"Originally, I came here with only one purpose—but after seeing your son, it became two."
"To make even Lord Tōga personally escort you here..." Princess Inukimi's expression remained unchanged, her tone lazy and curious. "I must admit, I'm rather intrigued as to what your purposes might be."
Satsuki replied evenly, "First—I hope that the Dog Clan will represent the yokai of the Western Lands in signing a ceasefire agreement with humanity, so that both sides may join forces against our common enemy—the Lunar Palace."
The moment the words Lunar Palace left her lips, Princess Inukimi's face displayed, for the first time since their meeting, a flicker of genuine emotion. Clearly, the mistress of the Western Lands was no stranger to that name.
In fact, judging from her reaction—and given her immense strength—it was not impossible that she had personally encountered one of the three Kings of the Lunar Palace.
"Lunar Palace..." she repeated, the words slipping through her teeth in a low murmur before she looked back at Satsuki. "And how much do you humans actually know about them?"
"Not much," Satsuki replied calmly. "Those who have made contact with the Lunar Palace and survived have all been taken under the protection of the Grand Shrine. To prevent unforeseen disasters caused by the black magatama, my shrine—Katori Shrine—has decided to isolate anyone connected to it within our jurisdiction. As far as I know, that includes the onmyōji master, Abe no Yakukaku... Whether the shrine has learned more about the Lunar Palace from him, I do not know."
"The human who commands spirits and demons?" Princess Inukimi mused, clearly familiar with the name. After a brief pause, she looked back at Satsuki. "Then tell me—Lady Satsuki, have you personally encountered the Lunar Palace yourself?"
Satsuki did not answer immediately. Instead, she spoke slowly. "Information exchange should be mutual, should it not? Perhaps after I answer your first question, the next should be mine to ask—don't you agree?"
At that, the corner of Princess Inukimi's eye twitched ever so slightly, though she quickly masked it beneath a faint smile. "You truly live up to your title, shrine maiden. To bargain so calmly with a great yokai... Very well—ask your question."
"From your reaction, I can infer that you've already come into contact with the Lunar Palace," Satsuki said softly. "And judging from Lord Tōga's earlier response, it's clear that even he is aware of the black magatama's existence. Therefore, what I wish to know is—what stance does the Western Lands hold toward the Lunar Palace and their activities?"
"You wish to know our stance?" Princess Inukimi rested her chin on one hand, reclining slightly against her chair. "At present, we remain in a state of observation. We do not yet understand their objectives or the full extent of their power. All we know is that every time they appear, their strength is... overwhelmingly absolute."
"Observation?" Satsuki caught her words immediately. "So, if I understand correctly—if the Lunar Palace were to prove stronger than the Western Lands, then the West would choose to submit?"
The provocation in her tone was unmistakable.
Yet Princess Inukimi, true to her aristocratic composure, betrayed not the slightest irritation. Her training and discipline as a noble yokai were evident—her expression and gaze remained calm and unchanging.
Before she could respond, however, both Lord Tōga and Sesshōmaru spoke at once.
"Impossible!" x2
Satsuki cast them a sidelong glance, her golden eyes flickering with faint amusement. She had only meant the question as a mild provocation, not expecting any particular reaction. But for both the Great Dog General and his son—the de facto ruler of the Western Lands and its future heir—to respond so firmly was an unexpected gain.
Though the Cloud Palace was under Inukimi's control, even she could not ignore the voices of these two.
However, inwardly, Princess Inukimi could only sigh at Lord Tōga and Sesshōmaru's reaction. These two fools... such an obvious provocation, and they still fell for it. What a waste of words. Did they really think I would ever allow the Western Lands to surrender?
Lord Tōga was one thing—he had always been stubborn to the core—but even her adorable son? To be so easily riled up? He's supposed to inherit the Western Lands one day. Brute strength alone won't be enough.
Her thoughts moved quickly. Since her husband and son had already spoken so plainly, there was no longer any point in concealing their stance.
