In the night sky.
The howling wind whistled past Luo Shu's ears.
Beside him, Yomi Isayama remained silent.
The two were currently riding on the back of Senhime Rin Getsu, who had transformed into a giant dog, flying through the air towards the daimyo's castle in Musashi Province.
Perhaps bored by the long flight, Senhime Rin Getsu suddenly asked:
"What did you instruct that shrine maiden before we left?"
Luo Shu gazed at the night sky and calmly replied:
"I just reminded Kikyo that if So'unga attacks and she can't hold it off, she should work with the Yuki-onna to destroy both the Bone-Eating Well and the Tree of Ages."
"Oh?" Senhime Rin Getsu sounded surprised. "Isn't the Bone-Eating Well the passage to the present world? Are you sure it can be destroyed?"
Luo Shu chuckled at this: "The Bone-Eating Well is indeed a passage, but now, it's not the only one."
Truth be told, Luo Shu was quite looking forward to the scene of Kikyo destroying the Bone-Eating Well.
After all, the Divine Kingdom passage he had built using points was a secret known only to his allies.
If So'unga and the Tree of Ages were to attack, only to find the sole passage destroyed by Kikyo, one could imagine their expressions.
Of course, in Luo Shu's view, the likelihood of this scenario wasn't very high.
After all, even if So'unga were foolish, it would know better than to attempt breaching Kikyo's defences without certainty.
Thus, the probability of So'unga attacking Kikyo's Shrine while Luo Shu was away was quite low.
This left Luo Shu somewhat disappointed.
Hearing Luo Shu confirm the existence of a new passage, Senhime Rin Getsu's demonic eyes narrowed slightly in astonishment:
"Is it that gate you had me set up?"
"Can that also lead directly to the present world?"
Senhime Rin Getsu recalled the gate she had set up earlier, for which Luo Shu had transferred her 1000 Points.
If there was another passage, this was the only possibility she could think of.
In response to her question, Luo Shu offered no explanation, merely stating calmly:
"Having you accompany me this time isn't just for convenience in reaching the daimyo's castle. There's also the matter of you establishing another gate at the Dog Tribe's territory."
Senhime Rin Getsu paused at these words, then said with meaningful emphasis:
"That gate must be quite important, I presume?"
"With some adjustments, ordinary people wouldn't notice it. But of course, more important than that is prioritising the Dog Tribe's evacuation, wouldn't you agree?"
Luo Shu reached out, gently stroking the fur on Senhime Rin Getsu's neck as a faint smile appeared:
"I haven't forgotten what I promised you."
"Hmph." Senhime Rin Getsu snorted coldly, sounding almost angry at first glance.
But Luo Shu didn't react much to this.
Tsundere behaviour!
Though slightly outdated, if you interpreted Senhime Rin Getsu's reactions inversely, you could still mostly understand her meaning.
Just then, in the distance, an old castle fitting this era's standards came into view.
They had arrived at Musashi Province's daimyo castle.
When the enormous silver-hued dog descended from the cloud under the moonlight...
The entire castle erupted in chaos.
"Enemy attack—!!"
"It's a Great Yokai! Run!!"
"Protect the daimyo!!!"
Torch-bearing samurai either rushed to surround them or scattered in panic.
Amidst this turmoil, a loud shout rang out:
"Everyone, silence!!"
The words, infused with Spiritual Power, instantly calmed the panicked warriors.
At that moment, Noriyuki Izuna stepped forward - dressed in full Sengoku-period samurai attire with a shaved head that practically begged for commentary. After glancing at Luo Shu on Senhime Rin Getsu's back, he said impassively:
"This Great Yokai from the Western Country is an invited guest of the daimyo."
"All of you, return to your patrols! No more panic!!"
Having said this, Noriyuki Izuna addressed Luo Shu's group with an expressionless face:
"Please follow me. The daimyo has been expecting you."
Hearing this, Yomi Isayama finally seemed to confirm something and sighed deeply before dismounting from Senhime Rin Getsu's back.
In contrast, Luo Shu remained seated, giving Noriyuki Izuna a surprised look:
"You're still alive, kid?"
In response, Noriyuki Izuna looked up and gave Luo Shu an oddly feminine, delicate smile.
That smile sent shivers down Luo Shu's spine, making his entire body shudder involuntarily.
Just then, Senhime Rin Getsu suddenly dispelled her yokai form, reverting to human shape.
"What the—?" The abrupt transformation caught Luo Shu off guard.
By the time he regained his bearings, he found himself cradled in Senhime Rin Getsu's arms.
"...What are you playing at?" Luo Shu asked flatly.
"...Nothing. You weren't getting down, so I thought you wanted me to carry you."
Senhime Rin Getsu mumbled something that made Luo Shu's head throb.
After all, she couldn't very well admit that Noriyuki Izuna's smile had frightened her, too.
How had this weak human changed so much in such a short time? Not just his aura, but now he was terrifying even to yokai?
Jumping down from Senhime Rin Getsu's embrace, Luo Shu brushed off his clothes before addressing Noriyuki Izuna:
"Lead the way."
Noriyuki Izuna nodded without even glancing at Yomi Isayama, turning to guide them forward.
With Noriyuki Izuna clearing their path, the group soon reached the interior of the castle tower, entering a spacious Japanese-style room.
It was only after entering the room that Luo Shu caught sight of the daimyo of Musashi Province, who was standing behind the enormous curtain.
Yet after stepping inside, his gaze merely swept over the daimyo before fixing upon the empty space to the lord's right.
With a creak...
The great doors slowly closed behind him with the assistance of serving maids.
Once the doors had shut, Luo Shu addressed the seemingly vacant spot:
"Had your fill of watching yet, Miss Jinguuji?"
As the words fell, a woman's light laughter rang out:
"Indeed, just as the rumours say, you're quite difficult to get along with, SDS Director."
With the sound of feminine laughter, the curtains parted.
Kuesu Jingūji, clad in a black kimono embroidered with cherry blossoms, her silver hair cascading to her waist, glanced at Senhime Rin Getsu before turning to Luo Shu with an enigmatic smile:
"It seems my intelligence was correct. You truly have taken control of the Dog Tribe of the Western Country."
"Indeed, we are kindred spirits!"
She had manipulated the daimyo of Musashi Province, while Luo Shu controlled the Dog Tribe. From this perspective, their actions were remarkably similar.
"Oh?" Luo Shu raised an eyebrow at this. "Kindred spirits? I don't recall having any like you."
"You do now."
Kuesu Jingūji replied with a smile before coldly glancing at Yomi Isayama:
"Yomi Isayama, your work here is done. The agreed payment will be delivered to Ayame later. You may leave now."
At these words, Yomi Isayama's expression darkened: "So your goal from the start was to use me as bait?"
Kuesu Jingūji didn't respond, nor did she even acknowledge Yomi Isayama, instead turning back to Luo Shu with that sweet smile:
"I believe you have something to say to me?"
Luo Shu nodded, then calmly stated under Kuesu Jingūji's amused gaze:
"I did earlier, but now I'm rather disinclined to speak."
At this, Kuesu Jingūji's expression froze instantly.