Extra Chapter: Kitsune Saiguu, Akizuki Hisako

"Good morning, Akizuki-sama!"

"Good morning too. Heading to the market for today?"

"Mm! We have to prepare for the autumn harvest festival, so we wanted to stock up the pantry with seasonal produce."

"Okay, take care on your trip, Asada-san and Kaminari-kun!"

My name is Akizuki Hisako. I used to and strangely enough, is still considered as a princess of this province named Kiko.

"May you continue to bless our land, Inari-sama…"

Although I was the daughter of the former ruling lord of this province, I was allowed to stay in here even after my father was deposed and exiled from our land. I used to not be aware of all of these things as I lived a sheltered and ignorant life which only revolves around the hollowed-out mountain temple of Kaiho Sanctum, but after the rebellion that dethroned my father, I slowly came to learn more about this place where I was born.

"…And that is how the Second Volume of Kojiki, titled as Nakatsumaki, ended. If you wish to read the third volume, Shimotsumaki, you can visit the library in the city and present your University ID. It will be free, courtesy of the Literature ministry, so don't worry about having to rent it out so long as you have your ID with you. Now then, Class representative Akizuki!"

"Attention! Stand!"

"""Thank you for teaching us, Professor!"""

"Accepted. See you next week and don't forget about the essay project that I gave you last time. It will be due by then."

Even though I am still officially considered as the Princess of Kiko due to Iwasawa-sama's pardon and adoption of me as his younger sibling, I currently have the standing of a middle-ranked noble. Unlike land-owning elites or warrior-nobles like the clans of the Kiko Three, my noble title is maintained through my vocation as the Chief Priestess of Kaiho Sanctum and my job in the castle which I can't speak to anyone else.

It might be hard for most to believe this, but only a year before, I was still considered as a person who has the mental capacity and tendency of a child. Probably because of my sheltered childhood, I was never able to mature until just recently and even at the present, I still have a hard time with dealing with too many people in a casual manner. I worked hard to act my age and now that I look back on my past self, I have no regrets to have stayed here in Kiko and live my life to the fullest.

"These are the documents from the Auditor's office. I'm sorry that I'm loading so many burdens on your shoulders again, Hisako-chan."

"Nn, nn… No need to feel sorry, Chiyo-nee. This is my job. I need to do my best too if we want to keep Kiko running while Iwasawa-sama is away."

"Ehehe… You mischievous sweetheart. When did you become so responsible like this? Just a year ago, you're stealing marshmallows with Rinne at the pantry."

"Muu… Don't remind me of that, Chiyo-nee. I grew up properly since then, didn't I?"

"You sure did. Alright, I'll take my leave now. Do take breaks if you're tired, okay?"

"Okay! See you later, Chiyo-nee!"

Day by day, things in this city changes. The dark and unkempt city of Naka that used to be nothing more but an easy way for smugglers to pass their goods into Japan has now become the center of international trade for the island nation. This place which long ago, was something that its native residents would do anything to leave behind is now attracting so many people who wishes to change their lives.

"…"

"Lady Hisako? Is something wrong?"

"H-Huh?"

"You were praying before, but you suddenly stopped and… it seems like you are thinking deeply about something."

"I… I'm alright, I'm alright! Don't worry, it's just that I haven't ate breakfast yet so I am a bit lightheaded."

"Ehh? You should've told me about that, Lady Hisako! I'm not the Assistant Shrine Priestess for nothing!"

"Ahaha… I appreciate the gesture, but it's alright."

I was quite lying there. I'm… not alright. None of his direct retainers here are alright.

"Hik-! Iwasawa-sama… Iwasawa-sama…"

"…Chiyo-nee…"

Whenever I am passing through Iwasawa-sama's bedchambers, I would hear the stifled weeping of Chiyo-nee who would sometimes come there to cry her heart out whenever she misses him who she dearly loves.

"You seem a bit exhausted, Asada-san…"

"Hrm? Nah… It's just my age showing its toll. No matter how much I am teased as a baby-faced, goddess of youth, I am still a woman who already had her better times. Things like running out of stamina while doing chores is a daily occurrence to me."

