He said honestly.
Kikyo frowned.
"That elder should have been carrying the heirloom of the Demon Slayer clan."
"A weapon named 'Hiraikotsu'."
"Forged from the bones of countless demons, it is the most important combat weapon of the Demon Slayer clan."
Hiraikotsu.
Hikaru's heart stirred, but he also shook his head.
Although he was naturally familiar with Hiraikotsu and interested in it, he truly hadn't seen it.
He had also assumed the old man hadn't brought it out.
However, hearing Kikyo's meaning now...
"Is that thing very important?"
"Extremely important."
Kikyo said: "It is the most powerful demon-slaying weapon of the Demon Slayer Village. For the village chief to escort the shikon jewel here, it would be impossible for him not to bring it."
"If you didn't see it, then it was lost along the way."
"If possible, it is best to find it and return it to the Demon Slayer Village."
Hikaru nodded, not feeling surprised.
"Then we'll look for it while we travel."
He said.
Naturally, he intended to look for it.
...
The next morning.
The mist had not yet dispersed.
At the village entrance, Kaede pulled tightly at Kikyo's sleeve, her eyes red.
"Sister is leaving again..."
Although she was the priestess protecting Kaede Village, Kikyo had indeed frequently traveled out to slay demons before this.
Every time, Kaede appeared very reluctant to let her go.
"I'll be back soon."
The black-haired, black-eyed priestess crouched down, patted her sister's head, and pulled out the paper man she had cut last night from her sleeve.
The paper man drifted to the ground and grew as it caught the wind, transforming in the blink of an eye into a half-person-tall White Paper Boy holding a small wooden stick. Though its facial features were painted on, it exuded a sense of lifelike agility.
A Paper Shikigami.
A type of Onmyodo that grants temporary mobility to inanimate objects using spiritual power.
But this technique was much more sophisticated than that of an average Onmyoji.
"It will watch over the village for me and deal with any minor demons or monsters."
Kikyo stood up. "Don't go running around either."
Kaede sniffled, looking at her sister and then at Hikaru, who was leaning on his sword nearby.
He still wore no armor and no ogre mask.
Instead, he had the appearance of a handsome young man.
Aside from his excessively pale complexion and those strange eyes, he truly did look more like a samurai.
Looking at him, Kaede suddenly stopped crying.
"Is Big Brother going with you, Sister?"
"Yes."
"Then it's an elopement!"
Kaede declared with absolute certainty.
Hikaru almost choked on his own breath.
Kikyo's perpetually cold face froze for a moment, and her earlobes turned visibly red.
"It's to deliver remains."
She corrected her.
"I don't believe it."
Kaede pointed at the two of them. "Standing together, you're just like what the auntie next door says... what was that phrase? Oh right, a perfect match! You're going off to make babies!"
*Pfft.*
Hikaru couldn't hold it in.
This little girl sure knew a lot.
He glanced at Kikyo.
In the morning light, the priestess was dressed in her white robe and red hakama; though her expression was cold, she couldn't hide her embarrassment.
Quite cute.
"Let's go."
Hikaru reached out and pressed down on Kaede's head, spinning her around and pushing her toward the village.
"I'll bring you back some candy."
"Candy? Is it the kind that only the lords in the city get to eat? Sister Kikyo brought me a little bit before—I want the sweetest kind!"
Kaede shouted from behind them.
Kikyo didn't look back, her pace quickening as if she were fleeing in panic.
...
They left the village and entered the mountains.
The scenery changed completely, filled with towering ancient trees and weeds as tall as a person.
They walked for half an hour.
Kikyo stopped and turned to look at him.
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