The night breeze is slightly cool.
Ning Xue Walking on this brightly lit street, my mind quickly sorted out the information I just heard.
Miko patrols Shrine of Sealing.
The lineage of witches who first heard about this country from Snow Wolf, and later learned about this Land of Demons from Kirigakure, has its ancient Sealing Jutsu, which has been passed down from generation to generation to suppress the monster named Mōryō.
If what they say is true, this might as well be an opportunity.
If you want to solve Caged Bird, a Cursed Seal that goes deep into the soul and body, any special and profound Sealing Jutsu may provide valuable ideas or clues.
Even if you just watch and feel the fluctuation of power, you may gain something.
Of course, the premise is that the information is reliable and he can find the right place to spy.
"Tomorrow... let's go around this town more and confirm the news.
Then try to find out the general direction of Shrine of Sealing and the possible route of the witch's inspection, or simply follow it directly."
Ning Xue has an idea in his mind, but he has to think about how to talk to people naturally.
He returned to the hotel room, closed the door, and blocked out the sounds from the outside world.
After a simple wash, I sat on the bed and started refining Chakra.
At the same time, Land of Demons Shrine.
In the brightly lit main hall, the atmosphere was completely different from the tranquility and peace outside, and there was a depressive atmosphere.
Sitting on a high platform, covered with clean tatami mats, sat a girl wearing a purple miko costume.
She has a delicate face, fair skin, light yellow bangs hanging down on her shoulders, her purple eyes are vacant, and her expression has an indifferent numbness.
She is the witch of this generation--Shion.
Below, several old men in priestly attire and the guard commander Ashitaba were kneeling on their knees, kowtowing in the most respectful manner and reporting.
The leader was a white-haired old priest with an old and heavy voice.
"Sir Shion, recently there has been slight disorder in the earth veins Chakra around Shrine of Sealing, and the stone gate used for suppression has also been slightly trembling.
Although it has not reached the alarm level, as a precaution, according to ancient regulations, you are required to visit in person in three days to strengthen the core of the seal with the power of a witch.
The itinerary and escort have been initially drawn up, please take a look at it and... be prepared."
After the old priest finished speaking, he raised a scroll with detailed arrangements above his head with both hands, his posture was extremely respectful, and his words were also mixed with a lot of worry.
Every movement of the seal tugged at the stiff rope in the old man's heart.
He knew very well what a terrifying existence was sealed inside.
The monster named Mōryō, according to legend, almost destroyed the entire continent.
If his seal is lifted, it will not only affect the safety of Land of Demons, but also the safety of the entire continent.
There was silence in the hall, except for the occasional slight crackling sound from the candlelight.
After a while, the voice of Shion, which had no fluctuation, even a little lazy and tired, came from above.
"Oh."
Just one word.
Her empty eyes were always looking forward, without even blinking her eyelids.
It seemed that what I just heard was not a seal of great importance, but a boring question like what day of the week it is.
Regarding this indifferent attitude, the old man suddenly became anxious.
"Sir Shion, although this inspection is just a routine reinforcement, to ensure nothing goes wrong, please pay attention and adjust your physical and mental state..."
"I know," Shion interrupted, with a hint of impatience in his tone.
"It's like this every time... If you feel something, you have to reinforce it. Whether you see it or not, isn't the result the same? What should happen will eventually happen."
Her tone was light and airy, with a sense of negativity and resignation.
Because these eyes could see the death of others, but could do nothing to change their endings. Therefore, what they brought to her was not honor, but endless loneliness and the suffering of being bound by fate.
After all, who would want to be friends with someone who can predict his own death date?
"Shion Master..."
Guard Ashitaba couldn't help but raise his head and wanted to say something.
"It's so annoying!" She frowned slightly, glanced at the two people kneeling on the ground below, and said dissatisfiedly.
"You have made arrangements. I will go this time. That's it."
Then he waved his sleeves and motioned for them to leave quickly.
The two of them were impatient when they saw Shion, and they couldn't say anything else.
"Yes...Shion-sama... please take a rest early."
After bowing, the two respectfully walked backwards and left the main hall, and then slowly closed the heavy hall door.
Shion sat alone on the high seat, sighed heavily for a long time, and then stood up to rest.
A few days later...
In the early morning, the sky was slightly bright, and on both sides of the road to the ancestral hall, many villagers who had heard the news and came to pay homage to the witch's grace had already gathered.
They talked in low voices, with curiosity and awe in their voices.
And Ning Xue also blended into the crowd.
In the past few days, he did not deliberately inquire about it. He only bought necessities in the market and sat in a teahouse for a while. He had repeatedly confirmed the news from the excited and subdued comments of the surrounding residents.
Perhaps they were too excited, so these villagers didn't know what to say and shared everything they knew in one breath.
Not long after, the solemn procession came slowly.
There are priests holding magical instruments in front of the people clearing the way, and elite guards accompanying them behind, surrounding a sedan with a plain gauze curtain hanging in the center.
The gauze curtain swayed slightly as the movement progressed, and a purple figure sitting upright inside could be vaguely seen.
As the chariot passed by, villagers on both sides bowed to salute or whispered blessings.
Inside the gauze curtain, Shion was sitting on the tatami, his eyes tiredly scanning the faces full of awe and curiosity outside.
She just felt a little tired of seeing this same look.
She was tired of seeing these awe-inspiring looks in the shrine.
Just when she was about to withdraw her gaze and continue to be immersed in her own nihilistic thoughts, the corner of her eye accidentally caught a slightly different outline.
A figure with white hair, wearing a strange mask, and carrying a large, worn-out backpack stood out among the crowd, looking a bit out of place.
He didn't lower his head or fold his hands like others, he just stood quietly and looked in the direction of the car.
Strangely dressed people... foreign travelers?
Thoughts flashed through, but did not cause ripples.
Then she turned back and continued to be immersed in her own thoughts.
Forget it, it doesn't matter, he's just an insignificant passerby.
The chariot continued to move forward, carrying the bored witch, towards the ancient sealed place until it disappeared.
Seeing this, the onlookers dispersed and went about their own business.
And in an inconspicuous corner, a man wearing a mask followed quietly.