Chapter 224: A dangerous custom

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No, this isn’t an april fool’s joke!


“Tea.”

“Thanks.” (Makoto)

“I appreciate the long journey you made to come here. I…have longed for this day to come since long ago.”

Being invited inside the shrine, we were led to a place that seems to be the guest room, and the white skinned shrine maiden-san poured tea for us.

Now that I think about it, there’s not much opportunities to enter a shrine.

Moreover, it is not to the place where we give prayers, but in a space where the shrine maiden-san is living in.

In modern days, the people in that line of work normally lived in other places, and most of them had to go back and forth between their home and the shrine.

I have obtained an experience I didn’t expect I would get.

“I want to confirm this first but, did someone tell you to serve me?” (Makoto)

“Shiva -Daikuten-sama. This Shinto shrine, the Buddhist temple inside this grounds, and the temple; all of those three are joint presents from Daikokuten-sama, Susanoo-sama, and Athena-sama respectively.”

The shrine maiden-san speaks out the same names of the Gods of my previous world.

Only a restricted few know of my contact with those personages.

Then there’s low chances that this is a trap huh.

…How to say it, the vigilance that Tomoe, Mio and Shiki are showing towards the shrine maiden-san is quite the thing, so even I end up getting nervous and cautious.

There has been no instance where the Goddess has made contact with Asora, and she has been surprisingly docile lately.

This may be what they call: ‘the calm before the storm’, so I can’t be relieved though. Trying to set me up by using the names of the Gods that were one of the reasons she has turned docile would be too big of a risk for her.

That thing is not an impressive God that would be able to intervene in Asora without us being able to notice.

I exchange glances with Tomoe and the others and tell them with my eyes to calm down the slight hostility they are showing.

However, Tomoe looks like she is actually interested in the shrine maiden-san and wants to ask her a lot of things though, and yet, she is showing hostility as well.

I currently don’t see this person as someone that dangerous.

It is certainly true that I am feeling something by being face to face with her, but even I myself don’t know what that ‘something’ is.

I had a truly small lingering discomfort inside my heart.

That’s how I felt.

I don’t feel danger from her, and I don’t see her as a threat either, so being stubborn because of a vague feeling based on my instincts would just be wrong.

“Athena-sama, is it. So that’s why there’s also a white Parthenon-looking temple as well.” (Makoto)

The shrine maiden-san made a slight sad expression.

“Goshujin-sama, please stop with the formal speech. I am a servant of yours. Please, treat me…like those three personages there.”

“Hah…” (Makoto)

Even if you tell me that…treating you the same way as Tomoe and the others that have been living with me for a considerable amount of time would be a hard request for me.

Because of that, I ended up giving a vague response.

I am still not used to this sudden master and servant relationship.

I did have a similar experience with Sari, but I think I won’t be treating her in the same way as Tomoe and the others in my lifetime.

If I had bought slaves in moderation and had gotten used to their treatment, would it have been any different?

…Those things are not in my nature though.

“That’s quite the demand even though you suddenly popped up-desu wa ne.” (Mio)

“Exactly-ja. In the first place, to treat you in the same way as us when you haven’t even introduced yourself, isn’t that way too lacking in manners?” (Tomoe)

“…”

Slightly after my vague response, Tomoe and Mio gave complains to the shrine maiden-san.

Shiki didn’t really say anything.

But he doesn’t seem to be in a good mood.

It is different from exhaustion, he is giving off a dangerous atmosphere.

“Asking for equal treatment? I wouldn’t dare. Tomoe-san, I simply want to be added to the lowest seat of your group, that’s all. Regarding my name…I was about to talk about that. There’s some slight circumstances you see.”

Tomoe?

Why does this shrine maiden-san know the name of Tomoe?

Leaving aside my name, did I even tell the Gods about the name of Tomoe?

“…This doesn’t feel that good. I don’t remember telling you my name.” (Tomoe)

“I have been informed of the minimum required information beforehand. Also, I apologize for my discourtesy. Sorry for that.”

“Hmph.”

“Ah then, can you please tell me the circumstances of your name?” (Makoto)

It would be troublesome if this becomes too stormy.

I somehow cut into it and asked for an explanation from the shrine maiden-san.

That Tomoe, she was angered by the fact that the shrine maiden-san didn’t introduce herself?

“It seems like Goshujin-sama is knowledgeable about Shinto shrines, so you probably already know. There’s a few sides to being a shrine maiden.”

She send me a meaningful gaze.

Well, I do have a bit of knowledge.

“The shrine maidens of modern times do things like Shinto ritual service and priesthood assistance, but if we go back a little, there were a lot of shrine maidens that did things like: divinations, prayers, and spiritualism.” (Makoto)

“In my case, I am an existence that is higher than the latter, but I currently also do the former ones as well.”

“Is it like the *Itako* and the *Azusa shrine maidens* that are not that many compared to the past?” (Makoto)

“That’s how it is. Goshujin-sama doesn’t seem to be in need of any of those, so I will leave the complementary explanation for a later time, and will prioritize the main issue. I had several names in the past. But they were all directed at me by the being I was related with.”

“…”

Is she saying that she has been a spirit medium since forever?

Does that mean she is specialized in spiritualism?

“I am a shrine maiden that serves the Gods, and am also one of them. That’s why I have abandoned those names, and since I have gotten a new master, I don’t have a name to give. If I had to put an example, it would be like a relationship between the sun and moon, the puppet of the God I am employed with.”

“…I don’t really understand it well.” (Makoto)

It was my honest impression.

It seems like she is trying to say that she is an existence that changes names frequently and her existence resets every time she does it, but…

Can that be called living?

“It isn’t something that Goshujin-sama who has been living a mortal life would be able to understand immediately. Think of me as a tool that has a life, please.”

The shrine maiden calls herself a tool with a smile on her face.

That appearance of hers looked somewhat like Sari…or not.

Sari did that by her own volition.

But this shrine maiden-san gives me the impression that she is here because she was told to.

“So you are literally a gift huh.” (Makoto)

They send a person as a gift.

As expected of Gods, they are incredible in a lot of meanings.

No, if I think of her as a manager of these buildings, it is probably more normal than a sea huh.

Because no matter what kind of celebrity they are, someone wouldn’t normally be able to create a sea.

“Yes, that’s why Makoto-sama who will be my master from now on, and the followers that are already serving under Goshujin-sama: Tomoe-sama, Mio-sama, and…”

The shrine maiden-san shifts her gaze towards Shiki.

As if matching the movements of her eyes, Shiki, who was slightly further at my back, fell.

For a second, I thought that the shrine maiden-san did something, but once I looked at the posture of Shiki, I could tell the reason.

He has fallen to the side while still in his seiza position.

There’s no need to force yourself into doing seiza you know.

Tomoe and Mio are also doing seiza.

When I entered the room, I sat down in seiza by nature, and seeing that, it seems like the three of them did the same.

From the glimpse I caught, I could tell that the other two are still okay.

“I-I am sorry.” (Shiki)

“Don’t go showing openings.” (Mio)

*pang*

Along with those words, Mio brings out her folding fan from her bosom and hit the back of Shiki’s legs.

Uwaa.

That’s harsh.

“Ugh~~”

Without saying any comprehensible words, Shiki gives a reaction that was akin to fainting in agony.

His hands were wriggling in pain.

I can understand that feeling.

But opening, she says.

It is not enemy territory.

“Fufu, I don’t mind you taking a posture that’s more comfortable for you.”

“Sorry, thank you.” (Makoto)

I apologize and thank her in place of the agonizing Shiki.

