Chapter 27: Witch Exorcism

April 27, 2050, Ujikan Town, Ise City, Mie Prefecture.
At 9:20 AM, tourists from all over the world, who came to visit the famous Ise Jingu Shrine, suddenly received an emergency closure notification from jnto (Japan National Tourism Organization) on their phones. Before these unfortunate visitors could protest or request refunds, they were met with special 'security' personnel dressed in security uniforms and holding cold, hard assault rifles, who began to drive them away.
Under the threat of long guns and muscular men, most tourists felt confused and, grumbling, quickly left the Ishi Shrine under the guidance of their tour guide. However, a small portion of stubborn tourists, with an attitude of 'What right do you have to act so tough, what can you do to me?' were presented with a pair of silver bracelets and escorted out of the land in a manner resembling the transport of tier-three suspects.
At nine twenty-three in the morning, the violent clearance of Ishi Shrine was completed, leaving only the staff busy with cleaning and the clergy who serve the gods day and night within the shrine. The chief priest of Ishi Shrine, Asou, began the ritual in the main hall to worship Amaterasu, preparing for what is to come next.
At 9:26 AM, Ise Jingu welcomed a special group of 'visitors' once again.
…………
“Is this the place?” Nord asked Asou Yutaka, looking at the iconic neon-lit building—a gray wooden torii gate.
Asahiro Yutaka lowered his head and replied, "Yes, this is the main gate of the Inner Shrine of the Ise Grand Shrine, where the Emperor's Great Shrine honoring Amaterasu is located."
"I hope this deity of yours can be of some use!" McKenna shrugged, his tone tinged with a bit of sadness.
Regarding the issue of our own deities, Asao Hirotaka, who has been influenced by Neon culture since childhood, couldn't help but grit his teeth and retort softly: "In our mythology, Amaterasu is the deity who governs the sun. If she hides behind the Ama-no-Iwato cave and doesn't come out, the entire world would be plunged into darkness. Amaterasu possesses a divine power that is unimaginable to mortals!"
Bang bang bang~~~
As Yutaka Asuma heard the rhythmic knocking sound, he quickly glanced back at Lin Yiyi, hesitating as he said, “Of course, your Excellency, this is just a myth after all… If you really want to eliminate 'him', why not use… bullets?”
“Nonsense!” Nord reprimanded bluntly. “If bullets were useful, then why are we even here? Do you really think I, as a Federation citizen, would believe in this so-called Amaterasu?”
Yutaka Aso's face turned pale and red; he immediately gave himself a hard slap: "I sincerely apologize. As a subordinate, I should not have made presumptions about you! This is my negligence; please punish me!"
“Enough!” McKen frowned, rolled his eyes, and said, “Right now, you need to prepare the exorcism ritual so that Mr. Altai can undergo it as soon as possible. That is what you should be doing!”
“If you can truly achieve this, I wouldn't mind having the words I just spoke become a reality in front of you!” Nord calmly looked at Asao Yutai and spoke the words that he couldn't refuse.
“HaYi~~ I will urge them right away and make sure you won’t have to wait too long!” Asu Yuutai swallowed hard, his breathing quickening, pupils dilating, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He nodded respectfully in agreement and then ran to the side.
Lin Yi, on the other hand, was silently tapping on Altaïr's helmet, creating a crisp sound. He seemed oblivious to those around him, focused and serious, as if he couldn't hear or see Nord and the others' intentions to carry out their 'demon eradication plan' against him.
As for Altai, who had been tormented by him, he too was silent and listless, his body weak and hunched. The visor of his helmet had been lifted, revealing his emaciated and listless face along with two bloodshot eyes. In fact, he had not slept or rested for nearly 72 hours!
It turns out that Aso Yutaka's urging was indeed effective. In just three minutes, a shrine maiden dressed in splendid attire walked towards the waiting crowd.
“Please come in, everyone. Amaterasu Oomi Kami will help those troubled by the demon…”
Nord exchanged a wary glance with Altai behind him, then looked at Lin Yi with hesitation before returning his gaze. Along with the others, he followed the priestess up the stone steps, entering the shrine beneath the gray wooden torii gate. The surrounding dense forest suddenly erupted with noisy bird calls, and several crows took flight, scattering a few black feathers...
…………
In the spacious and warm main hall, sunlight shines through the lattice and casts onto the clean floor, which is then stepped over by a small foot clad in white long socks. In the next moment, this tiny foot is covered by a long red skirt. The shrine maidens, dressed in traditional red and white attire, with hairpins and golden crowns adorning their heads, hold sacred bells in their left hands and gold and silver fans in their right. They sway gracefully around the center of the hall, showcasing their enchanting dance, while the bells in their hands chime softly.
祭主麻生是恒跪坐在上位，她穿着厚重繁华的服饰，面色平和而庄重，面色因为悠长的歌声而显得略微绯红，黑白分明的眸子一直注视着面前的二人，尤其专注于那个面带微笑，手中勺子一刻不停敲击着他人脑袋的年轻人。
“Is this the 'monster' I need to eliminate?” Masa has doubts in his heart, but his expression remains unchanged: “Why do you need me? How could Amaterasu possibly eliminate a living person? Can't a doctor solve his problem?”
“Or is he actually the illegitimate child of a big shot? Did an accident turn him into a crazy person who hits others on the head, so his family specially brought him to seek the blessing of Amaterasu? But why don't they seek professional help instead?”
The girl’s heart was filled with twists and turns, imagining various possibilities, but these potential situations came with inescapable logical issues that made them hard for her to accept.
The time for daydreaming always seems short; in the blink of an eye, Asao finished singing the last line of the familiar blessing, stood up, and, holding a white paper banner and Kagura bells, walked over to Al Tai and Lin Yi.
As the singing ceased, the priestesses dancing the ritual stopped their steps, stepping back three paces to kneel around Lin Yi, their expressions solemn, their gaze pure yet filled with pity as they looked at the 'poor soul' Lin Yi, whose body was invaded by the demon.
“Amaterasu Omikami is supreme, the sovereign's brilliance blesses the earth and abundantly illuminates all things... Now, with evil spirits invading another's body, I hope for your mercy, to bestow divine power, slay the evil spirits, and rescue those in suffering, restoring order and righteousness!”
With each recitation, Asou Kagen gently shook the kagura bell in his hand, producing a continuous and crisp sound that serves to wash the soul, expel impurities, and dispel evil. In his other hand, he waved the sacred currency left and right, the white paper brushing against Altai and Lin Yi’s bodies. The folded 'Z' shaped pure white paper, imbued with the power of the gods, can scare away evil spirits. Meanwhile, the priestesses kneeling around him echoed Asou Kagen's ritual incantations, and by the end of a few lines, they sang along loudly.
The gentle voices of the pure maidens,
grand and solemn rituals,
the curling rising smoke,
the fluttering banners swaying in the breeze,
the crisp ringing of musical bells,
everything seems so solemn and majestic, enveloping all onlookers in a mysterious and extraordinary aura within the great hall.
To everyone present, even the staunchest atheist cannot help but feel a solemn respect rising in their hearts in such an environment...
...if it weren't for that endless clanging sound!