Asura in Arknights

"They've finally found out..."

Li Ang didn't have much faith in Liu Yi's guarantee. The Great Ming God was clearly being overwhelmed. If He could fight desperately, why couldn't His opponent fight desperately too? It was already a pleasant surprise that they had managed to stall until now.

The short rest period has ended, and there are less than six hours left until the morning of the third day. Once this period is over, they can proceed with the final ceremony.

The energy he had previously expended has been almost completely restored. Apart from using blood to help Adele create concentrated Originium crystals, Leon had only used Originium Arts once. Now his Originium energy reserves are still around 80%, enough for him to fight for a while in his awakened state.

After confirming his physical condition, Li Ang walked out of the room and asked the non-punitive soldier guarding the second-floor corridor window, "How are the ritual preparations going?"

The reason why ritual magic was phased out by modern Originium Arts is because such magic is too troublesome. Not only are the steps lengthy, but it also requires a lot of complicated conditions, such as special materials. The Feather Robe Festival ritual also requires these conditions.

Moreover... the Feather Robe Festival may not necessarily be just a simple symbol as Ruyi said. After all, it is a ritual that can truly communicate with the gods. Although the Great God does not seem to be a god who is good at fighting, this kind of ritual should also have some special functions.

Just because they need to face a common crisis, he opened his heart to Li Ang? Li Ang wasn't that naive, and during his conversation with the familiar named Shuiyue, it unconsciously revealed some information.

However, it's better to keep things to yourself. If Liu Yi really told him everything, then Li Ang would have to suspect that she might have other intentions.

"Everything the priestess needs has been prepared and is just outside," the disciplinary soldier said. "The priestess said that if you wake up, go to her; she has some things to discuss with you regarding the Feather Robe Festival."

"I see."

Nodding, Li Ang glanced out the window, but when he saw the two armored vehicles downstairs, he couldn't help but twitch his lips.

At this point, the two armored vehicles had completely changed their appearance. One had been transformed into the shape of a bridal sedan chair, while the top of the other armored vehicle had been converted into a small mobile platform, the purpose of which was unknown.

These... are the props they'll be using for their ceremony? Quite creative, actually.

Turning his gaze away, Li Ang went downstairs to look for Liu Yi. At this time, sporadic gunshots could be heard from inside the villa. After discovering this place, the monsters were actively gathering in this direction. Xiong Ye had already led his men to reinforce the villa, but it was unknown how long they could hold out here.

Upon arriving at the first-floor living room, Liuyi was sitting upright in the center. She had changed into an exquisite and elaborate shrine maiden outfit, wearing a small golden crown, making her look like a delicate doll.

These are the costumes needed for the Hagoromo Festival. It seems that Ruyi has already made preparations and is just waiting for tomorrow.

The Hagoromo Festival is a rather complex festival that lasts for a full two weeks. However, most of the events are deliberately added by later generations and have no real significance. The true core of the ceremony is the procession from Kokayama Shrine to the city center. Apart from this, all other steps can be omitted.

Noticing Li Ang's arrival, Liu Yi tilted her head slightly and said softly, "You've come."

"Hmm, did you need something from me?"

Liu Yi nodded slightly.

She seems to have entered a special state, giving off an ethereal and unreal feeling, with an otherworldly quality that seems inhuman, as if she might disappear from this world at any moment.

A divine avatar... This kind of aura isn't something ordinary people can possess. She should be...

"Where's Yuhito Oreki?" Li Ang asked casually.

"He's there."

Following Liu Yi's gaze, Li Ang saw Oreki Yuuhito in another corner of the room.

I don't know what Liu Yi said to him yesterday, but he doesn't look so dejected now. His wounds have been bandaged up, and he's using his still-intact left hand to hold a gun and help attack the monsters that are approaching.

"So, he's coming with us too?"

"He has the right to know the truth."

As Liu Yi said this, Li Ang could hear a faint trace of guilt in her voice.

"It's up to you," Li Ang shrugged, too lazy to bother with such trivial matters. "You want to talk to me about that ceremony, right? What do you need me to do?"

Although Liu Yi had mentioned this to him before, she only told Li Ang that he and Adele needed to be 'sacrifices' and walk along a fixed patrol route, but she did not tell Li Ang the specific details.

"You need to change into that outfit."

Only then did Li Ang notice that there was a set of black haori hakama hanging on the clothes rack behind Liuyi. The white Haori Shrine crest was printed on the chest, back, and cuffs of the haori.

