Listening to Suwako’s explanation, Miketsu gained a clearer understanding of the aptitude-holders required to perform the Ancient God rituals. They were inevitably born among the retainers of the Ancient Gods, possessing innate spiritual power and talent that surpassed any ordinary mortal. Only with such a person presiding as the ritual priest could the revival ceremony of an Ancient God function correctly.
Among the Ancient Gods Miketsu knew—excluding Chang'e, who was an Outer God—every one of them required such a figure for their resurrection. For the Eternal Worm, it was Shiranui Ali; for the Great Snake, it was Yamato-takeru-no-Mikoto. While her own ritual priest had not been definitively confirmed, it was highly likely to be Kikyo. Only Suwako remained without a lead.
Among them, Ali, the priestess of the Eternal Worm, had already performed the ritual under the Great Snake's control. The Eternal Worm no longer required a ritual priest; all it lacked now was the energy to pupate. In that sense, it was likely the closest to a full revival among all known Ancient Gods.
Suwako’s remains still existed, but she lacked both energy and a ritual priest. Energy could be managed, but a ritual priest was a different matter entirely. An aptitude-holder capable of becoming a ritual priest appeared only once in a thousand years; there was no telling how long the Kochiya clan would have to wait for such a talent to be born.
As for Miketsu herself, she currently possessed neither her remains, a ritual priest, nor a definite source of energy. However, there were many paths to obtaining energy, and her ritual priest would likely be Kikyo. It was the location of her remains that remained a complete mystery.
Finally, there was the Great Snake. Its remains were still sealed within the Void between the Underworld and the mortal world. However, with three of the Four Symbols Arrays already gone, the breaking of the seal was only a matter of time. Regarding energy, the Great Snake seemed to possess the power to control flesh and blood. Judging from the earlier yokai calamity, it could seize the flesh of any creature it influenced to fuel its revival.
The Great Snake had once secretly manipulated the Leopard Cat Clan of Harima to harvest the flesh of humans and yokai alike. The primary vessel for this harvest had been the Leopard Cat Lord, Oyakata. According to Toga, the massive amount of flesh Oyakata had spent centuries gathering vanished after his death. It was highly probable that the Great Snake had hidden it away as a reserve of energy for its resurrection.
Next was the matter of the Great Snake’s ritual priest. Logically, Yamato-takeru-no-Mikoto should have been destroyed thirteen years ago during the calamity in Heian-kyo. Therefore, the Great Snake should currently be without a priest. Even if it managed to liberate its remains from the seal, the revival ritual should remain incomplete.
As she pondered this, Miketsu suddenly realized a possibility. Since Yamato-takeru-no-Mikoto was the ancestor of the current Imperial Family, then the royals and their branch families were likely descendants of the Great God’s retainers. Among these numerous imperial relatives, could a new ritual priest for the Great God have already emerged? Perhaps someone like Minamoto no Yorimasa, whom the Great Snake held in high regard? Or Minamoto no Yorimitsu?
Or perhaps... the mysterious Minamoto girl that Dark Seimei had specifically taken from the Minamoto Clan Forbidden Grounds and intended to keep with him even as he fled—Minamoto no Kagura?
Regardless, it was likely that the Great Snake’s ritual priest still existed; only the Great Snake truly knew their identity.
"What is it? Are you thinking about something important?" Suwako asked curiously, noticing Miketsu’s grave expression and deep contemplation. Miketsu responded directly.
"It’s nothing... I was just considering the progress of the others' revivals. By the way, do you think that snake and that worm know I am an Ancient God?"
"I don't believe they do yet," Suwako said plainly. "After all, you manifested in the northern barrens. I was the only one who directly witnessed your descent. While the Great Snake and the others likely sensed the emergence of another Ancient God, they probably haven't connected it to you yet." Miketsu nodded at her words.
There was no connection for now, but they might realize it later. After all, she was far too unique to be a mere Modern God. If the Great Snake eventually grew suspicious and linked her to the Ancient Gods, it would only be logical.
"Phew... it seems I have a direction to work toward in the future. Well, we've said enough here. Let's go join the banquet my Divine Messengers have prepared. If I don't show myself soon after returning, they'll start worrying again." Miketsu let out a long sigh. Leaning against the tree, Suwako nodded in agreement.
Just as Miketsu was about to step out of the grove, her eyes suddenly narrowed. She caught sight of a building's eaves behind the distant canopy. The part of the roof visible above the trees bore charred, blackened marks.
That direction... was toward the outer shrine.
"Wait a moment... I’m going to check over there."
Miketsu whispered to Suwako and walked straight toward the sight. Moments later, she stepped out of the woods and left the Secret Realm, entering the Inari Shrine as seen by mortals.
At this hour, the Inari Shrine should have been bustling with daytime visitors. However, compared to the usual crowds of worshippers, there was not a soul in sight. The shrine’s torii gate was blocked by a stretched shimenawa—a clear signal that the shrine was closed.
The Inari Shrine was currently closed to the public, and Miketsu saw the reason immediately. The Haiden standing before her was a blackened ruin.
The wooden structure had been burned to a crisp, with only a charred frame barely holding it up. The interior was filled with scattered charcoal, and the saisen-bako in front of the hall was reduced to a blackened outline. Even the surrounding floorboards were scorched dark. It was evident that a severe fire had broken out, destroying the entire Haiden. However, because it had been well-contained, the flames had been restricted to the hall and had not spread to other areas.
Staring at the ruined Haiden, Miketsu remained silent for a long moment before letting out a cold sneer.
"It seems some things happened during the few days I was away from the shrine." As she spoke, she looked back at Suwako, who had followed her out of the woods.
"Hey, do you know what happened here?" Miketsu asked. Based on the situation, Suwako, who had come directly from Siberia, should have arrived a day or two before her.
"That... well, it was already like this when I arrived at your shrine. According to those foxes of yours, it seems this hall was struck by lightning," Suwako replied, thinking back. Miketsu’s brow furrowed.
"A lightning strike?"
"Yes, that’s what they said. I didn't ask for too many details. Why... is there a problem?"
"Just a small matter, nothing to worry about. Let’s go; this is no place to linger. We have a banquet to attend." Miketsu turned back toward the Secret Realm. As she walked, she cast one last glance at the ruins of the Haiden, her expression indifferent.
Just now, she had sensed a faint lingering aura of a Modern God's divine power upon the ruins. This lightning strike had been no accident.
Rate on N.U.
