The Unheard Things of the Distant Past

Hearing Momiji's words, Lu Ban's last remaining doubt was resolved.

On this island teeming with monsters, it only takes half a day to be corrupted and eroded. Even the priest of the Harmony Island shrine died silently. Everyone else except herself turned into monsters. Why is it that only Momiji is unharmed?

Even though she was once a candidate for Divine Child, why is there no difference in her situation when Lu Ban has been greatly affected?

These can, of course, be explained by the fact that Momiji is exceptionally gifted and has a special physique.

But Lu Ban now knows that this is because the Calamity Priestess who rules over Song Island is none other than Momiji.

"A hundred years ago, a candidate for the position of a Divine Child came to Song Island Harmony Island shrine, responsible for purifying impurities."

"However, she did not expect that the island had already been polluted. Apart from her, all the other Shrine Officials and Island Magistrate had been corrupted by the Uncertainty Fog and turned into monsters."

"That priestess was too gentle, trying to save these monsters that had lost their reason. Little did she know that the true target of that Uncertainty Fog was this priestess who had once been closest to the Divine Child."

Momiji's expression was somber; even the ever-burning flames could not bring her face back to brightness.

"You can probably imagine the final result: the priestess was killed by the people she wanted to protect, and her soul was sacrificed to the Corrupted Ones. The Corrupted Ones did not completely devour her, but instead corrupted and eroded her, turning her into its own representative, the Calamity Priestess."

"And you."

Lu Ban's body sprouted lush green grass, but as the temperature rose higher and higher due to the flames, the tips of the grass and plants gradually turned black and withered.

The island will continue to burn for a month, and will not be completely submerged until about fifty days later. Meanwhile, the fire will continue to spread and inundate the water until, after several years, the seabed here will become a complete hell.

"Do you know the most fundamental effect of the Uncertainty Fog on people? It is illusion."

Momiji said in a deep voice.

"This island, this festival, is itself a dream. The Uncertainty Fog uses the power of the Calamity Priestess to lure ships to the island, trick them into participating in the festival, and eventually assimilate them into monsters. Meanwhile, poets, artists, and painters who have a deep understanding of the world and are full of inspiration will be attracted to the Song Island."

"Over time, the Poetry Festival became a legend of the Harmony Island, a true festival."

Hearing Momiji's words, Lu Ban roughly understood what he had experienced.

It is likely that both Tachibana Masamune and Ginpei were artists who had already been murdered on Song Island. They became true monsters, merging with the entire island and deceiving other visiting artists.

Wan Ye was an artist who arrived on this island before Lu Ban.

This explains why Tachibana Masamune and Ginpei were transformed in just half a day, while Lu Ban remained unharmed. This was not due to Lu Ban's "photosynthesis," but rather because the island's erosion of people takes time.

"So, you want me to end all of this?"

Lu Ban looked at Momiji.

He found it difficult to describe the current state of the Momiji.

She was once a priestess who was close to the Divine Child, but she was corrupted by Corrupted Ones and transformed into a monster. Over the past hundred years, the Poetry Festival on this Song Island must have attracted many artists who have been inspired.

She would have continued living in a daze, like a puppet on a stage, like Jingliureng Humanoid Doll from Song Island.

But by some coincidence, she gave birth to a wisp of will, which transformed into the Momiji in front of Lu Ban and went to the island with her.

It's possible that Momiji has repeated similar actions many times over the years.

She hoped that someone would come and redeem the souls of the entire island.

However, as this cycle repeated itself, Momiji could only watch helplessly as her companions turned into monsters and puppets one by one.

Until Lu Ban appeared.

"I am inherently Corrupted Ones. Perhaps it is only because of that witch's obsession that I pretend to be a good person who wants to save this island, so that I can feel at ease."

Momiji said with a bitter expression.

"Now, it's just about returning to our true nature within this pure fire."

Lu Ban saw Momiji come to his side, place her hands on Lu Ban chest, and a kind of gentle, warm, and comforting power flowed into his body, repairing Lu Ban damaged and bleeding internal organs and healing his burned and cracked skin.

His consciousness cleared.

It is clear that the island will eventually sink under the burning of the Pure Fire, and Momiji will probably not be able to escape its fate either.

This was the ending predetermined from the very beginning of the mission, or, when Momiji became the Calamity Priestess.

She once said that she wanted to become Divine Child, not for power or strength, but simply to protect the world, just like the Divine Child of the past saved her.

The Uncertainty Fog distorted this wish, causing Momiji to be sent into the abyss by the very people she was protecting, and harming countless others she wanted to protect.

Such distortion is more terrifying than physical or mental harm.

"Have you ever considered that there might be some way to restore you to normal and continue living, such as seeking help from the Divine Child? Since you were able to turn Wan Ye into a normal person, wouldn't the even more powerful Divine Child be able to do something similar?"

Lu Ban asked one last question, as he himself was unsure of the extent to which the power of this world had reached.

Momiji shook her head.

"I am completely corrupted. As long as I have a breath left, I will pollute the surrounding area. If it were the Divine Child, he would definitely kill me without hesitation."

Lu Ban remained silent for a moment.

Now, there's only one thing he can do.

At least in the end, let Momiji die as a human being.

She did not die as Corrupted Ones that plagues the world, but as a witch who eliminates evil.

He stood up and looked at Momiji, who was kneeling on the ground.

"I have another wish. I hope you will have the opportunity to bury my ashes under the cherry blossom tree at the Wa Island Grand Shrine. All the shrine maidens who were once candidates for the position of Divine Child have their ashes scattered there after they pass away."

Momiji spoke calmly, not as if she were making her final arrangements, but more like she was chatting casually and planning her next travel destination.

"I'll do my best."

Lu Ban didn't know if he would ever have the chance to come to Harmony Island again, or even visit the real Wa Island Grand Shrine, but at least for now, he had to agree to this promise.

"Oh, right."

Momiji suddenly remembered something and chuckled softly.

"Could I listen to that song you mentioned last time that brings good luck again?"

Lu Ban was taken aback.

He thought for a moment, then materialized a silver "Last Words" in his hand.

Immediately, the Speech Bullet of "Good Luck" were launched and hit the Momiji.

"So that's the melody."

Momiji sighed and closed her eyes.

Lu Ban raised the crowbar and killed Momiji in the most precise and certain way, in a way that would hardly cause her Affliction.

The purifying fire enveloped her corpse, and a crimson crystal twisted and tangled, forming the system's cold text.

[Surviving until the end of the Poetry Festival: 1/1]

[Task completed]

Will he return?

[whether]

As soon as Lu Ban clicked "Yes," all the flames around him suddenly rose up and enveloped him.

[Mission complete, now returning to base]

[321]

Within the flames, Lu Ban seemed to see a black-haired shrine maiden dressed in white robes and crimson hakama.

She smiled radiantly amidst the undying pure fire, softly reciting ancient songs from her lips.

"The affairs of the ancient times are long gone, unheard of; maple leaves dye the Dragon Field River, and the deep, murmuring stream flows on."

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