“There’s no need to say that. It seems like the conversation has dragged on. I am the one that should be apologizing. Please just have in mind that I have already heard a considerable amount of things about all of you beforehand.”

After she finished saying that, she takes a sip of her tea.

The shrine maiden-san doesn’t change that gentle smile.

There’s no awkwardness in it, she is skilfull.

Ah, so that’s what it was.

She resembles people like: Rembrandt-san, Sairitz-san, and Zef.

People that are difficult to read their true feelings.

Rembrandt-san gets incredibly friendly when it concerns his family, so he doesn’t fall completely in that category.

The type that even when laughing, you can’t feel relieved, and even if they are angry, you can’t tell if they are serious.

There’s currently a lot of people like that in my surroundings, but that doesn’t mean I am good at handling them.

Honestly speaking, leaving aside a distanced relationship, if I get involved with them directly, I get tired.

…Gods tend to like things like trials, so is this a personnel selection by those three after seeing through that weak side of me?

I am beginning to feel this is an incredible harassment.

With that alignment, I feel like this person is an incredibly capable person.

“I understand that you know about us. But I feel like the problem of not having a name has not been resolved yet.” (Makoto)

“I have heard that Goshujin-sama gives a name to the people that you have formed a ruling pact with. It would be a blessing if I were to receive a name from you after the pact. If there’s no other shrine maiden, I don’t mind if you call me shrine maiden though.”

It is true that there’s no shrine maidens in Asora aside from her.

But to have her go with no name would be cruel.

I have to think of a name again.

Well, she was a referral from the Gods, so I don’t mind making a pact with this person.

In the first place, there’s no demerits for me in doing a ruling pact.

That’s only if the pact is possible, that is.

The only thing I am bothered about is that she seems to give the air of being secretive, but with a pact made, that won’t be much of a problem.

…Probably.

“Is it possible to do a pact with me now?” (Makoto)

“There’s probably no problem. If Goshujin-sama holds his power back a bit and makes a pact with me, I think I will be able to somehow manage.”

It is like in the time with Shiki huh.

After that, Shiki got a pretty special ability he called the 13th steps.

That’s probably…not a demerit.

“Then I will have to return to my home and prepare for it. Or is it necessary for the pact to be here? Do you have any sort of circumstances?” (Makoto)

The distribution of work is currently heavily leaned towards Shiki.

I think she at least can do work better than me, so I don’t think it is bad to have more followers.

It is fine to accept—

“Wait.” (Tomoe)

“…Tomoe? What?” (Makoto)

“Even if it’s the gift of those Gods from a different world, I think it is a problem to accept this woman so fast.” (Tomoe)

It is a gift from the Gods in Tsukuyomi-sama’s side, so there shouldn’t be any problems.

It would be one thing if she were a gift of the hyumans or the Goddess, but it is from the Gods of that side, you know?

I don’t think there’s the need to get your breathing rough.

“But Tomoe, isn’t that fine? She doesn’t seem to have infiltrated from the outside, and we already know that she suddenly appeared in Asora. There’s no chance it is a trap from the hyumans or the Goddess.” (Makoto)

The only ones that have been able to invade Asora without my or Tomoe’s permission are this shrine maiden, and the Gods that gave us this imposing Shinto shrine and the many other things.

“From what I hear, this shrine maiden has been serving the Gods until now. Is that right?” (Tomoe)

“Yes. I have been serving Tsukuyomi-sama until the modern times, and have been doing routine tasks.”

Tomoe directs her questions at the shrine maiden-san, and she responded with her unchanging smile.

She doesn’t seem to be agitated.

“How are you going to proof that?” (Tomoe)

“Sadly to say, I don’t have the evidence to proof that claim.”

“Then that means we can’t erase the possibility that you were send by someone with a hidden agenda in mind-ja na?” (Tomoe)

“Yes. But if it is something that I can do, I will cooperate in any manner to earn your trust.”

“Then let me read your memories. You say that you want to become a member of ours-ja. You won’t mind, right? Of course, I will protect your secrets and will not reveal them.” (Tomoe)

“Ah right, Tomoe-san has the power of reading memories. But to read the memories of an object like me…are you able to read the memories of a thing like that?”

An object huh.

Why is it I am feeling slightly pissed by that?

It is close to what I felt with Sari.

“I don’t really find it pleasant to have Waka-sama get a follower that calls herself an object though.” (Mio)

Mio also gave an objection towards having the shrine maiden-san as a follower.

If it is the instinct of Mio, there’s a pretty high chance that it is dangerous.

No no.

If it’s those Gods, there’s no way.

“I am simply telling you to show that you don’t have any evil intent or are a threat first, you know? I am telling you to expose all the memories you are hiding there.” (Tomoe)

“That’s a problem. I have not been hiding them to begin with. Excuse me for saying this but, maybe Tomoe-san’s power doesn’t work on objects?”

“Hoh…you are saying that you are not hiding them? That’s what you claim?” (Tomoe)

“And in reality, there’s nothing I need to hide from my senpai and the personage that I will be serving with my life on the line. Mio-san, regarding my behavior, I will fix that as fast as possible as I serve Goshujin-sama, so please, give me a bit of time for that.”

“…”

“…”

I feel like there’s invisible sparks flying around.

No, there’s no doubt there are sparks.

If Tomoe and Mio are against it, it is fine to just let her manage the Shinto shrine with no pact involved.

It is not like she has told me we must have a ruling pact anyways.

“…I heard that Goshujin-sama is thinking about clashing blades with a God one day. Leaving aside the present time, it depends on the degree of the opponent, but when it comes to an existence in the plane of Gods, I would only be an hindrance with my current power. Forming a ruling pact would be useful for me, and on top of that, I think it is of importance. Goshujin-sama, please.”

Right.

It is not like I have forgotten about it, but if I am thinking about fighting the Goddess once, the more the better.

There’s no resident in Asora that can participate directly in the fight with the Goddess.

The most would be Tomoe, Mio and Shiki.

If one more were to join those numbers, it would definitely reduce the burden of Tomoe and the others.

How stupid of me.

There’s still time. That means there’s time for the shrine maiden-san to get along with everyone.

If this will increase the safety of everyone, not only will this strange worry be useless, it would actually become detrimental.

This is just like the shrine maiden-san said.

“It is certainly true that having more fighting power wouldn’t be a problem. If possible, I want to make that Goddess -that Bug- yield without having to lose anyone.” (Makoto)

As if confirming my own wish, I voice it out.

“Oh my, what a sturdy spirit. Fighting a God, and not killing but making it yield, moreover, without a single casualty. Being able to say something like that when possessing the body of a mortal, as expected of the person that the Gods have taken an interest in.”

Hearing another person explain it, I am beginning to feel that what I said is completely crazy.

Well, it doesn’t simply feel crazy, it is actually crazy huh.

Now that I think about it, the world that I was thrown into was weird in the first place, so I didn’t think that my own thoughts were strange.

“Shrine maiden-san, if I were to say that I will be fighting the Goddess, you will obviously follow us, right?” (Makoto)

“Of course. To begin with, as long as I am in a ruling pact, it is impossible to go against Goshujin-sama. I promise that something like that will not happen, but if there’s a time when you are not able to believe in me and you won’t allow me to join the fight, the ruling pact will become an assurance that I won’t turn a traitor.”

To tell the truth, I am currently slightly troubled in how I should be treating her.

But having a ruling pact will eliminate the danger of being stabbed in the back, and in the first place, there’s the possibility this person will move around as she wishes in Asora and create trouble.

As I thought, it would be best to make a pact.

Okay, I have decided!!

“Yeah, I will do a pact with shrine maid—” (Makoto)

“Waka-sama, can I speak as well?” (Shiki)

Again?

