Part 1
One day on a holiday, Akeno-san, Asia, Koneko-chan and I were at a shrine deep within the mountains of a neighboring prefecture in the morning.
Why did we, devils, go to a shrine? It was, well, due to Devil's work as usual...
"...Issei-senpai, put this sacred tool there, please".
Koneko-chan came from the storehouse with a big Kamidana (miniature Shinto altar) and shimenawa (sacred rope) and handed them to me.
"Okay, I've got it".
I took them and moved them outside. Koneko-chan and I were asked to organise the storehouse where the sacred tools were stored. After we took the Kamidana and other items outside, we went inside the storehouse, cleaning the area.
Why are we, devils, stepping into a shrine, a sacred place?
Well, the request from the shrine was for a major cleaning and refurbishment of the shrine.
Shrines are where the Japanese gods are enshrined, so we devils can't even get close to them as evil beings. Nevertheless, we can stand here because the deity enshrined here and its Shinto priest have given us permission.
Well... when we held the sacred tools, a tingling pain ran through our bodies, though... Probably, we are being harmed by them because we are devils. I mean, if we hold sacred tools, of course we will be harmed by them. We aren't touching it directly since we wrap them with other things for the time being. Still, it tingles.
...Strangely, the people involved in the shrine allowed devils to come in, but they said they had no one else to turn to, so we took on the request...
Indeed, it doesn't seem like they spent a lot of money on this shrine.
On the way to the main shrine, we climbed up a long stone staircase, which, judging from the surrounding landscape and its appearance, was hardly well maintained and covered in weeds and fallen leaves.
The shrine, which is the most essential part of the temple, was also unpopular and perhaps because it is placed in a place with bad sunlight, it had a mildly horror-like aspect.
"It is an honour to work at a Japanese shrine".
It was Asia who was sweeping the precincts with a broom. From Asia's perspective, as a former Sister, she was working in a pagan temple, but the person herself was enjoying it.
Moreover, she was dressed in a Miko uniform! It's nice, isn't it, a beautiful blonde girl in a Miko's uniform! While I think it's a mismatch, I also think it's a sophisticated combination!
The moment we arrived here, it was handed to her by the Shinto priest. She wore a Miko's uniform at the shrine as if to say, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do".
"Ara ara, I wonder if it's all right for devils to burn talismans..."
Akeno-san, who was also wearing Miko's uniform, was troubled.
She seemed to be having trouble coping with a cardboard box full of talismans and amulets.
As expected, it's not a good idea for devils to get involved with the talismans and amulets, is it?
If you hold them, you'll get hurt, and above all, are they something that a Devil is allowed to burn?
"It's fine. I will be the one to burn them".
A middle-aged man appeared as he said this. He was a Shinto priest and also our client.
After receiving the cardboard box from Akeno-san, the Shinto priest continued.
"You must be tired from helping out since the morning, so let's take a break after finishing this".
After the Shinto priest burned the amulets and talismans, we took a break.
"No way, I'd never thought there was a Devil who specialised in shrines".
It was the Shinto priest who said this with a laugh.
We had finished our morning cleaning and were served tea in the resting area.
The Shinto priest sipped his tea as he continued.
"When I told the Devil, who is always listening to my requests, about this shrine, he introduced me to Gremory-san's place. He told me that there was someone who had knowledge about shrines".
"Ufufu, thank you very much for that".
Akeno-san responds with a smile.
That's right, the Devil specialising in shrines is Akeno-san. Like Akeno-san's origins, her previous home was also an old shrine, so she seems strong in this kind of story.
A few days ago, this request arrived from a Devil who governs a different territory from the Gremory.
───A customer of mine wants to renovate his shrine, so I wondered if you could do something about it.
───He asked.
There was no particular reason to refuse, so Akeno-san decided to accept. However, from the contents of the request, it would take a long time for one person to complete it alone, so we decided to help out.
Akeno-san has developed a unique technique that allows devils to operate freely to a certain extent within the precincts of a temple, so we can move our bodies without any inconvenience.
There's always a limit because it doesn't matter if we got permission from the temple's deity and priest. So Akeno-san's demonic power supported our activities within the temple's precincts.
