After hearing Hongye's words, the last bit of doubt in Lu Ban's heart was resolved.

On this island full of monsters, it only takes half a day to be polluted and eroded. Even the chief priest of the Waseda Shrine was killed silently, and everyone except himself turned into monsters. Why is Hongye the only one who is safe and sound?

Even if she was once a candidate for the Son of God, why is there no difference at all when Lu Ban was greatly affected?

Of course, these can be explained by Hongye's extraordinary talents and special physique.

But Lu Ban now knows that this is because the disaster-ridden priestess who dominates Uta Island is Momiji.

"A hundred years ago, there was a candidate for the son of God who came to Utajima and became the chief priest of the Wajima Shrine, responsible for purifying filth."

"But she didn't expect that the island had already been polluted. Except for her, all the members of the community and island had been corrupted by the uncertain fog and turned into monsters."

"That witch was too gentle, so she tried to save these monsters that had already lost their rationality. However, she didn't expect that the real target of the uncertain fog was the witch who was once the closest to the Son of God."

Hongye's expression was gloomy, and even the inextinguishable pure fire could not make her face bright again.

"I'm sure you can imagine the final result. The witch was killed by the people she wanted to protect, and sacrificed her soul to the filth. The filth did not completely devour her, but instead polluted and eroded her into its own spokesperson, the disaster witch."

"and you……"

Green grass grew on Lu Ban's body. Under the increasingly high temperature caused by the flames, the ends of the grass gradually became charred and withered.

The island will continue to burn for a month and will not be completely submerged until about fifty days later. In the meantime, the pure fire will continue to spread and spread in the water until, in a few years, the seabed here will become a complete hell.

"Do you know the most fundamental effect of the uncertain fog on people? It is illusion."

Hongye said in a deep voice.

"This island and this festival are a dream in themselves. The Uncertain Mist uses the power of the Misfortune Maiden to attract ships and trick them into landing on the island to participate in the festival. Eventually, they are assimilated into monsters. However, those poets, artists, and painters who have a deep understanding of the world and are quite inspired will be attracted to land on the island of songs."

"Over time, the poetry festival has become a legend of the island, a true festival."

After hearing Hongye's words, Lu Ban roughly understood what he had experienced.

I'm afraid that both Tachibana Masamune and Ginpei were artists who had long been killed on Uta Island. They had become true monsters, blending in with the entire island and deceiving other visiting artists.

And Wan Ye was an artist who arrived on this island before Lu Ban.

This also explains why Tachibana Masamune and Ginpei were transformed in just half a day, while Lu Ban was safe and sound. This is not because of Lu Ban's [photosynthesis], but because it takes some time for the island to erode people.

"So, you want me to end this?"

Lu Ban looked at Hongye.

It was difficult for him to describe Hongye's current state.

She used to be a priestess who was close to the Son of God, but was corrupted by filth and transformed into a monster. Over the past hundred years, the poetry festival of this song island must have attracted many inspired artists.

She would have remained in this daze forever, like a puppet on the stage, like the Joruri doll on Utajima.

But by some coincidence, she gave birth to a will, which turned into the red leaves in front of Lu Ban and went to the island with her.

Maybe Hongye has repeated similar actions many times over the years.

She hoped that someone would come and redeem the souls of the entire island.

However, this went on and on, and Hongye could only watch as his companions turned into monsters and puppets one by one.

Until Lu Ban appeared.

"I am originally a filthy thing. Perhaps it is just the obsession of that witch that makes me pretend to be a good person who wants to save this island so that I can feel at ease."

Hongye said with a bitter expression.

“Now, it is just a matter of returning to the essence in this pure fire.”

Lu Ban saw Hongye coming to his side and putting her hands on his chest. A kind of gentle, warm and comfortable power surged into his body, repairing Lu Ban's damaged and bleeding internal organs and healing his burned and cracked skin.

His consciousness became clear.

It is obvious that this island will eventually sink under the burning of the pure fire, and Hongye will probably not be able to escape his fate.

This was the destined ending at the beginning of the mission, or when Hongye became the Miko of Misfortune.

She once said that she wanted to be the Son of God, not for power or strength, but just to protect the world, just like the Son of God in the past saved her.

However, the uncertain fog distorted this wish, causing Hongye to be sent into the abyss by the person she wanted to protect, and also harmed countless people she wanted to protect.

Such distortion is more terrifying than physical or mental harm.

"Have you ever thought that there might be some way to restore you to normal and continue to live, such as asking for help from the Son of God? Since you can turn Wan Ye into a normal person, can the more powerful Son of God also do something similar?"

Lu Ban asked finally, he didn’t know the extent of the power of this world.

Hongye shook her head.

"I have been completely polluted. As long as I am still alive, I will pollute the surrounding area. If it is the Son of God, he will definitely kill me."

Lu Ban was silent for a moment.

At this point, there was only one thing he could do.

At least in the end, let Hongye die as a human being.

She did not die as a filthy thing that brought disaster to the world, but died as a witch who destroyed evil.

He stood up and looked at Hongye who was kneeling on the ground.

"I have another wish. I hope you have the chance to bury my ashes under the cherry tree at the Wajima Taisha Shrine. All the shrine maidens who were candidates for the son of God will have their ashes scattered there after they pass away."

Hongye spoke calmly, not sounding like he was making arrangements for his funeral, but more like he was chatting and planning his next travel destination.

"I'll try my best."

Lu Ban didn’t know if he would have the chance to come to Hedao again in the future, or if he would have the chance to go to the real Hedao Taisha Shrine, but at least now, he had to agree to this promise.

"That's right."

Hongye suddenly remembered something and chuckled.

"Can you let me listen to that song that you said would bring good luck last time again?"

Lu Ban was stunned.

He thought about it, and a silver "Last Words" materialized in his hand.

Then, the words of "Good Luck Comes" were fired and hit Hongye.

“So this is the melody…”

Hongye sighed and closed her eyes.

Lu Ban raised the crowbar and killed Hongye with the most precise and sure method that would hardly cause her any pain.

Pure fire covered her body, and a crimson crystal twisted and entangled, forming the cold words of the system.

[Survive until the end of the poetry festival: 1/1]

【Mission Completed】

【Return or not?】

【whether】

When he clicked [Yes], all the flames around Lu Ban suddenly rose up and enveloped him.

[The mission has been completed, and now we are returning]

【3……2……1……】

In the flames, Lu Ban seemed to see a black-haired priestess dressed in white and red hakama.

She smiled as beautifully as a flower in the eternal pure fire, and chanted a ballad from eternity.

"The affairs of the gods are long gone, and I have never heard of them. The maple leaves dye the Longtian River, and the gurgling water is deep..."