I didn't know how to explain my identity to Kiyohiro.

  If I said the demon's birth was partly my fault, would he blame me too?

  What if he wouldn't listen to anything and immediately tried to kill me?

  Before the Young Master died, I couldn't die first.

  After much thought, I decided not to say anything yet. I'd observe the situation at the shrine first.

  If the shrine priest had no good solution, then I'd explain the facts to him.

  After chatting with him briefly, I took my leave, giving him one of the wisteria sachets from my pocket.

  I said it had exorcism effects. He seemed slightly surprised but still accepted it, thanking me sincerely.

  After this interlude, I quickened my pace, advancing up the mountain at full speed.

  Just before dawn, I finally saw the building in the mountains. Couldn't see its outline clearly at night... but just from the building's shadow, I could sense it was spacious.

  At the entrance, a young woman waited with a lantern.

  Seeing me, she bowed. "Guest, the shrine priest has been waiting."

  I was somewhat surprised. That shrine priest actually knew I was coming? Seemed he truly possessed incredible powers.

  I followed this woman into the shrine. She led me to an empty guest room.

  "Please rest for a moment." She respectfully invited me in, bringing me food and tea.

  I ate in the room and napped briefly. When the sun rose outside, this woman named Kobayashi led me to the main building where the shrine priest was.

  We passed through shadows under the corridor. I saw flowering trees planted in the courtyard, plus a small pond built from stones. The water's surface sparkled with fragmented light under the sun, very beautiful.

  I thought, if it were my former self, I'd surely want to arrange a courtyard like this too.

  The shrine priest sat in the main building waiting for me. Before him was another guest—Tachibana Kiyohiro, whom I'd met last night.

  He was also surprised to see me, couldn't help questioning the shrine priest with his gaze.

  The shrine priest wore ceremonial robes, his expression serious. He introduced me: "This is one who shares the same origin as that demon, and also your clan's turning point."

  Seemed before I arrived, the shrine priest had already explained the demon's origin.

  Kiyohiro hesitated slightly, thinking for a moment before asking, "Miss, may I ask your name?"

  "Chihaya."

  He nodded slightly. "May I ask... what connection do you have with that demon in my clan?"

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  The shrine priest sat beside us without interrupting.

  I didn't know what he'd explained, so I could only tell the whole story from my perspective.

  When I mentioned rallying all the servants to kill the Young Master but failing, then being treated as the culprit by the arriving head of the household and onmyoji—

  Kiyohiro sighed. "If we hadn't wrongly accused you then, today's disaster probably wouldn't exist. This is truly my clan's fault."

  I disliked dwelling on the past with sighs. I asked the shrine priest directly, "You kept me here—do you have suggestions?"

  The shrine priest nodded, pointing at Kobayashi who'd led me in last night. "This is my daughter. I'm willing to marry her to you. With our bloodline, your descendants won't die so easily in infancy."

  Before Kiyohiro could answer, the shrine priest's expression grew serious again. "And you must swear to me, to the divine goddess, that you'll fulfill everything you promise. Only then will the gods forgive your sins."

  Kiyohiro prostrated himself on the ground, performing a deep bow. "Yes. I swear here to abandon my clan's history, heritage, and name. From now on, I'll enter darkness and slay demons. Generation after generation, until demons are extinct. Until death."

  But I looked at Kobayashi and asked, "Are you willing too?"

  Her father had decided to marry her off in just a few words.

  Kobayashi's expression was calm. "As long as no more demons exist in the world, I'm willing to give everything."

  "Next is what I must ask you to agree to." The shrine priest said to me. "You share the same origin as the demon. Only by eliminating him can you find release. I hope you can assist the demon slayers and complete this mission together."

  Even without him saying so, I had to find a way to kill the Young Master.

  But having a group of people threatened by a curse who must help me wholeheartedly—the efficiency would surely be different. A good thing for me too.

  I also agreed.

  Before descending the mountain with Kiyohiro, I chose a good spot behind the shrine and buried Ohagi's ashes there.

  Kobayashi didn't leave with us. Though this marriage was arranged by the shrine priest, Kiyohiro still felt he couldn't neglect her.

  He needed to return first and explain everything to his clansmen, settle family affairs. He promised Kobayashi that once matters at home were settled, he'd return to formally marry her.

  Kobayashi looked at him. A ripple crossed her calm face. The corners of her mouth lifted. For the first time, she smiled before us.

  "Good. I'll wait for your return," Kobayashi said.

  Kiyohiro's attendants hadn't entered the shrine with him. Discovering me descending with their young master, their eyes were all very vigilant.

  Only after Kiyohiro rebuked them for rudeness did they settle down.

  For my convenience, their schedule had to change—resting during the day, traveling at night.

  The attendants somewhat disapproved. They all knew how dangerous night travel was... If they encountered man-eating demons, no amount of warriors would help.

  But Kiyohiro suppressed these dissatisfied voices. Though young, he had great authority and was deeply loved by his subordinates.

  I observed silently, thinking with his courage, he could probably persuade his clansmen after returning to the Tachibana household.

  We did encounter demons during the journey.

  After all, so many people looked like walking food to demons.

  Three demons surrounded us in total.

  I had the attendants protect Kiyohiro while I jumped off my horse to face them, wanting to test these manufactured demons' strength.

  Though I couldn't beat the Young Master, clearly these decades hadn't been wasted.

  I'd evolved much faster than these demons.

  Of the three demons, I either snapped their necks or crushed their heads directly.

  Their speed might seem swift to ordinary people. To me, they were sluggish.

  I easily suppressed these demons who only had brute strength and speed.

  After tying them up, the attendants looked at me differently.

  They didn't connect me with demons. They just thought I was an expert Kiyohiro had invited from the shrine. Their attitude completely changed—becoming respectful and polite.

  The three demons weren't immediately killed. Kiyohiro said since they'd take demon slaying as their mission going forward, learning their weaknesses in advance was necessary.

  I even gave him free information—the Young Master used to be allergic to wisteria.

  He immediately opened the sachet I'd given him, feeding all the dried flowers inside to one demon.

  Sure enough, that demon vomited blood, rolled on the ground wailing, finally convulsing to death. Its corpse slowly turned into foam and dissipated.

  Kiyohiro's group was all encouraged. His eyes shone as he looked at the remaining two demons. "Let's test what other weaknesses they have next."

  ~~~~??~~~~~~~~??~~~~

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