Chapter 239

"Hm. And just what exactly are you atoning for?"

That was a scene from what now felt like an impossibly distant time-a memory that had long since passed. I had called out to a lone figure kneeling in a desolate, uninhabited wasteland, his head bowed as if in prayer. A 'record' of that figure, etched into my retinas...

"...Peeping, are we? That's quite distasteful, don't you think?" the cloaked young man asked, a sardonic edge to his voice.

"Now that's uncalled for. I'm providing you with voluntary protection, after all," I responded calmly, answering his retort without waiting for him to turn from his kneeling position. "...Surely you need it in your current state, yes? Since your body is so frail it could be reduced to dust with a single stroke, I would hope you'd prioritize your own safety and refrain from reckless behavior until your grand ambition is achieved."

It was a natural and self-evident conclusion, backed by a perfectly logical reason. To seduce the divine, to debase the divine, and to put an end to the era of those self-proclaimed gods-the figure before me was the very mastermind of that plan. No amount of caution for his personal safety could ever be enough...

"Grand ambition, huh," the young man muttered.

With what seemed like a hint of deep reflection, he looked up at the sky and rose to his feet. He brushed the dust from his cloak, arched his back, and cracked his joints. The tense air from moments before vanished completely, replaced by a demeanor that was remarkably relaxed now. Or perhaps he was merely making it appear that way...

"Since I've already boarded this ship, I'd at least like to see it through to the end," he said, turning toward me. "Time is money, after all, so I do hope you won't make a waste of my limited time, yes?"

"Who do you think you're saying that to, Vengeful Spirit?" I asked, shrugging off the slander as he stood.

Fully aware that his comment was likely just a simple statement of fact, I replied smoothly. "It's advice born from my high regard and concern for you. ...You ought to recognize your own value more."

And then I proceeded to list the facts in meticulous detail. Without exaggeration, I objectively enumerated his achievements: uniting the cowardly and selfish hidden villages scattered across the land, overcoming countless trials to do so, forming alliances with those cursed ones who possessed spiritual power, staking his life to earn their trust, even forging friendships with aberrations, deceiving the very gods, and now striving to carve out a new era on this easternmost land. He was a visionary, or perhaps a revolutionary-the turning point of an era, a true pioneer...

"Quite the pretty picture you're painting," he chuckled softly. "I just used people as stepping stones, cast them aside, and played the pure-hearted hero, you know?"

"Those were necessary sacrifices, small matters for the sake of the greater one, yes?" I countered smoothly. "Your hypocritical righteousness that stops at no means to achieve its goal-I sincerely admire it."

"Is that an insult, or a complaint from someone I've got wrapped around my finger?"

"Not at all. In fact, I'm glad," I insisted. "It was worth being taken in by your smooth talk. ...They truly were enjoyable days, you know."

Why had I averted my gaze and looked out at the wasteland as I said that? At the very least, the words I spoke held no lies or falsehoods; it really had been worthwhile. I had encountered wonderful days where I could fully wield my wisdom and knowledge-a far cry from being a mere messenger mercenary for tedious village chiefs and royalty. ...Not that I'd deny being worked rather hard, though.

"Enjoyable days, huh. ...Past tense, is it?" He tilted his head, eyeing me with mild suspicion. "You planning on betraying me sometime soon or something?"

"Unfortunately, I've yet to meet anyone worth betraying," I answered smoothly. "...So, the path you walk-at the very least, I shall see it through to the very end by your side."

That was neither flattery, nor fawning, nor empty praise, but the absolute truth. What had once seemed like an unreasonably distant and grandiose ambition was now no longer beyond reach. I wouldn't say it was just one more step, but it was certainly no longer a dream. It was such an interesting thing that it would be a waste not to see it through. I believed him to be a person worthy of offering something resembling loyalty for the first time in ages; even after lingering in this world for so long, he was a truly rare find.

"...You're not gonna guarantee what happens after I die, though, are you?"

"Your life is certainly worth risking my own to witness," I remarked blithely, "but looking after your descendants for generations? That's hardly my obligation, is it? Just how long do you intend to keep me working?"

As I spoke, I marvelled inwardly. I had thought he was still the same young man, skilled at joking around while seeing straight through to one's heart, just as he had been the first time we met. He was remarkably perceptive to the subtleties of words-a person who truly treasured language.

