The Bestowal

“You use this power for farming? Are you planning to overturn the entire crust of the earth?”

Hearing Miketsu's words, Yorihime couldn't help but retort inwardly. Her stony expression seemed to shift through several colors. She looked as if she wanted to shout something, but the words failed her. Finally, she let out a sigh and spoke with a strange smile.

“It seems the orthodox gods of the surface are somewhat different from what I previously anticipated. It appears there were errors in the Lunar Capital's research as well.”

During their study of Eirin's shattered godhead, the Lunar Capital had gained a rather deep understanding of the Yamato orthodox gods. Based on a vast amount of data and records, the Lunar Capital had estimated and simulated the abilities and strengths of each god. However, the situation Yorihime was currently facing completely defied those projections. The Inari Okami wasn't supposed to be like this.

'No, I think your research was probably correct,' Miketsu thought. 'I’m just an anomaly among anomalies.'

“The vastness of this world can provide us with plenty of surprises. If you limit yourselves to research and observation from that moon, how much can you truly see?”

As Miketsu spoke, she drew her bow once more. Another arrow of light condensed upon the string.

“The pure land of the Lunar Capital is not something of the surface that can be imagined,” Yorihime said indifferently. She then squeezed her hand, crushing the arrow of light she had previously held. She seemed displeased by Miketsu’s slight toward the Lunar Capital.

“I admit... I did indeed misjudge your strength earlier. But if you think this level is enough to defeat me, it is not, Lady Uka...” As she spoke, Yorihime gripped her long blade tightly and settled back into a combat stance.

Facing Yorihime at the center of the massive crater below, Miketsu released the bowstring. The arrow of light shot forth, splitting in the sky into a rain of light that poured down upon Yorihime. Although the effectiveness of arrows formed from Inari spiritual power was greatly reduced against non-demonic enemies, they still possessed formidable destructive force.

Confronted by the descending rain of light, a new divine power manifested on Yorihime’s body. This power was wild and majestic, carrying an undeniable pressure that made Miketsu’s brow furrow slightly.

“The Breath of Susanoo-no-Mikoto...”

The rain of light struck the ground, the continuous explosions tearing at the desolate earth. The entire crater and its surrounding area were engulfed in the light rain. The relentless bombardment of arrows plowed through the surface again and again. Under such density of fire, dodging became meaningless, and the agility of the Dance of Ame-no-Uzume would have been useless.

Although Miketsu had specifically controlled the density of the rain to concentrate it within the crater, the continuous explosions still caused a massive disturbance. The tremors in the ground could be felt as far as Heian-kyo. Nearby, Kaguya and the moon rabbits, who were entangled with each other, were shaken and fell to the ground.

After the incessant booming, the brilliance faded and the dust settled. On the now-ravaged surface, Yorihime still stood in place. Enveloped in a unique divine power, she looked up at Miketsu in the sky, seemingly unscathed and calm. Miketsu’s brow furrowed deeper.

The rain of light constructed from Inari spiritual power actually had no effect on her?!

“Are you surprised, Lady Uka? You should know what divine power I am borrowing through prayer. This is the power of your direct superior god, Susanoo-no-Mikoto... Although I cannot yet form effective techniques with the borrowed power of the Mihashira-no-uzunomiko, I can still let his divine power coat my body to repel yours.” Looking directly at Miketsu in the sky, Yorihime continued with a smile.

“Our research clearly shows that in Yamato mythology, superior divine power has a distinct suppressive effect on inferior divine power. Susanoo-no-Mikoto is your father, your direct superior god. His divine power’s suppression over you is even more pronounced.” As she spoke, a confident look appeared in Yorihime’s eyes. As long as she could nullify the Inari spiritual power, the Inari Okami would be much easier to deal with.

“Superior power suppression? Heh, that’s actually a bit... annoying...” Miketsu let out a cold laugh. Then, the divine bow in her hand transformed into a long tachi in a burst of radiance. Gripping the Blade of the Three Realms, Miketsu suddenly dove down, slashing toward Yorihime with the colossal strength of a ghost-god.

“You want to fight at close quarters? Then come! Power of Tajikarao!”

With those words, Yorihime bolstered herself with the divine power of the God of Great Strength. She swung her long blade to meet Miketsu’s strike, clashing with her edge.

Steel met steel, and immense forces collided. Amidst the sharp, piercing sound of the impact, a powerful shockwave radiated outward from the two of them. For the first time since Shuten-doji, Miketsu had encountered someone who could withstand her strength. And the current Yorihime, empowered by Tajikarao, clearly possessed even greater force than Shuten-doji!

