Slayer Village

"Is this the Slayer Village?"

Yae Sakura followed behind Kikyo, observing the village before her. It was undoubtedly much larger than Kaede Village and heavily guarded, a stark contrast to the relatively peaceful atmosphere of the latter.

Many people stood along the perimeter, weapons in hand, keeping a watchful eye.

Although it was called the Slayer Village, most of the residents were actually ordinary villagers. However, because a family of demon slayers had resided here for a long time, it had earned its name.

"Sakura, your ears... never mind..."

Kikyo turned her head to look at Yae Sakura. Since Yae Sakura had a small fox perched on her head, she was not wearing her cloak.

The small fox lay flat on Yae Sakura's head, fast asleep with a look of contentment.

It was unclear what was wrong with Higokumaru; she had been sleeping all day, looking completely listless.

"Let's go in!" Kikyo, with her bow and arrows slung over her back, led Yae Sakura toward the village entrance.

"Mm." Yae Sakura walked behind Kikyo, watching the woman's long, straight black hair, which reached down to her hips, sway with every step she took...

Despite having the same appearance as Kagome, Kikyo looked like a holy, high-and-mighty goddess. She made one feel a strange desire to destroy, to ruin that holy image.

As for Kagome... to put it nicely, she was cute and energetic; to put it bluntly, she was... a ditz!

"A demon is coming!!"

"Stop right there, or we won't be polite!"

Seeing Yae Sakura and Kikyo approach, the armed demon slayers at the village entrance immediately drew their weapons.

"I am the priestess Kikyo from Kaede Village, here at the request of your clan leader." Kikyo stepped forward a few paces to show she had no ill intent.

"Priestess Kikyo? Is that the legendary priestess?"

"Isn't the one beside her the Asura Priestess... it seems it really is them."

"It can't be wrong. Priestess Kikyo is just as the legends say, possessing holy power. Seeing her is like seeing a deity."

"Lady Kikyo, and this lady, please forgive our rudeness! We are terribly sorry! The clan leader has been waiting for a long time, please follow me."

The demon slayers hurriedly lowered their weapons and bowed to apologize to Kikyo.

"It is fine..." Kikyo did not mind, maintaining her usual indifferent expression.

"Kikyo-chan is truly amazing. No matter where she goes, people are willing to trust her the moment they see her."

Kikyo was indeed remarkable. Even when she became a spirit, others would see the holy aura about her and trust her almost completely.

This was a very unique charm that others could not imitate.

For instance, in the movie, monks who were guarding a treasure with their lives against demon attacks handed the treasure directly to Kikyo the moment they saw her passing by, even though she was already a spirit.

This was the source of Kikyo's strength; at first glance, people were simply willing to trust her.

"It's alright!"

"Lady Kikyo, please wait a moment, the clan leader will be here shortly."

The demon slayer led Kikyo and Yae Sakura to a guest room.

"Very well."

In this era, one should not expect the people of the East to provide chairs; everyone sat on the floor.

There was a large rug made from the fur of some unknown animal on the ground, and upon it sat a half-meter-high long table, which was completely bare.

The demon slayer led Kikyo and her companion inside, and they sat down by the long table.

Watching Kikyo kneel beside her, Yae Sakura hesitated for a moment...

Honestly, Yae Sakura did not like kneeling; wouldn't it be better to sit on a chair? Wouldn't her legs go numb after sitting like this for a long time? However... after a moment of hesitation, Yae Sakura still obediently followed Kikyo's lead and sat down beside her.

"My ladies, please have some tea!" The demon slayer handed a cup of tea to both Kikyo and Yae Sakura.

"Thank you!"

After waiting for a few minutes, the sound of footsteps approached, and a middle-aged man dressed in a very strange fashion walked in. However... Yae Sakura glanced at the weapons on his body; they looked quite peculiar.

They were filled with demonic energy. If she wasn't mistaken, the weapons he carried were made from the bones of demons.

This reminded Yae Sakura of someone, Sango the demon slayer, though it was still far too early for Sango to be born; she wouldn't arrive for another thirty years or so.

"Priestess Kikyo, you have finally arrived!"

The demon slayer walked in and immediately got straight to the point.

At this, Kikyo stood up to face the demon slayer.

Seeing this, Yae Sakura stood up as well.

"I won't say much else, as Priestess Kikyo should already understand the specifics.

The news of the Jewel of Four Souls' emergence is now known to more and more demons. During this period, the demon slayers of our village have had to fight demons coming from all over, drawn by the jewel's aura, almost every day. It has become increasingly difficult to cope.

If this continues, the jewel will eventually fall into the hands of demons. If the Jewel of Four Souls falls into the hands of demons, the consequences will be unimaginable.

We know that with our strength, we cannot protect this Jewel of Four Souls, so... we can only entrust it to you, who possess such great spiritual power."

"I understand."

If the Jewel of Four Souls truly possessed the abilities described in the legends, the consequences of it falling into the hands of evil demons were easy to imagine.

"So, I beg of you!"

Because the reasons had already been explained to Kikyo the day before, this visit was simply to take custody of the Jewel of Four Souls.

If possible, this demon slayer would have preferred to deliver the Jewel of Four Souls directly to Kikyo, but... escorting the jewel was simply too dangerous.

They had no choice but to ask Kikyo to come and retrieve it herself.

The Jewel of Four Souls was a hot potato. In the short time they had been guarding it, the demon slayers had already sacrificed many lives. If they didn't hand it over to someone else, the Slayer Village might even be wiped out.

And Kikyo, who was famous throughout Musashi Province and even the surrounding regions, was the best candidate.

Led by the clan leader—the grandfather of Sango and Amber from Inuyasha—they arrived at a room guarded by a dozen fully armed demon slayers, which was also protected by a powerful barrier.

The clan leader had the guards open the barrier and the door, and he led Yae Sakura and Kikyo inside. The Jewel of Four Souls was enshrined in the very center of the room.

Originally, Yae Sakura would not have been allowed to enter, but with Kikyo's guarantee, the clan leader felt at ease.