Published: January 24, 2026
The next day, I headed toward the Heavenly Spirit Shrine located midway up the Sacred Mountain.
In Hanemiya, the capital of this country, Kyokutō, the reconstruction work had resumed, a stark contrast to yesterday’s festival.
In the clear early morning air, the quiet sounds of hauling rubble echoed softly.
Steam rose from shared pots, and people were seen on the rooftops replacing tiles.
The atmosphere of recovery filled the city, completely different from the festival’s clamor.
With that scene behind me, I climbed the Sacred Mountain.
The reason I was heading to the Heavenly Spirit Shrine was to investigate the principles of techniques located there.
The principles of techniques are the heart of this world.
They are devices that maintain the wall separating this world from the outside world and support the very structure of this world itself.
My primary goal is to break the wall separating the two worlds and reach the outside world.
However, this wall exists to prevent the "mana of the outside world," which is a deadly poison for humans, from invading this world.
If the wall is broken, poison will fill this world.
Sacrificing others for my personal goal is out of the question.
I have some ideas for how to reach the outside world without anyone’s sacrifice.
But to see if any of them are truly feasible, I need to understand the principles of techniques.
As I organized my thoughts, a torii gate appeared, weathered and with paint peeling here and there from exposure to rain and wind.
I passed through the torii gate and quietly stepped into the shrine grounds.
There, I saw two figures.
"Good morning, Orun."
"G-Good morning!"
The first to speak was Fuuka.
Standing beside her, Nagisa awkwardly lowered her head.
"Good morning, both of you. Sorry for coming so early."
I said as I naturally took a few steps forward.
"P-Please don’t worry! I was actually planning to come here to dismantle the yagura (tower) too!"
Nagisa waved her hands anxiously as she spoke, but her movements were a bit stiff.
Her voice also had a somewhat high pitch.
…She’s nervous.
But that’s understandable.
Right now, I’m known as the "Demon King" and am internationally wanted.
In reality, the cult fabricated the charges to socially isolate me.
Nagisa probably heard about this from Fuuka, but the impression given by that title is hard to erase.
The fact that they are even talking to me is more than enough.
"Dismantling the yagura? That sounds like hard work for just you and Fuuka. Isn’t there anyone else who can help—ah, right. This is a forbidden area."
Only members of the Shinonome, Asagiri, and TendĹŤ families are allowed into the Sacred Mountain.
On the last day of the Spirit Dance Festival, others are permitted entry, but otherwise, only certain people may enter.
Normally, I wouldn’t have the qualification to be here.
But since I have Fuuka and Nagisa’s approval, I’m making an exception.
"Yes… But it’s not that hard. The Asagiri family has an original magic for assembling and dismantling this yagura. After dismantling, we collect it with a storage magical tool, carry it outside, and then burn it following the proper procedures."
"I see… So the Asagiri family has its unique method."
Hearing this, Nagisa’s expression softened a little. Still, there was some stiffness in her posture.
If possible, I want to build a good relationship with her.
But that will take time—slowly, patiently.
“…Um, Mr. Orun.”
Suddenly, Nagisa spoke while still looking down.
Her voice carried a trace of fear.
"I actually have two things to tell you…!"
"Things you want to tell me?"
"Yes. The first is—thank you very much for your efforts to save this country the other day! I heard that Philly’s departure from this country was thanks to your power. Truly, thank you!"
Nagisa bowed deeply.
Her voice clearly expressed gratitude.
"There's no need to thank me."
I replied with a wry smile.
This was Fuuka’s heartfelt wish.
I acted for the sake of my comrades’ wishes.
Besides, I also wanted to suppress the principles of techniques quickly.