The return journey is slower than before.
It's not because the road is harder to walk, but because things are resolved and people reach their limits.
Ning Xue walked in front, walking steadily but slowly.
Although that power strengthened Ning Xue, the injury did not recover much. Every time he breathed, he could feel the faint pain coming from his chest.
She followed him for half a step, and wanted to say "Let's take a rest" several times, but she swallowed it back.
During this time together, she could see that the other person was a person with a strong personality.
And she also knew that the other party wanted to send her back quickly.
The sky is getting dark.
They walked very slowly, so slowly that Shion would sometimes feel in a trance, feeling that it was not like they were in a hurry, but like a silent, tiring journey.
There is a green forest beside you, a flowing stream in the distance, and endless stars in the sky.
She was warming herself by the bonfire and looking at Ning Xue sitting cross-legged not far away.
An idea popped up.
If I could keep going like this...
But this thought only came up for a moment before she killed it herself.
What is she thinking?
But that thought still left a faint trace in her heart.
In the early morning, the afterglow of the setting sun gradually became dazzling.
Shion's steps are getting slower and slower. It's not that he can't walk, but that the uneasy feeling in his heart is getting heavier and heavier.
After the joy of defeating Mōryō faded away, another problem followed.
Those guards... are they... still alive?
The picture from the prophecy came to mind again.
Those familiar faces fell in a pool of blood, and those who once respectfully called her miko-sama died one after another.
Although the prophecy has changed.
Although she is not dead.
What about them?
She didn't dare to think about it any more.
Ning Xue seemed to notice something, turned his head slightly and glanced at her.
"What's wrong?"
Shion shook his head and said nothing.
Ning Xue looked at her for two seconds, then looked away and continued walking forward.
He didn't ask further questions.
Afternoon...
The sun is very good.
Passing through the gaps in the forest, it spreads on the ground, mottled and warm.
Shion followed Ning Xue, head lowered, staring at his shadow, step by step Earth Flow.
She didn't want to look up because the panic was still filling her heart.
Until...
"Miko-sama!!!"
A voice suddenly exploded from the front!
Shion was shocked and raised his head suddenly.
Not far ahead, a familiar figure was flying towards me.
Ashitaba, at this moment, his face was full of shock and ecstasy, and he was running and shouting.
"Miko-sama! It's Miko-sama!!!"
Behind him, the same familiar guards appeared one after another, their eyes widened as if they had seen a ghost.
Shion was stunned.
She stood there blankly, watching Ashitaba running closer and closer, looking at the face full of anxiety, surprise, and disbelief.
"Miko-sama!" Ashitaba rushed to the front, knelt down on one knee, looked up at her, his eyes were a little red, "You... are you okay?! That's great! That's great!!"
Shion opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
She just looked at them quietly.
Watch them kneel in front of you completely.
There is no blood.
No injuries.
Stand properly in front of her.
"Ashitaba..." Her voice was hoarse, as if something was stuck in her throat.
Ashitaba didn't notice anything unusual about her. He stood up suddenly, looked around cautiously, and already pressed his hand on the handle of the knife.
"Miko-sama, are there any enemies ahead?!"
He tensed his body and looked around at the jungle. The other guards behind him also tightened their sheaths after hearing this.
"Also, where is your Excellency Fujiwara?"
Shion was stunned for a moment.
Yes, where is Fujiwara?
She subconsciously looked around.
The result was that Ning Xue, who had been walking in front of her just now, seemed to have disappeared out of thin air, leaving not even a shadow behind.
"He..." Shion opened his mouth, not knowing how to explain it.
Ashitaba's face became more solemn.
"Is your Excellency Fujiwara fighting with the enemy in front?"
As he spoke, he drew out his blade half way.
And at this moment, a calm voice sounded from behind a tree not far away.
"Here."
Ashitaba Hearing this, he started to listen loudly.
I saw a figure slowly walking out from behind a thick tree trunk.
It's Fujiwara!
But his current appearance made Ashitaba stunned for a moment.
His gray sweater was covered in blood, and his exposed skin was covered with small cuts and bruises. These were traces of a brutal battle.
His pace was steady, but there was an air of exhaustion that was hard to conceal.
But what Ashitaba cares about the most is his face.
That face was much younger than he imagined.
And those ordinary black eyes.
"Your Excellency Fujiwara!"
Ashitaba came to his senses and quickly bowed to salute, but the vigilance on his face did not completely fade away.
"Are there any enemies ahead?"
He asked directly.
He believes that since the other party can come back alive, it means that the threat ahead has been resolved, and these remarks are just appropriate inquiries.
There was another question that made him extremely concerned.
That's how they got here?
Logically speaking, it is impossible for them to meet, even if they take a shortcut.
Unless...
Unless His Excellency Fujiwara and the miko-sama never reached Shrine of Sealing and were intercepted halfway.
Or is there a more powerful enemy ahead, forcing them to turn back?
Various possibilities have emerged in Ashitaba's mind, but there is no option that they have solved the problem.
In his opinion, this was too fast and impossible.
After all, sealing requires a tedious process, and he is also very aware of the abilities of his miko.