The threat of the Lunar Palace was very real, and judging from their current patterns of activity, the more powerful one was, the more one could feel the terrifying weight of that pressure.
Such was the case for the Saigū of the Katori Shrine and the onmyōji En no Ozunu. Likewise, the yōkai ruler who had secretly controlled Kyoto for hundreds of years—Hagorome Gitsune—felt the same. Even the usually reclusive Priestess of Ise had personally emerged in response.
Up until now, all information regarding the Lunar Palace remained fragmented. Most humans or yōkai who knew of it did so only because of the missions bound to the black magatama.
The truly valuable intelligence, however, came from two days prior—when Ashiya Dōman infiltrated the Lunar Palace's main stronghold and witnessed what lay within.
Here, Abe no Seimei did not keep the information to himself. Instead, he began directly, saying, "My subordinate, Doctor Ashiya Dōman, secretly infiltrated the Lunar Palace's inner organization two days ago. You may find his intelligence interesting."
"What kind of intelligence?"
Seimei replied, "There are at least ten members within the Lunar Palace, and each possesses immense strength. According to Dōman's eyewitness report, he saw the corpse of what appeared to be a massive dog yōkai. Based on his description, we can determine that the creature was none other than the Western dog demon ranked among the Four Masters of the Realm—the Great Demon Lord of the West, Tōga."
Hearing Seimei's words, everyone present froze for a moment before their expressions darkened.
In the war-torn world they inhabited, few beings truly inspired fear among both humans and yōkai alike—but the Four Masters of the Realm were unavoidable obstacles for all.
And among them, the Great Dog Lord of the West, Tōga, was one of the most dreaded.
After a brief silence, Kagura Magenrou slowly spoke. "The Sakura Shrine has long campaigned in the western regions. Can this information be confirmed?"
Sakura Fubuki nodded. "According to Dōman's descriptions and the reports returned by our shrine maidens stationed in western villages, the likelihood that Tōga has been defeated and captured is extremely high. However, whether he is truly dead or alive remains uncertain."
Yet Abe no Seimei did not seem satisfied with the level of shock he had caused. He continued, "According to certain rumors, it seems the Katori Shrine was also recently attacked by the Lunar Palace?"
At this, Kagura Magenrou's expression turned grave. "Not long ago, one member of the Lunar Palace invaded the Katori Shrine and stole the Shikon Jewel."
"The Shikon Jewel..." murmured the Ise Priestess, the one known as Kyouhime, frowning slightly. "Wasn't that the spiritual artifact born from the soul of the shrine maiden Suiko?"
"Yes."
"For such a sacred object to be seized by the Lunar Palace—this is indeed a grave matter."
En no Ozunu, the one charged with safeguarding the Shikon Jewel, sighed heavily. "It was my failure. The opponent's power was overwhelming—I was not their match."
Hagorome Gitsune suddenly spoke. "It is said that Master En no Ozunu commands two oni gods reputed to be the strongest—Shukishin Zenki and Aokishin Goki. Even so, you still could not defeat the intruder? How many members did the Lunar Palace send to take the Shikon Jewel?"
"They sent only one."
"Only one?" Fubuki blinked. "You mean to say that the Lunar Palace sent just a single individual—and that one person forcibly stole the Shikon Jewel from the hands of the Katori Shrine?"
"...Indeed. Their strength was immense, and they came fully prepared. The Shrine's protective barriers had no effect whatsoever," added Kagura's attendant solemnly.
The Ise Priestess realized the gravity of the situation. "It seems, then, that convening this meeting was truly necessary. None of us alone can hope to stand against the Lunar Palace."
"According to Lord Seimei's earlier report," Fubuki said gravely, "there are at least ten members in the Lunar Palace. If each of them possesses such strength... then we must reach an agreement swiftly."
Abe no Seimei tapped the bat-shaped fan in his hand and said slowly, "That is precisely why I invited you all to Kyoto. The threat of the Lunar Palace grows with each passing day—it has become our common enemy. Regardless of our past positions, the most important thing now is to reach a consensus for cooperation."
"I second that," the Priestess of Ise was the first to declare.
"I second it as well," affirmed the Yasaka Shrine representatives.
Reaching a basic consensus for cooperation was not difficult. The threat and power of the Lunar Palace were plainly evident—none present would object in principle.
However, the details of how to cooperate would require numerous exchanges of interests before a concrete agreement could be finalized.
Such negotiations were not matters for these high-ranking leaders to concern themselves with, but rather tasks to be handled by their subordinates.
...
With the consensus reached, the main discussion had come to an end. What followed next was the Purification Ritual.
