Chapter 233

"Leave it to an expert, as they say. A snake knows the path of a snake, and a rider knows a horse. If you want wisdom, ask someone who knows the work well. And that, dear boy, is why she is talking to you about this."

"About the condition of the hermaphrodite... what people call the 'dual-form'... of course I know of it. It is truly a terrible thing."

Madam Kochou, the former head of the Onitsuki house and now an advisor, takes items from her medicine chest. Her hands move with the skill of someone who knows many youkai secrets. Despite her real age, her voice is soft and strangely charming.

"It is divided into two main types: born with it, or becoming it later. The first is seen as a sign of disaster. It is a cursed child touched by something not human. The second is the result of human karma reaching its end... fufu fufu. Do not rush me. I shall explain it all."

Crunch. Crunch.

She chops herbs from the shelf with a medicine knife. Some are dried. Some still move as if alive. She places a hard nut under the flat of the blade and presses down. The shell breaks, and the seed inside pops out with a wet sound.

"Since ancient times, they have been called a kind of god-human. The balanced ones are especially valued. Yin and yang flow through them perfectly. They contain everything within themselves. They are said to have endless Reiki. The gods themselves are beyond male and female, after all."

She pauses for a moment.

"Some stories say the gods planted these seeds in human wombs long ago. There are even tales that the gods treated humans like a farm. They ate the finest children who were born. The dual-form god-humans who escaped supposedly founded the first slave kingdoms. Is any of that true? I have no idea."

She drops the ingredients into the mortar.

Six herbs. Four dried ingredients. Two minerals. Three animal samples.

Then she picks up the pestle.

Slowly, she begins to grind.

The herbs turn to paste. The stones crack apart. The things that were still moving spray liquid as they are crushed without mercy.

"From the viewpoint of Fuso's laws, such people have always been rejected. Long ago, the Imperial Court hunted those suspected of carrying such 'Factors.' Later, they changed to treatment instead."

She smiles.

"The secret arts of changing one's sex. Of course, those arts were not always used for good reasons. Before long, people found other uses for them."

The beautiful old hag laughs softly. Her voice rings like a small bell.

More ingredients go into the mortar.

Squish. Squelch.

The sound is like mud being stirred.

"It is a secret art that can change one's gender. There are many cruel uses for it. Noble and warrior families used it when they wanted an heir. Temples used it to turn a daughter into a young boy. After the Great Rebellion, when there were few men left, it became quite common for a while."

She chuckles.

"Or perhaps it was used to make sure a rival could never return after losing an inheritance dispute. Sending them to a temple was sometimes not enough. Yet people lacked the courage to cut off their heads. Some even claimed it would strengthen the family bloodline. My, my. Such sinful ideas."

Kochou suddenly notices one dried ingredient is still untouched.

"Could you get the item from the fourth row on the right? The second shelf down. ...Ufufufu. Forgive me. I overlooked it."

She waves a hand.

"Now, where was I? Ah, yes. The procedure was common for a time, but it was never safe. Quite the opposite. It was a brutal process. One's life was always at risk."

Her apprentice brings her a piece of dried spirit-orange peel.

Kochou looks at it and frowns.

"Wrong. This is not 'that'."

She pushes it back.

"Ah, that is right. It was the third shelf. This will not do. The older one gets, the more mistakes one makes."

She laughs softly.

"I should drink some horse-bile medicine later. It is excellent for staying young. Pardon me. I wandered off topic. Yes. It truly was a life-or-death procedure."

The apprentice quickly brings another piece of peel.

Kochou inspects it carefully.

She checks the color. The hardness. The smell.

Then she nods.

It was excellent work.

"A fine result. I believe there was once a physician from the Yakushiji house who could finish the whole procedure in only a month. From what I heard, their skill was almost divine."

Perhaps that was exactly why things went wrong.

"The true Oni talent of the Yakushiji. According to the records, they performed the most legal transitions. Because of that, many people demanded the same speed from everyone else."

She shakes her head.

"They ignored expert advice. They demanded the impossible. Then they failed. It was a sad thing to see."

Her smile turns cold.

"The physicians blamed the Yakushiji family, even though they were the ones who asked for instruction. The people whose futures had been ruined joined in. In the end, it led to the family's downfall."

She lets out a sigh.

"From an expert's view, it is a foolish story. The procedure always required great care. Even then, it was dangerous. I have performed it in secret only twice. It demanded careful work every step of the way."

She cuts another ingredient.

"A tiny mistake can ruin everything. No amount of gold is worth that trouble."

The advisor sighs again.

As a master of her craft, the stories in the history books leave her speechless.

She also dislikes the Great Prohibition. It damaged medicine and pharmacology greatly. With the fall of the main Yakushiji line as well, one can only wonder how much knowledge was lost.

Though she never says it directly, her anger toward the Imperial Court is easy to see.

"Cough."

She clears her throat.

