落とし穴番外：人形の正体 (Part1)
Pitfall Side Story: The Identity of the Doll
The Identity of the Doll
Side: Kagura
"This way."
Despite the pitch-black darkness, Lady Hairen strode forward without a moment’s hesitation.
"U-um, just how far are we going? It’s already deep into the night and completely dark. Wouldn't tomorrow be better?"
I tried to imply that we should stop because of the darkness, but Lady Hairen didn't stop, continuing to walk along the mountain path.
"Tomorrow won't do. I have to go today."
She set a deadline with a clarity rare for her.
She insisted it had to be today.
"What exactly is the problem?"
"Hmm, I’m not entirely sure, but my intuition is whispering to me. Please, Kagura."
"Oh, fine. I understand."
Once Lady Hairen puts it that way, I can't very well refuse.
Besides, this is a dungeon created by Yuki.
Even if we might run into something frightening or troublesome, I knew there was no way we would face any true danger, which was the main reason I followed her.
Even though this is a dark, low-visibility mountain, unlike the outside world, there’s no threat from monsters, and I can check my location on the call screen.
If anything happens, I can just contact Yuki immediately.
Yes, that’s how it should be, so why is it that I can’t shake this feeling of unease?
Is it because it’s dark?
Well, I say "pitch-black," but that’s only by Weed’s standards; nights are naturally dark like this.
Since there’s moonlight, I can at least see the path, and in reality, I’m using light magic to illuminate the way, so there’s nothing to worry about.
Yes, so there shouldn't be any reason to feel anxious.
Thinking that Lady Hairen might be... well, that would be disrespectful. Truly disrespectful.
After all, Lady Hairen is a proper, magnificent goddess.
If I, her shrine maiden, don't believe in her, who will?
As I was steeling my resolve, my field of vision suddenly opened up.
No, the forest had simply ended.
"We’re here."
"We’re here? Wait, this is... huh? What is this?"
Before my eyes stood a village—no, a settlement—of about ten houses.
Of course, that wasn't the point that surprised me.
Floating and dancing throughout the settlement were countless mysterious green lights, the likes of which I had never seen before.
What could they be? I couldn't feel any power from them, yet they existed there with such solemnity.
As I stared at them, I felt a sense of calm, yet simultaneously, an overwhelming feeling of deep sadness welled up within me.
"Oh, so this is what it looks like at night. I wonder what those lights are. Let’s go take a look."
"Ah, Lady Hairen!?"
Ignoring my questions, she ran off, following her curiosity.
I hurriedly chased after her, but Lady Hairen jumped toward one of those green lights and caught it in her bare hands.
"Wait!? You shouldn't just grab things of unknown origin with your bare hands! What if it’s poisonous?"
"Eh? It’s fine, really. Healing magic is my specialty. And I’ve been working hard on my medical studies lately, too."
"Sigh, it’s not about whether you can treat it; please prioritize avoiding danger from the start. Come on, it’s dangerous, so please let that thing go."
"It’s alright. Look."
As expected, Lady Hairen didn't listen to a word I said. She gently opened her hand, and there sat an insect-like creature, its abdomen glowing a soft, flickering green.
"This little one has no hostility. It’s just living its life to the fullest."
"Haa..."
"Sorry about that. Go on now."
When Lady Hairen said that, the insect with the glowing green tail flew off into the night darkness.
There were so many of them; it looked as if the starry sky had descended to the earth.
Oh, I wish I could have seen this with Yuki.
Well, I can just make that happen tomorrow.
What’s important right now is...
"Lady Hairen. This is the settlement that Yuki mentioned, the one Lady Luna prepared, right?"
"That’s right."
"You say 'that’s right,' but we shouldn't be here on our own. He said it still needed maintenance..."
"Yes. We still need to renovate the toilets and such. But aside from that, there is a place I must visit. This way."
"Ehh!? Lady Hairen, please wait!"
Lady Hairen started running again.
Chasing her as she ran through the myriad of dancing lights felt like falling into some strange sensation.
It was as if I were running through the stars, or perhaps through another world entirely...
But I couldn't let Lady Hairen do as she pleased any longer.
In a space with such mysterious, unseen insects, anything could happen.
I had to catch her and report this immediately.
With that thought, I switched to combat mode for movement.
Putting this much force into my steps usually cracks the ground and makes a mess, but I couldn't worry about that now.
I reached Lady Hairen, who had pulled quite far ahead, in mere seconds, and placed a hand on her shoulder...
"Lady Hairen. That’s enough. I’m going to report this to Lady Enoru and Lord Souta... okay?"
Just as I said that, I noticed a building that looked strangely familiar.
"Is this... a shrine?"
"Indeed. The shrine where Souta used to be."
Yes, just as Lady Hairen said, a small shrine stood there.
It wasn't a grand, beautiful shrine like the one beneath the Kamishiro estate, but a truly simple, compact one.
A small world consisting only of a tiny main hall to house the deity.
Yet, that world was kept perfectly tidy and clean...
"I was called here. Can’t you feel it too, Kagura? You are a shrine maiden, aren't you?"
"Eh? Just because I’m a shrine maiden doesn't mean I can just..."
The moment I started to answer, the glowing insects from before suddenly gathered at the shrine.
As I wondered what was happening...
*...Oh, a shrine maiden has come. A shrine maiden to convey my will. Two of them, at that.*
A clear, bell-like voice echoed distinctly from the depths of the shrine.
"Hmm? Hnn...? Wait a minute, I’m a shrine maiden too?"
*...Indeed. That is precisely why you felt my will and arrived at this place. Or are you still too inexperienced to realize it?*
The voice from the shrine seemed to hold a hint of doubt.
Admittedly, "inexperienced" wasn't entirely wrong, but...
"I see. And who are you calling inexperienced! Especially someone who hasn't even managed to manifest a physical form! Here, Kagura. Tell them. Tell them whose shrine maiden you are."
"Eh? Eh?"
While I was left in confusion, unable to keep up with the conversation...
*...You dare masquerade as a god? How disrespectful. Where is there a god without even a patch of land to take root? I am the one who protects this land. The one who protects this fading settlement.*