Miko & Deity

Your time is running out.

I think I have found the person you are looking for.

Our transaction has been completed.

...

Don't you believe it?

Alright, it seems that I need to explain a concept to you first - reincarnation.

...What a surprise.

Accident?

So the big snake can talk normally, I thought it could only speak in archaic terms like 'thee' and 'thou'.

Ha...

Is this all you want to say?

What about you? Do you think I'm Dorothy who is possessed by a Orochi and Miss Witch?

I'm sorry.

Me too.

Sorry? Why sorry?

Even if an apology is needed, I should be the one to say sorry.

You should have noticed by now, there are many things about the Orochi and the seal that I haven't told you.

For example, the fact that I possess the power of a Orochi.

When I was young, the crisis brought by the Nebu Alliance had just ended, and the Joint Council had not yet split into Eastrise and Nebu.

At that time, the Joint Council was not clear that Nebu would fall into civil strife due to the failure of the war, and the bigwigs were all thinking of ways to deal with the possible third invasion of Nebu.

At this moment, I underwent the Case Modification surgery from the Joint Council.

Is the modification surgery during the Joint Council period... a sequelae of imperfect technology?

No, in fact, the modification technology was already quite advanced at that time, it's just that I was rather special.

After testing, I have a high match with the snake, but I am not satisfied with normal snakes, so I actively participated in a special experiment.

That was an experiment that violated the rules of the Joint Council, many things were irregular, I even didn't know what my species was, I only knew it was related to the snake faithling.

Later, when I wanted to investigate the flaws in me, I found that all the records related to the experiment had been destroyed, and I couldn't find anything.

Defect? That's what the Orochi said...

It's not too bad, not as serious as it said.

The species I fused with is not complete, it lacks the most important part, which causes the power in me to be like water without a source, the more I use, the less I have.

Once I've exhausted all my power, I will become a normal person again... a normal person who can't undergo the Case Modification surgery.

Of course, I'm not satisfied with just being a normal person, so before my strength is exhausted, I start looking everywhere for ways to complete my species.

I have worked hard for many years, I have gained fame, wealth, and the recognition of the Eastrise ancient clan... I have gained everything that humans can achieve through hard work.

But all of this does not include a solution to my flaws, what it needs is not effort, but luck.

It sounds very desperate.

Indeed, I'm very desperate, so, in order not to be knocked down by despair, I fell in love with alcohol.

This is the best decision I've ever made, because it filled in the bit of luck I was missing.

I have funded the resumption of production in dozens of original liquor production areas, fortunately, this includes the original production area of Yunjian liquor, Feiyun Valley.

Even better, or rather luckier, just when my strength was about to run out, a group of tourists came to Feiyun Valley for tourism and also unlocked the seal of the Feiyun Valley Shrine.

It was the time when Dorothy, Behemoth, and I came to Eastrise...

So I came here personally, standing in the Feiyun Valley Shrine, feeling the power of the Faithling named Orochi.

The scattered power went directly into my body, the power that I couldn't replenish, got replenished for the first time after I completed the Modification surgery.

My species is the giant serpent sealed by the Driftmist Valley Shrine, or more accurately, most of its flesh.

The core of the Orochi has been sealed here, and its other parts are on me...

Under the power of the Echo Crystal fusion, as long as the power of the Orochi approaches me, it will be absorbed by me and transformed into my power.

I have been continuously absorbing the power of the Orochi during this period, which is why the Orochi would call me a thief.

...This is also why we didn't feel anything unusual when we first arrived at the shrine, right?

Because the power that Orochi dissipated through the seal, was all absorbed by you.

That's right.

This is the secret I've kept hidden and never voluntarily mentioned to anyone, you are the first audience.

I hope you won't be the last batch.

But why would the Orochi say that once you've exhausted its power, it will...

Because of Echo Crystal.

Because of the power of the Echo Crystal, Roxy took the lead when facing the Orochi, also because of the Echo Crystal...

When Roxy loses the power of the Great Serpent and becomes a normal person, the Echo Crystal will completely corrode Roxy - just like the people when the Calamity first erupted.

Wait a minute, since Miss Roxy can absorb the power of the Orochi, then these residents who are out of control being pulled into the dream by the Orochi...

I can't do it, Miss Dorothy.

I compete with the Orochi for dominance because of the modification surgery and the Echo Crystal. When the Orochi possesses those who've undergone the surgery, this advantage is lost.

This is also the reason why I need you to sing to lure the Orochi to reveal its true form.

I see...

Whether it's for Roxy's health or for the residents of the town, we must find the Orochi and then force out its true form.

The purpose of the serpent is to find a person, but Roxy said that person is already dead.

Miss Roxy?

Regarding the purpose of the Orochi and the person it is looking for, I actually only figured it out today.

Firstly, I need to correct a mistake for you, that is the seal of the Orochi.

According to Driftmist Valley Records, the Orochi was sealed by the gods, but today, the shrine maiden told me something.

The secret technique I use to seal myself to prevent the natural dissipation of power is of the same origin as the seal of the Orochi.

In other words, the seal of the Orochi does not come from other Faithlings, but from itself.

What?

Before today, I had never seen what it looks like when a Orochi escapes from its seal, nor had I seen the state of a revealed seal.

It was also under the reminder of Miss Shrine Maiden that I realized this.

Driftmist Valley Records beautified the story of a young girl. If I'm not mistaken, she must have been the sacrifice offered to the Orochi by the residents at that time.

For some reason, the Orochi did not kill the little girl, but instead made her its own priestess.

The Spirit Festival is not because the gods like wine, but because the Orochi likes wine!

Wait, hold on!

I think I've seen this story before!

Have...you read this story?

I have read all the books related to the witch and the shrine in Eastrise, so I was curious when I heard that a shrine had sealed a Faithling of the snake species that could make people sleep.

In fact, this curiosity is the real reason that drives me to come here.

No, it's not the time to talk about this, it's story time.

The story of how Tensui Kagura, my favorite divine kagura, was created!

The story begins with a very brave little girl encountering a big monster that just happened to be very full.

The little girl was offered as a sacrifice to the big monster, and the big monster treated the little girl as its reserve food.

