Vampire's Slice Of Life

1108  Shrine Maiden

In front of an oval shaped purple dimensional gate, Lith stood and had a look at it. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Only a few people were around and the enthusiasm to explore new places had dwindled due to the consequences. Lith was in his adventurer's clothes, wearing a white shirt, brown vest, pants, shoes and hat. A sword hung on his waist, and he checked if there was anything he missed. Finding nothing, Lith walked into the portal and after a flash of darkness, a mesmerizing view of a temple came into his view. The trees, plants, and even the temple were a bright cherry blossom pink. A shrine maiden in pink and white robes was dusting the leaves on the ground with a gloomy expression on her face. Her facial features were pristine like a well polished jade, and despite moving absentmindedly, her movements were fluid. Lith looked around and found himself on top of a tall mountain, surrounded by valleys and mountains of pink. To get down the mountain he was on, it would take some effort even with flying, that's how tall it was. No one except this shrine maiden was around. Suspicious as is, Lith's only choice was to interact with this little lady. Walking up to her, Lith snapped her back to reality and had her look at him.

"Who…" The shrine maiden was alerted and took a step back. "Hello~" Lith stopped and waved at the lady with a warm smile.

The lady took another step back and put the broom in front of her for defense. "Who are you? How did you arrive at the Kento Shrine?" If it was anyone else, they would've been attacked without dialogue. Lith was asked question purely based on his handsomeness and gentleness. He looked like a gentleman who wouldn't hurt even an ant based on his looks.

Lilith was unquestionably the most beautiful woman Lith had ever laid eyes upon. He was the son of this very lady, and naturally, had inherited her beautiful looks. He wasn't a roguish looking man, but rather, someone with an appearance that was perceived differently by different people.

To the shrine maiden who did not like violence, he seemed gentle. If a warrior saw him, Lith would look like a seasoned soldier, and similarly, if a child saw him, he would seem like a handsome reliable adult. It was not that Lith changed looks, it was that his first impression would forever be stuck with the person looking at him. It wouldn't change unless he showed them his other traits. Such a convenient trait was envious, and if the things Lith inherited from Lilith went public, they would all label him as a 'lucky bastard', and start a completely new genre in literature. For example, the first appearance of this new genre would definitely be in hentai. It won't be limited to 'ugly bastard' anymore, and have a new tag called 'lucky bastard'. 17:49

Such a convenient trait was envious, and if the things Lith inherited from Lilith went public, they would all label him as a 'lucky bastard', and start a completely new genre in literature. For example, the first appearance of this new genre would definitely be in hentai. It won't be limited to 'ugly bastard' anymore, and have a new tag called 'lucky bastard'. "I do not know how I've stumbled at this place either, young lady." Lith said innocently with a slight bow. The shrine maiden slightly lowered her broom when she heard the words 'young lady'. It seemed to her that this youngster couldn't tell her age. "What were you doing prior to coming here?" The shrine maiden asked with cautiousness, despite being flattered by Lith's words. 'Someone's asking the right questions…'

It was fascinating to know that this wasn't just another dumb and innocent shrine maiden that was popularly seen in mangas and anime. She was a genuine person with basic common sense. Lith scratched his cheek and said with an awkward smile, "I was out searching for a herb, but accidentally fell into a ditch and stumbled here. I do not know how and why."

"Herb?" The shrine maiden asked. "Which one?"

"It was the hundred-year-old running ginseng." Lith said immediately without batting an eye, as if it was all true. "My sister's a bit sick and…"

A dejected look from him made the shrine maiden lower her guard further and feel pity for Lith. As the man heaved a sad sigh, the lady's guard was almost down. "So you were after that…" the lady said with a sigh. "It really isn't easy to catch that ginseng."

The older the running ginseng, the higher the difficulty was to obtain it. Lith's excuses were made up but the herb wasn't. He had quite the knowledge of alchemy by now due to Lizbeth. "My sister's waiting for me back at home, and I neither have the ginseng nor the way back home. Is there anything you know of, young miss?" Lith asked. The shrine maiden was once again flattered and completely lowered her broom, not having any hostility towards Lith. She could see the lost and down expression on Lith's face and knew that the man was far from home. The maiden shook her head and said, "I do not. But I believe the priestess may know something. Please come with me."

With that, Lith successfully entered the shrine and was given a glass of water before being served tea and crackers in one of the shrine's rooms.

The crackers were salty, spicy, and savory while the tea was sweet and creamy. The contrast was amazing. Lith sat in a seiza style, more commonly known as the samurai style with his butt on his heels and toes pointed inwards. His back was straight and in front of him, the shrine maiden sat in a similar position and had tea. "The priestess is out and will be back in a few hours. I hope you don't mind."

Lith nodded. "It's not a problem. Thank you for your hospitality."

"It's a shrine, you don't have to be so polite." The shrine maiden said with a smile. "Hm yeah, speaking of that, why's it located so far high?" Lith asked the relevant questions.  The shrine maiden took a sip of tea and answered, "There's a boring history to it. Young ones like you would not like knowing it."

"Young one? Pfft…" Lith chuckled. "Young miss, I look older than you. How can you call me a young one?"

The shrine maiden had a slight blush spread on her cheeks while she seriously sipped on tea. The young man in front surely had a glib tongue. "Do you really want to know the history?" The shrine maiden brought the conversation back to the main topic. "Sure. We have to wait until the priestess arrives anyway…" The shrine maiden nodded. "Then, a long time ago, in the Kinbo dynasty, the emperor got a mandate from heaven in his sleep. His empire was going through a serious drought and the people did not have anything to eat or drink, thus he had prayed continuously for the mandate, and eventually got it."

"The mandate said that…"