"Lady Guuji, what are you talking about?"
Seeing the other person feigning ignorance, Yae Miko didn't hold back and reached out to grab their arm.
"Huh?"
Yae Miko was surprised. To be honest, she hadn't expected to be able to catch them, because in her perception, they should have been nothing more than a ghost.
Of course, this aura wasn't obvious, and the other person's body wasn't transparent either, so Yae Miko hadn't noticed it at first.
Could her judgment be wrong?
But after Yae Miko sensed them more carefully, she found that the other person's body had no warmth at all.
"Interesting."
Yae Miko's interest was piqued, her eyes glowing with a faint purple light, and a fluffy fox tail seemed to appear and disappear behind her.
"Lady Guuji?"
The other person seemed to realize something was wrong and tried to pull their hand away. However, this was clearly futile. Although Yae Miko's arm was very slender, she possessed strength far beyond the other person's.
Still, at this moment Yae Miko raised her eyebrows again. The power the other person had unleashed before was no simple feat.
At the very least, it was impossible for it to be the strength a regular person or ghost could unleash!
After carefully examining the other person's body, Yae Miko's expression turned serious.
She had never encountered a situation like this before, but the person was definitely a ghost. She just didn't know why they possessed a body so similar to a normal human's that no one would notice anything amiss, even if they walked down the street.
"Lady Guuji, I don't want an autograph anymore, please let me go!"
Seeing that they couldn't break free, the other person immediately began to plead.
Seeing that the expression on their face was genuine, Yae Miko asked out of curiosity.
"Do you remember anything from before?"
"Not too long ago, just the last ten days."
Hearing Yae Miko's question, the other person looked at her strangely and said.
"Lady Guuji, why are you asking this? Of course I still remember..."
Halfway through, the other person suddenly stopped, an expression of extreme astonishment appearing on their face.
"...What was it again?"
Seeing their reaction, Yae Miko had already guessed what was going on.
"Do you remember what year this is?"
"I... don't think I remember..."
"What about your name?"
"I don't remember..."
Seeing the expression on their face begin to falter, Yae Miko took two steps forward and spoke.
"You've lost your memories."
"Not only have you forgotten your own past..."
"...you've even forgotten that you're dead."
"The obsession in your heart is what brought you to me, only for an autograph."
As she spoke, Yae Miko sighed softly.
To want my autograph even after death... This girl's a real die-hard fan!
"...So, I'm already dead," the girl muttered, processing Yae Miko's words.
Then, she suddenly burst into loud sobs.
"How could I die? I don't want to die yet! Waaaaah!"
As the girl wept, Yae Miko's gaze grew increasingly strange the longer she watched.
"How odd. Now that you're aware you've died, do you not feel the pull of the afterlife?" Yae Miko asked.
The girl wiped her tears. "I don't think I feel anything."
"You're a peculiar ghost," Yae Miko remarked, her tone a mix of amusement and bewilderment. "Could it be that you have unfinished business? Like wanting my autograph?"
"Y-yes, probably," the girl stammered, her sobbing gradually subsiding.
"Then let me sign for you, so you can move on more quickly."
After saying this, Yae Miko grasped the pen again, ready to sign her name, but she was quickly stopped by the other woman.
"Um, Lady Guuji Yae, maybe forget about the autograph. If I don't get it, I might be able to stay in this world a little longer."
Hearing her words, Yae Miko rolled her eyes.
"In your dreams."
"This is no longer a world you should be in. If you linger too long, it will cause huge trouble for others. You should move on as soon as possible."
"This is the best choice for both you and everyone else."
Having said that, Yae Miko swiftly signed her name with a couple of flourishes, then stuffed the paper into the young woman's arms, before meeting her wide-eyed, nervous gaze.
After a long moment, Yae Miko asked in confusion, "Why aren't you gone yet?"
"I don't know!"
The young woman shrugged.
"I have absolutely no feeling of any pull from the other world!"
Intrigued, Yae Miko started to pat and poke at the young woman's body, causing her to blush furiously.
"Lady Guuji Yae, not there!"
"Be a good girl, let me see!"
Soon after, Yae Miko conducted a more detailed examination of the young woman's body, and then she was simply stunned.
The young woman's body seemed to be able to isolate the pull from the other world, while at the same time protecting her soul's aura from almost leaking out, thereby reducing the impact on this world.
In other words, it wouldn't matter if she stayed and lived a peaceful life; she was not much different from a living person.
This was the first time Yae Miko had ever encountered such a situation. She immediately realized that this was probably an excellent novel material, so a smile soon appeared on her face again as she decided to dig for some story content from the other person.
Yae Miko believed that if the other person were to continue operating in Inazuma City in such a state, she must have had a rather bizarre experience before this. So she immediately spoke to the young woman.
"How about this, you can temporarily live at the Grand Narukami Shrine for these few days, and I'll help you investigate your background."