The little girl asked the big monster, 'Are humans very delicious?' The big monster replied, 'The most delicious thing in the world is alcohol. If it can drink to its fill, it doesn't matter if it doesn't eat humans.'

So the little girl said she was willing to become the witch of the big demon, to find all kinds of wine for the big demon. The big demon didn't care about a little girl's words, but it found it interesting, so it let the little girl go.

Later, the little girl brought a lot of fine wine to the big monster. Since then, the big monster no longer ate people, but only drank fine wine.

Many years passed like this, the little girl grew into a big witch, the big monster wanted the witch to stay by his side, so he asked the witch if there was anything she liked.

The shrine maiden said she likes music and dancing, but the great demon doesn't understand these, the human melody is extremely noisy to it, unbearable.

However, in order to keep the witch by his side, the demon provides a piece of music for the witch every day, and the witch choreographs for it.

At first, the shrine maiden was very reluctant because the melody given by the big demon had no rhythm at all, but the big demon insisted on doing so, day after day...

The melody of each day is more pleasing than the previous one. Finally, the shrine maiden was moved by the melody written by the great demon, and began to choreograph.

Time passed day by day, until the witch was old, Tensui Kagura was finally completed, but the witch had no ability to perform it herself at this time.

Tensui Kagura is not just any divine kagura. It's symbolizes the lifetime of a shrine maiden, the relationship between her and the divine in a certain sense.

It's my favorite Divine Revelry!

It matches up, all the details match up!

So that's how it is, hence the existence of the wine spring at the Spirit Spring Festival, and that's why the Orochi would still possess Dorothy even when Roxy is present!

Indeed, they all match, but...cough cough cough!

Ah!

Roxy?! What's wrong with you?

Blood with red crystals... This is the symptom of erosion inside the Echo Crystal!

It's nothing, just that when I was emotionally agitated before, some of my strength was dissipated... cough cough.

I have resealed the power, there won't be any problems for a short time.

Internal erosion only occurs when in a long-term environment of high concentration Echo Particulate, under the condition of low Echo Crystal Resistance...

Roxy, did you really start drinking to fend off despair?

You are really sharp and straightforward, Miss Witch.

To some extent, alcohol has indeed been used by me as a painkiller, because it can numb the pain, so the pain won't make me lose my sanity, but instead makes me more sober.

Cough cough..

Stop talking, let me give you a full body check-up.

The situation is serious... Even if you replenish the species now, your current condition will still leave lingering health issues.

I know, but once I have completed the species, I can perform the surgery.

The power of the great serpent that I inherited is regeneration, it is not entirely under my control. Once I get hurt, the power will gradually be consumed to accelerate the healing of the wound.

As long as we obtain Orochi to complete the species, everything will get better.

Don't talk like this, it's very dangerous.

No, if I don't speak up, I feel like I won't have a chance anymore.

I actually had a feeling before, the plan was going too smoothly then...

Clearly, I only have this one chance, once lost, I will lose everything!

I will prepare for all contingencies in advance, so I have also prepared for the loss of everything.

You...

Do you still remember that I kissed you at the hot spring?

That's my preparation.

Let me tell you a little secret, that was my first kiss.

Roxy...

Everything is clear now.

The deity at Driftmist Valley's shrine is the sealed Orochi, and the one it seeks is the shrine maiden who offered it wine years ago.

Only in this way, when Roxy said that Orochi was looking for the dead, would Orochi become furious, so angry that even the way he spoke became normal.

If that's the case, then Ziz simply couldn't complete her transaction.

Ziz cannot complete the transaction, her body will be completely taken away by the Orochi.

This must have a special meaning for the Orochi...!

Otherwise, after the death of the shrine maiden, the giant serpent wouldn't have self-sealed here for so many years...

Even considering the factor of Echo Crystal, it should leave here after the Scourge.

About this, I have a guess.

The serpent once made a request to us, which was to hand over Dorothy.

If the Orochi is interested in music because it once composed the Tensui Kagura for the shrine maiden, then...

Could its purpose possibly be to watch a performance of Tensui Kagura?

There is a possibility, no, there is a great possibility.

I remember in the story's ending about the shrine maiden and the great demon, it was said that the shrine maiden's greatest regret was that the great demon never saw a full performance of Tensui Kagura before she died.

...The divine music that took the witch's entire life to create, you haven't seen it in its entirety?

After all, by the time Tensui Kagura was nearly completed, the shrine maiden had already grown old.

...

Cough cough cough... Hahaha...

I don't know why, but I suddenly feel some sympathy for the big snake.

Ring, do you remember the melody of Tensui Kagura?

Of course, this is my favorite tune.

Phew!

So, how should we find the Orochi?

Perhaps you can try playing Tensui Kagura at maximum volume...

And then, Miss Witch again...

Watching others perform Tensui Kagura?

No one is worthy to perform it in front of me!

Orochi, and Ziz!

I didn't expect you to actually know about Tensui Kagura. I underestimated you.

But it's a pity, you are still mortals after all, you will never understand my goal!

That... I remember you were speaking normally before, can you go back to that?

Isn't it tiring for you to keep using 'thou' and 'thee'?

...

Are you trying to provoke me?

Ziz!

Sigh...

Don't treat me as your servant... We are in a transaction, the relationship is equal.

Ziz, what is your purpose?

Perhaps I can help you, Roxy too...

Sorry, what I'm doing now is what I want to do.

Ladies and gentlemen, please hand over Miss Roxy.

I only want her.

Impossible.

It's indeed unlikely.

Then we can only take action.

*Cough...

You guys are really strong.

What a pity, you were just a little bit short of success.

Ziz! Don't forget our deal!

Don't worry... I didn't forget!

My body...?

What did you do to her!?

I just controlled her body--

Cough cough..

Divine power erosion?! Haven't you all already undergone sublimation, you should not fear divine power...

Are you really...

Leave me alone, Dorothy!

You have successfully angered me!

Let me bring disaster upon you!

Alright, it seems that I need to explain a concept to you first - reincarnation.

The soul of humans is reincarnated.

After a person dies, her soul will be sent to the side of the deity, who will decide based on her life experiences whether she can have a next life.

