When they appeared again, the three had already arrived on a low mountain slope.
"That village has been destroyed by demons. What do you plan to do next?"
The one speaking was Kaguya. Just moments ago, it had been she who used her space-time ninjutsu, Yomotsu Hirasaka, to open a black portal and transport the three of them here.
"I'm going to retrieve my Heavenly Feathered Robe. As for what comes after, I haven't decided yet."
"Then we part ways here."
"Thank you both for your assistance just now. If you ever need me in the future, you may find me on Mount Hōrai." Finally, Kaguyayo left them each a mirror before speaking these words.
...
—"Mount Hōrai."
Satsuki muttered the words softly, a faintly amused expression appearing on her face.
The Mount Hōrai that Kaguyayo mentioned naturally couldn't be the same one from the ancient legends of sages and immortals.
But myths and legends often carry embellishments from later generations. Considering that this celestial maiden possessed abilities completely beyond the norms of the world and bore an immortal body, that Mount Hōrai was likely not a simple place either.
If time allowed, it would be worth visiting.
Watching Kaguyayo transform into cherry blossoms and disappear into the distance, Kaguya suddenly spoke beside her.
—"Did you achieve your goal?"
"Of course."
Satsuki made no attempt to deny her ulterior motives. In truth, even if Kaguya hadn't interfered to aid Kaguyayo, she would have intervened to stop that demon's sneak attack.
Because the essence of Kaguyayo as a celestial maiden could not possibly be hidden from Satsuki's Tenseigan.
Celestial Maiden.
Satsuki had once seen only vague mentions of such beings in the scriptures of the Katori Shrine, but their reverence was unmistakable.
Perfect power and beauty, an eternally youthful face, and an immortal body—these traits were the culmination of every living being's ultimate yearning for life.
The texts even speculated that the origin of the so-called miko (priestesses) might have descended from celestial maidens themselves.
Encountering one here was naturally an unmissable research opportunity for Satsuki, who possessed a strong "scientific curiosity."
However, she no longer needed to conduct the crude "human experiments" she had performed in the past.
Now, possessing the authority of Status Infusion, she could record a new research subject at any time and analyze it through the Akasha Records—the super computational system inscribed within Ruri's body.
At that moment, however, a message resonated within Satsuki's mind.
It was from her clone left in Kyoto: the entire city's onmyōji were in an unprecedented state of emergency due to the earlier disturbance in the spiral seal.
Many within the Shinto circles had been invited by the Great Onmyōji, Abe no Seimei, to Kyoto for discussion.
Those in attendance were all major figures. Even the four Grand Shrines had sent their Saiō representatives, and even the long-reclusive Ise Grand Shrine had responded positively.
Most notably, Hagorome Gitsune of Kyoto herself seemed to be participating as well...
"It seems having the Great Brahma King seize her tail truly enraged that great yōkai. But that's not a problem..."
Her true goal was to make the Lunar Palace a dazzling sword of Damocles hanging over the world—so conflict was inevitable.
Satsuki continued to receive further updates from her clone. Among them, the only matter requiring her presence was the purification ritual for that group of women.
But such a task could easily be left to the clone.
After all—now that Kaguya had been successfully resurrected, it was time for Satsuki to adjust her priorities.
...
Kyoto — Within the Onmyōryō.
"Mother, I didn't expect you to seek my help. Has the existence of the Lunar Palace finally grown beyond your control?"
The graceful tone concealed deep emotion within. The red and blue eyeshadow and pallid complexion formed what was considered the height of refined, decadent beauty among the aristocracy of this era.
Yet the gleam in her blue pupils—and the dreadful aura occasionally flickering from the shadow beneath her feet—ensured that no one who beheld Abe no Seimei would ever underestimate Kyoto's most powerful Great Onmyōji.
"In this world, my dear Seimei, there are few things that can escape my grasp."
As she spoke, the woman's black, alluring figure stood barefoot, her tight black dress clinging to her voluptuous curves, shamelessly flaunting her exquisite form.
Among those who could still maintain such composure before this Great Onmyōji, there was likely only one within all of Kyoto—the yōkai among yōkai who ruled from the capital and controlled humanity from the shadows: Hagorome Gitsune.
However, ever since the Great Brahma King severed one of her tails, this great demon's condition had been far from ideal. Though her tone was as languid and teasing as ever, deep down, her heart was no longer as tranquil as before.
