Eternal Damnation

Chapter 58: The Witch

This is a terrible idea.

I walked up the steps to the shrine.

Uraume's probably a curse user, but he's the only one I know who knows about my so-called past life, apart from Hina's uncle. Although I prefer to discuss it with Uraume than a geezer who looks at me like I'm some worm compared to him when it's the other way around.

And I'm still avoiding her and Suna.

They try to ask Tsumiki and Megumi about what or how I'm doing, but they can't tell them about my job as a sorcerer, so they tell them they don't know, or they're not sure because I'm a freelancer. It's not suspicious since they knew Pops as a freelancer/construction worker.

I stopped at the top of the stairs and saw the statue with a few people praying.

It's so weird seeing it with the knowledge that this statue is supposed to be me. That I was considered a God in a past life. Damn, I just realized I've been talking shit about her as the goddess of protection and mercy when Miku died. So I've been talking shit about myself all along.

Ironic

I headed inside, looking for Uraume. I peeked inside, "Uraume?" I walked to the next room, "Hello? Uraume, are you here?" No answer, "Uraumeeeeeee?" He's nowhere to be found. I sighed and crossed my arms, "Maybe they have records." I checked each room to see if it held information - a timeline or anything I could get from.

"May I help you, sir?"

I turned and saw a woman in miko clothing.

Sir again

I cleared my throat and switched to Pop's voice again, "Yeah, hi. I'm looking for a monk. His name is Uraume."

"Oh, he moved a few years ago. I'm not sure where. He mostly keeps to himself. What did you need him for?" She gave me a sweet smile.

"Oh, I was just wondering about Lady Mika." I thought for a while. How do I say this without sounding creepy or weird? "My friend's family is a devout follower, but they're out of town for the year. I'd like to hear more about her and... Lord Sukuna." Ugh. "If it's not so much to ask. I don't want to impose."

"Oh, of course!" She beamed, "Please, have a seat."

I sat down, and she grabbed a book. It looks old.

"According to the records, her religion started before the Nara Era." That far back? "No one knows when she first appeared." Not even Sukuna? "But, she had been walking among her followers, roaming around the land, and actively protecting her people."

I'm sure she does.

"So, how did she meet Lord Sukuna?" I'm never getting used to that. It feels wrong in so many ways.

"No one knows, but rumor has it that Lord Sukuna's ascension was given by Lady Mika." Wow. What a power move. "Unlike his title, being the god of chaos and destruction, he treats Lady Mika with utmost respect and reverence."

Hah! Sure.

"Are they lovers?"

"Yes. Yes, they are." I resisted the urge to grimace. "They were an unstoppable force."

"But?"

"They disappeared. No one knows where they went. Some say they returned to the heavens, but the ones who lost faith said they died or worse... they left."

"I doubt they'd leave their people without proper reason."

She smiled, "That's... I appreciate the sentiment." She continued revealing about them but mostly what their followers think of them and them as gods, not as humans or sorcerers. Of course, there's a kernel of truth behind it, but it's not the specifics.