This time it is Shiki huh.

What to do. I said I have already decided, but if even he were against it, my feelings will waver.

“What is it, Shiki?” (Makoto)

“Since the time we began our conversation in this room, I feel like that shrine maiden-dono there has been directing gazes at me for some reason.” (Shiki)

“…Hah?”

I involuntarily let out a dumbfounded voice.

“Of course, I am not acquainted with her. Shrine maiden-dono, can I please hear why?” (Shiki)

“Shiki, the continuous teleportation must have gotten you hard-ja na. Sorry, forgive us.” (Tomoe)

“…Hah…” (Mio)

Tomoe and Mio were looking at Shiki with strange eyes.

That’s what I thought when Tomoe suddenly spoke out rare words of worry towards Shiki, and Mio placed a hand on her forehead and sighed.

I actually wanted to say something as well, you know?

But Shiki is pretty popular in Asora, at the Academy, and in the villages as well.

It is not like he is being overly self-conscious.

I didn’t notice it, but maybe the shrine maiden-san has actually been sending gazes to Shiki.

“I tried not to make it conspicuous though. To think that you actually noticed, I have shown a shameful sight.”

Eh?!

“What a woman of bad taste-ja na. To think that this is what you like.” (Tomoe)

“Tomoe-san, likes differ between people-desu wa. There will obviously be women that like even a pitiful person like Shiki.” (Mio)

“Intellectual types attract me. And it seems like he has cute sides like having his legs go numb. He is truly likeable. Ah of course, I feel the same amount of cuteness from Goshujin-sama.”

“…Hmph.”

“I retract my statement. I can’t just overlook this as having bad taste in food.” (Mio)

What’s with this?

I wanted to retort by telling Mio that she is the last person that should be saying that.

In the first place, her first statement was supposed to be a supportive one towards the shrine maiden-san.

I remember that there have been a lot of people that have mistaken the name of Shiki with mine in the academy.

By a lot of people too.

“…Being told that, I can’t pursue the topic much. I don’t know your taste in men after all. Just that…I don’t feel like having a close relationship with a woman like you.” (Shiki)

Shiki firmly rejects her.

Impressive.

If it were me, I wouldn’t be able to know if she is a woman I don’t want to be close with in such a short amount of time.

“That’s a pity. Then I at least hope we will be able to have a good relationship as colleagues and as friends.”

This one is impressive too.

The two of them are laughing.

Now that I look again, Tomoe and Mio are also smiling coldly.

Shrine maiden-san has a gentle smile, Shiki had a confrontational smile.

I have a bitter smile.

I did the best I could and somehow managed to bring out a bitter smile.

“…Ah, uhm…in my case, I would like more fighting force. As long as we don’t know how strong is the other side, I would like to do the most I can to face her. That’s why I think I want to make a pact with this shrine maiden-san. I am also thinking this with the safety of Asora in mind.” (Makoto)

“…”

I was somehow able to put in words in this atmosphere.

The three and the shrine maiden-san were silent.

“…How about it?” (Makoto)

No one was saying their approval or their opposition, so I got slightly uneasy and requested for a reaction.

“Even if you ask us what we think, if Waka has decided it, we will just obey.” (Tomoe)

“Yes, I will obey your decision-desu wa.” (Mio)

“I as well, if it is something that Waka-sama has decided, I have no objections.” (Shiki)

Hoh, that’s great.

“Just that…” (Tomoe)

Uh, it is Tomoe.

She intends to bring out some sort of condition?

“What?” (Makoto)

“If possible, I want Waka to ask questions about Waka’s world…questions that are related to the modern times. I can’t read the memories of this woman at all. Maybe because of this power of mine, I have grown unable to easily believe in people I can’t read. I might be laughed at for being a cowardly follower, but please.” (Tomoe)

Tomoe looks at me with a stiff expression.

Well, if that will let the three have peace of mind, I don’t mind.

If this girl has knowledge of modern Japan, I would be able to trust her more than now.

Right.

What should I ask?

“Shrine maiden-san obviously knows about modern Japan, right?” (Makoto)

I will confirm just in case.

“Yes. I seldom move around, but if it’s a bit, I do.”

She truly has an expression I can’t read emotions from.

If I just take it simply as a smile, it would look good willed.

This is also simple, but when a beauty does it in such a natural manner, the effectiveness is also high.

If it were in my time in Japan, I would have definitely been frivolous with no trace of doubts.

“Then it is fine if I question you now, right?” (Makoto)

“If this will reduce your doubts towards me, it is welcoming. Please go ahead.”

“Understood.” (Makoto)

“Since we have the chance, if you are to ask me anything related to Goshujin-sama, I think I will be able to answer most of it. It is impossible for someone like me to hold all the knowledge of one world, but if it is Japan, moreover, related to Goshujin-sama, I have studied.”

Is she leading me?

But…if she has knowledge of my past as well as my surroundings, it is certainly true that the suspicions will decrease a lot.

I don’t think the Goddess would be that knowledgeable after all.

But on the contrary, if it were Tsukuyomi-sama, he seems like the type that would be knowledgeable about those things.

In that case, first…

“Then what’s the day of the sale for the magazine, Dusk, that I buy monthly?” (Makoto)

It is a question that’s closely related to my livelihood.

Probably even Tomoe and the others don’t know this one.

Dusk has a concentration of maestros in period dramas and rising stars. It is probably one of the most thickest and heaviest monthly publications in Japan.

At times, there would be diorama designs and castle designs, and that makes it even bigger.

Even so, the price is low and it is such a sublime service that wouldn’t be strange if they were to suspend publication anytime.

They have been doing something so reckless since the times before I was born, and their rise and fall has not been affected at all. Its other name is the Immortal Magazine.

And yet, the popularity it has with the people is low for some reason.

“Dusk magazine huh. At the 22nd.”

I-Instant answer.

“…Correct.” (Makoto)

“As expected of a huge company that does this magazine as a hobby, it is a magazine that has tremendous stability.”

Actually, she even knows things I don’t.

That’s something a huge company was publishing?

Where’s that splendid company?

“Tomoe, I think this person is fine.” (Makoto)

“Waka, please don’t grin over a single question. Try other random questions as well.” (Tomoe)

She knows Dusk, you know.

The magazine that I love reading and only few in my class knew about.

She even gave an instant answer for the date it comes out for sale, you know?

She is a good person.

At the very least, I am beginning to think she is not a bad person.

After that, I continued the questions without a choice, but the shrine maiden-san answered them all almost instantly.

There’s just no space for doubt, she knows modern Japan.

I tried in areas that have low connection with me just in case, but the result didn’t change.

“Tomoe, there’s no doubt that this person is from my previous world.” (Makoto)

“On the contrary, I don’t like that she has answered practically all of them correctly, but I at least have accepted it now.” (Tomoe)

“Mio, it seems like this shrine maiden-san is good at cooking. Won’t it help you in increasing your menu?” (Makoto)

“I will decide if I will let her inside the kitchen, but I have understood that she does have knowledge about your world-desu wa.” (Mio)

“Shiki, wouldn’t it help you in your research if you had someone with the magic knowledge of Gods?” (Makoto)

“If it’s just purely listening to opinions, I think it will be beneficial. I didn’t find any space for doubts in those clear answers of hers.” (Shiki)

“Thank you very much, everyone. I may be a newcomer, but please, take care of me.”

…Why is it…my stomach is feeling slightly itchy.

“You are jumping the gun a bit there.” (Tomoe)

“Eh?”

Tomoe?

“To become the follower of Waka, there’s a customary event that has to be done. Of course, I will have you do it as well.” (Tomoe)

Even I don’t know about that custom though?