"Sorry to say this, but an exhausted Asada-san is still a cute Asada-san."

"Huh? Hmph! Your praises are well-taken, but I won't be thanking such blatant flattery!"

There is Asada-san who has started to become weaker in her duties as she is nearing her retirement from her position that will be blessed by Iwasawa-sama.

"Do you want some coffee, Generals?"

"H-huh?"

"Guah…hah… Oh! Shimura-dono! Wake up!"

"Argh… I told you to let me rest, Takeo… what the heck is-"

"Sorry for interrupting your sleep, Nobisuke-san."

"Ah, Hisako! Why did you come to the strategy room at this time of the night?"

"I heard from Chiyo-nee that you and Ishida-san are staying up late for the planning period before the war. I came by with these to help you stay awake for a bit longer."

"Thank you, Hisako-dono…"

"These are a life saver… I and Takeo has been racking our brains about how to properly set up the offensive force. We may need to stay here until sunrise at this point."

"I see… Do take care of yourselves and rest up properly afterwards. You two are the most important military men in Kiko right now. We don't want to lose you two just because of sleep deprivation."

There is also the military echelon that has been bearing the brunt of their leader's absence by trying to make meets end and keep our land safe from the enemy.

"Everyone is trying their best… I also have my own work but…"

Somehow, seeing all of them feel down while Iwasawa-sama is gone makes me worry more about them who are leading in his stead.

"…"

"I'm not guessing anymore, Lady Hisako. There really is something wrong, isn't it?"

"…Yes."

"I see. Since we're alone in the shrine anyway, mind telling me all about it?"

Today, at the same day when General Shimura left with the offensive force to handle the threat in Mizuki province, I decided to let loose some of my misgivings about recent things as well.

"W-W-Wait! What do you mean that Kaiho Sanctum is dead?!"

"It's just as how it sounds. Long before I took over Kaiho Sanctum, it has already been dead."

This was something that the other Shrine Priestesses before me kept as a tightly wrapped secret. About several decades ago, The Fox goddess of fertility and harvest left Kaiho Sanctum without any warnings or last statements. It was said that the priestess at that time can only weep and almost commit suicide after feeling that it was her inadequacy that caused the Shrine's guardian spirit to leave.

For the years to come, the people of Kiko would slowly notice that the bountiful harvests of Kiko subsided and caused several generations of Shrine priestesses to quote that it was "a test from the guardian fox". But as time passed and both good and horrible harvests came to pass, the faith of the people and their patience for the end of the "test" was lost and the province came to a state of disrepair.

"Then… why are we still here?"

"I believe that… even if no one will hear my prayers, the fact that I still stated them and hoped for them to come is already enough."

"W-what?"

"You may already know this, but I used to be someone who is so afraid of leaving the temple that I thought that the sacrifices and prayers that I give in this empty shrine is at least changing the lives of those in the outside world. But when my father was deposed, I chose to stay here out of shame, and slowly recovered from my state of immaturity, I felt that all of those hopes that I used to hold was for naught."

"…"

It was already too late for me to know that instead of going outside and fixing what I could've fixed back then with my authority and position, I stayed there and prayed without doing anything else.

"Do you know about that Christian nun in the residential area of the city?"

"Nun? Nun… Ah! Sister Camilla! I happened to see her one time when she is giving out a sermon in the city square. I don't really understand her religion's principles, but I sensed that she holds all of it dearly in her heart."

"You took the words out of my mouth… That's exactly what I was about to say."

"H-huh?"

"You see, I once talked to Sister Camilla about faith and the power of prayers. I wanted to know how different her opinions would be as someone of different faith, and sure enough, I got from her the answer that I needed at that time."

"What… did she say?"

"She said that for her, prayers are requests that we send to heaven in hopes that the future that we will be given is for our betterment. But instead of just waiting for that plan to come, we should actively try to be a part of it."

"Be a part of it? What for?"