"Well, I suppose they relied too much on those records. Following the methods of that divine physician may have been the mistake. The Imperial Physician's Office probably lacked anyone with real experience."

She laughs quietly.

"They rushed to copy the methods and ended up causing their own downfall. That is likely what happened. Yes. A very fine result indeed."

Kochou speaks of the Imperial Court's deepest secrets as if they were ordinary gossip.

She kneads.

She presses.

She finishes the pill.

Then she gazes at the small black pill, no larger than a millet dumpling.

A look of pure joy appears on her face.

"Eldest Brother, travel is tiring, is it not? Please take this pill when you return. It will refresh both body and mind. All your tiredness will disappear."

Her smile grows wider.

"It will make you burn like a volcano. Endless energy... fufu fufu. We are all waiting for your return. Big Brother♪"

...That was the amazing information sent to my ears by the expert who had taken Botan's place on the Hummingbird radio.

...And cut out the "Big Brother" act.

* * *

"Everything began when the late Emperor passed away. Sadly, the Emperor suffered from a mysterious illness. He had no direct male heir. In fact, he had no child at all when his condition became critical."

The Minister of the Right speaks seriously.

He does not even look at his ruler, who is hiding behind him.

One of Azuma's clones carefully adjusts the damaged clothing of the crying Personage. Another stands behind me, ready to stop any sudden attack.

"Perhaps he worked too hard at governing. Like the wise Jade Pavilion Emperor of old, he seemed willing to spend every bit of his strength for the nation."

The minister sighs.

"I heard many complaints from the Princesses who married into the inner palace."

"He fought corruption and inequality. That earned him many enemies. I believe that is why he did not even trust the inner palace."

His expression hardens.

"There were many foolish rumors. Let me state clearly that I reject them."

The Azuma clone behind me speaks next.

The Jade Emperor, Gyokuro, had also pushed major reforms. He surely made many enemies as well.

I could easily imagine how Azuma served both rulers.

If they had spare time, they probably spent it writing documents instead of doing anything else.

"And after all that work, he died from illness..."

"An illness?" I asked.

"Yes. It is truly regrettable."

Our eyes met.

The act was painfully obvious.

Especially with Azuma Hibari standing beside him.

It was a lie in more than one way.

Officially, Azuma Hibari lost her position because of an incident involving the Forbidden Technique and her subordinate, the old man.

Another story said she failed to protect the Emperor.

When those stories were put together, things stopped making sense.

The Emperor supposedly died from illness.

Yet that explanation felt wrong.

If both stories were true, then the old man's research into the Forbidden Technique somehow harmed the Emperor.

But if that had happened, the punishment was far too light.

The Matsuhige family should have been executed.

Azuma should not have escaped with simple exile.

"...It is true that I failed in my duty. No matter the reason, I played a part in it. The mercy shown to me was already more than I deserved."

As if reading my thoughts, the Azuma behind me shrugged.

The Personage behind the Minister tilted their head.

(Oh.)

Did this person really believe their father died from illness?

'It is not as if they can escape becoming Emperor. If they are happy being a figurehead, nobody will dare speak of it.'

Botan's voice carried a sneer through the spirit-channel.

The public story was death by illness.

The secret story within the Imperial Court blamed the old Matsuhige family head and his obsession with the Forbidden Technique.

Yet even that story was false.

The truth was far more pathetic.

No one even knew whose fault it really was.

Still, the Imperial Court needed someone to blame.

Azuma's removal was one such example.

Perhaps they were never fully punished because people hesitated to shame a servant who had served generations of Emperors.

'If anything, they might have been secretly stopped while trying to remove the family branches tied to the Matsuhige family and their Forbidden Technique to make an example of them. …Pfft, it's no wonder that Grandfather can't show his face.'

Kochou's Granddaughter remarked with a sneer, her voice full of cruel irony that seemed to ring in my ears. She wasn't speaking on her grandfather's side. She might not even be on the other side of the shiki. Perhaps she didn't like the fact that we could talk even through the barrier.

4

"Botan," I said, eyeing her with a sigh, "haven't you been getting meaner ever since you underwent [Youkai-ization]? You realize you were almost beheaded in this incident, right?"

"…I see. In that case, if the Emperor has fallen ill, someone must naturally take the throne once the mourning period ends. So then, why?"

The important thing here isn't whether there was an assassination, nor who the culprit is. I have my own guess about who did it, but that can wait for later. I urged the Minister (Daijin) to continue.

"…The Empress Consort came from the famous Shirofuji house," the Minister (Daijin) explained, looking tired. "With all the chaos around the Emperor, there were not many people who could worry about a child that had not even been born yet, whether it was a boy or a girl. Or perhaps, it was the late Emperor's way of protecting the child's safety by doing so…"

Perhaps the Minister (Daijin) understood what I meant and decided not to say any more because the child was standing in the background. He followed my urging and returned to the main point.

"At any rate, it backfired. …Truly, they did something reckless."