"You can just kick the bucket, can't ya?" he scoffed playfully. "Living too long brings bad karma, especially since you've gone and lived so long in such a blasphemous way."

"A single lifetime is far too short to learn all there is to know," I countered with a smile. "And thanks to that, you were saved, were you not?"

"It's plenty long to rot though," he noted. "...Even now you've got a nasty personality. A hundred years from now, a thousand years from now-I wonder just what you'll turn out like, eh?"

"Hahaha! That's a sore spot, I admit."

"Liar. Are those ears even real?"

"Ah, you caught me," I said, putting a hand to my head. "Actually, these ears are a disguise for anti-Kotodama measures2..."

"Stop, stop!" he interrupted, waving a hand dismissively. "Your explanations for that kind of thing are way too long."

A playful exchange of barbs with the master who knew-no, saw through-my secrets was one of the few things I genuinely enjoyed. A back-and-forth of sharp words was something I didn't dislike at all. It wasn't worship, it wasn't contempt, and it wasn't fear; above all, conversing with someone quick-witted was indeed a pleasure for me at the time.

...Though, for all his sharpness, he did have a strange tendency to be obtuse in certain areas.

"...Knowing you, you'd probably end up destroying the very world you helped create yourself, wouldn't you?" he asked, squinting suspiciously.

At the question from the young man I called my master, I put a hand to my chin and pondered before firmly acknowledging it. Unashamed, it was an objective analysis: it wasn't impossible. A hundred years or a thousand years aside, any longer than that and I might grow bored and begin a new experiment-probably after doing a spectacularly flashy test run while cleaning up.

"What, you're not gonna deny it?"

"I do respect you as my master, after all," I replied. "Besides, it is my sworn principle never to tell a lie, and I take pride in it."

"Maybe I should just purge you right now."

"Disposing of a contributor after the deed is done certainly isn't a bad move," I noted casually. "'When the cunning rabbit dies, the running dog is cooked.'1 ...Well, in my case, I'd just move into a new vessel, though."

To be fair, having been disposed of wasn't uncommon for me, but it was the first time my secret was known beforehand. Given my quick-witted master, he'd probably prepare a countermeasure before purging me, which would be interesting in its own right-a battle of wits wouldn't be so bad either.

"I'll pass on that," he sighed. "Knowing you, you'd probably drag everything down with some nasty trap."

"That's a shame. I was just starting to come up with a few ideas for mechanisms."

"Give me a break..."

And so we fell into a mutual, exasperated silence. To be precise, I had been endlessly fascinated by watching what choice the young man before me would make. Every action he took was an object of interest that tickled my intellectual curiosity.

"...Yotachi, huh," he muttered, looking up at the sky after our exchange.

"...Back from scouting," I added, spotting the shadow appearing in the distance. "She's coming this way."

She had likely noticed us too, though she seemed to be descending directly toward us rather than heading for base. Magnifying the image with my demonic eye, I could clearly recognize her expression, which was swollen with barely concealed anticipation-it was as if a dog was hoping to be praised.

"...Hey, Sugami, I've got a proposal for you," he called out, looking up at the descending crow.

"What is it?" I asked, inclining my head to prompt him to continue.

"Even if we succeed, the world of man will still be immature for some time," he explained, turning that gaze toward me. "Even after I pass, it'll likely stay that way for a few generations, since this nation for the people is like a newly hatched chick."

He bared his teeth in a sardonic smirk. "That's exactly why even a hopeless bastard like you needs to be employed to keep the newly built framework from snapping in no time. And in the meantime, you'd probably get bored-that's just the kind of being you are."

"...And?"

"I thought I'd offer you a way to pass the time, y'know?" He grinned, his eyes gleaming. "...A proposal that could show you something interesting, that is."

And then, my master-whom I truly loved and admired-uttered those words. The secret words he had kept locked away in solitude, he spoke to me alone...

...So. This is the story you started, isn't it?

* * *

"Your... that voice...?" Hotoya Tamaki asked, her eyes widening in confusion.

Seeing the tiny Hummingbird standing behind her like a gnat and hearing the accusatory voice spun from its beak, Hotoya Tamaki, who was about to pass through the gates of the shrine in the depths of the earth, felt nothing but overwhelming confusion. Why was it here? Why had it appeared before her now, and why was it expressing such anger? She hadn't the faintest clue, and having entertained overly optimistic and abstract possibilities, she finally returned to reality.

"...!!?"

'There ya go,' Nobe grunted as he flew through the air.

