I'm afraid so. I've often heard tales of gods and temples disappearing without a trace, leaving their shinki homeless. I've personally met a number of shinki this has happened to. Not only once for some.

[Ayumu's expression tenses with worry, her eyebrows furrowing.]

It's appalling. This is a vulnerable world for a shinki. Without gods, we have no shelter or means of providing for ourselves on our own. Some of us cannot defend ourselves at all unless we are bound to someone.

[She sighs deeply, looking almost sorrowful. It's not an act to gain sympathy; these issues have been weighing heavily on her mind since she first arrived.]

We have limited freedom.