The sigh that escaped the Minister (Daijin) sounded more tired than angry. It was as if he no longer had the energy to be angry.

They pretended the newborn child was a boy. Then they placed a baby, whose neck had not even become steady yet, on the throne as soon as the mourning period ended. Just hearing the rumors was enough to know it was truly reckless. Or perhaps they knew it was suicidal, but their ambition would not let them miss such a perfect chance….

"The Lord Regent of the Shirofuji house wasn't stupid," the Minister (Daijin) continued. "They had made a plan to fool the world. That was the Forbidden Technique of Transmutation. They say they did not plan to perform it right away. They planned to do it little by little over ten years…"

The [calculation] went wrong after the Emperor's death. Some time later, the predecessor died and the ceremony to choose the next [Saiguu (unmarried imperial princess)] through ancient divination was held.

"That, could it be…" I asked.

"Yes. It is exactly that," he replied.

The head of the many [Miko] in the Old Capital was passed down through the Imperial clan. The next [Saiguu] was to be chosen through curse-divination. They likely never expected the predecessor to die before the s*x-change was complete. Even less did they expect the next [Saiguu]'s fate to point to someone who had already been chosen as Emperor. It is ironic, but perhaps they were chosen because the Emperor was half-hermaphrodite.

Regardless, there was no turning back. If it became known that the Emperor was a girl, the Lord Regent would lose everything. They had already gone so far as to place a girl on the throne as a boy. That man would never have quietly accepted such an end.

If you drink poison, you might as well finish it. If you stop halfway, there is no future. Either way, ruin waits ahead. At least for the Lord Regent's house.

…They shifted the blame. They claimed it was a matter of the Imperial bloodline and the dignity of the Imperial Court to have a hermaphrodite on the throne.

"That was the last desperate idea the Lord Regent came up with," the Minister (Daijin) said. "They were chosen because of the curse. That could not be changed. So what could be done? They only needed to change the starting point. If the conditions for being a '[Miko]' were lost, then in [sum], that would mean the 'death' of a '[Miko].' If they died, the next one had to be chosen. So they only had to perform another divination and select one. I do not know who they spoke with or how they decided it… but they hid the divination results, skipped steps they should have followed, and rushed everything through. The result was…"

He lowered his head with a pained look and shook it. I remembered the stick and the soft mounds revealed during the master-servant role-reversal forced exposure play, and I lowered my head as well. It had to be. The whole thing was far too careless.

"…So, the current Emperor is also the [Saiguu-sama], is that it?" I asked.

"The Emperor was never very healthy to begin with," the Minister (Daijin) noted, "and because they tried the conversion so quickly, they came down with a terrible fever in the middle of the procedure. They somehow survived with spirit medicine, but the mutation became fixed in a terrible, incomplete, and worst-possible state."

Of course, if they had not treated the illness before the mutation finished, the [Personage] glaring at me from behind the Minister (Daijin) would probably have died. This Minister (Daijin) was a practical man. If waiting a day or two would have solved the problem, he would have waited. He must have given the medicine only after deciding the situation could no longer continue.

"According to experts in that field, if at least the womb had been removed, they would no longer have counted as a [Miko]. Unfortunately… the current master's body is in the worst possible state, both for the Imperial Court and as a [Saiguu]."

[Fuso] cannot accept a hermaphrodite, which suggests divinity, because of its national policy. It is even worse when the throne became that way because of a failed procedure they themselves banned hundreds of years ago. From the Shinto Shrine's point of view, it is also the worst outcome. In the end, they cannot reset the curse-divination. And the Lord Regent's house goes without saying.

"I'm not sure if 'unfortunate' is the right word to use…" I said, "but well, being left stuck in the middle is the most troublesome, isn't it."

"That it is," the Minister (Daijin) agreed. "And it is exactly in emergencies like this that people take reckless actions."

[Katayasu] continued. Apparently, he rose quickly to the position of Minister of the Right because the Lord Regent saw him as an accomplice. His greatest contribution was helping clean up this terrible mess. In particular, explaining everything to the Old Capital's [Bureau Head], the [Chief Priest], and [Saiguu-dono] had been a major ordeal. There had even been attempts to kill the half-hermaphrodite.

"While it is difficult to say, it cannot simply be condemned as… disrespectful," the Minister (Daijin) warned. "This matter is a great national disaster. …Indeed, while the [Saiguu] stands at the head of the many [Miko], they are, by the system itself, an [Apprentice Miko]. However, their nature is very different from that of other such beings."

"Different in… nature?" I asked.

"The [Saiguu] is not merely a decoration who performs rituals. There is a problem in a much more real sense, not just the unclear idea of authority."

A short silence followed.

Then he frowned and hesitated before continuing. He began to explain the meaning of the Old Capital and how it came to exist. It was knowledge that even Botan and the others did not know. It was forbidden knowledge.

