Published: January 24, 2026
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Belia led me to a mountain forest behind the mansion of the Shinonome family, who once ruled this country.
The people of this country call this mountain forest the "Sacred Mountain."
Since the country was founded on this island, the Shinonome family has managed the Sacred Mountain, and ordinarily only members of the Shinonome family and its branch families—the Tendō family and the Asagiri family—are allowed to enter this taboo area.
The reason we are allowed in such a place now is that after the civil war a few years ago, the cult took control of this country.
Usually, outsiders are forbidden entry, but once a year, on the final day of the summer festival organized by the country, ordinary people are allowed to enter the mountain. Although, I wonder what real meaning that holds.
Following the stone-paved approach, a large torii gate came into view.
Going further, beyond the torii stood a huge and solemn shrine.
Tracing the roots of the humans living in KyokutĹŤ leads to an island nation in the East of the outside world.
I’ve heard that this country has undergone a unique development, different from other nations.
Their prevailing belief was that gods reside in everything—nature, human activities, and all else.
Since there are so many gods, naturally there were many shrines throughout the country to worship them.
Perhaps as a cultural remnant of that belief, there are several shrines in KyokutĹŤ as well.
This world has existed for several hundred years now.
Today, the people of KyokutĹŤ have forgotten why the shrines exist.
Still, the fact that the shrines remain unbroken suggests that the mindset of that country is deeply rooted in their collective unconscious.
...If all those gods truly exist, I would really like to ask them why they leave such an imperfect creature as humanity to fend for itself.
"Is this the Phoenix Shrine?" I asked Belia, gazing at the towering shrine ahead.
I had been searching for the Phoenix Shrine for many years.
It was clear as day that this shrine, protected for generations by the descendants of the Sword Immortal and Princess Shrine Maiden—companions of the Hero of the Fairy Tale August, who helped create this world during the end of the fairy tale era—was suspicious.
Having taken control of KyokutĹŤ, I was the first to investigate this shrine.
However, I found no clues.
Though the shrine was magnificent, even a thorough examination revealed it to be just an ordinary building; it never seemed like a structure related to the principles of techniques.
So I thought it was merely a decoy building to divert attention from the true Phoenix Shrine.
"Ah. This is the entrance to the Phoenix Shrine," Belia stopped in front of the torii and answered my question.
Reaching out her hand toward the torii, the space enclosed by the gate shimmered like the surface of water.
"...What is this?"
"The Phoenix Shrine exists in a space separated from this world—much like the inside of a dungeon. This torii is a gate connecting here and there. The shrine beyond it is just a façade to blend the gate naturally into its surroundings."
A different space apart from this one...
No wonder it couldn’t be found by ordinary means.
Belia was about to pass through the torii, so I followed behind her.
But then, he stopped me.
"From this point on, Philly cannot enter."
"Why? We've come this far; there’s no reason to hide anything from me, is there?"
Belia’s stubbornness irritated me.
"It's not about distrust. Inside, the environment is effectively the same as the outside world. For a non-transcendent like you, Philly, it’s an area filled with lethal toxins."
"...I see. If that’s the case, I have no choice."
Thinking about it, it made sense.
I wanted to check the conditions inside beforehand, but it was impossible to step into a place that would kill me.
I’ll have the Thunder Emperor check inside later.
Belia stepped into the torii and disappeared into the void.
"For now, it’s enough to have found this place. It’s been a long journey," I thought.