Instinctively and forcefully tossing the beast she was carrying under her arm, Tamaki threw him away. Launched into the air, Nobe righted himself mid-air like a cat, landing smoothly on his forepaws. He wriggled his tail as if undulating, let out a stretch-like groan, and looked up at Tamaki.

'That's harsh. Throwing me away like some bug out of nowhere...'

'Shut your trap, you terminal that'd be right at home as ground meat!' Hummingbird snapped, cutting off Nobe's complaint with a cutting insult. 'Don't you complain!'

The pure white beast reflected the bird in his jet-black eyes. 'You're one to talk, popping up out of nowhere with that sharp tongue. Just who are you, anyway?'

'Don't try to play dumb with me,' Hummingbird retorted sharply. 'If anyone's guilty of that, it's you-using such a flashy terminal that panders to women and children. I'm surprised you even had that sort of sensibility.'

'…Ah, I see,' Nobe murmured softly. 'So that's how it is.'

The quiet rebuke, laced with insult, was never meant for Hummingbird-not really. The beast's words were aimed elsewhere as a private nod of understanding, his attention straying from the interloper. Across the connection, the girl commanding Hummingbird bristled with indignation, her seething anger bleeding through the Shikigami, unmistakable.

'What's the point of running this through a surveillance familiar if you're going to speak with such an emotional tone?' Hummingbird demanded. 'Or is this one of your rhetorical tricks, Tamaki? If I recall, you've got something in your ear…'

'Shut up…!!? Hey!? Old man!? Mmph, get off!' A brief scuffle echoed from the other side before a new voice emerged from Hummingbird. '…Well, well. My apologies for my unworthy kin's rudeness. Might you be the famed guardian of the Old Capital I've heard so much about?'

The voice belonged to a courteous old man, marking a complete shift from before as he composed himself with a bowed posture.

'Your father… no, from that voice, your grandfather, I'd say?' Nobe questioned smoothly. 'You really ought to discipline your granddaughter better, don't you think? This line of work is dangerous enough as it is, so I'd suggest fixing those loose ends before it's too late.'

'Rest assured,' the old man's voice replied through Hummingbird. 'She has already learned her lesson the hard way, and we accept whatever punishment or retribution that entails.'

'Hmph. …Ah, I see now,' Nobe nodded, finally understanding. 'If it's my side that's the cause, I can sympathize, but I can't take responsibility for it. My duty only extends to this land, and you understand that, right?'

'Of course,' Hummingbird responded deferentially. 'That is precisely why I am offering these misplaced apologies, as I hold nothing but respect for the duty you have upheld all these years.'

Still courteous and filled with genuine reverence, Hummingbird bowed its head before turning toward the girl left half out of the conversation. '…And to you, Princess, I offer my apologies for the sudden intrusion.'

"You're… no. You're a relative of that voice from earlier, right?" Tamaki asked, narrowing her eyes. "Of that person named Botan."

'I would advise against speaking that name too freely,' Hummingbird warned gently. 'It might draw unwarranted suspicion toward you for the sake of my unworthy kin. …More to the point-'

Giving a sincere warning to Tamaki, the old man redirected Hummingbird's gaze back to the beast. 'Surely you cannot claim there is nothing to explain at this juncture? …This Princess has grown deeply distrustful of you. Even if only what can be shared, you ought to answer, or at the very least, tell her clearly what she must do-and what it will cost her. Don't you agree?'

Tamaki also fixed the beast with a sharp, doubtful look. She seemed to have already placed her trust in this sudden intruder-not in the old man's voice, but in the girl's voice that had come before it.

'…Guess I've got no choice, do I,' Nobe muttered, seeing Tamaki's resolve.

Resigned, the beast understood that Hotoya Tamaki would not accept ignorance at this stage.

'You'd be better off not knowing the truth, honestly, but you can't help but want to know, can you?' Nobe asked with a sigh. 'It's not really my place to tell you either. …Human curiosity is a terribly unreasonable thing, isn't it?'

And then, as if giving in, the beast began to speak, painstakingly and patiently explaining everything.

'I understand how you feel,' Nobe began, pacing slowly. 'A sudden proposal might leave you hesitant at first… but there's a world of difference between a proposition born of pure malice and one presented from a standpoint of necessity and efficiency. First, I need to lay it out in logical order, as ensuring you understand the legitimacy of the reasoning is paramount.'