"Ah~ Since the mighty 'Dog General' of the Western Lands has already spoken, what could a weak woman like me possibly add?"
Her expression briefly shifted into feigned grievance as she cast Lord Tōga a sidelong glance. Then her face hardened, and her tone became solemn. "Since Lady Satsuki now understands our position, allow me to ask this—how do you, as a shrine maiden, intend to persuade humanity to cooperate with us yokai?"
Cooperation between humans and yokai—such a notion was almost laughable in this world.
For centuries of the Warring States, the relationship between humans and yokai had always been one of predator and prey, hunter and hunted.
It was not merely a matter of difference in strength—it was a law embedded into the very foundation of this world's balance.
To overturn that, to make humans and yokai stand side by side, was to defy the natural order itself.
Of course—Satsuki had the power to do just that. She could have destroyed the world and rebuilt it anew from its ashes.
But doing so would mean breaking the world's foundation entirely—and that would render her journey to this realm a complete failure.
Naturally, she had already prepared an alternative plan.
"That," Satsuki said evenly, "is connected to my second purpose."
"And what might that be?" Princess Inukimi asked directly.
Satsuki turned her gaze to the side. "It concerns your son—Sesshōmaru."
At those words, Sesshōmaru's brows furrowed slightly. Though he said nothing, he could not fathom how a human could have any business involving him.
He was a true yokai, proud of his noble bloodline, and his view of humanity was one of utter disdain.
Humans were weak—so weak that they could not withstand even a fraction of his power, so fragile that a single breath from him could end their lives.
In this era, weakness was sin.
But—the human before him was different.
This shrine maiden who had appeared out of nowhere possessed power so immense it defied reason.
For the first time, Sesshōmaru found himself truly acknowledging a human's strength.
Thus, he listened intently as Satsuki spoke her next words.
"I can help your son awaken and master the power that lies dormant within him—allowing him to surpass Lord Tōga and become a great yokai capable of standing on his own."
"What?"
This time, Princess Inukimi was genuinely stunned. Before she could even turn to question her husband, Lord Tōga spoke first. "This has nothing to do with me. I never mentioned anything about Sesshōmaru to her."
Though Sesshōmaru's expression remained calm, a flicker of confusion flashed within his eyes. Even now, he himself had no awareness of the power she spoke of.
"For me," Satsuki said lightly, "one meeting is enough."
Her golden eyes swept over Inukimi and Lord Tōga. "Judging by your reactions, both of you have already sensed Sesshōmaru's potential. Yet the fact that he still remains on the threshold of becoming a true great yokai means that neither of you have found a proper way to guide that power out."
"So, you have a method?" Princess Inukimi's golden eyes gleamed sharply as she regarded Satsuki. No longer did she underestimate this seemingly human shrine maiden.
To perceive the hidden force within her son with a single glance—such discernment was rare even among the most ancient beings of the Warring States.
"Of course." Satsuki's voice was calm and assured. "But first, your son must take me as his master—and accompany me to Katori Shrine."
"Take you as my master?"
At those words, Sesshōmaru's eyes flashed with killing intent.
But before he could act, Satsuki merely glanced at him—just one look from those golden eyes, and a crushing wave of power surged toward him like a mountain falling from the heavens.
Sesshōmaru's expression changed instantly. He crossed his arms before him in defense, but even so, the pressure sent him flying backward dozens of meters.
Then, from across the hall, he heard her voice—calm, unhurried, and utterly unshaken.
"When adults are speaking, children should not interrupt."
"What?!"
As the proud prince of the Western Lands, son of two of the realm's ruling great yokai, Sesshōmaru had never in his life suffered such humiliation.
The primal rage of his yokai blood surged uncontrollably. A low growl rumbled from his throat as his right hand glowed with a deadly venom, ready to strike.
But before he could take a single step, another figure moved—Lord Tōga appeared beside him, seizing his arm and halting him in place.
"Father! Why do you stop me?!"