Incidentally, this technique is not open to the public. Because if other devils find out about it, they might misbehave at shrines all over the country.
If the devils were to act against the Japanese gods because of such a thing, it would be a big problem for the powers.
...I think that a Shinto priest asking a Devil for help is already insane, though...
"But well, you guys have been helpful. I really didn't know where else to turn. I'm single and only have devils to talk to".
The Shinto priest said this with a bitter smile... It's a sad thing that he has only devils to talk to.
"What do you intend to do with the renovated shrine? You haven't done much with it until now, so why now?"
It was my question. I was a bit sceptical. Suddenly, the priest is doing a major renovation of the temple's precincts that he even borrowed help from devils. I thought it would have been quicker to ask a carpenter or something.
The Shinto priest's eyes shone in response to my question.
"Well, I thought I would try to make this place famous as a so-called [power spot]".
"Power spot...?"
The Shinto priest nods at Asia's words.
"By presenting this shrine as a power spot, I want it to become a tourist attraction, a place where worshippers come in droves! As long as I hold the position of chief Shinto priest, I want to make the shrine more lively! I have recently made such a big decision. So I'd like to ask you to help me with that".
The Shinto priest explained powerfully....
Your thoughts are admirable. It is better than letting this shrine continue to be deserted. However, I wonder what I should think about a Shinto priest who talks about that with devils and asks them to help him... The Shinto priest continued.
"Originally, this shrine was already in financial difficulties.... Even the small amount of money we get disappears when I ask devils for help. ...That's why I decided to revitalise this place!"
You're a bad priest! Well, it's no surprise that such a deserted shrine is in financial difficulties. Moreover, you're pouring what little income you have into devils' pockets! Hey, God, it's OK to be angry!
"...But power spots aren't so easy to build".
Koneko-chan said. Oh, really?
"...I'd be happy if this place became a tourist attraction even if it didn't actually have any power".
Ah, the priest compromised. In response, Akeno-san seemed to be pondering something.
"What does the God here have to say about that? You seem well-versed in their side of power, and you are also in touch with the deity who is enshrined here, aren't you?"
It was Akeno-san's question. From Akeno-san's words, we can assume that this Shinto priest possesses powers───spiritual powers, so he must have met the God of this shrine before. I heard that it is common for people who have no power to be Shinto priests.
What did the God of this place think when he heard from his priest about the big decision? That is what Akeno-san wanted to hear.
"Do as you please. He said. I've been given a lot more freedom than I thought. Well, he's a very tolerant person, who didn't punish me even once even though I neglected the shrine up to this point".
...I-I see. The God of this temple didn't get angry with his priest even when he neglected the place until it was one step away from being a haunted place, so maybe he's just unconcerned about the whole thing.
"By the way, who is the God of this temple?"
I asked. I was a little curious about this unconcerned God.
"...I heard that is one of the thunder gods, Honoikazuchi-sama".
Koneko-chan answered.
Ah, a God of Thunder, huh? The God H-Honoikazuchi-sama, huh?
But maybe it was a fitting request for Akeno-san, known as the Priestess of Thunder and the Priestess of Lightning. Shrine maidens, shrines, thunder――I feel that Akeno-san has a strange connection with these things.
Akeno-san was puzzled over the request from the Shinto priest.
"...If you're saying that it doesn't need to be a power spot and you just want to attract people to it, then..."
It didn't seem as if there were no measures to deal with the situation.
"Oh, um...."
The Shinto priest raised his hand a little and continued, a little reservedly.
"If you don't mind, I would be very honoured if you could grant me one more request... I will pay you an additional fee for that..."
"Yes, that's fine, but…..."
Akeno-san bent her head but accepted,
"Actually──"
...The new request from the priest was another troublesome one.
Part 2
Late at night, Akeno-san, Asia, Koneko-chan and I were in the forest near the shrine.
...We were there to clear up the new request from the Shinto priest. The request from the priest―――was to deal with three problems.
The first one is that many ghosts appear in the forest every night, and the people living nearby are scared.
The second is that the forest also seems to be the site of a cursing ritual, which the neighbours do not receive well.
The third is that he wants us to catch an offertory box thief who appears at night.
