"Ch'en-Ch'en, is this the territory that shrine maiden occupies?"
"Mm."
"So... so big!"
Mountainous land within the city cost far more than anyone could imagine. Using it solely to build a shrine was extravagance to the point of absurdity. Bagpipe's eyes sparkled, making Ch'en's skin crawl.
This woman had definitely not come merely to avenge her. Otherwise, she would not be wearing that expression. Her old habit had probably acted up again.
Ch'en had guessed right. Bagpipe wanted to farm.
Such a massive shrine occupied an enormous area, yet it was simply left barren. If it were all reclaimed and planted with wheat, then when the cool autumn breeze gently brushed the tips of the wheat stalks... the sight would be so beautiful it would make one want to down a bottle of wheat beer.
Bagpipe was thinking such deranged thoughts.
As for avenging Ch'en-Ch'en... of course she wanted to do that too. It simply ranked lower on her list of priorities than reclaiming land.
"Not to discourage you, but how exactly are you planning to get inside?"
"Drive straight through!"
Though she said that, Bagpipe sensibly stopped the vehicle, opened the door, and silently climbed out. She knocked on the shrine's wooden gates. A hollow sound rang out, confirming the desolation Ch'en had expected, but Bagpipe scratched her head.
"No one's here. Aren't they afraid of theft?"
"Someone once came to steal from Yae Shrine, and then they... suffered terribly."
That file had originally been held by both Lungmen and Rhodes Island. Since Bagpipe did not know about it, those events must have been highly classified at Rhodes Island as well. It was inconvenient for Ch'en to reveal anything, so she could only put it in an obscure way.
Bagpipe nodded as though she understood.
"Those who steal things