What are you saying, I am a god!

No, you are a Faithling, the deity is the source of everything, for instance... the deity who brings the Echo Crystal and the Celestial Sound I believe in.

I am the disaster of mountains and rivers, the Devourer of HP! I bring vitality, and I also bring death!

It seems that you don't understand what I'm saying.

You can regard the deity I mentioned as some kind of existence, that's okay, right?

How do you prove it?

No, I can't prove it, this matter only depends on whether you are willing to believe.

Don't you really think that Roxy has similarities with the shrine maiden you've met before?

...

She is very greedy, she wants everything, even my power, she also wants.

Who are you talking about?

...

I am the disaster of mountains and rivers, the Devourer of HP!

Wait--

I've been waiting for you for a long time!

You...

Got you! Big snake!

Ahhhhhh...

Awakener! Take the chance now!!

Not yet... I'm not yet...

...

Is it... over?

Sigh... Where is Ziz?

When we were fighting with the Orochi, she had already run away, and now we can't even see a shadow.

Are you okay, where is the Orochi?

The big snake has disappeared.

I inherited some fragments of memory from it, those fragments are now rapidly disappearing in my mind... Can you help me remember them?

The reason it refers to itself as 'I' is because its shrine maiden believes that such self-reference is more like a real deity.

Also, the shrine maiden actually doesn't understand alcohol, she will pass out directly when she encounters alcohol.

And the recorded 'Mountain spring has spirit, transformed into wine' is actually the first time the witch maiden offered wine, she brought the big snake to a hot spring, the witch maiden poured a small bottle of white wine into the spring water...

Before the snake could get angry, she fainted herself because she smelled alcohol.

Later... later, the shrine maiden spent a long, long time for the sake of the giant serpent, and finally brewed a sake that the giant serpent liked without ever tasting it herself. The giant serpent called it 'Sake of the Clouds'.

The one who didn't understand music created Tensui Kagura, and the one who didn't understand wine brewed the wine among the clouds...

Roxy, you are crying.

This is the complete story of the shrine maiden and the god.

The story of witches and gods, humans and Faithlings, transcending hatred and accompanying each other for a lifetime.

That's just a story. The reality is that after losing the shrine maiden, the god no longer cares about human thoughts, arbitrarily eroding and controlling its own believers. It has turned back into the big demon it once was.

It can't be said that it has completely turned into a great demon, after all, it has been guarding here for so many years without leaving.

...The memory fragments of the Orochi have completely disappeared from my mind, I didn't find the reason why it stayed here all the time.

Indeed, our speculation is true, its obsession is indeed the dance of Tensui Kagura.

It's not just a glance, but to possess a human and jump by oneself.

Is someone jumping?

Tensui Kagura, due to its special meaning, is typically performed for those who accompany each other for a lifetime...

The person the serpent wanted to spend its life with is gone, it can only dance alone.

So, does the shrine maiden have someone she wants to spend her life with?

Why are you suddenly asking this? Also, stop calling me Miss Witch, just call me Ring.

Perhaps influenced by Orochi, I want to take a brief look at what Tensui Kagura really is.

Hm...

If we call Awakener to join us...

Don't, don't misunderstand! It's just that when there are more people, it doesn't have that special meaning anymore... It's just like that!

So that's how it is.

How come you suddenly look relieved...

I don't know what you're thinking, but you're not allowed to reassure me!

It's strange, I felt very awake last time I slept, but this time when I woke up, I felt exhausted all over.

It's like I ran a lap around the town and had a fight with someone.

Perhaps it really is like this, who knows.

Hahaha, I didn't expect you to make jokes, I don't have the habit of sleepwalking.

Moreover, Roxy explained that the reason for this situation this time is because the deity wants to completely erase the Orochi, so the resistance of the Orochi is very fierce.

Although I didn't see the specific scene, just looking at my exhausted body, it must have been a earth-shattering battle.

Miss Dorothy, thank you very much for your help.

No need to be so polite, I didn't do much.

I'm sorry that in order to prevent Orochi from discovering my plan in advance, I couldn't provide you with enough space and stage to hold a concert for you.

Now that the Orochi has dissipated, is Miss Dorothy still interested in holding a concert?

This time, I will provide a large enough venue and a magnificent stage...

Although I also want to perform again, what the fans of Feiyun Valley need is not an idol, but you.

Moreover, I am very busy. There are many fans in the Empire waiting for me.

When there are really a lot of my fans here, invite me to perform here again.

Oh yes, remember to book the performance time in advance, no matter how much penalty you pay next time, it will be useless.

Dorothy will only make an exception once for insincere fans.

Are we just leaving like this?

The issue has been resolved satisfactorily, and I have gained unexpected benefits, so of course I have to go back.

You seem very happy?

Is there?

Is it because you danced Tensui Kagura in front of Awakener?

Why are you suddenly talking so much?

So, did you jump?

I won't tell you.

Hurry back, I need to tell the deity about the Orochi!

I wonder how the deity views the matter of the Orochi.

Indeed, only after personal experience can one understand...

The deity of Eastrise cannot give me the answer I want.

It's that person...

Awakener, why does the power of the Orochi have no effect on him?

...

So, that means we are going to be together for the rest of our lives, right?

Huh?

What are you talking about! Three people don't count!

There are many ways to accompany someone for a lifetime, for example, as a friend, you can also accompany someone for a lifetime.

You'd better really think so.

It seems that your relationship has indeed improved.

Is Tensui Kagura truly effective?

How can you say that too!

That's terrible! I'm going to complain to my deity!

...Puhahaha.

Orochi, I am not you, nor am I your shrine maiden.

What I want is to actively attack to get it, not to hide in the shrine and wait.

When I was young, the crisis brought by the Nebu Alliance had just ended, and the Joint Council had not yet split into Eastrise and Nebu.

At that time, the Joint Council was not clear that Nebu would fall into civil strife due to the failure of the war, and the bigwigs were all thinking of ways to deal with the possible third invasion of Nebu.

At this moment, I underwent the Case Modification surgery from the Joint Council.

Is the modification surgery during the Joint Council period... a sequelae of imperfect technology?

