The moonlight drifted slowly, soaking the earth like frost.
As she leaped forward, the miko's expression was unreadable.
It seemed as though she didn't quite understand her own choice either.
She clearly shouldn't have invited a demon into the village... but as she gripped the shikon jewel in her hand, feeling the pure benevolence flowing endlessly from it—the shikon no tama: naohi—she felt that this choice was the right one.
The shikon no tama: naohi would not be wrong.
This demon was likely worthy of trust.
Volume 1: Chapter 16 - Stepping into Human Territory with a Demonic Body, Kaede and the Youth's Face Beneath the Oni Mask
The night was deep at this moment, the heavens like a vast, ink-black curtain shrouding the sprawling land.
Under the moonlight that shone like water.
Kobe Hikaru followed behind Kikyo, stepping into the village.
This was the first time since he had transmigrated three months ago that he had truly walked into a human settlement.
Calling it a village was generous; it was merely a few dozen households with thatched roofs, wooden walls, and packed-earth floors.
Poor.
This was Kobe Hikaru's first impression.
But this was normal; the Sengoku Period was a chaotic era, filled with war and suffering, and having a roof to keep out the wind and rain was already considered fortunate.
Not to mention that they had to face the constant threat of demonic incursions.
The villagers along the path had already dispersed from near the shrine and returned to their respective homes.
But they didn't go inside; instead, they stood at their doorways and windows, observing the figure following the miko with various gazes.
Awe.
Fear.
Curiosity.
And... gratitude?
Kobe Hikaru could feel those complex gazes landing on him.
He didn't mind.
Three months of life as a demon had long since accustomed him to all kinds of gazes, and besides, there was no hostility in these, just simple bewilderment.
After all, it was truly hard for people to know what expression to make when faced with a demon... that had helped them repel other demons.
"Don't be afraid."
Kikyo's voice rang out from ahead.
She didn't look back, but her voice carried clearly throughout the entire village.
"He is a guest."
Just those four words.
No explanation, no reassurance, just a simple statement.
But the villagers' tension visibly eased significantly.
Kobe Hikaru noticed a few children who had originally been hiding behind doors poking their heads out, curiously examining him.
"The miko has great prestige."
He mused.
To have such prestige and to earn the trust of the villagers, one could foresee the effort this miko had put in.
Kikyo didn't respond.
The two walked up the path through the village, finally arriving at the stone steps before the shrine.
The vermilion torii gate cast a long shadow in the moonlight, and the massive sacred tree had lush branches and leaves that nearly obscured half the sky.
This was the first time Kobe Hikaru had observed this shrine from such close proximity.
It wasn't large, but it was very clean.
The stone steps were swept spotless, and traces of burning incense remained in the stone lanterns on either side.
Although the vermilion lacquer on the torii gate was a bit mottled, it was clear that it had been meticulously maintained.
"This is..."
"My home."
Kikyo continued, "And it is also the core of the Barrier protecting this village."
She stepped onto the stone stairs, her white kosode and red hakama swaying gently in the night breeze.
Kobe Hikaru followed.
His boots stepped on the stone stairs, making a faint sound.
The sound was exceptionally clear in the silent night.
One step, two steps, three steps.
Twenty-seven steps.
At the end of the stone steps was an open platform, facing the Shrine Hall.
The Shrine Hall was not large, a wooden structure with a roof covered in grey tiles.
In front of the hall was a bronze incense burner, with a few unburnt sticks of incense still inserted inside.
Wisps of incense smoke drifted and dissipated in the night breeze.
Kobe Hikaru stood on the platform, looking around.
From here, one could overlook the entire village.
Those thatched roofs shimmered with a faint silvery light under the moonlight, and occasionally one or two lamp lights flickered behind windows.
Although poor and destitute, it was very quiet here.
Very peaceful.
It was completely different from the mountains of corpses and seas of blood he had grown accustomed to over the past three months.
"Sister!"
A childish voice broke the silence.
Kobe Hikaru looked toward the sound and saw a little girl run out from the entrance of the Shrine Hall.
She looked to be seven or eight years old, with her hair in twin tails, wearing simple cotton clothes and straw sandals on her feet.
Her face still bore clear panic; she must have been hiding in the Shrine Hall when the demons attacked earlier.
"Kaede."
Kikyo's voice was uncharacteristically soft, "It's alright now."
The little girl named Kaede rushed to Kikyo and hugged her waist tightly.
"I was so scared! There were so many scary sounds outside! And so many demons!"
Her voice was tearful.
Kikyo lowered her head and gently patted her back.
"It's all over."
Kaede looked up, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked at Kikyo, "Really? Have the demons all been driven away?"
"Yes."
Kikyo nodded.
Kaede finally let out a sigh of relief, the terror on her face gradually fading.
But the next second, her gaze fell upon the figure behind Kikyo.
Kobe Hikaru.
Clad in tattered crimson armor.
Pale, disheveled hair.
And that—
Crimson oni mask.
"Ah!!!"
Kaede screamed and sat down hard on the ground.
She pointed at Kobe Hikaru, her finger trembling violently.
"Oni, oni, oni—!"
Kobe Hikaru: "..."
Well, this reaction was normal enough.
If it were him, suddenly seeing a guy wearing an oni mask standing in front of him, he would probably be stunned too.
Not to mention a little child.
"Kaede."
Kikyo's voice was calm, "He is not an enemy."
"B-but his face..."
Kaede hid behind Kikyo, only revealing half her head, staring at Kobe Hikaru without blinking.
In those eyes, there was both fear and curiosity.
Kikyo, however, glanced at Kobe Hikaru.
She seemed to want to say something but hesitated.
Kobe Hikaru understood what she wanted to say.
This oni mask was indeed too terrifying.
Let alone a child, even an adult would feel unsettled seeing it.
He looked down at himself.
Tattered armor, stained with blood.
Pale long hair, messy like grass.
Plus this scarlet oni mask... no matter how you looked at it, he was a villain.
"...Forget it."
Kobe Hikaru sighed.
He raised his hand and touched the edge of the crimson oni mask on his face.
Since he transmigrated three months ago, he had almost never taken off this mask.
On one hand, it was out of habit; on the other, there was no need.
Anyway, those he encountered were either demons or Exorcists who wanted to kill him; none of them required him to reveal his true face.
Furthermore, as an Oni Samurai, this mask was, in a sense, his second face; it was a layer of armor formed by his Demonic Qi—his oni energy.
His 'protective shell'.
But things were different now.
He was standing in a human village.
Standing in front of a little girl who would be scared to tears by his face.
And standing in front of the strongest miko of the Sengoku Period, who seemed to have initially trusted and accepted him.
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