The ritual site was set by the Kamo River, near a shrine dedicated to a local water deity renowned for its effectiveness in dispelling curses.
The Purification Ritual required not only the cleansing of the body with water, but also the assistance of the local water god and the shrine maidens.
Because there were many participants in need of purification this time, numerous offerings had been specially prepared and presented to the local goddess in gratitude for her aid.
Unlike those distant, abstract deities, this water goddess was a tangible being.
Her appearance was that of a young maiden—graceful and beautiful.
She wore a pink upper robe with wide sleeves and folded edges, over which she donned a deep-blue vest decorated with blue floral patterns and light-purple trim along the collar, sleeves, hem, and chest ties. Her lower garment was a pink skirt bound at the waist with a pale-purple sash.
Like most divine beings, her eyes carried a natural, serene indifference.
In Satsuki's eyes, this water goddess's power was not particularly remarkable—far inferior to that of the celestial goddess Kaguyayo she had encountered earlier.
However, the sacred weapon in her hand—the Spear of Rain, or U no Yari—was another matter entirely. Like Kaguyayo's Mirror of Life, it contained a formidable and undeniable power.
From the moment Satsuki laid eyes on her, her gaze lingered upon the bronze-like spear in the goddess's hand.
Now, her Tenseigan easily perceived the essence of the divine power contained within that artifact.
"The ability of Purification, hm... not exactly powerful or rare, but quite practical nonetheless."
Since coming to this world, Satsuki had encountered many divine artifacts imbued with their own elemental principles. Thus, upon seeing the water goddess's Spear of Rain, she remained composed and unimpressed.
Though the divine weapon, when combined with the water goddess's power, could command wind and rain, cleanse disease, and avert disasters—in an agricultural society dependent on weather—such a god of the elements naturally held great significance.
Yet compared to the divine authorities Satsuki now commanded—Instant Death Authority, Energy Control, Status Manipulation, and Perpetuity—this Purification seemed rather underwhelming.
Before long, Satsuki's attention shifted elsewhere—to the crowd in the distance, where she spotted Suika Ibuki, clutching a gourd of sake in one arm and dashing toward her with an eager grin.
"Satsuki-sama~ Satsuki-sama..."
Suika Ibuki squeezed through the crowd, running toward Satsuki as if flying.
When she reached her, she immediately threw her arms around Satsuki. "Satsuki-sama, I missed you so much!"
A faint smile touched Satsuki's otherwise calm face as she gently patted Suika's short violet hair—subtly checking the illusion she had cast upon the girl's oni horn.
It remained stable, with no abnormalities.
Satisfied with that conclusion, Satsuki said, "It's been a while, hasn't it? Have you gotten used to being with everyone?"
"I've met lots of new friends~ Everyone smells so nice!"
Suika squinted her eyes into happy crescents, clinging tightly to Satsuki's arm, unwilling to let go.
This little one was not even a month old since her birth. Naturally, she regarded Satsuki—the first person she had ever met—as the most intimate and important figure in her life.
Such a reaction was not unexpected. Yet Satsuki was not one to let sentiment cloud her judgment. She would not abandon her plans because of another's affection.
Although events were developing faster than expected and largely to her advantage, it still wasn't enough. The crucial step—the Decree of Separation Between Gods and Buddhas—had yet to be proposed.
In Satsuki's original plan, Suika Ibuki was meant to infiltrate the Onmyōryō and replace Abe no Seimei himself.
However, through her recent observations of Kyoto, Satsuki realized that if Suika were to carry out this mission alone, the plan would most likely fail.
Not only was Abe no Seimei himself immensely powerful, but the reincarnated yōkai Hagorome Gitsune was clearly aligned with him. Moreover, nearly all the major figures of the Shinto hierarchy were now gathered in Kyoto.
To execute such a substitution under the watchful eyes of so many was far too difficult for Suika to accomplish alone.
"It seems I'll have to lend a little assistance," Satsuki thought quietly.
While Satsuki and Suika were sharing their brief reunion, the Priestess of Ise, Kyouhime, slowly approached.
Just as when they had first met, Kyouhime's bearing was graceful and serene, radiating an elegance that seemed to illuminate her surroundings with quiet divinity.
She wore the most formal attire of her station—a twelve-layered kimono reserved for high priestesses, a splendid celestial crown, and in her hand, she carried a Hokosakirei—a ritual staff shaped like a sword. The blade symbolized the Sword of Kusanagi, the golden guard represented the Yata Mirror, and the eight hanging bells at the bottom stood for the Yasakani no Magatama.
