Chapter 829 – Temple Attack Incident

000

Cleon hurries his steps towards the temple.

Thinking back on what happened last night, it was a bit strange to go see him again at such an early hour, but I couldn’t stop because what I had to convey was information that held the fate of countless people in Asteris in check.

However, the reason Cleon’s feet had to physically stop was because of the huge crowd that was forming as he got closer to the temple.

The crowd of people who filled the eight directions leading to the temple, including the market, alleys, and streets, were each looking up at the sky and examining something.

At first, Cleon couldn’t figure out why they were looking up at the sky.

The fireworks must have ended last night, and what’s in the sky now are clouds and the sun.

The fortress in the sky had not yet appeared.

Even when Cleon followed them and looked up at the sky, he couldn’t see anything that stood out.

What is about to begin? Is it okay to go through the crowd like this?

As he was thinking like that, he heard a coughing sound coming from behind him.

When Cleon turned around, there stood Noctis, who had been running around with him for hours yesterday and had joined forces to escape the loop.

Not yesterday’s fancy clothes, but as usual, wearing a hat and active clothes that are easy to move around in, with a crystal ball for photography in hand.

“Good morning, Cleon. Since you don’t have a mask today, I guess you’re here as the protagonist of the exorcism?”

“… Good morning. It doesn’t seem like we met by chance; you’ve been following us since we left the Dark Dragon Company building, right?”

Cleon tells Noctis that he felt something was being looked at, but he didn’t see any hostility, so he just left it alone.

After Noctis flinched and reacted, he smiled awkwardly, scratched his cheek, and nodded.

“If you knew, it would have been okay to talk to me.”

“Sorry. I’m a little busy in many ways right now…”

“That was the look on his face. That’s why I didn’t say anything either.”

The two people, who realized that they had stopped talking for similar reasons, looked at each other and then Cleon let the matter go by shrugging his shoulders.

“Did you have a good time yesterday? I heard you were going to talk to the great shaman after that.”

“Ah, ah. Huh. There was no big problem.”

Seeing Cleon’s slightly shocked reaction, Noctis tilts his head, but he thinks it doesn’t matter if he says so.

＂A secret meeting between a great shaman and the protagonist of an exorcism… It smells like a scoop somewhere… ＂

“Well, because there is no such thing. Rather, there’s something I’d like to ask.”

When Cleon awkwardly tries to change the subject, Noctis looks even more suspicious.

However, she nods her head as if she knows, and after looking up at the sky, she answers Cleon.

“I know. Why are people gathered like this? Certainly, if you are experiencing the Five Elements Festival for the first time, this will be your first time seeing something like this.”

As if he understood his question, Noctis raised his hand and pointed to the huge sacred tree in the distance.

“What people are waiting for here now is waiting for the ‘blooming’ that will signal the success of the purification ritual.”

＂Blooming…?＂

Does this mean that flowers are blooming on sacred trees?

“Yes. Originally, when the purification ritual was successful, the magic power flowing through the sacred tree was renewed, releasing the old remaining magic power. It is said that under this influence, the branches of the sacred tree spread out and a magical flower blooms. The sight is said to be so big that it covers the entire sky of Asteris, so it must be huge.”

After hearing Noctis say that, Cleon nods as if he can imagine.

However, when I look back at her, what she says is something that bothers me as if it’s something I’ve heard before.

She catches Cleon’s gaze and answers.

“Ah. The reason I say it this way is that I have never seen it before. The flower of magic blooms. I heard that from the time I was born until now, there has never been a flowering phenomenon.”

When Noctis shrugged his shoulders while saying that, Cleon had no choice but to keep his mouth shut for a moment.

Certainly, if flowering is a phenomenon that appears when the purification ritual is successful, the flowering phenomenon has never appeared since Gaius disappeared until now.

It must have been passed down from Tokoyo and Tokoyo’s ancestors – that is, from her mother.

Even Cleon couldn’t imagine how they felt about having to tell them that their ritual had failed while so many people were watching.

“… So, does this mean that the residents of Asteris are out on the streets like this even though no flowers have bloomed for 20 years?”

“That’s how it goes. Maybe there was someone who wanted to see that scene one more time… Take a look.”

As Noctis says so, she looks around at the people of Asteris right beside her.

Some of them were praying with their hands folded, and their eyes closed.

“Everyone gathered here is cheering for the great shaman. Because I know very well how hard he usually works for the people of Asteris.”

As Noctis said so, he put the crystal ball he was holding in his bag and put his hands together.

“Of course, I am one of them.”

＂… I guess so.＂

Tokoyo is receiving expectations from so many people.

