The Priestess

As the Miko named Kikyo entered the Grand Hall, the entire space fell into a sudden silence. All eyes turned toward the young woman, who appeared respectful yet stood with a composed dignity. Even in the presence of a powerful Yokai Lord, she showed not the slightest hint of fear.

'Her poise is quite good; I should praise her when we return...'

Watching the Miko before her, Miketsu’s lips, hidden beneath the bandages, curved into a slight smile. She then gave a silent nod, acknowledging the other’s greeting.

"Yo, if it isn't little Kikyo? What brings you to Choyo-machi today? Did you miss us?" Nura Rihyon’s eyes lit up as he spoke to the Miko beside him, his tone slightly flippant.

"Indeed. I was wondering when I might get the chance to exorcise you again," Kikyo said, turning her head slightly to look at Nura Rihyon with a calm expression.

"Ahaha... Don't be so cold, little Kikyo. After all, I watched you grow up. Many of the foxes in your home are quite close with me. Don't go talking about exorcism all the time; don't make me out to be some kind of ultimate evil yokai," Nura Rihyon laughed it off. Kikyo, however, remained unfazed and continued.

"You spend your days using your abilities to freeload in Heian-kyo, leaving behind countless unpaid debts. Is there any reason not to exorcise a yokai like you? If I recall correctly, you still owe dozens of kwan that you haven't paid..." As she spoke, Kikyo’s gaze grew sharp, causing Nura Rihyon to click his tongue in embarrassment.

"Well, about that... funds have been a bit tight lately... Next time, for sure... next time..."

"Haha... I expect your 'next time' will probably be in someone's next life. Hic..." The one speaking now was the Tanuki drinking nearby. He was currently indulging himself at the table, and seeing Nura Rihyon lose face, he laughed without restraint. However, he didn't expect Kikyo’s cold gaze to immediately sweep over to him.

"You are the same. Using transformation arts to turn into a handsome youth and steal the hearts of innocent young girls. Fortunately, you were responsible enough in the end and didn't cause too much of an impact. Otherwise..."

Upon hearing Kikyo’s words, the Tanuki’s mouth snapped shut. He stopped laughing loudly at Nura Rihyon and instead muttered under his breath.

"Don't say it... don't say it... I was punished severely by the Great General last time because of that..."

Watching Nura Rihyon and the Tanuki suffer at Kikyo’s hands, the Cat Shop Owner, standing a short distance away, couldn't help but furrow her brow. She muttered with a look of slight indignation.

"Honestly... is this little Kikyo getting more and more arrogant? She was so much cuter when she was small... I really don't know why the Great General always spoils her so much and lets her have her way..."

Beside the Cat Shop Owner, Konkiku rolled her eyes after finishing a cup of sake. She thought to herself, This is the Miko most favored by Lady Uka; how could she not be spoiled?

"So, Miko of Inari, what brings you to my domain this time?" At that moment, Miketsu straightened her posture and adjusted her voice, asking Kikyo a question she already knew the answer to.

Miketsu didn't say anything about Kikyo putting Nura Rihyon and the Tanuki in their place. In her view, yokai were prone to getting carried away, and it was easy for them to go too far in matters great or small. As she was currently disguised as a yokai, it wasn't appropriate for her to strictly demand they follow human standards. Having Kikyo press them a bit was a good way to help them exercise some restraint.

"I received word that a wild god has been caught up in the recent vicious devouring incidents. The Inari Shrine has a duty to manage wild gods who come seeking the Inari Divine Name and to ensure their safety. At the same time, I would like to know the further details regarding this incident..." Kikyo’s gaze returned to Miketsu, her expression becoming respectful once more.

Hearing Kikyo’s words, Enokoneko, who had been cowering on the side, suddenly looked up with eyes shining as if he had found a savior.

"Received word? So quickly?" The Cat Shop Owner whispered suspiciously. Nura Rihyon and the others had only just brought that wild god here to pay his respects, and someone from the shrine had already come to collect him. Wasn't this a bit too fast? Was there an informant from the Inari Shrine within their organization?