This Hokosakirei was nearly the embodiment of Shinto's Three Sacred Treasures and a symbol of the Ise Priestess's authority as the attendant of Amaterasu Ōmikami and the Eight Million Amatsukami.
After briefly glancing at Suika, Kyouhime turned to Satsuki with a warm smile. "I heard from Princess Kagura that Lady Tsukihime hails from Musashi Province. As it happens, one of my disciples is from the same land."
Kagura—that was the honorific title for Kagura Magenrou.
Satsuki was unsurprised that her origins were known. As an exorcist, she had traveled widely, and it was only natural that her identity might be recognized here or there.
A few months ago, at that castle famed for its hot springs, she had already been recognized by an innkeeper.
"Your disciple, Lady Kyouhime?" Satsuki asked smoothly. "I met few shrine maidens in Musashi. May I ask which one you refer to?"
"A shrine maiden named Kikyo," Kyouhime said with a gentle smile. "Though she's not yet worthy of being called 'Lady.' Still, that child's talent is remarkable. She may not be suited to inherit my own path, but she seems far more gifted in walking the way of an exorcist miko."
"Kikyo..."
The name stirred Satsuki's memory. After a brief recollection, the image of the girl resurfaced clearly in her mind.
A shrine maiden dressed in a white kimono top and red hakama pants, with long, lustrous black hair tied in a white ribbon, an elegant oval face, and jet-black eyes that shone with quiet determination.
Her features were refined and pure, her lips a faint shade of cherry. What struck Satsuki most, however, was the expression in Kikyo's eyes—a mixture of resolve and melancholy.
It was rare to see such a gaze—one devoid of all impurity, clear and tranquil as a mountain spring.
Now that she thought about it, that gaze was remarkably similar to the one she now saw in the eyes of the Ise Priestess before her.
"She is indeed an exceptional shrine maiden," Satsuki said firmly. "In appearance, temperament, and ability, she is truly a rare gem."
Kyouhime smiled softly. "You're too modest, Lady Tsukihime~ To have received such a disciple yourself is no small blessing."
As she spoke, her gaze drifted toward Suika Ibuki, who shyly hid behind Satsuki. "I can tell this child also possesses an extraordinary talent—and what's even rarer, she still retains a pure and untainted heart. I was actually considering whether to take her as a disciple~"
"Hm?!"
Her words made Satsuki's eyes narrow slightly.
—The Ise Priestess wanted to take Shuten-dōji as a disciple? That was an unexpected development.
Still, upon reflection, it wasn't entirely incomprehensible.
Suika Ibuki was a shikigami Satsuki had created based on the original Shuten-dōji, reshaped through Ruri's Akasha Records into a projected existence.
The reborn Suika was essentially a Shuten-dōji manifested under a new heroic template—her powers and appearance had shifted, yet the formidable talent and potential of her foundation remained intact. Moreover, faint traces of divinity lingered within her, so it was not strange that she would attract Kyouhime's interest.
From a strategic perspective, the idea had merit. With Shinto soon to become the state religion, the Ise Grand Shrine's influence would only rise further.
If Suika joined the Ise Shrine, her divine potential would almost certainly guarantee her place as the next Spokesperson of the Shrine.
However, such a move carried immense risk. The Ise Shrine was, after all, the very heart of the Amatsukami's domain.
It enshrined not only Amaterasu Ōmikami—the leader of the Three Noble Children—but also the countless gods under her command.
Though to Satsuki these gods were little more than minor entities, for someone like Shuten-dōji, entering that place would be like walking straight into the enemy's heartland.
The last one to have done something so reckless was Shirakumaru—
—or rather, Toneri Ōtsutsuki.
With that thought, Satsuki subtly pulled Suika closer and replied, "You misunderstand, Lady Kyouhime. Suika is merely a girl I rescued from Shuten-dōji's captivity. Perhaps because she hasn't met many people, she's been unusually attached to me since our first encounter."
Then, shifting her tone, Satsuki continued, "While I possess some skill for self-preservation, your words do offer insight. Teaching and nurturing disciples are not my strengths. For the sake of this child's future, perhaps finding a suitable path for her would indeed be wiser."
As she spoke, her eyes flickered faintly with hidden light as she turned toward Suika.
"Wouldn't you agree, Suika?"
The light brushed across Suika's eyes, and for a brief moment, confusion clouded her expression. Then, as though struck by sudden clarity, she ran to Kyouhime's side, her face full of hope.
"Lady Kyouhime... can I really become a shrine maiden like Satsuki-sama?"
The smile on the Ise Priestess's face grew warmer.
"Good child," she said gently. "With your talent, of course you can."