Konda Village was one of the oldest settlements in Inazuma, a small village along the main road leading to Hanamizaka. It sat on a small plain in the southeast of Narukami Island, separated from the coastline only by a stretch of sandy path.
It was called a "small village" because its area was quite limited, no more than a few clusters of low houses on both sides of the road. Its population was sparse. At the village entrance ran a small irrigation canal that connected to the downstream river.
Abandoned handcarts, withered trees, old houses filled with the scent of time, and the elderly village chief who seemed as ancient as the land itself—everywhere bore the marks of years gone by.
Tap, tap…
As Konda Village was a necessary stop on the way to Inazuma City, the Shogun naturally passed through it. Beneath her pale-colored kimono, the beauty beneath the parasol was wrapped in the nostalgic fragrance of the old village—her presence seemed softer, more graceful than ever.
Her white-stocking-clad feet stepped onto the village path, the soft sound of her high-heeled sandals pressing into the earth blending with the tranquil rhythm of the place—as if the ground itself wished to accompany her gentleness.
Now and then, playful children darted past, while adults chatted idly nearby.
Just as she was about to take another step—
"Please, wait a moment, my lady."
A soft voice stopped her mid-step. The Shogun's gaze lowered slightly; she did not immediately turn around. Was that voice truly calling out to her?
"…My lady?"
The voice called again—gentle, yet carrying a faint ethereal quality.
Finally, she turned. The oil-paper parasol tilted slightly, revealing her serene face. Standing behind her was a young woman dressed in red and white shrine maiden robes. The girl had short brown hair, tied at the side with a ribbon, and wore a white fox mask that concealed her features.
When had this person appeared? The Shogun was certain she had seen no one like this when she passed by earlier.
"…Were you calling to me?" she asked first.
"Yes," the masked maiden replied softly. She stepped forward, closing the distance between them. Shorter and slighter in build, she lowered her head respectfully and bowed deeply. The gesture was so formal that the Shogun briefly wondered if the woman had somehow recognized her true identity.
"Why do you address me as 'my lady'? We are strangers. Do you know who I am?"
That was what puzzled her most—the title 'my lady' was no ordinary honorific. Why had this shrine maiden used it without hesitation?
"Hehe… not at all. I merely thought your bearing was most elegant."
The woman gently pressed a finger to her mask, smiling faintly. "Your beauty rivals the moon and shames the flowers, and your aura radiates nobility. Moreover, your attire—predominantly violet with accents of white—speaks of thunder and purity intertwined. Violet is the color of lightning; white, the essence that tempers its might. Therefore, I dare say, my lady, that you could not possibly be an ordinary person."
Having spoken, the shrine maiden bowed again with flawless grace—her manners impeccable, her tone neither too proud nor too humble.
"…"
The Shogun's eyes narrowed faintly. Her gaze swept over the woman, subtle but searching. The masked maiden noticed but did not flinch—she simply stood quietly, allowing herself to be observed.
"Shrine maiden… you are not ordinary either, are you?" the Shogun asked softly. Her intuition rarely failed her.
"…My lady has sharp eyes indeed," the woman replied. "But might we not dwell on that for now?"
The Shogun inclined her head slightly. "Very well. Then—why did you call out to me?"
The maiden straightened, her voice calm once more. "I wish to ask for your aid, my lady. A small favor."
"…May I consider it a commission?" the Shogun asked, half teasing.
"Hehe… if my lady prefers to think of it that way, then by all means." The woman's tone grew light, almost playful.
"In that case," the Shogun said with a faint smile, "I shall accept your commission."
At this moment, she was not the Raiden Shogun, but merely an 'ordinary' adventurer. Still, the reason she stood here was because of the woman before her. There was something about this shrine maiden's aura—something faint yet familiar—that she could not ignore.
"Thank you, my lady… please, look over there."
The woman bowed gracefully, then turned and lifted a slender arm toward a nearby fox statue enshrined at the edge of the path.
"The fox is the symbol of shrine maidens in Inazuma. Konda Village, too, shares a kind of bond with the fox."
Seeing the statue, the Shogun thought of Ei's old friend.
"My lady is indeed well-versed. Within this statue lies a sacred object. It is said that only those who are favored by 'lightning,' who are brave and treasure bonds of friendship, may draw it forth."
The shrine maiden moved to stand beside her, speaking softly.
"A sacred object?"
To be favored by lightning? She was the God of Thunder herself.
She simply raised her hand and lightly touched the fox's mouth with her fingertip. In the next instant, a resonant hum echoed!
Hum~
Violet lines flared across the statue's surface. A stream of purple light gathered and coalesced into an object resembling a dusting wand, which drifted gently into her hand.
At this, the woman's eyes widened beneath her mask. Normally, one had to use Electro power to activate the statue—but this lady had only to touch it once.
She had not been mistaken. This woman was exactly as she had suspected… perhaps even truly that one. Beneath the mask, the shrine maiden's eyes softened with both relief and reverence.
"This item… is a purification wand, a tool belonging to shrine maidens."
She held it out toward the Shogun.
"Please, my lady… keep this for me. Due to certain circumstances, I am unable to use it."
