A person in Tokyo becomes a demon god

Chapter 187 Welcome to: Rong Hill
"Are you government commissioners?"

At the Rongzhigaoka Police Station, the chief shook hands with Commissioner Smith while confirming the information with a hint of doubt.

What is there about this small town under his jurisdiction that deserves the attention of the higher-ups? Although fog has been frequent lately, it's a normal phenomenon in mountainous areas.

"Yes, these are our identification documents."

An agent produced their 'Supernatural Countermeasures Department' badge, and at the same time:
"You should have been informed of our arrival."

"Yes Yes."

The director nodded, then looked somewhat troubled.

"But our police station only has six people, including myself, so we may not be able to provide any assistance to you."

This village called Rongzhiqiu has only a few thousand people. Every day, they deal with trivial matters such as 'men getting drunk,' 'women gossiping behind people's backs,' and 'whose cat is missing'. It's more appropriate to call them neighborhood committee aunties—what kind of supernatural things are they supposed to investigate?

Please, they're just local police!

"It doesn't matter,"

Commissioner Smith spoke up,
"Only one guide is needed: it won't interfere with your daily work."

"Yes, Mr. Fujiwara."

America's influence has withdrawn from the island nation, but that's only on the surface: in the shadows, there are still a large number of island traitors who yearn for 'freedom' and provide intelligence and services to America.

Therefore, Smith and his group could walk openly in the island nation, and even had a decent identity.

"Are you the specialists from the Paranormal Countermeasures Department?"

quickly,

A young policeman arrived at the police station on a bicycle.

"Feel free to ask me anything."

The young man stopped his car and warmly extended his hand.

"My name is Osamu Iwai."

The young policeman looked sunny and cheerful, and was even a little handsome; he was the kind of "outstanding" person you'd find in school.

"Hello, Inspector General Iwai."

Commissioner Smith was, after all, an American agent, so he had to maintain his professional ethics.

A quick glance was enough to identify the person from their police uniform.

The fact that he was a patrol officer proves that this young man has either worked for three years or passed the island nation's Class II civil service exam—either way, it proves that he can be considered a 'young talent'.

Of course, this only applies to the town called 'Rongzhiqiu'.

"We want to learn about the beliefs here."

"This one,"

The young policeman thought for a moment,

“Then I’ll take you to Sakiko, ah, that is, the ‘Tree God’ shrine in the town.”

The young policeman stopped his bicycle and raised his hand to signal.

"plz follow me."

This is an island town with an 1980s style. From the outside, it is not much different from a residential area in Tokyo: two-story detached houses occupy the main positions on both sides of the street, with occasional convenience stores, pharmacies and various hardware stores on the street.

From those faded and abandoned hardware stores, one can still see traces of the town's former prosperity;
In the era when mineral resources were abundant, this place experienced rapid development.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the fate of such small towns is to eventually decline and be abandoned.

This reminded Commissioner Smith, in a daze, of the Great Lakes industrial region in his hometown.

"Chief Inspector Iwai, what are those dolls?"

As they traveled, the American agents noticed that in many places in the town, there were dolls of various sizes and shapes, male or female.

"That's our local custom."

The young policeman who led the way explained,
"The elderly people felt that the town was too deserted, so they made these dolls and placed them in prominent positions to replace the former residents."

"So that everyone doesn't feel too lonely."

That's even scarier, you piece of shit!
Commissioner Smith couldn't help but complain inwardly.

Living in a place that needs 'dolls' to provide a sense of life?

In comparison, the homeless people all over my hometown seem 'kind and approachable'; at least they are human, aren't they?

The town isn't large, with only two streets leading to what used to be a mine. Surprisingly, the path next to the mine was bustling with activity.

On the stone path leading up the mountain, men, women, and children, all dressed in traditional clothing, were either devout or curious. If it weren't for the moss around the stone path, one would almost think that this had always been a shrine with thriving incense offerings.

"This is the shrine of the Cedar Tree God,"

While raising his hand to introduce them to these 'specialists',

A young man named 'Osamu Iwai' was the first to step onto the stone path.

"If you know about our history, you should know that this shrine once held a place of faith for a long time."

Of course,

Smith and his group came over.
It was because of this intelligence that we received.

Because of the water quality, the ignorant people of the island nation a thousand years ago believed that a 'water dragon god' existed here.

Later, the large-scale planting of cedar trees purified the water, so people elevated the cedar tree to a divine position: from then on, the cedar tree god suppressed the water dragon god.

Later, the 'Fox God,' representing science, arrived with wealth and easily shattered the 'Tree God's' faith—but judging from the scene before us, it seems that with the arrival of supernatural power, the 'Tree God,' which was once abandoned, has once again experienced a revival of faith?
interesting,

Four special agents followed the young policeman, stepping up the steps where the moss had just been worn away.

The shrines and natural structures of island nations are built on mountains.

On the one hand, it offers a commanding view and a sense of detachment; on the other hand, distance creates beauty.

The same applies to faith.

Standing before the tall stone torii gate, the moss covering it silently testifies to the passage of time.

However, the newly hung white 'imperial coin' swayed in the wind, washing away the dust of history.

"Actually, what is enshrined here is not just the 'Cephalotaxus deity'."

I bowed slightly before stepping through the torii gate.

Immediately after washing their hands and rinsing their mouths in front of the water fountain, the curious gazes of the others dispersed.

Since they've come to worship the gods, there's no need to pay attention to whether they're foreigners or not.

That's right,

Smith and the others all had their own faces on.

