“The Shikon Jewel?” Kikyo looked slightly confused.
Clearly, she had never heard the legend surrounding it.
“Yes, the Shikon Jewel.” Kamamara looked at Kikyo and said seriously, “It’s a jewel bead with mysterious power.
It contains tremendous strength.
For over a hundred years, countless humans and yōkai have fought and killed one another over it.” He paused.
Seeing that both Kikyo and Kaede were watching him closely, obviously drawn in by the tale of the Shikon Jewel, he continued.
“Whether human or yōkai, whoever possesses the Shikon Jewel can gain its power.
Yōkai especially can use it to greatly increase their demonic strength.
“Of course, that isn’t the most important part.
More importantly, it’s said to be able to grant any wish its holder makes.” “Any wish?!” Kaede cried out in surprise.
Even Kikyo beside her showed shock in her eyes.
“That’s right.
Any wish.
For example, turning a half-demon into a true yōkai.” Kamamara nodded as he spoke.
“You… are you trying to obtain the Shikon Jewel?” Kikyo asked, looking at him.
“No.
Actually, not long ago, I already obtained that legendary Shikon Jewel.” Kamamara shook his head and said something that surprised them both.
“Then… where is it?
Why didn’t you use it to make a wish and become a true yōkai?” Kaede had already been drawn in by Kamamara’s words.
Thinking of how he was still a half-demon, she asked in confusion.
“I threw it away,” Kamamara said softly.
“You… threw it away?!” His answer greatly surprised both of them.
Kikyo was the first to recover.
She asked, “Was the legend false?
Could the Shikon Jewel not grant your wish?
Was it unable to turn you from a half-demon into a yōkai?” “How should I put it?
The Shikon Jewel is actually an evil thing.
It is easily stained by corruption, but that isn’t even the most frightening part.
“What matters most is that although it seems capable of granting any wish, in reality, those wishes are always twisted.
In the end, they bring misfortune and disaster.” As he spoke, he looked at Kikyo and said solemnly, “In short, the result of making a wish on that thing will never be what you truly wanted.
“And from what I know, over the past few centuries, countless humans and yōkai have fought over it.
But every person who possessed it met a miserable end.
“So if you don’t want to die for reasons you never even understood, it’s best not to get involved with that thing.” “I see.
So that’s why you threw it away.” Kikyo nodded in understanding.
For some reason, after hearing Kamamara speak about the Shikon Jewel, a strange unease stirred faintly in her heart.
But Kikyo could not understand where that feeling came from, so she did not dwell on it.
Instead, she looked at Kamamara and teased him with a smile.
“Then are you disappointed that you failed to escape your half-demon identity and become a true yōkai?” “Not really.
If I’m a half-demon, then I’m a half-demon.
Compared to many ordinary people in this era who cannot resist yōkai at all, half-demons at least have the power to decide their own fate.
I just need to keep getting stronger.” Kamamara shook his head and smiled.
Then he added, “I once heard someone say this: everything fate gives you already has its price marked in secret.
“Even if making a wish on the Shikon Jewel really did grant my desire, I might not be able to pay the price that came with it.” Hearing his words, Kikyo froze for a moment.
She stared at him and smiled.
“You seem very determined to grow stronger, but you just said the Shikon Jewel can increase a yōkai’s power.
Yet you weren’t tempted by it.” “You say that as if I’m an idiot.” Kamamara glanced at Kikyo.
“Power gained from something that evil is obviously going to have a catch.” “You’re completely different from yōkai who are obsessed with power.
Are all half-demons like you?” Kikyo asked in surprise.
“No.
There are definitely idiots among half-demons too.” Kamamara thought of Inuyasha at the beginning of the original story, then looked at Kikyo and warned her, “In any case, if you ever encounter the Shikon Jewel, you must be careful.
Try not to get involved with it.” “You sound very certain that I will encounter it.” Kikyo keenly noticed something unusual in his words and asked with a frown.
“It’s just a guess.” Kamamara naturally could not tell her the truth, so he casually found an excuse and brushed it off.
“After all, I heard the Shikon Jewel has a particular tendency to be drawn toward priestesses with powerful spiritual energy.
Your spiritual power is so strong that the chances of you encountering it are very high.
It never hurts to be careful.” “I feel like you’re hiding something from me…” Kikyo stared at him suspiciously and murmured.
“It’s already late.
Hurry up and eat, then rest.
We still have to travel tomorrow.” Kamamara immediately changed the subject.
He stood, filled a bowl with the food cooking over the campfire, and handed it to Kaede.
“Kaede, this is yours.
Eat up and go to sleep.
If you don’t sleep well, you won’t grow tall.” Then he handed another bowl to Kikyo and said, “Eat.
After that, we’ll do the same as before.
You take the first half of the night, and I’ll take the second.” “Eat first.
Don’t worry.” Kikyo accepted the bowl and noticed Kaede’s worried gaze.
She gently comforted her.
“It’s only his guess.
Nothing will happen.” “Mm!” Thinking of Kikyo’s powerful strength, Kaede immediately relaxed and focused on eating.
Kikyo withdrew her gaze from Kaede and looked at Kamamara, who was eating.
Thoughtfulness flashed through her eyes.
In the end, she still pressed her doubts down and quietly ate, preparing to rest.
Just as the three of them finished cleaning up their bowls and were about to rest, a powerful evil aura suddenly appeared.
Immediately after, large numbers of yōkai rushed out from the forest and gathered toward the place where the aura had appeared.
“It seems someone is fighting yōkai.” Kamamara and Kikyo exchanged a glance, then stood and looked over.
From the place where the yōkai were gathering, waves of rumbling sounded from time to time.
Flashes of spiritual light also appeared among the trees.
“Are you going to take a look?” Seeing Kikyo stand and pick up her bow, Kamamara asked.
“Yes.” Kikyo slung her quiver over her back, gripped her longbow, and turned to Kamamara.
“With so many yōkai gathering in one place, that person may be in danger.
I’ll go see if I can help.
Please watch Kaede for me.” After saying that, Kikyo left the barrier and hurried toward the direction where the yōkai were gathering.
Kamamara watched her leave, then lowered his eyes to Kaede beside him.
Reaching out, he grabbed the back of her collar and gently lifted her onto his back.
“Hold on.
We’re going to take a look too.” “Mm!” Kaede had been worried about Kikyo leaving her behind, so when she heard him, she immediately let out a breath of relief.
She quickly wrapped her arms around his neck, obediently lying on his back and nodding.
Kamamara glanced back at the two horses quietly tied beside the trees, then carried Kaede and chased after Kikyo.
The battle was happening in the forest not far away.
Riding horses there would be inconvenient, so it was better to leave them here.
The barrier protected this place.
Staying here should be safe enough, and there should not be any problems.