Chapter 147 Sacrifice

The next day.

Suren and the others had a good night's rest, and they returned to the dilapidated shrine on Mount Kura again.

The three of them used bricks and stones to restore a simple altar at the highest point of the main hall.

Miko put on her already washed shrine maiden robes, hung a straw-braided shimenawa (sacred rope) and white "之" shaped gohei (paper streamers) on the altar's boundary, and burned incense made from materials collected these days, before starting the ritual process.

The Shinto ritual process was quite cumbersome, but she was meticulous and carried it out with a pious face according to ancient methods.

Besides helping with the hard labor of moving bricks and stones, Suren and Chitiao couldn't help with anything else later. They watched from a distance, with familiar expressions on their faces.

Under normal circumstances, Miko would use secret methods to pray for blessings and then try to communicate with the gods.

If that Lord of Yomi was really Izanami in the Mount Hidden faith system, then she, as a Shinto shrine maiden, should be able to communicate with her.

If not... then they would have other ways to deal with it.

Suren also wanted to use this method to determine what kind of existence that lord was.

…

After a short while, Miko was ready.

She washed her hands in a copper basin, then took off her shoes and socks, and walked barefoot onto the altar. Her movements were very, very slow, looking like slow motion replay. But on closer inspection, the movements of her hands and feet seemed to have afterimages, with an unfathomable mystery.

This was the first time Suren had ever observed a ritual activity of the "Saiō" level.

Or rather, the number of people in this era who had observed such a top-level ritual activity could be counted on one hand.

Suren watched very carefully, recording some thoughts in his notebook from time to time. The Shinto ritual was completely different from the rituals of the Daru tribe he had seen before, giving him many different insights.

Miko was barefoot on the altar, and after praying, she took a small drum and began to beat it.

"Bang", "Bang", "Bang"...

The rhythm was slow.

The sound of the drum was very crisp, resounding throughout the dilapidated shrine.

While drumming, she also danced.

Suren had seen murals of this procedure in the imperial library of the Edogami clan. After the ritual began, the shrine maiden would perform several dances on the altar, Kagura Taiko (sacred drum), archery, Kagura bells, fan dance...

Legend has it that it was to please the gods in the sky to watch.

The movements looked simple, but Miko danced beautifully. Every movement seemed to be filled with deep piety, making people feel respect.

Suren's left eye was radiant, carefully observing every detail.

Gradually, he felt the power of faith gathering on the altar, like a layer of hazy white light.

"It seems like she really connected..."

Seeing this, Suren murmured in his heart.

…

On the altar, Miko's movements were meticulous and slow.

But time seemed to pass quickly.

Before he knew it, several dances with Shinto ritual implements had been completed.

Just then, Miko loosened the cords on her hakama (crimson skirt), and her delicate hands retracted from her wide sleeves. Then, she stretched her right hand out from the opening of her garment. She did the same with her left hand, and the plain white juban (undergarment) on her upper body fell to her waist, exposing her entire upper body without any cover.

Exquisite collarbones, well-proportioned bulges, and a flat, smooth belly... were all in full view.

Suren's expression changed slightly as he watched.

Miko's skin had a luster like warm jade, as white as crystal. At this moment, divine power gathered on her body, and her whole person radiated a white fluorescent light, like an unblemished jade person, giving people a fresh and refined sense of sacredness.

Even if people saw her naked body, they would not have any evil thoughts.

Suren knew that the most critical part of the ritual was about to begin, and the shrine maiden was about to start dancing the Kagura dance.

Whether the gods would be attracted would be determined now.

Chitiao next to him was also watching intently, with his hand always on the hilt of his sword.

This was the Land of Yomi, and the Kura Mountain Shrine did not have a barrier to block monsters. They were not sure whether what would be attracted was a god or a monster.

If something really went wrong, they would choose to save Miko first.

In fact, in ancient times, this ritual dance was not only for the gods to watch.

But because the Saiō of all generations were imperial princesses who bared their breasts, others naturally could not see it.

Later, this ritual activity was gradually passed down, and it became forbidden for outsiders to watch. Each time, the Saiō prayed alone in the shrine.

Just like now.

Miko held a Kagura bell and danced gracefully on the altar. Her figure flew all over the sky, and for a moment, there were shadows, as if there were ten or dozens of shadows, making it impossible to tell where the real body was...

This Kagura dance was not only a ritual technique, but also a very clever body technique for shifting positions.

As she danced, she chanted a prayer.

Usually, the content of the prayer was some prayers for rain, blessings, and protection.

Now, she was praying to be able to speak with the gods.

…

On the altar, the sky was bright, like daylight.

