There is a phrase called "disaster caused by spirits," referring to disasters caused by the manifestations of ghosts or gods.
Mochizuki Ayako slightly furrowed her brows. In Hoori Town, there were indeed appearances of vengeful spirits. One of the duties of the shrine was to eliminate vengeful spirits and protect the peace of Hoori…
"This is the first time a vengeful spirit has attacked tourists in town…"
In previous years, the appearances of vengeful spirits always occurred in a deep mountain not far from Hoori Town and only at night. Even if ordinary people went into the mountain during the day, they wouldn't encounter any danger.
But now, a vengeful spirit had actually appeared in the town and even openly attacked tourists. This was not a good sign, it meant their arrogance was growing.
Worried as she was, Mochizuki Ayako also felt something odd.
'Vengeful spirits posses immense strength. Their tentacles are like fierce steel whips, capable of easily breaking a tree thick enough for a person to wrap their arms around. Even a professionally trained martial artist will have a hard time escaping unharmed.'
'Yet, this group is completely unscathed and even came early in the morning to visit the shrine.'
'Could it be that the vengeful spirit doesn't actually harbor any ill intent?'
When she voiced this doubt, she received a casual reply.
"Oh, those? I already took care of them."
Mochizuki Ayako: "?"
Even someone like her, a professionally trained exorcist shrine maiden since childhood, needed to act cautiously to eliminate a vengeful spirit.
What was with this "I had two boiled eggs for breakfast" kind of relaxed tone?
Kaito pulled out two irregularly shaped rectangular crystal objects, they were the remnants of the two vengeful spirits from last night, speaking the truth with evidence.
Seeing these crystals, Mochizuki Ayako no longer harbored any doubts.
She had thought he was just a once-in-a-thousand-years beautiful boy, but he was actually a powerful and deeply hidden exorcist…
She shook her head, stopped her wild thoughts, and spoke seriously, "This matter indeed exceeds my ability to handle. Please follow me. All your questions will be answered by Grandma Chiyo."
After twisting and turning through the vast shrine, crossing several wooden corridors, they soon arrived in front of a secluded main hall.
This was obviously a more private place. Signs prohibiting tourists from entering were posted all around, and golden shimenawa ropes were everywhere. In front of the hall stood two solemn and majestic komainu statues, like guardian gods, one on the left and one on the right.
At the moment, the hall doors were tightly shut. Mochizuki Ayako stepped forward and knocked.
A moment later, the heavy vermillion doors slowly opened, revealing the interior.
The overall decor was very simple, even somewhat empty. The entire main hall, aside from the central dog deity statue, had one particularly eye-catching object, a massive stone enclosed by a fence.
At the center of the stone was an unassuming tachi sword, exuding a strong spiritual energy.
Grandma Chiyo, who had warned Ryou not to disrespect the gods yesterday, was there too, kneeling on a cushion in front of the dog deity statue, praying.
Mochizuki Ayako briefly explained last night's events. Grandma Chiyo's expression became solemn. She sighed deeply and slightly bowed to Kaito's group, "It was our Mochizuki family's negligence that caused you honored guests to be frightened. This old woman sincerely apologizes."
"Grandma, you're being too polite…", Seeing an elderly woman acting so humble, Nijika felt a bit embarrassed and quickly helped her up.
Meanwhile, Yumiko looked with interest at the tachi stuck in the giant stone not far away and asked curiously, "This sword, does it have some kind of special origin?"
"That is the divine sword enshrined by the Mochizuki Shrine for generations, named Murakumomaru."
The one who spoke was Mochizuki Ayako. The shrine maiden made no attempt to hide anything, "In the past, when the dog deity returned and helped the head of the Mochizuki family at the time repel enemy forces, it used up all its power and completely vanished, leaving behind only this divine sword that had fought alongside it."
"After the shrine was established, this divine sword became a treasured heirloom passed down through generations of the Mochizuki family, enshrined day and night."
Thanks to the blessing of the divine power, the later generations of the Mochizuki clan gained the power to resist vengeful spirits, barely maintaining the peace of Hoori Town.
"So why is it stuck in a rock?"
Kita was a bit eager, "Is this like cosplaying the Sword in the Stone? Can I try pulling it out?"
"As for that… I'm not entirely sure," Mochizuki Ayako shook her head and added, "Pulling it out is allowed, but the divine sword has a spirit. Only those it recognizes as its master can pull it out. So far, no one has succeeded. If Miss Kita is willing, she may try."
Originally, the divine sword was not to be touched by outsiders. Only members of the Mochizuki family had the right to try pulling it.
But since the group had already encountered vengeful spirits and even had the power to eliminate them, some rules could be moderately relaxed.
Kita was very interested in this sort of thing, and Nijika and Bocchi also joined in for fun.
All the girls tried it once, but without exception, even using all their strength until their faces turned red, they couldn't move Murakumomaru at all. Despite its thin appearance like a sheet of paper, it felt as heavy as a thousand tons.
Mochizuki Ayako wasn't surprised by the result. Over the centuries, at least a thousand Mochizuki clan members had tried to pull the sword, but none managed to move it even slightly, herself included.
However… her eyes inadvertently fell on the beautiful boy who hadn't tried yet. Mochizuki Ayako felt a strange emotion stir and invited him, "If Kaito-kun is interested… why not give it a try?"
"That's right, that's right!", Kita also chimed in enthusiastically, "Since you're already here, give it a go. It's free! Kaito-kun, you should try!"
"Alright, I'll give it a try then," Kaito thought for a moment and didn't refuse.
Murakumomaru contained a good amount of spiritual energy. It wasn't a big deal to him, but compared to the spiritual reserves of Mochizuki Ayako and Mochizuki Chiyo, it was like the Nile River compared to a shallow stream.
In this end-of-law era where spiritual energy was scarce, such a genuinely extraordinary weapon naturally piqued his interest.
Walking up to the giant stone, feeling the others' tense and expectant gazes, Kaito extended a slender, jade-like hand and slowly gripped the sword hilt.
The next moment—
CLANG!
A clear, ringing sword cry echoed, like a dragon's roar.
Looking at the Murakumomaru in his hand, slightly trembling, Kaito slowly raised a question mark.
"?"
'I haven't even started pulling yet. Why did you come out on your own?'
Mochizuki Ayako also looked a bit dazed.
'This… it was pulled out?'
'No—no, wait!'
'This can't even be considered pulling the sword, can it?'
The divine sword Murakumomaru, enshrined for generations by the Mochizuki family, its behavior just now was more like that of a puppy long separated from its master. The master didn't even wave, it already ran over, tail wagging.
Grandma Chiyo, who witnessed all this, had a complex expression on her aged face.
In her youth, she too had grand ambitions, wanting to pull out the divine sword and drive out all vengeful spirits, leaving none behind.
But alas, the shrine maiden was willing, while the divine sword was indifferent, Murakumomaru didn't even acknowledge her.
Yet now, the divine sword was pulled out in front of her. And in such an eager, fawning manner…
The old woman clutched her chest, suddenly feeling short of breath.
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