Something is wrong!
Something is very wrong!
Shinichi Kudo was still in a frenzy of brainstorming long after the shock of the Divine Realm disappeared.
What did the Old Man say to Grandma Mitsue?
"Those who know the truth should keep their mouths shut, for they should know that words can bring disaster."
These words were meaningful and thought-provoking.
What does it mean to keep one's mouth shut?
What does it mean to bring disaster?
Is the Old Man threatening her?
No.
That gentle attitude was more of a kind warning than a threat.
So, why did the Old Man warn Grandma Mitsue like this?
"Those who know the truth…"
Indeed, Grandma Mitsue was an "Old Baby" who was knowledgeable in the eyes of people like Shinichi. Whenever they encountered something they didn't understand, they would run to her for help.
In fact, Grandma Mitsue's knowledge and cultivation had indeed solved many avoidable troubles for them.
Just like the Curses they were worried about. Or the attitude they should have when facing Extraordinary People.
If Grandma Mitsue hadn't explained it, the first time they met Seiran Mizunotsuki, they might not have tried to win him over. Instead, they might have tried to test him, coerce him, or induce him into a trap.
Just thinking about the disastrous consequences that such an operation could cause made Shinichi's scalp numb.
So… was the Old Man from the Hanakaiin Clan actually warning Grandma Mitsue not to tell mortals like us too much?
Why?
Shinichi wanted to ask this. But then he thought of the time when Seiran first appeared.
It seemed… it was also because mortals asked too many questions that a sudden disaster befell the world.
And at that time, Grandma Mitsue had an unknown exchange with Archmage Doman. Until now, people still didn't know what she said to the evil sorcerer.
It's just that from her expression at that time, Grandma Mitsue seemed very indignant.
And just now, she also showed obvious unwillingness to accept the Old Man's words, but seemed to make some compromises afterward.
I understand…
Shinichi didn't dare to think about it anymore.
Two Extraordinary People in a row had come to shut Grandma Mitsue's mouth.
Obviously, there was some extremely horrifying plan in motion.
Moreover, this plan was made by—
"Shinichi! Shinichi!!"
A shout finally woke Shinichi up from his thoughts.
He looked up, surprised to find that the atmosphere in the classroom had become quite subtle.
In front of him stood a beautiful "girl"…
Oh.
It doesn't seem to be a girl.
It was Saika Totsuka.
Saika shyly avoided Shinichi's gaze, looking uncomfortable under the intense stare Shinichi had been giving him while lost in thought.
Ran Mouri was standing aside, looking disappointed.
Sonoko Suzuki was grinning, looking amazed and amused.
"Kudo-kun… I didn't expect you to swing that way…"
"...…"
No.
What are you talking about!?
Itsukushima Shrine
Different from the brainstorming of the insiders at Sobu High, Itsukushima Shrine was a scene of chaos and wailing.
Especially Yoshitomi Kamo.
After a brief daze when the "God" disappeared, he ran toward the Main Hall like a madman.
Even though he was old and weak, his legs were nimble at this moment. His old legs seemed to be spinning like wheels. He didn't even realize that he had lost one of his shoes along the way.
Behind him, Yoshitomi's son was standing there like a clay sculpture.
His legs were weak. He was too weak to stand up from the beginning, so he knelt straight on the ground.
His heart was trembling.
The words that his father had always warned him about echoed in his ears like thunder.
"We must respect the Gods and Ancestors. Faith cannot be abandoned…"
Gods?
Ancestors?
Where did the Gods and Ancestors come from?
If there really were Ancestors and Gods, why would the Kamo of Itsukushima Shrine live in such a desolate place?
Although his father was the Chief Priest, he was just a figurehead.
Would his father dare to order the government officials sent by Tokyo?
Would his father dare to blush at the "Distant Relatives" sent by the Zaibatsus?
The remaining grassroots clergy were also divided up by these masters. Would his father dare to reach out?
So the son was very anxious. He didn't understand why his father was so stubborn.
He was an old stubborn man! He didn't know how to adapt!
He held onto the Four Statues and talked nonsense all day long. What's the use of that!?
Are there real Gods in this world!?
The son used to be able to say with certainty: No!
But now…
He tried to climb up a few times. He couldn't get up. His legs had almost no strength.
That was the sequelae of facing the power of the Extraordinary.
Just like a small animal can be scared to death by the roar of a carnivore, when a mortal faces an Extraordinary Person, the effect is even more exaggerated.
He stared at his broken mobile phone on the ground.
The screen was still on. The post came into view clearly.
Then, it was as if he suddenly woke up from a dream. He broke out in a cold sweat.
Yes.
He hurriedly picked up the phone. His teeth kept chattering, colliding with each other.
It really is…
He desperately clicked the Like button on the Hanakaiin post. And he desperately cancelled the likes on the posts that criticized her.
It really is…
After he was done, he looked exhausted and stared at his father's receding figure in a daze.
Father was right.
Because… there really is a God…
The Main Hall
At the same time, Yoshitomi Kamo seemed to be crazy.
He didn't know where his ceremonial hat had fallen. His hair was disheveled.
He knocked open the heavy doors of the Main Hall and knelt down in front of the Dragon God statue, kowtowing continuously.
Thud! Thud!
From the sound of his head hitting the floor, it was not difficult to hear his determination.
Don't underestimate the determination of a devout person. He had dedicated most of his life to Itsukushima Shrine. His whole life had been spent on the word "Faith."
Take me away!
Take me away!!
He wanted to see the Dragon God! He wanted to see Kurayamitsuhanokami!
There was no doubt about the blood on his forehead. If he didn't get a response, he would die right here in front of the statue.
However, in just a moment, he could not continue to kowtow.
It seemed that a kind shadow, shrouded in clouds and mist, was supporting him—preventing a devout believer from dying so miserably.
The shadow wiped away the blood and foam from Yoshitomi's tearful face. It restored his injuries and physical strength.
Then, it seemed to hesitate for a few seconds.
Before fading, the shadow buried an initial Cursed Seed into the old man's body.
Gasp!
Yoshitomi seemed to retreat back to the Main Hall gate in the blink of an eye.
It was like a big dream. Like waking up from a trance.
But…
He stretched out his arms, his mouth trembling.
He felt strong. No longer as weak as before.
The seed of Cursed Power in his body flickered, gradually transforming the old man's body into a container suitable for storing magical energy.
In an instant, Yoshitomi bowed down again.
He performed the great ceremony of three bows and nine kowtows toward the empty hall.
Behind him, his son approached hesitantly.
"Dad… the Kamo family over there…"
Kamo?
Yoshitomi stood up and glanced at his good-for-nothing son.
His eyes were piercing, staring into the distance across the ocean. He looked full of energy, as if he now had a pillar of support behind him that could hold up the sky.
"Stupid stuff..."
"There is no 'Kamo Over There' anymore."
Because, from now on, there is only One True Kamo Family.
And it is us.
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