It was obvious that growing taller had become an obsession for Sayu.
Moments ago, she'd been sulking, but after hearing Yae Miko's words, her eyes lit up with excitement. Now she felt as if—if Lu Heng didn't pat her on the head—she might grab his hand herself and put it there.
Lu Heng shot Yae Miko a helpless look.
You really said something like that to a kid?
Yae Miko only smiled, clearly pleased with herself. Objectively, a simple head-pat wouldn't actually affect Sayu's height, so she felt no guilt at all. Besides, teasing others like this brought her a little joy. For a long-lived youkai, life could get terribly boring without some amusement—without it, what difference was there between living and being dead?
Under Sayu's expectant gaze, Lu Heng reached out and gently patted the top of her head.
Sayu's face lit up in delight.
Had it been anyone else, she would never have believed Yae Miko's words. But this was Lu Heng.
In Inazuma nowadays, it was rare to find someone who didn't know his name. Everyone had seen his towering figure on that fateful day.
Sayu herself had seen him.
As a member of the Shuumatsuban, she had even been involved in the early investigation of the "mysterious merchant" before he opened his card shop in Inazuma. Though the results back then had been incomplete, Sayu now understood the true wonder of the shop.
If the owner of such a magical shop patted her on the head… surely something special might happen, right?
In that moment, Sayu silently prayed in her heart.
Please let me grow taller… please…
Lu Heng noticed the almost devotional look in her eyes and couldn't help the twitch at the corner of his mouth.
She looked at him as if he were some sort of deity.
He sighed softly.
"Sayu, have you considered the possibility that Yae Miko might just be teasing you?"
He wasn't trying to be cruel—he simply didn't want her to hold on to false hope only to be crushed later.
"Ah…?"
Sayu turned in shock to look at Yae Miko, then back at Lu Heng.
Tricked again?!
Her cheeks puffed up in frustration.
But neither Lu Heng nor Yae Miko were people she could really vent her anger on. Poor Sayu could only swallow it, her eyes dimming as she hung her head.
"I do have a way to make you taller," Lu Heng said gently, "but it's just a spell. It would only make you look taller temporarily, not help you actually grow. You're still young—don't be in such a hurry. You'll grow in time."
"I'm not that young…" Sayu muttered under her breath.
Most of her peers had already shot past her in height, while she still looked like a seven- or eight-year-old child.
The thought alone made her heart ache.
"How can I ever catch up…?" she whispered.
"Don't worry so much."
Lu Heng smiled. "Look on the bright side. In the Shuumatsuban, your size gives you some advantages, doesn't it?"
Sayu only felt more depressed.
Who wants this kind of 'advantage'?!
Sure, being small made her good for certain missions, but was she supposed to remain a Shuumatsuban ninja forever?
"Just tell me how to grow taller!" she cried in frustration, her voice almost breaking.
"If anyone could help me grow, I'd give them everything I have!"
"No need for that."
Lu Heng waved his hands quickly. "Just eat a balanced diet and exercise more. Sleeping all the time won't help as much as you think."
"Really…?" Sayu asked uncertainly.
"You don't trust me?" Yae Miko reached out and gently pinched Sayu's cheek. "He's not like me—he won't trick you."
Sayu's face twitched into a sheepish smile.
How does she know I think she's the type to trick people…?
The idea that this mischievous woman could somehow read her mind was enough to make her want to run far away.
"I believe you!" she said quickly, then added in a small voice, "Um… Lady Guuji, I still have work to do. May I leave now?"
"Go on~" Yae Miko waved her off with a smile.
Sayu looked as if she'd been pardoned, bowing hastily.
"Goodbye, Mister Lu!"
Then she activated her ninjutsu and literally rolled away.
"This child…" Yae Miko chuckled.
"That was terrible of you," Lu Heng said sternly. "I really ought to scold you for that."
"And how exactly will you scold me~?" Yae Miko tilted her head with a teasing glint in her eyes.
"Come closer," Lu Heng said seriously. "I'll deliver moral punishment in person."
Yae Miko obediently leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Lu Heng promptly kissed her.
