I Forged the Myth of the Ancient Overlords
Chapter 100 - 100 099. The Merciless Apology Machine_1

Chapter 100: 099. The Merciless Apology Machine_1 Chapter 100: 099. The Merciless Apology Machine_1 “You all saw it this time, right?”

Lu Ban glanced at his companions.

This bizarre event had unfolded right before his eyes, so close at hand; they couldn’t possibly remain indifferent.

However, Tachibana Masamune and Ginpei seemed somewhat bewildered.

“Saw what?”

Tachibana Masamune looked at the somewhat crazy passerby, then as if he had understood something, began to explain.

“Brother Lu Ban, are you talking about such lunatics? In some areas of He Dao, indeed, there are such people. They don’t know what they’ve seen but fall into madness, spouting words others can’t understand.”

“Exactly, what is this Calamitous Shrine Maiden? The Lady Priestess is pure and flawless, how could she bring disaster? This person dares to defile the priestess; he should be arrested by the Island Stewards!”

Ginpei was quite indignant; he seemed to greatly admire the Shrine Maiden, the Shrine Maiden Lord.

Red Leaf said nothing, observing Lu Ban rather than the madman.

“No, didn’t you see how he was knocked down so hard his bones broke? Yet he just stood up like nothing happened, isn’t there a problem?”

As soon as Lu Ban had finished speaking, he suddenly felt that even he was expected to play the role of the critic in a world where serious issues seemed to be taken lightly.

“Really? He just took a regular fall, a minor injury, a minor injury.”

Tachibana Masamune was dead serious, such that if he told Lu Ban later it was all a prank, Lu Ban would probably have to give him an Oscar.

“Master Lu Ban, there’s no need to make a mountain out of a molehill; we must trust the Lady Priestess of the Shrine on Song Island!”

Ginpei, another potential Oscar winner, also advised.

It was not until Tachibana Masamune summoned the Island Steward, the person responsible for maintaining order on the island, to take away the madman who was still muttering about the Calamitous Shrine Maiden, that the group set off again, finally arriving at Anxin Court.

The imposing house, which had previously been used as an academy and examination hall, provided comfortable living conditions except that the bedding was somewhat damp from the constant sea breeze.

After assigning rooms, the group planned to meet again in the evening to dine at a tavern on the island, while Lu Ban decided to stroll around the yard.

“Up to now, there hasn’t been any mention of the disappearance. Could it be that it hasn’t happened yet? Could it be that Ginpei, or Tachibana Masamune, Red Leaf, will disappear later?”

Lu Ban mused as he walked towards an annex guarded by an Island Steward clad in blue hunting attire.

“This area is off-limits; please turn back,” said the Island Steward.

“I heard that someone disappeared during this Poetry Festival?”

Lu Ban cut to the chase.

As he spoke, he carefully watched the Island Steward’s expression change and then quickly become serious again.

“Where did you hear that? No one has disappeared. Our guests are free to come and go; perhaps someone left early.”

“So you’re saying that someone did vanish?”

Lu Ban caught the slip in the other’s words.

“This… I didn’t say that,” the Island Steward replied, slightly embarrassed.

“But the Poetry Festival hasn’t even started, so why would they leave?”

Lu Ban persistently inquired.

“This… I’m sorry!”

The Island Steward, pressed by Lu Ban, looked troubled and unexpectedly bowed deeply in apology.

“?”

Lu Ban thought to himself that apologizing to him was useless; it would be better to tell him the truth directly, so he continued to press.

“Lift your head and just tell me the information about the person who disappeared; I’m acquainted with him and quite worried.”

Using the techniques he had learned from Cui Siter, Lu Ban fabricated a lie without a shred of truth.

Maintaining a poker face while lying indeed required courage, something Lu Ban, being too honest, found difficult to do. Lying was probably his biggest flaw.

“…I’m sorry!”

The Island Steward brother struggled to utter a word, and once again bowed deeply.

