The Land of Holy War

19 years later…

THE family of Maruyama owned a sacred Shinto Shrine, which is in the middle of Kinkasan Island, which dates from the Tokugawa Period. Unlike other Shinto Shrines, Maruyama Family restricted this revered Shrine to the public. It is not listed on the List of Shinto shrines in Japan. And only a few knew about it.

Maruyama family named the Shrine as Seisen-chi Shrine; Land of Holy War. Some elders used to say the land was once where the battle between Angels and Demons arose.

The elders who lived on the mainland reputedly believed that you might see the spirits of the dead during the night. Youngsters thought it was a deceased person. But the elders meant the fallen Angels and Demons; that were sacrificed in the conflict between the two realms.

When the rumour of Angels and Demons was not that exciting anymore, some people twisted it, saying there was a treasure on the island. So people assumed it was a gold mine. But of course, no matter how long they took to find the gold, it is practically useless.

However, with passaging time, the story of this Shrine and the island became a baseless rumour. Almost a myth. Maybe a legend. No one cared about Kinkasan Island anymore. No new tourist. Only the regulars. Even the population is trifling.

To reach the island, you need to get a ferry from Ishinomaki or a boat from Onagawa Port. It took approximately 35 minutes. But, you can reach the island for roughly 20 minutes by boat from Ayukawa Port. Though tourists can make one trip to and from the island only on Sundays.

Regrettably, Kinkasan Island is almost forgotten. But even the people of the mainland never knew that this island is repeatedly and secretly visited by some rich and renowned persons. Those who still believe in God, Angels, Demons, and Spirits. Those who seek help. To see their future and to heal.

This is a secret for another time ahead.

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...SEISEN-CHI SHRINE...

THE last client finally went home. He was running for the presidential election. As one of the prime candidates for the president seat, he had lots of foes, of course. Thus, he came to Seisen-chi Shrine to heal his spiritual. It did not take a long time. Because at least he knew the cause. It seemed like his daughter brought home a cursed doll. Given by a so-called 'friend'.

"It was such a miracle. I went to other places as well. But no one could heal me. Shinshoku-sama, you have my greatest gratitude." Nakamura-san bowed to show his respect.

Shinshoku-sama just smiled. She did not utter any single word after the purifying process ended.

Instead of Shinshoku-sama, the other Mikos led Nakamura-san out of Heiden; Hall of Offerings.

At the Torii gate, Nakamura-san just realized that the sun was almost setting down. It meant that it had been a long time since he came to the shrine. Before crossing the Torii gate, he spoke to the Mikos, "May I come again in the future?"

One of the Mikos replied, "If God allows it."

Nakamura-san thought it meant yes, so he crossed the gate with joy. It was already on his mind that he wanted to share about this miracle shrine with his other friends, especially his fellow politicians that had troubles with their spirituals.

After crossing the Torii gate, he bowed again.

Once he raised his head, his eyes became blurry. He seemed like he was about to faint. He felt dizzy, lightheaded, and almost 'black out'. Fortunately, he did not fall. Instead, he just stared at the Torii gate for a while and smiled. As if someone was controlling his body, he left the Shrine and never looked back.

The Mikos bowed as seeing Nakamura-san left the Shrine. After bowing once, they stood there for a long time, looking towards Nakamura-san until they could not see his silhouette anymore.

The Torii gate is the boundary line between the secular world and the holy ground. Once a visitor or client left the Shrine and crossed the gate, their memories while being in the Shrine would be lost. They would not remember anything about being there. As if they never been there.