With leisure, composure, and a gentlemanly pretense, the spirit declared his terms.

'…Now, let's change the subject for a moment. Are you familiar with the Mizuko deity?3 Yes, exactly that-the cursed god, abandoned by its parents and cast into this netherworld.'

The beast's terminal inquired, nodding at her silent realization before adding context.

'According to various mythological records, that Mizuko is likely one of the earliest divine pillars to emerge in this land of Fusō,' Nobe dictated, pacing in circles around the group like an old storyteller. 'The ancient facts themselves don't matter here; what's important is how widely that perception is known. Divinity is altered by faith, and that perception was already in place before Fusō's rise. Afterward, it was compiled and further solidified. …Ah, this suited Fusō just fine, too. Knowing their nature in advance makes it easier to handle them, and by securing the region's highest-grade Spiritual Vein5, they succeeded in suppressing the divine natures' transformations and obstructing their free, omnipotent exercise of authority.'

'I worked pretty hard too,' Nobe added, puffing out his chest through the terminal to boast of the feat. 'With their authority and nature fixed, it even gave rise to ideas for exploiting that very fact in reverse. …That was probably one such example, though I must say, that's quite an audacious ritual outcome.'

Closing his eyes as if recalling the past in deep admiration, the terminal let out a heavy sigh before pressing further into its explanation.

'Hotoya Tamaki, her Usurpation power… its root lies in the authority of the Mizuko deity-the earliest divine pillar of Fusō, a cursed god robbed of its seat and stripped of its honor. That is precisely why that power exists. What is a king's belongs to a king; what is a god's belongs to a god. …And what is the Mizuko's belongs to the Mizuko.'

A pause filled the air with a twilight melancholy before the spirit continued.

'Originally, it is the eldest of the myriad divine pillars of Yaoyorozu.4 In other words, it is the object of filial piety and the order of seniority. The countless gods should inherently revere and serve the cursed god. …What belongs to younger siblings-well, that belongs to that god. A force that imposes the proper order. What's yours is mine, what's mine is mine. What an arrogant power, wouldn't you say?'

Nobe gestured dramatically. 'And yet, that's precisely why it is such a fearsome power-the absolute natural enemy of countless deities. A weight, an optimal-'

He cut himself off, shaking his head. 'I won't dwell on how she came to be entrusted with that power. Looking at the ritual traces, it was likely some sort of offering, the outcome of a ritual, or perhaps an accident? Either way, as the one who manages and operates this land, as long as the authority can be used, that's enough.'

Calmly and dispassionately, Nue's split spirit reached his conclusion.

'At the head of the countless Sacrificial Pillars stands the rights-holder of Usurpation, and now, at this very moment, she has arrived in this land. This is nothing short of fate-an ideal lid, and more. Even the Sun God of that age cannot curse her, as a curse would be meaningless. In fact… with the Kamui and Spiritual Vein5 siphoned from this land, we could even sustain Hotoya Tamaki semi-permanently, running her indefinitely. It would prevent the tragedy of a Miko like this one, and the lid's function wouldn't be disrupted by political turmoil in the court, averting crisis. It contributes to the stability of Fusō's operations, making humanity all the more unshakable.'

His jet-black, pearl-like eyes gleamed from the depths, and beneath his flat tone, a faint hint of eager excitement bled through.

'The Mizuko's power, if it runs wild, could cause untold casualties,' Nue's split spirit continued, trying to spread his fervor to his listeners. 'That's precisely why this land serves as an ideal outlet for its release. Even in the worst-case rampage, if directed underground, it could devour all those sealed away. Even if this land's Spiritual Vein5 perishes, if the latent threats are eliminated, there's no problem-it would merely be the land fulfilling its ultimate purpose. …Ah, don't worry. I won't let any harm come to those you wish to shelter here. At worst, the aftershocks will be contained within the inner shrine, and if it comes to that, I can even ensure that designated individuals are evacuated as a top priority. As the one who manages and operates, that's a trivial matter.'

With a smile forming on its face, the calf-rubbing terminal presented the all-encompassing, thoughtful proposal without a shred of malice.

'So, how about it? …Join me, and help me make her a sacrifice!'

"…Hey, Nue-san," I said, glaring at him. "There's one thing I want to say: you're absolute garbage."

'…That's a rude way to put it,' he countered smoothly. 'This is legitimate patriotism, you know?'

"You sure sounded like you were enjoying it, though."