"This Old Capital also serves as a [Dungeon] of the gods. During the nation's founding era, the Imperial Court sealed the eight million non-human beings fighting for control of the [Center region] into the shrines that form the Old Capital. At that time, curses and divine punishments from the gods who refused to die poured down upon the Emperor's clan like a flood."

It was a terrible [Hex]. It could kill people wherever they were and rot the souls of their descendants. Endless malice. Yet the Imperial Court even turned it to their advantage, according to the Minister of the Right.

(Heh. I see. So that's how it works. Brave. Or maybe just shameless?)

[Aoi]'s voice echoed in my ears. She was the sort who understood ten things from hearing one.

Many curses. Many divine punishments. However, divinity is arrogant. And when many curses become tangled together, they do not always work as intended.

Each god's [Hex] fought the others, trying to curse them with its own power. The Emperor of the [beginning], who tricked, humiliated, and trapped those arrogant monsters, had planned even that. He risked his life to guide the situation so the curses would target only him. No, he guided it that way on purpose.

To put it simply, it was like throwing a cold into a fever. He made the gods' tangled curses fight each other like [Gu poison]. They clashed until they destroyed one another. What remained was only pure [Shinki (Divine Energy)], cleaned of impurities.

That was the Emperor's original role.

A human pillar who protected the nation. A sacrifice paid so humans could claim the [Center region]. A decorative puppet was enough. In fact, it was better that way because of the influence of the tangled curses. No one could interfere with that bloodline. By staying out of politics, by sitting on the throne, and by remaining behind the [Misū (Bamboo Blinds)], the Emperor became the nation's first [Servant] and foundation.

It is said that the First Emperor even looked like he was enjoying an easy life after everything was over. At least on the surface.

…Time passed. The nation expanded. Administration, rituals, and ceremonies became more complex. Or perhaps the Emperor of that era simply had a different temperament. Whatever the reason, the old system had reached its limit. Even court nobles rarely saw the Emperor. Eventually there was a need to appear before civil and military officials. A proxy was needed to bear the Emperor's curses. A branch of the Imperial line was used to draw away the curse's attention.

"Simply setting up a proxy is boring… those were the words of the head of the [Omnyouji Bureau] when the system was created," the Minister (Daijin) recounted. "The rebuilt Old Capital is itself an altar. The [Apprentice Miko], who serves as the sacrifice, can use the flood of aimless [Shinki (Divine Energy)] gathered within them because they are the target. They do this through the giant altar built into the land itself. For example, they use the curses afflicting the Imperial line as the source of a [Barrier Curse] to seal the very divine beings cursing them. How ironic, would you not say?"

The original work and its side stories had mentioned that the Old Capital was a graveyard [Dungeon] made to oppose divinity. However, they never clearly explained the details. I see. So that was the truth.

But if that was the case…

"However, that handling of the [Saiguu]," I asked, "how have they managed it until now? Surely they cannot wear two pairs of straw sandals for two great roles that cannot be separated?"

Once or twice might be possible, but there was no way an Emperor could travel between the Great Rear and the Old Capital that often. So how had they hidden it until now? Or perhaps they could not perform the duty properly because they were incomplete as a [Miko] from the start?

"The price of solving the problem was high. So high that it required approval to install a proxy Miko from one of the few remaining legitimate bloodlines. …Technically speaking, that makes her a proxy for the Saiguu, who is herself the proxy cursed in the Emperor's place." the Minister of the Right said in a precise, formal academic tone.

5

"A... formal Miko, you say?" I asked, unable to hide my shock.

I was stunned. The few bloodlines left with the gift to be a Miko were supposed to have been wiped out by the Salvation [Youkai] years ago. From the view of the Imperial Court—or the Minister of the Right's own house—this was a desperate move, using up a rare, hidden trump card. All for the Lord Regent's clan to save itself. It was, indeed, a costly use.

...So, the Minister of the Right was that desperate to protect the master hidden in the shadows.

"…However, seeing as we are meeting like this, that means things didn't exactly end with a simple settlement, did they?" I noted.

"The problems are many. Without the body to bear an heir, the inability to fool the Eldest Brother who cannot live without heavy robes, the question of how long we can hide the change of a voice… Above all, the current anchor for the curse is a proxy of a proxy. Unlike the Saiguu, she does not even share the bloodline. To work by twisting the natural laws and workings of the world this badly creates a needless, unbearable weight on the one who carries it. …I have done a truly terrible thing." the Minister of the Right replied, his voice heavy with sorrow.

The Minister of the Right hung his head, his cold face twisted, if only a little, in real pain. His words alone were enough to understand the fate that had fallen on the Miko who had become the proxy of the proxy. Or rather, it was still falling on her.

And then… having come this far, I finally saw the shape of what the Minister was trying to say.

"I see… I see. And so, having let me in on such a terrible secret, what exactly is the Imperial Court demanding of a lowly, roadside god-mimic?" I questioned.

