The cold winter wind howled across the sea surface.
Huddled in Lin Mo's arms, Ying seemed to tremble slightly.
Lin Mo understood.
This was the clearest proof of Ying's mortal form.
After all, for a true Archon,
a chill like this should have been utterly imperceptible.
" Ying, has the Shogun developed her own independent will? "
Lin Mo asked the most pressing question.
The abolition of the Vision Hunt Decree and the Sakoku Decree meant that the original purpose for creating the Raiden Shogun had changed.
If the Raiden Shogun had indeed gained her own personality,
she might very well become a problem, just like Scaramouche.
" I don't know... "
Ying shook her head in confusion at Lin Mo's question, " Four-seven-seven. "
"... "
Lin Mo fell silent, watching Ying's bewildered expression.
For now, the Raiden Shogun's stance was unclear.
This worried Lin Mo greatly.
Not to mention that the Sacred Sakura, which protected Narukami Island and purified defilement, was being harassed by Rifthounds.
Looking at the hint of confusion in Ying's eyes,
Lin Mo knew she probably couldn't provide any particularly valuable information.
They might have to reach Narukami Island itself,
see the state of the Sacred Sakura with their own eyes, and meet the Raiden Shogun, before they could know if the island faced a truly severe crisis.
Filled with concern,
Lin Mo's control over the wind grew stronger.
The boat heading for Narukami Island gradually docked on its shores.
" Hey, we're here already~"
Paimon's surprised voice came from the deck.
Accompanied by Lumine, Paimon had left the cabin where they were resting and came before Lin Mo and Ying.
Seeing them approach, Lin Mo nodded and said, " Let's go. Let's see together what's happening on Narukami Island.
"
With that, Lin Mo led the group towards the location indicated by the Adventurers' Guild, near the foot of Mt. Yougou.
But no sooner had they arrived at the first marked spot on the map,
Paimon pointed into the distance anxiously and shouted, " Ah~ so many Rifthounds! No wonder the Yashiro Commission wanted the Adventurers' Guild's help~!
They're... they're attacking the Sacred Sakura! Stop them! "
At Paimon's cry,
the three of them turned their gaze into the distance.
Sure enough.
A dozen or so Rifthounds were prowling near a thick tree root.
Several of them were biting into the Sacred Sakura's roots with their sharp fangs.
Without a word, Lumine drew her sword and charged at the Rifthounds.
Though Lumine was powerful,
the moment she entered the fray, she was surrounded by the Rifthounds, her movements severely restricted.
Just as one Rifthound was about to sink its teeth into Lumine's shoulder,
Ying's brow furrowed.
" Amakumo! "
" Kagemitsu! "
With a cold, clear shout,
a bolt of violet lightning tore through the space, instantly cleaving the pack of Rifthounds in two.
" S-so strong... "
Paimon's eyes were wide with shock.
" Are you two injured? "
Ying asked calmly.
" Not at all, not at all~"
Paimon waved her little hands and said with a smile, " With two Archons here, how could we possibly get hurt~"
Just then, Lumine looked at the wounded roots of the Sacred Sakura and asked curiously, " Why are the Rifthounds attacking the Sacred Sakura? Could it be... that the Sacred Sakura is a threat to them?
"
Ying stepped forward, also looking down at the Sacred Sakura's wound, and said quietly, " Because the Rifthounds attacking the Sacred Sakura brings back memories of that disaster from the past... "
" That disaster from the past... "
Lin Mo frowned slightly.
He knew Ying was likely referring to the war with Khaenri'ah five hundred years ago.
At that moment, Ying nodded to Lin Mo and explained:
" Five hundred years ago, Inazuma experienced an unprecedented calamity. "
" The land was shrouded in a pitch-black mist, and monsters ran rampant... "
" This disaster claimed countless lives, and the homes people had painstakingly built were nearly destroyed. "
" The monsters committed many atrocities on Inazuman soil, and these 'Rifthounds' were the vanguard of the monster legion. "
" Their duty was to use their sharp claws and fangs to tear open spatial rifts, summoning even more powerful beasts. "
" Does that mean... even stronger monsters are going to attack Inazuma~! "
Paimon asked nervously.
" I don't know. "
Ying shook her head.
" Since there's a precedent, we need to be on high alert against these creatures. "
Lin Mo stepped forward with a smile and said, " Let's go. Let's check out the other areas where Rifthounds have appeared.
"
" Yeah. "
Lumine nodded.
Soon, the group arrived at the next area infested with Rifthounds.
There weren't many monsters this time. Lumine took the lead and, in a few exchanges, cut down the Rifthounds with her sword.
" Easy peasy~"
Paimon clapped her little hands happily.
But just then,
" Whoosh~"
" Whoosh~"
A white mist swept past.
As the mist dissipated, a group of samurai spirits lay fallen on the ground.
Only one samurai remained standing.
" Huh~"
Paimon exclaimed in surprise, " Are they... people who have already passed away? Like... the ones we've seen on our travels before.
"
After all, their translucent bodies were unmistakable.
" But... why are they here? "
Lumine looked puzzled.
Accompanied by Paimon, she cautiously approached the one spirit that seemed to retain its consciousness, hoping to ask what had happened.
--------
T/N:
You'll also get 5 extra chapters just for being a free member!
Access 40 chapters in advance on my Patreon : [email protected]/furinaimpact