The two figures wearing fox masks gave no response.
At that moment, however, a powerful aura burst forth from the shrine behind them. The energy surged outward and condensed into a massive fox-shaped evil spirit standing over three meters tall.
From beneath his helmet, Luo Yu observed the giant fox with clear interest before chuckling softly.
"It has some strength… but not much. Ranni, the two small ones are yours. I'll deal with this big fellow."
Ranni nodded slightly. With a gentle motion of the Carian Regal Scepter, several beams of deep-blue magical energy rapidly gathered in the air before shooting toward the two masked spirits.
A rain of sorcery descended like falling stars.
Facing the widespread magical assault, the two spirits immediately leapt to opposite sides to evade.
But the moment they dodged, more magical circles appeared around them, followed by additional beams of magic.
Boom!
Under such overwhelming magical bombardment, dodging became meaningless. Both spirits were struck directly by Ranni's sorcery.
Meanwhile, Luo Yu stepped forward, blocking the path of the giant fox spirit. Looking up at it, he spoke calmly.
"Can you talk? If so, tell me why you've been watching Miko Yotsuya."
The massive fox stared down at him. When it opened its mouth, a disturbing aura of chaotic energy poured out.
"Do… not interfere…"
Luo Yu raised an eyebrow. As the chaotic aura intensified around the fox spirit, he became certain that it was no divine guardian of the shrine—merely a relatively powerful evil spirit.
"So negotiation isn't an option, then?"
The Maliketh's Black Blade resting on his shoulder suddenly erupted with pitch-black flames, engulfing the massive sword.
"In that case, to prevent any irreversible trouble… you'll have to die. Judging by your aura, you're definitely not anything good."
The moment his words fell, Luo Yu's figure vanished.
In the next instant, he appeared behind the giant fox.
A massive slash cut through the fox's body as black flames coiled around the wound.
"ROOOAAAR!!!"
The fox spirit let out a shrill cry of agony.
It seemed that the power of Destined Death was effective even against evil spirits.
After the strike landed, the fox's body began to change dramatically. Its originally white form twisted grotesquely. Its limbs stretched unnaturally, and its fox-like face tore apart, transforming into a monstrous maw filled with jagged teeth.
"Ugh… that's truly disgusting."
As the creature revealed its true form, numerous other evil spirits began appearing around the area, drawn by the intense energy of the battle.
With a swing of the black blade, Luo Yu unleashed a massive slash that swept across the surroundings, instantly annihilating the approaching spirits.
Afterward, he sheathed the black blade and instead drew two swords—one with a blue hilt and the other with a red hilt.
Rellana's Twin Blades.
These were the weapons he had obtained long ago in the Realm of Shadow after defeating Rellana, the Twin Moon Knight who served Messmer and was the younger sister of Queen Rennala, the Full Moon Queen.
Gripping both blades, scorching flames burst from their edges, surrounding Luo Yu and the monstrous spirit within a confined circle of fire.
"ROOOAAAR!!!"
The creature lunged forward with its enormous fanged mouth.
Luo Yu calmly sidestepped the attack. His sword swept forward in a wave of blazing flame, instantly severing the creature's neck.
"N-No… impossible… I am a god—"
"You? Calling yourself a god?"
Luo Yu's voice carried pure disdain.
One slash.
Two slashes.
Three slashes.
In an instant, the evil spirit's body was dismembered. Its fragments were engulfed by flames and slowly consumed until nothing remained.
Stepping out of the circle of fire, Luo Yu turned his gaze toward Ranni, who had just finished her own battle.
Under the relentless bombardment of her magic, the two masked followers had already been reduced to ash.
Seeing Luo Yu approach, Ranni asked,
"King, did you encounter any danger?"
Luo Yu smiled and pointed behind him at the fading flames.
"Handled easily."
Ranni nodded. After glancing at the twin blades hanging at his waist, she surveyed the surroundings now cleared of evil spirits.
"This place was concealed by that large spirit. There was likely some kind of scheme behind it. Now that it has been destroyed, the illusion hiding this mountain should disappear as well."
"Pretty much," Luo Yu said while stretching his neck slightly.
"This place doesn't see many visitors to begin with. But occasionally someone with spiritual perception might wander in and become a target for evil spirits. Now that we've dealt with it, we've removed one more hidden danger."
"Well then," he continued, "it's about time we head back."
After putting away his weapons and armor, Luo Yu took Ranni's hand, and the two walked down the mountain together in high spirits.
Monday arrived, bringing the start of a new school week.
After preparing lunch for Ranni, Luo Yu said goodbye to her and headed to school.
Entering the classroom, he sat down at his seat and stretched lazily.
After the relaxing weekend, no one came asking to borrow his homework today, which gave him a rare moment of peace.
Five minutes later, the classroom door opened and Yukino Yukinoshita walked in.
When Luo Yu saw her enter, his eyebrows rose slightly.
Evil spirits?
In Luo Yu's vision, three jet-black, cat-shaped evil spirits were perched on Yukino Yukinoshita's shoulders and head. They bared their teeth while emitting low, wary growls toward their surroundings.
However, aside from Luo Yu, no one else in the class seemed able to see them.
Cat spirits?
That was rather unusual.
And it didn't make sense.
Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, Luo Yu recalled that if his memory was correct, Yukino Yukinoshita was an extreme cat lover. Even her school bag had a small cat-shaped charm hanging from it.
So how could someone like her be haunted by cat spirits?
Moreover, Yukino Yukinoshita's emotional state clearly seemed different today. Her usual calm demeanor had been replaced by visible gloom.
Under Luo Yu's watchful gaze, Yukino Yukinoshita walked over and took her seat. After sitting down, she noticed his attention.
"Luo Yu… is there something on me?"
Luo Yu replied calmly,
"Yukinoshita, you seem to be in a bad mood. Did something happen?"
Yukino Yukinoshita remained silent for two seconds before shaking her head.
"It's nothing. Just a small matter."
Even so, the sadness on her face remained obvious.
Luo Yu shrugged and chose not to press the matter further.
As for the evil spirits clinging to her, Yukino Yukinoshita clearly could not see them. Since that was the case, they would not cause immediate harm. He could investigate the situation later.
The morning classes passed one by one.
Gradually, not only Luo Yu but the rest of the class also began noticing Yukino Yukinoshita's unusual mood.
However, because Yukino Yukinoshita normally kept a rather distant personality and did not have many close friends in the class, even those who noticed the change chose not to ask her about it.