Tokyo: Starting with the Shrine Maiden

Judging from the reactions of the other priestesses, they were unaware that an outsider would be joining them.

So why did Hoshino Aoi agree to invite him to join the exploration of the ruins of Izumo Shrine?

Haruhiko couldn't figure it out.

The group left Izumo Shrine via a teleportation array.

When they reappeared, they had already returned to Tokyo.

Although there are many entrances to the Takamagahara ruins, they are all located in Tokyo.

It would be impossible to enter from other places.

Hoshino Aoi raised her hand and used an illusion technique to conceal everyone's presence.

The main reason is that the appearance of so many priestesses is bound to attract attention.

They were in the courtyard belonging to the Izumo Shrine at this time.

After disguising themselves, they headed to one of the entrances designated by the Imperial Palace, which was a shopping mall not far away.

After visiting the Takamagahara ruins several times, Haruhiko discovered that the Edo Archaeological Bureau liked to set up entrances in busy areas.

Perhaps this is what they mean by "the truly wise live in seclusion amidst the bustling city."

The more crowded a place is, the more secluded it is, and the less likely it is to be discovered.

Seven people, plus Haruhiko and Hoshino Aoi, made a total of nine people entering the elevator together.

On the way, Haruhiko learned about the ruins they were going to visit that day from Hoshino Rin.

It is located on the fourth level of the Takamagahara Ruins.

After the Edo Archaeological Bureau agreed to add a new team, the sixteen factions were quickly assembled.

Of course, the most unfortunate one was Miyamoto.

In less than a month, he lost his home.

The Imperial Palace did not address the vacant positions for the time being, so they were sent back to the ground.

Some were lured to join other factions, while the rest followed Miyamoto Hiroshi and merged into the Utsunomiya clan.

The fifteen teams are now focusing their exploration on the fourth level, and they're doing quite well.

Seven new sites have been discovered.

Haruhiko was naturally unaware of the specifics of what he had gained.

But he knew the number of casualties; twenty-nine had already been lost.

The minimum requirement to join the exploration team is a third-tier psionicist.

This shows the danger of the Takamagahara ruins.

The ruins we visited today were the first ones discovered at Izumo Shrine.

Located on the southwest side of the fourth floor, the entrance is a mountain peak.

Because of the restrictions, they have never been able to enter.

This is why Hoshino Aoi personally intervened.

That restriction cannot be broken by a fourth-tier psychic.

If the entrance alone is this complicated, the contents inside must have a fifth level.

To be honest, the more Haruhiko listened, the stranger it seemed.

Such relics should really not be visited by an outsider.

Could it be that Hoshino Aoi has already discovered his relationship with Hoshino Hotaru?

Is it really that peaceful?

Haruhiko always believed that there were no men at Izumo Shrine, and that Hoshino Aoi would oppose his relationship with either Hoshino Rin or Hoshino Hotaru.

But this did not happen.

So why were there no men before?

Or is it that I will be harmed later?

"Haruhiko-kun."

Hoshino Rin's voice interrupted Haruhiko's reverie.

He looked up and took the mask she gave him.

The fourth layer of the ruins is extraordinary; the psionic energy is so abundant that a special mask is needed to breathe.

Although Haruhiko wore a mask, he did not refuse Hoshino Rin's kindness.

Arriving at the fourth floor again, the familiar gray and gloomy weather returned.

Located at an extremely deep depth, it is impossible for sunlight to reach it.

It wasn't completely black, thanks in large part to the wonders of psionic energy.

The faint light was due to the abundance of spiritual energy in the air.

Haruhiko followed behind Hoshino Aoi, but didn't chat with the Hoshino sisters.

The main reason is that this palace chieftain has an overly strong and cold aura.

Chatting with them felt inappropriate.

After walking for more than ten minutes in the dim light, a mountain peak came into view.

Haruhiko looked up. The mountain was bare, without any vegetation, and even the mountain itself seemed rather lifeless.

When he reached the mountainside, he discovered a newly opened mountain path.

Rough knife marks can still be clearly seen on the stone steps.

Haruhiko walked up the mountain path.

The mountain was quite steep, but fortunately, he now possessed the physique of a third-tier great demon and didn't feel tired.

He glanced at the Hoshino sisters, who also seemed quite relaxed.

Hoshino Aoi stopped when they reached the mountainside.

"Lord Palace Secretary."

The priestesses who had been waiting there stepped forward and bowed in unison.

Haruhiko counted them; there were twenty-one. Adding the nine of them, they made a total of thirty people.

He was somewhat taken aback; they had actually included him in the calculation?

No wonder the people from the Imperial Palace didn't ask him any questions when they saw him before.

It turns out he had already taken the spot.

As for who it is, the Imperial Palace doesn't care; it's up to Izumo Shrine to decide.

After all, theoretically, these sixteen forces are all their superiors.

I can't afford it.

The nicer Hoshino Aoi was to him, the more inexplicably Haruhiko felt uneasy.

There must be a demon in the abnormal situation.

He trusts Hoshino Rin and Hoshino Hotaru, but Hoshino Aoi is not within his trust range.

Fortunately, even if something happens, he has ways to escape.

Where is the entrance?

Hoshino Aoi nodded in acknowledgment and then asked.

"Lord Gongsi, please come with us."

The leading middle-aged witch turned and walked to the left.

There is a stone forest halfway up the mountain, which is intricate and complex, like a maze.

Haruhiko feels more like a hedgehog.

They walked through it and soon arrived at the entrance.

A stone gate embedded in the mountain wall.

If you don't look closely, you can't tell it's a door at all.

Haruhiko thought to himself that he was really lucky to have found this ruin.

"Lord of the Palace, we have tried various methods before, but none of them have worked."

The middle-aged witch speculated, "It's probably because we haven't found the pattern, or rather, we haven't reached the strength needed to open the door."

The second half of the sentence is clearly referring to brute-force attacks.

They tried to blast it open with fourth-order spells, but to no avail.

The door wasn't even destroyed, there wasn't even a crack.