The expanding airwaves blew Misono Mika's long hair high, her pure white skirt fluttering backward and pressing tightly against her snow-white silk-clad legs.
The Fused Colony she faced a moment ago had long since vanished.
Mika stowed her weapon and smoothed her somewhat disheveled hair. She turned around, smiling as she extended a hand to the dazed Mumei.
"Let's go back, Mumei."
Ninety-nine percent of the Kabane in Yashiro Station disappeared along with the Fused Colony. The remaining stragglers no longer posed a threat. Her help was no longer needed here.
She heard from Ayame that the Koutetsujou's next stop was Iwato Station. Since it was a station city that hadn't fallen to the Kabane, she wanted to go there and truly relax.
Mumei snapped out of her shock. She stared at the fair, delicate hand before her, which looked like a work of art. After a moment of hesitation, Mumei gathered her courage, placed her hand in Mika's, and nodded vigorously.
"Mm... Yeah!"
Mika clasped Mumei's hand—which was a size smaller than her own—and walked toward the Koutetsujou.
As the crane stopped working, Ikoma and Takumi jumped out. Watching the receding figures of Mika and Mumei, Ikoma whispered:
'That scene just now was beautiful... As expected, the more beautiful a thing is, the more lethal the danger it carries. The meteor shower at Aragane Station was the same. But the most dangerous element is Misono Mika herself—though that danger is reserved for the Kabane and the wicked.'
Takumi suddenly patted his shoulder. "Ikoma, stop daydreaming. We should head back!"
The taut nerves of Kurusu Konochi and Araka Kibito finally relaxed. After a mutual glance, they led the group back toward the Koutetsujou.
Before long, the drawbridge leading from Yashiro Station toward Iwato Station lowered. The Koutetsujou galloped toward the plains ahead like an unbridled horse.
★ ★ ★
Two days passed. The Koutetsujou successfully arrived at Iwato Station.
Inside the station, the passengers stripped for the standard inspection ritual to identify and prevent anyone bitten by Kabane from entering the city. Mika, Mumei, and Ikoma naturally bypassed this.
Up to now, no one dared treat Mika that way. As for Mumei and Ikoma, they didn't need it because their bodies were no longer human.
Mika stepped off the Koutetsujou and climbed to a high point to overlook the vibrant city, lost in thought.
'It's quite lively here. Where should I start exploring?'
This was her first time experiencing the atmosphere of daily life in this world. The air aboard the Koutetsujou was far too oppressive to compare.
While she stood lost in thought, the samurai and residents of Iwato Station caught sight of her. Their eyes widened like copper bells, faces filled with disbelief. Some people were so mesmerized they only snapped out of it after bumping into others or walls.
Within a short time, several people brought out incense burners and offerings like fruit, arranging them neatly behind Mika.
As the incense was lit, these individuals pressed their palms together with extreme piety, muttering obscure prayers for good luck before bowing down to Mika. Passersby witnessed this and, following a delayed moment of realization, joined in the worship.
Mika's appearance was far too beautiful and divine. Coupled with her wings and halo—features that were clearly not human—it was only natural for the residents of Iwato Station to mistake her for a goddess or a divine messenger.
Furthermore, residents living in such an oppressive world didn't have many complex motives; they simply wanted to pray for good luck, even if it was just for psychological comfort.
Mika withdrew her gaze and turned around, intending to visit a nearby lake, only to be startled by the large crowd kneeling behind her.
"...What are you doing?"
Mika's eyebrows twitched. The behavior of these people left her speechless. She noticed the group earlier but assumed they were just curious onlookers, so she ignored them.
Who could have guessed they were worshiping her!
What now? So many people were kneeling here—men, women, young, and old! She was so embarrassed her toes almost bored a hole through the floor.
"We... we pray to the Divine Lady for good luck! Pray for favorable weather and harvests next year!"
The leader was so nervous he could barely speak clearly. The people behind him knelt on the ground, not daring to look up.
"Fine, then. I wish for your hearts' desires to come true. I have things to do, so I'll be leaving now."
Mika didn't give them time to react and prepared to bolt. But quickly, she walked back. She looked down at the tablecloth spread on the ground, pointed at the offerings on either side of the incense burner, and asked the leaders, "Let me ask first... are these for me?"
"Ah... that is..."
One man was stumped. No one had ever asked that before! He looked at his companions for help.
"Yes, yes! These are offerings prepared specifically for you. They are naturally yours!" the person next to him answered hurriedly.
"Then I thank you very much. I'll take these with me. May we meet again if fate allows."
Mika tossed the plates of fruit directly into her inventory module. She left everyone with a beautiful view of her back as she vanished from their sight.
"The offerings vanished into thin air! It's a miracle!"
"Wonderful! All these years of praying, and we finally got it right!"
"Living to this age, it's my first time seeing a deity take the offerings personally. I can die without regrets now!"
"Indeed! Indeed!"
★ ★ ★
Mika ignored the crowd behind her as they became increasingly frantic. She took the offerings because she wanted to eat some fruit, and she thought it would be fun.
Eating offerings given to her by others—it was the first time she had done such a thing in all her years. It felt quite fresh.
"Lady Mika, please wait!"
A familiar voice came from her right. Mika paused and looked toward the sound. She saw Ayame Yomogawa waving her hand anxiously, holding up her skirt as she struggled to run over. Kurusu and Kibito followed closely behind.
"Is there something you need?"
Mika looked curiously at the panting Ayame, wondering why she was looking for her.
"Please... please accept these."
Ayame caught her breath and pulled a stack of banknotes from her clothing, stuffing them into Mika's hands. "Lady Mika, you can use this money to buy souvenirs. Of course, it's just a suggestion; how you use it is entirely up to you."
"Then I won't stand on ceremony."
Mika stared at the money for a moment, then accepted it without false politeness. Feeling it might be awkward not to give something back, she pulled a plate of fruit from her inventory and placed it in Ayame's hands.
"This is a small token of my appreciation. Please take it."
"Thank you... but may I ask where this came from?"
"Don't worry, the source is clean. These are offerings given to me by some enthusiastic people."
"Eh? Offer... offerings?!"
Ayame was stunned, staring wide-eyed at Mika.
What exactly had she been doing just now?