Chapter 34: Journey forth! Into Hokuto!

–Jissoji Temple Inner Sanctum–

Yato and his crew finally arrived at the temple's Inner Sanctum without any delay. Before granting entry, they are stripped off of any harmful objects that may pose danger, even their masks.

Inside, they are met with a line of attendants as well as the Tenth Herald, Miko, who is behind a shoji blind, making only her silhouette visible for them. It was also obvious even from behind the blinds that she's wearing the Fox Mask.

The [Swords] are seated in front of her whilst surrounded by the said attendants. As the lead envoy, Yato was in the middle and seated nearer to the Head Priestess.

They all performed a zarei (bowing while kneeling) and slowly raised their heads before the Head Priestess spoke.

"As the Head Priestess of this Sacred land, I am pleased to see you, my dear guests in good health. I also want to apologize for the sudden request of your presence."

Yato shakes his head gently, he then speaks with a formal and quiet tone.

"We're all here because we wanted to, Head Priestess. We wish to hear what you need counsel with."

"Very well…what I am about to share with you should be kept a secret between all the people attending here today. I need your word for it first before proceeding."

"As you wish, Head Priestess."

Yato unhesitatingly replied.

The Head Priestess picks up a small bell and rings it once, signifying the oath taken.

"I have been visited by an unknown entity in my dreams. It has no physical form, but it has the voice of a young girl."

Yato is stopping himself from tilting his head. He is wondering what this got to do with the [Swords].

"She talks to me like we have known each other for quite a long time. Even if I wanted to ask her something, I could not manage to speak. It's as if she has full control of my dream."

More and more, Yato's head is beginning to tilt to the side.

"What left an impression on me about what she said is that we will have a certain visitor that will help me, and I will help in return. Moreover, she said that it's a man that came from a land where peace and the Fervor rules."

Yato snapped and got his head back on the game. That's it, that's where the topic regarding them falls.

"It's without a doubt the land where my Lord Akafuyu is currently ruling."

The Head Priestess nodded in agreement. She knows well how kind and fair Akafuyu's governance is.

Yato continued.

"However, I'm not aware of any more help that the Head Priestess needs assistance with."

It was a decisive move from Yato. This event is an opportunity for him to gather the withheld information that the people from this land kept from their crew, specifically, the ruse about the incoming ritual. It's an indirect question about what are the things they don't know about yet.

Whilst waiting for a reply, the Head Attendant approached Miko behind the shoji blind and seemed to have engaged in a silent conversation with the Head Priestess.

'I don't like this. I feel like we're just gonna go in circles again.' Yato thought to himself after watching things unfold.

The Head Attendant then comes out of the blinds and faces Yato.

"Apologies for my rudeness, but The Head Priestess needs to think about some things. It might be short, but you can excuse yourselves."

"Looks to me like you're the one giving the orders instead of the Herald leading this land." is what Yato wanted to say but he has no choice but to agree to the demand. He doesn't show any violent reactions, instead he just went with the flow.

"Have a safe journey ahead."

The Head Attendant sees them off. Meanwhile, Miko is showing a discouraged expression behind the mask.

Returning to their lodging without accomplishing anything, Yato and his small crew let out a synchronized heavy sigh. They all knew that it was going to happen once the Head Attendant butted in.

"So she said, but we're about to leave. They're surely aware of that."

As Yato approaches his bag, a ring from his phone comes in, it was Fudo who was calling. He answered it, wondering what the hell Fudo needs him for.

"What? Got nothing to do?"

"Oh hey Yato! It's been long, but not anymore soon!" Fudo energetically remarked.

"Huh? Ah, yes we're returning there tomorrow. Hope I didn't miss out on anything fun."

"Eh? Tomorrow? Return?"

"What's your deal? I thought you called because you know."

"What? No! How should I know! Ya see, we're actually going there as we speak!"

"....."

"What?"

–a couple of hours ago–

"-it's a byproduct of Yamataka Jindai Zakura from the Jissoji temple."

"Are you sure? That might be impossible, a single petal of Sakura is already rare to drop here, but the Great Yamata Jindai? It's too far for its leaves to be blown here."

Chizue surmised.