No, in fact, the modification technology was already quite advanced at that time, it's just that I was rather special.

After testing, I have a high match with the snake, but I am not satisfied with normal snakes, so I actively participated in a special experiment.

That was an experiment that violated the rules of the Joint Council, many things were irregular, I even didn't know what my species was, I only knew it was related to the snake faithling.

Later, when I wanted to investigate the flaws in me, I found that all the records related to the experiment had been destroyed, and I couldn't find anything.

Defect? That's what the Orochi said...

It's not too bad, not as serious as it said.

The species I fused with is not complete, it lacks the most important part, which causes the power in me to be like water without a source, the more I use, the less I have.

Once I've exhausted all my power, I will become a normal person again... a normal person who can't undergo the Case Modification surgery.

Of course, I'm not satisfied with just being a normal person, so before my strength is exhausted, I start looking everywhere for ways to complete my species.

I have worked hard for many years, I have gained fame, wealth, and the recognition of the Eastrise ancient clan... I have gained everything that humans can achieve through hard work.

But all of this does not include a solution to my flaws, what it needs is not effort, but luck.

It sounds very desperate.

Indeed, I'm very desperate, so, in order not to be knocked down by despair, I fell in love with alcohol.

This is the best decision I've ever made, because it filled in the bit of luck I was missing.

I have funded the resumption of production in dozens of original liquor production areas, fortunately, this includes the original production area of Yunjian liquor, Feiyun Valley.

Even better, or rather luckier, just when my strength was about to run out, a group of tourists came to Feiyun Valley for tourism and also unlocked the seal of the Feiyun Valley Shrine.

It was the time when Dorothy, Behemoth, and I came to Eastrise...

So I came here personally, standing in the Feiyun Valley Shrine, feeling the power of the Faithling named Orochi.

The scattered power went directly into my body, the power that I couldn't replenish, got replenished for the first time after I completed the Modification surgery.

My species is the giant serpent sealed by the Driftmist Valley Shrine, or more accurately, most of its flesh.

The core of the Orochi has been sealed here, and its other parts are on me...

Under the power of the Echo Crystal fusion, as long as the power of the Orochi approaches me, it will be absorbed by me and transformed into my power.

I have been continuously absorbing the power of the Orochi during this period, which is why the Orochi would call me a thief.

...This is also why we didn't feel anything unusual when we first arrived at the shrine, right?

Because the power that Orochi dissipated through the seal, was all absorbed by you.

That's right.

This is the secret I've kept hidden and never voluntarily mentioned to anyone, you are the first audience.

I hope you won't be the last batch.

But why would the Orochi say that once you've exhausted its power, it will...

Because of Echo Crystal.

Because of the power of the Echo Crystal, Roxy took the lead when facing the Orochi, also because of the Echo Crystal...

When Roxy loses the power of the Great Serpent and becomes a normal person, the Echo Crystal will completely corrode Roxy - just like the people when the Calamity first erupted.

Wait a minute, since Miss Roxy can absorb the power of the Orochi, then these residents who are out of control being pulled into the dream by the Orochi...

I can't do it, Miss Dorothy.

I compete with the Orochi for dominance because of the modification surgery and the Echo Crystal. When the Orochi possesses those who've undergone the surgery, this advantage is lost.

This is also the reason why I need you to sing to lure the Orochi to reveal its true form.

I see...

Whether it's for Roxy's health or for the residents of the town, we must find the Orochi and then force out its true form.

The purpose of the serpent is to find a person, but Roxy said that person is already dead.

Miss Roxy?

Regarding the purpose of the Orochi and the person it is looking for, I actually only figured it out today.

Firstly, I need to correct a mistake for you, that is the seal of the Orochi.

According to Driftmist Valley Records, the Orochi was sealed by the gods, but today, the shrine maiden told me something.

The secret technique I use to seal myself to prevent the natural dissipation of power is of the same origin as the seal of the Orochi.

In other words, the seal of the Orochi does not come from other Faithlings, but from itself.

What?

Before today, I had never seen what it looks like when a Orochi escapes from its seal, nor had I seen the state of a revealed seal.

It was also under the reminder of Miss Shrine Maiden that I realized this.

Driftmist Valley Records beautified the story of a young girl. If I'm not mistaken, she must have been the sacrifice offered to the Orochi by the residents at that time.

For some reason, the Orochi did not kill the little girl, but instead made her its own priestess.

The Spirit Festival is not because the gods like wine, but because the Orochi likes wine!

Wait, hold on!

I think I've seen this story before!

Have...you read this story?

I have read all the books related to the witch and the shrine in Eastrise, so I was curious when I heard that a shrine had sealed a Faithling of the snake species that could make people sleep.

In fact, this curiosity is the real reason that drives me to come here.

No, it's not the time to talk about this, it's story time.

The story of how Tensui Kagura, my favorite divine kagura, was created!

The story begins with a very brave little girl encountering a big monster that just happened to be very full.

The little girl was offered as a sacrifice to the big monster, and the big monster treated the little girl as its reserve food.

The little girl asked the big monster, 'Are humans very delicious?' The big monster replied, 'The most delicious thing in the world is alcohol. If it can drink to its fill, it doesn't matter if it doesn't eat humans.'

So the little girl said she was willing to become the witch of the big demon, to find all kinds of wine for the big demon. The big demon didn't care about a little girl's words, but it found it interesting, so it let the little girl go.

Later, the little girl brought a lot of fine wine to the big monster. Since then, the big monster no longer ate people, but only drank fine wine.

Many years passed like this, the little girl grew into a big witch, the big monster wanted the witch to stay by his side, so he asked the witch if there was anything she liked.

The shrine maiden said she likes music and dancing, but the great demon doesn't understand these, the human melody is extremely noisy to it, unbearable.

However, in order to keep the witch by his side, the demon provides a piece of music for the witch every day, and the witch choreographs for it.

At first, the shrine maiden was very reluctant because the melody given by the big demon had no rhythm at all, but the big demon insisted on doing so, day after day...

The melody of each day is more pleasing than the previous one. Finally, the shrine maiden was moved by the melody written by the great demon, and began to choreograph.

