"The ruins of Takamagahara can only be accessed through an elevator built by the Great Imperial Palace."

Rin Hoshino said as he walked up the mountain, "If the survivors want to leave, they have to use spatial spells to teleport randomly. ”

Haruhiko nodded slightly, Tsuchigomon Mari had already told him similar information before.

He looked around and asked, "Is Yuki Hidaka still in Mt. Ontake?" ”

"Yes."

Rin Hoshino explained softly, "She has a special spirit device on her body that can determine her location. ”

Haruhiko was puzzled.

Now that the location can be determined, why execute the commission with him?

"But the spirit implements were destroyed yesterday."

Rin Hoshino continued, "Luckily, we were able to complete the deployment around Mt. Ontake in time, and we haven't seen any suspicious people so far. ”

Haruhiko knew this in his heart and asked, "Is the place where we are going now is the last place where the spirit tool appeared?" ”

"Hmm."

Rin Hoshino looked at him and said with a smile, "When the time comes, I'll have to trouble your special spell to help me find someone." ”

"I'll do my best."

Haruhiko didn't say it all.

If there is no small animal around, then there is nothing he can do.

He suddenly remembered the phenomenon of spiritualization that Tsuchigomon Mari had said.

Why didn't Yuki Hidaka die?

It should be that Izumo Shrine has its own means of dealing with it.

In fact, Haruhiko was also curious about what Hidaka Yuki had taken from the Takamagahara ruins.

It's worth a lot of money.

But it didn't belong to him, and he didn't ask.

A few minutes later, the two came to a grove.

There is also a fence built not far away.

Mt. Ontake is second only to Mt. Fuji in terms of fame and height in Toei.

There are a lot of tourists on weekdays.

But today it was empty.

Rin Hoshino stopped.

In front of her, there was a flat field overgrown with weeds.

Unlike normal weeds in the vicinity, they appear to be lodging.

As you can imagine, there was once a person who rested here.

But more traces have disappeared.

"Is there a way?"

Rin Hoshino found nothing, so he could only look at Haruhiko.

Her demon black cat Ruri is looking for people by smell.

Now the time interval is too long, and there is no smell left at the scene.

There are other means as well.

For example, temporal spells.

But the cost is too great.

If you can, you don't need it.

Haruhiko didn't speak, constantly looking around.

His ventriloquist is one who understands the language of all animals.

Insects, which belong to the arthropods among invertebrates, are therefore eligible.

Soon, he had a goal.

An ant.

Ants are known to be social creatures.

This means that they know everything around them.

Haruhiko crouched down and began to communicate.

Rin Hoshino tilted her head in confusion.

What kind of spell is this?

How can it be so weird?

She didn't understand Haruhiko's behavior at this time.

But she didn't ask.

Everyone has secrets, and there's no need to dig into them.

Rin Hoshino has it herself.

Thinking of this, she felt a subtle sense of irritability in her heart.

She's the eldest lady of Izumo Shrine, and she's met someone she likes.

It's double the happiness.

Rin Hoshino bowed her head and waited silently.

After a few moments, Haruhiko stood up.

He's got the answer he's looking for.

Last night, a woman did descend here.

Spatial fluctuations have also caused casualties among ants.

"It's in that direction."

Haruhiko raised his hand and pointed.

Rin Hoshino came back to his senses, a little stunned in his heart, he didn't expect to really find a trace.

She nodded and walked forward.

Haruhiko hurriedly followed.

Ants only know the direction, but not the exact location.

He stopped and asked, and finally came to a cliff.

The stream cascades from a height, creating a small waterfall.

At this time, a woman who looked to be in her thirties was standing in front of the waterfall.

She was dressed in a gray robe, and her hair was disheveled, as if it had not been taken care of for a long time.

Rin Hoshino and Haruhiko glanced at each other.

She slowly stepped forward and shouted tentatively, "Hidaka Yuki? ”

The woman turned abruptly.

Rin Hoshino was so frightened that she took a half step back.

She can't be blamed for being timid.

Even Haruhiko was caught off guard and felt her heartbeat accelerating.

Yuki Hidaka's rather delicate face is covered with scales.

The scales have a black sheen, and there is a faint silk thread flowing.

"You...... What's the matter with you? ”

Rin Hoshino had never seen such a situation before and couldn't help but ask.

Hidaka Yuki didn't answer, but looked at her.

Her eyes were full of confusion, as if she didn't know Rin Hoshino.

But after a few moments, she pressed her forehead, and her eyes turned vertical.

"You're Rin Hoshino."

Hidaka Yuki said in a cold tone, "It's the eldest lady of Izumo Shrine." ”

Rin Hoshino's heart tightened.

Her attitude was too calm.

With the inexplicable vertical pupils, it was like a poisonous snake staring at her.

It's a tingling on the scalp.

"What did you experience in Takamagahara?"

Rin Hoshino asked with a deep breath.

Although Yuki Hidaka became very strange, it was clearly conscious.

If she can communicate, she plans to come up with more information.

"Izumo Shrine, the largest shrine in Toei."

Hidaka Yuki didn't answer her question, and said to herself, "You have the qualifications to be transformed. ”

"Conversion? What do you mean? ”

Rin Hoshino suddenly felt bad.

"Let you have a new life again."

Hidaka Yuki's mouth curled up into a terrifying smile.

She raised her hand, and a dark purple light quickly condensed, and then flew out, striking Rin Hoshino.

It's fast, but what's faster is the mental shock that comes with it.

As soon as Rin Hoshino's gaze came into contact with the light, he suddenly fell into an ice cave.

The whole person was so cold that his body stiffened and he couldn't move.

Priest: Star Shield!

Haruhiko had been prepared for a long time.

As she spoke, she began to chant incantations.

The Divine Officer Star Shield is a second-order spell that Haruhiko has newly learned during this time.

Four seconds later, the gushing psionic energy turned into a shield that shimmered with starlight, blocking Rin Hoshino's body.

With a crisp sound, the dark purple light and the Star Shield vanished at the same time.

Haruhiko frowned slightly.

It's actually a second-order spell.

Why didn't Yuki Hidaka chant the mantra just now?

This doesn't make sense.

If she was a fifth-order powerhouse, Haruhiko would still be able to understand.

But she's only the second order.

Rin Hoshino regained control of her body, and she shuddered and said, "Be careful, there's something wrong with her." ”

Haruhiko nodded slightly, but he didn't have time to answer.

Yuki Hidaka has attacked again.

Purple light enveloped her body, and in the blink of an eye, she was in front of Haruhiko.

She reached out and went straight to his heart.

Grass.

A plant.

Aren't you a shrine maiden?

Playing melee?

Haruhiko reacted extremely quickly and used the spirit armor talisman.

A layer of psionic armor quickly emerged from his body.

Hidaka Yuki's right hand hit the armor with a sonorous sound.

And the armor shattered in response.

Divine Talisman!

Haruhiko quickly retreated.

Hidaka Yuki was about to pursue when he felt the fierce wind behind him.

It's Rin Hoshino's arrow feather.