The Body of Lord Simu

Deep in the mountains somewhere in the Land of Rivers lay the headquarters of the Jashin Cult.

This place, once abandoned, welcomed visitors once again.

As the ground trembled, a massive ghost snake shrouded in black Koukaku burst from the earth. It opened its jaws and spat out a large number of test subjects and documents.

"Cough, cough, cough."

Uzumaki Rii coughed as she surveyed the scene before her.

"Is this the Jashin Cult's headquarters?"

The area before her was desolate. Many of the houses where the cultists had once lived had collapsed during that battle, while bloodstains that even several rains could not wash away stained the ground and walls, bearing witness to the evil that had once taken place here.

Flames seemed to flicker in the Evil-Faced Ghost Snake's eyes as it carried everything into the Shrine.

The huge Faceless Divine Statue still gazed down upon all living things without joy or sorrow. Beneath its gaze, an incomparably crimson Blood Pool emitted an eerie aura.

Of course, this was not Simu's true body, but a [Blood Pool Clone] he had just created.

"Caw, caw, caw. It seems a newcomer has arrived."

A noisy crow appeared at some unknown point and landed on Uzumaki Rii's shoulder. Since it was her first time here, the little girl was startled.

"Ah? Who are you?"

Uzumaki Rii instinctively tensed up in defense.

Seeing this, the crow spread its wings and explained, "I am an ordinary believer under the great Lord Jashin, and the one temporarily helping Lord Simu manage the Shrine."

"Oh, no, I mean—one of the crows!"

Uzumaki Rii looked the crow over and clicked her tongue in amazement. "As expected of Lord Simu's Jashin Cult. Even the crows can talk."

Hearing that, Mr. Crow raised a feather and wagged it