Before the main castle gates.
Kaguya knelt powerless on the ground, her vacant eyes lost in some hallucination, both hands and feet bound in black shackles, her tragic beauty resembling wilting cherry blossoms.
Yet no one present paid her any attention, instead focusing on something else entirely.
"Is this the Celestial Maiden's Feathered Robe?"
Luo Shu shook the pink ribbon in his hand, his gaze tinged with curiosity:
"This thing can provide unlimited Spiritual Power?"
"Unlimited Spiritual Power is impossible."
Kuesu Jingūji, who had somehow donned a pair of glasses, had violet pupils flashing with runes:
"To be precise, the Celestial Maiden's Feathered Robe should be classified as a restorative artefact that connects to another dimension, continuously replenishing the holder's Spiritual Power."
"Because its restorative properties are so strong and far exceed Kaguya's consumption rate, it creates the illusion of infinite Spiritual Power."
"I see." Luo Shu looked enlightened, then glanced at Kuesu Jingūji's glasses: "Are those glasses also an Abyss Artefact?"
Kuesu Jingūji nodded:
"Correct. I named them the Appraiser's Glasses. They can quickly identify items and discern their basic functions."
"The side effects are just slightly troublesome, but still manageable for me."
Hearing this, Sun Seto looked at Kuesu Jingūji with curiosity:
"Manageable? What kind of side effects?"
Kuesu Jingūji replied calmly:
"The wearer continuously emits a mental suggestion that repels the opposite sex."
"In other words, prolonged use would completely ruin any romantic prospects with the opposite sex. Overall, the side effects aren't too severe."
Luo Shu stared speechlessly at Kuesu Jingūji.
So these glasses were basically a 'single-for-life' device?
Noticing Luo Shu's gaze, Kuesu Jingūji asked puzzledly:
"What? Do you want to try them?"
"Hard pass." Luo Shu refused without hesitation.
Who in their right mind would want to wear something like this?
If not for Luo Shu's ability to absorb negative effects, even he would be influenced by the glasses.
"Wow, that sounds amazing! Can I try them?"
Sun Seto asked eagerly.
"There's actually someone willing to try..."
Luo Shu looked exasperatedly at Sun Seto. Sometimes he really wanted to crack open her head to see how her brain worked.
Meanwhile, Kuesu Jingūji responded:
"I'll let you play with them later. Right now, the priority is removing all the artefacts from Kaguya."
As she spoke, Kuesu Jingūji adjusted her glasses and looked at Luo Shu:
"I'll examine them, you remove them."
After saying this, she adjusted her glasses again and turned her gaze towards Kaguya:
"Hairpins."
Luo Shu reached up and removed six hairpins.
"Prayer beads."
With another flick, Luo Shu took off the beads.
"Obi."
Luo Shu gave a tug, sending the weak and helpless Kaguya spinning in place.
"Clothes."
Luo Shu couldn't help but retort: "Might as well ask me to strip her completely."
Despite his words, his hands moved swiftly.
Soon, Kaguya was left only in her white undergarments, kneeling on the floor, trembling.
Kuesu Jingūji shot Luo Shu a glance and remarked:
"Complaining to me but moving so fast... Do you often undress women in kimonos?"
"Natural talent." Luo Shu replied without batting an eye.
Kuesu Jingūji let out a soft laugh and said:
"I'll briefly test these items' functions now. Make sure to clean up here."
She then added meaningfully: "And do it thoroughly."
At that moment, Senhime Rin Getsu approached Luo Shu with a smile. "Need any help?"
"It's just Naraku."
Luo Shu turned to Aotabō, observing his vacant stare, and snapped his fingers.
Snap.
Aotabō's vision blurred, and suddenly Luo Shu stood before him.
"Director Luo?"
Aotabō exclaimed in surprise:
"Weren't you and Miss Jingūji dealing with Kaguya?"
Glancing around, he saw only a vast, empty white room.
A shocked Aotabō asked: "Where is this?"
"Your vision is currently under my illusory control."
Luo Shu's casual explanation sent chills down Aotabō's spine.
When had he fallen under an illusion?
Why hadn't he sensed anything?
As a minor executive of the Nura Clan and an elite in Japan's supernatural world, how could he have been ensnared without noticing?
Ignoring Aotabō's shock, Luo Shu snapped his fingers again.
After three or four seconds of ringing, Aotabō looked at Luo Shu in confusion:
"Mr. Luo, what's this?"
"Wait patiently for the show." Luo Shu smiled and waited another seven or eight seconds.
Aotabō was puzzled, but soon sensed something amiss.
With a squelch, black Demon Power erupted.
Aotabō's back burst open as Naraku, transformed into a giant centipede-like creature, emerged and soared upwards.
"HAHAHAHA! Finally, my chance has come!"
"Kaguya, your body is MINE!!"
Naraku cackled madly as he charged towards where he believed Kaguya to be, his bare chest splitting open to reveal a gaping maw lined with teeth.
The maw widened, swallowing the defeated Kaguya whole in one gulp.
"Power... power is surging through me."
Naraku spread his arms and roared with laughter:
"The immortal power of the Celestial Maiden is now MINE!"
Clap. Clap. Clap.
A rhythmic applause sounded.
"Yes, very impressive. Would you like a sweet as a reward?"
Hearing this, Naraku froze. He turned his head to see Luo Shu standing behind him, his expression instantly changing.
At that moment, a clatter echoed through the air.
Naraku lowered his head, watching as the Kaguya he was devouring turned into vividly coloured sweets.
"An illusion? How?!" Naraku's face was filled with disbelief.
At that moment, Luo Shu smiled and said, "Tasty? Those sweets are my gift to you."
Naraku's face immediately darkened: "You bastard!! You ruined my plans!"
Hearing these frenzied words, Luo Shu merely smiled:
"What gave you the confidence to think you could play dead in front of three people far stronger than you?"
Luo Shu slowly grasped the hilt of Tenseiga at his waist.
"Don't get too arrogant, trash!"
The next second, a crescent moon of the Netherworld bloomed across heaven and earth.