From that moment, the two blade-wielding girls began a close-quarters struggle on the desolate earth. In an instant, they exchanged dozens of blows. The dense and thunderous sounds of their weapons clashing were so intense that the nearby moon rabbits and Kaguya could no longer fight, forced to cover their ears and huddle on the ground. The earth, unable to bear the continuous impact of their strength, began to crack, sending fissures spreading out from wherever they stepped.

Yorihime focused entirely on countering Miketsu’s offensive. She was currently channeling multiple divine powers: Omoikane's Eye, the Dance of Ame-no-Uzume, the Protection of Iwanaga-hime, the Power of Tajikarao, and the Breath of Susanoo-no-Mikoto... Only with the support of so many divine powers was she able to fight the Inari Okami before her to a standstill in close combat. Facing such a monstrous opponent, Yorihime’s heart was a mess of emotions. This wasn't an Inari deity; she was clearly a God of War!

As Miketsu and Yorihime’s battle raged, Eirin, who was still trapped within the cage of blades in the distance, was also filled with shock. She hadn't expected the Inari Okami to be able to fight to this extent. It was fortunate she had chosen to flee rather than confront her directly earlier.

“She is truly strong, Uka-no-Mitama-no-Mikoto. Strong beyond my expectations. However, if you are only at this level, it is not enough... If you cannot gain the upper hand and this continues to drag on, you will still be the one to lose...”

Watching the battlefield from afar, Eirin spoke with a look of worry.

After another clash of blades, Yorihime and Miketsu were pushed apart by the force of the impact. This time, they did not choose to immediately re-engage, but stood facing each other.

“Huff... I really didn't expect you to be this powerful. This level of strength could indeed be called a God of War. But unfortunately... how long can you maintain a battle of this intensity? I can already feel it; in a fight like this, divine power drains away like a waterfall...” Yorihime said slowly, looking at Miketsu. Miketsu replied calmly.

“What are you trying to say?”

“What I’m saying is, as the Priestess of the Gods, I can draw upon the divine power of countless deities. I’m not afraid even if a battle like that continues for a long time. But you are just a single god. How much divine power do you have left? How much longer can you fight like that?” Yorihime said with a smile. According to her calculations, Miketsu’s divine power should not be very high at this point.

Hearing Yorihime’s words, Miketsu remained silent. However, Dakini-ten, within her consciousness, could no longer hold back.

‘This little girl is quite arrogant! Hey, stop wasting time with her. Switch to my form and give her a good thrashing! I don’t believe she can cross pantheons and borrow the power of the Tathagata to suppress me!’

Dakini-ten shouted in Miketsu’s mind, but Miketsu answered calmly.

‘There’s no need for you to step in yet. Her words just gave me an interesting idea.’

‘An interesting idea?’

‘Heh, just watch...’

Ending her conversation with Dakini-ten, Miketsu stowed the Blade of the Three Realms, slowly returning it to its sheath. This action surprised Yorihime, but she soon broke into a knowing smile.

“Heh... it seems I was right. With your divine power running low and seeing no hope of victory, you’ve decided to give up...” Yorihime said with a smile. Miketsu looked at her and replied slowly.

“How much divine power do I have left? Are you that concerned?”

“Hmm...? What are you trying to say?”

“I mean... I’m not even sure how much divine power I have left myself. If you could help me estimate it, I would be very grateful.”

“What... what are you planning to do?!” Seeing the dangerous smile appearing on the god’s face, Yorihime froze, tightening her grip on her blade in caution.

“I was just thinking. Since you are the Priestess of the Gods and I am one of the gods, then you are also my priestess. A priestess can pray to a god for divine power, and conversely, a god can actively bestow divine power upon a priestess... Now, I shall bestow my divine power upon you. Let me see just how much you can withstand... Priestess of the Gods...”

As Miketsu spoke with a smile, a golden glow emanated from her. Suddenly, Yorihime felt an incredibly vast amount of divine power being poured into her body. Her eyes widened in shock.

“This... this is your divine power? How can there be so much left! No, that’s not right... Urgh!” At first, Yorihime was stunned by the sheer volume of power flooding in, but she quickly realized that the surge of divine power within her was exceeding all expectations, rapidly approaching the limit of what her body could endure.

In an instant, Yorihime began to tremble uncontrollly. She looked at Miketsu in horror and screamed.

“Stop! Stop the bestowal! I don’t need this much divine power! Stop it! Urgh... Aaaahhh!”