Ning Xue, who was sitting below, frowned under his mask when he heard the emergency report coming from outside the hall.
Mōryō? Undead Legion? He only knows the former of these two words. As for the Undead Legion?... it sounds very powerful.
From their tone, it seemed like it was a very serious matter, but unfortunately he didn't understand it, so he didn't intuitively feel the horror.
But more than these, he was more curious about the witch's reaction.
Just now, she was still hesitating and struggling about whether to help herself.
But now, it seemed as if all her strength had been drained away in an instant.
As if shrouded by some irresistible shadow, all exuding that... sense of resignation?
Then... suddenly looked at him?
From the perspective of Ning Xue, those lavender eyes are very complex, full of inquiry, despair, indifference, and a hint of hope.
This change was so fast that Ning Xue felt a little confused.
However, if you think about the prediction she made earlier, you can deduce that it may be related to this.
Shion's heart...
(Anyway... the ending is the same...)
(But at least... he let the man live... for the first time...)
(Maybe... maybe this time... why not take a gamble?)
When she thought about it at the end, she closed her eyes suddenly, took a deep breath, and then slowly opened them.
At this moment, she suppressed the complicated emotions and put on her usual indifferent look.
She looked at Ning Xue, her tone no longer the same as before.
"I agree to your deal."
Ning Xue stared slightly and listened quietly.
"I will try my best to study the Cursed Seal you mentioned and find ways to block or solve it."
Speaking of this, she said with awkward emphasis.
"But during this period, especially before this crisis is resolved, you need to stay with me as my guardian."
There was no pause in her tone, with a sense of matter-of-factness.
"It's just part of the deal.
After all, as you can see, my guards... are not very useful.
Moreover, you are strong."
Translation: Since you can protect me from death, then they cannot die again.
This series of operations and words made Ning Xue understand clearly.
To put it simply, she was frustrated and anxious because she was unable to protect herself and her people, so she tried to cover it up with arrogance.
He thought for a moment and nodded.
This is fair and consistent with his original vision.
"Yes." Ning Xue answered simply.
"Very good." Shion seemed relieved, but then resumed her slightly distant miko posture.
So first...
"Ashitaba!!!"
The door of the palace was immediately pushed open, and the nanny Ashitaba and the frail elder walked in eagerly, with worry written on their faces.
"Miko-sama!"
Shion stood up, looked at the two people below, and said bluntly.
"What's the specific situation outside now? The attacker's purpose, and...Undead Legion's movements."
Ashitaba was stunned for a moment after hearing this, as if he didn't expect that the witch would actually ask such a question.
After regaining consciousness, he hurriedly reported the incident.
"Back to Miko-sama, according to the news brought back by the escaped border guards and scouts, the attackers are suspected of destroying Shrine of Sealing and releasing the soul of Mōryō.
Currently, Undead Legion driven by the power of Mōryō is pouring out from the northern border valley in an unknown quantity.
Several checkpoints on the front line have been lost, and their people are also seeking refuge inland."
His voice was calm and heavy.
"The enemy is well organized and has a clear goal, which is to release the monsters.
The attack on the shrine, I'm afraid... was also because of you."
Shion's fingertips tightened slightly, but there was no change in expression on his face.
"What's the reaction from above... from the capital?"
"The capital has received an emergency report."
The elder added on the side, with a hint of helplessness in his tone.
"Messengers have been urgently dispatched to send letters of assistance to neighboring major countries such as Land of Fire, Land of Wind, Land of Earth.
It also explains that the crisis of Mōryō's resurrection is related to the safety of the entire continent.
But... it is not yet known when reinforcements will arrive."
Shion was silent for a moment after hearing this, and then spoke after a long time.
"I know..." Her tone was calm, with a hint of indifference.
Finally, she seemed to have thought of something and continued to speak to the two people below.
"I have reached an agreement with Mr. Fujiwara.
He will temporarily serve as my bodyguard while I study the... problems he needs, until this crisis is resolved.
It's part of the deal."
When Ashitaba and the elder heard this, expressions of surprise suddenly appeared on their faces.
They all turned their heads and looked at Ning Xue, who was sitting cross-legged and silent on the other side, their eyes complex and alert.
But the witch has made a decision, and the situation is critical now. It really needs a strong help, so they can't say anything else.
Ashitaba took a deep breath, suppressed his doubts, and bowed.
"Yes, Miko-sama. Your Excellency Fujiwara, please take good care of me in the future."
"Yeah." Ning Xue nodded slightly.
"So..."
Shion returned his gaze to Ashitaba.
"What should I do next? What should my power... do to Mōryō?"
Ashitaba became energetic after hearing this.
The sun has risen in the west? The miko-sama actually took the initiative to ask for a solution?
He thought the first two times were enough to surprise him, but he didn't expect...
His thoughts were forcibly pulled back and he elaborated on the solution.
"According to ancient book records and the coping methods passed down by witches of all generations, Mōryō was divided into two parts, the soul and the body.
The soul has now been broken, but its real body, which contains most of the power, is sealed in the distant Land of Swamps.
The soul of Mōryō will definitely go to Land of Swamps, seeking to merge with the body and restore its complete form.
We must arrive at the sealing temple of Land of Swamps before it completes the fusion, use the remaining sealing power there, combined with your power, to try to seal its soul again, or at least prevent its fusion."
He paused and continued.
"Therefore, I recommend that you set off immediately to Land of Swamps.
Your subordinates will immediately select the strongest and most loyal guards in the shrine to form a team to escort you there.
Without further ado, we should..."
"Tomorrow" Shion interrupted him and said the reason in a stiff tone.
"Today... needs preparation. I also need... to adjust."
Shion's tone was blunt and unquestionable.
She doesn't need to prepare, Ashitaba will take care of that.
But the adjustment is real.
She... is not ready yet to try to change the fate that was predicted in the prophecy.
Even if she saw a slight change, more than ten years of experience still subconsciously gave her the habitual thought that her fate could not be changed.
Ashitaba Hearing this, all the urging words were stuck in his throat.
He looked at the witch's cold gaze and sighed in his heart.
It was an unprecedented change to have the miko-sama take the initiative to ask questions and agree to go. He did not dare and could not force any more.
"Yes... I understand. I will start preparations immediately."
He bowed and responded, his tone carrying a hint of imperceptible helplessness.
"Everyone, please step aside. I want to rest."
Shion waved his hand, sat back in the main seat, and closed his eyes, as if exhausted.
Ashitaba and the elder looked at each other and had no choice but to bow and leave.
Before leaving, Ashitaba whispered to Ning Xue.
"Your Excellency Fujiwara, please come with me and arrange a place for you to rest."
Ning Xue stood up silently, took one last look at Shion sitting on the high platform, and left without saying anything, followed by Ashitaba.