At those words, Tagitsuhime hurriedly bowed once more to the White Snake Sage inside the temple.
Then she turned to Hayashi and said:
"Honored sage, it seems the White Snake Sage is very eager to speak with you."
"Let's not delay any longer. I'll lead you inside."
Hayashi nodded.
He glanced back at Tagorihime, only to find that she was looking at him too.
Noticing his glance, she nodded to him.
Hayashi returned a bright smile.
Then he followed Tagitsuhime, walking slowly inside.
Unbeknownst to him, Ichikishimahime, who stood beside Tagorihime, quietly caught the exchange.
She couldn't help teasing her curiously:
"What's going on, Tagorihime? I've never seen that expression on your face before."
The expression on Tagorihime's face quickly vanished.
She couldn't be bothered to deal with someone who acted so familiar.
Ichikishimahime went on, unprompted:
"I did sense some strange energy in Ryūchi Cave, you know."
"Don't tell me he beat you into submission?"
"Well, no wonder. That little fellow seems to have quite a lot of energy inside him."
"I wonder which giant snake he'll sign a contract with?"
"Maybe once he becomes a sage, he'll offer the giant snakes of Ryūchi Cave a whole lot of flesh and blood."
"Then I'll get to enjoy some too."
With that, Ichikishimahime chuckled and looked at Tagorihime.
"Well, if you wanted offerings, you should have told him sooner."
"From the looks of things, you've completely missed your chance."
"Would you shut up?"
In an instant, Tagorihime's neck twisted toward Ichikishimahime at an inhuman angle.
A vicious look settled over her face.
"Wow!"
"So scary! Tagorihime is actually turning on one of her own!"
Ichikishimahime said that leisurely, then chuckled to herself again.
"What? How else are you supposed to get the giant snakes to do your bidding?"
"I know