The next day's ceremony proceeded as usual, and Shiki successfully cleared the filthy Kairagi without any unexpected incidents.
After all, with Ioroi, the Great Demon, providing support, Shiki could confidently focus on offense.
However, Shiki had to go to Inazuma City today. For the next three ceremonies, she would need the assistance of a Wind Glider.
Wind Gliders could be purchased at the Adventurers' Guild, and they were reportedly quite affordable, with a pair of wings costing only five thousand Mora.
After returning home and grabbing some Mora, she headed out. Of course, Shiki brought Ioroi along, as she had promised him a big meal earlier.
The route was still to teleport to the anchor point in White Fox Plain on the outskirts of Inazuma City, and then walk the rest of the way. But Shiki couldn't help but feel that the people on the street were looking at her strangely?
"Speaking of which... Shiki, did you do something extraordinary here before? Why are these people looking at you so strangely?" Ioroi asked, looking around.
"How would I know what's wrong with these people? Besides, I haven't been to Inazuma City in a while."
Shiki was also puzzled by this, but the most urgent matter was to buy a pair of Wind Gliders first. She could ask someone about it later when they ate.
Arriving at the Adventurers' Guild in the city, Catherine was, as expected, on duty.
Catherine: "To the stars and the abyss, welcome to the Adventurers' Guild!"
Hearing this, Shiki couldn't help but tap her screen—her imaginary phone screen, that is.
"Miss Catherine, I'd like to buy a pair of Wind Gliders. Here's five thousand Mora."
"Alright, thank you for your patronage. Here are your Wind Gliders." Catherine said as she took out a pair of wings and handed them to Shiki.
Wind Gliders typically remain in a folded state, only unfolding when needed for gliding. This is to save space, as carrying a large pair of wings everywhere would be too cumbersome.
However, precisely because of this, Wind Gliders need to be replaced periodically, or one might accidentally end up like a certain flying Childe, face-planting into the ground.
Putting away the Wind Gliders, Shiki took Ioroi to Shimura's, the restaurant directly opposite the Adventurers' Guild.
"Order whatever you want to eat. As for me... Boss, give me a bowl of ramen," Shiki said after looking at the menu.
"Oh! Mr. Tanuki, what would you like to order?"
"Hehe, Shiki, you said it! In that case, I won't be polite. Boss, bring me one of all your specialty dishes!" Ioroi said with a grin.
The owner of Shimura's was a kind old man past his seventies named Shimura Kanbei. Perhaps due to his extensive experience in his youth, he seemed unsurprised that a Tanuki could speak.
"Oh? One of everything? Mr. Tanuki, please be mindful of your capacity. We have quite a few special dishes at Shimura's."
A glint shot from Shimura Kanbei's half-closed eyes. How long had it been since he encountered such a big eater? Although the big eater in front of him wasn't human.
"Hehe, Boss, don't underestimate the appetite of a Great Demon! Just bring it on!" Ioroi patted his chest, his face full of confidence.
"Then, Mr. Tanuki, please enjoy your meal!" Shimura Kanbei seemed to be filled with boundless energy, and in no time, he brought out dish after dish.
"Beast Bone Ramen, this is for you, girl."
"And these are for Mr. Tanuki: Omelet Rice, Beast Bone Ramen, Grilled Eel, Assorted Yakisoba, Bird Egg Sushi, Sweet Shrimp Sushi, and Bird Egg Omelet."
"Oh! It looks delicious! I'm digging in!" Ioroi said, putting his hands together in a proper manner, then began to feast.
Shiki, meanwhile, slurped her noodles while asking Shimura Kanbei about the situation.
"Boss, has anything happened in Inazuma City recently?"
"Nothing at all, girl. But, why do you look so familiar?" Shimura Kanbei seemed to be trying to confirm something, taking out his reading glasses, wiping them, and then putting them on his face.
"Hmm, that's right. Girl, is your name Shiki?"
"Yes, why?" Shiki nodded, a little surprised. Was Ogura Mio's magazine that popular? Even an old man running a restaurant had seen it?
"It seems you really don't know what's been happening lately, girl. Let me put it this way: if I were you, the best choice would be to leave here immediately." Shimura Kanbei sighed.
"Leave?"
Shiki paused, then remembered something and abruptly turned to look to her right.
She saw a tall Samurai leading a squad of Ashigaru walking towards her. The leading Samurai even had a yellow Vision attached to his waist.
'Damn it, how could I forget about Kujou Masahito!'
"Ioroi, stop eating! Run!"
Shiki grabbed Ioroi, who was still mercilessly devouring his food, and ran. The Tanuki still had grains of rice on his mouth, looking utterly bewildered and unaware of what was happening.
"Hey, I haven't finished eating yet!"
"I'll treat you again later!"
Shiki felt a pang of regret for the unfinished dishes; after all, she had already paid for them.
"What are you waiting for? Chase them!" Kujou Masahito slapped an Ashigaru's head, then took the lead in the pursuit.
The remaining Ashigaru looked at each other, and with no other option, could only follow. After all, Kujou Masahito was their superior; when the young master spoke, they could only obey!
"Ryougi-chan, wait a moment!" Kujou Masahito shouted as he ran.
Upon hearing that address, Shiki immediately got goosebumps, and her feet moved even faster.
'Damn it, only a fool would stop!'
"Ioroi, quickly give me a buff!" Shiki shook the still-bewildered Tanuki, who snapped out of it and quickly cast a speed spell on the girl.
"It's on! It's on!"
Shiki felt her body become much lighter, and the distance between her and Kujou Masahito gradually widened.
Seeing his 'designated' wife about to disappear from his sight, Kujou Masahito steeled himself and disregarded breaking the rules.
'Never mind, everything is worth it for love.'
Thinking this, the Vision at Kujou Masahito's waist began to glow faintly, and a wall of rock rose out of thin air, blocking Shiki's only path out of the city.
"Stone Wall!"
"Tsk."
Looking at the rock wall blocking her path, Shiki didn't stop. She made a throwing motion with her hand and tossed Ioroi over it.
Then, the blue light symbolizing the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception ignited, and Shiki directly split Kujou Masahito's Stone Wall with a single Iai slash.
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 40 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!