This anomaly in the cold Land of Yomi was like the light of dawn, very eye-catching.

Suren narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression becoming more and more serious.

Because he clearly felt that after Miko began to dance the Kagura dance, a surging demonic aura began to gather on the mountains around Mount Kura. The nearby monsters were forcibly attracted by the Shinto secret technique, and most of them were hiding their heads and tails...

The three of them had not yet waited for the lord Izanami.

Just then, a monster couldn't bear it any longer. Outside the shrine, on the broken wall, death energy surged, and a hideous ghost face slowly condensed. It looked at the white light on the altar, and its eyes revealed a greedy look.

Suren's appraisal showed 【Gukuribaba】, a kind of evil ghost.

Before the ghost face could fully show its head, Chitiao suddenly drew his sword, and a sharp sword qi slashed over, killing the great demon who coveted the power of faith on the spot.

Suren did not look sideways, ready for battle.

On the altar, Miko was still dancing with all her heart and strength. This Kagura dance consumed a lot of physical and divine power to activate the divine power and communicate with the gods. After dancing for a while, sweat had already overflowed from her skin. Refracted by the light, each drop was crystal clear, adding a bit of beauty. Because of the movement of the dance, it slid down her soft skin again.

Suddenly, Suren sensed something, his pupils shrank suddenly, and he whispered, "Here it comes!"

Hearing this, Chitiao quickly closed his eyes, because he also sensed the indescribable will that suddenly descended on the shrine!

The gods cannot be directly looked upon.

In just an instant, that huge will became clearer and clearer.

When Suren sensed it clearly and confirmed what his left eye had seen, a storm raged in his heart: "How is it possible! Fujiwara Hayato actually depicted a real god in a novel?"

He originally thought that this Izanami was just a "great monster" or a "false god."

But in his perception, that indescribable feeling could never be compared with low-level beings.

This was a genuine "god"!

Because Suren himself had seen god-level beings with his own eyes, and the appraisal of the All-Knowing Eye would never be wrong.

But how was it possible...

How could there be a real god-level being in a cursed space?!

Did Fujiwara Hayato use a pen to describe an "indescribable" existence?

For a time, Suren's own cognition contradicted the facts he saw.

He vaguely caught where something was wrong. But that feeling was not strong enough to let him judge whether his cognition was wrong or he was being deceived by his senses.

Chitiao glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, with a confused look on his face. Because the normal plan was that she would wait for Suren to judge the situation and then decide what to do next.

But now, Suren himself was confused.

Facing monsters, they could fight or retreat.

But what about a true god?

…

Before Suren could think too much, Miko on the altar knelt down piously.

Suren also lowered his eyebrows and did not dare to look directly.

If this was really a god, it would be an offense for low-level beings to look directly at them.

That indescribable will condensed in the sky. Suren didn't know what He looked like, but he could sense the exaggerated, mountain-like soul.

When that "Izanami" who descended on the shrine saw that it was Miko who summoned Him, the domineering and unparalleled pressure was restrained a little.

But there was still an inviolable majesty.

The pressure on their heads dissipated, and Suren and Chitiao felt that their stagnant breathing had returned to normal.

Around the desolate mountain, a majestic female voice echoed, "Believer of Amaterasu... I didn't expect to see a living person in the Land of Yomi."

Izanami in the sky seemed to have some novelty in the eternal silence, and muttered to herself.

Suren also immediately sensed that a subtle probing wave swept over him.

However, this being who descended did not show hostility from the beginning, and he and Chitiao next to him breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.

After pondering for a moment, Izanami seemed to sense something and said to Miko on the altar, "I feel your piety, say, what do you pray for?"

Although Miko was a shrine maiden of the Iga Shrine, after all, these Mount Hidden gods were all a system, and it could be said that they were all believers.

Miko respectfully replied, "Great Lord of Yomi, Izanami, who rules over death, I am Kanzaki Miko, the ninety-ninth generation Saiō of the Amaterasu Kanzaki clan... I accidentally entered the Land of Yomi on this trip, and I pray that you will send us out of here."

Hearing this, a chuckle came from the sky, "No living person can leave the Land of Yomi."

Miko knelt on the ground, without speaking.

The shrine maiden was only acting on behalf of the gods, and after praying, the final decision was in the hands of the gods.

No matter what the result was, she had to abide by it.

…

Living people can't go out?

Hearing this, Suren was disappointed but not surprised. He thought: If it were that easy to go out, it wouldn't be a T-level difficulty...

But just as this thought arose,

Suddenly, the situation changed sharply.