Her head lowered slightly as she made her quiet request.
"I see… then do not force yourself. This vessel shall hold it for you."
The Shogun did not argue. With calm decisiveness, she tucked it into her pocket.
"Thank you for understanding, my lady…"
The shrine maiden's respect for her deepened further.
"How should I address you, Shrine Maiden?" the Shogun asked.
"Ah… forgive me. You may call me 'Hanachirusato.' That is my name. As for you, my lady, please allow me to continue addressing you as such, if I may?"
"Very well… then I shall call you Hanachirusato from now on?"
The Shogun sighed softly. In truth, she was at a loss—she had no other name to give. She certainly couldn't reveal herself as 'the Shogun.' At least now she knew the maiden's name.
"Hehe… yes. Thank you, my lady."
The young woman's voice grew lighter, a touch of joy within it.
"Why did you want me to retrieve this item?"
"Because you are the one destined… no, perhaps even more than that—the perfect one. Ah… forgive me for speaking in riddles. The truth is, I lack the power to find the barrier this time. I needed someone suitable to help uncover it."
"Mhm…"
The Shogun gave a soft, alluring hum, inviting her to continue.
"This barrier is hidden within a secret. I would like to commission you to investigate it and unravel it." Hanachirusato explained gently.
"A secret? Hidden here in this village?" Her beautiful eyes swept over the peaceful settlement.
"Yes. There may be some difficulties, but Hanachirusato believes you will uncover it fully. As for your reward~ hehe… it will not be lacking."
A hint of teasing colored her tone.
"No need to offer me payment… I did not come here for that." The Shogun shook her head, her voice soft.
"But that will not do. One who seeks should receive fair recompense for their wisdom and effort," Hanachirusato replied.
"No… you are mistaken."
"Eh?"
The Shogun sighed lightly, her beautiful face softening with a trace of helplessness. She stepped past the maiden and, glancing back over her shoulder, spoke:
"When have I ever sought anything from you?"
Tap, tap…
She walked on, leaving only the graceful silhouette beneath her parasol for the maiden to behold.
A commission did not always require a reward. This time was such a case. The purification of Inazuma's corruption was her duty—how could she demand payment for that?
"…"
Hanachirusato blinked, then covered her mouth with a small laugh.
"I see…"
Beneath her mask, her eyes softened as she gazed at the woman's departing figure.
Yes… you have never sought from others. Because you, Shogun-sama, are the one whom everyone seeks.
...
The village chief of Konda Village was named Konda Densuke—a man well past his prime, with snow-white cropped hair and a pair of reading glasses perched on his nose. He wore a reddish-brown vest typical of the elderly and possessed the stubborn temperament of one who had seen too many seasons.
It was around five in the afternoon—the time when the sky began to fade into dusk.
Carrying a watering can, Densuke was just about to step outside to tend to his flowers when he unexpectedly found himself face to face with not one, but two guests. One was a woman in a pale kimono holding a parasol; the other, a shrine maiden… wearing a rather peculiar mask.
He froze for a moment, then set the watering can on the ground, frowning slightly at the two uninvited visitors before him.
"Excuse me, sir… are you the chief of Konda Village?"
The Shogun approached, still holding her parasol. Out of respect for his age, she even added a polite honorific.
"That's right. I'm Konda Densuke, the chief here. And who might you two young ladies be?"
Two?
The Shogun blinked and sighed softly, glancing sideways at Hanachirusato, who had chosen to stand right beside her—as if silently asking, 'Why are you here too?'
"Please don't be offended, my lady," Hanachirusato said with a small bow. "I couldn't possibly let you shoulder this commission alone."
"Commission? What are you two on about?" Densuke interjected, his tone growing impatient. His eyes flicked between them, taking in their appearances. The woman with the parasol was strikingly beautiful, her kimono and refined aura marking her as a native of Inazuma. But the masked shrine maiden beside her—now, that was suspicious. What business did a shrine maiden have in their humble Konda Village?
"You misunderstand… we are travelers, wandering through Inazuma. Today, we simply wished to take in the sights of your village," the Shogun replied smoothly, her adaptability on full display.
"…"
Hanachirusato tilted her head slightly, casting a sideways glance at the Shogun—her face hidden, but clearly amused at how easily she lied without so much as a flicker of shame.
"Oh? Travelers, are you?" Densuke nodded, his suspicion easing slightly. "So, are you here to stay the night or just passing through?"
"Neither," the Shogun said with polite calm. "We merely found this place… intriguing. Might we trouble you to tell us a bit about the village's history? Or perhaps… any strange or suspicious happenings?"
That last phrase—suspicious happenings—carried a distinct emphasis. It didn't escape Densuke's notice, and he frowned slightly. A deliberate tactic on her part, meant to focus his attention.
"Suspicious? Hah! What suspicious happenings could there be in Konda Village? Nothing of the sort, I tell you!"
To most, the words would sound ordinary. But the Shogun caught the flicker of tension in his eyes. Her violet gaze narrowed, studying him in silence.
