---

“Are we fighting against people…?”

Upon hearing the words of the Saigo Shinto Priest, Akiharu’s posture shifted.

His body leaned slightly forward, and a glint of interest sparked in his eyes. His head subtly turned towards the Saigo Shinto Priest, making it clear that he was unconsciously intrigued by what was just said.

The Saigo Shinto Priest, observing Akiharu’s demeanor, lowered his voice to begin speaking.

“This was originally meant to be shared only with those participating in the operation…”

“Mm?”

“Given that it’s a matter concerning none other than Master Akiharu, how could I possibly keep it quiet? I will share it exclusively with you, Master Akiharu.”

A secretive tale.

A matter of courtesy to someone who readily came forth during this critical time.

The magical words that ensnare human hearts danced on the lips of the Saigo Shinto Priest, drawing Akiharu’s full attention.

“Recently in Korea, something rather interesting happened. It took place at the Specialization High School for Ability Users in Seoul.”

“Seoul Specialization High School for Ability Users… Hmm. Was a spy discovered, perhaps?”

“Haha. A spy is quite a common story, hardly anything remarkable. There have been cases where a corporate agent was caught, and one staff member who attempted to commit terrorism in collusion with leftist figures was apprehended. Just the other day, someone was caught trying to leak confidential information to a game company, claiming the military artifact featured in the game didn’t match its real-world performance.”

His voice lowered further, speaking in hushed tones as if sharing something clandestine.

“I hear a secret research facility was discovered there.”

“A secret research facility…?”

A strange facility supposedly found at a school, of all places? Right in the heart of the capital?

Akiharu silently urged the Saigo Shinto Priest to elaborate more on his words.

“I was told it was concealed by formations—collecting students’ data and energy, and apparently creating something with the gathered resources.”

“Data and energy…?”

“Doesn’t that sound significant?”

“Indeed… Could there have been biological experiments involved?”

“It seems they are still investigating, but so far, they report none were conducted.”

“Then, hmm. They seem to have aimed to create a spirit body…?”

“That could very well be the case. But I think their primary goal is likely the data itself.”

“Why do you think so?”

The Saigo Shinto Priest smiled warmly at Akiharu’s question.

“Isn’t there a nation nearby that is obsessed with the data of those with special abilities?”

Akiharu chuckled and nodded at his words.

China.

From fingerprints to DNA.

A nation that seems paranoid enough to collect all sorts of physical information, perhaps even considering biological experiments on its entire populace. Observing how neighboring Korea enjoys collecting citizen information, such as fingerprints and national identification numbers, one might think that it’s a common trait among nations on the continent. But still, China has taken it to an extreme level.

The severity of China’s eccentricity is often discussed in Japanese mystery programs, continuously bringing up theories like ‘suspicions of China’s biological experiments,’ or ‘China investigates the genes of all its citizens, abducting those found suitable for experimentation or research purposes.’

“Indeed. If China is involved, things start to make sense.”

“Exactly. Do you think their greed would stop at our country? They must have been curious about data outside, having already drained their own people’s blood…”

“But why would Korea be involved… Ah. Could it be?”

“It seems you’ve guessed it. Yes, indeed. Traces of those guys were found in Japan as well.”

“What…!”

Akiharu’s eyes widened at the Saigo Shinto Priest’s words.

“You mean to say that facilities of theirs were discovered in Japan?!”

“Yes. I was told by someone else that the Cabinet Intelligence Research Office raised a concern about it. They reasoned that if such facilities were found in Korea, how could Japan possibly be exempt?”

“…That makes sense.”

“However, it seems the Public Security Investigation Agency felt a little pride was hurt upon hearing that. They were annoyed that they should be in charge of Japan’s internal matters while others were meddling. Thus, a bit of conflict arose between departments.”

Perhaps there were already some frustrations about strengthening the Cabinet Intelligence Research Office…

The Saigo Shinto Priest murmured as he continued.

“As a result, they decided to conduct an investigation, and if nothing was found, they would issue a warning… and indeed, they discovered it. The secret research facility.”

“This is….”

“It was reported that the method was strikingly similar, as if someone from the same organization had a hand in it. It was concealed by formations, and the objects found inside were produced in the same place… Well, that’s pretty obvious, isn’t it? Where it came from…”

“…Were the perpetrators caught?”

“I’m not sure. I believe the Public Security Investigation Agency or the Cabinet Intelligence Research Office should resolve it well… but I’ve heard through the grapevine that they seem to be focusing their investigation on Chinese nationals residing in Japan.”

“Hmph, those guys.”

Akiharu grimaced at the words of the Saigo Shinto Priest.