Although Yae Miko's tone was consultative, her gaze betrayed a hint of refusal being unacceptable. Upon feeling Yae Miko's gaze, the young woman's body stiffened, and she subsequently "willingly" accepted Yae Miko's proposal.
However, when Yae Miko was about to take her back to the Grand Narukami Shrine, she was utterly astonished to discover there were other people on the street with an aura similar to the young woman's.
Though their number was not large, there were a full dozen or more.
This time, Yae Miko was completely dumbfounded.
Watching those people live their lives like normal people while others seemed completely unaware of their peculiarity, Yae Miko immediately realized that something major was probably about to happen in Inazuma again.
At the Kamisato Estate, a pair of siblings who looked seventy percent similar knelt on the tatami mats.
The younger sister had long white hair tied in a high ponytail at the back, her forehead completely covered by blunt bangs, revealing only her gray-blue eyes beneath. She wore a gradient blue haori and a dark blue pleated skirt, exuding an aura of nobility and elegance.
The older brother's appearance was similar to his younger sister's, but the aura he radiated was of a gentler type. If they were not close acquaintances, perhaps no one would have thought he was the current head of the Kamisato Clan.
The older brother's name was Kamisato Ayato, and the younger sister's name was Kamisato Ayaka.
At this moment, the two siblings were kneeling on opposite sides of a table, having just finished reading a war report from the front lines.
The contents stated that the Shogunate Army on Yashiori Island had suffered a sneak attack by the Watatsumi Army, and Kujou Sara was currently leading her officers and soldiers to surround and annihilate this force from the Watatsumi Army.
The content was not complicated, but it still made both of them fall silent. This was the first time since Inazuma's peace that such a significant sacrifice had occurred.
After a long while, Kamisato Ayato looked at Kamisato Ayaka and spoke calmly.
"Ayaka, what do you think about this matter?"
"Brother, I don't think it's possible for Watatsumi Island to have done this," Kamisato Ayaka said firmly.
Kamisato Ayato nodded. He noticed that Kamisato Ayaka said Watatsumi Island instead of Sangonomiya Kokomi.
This meant that Kamisato Ayaka denied the possibility of a split within the Watatsumi Army. Of course, he himself had reached the same conclusion.
Sangonomiya Kokomi is no ordinary leader; her identity is the Divine Priestess.
The significance of this identity is that she is the God's representative.
As long as the soldiers of Watatsumi Island still worship God Orobashi, it is impossible for so many people to ignore Sangonomiya Kokomi's orders and act independently.
"It seems Kujou Sara is in trouble."
Kamisato Ayato sighed slightly. To be able to mobilize so many people to carry out a plan to sneak attack the Shogunate Army, the opponent's strength must not be weak; otherwise, they would only be courting their own destruction.
And since the opponent has decided to make a move, it is impossible for them to give Kujou Sara a chance to catch her breath.
Of course, he also had confidence in Kujou Sara's strength, so he wouldn't be overly worried.
"Brother, I'm afraid something has also happened on Watatsumi Island. We should send someone there to get in touch with Sangonomiya Kokomi."
After hearing Kamisato Ayaka's words, Kamisato Ayato looked at her with eyes full of approval and nodded.
"I think Kujou Sara should have also considered this. She should have already sent people to Watatsumi Island."
"I think Kujou Sara's people probably won't be able to reach Watatsumi Island."
After speaking, Kamisato Ayaka paused, and under Kamisato Ayato's doting gaze, she offered her own analysis.
"The mastermind is clearly well-prepared; it is impossible for them not to have thought that Kujou Sara would send someone to get in touch with them to confirm matters. Therefore, it is very likely that the opponent has already arranged for people to lie in ambush on the way."
"Ayaka, your analysis is spot on."
Kamisato Ayato nodded.
"Although Kujou Sara might have thought of this as well, we can make double-pronged preparations. Let's send someone from our side to Watatsumi Island to contact Sangonomiya Kokomi."
"Who do you think should go, Thoma or Aoba?"
After hearing Kamisato Ayato's words, Kamisato Ayaka hesitated for a long time before speaking.
"This journey might be dangerous, so let Thoma go. Aoba doesn't have much strength; he is just an ordinary person. I'm afraid he will encounter an accident on the way."
"Mhm, then let Thoma lead a team and make the trip."
After saying this, Kamisato Ayato tugged the cord beside him. Before long, someone inquired from outside the door.
"My Lord, is there something you need?"
"Yes, go and call Thoma and Aoba."
"Yes, sir!"
Shortly after, a young man with a fiery passion and a man who looked incredibly calm and composed yet excessively young walked into the room.
"My Lord, we heard you were looking for us?"
Hearing Thoma's words, Kamisato Ayato did not keep them in suspense and spoke directly.
"Indeed, I need you to go to Watatsumi Island to find Sangonomiya Kokomi and personally deliver the letter I have prepared to her."
"Yes, My Lord!"
Thoma did not hesitate and immediately accepted the mission.
