Tokyo: Starting with the Shrine Maiden

She had already given everything, but she never expected that Haruhiko would hide something from her.

Various speculations have emerged.

Haruhiko, of course, had no idea.

If you knew, you could only say she was overthinking it.

It wouldn't matter if the Serpent God's words were told to Utsunomiya Mina.

"The ruins should be behind the door."

Mari Tsuchimikado calmly raised her hand, "But whether there is any danger still needs to be investigated."

As soon as she finished speaking, flames erupted from her fair palm.

A butterfly was born from the flames and flew into the doorway.

There are no traps at the entrance.

Mari Tsuchimikado's expression changed. "But the ruins inside were somewhat unexpected."

"What is it?"

Tsuchimikado Mashiro glanced at her, somewhat curious.

Tsuchimikado Mari has lived for nearly a thousand years and is very knowledgeable.

There aren't many things that can surprise her.

"You'll understand once you see it."

Without explaining, Tsuchimikado Mari stepped through the door and disappeared.

"Let's go in."

Seeing this, Tsuchimikado Mashiro followed.

Haruhiko took a step forward and felt his vision darken.

A spatial fluctuation flashed by.

After a bout of dizziness, the strange phenomenon stopped.

He opened his eyes and immediately understood what Tsuchimikado Mari had said earlier.

Before me stands a magnificent ancient city.

The city wall is nearly ten meters high, completely blocking the view and making it impossible to see the end.

But if that's the case, it's alright.

What puzzled him most was how lively the city was.

Pedestrians dressed in various styles entered and exited through the city gates.

Moreover, judging from their aura, they were all demons.

What does it say on it?

Tsuchimikado Mari's words brought Haruhiko back to his senses.

He looked in the direction she pointed and saw three large characters on the left side of the city wall.

"It's Mount Ibuki."

Even Haruhiko himself didn't believe what he said.

Mount Ibuki is one of the famous mountains in Japan, located in Shiga Prefecture.

In the legends of Shuten-dōji, Mount Ōe is generally considered his hometown, but there is also a theory that he came from Mount Ibuki.

In addition, there is a yokai called Ibuki-dōji.

It is said that his father was the Great God of Mount Ibuki, also known as Yamata no Orochi.

But regardless of the legend, under normal circumstances, Mount Ibuki could not possibly appear in the ruins of Takamagahara.

Not to mention it exists as a city.

"Mount Ibuki?"

Tsuchimikado Mari immediately thought of the Yamata no Orochi.

"Is this an illusion?"

Haruhiko pointed to the passersby and asked.

"It must be an illusion."

Mari Tsuchimikado frowned slightly. "But it's not an ordinary illusion. I can't tell."

As she spoke, she turned her gaze to Tsuchimikado Mashiro.

"Let me try."

Tsuchimikado Mashiro raised two fingers and smeared them on her eyes.

Golden light shimmered, exuding a sacred aura.

Haruhiko had met him before.

Now he truly believes this is the power of incense offerings.

In a sense, it is divine power.

No wonder Tsuchimikado Mari once said that no one understands the gods better than Tsuchimikado Mashiro.

Her core magic is the art of becoming a god.

But this is clearly flawed.

The incense had become imbued with the wishes of so many people that Tsuchimikado Mashiro prepared a substitute.

But can a stand-in become a god?

Most likely not.

Haruhiko remembered that they all said that he could be of great help once he became a fifth-tier spellcaster.

This is undoubtedly an implication of the matter.

"is fake."

The golden light in Tsuchimikado Mashiro's eyes dissipated. "They are being maintained by a special power."

"You mean a certain magical artifact?"

Mina Utsunomiya's eyes lit up immediately.

Although the restrictions on her have been lifted, she is still only at the fourth level.

Previously, he was able to barely contend with the fifth rank by relying on synesthetic spells and Tianquan spells.

However, its power has now waned considerably, and it can no longer reach that point.

This illusion is so powerful that even Tsuchimikado Mari can't tell the difference between reality and illusion.

If it is a magical artifact, it must be extremely valuable.

Even if the Utsunomiya clan only gets 40%, they will still become extremely wealthy.

"I don't know."

Tsuchimikado Mashiro shook his head slightly and said, "I can't figure out the source of this power. It seems that we'll have to go into the city to find it."

"Then let's go into the city."

Haruhiko and Utsunomiya Mina have similar ideas.

Besides, as a player, you definitely can't miss out on treasures.

"Stay with me."

Tsuchimikado Mari grasped Haruhiko's hand and glanced at Tsuchimikado Mashiro as well.

Her hands were soft and warm.

Before Haruhiko could think any further, he felt a sharp, pricking sensation.

First, there's Tsuchimikado Mashiro's gaze.

Secondly, there's Mina Utsunomiya's gaze.

Haruhiko didn't care much about the latter.

But the former made him somewhat uneasy.

He instinctively tried to break free from Tsuchimikado Mari's hand.

It's of no use.

Tsuchimikado Mari gripped his hand even tighter, and even scratched his palm with her little finger.

Itchy.

Just like her allure.

Tsuchimikado Mashiro snorted coldly and strode forward.