“Those foreigners who avoid blending in with Japan at all times…”

He seemed to have some accumulated grievances about them as he began to curse.

“I’ve never liked them. If they’re living in Japan, they should try to blend in. Yet, they act as if their traditions are superior while ignoring ours, flocking around speaking incomprehensible Chinese. And they even cluster together to create little Chinas within Japan…”

“That is indeed true.”

“They even involve so-called human rights organizations, crying Xenophobia whenever a negative remark about them surfaces. Ha, it’s truly ridiculous. Tourists and foreign visitors are foreigners, but those living in Japan are hardly foreigners! If they intend to live in Japan, they should strive to become Japanese, not complain about being discriminated against just because they call themselves foreigners. Haha.”

The Saigo Shinto Priest nodded in agreement with Akiharu’s frustrated demeanor.

Could it be due to the power of empathy? Or might it be justifiable outrage?

Akiharu swiftly downed his tea and exclaimed.

“Very well! With the trust you have shown me, Saigo Shinto Priest, and the deeds of those Chinese scoundrels in our country, how can I, as a Japanese man, refrain from action? I am more than willing to lend my sword!”

He boldly declared his participation in the operation and peppered the Saigo Shinto Priest with questions on when it would commence and how they would communicate.

After some light banter…

“I will sharpen my sword and be ready. Call upon me whenever.”

Like a samurai from centuries past, he said so and left the shrine.

…

…

And once more, silence returned.

The shrine, which had been previously bustling, sank back into silence, with the wind passing through the stone lanterns producing a whistling sound now and then. The scene cleared as it swept away the moth corpses fluttering on the ground, crushing them with a divine touch, making them roll into a pit…

“Have you come?”

The graceful movements of divine power.

The divine energy moved elegantly, like flowers swaying in the breeze.

Resembling a fox’s tail, the divine energy shone softly, capturing the gaze of onlookers, while glossy black hair shimmered and swayed in the distant wind.

“Yes.”

The sacredness flowing from her long-sleeved garments.

Swaying fox tails.

Eyes and lips tracing a graceful arc.

The shamaness who had been waiting for her guest smiled.

* * *

In the shrine, which was devoid of visitors, two figures had entered the space of worship.

Shinto Priest Park Jinseong.

Shamaness Saigo Rise.

They had lit candles in various places as if performing a ritual, and salt bags were stacked high, making the main hall resemble a warehouse.

“Twenty.”

Before the salt bags lay twenty packets of salt contained in plastic bags.

Each packet weighed perhaps 3 kg?

Compared to the massive salt bags that would require a sturdy man to lift, the number of packets seemed so small; precisely twenty bags.

And this was equal to the number of people who had stepped into this shrine, resolved to participate in the “operation.”

“I speak in regard to the white salt.”

Salt is an item intrinsically tied to life.

Moreover, it holds many uses and is often hard to acquire, though it’s hard to imagine in these times when you can find salt at incredibly cheap prices in stores.

Salt was genuinely a precious commodity, enough so that soldiers fought for their lives to receive it as compensation.

In the West, even the term ‘salary’ relates to salt, hinting at its value. Salt was a commodity valuable enough to be viewed as payment, usable everywhere, regardless of differing cultures or languages.

Salarium!

The very item revered even by soldiers wielding their swords; it is something whose necessity persists despite changing times. What reason would there be not to use it as compensation?

“Even the gods cherished salt, and they preferred sacrifices with salt. Didn’t the Bible tell you to offer salt with all your sacrifices?”

For this reason, it’s deeply meaningful that the number of salt packets coincides with the number of warriors participating in the operation.

“Do not betray the salt. Do not topple the salt vessel. Do not overturn the salt jar.”

The salt vessel serves as a symbol of friendship and loyalty.

As Judas betrayed his kind, will you overturn the salt vessel as a sign of treachery?

Do not betray the salt.

Do not betray the salt…

Park Jinseong uttered an invocation over the salt.

And behind him, Saigo Rise knelt and offered her prayers.

A prayer to channel divine power.

To enhance the value of the salt that Park Jinseong was enchanting.

Rise’s divine energy purified the salt, increasing its worth even further.

A small amount now wielded sufficient value as compensation.

Since ancient times, salt’s worth has been emphasized, carrying greater value the purer and whiter it is.

With Rise’s assistance, the salt was cleansed, and its worth soared.

Fueled by its enhanced value, the enchantments that Park Jinseong invoked transformed efficiently…

This was another application of divine power.

Even while not participating in the enchantment, Rise could influence it, and while not asking for a price, she could aid in the spell’s fulfillment. As a result, Park Jinseong could achieve a higher quality of divine objects by offering the same price.

This was a ritual performed by the two of them.

 

---