Hidden Intentions

The Minamoto clan was recruiting exceptional Onmyo-sei of non-noble birth? And they had set their sights directly on Yura? Upon hearing Minamoto no Yorimitsu's words, Miketsu felt a surge of astonishment. Based on her prior investigation into the clan, she knew the Minamoto to be the most xenophobic of the Three Great Clans. She had even heard from Fujiwara no Saneyori that Minamoto no Mitsunaka once vehemently opposed the Onmyoryo allowing mystics into its ranks. Why were they now taking the initiative to recruit those they once looked down upon?

"Wait, I seem to remember... the Minamoto clan didn't exactly welcome those not born of noble lineages," Miketsu asked directly, given the other party's bluntness regarding their intentions.

"That is a thing of the past. Your presence, Lord Hao, along with that of Abe no Seimei, has sufficiently proven the heights a non-noble Onmyoji can reach. Since the dawn of a new era is upon us, if we cannot stop it, we must seize the opportunity," Minamoto no Yorimitsu replied with a smile. Initially, fearing that mystics entering the Onmyoryo would shatter the clans' monopoly on Onmyojutsu and threaten their interests, Yorimitsu had been one of the most vocal opponents. But seeing that the trend could not be halted, he had decisively shifted his stance, attempting to recruit the most talented students to secure his clan's interests.

If you don't take them, the other clans eventually will. Better to strike first; for Yorimitsu, his loyalty was always to pragmatism.

"I see... your change in attitude was certainly swift."

"Naturally. When a policy is proven wrong, one must act quickly to mitigate losses. In truth, we have long desired to engage with you, Lord Hao, but unfortunately you rarely show yourself. Getting an audience has proven unexpectedly difficult... hehe, I assume you spend your days in secret training."

Minamoto no Yorimitsu continued to speak. Though his words sounded like flattery, his tone lacked any real warmth.

'He feels like the kind of person no one could truly like,' Miketsu thought as she looked at the young Minamoto man.

"Well then... are your current dealings concluded?"

"I have merely expressed our interest to Master Doman for now. The final decision rests with her..." Yorimitsu said, casting another glance at Miketsu.

"Speaking of which, Lord Hao is a rare sight in Heian-kyo. May I ask what brings you to the Onmyoryo today?"

Rather than dodging, Yorimitsu pivoted the conversation directly to her. After a brief consideration, Miketsu decided there was no harm in being honest.

"I have come to the Onmyoryo to learn more about the escalating Ubume incidents within the capital. My lord of Minamoto, what do you know of this creature?"

"The Ubume... That case is currently being handled jointly by the Boundary Bureau and the Subjugation Bureau. Specific details are kept from outsiders, but since my sources are quite far-reaching, I do know a thing or two..."

"Then... what have you discovered?" Miketsu pressed, curious to see what information the Minamoto would reveal.

"While this is being treated as a typical yokai incident, there are many suspicious elements. First, an Ubume is a solitary, nomadic yokai. It never stays in one place for long. Staying in Heian-kyo for this duration is highly irregular. Furthermore, there is something peculiar about the victims... So far, every child snatched has been a girl."

Yorimitsu spoke thoughtfully, causing Miketsu’s expression to sharpen.

"Only girls? Every one? Does the Ubume now handpick its targets?"

"No one can say for sure. Historically, accounts of the Ubume never mentioned such a preference. Beyond that, there is something else quite intriguing. In the households of the abducted infants, several bizarre and ill-omened events occurred shortly before the kidnappings."

Yorimitsu’s tone shifted, pointing toward a different lead entirely.

"Ill-omened events?" Miketsu felt the confusion in her heart deepen.

"Yes. Things like objects suddenly moving on their own, insects dying mysteriously en masse, or wild beasts appearing abruptly inside the home... Oddities, certainly, but small matters. The victims' families saw these as portents of doom and believe the abduction of their children was the fulfillment of these omens," Yorimitsu said calmly, his expression unchanged.

"Ill omens appearing before an Ubume strikes? That... truly is bizarre," Miketsu murmured, her brow furrowed. Seeing this, Yorimitsu let out a soft chuckle.

"Hehe. In this world, those capable of seeing the truth are the minority. The vast majority of people live their lives in a haze of ignorance. It is perfectly normal for them to use their imaginations to assign meanings to things they don't understand."

Yorimitsu's airy comment, seemingly unrelated to the topic, made Miketsu’s heart skip a beat. She felt as though she had suddenly grasped something.

"Are you saying those phenomena were only perceived as omens, but in reality, their occurrences were triggered by a deeper cause? Something more profound at play?"

"That... who knows?" Yorimitsu said with an enigmatic smile. Despite his words, his face clearly signaled: 'I know everything, but I won't tell you.'

'He really is an irritating fellow,' Miketsu thought, her lip twitching slightly.

...

Not long after, Minamoto no Yorimitsu and his attendants departed. Miketsu watched his receding figure, her mind clouded with suspicion.

Though Yorimitsu had shared some unknown details about the Ubume, Miketsu sensed he knew far more than he let on. Was he trying to hint at something? Could the Minamoto—or perhaps he himself—be involved in this? And what was his purpose for being so suggestive?

If his hints were true, this was not just a simple case of a stray yokai.

"Ha! What are you thinking about? Surely you didn't come all the way to the Onmyoryo to look for me just to stand there in a daze?" Yura—known as Ashiya Doman—slapped Miketsu on the shoulder, snapping her back to reality.

"Tell me, Yura... do you believe these recent kidnappings in Heian-kyo were really committed by an Ubume?" Miketsu asked directly.

"Oh, that? Well, I know a few students from the Boundary Bureau who have been on the night patrol. They say that on the nights children were snatched, they definitely felt an extremely fast-moving demonic energy. They even found bird feathers belonging to the creature at the scene the following morning. From that perspective, it’s about eighty percent certain that it is an Ubume," Yura replied thoughtfully. Miketsu nodded, but as she asked more specific questions, Yura's answers yielded little new information. She then changed the subject, mentioning the recruitment offer.

From Yura’s response, it seemed she was quite interested in the Minamoto clan's offer.

"So... you're actually considering it?"

"Yeah. I'm not a monstrous genius like you. If I want to truly master the deeper levels of Onmyodo, joining one of the Great Clans is necessary. After all, the most powerful spells aren't taught at the Onmyoryo. The Minamoto are the best at controlling Shikigami, which aligns with my own specialty. I think I could grow a lot through them."