"That goes without saying. What else could it be but your inner Factor, and its authority?" the Minister of the Right answered, his tone filled with firm belief.

It was what I had expected. Right. The problem is…

"You seem a bit short on words. Specifically, how do you intend to handle the Factor that is eating away at me from within? And what do you intend to do about… that half-finished state of yours?" I pressed.

Are you going to return it completely to the man? Or are you going to change it back to how it was before?

"Katayasu…" the Emperor whispered.

"I understand my Lord's heart well. Please, rest easy." the Minister of the Right said, his voice softening into a gentle tone.

The person clinging to him from behind called him in an anxious whisper. The Minister answered as if to calm him. He was greedy. His master's safety came first.

"Then…" I prompted.

"Yes. We must complete the mutation that ended in a half-state. By now, there is no way she could possibly fulfill the duties of the Saiguu properly. Furthermore, in that case, we would have to have her 'withdraw' from the public eye… which would be difficult. If it were a few years ago, perhaps, but in the current climate, it would cause too much turmoil among the populace." the Minister of the Right explained.

He meant the unrest breaking out everywhere because of the secret actions of the Salvation [Youkai]. The plan to shake Fuso seemed to be affecting even this kind of matter. It was far more than I had [calculated].

"Selfishly, I intend to have her pass away as a Miko, and use curse-divination to install the next formal candidate. To make the Emperor a true 'Masurao' (Man of Valor). That is our absolute priority." the Minister of the Right declared.

"I see…" I replied.

I nodded, impressed by the Minister's words. …I ignored the person behind him who looked close to tears, and the Tanuki-dono who glanced at that person with pity. Sorry. I cannot afford to respect personal wishes. The master and servant can settle their minds later… no, wait, notice the situation. That master is looking at Minister-sama with 'breeding eyes' right now, you know.

Well. Setting that aside….

"Understood. However, if I may be rude, please use this flesh and blood with great care. To be honest, it's quite the poisoned bait." I warned.

I thought back to Iruka, or perhaps Botan, as I gave my warning. Especially Botan; she might deny it herself, but she has not been human for a long time. That is what came from using my flesh and blood, which had taken in the Youbo [Youkai mother]'s Factor. If a normal person swallowed it without care, it could turn into a spreading swarm of cockroaches.

"I am aware of that. However, the pure-blooded Factor of the 'he' (evil god) kept by the Imperial Court has shown no signs of suppression despite countless trials. …As the example listening in from within those ears suggests, I have observed that the Factor dwelling in your flesh and blood has been somewhat diluted. There is a proven instance of the runaway effect being suppressed. In other words, there is a way to utilize it, is there not?" the Minister of the Right observed.

"Hahahaha…" I laughed emptily.

'……'

I gave an empty laugh at the Minister's view. Hummingbird was silent. Busted. Well, it might just be a bluff she set up, but still….

"…I see, that is also true." I conceded.

I stole a glance at the person behind the Minister. That person, having finally dressed again with Azuma's help, was still glaring at me while crying large tears. While glaring, they clung to the Minister from behind, wrinkling his robes. Give me a break. I did not want to see this. The loyal retainer over there is the one who ordered me to show it! You two need to understand each other better and match your views.

"So, does this mean we will be working with the Research division?" I asked.

"To be precise, it will be a reliable faction from within those ranks—my own hand-picked men. This situation is a secret within a secret; I am selecting those who are tight-lipped and will not confuse ends with means." the Minister of the Right affirmed.

I sensed the hidden meaning. Anyone who threatened the Emperor had already been removed. It was a warning about what would happen to anyone who spoke of this secret. That applied whether they used their own body as a test subject or used it as a gift to insult the throne.

"The Minister of the Left doesn't know, then? About this situation." I inquired.

"He is a man who values honor and righteousness; I read that he would force the issue of abdication and the duties of a Miko. Even the Lord Regent seemed hesitant to pull him into this because of that very integrity… If your story is true, I suppose one could say we are actually fortunate?" the Minister of the Right reasoned.

"⋯⋯Yeah. Exactly that." I replied.

If the Minister of the Left, or perhaps Nue, knew this secret, they would have used it long ago. I do not know what was happening with the Emperor, who barely appeared in the original work, but… the Minister of the Right's spies could not be useless. I want to believe they do not know.

…After all, this information is not a benefit; it is a weak point. So if it stays unknown, it only turns a minus into zero.

"…. My Lord. …Yes. Of course I am aware. However, one cannot be too careful. Given his personality, he is the type of person who could endanger the current position of the Emperor anyway. It is better to be on guard. Don't you agree?" the Minister of the Right whispered to the Emperor.

The Emperor behind him pulled on the Minister of the Right's robes. When the Minister of the Right leaned in, the Emperor whispered into his ear. The Minister answered to calm him. It was a very small voice, but my non-human ears could hear clearly what the Emperor was whispering.

(What's this, 'Don't speak ill of the kind Minister, this person cannot be trusted'… well, I suppose that's expected.)

