"If we want to go to the Grand Narukami Shrine, we'll have to climb the mountain..."
Aether looked at the mountain in front of him—Mt. Yougou—and couldn't help but say:
"There's a teleport waypoint right at the top near the shrine. I only climbed up the first time—after that, I always used the waypoint."
"Come to think of it, the teleport waypoints in Inazuma don't seem to be affected by anything strange. Paimon and I could go up first and check out the situation at the Grand Narukami Shrine…"
"It's best not to do that for now," Su Yuan said.
"The situation is still uncertain. If anything dangerous happens, we won't be able to help you in time. It's better if we all go together."
After quite some time, the group finally made it to the top of Mt. Yougou, where the Grand Narukami Shrine stood.
The shrine now seemed a bit deserted.
The usual bustling crowds of people coming to draw fortunes were nowhere to be seen.
"Welcome, everyone, to the Grand Narukami Shrine." The shrine maiden, Inagi Hotomi, greeted the group at the entrance.
"Oh? It's the Traveler and Paimon—and Lady Kujou Sara as well." Hotomi looked surprised.
"I didn't expect to see all of you here at this time."
"If you're looking for Lady Yae Miko, I'm afraid she hasn't been at the shrine these past few days."
Yae Miko's absence?
Everyone felt a surge of doubt, and a sense of foreboding crept in.
"Let's go take a look at the Sacred Sakura Tree," Aether said.
Su Yuan also nodded.
The Sacred Sakura Tree was indeed a very important presence in Inazuma.
Thinking back to recently encountering Hanachirusato in the fields near Konda Village… it was quite possible that something had gone wrong with the Sacred Sakura.
The Sacred Sakura is meant to absorb and purify the filth within the ley lines.
In past events, it had been attacked by Rifthounds, which caused the filth to spill from cracks in its trunk and take form—manifesting as ghosts, those who shouldn't exist in the world…
Hanachirusato, who was supposed to have faded away, had reappeared.
It was very likely a sign that something was indeed wrong with the Sacred Sakura…
After all, Hanachirusato herself was formed from the filth born of Kitsune Saiguu's lingering memories and emotions…
"We still don't know what's going on with the Raiden Shogun," Aether said, looking a bit worried.
"And if the Sacred Sakura Tree is also acting up… that could really be trouble."
"So… do we have to go back to Konda Village again and do the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual with Hanachirusato one more time?" Paimon asked.
Then, Aether walked up to the Sacred Sakura Tree at the Grand Narukami Shrine, placed his hand on it, and closed his eyes, as if trying to sense something…
After a while, he removed his hand and opened his eyes.
"Uhh… maybe I just don't understand the Sacred Sakura Tree well enough, but I didn't feel anything unusual."
"I'll give it a try." Su Yuan also stepped forward and placed both hands on the tree, but didn't feel anything either—just like touching ordinary bark.
"Well, I didn't feel anything either," Su Yuan said.
He had thought maybe he would have some kind of special ability.
"If you're looking for Lady Yae Miko, perhaps you could try Yae Publishing House," suggested the shrine maiden Hotomi.
"Usually, if Lady Yae isn't at the shrine, she's over there reading light novels."
"We actually came from Inazuma City, and passed by Yae Publishing House on the way here," Su Yuan replied.
"The doors were locked tight. We knocked and called out, but no one responded—it seemed like nobody was inside."
"That's strange. If she's not at the Grand Narukami Shrine, and not at the publishing house, then where could Lady Yae Miko have gone?"
"Sayu? Sayu? I know you're nearby—come on out! There's a mission from the Shuumatsuban! Stop slacking off!"
Just then, the group heard the voice of the shrine maiden Kano Nana calling out.
Kano Nana also noticed Aether and walked up to him, saying, "Traveler, I didn't expect you to return to Inazuma. Tell me, have you seen Sayu?"
Aether instinctively glanced around.
He knew Sayu well—if she was really nearby the Grand Narukami Shrine, there were only a few likely hiding spots: either on the rooftop, in a tree, or nestled in the grass…
But the next moment, a strange sound came from the rooftop.
It sounded like… a fox?
"Hey hey… little fox, stop making noise! You're gonna blow our cover…"
Sayu's voice came from the rooftop as well:
"I was here first, okay? This is where I always sleep…"
"And now you barge in and take over my spot—no wait, it's more like a fox occupying Sayu's nest! I didn't even kick you out, and even shared half my nap spot with you—this is how you repay me?"
But after Sayu said that, the fox's cries only grew louder...
"Sayu, I know you're on the roof. Come down this instant," Kanou Nana looked up at the rooftop, sounding a bit stern.
"Ugh, busted anyway... how annoying…" Sayu replied with a disappointed tone, then rolled down from the rooftop.
Coming down with her was a light pink-furred fox...
Everyone's attention wasn't on Sayu—but rather on that pink-furred fox…
A single thought arose in all their minds: Could this pink fox actually be Yae Miko?
And right now, she was completely disregarding her usual image, using her tongue to lick the fur on her body…
"Lady Miko?" Aether called out tentatively—but the pink fox gave no response.
"Ahem… the wise and beautiful Lady Yae Miko?" Su Yuan thought for a moment, then tried calling out.
The pink-furred fox lifted her head and looked at him—there was some reaction to the phrase, but not a strong one.
Aether seemed to have thought of something—he took out his Serenitea Pot and entered it.
Not long after, he came out holding a steaming hot plate of fried tofu and placed it in front of the pink-furred fox.
The fox sniffed it, and her eyes immediately lit up.
Then she began devouring the food with great enthusiasm.
"No doubt about it," Paimon said, "we don't know exactly what's going on, but she is Yae Miko… she loves fried tofu, just like I love all kinds of delicious food!"
"Yeah, that makes sense," Aether nodded.
"A normal fox would be into meat—who else would love fried tofu?"
"So what you're saying is," he continued, "the reason Yae Miko hasn't been doing anything about Inazuma's situation… is because she somehow regressed into this little fox form and doesn't know why?"
"She still retains some of her old habits," Paimon added, "but she doesn't recognize us and can't even speak anymore…"
Su Yuan suddenly felt like things were getting tricky.
Judging by the situation, they wouldn't be able to count on Yae Miko for much help.
So then… what exactly is going on in Inazuma right now?
Why is the Raiden Shogun collecting all those eyeballs?
What's the real purpose behind it all?
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