If I remember correctly, this should be the traditional formal attire of the Eastern Kingdom. This outfit also exudes a faint, special aura, making it look anything but ordinary.

"...Can we not change it?"

Li Ang frowned. This outfit looked troublesome, and he wondered how much it would affect his mobility after he put it on.

But Li Ang was somewhat helpless at Liu Yi's answer: "No, this is an essential part of the ceremony."

"Okay... I'll change it."

Li Ang sighed. That's the troublesome thing about rituals; you can never guess how many strange and unusual requirements a complete ritual has.

As Li Ang took the haori hakama from the clothes rack, he suddenly realized something.

The ceremony required both him and Adele. He needed to change into this troublesome outfit, but what about Adele?

Just as Li Ang was thinking this, he sensed Adele walking into the living room from behind him.

Looking back, what Li Ang saw was a pristine white expanse, spotless and immaculate.

Chapter 103 Shiromuku

Li Ang was slightly stunned as he looked at Adele's pristine white dress.

The crested haori hakama is the traditional formal attire for men in the Eastern Kingdom, and it is used on many formal occasions. So when Ryui took out this set of clothes, Li Ang didn't have any particular thoughts. He was just a little impressed by how troublesome the ritual magic was.

However… after seeing Adele’s outfit, Li Ang realized that something seemed amiss. Having worked with a wide variety of films and television shows, Li Ang couldn’t possibly mistake such a classic garment.

In the eastern country, although there are many styles of kimono, this completely white kimono has a special meaning.

White is the color of the sun, symbolizing purity and cleanliness. This special kimono is called Shiromuku in the East. Although Li Ang does not know the specific details, one thing is very clear: Shiromuku only appears at weddings.

Considering the set of crested haori and hakama in his hand, it was obvious what Ryui wanted to do.

"This is the ritual you were talking about?"

Li Ang asked with a straight face and no expression.

Liu Yi slightly turned her head, seemingly avoiding Li Ang's gaze. "The ceremony requires a couple who are truly in love. Ordinary people will hold us back. You two are the most suitable choice."

Although it sounded reasonable, Li Ang always felt that Liu Yi's purpose was not so pure. Although she did not have any malicious intent, she must have wanted to tease him. Li Ang could sense it from her.

After all that, isn't this just a traditional Eastern-style wedding?

Moreover, it is the oldest and most traditional shrine ceremony, in which vows are made to stay together for life under the blessing of the god. And this is a real god. Even the shrine maiden who prepared the ceremony is an incarnation of the god. The level of the ceremony is unbelievable. Throughout the history of the entire Eastern Kingdom, there are probably very few people who have enjoyed such treatment.

Of course, the residents of Sagazaki City don't count; they are believers in Daimyojin.

However, for the person involved, this was not good news. The incident came too suddenly, and Li Ang was not prepared at all.

For Li Ang, marriage is a very sacred word, a lifelong commitment to another person. Now, suddenly pushed by external forces, he has reached this point. Li Ang can't help but ask himself, is he really ready?

Love, marriage, family, happiness, commitment... a series of somewhat heavy words flashed through Li Ang's mind.

As if she could read Li Ang's mind, Liu Yi said softly, "Why don't you ask the child what he thinks?"

After donning the shrine maiden's robes, the connection between Rui and the Great God became increasingly close and unfathomable. Her body seemed to have truly become a vessel, bearing the will of the Great God. Her current state was one where divinity overwhelmed humanity, which was why she gave people this special feeling.

But what she said earlier was indeed correct. Why not ask Adele what she thinks?

Marriage is not a matter for just one person, but a decision that affects two people's lives. So, what are her thoughts on this unexpected wedding?

Li Ang nodded slowly, looking at Adele, who had been silent behind him since earlier.

Wearing a spotless white wedding kimono, Adele stood there quietly, her long brown hair styled into a bun and secured firmly with a hairpin inlaid with several jewels.

The white kimono wasn't adorned with many decorations; this simple, pure white outfit didn't overshadow the girl's beauty but instead perfectly highlighted her bright and charming face.

Adele felt a little shy under Li Ang's gaze, her cheeks flushing slightly.

However, Adele did not look away. She seemed to have already made a decision. She stared intently at Li Ang, her eyes flickering slightly, as if a clear spring was flowing in her eyes.

“Adele…I…”

Leon hesitated, opening his mouth but then unsure what to say. Should he simply ask, "Adele, will you marry me?"

