Gregory, after hosting Marcel and his friends in his home, offered them aid in getting to the domains of the Koto Empire, where Silva was taken.
Sorry, she wasn’t taken! She returned of her own volition immediately after Karshena was successfully kidnapped by her father, as if it was some signal to return home or something.
Marcel and his friends don’t know that though, so they decided to head there and rescue their Shrine Maiden Princess… from… her home…
Yeah, that sounds like a terrible idea, seeing that the Spirit Fox race are ubiquitously known as the race who never gets the short end of the stick in any sort of negotiation. This is not going to be pretty!
Seeing that Marcel and his friends still wanted to go, even after he explained that it wasn’t going to be easy to ‘rescue’ Natsume, Gregory could only bid them farewell and offer them some beforehand assistance into entering ‘that person’s’ domain.
Gregory opened a spatial corridor between the Kalix Beast Empire and the Koto Empire when they were ready to leave. He set the coordinates on the other side of the Koto Empire at— you’ll find out when they get there.
Surrounded by Karshena’s family, they said their farewells and set off, although…
“Go on! I have some things to attend to here. I’ll meet you guys again at home in a few days’ time.” Karshena smiled at the guys who, although, bummed out that she wouldn’t come along to save Natsume, understood why she had to stay.
You know… behind Karshena were her siblings, practically glued to their sister, regardless of their ages. They just couldn’t handle it; their father using them as rebound again if she decided to leave, that is.
“Anything to keep the ‘Empress’ here!” They thought with grave expressions, surrounded by serious volumes of frightened aura. A quick note here: these kids have been through some very ‘rough’ treatment at the hands of their father. Anything to stop more potential visits to Duat, their race’s ‘assigned’ underworld.
Anyway, Marcel and his friends found it awkward to even mention taking Karshena along with them after her poor siblings clung unto her for dear life. It would be a miracle if Karshena managed to get them off her back in just a ‘few days’ time’ like she mentioned.
Spoiler alert: She spent two months in the Beast Empire before she finally became Valeria again, hehe~
Now, let’s back to Gregory sending them off.
Gregory, quickly sick of seeing Marcel, his friends and his daughter acting all ‘telepathically chummy’ with each other as if they understood everything, teleported the group to the coordinates set in the Koto Empire.
“Good luck!” He said smirking before the spatial forces enveloped them to complete the transfer. They had no idea why he said that.
“Weird!” They thought.
***
They arrived in a courtyard, dropped a meter from ground level, face first. Whether that was intentional or not on Gregory’s side, we’ll never know. Besides, nobody was really hurt. Apart from a slight feeling of disorientation and head spinning from traversing a vast distance through an unfamiliar technique compared to what they were used to, everything was fine. But really, if they thought they weren’t fine earlier, they were about to be really be.
They had no idea that they were surrounded until they recovered from the last of their disoriented states. When they looked up to see the presence that had surrounded them, they regretted it.
In front stood a woman with a voluptuous figure, around 30 years old in appearance from what Marcel could tell, surrounded by innumerable maids, all carrying terrifyingly strong auras. If Gregory’s aura that killed and resurrected them yesterday emanated the strength of overwhelming, earth-shaking tsunamis, then this woman’s aura was a looped cycle of torrential storms that would continue for eternity. Gregory was strong, but to Allan and the rest, this woman, might as well be the Demon Lord. This woman was equally divine or maybe even more so than Gregory.
“So… strong!” They thought, crushed under the weight of this woman’s very presence. Just where did they arrive exactly? No, it couldn’t be?!
Haa, but it is! This is one of the Koto Empire’s side palace courtyards. Gregory had brought them directly to where they wanted to come, though, he had failed to warn them that this woman was already awaiting their arrival. How unfortunate!
“You!” The woman spoke in a voice void of emotion, directed at the group. She looked at the little ones beneath her with a threatening gaze, especially Marcel and the ‘Genius Witch’ of the Blue Doves. They couldn’t help but sweat profusely under her intense stare that threatened to make them pass out.
