, didn't you? Tell everything you learned there, and as a reward, I'll grant you eternal bliss with . Hehehe…"
Reviews
All reviews (0)