The Shrine Maiden's Authority

Cursing the system obviously wasn't going to solve the situation. If Chen wanted to get out of here, he would have to rely on his own efforts.

After a quick look around, Chen soon realized that although he and Shion had been buried alive, they were lucky enough to be near the surface.

Chen immediately poured chakra into Asauchi, forming something like a blade of energy. With it, he cut through the layer of earth above them.

"We're finally out. I thought we were really going to die in there."

Shion looked like she'd narrowly escaped death. The expression she'd worn when she'd thought her time had come was long gone.

"I got you caught up in this. Are you all right?"

The burial had probably been the system's doing, but Chen couldn't tell whether the system had intervened this time or whether it had been Yomi's final move.

If it was the latter, that was all right. If it was the former, though, that would be bad news.

"I'm the one who got you caught up in this. They were probably after me. Thank you."

Shion turned to look at him. Perhaps coming so close to death had changed something inside her.

"It's nothing. It's my job.

If you're not hurt, let's keep going. We should reach the Shrine as soon as possible."

"Wait... Take your shirt off."

Chen froze at that, his face full of surprise, as if to say, Isn't that a little too forward?

"What are you thinking?

The wound on your back needs to be treated. Otherwise, otherwise you'll get blood all over me."

No matter how you looked at it, Shion's excuse sounded made up. Chen had no intention of calling her out on it, though. He did need to have his wound treated.

Once he'd taken off his shirt, Shion stepped forward and bandaged the wound for him.

Chen didn't think much of it, but Shion's face was red. Who knew what she was thinking?

After she'd bandaged the wound, Chen continued on toward the Shrine with Shion on his back.

Yomi had escaped, but he'd been badly wounded and would probably need several years to recover. The others wouldn't care about the Shrine Maiden at all.

The rest of the journey went smoothly, and Chen and Shion soon arrived in the cave.

"Thank you."

They hadn't even gone inside yet, but Shion could already feel a familiar, gentle presence.

Just as Chen had said, her mother, Miroku, had left a fragment of her consciousness here.

"Let's go."

"Wait..."

Shion had been about to explain that an ordinary person couldn't get through the barrier, but Chen walked into the cave without any resistance.

Seeing that, Shion said nothing more and followed him inside.

"You damn Shrine Maiden! I'll kill you!"

As soon as Shion entered, she heard an angry roar. Startled, she hurried behind Chen, while he remained completely calm.

"You're Moryo, right? Stop showing off. You've got no soul and no power. All you have is a sliver of consciousness left in your shell. You can't even attack anyone, so who are you trying to scare?"

Chen was a little surprised to see Moryo appear, but he could tell at a glance that the creature was all bluster.

Besides, this was the place where Moryo had been sealed. Shion's mother, Miroku, had died here.

Moryo and the Shrine Maiden had once been one. Although Miroku had reunited with Moryo, Chen was sure her desire to protect her daughter still remained.

In those circumstances, even if Moryo had any power left, it couldn't hurt Shion.

"Damn brat!"

Chen's words only made Moryo angrier, but Chen pulled Shion out from behind him.

"Take a good look at this thing. It's certainly scary-looking, but that's all it is. There's nothing to be afraid of.

Your power as a Shrine Maiden is stronger than your mother's. If this thing ever gets out again, you can avenge your mother and give it a good beating.

Once you've let off some steam, seal it away.

If you're ever in a bad mood, let it out and beat it up again, then seal it away.

In short, this thing will be your personal punching bag from now on."

Both Shion and Moryo looked stunned by Chen's words.

"Brat, do you think she can seal me away?"

Moryo spoke disdainfully, but Chen ignored it. Why bother responding to something that was little more than an illusion?

"Go get your mother's keepsake."

He led Shion to the very center of the seal, where a bell lay—the object used to restrain Shion's power.

Shion's power as a Shrine Maiden was greater than her mother's, but she was too young to control it.

If her power were left to grow unchecked, it would only put Shion in danger. That was why her mother had restrained it before she died.

The bell was the key to the whole thing.

Shion picked up the bell. The next moment, a kind-looking figure appeared.

"Mother!"

The moment she saw the woman, Shion burst into tears. At her age, she should have been clinging to her mother, but the two of them had been separated by death. Now that she was seeing her again, even if only as an illusion, she couldn't control her emotions.

"Take your time talking. I'll wait outside."

As he spoke, Chen turned and left. He'd only come in with her because he was worried there might be danger here. He clearly shouldn't interrupt the mother and daughter now.

After a long while, Shion came out with red-rimmed eyes, holding the keepsake her mother had left her.

"Let's go. We should head back."

"Wait. I have a question."

"Which Shinobi Village do you belong to?"

"Why are you asking? Which Shinobi Village I belong to has very little to do with you."

Chen didn't answer Shion's question. He wanted to build his own power in the Land of Demons, but the proper person to work with was the Daimyo of the Land of Demons.

"I want you to stay and serve as my bodyguard. I can send someone to your Shinobi Village. Given the situation in the Land of Demons, it won't be a problem even if you're a shinobi from one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages."

Shion spoke with a serious expression, sounding completely sincere.

"You shouldn't make promises like that so casually. Even if you're willing, the Daimyo of the Land of Demons might not agree."

"No.

The Land of Demons is different from other countries. The Shrine Maiden holds the greatest authority.

Even the Daimyo is just a figurehead. If you're willing, I can make you the Daimyo of the Land of Demons."

Chen was taken aback.

He knew the Shrine Maiden held a special position in the Land of Demons, but he'd never imagined Shion had so much authority that she could even influence the Daimyo.

"Why should I believe you? You're only a four-year-old girl. I'd believe your mother had that kind of influence, but you... I don't think Kurai Seiichi would willingly give up his power."

"Whether he's willing or not, he has no way to resist if I give the order. The guards and soldiers in the Daimyo Mansion and elsewhere are absolutely loyal to the Shrine Maiden.

From the moment they become guards, they're branded with a mark: loyalty to the Shrine Maiden.

When necessary, they'll even die in her place."

After a brief hesitation, Shion revealed the secret of the Land of Demons—and of the Shrine Maiden.