Chapter 2: Higurashi Temple

After we had lunch Leonardo, Richard and I, the former gave me the address of a rather old temple a few hours drive away, while the latter comes with me as translator and driver. 

"We have eaten, we have drunk and now it's time to work, are you ready Professor Christopher?"

"Sure, I'm bringing money for the hotel, verification equipment and Leonardo's letter of recommendation, we can get going."

Finishing talking to each other we get in the vehicle and set off towards Higurashi temple, this trip takes a few hours making us arrive close to the afternoon and obviating the fact that we will have to stay in a hotel to leave tomorrow to the museum. 

"Shall we keep going up or are you tired already?"

"How can you have such good physical ability, not that you're a teacher."

As we were moving up the stairs leading to the temple, I notice that Richard is terrible I almost gave up on the poor guy. 

"It's nothing compared to the heat in the Sahara desert, the cold in Siberia or even climbing the Swiss Alps, besides you didn't think I earned the respect of the sword collecting circles just by talking? Those guys are fencing geniuses."

"A swashbuckling professor, perfect ha, ha. Here we are!"

After a while we reach the top of the mountain where the temple is located, mind you that doesn't mean it's away from society, it's quite the opposite in this case. A torii gate marks the entrance to the temple territory proper, there are several ancient looking structures while seeing modern conveniences, but what stands out the most is the huge sacred tree of the place. 

"I see the tree has attracted you young traveler, would you like to know the story behind it?"

As if in the wind, an old man wearing a yukata and wooden sandals, all very traditional of these temples, approaches me and starts talking to me making me stare at him. 

"What's wrong young man, did the cat got your tongue?"

"Excuse him Mr. Higurashi, this is the expert from abroad that we had informed you about to investigate the origin of your article."

Richard comes out on cue, causing the old man to turn his attention to him and between them he begins to speak in Japanese, until it was time to give him the letter coming from Leonardo. 

"Umm... I understand, I understand, well then let's get going I have it ready."

Releasing the frown that he kept slightly frowning, he returns the vivacity with which he spoke to me the first time and signals us to follow him until we reach an old shed or wooden hut. 

"Calm down, I can assure you that everything inside is safe and sound despite appearances."

"We trust you Mr. Higurashi, but you must understand that experts are like that with everything related to the past."

It seems the old man is quite perceptible or has eyes in his back to notice my slight grimace at the sight of the housing of this artifact, continuing with the subject at hand Higurashi opens the sliding wooden door to reveal a rather dark and gloomy place. Here there are a few junk lying around from boxes to meaningless things, a railing as if it were an amphitheater separates the outside from the inside and in the center of the room there is a well.