That seems a bit too direct, especially since there are quite a few outsiders around. If we really said that, Li Ang would be so embarrassed that he would dig a three-bedroom apartment out of the ground with his toes.

Adele stood there quietly, patiently waiting for Leon.

"...This outfit suits you very well."

After muttering for a while, Li Ang finally managed to come up with this sentence as his opening remark.

Upon hearing this, Adele burst out laughing.

Li Ang couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. He subconsciously raised his hand, wanting to scratch his head to cover up his embarrassment.

But at that moment, Adele took a step forward and almost threw herself into Leon's arms, while tightly holding his outstretched hand.

"Miss Liuyi already told me about this, and I have no objection."

Holding Li Ang close, Adele whispered, then jokingly asked him in a slightly aggrieved tone, "Are you planning to leave me, Li Ang?"

"How could that be? I'm not the kind of womanizer who falls in love with every girl he meets,"

Li Ang shook his head. "I just... I just feel like it's a bit too early. At least... at least we should find out where Uncle and Aunt are, right?"

Ideally, the best-case scenario would be to rescue the Nauman couple, who are trapped somewhere, so that Li Ang could shout the line, "Please, give me your daughter!" right in front of them.

Otherwise, Li Ang would always have a strange sense of guilt, as if he had secretly kidnapped someone else's daughter.

But after hearing what Li Ang said, Adele's face showed no sign of happiness.

She patted Li Ang's chest and raised a question that Li Ang had never brought up, or that could be ignored: "How long do I have to wait?"

Yes, they only grasped a tiny clue and it took them almost a year and a half. Moreover, the secrets of the Nauman couple are not so simple; they even involve the gods. How long will it take them to find the souls of the two?

Five years? Ten years? Or twenty years?

Adele even had a thought that she didn't want Leon to continue investigating. The situation they were facing was becoming increasingly dangerous, and Adele absolutely could not accept if something happened to Leon.

"But……"

Li Ang wanted to say something more, but Adele stood on tiptoe, cupped his head in her hands, and resolutely kissed him.

"I like you."

So... please marry me.

A captivating light shone in the girl's pale pink eyes.

Chapter 104 I'll Wait for You

"..."

Subconsciously touching his lips, Li Ang was somewhat stunned by Adele's combination of punches.

In Li Ang's memory, Adele had always been a very shy girl. Li Ang confessed to her at a very opportune time, which happened to be during the time when Adele had suffered a heavy blow and felt the most helpless.

After Adele recovered from the shock, she belatedly realized what Leon had said to her.

During the journey to Kazimierz, Adele was like a frightened little rabbit. Leon would even blush and run away if he spoke just a few words to her.

However, they spent most of their time in the car, so even if Adele wanted to run away, where could she go?

After a while, Adele had gotten used to the new way of getting along with Leon, and she no longer felt shy even when she was in the same room with Leon. But getting Adele to take the initiative to do something would be harder than climbing to heaven.

So Li Ang was genuinely surprised this time. It seemed that Adele had also been fooled by Liu Yi when he went to the police station to get the key card.

However... this feeling seems pretty good.

But if, as Adele suggested, they simply went along with the flow and made the ceremony their wedding, that wouldn't be what Leon wanted.

So, Li Ang gently pushed Adele away from his arms, and then, under the girl's somewhat surprised gaze, placed his hands on her shoulders and said with utmost seriousness, "I'm sorry... I can't agree to your request this time. This is just a simple ritual."

Then, Li Ang took a deep breath and asked, "Could you wait a little longer?"

"After we get back, I'll be fully prepared before I propose to you again."

Li Ang couldn't help but touch his nose, feeling a little embarrassed to utter those two words.

Upon hearing Li Ang's words, the surprise in Adele's eyes slowly faded, turning into a gentle smile.

"Okay, I'll wait for you," she said softly.

The atmosphere between the two became somewhat awkward for a moment, making them seem to forget their current situation.

They were surrounded by more than a dozen people, and their conversation was overheard by everyone else. However, most of the others were too busy to bother them at this time.

Therefore, among those present, only Liu Yi could play the villain.

"Cough cough."

Liu Yi deliberately coughed loudly to bring the two back to reality. "Gentlemen, we have other things to do now."

Leon and Adele exchanged a glance, tacitly pretending that nothing had happened, and then returned to their respective rooms.

After they all left, someone in the living room sighed, "Ah, youth..."

Adele returned to her room and continued to familiarize herself with the ritual procedures.