Time passed day by day, until the witch was old, Tensui Kagura was finally completed, but the witch had no ability to perform it herself at this time.

Tensui Kagura is not just any divine kagura. It's symbolizes the lifetime of a shrine maiden, the relationship between her and the divine in a certain sense.

It's my favorite Divine Revelry!

It matches up, all the details match up!

So that's how it is, hence the existence of the wine spring at the Spirit Spring Festival, and that's why the Orochi would still possess Dorothy even when Roxy is present!

Indeed, they all match, but...cough cough cough!

Ah!

Roxy?! What's wrong with you?

Blood with red crystals... This is the symptom of erosion inside the Echo Crystal!

It's nothing, just that when I was emotionally agitated before, some of my strength was dissipated... cough cough.

I have resealed the power, there won't be any problems for a short time.

Internal erosion only occurs when in a long-term environment of high concentration Echo Particulate, under the condition of low Echo Crystal Resistance...

Roxy, did you really start drinking to fend off despair?

You are really sharp and straightforward, Miss Witch.

To some extent, alcohol has indeed been used by me as a painkiller, because it can numb the pain, so the pain won't make me lose my sanity, but instead makes me more sober.

Cough cough..

Stop talking, let me give you a full body check-up.

The situation is serious... Even if you replenish the species now, your current condition will still leave lingering health issues.

I know, but once I have completed the species, I can perform the surgery.

The power of the great serpent that I inherited is regeneration, it is not entirely under my control. Once I get hurt, the power will gradually be consumed to accelerate the healing of the wound.

As long as we obtain Orochi to complete the species, everything will get better.

Don't talk like this, it's very dangerous.

No, if I don't speak up, I feel like I won't have a chance anymore.

I actually had a feeling before, the plan was going too smoothly then...

Clearly, I only have this one chance, once lost, I will lose everything!

I will prepare for all contingencies in advance, so I have also prepared for the loss of everything.

You...

Do you still remember that I kissed you at the hot spring?

That's my preparation.

Let me tell you a little secret, that was my first kiss.

Roxy...

Everything is clear now.

The deity at Driftmist Valley's shrine is the sealed Orochi, and the one it seeks is the shrine maiden who offered it wine years ago.

Only in this way, when Roxy said that Orochi was looking for the dead, would Orochi become furious, so angry that even the way he spoke became normal.

If that's the case, then Ziz simply couldn't complete her transaction.

Ziz cannot complete the transaction, her body will be completely taken away by the Orochi.

This must have a special meaning for the Orochi...!

Otherwise, after the death of the shrine maiden, the giant serpent wouldn't have self-sealed here for so many years...

Even considering the factor of Echo Crystal, it should leave here after the Scourge.

About this, I have a guess.

The serpent once made a request to us, which was to hand over Dorothy.

If the Orochi is interested in music because it once composed the Tensui Kagura for the shrine maiden, then...

Could its purpose possibly be to watch a performance of Tensui Kagura?

There is a possibility, no, there is a great possibility.

I remember in the story's ending about the shrine maiden and the great demon, it was said that the shrine maiden's greatest regret was that the great demon never saw a full performance of Tensui Kagura before she died.

...The divine music that took the witch's entire life to create, you haven't seen it in its entirety?

After all, by the time Tensui Kagura was nearly completed, the shrine maiden had already grown old.

...

Cough cough cough... Hahaha...

I don't know why, but I suddenly feel some sympathy for the big snake.

Ring, do you remember the melody of Tensui Kagura?

Of course, this is my favorite tune.

Phew!

So, how should we find the Orochi?

Perhaps you can try playing Tensui Kagura at maximum volume...

And then, Miss Witch again...

Watching others perform Tensui Kagura?

No one is worthy to perform it in front of me!

Orochi, and Ziz!

I didn't expect you to actually know about Tensui Kagura. I underestimated you.

But it's a pity, you are still mortals after all, you will never understand my goal!

That... I remember you were speaking normally before, can you go back to that?

Isn't it tiring for you to keep using 'thou' and 'thee'?

...

Are you trying to provoke me?

Ziz!

Sigh...

Don't treat me as your servant... We are in a transaction, the relationship is equal.

Ziz, what is your purpose?

Perhaps I can help you, Roxy too...

Sorry, what I'm doing now is what I want to do.

Ladies and gentlemen, please hand over Miss Roxy.

I only want her.

Impossible.

It's indeed unlikely.

Then we can only take action.

*Cough...

You guys are really strong.

What a pity, you were just a little bit short of success.

Ziz! Don't forget our deal!

Don't worry... I didn't forget!

My body...?

What did you do to her!?

I just controlled her body--

Cough cough..

Divine power erosion?! Haven't you all already undergone sublimation, you should not fear divine power...

Are you really...

Leave me alone, Dorothy!

You have successfully angered me!

Let me bring disaster upon you!

Alright, it seems that I need to explain a concept to you first - reincarnation.

The soul of humans is reincarnated.

After a person dies, her soul will be sent to the side of the deity, who will decide based on her life experiences whether she can have a next life.

What are you saying, I am a god!

No, you are a Faithling, the deity is the source of everything, for instance... the deity who brings the Echo Crystal and the Celestial Sound I believe in.

I am the disaster of mountains and rivers, the Devourer of HP! I bring vitality, and I also bring death!

It seems that you don't understand what I'm saying.

You can regard the deity I mentioned as some kind of existence, that's okay, right?

How do you prove it?

No, I can't prove it, this matter only depends on whether you are willing to believe.

Don't you really think that Roxy has similarities with the shrine maiden you've met before?

...

She is very greedy, she wants everything, even my power, she also wants.

Who are you talking about?

...

I am the disaster of mountains and rivers, the Devourer of HP!

Wait--

I've been waiting for you for a long time!

You...

Got you! Big snake!

Ahhhhhh...

Awakener! Take the chance now!!

Not yet... I'm not yet...

...

Is it... over?

Sigh... Where is Ziz?

When we were fighting with the Orochi, she had already run away, and now we can't even see a shadow.

Are you okay, where is the Orochi?

The big snake has disappeared.

I inherited some fragments of memory from it, those fragments are now rapidly disappearing in my mind... Can you help me remember them?

