Tokyo: Starting with the Shrine Maiden

Pretty good.

He wasn't in a hurry, so he leisurely accompanied Tsuchimikado Mari as they strolled around town.

The only pity is that everything in the illusion is fake.

I wanted to buy some local snacks, but I didn't have the chance.

Just then, a sudden cry caught Haruhiko's attention.

The source is a two-story wooden house not far away.

Several cages were placed in the courtyard.

Inside the cages were humans being held captive.

Haruhiko was slightly startled.

They are indeed human, not monsters.

"Just as humans use yokai as shikigami and to control yokai, yokai sometimes use humans as slaves."

Mari Tsuchimikado noticed his gaze and explained.

Haruhiko nodded upon hearing this.

This kind of thing is not hard to understand.

While shikigami and yokai appear to be on equal footing, in reality, yokai are often treated as slaves.

Besides, whether human or monster, there are always evil ones.

In addition to certain forbidden techniques, this kind of trade occurred frequently a thousand years ago.

Only now, thanks to the management of the Imperial Palace, has it become somewhat restrained.

"It's just an illusion, don't worry about it."

Tsuchimikado Mari squeezed his hand and said.

Haruhiko naturally understands.

Even if he intervened to save them, it would be pointless.

"I'll buy them all."

A young man dressed as an Onmyoji (a type of Japanese sorcerer) spoke loudly.

Tsuchimikado Mari and Haruhiko exchanged a glance.

It's strange that an Onmyoji would appear in Ibuki-yama, a city of yokai.

And what's most surprising is that he's not a monster, but a human.

Haruhiko suddenly thought of Ashiya Dōman.

It wasn't a sudden whim of his; he was the only Onmyoji who could establish a connection with the Yamata no Orochi.

Especially in the ruins of Takamagahara.

"Mari-neechan".

Thinking of this, Haruhiko said, "Let's go and take a look."

Mari Tsuchimikado was somewhat surprised.

But she didn't have any leads either, so she agreed.

After the young Onmyoji bought the nine humans, he led them away.

Humans are bound by restrictions, making escape impossible.

Haruhiko and Tsuchimikado Mari followed far behind.

The young Onmyoji was only at the third level, so he couldn't detect it.

Half an hour later, they arrived at a courtyard in the west of the city.

Before he even got close, Haruhiko felt a surge of intense heat.

A thought flickered in his mind, and he guessed what it was.

As expected, it was a blacksmith shop.

Could it be related to the so-called Nine Swords of Godslaying?

While they were pondering, the young man and his companions had already entered the courtyard.

He told the nine humans to wait there, then turned and went to the living room.

A moment later, he and a middle-aged man walked out.

Both of them were wearing hunting robes, so they were undoubtedly Onmyoji.

Perhaps they are from the same family.

"Fifth-tier Onmyoji".

Tsuchimikado Mari immediately reached out and placed her hand on Haruhiko's head.

As the psionic energy flashed, the two figures appeared even more ethereal.

She was only a third-tier Onmyoji before, so she didn't need to take it seriously.

But now we're at the fifth level, and if we're not careful, we'll be discovered.

Haruhiko raised an eyebrow.

Even a thousand years ago, there weren't many fifth-tier Onmyoji.

Each of them has left their mark on history.

He is now increasingly certain that this person is most likely Ashiya Dōman.

During the first playthrough, Haruhiko, controlling Hayate, encountered Abe no Seimei.

However, Ashiya Dōman did not belong to any particular Onmyoji family and had no fixed abode, so I have never met him.

Even now, Haruhiko cannot determine his identity based on his appearance.

"good."

The middle-aged Onmyoji glanced around and said calmly.

Under his gaze, tension and fear appeared on the faces of all nine people.

Although the other party looks like a human, where would a human come from in Ibuki Mountain?

They seemed to have already foreseen the end of their fate.

"Go and set up the formation."

The middle-aged Onmyoji gave the instructions.

The young man turned and went back into the living room.

A few seconds later, seven people walked out.

They were all dressed the same.

After bowing to the middle-aged Onmyoji, he set up a magic array in the courtyard.

Haruhiko couldn't see any effect, so he turned to look at Tsuchimikado Mari.

"I have not seen."

Marie Tsuchimikado frowned slightly. "Judging from the setup and the psionic materials used, it might be related to amplification."

Increase?

Does that mean increasing the power of spells or magical artifacts?

Haruhiko continued to look at the arrangement of the courtyard.

The magic circle took shape approximately fifteen minutes later.

He discovered nine key points.

At that moment, the nine people who had been bought were standing on it.

The magic circle is activated.

Blood-red smoke filled the air.

Nine people were enveloped within it.

There were no screams; it was as if he had jumped into strong sulfuric acid and turned into blood.

Haruhiko frowned.

Although it is an illusion, this situation undoubtedly proves that this magic circle is a forbidden technique.

The blood turned into blood droplets and floated.

The magic circle continuously provides spiritual energy, like a stream, surrounding the nine blood beads.

The air was stirred and transformed into gentle breezes.

Dust swept outwards from the ground, blowing down the weeds in the corner.