All three are terrible. With ghosts, cursed rituals and even thieves, it's no wonder this shrine is becoming less popular and more and more deserted.
So it really was a haunted place, wasn't it...?
So all we have to do is get rid of the ghosts, warn the cultists and catch the thief. Otherwise, there will be no time for the planned renovation of the shrine, it seems.
"...Why do we have to do the work of spiritualists and the police?"
All I could do was sigh.
"But there are people in need and since we have received this request, we have to fulfil it properly".
Asia said so with a smile. Next to her, Koneko-chan nodded.
Oh, you girls are so gentle! That's right! I'll do my best too!
With renewed energy, we set out to explore the forest.
The surroundings are dark. There is no light at all. We're devils, so we can see in the dark, so we are fine, but if ordinary people come to a place like this, they'll probably stumble or bump into trees and get hurt.
For now, when we meet a Human, we will cast a spell on them, hypnotise them and take them back to a place with human habitation.
In the case of ghosts, we talk to them to make them rest in peace. If it doesn't work, we'll have to make them disappear by force. ...I'm a Devil, so I can easily deal with a vengeful ghost with a Dragon Shot. ...But I'm still scared of meeting ghosts.
"Hauu, as I thought, the forest at night is a scary place..."
Asia said, clinging to my back. Where was her previous dependability? Well, it's okay, she's cute!
"...I can feel some kind of presence".
Koneko-chan sensed something and pointed ahead.
We stooped down and slowly approached.
There―――we saw a group of armoured warriors!
Whoa! Ghosts of fallen warriors! At a glance, there are more than a dozen of them! I could even see flickering flames around them as if they were human souls! If talking with them doesn't work, we'll have to forcibly eliminate them!
Well, this much I can probably handle on my own.
I took a deep breath and then dashed forward.
"Hey, hey, hey, you ghosts, here in the forest―"
It was okay that I was brave enough to announce my presence, but the next thing I heard was...
「「「「「Kyahh」」」」」
It was the scream of women! And it was coming from the fallen warriors!
T-The fallen warriors were shivering, hugging each other!
Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh!?
What's going on! I was simply astonished at the impossible reaction of the fallen warriors....
"Issei-senpai, those people are Human beings. They aren't ghosts".
And that's what Koneko-chan told me!
Seriously!? Are they humans!? The fallen warriors!? Or rather, I know this situation! I know a girl who wears a samurai warrior's armour like this!
"...H-Hey, I'm sorry for startling you. I'm related to the shrine and it's rumoured that there are ghosts of fallen warriors appearing here at night, so I came here to find out the truth...."
After giving a brief explanation, one of the fallen warriors said while sobbing.
"...Oh, so that's what happened. We a-are university students of the Fallen Warrior Study Group, and we were holding a late-night Fallen Warrior experience session in this forest. ...It must have been a nuisance for you...."
"The Fallen Warrior Study Group!? What is that nonsensical circle! Moreover, Fallen Warrior experience meeting! Is that something you have to do in the forest late at night!?"
It was a great nuisance! Oh, my God! I can't believe the ghosts were a group of college girls dressed as armoured warriors! Reminds me of Susan! Could it be that it is the fashion for college girls to dress up as armoured warriors?
While I was confused, one of the fallen warrior female university students gave me a peace sign.
"It's the fashion among girls who are history geeks nowadays☆".
"I don't think you are history geeks no matter how I look at you! You're a bunch of perverted warrior women!"
I've never heard of or seen a girl who is a history geek in armour! No, I know one! But still, the identity of these ghosts is terrible!
"Well, well, Ise-kun. Let's just talk about their circumstances for now".
After telling me this, who was lamenting, Akeno-san explained the situation to the Fallen Warrior Study Group members.
After the group of fallen warriors was disbanded, we headed to the next location.
This time it was the cursing ritual place... About this cursing ritual, it is like that, right? The kind where people dress in white and hammer nails into cursed straw dolls.
Akeno-san said.
"The cursing ritual is an ancient form of incantation. In fact, it is not a curse, but it is instantly effective when it involves someone with power or someone with a constitution that is susceptible to curses".
I see, so it's not a big deal when ordinary people do it, but it works when people with powerful supernatural powers are involved. ...As I thought, it is a scary act, isn't it?