The reason it refers to itself as 'I' is because its shrine maiden believes that such self-reference is more like a real deity.

Also, the shrine maiden actually doesn't understand alcohol, she will pass out directly when she encounters alcohol.

And the recorded 'Mountain spring has spirit, transformed into wine' is actually the first time the witch maiden offered wine, she brought the big snake to a hot spring, the witch maiden poured a small bottle of white wine into the spring water...

Before the snake could get angry, she fainted herself because she smelled alcohol.

Later... later, the shrine maiden spent a long, long time for the sake of the giant serpent, and finally brewed a sake that the giant serpent liked without ever tasting it herself. The giant serpent called it 'Sake of the Clouds'.

The one who didn't understand music created Tensui Kagura, and the one who didn't understand wine brewed the wine among the clouds...

Roxy, you are crying.

This is the complete story of the shrine maiden and the god.

The story of witches and gods, humans and Faithlings, transcending hatred and accompanying each other for a lifetime.

That's just a story. The reality is that after losing the shrine maiden, the god no longer cares about human thoughts, arbitrarily eroding and controlling its own believers. It has turned back into the big demon it once was.

It can't be said that it has completely turned into a great demon, after all, it has been guarding here for so many years without leaving.

...The memory fragments of the Orochi have completely disappeared from my mind, I didn't find the reason why it stayed here all the time.

Indeed, our speculation is true, its obsession is indeed the dance of Tensui Kagura.

It's not just a glance, but to possess a human and jump by oneself.

Is someone jumping?

Tensui Kagura, due to its special meaning, is typically performed for those who accompany each other for a lifetime...

The person the serpent wanted to spend its life with is gone, it can only dance alone.

So, does the shrine maiden have someone she wants to spend her life with?

Why are you suddenly asking this? Also, stop calling me Miss Witch, just call me Ring.

Perhaps influenced by Orochi, I want to take a brief look at what Tensui Kagura really is.

Hm...

If we call Awakener to join us...

Don't, don't misunderstand! It's just that when there are more people, it doesn't have that special meaning anymore... It's just like that!

So that's how it is.

How come you suddenly look relieved...

I don't know what you're thinking, but you're not allowed to reassure me!

It's strange, I felt very awake last time I slept, but this time when I woke up, I felt exhausted all over.

It's like I ran a lap around the town and had a fight with someone.

Perhaps it really is like this, who knows.

Hahaha, I didn't expect you to make jokes, I don't have the habit of sleepwalking.

Moreover, Roxy explained that the reason for this situation this time is because the deity wants to completely erase the Orochi, so the resistance of the Orochi is very fierce.

Although I didn't see the specific scene, just looking at my exhausted body, it must have been a earth-shattering battle.

Miss Dorothy, thank you very much for your help.

No need to be so polite, I didn't do much.

I'm sorry that in order to prevent Orochi from discovering my plan in advance, I couldn't provide you with enough space and stage to hold a concert for you.

Now that the Orochi has dissipated, is Miss Dorothy still interested in holding a concert?

This time, I will provide a large enough venue and a magnificent stage...

Although I also want to perform again, what the fans of Feiyun Valley need is not an idol, but you.

Moreover, I am very busy. There are many fans in the Empire waiting for me.

When there are really a lot of my fans here, invite me to perform here again.

Oh yes, remember to book the performance time in advance, no matter how much penalty you pay next time, it will be useless.

Dorothy will only make an exception once for insincere fans.

Are we just leaving like this?

The issue has been resolved satisfactorily, and I have gained unexpected benefits, so of course I have to go back.

You seem very happy?

Is there?

Is it because you danced Tensui Kagura in front of Awakener?

Why are you suddenly talking so much?

So, did you jump?

I won't tell you.

Hurry back, I need to tell the deity about the Orochi!

I wonder how the deity views the matter of the Orochi.

Indeed, only after personal experience can one understand...

The deity of Eastrise cannot give me the answer I want.

It's that person...

Awakener, why does the power of the Orochi have no effect on him?

...

So, that means we are going to be together for the rest of our lives, right?

Huh?

What are you talking about! Three people don't count!

There are many ways to accompany someone for a lifetime, for example, as a friend, you can also accompany someone for a lifetime.

You'd better really think so.

It seems that your relationship has indeed improved.

Is Tensui Kagura truly effective?

How can you say that too!

That's terrible! I'm going to complain to my deity!

...Puhahaha.

Orochi, I am not you, nor am I your shrine maiden.

What I want is to actively attack to get it, not to hide in the shrine and wait.

Wait a minute, since Miss Roxy can absorb the power of the Orochi, then these residents who are out of control being pulled into the dream by the Orochi...

I can't do it, Miss Dorothy.

I compete with the Orochi for dominance because of the modification surgery and the Echo Crystal. When the Orochi possesses those who've undergone the surgery, this advantage is lost.

This is also the reason why I need you to sing to lure the Orochi to reveal its true form.

I see...

Whether it's for Roxy's health or for the residents of the town, we must find the Orochi and then force out its true form.

The purpose of the serpent is to find a person, but Roxy said that person is already dead.

Miss Roxy?

Regarding the purpose of the Orochi and the person it is looking for, I actually only figured it out today.

Firstly, I need to correct a mistake for you, that is the seal of the Orochi.

According to Driftmist Valley Records, the Orochi was sealed by the gods, but today, the shrine maiden told me something.

The secret technique I use to seal myself to prevent the natural dissipation of power is of the same origin as the seal of the Orochi.

In other words, the seal of the Orochi does not come from other Faithlings, but from itself.

What?

Before today, I had never seen what it looks like when a Orochi escapes from its seal, nor had I seen the state of a revealed seal.

It was also under the reminder of Miss Shrine Maiden that I realized this.

Driftmist Valley Records beautified the story of a young girl. If I'm not mistaken, she must have been the sacrifice offered to the Orochi by the residents at that time.

For some reason, the Orochi did not kill the little girl, but instead made her its own priestess.

The Spirit Festival is not because the gods like wine, but because the Orochi likes wine!

Wait, hold on!

I think I've seen this story before!

Have...you read this story?