While listening to them Kiyoto seems to be feeling strange as he holds his head, seemingly like he's starting to remember something after hearing the name of the Great Tree.

"Kiyoto-kun? Something the matter?"

Noticing his change of behavior, Mylene holds Kiyoto's hands by his pulse.

"I'm…remembering something…"

He struggles to speak for the mean time.

The words "seek" "Yamataka Jindai" "help" "impossible challenges" enter Kiyoto's mind. He made sense of the scrambled words and constructed a sentence out of it.

"Seek someone from Yamataka Jindai…a person from there will help me overcome impossible challenges…"

After hearing this, everyone looked at him with a confused expression.

"I, uh…those words. I think I remember hearing it before waking up and noticing that leaf fall from my bed…"

Kiyoto finally returned to his usual self.

"That's…what does that mean? Impossible challenges?" Mylene inquisitively asked.

Johan stated his thoughts on the matter.

"Isn't it too coincidental to just happen? I mean, I guess the leaf finding its way inside Kiyoto's bedroom is already a sign that what he just blurted out might have an important message after all."

"Makes sense."

Chizue agreed.

"Yeah! Right!"

Fudo just went with the flow. Or maybe she just saw an opportunity to travel outside the territorial city.

"Wait, are you saying you're going on a journey to Hokuto Kiyoto-kun?"

Yamato asked.

"Well he can't really just move out on his own now that he's a major part of an organization. So we'll have to inform Commander Gwyn about that first." Johan stands up and is readying himself to leave.

Kiyoto can't believe how everyone just believes and supports what he says. It's as if this certain circle of friends is fully trusting him and his words. He then gratefully nodded and led the way to meet Gwyn.

"Sure. Although you can only bring two with you, nothing more than that. Can't have the people on Hokuto be on high alert after all."

Surprised by how easily Gwyn just agreed, they were all speechless for a second. Shortly after, they snapped back to decide how they would decide who would accompany Kiyoto.

They all draw sticks to decide who will be it.

"Yeaaaay!"

Fudo jumped high after she drew the stick with the red end, meaning she will be included in the trip.

*Gasp*

The second one who will be included in the journey is none other than Mylene.

"Yes! Hehe, looks like I need to prepare my Kimono."

The rest of them look dejected with Yamato as an exception. Prelati also took a stick back then since she wanted to do some Cherry Blossom viewing.

"Well, before you guys leave, I advise you to inform Lord Akafuyu first, via formal letter will do." Gwyn then took a sip of a refreshing tea and went back to his leisure sitting position.

As they leave Gwyn's office, Fudo takes out her phone to inform Yato that they'll be going to Hokuto soon.

Just a few minutes passed by, a letter had been made and was sent towards Akafuyu, who had the available time to read it immediately.

"Hmm, what's this all of a sudden. Kiyoto having to journey away, chasing something from a dream he had."

Klauss raises his skeleton brow and looks at Akafuyu with a playful skeleton expression.

"Hmm. My Mistress, you sure need some rest."

"Eh? Well, I'm resting when I have time."

Klauss nodded in response.

"I say you also deserve to rest for a longer time, since the city is doing good in the past few days."

"Klauss?"

"Ah, I know! Sakura viewing is a great way to relieve stress while also resting ones mind."

"....."

Akafuyu squints her eyes since she already knows where Klauss is heading.

"My Mistress, it is my absolute pleasure to see you happy and take your deserved break. I would suggest heading with Kiyoto-dono to the land of blooming Cherry Blossoms. Spring is coming soon after all."

Klauss pointed a finger upward, a pose that is suggesting a good idea.

Akafuyu clears her throat.

"I…If I were to be honest, I do want to experience Cherry Blossom viewing with them. But I'm a Herald, I-I can't just–"

"....." ← Kiyoto

"....." ← Mylene

"Ehem, so uhm…I guess this is our hangout time. But! I-I ehm, going there for some official business as well." Akafuyu gave some vague reason to freeload with them.

"Weeeeeeh, my slot got taken…"

Fudo cries out as she wasn't allowed to leech off since Gwyn still only allows 3 people to journey, even counting Akafuyu.

With that said, all luggages ready, Akafuyu pointed her finger onwards to the horizon.

"Let's journey forth! Into Hokuto!"