The arrival of supernatural forces is ultimately a short-lived event; furthermore, since the island nation and America haven't openly broken ties, it's not surprising to see white people in the island nation. Although, under normal circumstances, they would certainly be scrutinized in such a small town.

"Sakiko. No, Igarashi Divine Son."

Inside the shrine, a young policeman raised his hand to greet a young shrine maiden dressed in a white top and red bottom.

"These are specialists from the Paranormal Countermeasures Department,"

After introducing Commissioner Smith and the others behind him, the young policeman turned to look at Smith and the group. "This is Sakiko Igarashi, the 'divine child' of this shrine."

"Hmph, even foreigners..."

The young woman was dressed in a white top and red bottom shrine maiden outfit, her hair tied in two short ponytails, her head held high, looking disdainful.

"follow me."

After saying that, the priestess turned her head first.

"Feel sorry,"

The young policeman explained to the 'commissioners'
"Igarashi Miko possessed exceptional spiritual power from a young age, claiming to be able to communicate with various deities in her dreams."

With a personality like that, she would definitely have been ostracized during her school days. Her father, who is also the 'head priest' of this shrine, was a former office worker. After taking her to the county hospital for a checkup, she was diagnosed with 'mild autism'.

In fact, the doctors in the county town did not make a wrong diagnosis.

The girl was indeed somewhat withdrawn, and had only three close friends at school.

But now it's different.

Supernatural powers are real!

Sakiko Igarashi, who claims to be able to communicate with the gods, instantly transforms from a mental patient into a "spiritual priestess".

A bunch of people were bothering her every day, which only made the girl more impatient.

Why do the police know so much?

"Shinko and I are classmates."

The young policeman explained,
It turned out to be the case.

Commissioner Smith and others suddenly realized,
Judging from their familiar greeting just now, this policeman and the clergyman were probably friends back in their student days.

"Has anything unusual happened recently?"

Upon arriving at the side hall, the girl knelt on the ground in response to the questions posed by four 'government officials'.

"Of course,"

"My God is about to descend!"

"But evil wants to take her away from me, unforgivable! Unforgivable!"

The girl dressed as a shrine maiden lowered her eyes, but her words were spoken through gritted teeth.

its not right,
The way you look...
Like a resentful woman whose man has been stolen, is she really a 'clergyman'?

"Ahem, Your Highness the Divine Child."

Even the young police officer, Osamu Iwai, who was acting as the guide, couldn't stand it anymore.

"Several commissioners would like to know more about the recent 'fog'."

"Mist?"

Upon hearing the word, the young priestess, suppressing her anger, gave a casual reply.

“That was a sign of my Lord’s coming into the world.”

? !
"Could you tell us more about it?"

Commissioner Smith, who had been subconsciously pressing for answers, quickly added more details.

“I also have great respect for the ‘Fir Tree God’ and I long to know everything about Him.”

"lie,"

However, the other party exposed his lie without hesitation.

"You've never even seen my Lord, what are you talking about respect for?"

Ah, this—

"The day the fog completely enveloped the town,"

"It is the time of my Lord's return!"

After saying this, the priestess stood up and flicked her sleeve.

"No delivery."

"Ahem, Igarashi Miko's personality is somewhat..."

After leaving the side hall, the young policeman Osamu Iwai took the initiative to ease the tension.

"No, it was we who offended their beliefs."

It would be abnormal for clergy not to have a temper, especially in this era of supernatural power manifestation.

"By the way, speaking of the true appearance of gods—"

Commissioner Smith asked the young policeman beside him curiously,
Is it enshrined in the main hall?

He pointed in the direction where the townspeople were worshipping: In the center of this shrine stood a tall building. Its scale reflected the prosperity of its heyday. However, unlike churches in other countries, the main hall of the island shrine was not open to the public.

People perform the "two bows, two claps, and one bow" ritual in the worship hall in front of the main hall.
Put the donation money into the altar and then pull the bell to signify that the gods have heard your prayers.

"No,"

The young policeman shook his head.

“In the main hall, the ‘Ninety-Nine Gods’ are enshrined.”

The so-called "Ninety-Nine Gods" are the tsukumogami of the island nation: they are spirits that are formed from objects that have been left for hundreds of years, absorbing the essence of heaven and earth or accumulating resentment.

The name "Ninety-Nine Gods" comes from the story in the Tales of Ise from the Heian period, which tells of a person who is "less than a hundred years away from being born".

Simply put, these should be classified as 'spirits' rather than gods.

“In our village, from ancient times to the present, if there are ‘ninety-nine gods,’ they will be enshrined in the main hall.”

After accumulating for hundreds or even thousands of years, the sheer number of old artifacts inside is unimaginable.

It's practically the history of this village!

"The real Tree God is actually behind the shrine."

Pointing to the lush green forest on the mountain, the young policeman Osamu Iwai pointed out:

“That area is full of ‘cedar trees’.”

After all, these are thousand-year-old trees, which have long since taken root and sprouted, expanding into a forest.

"I see,"

Commissioner Smith nodded.
Every place has a thousand-year-old civilization. Unlike his hometown, which is only a little over three hundred years old.
Ok?
Just as they stepped out of the torii gate, a mist surged up from the foot of the mountain!
Inside the shrine, a shrine maiden named Sakiko Igarashi is praying in her room while looking at a 500-yen coin.

“My lord, foreigners have entered your kingdom.”

"Please be careful, they are from the Paranormal Countermeasures Department. The safest way to deal with them is—"

kill!

No, it should be called 'disappearance'.

(End of this chapter)