I was Betrayed then Reincarnated as a Kitsune

Chapter 168: In the Forest Looking for Spirits

[Luna POV]

A day after we left Onigashima, we made it to the forest that was our destination.

Soleil, keep your spirit vision active as much as possible. (Luna)

Right. (Soleil)

I activated mine as well and the forest exploded with motes of light.

Oh wow.  The only other place Ive ever seen this many lesser spirits is the shrine. (Luna)

I know right. (Soleil)

Was it part of your training that you noticed that nya? (Mio)

I dont know about Soleil, but it wasnt for me.  I noticed it when they were my only source of entertainment for a long time. (Luna)

When was that? (Velvet)

When I was still a newborn.  Not much you can do when you have almost no control over your body, so I had to make do with what I could. (Luna)

When do you become aware of yourself as a reincarnator? (Velvet)

Please dont.  I really dont want to remember that. (Luna)

Oh.  Ooooohhhhh.  Got it, sorry I brought it up. (Velvet)

I shook my head to clear away those memories and we entered the forest.  After a while of silence, I started to speak.

This forest feels weird. (Luna)

How do you mean? (Soleil)

I guess you could say it feels ancient maybe.  Its hard to describe the feeling Im getting. (Luna)

That would make sense nya.  As far as I knyow, this forest has been here since the Empires beginning nya.  OR at least thats what Ive heard before nya. (Mio)

Any input in that regard, Tamamo?

{Not really.  Its not like I paid that much attention to forests before.  Though I can tell you that it is extremely old.}

Thats good enough for me.

We walked deeper and deeper into the forest for several hours without finding anything.  The most I saw were lesser spirits and a few greater spirits.  I tried to ask the greater spirits if they knew where we should find what we were looking for, but they ran away from me.

*Sigh*  Am I scary or something?  Why do they keep running away? (Luna)

{Thats because they can tell what you are, Luna.  They must be young greater spirits, so they probably havent seen anyone of divinity yet.  Not to mention that those particular types of spirits are really timid.}

Hehe.  Its kind of funny actually. (Soleil)

Its really not.  I dont like it when people run away from me. (Luna)

I wish I could see whats going on actually. (Ophidia)

Same. (Velvet)

You cant nya? (Mio)

You can!? (Velvet)

Yep nya.  Ever since I became a nekomata, I could see spirits nya.  It was a bit surprising at first, but I got used to it nya. (Mio)

You would think that becoming Apostles would allow you to see spirits. (Luna)

{They will once they go to the divine domain once.  Dont ask me why its like that though, since I have no idea why.}

I see. (Luna)

So, all we need to do is go to the divine domain? (Velvet)

{Yes.}

How exactly do we do that? (Ophidia)

{Next time Luna comes here to see me, she can temporarily summon the two of you to her.}

Oh, I never thought of that.  Thats genius. (Luna)

I guess thats that, then. (Velvet)

Im kind of looking forward to seeing where master will live in the future. (Ophidia)

We continued our search until the sky started turning dark.  We decided to set up camp next to a really big tree.

You know, its really pretty now. (Soleil)

I agree.  You could say its a mystical sight. (Luna)

That describes it perfectly nya. (Mio)

Im going to paint it. Soleil said as she pulled out her painting supplies from her bag.

I grinned a bit as I saw the eagerness on Soleils face.

Its moments like this that I love to see.

{I agree.  It always puts a smile on my face when people enjoy themselves like this.}

Hey Tamamo, do you know if spirits like music?

{Im not sure about lesser spirits, but I think greater spirits do, or at least some of them do.}

Then I guess I can try to attract some.  Maybe theyll tell me what we need to know.

{Its worth a try.  Especially since youve gotten good at playing the flute.}

I moved a bit away form our camp spot and sat on a rock.  I pulled my flute out and started to play a gentle melody.

Big sis, do you mind showing your tails?  Youre in the perfect place to make my painting even better. (Soleil)

Sure thing. (Luna)

I put my necklace into my inventory and my tails appeared.

Thats perfect, thank you. (Soleil)

I smiled at her and went back to playing my flute.  After a while, I noticed that lots of lesser spirits had started floating around me and I could see some greater spirits sitting around me and enjoying the music.  These particular greater spirits looked like fairies that I remembered from my previous life.  Once I finished what I was playing, I started another tune that was easy to dance to.  The spirits looked at me and I nodded to them.  They smiled and started to fly around to the music.  I played like this for a while before stopping.

Thank you for the fun time, Miss demigod.

Yep yep.  It was so fun.

Im glad that you enjoyed yourselves. (Luna)

Can you play some more?

I can, but I would like to ask something first.  Is that alright? (Luna)

Yep.

Ask us anything.

Do you know where we can find a greater spirit that looks like a silver hind? (Luna)

Yep yep, we can tell you, but we need permission to do that.

Yep.  We need to ask the king if he will meet you.

Then can I ask the two of you to do that?  Ill even give you a treat if you can. (Luna)

A treat!

Yep.  Itll be so tasty and sweet. (Luna)

Well do it.  We will ask the king tomorrow.

Thank you.  Now, Ill play one more song for you. (Luna)

Hooray!

Yay!

I started to play another song and the two greater spirits that I was talking to excitedly started dancing around in the air again.  They seemed to really enjoy themselves that I got caught up in their rhythm and played two more songs than I originally planned.  When I stopped, they came over and thanked me before flying off.

{I hope you will actually give them a treat.}

Why wouldnt I when I said I would?

{You had that look on your face that you get when your kitsune nature takes over.}

Oh.

{Anyway, you should go and check on everyone.}

Youre right.  Actually, what time is it?

{A little past midnight.}

I was playing for that long!?

{You were.  And I should add that it was wonderful.  Youve coma a long way with that.}

Thank you.  I didnt think Id get to this point by being self-taught, but I guess Im doing fine.

{You could give professional musicians a run for their money.  Though you still have a ways to go before you reach any of the music gods level.}

Honestly, I wasnt expecting to ever get that good.

{Dont say that.  You might try to reach that point if you get really bored one day.}

Maybe so.

Me and Tamamo continued to converse like this as I sat back down at our camp.

Chaos Realm:

Ophidia: Where am I?

Velvet: No idea.

About time the two of you showed up.

Velvet and Ophidia: Who are you?

Names Payto.  I'm a friend of Luna.

Tamamo: Oh, hello you two.

Velvet: Goddess?

Tamamo: Yes, I'm here to, and don't worry about him, he's a good person that you can trust.

Velvet: Ok then.

Ophidia: Is master not here?

Not today, but I'll bring her here with the two of you eventually.

Tamamo: Did you bring them here so that they can get the ability to see spirits?

No, it doesn't work like that in this case.  I brought them here because Luna was supposed to show up, but she got preoccupied with those spirits, so I decided to just let them come here to experience it for a short while.

Tamamo: I see.

Velvet: So, what exactly is this place?

Guess I'll start explaining then.