"The Thunderbird's resentment caused an explosion on Seirai Island that could be seen even from Watatsumi Island. Only one in ten of the residents survived, and the Shogunate's fleet suffered heavy casualties."
"Afterward, the thunderstorm raged, creating Seirai Island's current appearance."
As a firsthand witness to the event, Yae Miko had explained it quite thoroughly, but she still missed one detail.
"Actually, Takamine Mutsurugi did return in the end, but as a monster. Even though he had lost the ability to think, he relied on his obsession to forcefully return to Asase Hibiki's side," Shiki added.
"But what awaited him was an arrow shot by Asase Hibiki, using the archery skills he himself had taught her."
"Eh? Isn't that too pitiful? That Takamine Mutsurugi just wanted to return to his beloved." Paimon's expression was very sad; she hated such tragic stories the most.
But then she turned her head and wondered, how did the other person know?
"Wait! Miss Ryougi, how do you know something that even Yae Miko doesn't? Are you trying to trick Paimon too?!"
"...Do you think I would joke about something like this?" Shiki frowned slightly. Did Paimon not understand the mood? It would be better to eat her, after all.
"This isn't important, is it? A pitiful person must have something hateful about them. Asase Hibiki's story is very pitiful, but aren't the people living on Seirai Island even more pitiful?" Ayaka said.
"They were just living their lives, and then they lost them in an explosion, and that Asase Hibiki did it for a pirate who burned, killed, and plundered.
Her actions led to the deaths of tens of thousands of people. Although there were other better methods, Asase Hibiki chose the worst one."
"Hmm, all in all, Asase Hibiki is very pitiful, but what she did is very hateful."
"Alright, I can have the Miko of the Shrine repair the great barrier seal on Seirai Island, but it can only last for a week. During that time, you must persuade Ei to dispel the thunderstorm," Yae Miko said.
"Otherwise, everything we do will be in vain. The barrier will be destroyed by the thunderstorm, and Seirai Island will remain as it is now."
"I know. By the way, can't we wait until the thunderstorm is dispelled before repairing the barrier? That way, you won't have to make a trip for nothing."
Shiki suddenly wondered why they had to seal the barrier first and then dispel the thunderstorm. Couldn't they dispel the thunderstorm first and then seal the barrier?
"Of course, but the most important thing is to persuade Ei. Right now, even I, her old friend, find it incredibly difficult to see her."
"...Have you ever considered that it might be your own fault?" Shiki said, squinting.
Raiden Ei is a majestic God, but in your mouth, her character collapses completely. It's a good thing she doesn't see you; anyone else would just cleave you with a sword.
"How could that be? That's just a joke between friends."
"Oh, right, right, a joke between friends, meaning calling someone who is over two thousand years older than you a child, right?"
Due to Shiki's arrival, Raiden Ei's change in thinking had little to do with the Traveler, and after it ended, she didn't go to Grand Narukami Shrine, so there was naturally no famous scene of crying, wailing, and emotional breakdown.
However, as a Fox, how could Yae Miko change her nature? Although the famous scene was gone, she still wanted to see Raiden Ei's misfortune.
Of course, that day she went from being the one watching the misfortune to being the misfortune herself, which could be considered retribution.
"...Indeed, we don't get along."
"No choice, it's because you are too Fox. If you were a bit more normal, I believe we wouldn't have such a tense atmosphere every time we meet."
"That won't do. I'm a Fox. Have you ever seen a Fox that is simple?"
Yae Miko's usual Fox-like smile reappeared on her face, but only she knew the bitterness within it.
As she said, she was once just an ignorant little Fox, spending her days eating fried tofu, sleeping, and cuddling in Raiden Makoto's arms.
She liked Raiden Makoto, that gentle older sister.
Unfortunately, after that incident, Raiden Makoto returned to the Divine Sakura, her fellow Kitsune Saiguu was devoured by the calamity, and Raiden Ei created a puppet and abandoned her physical body, meditating in Isshin Pure Land.
Her friends and family vanished in an instant, leaving her alone.
There was no one left for her to cuddle with, nor could she sleep wrapped in her own tail.
So, she put on the mask called Yae Miko, hiding her true self and her tails deep within.
In the end, Yae Miko became the Guuji Lord who struck fear into everyone, but she herself was still that little Fox longing to return to the past.
Shiki frowned as she looked at Yae Miko's smile, but she said nothing, merely holding Ayaka's small hand and silently leaving Grand Narukami Shrine.
Xavier chuckled twice, "Traveler, would you mind accompanying me to Yae Publishing House again...?"
Shiki disliked such false people, because it reminded her of unpleasant things.
Imagine what would happen when the parents of a well-off girl suddenly passed away without leaving a will?
Of course, various relatives would try to obtain your parents' inheritance through various reasons and means.
Fortunately, she was very lucky. Her parents had left a voice recording on their phone before they died, and this phone, fortunately, was preserved relatively intact.
The rescue workers at the time called it a miracle, and it was precisely because of this recording that she inherited all of her parents' assets.
There was no other way. Although you are your parents' child, you are not the only first-in-line heir.
Without a will, these assets would have to be distributed proportionally.
Upon teleporting to Kamisato Estate, Ayaka clearly sensed that the girl beside her was in a bad mood. Although she didn't know why, she knew that she should give the girl space and time to herself now.
"I'll go make you some tea."
With that, Ayaka was about to get up and leave, but her wrist was caught by the girl beside her.
"No need. Just... stay with me for a little while."
Shiki gently shook her head, then leaned back on the sofa, looking up at the ceiling.
Seeing this, Ayaka subtly shifted her body closer to Shiki, and then the girl gently tilted her head, resting it on Shiki's shoulder.
Shiki noticed the warmth on her shoulder. After a moment of hesitation, she too gently leaned her head towards Ayaka. Finally, their heads rested against each other, and with their fingers intertwined, they fell into a deep sleep.
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