"Because in that way, we can accept that instead of just depending on whatever the heavens would chose to or blame it for our misfortunes, it is how we take and act upon those fates that would later become the life that we will live through."

"Then… would that mean that prayers would become nothing but useless words that we whisper to no one? I-I don't mean to say that I am doubting our faith but… since you said it like that…"

"Ahaha… No, no. I don't mean it like that at all. I've also met a lot of people like that when I was travelling around with Chiyo-nee just like that time when I joined in the delegation to Fuku. As you may know, Fuku has long been considered as a province that has been untouched by both the Kingo and Kaiho sects. As a province and people that heeded no proper deities, just living day to day with no centralized code of morality, when I first saw it, I felt pity from the bottom of my heart."

"Did you feel pity because they don't have faith or is it because of what they have come to do due to that lack of faith?"

"I believe that my pity came from seeing them live day to day with no proper goal in mind. They would work and earn money, provide for their needs and spend the rest in temporary pleasures like alcohol or courtesans… And because of that, some of them end up feeling dilapidated in the heart and dying without truly feeling happiness."

"Do you think that all of them will suddenly feel happy once we share to them our faith?"

"Not at all. But at least, it will give them an option where to spend their lives at. Prince Koshiro has been trying his best with the aid of the alliance to bring his land back to its feet. Maybe his people will find better ways to spend their lives as Fuku becomes more developed, just like how it happened here in Naka, but as things stand right now for our fellow province, Fuku's people would probably appreciate having a guiding light in their time of darkness."

I looked at my Assistant and she seemed to be confused of what is actually the point of all of these things. I just said that our guardian deity who has provided our people with good lives has disappeared long ago. I stated that I am praying even though no one might even be listening to it, and I still wanted to spread that faith. I have said some things that are totally against each other, which caused her confusion.

"I'm sorry for saying all of that. I am the Chief Shrine Priestess of Kaiho Sanctum that has been the center of faith of our people for the past several hundred years and yet, I am saying that all of that could've been for nothing."

"I won't be lying. It did quite made me question this job that I've been looking up to since I was a kid."

"Ahaha… I won't really blame you if you want to quit because of it."

"No, no, no! I won't be quitting, Hisako-sama! I am… I don't care if we are praying in a dead temple. As you just said, so long as we pray for a better future, it still means something."

"Yup. That's why it's called Faith. To most, it would be a meaningless wishful thinking. But aren't all of us have faith towards something or someone? Just like me who believes that my prayers would be for the good of the people. Chiyo-nee who believes that her work will keep our land prosperous. Shimura-dono who believes that once all of our battles are finished, peace will finally come."

"And we… who believes in the person who made all of this possible."

I looked at her and she had a joyful expression on her face as she noted how important Iwasawa-sama was for all of us.

"Yes… To the person who made all of this possible."

Later that afternoon, I was walking back to the castle after returning the books that I borrowed from the public library when I saw Sister Camilla walking from the market. Unlike the other pedestrians who are wearing their traditional outfits, the nun's garb whose colors are comprised of black and white will catch the attention of anyone who hasn't seen someone like her before and wonder if she came from a funeral procession.

Anyway, I crossed the street and from behind, tapped her shoulder to give her a slight surprise.

"Boo!"

"Ah! Huh? Muu… why did you surprised me like that, Hisako-chan?"

"Ehehe… Sorry, I wanted to see your surprised expression for even just once, you see."

We talked while walking towards her chapel and once I got inside, I was greeted by a lot of children who has recently been taken in by the church.

"We're back, everyone! I brought a guest, go on and welcome her while I'm preparing some tea for us!"

"Wooow!!! It's the priestess lady from the castle!"

"Hello everyone. Looks like all of you are just as energetic as before, huh?"

These kids are not from Kiko or our surrounding allied states. They came from a place that we have recently took over but hasn't fully placated yet.

"Nee, nee! Look at this, Priestess-nee!"

"It's a bug that we found in the garden!"

"Ah…haha… Yeah, that looks interesting."

"Stop it already, Chihiro-kun! Priestess-nee will be playing house with us!"

