At this point, the Traveler in the story had gathered all three 'Spirit Incantations,' successfully unlocked the seal, and obtained the "Sacred Object."
Placing the "Sacred Object" into the barrier, as expected, a group of monsters appeared. But for the Traveler, this was no big deal.
She might not be an Onmyoji or know Onmyodo, but she could purify them physically—just throw a few 'Black Flashes,' and it's done.
Even the King of Curses couldn't withstand a jock's 'Black Flash,' so who are you to try?
After the Traveler cleared the monsters, Hanachirusato appeared again.
[Hanachirusato said: "Thank you both for your hard work."]
["With this barrier successfully undone, the progress of the 'Great Purification' has advanced a bit further. Thank you both so much."]
Out of curiosity, Paimon asked about the 'Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual,' and the Traveler mentioned that Miss Inagi had also brought up the "Great Purification" and "cleansing," which seemed to be the same thing.
[Hanachirusato asked: "Inagi? Are you referring to the shrine maiden named Miri?"]
Inagi Hotomi, who was reading the book, was slightly surprised. She wasn't shocked by her own appearance, as being the 'front desk' of the Narukami Shrine made her presence unsurprising.
But Hanachirusato knowing Inagi Miri? That was unexpected—how many generations back was that ancestor?
Though she'd already suspected this shrine maiden named Hanachirusato wasn't ordinary, she didn't expect her to be this extraordinary. How could someone like that be unknown?
[Paimon answered Hanachirusato's question: "Her name seems to be Hotomi."]
[Hanachirusato sighed: "Right. It's been so long…"]
[Paimon added bluntly: "But she said the method has been lost."]
Inagi Hotomi had indeed said that the method for the "Great Purification" was lost.
There wasn't any special reason—just that the books weren't properly preserved, and over time, issues like dampness and insect damage had ruined them.
Though the books were gone, Yae Miko was still around. In fact, Yae Miko had found a way to perform the "Great Purification."
The Memory Lens was deliberately given to the Traveler by Inagi Hotomi under Yae Miko's arrangements.
Yae Miko, seeing that the Traveler was undertaking the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual, entrusted the task to her as a sign of trust, mhm.
[Hanachirusato was a bit upset but held it in: "Ah… hm… It's been so long…"]
Though she said that, it was such an important thing… Hanachirusato was a little miffed.
["It's understandable. It's understandable. It's been so long. I'm not angry. Yes, it's my memories getting angry on their own."]
Hanachirusato was upset, but she was trying hard to stay calm and convince herself otherwise.
Now that's settled—Makoto could spank Ei, and Kitsune Saiguu could spank Yae Miko. Everyone has a bright future ahead!
Readers also noticed a blind spot: Hanachirusato wasn't suffering from amnesia, but her 'memories' seemed to have something odd about them.
It was as if her 'memories' hadn't fully integrated with her?
This piqued the readers' interest even more, making them increasingly curious about Hanachirusato's identity.
Not just Hanachirusato—who was that enigmatic man? Who was Ioroi? And what exactly was the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual doing?
Hanachirusato first answered the last question.
["The Thunder Sakura of Narukami Island can absorb the filth from the earth. But over time, that filth accumulates."]
["So, every once in a while, a 'Lesser Purification' must be performed on the roots of the Thunder Sakura at five locations on Narukami Island, setting up barriers."]
["When enough filth accumulates in the barriers, a 'Great Purification' is needed."]
Readers got it—it's like how people need a bath when they're dirty. A quick rinse works for light dirt, but for heavy grime, you need a good scrub.
We might not understand the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual, but we get scrubbing down—head to the second floor, right?
[The Traveler asked: "Those samurai-like monsters are…"]
[Hanachirusato answered: "Those are manifestations of the filth. After being forced out of the roots by the Sacred Object, they take form."]
["In the past… I mean, according to records, in the past, some filth would take the form of things like ghost trains, dog gods, black jade, sea priests, or will-o'-wisps."]
["And not all of them were harmful to people. For example, the Tofu Boy…"]
Indeed, the Tofu Boy didn't sound harmful—more like something that'd haunt ghosts.
Hanachirusato didn't know that the Hundred Demons had vanished, as 'her' memories were stuck shortly after the Cataclysm began.
Nowadays, Inazuma barely saw these youkai. The Hundred Demons that once marched with Ei under the moonlight, battling across the land, were nearly all gone.
The 'fear' of the youkai had faded, and so the youkai themselves gradually disappeared from people's sight.
Ei fell silent. How could she not miss the days of the Hundred Demons' Night Parade?
The Hundred Demons that once blotted out the stars and moon were gone, leaving her with just one phrase in the end.
'Under the moonlight, there are two shadows—one is mine, and the other is also mine.'
[Paimon continued asking: "…If the 'Lesser and Great Purifications' aren't performed and the trees wither… what happens?"]
Say what you will about Hanachirusato, she's no Raiden. She only answers what's asked.
If this were one of Ei's genius protégés, they'd tell you everything without you even asking. The only issue is that what those geniuses know might not always be right.
[Hanachirusato said: "I remember…"]
She quickly corrected herself: "No, according to records, hundreds of years ago, the Thunder Sakura nearly withered completely."]
["Back then, monsters ran rampant. Even the sea turned black. The Thunder Sakura worked so hard to absorb the evil filth that they nearly all died."]
The people of Inazuma fell silent. It was a disaster no Inazuman wanted to remember, yet none dared to forget.
People from other nations didn't look much better either, as few nations escaped unscathed back then. Khaenri'ah's self-destruction before its fall had splattered Teyvat with the Abyss's filth.
[Paimon asked: "What happened after that?"]
[Hanachirusato: "What happened afterward… I don't know much about it. I'm really sorry."]
Readers were disappointed. The question was just getting to the crux, and she didn't know?
Hanachirusato wasn't withholding—she genuinely didn't know. Because 'she died' back then, she knew nothing of what followed.
After their chat, the group in the story prepared to head to the third barrier.
But before going to the barrier, to reward the Traveler and Paimon, Hanachirusato prepared some dishes for them.
[Seeing the food, Paimon immediately said: "Wow, it looks delicious! Even with a mask, you're definitely Inazuma's best shrine maiden sister!"]
[The Traveler echoed: "Inazuma's best shrine maiden sister!"]
Readers thought: One meal and you two are bought? We'll always support Yae Miko!
Little did they know, Yae Miko supported her too.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Yae Miko: About Kitsune Saiguu
"Back then, I was always perched on her shoulder. Now, it seems I'm taller than her… Could I get her to turn into a fox and perch on my shoulder instead?"