The Priestess was still kneeling before the divine statue, praying all alone. Far away at her side, there was only one servant girl holding a meal that had long since gone cold.
After glancing at the little priestess who wanted to stop him but did not dare, Sasori, who had encountered no obstruction along the way, arrived behind the Priestess.
"I have a few questions I'd like to ask you, Lady Priestess."
The Priestess did not turn around. Her thin, haggard body knelt before the divine statue, swaying as if she might collapse at any moment.
Her dry, cracked lips kept moving as she murmured softly.
"Please, save me. Save us."
"Tokoyo Goddess..."
She repeated the words mechanically over and over.
Sasori reached up and lowered the brim of his hat, asking on his own, "Are you the only living person left in the city, Lady Priestess?"
The little priestess beside them wanted to speak but stopped herself. I'm not human. I'm a ghost.
The Priestess ignored Sasori and continued praying devoutly.
Can the gods hear what's in my heart?
There's no time to worry about that anymore.
"Hey, kid." Sasori turned to the little priestess and said, "Has she always been like this? How long have these symptoms of mental derangement lasted?"
The little priestess trembled in fear, keeping her head lowered and not daring to look up. She stammered, "Lady Priestess has been like this for quite some time."
"Exactly how long?" Sasori asked impatiently.
"Two months?" the little priestess said. "I didn't keep track of the days."
"What about the others?" Sasori asked.
The little priestess shook her head and said blankly, "I don't know. Maybe everyone escaped. Konoha is about to attack. I'm the only one who stayed behind to look after Lady Priestess."
"Let me