I Forged the Myth of the Ancient Overlords
Chapter 354 - 354 353. Divine Sakura_1

Chapter 354: 353. Divine Sakura_1 Chapter 354: 353. Divine Sakura_1 Sanada Makoto looked at the imposing large ship opposite him, his gaze sweeping across, searching for the figure of the legendary Shrine Maiden.

It was said that this Shrine Maiden summoned the Pure Fire on the sea, eradicating foulness and was called “Modern Divine Priestess,” adored by the masses.

But as far as Sanada Makoto was concerned, this was merely a ruse to win over people’s hearts. Since ancient times, which of these Shrine Maidens didn’t claim to be the true chosen by the gods, the chosen ones of the divine Lords, thereby declaring their legitimacy?

Amber now was just one of these Shrine Maidens.

In fact, Sanada Makoto did not believe this Shrine Maiden had the genius as the legends suggested; he thought it was merely a reputation her family had built for her, to support the lies she fabricated for the foolish public.

He did not get to see the Shrine Maiden as he had hoped. It didn’t matter; he was there to briefly impede the other side, to let them know who currently held power over He Dao.

Sanada Makoto saw a Shrine Executive Officer and a ronin-dressed man standing at the bow of the ship, whispering to each other as they looked in his direction.

At that moment, he noticed the observer on the other’s mainmast start to wave a flag in their hands.

“We’re here to help you?”

Sanada Makoto read the content of the flag signals.

“What are these fools trying to do?”

A moment of curiosity passed, then he saw the ronin-dressed man raise his hand.

The next moment, the ship that was lying right in the middle of the shipping lane suddenly began to move forward.

The ship’s speed was very fast, catching everyone off guard.

Sanada Makoto lost his footing and fell onto the deck, chipping half a tooth.

He got up and shouted hastily.

“Who the hell is starting the ship, stop it now?”

However, the sailor’s response was unexpected.

“We have not set sail, my lord, all of our sails are furled…”

Sanada Makoto looked up at his own mast and indeed, all the sails were furled. By all accounts, this ship shouldn’t have been able to move an inch.

Could there be an undercurrent, or was it…

He turned to look at the leisurely passing ship carrying the Shrine Maiden; the two people at the bow, with the priest using a fan to cover his face, his expression unclear, and the other ronin waved his hand, as if seeing them off.

“My lord, our speed is too fast, uncontrollable, I, I cannot control the rudder!”

The sailor called out, panicking.

Sanada Makoto rushed to the helm. He pushed the sailor aside, trying to control the rudder, but no matter how Sanada Makoto turned it, the ship moved straight ahead at a tremendous speed, heading towards the open sea.

“Rocks ahead, watch out, rocks ahead!”

The lookout shouted several times, and Sanada Makoto also saw several rocks standing on the ocean surface ahead. If they were to hit them at the current speed, this ship would surely sink!

But he couldn’t control the ship at all!

“Abandon ship, abandon ship, everyone abandon ship!”

Sanada Makoto urgently called out.

He had the sailors rush to abandon ship to save themselves while he stayed for one last attempt.

As the ship was about to crash into the rocks, he grew desperate, left the helm, ran to the port side, and with a leap, he plunged into the sea.

However, the expected collision did not occur.

The ship remained stationary at a distance from the rocks; from the underwater perspective, its hull had halted just above the reef. A few more inches, and it would have run aground or collided.

Rocking gently in the swaying waves, the ship seemed to mock Sanada Makoto’s panic.

He moved his arms through the water, looking towards the distant ship that had already entered the harbor, its flags signaling a message.

“Fair winds.”

Sanada Makoto cursed under his breath.

…

“That technique just now was incredibly powerful; I couldn’t see at all how it was accomplished.”

As the ship began to dock in the harbor, Xia Dao couldn’t help but express his admiration.

Lu Ban had clearly used some sort of technique, one of high complexity; Xia Dao, conceding his inability to discern the setup, had originally thought of Lu Ban as nothing more than a ronin from the countryside. Discovering that he possessed such high-level technical skills, Xia Dao couldn’t help but regard him more highly.

“Child’s play.”

Lu Ban saw that many people had gathered at the harbor.

These people, amid the cherry blossom rain, some sheltering under umbrellas, others letting petals fall on their heads, were men and women of all ages. Their clothes were mostly simple and unadorned yet still nicer than those on the ship, likely commoners from He Dao.

In their hands were signs and banners with phrases like “Welcome, Modern Divine Priestess” and “Greet Lady Priestess with Reverence,” indicating they were there to welcome Amber.

“It’s hard to say whether they are truly here to wait for Lady Priestess or if they’ve been paid by others to flatter and adulate her.”

Xia Dao remarked.

Amber had previously demonstrated the power of her position as a shrine maiden, and now with Lu Ban also displaying a measure of strength, Xia Dao felt that Amber’s chances of winning were good. That meant Lu Ban might well become a figure just below one and above ten thousand; getting closer to him wouldn’t be an issue.

If it were just Amber showing favoritism towards Lu Ban, Xia Dao would not have adopted such an attitude. After all, if Lu Ban himself was weak, even with Amber’s support, he would inevitably be backstabbed by others eventually.

Only strength of one’s own ensures a stable position.

“Now there’s talk all around He Dao, suggesting that Lady Priestess intends to replace the current Shrine Maiden Lord. The implication is to provoke a struggle between the Sanada Family and Lady Priestess, so that the third party benefits.”

Xia Dao explained.

“Speaking of which, if Amber takes the position of the next Chief Priestess, when exactly would she inherit the role and perform the rituals?”

Lu Ban belatedly realized.

The current Chief Priestess was very much alive and seemed capable of continuing her purification duties. Should Amber win the election, Lu Ban surmised there would be some time before she could succeed to the position; did this mean he still had to stay in this world for months, even years?

“Immediately, your excellency Lu Ban. You may not be entirely aware, but once a successor is confirmed, the current Chief Priestess will abdicate at once, allowing the new Shrine Maiden to ascend the Shrine Maiden Pavilion. In fact, the selection of the Chief Priestess signifies that the current Shrine Maiden Lord’s power is nearly depleted. At most, within a year, the person on the Shrine Maiden Pavilion will be unable to control the ‘Pure Fire.’ Therefore, before her power wanes, a successor must take over.”

After speaking, Xia Dao gestured towards the passionate and excited crowd below.

“The selection process has already begun. Starting from tomorrow, in no more than seven days, the next Chief Priestess will be chosen.”

“That is incredibly soon.”

Lu Ban glanced at the cabin. Emerging slowly from the shadows inside was a girl dressed in a red and white witch costume, the Pine Crane Pattern Chihaya.

She noticed the falling cherry blossoms outside and raised a hand, gently cradling a few petals.

There was a touch of melancholy and sadness in her eyes, which seemed to suit a girl under the warm sunshine.

The cheers from the people at the harbor grew louder and more fervent.

Amber saw Lu Ban and showed a smile even more beautiful than the warm sun and falling blossoms.