The majestic voice seemed to change its mind and sounded again: "However, in view of your piety, I will grant your prayer."

Miko was overjoyed and quickly bowed, "Thank you, Lord."

"???"

Suren was confused.

Did she agree so easily?

It was so easy that it felt a little unreal.

But his intuition told him that it didn't seem that simple.

Sure enough, Miko seemed to have received some instructions, and she said with a panicked face: "But... Lord, I... can I ask you to send my two friends out too?"

Hearing this, Suren's heart tightened.

Izanami's tone became a little cold and indifferent, and said, "They are not Shinto believers, and I have no obligation to help them. Besides, do you think the Land of Yomi is a place where you can come and go as you please?"

The domineering nature of the Lord of Yomi was fully revealed in these words.

Hearing this, Miko was even more panicked, and her face was lowered into the dust.

Originally, the shrine maiden should absolutely obey the will of the gods, but for the first time, she insisted on her own ideas. She pleaded again, "I beg the Lord to send my friends away. For this, I am willing to give everything I have."

"Miko..."

Hearing this, Suren wanted to stop her, but Miko's words had already been spoken.

Moreover, these words seemed to touch some taboo, and Izanami's tone suddenly became sinister: "Hehe... you are a Shinto shrine maiden, but you are pleading for two outsiders?"

Miko's face was uneasy, but her tone was still firm, "Mr. Suren and Miss Chitiao are very, very important friends to Miko... I beg the Lord to grant my wish."

As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere suddenly dropped to freezing point.

"Hehehehe... Foolish!"

Izanami seemed to be angered, sneering again and again, and questioned: "If I say that only you or your friends can leave the Land of Yomi, do you still want to insist on your decision?"

Hearing this, Miko was slightly startled, and seemed to recall too many past events in an instant, and felt a warmth in her heart for no reason.

Knowing them seems to be the happiest thing in my life.

She nodded without hesitation: "Yes. Even if it costs my life."

…

What Suren and the others didn't know was that at this moment, in a secret room in Edo Castle, a novel automatically turned another page.

The book automatically showed such a sentence: "Kanzaki Miko's heart is full of contradictions. She cannot violate her faith, but on the other hand, they are her friends who she feels she can live and die with. In the end, she chose to give up her life in exchange for a chance for Suren and the others..."

…

Hearing Miko's answer, Izanami did not hide her sarcasm: "Hehe... laughable emotions!"

She suddenly became very irritable and almost roared: "Foolish believer, then as you wish! Give up your life, and I will send your friends away!"

Hearing this, Suren secretly thought it was going to be bad.

Gods, like humans, also have jealousy, resentment, greed... and many other bad habits.

According to legend, this Izanami came to Yomi because of death, and her partner Izanagi came to the imperial power and wanted to find her back. But when he saw her already rotting body, he was frightened and fled in panic. Since then, this Izanami has been filled with "malice" towards the world.

It is said that she has also been jealous of all perfect love, friendship, and affection ever since.

In human terms, this guy has more or less psychological problems.

Suren quickly opened his mouth and interrupted: "No! Miko, leave here first if you have the chance!"

He did not doubt that this Izanami could send them away, but definitely not in exchange for Miko's life.

Chitiao next to him also saw the determination in Miko's expression, and shouted sharply: "Miko, don't!"

Unfortunately, it was too late.

Miko looked back at them, with a poignant smile on her lips, "Mr. Suren, Sister Chitiao, I am very happy to have met you in this life. Meeting you has made my days the most beautiful..."

As she spoke, her body shone brightly, and in the eyes of Suren and the others, it turned into a sky of pink cherry blossom petals, collapsing and scattering.

How could Miko not know that this was a real god!

This was the only chance she could see to live.

If she left, who else could communicate with this lord?

The ending for Suren and the others was almost certain death.

This made it impossible for Miko to be so selfish.

She resolutely ended her life, giving neither Suren and the others nor that god time to react.

Since the god had promised,

Then she would not have a chance to regret it after she died.

It was worth it.

…

Miko's body collapsed on the altar, and her smiling face disappeared in the blossoming cherry blossoms.

Chitiao shouted urgently: "Miko!"

Suren also gritted his teeth tightly, unable to speak with a gloomy expression.

Before, he had thought about any possible situation, but he had not expected this.

Before the sad thoughts could flow out, at this moment, that slightly teasing voice came again from the sky: "Okay, since she chose to end her life in exchange for your life, you decide who will stay and who will go out..."

Hearing this, Suren's eyes turned cold.

This was playing with human nature...

In the eyes of that supreme god, humans, this low-level creature, were probably just a bit of fun for her endless years.