The way back was much busier than when we came.
The guards will gather around the two of them, each of them in high spirits, holding two banners that read, "Miko-sama has returned in triumph after defeating the legendary Mōryō."
Of course, Ashitaba, who has always been more serious, will not let these guards mess around.
Although he doesn't feel ashamed, the miko-sama must feel ashamed.
Three days later.
Land of Demons Capital.
When the team's figure appeared outside the city, the entire capital was boiling.
At the gate of the city, people who had already received the news swarmed in, crowding both sides of the road.
"Miko-sama is back!!!"
"I heard that Mōryō was eliminated!!!"
"Really?! That's a legendary monster!"
"Miko-sama took action herself, how could it be false!"
"Long live the miko-sama!!!"
The cheers came like a tidal wave, one wave higher than the other.
Shion, surrounded by guards, looked at the people with different emotions on both sides of the road.
Some old people were so excited that they burst into tears, some young people cheered loudly, and some children sat on their father's shoulders and looked curiously.
A sense of accomplishment that she had never experienced before quietly came to her heart.
These are the people she protects.
This is the meaning of her existence.
The corners of her mouth raised unconsciously, but she turned her head subconsciously, wanting to share this joy with someone.
Empty.
Beside her, where that person should be, was empty.
Shion was stunned for a moment and quickly looked around, trying to find that familiar figure in the crowd.
No.
There were cheering faces and waving arms everywhere, but not him.
"Ashitaba!" She lowered her voice, with a hint of urgency in her tone.
Ashitaba quickly approached and bowed his head respectfully.
"What are your orders, miko-sama?"
"Where is Fujiwara? Where has he gone?"
Ashitaba was stunned for a moment and then replied.
"Back to Miko-sama, Your Excellency Fujiwara left before entering the city.
He said... he doesn't like this atmosphere very much and will wait for you at the shrine."
Shion opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Wait for her at the shrine.
This sounds fine.
But for some reason, she suddenly felt an indescribable sense of loss in her heart.
Empty.
It's like something has been taken away.
She looked back at the cheering crowd in front of her, but the smile on her lips faded a bit.
Who should she share this joy with?
The guards? They would only compliment her and say, "Miko-sama is powerful."
Ashitaba? He could say a few words, but to her ears, those words were just flattery within the scope of his duties.
As for everyone else...
They will just think that all this is natural.
Isn't it natural for a witch to defeat a monster?
But how much she wanted to tell someone, no, that's not the case.
She didn't do that blow alone.
Without him, without him carrying all hope on his shoulders, without him falling down and getting up again and again...
She died long ago in Mōryō's body.
But that person is gone now.
Shion lowered his eyes and unconsciously clenched his sleeves with his fingers.
Soon after entering the city, he was greeted by attendants carrying an exquisite sedan chair.
"Miko-sama, please get on the sedan chair."
Shion glanced at the gorgeously decorated sedan, then at the people still cheering around him, and nodded lightly.
She got into the sedan chair.
The moment the sedan curtain was lowered, the noise outside seemed to be cut off.
She sat on the soft cushion, looked at the shadowy figures outside through the thin sedan curtain, and listened to the louder cheers.
"Long live the miko-sama!!"
"Long live Land of Demons!!"
"Miko-sama! Miko-sama!"
Shion Listening to these voices, I suddenly felt a little tired.
She closed her eyes and recalled everything along the way, until at the end, when she was desperately preparing to blow herself up, she heard a scream that penetrated her flesh and blood.
"Shion!!!"
She opened her eyes suddenly.
Outside the sedan, the cheers continued.
She lowered her head, looked at the bell on her chest, and whispered to herself.
"Fujiwara... no...Ning Xue."
She murmured softly, her voice dissipated in the noisy cheers.
She couldn't explain what kind of emotion it was?
I just know that she wants to see him.
And came to him, puffed out his chest and said proudly.
See, this is the prestige of a witch.
But at this moment, Ashitaba's concerned inquiry came from outside the car.
"Miko-sama, are you okay?"
Shion came to his senses, sat up quickly and cleared his throat.
"No... it's okay."
Ashitaba was silent for a moment, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he said nothing.
At the same time.
On the highest roof of the shrine, a figure stood quietly.
Ning Xue.
At this moment, he had put on clean clothes.
Looking at the team slowly entering the city in the distance and the cheering crowds crowding both sides of the street, he looked calm as if everything had nothing to do with him.
A breeze blew by, lifting the ends of his hair, and revealing a small piece of Cursed Seal under the neck.
Mission over... next.
He touched his forehead covered by the turban - there was the Caged Bird that bound freedom.
"Soon... soon, I will be able to stand in the sun..."
He murmured to himself, his voice so soft that it could be carried away by a gust of wind.
At the same time, distant Land of Fire, Hyuga Clan Compound.
The elder in charge of Caged Bird's eyelids twitched, as if he felt that someone was trying to harm him.
He looked left and right in front of the gate, and then fixed his gaze on a reward notice.
And that is the number one person on the Hyuga Clan's must-kill list.
... Qing from Kirigakure.
The elder squinted his eyes and stared at the portrait for a long time.
Then an inexplicable thought came to mind.
Could it be that this damn guy wants to steal another eye?