Only the faint rustling of leaves in the soft breeze and the distant chirping of crickets kept Tessa company as she lay motionless on a thick branch, gazing down at the village of Edo.
Her concealment spell held steady—no flickers, no failures—but the clock in her mind was ticking.
Time was limited.
The longer she watched the scene below, the clearer it became:
The village was a poor choice.
Mike, of course—the loudspeaker of her obnoxious common sense—was the first to say it aloud.
"Tessa... I think you can forget about the village."
Tessa sighed quietly.
He was right.
He was always right when it was the most annoying.
The streets below were narrow, the houses cramped together.
If she tried to move through the village, she would inevitably stand out.
The doorways were low—daily lessons in humility and bruises for someone of her stature.
Every step between the houses would be a risk.
And the people... there were too many.
Even with silent movement—one unlucky bump, one too-loud breath—and it would all fall apart.
Escape?
A nightmare.
If she were discovered, there would be few paths to flee.
And fighting a furious mob armed with pitchforks and spears?
Even Tessa knew: that would end badly.
She sank lower onto the branch, resting her chin on her arms, a deep frown creasing her forehead.
"Damn it... I hate being limited."
Mike sounded as if he were grinning.
"Yeah, welcome to a world with physics. No admin rights, no godmode. Just you, gravity, and way too many low doorframes."
Tessa rolled her eyes in irritation.
"I know. Still frustrating."
Her gaze wandered higher—away from the maze of alleys, up toward the hill.
There, above the village, the torii gate stretched toward the sky.
Its red pillars shimmered dully in the moonlight.
The shrine itself—simple, serene—rested like a silent promise within nature’s embrace.
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No cramped alleys.
No swarming crowds.
Just open paths, space to breathe—and most importantly:
Miko was often there alone.
Mike instantly caught her new fixation.
"So? New target?"
Tessa nodded slowly, a small, determined smile on her lips.
"The shrine is perfect. I can move more freely, have clear escape routes—and if something goes wrong, I’ll be gone before they can even say amen."
The advantages were obvious:
- Higher ground for visibility and retreat.
- Open sightlines—no narrow house traps.
- Less risk of discovery.
- Miko, almost always without company.
Mike sounded satisfied.
"Yeah... that’s definitely better. And hey, no more worrying about smashing your head on doorframes. Silver linings."
Tessa smirked crookedly.
The decision was made.
The village was off the list.
The shrine was the new target.
Tessa would approach carefully, staying hidden in the shadows.
Observing.
Studying.
How did Miko behave when she was alone?
What gestures betrayed her true thoughts?
What secrets did her silence hold?
A strange tingling stirred in Tessa’s chest as she considered it.
A nervous energy she couldn’t quite name.
Why did this priestess fascinate her so much?
Was it the graceful calm she radiated?
The quiet authority she carried through the village?
Or... something else?
Tessa pushed the thought aside.
"No distractions. This is about information."
Mike couldn’t resist a chuckle.
"Sure... pure, cold curiosity. Just like always with you."
Tessa didn’t answer.
Because she didn’t quite trust herself.
She pushed herself up, moving silently along the branch, letting her gaze drift once more over the village—
toward her new target.
The shrine.
Miko Akizuki.
A new mystery.
A new hunt.
And Tessa would find the answers.
Without Miko knowing.
Without being stopped.
The hunt had changed course.
End of Chapter 18