A person who is basically 'gone' if you peel back one layer? But he is a man who has built plots for five hundred years as Saint Ninokawa for his own wishes. His name, his normal actions, his words—surely he is much more trusted than some lowly, 'what-is-this' person who appeared from nowhere. If I were in the same position, I would do the same.

…Fortunately, the one I need to convince here is not that puppet FUTA=NARI person.

"…Minister of the Left-dono has served the Imperial Court for an 'Eldest Brother's' lifetime; because of his achievements, I cannot just take your word for it. I will remain on guard because of the Emperor's position, but I wish to investigate independently and verify the truth. Is that acceptable?" I proposed.

"Of course. By all means, as you see fit…" the Minister of the Right agreed.

I bowed with respect to the Minister of the Right-dono's answer and said those empty words.

I know. The Minister of the Right, who says such things, was the one who suspected the Minister of the Left fairly early in the novel version. He probably was not the top suspect, but… he was clearly on guard, as written. With my prophecy added to that, it should push things in the right way.

(Is it going well…?)

There was an unexpected problem like the Emperor's son, but things seemed to be moving in the way I wanted. Or perhaps, because of that? This is what people call turning bad luck into good luck. It might even be worth being slapped on the cheek by 'something.' Has my luck finally turned around?

"I see. A formal covenant will take time to iron out the details… but can I assume we can form a first cooperative relationship?" I asked.

"Of course. …Regarding the formal covenant, may I have the draft you are proposing?" the Minister of the Right requested.

"Naturally. …Azuma-dono." I called out.

"Yes. Here it is. It is made so that it will burn if unfolded by anyone other than you. Be very careful." Azuma, the servant, warned.

At the Minister of the Right's request, one of the Azuma behind him walked over and handed me a scroll. I took it and, without pause, untied the string to check the contents. A list of characters was written in a skilled hand on high-quality Fuso paper. It was the outline of the conditions offered by the Minister for our work together. Even a quick look told me it was well made.

(There might be a trap in the content. I have no choice but to take it back with me for now.)

I will have to show it to Aoi, Kochou, Botan, and the old man to have them check it. You will regret signing a contract without checking it first. A kind system like a 'cooling-off period' did not exist in this era. It is the fool's fault for getting tricked. Sad, isn't it?

"For future contact in the capital, I would like to rely on Azuma-dono. A clumsy shikigami might be detected. I would prefer if you could summarize the contents and send them in a [letter]." I requested.

"By [letter], you say? Having the former head of the Omnyouji Bureau serve as a courier for love [letters] is quite luxurious. It makes it seem like a forbidden correspondence with a [personage] who cannot be revealed to the public." the Minister of the Right teased.

"That is certainly an interesting idea. In that case, could you perhaps refine the scent and handwriting, as a Princess would?" I suggested.

"Are you serious?" the Minister of the Right asked, clearly confused.

I said it half as a joke, and was confused when he took it seriously. Looking at Azuma, her mouth was curved into a smirk as if to say, "That's the kind of man he is." Judging by how her master was made and by her reactions, this Minister might be surprisingly natural.

…I hope it is not acting to make me lower my guard.

"…Excuse me. Minister, it is time." Azuma whispered.

"Nnh. Is that so? …I understand." the Minister of the Right replied.

After we continued the detailed talk for a while, Azuma whispered into the Minister of the Right-dono's ear as if the time had come. The Minister nodded grandly and turned his face toward me once more.

"Surely, your side also needs to take this proposal back and deliberate on it, correct? Let us bring our discussion to a close here for now. …I am here in the capacity of Imperial Envoy, after all, and I must fulfill my duties in that regard as well."

"I assume this is the notice regarding the Shinkyo Festival for the Shrine? …Is that even wise? Given the condition of the proxy Miko. If your previous words are to be believed, she has fallen into a state of severe disrepair."

I nod along with the Minister (Daijin) as he remains silent.

"Yes. …It is the ostensible reason for bringing my Lord here.

6 Lately, the proxy Miko has been secluding herself, leaving a body double to perform the formal rites, or so it is said. It would be too dismissive to ignore that entirely, so the Shrine requested at least the arrival and greetings of an Imperial Envoy. Not that it matters, as it will all be done with the Misū (Bamboo Blinds) between us."

To be honest, it is absurd for both the sender and the receiver of these greetings to travel from the capital to the Old Capital just to perform them. Still, after all the ways the Shrine has treated the Saiguu dorms with contempt, they likely feel forced to go through the motions. Or perhaps, they are trying to show sincerity. They know full well that if the Sealing Curse of those wretched gods breaks, they will be the first trampled.

"Then, what is next?"

"By tomorrow, we shall have an audience and exchange greetings with my Lord, who is masquerading as the Saiguu. After that, I intend to privately perform a ritual offering to the Shrine."

"A bribe, then?"

"Well now. I haven't the slightest idea what you mean..."

