The morning light grew stronger.
On the open ground of the back mountain, the ashes of that demon had not yet dispersed; illuminated by the rising sun, several wisps of blue smoke rose.
A faint smell of blood remained in the air.
The surrounding trees were affected by the battle; several had broken and lay scattered on the ground.
And at this moment, Kikyo stood right here, ten steps away from Tsubaki.
In her white and red robes, longbow in hand, the arrow was already on the string.
The arrow tip was aimed at Tsubaki.
The radiance of spiritual power bloomed as it coiled around her.
"The ritual duel, let it begin, Tsubaki."
She spoke again, repeating herself, her voice seemingly calm.
So calm it held no inflection.
But Kanbe Hikaru detected the displeasure hidden within.
He glanced at Kikyo's profile.
As expected.
Though her expression remained that same cool, detached mask, her pitch-black eyes were clearly filled with biting cold.
This girl was angry!
Tsubaki, however, still hadn't caught on.
She stood frozen in place, face full of confusion, thinking only that Kikyo hadn't heard her clearly.
"Wait... wait!"
She hurriedly spoke up, "Didn't you hear what I just said?
"I said I could give up the Shikon Jewel, as long as you give me that shikigami—"
"Tsubaki."
Kikyo interrupted her, her voice still calm.
But the bowstring was drawn even tighter. "Draw your weapon."
"What?"
Tsubaki was stunned.
"A ritual duel... shouldn't it be a contest of spiritual arts?"
"Why draw a weapon—and besides, I said..."
A trace of warmth finally entered Kikyo's voice, but Tsubaki would rather have done without it.
Because that voice was frighteningly cold. "Draw your weapon. Let me see the fruits of your cultivation these past years."
Tsubaki's face changed.
She finally realized the truth: Kikyo didn't want a ritual duel at all.
She wanted... a martial contest?
No, this was clearly... she wanted to fight her!
"Kikyo! What do you mean by this!"
Tsubaki panicked. "I just want your shikigami! I'm even willing to give up the Shikon Jewel!"
"Is that really necessary!"
Kanbe Hikaru stood to the side, watching this scene.
He couldn't help but want to laugh.
This miko called Tsubaki truly had no ability to read the room.
Her earlier words had been spoken with such self-righteous conviction.
Completely disregarding his own feelings.
He could actually understand why Kikyo was angry.
If it were him, if someone came and righteously demanded his possessions, he'd be displeased too.
Besides, he wasn't some *thing*.
He was a proper Oni Samurai, the shikigami, comrade, and partner of the strongest miko of the Sengoku Period, someone... some *youkai* who had fought through many battles alongside her.
Ahem.
Though this identity was temporarily fabricated, it was still a legitimate one.
To be taken away just like that?
What did she take him for? And what did she take Kikyo for?
"Kikyo."
Kanbe Hikaru spoke up.
Kikyo didn't turn her head, but her body stiffened slightly.
"What?"
"I think..."
Kanbe Hikaru said leisurely, "A ritual duel should follow the proper rules."
"After all, it's a contest between mikos. Using a bow isn't very appropriate."
"It's too easy to injure someone."
His tone was sincere.
But his eyes were clearly watching a show.
Kikyo finally turned her head to look at him.
Her gaze was exasperated.
As if asking: Whose side are you on?
Kanbe Hikaru's expression remained calm and composed.
"Of course, if Lady Tsubaki insists on a contest..."
He suddenly smiled too. "Then that's a different matter."
Tsubaki's face grew even uglier.
She wasn't a fool. She had witnessed the entire previous battle.
Kikyo's arrow had blasted the upper body of that immortal monster to pieces, and it didn't even rely on its purification properties.
Though it hadn't killed it, the power was terrifying enough. If that arrow were shot at her... Tsubaki shuddered.
"I..."
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but meeting Kikyo's icy eyes, all her words died in her throat.
Several years had passed.
This woman before her was far stronger than when they had first met.
Though she herself had grown stronger too.
Compared to the other... they were still not on the same level.
"I concede."
Tsubaki gritted her teeth and spat out these three words. Her voice was heavy, as if squeezed from between her teeth, and thick with suppressed, gnashing anger!
"What?"
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