Marcel, although incapable of feeling aura, still felt slightly threatened when she peered at him. It was like, um… if he dared defy her, it wouldn’t end well; like the true horrors he’d imagined before he set out on his journey to meet— ugh, his despicable fiancé.
“Follow me!” She commanded in a calm manner as if not expecting any resistance from them. In her voice contained a power that resonated with their bodies, leaving them with no choice but to follow. In that moment, they felt like puppets on strings moving to the very whims of this woman.
They followed the woman in the heavy attire who walked languidly in front, surrounded by a large number of maids lined up on each side of her. Their presence only increased the tenseness they felt, leaving them not daring enough to even speak a word until told to. They didn’t ask where they were being taken as they climbed the stairs to enter the side palace or when they walked across the endless corridors inside. They followed without question. Total silence!
Compared to the Kalix Beast Empire’s palace, this place’s beauty was more nuanced and less pronounced. Even if they were in a side palace, Marcel thought everything was less, um… ‘out-there’ and designed to be noticeable. The palace was made primarily of planks of wood; and the painting of the building, less vibrant to accentuate the wood’s quality. Overall, it smelled very lovely with its cypress, woody notes that he didn’t usually smell. This place seems to think less is better while Gregory’s palace just screams ‘lavish’ and ‘white’.
Haha, unfortunately for Marcel, Spirit Foxes specialize in deception. Minimalists? Please!
A plank of the wood he was currently walking on costs tens of thousands what an A-rank adventurer’s mission got them. Earlier, while walking past the courtyard, Marcel noticed a large fishpond with oddly colored vibrant fishes that swam happily without a care in the world. He had no idea that this side palace was built around this natural pond instead of the other way around and he called this place less lavish? The price tag of this side palace alone was enough to send a small nation into bankruptcy! Hmph!
They continued to follow the woman and her maids and, for the first time in a while… they realized that they might have made a grave mistake, especially when they decided to come here. Will they survive long enough to meet Natsume or be sent home without accomplishing anything? Heck, would they even make it out of there alive? They had no idea! They could only hope that luck was on their side like usual. Marcel wasn’t counting on it though, with his luck streak so far.
***
After walking for a few minutes that felt like hours, they arrived at a room that seemed to be all the way behind the side palace. No wonder it took so long to get there, especially with how slow they walked here.
The room was a large, plain tatami room with a table sitting at the front and a cushion chair behind the table. Opposite the table were seat cushions; seven in total, placed in two rows. The first row had three cushions even spaced between each other and behind that, four cushions, creating a triangular pattern. Hoh~, it was as if this woman knew they were coming.
“Sit!” The woman directed them to the seats, especially Marcel and Allan. She moved her hand to show them where to sit, not giving them any choice but to sit in the first row. Two seats there were filled, leaving only one left to be occupied in the front row. Someone had to present himself or herself as the sacrifice for this woman’s all-seeing glare to pierce through. Someone… needed to offer themselves to the ‘Ray of Death’.
“Not me!” Kensuke transmitted to the other five who still hadn’t taken their seats. He knows who that woman is, and from the time he spent here last time, came memories that he’d rather have kept dormant forever. This woman… is terrifying!
“Me neither!” The thunderbeast brothers replied simultaneously. Compared to her, they feared that they’d die if she glared at them again.
“Haa… looks like I have to be the sacrifice!” Shalia sighed as she relented to her fate and hurried along to sit after Allan.
The woman smiled slightly when she saw the princess dejectedly move along to bear the weight of becoming the sacrifice.
“These young ones are funny!” She thought.
Oh no, did she intercept their little exchange just now? I’m certain she did!
Shalia took her seat, followed the others with Daniel, then Nigel, Evan and lastly, Kenny. Everyone sat and afterward came the woman’s turn.
As she gracefully sat, they finally got a good look at her.