No! I have to find a chance to tell the Great General about this privately!

"I understand. You may take that little wild god back with you in a moment. If you wish to know the progress of the investigation, ask Nura Rihyon directly. I will also notify the Onmyoryo regarding the situation. Now that this matter has developed to this point, it is difficult for any one of us to solve it alone. I hope we can begin to have more cooperation moving forward," Miketsu said to Kikyo in a deep voice.

...

In the time that followed, after a brief inquiry for information, Kikyo left the scene with Enokoneko. After roughly calculating the time difference, Miketsu also ended the banquet and returned to Mount Inari with Konkiku. Just as she descended from the sky onto the shrine's floorboards, Kikyo, who had been waiting for a long time, approached and bowed.

"Lady Uka."

"Mmm. Where is that little wild god?"

"I have already entrusted him to Lady Tsuruha. Lady Tsuruha is arranging the training and trials for the Inari Divine Name. There are suitable foxes on the mountain right now; if he can pass, he can take up his post immediately," Kikyo responded while helping Miketsu remove her Owl disguise. Miketsu nodded slightly as she listened.

Kikyo was the reincarnation of the Miko spirit whom Miketsu had once helped beneath the Seven-Story Pagoda in the ruins around Heijo-kyo. Due to the ties of karma, she was reincarnated into the Hata Clan, a family of Shinto priests who served her. Now, more than ten years later, she had grown up to become Miketsu’s Miko—and no ordinary Miko at that.

Perhaps because of her reincarnation, Kikyo had shown extraordinary talent for spiritual power from a very young age. Consequently, it was only natural that she entered the shrine as a Miko to serve Miketsu as a child.

With her extraordinary talent, Kikyo was born with spiritual vision. Before she was even five years old, she could communicate directly with Miketsu through her consciousness. By seven, she began using the family’s inherited divine arts to request power from the gods. At ten, she could use her own accumulated spiritual power in conjunction with talismans to release various types of jutsu-shiki. Now, at thirteen, she could imbue her attacks with the unique Demon-Slaying Power of Miketsu’s Inari spiritual power, making her one of the most prominent exorcists in Heian-kyo today.

Not only that, but seemingly benefiting from the heritage of her soul, Kikyo was also highly skilled in using jutsu-shiki combined with herbs to heal humans. She was an excellent doctor who frequently went down the mountain to provide free medical clinics. While protecting the weak, she gathered faith. Unlike the pride she showed when facing yokai, Kikyo was very gentle when helping ordinary commoners. Thus, she was greatly loved and influential in the surrounding human society.

Because of her extraordinary talent, strength, and influence, the world regarded Kikyo as a God-Blessed Miko. Her status within the shrine rose rapidly, and eventually, at the age of twelve, she directly succeeded her father to become the head of rituals for the Inari Shrine within the Hata Clan—effectively the kannushi and shinkan of the Inari Shrine.

With Miketsu’s support, the current Kikyo held the overlapping roles of Miko, shinkan, and kannushi, becoming the mortal proxy of Inari Okami in the eyes of the world. Her status was extremely prestigious, and to distinguish her from other Miko, she was given the unofficial title of "High Priestess."

"Kikyo."

"Are there any further instructions, Lady Uka?" Kikyo, who was focused on putting away the black robes, asked respectfully upon hearing Miketsu’s call.

"Have you still been having that dream lately?" Having just removed the bandages from her head, Miketsu looked toward Kikyo with a somewhat serious expression. Kikyo remained silent for a moment before answering.

"Yes... I still have it. However, the content is much the same as before; I still cannot see it clearly..."

Hearing Kikyo’s words, Miketsu said no more. She returned to the Secret Realm of the shrine to continue removing the rest of the bandages.

After soaking in a hot spring and resting for the night, early the next morning, Miketsu donned a set of Kariginu and set out for the Onmyoryo in Heian-kyo.