Chapter Eighty-Seven: Ruby's Plan

  Thanks for the reward from "Horned Immortal" poi!

  This is an update for "Horned Hermit" 2/2!

  Only an ice-clear and jade-like maiden can make a contract with the spirit.

  So whether it's to better bring out the power of the spirits or to maintain their own purity, spirit users will often perform Misogi in various important situations.

  The Shen Yi Institute has naturally prepared a unique and exclusive venue for each participating team.

  As Akane and others went to perform the Misogi ritual, Yakumo Suke was wandering alone in the castle.

  All the female witches they met on their way would bow to him with great respect.

  As a shrine maiden of the Kannagi family, it's basic to have a good grasp on the intel of each Spirit User participating in this tournament and their contracted spirits.

  So these shrine maiden girls all know Yakumo Sumeragi.

  The highest-ranking humanoid spirit, second only to the Spirit King in the hierarchy of spirits.

  The entire castle was enormous, and countless maidens were busy decorating it in preparation for the evening's banquet.

  Just like the shrine maidens who welcomed us at the entrance earlier, these miko-san are wearing extremely revealing ceremonial costumes.

  However, at this time, the city hall was no longer as deserted as before. In addition to the busy Kaguya girls, other royal nobles from various countries who were invited to watch the competition also gradually increased in number.

  These people formed their own small groups, chatting and laughing with each other.

  Of course, some libertines also secretly admired the charm of the shrine maidens.

  However, this is the Elemental Spirit Realm after all, and it's also the sacred domain of the Wind Spirit King. The power of the Divine Instrument Institute is extremely vast here, and Kaguya's status on the continent is also very high.

  So no one who is not confused will do anything stupid.

  Even if he is a wine bag, he is also a person who has received elite education since childhood.

  The judgment on the situation is still very accurate.

  "Huh? Isn't this Shen Renjun?"

  In the hall, he saw a god wearing the uniform of Aileisia Spirit Academy and Hachiguma Moku smiled and waved.

  "Ah! It's Yakumo-san!"

  The god saw Ba Yun Mo and was stunned at first, then his expression became somewhat awkward.

  Following the gaze of the godly person just now, it was indeed the relief on the wall - Lien Ashubble.

  "What's it like, seeing your own statue?"

  Walking up to Shen Ren's side, Bayun Mo asked in a low voice.

  The man looked around nervously and saw that although some people were paying attention to the two of them, they were relatively far away and couldn't hear their conversation.

  He let out a slight sigh of relief and said with a wry smile: "Perhaps it would be better if Eight Clouds didn't mention this matter again?"

  "Hehe......" Hachiguma Moku chuckled lightly, "Why didn't you go to participate in the purification ritual? Although it's a male, but after all, isn't it also a Spirit User?"

  The god-like man seemed to have thought of something unpleasant and his expression changed slightly.

  The Divine Institute arranged a room and location for the other spirit messengers that were extremely delicate and luxurious, but the place they arranged for themselves was about the same as the horse stable where they lived in the academy.

  Just thinking about it, Shen Ren was filled with grievances.

  Why did I end up spreading my own name as the Night Demon King on the mainland?

  Why can't you just admit that you didn't do anything well?

  Bachiko Kumogami, who had some understanding of Kamijou's circumstances, showed a helpless smile and left the hall.

  As he conversed with the gods, more and more people noticed them.

  One is a male spirit user and the other is an unprecedented male humanoid spirit, it's hard to be inconspicuous.

  Leaving the hall and coming outside the city building, Bachiru Tsumi raised her head to look at the sky.

  The sky in the Elemental Spirit Realm is different from the mortal world.

  But still can easily distinguish the approximate time.

  It's almost dusk.

  Unlike inside the city hall, it looks relatively deserted outside, and the temperature is also lower than inside the hall.

  Wandering aimlessly, Bayun Mo had unknowingly arrived at the lake behind the city temple.

  By the lake, a girl wearing a cloak was already standing there.

  Although she only saw her back, Yakumo Mokou still confirmed her identity.

  Reubin Askew

  Although she sensed the arrival of Yakumo Mokuto, Rubia remained still, gazing quietly at the lake's surface.

  "How's your plan?"

  "Huh? I thought you'd stop caring about these things once you found your spirit master."

  Her lips curled up into a faint smile, and the clear breeze lifted Bai Yunmo's long hair.

  "Are you doubting the credibility of the spirit?"

  "I don't dare."

  Although she said so, there was little respect for the high-ranking spirits in Rubia's tone.

  After all, he's someone who aims to assassinate the Spirit King.

  He sighed inwardly and Yún Mò was getting more and more dissatisfied with Lú Bǐ Yà's plan.

  Since meeting Akane, Yakumo Sukehiro, who had most of his youki restrictions lifted, has become increasingly able to sense the power of the Spirit King after returning to the Elemental Spirit Realm.

  That almost represents the existence of this world.

  Can a single person, even if they have awakened the power of the Demon King, really resist the five Great Elemental Kings?

  Moreover, the Elf King has been eroded by the darkness that does not belong to this world. What about the Demon King who inherited the power of the Dark Elf King?

  Won't it be eroded by that darkness in the same way?

  "Tonight, I will sow the seeds of power within Fūjin's body—"

  Ruby suddenly spoke up.

  "If he can get through this, it will greatly accelerate the awakening of the Demon King's power."

  Yun Mo nodded, "I remember you saying that when the Demon King awakens, a corresponding Dark Elf Princess is needed to serve him. Otherwise, the awakened Demon King will only have his mind taken away by power and become a vessel for resentment, bringing destruction and devastation to the continent like Solomon's Demon King."

  "How is it? Has the candidate for the Dark Elf Princess been decided?"

  After a moment of silence, Ruby nodded and said "uh-huh".

  "My original intention was Claire."

  "Your sister?" Hachirou Tsurugi raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected this Rubia to be so ruthless, not even sparing his own sister.

  Become the Dark Elf Princess, but will be formatted away all past memories, becoming a puppet of the Demon King.

  "Yes, unfortunately, to become the Dark Elf Princess, one needs not only the corresponding qualifications but also a deep bond with the Demon King's successor - in this regard, Kreis does not possess it."

  Lubia's eyes were calm and waveless as she looked up at Bachyun Mo.

  "So I chose the Second Princess of the Odessa Empire."

  "That little girl named Fiona?"

  "Yes, originally she was the shrine maiden of the Kannagi family who was a candidate for the Spirit Princess, her talent may be slightly inferior to Kureha's, but it is sufficient, and at the same time, she has an extremely good relationship with Kazehaya Kamio."

  After tidying up the hair that was blown into disarray by the wind, Hachiguma Tsumu asked in a soft voice: "That Fianna became the 'Lost Spirit Princess' and was abandoned by the royal family because she lost her ability to use spirits before..."

  "But now that she has regained her strength, she will undoubtedly be revalued by the imperial family of Odesia Empire. Are you not afraid of being wanted by the empire for doing this?"

  "I've been wanted."

  Ruby said with disdain.

  Indeed, after betraying the Fire Spirit King and becoming a calamitous spirit princess, Rubia had already been listed as the empire's number one wanted person.

  And that's why she became Reine Ashube the Holy, cooperating with the religious nation and participating in the Sword Dance Festival as the captain of "Hell Apostle".

  "Alright, just use your own discretion."

  Yakumo Mukuro turned back to the castle, assuming that Minaduki and others had already finished their New Year's visit.

  "As an ally or just a reminder, that religious country you're cooperating with has never had good intentions from start to finish."

  Watching Hachiguma Meiji leave, Rubia let out a soft sigh.

  "I didn't know either..."