Higokumaru looked at her big sister. Yae Sakura had yet to take off her top, but her back was exposed. The Czar Set's Stigmata marks did nothing to detract from the beauty of her back. If anything, they made it all the more alluring.
Higokumaru walked behind Yae Sakura and placed both hands above her back...
Soon, [Catherine (Upper)] and [Catherine (Lower)] were removed.
The Stigmata turned directly into crystal cards, each bearing an image of Catherine—the Russian czar.
That was why it was called the Czar Set.
As for [Catherine (Middle)], there was no need to remove it at all. It directly increased her damage, which was exactly what Yae Sakura needed.
Next, Higokumaru helped equip [Schrödinger (Upper)] and [Attila (Lower)], imprinting them on her back.
The Stigmata patterns on Yae Sakura's back changed as well.
Schrödinger—also known as the Cat—and Schrödinger's cat...
Looking at the patterns on Yae Sakura's back, Higokumaru nodded in satisfaction.
"Big sis, all done!"
"Thank you!"
Feeling the different power in her back, Yae Sakura put her clothes back on.
The Cat's strength lay in its burst damage!
One Blade Counter, and you were dead!!
Even if it was a god, I could kill it for you to see.
The Cat was invincible...
"Let's go to sleep!"
"Mm-hmm."
The next day, after finishing her sword practice, Yae Sakura returned to the village. She had to admit... her explosive power had grown much stronger.
But without the Czar Set's overall boosts to speed and defense, in some ways... she was still not as strong as she had been with the set.
But... in the world of Inuyasha, even without Stigmata, it didn't really matter...
The strongest beings around were merely great demons. That was more than enough.
Besides... Yae Sakura was certain that no one in this world could withstand even one of her Blade Counters.
"Sakura, you're finally back. Go pack your things. We're about to leave."
When Yae Sakura returned to the area around Kikyo's home, Kikyo, who had already packed her things, spoke to her at once.
"Leave? Where are we going?" Yae Sakura asked, taken aback.
"I'll tell you on the way."
"Oh, okay! Give me a moment."
Yae Sakura didn't hesitate. She ran straight back to her room, hastily packed a few things, then looked at Higokumaru, who was still asleep.
She grabbed Higokumaru by the tail and ran outside.
"All set. Let's go!" Yae Sakura placed Higokumaru on her shoulder and held her bundle in one hand.
"Mm."
"Kikyo, is this for a job? And... aren't we bringing Kaede?"
Yae Sakura glanced around but didn't see Kaede.
"It's a bit far this time, so we won't bring her." Kikyo glanced at Higokumaru on Yae Sakura's shoulder. Higokumaru had completely transformed into a little fox and was curled up on Yae Sakura.
"Sakura, do you know about... the Jewel of Four Souls?"
"Huh? The Jewel of Four Souls?"
Yae Sakura was stunned. Why had Kikyo suddenly brought up the Jewel of Four Souls? Did that mean it had finally appeared?
"Looks like you know about it..."
Kikyo watched Yae Sakura thoughtfully...
"I know a little. Legend has it that, several hundred years ago, there was a powerful priestess named Midoriko. She could draw out and purify souls, and she had the power to exorcise demons.
"To defeat her, countless demons—including ghosts, dragons, and all sorts of other monsters—joined together and became one great demon.
"After battling that great demon for a long time, Midoriko eventually grew exhausted and still couldn't defeat it. So, with the last of her strength, she stole the demons' souls and fused them with her own before releasing them from her body. Midoriko and the demons both died, leaving behind only a crystallized soul. That was the Jewel of Four Souls."
That was how the Jewel of Four Souls came to be.
"That's right! Legend says the Jewel of Four Souls can increase a demon's power and even grant any wish. Countless humans and demons want to get their hands on it," Kikyo added.
"Kikyo, why are you suddenly bringing this up..." Yae Sakura looked at her uncertainly.
"The Jewel of Four Souls, which had been missing, has appeared again. It ended up in the hands of the leader of an exorcist village.
"But the exorcists believe they aren't strong enough to protect it. To keep it from falling into the hands of evil demons, they've decided to entrust it to me.
"Our purpose this time is to go and take custody of... the Jewel of Four Souls."
[Special commission triggered: Protect the Jewel of Four Souls] [Task requirements: Before leaving this world, do not let the Jewel of Four Souls fall into the hands of demons] [Task rewards: 100 Crystals, 100 (Purple) Biological EXP Chips, 100,000 gold, 100 skill points] [Accept?]
"Huh... huh?!"
It even gave EXP Chips, gold, and skill points?
She'd thought she would have to trade Crystals for everything.
But protecting the Jewel of Four Souls... even without the task, Yae Sakura would have done it. The Jewel of Four Souls was bait.
With it around, countless demons would come running straight into their trap.
"What's wrong?"
Noticing Yae Sakura's unusual reaction, Kikyo asked in confusion.
"Nothing. I was just thinking... if we have to protect the Jewel of Four Souls, we'll have to face even more demons from now on."
"Protecting the Jewel of Four Souls is my responsibility. If you..."
"There's no 'if.' Actually... this makes me even happier. The demons will come straight to us." Yae Sakura cut Kikyo off and shook her head firmly.
"And... thank you, Kikyo."
"Hm? Why... are you thanking me all of a sudden..." Kikyo was stunned, uncertain and at a loss.
"Thank you for trusting me, Kikyo. I'm a Half-Demon, too... and you told me something as important as this without hesitation." Yae Sakura looked at Kikyo earnestly, genuinely grateful. She wasn't interested in the Jewel of Four Souls. Its supposed power to grant wishes was nothing but a deceptive trap.
"Th-that..." Kikyo felt awkward and a little guilty. The truth was... she had been a little worried about Yae Sakura. Life as a Half-Demon was simply too exhausting.
The Jewel of Four Souls was said to grant wishes, and Kikyo wasn't sure whether Yae Sakura might use it to become fully human or fully demon.
"Don't worry. I'll protect the Jewel of Four Souls with you, Kikyo."
"Thank you!"