Chapter 14: Kikyo's Inquiry and the Jewel's Stance
The spiritual barrier soon dissipated, though not entirely. The faint, screen-like layer of white light melted away like morning dew, silently dissolving into the air. Yet, Hikaru could feel the immense spiritual power that had sustained it lingering, ready to be called upon. As long as the priestess at its core willed it, the barrier could be raised again in an instant.
At that same moment, Kikyo began her descent from the stone steps of the shrine.
Her steps were measured and steady, her white kosode and red hakama swaying gently in the night wind. Beneath a cascade of jet-black hair, her face remained a mask of cold, striking beauty. Her dark eyes were as deep and calm as the night itself, yet they seemed to hold invisible ripples, betraying a turmoil hidden within.
Hikaru stood his ground, unmoving.
He was waiting.
Waiting for the shrine maiden to speak.
Kikyo stopped five paces from him—a precarious distance, perfect for drawing a sword or nocking an arrow.
"What are you?" Her voice was placid, devoid of any discernible emotion.
Despite her composure, Hikaru could sense the deep confusion in her heart. The priestess was truly bewildered. A demon… who helped humans slay other demons? It was a contradiction she could not reconcile.
Regardless of the reason, what greeted him was not a Sacred Arrow aimed at his heart, and for that, he was grateful.
"A passing Oni Samurai," he replied simply.
"Passing?" Kikyo tilted her head, a silken lock of black hair sliding from her shoulder. "A passing Oni Samurai would help humans kill his own kind?"
"I am not the same kind as those things," Hikaru stated, his tone utterly serious.
He truly felt no kinship with that horde of grotesque demons. The term 'demon' itself was a broad classification encompassing countless species and clans. He couldn't even communicate with those creatures, let alone consider them his brethren.
Kikyo studied him, her cold eyes holding no hostility, but no trust either. Only that deep, unwavering confusion remained.
"You have the Shikon Jewel," she said. It was not a question. It was as if she had seen straight through him, or perhaps she had pieced it together—the sudden appearance of the demons, his timely intervention, and all his other strange behaviors.
Hikaru was momentarily taken aback. It seemed that even though he hadn't had the chance to reveal the jewel's existence, nothing could be hidden from her. It made sense; she was the sacred guardian of the Shikon Jewel. Her sensitivity to its presence was only natural. It was likely the reason she had aided him in the first place.
"That jewel," Kikyo continued, "did you obtain it from the old village head of the demon slayers?"
Her tone was still calm, but Hikaru could feel the sharp edge of vigilance hidden just beneath the surface. If his answer was unsatisfactory, he had no doubt a Sacred Arrow would be aimed squarely between his eyes in the next instant.
"My name is Kobe Hikaru," he said, deciding the truth was his only viable path. There was nothing to be gained from hiding it. "The old man entrusted this to me before he died."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "He asked me to deliver the Shikon Jewel into your hands."
And, by the way, let me unlock its favorability, Hikaru added silently.
Kikyo fell silent. Her gaze bore into him, attempting to discern the truth of his words.
"That old gentleman… is dead?"
"Dead," Hikaru confirmed with a nod. "His injuries were too severe, and he lost too much blood. He couldn't hold on by the time I reached him."
Kikyo's brow furrowed slightly, the first crack in her stoic facade tonight. A flicker of genuine emotion crossed her features before being suppressed.
Then, she lowered her eyes. "I understand."
Her voice was once again calm, but Hikaru could sense the immense weight beneath it. Her grief was simply restrained, so tightly controlled that not a hint of it was allowed to escape. He knew she must have known the old man, perhaps even considered him a friend.
"In that case…" Kikyo looked up, her gaze falling upon him once more. "Where is the Shikon Jewel?"
