After Gender Swapping, I Became the Daughter of a Yandere Mother with Animal Ears—With the Help of My Yandere Mom and Powerful Sister, I'll Live as a Fox Girl - Chapter 27: Creation of Earth, Contemplation of Heaven

The light became visible. A warm glow, tinged red.

We entered the cave when the sun had risen, yet it was still evening. It felt like more than a day had passed, but in reality, only a few hours had passed. Was it such an intense time?

“Ah, fresh air is so delicious! I was almost growing mushrooms inside me.”

“Indeed. I don’t want to enter any shrines for a while now.”

Both of them complained but still seemed to have energy left. Hiiro and I didn’t even have the luxury to complain… Well, they weren’t in the battle, so that’s understandable.

“Um… you all came looking for this mirror, right? What will happen to the mirror… or rather, to me, after this?”

“We plan to hand it over to the village chief, but we’ll try to explain the situation and ask to keep it.”

“I see…”

Mashiro looked anxious. It’s not surprising. When I was in the mirror, I was constantly worried about being broken.

I want to return her body, but until the mystery of the strange headaches is solved, I can’t. We must protect the mirror while trying to uncover this mystery.

“Let’s go back, Onee-chan! The fluffy fluff is waiting for you!”

Kohaku grinned mischievously. I had completely forgotten about such a promise…

“Spare me today…”

“Can’t be helped. Fluffing a completely exhausted Onee-chan wouldn’t be fun, so I’ll let you off for today. But be prepared for tomorrow…”

“Uh…”

The thought of another battle tomorrow is depressing. But at least tomorrow’s battle doesn’t stake life.

Kohaku started walking towards the sunset, her back full of anticipation for tomorrow.

“Really… such a troublesome child.”

“Yeah…”

As I was about to follow her…

Pat… Pat… Pat…

Dry applause greeted us as we exited the shrine. It wasn’t a sound of blessing but filled with malice, almost like mockery.

“Who’s there!?”

Under the torii gate stood a figure, deeply hooded, making it impossible to see the face. However, the small stature suggested she was a woman.

“You are…!”

“Do you know her?”

Hiiro was glaring with clear intent to kill. Yorikoma’s eyes also held caution. It was clear without asking. The person who showed such hostility was…

“The leader of the Magatsuhi that attacked the village!”

“What!?”

My guess was right. Tension spiked at Hiiro’s declaration. I didn’t expect to encounter her here…

“As expected… I believed you would bring back the mirror…”

From under the hood, yellow eyes glittered, seemingly directed at me.

“We’re quite far from the torii so that that gaze could be for anyone here. Yet, I felt it was directed at me… But, having just arrived in this world, I couldn’t possibly know her.

Even without seeing her face, her attire, a white robe like a religious habit, was clearly out of place in this Japanese-style world. I had no idea who she could be.

“Weren’t you inside?”

“I went in. And I confirmed the location of the mirror. I also made some… adjustments.”

“What do you mean…”

What is she talking about? Wasn’t the mirror her goal? Then why all this? I can’t understand. What is she thinking…?

“If the mirror isn’t your goal, then why!?”

“Seems there’s a misunderstanding, so let me explain. My goal is the mirror. But it’s pointless for me to take it.”

“What do you mean!”

Hiiro’s tone grew harsher, ready to attack at any moment.

“There’s no need to talk. All I need is for you to break that mirror.”

“What…!”

Break the mirror… That’s impossible. Mashiro is inside… Does she know the power of this mirror? Maybe she even knows Mashiro is inside…

“Ridiculous! You think you can attack our village for your whims and be forgiven?”

“Forgiveness is my prerogative. If you don’t break the mirror, then you must die here. Though, I’d prefer not to do that.”

“Us die? You’re the one who will die… Pay for your sins with your life!”

Finally, Hiiro drew her sword. Taking that as a signal, Yorikoma also prepared for battle.

“Foolish…”

“Yorikoma! Flank from the right! I’ll attack from the left. You attack from behind. Don’t let her escape! We’ll finish this here.”

“Understood!”

Hiiro unleashed her blade and charged straight at the enemy. The woman just stood there, facing the approaching pair. This sight filled me with an odd sense of unease.

“Take this!!!”

“Utterly foolish.”

The woman clasped her hands as if in prayer. Normally, this wouldn’t be an offensive move. But…

“Contemplate the heavens… Create the earth… Sōchi Sōten…”