“I don’t need your apology, just answer my question, okay?”

Lu Ban helped up the Island Steward’s young man and asked again.

“…I’m sorry!”

The Island Steward bowed in apology once more, turning into an emotionless repeating machine.

“Is it me who’s the repeating machine, or is it you…”

Lu Ban grumbled to himself when he suddenly felt like someone was behind him.

He turned around, only to see a hint of bright red accompanied by a foot stepping briskly away in the corner of the yard, barely making out the red dress and white socks, and wooden clogs.

Lu Ban stepped out of the courtyard and saw Red Leaf looking at him.

“Asking him is useless. The Word Spirit has already taken effect; he won’t answer your questions.”

The woman was dressed in a kimono of red and white with an arrow feather pattern, a navy-blue hem, boots, and had a bow in her hair, giving off a lively appearance. However, the expression on her face was not delicate and lacked a radiant expression, giving off a somewhat gloomy vibe.

“Word Spirit?”

Lu Ban heard another new term.

“On He Dao, language is power and also a restraint. The Island Stewards all swear allegiance to their lords. Any words or actions harmful to the lords are fundamentally impossible for them.”

Red Leaf gently brushed her falling hair behind her ear, explaining further.

“I heard from Ginpei you were reserved and not much for talking, but it doesn’t seem that way to me?”

Lu Ban sized up Red Leaf from top to bottom. From his perspective, she indeed was a beauty, but unlike those delicately charming women, she had an air of valiance about her.

Moreover, Red Leaf’s fingers and the base of her thumb showed calluses from wear, a clear sign of a woman skilled in martial arts.

“There’s nothing of interest to talk about with those who only know about flowers, birds, wind, and the moon,” said Red Leaf, glancing at Lu Ban before turning away.

“You want to know about the missing person, right? Follow me.”

Lu Ban obediently followed; having a local to guide him was indeed delightful.

“Are you here for the sake of the missing person too?”

They passed through a courtyard that should have been filled with bird songs and fragrant flowers, but the plants there were a bit withered, and the flowers kept their buds closed, reluctant to show off their beauty, adding a sense of decay to the place.

“Not entirely, the missing person is just a phenomenon, I’m here for the essence.”

Red Leaf marched on, seemingly very familiar with Anxin Court.

“A month ago, Song Island was engulfed by the Undefined Fog. The local He Island Shrine immediately began purification work. With the Poetry Festival nearing, many were worried if the festival could take place as scheduled. Some artists even announced they would not participate in this festival. But a week ago, the He Island Shrine on Song Island declared the pollution was completely under control.”

She continued as she walked.

“Two days ago, a painter named Wan Ye disappeared on Song Island, leaving only a chaotic note in his room, which essentially meant he went to find the Calamitous Shrine Maiden.”

“Calamitous Shrine Maiden? What does that term mean, exactly?”

Lu Ban saw Red Leaf enter a secluded cottage. Hesitating for a moment, he used “Testament” ultrasonic waves to check that there was no one else inside.

“You know the Shrine Maiden Lord, right? That’s the Chief Priestess of the Great Shrine of Harmony Island, the one who leads all the shrine maidens, the representative of Kazushima Omikami on earth.”

“That’s right.”

Lu Ban followed her inside, where a few garments lay on the table, covered by black cloth, a frame, and a note.

“But the Shrine Maiden is not chosen from the beginning. She is determined after many candidates go through numerous tests, screenings, and eliminations.”

Red Leaf picked up that note and handed it to Lu Ban.

“It is said that the shrine maidens who are eliminated—those once favored by the deities but ultimately failing to seize the opportunity—could become Calamitous Shrine Maidens.”

“In some places on He Dao, the Calamitous Shrine Maiden has become a sort of belief.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Ban looked at that note, its handwriting was messy, but he could make out some hastily scrawled words.

“…I’ve seen it, I’ve seen it… my light of life, my fire of desire, my soul, my sin, please forgive me…”

*

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