The woman had rosebrown hair and dark eyes, wore layers of kimono, her outer-kimono layer embroidered in flowery motif. Her hair was styled and decorated in a deliberately exuberant manner with ornaments and accessories. With her pale light skin covered in light make-up to match her overall aesthetics, she exuded beauty and grace from head to toe. She was like a regal figure who commanded a lot of power, like maybe a queen or even an empress. Marcel was sure he was dealing with someone on the level of Alverona in terms of status. This was probably the second most powerful woman he’d ever met.
Noticing the young ones stare blatantly for too long, she cleared her throat to grab their attention.
“Ahem!” Her voice pulled Marcel and the others from their thoughts.
Staring intently at the group for a short period, she asked, “Which of you is Marcel?” Her eyes raised into crescents and the air grew intense once more.
“I am!” Marcel immediately raised his hand in confidence. Hey, if anyone can get through this unscathed, it’s him.
The woman seemed surprised by the immediate reply to her question, but she quickly regained her composure,
“Tell me honestly! Does any one of you, especially you…” she observed Marcel again, “…have feelings for Natsume? Raise your hands if you do!” Her powerful presence compelled their souls to reveal the truth. She was puppeteering them again.
Fortunately for them, no one raised their hands under her immense compulsion. They remained sitting, oppressed by her powerful, scrutinizing aura, except Marcel, of course! He was busy doing something else.
As the others were almost getting crushed by her, Marcel’s Spirit Eyes were busy trying to ‘see’ this woman. It was actively investigating the woman’s true form, which quickly drew her attention from the others.
Marcel couldn’t see her true form with his eyes; with the woman actively hiding it away and all. From the looks of the ‘shadow’ currently ‘being displayed’ to him by his eyes, he could tell that she was somehow related to Natsume.
The woman grinned when she saw those eager eyes ready to catch a glimpse at the truth. Unfortunately, she was going to deny the youngster the privilege because it was meant only for his eyes when he was possibly much, much older.
Just like how he couldn't see Alverona's true form because those ‘Spirit Eyes’ of his were far too weak as they currently were, so too couldn't he see the woman's true form. In addition, extreme misfortune may befall his path if he got a glimpse too early. Brimming with the power of a Ruler who has lived for several billion years, the true form of this individual could only be described as horrific in nature. It was a horrendous power that made one question how strong its creator was.
Now, back to the earlier question!
No one raised their hands, causing the woman to lower the pressure she exuded in the room. She showed a smile for the first time since they arrived.
“Good!” She nodded in satisfaction, “Now, would any of you like some tea?” She asked.
She didn’t wait for their answer, however.
“Kyoko, make them some tea, would you?” She languidly asked one of the numerous maids that stood in waiting behind her; a black-haired lady.
“Yes, your majesty!” She answered with the right amount of boldness and gentleness before she conjured up cups, then water to brew the tea before performing the tea ceremony. After she finished, she made the teas disappear before placing them individually with spatial magic in front of each of them.
After she was done, she moved behind after bowing respectfully to her mistress and waited again with a blank expression full of servitude.
“Now, let’s discuss!” The woman spoke in a sultry manner; her eyes squinting to form crescents as she stared at Marcel with mischievous intent. Marcel felt shivers down his spine as he stared into the green tea.
Marcel raised his head and nodded, readying himself to answer any question, but then, she asked,
“So… how do you like your men?”
Marcel became quickly disoriented and panicked, blushing uncontrollably and almost kicking away his tea. He was so shocked and agitated that the calmness he’d decided to go into this conversation with was nowhere to be found, just jumped out the window.
Soon, however, Marcel tried to gather himself up. He needed to answer the question, after all.
“I-I-I don’t know… Maybe tall and pretty?” He answered stuttering, unsure if his answer would be sufficient.
To his surprise, the woman laughed slightly.
“Good! Looks like you lied though. You had a clear preference brewed up in your head when I asked the question. Why didn’t you just say that? At least, I learned that you are capable of being awkward too when under pressure. I like it. You pass!” She proclaimed.