'Well, a fundamental solution to a major issue since the nation's founding has finally come into view,' he admitted. '…Besides, I won't deny that as material to work with for the preparations to actually connect and operate the mechanism, it's quite exciting.'

"So you're not even denying it, huh." ℴℴ𝘮

What had been laid out was precisely the kind of heartless, soulless proposal one would expect from Nue's split spirit-so unabashed and refreshing that it actually convinced me this was genuinely disconnected from the original Nue. That an entity that should have been an ally could think like a pest was disheartening, to say the least.

'I shouldn't have said anything wrong, should I?' he asked, tilting his head coldly as he squinted his jet-black eyes. 'That the state of a single individual, Hotoya Tamaki, could be weighed against the survival of Fusō-kuni and the human world? …No matter how you calculate it, the balance doesn't add up.'

His voice sounded like a heartless machine, surveying everything as mere numbers-this was likely his true self.

"…If you were eavesdropping on my conversation with the Minister, you should know," I warned him. "I can see the future, even if only in fragments. And from where I stand, let me tell you-that person… Hotoya Tamaki is not someone to be treated carelessly. Take her lightly, and you might just end up with a nasty surprise, got it?"

'Lying isn't good,' Nue's split spirit replied smoothly. 'As I said earlier, this type of terminal can also observe the future, and I can see it: the sight of her fulfilling her great duty as Miko for a long, long time… right?'

"You said it yourself," I countered, stepping closer. "…In your case, you can only see the future as points, can't you? That's completely different from the divine beings who can survey it as a plane and then twist the course of events. Isn't that right?"

'…'

The lack of an immediate rebuttal was answer enough as I pressed on, cornering him.

This guy-this so-called "Shin Suki" terminal-was merely peeking at the future from a certain point onward, shifting and skewing time. He didn't exist simultaneously across the present, past, future, and countless branching worlds like a deity could, meaning there was only one future he could see.

To put it another way, it was like skipping ahead to read a few pages further in a book. Unfortunately, from a god's perspective, that book was a multi-volume encyclopedia, and if they didn't like the contents, they could simply swap them out for something else. Furthermore, his power-the very "shin suki" that had rubbed off on me-couldn't interfere from a shifted phase, leaving me unable to touch anything or be found by anyone. It was a shin, in the end-nothing more than a constrained, limited ability. Even the Nine-Tailed Fox's highest-level illusions could only interfere with the past, making interference with the future far too difficult to pull off on a whim.

"Sure, the possibilities of branching worlds are infinite, and sure, there are probably worldlines where you pull it off well," I argued. "…But what matters is this side's subjective reality, right?"

No matter how much he argued, this terminal's future sight was nothing but an inferior version of a god's. There was no guarantee that this worldline-the one I subjectively perceived-would actually unfold that way.

'…That stings quite a bit, coming from someone who has aspects of a god,' the Shin Suki confessed, hanging his head with a deep, heavy sigh as he stopped walking near the convulsing mass of flesh. 'I can't exactly plead ignorance. As I thought, you really are the biggest obstacle, huh.'

"…The future you saw, where Hotoya Tamaki is offered as Miko of the Lid-what happens to Fusō-kuni?" I asked.

'It survives,' he answered directly. 'Of course, the Old Capital does as well.'

"How far does the territory extend? How much of the human realm remains intact?"

'At the very least, the entirety of Ise Province is preserved.'

"So, the rest falls then, right?"

'…Unfortunately, yes.'

"…Ha. I see."

I let out a cold, sardonic laugh at Nobe, who had answered honestly and without deceit.

"You're thorough," I spat. "If the Old Capital is maintained and the human realm continues to exist, then you're fine with abandoning everything else and making concessions. Is that it?"

He didn't lie-he just didn't say everything unless asked. The fact that this terminal could observe that future likely meant Kubou, the Sun God as the Harmonious Soul, was sending a message that those terms were acceptable. And for this split-off self as well, that line was the absolute minimum they could compromise on...

'Considering the devastation of Fusō-kuni in its founding era, even just having one entire province survive is more than enough of an achievement,' Nobe argued quietly. 'That is precisely the standard set for me. As long as we don't fall below the conditions of the founding era, the human realm is already more prosperous than the world before Fusō-and that alone justifies the nation's establishment. And… it's also the standard for whether we can concede to the Chimimōryō.'

"A standard… Is that yours? Or was it the First Emperor's dying will?"