"Ah!"

"Come on, Priestess-nee! Don't play with those mean and dirty boys!"

"Whaddya say, twerp?!"

"Oi, oi! Am I hearing a fight from there? Do you brats want me to get angry?"

"Eeekkk! W-We don't, Camilla-nee! We're just playing around!"

The reason why all of these kids are staying here is something that Sister Camilla fervently asked Chiyo-nee to allow her to do since she heard about them from the newspaper.

"Come here, Hisako-chan. I've prepared some snacks here."

"Mm! I'll get there soon, sister… Sorry kids, we have to cut the playtime short this time."

"Awww…"

"Don't worry. After I finish my thesis in the university and the summer festival's ceremonies are done, I will come here and play with all of you as much as you want."

"R-really?!"

"We'll be waiting for you, Priestess-nee!"

I left the children who are still playing around and followed Sister Camilla to the kitchen where her newly appointed junior nuns are preparing their dinner for that night. Seeing Japanese women in a nun's uniform sure was something that I didn't know would be this surprisingly good.

"So, as we were talking about before… You want me to help Chiyo-chan and the other officials on how to handle the provinces that the Satou clan used to hold?"

"Yes. As you may know because of your goodwill expedition to take those orphaned children from Kaiji and Hatsu province, those two places are currently a great source of headache for them. It has almost been a year since the war ended and yet, the survivors there who still have burning embers of hatred for us wouldn't accept the peace agreement nor decide on who will be their leader."

"From how I saw it when I was there, Lady Ayanami Mitsuha's soldiers are placating them to keep them from forming an active rebellion, but as time passes by and their hatred grows, it would soon cause another upheaval for the people that may end up sparking another war. One that we may not be able to peacefully end."

"Yes. That's why when I saw you earlier, I wanted to see if you will accept my request of acting as our ambassador and negotiator there since you were able to take the orphans from that place peacefully."

Once I stated what I wanted her to do, Sister Camilla placed her hand under her chin as if in deep thought.

"I… I was only able to take the children from there because of my foreign appearance and lack of true fealty to any ruler. Although I do am part of Iwasawa-sama's close confidants, none of it are officially stated and thus, I am considered by the locals of both ruined provinces as a neutral party."

"Does that mean that…?"

"Yes. I was able to take the orphans because it is something that doesn't concern the alliance or the survivors. It was a purely humanitarian act that I can do as an outsider but acting as the ambassador of the alliance towards the surviving Kaiji and Hatsu residents will surely tilt their view on my neutrality. I don't think that it is something that will fit me."

"I see… I'm sorry for asking you something like that out of the blue, Sister."

"No problem. I was actually thinking about it ever since I came back here. Those kids are too young to understand everything that happened to them. The fact that I was able to bring them here before they get used as child warriors or be used by opportunistic people is something that I highly owed Chiyo-chan for."

"…"

"You see… not every child whose everything was taken by war can still smile as brightly as they do."

Sister Camilla's tone and expression while she was saying those words sounded somber and heavy. As if what she just said was something that she actually saw with her own eyes.

"Sister! Sister!"

"-!"

Suddenly, a young man came running inside the kitchen from the rear door which caused all of us to be surprised and look at him.

"Haah… haah… haah…"

"Chouji-kun? Why are you in a rush? What happened? Sister Ayane, can you bring me some water for him to drink?"

"Y-yes, Sister!"

Sister Camilla led the young man to a stool as one of the junior nuns gave him a glass of water which he immediately gulped down.

"What is it, Chouji? Why did you come here so suddenly?"

"I saw… I saw someone in an alley at the edge of the city…"

"And? What is this about?"

"That person… I didn't see its face because of the darkness, but when I stepped forward, I saw the mutilated body of someone near its feet!"

"-!!!"

"Could that be-!"

It has been quite a while since the first cases came to public ears, but this mysterious murderer has long been the scourge of the city's residents who caused them to fear for their lives.

"That person noticed me and suddenly stepped forward towards me and in my fear, I ran as fast as I can while still hearing its heavy footsteps behind me!"