And this, Abe no Seimei could easily discern. He lightly tapped the folding fan in his hand.
"Mother, if we are to cooperate, the first step is to establish mutual trust."
"Fufufu~ and how does my little Seimei plan to build that trust? Spiritually? Or perhaps~ physically?"
Her voice was filled with a sultry allure capable of shattering any man's reason. If it had been anyone else, they would have been unable to remain calm while speaking to her.
However—the true Hagorome Gitsune was nothing like the frivolous seductress her tone suggested.
She simply delighted in ensnaring and manipulating others with her charm—only to watch them fall into despair at the very end.
"I've heard a fair bit about what Mother once did among the gods," Abe no Seimei said evenly, completely unmoved by her provocations. "Since the Lunar Palace has become such a formidable enemy, I would like to ask Mother to help mend the relationship between the Amatsukami and the Kunitsukami, and unite them to face this common foe."
"Hm?"
A faint trace of killing intent laced her response. Clearly, Seimei's proposal had made Hagorome Gitsune catch the scent of conspiracy.
"Little Seimei, you seem to have underestimated your dear mother from back then…" She soon regained her composure, her tone softening again. "The rift between the Amatsukami and Kunitsukami has long passed the point of being smoothed over by mere words."
On this matter, even the Onmyōji of the Onmyōryō had already reached a consensus.
After all, the Onmyōji of Kyoto were not fools.
When the priestesses of the Yasaka Shrine first arrived in Kyoto, everyone in the Onmyōryō immediately realized that this signified a divine factional struggle behind the scenes.
And as the Head of the Onmyōryō, Abe no Seimei understood better than anyone the tension between the Amatsukami and Kunitsukami.
The aggressive arrival of the Yasaka Shrine priestesses was, to him, a new challenge from the Kunitsukami to Kyoto's Amatsukami.
To maintain stability within the entire Shinto domain, Abe no Seimei could not allow such conflict to escalate.
He was like a ship's captain, tirelessly keeping Kyoto's great vessel balanced amidst two opposing tides—ensuring it did not sink beneath the waves.
That was why his attitude toward the Yasaka Shrine priestesses appeared far friendlier than his true allegiance might suggest.
To this, Seimei merely replied calmly, "The hearts of the gods may seem complex, but after so many years dealing with them, I've learned that what they care about most is faith. I can make this promise—so long as the Amatsukami and Kunitsukami refrain from internal strife until the Lunar Palace is dealt with, I will petition the Emperor to elevate Shinto to the status of the national religion."
"Enshrine Shinto as the national religion?"
The news was so shocking that even Hagorome Gitsune stood stunned for a moment.
"You think you can persuade the Onmyōryō to give up their current authority?"
For Abe no Seimei—the heir of the Onmyōji lineage—his natural allegiance should have been with the Onmyōji. His swift rise to the position of Head Onmyōji at such a young age was not due to strength alone.
After all, among the four divisions of the Onmyōryō, Ashiya Dōman already possessed power comparable to his. And within the Kamo family, there was the legendary immortal, En no Ozunu.
Even if Abe no Seimei's personal ability was exceptional, he lacked the backing of a great family. How could such a solitary Onmyōji hope to compete with families that had thousands of years of heritage behind them?
Ultimately, what set Abe no Seimei apart were his origins and his political acumen—his ambiguous relationships with Kyoto's yōkai allowed him to maintain a delicate balance between both sides under an unspoken set of rules.
At the same time, he could expand the collective interests of the Onmyōji as a whole while mediating among the various family factions.
On this foundation, his personal power—and his appearance, which perfectly suited the aesthetic preferences of Kyoto's nobility—were merely additional advantages.
These factors were what truly earned him recognition and promotion at such a young age.
"I believe I can persuade them," Abe no Seimei said, closing his eyes slightly and speaking with calm confidence. "Only stability ensures the continuation of this bureaucratic order. They must also think of their families and the next generation."
"Fufufu~"
Hagorome Gitsune let out a faint laugh, followed by a tone laced with disdain. "If they were truly thinking about the next generation, they would have completed the seal long ago—to deal with me, Kyoto's greatest demon, wouldn't they?"
"Or perhaps it's precisely for the sake of the next generation," Abe no Seimei said with a hint of irony. "That's why those Onmyōji families have allowed Kyoto to remain in its current balance—using various means to hinder Ashiya Dōman from perfecting the seal."
"Sounds like I've been overshadowed by the Lunar Palace."
