~/ Extra Chapter if we Reach 1000 Collection!!
~/ Extra Chapter if we Reach 200 Power Stones!!
The cool full moon cast its silver light over the entire land of Yamato, bathing the earth in a serene glow.
It was around 11 p.m.
Within the Imperial Palace of Yamato
Seated at the head of the room was an elderly man, well into his twilight years. A beaded curtain hung in front of him, his gaze fixed on three elderly men and a striking black-haired young woman, barely eighteen, who knelt on the tatami mat below him.
These were the current heads of the Four Great Houses that have ruled the world of sorcery in Japan for over a millennium.
Eikichi Renjou, Masaya Sayanomiya, Tokuhiko Kuhoutsuka, and Ran Seishuuin, along with the current Emperor of Yamato, Matsuwa, the hidden ruler behind the nation's destiny, had all gathered in this small, tranquil room, barely 100 square meters in size.
"How long has it been since we last gathered ?" The Emperor, Matsuwa, spoke with a tone that carried both gravity and an inexplicable authority.
"The last time was in the '90s, when we discussed how to handle the financial crisis," Masaya Sayanomiya looked down at his wrinkled hands, lost in recollection.
"Is that so... Then, gentlemen! Since we were able to overcome that crisis, this time will be no different. Lay out your cards," Matsuwa said, sitting up straight, his tone stern and righteous.
"My deepest apologies, but the former Curse-Maiden of the Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Tojo Kami, can no longer perform the full curse-lifting ritual due to her failing life force," Tokuhiko Kuhoutsuka slowly lowered his head, bowing at a full 90-degree angle in the traditional seated position, his forehead touching the tatami as he spoke with a tone full of helplessness.
"This generation's Sword-Maiden, my granddaughter, Ena Seishuuin, is only twelve years old. Her body cannot yet endure the full divine descent ritual. At best, she could rival a martial arts master or a great knight," Ran Seishuuin spread her hands, a bitter smile on her face.
"The forbidden technique of the Renjou family has been lost for over a century," Eikichi Renjou's face turned pale, his fists clenched tightly, his knuckles white with the strain. His family had fallen into the most severe decline among the four houses, and he showed an expression of extreme unwillingness.
"We have already summoned all the high-ranking Miko proficient in sealing techniques. All available Purification Priests have been dispatched to the History Compilation Committee's base in Ashikaga City, and the Self-Defense Forces around the city have been notified to assist the police in issuing an earthquake alert to evacuate the population," Masaya Sayanomiya adjusted his seated posture and spoke softly.
"Is that all you have to offer? It's not enough, not nearly enough! Seishuuin, can you contact the Master of the Underworld?" Matsuwa, the Emperor, laced his fingers together, leaning forward as he spoke in a cold, harsh tone.
"I have already asked Ena to use the divine sword to contact him, but the chances are slim. It's likely he'll respond as he did when the Church's leader descended years ago, saying, 'Let the mortal world handle mortal matters'..." Ran Seishuuin's face showed a helpless expression, but a cold, steely determination shone in her eyes.
Hearing the titles 'Master of the Underworld' and 'Church Leader', Masaya Sayanomiya lowered his head slowly, his hands clenched so tightly that his fingernails dug into his palms, drawing blood.
Silence fell within the Imperial Palace.
After a moment, an origami crane, folded from a sheet of A4 paper, fluttered in through the window.
"Grandmother, Grandfather has sent a message. He suggests luring Lord Tsukuyomi to Nikko Toshogu Shrine and having the Curse-Maiden release the seal on the Demon of Monkey," the crane glowed faintly as a clear, melodious voice of a young girl came from within, it was Ena Seishuuin's voice.
"Grandfather?" Eikichi Renjou repeated, as if questioning his own hearing.
"It's the Master of the Underworld," Ran Seishuuin's calm expression darkened, a deep, murderous intent flickering in her eyes.
The Emperor, Matsuwa, along with the other three house heads, exchanged strange looks with Ran Seishuuin.
"Lady Kami's life force is almost spent. She will likely die once she completes the sealing ritual, so my family will not be sending anyone to lure Lord Tsukuyomi. I also request that everyone assist in finding a new Curse-Maiden and address the reconstruction of Nikko Toshogu Shrine," Tokuhiko Kuhoutsuka's face was ashen as he spoke in a low, grim voice.
"Agreed," Matsuwa granted the request.
Suddenly, there was a rapid knock at the door.
"What is it? Why such panic?" Matsuwa frowned, his words heavy with suppressed anger. Despite his advanced age, a powerful aura emanated from his body, pressing down on the surroundings, causing the tatami mats to tremble.
Outside the door knelt a middle-aged man, his face covered by a black cloth. Dressed in a black ninja outfit, it was clear he was a shinobi.
"Reporting, the divine energy fluctuations in Ashikaga City have dissipated! The Miko confirmed that Lord Tsukuyomi has returned to the mythic realm." The man suddenly felt an overwhelming pressure. Realizing that his lord was venting his anger, he quickly delivered the latest news to avoid being caught in the storm.
Upon hearing this, the five highest-ranking decision-makers were instantly overjoyed.
However, the trembling shadow of the middle-aged man cast on the floor by the window caught Masaya Sayanomiya's sharp attention. "Is there more news? Speak up!"
"The Kamitani Inari Shrine sent an urgent message three minutes ago. At the very center of the divine energy fluctuations, in a remote village called Okuzome, a man suspected to be the God-Slayer was found," the man's voice delivered the shocking news like a bolt from the blue.
"What, a *Campione*, a God-Slayer?!!!" The five of them were so shocked that their Magical Energy leaked out, crackling as the energy shattered the wooden furniture inside the cabin.
The Imperial Palace was in chaos.
Outside the Kasugano residence.
Daisuke Harada prostrated himself on the ground.
"Harada Daisuke, Priest of the Kamitani Inari Shrine, pays his respects to the Demon King!"
Hearing this, the other priests exchanged glances, then let out bitter laughs before following Harada's lead, prostrating themselves on the ground in the same manner.
"You know who I am? Yet you still dared to come here and try to capture someone? Are you seeking the destruction of your entire clan?" Haru's eyes glinted with a fierce light as he looked down at the kneeling group before him.
Hearing Haru's words, the priests bowed their heads even lower, some of them even pressing their faces into the ground.
"Our deepest apologies. Numerous Miko had a vision of two gods descending here, which led us to take drastic measures to gather information. We are truly sorry," Daisuke Harada stammered as he glanced at Haru's expression, trembling with fear.
"Tsukuyomi and Uke Mochi have already been slain by me. Now leave. Don't bother me again. And make sure to repair the shrine," Haru commanded coldly, his tone indifferent as he dismissed the priests.
The priests scrambled to their feet and fled the scene as fast as they could, wishing they had extra legs to speed their escape.
An hour later, Daisuke Harada returned to a spot not far from the Kasuga residence, accompanied by a young Miko in a traditional priestess outfit.
"As Izanagi purified his left eye, Amaterasu was born;
Then, as he purified his right eye, Tsukuyomi appeared;
Finally, when he purified his nose, Susanoo was born.
She is the ruler of the Night Fields. He is the supreme lord of the moon. She is the daughter of Izanagi, the goddess who governs the Night Country. She is one of the Three Noble Children. She is..." The Miko gazed blankly at the Kasuga residence as she recited the information revealed through her vision.
"That confirms it. Report this immediately," Daisuke Harada turned to speak to the dark forest surrounding them.
"Yes!" Several voices responded from within the woods.
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