Just as Retsu was pondering, the two of them followed the Demon Slayer and arrived at a heavily guarded room.
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On an altar in the center of the room sat a box, surrounded by many shimenawa ropes. Clearly, they were meant to suppress the evil energy of the shard of the shikon jewel tainted by demons. However, even Retsu, who knew nothing about such things, could tell at a glance that these measures were utterly ineffective. A dense evil energy was practically overflowing from the box.
"This is where we store the shard of the shikon jewel."
The Leader of the Demon Slayers pointed at the altar and explained, "During this period, because the shikon jewel shattered, many demons obtained its shards. Their power greatly increased, and they began attacking the surrounding Villages.
After exterminating the demons, we would place the shikon jewel shards here, guarding them carefully to prevent them from being stolen by demons coveting the Jewel's power."
"With such a heavy evil energy, these shards have already been tainted," Kikyo said, frowning as she looked at the shikon jewel shards placed in the box. As she spoke, she walked over lightly.
The Demon Slayers who had come with them tensed up, their nerves on edge as they watched her every move. Their hands rested on their weapons, ready to act at any moment. They weren't sure if Kikyo could truly purify the shikon jewel or if she intended to steal it.
Kikyo paid no mind to the wary Demon Slayers around her. She approached the altar, reached out, and took the shikon jewel from the box into her hand.
Then, pure and holy priestess spiritual power emitted a glowing white light. In Kikyo's hand, the shikon jewel shard, which had been dyed ink-black by the evil energy, instantly regained its translucent light pink color, as if ice and snow were melting away.
"It's done," Kikyo said, placing the purified shikon jewel shard back into the box. Her tone was as calm as if she had done the simplest thing. She directly returned to Retsu's side and stood still. "As long as these shards are not touched by demons or humans with wicked hearts, they will not be tainted again."
"Amazing... such powerful spiritual power!"
"She purified the evil energy from the shikon jewel shard in an instant."
The Demon Slayers nearby were stunned by Kikyo's effortless action. They couldn't help but whisper in low voices, their eyes filled with shock and admiration.
Seeing this, the Leader of the Demon Slayers quickly stepped forward and asked respectfully, "You... are you truly the priestess Kikyo, the one responsible for purifying the shikon jewel fifty years ago?"
"Yes, I am Kikyo," Kikyo replied with a calm nod.
Watching Kikyo carry herself with the air of a true expert, Retsu sighed inwardly. She really managed to pull it off.
Retsu immediately straightened up, standing beside Kikyo like a bodyguard. Combined with the Black Bear Demon standing quietly outside the room, it made Kikyo appear even more mysterious.
"Lady, thank you so much for purifying the shikon jewel shard," the Leader of the Demon Slayers hurriedly expressed his gratitude, then instructed the people beside him, "Prepare a feast to properly entertain Lady Kikyo!"
"There's no need for the trouble, Leader," Kikyo stopped the Demon Slayer about to prepare the feast, refusing flatly.
Neither of them needed to eat, and Kikyo didn't want to cause any trouble. She continued, "I hope the Leader can tell me about the origin of the shikon jewel.
Back then, I accepted the Demon Slayers' commission to be responsible for purifying and guarding the shikon jewel, but I never learned about its origins. Could you trouble yourself to tell me?"
"The origin of the shikon jewel?" Hearing Kikyo's words, the Leader of the Demon Slayers thought for a moment, stood up, and said, "Then please follow me." As he spoke, he walked towards the door.
Just as the two of them were following the Leader of the Demon Slayers through the Village, a small creature that looked like a cross between a fox and a cat suddenly darted out, appearing in front of them.
It had yellow fur with black stripes, was fluffy all over, and most notably, it had two large, fluffy tails trailing behind it, making it exceptionally cute.
Retsu recognized it at a glance as Kirara, who followed Sango in the story, and was once also the pet of Suiko, the priestess who created the shikon jewel.
Seeing Kirara, Retsu suddenly wondered if Myoga was on Kirara at this moment.
In the story, before Inuyasha arrived at the Demon Slayer Village, Myoga had come here very early to investigate information about the shikon jewel and had become acquainted with Sango.
Thinking of this, he tried to sense Myoga's demonic aura but found nothing. However, he guessed Myoga was probably on Kirara's body.
After all, as a flea demon, Myoga was naturally very small and skilled at hiding. More importantly, his demonic aura was likely masked by Kirara's. Without entering Sage Mode, it would be difficult for Retsu to detect him.
He had only met Myoga twice and wasn't familiar with him. But, he glanced at Kikyo. As a retainer who followed Inuyasha, Myoga should have known Kikyo fifty years ago. He just didn't know if the timid Myoga would dare to approach Kikyo, a priestess.
As Retsu and Kikyo followed the Leader of the Demon Slayers, about to leave the Village compound, Myoga's voice came from Kirara, who had been following them: "Miss Kikyo, Miss Kikyo!"
Hearing Myoga's voice, a smile appeared at the corner of Retsu's mouth. Myoga speaking up now and calling Kikyo's name meant he had likely overheard their conversation with the Leader. Myoga, who wanted to investigate the shikon jewel's information, had finally been unable to hold back.
"Grandpa Myoga?" Retsu's guess was correct. Kikyo did indeed know Myoga. Hearing his voice, she looked at Kirara behind her and said in surprise, "What are you doing here?"
"Miss Kikyo," Myoga said, having jumped from Kirara's body onto Kikyo's shoulder.
"I was curious about the news of the shikon jewel. Just what is the shikon jewel? I followed the rumors about it and finally arrived at this Village. I never expected you, Miss Kikyo, to have come here as well."
"And this is?" The Leader of the Demon Slayers looked at the suddenly appearing flea demon and asked curiously. Clearly, although Sango knew Myoga, her father did not.
"A friend of mine. I didn't expect to find him here with you," Kikyo explained.
"My apologies for disturbing you during this time," Myoga said from Kikyo's shoulder, bowing to the Leader of the Demon Slayers.
"Ah, it's fine, no need for formalities," the Leader of the Demon Slayers waved his hand and said. Since he was a friend of this priestess, he probably wasn't an evil demon.
"Retsu, I didn't expect to meet you here, and with Miss Kikyo no less," Myoga said to Retsu beside him.
"I'm quite surprised too," Retsu smiled. "Kikyo is currently collecting shikon jewel shards, and I'm responsible for her safety."
As they chatted, the group continued following the Leader forward, finally arriving in front of a cave.
"The shikon jewel appeared from within this cave," the Leader of the Demon Slayers said, looking at the cave before them. "We Demon Slayers make our weapons and armor from the bones and hides of demons. The useless remains are discarded inside."
He paused before continuing, "And this cave originally contained many demon remains. So we also throw the useless remains in here."
"Here?" Kikyo looked at the ordinary, unremarkable cave before her. She never imagined that the shikon jewel, which had sparked countless conflicts, was born in such an inconspicuous place.
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