Not only the native demon and witch cultural activities of the Land of Demons, but foreign merchants participating in this festival also bring their own country's features. However, they do not overshadow the hosts, which gives it a romantic vibe of a hundred flowers blooming.
"Much livelier than Konoha."
Ayane, wearing a pink yukata and a rabbit mask on her face, glanced at the bustling yet orderly festival and spoke these words.
Of course, that's true. Hakushi silently responded in his heart.
Since arriving in the Land of Demons, he had steadily invested a large amount of funds, hired professional engineers for remodeling, and enlisted many ninja engineers, which resulted in this year's slightly different festival.
Originally, as the capital of a country, Shion City was already considered a rather prosperous large city. With a new round of renovations, if even Konoha can't compare, then he would feel ashamed of the substantial investment and manpower he dedicated.
Ruri said nothing but was visually captivated by the dazzling display before her eyes.
Unlike Ayane, she wore a moonlight-colored yukata and a vivid fox mask on her face to conceal her identity.
It was the three's first time attending such a festival, without any particular goal, they merely wandered around.
When tired, they sat on a bench by the road to rest, watching the people in unique costumes along the snowy path and commenting on them.
They continued walking, arriving at the center of the commercial street.
There lay a huge open space, upon which a tall, lavishly constructed stage was set.
Witches, numerous wearing red and white or pure white attire, danced on the stage.
The melodious sound of flutes drifted into the ears of the people, creating an atmosphere both lively and serene.
People whispered among themselves, but their murmurs were overshadowed by the flute's melody.
The witches began dancing on stage, with bright red lipstick on their lips, adorned with jingling decorations on their heads and clothes, or bells that rang as their bodies swayed.
Witches in pure white witch's attire halted their dance, spreading outwards in the outer circle, leaving those in red and white witch's attire to continue dancing within.
They closed their eyes, raised the seven swords they held, seemingly conducting a sacred prayer ritual.
Then a brilliant flame ignited on the seven swords, illuminating the surroundings brightly, eliciting cheers from the crowd.
Their movements were elegant, their expressions solemn and sacred, and their dance was impeccable, these are elite witches chosen from every shrine in the Land of Demons, gathered here for the annual blessing ceremony.
Snowflakes fell from the night sky, resembling countless feathers fluttering in the air, then whispering quietly onto the stage.
The snowy feathers blended with the witches' dance.
People, upon witnessing this beautiful scene, forgot the chill of the winter night, and their hearts began dancing with the witches, praying for a happy and prosperous life for the coming year, family togetherness, cleansing inner filth and impurities, then commencing a new year.
"Hakushi-kun, you were mesmerized. I called your name several times and you didn't respond."
Upon coming back to his senses, Hakushi found Ruri and Ayane both glaring at him with displeased eyes.
"I was just praying for your wellbeing."
After all, with so many lovely girls dancing together, he, like the surrounding crowd, had just been experiencing a spiritual cleansing ritual.
That's the truth. It couldn't be because it was too beautiful that he was mesmerized.
"Damn! Is there another woman on your mind?"
"Hey, don't talk nonsense!"
Cold sweat dripped down Hakushi's face, that was just appreciation for the beauty, why did Ayane jump to that conclusion?
"How can this be a sacred dignified prayer ceremony? To me, this seems more like a seduction ceremony!"
Ayane was growing more indignant.
Ruri's gaze became increasingly unfriendly, though not particularly fond of Ayane, she couldn't deny Ayane's words.
This was not a sacred blessing ceremony, but rather one meant to seduce men.
Especially for men whose hearts easily sway, and lack firm resolve, they are more susceptible to being seduced.
"Let's go!"
Ayane tugged on Hakushi's arm and headed in a direction.
"Where to?"
Hakushi questioned, bewildered.
Ayane pointed to a nearby costume store.
"You simply want uniform temptation, right? I can wear witch's attire too!"
"..."
What is this woman thinking?
Is that the main issue here?
Ten minutes later—
Ruri and Ayane stood before Hakushi, changed into witch's attire.
With his head in his hands, Hakushi was unsure of the expression he should have.
"Indeed, wearing witch's attire makes you feel more involved in this festival."
Ayane spun around in a circle, inspecting the witch's attire she now wore, seemingly very satisfied.
As for this, Hakushi could only acquiesce.
"I'm hungry, let's get something to eat."
Hakushi suggested.
From here on, he didn't dare wander aimlessly.
This was the Land of Demons' festival, there would be many witch blessing performances, especially in the center of the commercial street, from afar you could hear the soothing melodic sound of flutes everywhere.
The three entered a hot spring inn, where, after filling their stomachs, they could also enjoy the hot spring bath.
While ordering, they also got a few bottles of sake along the way.
The sound of the flute faintly wafted in from outside, while witches were likely still dancing their magnificent blessing dances there.
Closing his eyes, slowly savoring the sake while listening to the flute, and imagining the witch's dance, Hakushi thought to himself.
It seemed life lived this way wasn't too bad.
But as he continued thinking, those dancing witches immediately morphed into the images of Ruri and Ayane; witch's attire wrapped their pure bodies, dancing beautifully before him.