'…It is, all of it, a conclusion reached by consensus.'

Silence fell after Nobe's reply as if he were recalling something-or perhaps acting as though he were.

'He was a dreamer to the core, and yet a thoroughgoing realist,' the terminal murmured, weaving his words as if gazing up at the heavens in deep emotion. 'And… he was also a pathetic, foolish mass of pessimism and self-sacrifice, always playing the clown. He always assumed the worst and was prepared for everything he did to come to nothing, yet he never abandoned hope. He never hesitated to make himself a sacrifice; to be hated, to bear shame-he accepted it all. …The only thing he wanted to avoid was having everything he did end in meaninglessness. He wanted even a fragment of his deeds to leave a result.'

"And that's why you'd allow such a future?"

'Let me say it once more: even so, it is far better than the world before Fusō,' the split-off self insisted through the terminal, savoring his words. 'A nation where people don't have to hide or flee, where they aren't worked as slaves-there was none of that in this land before. …His very first wish was truly, truly a small and modest one.'

There was unmistakable respect, reverence, and loyalty toward his master in his tone, proving it wasn't a bluff or an act.

"…Quite the loyal subject you are," I noted dryly. "Your original source, though-he was having a grand old time plotting to overthrow the human realm, saying he wanted to do his next experiment."

'I can understand that line of thought,' Nobe admitted, narrowing his eyes as he looked up at the convulsing mass of flesh. 'However, unlike him and his kind, I am divided with a clear purpose, and my very thoughts are likely restricted to serve that end. …And naturally, when the pact divided me, it was made so that I could not be rigged to harm Fusō. Rest assured on that point.'

With each spasm of the flesh, an indescribably wet, fleshy sound leaked out.

'This Miko here has served me well too,' Nobe added softly. 'It's unbearable to see her like this forever, so I think it's about time we let her rest, don't you?'

"And now you appeal to sentiment?"

'So you'd rather keep her suffering?' he asked smoothly. 'That's the work of an evil oni, you know.'

"Look who's talking."

'This face?'

"I know."

And then I fell silent, hesitating and agonizing over the situation. It was a terrible proposal, yet I couldn't outright reject it. Making Tamaki the Sacrificial Pillar here would likely secure one entire province in the Center Region for the human realm in the future Kubou conceded to-a territory even wider than the autonomous zone proposal offered to me, where hundreds of thousands would be saved. I didn't know what would become of what was offered to me if this proposal were adopted, but in any case, it wasn't a bad option for avoiding the worst outcome.

(But…)

That was a choice that had never existed in the original work. Was it my influence, or was it because Tamaki was TS'd-or something even beyond that? Either way, the Old Capital was never directly depicted in the original or the spin-offs, and of course, Tamaki had never become a Miko or a sacrificial pillar. I couldn't predict where this path would lead-especially the reaction of the Minister of the Left.

If even the male version of Tamaki was that bad, then having her as a female Miko would be… wait, could the Minister of the Left have foreseen this outcome?

Just imagining the Minister's reaction after the deed is done makes my skin crawl. Does this management function understand that? I stare back at the terminal fixed on me. They should have been eavesdropping on my conversation with the Minister of the Right….

"…The Minister of the Left is obsessed with Tamaki," I state bluntly. "He projects the Miko onto her. And… he betrayed Fusō."

'From what you've told me, that seems to be the case,' Nobe's terminal responds, tilting its head in mild confusion. 'But I don't understand it. Why would a family as distinguished as the Hyakuyain…?'

"Ah, I see. You don't know that far, do you?"

And here, I resolve to voice my objection clearly.

"Among the possibilities I've seen… there are ones far better than the end you speak of."

I'm not lying. What I recall in my mind is the so-called better ending-or perhaps the happy ending route of the original work. The protagonist's TS and all that? I'll set that aside for now.

'…And?'

"The Minister of the Left is highly valued by the monsters," I press on. "You could even call him an executive. His influence is immeasurable, and he himself is practically a monster already. …And that man is abnormally fixated on the Princess of Hotoya. Doesn't that give you a bad feeling?"

I bring up more scenarios in my mind and continue.

"I am aware of several of the fates that await Hotoya Tamaki-some where she suffers horribly, some where she manages to escape it, some where she loses her life. But… I know nothing of a fate where she becomes Miko."

'What are you trying to say?'