I couldn’t easily imagine the gratitude or the burden that came from that.

The weak appearance she showed yesterday – it may have been because this very sight, which she had never shown to anyone, kept replaying in her head.

“This time, everyone may be thinking that their prayers may have arrived. Since Cleon came, I feel like something has changed greatly in this Festival of the Five Elements.”

After Noctis said that, he took something out of his bag.

“Actually, while I was walking around delivering newspapers in the early morning, I asked people for a little favor.”

What she took out was a scroll.

＂This?＂

＂It’s a cheering gift that will fill the great shaman’s heart. When I saw the great shaman yesterday, she seemed to have some lack of energy.”

At Noctis’ words, Cleon looked at the scroll and her face in turn with a slightly surprised expression.

Clearly, her mental state was in danger in many ways, but she only realized it when she was dragged into the bathhouse.

Even though she only saw Tokoyo briefly, and it was her first time seeing Tokoyo up close, did she realize what state she was in?

＂Because I have to travel around the country and find evildoers. As far as observations go, I have no intention of falling behind others.”

When she answered as if she had read Cleon’s thoughts, Cleon nodded as she handed over the scroll she was holding in her hand.

“Thank you. I’m sure Tokoyo will be happy too.”

“It would be nice if that were the case. Then, I’ll ask you a favor.”

Indeed, then, the reason she secretly followed her all morning was to ask her to tell you this.

Surely, Noctis’ heart will reach out to her.

Cleon said with such confidence that after nodding her head to Noctis, she quickly jumped up onto a nearby building so that she could get past the crowd of people, and she ran towards the temple.

001

Kuon and Tokoyo’s dance, which had been going on since the night before, was only able to take a short break until the next morning.

It’s not just a normal rest, it’s the most difficult, magical dance to finish the ritual.

It is a very short break to wash away the dirt accumulated in the body, control the mind, and prepare.

Even while dancing, my physical strength was continuously being consumed and sweat was flowing, so when I lost concentration and came to my senses, my entire body, including my shaman uniform, was damp, which made me feel somewhat proud but also uneasy at the same time.

The two walk out of the bathtub they entered together and go to the locker room provided in the main temple to change their clothes.

“Now that I think about it, Cleon came yesterday.”

As Tokoyo spoke casually while picking up a rice ball prepared as a snack, Kuon responded with a loud voice, ‘Eh!?’.

＂Well, was it like that?＂

“Huh. Well, Kuon probably didn’t notice because he was so focused.”

“It would have been nice if Cleon had talked to me too…”

Kuon sighs, blushing slightly.

As for her, it already started the day before yesterday and continues until today. She and Cleon had not been seen face to face for almost 48 hours.

If I had continued to dance, I would have been able to forget the passage of time in a dream-like haze of consciousness.

In this way, as she briefly woke up from her dream and returned to reality, she felt the loneliness in her heart growing over not being able to meet Cleon.

“Ugh… It’s only been two days, right? That’s Cleon dependence.”

Tokoyo shrugged her shoulders as she said that, but inside, she was worried about whether she should reveal that she and Cleon were in a relationship.

Tokoyo feels a close relationship with her, like a real sister, and this opportunity is not a hole brother… But a pillar sister…? It has become the same relationship.

It was because she couldn’t imagine how Kuon would take it.

＇It would be better to say it anyway, right? I don’t think it’s a betrayal, but what should I say… Yes…! Even if it is kept hidden, it will only become the seed of discord…!’

Thinking like that, Tokoyo thought that for Kuon’s sake, it would be better for her to reveal something rather than hide it.

＂Tokoyo. Kuon. Cleon has arrived.”

At the sound of the female shaman’s voice coming from outside, the two looked at each other for a moment, and then quickly moved her hands to cover her body.

“Now, wait a minute, Tokoyo… Please help me fasten my bra…!”

＂Wait, I should put on some panties too…!＂

After quickly finishing adjusting each other’s clothes while facing each other like a mirror, the two walked quickly towards the entrance of the main temple and opened the door without even drying their hair.

Then, he looked over and smiled as if Cleon was waiting there.

＂Okay, Cleon.＂

＂You came yesterday, are you here again? “I’m worried too much.”

Kuon blushed and cautiously greeted Cleon, whom she had seen for the first time in two days, and Tokoyo responded with her arms crossed, but the corners of her mouth were turned up.

Of course, Tokoyo had to be wary of Cleon talking about what happened last night before she did, but she seemed to have no such worries.

＂I’m glad they told me in advance that I could come in because there was something to do with the fortress on the third day. Like yesterday, I don’t have to turn back time or make a pass. Right? “

When Tokoyo said that, Cleon just smiled and nodded.

