Truth is everywhere within range

The Tokaido Shinkansen cannot go directly to Ise, so you have to transfer to the Kinki Railway Yamada Line to get to Ise City.

Fortunately, Ise City Station is not far from Ise Jingu Shrine.

When Qiao Qiao walked out of the station, it was completely dark.

The days are really short in winter.

The cold wind blew on Qiao Qiao's face, causing him to shrink his neck and bury his face in his scarf.

The scarf was a Christmas gift from Suzuka. The red color was almost the same as the one she usually wore.

By the way, Sayoko's Christmas gift is the horn button coat that Qiao Qiao is currently wearing.

Wu Ye's Christmas gift to Qiao Qiao was a free-use card marked three times. Qiao Qiao suspected that this guy just didn't prepare a Christmas gift, so he wrote a note to fill it up.

However, in order to prevent others from abusing it, Qiao Qiao still kept this free-use card well.

As for the Christmas gift that Ariko prepared for Qiao Qiao.

Qiao Qiao looked at his left wrist.

It was a red rope in the style of a rope. At one end of the rope, there was a silver ornament that looked like a sword.

It is said that this is a guardian who has been personally protected by Atsuta God. At critical moments, he can receive the blessing from Tiancong Yunjian.

Qiao Qiao just listened to it.

It's not like he has never seen Tiancong Yunjian before.

That guy's blessing might be flavored with cream ice cream.

The population of Ise City is only 130,000, and some of them are clergymen of Ise Shrine. The whole city has a feeling of loneliness and decline, and there are few pedestrians even outside the train station.

Walking along the road, there are low houses on both sides. From time to time, you can see some old-style canteens with lights on at the door. Most of the customers sitting inside are elderly uncles. There are not even a few students along the way. indivual.

"It's really a realistic portrayal of the declining birthrate."

Due to Japan's declining birthrate and aging population, coupled with the fact that young people are rushing to big cities like Tokyo, it is becoming increasingly difficult for places like Ise City to gather young people, creating a vicious cycle.

Qiao Qiao walked for less than ten minutes and arrived in front of the mountain gate of Ise Shrine.

The shrine is built on the mountain. The main shrine is located on the mountain. The torii gate at the foot of the mountain is a typical style made by gods, simple and heavy.

It is no longer possible to visit the shrine at night. There are only flickering lights on the shrine, and with the lush trees on both sides, the winding path leads to tranquility.

Qiao Qiao started climbing directly, taking out his cell phone and preparing to call the contact person at Ise Shrine.

"Remember the phone number?"

Qiao Qiao was still flipping through his address book when he felt like he was being watched by something.

"Um?"

Looking back, Qiao Qiao, who had climbed halfway up the mountain, looked down at half of Ise and found no trace of anyone else.

"Illusion?"

Qiao Qiao didn't think anything strange could be causing trouble in the Ise Shrine. As for the other things, he didn't know much about it.

Looking back, a face suddenly appeared in front of Qiao Qiao.

"Is it Mr. Qiao Qiao from the Tokyo Spiritual Exterminator Association?"

It was a miko, wearing a miko uniform slightly different from Ariko's style, holding a lantern in her hand, standing in front of Qiao Qiao.

She is several years older than Qiao Qiao, about twenty-twenty-three years old, with short hair and a well-educated appearance.

"Uh, yes."

Qiao Qiao didn't know when she came. The vampire's perception had little effect. Although Qiao Qiao deliberately restrained his corresponding abilities because he was in the palace, plus the influence of the palace formation. , but being able to come to Qiao Qiao so easily also shows the level of this witch.

"I am Jun Kuroda from Ise Shrine, the miko responsible for receiving you."

She saluted and said her name.

Before Qiao Qiao could say anything, she turned around and walked up the hall.

Qiao Qiao followed her honestly.

"Well, I originally wanted to make a call first, but unexpectedly I met you."

In the silent night, Qiao Qiao tried to talk to the two people one behind the other.

According to Suzuka, this is the first step in establishing a good personal image of yourself.

"Um."

Kuroda Jun only responded without any more words.

"Speaking of which, Ise Jingu is really big. The entire mountain belongs to the shrine. It feels bigger than Meiji Jingu."

Qiao Qiao looked around.

"Um."

Kuroda Jun still looked so cold.

"This time it is really thanks to Miss Sakura that I can come here for practice."

Before Qiao Qiao finished speaking, Kuroda Jun suddenly stopped, causing Qiao Qiao to almost bump into her.

"It's best not to mention her name here, especially in front of that one."

Kuroda Jun said a long sentence this time.

"that one?"

Qiao Qiao thought for a moment and didn't quite understand.

The two of them just talked about each other and came to a platform.

Behind the tall torii gate, there are numerous shrines with lights on.

Kuroda Jun led Qiao Qiao to walk along the edge of the square and came to the backyard of the shrine.

It is a little noisier here than in front of the solemn shrine. You can see young witches walking together and looking at Qiao Qiao curiously. You can also see the priest holding his mobile phone, whether he is playing a mobile game or watching a live broadcast.

There's definitely the air of more people.

Taking Qiao Qiao outside a relatively secluded house, Kuroda Jun said something.

"This is the guest room. You will stay here for the next month."

She was about to take Qiao Qiao to his room. On the other side, a younger miko hurriedly ran over, holding up her skirt. She whispered a few words in Kuroda Jun's ear, and then looked at Qiao Qiao. .

I don't know if it was Qiao Qiao's illusion, but her eyes were a little worried.

Kuroda Jun's body was a little stiff, but he quickly returned to normal.

She turned around and spoke to Qiao Qiao.

"Please come out after you put down your things. I want to take you to a place first."

"oh."

Qiaoqiao didn't have any luggage. Since Miss Sakura specially told Qiaoqiao to maintain a good image at Ise Shrine this time, in order to live up to Miss Sakura's expectations, Qiaoqiao didn't even have a gun or a bullet. bring.

Even the lunch box containing the plastic O bomb was properly locked in the safe.

Except for that pocket watch-shaped Einstein reality-augmented anchor.

It can be said that he is alone.

He glanced at his residence. It was a very ordinary six-tatami-sized Japanese-style room with almost no furniture, but it was very clean and there was no dust at all.

He put down his backpack and walked out.

"please."

Kuroda Jun led Qiao Qiao through the crowded residential area and returned to the shrine complex.

"?"

Qiao Qiao didn't quite understand. Did he come here so late to pay homage?

The gods must be off work too, right?

He followed Kuroda Jun and came to a wooden shrine.

On the sign on the side, it is marked that this is the "Desolate Festival Palace".

"Please go in from the side road."

Kuroda Jun saluted Qiao Qiao.

"The officiant wants to see you."

Some priestly information about Ise Shrine is inconsistent with reality due to well-known reasons. The setting in the book shall prevail.