"Are we really going to believe her and come back again at night?" Theresa glanced at the spot where Yae Rin had disappeared, still feeling a bit creeped out, and quickly caught up with Ming Yu.
"Of course, otherwise there's no other way. We don't know what will happen next in this space. We can't get out on our own," Ming Yu said without turning his head, slowing his pace.
It is said that ghosts usually appear at night. It seems that even a Stigmata Space is no exception. Ming Yu vaguely remembered that Yae Rin had appeared once at night later on. It was likely that a ghost's power would be stronger at night.
"Well, okay then," Theresa said with some hesitation. For her, ghosts were the scariest things in the world. Even for a cute ghost like Yae Rin, not running away was her limit. To actively seek one out in the middle of the night was still too horrifying for her.
Seeing the worry on Theresa's face, Ming Yu couldn't help but find it funny. Whether as a nun of the church or a Valkyrie of Schicksal, neither should be a profession that fears ghosts. But Theresa happened to be both, yet she was scared to death of ghosts.
Perhaps, only vampires were the kind of ghosts she wasn't afraid of. Ming Yu couldn't help but think of "Luna Kindred".
Seeing Ming Yu's strange smile, Theresa immediately understood that this guy must be secretly laughing at her, and she instantly became angry.
Quietly holding her breath, Theresa took a few light running steps, leaped onto Ming Yu's back with a whoosh, and tightly wrapped her arms around his neck.
Ming Yu instantly staggered, almost falling. With Theresa's arms around his neck, it was a bit difficult to breathe. Fortunately, Theresa didn't have her monstrous strength now and didn't deliberately make things difficult, just making Ming Yu feel slightly uncomfortable.
Since losing her power, Theresa had become more and more like a child. How on earth did Otto raise this child? Ming Yu shook his head and lamented.
Otto, who was conducting an experiment, suddenly sneezed, nearly dropping the test tube in his hand. Did I catch a cold? This body needs to be recalibrated, Otto thought, touching his hair.
Although the Principal usually acted like a child, at least psychologically she was a forty-seven-year-old mature adult. But now, even her psychology had regressed to that of a twelve-year-old.
Even though the current Principal was extremely weak, Ming Yu didn't dare to perform a shoulder throw. He was afraid the Principal would string him up and beat him after she recovered. For a long time to come, the Principal would be the number one person in the Far East Branch, and he would still have to live under her shadow.
Therefore, Ming Yu could only choose to swallow his anger and obediently carry Theresa on his back.
Seeing the ugly expression on Ming Yu's face, yet having no choice but to carry her, Theresa's heart immediately brightened, enjoying the novel scenery from a different height.
When they were almost at the shrine, Ming Yu still put Theresa down. Although the Principal was very light and soft, and quite comfortable to carry, Ming Yu would still feel a bit embarrassed if the villagers saw them.
Theresa didn't make a fuss this time and quietly jumped off Ming Yu's back. After all, the Principal was an adult and had her pride.
Entering the shrine, they could faintly hear the sounds of arguing coming from the main hall. Theresa motioned for Ming Yu to be quiet and led him to sneak closer on tiptoe.
Quietly pushing open the main door a crack, they could see a pink-haired shrine maiden sitting facing the door. Opposite her sat a black-haired man in a black haori. Between them sat two rows of villagers, men and women, old and young.
A villager shouted at the shrine maiden at the head of the room, "Before those two outsiders appeared, monsters never appeared in the village. They must have brought them! Seize them!"
Another middle-aged woman also clamored sternly, "My husband was killed by a monster. We must not let them go!"
More people also shouted, "They must have brought the disaster. Burn them quickly!"
Ming Yu watched this scene, sneering inwardly. What a fine display of public outrage. Higokumaru really knows how to play.
Hearing the shouts of the crowd, Yae Sakura lowered her head, her expression unchanged, and said, "There is currently no evidence to prove this. Please give me some time, and I will definitely find out the truth."
"What evidence is needed?" a villager immediately said with dissatisfaction. "Isn't the duty of a shrine maiden to protect the village!?"
The man in the haori also said calmly, "Lady Shrine Maiden, let's not talk about those monsters for now. The time for the ritual is approaching. You should understand."
Yae Sakura raised her head to look at him. The man's tone was very calm, as if he were stating something perfectly natural. The shrine maiden's mind flashed with the image of her sister as a sacrifice, remembering how that delicate child looked when she was placed on the altar.
"Father... Lord Head Priest, are you thinking..." Yae Sakura was somewhat stunned.
"It hasn't rained in the village for three months. The white-haired girl who appeared at this time is simply a gift from the gods. As long as we offer her up, the gods will surely be satisfied!" the Head Priest said with a crazed expression, like a fanatic.
"But..." Yae Sakura hesitated.
"No buts," the Head Priest's tone couldn't help but carry a hint of sternness. "If we don't offer this outsider, then we must offer a maiden from the village. The ritual is a must!"
"Do you want Rin's efforts to be in vain!?" the Head Priest said, sounding as if he was disappointed in her for failing to meet his expectations.
Rin. The shrine maiden's heart once again thought of her younger sister. On the altar, even as the blade was about to pierce her heart, she tried her best to put on the most brilliant smile, telling herself to become an excellent shrine maiden.
Yae Sakura lowered her head, unable to argue any further. Or rather, even she didn't know how to choose.
If Kallen were still here, she would definitely know what to do. Yae Sakura couldn't help but think of that white-haired nun. But, Kallen would not appear again.
The divine duty of serving the gods, the responsibility of protecting the villagers... one heavy burden after another pressed down on her delicate shoulders, making it almost impossible for her to lift her head.
"Enough!" Theresa suddenly pushed open the door and walked quickly to stand in front of Yae Sakura. "So many of you bullying a single girl, don't you feel ashamed!"
Theresa looked at this group of ignorant people. Their eyes held only greed and hatred, without a shred of compassion.
"You shout the name of the gods, leaving everything to the gods to decide." Theresa took a breath and said in an even sterner tone, "Don't you know that a person's destiny is decided by themselves, not by some ethereal god!"
Hearing Theresa's words, Yae Sakura suddenly felt a part of her heart tremble, and her uneasy heart gradually calmed down.