The welcome party proceeded without incident. People mingled and chatted, and all the greetings to Inari had been completed. Each time someone offered her a drink, Inari accepted it. From Yasuno’s perspective, there appeared to be no issues at all. Yes—no issues. Nothing wrong. The drinks looked truly delicious. She could just drink them. No—that must not be done, she had been told so. Yet… there seemed to be no problem. No—there was. No problem. There was. None. None…
Her spiraling thoughts were suddenly blown away by the clap of purifying palms, the sharp sound scattering like ripples across her mind.
“Hah!?”
The wave of sound passed through Yasuno, clearing away the drunken haze clouding her thoughts and leaving her sharp once more. At the same time, she realized with a chill how she had just been entertaining thoughts unthinkable for her. Only belatedly did she notice the eyes of the people around her fixed upon her.
“M-Miss Kogami, what troubles you? Was there some mistake?”
Mayor Uchiyama approached, but Inari merely gazed up at him with an emotionless expression. That look alone caused him to instinctively step back, sensing something untouchable radiating from her.
“…According to the legend of Susanoo-no-Mikoto, when he slew the Yamata-no-Orochi, he first prepared strong, fragrant sake brewed many times over and used it as bait.”
“Wh-what are you saying?”
“Why did the Orochi drink such suspicious liquor? There are many theories. But I believe that liquor was imbued with irresistible power.”
To make the serpent drink, careful preparations had been made. The sake, brewed with utmost care, was itself a ritual, filled with a power so great that even when the Orochi was cut apart, it could not awaken. It was not simply alcohol, but also the strength of the “place” itself.
This was nothing rare. Getting drunk on the atmosphere, borrowing strength from drink—these were curses that could befall anyone.
“This sake, this place—it is infused with some kind of spell. And everyone here, save Yasuno and I, bears some form of protection.”
“W-what nonsense is this! Such words are slander!”
“Is that so? Atsuage, right pocket.”
“Ha!?”
Atsuage leapt out from Inari’s robe, plunged a paw into the mayor’s suit pocket, and snatched out a blue stone before dropping back down at Inari’s feet.
“Hm. A charm against misfortune, is it? A style unknown to me… Now, have you any excuse left?”
“Anyone can carry charms in this age! Especially in coastal towns, they’re common!”
“Oh-ho. Then let us test that claim… Come, Kogetsu.”
At the sight of the blade materializing in Inari’s hand, screams rose from the crowd.
“A-a weapon!? Guards, what are you—”
Unconcerned by the panic, Inari ran a finger along the blade. At her touch, Kogetsu gleamed with white radiance and floated gently into the air.
“Reveal the source—Secret Sword: Nenekirimaru.”
Spinning as it floated, Kogetsu shot toward Isurugi, aiming straight for his chest.
“Kyaaa!”
“Uwaaa!”
“Kh!”
Isurugi drew out an old-fashioned staff and raised a barrier just in time. Barely, but it stopped Kogetsu.
“Wha—!?”
He then noticed Atsuage perched on the floating sword and widened his eyes. When had it gotten there? Before he could question it further, Atsuage leapt, pulled a small stone tablet from Isurugi’s chest pocket, and hurled it away.
Kogetsu immediately darted after it, shattering the tablet into fragments.
In that instant, the atmosphere of the hall changed. The air felt cleaner, purer—something foul had been dispelled.
When Atsuage scampered back and Kogetsu floated once more into Inari’s hand, Mayor Uchiyama stood frozen, dumbstruck.
“Th-this is…”
He turned to Inari, seeking an explanation—only to realize she was no longer before him.
She had already rushed at Isurugi, blade raised in a blunt strike stance, the sword ringing sharply as she swung.
“[Gura Donga]!”
“Guh!?”
Stone pillars erupted from the floor in every direction. Inari sprang back, evading them, then dashed forward again—only to find Isurugi gone. He had escaped. Inari nearly clicked her tongue, but there was no sign of him; even Nenekirimaru could not track him now.
“Um…”
“Mm?”
Turning at the voice, Inari found Mayor Uchiyama and the employees, all looking bewildered.
“What in the world is happening here?”
“Hm. Those blue stones—everyone has one, yes? You received them from that man, did you not?”
“Y-yes. He said they were protective charms against water, to be sold commercially… With awakened corporations these days, such products aren’t unusual.”
“Bring them here. I shall destroy them all.”
Gathered together, the blue stones radiated far greater power than individually, forming a potent mass.
“Wh-what will you do, Miss Kogami?”
“I told you, did I not? Destroy them all.”
Answering Yasuno, Inari slid her fingers once more along Kogetsu’s blade. This time, it gleamed with golden light. Inari steadied her stance.
“Sever it—Secret Sword: Ishikiri.”
With each flash of Inari’s slash, the blue stones were sliced apart as though they were paper. One after another, until all of them crumbled into worthless fragments.