The night was deep at this moment, the heavens like a vast, ink-black curtain shrouding the sprawling land.
Under the moonlight that shone like water.
Hikaru followed behind Kikyo, stepping into the village.
This was the first time since he had transmigrated three months ago that he had truly walked into a human settlement.
Calling it a village was generous; it was merely a few dozen households with thatched roofs, wooden walls, and packed-earth floors.
Poor.
This was Hikaru's first impression.
But this was normal; the Sengoku Period was a chaotic era, filled with war and suffering, and having a roof to keep out the wind and rain was already considered fortunate.
Not to mention that they had to face the constant threat of demonic incursions.
The villagers along the path had already dispersed from near the shrine and returned to their respective homes.
But they didn't go inside; instead, they stood at their doorways and windows, observing the figure following the miko with various gazes.
Awe.
Fear.
Curiosity.
And... gratitude?
Hikaru could feel those complex gazes landing on him.
He didn't mind.
Three months of life as a demon had long since accustomed him to all kinds of gazes, and besides, there was no hostility in these, just simple bewilderment.
After all, it was truly hard for people to know what expression to make when faced with a demon... that had helped them repel other demons.
"Don't be afraid."
Kikyo's voice rang out from ahead.
She didn't look back, but her voice carried clearly throughout the entire village.
"He is a guest."
Just those four words.
No explanation, no reassurance, just a simple statement.
But the villagers' tension visibly eased significantly.
Hikaru noticed a few children who had originally been hiding behind doors poking their heads out, curiously examining him.
"The miko has great prestige."
He mused.
To have such prestige and to earn the trust of the villagers, one could foresee the effort this miko had put in.
Kikyo didn't respond.
The two walked up the path through the village, finally arriving at the stone steps before the shrine.
The vermilion torii gate cast a long shadow in the moonlight, and the massive sacred tree had lush branches and leaves that nearly obscured half the sky.
This was the first time Hikaru had observed this shrine from such close proximity.
It wasn't large, but it was very clean.
The stone steps were swept spotless, and traces of burning incense remained in the stone lanterns on either side.
Although the vermilion lacquer on the torii gate was a bit mottled, it was clear that it had been meticulously maintained.
"This is..."
"My home."
Kikyo continued, "And it is also the core of the Barrier protecting this village."
She stepped onto the stone stairs, her white kosode and red hakama swaying gently in the night breeze.
Hikaru followed.
His boots stepped on the stone stairs, making a faint sound.
The sound was exceptionally clear in the silent night.
One step, two steps, three steps.
Twenty-seven steps.
At the end of the stone steps was an open platform, facing the Shrine Hall.
The Shrine Hall was not large, a wooden structure with a roof covered in grey tiles.
In front of the hall was a bronze incense burner, with a few unburnt sticks of incense still inserted inside.
Wisps of incense smoke drifted and dissipated in the night breeze.
Hikaru stood on the platform, looking around.
From here, one could overlook the entire village.
Those thatched roofs shimmered with a faint silvery light under the moonlight, and occasionally one or two lamp lights flickered behind windows.
Although poor and destitute, it was very quiet here.
Very peaceful.
It was completely different from the mountains of corpses and seas of blood he had grown accustomed to over the past three months.
"Sister!"
A childish voice broke the silence.
Hikaru looked toward the sound and saw a little girl run out from the entrance of the Shrine Hall.