The cold winter wind rustled through the silver short hair of Kitsune Saiguu, her delicate face showing a trace of concern.

Given the current frequency of monster invasions, if they don't return from the battlefield soon, disaster will surely strike. Can the island of Narukami withstand it?

After a long period of thought, she turned and walked back into the Narukami Shrine.

Yae Miko had just finished her duties and was resting under the eaves of the building.

Kitsune Saiguu gathered her emotions, smiled, and approached Yae Miko.

"Miko, there's something I need to discuss with you."

"What is it?" Yae Miko replied.

"I need to go on a trip for a while. Until I return, I'll leave the matters of Narukami Shrine in your hands."

"A trip?" Yae Miko paused, recalling what Yu Xie had told her before he left for the battlefield. "Where are you going?"

"There are some matters that I need to take care of," Kitsune Saiguu replied with a faint smile.

From her gaze, it was hard to discern anything unusual.

"I'll go with you," Yae Miko said without thinking.

Yu Xie had said that if Kitsune Saiguu was going on a long journey, she shouldn't go alone.

"No need, Narukami Shrine cannot be left without someone in charge. You stay here," Kitsune Saiguu said.

"No!" Yae Miko refused firmly. Although she didn't fully understand the meaning of Yu Xie's words, she chose to trust him.

Moreover, she had a strong feeling, an instinct, that told her she couldn't let Kitsune Saiguu leave alone.

"Miko, why do I feel like you're acting strange today?" Kitsune Saiguu noticed that Yae Miko's attitude was very different from usual.

Normally, if Kitsune Saiguu said she was going on a long journey, Yae Miko would be happy, because it would mean she could be lazy without anyone watching her.

But today, Yae Miko's attitude was unusually resolute.

"I'm not strange. The strange one is you. What exactly are you going to do?" Yae Miko asked seriously.

"I've told you, there are some matters I need to handle." Kitsune Saiguu gazed off toward the distant mountains.

In the distance, the scenery was hazy, with winter snow blending with sunlight, like a beautiful painting.

Kitsune Saiguu loved the island beneath her feet.

Narukami Island—a place full of her memories.

Now, the island was in danger. How could she sit idly by?

She couldn't take Yae Miko with her, nor could she take Sasayuri.

If she took Sasayuri along and they failed, no one would be left to protect Narukami Island. She couldn't put all her eggs in one basket.

And Yae Miko… she was still young. She would be the future head of Narukami Shrine. She couldn't let her be put in harm's way.

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"Miko, listen to me," Kitsune Saiguu said as she smiled and extended her hand toward Yae Miko, as if to pat her head.

Yae Miko didn't pull away, silently watching Kitsune Saiguu.

In the next moment, Kitsune Saiguu's hand rested on Yae Miko's head, and Yae Miko suddenly felt a wave of dizziness.

"Sorry, Miko," Kitsune Saiguu said, catching Yae Miko as she collapsed. "Time waits for no one. I must go."

As her consciousness faded, Yae Miko saw what seemed to be a farewell look in Kitsune Saiguu's eyes.

When Yae Miko awoke, it was already dark. The moonlight shone down, and the white snow glowed faintly.

"Lady Kitsune Saiguu…" Yae Miko stood up without hesitation and quickly began to descend the mountain.

The snow had started to fall again, but the moonlight was still bright.

The bright moonlight illuminated the path beneath her feet, while Kitsune Saiguu walked alone along the deserted beach.

This was the edge of Narukami Island, a more secluded area, with no signs of human presence. If a battle were to break out here, no innocent people would be caught up in it.

The temperature had not yet dropped enough to freeze the surface of the sea, and the snow on the beach quickly melted under the wash of the seawater.

Among the remaining snow, there was a deep black, as dark as ink.

Perhaps sensing Kitsune Saiguu's approach, the blackness within the snow began to stir.

It was a group of monsters, most of their bodies buried under the snow.

At the same time, black figures emerged from the sea, climbing onto the shore, while dark, ominous energy rose from the ground, gradually taking form.

These evil spirits and monsters were lying in wait here. They weren't as active as they were during the day, but once the sunlight shone down, they would move toward places where people were, instinctively starting to "hunt."

In just a short time, the beach was shrouded in darkness, as the monsters gathered.

Kitsune Saiguu looked at these dark creatures without the slightest intention of retreating.

She had come here to drive them all away.

Even if she couldn't return today due to holding off the calamity, she didn't want to see Narukami Island fall into disaster.

In this life, there had already been many regrets and things left undone. It was time to do something meaningful—something that, even if she ended up in the afterlife, she wouldn't regret.

Kitsune Saiguu slowly raised her hand, and a delicate ritual tool appeared.

A beam of light shot out, piercing through the body of one of the monsters like a sharp sword.

In the next moment, the monster collapsed with a roar.

The other monsters, seeing this, erupted into a deafening series of roars, baring their sharp teeth.

The light flashed repeatedly, accompanied by the monsters' howls.

It was hard to say how much time had passed, but eventually, the night seemed less oppressive, and a hint of dawn appeared at the horizon.

Kitsune Saiguu struggled to steady herself, her breathing ragged and disordered.

In front of and behind her, the monsters lay in heaps, fallen.

But it wasn't enough.

The dark energy continued to rise from the ground, and the monsters and evil spirits had not yet been completely eradicated.

The remaining monsters seemed to be afraid. Although they had surrounded Kitsune Saiguu, they dared not attack.

"Perhaps this is where I'll have to stop," Kitsune Saiguu said softly with a light laugh, closing her eyes.

The power within her began to flow rapidly through her veins, using her life force to counter the fatigue in her body.

"Lady Kitsune Saiguu!"

Yae Miko? Is that Yae Miko's voice?

She never expected her to find her here.

Kitsune Saiguu didn't turn around, but instead glanced at the first light of dawn on the horizon.

That ray of dawn broke through the clouds, piercing the darkness, and shining upon the earth, announcing the end of the night.

Such a beautiful sight. I probably won't see it again.

But at least... I've protected Narukami Island. I haven't failed my duty as the head priest!

"Miko, don't come!" Kitsune Saiguu shouted. "From now on, you'll be the head priestess of Narukami Shrine. You can eat as much fried tofu as you like, and you won't have to worry about my rules. As for me... this is my final curtain... The curtain call of the previous head priestess of Narukami Shrine. It's still a grand one, isn't it..."

"What do you mean, curtain call? It's not time for that yet!"

The familiar voice seemed to echo along with the dawn's light, reaching Kitsune Saiguu's ears. She suddenly turned to look.

A familiar figure, accompanied by dazzling sword light like thunder, flashed past her eyes.

Kitsune Saiguu stopped the flow of energy within her body, and Yae Miko also halted in her steps in the distance.

"Majestic and grand as always, Narukami eternal!" The soldiers of the Okuzumeshuu army raised their long spears, their cheers echoing through the sky.

A figure, long unseen, stood in front of Kitsune Saiguu, his back to her.

"Miss Kitsune Saiguu, your final curtain is definitely not here!" the figure said to her.

"Yu Xie..." Kitsune Saiguu's eyes trembled as she whispered his name.