So-called "Spirited Away" referred to someone vanishing without reason. In Far Eastern terms, it meant being taken away by gods, tengu, fox spirits, mountain hags, ghosts, or fairies.
"Heh..."
Ming Yu sneered inwardly.
He knew that this village practiced human sacrifice. Whenever there was a severe drought, they held a ritual, slaughtering an innocent young girl and offering her to the so-called Fox God.
The explanation of Spirited Away was probably just meant to fool outsiders and the village children.
With that in mind, Ming Yu carefully examined the list of Yae Shrine Maidens on the wall again.
Yae Rin's name had not yet been carved onto it.
So this was when Rin was still alive in Yae Sakura's memories...
If that was the case, the village would probably soon hold the sacrificial ritual and make Yae Sakura kill her own little sister with her own hands.
They would repeatedly replay those painful memories, wearing down Yae Sakura's will to resist until they completely took over her body once more...
Ming Yu pondered silently.
After wandering around the courtyard for a while, Mei and Ming Yu still failed to catch sight of Yae Sakura.
It seemed she was not inside the shrine at this time.
That made sense. Though the village was not large, the Yae shrine maiden had plenty to do.
Daily swordsmanship training and shrine maiden training, handling the villagers' requests, tending to and cleaning the shrine, exterminating invading Honkai Beasts... Listed out one by one, there was quite a lot.
"Hmm... Why don't we just come back early tomorrow morning?"
Mei suggested.
Ming Yu had no objection. Just as they were about to return to the inn in the village, a faint yet melodious sound drifted into their ears on the wind.
A gentle, youthful voice passed