"Thoma, this journey may be dangerous. When you head to Watatsumi Island, take this route to go the long way around. However, this cannot completely guarantee you won't be discovered, so please be extremely careful on the way."
At this moment, Kamisato Ayaka spoke up to offer a reminder, and Thoma nodded repeatedly upon hearing her.
"Don't worry, Milady, I've done this kind of thing many times before. It will be fine."
Thoma's relaxed tone seemed to put everyone else at ease as well, and Kamisato Ayato and Kamisato Ayaka felt slightly more relaxed.
"In any case, pay extra attention to safety!"
After saying this, Kamisato Ayato looked at the man beside Thoma and spoke again.
"Aoba, I'll have you plan a suitable route for Thoma. You are more skilled in this regard. Make sure it is sufficiently concealed and safe."
"Yes, my Lord!"
The man named Aoba bowed respectfully to Kamisato Ayato, then focused his gaze on the map spread across the table and began to ponder carefully.
At this moment, Kamisato Ayaka withdrew her gaze and asked Kamisato Ayato in a low voice.
"Older brother, do you plan to train Aoba?"
Kamisato Ayato nodded.
"I do indeed intend to give him some experience."
"My previous thought was that as long as you lived happily every day, that would be enough. Whether it is Thoma or Aoba, they were recruited as retainers based on this very idea."
"However, even with the Vision Hunt Decree lifted, Inazuma is still far from peaceful. There is also that mysterious faction which has already thrown multiple nations into chaos..."
"The road ahead is unclear to me now, and I can no longer guarantee that you won't be disturbed by other matters. Therefore, I want to cultivate a few reliable subordinates for you, so I can be a little more at ease in the face of those future crises."
At this point, Kamisato Ayato once again turned his gaze toward Aoba, who was lost in thought nearby.
Thoma had exceptional interpersonal skills, making him perfectly suited for the Yashiro Commission's work. Moreover, his own martial strength was not weak, allowing him to serve as a guard. This was the reason why he had been recruited into the Kamisato Clan in the first place.
Aoba, despite his young age, possessed knowledge and talent far beyond the average person, having traveled through many nations. He was very well suited to accompany Kamisato Ayaka in chatting and relieving her boredom.
Because he had to shoulder the burden of the clan, Kamisato Ayato rarely had time to spend by Kamisato Ayaka's side.
Not only that, but due to her status as the Kamisato Clan's Eldest Daughter, it was very difficult for Kamisato Ayaka to make friends, and she had also given up too many things for this identity.
To help Kamisato Ayato share the clan's responsibilities, Kamisato Ayaka had resolutely suppressed her own nature, becoming the "Shirasagi Himegimi" whom everyone praised.
Kamisato Ayato didn't need Kamisato Ayaka to sacrifice herself this way, but he couldn't persuade her otherwise and could only find ways to compensate from other angles.
Therefore, after Kamisato Ayaka interacted with that Traveler and revealed a hint of her true inner feelings, Kamisato Ayato noticed this and recruited Aoba into the Kamisato Clan.
After so much time had passed, Aoba's loyalty had withstood the test, and all that remained was to carefully cultivate him using the Kamisato Clan's power, as he also possessed the value for such cultivation.
Sure enough, not long after, Aoba drew a route on the map, marking each section of the path. After comparing the route with his own thoughts, Kamisato Ayato nodded in satisfaction.
"You even specifically detoured around the areas under the Shogunate Army's jurisdiction. Aoba, I want to hear your thoughts."
Hearing Kamisato Ayato's words, Aoba explained without haste.
"I don't know if the Shogunate Army knows about Thoma going to Watatsumi Island, nor can I guarantee whether there are any infiltrators within the army."
"To maximize Thoma's safety on this journey, we naturally need to avoid all risks as much as possible."
"Actually, there is a considerable chance that this final stretch of the journey will be discovered. If the enemy blocks off the area around Watatsumi Island, the best course of action would be to abandon the boat and swim across."
"I have calculated this distance; swimming across won't be too difficult for Vision holders. In the end, Thoma can make his own judgment."
Hearing Aoba's words, Thoma's mouth twitched.
"Brother Aoba, you're being too harsh!"
If he weren't the one who had to swim across, he would definitely have approved of Aoba's planned route with both hands.
"Excellent. With both Thoma and Aoba, I can rest easy even if I'm not by Ayaka's side in the future."
Kamisato Ayato's eyes revealed a hint of admiration as he looked at Aoba.
After hearing Kamisato Ayato's words, Thoma and Aoba hurriedly responded with a humble remark, but afterward, the looks they exchanged clearly revealed several hints of joy and pride, and the two even secretly gave each other a thumbs-up.
The two small gestures did not escape Kamisato Ayato's eyes, and seeing Thoma and Aoba's bond so strong, he felt even more relieved.
However, right at this moment, when he returned his gaze to Kamisato Ayaka, Kamisato Ayato saw his sister looking at Aoba while covering her mouth and laughing softly. His heart suddenly sank.
Was he feeling relieved a little too early?!