"The Minister of the Left's obsession with Hotoya Tamaki is because of the Miko," I explain coldly. "That man has survived since the era of the Great Rebellion, and he seems to have some deeply complicated feelings toward a certain Miko. Your methods are highly likely to stir up his past. And yet the Sun God has taken him in. …Don't you think it's possible you're being led by the nose?"

In other words, if Tamaki is made the sacrificial Miko, it won't save Ise Province. It means losing everything outside Ise Province. And with how insane that Minister is… it wasn't entirely impossible.

'I see. That interpretation is certainly possible,' the split spirit muses smoothly. '…So, what's your real opinion?'

"The Saiō position can only be filled once the predecessor dies, right?" I counter. "Then the Proxy Miko must be the same. 'Let her rest'-that's what you really mean, isn't it?"

And then I glance at the man who keeps muttering words of atonement toward the mass of flesh-the man who spoke to me of Magoroku, recalling his days with that 'sibling.' I turn back to the terminal.

"I owe a great deal to those siblings. So letting their mother off easy in that sense doesn't sit right with me."

'Rokusuke is this Miko's guardian, but there's no blood relation, you know?'

"Don't twist my words," I scoff. "...You're the one who guided me into becoming her guardian in the first place, aren't you? Seems like I've had quite the ordeal because of you, doesn't it?"

'Necessary expenses,' the terminal replies with a composed face, showing no hint of remorse.

'It's not like you're directly affected. Is it really worth getting so hung up over? Rokusuke, Miko, and Hotoya Tamaki are all strangers to you, aren't they?'

"If I could just accept that, turn a blind eye, shift the blame, and keep running, I wouldn't be standing here right now."

I speak irresponsibly, without thinking ahead. If this were a Gaba chart, it's a tradition that dates back to when I was entrusted to Onitsuki and started courting Hina. This isn't something new.

"I'm getting greedy too, creeping closer to being a monster. My body just can't be satisfied with a better ending anymore."

If I trade one region for the loss of the rest... if I had the disposition to accept that, I'd have jumped on Nue's proposal long ago. Considering I'm already guaranteed a safety net for the worst-case scenario, I think I could afford to be even greedier.

'...I understand your point of view.'

"But you don't agree, do you?"

And then I glance back at the noise that echoes from somewhere. I see three massive shadows: a Shiro great serpent with iridescent eyes, a centipede-headed giant, and a groaning giant wasp monster... no, is the swarm acting as one? Either way, the overflowing presence is anything but ordinary. The surging Youki is mixed with Shiro's Shinki, and even the Shikigami that serve as the Old Capital's defense mechanisms-the youkai... all of it.

"Gh, gyaah!? W-Wha...!?"

Immediately after, Magoroku-who probably hasn't been phase-shifted-lets out a scream upon noticing the presence. But she doesn't flee. She stands before the mass of flesh, spreading her arms as if to protect it. Her legs tremble and she's terrified... but she doesn't leave that spot. She braces herself to guard whatever lies behind her.

"...You can't mean they're targeting her, can you?"

'What if I said yes?'

"I'll seriously lose it."

'Oh, scary, scary.'

Her fear was far too superficial. Is she just assuming I can't do anything in this situation because my phase is shifted? Unfortunately, tearing apart the terminal in front of me-which is likely in the same phase-would be meaningless. Worst case, I'd be left stranded in a perpetually shifted phase. Vicious. But...

"Divinity exists on a surface, huh. So if I undergo youkai-ization, would it work?"

Even as I voice it as a question, I'm already half-convinced. In divinity, there is no past or future, so if I move closer to that plane, I'd be the same. It's just a shift. So if I tear through both past and future at once... the only fear is whether I can keep recognizing Magoroku as a protected target. For that, I'll just have to double-check with my great self-proclaimed mother.

"I'd like to settle this peacefully if possible, you know?"

'...'

At my brinkmanship warning, the terminal falls silent. Oh, is that how it is? Then... I guess there's no choice.

"With that said-your turn."

"Yayyy! Got it, Papa!"

The fool Spider leaps out from my garb. Clinging to my nape, Mari is ready to drain blood at any moment. I stoke the impulse I've kept bottled inside, carefully awakening that power. Holding the reins just short of losing my reason, I steer toward madness. I was dead serious.

Is Tamaki being stalled properly? What to do about Magoroku... troublesome. Even if I take her with me, she'll be dead weight on foot. Did they plan that far ahead and use her as bait?

