Did their god really die?
Lynn's words caused a tremendous shock in Kikyo's heart!
A faint crack formed in the faith she had always held.
As a shrine maiden, Kikyo had been taught to revere the gods since childhood.
She had always believed in their existence.
But now…
Someone had told her that God was already dead?
"Hah…"
Kikyo exhaled slowly, trying to compose herself.
Not necessarily…
Maybe this man was just blasphemous.
But—
Somewhere deep in her heart, she had a feeling that what he said might be true.
Her gaze shifted toward Lynn.
Devil…
This word made Kikyo slightly confused.
Having lived in Musashi Province all her life, she had never come into contact with any real knowledge about devils.
She had only seen similar descriptions in ancient texts.
Although the word sounded sinister…
What exactly was a devil?
Was it similar to an evil spirit?
With that thought, Kikyo's expression turned a bit more serious. Her grip on her bow tightened.
Even though the man in front of her had helped eliminate the threat to Kaede Village…
She couldn't afford to let her guard down.
What if he had come for the Shikon Jewel?
Lynn seemed oblivious to her caution. He raised his hand and knocked gently on the barrier, producing a dull thunk.
Crack—
In the blink of an eye, countless cracks spread across the barrier.
Then—boom—it shattered into countless particles of light and dispersed into the air!
Lynn smiled at her. "Won't you invite me in?"
Kikyo: "…"
He'd already let himself in. What could she even say?
Kikyo's heart sank.
The same barrier that withstood a coordinated siege of monsters had been shattered by a simple knock…
But then again, this was the man who incinerated an entire horde of demons in an instant.
A high-level youkai?
Kikyo guessed silently, but didn't show it outwardly.
"I sincerely thank you for your help."
She bowed her head slightly in gratitude, though her tone remained cold and distant.
"Then…"
Kikyo's eyes narrowed slightly. "Please tell me your purpose for coming here."
Even though Lynn had saved Maple Village, her question was blunt.
But…
The presence of the Shikon Jewel meant she couldn't afford to take chances.
Especially not when facing a man who claimed to be a devil.
…Sorry.
Kikyo quietly apologized to Lynn in her heart.
Across from her, Lynn stared at her with amusement.
So this really was Kikyo…
Was the Bone-Eater's Well acting up again?
The Kikyo before him wasn't just alive, she was youthful and in her prime.
Well…
It didn't matter.
In an anime world, anything was possible.
Lynn gave her a gentle, polite smile. Then he raised his hand and asked, "Are you worried about this thing?"
Kikyo was stunned for a moment. Then she noticed a bead glowing with a purple hue spinning between Lynn's fingers.
The Shikon Jewel.
While talking with Kikyo, he had already made a quick trip to the shrine.
Across from Lynn.
Kikyo's cold expression cracked. Her eyes trembled as she whispered, "The Shikon Jewel…"
Her heart clenched violently!
Her fingers instinctively gripped her bow tightly.
So strong!
This man was terrifying!
She had clearly placed the Jewel inside the shrine.
And now it was in his hand!
So fast that she hadn't even sensed anything!
Of course.
He could've retrieved it earlier with some unknown technique.
But…
That didn't change the fact that he was overwhelmingly powerful.
Being able to take the Jewel right under her nose without being detected.
This man, who called himself a devil, was definitely not someone she could afford to offend!
Lynn's smile remained gentle. "So? Can I come in now?"
"…Hah."
Kikyo took a deep breath, turned slightly, and bowed her head. "Please, come in."
Seeing this, Lynn smiled and casually put away the Shikon Jewel.
Kikyo said nothing, but her lips tightened.
The Jewel hadn't been tainted, right?
Just as she was lost in thought, a familiar voice suddenly rang out from behind.
"Wait!"
"Wait for me!!"
Kagome ran over, panting heavily.
"Who's this…?"
Seeing her, Kikyo blinked in confusion.
"Uh… my apprentice shrine maiden?"
Lynn thought for a moment, then casually gave an answer.
"…Miko."
Kikyo lowered her head, murmuring softly.
So…
That line earlier about "converting to the devil" had just been a joke?
…
Kaede Village
Inside a humble thatched hut.
Kikyo, Lynn, and Kagome sat around a small table on the floor.
"Guests, tea."
A nervous little girl served them.
Kagome took her cup of steaming tea.
Hmm…
Well, it was technically tea—just a mix of leaves and petals.
Kagome forced a polite smile.
