The shrine maidens' dance came to an end.
The priests rose to their feet and stepped forward.
Ryoma and Saito Hajime stood in front, Takasugi Shinsaku and Hijikata Toshizo behind them. The four of them walked toward the white mikoshi that had been placed there in advance yesterday.
They removed the sacred body from the raised platform and placed it inside the mikoshi. Taking hold of its four sides, the four of them drew a deep breath.
Heave—
Clatter—
The shrine maidens shook their kagura bells and walked ahead to lead the way.
At least—there was still some good news.
That was, on the way down the mountain, they no longer had to worry as they had yesterday. After the bluestone-paved road had somehow been repaired, they did not have to fear slipping when they stepped on it.
Clatter—
The shrine maidens' bells rang out along the mountain path. The gloomy sky and the veil-like haze from before did not reappear. Everything was normal.
Yet evening had arrived, and the world inevitably began to darken.
The Chang Ghosts continued to swarm in without end. The swordsmen of Mibu Police Station kept them at bay on the outskirts, preventing the monsters from approaching the shrine maidens, the priests, or the mountain god's sacred body.
Before nightfall, the divine procession made its way safely down the mountain path and returned to the village through the somewhat broken mountain gate. Everyone let out a sigh of relief.
The Chang Ghosts vanished as well.
"I'll stay here. You all go on into the village."
Sakumura remained by the mountain gate. He drew Crane Feather, turned around, and walked out of the village.
No one else replied—neither the shrine maidens nor the priests could speak right now.
"Sir. Be careful."
Souji looked at Sakumura's retreating