Chapter 667

[Editor's note: This chapter has been edited to remove content that breaks our content rules.]

After getting out of the car, Shirou, Fujino, and Shiki set off on foot along a mountain trail.

After walking for a little over an hour, they reached a depopulated village far from the bustle of the city.

Although it was only March, the cries of cicadas greeted them as though summer had arrived early.

They passed a sign bearing the village’s name and began looking for the village office.

Fields, utility poles, and houses were the most conspicuous features of the landscape.

It was an ordinary rural scene, yet there was something peculiar about the atmosphere.

When they found the deserted village office, an employee was just about to lock the entrance.

Shirou approached and greeted him. The employee regarded the outsiders warily, but once Shirou produced Touko Aozaki’s business card and explained their purpose, he agreed to show them the way.

A boy of high-school age accompanied by two extraordinarily beautiful women in their early twenties was a very unusual sight in this village.

As the employee led them onward, several people who appeared to be local villagers came over to ask questions.

“Who are they?”

“They’re from the city. They’re here to help ‘deal with’ those two cursed children.”

“Whew… So the Fujous have finally made up their minds.”

“Well, they’ve already declined so much. If they don’t do something soon… you know?”

Their conversation would have been difficult for an outsider to understand.

Shirou, however, had heard Touko’s explanation before coming, so he understood the basics.

Japan had long been home to four clans known as the Four Demon-Hunting Families.

The Nanaya, renowned for their assassination techniques.

The Ryougi, who cultivated individuals capable of anything through dual personalities.

The Asagami, who