The mountain road is somewhat broken, and many of the originally neat blue-gray stone bricks have broken apart and turned into small pieces scattered on both sides of the road, and some have even turned into powder.
This is because of the battle last night... to be more precise, it's because of Yukina Hoshikuma and Mama Bear's Noble Phantasm.
"It will be a little difficult to go down the mountain tomorrow..."
Takasugi Shinsaku looked a little helpless.
If the mountain road is destroyed, the stability of going up and down the mountain will become a big problem. It may not be a problem if your foot slips and you fall into a dog's poop, but...
If the mountain god is thrown to the ground, it will be a big problem.
"sorry......"
Fujimaru Ritsuka honestly bowed her head and admitted her mistake.
"You don't need to apologize, or in other words, you absolutely don't need to apologize."
Takasugi Shinsaku smiled and glanced back at Fujimaru Ritsuka.
"After all, you gave your own strength to protect the village, and everyone can see it."
"If you want to harshly criticize a person who has devoted all his efforts to protect the village, then our village may not be worthy of being protected by so many people."
Turning around, Takasugi Shinsaku was leading the way. The shrine was already in front of him, and he subconsciously placed his hand on the handle of the knife.
The place where Hideo Kurokawa was discovered yesterday was under the torii gate in front of the shrine. Today, Shinsaku Takasugi has gone back and forth twice and is still vigilant.
The shrine is completely different from the original appearance of Fujimaru Ritsuka.
There are already a lot of decorations inside. Beautiful decorations are hung everywhere. There are also some tengu masks and other masks tied up with ropes and hung on the cherry blossom trees. It looks very lively.
.
Even now, there are only Takasugi Shinsaku, Fujimaru Ritsuka, and a few villagers helping to carry the sedan chair in the shrine.
"Mr. Takasugi, if the sedan is required, will it be placed within the territory?"
A villager carrying a white sedan waved to Takasugi Shinsaku and asked.
"Put it inside or outside the country. Our priests will carry it in tomorrow."
Takasugi Shinsaku nodded to the villagers.
"Okay, let's go arrange other things."
The villagers went to arrange other things in a hurry.
Fujimaru Ritsuka is standing in front of a statue.
Can't see clearly......
As before, I can't tell what kind of statue this is.
Even if he stretched out his hand to touch himself, he could not touch the entity. His hand would just fall into the air inexplicably, as if something was preventing him from understanding the truth of the statue.
Walking into the territory and coming to the mountain god's body, Fujimaru Ritsuka raised his head and looked at the wooden "mountain god".
The mountain god is a human image, wearing a Wufu. Everything else is normal except for the face, which is just like the statues outside. Fujimaru Ritsuka cannot clearly see the face of the statue no matter what.
"Don't you want me to know who you are?"
She murmured, not sure whether she was asking herself or the mountain god.
"What role do you play in this 'singularity'? Are you the mastermind? Or the one who is against the mastermind?"
The mountain god would not answer, because the mountain god in front of Fujimaru Ritsuka was just a statue, and Fujimaru Ritsuka could not see the true appearance of the statue.
After walking out of the territory, Fujimaru Ritsuka stood at the top of the mountain road and looked down.
From here to Kurokawakami Village below, it should be about two to three thousand meters, and the slope is not too steep. From here, it should be about two to three thousand meters to reach the top.
The entire mountain path presents a straight line, passing through the shrine and heading towards the top.
"...Kurokawa."
Slowly calling out the name of the mountain, the name of the village, and the name of sin, Fujimaru Ritsuka sighed.
There are still too many things that I don’t understand now. Although I already know who the enemy I’m going to deal with is, why... do I still feel like this?
Shaking his head to get rid of this irrelevant feeling, Fujimaru Ritsuka hurried back to help.
Tomorrow is the Mountain God Festival, so we need to finish the cooking as soon as possible.
...
In Zuo Cun's house, Zuo Cun is making chestnut gold dumplings.
A large basket of sweet potatoes has been peeled by Souji and placed next to it.
"Dana, there are so many things to do this year."
Souji wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand and stood beside Zuo Cun.
Zuo Cun also looked very tired.
Every night, you have to kill those evil spirits and endure the stench. You can't completely relax during the day, because Zuo Cun is also responsible for making delicious food.
"I'm just afraid of one thing right now."
Zuocun said to the general manager while making peace with him.
"Do you still remember those little monsters with fish tails?"
"You mean the ones who look like the village chief?"
The Souji folded his hands and frowned.
etc--
"Those little things will appear because of the gathering of people."
"And tomorrow is undoubtedly the biggest gathering of the year in the village."
"What if these little things show up when everyone is gathered together - what are we going to do?"
"Hijikata, Takasugi, Saito, and Ryoma, the four of them can't leave the bodyguard. If it's just me, Shannan, Nagakura, and Miss Aaron, Okada's strength may not be enough."
"When the clouds clear and the fog clears, everything will be over - what is the end?"
Zuo Cun sighed as he spoke.
"That guy named Kurokawa Hideo seems to be determined to destroy the village no matter what. He just can't show up due to some reasons during the day, but the festival will also be held in the evening and into the night."
"Everything collides together... Even if you don't want to know the truth, it will be impossible."
"I will make the chestnut gold group in advance, and then I will always be ready to fight those monsters to the death. Souji...we all have to protect this village, do you understand?"
"...Ah, I understand."
The general manager nodded.
She is Zuo Cun's wife, she must know what Zuo Cun is thinking.
Is it right?
Zuo Cun closed his eyes and began to make chestnut gold dumplings.
In the courtyard, Souna sat on the steps, raised her head and glanced at the sky.
It's afternoon...it will be evening soon.
Tomorrow is the Mountain God Festival.
But the crisis in the village has not been resolved, but has intensified.
This happened to me in the first year after I, a miko, was chosen by the mountain god...
.......At least.
At least you have to give your own share of strength.
Ezuna stood up, returned to her room, and opened her drawer.
The musket and bullets lay quietly in her drawer.
This was once given to her by Zuo Cun so that she could use it for self-protection.