"Seimei, do you think we are there soon ? Even though it seems no so far, but, still, a little bit, said a young man with long black hair in a ponytail, wearing bright red clothes.

- Come on Hiromasa, we just left a few hours ago, answered a young man with long white hair, wearing a blue kimono and a hat on his head.

- We have detected an evil energy towards the lands of Kūni. A shikigami must certainly live there. Is not that Seimei ?, asked a girl with a pink-red kimono. She had short black hair and a fish inside her hair. At each step, you could hear a bell ringing.

- It's a possibility, replied Seimei in a nonchalant tone.

- It's unbelievable ! You speak, we are walking for days ! And we are doing nothing ! Say something Yaobikuni !, moaned Hiromasa.

- Seimei is right. If we want to get there at time to calm down the shikigami, we have to continue to walk without stopping, said a young woman with long black hair and a white kimono.

- Okay, well, I won't say anything else. But if we die of exhaustion, it will not be my fault !

- Yes, of course, we believe you Hiromasa", replied Seimei in a slightly mocking tone.

Hiromasa began to sulk under the mocking smiles of his companions.
Indeed, as Kagura said, the four friends were going to a malefic source they have had spotted some days earlier. As shikigami hunters, they did not hesitate a second to go there.

However, despite the protests of their companion, none died of exhaustion during the journey.

"Here we are", said Seimei while an immense land was spreading at their feet.

Yet none of the company members could say something. The land was everything but normal, no rivers, no forests, no trees, no plants. As if the earth was slowly dying and drying up inside.

"Well, it's so charming !, exclaimed the young man with the red kimono.

- The origin of this must come from the castle, said Kagura, ignoring the saying of his companion.

- In that case, let's go", replied Seimei.

The company set out towards the fortress and arrived there early evening. That was going to be slightly cold and you could feel a light wind caressing you.

"Hey, is there someone ?, yelled Hiromasa.

- With more civilities, please, my friend, said the human with the blue kimono, on a calm tone.

- Maybe there is nobody ?, suggested Yaobikuni.

- We can see light", replied Kagura.

At these words, the door opened to reveal an old woman.

"What do you want ?, asked this one.

- Good evening, we are travelers and we would like to stay for the night, if you do not mind, asked Seimei.

- Come in, answered simply the old woman.

- Thank you very much", thanked the young woman with the white kimono.

The four travelers came inside and followed the dean in a long vestibule then in a maze of halls inside this dark and not so welcoming place. At this moment, Seimei took the opportunity to ask a few questions :

"Tell me, my lady, is there something strange happening here since more time ?

- Well, started the woman, I should confess that strange things have happened here these last days. Finally, it's like this since years but it is recently increased.

- How's that ? ... Ouch ! ", declared Hiromasa.

This one just received an elbow strike in the ribs from Yaobikuni. Regarding Kagura, she beckoned to him with her hand to be silence.

"You see, our lord Kansaki lost his beloved daughter a decade ago. This event ravaged him, and since, he did not smiled anymore. Concerning his wife, Mrs. Rimei, she fell seriously ill for several weeks now. We're waiting for a doctor or a medicine seller who must arrived soon. During this wait, what brought you there, strangers ?, asked the old handmaid.

- Well, we have felt the malefic energy of a shikigami and we have landed here, answered Seimei.

- A shikigami ? I do not know what you're talking about, strangers. But, a demon we have here ...

- A demon ?, claimed Hiromasa, are you sure of that old woman ?

- Absolutely, it's more like a demon. Each night, we hear like mews, scratches on the floor, screams.
So, if it's not a demon, I do not see what else it is !, replied the handmaid.

- Could we be wrong ?, whispered Seimei.

- No Seimei, it's sure it's here, affirmed Kagura.

- I'll leave you here", said the old woman, bowing and leaving them at a door.

Hiromasa, who was not very patient, opened finally the door as Yaobikuni looked at him, with a desesperate gaze. In the room, there was a simple coffee table in the middle, a wardrobe on the side and a fireplace in which a fire was crackling. In the background, they saw a shape kneeling and facing the bed. Seimei approached slowly and saw a woman lying in a bed with a towel on her forehead, certainly wet.

"Please, forgive me for my non warm welcome, strangers. But I have to watch over my poor wife, lying in the bed for some weeks. I introduce myself, I am Lord Kansaki, and I welcome you to my humble abode", claimed a serious voice.

The shadow got up to stand in front of them. He was a middle-aged man, the wrinkles had begun their harmful work, and that hair, usually black gathered in a bun, had begun to turn white at their tips. He was wearing a black kimono with a white belt. The four companions finally introduced themselves one by one and announced the purpose of their trip.

"So you exorcise demons or shikigamis as you call them ? It may well be that you are at the right place then, declared the lord.

- Do you admit to being haunted by a shikigami for several years ?, asked Seimei.

- Yes ... my handmaid surely told you the terrible tragedy that has come into my family since some years from now. And now, this is my wife Rimei who falls ill. It seems like the gods don't want me to get happiness ..., announced sadly Kansaki.

- We'll see what we can do for you, declared Yaobikuni with a soft and a compassionate tone.

- Thank you", simply replied the lord by turning from them and getting back to seat near his wife.

The adventurers finally left the room. Hiromasa, after closing the door, asked :

"What do you think about all this ?

- I think his story is true, announced Yaobikuni.

- What are we doing now Seimei ?, asked Kagura.

- I think the hunt is open", declared Seimei, opening his fan in a large and elegant gesture.