It is obvious this is just a sweet treat to calm the Shrine, but the Minister of the Right brushes it off with a smooth, calm face. On the other hand, the person clinging to the Minister (Daijin)'s back the whole time frowns. They openly show anger toward me. Yeah, yeah, I am the villain here.

"Azuma-dono, first, take my Lord..."

"Katayasu…?"

The Minister of the Right calls out to Azuma, meaning to have his lord leave first. As Azuma leads the person away, they look back and call the Minister (Daijin)'s name in a sad, anxious voice. He answers in a voice meant to calm them.

"Lord, you must be exhausted from the journey and this meeting. Please, do get some rest. Tomorrow will be an early start, and there are preparations to be made, is that not right?"

"…Yes."

Corrected, the person slowly leaves the room with Azuma through the hidden door. They look back many times, glancing at the Minister (Daijin). They glare at me. And as the hidden door turns shut, that figure disappears.

...And then, silence. Only I, the Minister (Daijin), and Azuma's double remain. How long did that heavy, choking silence—as if the very air had changed—truly last? It was the Minister (Daijin) himself who finally spoke.

"I am aware of the matter currently on your mind. You are referring to Miko-dono, are you not?"

His tone was plain; there was no hatred, no cold mockery, and no sign of pain. It was as if he were only stating a fact.

"I have heard from Azuma-dono what kind of person you are. Judging by your words from before, you are quite clumsy at living, aren't you?"

"So, you will not show me?"

The Minister (Daijin) remains silent at my question. I vaguely understand why. He likely feels unsure about showing the key that holds his lord's substitute together to someone not yet bound by a vow. However...

"I did anticipate this. But from your perspective, I am someone whose face you don't even know, and there is no benefit for you in this, correct? Even so, you would go out of your way to take on more burdens?"

"But it could help you, and the national interest of Fuso. Is that not true? I hear that Miko of the proper bloodline are very rare beings. If there is a chance to save one... should you not do so? As I said before, the stability of Fuso is ultimately in my own best interest."

"If there is a chance to save her, that is?"

"I cannot make a judgment without seeing her."

"There is also the possibility that the mere act of seeing her is a taboo."

While saying these words, the Minister (Daijin) gives a small, cold smile.

"To think you would try to do something about that at this late stage... Very well. They say seeing is believing."

Though somewhat unwilling, the Minister (Daijin) accepts it at once. As he had almost admitted before, he and his people have no other choice.

"I shall show you. The meaning of the sin and the tragic state of the body double I fashioned for that person. In exchange..."

The Minister (Daijin) looks at me more sharply than ever before. He leans forward, glaring and looking into me as if there is no room to argue.

"A vow. No matter what you see, you must never direct your anger toward my Lord, or anyone else. I shall shoulder... all the responsibility."

"Is that the promise you made to various parties when you set up the Miko as a substitute?"

The Minister (Daijin) was silent. His silence was the answer. I see. It is that serious...

"...Very well."

"I am humbled."

The Minister (Daijin) bows his head deeply, not even caring about my low status. He did not hesitate at all. I am used to people bowing to me, and even though the opposite has become daily life at the yashiki estate Kayo built, I still could not get used to it. Spare me...

"...So, when shall I be allowed to visit?"

"Tomorrow night. I will be performing a formal report to the Saiguu, and after that, I shall head to the Shrine, so meet me there. I will have Azuma-dono guide you to the back entrance. Let us rendezvous later."

Then, the Minister (Daijin) stands up.

"Azuma-dono. I leave the care and feeding of this 'god-imposter' to you tonight. I have some chores to attend to."

"Chores?"

"Some troublesome business has arisen. Of all things, a stabbing occurred here in the Saiguu dorms, so I must deal with that. The perpetrator has not yet been caught."

"That is quite an alarming turn of events. ...So that was the reason for the noise on the other side of the wall."

To my question, the Minister (Daijin) states the seriousness of the situation quite easily. It clicks for me, too. The strange, dangerous noise I had sensed since being brought here was not only from the welcome for the Imperial Envoy party.

"To think that such a thing would happen in a sacred shrine... Who is responsible? I have been away guiding our guest, so I have not heard the details."

Azuma asks the same. From his position, he must protect the Minister (Daijin) and the Emperor, and watch me. It is only natural that he would want to know who did it.

"It is likely they are no longer in the dorms. Well, it was a mere manservant. However, what makes the situation troublesome is that they were someone picked up by the advance guard. ...With such misconduct, we must be sure to assess the character of even the lowliest worker."

"...A manservant... picked up by the advance guard?"

Hearing the Minister (Daijin)'s casual words, I feel a sickening bad feeling. It was not logical; perhaps it was closer to a beast's sixth sense. There was no proof, but there was certainly something wrong...

"That is... no, wait. Which house did this manservant belong to?"