"Such a lovely reward—oh no, I mean, punishment," she said with a laugh, her ears tinged with red. "Next time, can we make it a bit longer?"
"We'll see," Lu Heng replied with a faint smile. "Shall we get going?"
He took her hand, and the two of them descended the mountain together.
Unbeknownst to them, around the corner beneath the eaves, Kanno Nana peeked out, eyes wide with curiosity and alight with gossip.
She had just witnessed the Guuji herself and Lu Heng sharing an intimate moment!
"My goodness!" she gasped.
The usually intimidating Guuji and Lu Heng—together!
Thanks to Yae Miko's bookshop, many shrine maidens had taken to reading light novels, and Nana's mind immediately spun a dozen scenarios.
Is the scary Guuji actually gentle in his arms? Are they sweet when they're alone?
The more she thought about it, the more excited she became.
This is even better than the stories in the novels!
"Nana, what are you grinning about over there?" another shrine maiden called.
"Ah? I… uh…"
Nana nearly blurted out what she had seen but quickly stopped herself.
It wouldn't do to gossip about the Guuji. Even without punishment, her presence alone was enough to make the other shrine maidens quake.
"I just… made a mistake!" Nana said, hastily covering her mouth.
"…Huh?" her companion stared at her in confusion.
Meanwhile, Lu Heng and Yae Miko had arrived near Konda Village.
Yae Miko glanced around but saw no sign of the shrine maiden they sought.
"Where could she be?"
Reality wasn't like a game—there was no fixed spawn point for people to stand in. They would have to widen their search.
"Let me divine it."
Lu Heng spoke lightly and activated his cyber-fortune-telling.
A moment later, he raised his hand and pointed.
"This way."
"I knew you'd be reliable," Yae Miko said with a pleased smile.
"Of course," Lu Heng replied easily.
They followed a narrow country path.
After a few hundred meters, they spotted a figure in shrine maiden robes crouching by a stream, intently watching the darting fish.
Hearing their footsteps, the girl turned, startled.
She didn't recognize Yae Miko, but Lu Heng's face struck her like a thunderclap.
That day, the sight of him had left such a deep, instinctive dread in her that she could never forget it.
Seeing the two approach, her body trembled slightly, her expression uneasy.
They must have found me… come to deal with me at last.
How could she think otherwise? She knew what she was. Ordinary people might not see through her nature, but to someone like Lu Heng, she might as well be transparent.
"So it really is you, Hanachirusato," Yae Miko said, recognizing her by the white fox mask that hid her face.
"You…?" Hanachirusato looked up at her, noting the Guuji's distinctive robes and headpiece.
Sensing her nervousness, Yae Miko smiled kindly.
"Don't be afraid. We're not here to harm you. On the contrary—we've come to help you."
"Help… me?" Hanachirusato's eyes widened.
Of all the things she might have expected, that wasn't one of them.
"What were you looking at just now?" Lu Heng asked.
"I… I was watching the fish," she said softly, pointing at the lively finger-sized fish darting through the clear stream.
"And what do you feel when you watch them?" he asked.
She thought for a moment.
"They seem carefree… and so free."
"Do you envy them?" he asked gently.
She nodded.
"A little."
"Only a little?" Yae Miko asked with a smile.
Hanachirusato hesitated, then admitted,
"To be honest… perhaps more than a little. I suppose I long for that freedom myself."
"Would you like to live a new life of your own?" Yae Miko asked.
"Eh…?" Hanachirusato blinked, confused.
"What… what do you mean by that?"
"If you were given the chance to start a new life, would you take it?" Lu Heng asked.
"A new life…" she murmured, bewildered. "But… what about the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual?"
Yae Miko and Lu Heng exchanged a glance.
"Leave that to us," Yae Miko said with a light laugh.
"But… my existence…" Hanachirusato pressed a hand to her chest, her voice low and heavy.
"I'm born of filth. The cleansing ritual must erase me as well, or the corruption will return. It's like sweeping a floor—if you leave even a bit of trash behind…"
"Don't describe yourself as trash," Lu Heng said firmly, shaking his head.