Yet Lord Tōga offered no answer. What he saw in that moment was the side of his son that, though powerful, was still far from mature.
Still, there were ways to bring his son back to reason.
"Sesshōmaru," he said firmly, "have you not always sought strength? Now that you stand before someone offering you a path to greater power, why do you lose your composure? Is it because this shrine maiden isn't strong enough—or because she's human?"
Sesshōmaru froze.
A complex expression crossed his face, and the demonic aura surrounding him slowly began to settle.
He couldn't say it aloud, but neither could he forget—it was this shrine maiden who had defeated the father he had always viewed as an invincible god.
The emotions churning within him were difficult to describe. That goal—defeating his father—was supposed to be his. Yet before his very eyes, another had achieved it. And worse, he hadn't even been qualified to interfere in their battle; even her shikigami had crushed him with ease.
For someone as proud as he was, such humiliation was intolerable.
Unacceptable.
He needed to see how high the sky truly was—to witness firsthand the strength of those who stood at the summit of this world.
Sesshōmaru, proud and unyielding, had charged at Satsuki with the resolve to die if necessary. He knew he wasn't her equal, but fear had no place in his heart.
Yet, to Lord Tōga, that same defiance only made his son appear all the more immature.
Sesshōmaru had always been his pride. Lord Tōga had boasted countless times to his comrades about his son's brilliance. Sesshōmaru possessed every trait that defined the Dog Clan: keen senses, explosive strength, unmatched power, and innate demonic energy. At such a young age, even Lord Tōga had not been stronger.
Yet, precisely because Sesshōmaru's abilities were so exceptional and flawless, they had forged within him an unmatched pride and coldness.
To his eyes, strength was absolute—and weakness, unforgivable.
He could annihilate hundreds of yokai in a single breath merely to test a new ability, without ever once considering using his power to protect others.
It was for this reason that, even when Lord Tōga discovered the latent force slumbering within his son during a sparring match, he chose not to guide him in awakening it.
But this shrine maiden who had appeared out of nowhere had subtly changed his mind. Just as he once met Izayoi and saw a spark of transformation in that encounter, now he found himself wondering—what kind of change might occur between Sesshōmaru and this human?
Perhaps... this human shrine maiden could one day become the sheath that tempers that boy's blade.
...
The tension lingered briefly before Princess Inukimi, seated on her throne, finally broke the silence.
"Lady Satsuki," she began, "can you guarantee that your method will truly benefit Sesshōmaru?"
"The result is certain," Satsuki replied softly, "but the process will not be without difficulty. Guiding out Sesshōmaru's power itself is not hard—the real challenge lies in the fact that he is not yet ready to bear the weight of it."
"Oh? So you can see that the power within him is real."
Princess Inukimi considered this carefully. She wasn't particularly worried about sending her son to the shrine. After all, if things turned dangerous, retreating would be easy for someone of his strength.
A shrine maiden's temple... could that place truly temper Sesshōmaru's heart? It's not something I've ever considered. But since her approach seems cooperative rather than hostile, the risk is low. And my son—though proud—isn't a fool.
With that thought, Princess Inukimi rose gracefully from her seat, the hem of her elaborate robes sweeping across the floor as she walked slowly toward Satsuki. When the two women's figures passed each other, Inukimi leaned in slightly, her voice a soft whisper by Satsuki's ear.
"One last question—your relationship with Sesshōmaru... will it truly remain only that of master and disciple?"
"Of course." Satsuki's reply was direct and unwavering. "Aside from the shrine's purpose and the power within him, I have no interest in anything else."
A faint, knowing smile touched Inukimi's lips, her golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "Perhaps for now. But tell me, shrine maiden—how many in this world can truly resist the pull of emotion? Think carefully."
Their brief exchange ended there. Inukimi turned away and returned to her seat, her regal poise unshaken.
Sweeping her gaze over Sesshōmaru and Satsuki alike, she spoke clearly:
"I hereby permit Sesshōmaru to take Lady Satsuki as his master."