"...? I wonder, which was it? ...Ah. If I recall correctly, they were originally treated as a household member of the Onitsuki? Indeed, among those captured, there were personnel from the Onitsuki. But that was a collateral matter; they should be released soon."

"No, ...no, that may be, but. Then... who is the employer of this manservant who committed the act of violence?"

"That would be..."

The Minister (Daijin) answers with a puzzled, yet truly honest look. He answers without even trying to hide anything. And I, at that moment, hold my breath at that bad feeling.

It was a bad feeling that would change the time, place, and situation—but it was, without a doubt, a sign of a ritual suicide death flag...

.

..

...

'Nyaaa'

Somewhere in the Saiguu dorms, the sound of a beast's cry echoed along with the scraping of feet against the floor....

===

Author:

I'd like to introduce some fan art that was created for me. This one is from Namazu-san, featuring the Great Youkai (Yokai) Uwan, complete with a background explanation. It's great to see such insightful analysis, as it offers interesting perspectives and can even provide hints for new ideas. https://www.pixiv.net/artworks/145810039 Thank you so much for this wonderful work!

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Summary:

Madam Kochou gives a horrific lecture to the protagonist regarding the history of forced s*x reassignment surgeries, while simultaneously crafting a potent pill. The protagonist receives this information over a radio connection, contrasting the clinical cruelty of the lecture with his own cynicism. Minister of the Right and Azuma reveal the deceptive nature of the former Emperor's death, exposing the political instability and dark secrets hidden behind the official facade of "illness."

The protagonist discusses the scandalous and tragic truth behind the former Emperor's death and the subsequent desperate political cover-up with the Minister of the Right. They uncover the dark history of the Old Capital as a divine Dungeon and the role of the Saiguu as an unwilling sacrifice to manage the curses of the gods. The conversation reveals that the current Emperor is physically and spiritually broken due to a botched forbidden ritual, leaving the court in a state of precarious deception.

The protagonist negotiates a delicate and treacherous political alliance with the Minister of the Right, who seeks to secure the throne by exploiting the protagonist's unique inner Factor. The Minister reveals the desperate, morally compromising steps taken to protect the Emperor, including the use of proxy Miko bloodlines. The protagonist agrees to a preliminary cooperation while remaining wary of hidden traps and the Minister's true, potentially manipulative motives.

The protagonist negotiates with the Minister (Daijin) regarding a suspicious Imperial visit and the dire state of the proxy Miko. Tensions rise as they discuss a bribe and the potential for a secret audience with the deteriorating substitute. An unsettling revelation about a stabbing involving an Onitsuki-affiliated manservant triggers a dark premonition of impending tragedy.

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Trivia:

- The term "dual-form" refers to a taboo and historically manipulated state of hermaphroditism.

- The "Great Rebellion" and subsequent male shortages led to the normalization of forced medical "corrections."

- The Yakushiji house was historically responsible for the highest number of these procedures.

- The protagonist realizes that the "official" account of the former Emperor's death is a complete fabrication.

- The current sovereign is being kept as a figurehead, seemingly unaware of the true cause of their father's death.

- The Saiguu system was originally designed as a way to filter divine energy for the benefit of the nation.

- The Emperor acts as a human pillar for the Center region by absorbing divine curses.

- The First Emperor supposedly enjoyed a NEET-like lifestyle while managing the complex curse system.

- The current crisis arose because the Saiguu and Emperor roles unexpectedly converged on a single, physically compromised person.

- The Saiguu is a specific title for a proxy who takes on the Emperor's curse.

- The Minister of the Right has been maintaining a long-term conspiracy under the guise of the Saint Ninokawa.

- The protagonist's own blood and flesh have been tainted by the Youkai Mother's Factor, making him both a threat and a resource.

- The Minister is actively using the "Salvation Youkai" unrest as a cover for his own political restructuring.

- The Minister admits the Proxy Miko is a body double to hide the true state of the shrine's leader.

- The Saiguu dorms are currently under lockdown due to a violent crime involving a manservant.

- The Minister's casual mention of the perpetrator's origin hints at a deeper political conspiracy or personal threat.

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Translation Notes:

1↵ A Japanese term often implying female chastity or virtue; here it is used as a verb to denote the violation or manipulation of that virtue through the forbidden arts.

2↵ Likely a pun or specific, untranslatable medicinal categorization used in the context of the Onitsuki's trade, referring to a specific "flower" or "ideal state" of the ingredient.

3↵ Used here to refer to those who were subjected to the "correction" surgeries, stripping them of their former identity and high-status future.

4↵ A term for a spiritual medium or servant, often used in Shinto-influenced fantasy to refer to a shikigami or a magical barrier/projection.

5↵ In this context, Miko refers to a shrine maiden or priestess who acts as a spiritual conduit, here specifically exploited for her bloodline as a sacrificial proxy for the Emperor's curse.

6↵ In this context, the Minister refers to his liege—the entity masquerading as the Saiguu—using a term of high respect, often implying a position of absolute authority or divine status.