[Vol. 6] Chapter 180: You and
[You are…?]
The girl who appeared before Violet looked familiar.
Her luxurious shrine maiden outfit, a striking blend of red and white, the snow-white fox ears and long hair distinct from any human, and even her familiar aura and deanor. All of it filled Violet with a strange mix of recognition and surprise.
[… Dawn?]
[Oh? I thought you’d call the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden]. After all, there aren’t many people in the world who know my real na~]
[Are you really [Dawn]?]
Violet’s incarnation furrowed her brow slightly.
Although the white-haired, fox-eared girl felt exceptionally familiar, it was clear she wasn’t a physical being. The [Void Prison] didn’t allow the presence of real objects. Even Violet herself could only construct an SP avatar to enter this space. So this [Dawn] couldn’t be the actual [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden].
Perhaps she was also a spiritual projection, like Violet, or so other more enigmatic form of existence. But that wasn’t the critical issue.
What mattered was that this girl wasn’t wearing the “Fox Mask”, an iconic symbol of the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden]. Instead, she appeared with an unobstructed, flawless visage, though her form remained sowhat blurred, making it difficult to discern her true appearance.
Because of this, Violet couldn’t be certain that this was indeed the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden] or even an echo of her consciousness. It was also possible that this figure was so particularly unique and sealed malicious entity, disguising itself to gain trust for its own sches. Just like the ti [Naless] had deceived the [Black Scaled Army].
[Why are you here?]
Seeming to notice Violet’s suspicion and wariness, the fox-eared girl, likely the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden], let out a sly laugh.
[Why can’t I be here?]
[Tsk… where’s your mask?]
[Where it’s supposed to be, of course~]
Violet was speechless.
[Hey, did you co out here just to pick a fight with and spout random nonsense?]
[Oh? Weren’t you the one trying to confirm my identity this way? And now you’re blaming for it?]
[……]
Looking at the mischievously smiling white fox girl before her, whose true appearance remained elusive, Violet let out a sigh.
[Fine… I’ll admit it. I believe you’re the real [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden]. That insufferable and cheeky attitude of yours is too hard for anyone else to imitate.]
As if wounded, the fox girl dramatically covered her cherry lips with her hand.
[Ugh, how rude! What do you an by insufferable and cheeky? Are you saying I should be like those old fossils, always sulking with stern, lifeless faces? Is that what you prefer?]
[…That’s not sothing I entirely agree with, honestly. Alright, alright, let’s not keep going in circles. Can we get to the point now? Why did [Dawn] leave you here?]
The figure before Violet was clearly not the real [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden].
If Violet’s guess was correct, the figure before her was likely a fragnt of [Dawn]’s mory and power. A spiritual shard, or perhaps better described as an avatar or projection.
In fact, Violet had encountered a similar situation back in the Azure Sky Kingdom, within the Sky Temple of Sky City. At the ti, Minerva, who claid to be the Sky God but was actually the Archangel under the Goddess of Earth, had left her spirit behind in her holand, even though her true body had already perished.
This kind of soul-splitting technique does co with drawbacks, such as weakening the original being or causing them to lose parts of their mory. However, its advantage lies in its ability to allow the projection to persist even after the original body has died. These fragnts can carry out plans or manage contingencies for a long ti. While it doesn’t necessarily confirm the death of the original being, it does reveal a lot of complex truths.
The shrine maiden pouted slightly, her expression tinged with annoyance, as though Violet’s question had been unnecessary.
[You’re so clueless. Do you think the [Void Prison] is sothing you can just casually create? Without god-level power as its core, how else would you be able to contain so many filthy things? If it weren’t for the risk of the [Ancient Spirit Realm] being completely overrun by that person’s subordinates, I wouldn’t have bothered with sothing so troubleso.]
[I see…]
Her explanation made sense.
In other words, the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden] left this fragnt of divine power and mory here as a contingency. Violet had simply stumbled upon it by chance.
It also ant that anyone capable of reaching this place could potentially encounter her in the sa way.
Hmm… using the terms favored by those outside, this might be considered the so-called “opportunity” hidden within this void realm. The inheritance of the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden]. It seed this place did, in fact, hold such a treasure.
Though, the requirents to obtain it were admittedly quite steep.
[So, you’re the power core that maintains the existence of this [Void Prison]? And because I destroyed all the [Feather of Destruction], you’ve revealed yourself, is that it?]
[You’re half right. But in truth, I’ve been aware of you ever since you entered the [Endless Wasteland Sea]. I’ve been quietly observing what’s been happening outside. I even know your current na. Violet, right? Hehe, Violet. Have you ever wondered why the ruins of the [Heaven-Opening Sect] just so happened to open when you arrived?]
“Dawn” laughed softly. Though her facial expression remained obscured, the unsettling familiarity, like looking into a mirror, grew stronger in Violet’s heart.
[… Are you the one controlling all of this from behind the scenes?]
[What? Don’t be ridiculous. It’s because you ca.]
As Violet frowned deeply, the fox-eared girl didn’t bother to hide anything. Instead, she openly chuckled and said:
[What’s wrong? Haven’t you realized it yet? Or is it that you simply refuse to admit it?]
[Violet, you are [Dawn]. You’re the one the world knows as the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden], and “I” am your original self. This realm… it opened for you, didn’t it?]
[While I only hold fragnts of [Dawn]’s mories and don’t know exactly what happened or why things turned out this way, the unique aura and authority of the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden] that you carry. There’s no mistaking it.]
The white fox girl pointed to her blurred face and delivered the final blow.
[Don’t forget, I’m just a fragnt of “you.” That missing piece of mine? Isn’t it hiding sowhere within you right now? Are you really going to say this is just a coincidence? A coincidence stacked on top of more coincidences? Hahaha, that’s hilarious!]
[Alright, alright, don’t be so serious~ I’m just a clueless little fragnt. If anything I said accidentally interferes with your plans, O Great Origin, please don’t hold it against ! That said, Violet, I do have sothing I want to give you.]
She raised her slender arm, and the “Red Spider Lily” swayed lightly in her palm, emanating a mysterious, unfathomable aura.
[Consider it a gift. A gift personally prepared for you by the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden] herself.]
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