Yeah, I have no memories of deciding something like that.

And yet, Mio and Shiki seem to have an idea about it, they show joy in their face as they nod at the words of Tomoe.

Seriously?

Why is there an unknown custom in making a pact with me?

A custom is something that is established after repeatedly doing it and becomes a settled thing to do, right?

The only thing that I have definitely done with Tomoe and the others when making a pact, is only that, a pact—ah.

Don’t tell me…

“I didn’t know about that. I will happily do it. What would that custom entail?”

Wait, could it be…

“Don’t worry, it is nothing complicated. We will only have you fight Waka with all you have-ja.” (Tomoe)

“…Hah?”

So it really was that!!!

“And with the intend to kill.” (Tomoe)

The shrine maiden-san now has her eyes wide opened!!

“Like hell there’s such a dangerous custom!” (Makoto)

“Now now Waka. The result is obvious, but it is a form of welcoming you know? Mio, Shiki and I; all of us have fought with our all against Waka before making a pact.” (Tomoe)

“Well, that’s true but…” (Makoto)

“It is logical that we would want the new follower to show us her power at the very least. Because you can mix falsehood in your words as much as you want after all.” (Tomoe)

It is certainly true that I don’t know the strength and type of power this shrine maiden-san has.

I simply felt like she wouldn’t fall behind Tomoe and the others, so I thought that she was definitely strong.

Also, that she doesn’t have the required amount of strength to accompany me.

Mio and Shiki were nodding over and over again as if it is a matter of course, and were riding on the words of Tomoe.

“But to go with the intend to kill is just…” (Makoto)

“Everyone did that too. Also, if you are to form a pact, you won’t be able to fight seriously against each other. It is something you can only do now.” (Tomoe)

“Hm…” (Makoto)

“What a blunder. To think that I would ask to be a member of your group without even showing my power. It is certainly true that I have done something discourteous. If Goshujin-sama consents, I will happily do it.”

Uh, the shrine maiden-san is quite the fighting type huh.

Not only did she not flinch, she was positive about it.

Tomoe and the others have narrowed their eyes slightly and accepted her words.

Well, if I don’t go with the intend to kill, I don’t think it will turn into anything serious.

In terms of killing intent, I didn’t have any of those with Tomoe and the others either after all.

Well, in the case of Mio, that might be questionable though.

“Then, let’s move to a more spacious place. I wouldn’t want to fight within Shinto shrine grounds after all.” (Makoto)

Even if the shrine maiden-san doesn’t mind, I don’t want to do it.

I press the others to go outside.

“Right.” (Tomoe)

Tomoe doesn’t seem to mind that and consented in leaving.

Leaving aside the shrine maiden-san, Tomoe likes the Shinto shrine itself, so it is probably the obvious response huh.

“Thanks for the consideration, Goshujin-sama. The only ability I can be proud of compared to the others is probably only my speed, but I will do my best. Please do take care of me.”

“Ah, same here.” (Makoto)

Speed.

That’s the weapon of this shrine maiden-san huh.

I thought she would do things like using yin-yang spells or use a naginata.

No well, speed can coexist with both possibilities.

Actually, isn’t it strange to reveal that herself?

…Hah…I can’t help but feel like I am already falling in the trap of my opponent by thinking about this.

As I thought, there’s no doubt she is the type I have difficulty in dealing with.

I can’t let her stir up my mind and lose.

That would be way too pathetic.

I will fight with my own fighting style.

On top of that, I will make her show the cards she has so that the three have a peace of mind, and I will win.

The things that I have to do, and the things that Tomoe expects me to do; if it’s my current self, I can somewhat grasp what those are.

We temporarily leave the grounds of the Shinto shrine and head to a plain we saw while we were on our way here.

“This is a good place.”

“Will you be able to show your power to your heart’s content?” (Tomoe)

“Yes.”

“Waka, are you prepared too?” (Tomoe)

“Anytime you want.” (Makoto)

“Then I will be stepping back.” (Tomoe)

Tomoe bows towards me and heads to where Mio and Shiki are.

That place doesn’t have anything delineating the area, but if it’s those three, they will be able to defend against the attacks that come flying and the waves, so there’s no need to worry.

I just have to concentrate on the white-skinned shrine maiden-san in front of me.

“I am completely prepared. Goshujin-sama, when you have finished your preparations, please let me know.”

“…”

At her waist, she has a matching pair of long and short swords, and in her hands, a naginata huh.

Also, she has something hidden in her bosom.

So she is completely prepared.

Being equipped with weapons is quite the human-like way of fighting.

“Goshujin-sama?”

Towards a person that I will be forming a pact with, moreover, someone that I will be fight with the intend to kill even if it’s for argument’s sake; it would be strange for me to always be speaking formally to someone like that huh.

She did ask me to stop the formal speech.

“Anytime you want. Just like I told you before, they did tell you to fight with the intend to kill, so there’s no need for you to be considerate.” (Makoto)

“Ara.”

…An extreme bloodlust was suddenly emitted.

This isn’t something that can be immediately aimed at someone that she had been calling Goshujin-sama not that long ago.

That smile and her gaze that had been gentle from beginning to end, for the first time, I felt like emotions had been lit in them.

……

Even though I hadn’t taken my eyes off the shrine maiden-san, her figure disappeared.

If this is something caused by speed, this is an incredible degree.

Immediately following that, I felt an impact from the Magic Armor that I had expanded narrowly and concentrated.

The grass sparsely growing in the area shook with a slight delay.

There’s unreasonable spells like teleportation, and I have already gotten used to this parallel world, so I won’t get surprised just because she disappeared though.

So this is truly the speed she can bring out without any visible motion?

“Even if it was just in place of a greeting, it is surprising that you are unscathed. As expected. By the way…I am only a shrine maiden with no name yet, but it wouldn’t be suitable to call me No Name or shrine maiden here.”

Her voice was coming from a place I don’t know.

I can’t see her, and her presence is here and there and I am unable to catch it at all.

Like a strong flickering light, she is clearly lowering and increasing her presence and bloodlust in order to confuse me.

I take one deep breath and let it out.

There’s no need to get agitated.

It will be a long fight anyways.

It is fine to just converse.

“And?” (Makoto)

“That’s why, I will be telling you an alias of mine. A name I have been called with a long time ago.”

“That would help a lot. Honestly speaking, I didn’t felt good calling you shrine maiden-san all the time.” (Makoto)

In the middle of the conversation, I could feel attacks being dealt several times.

And there were also impacts from magic.

I couldn’t see either of those.

I honestly think that this is impressive.

I can understand why she is proud of it.

From the front, sides, back; they are not reaching me, but I am one-sidedly receiving attacks.

“Fufu. Touda, there was a time in the past when I was called that way. It was truly a short time though.” (Touda)

“Touda huh. Understood.” (Makoto)

I feel I have heard it before.

Even so, from what I heard in the conversation before, there’s no assurance it will be of help right now.

Instead of trying to remember, it would be better to concentrate on the girl I am fighting with.

She said she had many names, and that she has been associated with many existences; if I were to be bothered by every single thing like that, there would be no end.

That’s fine.

Because in terms of her power…I will make her show it from now on after all.

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0 thoughts on “Chapter 224: A dangerous custom

    1. es “gracias” con c no con s. y no entendi lo de “danma y lugar”. so you need to work your spanish a bit more friend

      1. that’s a really dangerous tought…. it’s like wanting to eat a chocobo…something i’d rather avoid because they’re so cute…but….i do wonder what both would taste like >..>

      1. Sari isn’t a follower, she’s an infiltrator. In this very chapter Makoto outright says he’ll never consider her as being family the way he does the pact group.