Jeez, to do such a thing alone in such a forest at night is...
But well, I guess that it just means that they have someone to do that to.
"...Because it loses its effect when the act is seen by others. The moment we discover it, that person's curse will be over".
Koneko-chan gave an additional explanation. Oh, so it has such rules, huh? Then let's make quick work of them and send them back to a Human settlement.
We cheered ourselves. And after a few minutes of walking through the forest.
The sound of something hitting in the forest, like kashin, kashin, sounded.
"Hauu! Are they in the middle of the cursing ritual...?"
Asia said as she clung to me. ....Probably that is the case.
Either way, I can't turn a blind eye to it since we are near the curse site. Here I go again. I'll go out and give them one warning!
"Hey there, you and your late-night curse ritual is──"
I almost said that much when I ran out and couldn't believe my eyes.
"Yes! Next, left!"
"Yes, Captain!"
"If you don't get it right, we won't win the next game! Are we understood, guys!?"
「「「「「「「「 Yes! 」」」」」」」
What we saw was an army of armoured knights practising baseball!
...Armoured Knights!
So that sound we heard earlier, [kashin], [kashin], was the sound of someone hitting a ball with a bat? So it wasn't [kashin], but [kakin]!?
No way, what was supposed to be a cursing ritual, was the armoured knights' baseball practice!
That's too horrible! It would have been better to warn the people who came to curse someone!
...Anyway, I decided to tell these people about our situation.
They seem to be a nonsensical circle called the『Armoured Knight Baseball Study Group』, and again, like the fallen warriors' group from earlier, they were university students...
...What the hell is this? Are university students around here cursed to have to wear samurai armour or knight armour to be able to perform their activities...?
They, too, immediately dispersed after I told them what had happened. They said their circle was looking for a place to practise baseball... There were so many things to retort that I lost the will to do so.
I think they're in the same university as Susan, the woman who uses samurai armour and Horii-san, the Armoured Knight. I mean, what kind of university has a circle of girls who are history geeks and use fallen samurai warriors' armour and men who are armoured knights who play baseball!
"...I'm tired. I've only encountered weirdos since I've become a Devil. What is going on...?"
I'm just grieving. ...The devils in the vicinity seem much more Human than these guys.
"Ufufu, that is destiny too".
Akeno-san said such a thing to me with a smile on her face...
".....I want to be excused from that destiny. Or rather, I wonder if Susan and Horii-san didn't meet here. ...That shrine, I wonder if it has a blessing for encounters...?"
When I was sighing and talking to myself like that, Akeno-san reacted to my words.
"...Encounter... man and woman... I see, that sounds like a good idea".
She looked as if she had an epiphany, which could be the start of a promising renovation project for the shrine.
"――So, shall we be on the lookout for the last of the request, the offertory box thief?"
We made our way out of the forest and into the shrine's precincts. We hid in the shadows, where we could see the offertory box and waited for the thief to come out. ...Well, it doesn't necessarily mean they'll come out today....
"Ufufu".
Suddenly, Akeno-san let out a small laugh. When we were tilting our heads in bewilderment, Akeno-san began to talk.
"I'm sorry for laughing suddenly, but this situation is fun".
"Fun, is it?"
When I asked, Akeno-san nodded.
Yes, it's great fun. There was a time when I did the work from the shrines and temples all by myself. Now I have Ise-kun, Koneko-chan and Asia-chan with me. That's very reassuring and makes me happy".
――!
I see. I've heard that when Rias didn't have all her peerage members yet, she had to work with a few people to get the job done. Last year, when Asia and I weren't in the club, it wasn't possible to have more than one person working on a single job like this.
I told Akeno-san straight out.
"If Akeno-san is in trouble, I will always be there to help you!"
"Me too!"
"...Likewise".
Asia and Koneko-chan followed suit! That's right! If our Vice-President is in trouble, we club members have to help her!
In response to our words, Akeno-san softened her expression and said a few words.
"Thank you, I'm glad".
She said it with such a lovely smile! Kuh! After all, Akeno-san's smile is the best――
"...That!"
As we club members were about to deepen our relationship, Koneko-chan pointed towards the main shrine. I saw a figure scurrying around the offertory box when I looked in that direction.