“Turn back time? Wow, this is my first time hearing this!?”

Then Kuon looked at Tokoyo and Cleon alternately as if something such a big thing had happened, and Tokoyo put a hand on Kuon’s shoulder as if telling him to calm down.

“I’ll explain later. So? What happened?”

When Tokoyo asked that question, Cleon quietly looked back at the shaman who guided him, and the shaman nodded as if she understood, then closed the door and went outside.

＂…? A matter that requires someone to be bitten?”

“By any chance, something happened? Cleon.”

While both Tokoyo and Kuon were paying attention to Cleon’s next move with suspicion, Cleon walked towards the two without saying a word.

002

“I came to meet Tokoyo and Kuon.”

Like a spy in a story, Cleon ran across the roof and somehow arrived at the entrance of the temple and spoke to the guard. The two looked at each other for a moment and then answered Cleon.

＂Uh… Over there. So, you are the protagonist of the exorcism, right?”

＂… But?＂

Cleon says that and lifts the mask from his bag, and the guards look at each other and then respond by raising their fingers between their eyebrows.

“No… We saw you pass by earlier… Were we possessed by a ghost…?”

＂…＂

Cleon made an expression as if he was wondering what the two people were talking about, but his expression immediately changed to astonishment.

“I passed by?”

“Yes, yes. Although he was only holding one sword, his appearance was exactly the same as that of the protagonist.”

＂When!?＂

“Just a few minutes ago.”

“That’s fake! He’s a guy who disguises himself using my appearance and is trying to do something from the inside!”

When Cleon raised his voice as if yelling, the guards were startled and removed the spears that were blocking the path.

＂Sorry!＂

＂No… It’s probably disguised using magic or a spell. It’s not your fault.”

Cleon apologized to the two for raising his voice out of anger at that moment, and quickly passed between them.

And, as soon as I ran inside, I felt the eyes of the shamans wandering around turning towards me.

In order to go to the main temple, you need guidance from shamans.

Cleon ran straight to the nearby shaman and told her the situation.

＂Nagi!＂

＂Also, the name…! Towards the main hall earlier─＂

“Now is not the time! The guy disguised as me went to where Kuon and Tokoyo are! One o’clock is urgent!”

Nagi cut off all other words and said that, then he kept his mouth shut for a moment and then immediately grabbed Cleon’s wrist.

＂… Follow me! We’ll take a shortcut, so don’t fall!”

After saying that, Nagi made a hand sign with his empty hand and pulled Cleon down the passageway as always.

The arrival time is as if compressing the space by passing through the secret path of the shrine maidens, which allows Nagi to arrive there much faster than the usual stable route. Reduced.

After walking quickly and getting out of the fog, Cleon and Nagi were able to get there by destroying the bushes where the main temple was located right in front.

＂Ugh…＂

When passing through the bushes, I felt like my clothes were caught in something, but I guess it wasn’t as bad as Nagi’s.

She was looking up and speaking with almost all of her body covered in leaves.

＂Go, go…!＂

＂No wait… If he is armed, it could be dangerous. Nagi. You wait here.”

＂Although I am an apprentice, I am still a shrine maiden! I am willing to sacrifice my life to protect the great shaman…!”

Cleon looks at Nagi as she speaks with a hint of excitement, and leans down to be at eye level with her.

“No, Nagi. You have work to do. While I was dealing with the guy inside… Even if it was a mistake. Even if we lose him, we will strengthen his security so that he cannot escape this temple. “You know what I mean, right?”

＂… Ugh… It seems like you’re trying to leave me out of the battle for some reason. Okay…!”

Nagi nodded as if she had difficulty understanding Cleon’s words, then turned around and threw her body back towards the bushes she had passed.

Sighing that he was glad that he had been convinced, Cleon turned towards the main hall and ran to the front of the main hall’s door with his hand on the sword attached to his waist.

And right then.

＂Haaa!＂

Cleon was startled by the sound of someone cheering from inside and hurriedly opened the door to the main hall.

“Quon! Tokoyo!”

Cleon’s urgent voice rang out, and when gaze turned into the main hall, there was a person who had collapsed, spilling dark red liquid-

Something that looked like him was writhing on the floor.

＂…＂

＂Ah, here I am again.＂

＂Fake again?＂

Tokoyo is calmly looking this way and shaking her hands, and Kuon is quietly looking this way next to Tokoyo.

There were no injuries anywhere, but rather, each foot was raised on the fallen guy.

“… Well, I’m glad you’re safe.”

Cleon greeted him like that, feeling somewhat scared that a guy with the same face as himself was being treated like that.