I hesitate and agonize over how to settle the situation as my blood surges through my veins. How to appease Tamaki, how to protect Magoroku, how to handle Mari, the question of Murasaki's responsibility, how to report to the Minister of the Right... Ah, what a pain!

"Gh...!? Damn it!! Over there too-what, is there something there too!?" Magoroku screams in terror, looking our way and staring into the void.

"Yayyy! That's right, it's me!" Spider cheers happily.

Even if divinity exists as a surface and Magoroku can't see it, he seems to have sensed the presence; his voice trembles violently. And yet, he keeps the flesh heap of a Miko behind him and never once tries to run. That's some spine.

'...!!'

The three opposing beings-whether wary of me or Spider-take a few steps back. Even as they retreat, they never turn their backs. The serpent's eyes open wide, glowing ominously as a youkai, while the centipede giant braces itself like a sumo wrestler, and the very air in the space shifts into something indescribable. The swarm of wasps scatters for a moment, then instantly reshapes its writhing mass into the form of a dragon. The clustered swarm opens the jaws of its mimic dragon, unleashing a roar from deep within its gut that rumbles through the underground...

"...Huh? Wait, are these guys, like, ridiculously strong?"

Cold sweat trickles down my neck. At the very least, they're far stronger than the wolves I faced on the surface. A bad feeling creeps in-a really bad feeling.

'Realizing that now, are we?' Nobe asks smoothly.

"Yeah," I cough nervously. "Let's talk. I'm sure we can work this out if we talk."

'As expected, violence solves everything, doesn't it?'

"Fuck!"

"Yayyy! No worries! If Papa and I combine our strength, we're super duper invincible!" Spider chirps with hyper-cute enthusiasm.

"I sure hope so...!!"

My flimsy attempt at a face-saving reversal is ruthlessly shot down by the triumphant beast. The pressure from the three opposing beings intensifies into a dense concentration of Shinki as I sense their respective authorities being activated. I answer Spider's bubbly, irresponsible words with bitter resolve, casting a brief glance behind me to reconfirm Magoroku's position.

I've got to make sure she doesn't get caught in the backlash... if so, the best defense is a good offense!

I picture it in my mind: before they can exercise their authorities, I'll take down one of them for sure. Gouge, tear, and sink it. Then I'll circle behind, take the next one as it turns-making sure Magoroku never enters their line of fire while drawing their attention to me-finalizing the strategy.

"...!!"

And then I concentrate all my strength into my legs and claws, about to leap forward for the first strike...!!

'... ...!! ...Let's call a truce, servants of the Great Mother.'

"Gh!? Wha-!?"

Immediately after, as if receiving instructions from afar, the terminal speaks words of ceasefire. At the same time, the three beings release their combat stances. I stumble as I barely stop myself mid-leap, and the terminal steps forward toward me.

'Rest easy. The initial proposal regarding Hotoya Tamaki's treatment has been discarded.'

The beast reports with a tone that's both soothing and tinged with regret-the most emotional-sounding delivery I've heard from it so far.

"...What... what's going on?"

'Nothing much, really,' Nobe answers softly. '...Right. You should thank the Minister of the Right-dono later.'

"...The Minister of the Right?"

"Huh? Minister?" Spider asks, tilting her head.

At the terminal's unexpected words, Spider and I exchange glances, furrowing our brows in unison as we mull over the term.

---

=== MAP ===

Translation Notes:

1↵ A Chinese proverb meaning "When the cunning rabbit is dead, the running dog is cooked," used to describe the fate of loyal servants who are discarded after their usefulness is exhausted. The narrator invokes it to acknowledge they understand the political calculus behind being disposed of after the master's goals are achieved.

2↵ A Japanese concept referring to the belief that words possess spiritual power and can affect reality. The narrator claims their ears are a disguise specifically designed to counter this phenomenon, adding a layer of mysterious self-awareness and constant preparation to their character.

3↵ A deity in Japanese folklore associated with stillborn, miscarried, or aborted children. Often considered a cursed or abandoned god. Here, it represents a primordial divine pillar whose authority underpins Tamaki's power.

4↵ Literally "eight million," a traditional Japanese expression meaning an infinite or countless number of kami (gods). Refers to the Shinto pantheon of myriad deities.

5↵ A concept analogous to ley lines or dragon lines—flows of mystical energy that permeate the land. Controlling them grants power over the deities and spirits tied to that territory.