It is a thief! After making eye contact with the others, we killed our presence and approached the place together. And then...
"You thief!"
We all jumped at him at once! The thief, his body shaking, was caught by us without being able to do anything!
"W-What's going on!?"
How dare you say that, you damn thief! Go to hell with your "What is going on"!
"Give up, you offertory box thief! Let's see your face!"
When we took a look at the thief... He was wearing old clothing that might have appeared with illustrations in a history book. Was it a garment loincloth like the ancient Japanese used to wear (Kinuhakama was it?). He was a middle-aged man wearing it.
"Ara ara, are you by any chance Honoikazuchi-sama?"
When Akeno-san asked the man about it, he replied, "Indeed"!
"Eh!? The God of this place!?"
Yes, the thief was, in fact, the God enshrined in this shrine.
"Good gracious! I was caught by the devils!"
The one who laughed loudly [Kahahaha] while resting at the previously mentioned resting area was Honoikazuchi-sama.
Next to him, the Shinto priest bowed his head to us.
"I'm sorry. I never thought that the identity of the offertory box thief was Honoikazuchi-sama..."
This person is the God of this shrine――Honoikazuchi-sama. He is said to be one of the many thunder gods of Japan. He explained that he has no particular meaning in his appearance and appears in this world in a shabby outfit.
This God said.
"It's nothing serious. It is just that I wanted something the other day, so I borrowed it from the offertory box! You see, it was originally an offertory box made for me, so I thought it would be okay to take a bit out".
So he says.... A God borrowing money from his offertory box is... The offertory box was indeed made for this God, though...
The Shinto priest said to Honoikazuchi-sama.
"...Honoikazuchi-sama, I told you the other day, didn't I? We are trying to make this shrine a power spot or a tourist attraction. How can the God of this shrine himself take out the money that would be used to fund it...?"
"Oh no, sorry! But you too have been throwing money from our shrine into the devils' pockets, haven't you?"
"Ugh! Well, that's..."
Neither God nor the priest is any good! This is a ridiculous shrine!
"About the renovation and rebuilding of the shrine, I have a good idea. Can you leave it to me?"
Akeno-san said to the Shinto priest and Honoikazuchi-sama with a business smile.
...Well then? What on earth did Akeno-san have in mind?
Part 3
Sometime after that, the shrine gained a reputation by word of mouth among young women as a power spot, attracting many worshippers.
We also heard about it and went to the shrine for the first time in a long time. ...The once deserted shrine was full of people as if it was a lie. The main shrine we renovated afterwards, so we saw it, but it's a sight to behold with this many people.
"Wow, that's a lot of worshippers. By the way, what on earth have you done to it, Akeno-san?"
"Ufufu, there it is".
In response to my question, Akeno-san pointed in a certain direction.
There was a stone statue in the corner of the precinct with a long, thin body―――a red oriental dragon and a Miko leaning against it. This was not there on my previous visit.
"I asked Gasper to spread the rumour on the internet that it might be beneficial for love――marriage, and I put the statue, which was made to look old, there. It's as if the statue has always been here. It was a gamble to see if the rumour would work, but it seems to have brought in a lot of women".
Ah, did Akeno-san do such a thing to this shrine? So it's thriving as a result.
According to the story, if you touch that stone statue of the red dragon and the Miko, it will give you a blessing to bring you together with the person you love. Apparently, Honoikazuchi-sama had asked a God of Love to put an incantation on it through his personal contacts.
It is said that they invented a story about those who were originally incompatible――a dragon and Miko, to love each other. Women seem to like that sort of thing.
Thanks to this, the shrine is thriving. The amulet and talisman sales area is swarming with female customers. It doesn't really function as a power spot, but it will become a tourist attraction thanks to the stone statue.
W-Well, since they cooperated with devils to make this place like this a little... But the God and priest of this place seem to be very satisfied, so the result is all right, right?
Like the other women, Akeno-san touched the stone statue. It's just a little, but the Miko statue looked like Akeno-san... While I was thinking about that, Akeno-san said to me with a broad smile.
"I also believe that my wish will be fulfilled. Ufufu".
During that whole day, Akeno-san was in an excellent mood.