I have read all the books related to the witch and the shrine in Eastrise, so I was curious when I heard that a shrine had sealed a Faithling of the snake species that could make people sleep.

In fact, this curiosity is the real reason that drives me to come here.

No, it's not the time to talk about this, it's story time.

The story of how Tensui Kagura, my favorite divine kagura, was created!

The story begins with a very brave little girl encountering a big monster that just happened to be very full.

The little girl was offered as a sacrifice to the big monster, and the big monster treated the little girl as its reserve food.

The little girl asked the big monster, 'Are humans very delicious?' The big monster replied, 'The most delicious thing in the world is alcohol. If it can drink to its fill, it doesn't matter if it doesn't eat humans.'

So the little girl said she was willing to become the witch of the big demon, to find all kinds of wine for the big demon. The big demon didn't care about a little girl's words, but it found it interesting, so it let the little girl go.

Later, the little girl brought a lot of fine wine to the big monster. Since then, the big monster no longer ate people, but only drank fine wine.

Many years passed like this, the little girl grew into a big witch, the big monster wanted the witch to stay by his side, so he asked the witch if there was anything she liked.

The shrine maiden said she likes music and dancing, but the great demon doesn't understand these, the human melody is extremely noisy to it, unbearable.

However, in order to keep the witch by his side, the demon provides a piece of music for the witch every day, and the witch choreographs for it.

At first, the shrine maiden was very reluctant because the melody given by the big demon had no rhythm at all, but the big demon insisted on doing so, day after day...

The melody of each day is more pleasing than the previous one. Finally, the shrine maiden was moved by the melody written by the great demon, and began to choreograph.

Time passed day by day, until the witch was old, Tensui Kagura was finally completed, but the witch had no ability to perform it herself at this time.

Tensui Kagura is not just any divine kagura. It's symbolizes the lifetime of a shrine maiden, the relationship between her and the divine in a certain sense.

It's my favorite Divine Revelry!

It matches up, all the details match up!

So that's how it is, hence the existence of the wine spring at the Spirit Spring Festival, and that's why the Orochi would still possess Dorothy even when Roxy is present!

Indeed, they all match, but...cough cough cough!

Ah!

Roxy?! What's wrong with you?

Blood with red crystals... This is the symptom of erosion inside the Echo Crystal!

It's nothing, just that when I was emotionally agitated before, some of my strength was dissipated... cough cough.

I have resealed the power, there won't be any problems for a short time.

Internal erosion only occurs when in a long-term environment of high concentration Echo Particulate, under the condition of low Echo Crystal Resistance...

Roxy, did you really start drinking to fend off despair?

You are really sharp and straightforward, Miss Witch.

To some extent, alcohol has indeed been used by me as a painkiller, because it can numb the pain, so the pain won't make me lose my sanity, but instead makes me more sober.

Cough cough..

Stop talking, let me give you a full body check-up.

The situation is serious... Even if you replenish the species now, your current condition will still leave lingering health issues.

I know, but once I have completed the species, I can perform the surgery.

The power of the great serpent that I inherited is regeneration, it is not entirely under my control. Once I get hurt, the power will gradually be consumed to accelerate the healing of the wound.

As long as we obtain Orochi to complete the species, everything will get better.

Don't talk like this, it's very dangerous.

No, if I don't speak up, I feel like I won't have a chance anymore.

I actually had a feeling before, the plan was going too smoothly then...

Clearly, I only have this one chance, once lost, I will lose everything!

I will prepare for all contingencies in advance, so I have also prepared for the loss of everything.

You...

Do you still remember that I kissed you at the hot spring?

That's my preparation.

Let me tell you a little secret, that was my first kiss.

Roxy...

Everything is clear now.

The deity at Driftmist Valley's shrine is the sealed Orochi, and the one it seeks is the shrine maiden who offered it wine years ago.

Only in this way, when Roxy said that Orochi was looking for the dead, would Orochi become furious, so angry that even the way he spoke became normal.

If that's the case, then Ziz simply couldn't complete her transaction.

Ziz cannot complete the transaction, her body will be completely taken away by the Orochi.

This must have a special meaning for the Orochi...!

Otherwise, after the death of the shrine maiden, the giant serpent wouldn't have self-sealed here for so many years...

Even considering the factor of Echo Crystal, it should leave here after the Scourge.

About this, I have a guess.

The serpent once made a request to us, which was to hand over Dorothy.

If the Orochi is interested in music because it once composed the Tensui Kagura for the shrine maiden, then...

Could its purpose possibly be to watch a performance of Tensui Kagura?

There is a possibility, no, there is a great possibility.

I remember in the story's ending about the shrine maiden and the great demon, it was said that the shrine maiden's greatest regret was that the great demon never saw a full performance of Tensui Kagura before she died.

...The divine music that took the witch's entire life to create, you haven't seen it in its entirety?

After all, by the time Tensui Kagura was nearly completed, the shrine maiden had already grown old.

...

Cough cough cough... Hahaha...

I don't know why, but I suddenly feel some sympathy for the big snake.

Ring, do you remember the melody of Tensui Kagura?

Of course, this is my favorite tune.

Phew!

So, how should we find the Orochi?

Perhaps you can try playing Tensui Kagura at maximum volume...

And then, Miss Witch again...

Watching others perform Tensui Kagura?

No one is worthy to perform it in front of me!

Orochi, and Ziz!

I didn't expect you to actually know about Tensui Kagura. I underestimated you.

But it's a pity, you are still mortals after all, you will never understand my goal!

That... I remember you were speaking normally before, can you go back to that?

Isn't it tiring for you to keep using 'thou' and 'thee'?

...

Are you trying to provoke me?

Ziz!

Sigh...

Don't treat me as your servant... We are in a transaction, the relationship is equal.

Ziz, what is your purpose?

Perhaps I can help you, Roxy too...

Sorry, what I'm doing now is what I want to do.

Ladies and gentlemen, please hand over Miss Roxy.

I only want her.

Impossible.

It's indeed unlikely.

Then we can only take action.

*Cough...

You guys are really strong.

What a pity, you were just a little bit short of success.

Ziz! Don't forget our deal!

Don't worry... I didn't forget!

