Chapter 144: Spirit’s Shrine Maiden
「Trial’s Small Shrine is located in the northeast part of this village. I’ll guide you two to that place.」
「Well then, let’s start the preparations to launch an ambush on Belphegor and the Elebor tribe army in the plains.」
After Aria and Tama made their decision, Ciel and Mina started to divide the jobs among everyone.
Mina had decided to rally the Horo village’s people to fight Belphegor in order to buy the time for Aria and Tama or die if those two were to fail.
「Be careful, Aria-chan, Tamya-chan!」
「I believe that you two will be back even more powerful than before!」
Vulcan and Stella cheered for Aria and Tama.
「I believe that you two can do this!」
「Be stronge~r, and come back safely~!」
Lily and Faeri also chimed in.
「Do your best, Aria-oneechan, Tama-chan!」
「I have no idea about what kind of trials await you two in the Spirit’s trials, but… I know that you will succeed. You’ve proven that before after all.」
May and Cedric were the last ones to give their encouragement to Aria and Tama.
「Well then, let’s go.」
「Yes!」
「Nyan!」
Aria and Tama vigorously replied to Ciel, then, they rode the Pteras toward the Trial’s Small Shrine!
◆
They had flown on the Pteras’ backs for a while when…
「That is Trial’s Small Shrine.」
Ciel pointed at a small cave. The group descended from the Pteras’ backs as soon as the beasts landed.
「Those who want to form a contract with spirits have to pass their trial. Now, I’ll go back to the village and participate in the preparation to intercept Belphegor.」
「Understood. I will make a contract with a spirit and return to the village!」
“
「Nyan!」
Leaving behind those words, Aria and Tama stepped inside the small cave.
After seeing them off, Ciel rode her Ptera back to the village.
◆
「Guh!? Such a temperature…」
A while after entering Trial’s Small Shrine, Aria unintentionally let out such a remark. A Magma river flowed inside the small cave, turning it into a scorching hell.
「NYAN(《Divine Protection of the Lion King》)!」
Tama quickly took a countermeasure against this situation. He invoked his inherent skill on both himself and Aria, providing resistance against the sweltering heat.
「Thanks a lot, Tama!」
「NYAAA!」
Tama looked at Aria with a face saying “Don’t worry about it!”.
At that moment―
【That skill will render the effects of labyrinth’s trial ineffective, huh…】
A voice resounded in the room.
「「「…!?」」」
Hearing that voice, both Aria and Tama put their guards up.
The next moment, the scenery around them warped.
It changed back to a normal cave.
When the two realized it, a girl was already standing before Aria and Tama. The girl had pink eyes and hair, porcelain white skin, and she had worn red and white shrine maiden-like attire. (TL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miko)
「…!?」
Just the appearance of the girl put Aria at a loss for words.
（This girl… is definitely not your average girl!）
Tama instinctively guessed so.
The girl standing before them seemed to have a tremendous amount of energy inside her body.
「You, who…」
Aria tried to ask the girl while raising her vigilance.
【I’m the 〝Shrine Maiden〟… The one whose job is to appease the six great spirits.】
The girl replied, albeit with a slight pause between her words.
Her clear, transparent pink eyes made it even more difficult for Aria and Tama to know what the girl was thinking about.
「My name is Aria, and this kitten is Tama. We’ve come to this small shrine in order to bind a contract with a spirit.」
Aria told the shrine maiden about the reason for their visit without hiding anything.
The Shrine Maiden replied with a short, 【… I know.】
「Uhm…」
A slightly troubled look appeared on Aria’s face. She had no idea what to say next.
Thus, after a short pause, the Shrine Maiden spoke again.
【The truth is, you two were supposed to undergo the Fire-Water-Wind-Earth-Light’s labyrinth trial… but I never expected that this kitty’s skill could render environmental debuffs useless, erasing the need for you two to undergo that trial. That’s why… let’s start with a fight, a fight against me…】
The Shrine Maiden spread her arms as she finished her words. The air around her got twisted and assumed a new form.
A few seconds later, another girl with a similar appearance to the Shrine Maiden appeared beside her.
【Aria, Tama… you two will fight one-on-one against me…】
【That’s… the first condition… to form a contract with a spirit….】
The two Shrine Maidens spoke in turn.
Hearing that, Aria and Tama exchanged gazes. They then nodded at the same time.
【Great! Now prepare yourself!】
【Now then… let’s begin…】
The bodies of the two Shrine Maidens shone with pale light as soon as they finished speaking. The pale light became brighter and brighter until its brightness swallowed Aria and Tama.
「This place is――」
Aria spoke with a shocked expression when she saw the scenery around her after the light receded.
She was in a huge empty space. And standing right in front of her was one of the Shrine Maidens.
【Let’s start the fight, shall we…】
The Shrine Maiden raised her right hand. A moment later, a beautiful shining sword appeared in her hand.
「Well then, here I come… 《Acceleration》――!」
Aria started the fight by invoking her inherent skill.