Chapter 74: The Scorching Summer

Several months later...

The weather had reached the height of summer. Even dragonflies dared only to fly close to tree shadows, as if afraid the sunlight might scorch their wings.

Not a single cloud nor a wisp of wind graced the sky. Above, a blazing sun hung while all trees stood listlessly, languid in their heat. The fiery sun baked the earth until river water burned to the touch and soil smoked from the heat.

Under the blazing sun, mature grain crops bowed their heads in the heat along both sides of the road. Grasshoppers swarmed thick as blades of grass in wheat and rye fields, in wheat and rye fields, and in reed thickets by the shore, emitting weak yet cacophonous chirps.

Several months had passed since Hokushin Mei became Kallen's disciple. The once barren Yae Village, through the efforts of Kallen and others, had been restored to its former state.

Of course, it wasn't exactly the same. At least it was no longer barren, but rather a patchwork of green and yellow hues.

On the second day, the Gyakushinn Miko reverted to her Sixth Serenade form, and Higokumaru naturally disappeared with her beloved Big Sister.

In the months that followed, through the construction efforts of extraordinary powers, the Yae Shrine had been completely rebuilt. However, with no villagers remaining beneath the shrine, it now appeared utterly desolate.

At that moment, the little fox Higokumaru lay sprawled on a Sakura tree within the shrine, basking in the sunlight. The scorching weather didn't bother her at all; instead, she seemed to thoroughly enjoy it...

Her demeanor was utterly relaxed.

Though Higokumaru had left, the Sixth Serenade's power still kept her obedient. Besides... for the delicious fried tofu, Higokumaru was now perfectly well-behaved.

Yet... even now, she hadn't truly been transformed. If she were genuinely changed... she wouldn't be a little fox anymore, but the divine key.

Though not fully transformed, her current state likely wasn't far from that ideal.

After being sealed for fifty thousand years, her life with Serenade and the others now made her nearly abandon her mission to destroy civilization and let go of her hatred toward humans.

Serenade sat by her window, gazing at the blazing sun outside. Fortunately, Ice Kallen controlled the ice elements, so... her room felt like it had air conditioning, making it incredibly comfortable.

This era had everything good, except for one thing - it was a bit boring.

The villagers busy with food-related tasks might have been fine, but for someone like Serenade who spent most days cultivating and had little else to do...

It became unbearably dull.

After all, food could be bought elsewhere, and as for money... there was simply too much of it.

"Serenade-nee, I'm coming in!"

Just as Serenade was contemplating whether to seek some amusement, Yae Rin arrived at her door.

"Come in. The door isn't locked."

"Serenade-nee, remember how we bought lots of cured meat in town a few days ago? Sis says she's making cured meat rice balls today." Yae Rin entered Serenade's room, immediately feeling a cool breeze that had completely dispelled the heat from outside - it was utterly refreshing.

"Cured meat rice balls? Sounds good!"

Serenade looked at Yae Rin. Although Yae Sakura's rice balls were quite large, they always tasted delicious.

"I knew Serenade-nee wouldn't mind. It's so hot outside, I'll stay here for a bit." Without waiting for permission, Yae Rin found a comfortable spot to sit down.

The scorching sun made it impossible to muster any energy.

"There's iced mint water on the table. Help yourself." Serenade reminded her, observing Yae Rin's relaxed posture.

Near the shrine, they had planted various herbs, including mint.

"Mm-hmm..."

"It's so hot! So hot! So hot!"

After a while, a spirited silver-haired maiden burst through the door, kicked off her shoes in a huff, and charged into Serenade's room barefoot. Upon entering... she immediately stripped off her outer garment, walked to the table, grabbed a cup, filled it with icy water, and gulped it down.

"Ah! That's refreshing! I'm saved... Finally survived."

Kallen stretched luxuriously, looking like she'd narrowly escaped danger.

The sun outside was scorching hot, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius for days on end - truly unbearable... And if there wasn't widespread rainfall soon, a drought might develop.

"Your room is still the most comfortable, Serenade. I'm staying here tonight," Kallen said, gazing at Serenade who stood beside the window, looking much like herself.

"Of course!" Serenade readily agreed.

"I want to sleep with Serenade-nee too!" Yae Rin chimed in immediately upon hearing this.

"...Fine by me. My bed's big enough for everyone anyway."

Serenade paused briefly, eyeing her massive bed that could easily accommodate five or six people without breaking a sweat.

"Yay!" Yae Rin's face lit up with delight at Serenade's agreement.

It wasn't just because Serenade's room was so cool and comfortable.

After waiting for a while, the door opened again. A pink-haired maiden dressed in a miko's outfit entered carrying a large plate full of rice balls.

The pink miko removed her shoes, her long legs clad in white stockings stepping onto the room's clean wooden floor. Behind her, another maiden with long black hair also took off her shoes, her small feet clad in black stockings as she followed in.

In the Far East, the custom of removing shoes before entering a room had been practiced since ancient times.

However... putting aside other matters, Serenade couldn't help but appreciate the sight of these beautiful feet before her. Even if they weren't her type... they still looked quite appealing.

So, this traditional habit... should probably be maintained.

As for foot odor?

(TL Note: ∘ ∘ ∘ ( °ヮ° ) ? Feet...why is it always feet...)

In the world of anime, beautiful maidens simply don't have such problems. Isn't that common knowledge?

"Serenade's room is still the most comfortable! The rice balls are ready, everyone, let's eat!"

After entering, Yae Sakura and Hokushin Mei placed the plate of rice balls on the room's table, then comfortably basked in the room's cool air.

Wherever Serenade was, it was like having an air conditioner!

It felt absolutely wonderful.

Just as Yae Sakura and Hokushin Mei had set down the rice balls, Higokumaru, who had been smelling the aroma outside, immediately jumped down from the tree and rushed to the table.

Seeing the basketball-sized rice balls before her, Higokumaru couldn't resist reaching out with her fox-like paws and grabbing one.

A single rice ball of this size was enough to satisfy Higokumaru completely.

"Let's eat!"

No one objected to Higokumaru's actions as they all gathered around the table.

"I'm digging in!" x4

The four of them clasped their hands together, uttered the phrase simultaneously, and each picked up a rice ball.

Serenade, holding the massive rice ball, took a single bite... The pork's juices had perfectly infused into the rice, creating an incredibly delicious flavor.