My body...?

What did you do to her!?

I just controlled her body--

Cough cough..

Divine power erosion?! Haven't you all already undergone sublimation, you should not fear divine power...

Are you really...

Leave me alone, Dorothy!

You have successfully angered me!

Let me bring disaster upon you!

Alright, it seems that I need to explain a concept to you first - reincarnation.

The soul of humans is reincarnated.

After a person dies, her soul will be sent to the side of the deity, who will decide based on her life experiences whether she can have a next life.

What are you saying, I am a god!

No, you are a Faithling, the deity is the source of everything, for instance... the deity who brings the Echo Crystal and the Celestial Sound I believe in.

I am the disaster of mountains and rivers, the Devourer of HP! I bring vitality, and I also bring death!

It seems that you don't understand what I'm saying.

You can regard the deity I mentioned as some kind of existence, that's okay, right?

How do you prove it?

No, I can't prove it, this matter only depends on whether you are willing to believe.

Don't you really think that Roxy has similarities with the shrine maiden you've met before?

...

She is very greedy, she wants everything, even my power, she also wants.

Who are you talking about?

...

I am the disaster of mountains and rivers, the Devourer of HP!

Wait--

I've been waiting for you for a long time!

You...

Got you! Big snake!

Ahhhhhh...

Awakener! Take the chance now!!

Not yet... I'm not yet...

...

Is it... over?

Sigh... Where is Ziz?

When we were fighting with the Orochi, she had already run away, and now we can't even see a shadow.

Are you okay, where is the Orochi?

The big snake has disappeared.

I inherited some fragments of memory from it, those fragments are now rapidly disappearing in my mind... Can you help me remember them?

The reason it refers to itself as 'I' is because its shrine maiden believes that such self-reference is more like a real deity.

Also, the shrine maiden actually doesn't understand alcohol, she will pass out directly when she encounters alcohol.

And the recorded 'Mountain spring has spirit, transformed into wine' is actually the first time the witch maiden offered wine, she brought the big snake to a hot spring, the witch maiden poured a small bottle of white wine into the spring water...

Before the snake could get angry, she fainted herself because she smelled alcohol.

Later... later, the shrine maiden spent a long, long time for the sake of the giant serpent, and finally brewed a sake that the giant serpent liked without ever tasting it herself. The giant serpent called it 'Sake of the Clouds'.

The one who didn't understand music created Tensui Kagura, and the one who didn't understand wine brewed the wine among the clouds...

Roxy, you are crying.

This is the complete story of the shrine maiden and the god.

The story of witches and gods, humans and Faithlings, transcending hatred and accompanying each other for a lifetime.

That's just a story. The reality is that after losing the shrine maiden, the god no longer cares about human thoughts, arbitrarily eroding and controlling its own believers. It has turned back into the big demon it once was.

It can't be said that it has completely turned into a great demon, after all, it has been guarding here for so many years without leaving.

...The memory fragments of the Orochi have completely disappeared from my mind, I didn't find the reason why it stayed here all the time.

Indeed, our speculation is true, its obsession is indeed the dance of Tensui Kagura.

It's not just a glance, but to possess a human and jump by oneself.

Is someone jumping?

Tensui Kagura, due to its special meaning, is typically performed for those who accompany each other for a lifetime...

The person the serpent wanted to spend its life with is gone, it can only dance alone.

So, does the shrine maiden have someone she wants to spend her life with?

Why are you suddenly asking this? Also, stop calling me Miss Witch, just call me Ring.

Perhaps influenced by Orochi, I want to take a brief look at what Tensui Kagura really is.

Hm...

If we call Awakener to join us...

Don't, don't misunderstand! It's just that when there are more people, it doesn't have that special meaning anymore... It's just like that!

So that's how it is.

How come you suddenly look relieved...

I don't know what you're thinking, but you're not allowed to reassure me!

It's strange, I felt very awake last time I slept, but this time when I woke up, I felt exhausted all over.

It's like I ran a lap around the town and had a fight with someone.

Perhaps it really is like this, who knows.

Hahaha, I didn't expect you to make jokes, I don't have the habit of sleepwalking.

Moreover, Roxy explained that the reason for this situation this time is because the deity wants to completely erase the Orochi, so the resistance of the Orochi is very fierce.

Although I didn't see the specific scene, just looking at my exhausted body, it must have been a earth-shattering battle.

Miss Dorothy, thank you very much for your help.

No need to be so polite, I didn't do much.

I'm sorry that in order to prevent Orochi from discovering my plan in advance, I couldn't provide you with enough space and stage to hold a concert for you.

Now that the Orochi has dissipated, is Miss Dorothy still interested in holding a concert?

This time, I will provide a large enough venue and a magnificent stage...

Although I also want to perform again, what the fans of Feiyun Valley need is not an idol, but you.

Moreover, I am very busy. There are many fans in the Empire waiting for me.

When there are really a lot of my fans here, invite me to perform here again.

Oh yes, remember to book the performance time in advance, no matter how much penalty you pay next time, it will be useless.

Dorothy will only make an exception once for insincere fans.

Are we just leaving like this?

The issue has been resolved satisfactorily, and I have gained unexpected benefits, so of course I have to go back.

You seem very happy?

Is there?

Is it because you danced Tensui Kagura in front of Awakener?

Why are you suddenly talking so much?

So, did you jump?

I won't tell you.

Hurry back, I need to tell the deity about the Orochi!

I wonder how the deity views the matter of the Orochi.

Indeed, only after personal experience can one understand...

The deity of Eastrise cannot give me the answer I want.

It's that person...

Awakener, why does the power of the Orochi have no effect on him?

...

So, that means we are going to be together for the rest of our lives, right?

Huh?

What are you talking about! Three people don't count!

There are many ways to accompany someone for a lifetime, for example, as a friend, you can also accompany someone for a lifetime.

You'd better really think so.

It seems that your relationship has indeed improved.

Is Tensui Kagura truly effective?

How can you say that too!

That's terrible! I'm going to complain to my deity!

...Puhahaha.

Orochi, I am not you, nor am I your shrine maiden.

What I want is to actively attack to get it, not to hide in the shrine and wait.