      2. I’m really glad that he showing less signs of being naive. Honestly, when he was guilt-tripped into taking sari along by Zef it left a bad taste in my mouth. Glad to finally confirm his true feelings about that sneaky spy.

  1. Saturnalia is the Roman fete of the birth of the new sun after the shorteat day of the year on December, most likely Christmas was forced near that date to shadow the pagans.
    Thats what he meant.

    1. Saturnalia was also an orgiastic holiday, in both senses of the word. Like, yes it was a day for something equivalent to the Japanese “receiving the new year’s blessings” but it was also a massive, raucous, carnal festival. Quite a different vibe from the temples he was walking up to. Even the Greeks didn’t have sexy parties quite like the Romans did.

      1. The grees actually did have such crazy parties, the Dionysia was a party where they literally went mad on sex and wine, and they weren’t exactly heterosexuals.
        Greeks women also had their own private parties where they did some preety nasty stuff, and I don’t mean the sexy kind.
        I would take a Roman Bacchanalia over a Greek sexual party any day, just because they were a bit more civilised.

        1. Umm. Bacchanalias were festivals celebrating Bacchus, who was Dionysus in Greece. I’m pretty sure that means there were no differences between the two festivals. But you are right about the neither being strictly heterosexual. The Greeks and Romans really weren’t obsessed over that stuff like we are nowadays.

          1. Similar don’t make them equal…and as I said, greeks had some weirder knaks…
            And I do love me some rusted fish, I said it, Romans had awesome crazy dishes.

    2. Dec 25 was already a special day before the modern church came along. Dec 25 is not Christ’s birthday his in the summer time, Dec 25 is the birthday of a pagan God called Mithra that Emperor Constantine I worshiped.

      1. Mithra is a newcomer in the Roman empire though. Saturnalia was a goddamned fest that lasted 6 days, much more awesome than the birth of some Sumerian sun god that lasts for only one day.
        And the question was about saturnalia anyway, Mithra just tagged along here.

    3. Yeah Christians took over the Saturnalias to Christ birthday not just to push out pagans but to make it easier to turn to Christianity if you loved to party. For the most part Christmas keeps some things from it and some from Norths mythology with out the orgys…

  2. Haha! We expected a fourth follower Miko(thanks you spoilers out there. I won’t forget this grudge), and we expected a harem member +1.

    I just didn’t expect it to be for Shiki. Speaking of which, poor Shiki man. He got treated as an example of poor taste in men…

    And now, time for tradition. CAREFREELY KICK HER ASS MAKOTO!

    1. naa, i think she was only messing with them, look how she took the opportunity to praise makoto as cute, shiki and the others look at her with cold eyes because they realized her intentions

    2. Honestly, I don’t think she likes Shiki, may have to do with him being undead. In terms of politics she had to act friendly, and even joke about him being cute, even if she didn’t like him

  3. Shrine maiden says her specialty is speed, so I’m wondering how she’ll match up with Hibiki if they ever fight each other.

    Hibiki: “This is my fastest attack, dodge it if you can!”

    Shrine Maiden: *Casually moves at double Hibiki’s speed*

    Thanks for the chapter Reigokai. Looking forward to the next one 🙂

  4. “She knows Dusk, you know?”

    GUESS THAT SETTLES THAT. ヽ(⌐■_■)ノ♪♬

    Seriously, Makoto. You’re kinda careless at times, but this is the first time I’ve seen such blatant bias…

    1. You can’t say that. It’s the same with loli’s after all; loli=adorable+cuteness=justice. Stuff like this ain’t bias, it is just plain truth. 😀

    1. it was a pain but i found it…
      The Flaming Winged Serpent
      In Japan, onmyouji were a type of wizard monks. They used to invoke Shikigami (ceremonial deities) in order to help them achieve their tasks. One such Shikigami was Touda or Tousha, the flaming winged serpent. Touda was said to be the only Shikigami capable of killing (in fact, completely erasing from existence) a Shinigami, a God of Death.

      this was the best i could find, and it fits with her calling herself an object or a tool.

        1. To be fair, she’s probably been pretty docile in recent years. It looks to me like she’s actually quite the battle lover, despite her appearance and liking intellectual cute types.

          ….Also, Moon Bro apparently has someone called Yama who’s really into him. Best guess anyone has is King Yama, a god of judgement after death that hangs out with a destruction god like Susanoo…

      1. Ah thank you, with this I can further search down to google.
        Touda or can be read as Gurren, or in chinese myth called Teng
        https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teng_(mythology)
        She is indeed has very long CV as mythology divine beast, goes by many name and many shape, mentioned by many great person in history again and again, if only Makoto can access Wikipedia I think Tomoe will be more than delighted to have her as Kouhai.

      2. google led me to Shin megami tensei abe no semie shikigami being one of the 12 shikigami he used before.. as well as yellow dragon for reference..

    2. Seems to be a reference too Tōdai-ji the great east temple both serving budist and followers of Amaterasu . Or a yellow Dragon in chinese lore. But not sure somebody who nows the original writing of the author may find more 😉

  5. Touda as in touda from one of Abe no Seimei’s twelve shikigami?
    No wonder she thinks she is an object, she basically is life given birth by the onmyou magic of abe
    Even so, it seems we might be getting another reptile in the follower group

  6. Thanks for the double imapct!

    Touda…. I actually used to know that one. Moribito maybe? The weapons and the speed style fit as well…

    Hum they’ve really lacked on description for the shrine maiden. Really just “black hair white skin” It is kinda surprising considering the descriptions before.

  7. Woot new harem member (for shiki)!!!
    She does feel like someone with a plan. Maybe she’s just pissed because she has to work for a “mortal” when she’s a God. As gods tend to be pissy about ranks. Here to a good fight and hopefully we get to see her “real” side.
    Thanks for the chapters.

    1. Well,, Makoto now has Tomoe (Saber?/Assassin?), Mio (Berserker) and Shiki (Caster), wonder what Touda would be?
      kinda fun drawing parallels… 😛

  8. Touda?
    So she’s one of Abe no Seimei’s Shikigamis~
    I think I read it before that it was a winged serpentine dragon…

    It’s hard to search for it in the net but i think it’s that… I remember it in Raindou Kuzunasjkbdkjsahdakjdkasjd

    So that’s what it was!
    “Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. Lone Marebito” Manga

    Raidou Kuzunoha, as in the game character Makoto tok his name from~ Gahahahah~

    1. well if we dig in for more details in that manga, the person who controls touda looks like an intellectual type so it might be also be a reference…..

      also if the gazes that “girl” point to shiki might also be a pretense the fact that “touda” can kill a shikigami considering that shiki is a lich
      (though both of them are funny)

  9. Thanks for the chapters Rei-sama. Any idea about the real identity of the new follower?, I searched Touda but didn’t get a thing.

  10. Thx for the update chptr

    Well, for once, i dislike this and previous chptr… Its dragging story.
    I dont know why the author wrting this situation where makoto followers being hostile to new guest.

    Okay i understand that tomoe being alert to new comer, what i dont get makoto vant persuade that this shrine maiden neither their enemy nor the goddess ally. Maybe because tomoe, or mio or shiki cant read their opponents like usual, so they being wary.

    1. There’s that but probably they also want to avoid another Sari. You don’t want an unknown person suddenly hammering into the innermost circle don’t you?

    1. apparently not.

      google-sensei have so far given 2 distinct possibility, either the soaring snake of chinese mythos, or abe’s shikigami

      seeing how she “Transformed over time, with many masters” i would say both.