Abe no Seimei did not deny it. "Do you want to hear the truth?"
"No need," Hagorome Gitsune said, rising gracefully to her feet. One of her hidden tails slipped from beneath her black gown and wrapped around Seimei's body, pulling him into her embrace. "I fear I might not be able to resist killing you."
"—If you're capable of that, Mother."
As he spoke, a five-pointed star—the Seimei Pentacle Seal—flared beneath his feet.
"Hmph~"
With a cold snort, Hagorome Gitsune flung him aside. Even from that brief contact, part of the fur on her tail had turned black, as though scorched by fire.
"What an unlovable child."
With those words, her figure vanished without a trace.
"...Gitsune has agreed. At least now, the infighting among the gods can be temporarily contained."
Adjusting his hunting robes, Abe no Seimei recalled the scene from when Ashiya Dōman had returned earlier.
That young man, around his own age, was like another version of himself—exceptionally talented, eager to prove his worth. Unlike the conservative Onmyōji families, his methods were direct and aggressive.
For that reason, Seimei trusted Dōman completely, despite the fact that Dōman saw him as his greatest rival.
He had given Dōman's report his full attention.
—There were at least ten members in the Lunar Palace. Their leader, judging by her speech, was most likely a woman. She not only wielded strange sealing arts but had also managed to steal the Shikon Jewel from the Katori Shrine, even though it was guarded by the Kagura Clan and the legendary immortal En no Ozunu. Yet, none of that stopped her.
From the evidence left behind, the enemy had also captured a great canine yōkai—based on its appearance, likely from the Western Inuyōkai Tribe.
At this thought, Abe no Seimei added silently to himself—and she even severed one of Hagorome Gitsune's tails.
"Judging by the reports from across the land, their power is far beyond what any Onmyōji, priestess, or mage could handle alone. They call their purpose the 'reformation of the world'—but in truth, they intend to overturn the very order that governs it..."
At that thought, Abe no Seimei suddenly sensed something—the Lunar Palace, though a newly emerged organization, was proving far more troublesome than any mere yōkai or demon.
"Perhaps... we'll need more than just divine aid."
Abe no Seimei fell into deep contemplation.
...
Meanwhile, as Kyoto busied itself in fervent activity, a great upheaval was shaking the entire yōkai world.
Following the death of the Northern King of Ōeyama, another of the "Four Lords of the Realm" had fallen—the Western ruler, King Tōga.
Compared to the demise of the Northern Shuten-dōji, the news of King Tōga's death sent far greater shockwaves.
Not only because King Tōga was widely acknowledged as the strongest among the Four Lords, wielding the Three Blades of Tyranny and ruling over nearly sixty thousand square kilometers of Western territory.
It was also because he had proven his strength through countless wars, with victories that spoke for themselves.
And now, such a mighty figure of the yōkai realm had suddenly perished. The lesser demons who heard the news were struck with disbelief—and even Mount Suzuka's Ōtakemaru, himself one of the Four Lords, was uncharacteristically silent, not interrupting his onmyōji advisor, Hainaru, as he gave his report.
"It's said that the ones who killed him were members of that newly risen group in the yōkai world—the Lunar Palace. My lord, we should take special note of them as well."
"Hmmm... considering they managed to take down that white-haired bastard, it seems this... what was it called again?"
"Lunar Palace."
"Ah, right, Lunar Palace. Seems they're quite capable indeed..."
The next moment, Ōtakemaru dropped his serious act and turned toward the other throne, where the beautiful yōkai Suzuka Gozen sat. With a mischievous grin, he said, "Sis, how about you stop wasting time building that ghost ship? Let's just pack up and hide at the bottom of the sea instead."
"You brat, this is no time for jokes," Suzuka Gozen replied sharply, her tone as fierce as the spectral Bow of the Underworld that floated behind her.
"She's right, my lord," added Hainaru, the onmyōji serving as Ōtakemaru's "teacher," clearly exasperated. "This is not the time for humor."
"Haha~ well, if running isn't an option, then the answer's obvious, isn't it?"
Ōtakemaru laughed heartily and raised his hand. At once, three divine swords appeared at his side, exuding a suffocating aura of sword pressure.
"I'd originally planned to test my strength against that guy once the Sanmyō Blade was completed... but it seems someone's dared to steal my prey. In that case, let's see for ourselves just how strong this so-called Lunar Palace truly is."