After dealing with the filth-born monster... the Fallen Samurai, the roots of the Sacred Sakura before them had basically been completely purified. However... this was not the end. It was only just beginning.
Because this was only the first location...
"So that means the mission is complete, right?"
Lumine looked at the now-clean Sacred Sakura roots. It didn't seem all that difficult.
"It shouldn't be that simple!"
Kujou Sara felt that something was off. She had heard the shrine maidens say that the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual was troublesome. How could it possibly be completed so "easily"? There had to be more, right?
"Let's not worry about that for now. We should leave first and speak with that shrine maiden."
"True."
The group left the old well. However, once they emerged, they discovered... that dusk was already approaching. They had not felt it underground. Had so much time really passed?
Not daring to delay any longer, they returned to the fox statue where the shrine maiden was still waiting.
"Hanachirusato, the Sacred Sakura roots have been purified."
The group walked over, and Lumine spoke to her directly.
"I knew it. If it was you, Traveler, you would definitely succeed."
Hanachirusato did not seem to doubt Lumine's words in the slightest and believed her immediately. Before Lumine could say anything else, she continued, "However, aside from that barrier, there are several other locations. Could I ask you to deal with them as well?"
Hanachirusato's attitude was excellent, but... her words still left Lumine stunned. Kujou Sara had mentioned earlier that it could not be so simple, but here... before Lumine could even say anything, there were already several more places.
"Please! This is the reward prepared for you."
The shrine maiden pointed to a chest beneath the Heavenly Fox statue beside