      1. The Chinese soaring snake and Abe’s Shikigami are one and the same. Onmyoudou was developed by mixing customs and rituals from Chinese Daoism and Taoism with Japanese Shintoism and Buddhism and several smaller religious sects of the time. As such many Chinese Buddhist and Japanese mythological concepts are present within its inner workings. That include the Shikigami with Abe’s Shikigami being based around the Chinese mythological creatures.

  11. Thanks for the double release and D.E.H. chapters, that’s the best birthday present for me!!! XD
    And i like to view how much she will change with the pact with Makoto…

    Thanks for the chapter…

  12. so from what i can gather this is who Touda ishttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Lord_Bag_of_Rice
    She is a servent of Abe no Seimei and is a winged serpent that serves to protect Japan and the emperor.

  13. So, after smashing a pathetic god to pieces, Makoto is now facing a servant of the gods Very nice.

    Now, I don’t know if anyone notice this, but she said that Makoto would only have to lower his magic in order to make a 8/2 pact with Makoto. When he made the pact with Shen, his strength was nearly full, but at the weakest level he has in this world. Mio came second, and he made the same pact while nearly dead. Shiki was third, and even with Makoto limiting his strength to the minimum, he needed to wear 13 rings completely infused with Makoto’s strength just to get the same result.

    But ms. Shrine Maiden is saying she can do it, when he’s strong enough to match to even destroy gods, as long as he lowers his strength a little bit. He fought Athena to the point of near defeat, and he’s far strong now than he was then. At this point, her base strength has to got to be close to Makoto’s when he battled Athena herself. There is no other way a pact would take. He’s getting a servant strong enough to face a god, and he’s only going to make her stronger after the pact.

  14. I see… The Miko is a battle maniac like Makoto himself. They’re gonna fight while smiling (like he did with Samal).

  15. A quick googling give me that Touda is one of twelve heavenly general, once used to be a shikigami under Abe no Seimei.

  16. why does she seems to give the oneechan feeling which I think either it was makoto or the slime dude liked

  17. ….. okay…. all of Makoto Followers are Battle Freaks…
    even the shrine maiden-san is battle freak too….
    and makoto slowly become battle freak too…
    ah…. forgot that almost every residents of asora is battle freaks too…
    the Gods who visit Makoto is battle freaks too……
    and Makoto Family seems to be battle freaks too…. training all martial arts….
    everyone is BATTLE FREAKS!!!! HOOORAAYYY!!!
    LET’S PUNCH EACH OTHER FOR GREETING!!! (unspoken rule in asora)

  18. Touda is one of the 12 Generals of Heaven (Juuni Tenshou,十二天将) used by Abe no Seimei as a Shikigami. Touda is usually depicted as a winged serpent or dragon.

    Her being a “Shrine Maiden” is maybe a homage to “Twin Star Exorcists”

  19. Yes! Thank you Reigo-san for double chapter, but it is really a pain that the chapter end with battle….really a great Cliffhanger

  20. her speed would’ve been troublesome if not for the fight he recently had. Now he’s got that arrow-teleportation ability to make his arrow just appear where he imagines it

    thanks for the chapter

  21. There seems to be some confusion in some of the comments about Touda.

    The shikigami Touda is written as 騰蛇, and is described as a dragon monster. And is popularized in some anime and other works as a shikigami of Abe no Seimei, though I wasn’t able to find anything credible to support that other than a long list of anime wiki sites.

    There is another Touda, Tota, Touta, or whatever, known as Rice Bag Toda. That is written as 俵藤太, and is described as a human male and warrior with a magical bag of rice that never emptied which was given to him, ironically, by a female dragon.

    Considering the lack of a magical rice bag, gender, and the self-reference as an object, we are probably seeing the shikigami Touda here.

    The rice bag guy is in Fate Grand Order, again ironically, as an Archer Class servant.

  22. Thanks for the chapters

    This:
    “I am a shrine maiden that serves the Gods, and am also one of them. That’s why I have abandoned those names, and since I have gotten a new master, I don’t have a name to give. If I had to put an example, it would be like a relationship between the sun and moon, the puppet of the God I am employed with.”
    “..Think of me as a tool that has a life, please.”
    “Fufu. Touda, there was a time in the past when I was called that way. It was truly a short time though.” (Touda)

    Reaction:
    I will call you Nora. Lol.
    “Tōda” huh, So Abe no Seimei and his generals/guardians exist in Makoto’s world.
    I wonder what her other names are.

    Trivia: We already know Raidou and his company Kuzunoha were named by Makoto after a PS2 character.
    But did you know: Abe no Seimei’s mother, a kitsune, is called Kuzunoha.

    😀 😀 😀

    Also Azusa-mikos were mentioned in this chapter.
    I swear if Azusa-chan does not turn into a Tsukumogami I am gonna…
    Wait a minute do the Silver Gauntlets(kun or chan) o have a name yet?

  23. Thanks for the chapter, the next follower seems to be the troublesome type, it will be good for Makoto to have her around, the best thing is that he can properly present her as his maid. So she likes Shiki it would be a first that his female follower aren’t infuated with him, obviously all of them got infuated with him after figthing so there still that. So could she be fastest that hibiki and could it be some kind of preparation for him to figth fast close quarter challangers??? Now Makoto bring her to the climax of her figthing prowress

  24. thanks for the double chapt release!!

    i feel like this shrine maiden’s face is like oneof those no eyes smiling faces that you’d see occasionally on anime and mangas then suddenly showing bloodlust without removing that smile, i would only see her as Chiffon from Freezing manga

  25. Okay… let me get this straight. The next servant will be a shikigami, a living tool who who was once Tsukuyomi’s servant.
    She have black hair, dark brown eyes, bluish white skin.
    Blue?? That doesn’t look too human to me.

      1. Yes. That’s my point.
        Also, I think she will change after the pact with Makoto. Becoming… more humanlike. Don’t know how she’ll look.
        Makoto can’t confine her within Asora only. There’s a lot to teach her and I can’t see how she will help Makoto now.

    1. didnt include she has a big rack? i thought makoto said something dangerous hiding in her chest means “thems are big”?

  26. Thank you for the Double chapter Reigokai.

    So the 4th servant is a shrine maiden who previously served Tsuki-bro, and it is the type Makoto have trouble dealing with.

    The whole talk went like a job interview that capped off with a practical test.

    So… somehow I get the vibe that the Shrine maiden is the type that likes to play with her ‘food’

  27. Thanks for the chapter Reigokai San.
    Touda is one of the 12 Generals of Heaven (Juuni Tenshou,十二天将) used by Abe no Seimei as a Shikigami. Touda is usually depicted as a winged serpent or dragon.( wiki)
    (Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs The Lone Marebito) old game from 10 past years ago.

  28. Hmm last chapter confirmed more or less Bugdess origin (greek) and this is giving us a follower’s shady origin 🙂
    ————-
    Holding the door since 11.000BC

  29. lol i was looking for her name toda but here the word toda means= all in portuguese so all time i try to find her in mytology always say yoou mean all mytology XD i was saboted by google XD

  30. ‘At her waist, she has a matching pair of long and short swords, and in her hands, a naginata huh.”

    So its heavily armor/weapon Shrine Maiden huh

    She maybe give calm atmosfer but when come to fight she go berserk

    Its quite gap there

  31. a sponsored chapter? has Sunday came yet? or is it because today is makoto’s birthday?
    it’s April 1st here ^_^

    thank u so much rei-san for the triple chapters

    1. Yeah, totally ironic.

      But it’s nice to have little truth in the day that full of misleading things … Perhaps that was what Makoto’s parents thought when they named their son.