"So, it followed him, huh?"

"I don't know if it is still here, but I doubt that it will let me live after it saw me witnessing its crime!"

After hearing the entire story, Sister Camilla stood up from her kneel and with a strict tone, gave instructions to her subordinates.

"…Sister Ayane and Utahime, stay here and protect the children."

"Sister-!"

"We should call the Land Guards!"

"No, this killer might get alarmed and end up running away if we call for more people. I'll try my best to apprehend or incapacitate it by myself."

"But Sister-!"

"Don't worry about me too much, you two…"

"-!!!"

"I think I've already showed you that I am not just any nun, right?"

From the wall, she took a slim sword with an ornate handle that seemed like nothing but a display but was actually a functional weapon. From what I remember, this sword is called a rapier.

"…Then let me assist you, Sister."

"H-huh?"

"Lady Hisako too?!"

I took my hair ribbon from my sleeve pocket and tied my hair into a ponytail after I saw a bow and a few arrows at the corner of the room. Maybe it is something that was left by a parishioner here.

"Are you sure about this, Hisako? You are-"

"Since it isn't done here in Naka, I won't blame you for not knowing this, Sister Camilla. During the Summer festival's opening ceremony, the Chief Shrine Priestess of Kaiho Sanctum will shoot a flaming arrow from the edge of a town and into a statue of Inari made of hay."

"Ah. So that means-"

"I'm more than adept in this weapon. Let me help you."

After showing that I am resolved to fight by her side, Sister Camilla opened the rear door and let me follow her out towards the strangely dim and unpopulated main road of the residential quarter of the city.

"What in the world is happening here?"

"This looks like a spiritual barrier of some kind. Maybe a yokai's doing…"

"A demonic spirit, I see… I should've brought some holy water or a wooden stake for this."

Sister Camilla took out her rapier as both of us watched each other's backs inside this strange place that seemed to be alike but not as alive than the real world.

"…Sister!"

"-?!"

I was looking around when I heard something from above us and saw a shadowy figure jump from a roof and onto Sister Camilla.

"Byauuu-!"

"Tch-! Get off!!!"

She blocked the figure from successfully landing on her and pushed the creature away as she jumped back towards me.

"Frrr… Gyauu-!!!"

"Not a chance!"

*Byuk-!*

"Kak-!"

Because of our height difference, I was able to let loose an arrow into the monster's head after hiding behind Sister Camilla. It hit the mark and instantly stopped it on its tracks.

"What in heaven's good grace is this creature…?"

"A Kappa? But why this far from a major water body?"

"…Is this really it? I doubt that what Chouji saw and ran after him will only be this thing."

"I think so too."

Upon further inspection, I was able to identify the yokai and confirmed that it is a Kappa. However, it didn't make sense to me as the residential area is away from Naka's river where these creatures are supposed to be existing.

"Hisako… I can still feel that something is watching us."

"I can sense it too… Keep your eyes and ears clear, sister…"

We looked around again and this time, made sure to look at each other occasionally as well.

"Jump back, Hisako!"

"-!"

"Guah-!"

*Chink-!*

Sister Camilla's warning came at the right time as I hopped back before a figure that might be our main suspect appeared from behind me with a sword in hand that Sister stopped from slashing towards me.

"You-!"

"Ehehehe… Have they told you about me, Little priestess-chan?"

"How… how did you come back from Yomi…"

"Hisako! Who is this guy?!"

I was told about him by the previous shrine priestess. An Otherworlder that they summoned and caused mayhem in Kiko long ago.

"Even though you carry the miasma of Yomi and you grew horns, your disgustingly murderous aura is still the same, Asamoto Usui!"

"Gahaha… I am quite honored that because of all that I did for the betterment of this place, I am still well-known here."

I shouted the name of the man with black horns and miasma around his body. In reply, he spoke as if there is someone remembered for a good reason.

"And who do we have here? Another woman of a foreign faith…? Ah, I couldn't mistake that appearance. A Christian nun, huh?"

"Hisako! Get behind me!"

