As soon as Yae Miko stepped through the glowing torii gate, she felt the world shift. The familiar elemental energy of Teyvat had vanished completely.
It was like a fish accustomed to the vast saltwater ocean suddenly being dropped into a freshwater pond. The air tasted different. The currents of power that normally swirled around her were nowhere to be found.
Fortunately, her own elemental energy had not dispersed. Being deeply tied to Narukami, Miko retained her connection to the Raiden Shogun. That bond was like a straw piercing the veil between worlds—she could sip from the Shogun's boundless thunder at will.
When her feet touched the earth of this new realm, she blinked at the sight before her. Dozens of mortals knelt in the dirt, foreheads pressed to the ground. At first, she was startled. But quickly, a sly smile curved across her lips.
This world had no true gods. Here, divinity existed only in myths and half-remembered legends. Yet this land's culture was steeped in Shinto-like reverence for unseen spirits. They believed in fox fairies, thunder gods, and heavenly ancestors.
And Miko? She had always enjoyed the role of playing a goddess. In Teyvat, surrounded by actual archons and immortals, she had never been able to indulge that fantasy fully. But here—ah, here was a stage set just for her.
If these people wanted a god, she would give them one.
Tilting her head, she let her fox ears twitch beneath her long pink hair. The Kagura bells chimed softly in her hand. With a teasing smile, she spoke aloud:
"Aiya~, such a grand welcome ceremony truly surprises me~"
Her voice was melodic and playful, carrying the effortless authority of something more than human.
"Raise your heads," she continued. "This is not Narukami-sama descending to earth. Surely you know the true God of Eternity would not be moved by such trivial matters."
At her words, the kneeling mortals dared to lift their eyes. And what they saw stole their breath.
Before them stood a vision out of legend:
A woman with long flowing pink hair, elegant fox ears peeking through, and robes embroidered with patterns beyond mortal craft. Her figure radiated both grace and danger, her bare legs revealed just enough to stir both awe and unease. She was divine, enchanting, and impossible to mistake for human.
Behind her emerged two others: a man and a woman, clad in garments of noble design, their bearing regal and otherworldly. The crowd's awe doubled at the sight.
For a moment, the mortals could only gape. Then the shrine priests and nobles whispered in hushed reverence:
"A fox immortal… descended from Takamagahara itself."
Yae Miko laughed, savoring their reaction. "Oh my! Are you so taken by my beauty you cannot even speak? Truly, this is amusing."
Inside, her heart danced with delight. These humans were so easy to dazzle. In Inazuma, yokai were well-known, and she was merely the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine. But here? Here, she was divine.
The Kamisato Great Priest, father of Kagaya Ubuyashiki's wife Amane, finally found his voice. His aged body trembled with excitement as he bowed deeply.
"Welcome, Lord Fox Immortal, and the noble envoys who accompany you," he declared, voice ringing with reverence. "For a thousand years, no priest of our family has been granted such honor. This is a miracle."
He raised his head slightly, tears glittering in his eyes. "May I ask… what does the descent of the Immortals mean for this land? What oracle do you bring from the Thunder God of Heaven?"
Miko's lips curled in a fox-like grin. Ah, this old man is clever, she thought. He has already given me the role I need to play.
She nodded serenely, raising her Kagura bells. "My lord grew curious, gazing upon the human realm. What did we see? A world plagued by man-eating demons, their evil taint filling the land with sorrow. And so, with her blessing, I descended with two envoys."
The crowd stirred, shock rippling through them. The Great Priest turned his eyes toward Kagaya Ubuyashiki, who stood quietly to the side.
"It is true," the old priest whispered. "Our Kamisato family and the Ubuyashikis have borne this burden for a thousand years. The demons are our ancient enemy. Their origin lies in the curse of the ghost king—born from a son of the Ubuyashiki line long ago."
Kagaya bowed his frail body, his voice steady yet full of grief. "Yes, Lord Immortal. My family bears this sin. To atone, we founded the Demon Slayer Corps. For centuries we have raised orphaned children, sending them to fight the creatures born of our ancestor's corruption. It is our hope—our only wish—that one day this curse may end."
His voice cracked, and tears finally spilled from his sightless eyes. "If you are truly here to end the demons, then perhaps the prayers of our family are at last answered."
The Slayers behind him lowered their heads, their hearts swelling. To them, this was no mere performance. It was salvation.
Yae Miko let out a thoughtful hum, her fox ears twitching. She folded her arms and spoke with practiced solemnity.
"Indeed, the gods of Celestia have long watched. The demons should have been judged a thousand years ago. It is… regrettable. A pity such sins have endured so long."
The Kamisato Great Priest flinched at her words, then bowed again. "Forgive us, Lord Fox Immortal. Our ignorance has failed the divine."
Inside, Miko nearly laughed. Oh, this is too perfect. They believe every word. To play with them is like toying with kittens… and yet it is not a lie. The truth is always sharper when dressed in mischief.
Behind her, Ayato and Ayaka Kamisato stood silently, watching with amazement. Though they said nothing, both siblings exchanged a look of respect. Truly, they thought, only the Guuji of Narukami Shrine could weave deception into worship so seamlessly.
Miko's bells jingled as she lifted them high. "Listen well. Do you know why your prayers went unanswered? It is because you called upon the wrong names. The gods you worshipped do not recognize such mistaken titles."
A ripple of confusion spread through the crowd. The Great Priest's eyes widened in horror. "What? The names of our gods… are wrong?"
Miko's lips curved slyly. "Indeed. The one you call 'Thunder God of Jianyu' is in truth Yujian Myojin. Similar in sound, yes, but wholly mistaken. Just as a letter with the wrong address will never reach its recipient, so too have your offerings vanished into silence."
Gasps spread among the priests. Some looked pale, as if lightning had struck them.
Miko continued smoothly, stepping gracefully into the half-rebuilt shrine. Her voice carried the tone of ancient authority.
"Do not blame yourselves. Mortals are but sparks in the passage of eternity. A century to you is but a blink to us. Passed from mouth to mouth, your lore grew twisted. For three thousand years, no god has descended openly—so of course the names grew corrupted. Such errors are natural."
She looked back at them, letting her violet eyes gleam with fox-like amusement. The priests stared at her in awe, some trembling, others weeping, all utterly enthralled.
Miko's heart thrilled. This was her stage. To them, she was eternal, untouchable, divine.
And she had told no lies. For lies could unravel. But truth, bent just so, was far more dangerous.
She smiled inwardly. Yes… it is far too fun to deceive when the truth itself makes the perfect trick.
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