"You're like a lotus, blooming unstained from the mud.
"You've already proven your heart is pure and noble—you sacrificed yourself for Inazuma's sake.
"I'm not joking," he added with a thumbs-up. "You're a true hero."
Yae Miko's voice softened.
"We don't want to see you bound to a fate of self-sacrifice. Your will to protect Inazuma deserves to be honored—and continued.
"If you could live freely while still guarding this land, that would be a blessing for all of us."
Hanachirusato's eyes flickered with hope, but also hesitation.
"But… if it's not completely cleansed…"
"I know what you're worried about," Lu Heng interrupted gently.
"You're afraid it won't feel complete, that it'll leave you uneasy, right?"
She nodded silently.
Lu Heng thought for a moment, then said,
"I have an idea."
Yae Miko turned to him with interest.
"We'll let the cleansing ritual destroy her current body," Lu Heng explained, "but preserve her pure consciousness."
Hanachirusato's eyes widened in shock.
"That's… possible?"
Yae Miko frowned slightly.
"But then what body would she have? Would she be like the Shogun's consciousness, dwelling in some object?"
"That's easy," Lu Heng said with a small smile.
"Remember the time Zhongli created a new body for Bosacius during that livestream?"
Yae Miko's eyes lit with sudden understanding.
"You mean—"
"Exactly." Lu Heng nodded.
"We'll create a new, pure body. Her consciousness, once purified, will be equally pure. There won't be any problem."
Hanachirusato didn't quite understand all the details, but a storm of emotions surged in her heart—uncertainty, longing, and even a hint of fear.
If I don't have to sacrifice myself… will the cleansing truly succeed?
What would a free life be like? Could I live among humans… make friends… be like Lady Kitsune Saiguu, beloved by all?
"This is a good plan," Yae Miko said, nodding.
"What do you say? Can you accept it?"
Hanachirusato blinked and quickly lowered her gaze.
"Forgive me… I was lost in thought."
"No harm done," Lu Heng said kindly.
He went on, "Here's the plan: we'll carry out the cleansing ritual as usual, and in the process, your current form will be purified as well. But we'll intercept your consciousness at that moment and preserve it.
"After the ritual is complete, I'll create a new body for you and merge your purified consciousness into it. You'll have a pure body to live in. Understand?"
Hanachirusato listened intently, then nodded.
"I can't express how deeply grateful I am…"
"That's simple~" Yae Miko said with a sly smile.
"He's still short a maid at home."
"…?"
Lu Heng scratched his head in mild embarrassment.
"I'll do my best!" Hanachirusato said at once, bowing.
Lu Heng hesitated, then decided not to refuse.
"Then it's settled. Shall we begin the cleansing ritual now?" he asked jokingly.
"Or do you need me to perform it myself?"
"No need~" Yae Miko shook her head, pulling out her phone with a mischievous grin.
"We'll just call in some help."
Lu Heng immediately thought of the legendary Traveler and Paimon—famed for appearing whenever someone needed a hand.
But to his surprise, Yae Miko dialed a different number.
"What is it?" came the cold, emotionless voice of the Puppet Shogun.
Yae Miko's smile deepened as she glanced at Lu Heng.
"Lu Heng needs a little assistance."
"…?"
Lu Heng folded his arms, puzzled.
In the next instant, the voice on the other end responded crisply,
"Location."
"I'll send it to you," Yae Miko replied, hanging up after sending a map pin.
Barely two seconds later—
A deafening clap of thunder rolled from the direction of the Tenshukaku.
The three of them looked up to see a blazing streak of violet light tearing across the sky.
In the blink of an eye, the Raiden Shogun descended before them, blade in hand.
"I'm here to help you," she said firmly, her tone brooking no argument.
She stood there like a warrior ready to charge into the most perilous battlefield without hesitation.
All she needed was for Lu Heng to point the way.
Lu Heng blinked at her.
Did I really manage to tame the Shogun?
He wasn't sure if this was a good thing… or a bad one.
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T/N:
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