I raw away to a suitable distance between the two who are in a sword lock. After confirming my distance, Sister Camilla broke their lock and jumped back towards me.

"Who is this guy?"

"He is an Otherworlder that was summoned in Kaiho Sanctum about a hundred years ago. He was supposed to become Kiko's hero, but he betrayed my great-great-grandfather and fought according to his own wishes. He was later subdued and died at the battlefield…"

He is supposed to be in the afterlife. But if he came here with those horns and dark miasma, it would mean that he somehow found a way to climb out of Yomi and do more of his actions.

"He is very dangerous. Given his misdeeds when he is still alive, I doubt that the recent murders aren't his doing. We need to stop him immediately!"

"I got you. Aim for his vitals, Hisako-chan!"

Sister Camilla lunged forward and locked her rapier with the corrupted spirit's katana.

"Gyahaha! Gyahahahahahaha!!! Your swordplay isn't so bad, nun woman!"

"Ick-!"

"But you're nothing against me!"

"Ack!"

Sister Camilla performed excellently after she landed several lunges and stabs into her body, but none of that affected the spirit who kicked her away and showed that all of her hits became nothing because of his recuperation ability.

"I've been waiting for this for a hundred years! I'm finally free! Finally out to do as I wish again!"

"I won't allow you!"

"I wasn't asking for your acceptance, little priestess."

"Hisako!"

The evil spirit threw a knife towards me but Sister's quick reflexes swung it away using her sword.

"Tch… You two are too boring. This city, this province, this entire world! It's too boring!"

"What are you on this time?"

"I've always thought that good stuff would happen if you get transported to another world, but this place ain't good at all. I mean, why do I have to work for stuff once I get here? I'm a hero, right? Gimme those things, for heck's sake!"

"…"

"And the women here, my goodness! They won't even bat an eye to you when you're clearly of a higher level than them… Tch! Conceited bitches!"

"This guy…"

"I know. That's what the stories spoke about him as well."

Asamoto Usui is an arrogant Otherworlder who desires to have things simply by existing as one. He has been repeatedly asked to find a work in the military or state, but he remained unemployed in anything until he decided to run away and become a sell-sword out of boredom and to get what he wants from others easily.

"We have to bring him back to Yomi as soon as possible."

"How? My lunges from before doesn't affect him."

"I have an idea, but we need to bring him to a tight alley."

"…Got you. I'll lead him into one."

Sister Camilla and I ran away from the scene with a brisk pace to make sure that he will be following after us.

"Woah, woah! Where do you think you two pests are going?!"

"I'm still preparing, Sister. Keep him busy!"

"I got you!"

At a less wide street, Sister Camilla held her ground by exchanging blows and dodging slashes from the evil spirit while I am casting a spell that I know is for exorcism.

"[By Lady Inari's name, I confer unto this weapon the right to return this monster into his place and bring back balance in the surface world.]"

"Gyahahaha!!! You're running out of stamina, nun woman!"

"Tch! Don't underestimate me, you demon scum!"

"[By all means, heed my call and open up the void from where this wishes' recipient belongs.]"

"Keep on entertaining me till you drop, nun!"

"Shut up!"

I finished the spell and nocked the arrow into the bow, pointing it towards the evil spirit who is still fighting with Sister Camilla.

"Sister! Keep him in place!"

"Understood!"

"H-Huh?! ARGH-!!!"

Sister Camilla stabbed her sword into the spirit's foot, locking him in place for me to draw the bowstring and send the spellbound arrow towards him.

"That light! How can someone so apart from that damned vixen still use it-?!"

"Don't blaspheme my shrine's spirit, you bastard!"

"-!!!"

"I am Akizuki Hisako! And I am the Priestess of Kaiho Sanctum!"

"DAMN YOU!!!"

"You will not come back here to our world again! Return to Yomi where you belong!"

*Qwii-!*

As soon as I let the arrow loose and it hit his chest, a bluish fire ignited inside his spiritual body which started to consume him.

"."