  32. One of the Twelve Shinshou, also known as the “Fire General” Touda(騰蛇), who used to be a shikigami(式神) under Abe no Seimei.

  33. Oひひひ。。。speaking of shrine maiden、is it both of them are a tool(shrine maiden aka touda and that imension gate) better take ’em both.. and what kind of tool is she? Prayer’s bell?

    1. People are speculating Touda is a Shikigami, an onmyouji familiar. Samal is a tsukumogami, an object or tool that has existed for so long that it has gained sentience, a will. There is a difference. One is a type of spirit that is summoned to the physical plane. The other is a physical object that has gained a developed a soul.

  34. This Touda ‘thing’ is obviously a trap of some sorts. I’m wondering, considering she want to enter into a pact so bad I assume the trick lies there, something like being overcharged with power by some god. Once Makoto tries establishing a pact the tables will turn on him and the one standing on the top of the ruling pact will not be him but Touda and whoever is the master of that thing.

    Or Touda is in reality some god fishing for opportunity on her own behalf or that of the Goddess.

    1. but Touda is being Entrusted by tsukoyomi-sama to serve under makoto-han.. but the way ya say it makes sense too…

      1. At her waist, she has a matching pair of long and short swords, and in her hands, a naginata huh.

        maybe you’re right, but the hell with that logic, the author is mixing different kinds of things, so im pretty sure it isnt a simple niganata

        1. I don’t think he is mixing different kind of thing, the short and long sword pair is basic for samurai, and a naginata is basically a katana with a long handle (becoming a pole). used by samurai on battlefield, I don’t see them as “mixing different kinds of things”

  35. Spoiler-san could give an hint on what is wrong with her? I don’t think she has ill intent against Makoto, but she certainly has an hidden agenda, especially with the pact. It’s killing me to not know what it is, when you know there is.

      1. THOSE 2 ARE NOT HEROES JUST HUMAN TRASH THAT WILL RUIN THE WORLD.
        CMON THAT BITCH GODDESS CHOOSE THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE PRETTY AND THEY HAVE NO CUALITIES OF HEROES /
        THE REAL HERO IS THE GUY WITH GOD POWER THE OTHER 2 ARE HUMAN TRASH THAT WILL RUIN THE WORLD

      2. Dear TOTU-san,

        Hibiki is the closest character in this work of fixtion to being deserving of the title “Hero”. A champion of her side in a war between races, standing at the forefront, seeking a future for the people she protects and victory in war. People critique her manipulations and motivations, but she is certainly moving for the benefit of Hyumanity. Her inability to understand that not everyone can make a difference might be naïve, but it’s a realistic flaw.

        Comparatively, Makoto is naïve and ignorant at most things. He is increasing his practical knowledge, but shows little understanding of social intrigue. He may decide to rescue people or let them die at a whim, and only shows real care towards beings he decides on. Nothing about him reminds me of heroism.

        In conclusion, I disagree with the statement that Misumi Makoto is the only real hero in this story. At least in disposition, Otonashi Hibiki seems to be the only one to fit such a title at present.

        Thank you for reading my humble opinion.

        Best regards,

        ModoTheGreat

    1. She might be like Tomoe who does a lot of thing behind Makoto’s back for his own sake, she is someone related to Tsukibro so I don’t doubt her.

    2. If she truly is Tsukiyomi’s follower, she could be planning to slowly leak Makoto’s power back to her former master to speed his recovery. Of course this is just a theory with no backing or support, it’s just a personal thought of mine while reading.

      1. I doubt that, since the reason Tsukuyomi lost his powers is because he intervene with another world and not only because he gave blessings to Makoto.

      2. Makoto would gladly cooperate with that plan, I think she is simply a decent person with a few loose screws.Touda got excited when the fight started so she might be a battle maniac.

      3. She is. The way she smile and talk during all out battle… that really sounds like battle maniac ‘Microwave Makoto’.
        Scary.

        One thing that I realize in the novel is that all of Makoto’s servants (all three True Servants and the mamonos that serve him in Asora, including Sari and her demonkind) have high respect towards Makoto. More like, they truly adore him and would definitely say he’s the best boss. The Miko however… since she just met Makoto and offers her servitude due to ‘being told to’… doesn’t sound too eager to be there. Even arrogant, if I should say.

        Only time will tell if Makoto will ever make her say she really wants to be with Makoto and co.

        I want to see her reacting astonished. Really.. Makoto, show that Miko her place.

        *I don’t like the arrogant type also*

      4. Except that she was sent by the 3 gods whonvisited Asora previously. I don’t think they’ll send someone with such intent to Makoto. Surely Tsukibro will get mad if they do something like that.

    3. CMON THOSE 2 HEROES ARE NOT HEROES ..I KNOW THEY JUST HUMAN TRASH THAT BITCH GODDESS CHOOSE.
      SHE PICK THEM UP BECAUSE THEY LOOK GOOD BUT NOT BECAUSE THEY HAVE A PURE HEART LIKE A REAL HERO.
      THIS GODDESS IS A REAL IDIOT MORON ..I HOPE HE BEAT THE HELL OUT HER

      1. Yah we get it.

        Though personally speaking Tomoki is undoubtedly human (not human-trash. His greed is indeed human’s) while Hibiki is a good human politician. Her pride as the shepperd of humanity is indeed human-like.

        On the other hand, the MC is childish and bruttish. But then again, that is also undoubtely human characteristics of arrogance.

        Choose your own poison.

    4. Other than she’d be the fourth follower when we arguably have an id/ego/superego reference in Mio/Tomoe/Shiki?

      We already know that other Makotos destroyed their worlds to get at the goddess; our Makoto wants to go after the goddess; and our Makoto has performed creation, which is something most gods are unable to do.

      If a 9 pound puppy bares its teeth and grows, it’s cute. If a 90 pound dog does the same, it’s threatening. If a dog’s threatening people, you make sure it’s on a leash. She’s the leash.

      1. You have to take account of cultural difference between the west and east. It might seem weird but women are expected to obey male counterparts like fathers or oniisans and act like that and be ‘female’like all the time. Thus I don’t think she can serve as a leash

      2. I’m not saying she’s not out to hold any sort of authority over Makoto. She’s probably spying on his actions, looking for something the gods can use against him. Maybe a weakness or some sort of treaty violation.

        We know Daikokuten was suppositiously using Makoto to clean up the multi-verse (Ch 170), hence his dreams of other timelines. We know he stopped his plan when Makoto performed creation, thus scaring the gods (Ch 192). We also know if the gods weren’t prevented from doing so, “[they] would have already flown to [Asora] in an instant and begun war” (Ch 192).

        If you’re reading the side stories, and granted we don’t know exactly when they take place in the timeline, we know Japanese mythology is overworked and understaffed from Tsukiyomi’s absence (Extra 7).

        So we have a situation where the gods, who are looking for an excuse to war, have gifted personnel when they have none to give. That means she, despite her claims, has to fill a purpose towards those gods’ goals. That’s my intent when I’m calling her a leash.

        Unless, of course, the Goddess found Asora and sent the girl herself. In which case, her status as a spy doesn’t change, just the true master.

  36. is there any other good light novel similar to this? please do tell if there is… so fay i know 1 good to read it is (The Faraway Paladin)

    1. There’s a time i try to write my own light novel because of a Dream i Dreamed… i’m just not good enough with it.. i wonder how does this translator can even make his own D.E.H.. i knew it takes time but it is depressing went ya loss an idea in the middle of it..

    2. The DEATH MAGE WHO DOESN’T WANT A FOURTH TIME.
      IT IS FREAKING GREAT. IT’S dark in the beginning but it is good read.