She looked at Marcel with bright eyes of delight and a brewing amusement from looking at the youngster blush when asked about love-related matters. So cute! She wished she could pair him up with one of her sons but unfortunately, he was already taken by someone else. And, he’s so cute too… What a shame!
In case, you haven’t noticed it yet, the little, very personal question she asked Marcel, was a test. It was to determine Marcel’s character based on how he reacted and not by his very ‘stiff’ aura. She determined this to be the only way to read the boy with an unchanging aura compared to the others.
She cleared her throat, “Ahem! You must be wondering who I am. A curious bunch, I see! Okay, I’ll tell you.”
She raised her hand and swiped it across her face. It changed to that… of a man?!
This man she transformed to; he looked… so familiar! Wait, is that even a man? So…
“Now, allow me to introduce myself! I am Kiyoshi Koto, Ruler of these lands; father and sister to Natsume Mikohime Inari, Shrine Maiden to the Great Inari.”
That face… he looked a lot like Natsume’s shadow of a human form, with bright green eyes and blond hair that emanated a faint golden glow. Unlike Natsume, however, he was void of any traces of an aura, even of his own Spirit Fox race. It was the second most perfect human form Marcel had ever seen, especially because, as of yet, he still knew naught of the Demon Lord’s true race. His future hubby was so human in his eyes that humans would really love him.
Now, that should give you an idea of why everyone in the Demon Realms attempts to reach perfect human form the stronger they become. Humans wouldn’t be the only ones entranced by the Demon Lord’s perfection of a human form. To the inhabitants of the Demon Realms, the masterful level of control the Demon Lord displayed over his power in order to assume that ‘basic form’, unlinked to any essence, proved just how spectacular their grand protector was. They wanted to be of the same likeness as the Demon Lord’s perfect human form.
Oh, did I mention sometime in the past that the Demon Lord can transform into any race in the Demon Realms without effort thanks to his special constitution that does the very opposite of Marcel’s ‘picky’ body? Um, I think I did, somewhere around Vitalis mentioning that ‘thing’.
Kiyoshi Koto looked prettier, somehow sexier and exceedingly charming, like he was created to be appreciated by the earth unlike his sisters whom the heavens had claimed monopoly over. Natsume had beauty of a more teenage-like nature while, her brother… was like a fully ripe, matured fruit that tempted the senses. How was it that, even with almost the same face, one could be of heaven and the other, of earth?
Kensuke blushed uncontrollably, as did Evan and Daniel. Kensuke remembered why he almost died last time. It was that face; also known as his first crush. This face was the reason why he didn’t forget anything about Ixis despite having not visited in so long. Its beauty haunted him all the way into his dreams. Even now, it still does!
The group stared for a long time and after he thought they’d had enough, he continued to speak.
“It’s good that none of you are in love with my sister. If you had been, I would have immediately executed you on the spot. We can’t have any man close to her being in love with her. That’s how she died twenty four times. I don’t want to count the women yet, since none of your love for her has brought about unspeakable catastrophes, you’re safe for now, elven princess!” Emperor Koto smiled with his eyes. Seeing that the group remained speechless for reasons ‘unknown’, he shapeshifted back into his previous female form before continuing,
“It’s fate that brought you here today, friends of my sister!”
Marcel’s group continued to remain speechless. After all, they were surprised to hear that Natsume died 24 times in the past from people harboring feelings for her. They wondered how many times she died for other stuff.
Emperor Koto looked at the thunderbeast brothers and called another one of the maids around her, “Hisame!”
“Your majesty!” She came forward and bowed. She was a brown-haired woman.
“Give those three brothers the lightning orbs I ordered made three days ago!” She ordered.
“Certainly, your majesty!” The maid answered before she conjured up three different, palm-sized orbs of lightning and walked to the three brothers to present to each of them, a specific orb. From the orbs she presented them, the brothers felt resonations to them.
