An ancient and solemn shrine appeared before everyone's eyes. On both sides of the shrine's entrance, there were stone statues resembling foxes. The shrine didn't enshrine ordinary gods but rather Fox Immortals, the kind with nine tails.
True shrines tended to reject Devils, Fallen Angels, and other foreign beings. However, that insignificant rejection had no effect on Tenraku and Raynare. Even Asia could endure it easily. They followed everyone around, taking pictures and exploring the shrine, and even paid their respects to the Fox Immortals.
Tenraku naturally had no interest in Fox Immortals or anything of the sort, nor would he pay his respects to them. If anything, he might as well have the other party pay their respects to him.
After the girls had their fill of fun and the day was growing late, Tenraku gathered the Kiryuu Aika and the others to prepare to return to the hotel. However…
"Yōkai…!"
Someone suddenly screamed, and everyone noticed that many strange individuals wearing Fox masks like priests had appeared around them. Not only that, but many bird-like figures with black wings and bird-like heads, wielding steel forks, flew out from the nearby forest.
Leaving aside the Fox Priests, those beings flying in the sky looked exactly like the Yōkai called Karasu-Tengu that often appeared in animations!
The continuously appearing Fox Priests and Karasu-Tengu surrounded the crowd at the shrine. Many people were frightened and screaming, but the girls from the Kendo Club remained relatively calm.
They had witnessed Tenraku, Rias, and the others fighting against Kokabiel and were aware of the existence of Devils, Angels, and even Yōkai in this world. Thus, the sudden appearance of these Yōkai didn't make them panic like the others.
"Tenraku-san…" Asia grabbed hold of the hem of Tenraku's clothes nervously, and Tenraku gently stroked the girl's forehead to reassure her.
"Issei, there are so many Yōkai. What should we do?" Motohama and Matsuda, who were also in the crowd, were both nervous and slightly excited.
"There are too many enemies. Don't act recklessly. I'll transfer some Oppai Power to you, and we'll seize the opportunity later." With a serious expression on his face, Hyoudou Issei whispered, and Motohama and Matsuda nodded in agreement.
Just at that moment, the Fox Priests surrounding the crowd made their way for someone and an angry young girl walked out.
"You bad people, give back Okaa-Sama!" She exclaimed.
She wore a Miko outfit, and despite looking like an elementary school student, she had long golden hair, golden eyes, fox-like ears, and even furry tails on her back.
She was a little fox girl!
Although everyone knew she was a Yōkai, many couldn't help but be enchanted by her cute appearance.
"Young lady, we haven't seen your Okaa-Sama. Are you perhaps mistaken?" Tenraku asked, somewhat bewildered by the girl's intense gaze.
"Stop lying! You wicked Devils and Fallen Angels!" She shouted. "Capture them and make them return Okaa-Sama!" Completely ignoring Tenraku's explanations, the girl commanded her subordinates.
"Yes, Hime-Sama (Princess)!" They responded angrily.
Feeling enraged by something, all the Fox Priests and Karasu-Tengu began attacking Tenraku and the others.
"Ah…," Tenraku waved his hand casually and sent several of the approaching Fox priests and Karasu-Tengu flying. These Yōkai only posed a scare to regular people, but they were weak in Tenraku's eyes.
Raynare, who had been bored until now, suddenly perked up. With a bloodthirsty smile, she transformed into her Fallen Angel form amidst the astonished cries of the surrounding people. She conjured a spear of light and prepared to attack the fox girl.
"Raynare, no killing," Tenraku calmly intervened.
There must have been a misunderstanding, and killing someone wouldn't resolve it. Besides, this was the territory of Yōkai, and if things escalated, it could become a major issue between the Yōkai and the Underworld.
Well, of course, those were just noble reasons. If the girl weren't such an adorable little fox, Tenraku probably wouldn't bother with all this…
Raynare pouted, losing interest just as quickly as she had gotten excited. However, she had to obey her master's command, even if she wasn't happy about it. The spear of light in her hand transformed into a metallic war spear, and Raynare used her restrained power to stab back the attacking Yōkai.
With screams resounding, the whole shrine was in chaos. However, the Yōkai only attacked Tenraku, Raynare, and a few others, leaving the ordinary people unharmed.
"Kiryuu, this is a rare opportunity. You should also practice," Tenraku said, creating a barrier for Asia and addressing Kiryuu Aika and the other girls from the Kendo Club.
"Huff… huff… Club President-Sama, those are Yōkai. We won't stand a chance against them," Kiryuu Aika replied, shaking her head. While she was usually bold, she didn't dare to fight against Yōkai.
"I said that you can do it," Tenraku responded, cutting off her protest. He kicked Kiryuu Aika out without further ado.
"Ah…," She stumbled, and seeing a Karasu-Tengu flying towards her with a steel fork, Kiryuu Aika was almost scared to death.
However, in dangerous situations, people often unleashed unexpected strength. Almost instinctively, Kiryuu Aika swiftly drew her wooden sword and coated it with Spirit Qi/Energy before slashing toward the Karasu-Tengu.
"Ouch!" The Karasu-Tengu was caught off guard as it had treated Kiryuu Aika as a regular human and was struck down. It clutched its chest and rolled on the ground.
Hmm, is this Yōkai? It's not that impressive after all!
With a look of astonishment on her face, Kiryuu Aika never expected to defeat a Yōkai so easily.
With a smirk, Kiryuu Aika instantly lost all fear. Those despicable Yōkai dared to scare her just now. Now it's your turn to perish!
Mobilizing her Spirit Qi/Energy, Kiryuu Aika charged into the midst of the enemies. With swift movements, she knocked down several Fox priests and Karasu-Tengu.
The feeling was incredibly satisfying!
However, Kiryuu Aika's actions finally alerted the other Yōkai, and they stopped treating her as a regular human. Several Karasu-Tengu wielding steel forks flew towards her with loud cries.
Clang! Clang! Kiryuu Aika continuously parried the attacks from the Karasu-Tengu, but after a few moments, her arms began to feel numb.
The more she fought, the more startled she became. It was completely different from the feeling of cutting vegetables earlier!
Sila…
A sharp sound echoed as a Karasu-Tengu threw its steel fork toward Kiryuu Aika. Unable to dodge it, her face turned pale, and she thought, "I'm done for. The invincible genius sword princess is about to meet her end!"
To be continued…
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