Even now, she still didn't fully understand what was happening.
Just what kind of place was this?
Had she traveled to the past?
Kikyo remained composed. "Apologies. The hospitality is quite simple."
Her gaze, however, never left the Jewel in Lynn's hand. She was tense the entire time.
Lynn smiled faintly, casually tossing the Jewel into the air.
Kikyo's breath caught. Her chin lifted slightly, her eyes following the Jewel instinctively.
She was terrified it might fall.
Seeing her reaction, Lynn chuckled softly.
Kikyo snapped out of it, quickly lowering her gaze and returning to her cold demeanor.
"Mr. Lynn, the Shikon Jewel is an extremely dangerous artifact."
Her expression turned serious as she began to explain the Jewel's dangers.
Kagome straightened her posture as well, nodding earnestly with a serious look on her face.
Just then, Lynn interrupted.
"What do you think of my previous proposal?"
Kikyo was briefly stunned.
"…Convert to a devil?"
Lynn nodded, smiling. "How about it? Would you like to become my shrine maiden?"
"Huh? Shrine maiden?!"
Kikyo was still processing when Kagome exclaimed in shock.
Shrine maidens were supposed to serve gods!
Was Lynn implying…
That Kikyo would serve him?
Whatever image flashed through her mind, Kagome's face turned crimson.
Lynn looked at her and said calmly, "You too."
"?"
Kagome's neck twisted stiffly. She stared at Lynn in disbelief. "M-Me? A shrine maiden?"
Lynn nodded. "Don't forget—this is your payment."
Kagome's mouth twitched. "I never agreed that becoming your shrine maiden was part of the reward…"
"You can also choose not to pay."
At that, Kagome's eyes lit up.
But then Lynn added in a darker tone, "Of course, I can't guarantee what will happen if you choose that~"
Kagome stiffened.
Then decisively dropped to her knees. "Sorry! I'll do my best to become a proper shrine maiden!"
After witnessing Lynn's strength firsthand, she knew better than to argue.
Besides.
If she became Lynn's shrine maiden, he would probably protect her, right?
After seeing those monsters, a lingering fear still haunted her.
Becoming Lynn's shrine maiden…
Didn't seem that bad?
At the very least…
His overwhelming power gave her a sense of security.
On the other side.
Seeing Kagome's quick compliance, Lynn nodded in satisfaction and turned to Kikyo.
Kikyo bit her lip and lowered her head. "I'm sorry."
Even though Lynn had saved Kaede Village, it was still difficult for her to agree to become a devil's shrine maiden.
"Kikyo, do you want to see Kaede Village destroyed?"
Lynn's soft voice pierced her ears, making her heart tremble.
What did he mean?
Kikyo grew uneasy.
If this man truly intended to destroy Kaede Village.
She wouldn't be able to stop him.
Suddenly.
Clack.
The crisp sound of the Shikon Jewel hitting the table rang out.
Kikyo looked up to see Lynn casually placing the Jewel on the table.
Her eyes twitched involuntarily.
"The Shikon Jewel, if it's not dealt with properly…"
"Kaede Village will eventually be wiped out."
Kikyo was both startled and relieved.
…That's true.
Her expression turned determined. "I'll leave Kaede Village with the Jewel."
"Oh? And then?"
"Then?"
Kikyo blinked, unsure what he meant.
"With the Shikon Jewel in hand, no matter where you go, you'll draw monsters."
Lynn said thoughtfully, "Maybe I should start calling you the Walking Disaster Shrine Maiden?"
Walking Disaster Shrine Maiden?
Kikyo's heart clenched.
Did that mean…
Wherever she went, disaster would follow?
If she carried the Jewel, that might actually happen…
"And…"
Lynn continued in a deeper voice, "Can you keep protecting it forever?"
"You're human. You have limits."
"There are things you simply can't handle."
Kikyo fell silent.
She thought back to today's crisis.
She could've escaped safely with the Jewel.
But—
If Lynn hadn't intervened, the villagers of Maple Village would've…
Thinking of that.
It didn't seem so strange that they called Lynn a god.
Besides—
When she had prayed…
The gods never answered.
It was the devil who had responded.
Maybe Lynn was right.
Maybe the gods really were dead…
If that was true, then God wouldn't blame her for converting.
Besides.
Who said devils couldn't be gods?
"If I become your shrine maiden…"
"Can the problem of the Shikon Jewel be solved?"
(To be continued.)