The orb Nigel received held not only the tremendous power of lightning that surpassed what had created them. It also possessed traces of the other elements he was adept it, like the earth element. He could also sense traces of the divine element personified and something mysterious that he couldn’t know about just yet. This orb seemed to hold what Nigel could faintly describe as ‘his future self’.
Looking at the orb that he’d received, Daniel could sense lightning, light and water elements respectively within. There was something more, like in Nigel’s, but he couldn’t sense it. They brimmed with power beyond his imagination. How strong were the elements within? He had no idea!
In Evan’s, he could sense elements of lightning, wind, darkness, and a deadly aura that would easily kill him if he played carelessly with it. He wasn’t sure, but did he just receive something with the pure element of ‘death’ added to it? Was this a premonition that he was going to awaken yet another element? Why did it have to be ‘death’ though?
Coming into contact with these orbs was a surreal feeling for the three brothers, like they were meeting something that was destined to always become a part of them.
When Emperor Koto confirmed that the three were each engrossed with the lightning orbs he’d had presented to them, he spoke in an enigmatic fashion,
“I hope to see the day of your ascension!”
Afterward, he drew a line in mid-air that split the lightning orbs to have the contents within rush into their thunderbeast bodies.
The brothers, after the contents entered their bodies, instantly felt drowsy and passed out. They remained so for two days.
Later, they’d wake up feeling just fine, not knowing that they’d already been guided onto their future paths. Also, great news! Evan and Daniel had progressed much closer to the A-class compared to their earlier estimation of when it would happen. It wouldn’t be long now before they crossed the threshold. Those up ‘above’ will be very happy on the day they come to get these beasts.
Now, back to Marcel and the others…
Emperor Koto stared at Allan as if he was some strange creature for a while with blatantly scrutinizing eyes before he spoke,
“Fascinating! Child of the Fates, maybe? I’ll also look forward to your growth, young witch!”
Next, he looked at Shalia and smiled before saying,
“I look forward to working with you, little princess!”
He had this feeling that she’d be closer to him than any of Marcel’s other friends. He looked forward to her future as well.
Kenny was the only one whom Emperor Koto didn’t look at with intrigue. After all, his path was to be decided by ‘him’. Looks like nothing major is going on with him just yet, even though he possessed a ‘fragment’ compared to when they last met.
Even so, he’ll look with special interest. He might prove to the biggest surprise out of all of Marcel’s friends. After all, no one knows exactly what the race bestowed with the special blessing of the Curse element will bring about in the end. He’ll look forward to it. Ha, this boy who used to have a crush on him has finally become interesting enough to stalk. How delightful!
With all of the other matters, which included meeting Natsume’s friends and deducing what could almost certainly be their fates, out of the way, he discussed with Marcel, with little intrigue in other things.
It was so normal a discussion about Marcel and Natsume that, as if what happened earlier; with Emperor Koto handing out presents and looking at them with unquestionable intrigue, was not strange and mysterious. Through him, his ‘mother’ looked at Marcel’s friends and looked forward to their growth with great interest.
Maybe very soon, his mother might achieve her goal, but until then, looking, it is!
***
“I see! So, you met your wolf beast in a cave in the world of Beast Summons. I’m wondering? Are you somehow related to her?” Emperor Koto almost uttered the latter part out loud while pondering deeply.
“What?” Marcel asked, confused.
“Nothing!” He brushed it off, moving from his cushion seat to Marcel’s side. What he did next surprised the youngster.
Ruler Kiyoshi laid down on the tatami mat floor, placing his head atop Marcel’s lap; an instinctual action that felt not even the least bit strange. He felt so relaxed the moment he put that head on the young man’s lap. His worries just… faded away like grains of sand in the wind.
Marcel and his friends were reasonably surprised while the maids continued to observe the situation with unrivaled stoicism.
“You know, when you speak to either me or my sister… you are, in a sense, speaking to a god since, we’re technically still fragments of our mother, Inari.” She spoke languidly as she had before they began discussing important manners. This time, she possessed none of the seriousness and intense pressure that she had earlier.
