That time I got reincarnated as an Oni

Chapter 18 Where It All Began

The Lone Hill, big enough for some to call it a mountain. It stood alone among tress in north-west part of the Jura Forest. While the hill isn't special in any way by itself, it's the underground that's so important. On it's base one can see big gates made from wood and steel that lead to the system of caves that hides in it's interior not only ores rich in magicules or herbs from which high level healing potions can be made. What it hides is place where Great Storm Dragon Veldora was sealed away to die. From that place his magicules spread to the surface and whole forest.

 Now it has new visitors...

  Ogres arrived here after few days of travel, each one of them looking at the gates with wonder and amazement but one. Shiva's gaze locked on the gates as he stopped in place, letting other ogres walking past him closer to the gates and memories flashing in his mind. Memories of time spend with Veldora, telling him about Japan and him teaching Shiva many things about magic. He still remembers how he dance and sang for Veldora to cheer him up, a dance that he later changed into his martial art.

 He also saw other memory, a memory of him devouring three helpless adventurers that ventured into the caves. Especially that girl, her terrified screams ringing in his ears. 

"Shiva..."

"Huh?"

 Shiva looks down and sees his lower hand intertwined with Ogre Girl's own. He looks back up at her with raised eyebrow.

"Y-yes?"

"You...You are crying..."

 Shiva reached up and wiped his face, he looked at his fingers and in fact he shaded few tears. He shook his head, relived that only Ogre Girl saw it. He then nodded towards her and smiled.

"Yeah. I am ok, just....some memories."

 Ogre Girl nodded back and both headed towards the group. As they arrived they saw Young Master standing with few other ogres at the side while Ogre Priest was on his knees bowing down towards the gates, many ogres mimicking his moves. He sighed and approached Young Master who saw him and nodded towards him. Shiva stood next to him and both watched a small ceremony made by the Ogre Priest.

 "What's this all about?"

 Shiva asked while scanning through the bowing crowd.

"That old fart told others to bow down as we felt remaining's of Veldora's Magicules. He said that we need to pay respect as we are entering holy place. You see now why I can't kill him? Many ogres trust him with their lives..."

"I can see that. Wait, there are still Veldora's magicules around?"

 Young Master looked up at confused Shiva with raised eyebrow.

"You can't see them? Use Magical Sense, it will allow you to see it. And to 'why' there are still some, it's either those magic ores that I heard about from dwarves or...Veldora is still alive. Barely but alive."

 Shiva's fist clenched slightly when he heard that. He wishes that Veldora would still be alive...

 He sighed again and turned back to Young Master.

"So, can I assume your sister is with them? As I cannot see her next to you."

 Shiva was indeed right. Princess was currently next to the Ogre Priest, bowing down, showing respect to Veldora. Young Master nodded while watching her.

"Yes, you can. At least one of us has to believe in this things."

 After few more words from Ogre Priest everyone stood up and gathered up, turning to Young Master who stood in front of them.