He visits the shrine

Alan huffed as he climbed to the top of hill. This was honestly one of the most insane things he had ever considered, but if it worked it would be so worth it. Eventually, he made it to the top where he found the shrine of Sakuya. It was a shrine dedicated to a fox Goddess who had once descended on the land... at least that's what the stories were about.

Alan didn't believe in those old tales, but he did believe in what he could see. The foxy shrine maiden (pun intended)... who overlooked the whole temple.

"Greetings traveler," she greeted as she came to assist him, "how may I be of service?"

"Do you all perform last rites?" Alan questioned as he brought his minion's belongings before her.

"Who has passed?" she questioned.

"I am a monster tamer and one of my first servants has died in a recent adventure," Alan explained.

"A pity... he must have meant a lot for you to travel here," she told him, "I will go and prepare the ritual"

"Thank you"

As she said her last words, the priestess turned back and walked away. Alan looked at her as she was leaving, his eyes focused on her seductive figure. Though she was wearing those long robes, he could still make out the young and healthy body she had underneath. Her flawless skin, her silky smooth voice... He could not fathom why she would reject the notion of using those gift and instead wasting her days away in this secluded shrine.

"Well, do your stuff"

Alan ordered the slime monster. It quickly jumped down from his shoulder and slithered after the priestess. While it would be tempting to simply go for stronger allies, Alan was no fool. He knew that beyond strength, he also needed a healer to accompany him. Most healers in villages were already married to job and he wasn't above removing them and having to deal with the fallout and attention of just taking up a healer would bring. So instead he looked to religion. Nuns, priests, sages, and shrine maidens were all very versed in the healing arts.

While they were a little weaker than Doctors, they still had some combat utility, being able to use Holy magic to aid them. This would be instrumental in his quest to become stronger. Religious individuals were also desirable because it was common for them to join adventurers if they weren't staying in some remote worship site, such as this one. If the slime's ability was real, he hoped he could persuade the shrine maiden to join him in his quests.

Alan waited for the slime for quite sometime, but there was no sign of it nor the priestess. Worried and curious, he began to look around for the two of them. Soon he found the Shrine Maiden, standing still in the middle of the shrine's corridor. Before Alan could call out to her, she turned towards him, a mischievous smile on her lips.