Hikaru wasted no more words. He reached into his robes and produced the small, orb-like jewel, which pulsed with a faint, ethereal purple glow. He had come here to deliver it, after all. Besides, from every angle he considered, handing it over was the most beneficial course of action. At the very least, following the jewel's own wishes should increase its favorability.
also, ever since unlocking its favorability, he felt a faint mental link had formed between them. Even if he handed it over, he suspected it would still count as being in his possession, so he felt no reluctance.
The Shikon Jewel rested in his palm, its light soft and mysterious.
Kikyo's gaze fell upon the bead, but she did not reach out to take it.
Hikaru noted the detail. "What? Do you not plan to take it?"
"..." Kikyo did not answer, her eyes fixed on the jewel.
Her hesitation surprised him.
"Strange," she finally murmured.
"What's strange?"
"The Shikon Jewel," she said. "Its Naohi… is conveying a message to me."
Hikaru raised an eyebrow. The Naohi could talk? The system panel had indeed mentioned that the jewel would "convey information," but he hadn't expected Kikyo could receive it as well.
"What is it saying?" he asked, intrigued.
"It says…" Kikyo's brow furrowed even tighter. "It says that you can be trusted."
"..."
Hikaru was stunned. The Shikon Jewel was putting in a good word for him? Was this the "benefit" the jewel had mentioned for handing it over? If he had really followed the information it provided… he couldn't help but feel a little moved. Regardless, the priestess before him, even if not yet at the peak of her power, was still an incredibly formidable ally.
[Shikon Jewel: The Naohi is conveying a message to you: 'This priestess is very vigilant. I found an opportunity to say a few good words for you. No need to thank me.']
Looking at the prompt on his system panel, Hikaru was at a loss for words. This jewel… how could it be so active in helping someone? And this was with just one point of favorability?
As if sensing his confusion, Kikyo began to explain, clearly unaware that Hikaru's understanding of the jewel was, in some ways, not inferior to her own. "Two types of power, good and evil, are sealed within the Shikon Jewel," she said, her voice tinged with contemplation. "The Naohi represents righteous will, while the Magatsuhi represents malevolent will."
"If the possessor's heart leans toward evil, the Magatsuhi will gain dominance, and the Shikon Jewel will become a wicked tool that amplifies demonic power."
She looked up, her eyes meeting his. "But if the possessor's heart leans toward good…"
"The Naohi will actively transmit information to its guardian to confirm the possessor's goodwill."
Hikaru understood. As he'd suspected, the Shikon Jewel was like a mirror, reflecting the true nature of its holder's soul. And now, the Naohi was conveying to Kikyo that he could be trusted. This meant the jewel acknowledged his "righteous will."
Even though he was a demon.
Even though he had spent three months feeding his cursed blade.
The Shikon Jewel still considered him a "good person."
All because of a single point of 'favorability.'
"So…" Hikaru looked at Kikyo. "You believe me now?"
Kikyo did not answer immediately. She simply watched him, her cool eyes showing little of the conclusion she was drawing. The night wind blew, lifting the ends of her long black hair. The shrine's massive Torii gate cast a long, stark shadow under the moonlight. In the distance, the villagers had begun to emerge from the shrine's main hall, watching the scene unfold with a mixture of fear, curiosity, and a hint of gratitude.
After all, Hikaru had just helped them repel the demons.
Even if he was a demon himself.
"From all records, the Naohi's judgment has never been wrong," Kikyo finally spoke, her voice clear and resolute. "Since it says you can be trusted…"
She took a single step forward.
That slender, pale hand finally reached for the Shikon Jewel in Hikaru's palm.
"Then I shall believe you."
[Shikon Jewel: Naohi: Favorability +1]
[Current Favorability: 3 (Sprouting)]
[It conveys a message to you: 'It's done.']
Hikaru looked at the system prompt and the message that felt almost like something a helpful middleman would send. Beneath the Red Oni Mask, the corners of his mouth twitched.
This jewel…
Why did it feel so human?
In comparison, that broken blade Muramasa was simply insufferable.
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