The Incompetent Noblewoman Marries the 'Devil of the Far East' as a Substitute Bride—Told by Her Parents to 'Die in Place of Your Sister,' She Left the House, but Her New Family Turned Out to Be Wonderful and She's Happy - Episode 2.5

I am Iihika.

A divine spirit.

It has been many years since I manifested in this world as the spirit of ice.

My power had also been weakening over time.

It can’t be helped. We, the divine spirits, can remain in this world by being enshrined and cherished.

However, unlike in the past, the number of people who worship deities has been decreasing.

Even the gods enshrined in the shrines have seen an increase in those who do not even know their names, lamented the country gods.

I too was like that.

In the past, there were those who worshipped the concubine, but recently, more and more people do not know the name of Iihika… As a result, the spiritual power has weakened.

But… I don’t want to disappear yet.

I want to stay in this place.

One day, I overheard a mischievous tsukumogami saying something like this.

It is said that there exists a mysterious girl with immense spiritual power, who harbors within her the three yokai: Zashiki-warashi, Toteki, and Nue.

Ridiculous. Impossible.

Keeping three yokai in the house…?

Humans can’t possibly do something like that.

It can’t be human to be able to do such a thing.

So I decided not to believe it, thinking it was just Megane-maru tall tale.

One day like that.

I happened to encounter the demon known as the “God Eater.”

A god-eater is a demon that devours divine spirits.

Why do youkai consume divine spirits?

The youkai become more powerful by consuming strong spiritual energy.

Ordinary low-level youkai don’t mess with divine spirits. They know they’ll be annihilated in a counterattack.

However, for example, if it were not just a regular demon but a great demon.

For example, what if the one you are devouring is a weakened spirit?

That’s a different story.

The concubine targeted by the god-eater had her spiritual power drained.

He is probably a great youkai under the command of the “White Face.”

Lately, I knew that the White Mask’s subordinates were gradually gaining power.

However, I never imagined there would be a demon in this era who would resort to god-eating…

The guy with the white face might seriously be aiming for a revival.

Even though Sumi Mamoru risked her life to reseal Hakumen with the Shakujō Stone.

Well, putting that aside.

The concubine who had been victimized by the God Eater was on the verge of disappearing.

Originally, my power as a spirit was already weakened, and now, like a victim of a sudden attack, I am on the brink of extinction due to being devoured by a god.

By the time December ends, my existence will have vanished.

The flustered mistress had no choice but to cling to the tall tale she heard from Megane-maru.

A person with the ability to heal gods… Since Sumi Mamoru is not here, there is nothing else we can rely on.

I came to the place I heard about from Megane Maru… Asakusa in the Eastern Capital.

And after wandering for several days, I finally succeeded in accidentally meeting Rei.

No… it’s not a coincidence.

Perhaps, there was an intervention by a seer who can see the future.

Surely, there should have been an esper who inherited Hakutaku in the Eastern Capital.

That guy probably brought me and Rei together.

When I met Rei, I was astonished.

Really, there were three demons in her house.

It was an unbelievable sight.

Usually, even just one demon inside the body is too much to handle.

In a human vessel, just accommodating one demon is already overwhelming.

And yet, Rei had three youkai inside.

Well, to be precise, Rei had one mausoleum and two past lives as a demon.

Even so… it’s abnormal.

And among those three, there was a Zashiki-warashi.

The Zashiki-warashi is more like a spirit or a divine being than a demon.

A spirit that brings good fortune. Zashiki-warashi.

However, at the same time, it is said to bring misfortune. Therefore, it seems to be treated as a demon… but from my perspective, the Zashiki-warashi is a companion of the gods.

In short, it can be said that Rei has two great youkai and one divine spirit.

Hmm, indeed, no matter how many times I think about it, she’s a strange girl.

Even from the perspective of a divine spirit, she is an extraordinary being.

And the most mysterious thing is that despite having such power, they have not yet lost their human sensibility.

When one possesses great power, their character becomes distorted. It’s an inevitable consequence.

But Rei was… different.

Despite having such great power, they neither boast about it nor use it to make money.

For the sake of the troubled concubine, he shared a meal filled with divine power.

and that too, for free.

The opponent is a weakened spirit.

Normally, one would either consume it to gain power or propose a deal to acquire it, engaging in selfish behavior.

That’s what ordinary people do.

But that child gave the starving mistress a meal infused with divine power. For free.

Incredibly naive.

There are probably many people in this world who are called soft-hearted.

However, she possessed an incredibly strong power in this society, and yet… she wielded that power selflessly for someone else’s sake.

That’s not something just anyone can do.

That’s why… I liked her the most.

Rei.

You will probably be asked for help by many spirits from now on.

I saved the divine spirit. It was only natural for things to turn out this way.

And… Rei. You will be targeted by the White Mask.

It seems that Hakumen is plotting a revival.

Making his subordinates devour gods was probably to hasten his own resurrection.

The Killing Stone that seals the white-faced one.

They must be plotting its destruction.

In Rei’s house, there is a divine spirit called Zashiki-warashi. And she possesses immense spiritual power.

and the power to kill the abnormal.

If there is an ability to kill the supernatural, destroying the Killing Stone would also be easy.

I saw it up close and gained that conviction.

Even a concubine would notice, and even the white-faced one would notice too.

That’s why I gave power to Sumi’s son and then pushed him forward.

Protect Rei, that kind girl.

Spirits basically do not interfere with specific humans.

We understand. Our power is so great that it will destroy the framework of the society that humans have built.

Therefore, the spirits live in the forest, in the mountains, in quiet places where no humans dwell.

On the other hand, Rei, who is close to the divine, can be considered the closest and most appetizing prey to Hakumen.

I’m starting to get more and more anxious.

I wonder if Rei is okay. Hmm. I’m worried.

Just in case, I was so worried that I granted a part of my divine power to Rei and her mate, Momi Sumi…

I was disappointed when I saw him.

That, Ichijo Morisumi son, is he really that much of a loser?

Well, it can’t be helped.

The person who was paired with Sumi Mamoru is that “cursed child.”

No matter how strong Sumi Mori’s power may be, if that man’s cursed bl00d mixes in, it’s all for nothing.

Is he really the right man to protect Rei? Suddenly, I’m feeling anxious.

Quickly, either strengthen Sumi’s son or… assign a stronger man to Rei.

This… will probably cause a divide in opinions even among the spirits.

In any case… Rei will likely become the center of attention in the spirit world from now on.

It seems like you’re already quite noticeable in human society, but from now on, you’ll probably attract attention from the spirits as well.