"Ahem… true, times are tough these days," Densuke muttered, coughing awkwardly. "But we've paid all our taxes to the Tenryou Commission—down to the last Mora!"
He puffed his chest out as if to reinforce his claim.
"Our village is small, everyone knows everyone. There's nothing strange here! Y-you outsiders shouldn't go making up stories!"
Beads of sweat were forming on his forehead.
The Shogun sighed inwardly. This is far too obvious. He's a terrible liar.
"Are you… nervous, by any chance?" Hanachirusato asked softly, her voice cutting neatly into the tension.
"Wh—what?! Nonsense! I'm not nervous! You're the ones being odd—coming here out of nowhere asking strange questions!"
He huffed and turned away, grumbling under his breath. "If you've got that much free time, why not go draw a fortune at the Grand Narukami Shrine, or chase tanuki around Chinju Forest? Hmph! Young people these days, barely in your twenties, playing detective like it's a game!"
What a sharp tongue this old man had. The two women exchanged a glance of shared helplessness. The Shogun couldn't see Hanachirusato's expression beneath her mask, but she could feel they were equally speechless.
They said age mellowed temper—clearly, this one had grown more irritable instead.
"Please, calm yourself," Hanachirusato interjected gently, cutting through his tirade.
Densuke paused mid-rant, suddenly realizing how defensive he'd sounded. Clearing his throat, he coughed again.
"Ahem! My apologies… I got a bit carried away. But I'm telling you, you've come to the wrong place. There's nothing here worth your interest—no stories, no mysteries. If you've no other business, you should leave."
After finishing his tirade, Konda Densuke picked up the watering can at his feet once more and walked off toward the flowerbeds, grumbling under his breath about "young people these days…" and similar complaints.
For a moment, only the Shogun and Hanachirusato remained in front of his home.
"My lady… I must apologize. I am used to such treatment, but you, too, were spoken to rather rudely."
Hanachirusato bowed slightly, her tone apologetic.
"It's fine. You needn't apologize. It's only human nature."
The Shogun didn't take it to heart. The man wasn't entirely wrong—her questioning had indeed been rather direct. Still…
"That old man's health seems rather good," she remarked softly, watching him as he tended the flowers.
"Eh?" Hanachirusato tilted her head, confused.
"At his age, to still have such sharpness of tongue and vigor—it's impressive, really. A good sign."
A faint smile curved her lips before she rested a delicate finger beneath her chin, thinking for a moment, then turned to leave.
Hanachirusato followed close behind her, like a quiet shadow.
"Still… his tone carried a hint of unease. That's not normal. There's something strange about this village." The Shogun spoke as she walked, analyzing the situation aloud.
"Shall we… investigate further, my lady?" Hanachirusato asked.
"Precisely."
With that, the Shogun approached a little girl playing by the village canal.
The child—Futaba—felt a shadow fall over her and looked up curiously. There stood a lady with a parasol and another woman in shrine maiden attire wearing a fox mask.
"Big sister… you're so pretty~!"
The girl spoke with innocent admiration. A child's heart, after all, was pure and honest.
"Do you like it?"
The Shogun gracefully adjusted her skirt and knelt slightly to meet the girl's gaze, her voice gentle as she followed up on the child's words.
"I do~!" Futaba replied with a bright smile.
"..."
Hanachirusato, standing beside them, observed the Shogun's soft demeanor toward the child. She blinked, then smiled quietly behind her mask. So this is the Shogun-sama's gentleness…
"Then… big sister has a question for you," the Shogun continued, using the awkward self-reference 'big sister.' Thankfully, Yae Miko wasn't around to hear that—or she'd never let her live it down.
"Go ahead, big sister," the little girl answered obediently.
"Hmm… have you noticed anything strange around here lately?"
"Strange? Futaba doesn't really know… what counts as strange?" The child tilted her head.
"For example, things that shouldn't happen… or something that feels out of place," Hanachirusato added softly, crouching down beside the Shogun.
"Something that shouldn't… happen… Hmm—" The girl thought hard, then suddenly gasped.
"Oh! Right! One night when it was raining really hard… I think I heard something weird outside my house."
Futaba's voice dropped to a whisper, as if sharing a secret.
"It sounded like… little tapping noises! Tap-tap-tap!" she said dramatically, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and excitement.
The Shogun's expression didn't change. She only lowered her gaze slightly, pondering the child's words.
"The next morning, when I went outside, I saw some floating bags in the village canal!"
"Where are those things now?" the Shogun asked calmly.
"They were washed away by the water. You could follow the canal to see where it goes. Or maybe ask my dad—he might know." The girl pointed toward the direction of the village chief's house.
"Your… father?" the Shogun asked.
"Konda Densuke."
That's your father?! The Shogun nearly blurted out. If that was true, the man had certainly aged faster than expected. No wonder he was so full of energy.
"Actually, I was adopted," the girl explained cheerfully, scratching her head. "So I just call him Dad, hehe."
Ah, so that was it. Not her real father, then. She'd overthought it.
"Thank you for telling us."
Exchanging a brief glance with Hanachirusato, the Shogun rose, and together they turned to leave—heading toward the distance, the first clues of the village's mystery now in hand.