    1. Been looking a little and I actually found a few hints related to Tawara Tōda, a fairytale
      There’s also the fact that the author likes megaten but I don’t feel like she is much related to Touda in there as that Touda is a winged snake / dragon and not an object as she calls herself

    2. I’ve done a bit of quick internet search and it seems like ‘Touda’ was one of Abe no Seimei’s shikigami of 12 shinshou (12 Heavenly General). I found out that the name ‘Touda’ from a character of ”Shounen Onmyouji”. Well if she really is a shikigami, no wonder she refers herself as a thing.

      These are the site I did a quick reserch on:
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Sh%C5%8Dnen_Onmy%C5%8Dji_characters#Mokkun.2FGuren.2FT.C5.8Dda
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sh%C5%8Dnen_Onmy%C5%8Dji
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teng_(mythology)
      https://branchandroot.dreamwidth.org/815247.html#nineteen
      http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/12-generals.shtml

      What do you guys think?

  37. Ahh so touda is a shikigami, I think she will be natural enemy of shiki because he was a lich an undead..something that usually hunted by omyouji. Poor shiki he will always stuck at the bottom of hierarchy.

    1. She’s a servant of.. possibly multiple gods in the origin world. Would not be surprised if she can 1v1 the Goddess.

  38. Many many happy returns of the day “MAKOTO MISUMI”
    Happy Birthday MAKOTO …..
    &
    Happy April’s fool’s day everybody
    #1952-Big Bang theory proposed in Physical Review by Alpher, Bethe & Gamow
    #1976-Steve Wozniak & Steve Jobs found Apple Computer in the garage of Jobs’ parents house in Cupertino, California
    #1997-Comet Hale-Bopp Perihelion (0.914 AU)
    #2001-Netherlands becomes the first country in the world to make same-sex marriage legal
    #2004-Google introduces Gmail: the launch is met with scepticism on account of the launch date.

    #2017- I written a comment for Tsuki ga Michibiku Isekai Douchuu in Reigokai Isekai Translations …..

    Thank you Rei Darling
    Long live Rei-San & thanx for the chapter and translating this wonderful novel 😉

    P.S I think , I hate this 4th follower Bitch for some reason …..

  39. Thank you a lot for the triple release @_@ But now I’m stuck on that cliffhanger! I want to read the battle so baaaaaaaaaaaaaaadly now D:

    Funny thing, I find the meeting setup with the shrine maiden mirroring the one with Samal: both are tools with a divinity statut but Samal became arrogant the more he ascended to divinity whereas Touda LOOKS more humble about her divinity statut, to the point she still ask to be regarded as a tool more than a person/god. She seems to be quite the battle maniac though, but knows how to behave genuinely humble. We don’t know what she was told about by the three Gods, but seeing her surprise when told about the “Ruling Pact Examen Entrance”, we can tell it was unexpected for her to be allowed to fight to her heart content from the very start. Thus…

    I WANT TO READ THE FIGHT(and the after match) SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BADLY.

    Thank you again Reigokai-San T_T

    1. Yeah, I definitely got the impression that she was pleased to be able to fight him.
      Something tells me they didn’t mention his fight with Athena though…..

      1. I could imagine Susanoo being the type of guy who intentionally leaves it out to “surprise” her(or Makoto).

        It sounds like most gods like teasing people, actually. Must be because of boredom.

  40. Have ya Guyz Notice something…. i felt like we all taking history Lesson about Religion of Shinto to Myth to legend and we are taking it Seriously.. Even though i never know about these stuff.. it makes me proud to know it..

    1. The best way to learn has always been accidentally remembering new knowledge while you’re having fun.

      How else do I explain knowing the names and Dex entries of all existing Pokemon, but still not being able to remember jack about the periodic table?

      1. what ya said its true.. learning while having fun does make it easier to remember.. Chemistry? oh come on!! the hardest thing to remember. i have fail it all until the last test..only 1 time i pass it! Well in school.. you learn, you pass, you graduate, eventually ya forgot everything ya’ve learn de’gozaru…

        1. It just sorta happened as I played through from game to game.

          If someone came up to me and showed me a random picture, chances are I could give a name and the flavor text.

  41. Thanks for the chapter. The seiza joke I seen a couple of times in anime. My favorite would be the anime “Dual Parallel Trouble Adventure”. The person who created “Tenchi Muyo” also did that series. My the moment there when the 3 talk about ritual in joining I thought for a moment it would be some sort of hazing. The best ritual to join a club joke I saw on TV was from the “Simpson” when Homer tried to join the all male town club.

  42. Fumufumu… She’s either a slut, SLUUUT, or a fujoshi. And I don’t mind either. So tomoe has illusion, mio has Regen, Miko has speed.. what’s shiki got? Being a jobber? Wow the bullying is real~ shiki was made for bully lol. Welp, here’s to another great follower!

    1. Hey now. Shiki brings the fact that he’s male. Makoto was desperately craving some male companions by the time they met.

      Not to mention Shiki seems to have the most functional common sense.

  43. thanks for the chapter reigokai-sensei…
    im late because i got unlimited internet simcard for wifi so i got carried to download many game n try that game lol
    have a good fight makoto hoping makoto will not lose, couse in many mc i kow there will some plot that our mc got lose like kirito again konno yuki or many other mc i know… XD
    im really wanna know what the true color of this servant no.4… well when i read the comment there really many hint lol

  44. I know it was late, but I want to say Happy Bitrhday to Makoto.
    “Makoto” written with the kanji for “truth” even though he was born on April 1st.

  45. Hmm, she feels bad but with the fight all the problems should be resolved so it’s fine, though I’m curious of why she was so concerned about Shiki, the only think I could imagine is that because she is a divine being she hate undeads, that or she is also a undead.

  46. “Leaving aside my name, did I even tell the Gods about the name of Tomoe?”

    So even if after spending a whole day partying together you didn’t tell them their names, something pretty weird tho, you gotta remember they can read minds.

    1. “Even if it’s the gift of those Gods from a different world, I think it is a problem to accept this woman so fast.” (Tomoe)”

      So fast? As if you three had any kind of previous relationship with the MC before doing a pact with him. I would say she is the first one that he didn’t had to fight and the one with whom he talked more before forming a pact LOL

  47. Truth time. Reading this entire chapter really put me off from further reading this story. I understood MC was a fool, but this time? It just hit me how plain stupid he is.

    “How stupid of me.”
    “If this will increase the safety of everyone, not only will this strange worry be useless, it would actually become detrimental.” REALLY??? You have absolutely zero awareness about if others are lying to you and simply trust 100% this ‘object’.

    It’s worse because he even trusts the Gods fully, as if they also don’t desire something or are using you for a purpose? Initial ‘kindness’ could be some form of cosmic law, requiring a God(dess) to bestow a blessing onto a summoned individual etc etc. Which the God(dess) can’t oppose, hence the term cosmic law.

    MC feels like those people I see in the news who get scammed of their life savings because someone on an obvious scam call knew your pet’s name.

    Tomoe said she can’t read the memories, object girl said because she is an object. Could Tomoe read the Gate’s memories? If so, obvious object girl is lying.

    Instincts. If I saw a cute little furry rabbit, ahhh so cute, but… somehow I’m feeling terrified as if I’m standing in front of a grizzly bear. I’M NOT going to go ‘pshhhh that’s ridiculous, obviously that’s a cute bunny rabbit! Let’s go pet it!’ **** NO!!! I’d be backing up real slow then bolting like lightning.

    “There’s just no space for doubt, she knows modern Japan.” HELL even these readers comments have stuff like ‘I don’t doubt her cause she’s from the Gods’. Naive fools.

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