After his spiritual body was fully burned, Sister Camilla approached me after sheathing her rapier and lent me a hand to stand back up.

"Hisako… those ears are…"

"Hehe… Don't worry. They are a side effect of borrowing power from these little charms."

I spoke and showed her a necklace charm that contains the first rice grains from the last harvest. It is a small remainder of the ones that we offer to the shrine during the summer festival.

"This is… making me question my knowledge about the world so far…"

"H-Hey, don't touch them! They might not be real ones, but while the side effect is still going, they are extensions of my own body."

"Ah-! S-Sorry… they're a bit cute, you see…"

As for what happened to me due to this side effect that I am saying, I grew a pair of fox ears. This is something that I, as the Shrine Priestess, get by using powers like this.

"Anyway, let's get out of here. I'll use up the residual energy from the spell to break the barrier."

I focused for a moment and after collecting the remaining energy in this place, broke the barrier which brought us back to the real world that has some people looking towards us.

"Get out of the way!"

"The Land Guards are going through! Clear the way!"

A group of Land Guards arrived to the scene and after seeing us with weapons, approached us with some questions. But as to what those questions are, is something that I didn't expect to be the ones given.

"Did you also fight against those weird spirits, Akizuki-hime-sama?"

"Sister, did you come here to fight them away too?"

"Too…? Are you saying that Yokai spirits appeared in here as well?!"

"Y-Yes! We were taken by surprise when we were patrolling and a Kuchisake-onna appeared and attacked us. Then we found some Kappas wrecking nearby houses and an Oni who was about to attack a group of kids."

"Did you shoot them? Are the bullets effective?"

"It only stunned them for a while. Our bullets aren't injuring them, and they kept on charging towards us. It was only after the ground shook lightly and opened up did they dissipated into ash and disappeared."

"I see… things are aligning as I expected… we're good for now."

"I-I see… You heard the Priestess! Tell the people that everything is alright now and calm them!"

"""Yes, sir!!!"""

Tomorrow morning, a press conference was held in Naka castle where I addressed everything that happened last night.

"Are they really Yokai spirits, Priestess Akizuki?"

"How did this suddenly happen? Did you receive a premonition about this and came to the place by yourself?"

"Are the Land Guards equipped for this threat? Are we going to be safe?"

The questions of the radio reporters and newspaper writers were rapid and concise. And if not for the instructions and reprimand of the security, I won't be able to answer all of them properly.

"Yes. The beings that attacked the city's residential area last night are Yokai spirits. All of these happened suddenly, and I received no premonition about it. And as much as I wish to calm everyone by saying that we are ready about this, it is to my great regret to state that we currently don't have an efficient solution in this problem, save for Kaiho Shrine's maidens that I am teaching about exorcism."

"Are the Shrine Maidens sufficient for this, Priestess?"

"We can, if we will spread our numbers and take turns in it. But for maximum efficiency and efficacy, I've requested the aid of Lady Daigo Reika to send her maidens and exorcists as well. She has answered favorably, and we expect to receive the reinforcements by the next day."

A supernatural kind of war has come to suddenly grip our nation in fear and terror. Unlike conventional wars that are fought by negotiators and soldiers, this war is something that only us can fight in.

"That's all. I want all of you to find the lost Inari shrines in the map and try to renovate them. Maybe they can help in keeping the Yokai spirits from reappearing again."

"Yes, Lady Hisako!"

"…"

And now, unlike before when I was still doubting if anything about this actually makes sense and of use, I am now sure more than anything that it will be useful for everyone's safety and good.

"Thank you for returning, Lady Inari."

"Thank your master, child. He is the one who did a favor for me. This temporary return of mine wouldn't be for long. But I will stay beside these people whom I promised to protect until the very end…"

"…"

"Have you looked at the sky with the eyes that I have blessed for you?"

"Yes… and now that I know that something like that is just above our heads… It scares me."

I looked at the sky above the city of Naka and there, saw a hole to the place which Inari-sama called as the "Otherworld".

"Iwasawa-sama… You need to get here soon."

A war beyond everyone's imagination will soon come right here.