Yes, about that! How he’s technically his mother is just like how those ‘maids’ of his are actually his fox tails personified, each a manifestation of an element of this world he controls. He possesses a lot of those; so... yeah, he’s powerful.
“How are you both Natsume’s father, brother and sister at the same time?” Marcel asked. He didn’t seem to care either that Emperor Koto was lying on his lap anymore. He just hoped that his legs wouldn’t go numb too fast.
“It’s a long story! In the beginning, we were Inari, before we were split from her and remolded into Natsume and myself: the Heavenly and Earthly portions. I am the earthly portion, created to be a progenitor of the Spirit Fox race while Natsume is the heavenly portion, created to help me and maintain contact with the heavenly realm, securing blessings from above. She was created to eventually return to the realm above. Ironically, the earthly portion, become immortal as it grew in this world while she, the heavenly portion, is trapped in a constant cycle of death and rebirth, brought back to this world through me.”
“So… you mean…” Marcel looked baffled.
“Yes, when she dies, I give birth to her again. My main purpose was to populate these lands after all. But, she is special amongst all my children. You could say that I am the portal through which her soul descends. Ten or twenty years after her death, she returns through parthenogenesis. Poor thing! She can’t seem to stay alive past her 800th birthday no matter what. She is reborn, although she also pays the price for reincarnation like everyone else but hers is a bit lighter than that of others. She gives up the mundane attributes she accumulated during her life and returns to her pure form.”
“I see!” Marcel was intrigued. He had more questions.
“Now, how about the reason why she can’t lie? Is it something related to the divine?” He asked.
“Haha, at the beginning, it wasn’t! It’s ironic that, although she is of a race known for its tendency to play tricks and lie to others for fun, she can’t tell a lie anymore, not even as a joke. She lost that capability in one of her past lives where she tried it and a catastrophe ensued. It’s funny, actually!”
Ah, yes! All she did was tell her 12th brother at the time that the girl he liked also had favorable feelings towards him to make him feel better when she knew it was not the truth. She simply helped him avoid his fate as a depressed, love-struck fool who ended his life when he felt like it wasn’t worth living it anymore.
So, yeah, Natsume helped him avoid his fate, however, someone was still going to die.
Her brother enraged, when he finally caught on to the fact that the girl lacked feelings for him, thought himself to have been used. Like the true Spirit Fox he is, he led the girl’s family to their gory doom when he confirmed the truth from Natsume after being annoying beyond compared. One lie eventually led to hundreds of deaths.
Right after that disaster, she swore a divine oath that, even if the truth she discovered through her ‘inquiries’ were going to be gruesome and hurtful, she’d always tell it as it is, which is why she’s been so blunt all throughout her following reincarnations.
“It’s been so long that everyone accepts her truthfulness as part of her.” Emperor Koto said.
“Wow, that’s sad!” Marcel remarked.
“I know! I tried to convince her so much after she first swore, telling her to revoke her divine oath, but she didn’t and kept reinforcing it in her following lives until that oath changed her soul. Now I have a blunt sister who will tell me to my face that she likes your food more than anything I can offer her. Sad, indeed!”
Emperor Koto didn’t seem to think it was as sad, despite saying so. He thought it was nice that his sister found a friend in Marcel because he believed that something extremely good would come out of it. It was the kind of good along the lines of, ‘Now feed my sister forever’ and ‘Since my sister likes you so much, I hope you will be the key to helping her stay alive until her 900th birthday this time’,
Emperor Koto smiled gently. It worried Marcel, however, because suddenly, he felt the weight of keeping a budding goddess alive on her shoulders. Emperor Koto had such high hopes for him and his relationship with his sister/daughter. So much responsibility!
Meanwhile, as Marcel and Emperor Koto were engaging in conversation and acting chummy with each other, because Marcel doesn’t have a ‘Don’t get casual with a Ruler’ filter, a certain priestess in her temple was speaking to a divine entity.
Haha~, today’s going just full of surprises, and they aren’t over quite yet.
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