Interrogation

“Bone fragments from some kind of creature?”

Upon hearing Fujiwara no Kanehira’s words, Miketsu couldn’t help but frown. In terms of appearance, the object did indeed resemble bone. Kanehira had mentioned earlier that the Decaying Bow she recovered from the shrine was clearly not a wagyu unique to Japan. Instead, it was a horn bow from the mainland—a small bow utilizing composite materials and a recurve structure. It had been crafted using animal body parts as raw materials, but she hadn’t expected those parts to be bone.

“Can you confirm what creature these bones came from?” Miketsu asked directly. The moment she saw the fragments, an inexplicable throb pulsed in her heart. She felt a sudden, intense urge to know what they were.

“Regarding that, please forgive this old man’s shallow knowledge, My Lady. I have observed and pondered over these fragments for a long time, yet I simply cannot identify the creature they originated from.

“I cannot sense any residual power within them, making it impossible to distinguish whether they belonged to a yokai, a spirit beast, or a common animal... All I can say for certain is that the creature’s size must have been astronomical, to the point that these fragments stripped from the bone show no curvature at all. Furthermore, compared to the bones of ordinary creatures, the texture of these fragments is significantly lighter. Beyond that, I cannot confirm any more information...”

Fujiwara no Kanehira spoke with regret. As a spirit tool craftsman, he had encountered many materials throughout his life, including the bones of spirit beasts and yokai. However, even with his vast experience, he was unable to identify the source of these fragments.

Miketsu nodded silently. Hearing that the fragments were extracted from the Decaying Bow, she couldn't help but think of the broken shards left behind in Mokou and Kakuhanbo. Those had been shards of the demonic blade held by the ancient warrior; once forcibly removed and deprived of a host, they had rapidly transformed into bone-like objects...

“In any case, thank you for your hard work. The tempering of this blade was very timely; I will surely need it in the battles to come.” Although Miketsu was slightly disappointed by the lack of information, she still expressed her gratitude to Fujiwara no Kanehira.

“As I have said, it is my honor to continue tempering this blade... It now possesses the potential to reach the heavens and command the gods. I hope you will develop and utilize it well...” Fujiwara no Kanehira responded with utmost gravity, and Miketsu gave a slight nod in acknowledgement.

“I will.”

...

Holding her true weapon, Miketsu walked out of the Spirit Tool Bureau. Stepping into the empty corridors of the Onmyoryo, she looked up at the sky, which was thick with heavy, dark clouds. A sense of unease settled in her chest.

Why does it feel like... something is about to happen?

‘That’s wonderful, Lady Uka. Now that you have the Blade of the Three Realms back, you’ve regained your former strength.’ Tsuruha, hiding in Miketsu’s sleeve, spoke through their contract.

“Yes, the timing is indeed perfect... Without it, future battles would lack a major safeguard. I feel much more at ease now. Everything else can proceed.” Miketsu spoke with a calm expression.

“My only concern now is Ubume. Based on the time, Nura and the others should have handed her over to the Onmyoryo. If all goes as expected, she will likely be transferred to that group for interrogation... I hope she doesn't suffer too much.”

...

In a deep, dark underground space within Heian-kyo, Ubume—bound by Demon-Binding Chains—was imprisoned in a cell carved directly into the rock wall. Iron bars stood between her and freedom.

Ubume sat on the floor, covered in various talismans. Centered on her, circles of magical arrays engraved with spells radiated outward. Outside the cell stood a group of humans dressed in black, led by Minamoto no Yorimasa.

At this moment, Minamoto no Yorimasa held a hand seal, his lips moving as he chanted incantations. As spiritual power rippled through the space, the talismans on Ubume’s body and the array beneath her glowed with a faint light. Ubume let out muffled groans of pain, her expression agonized.

As Minamoto no Yorimasa continued his chanting, Ubume’s reactions grew weaker until she finally sat motionless. Seeing this, Minamoto no Yorimasa ceased his incantation, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“Who are you?”

“Ubume...”

Through the bars, Yorimasa asked his question, and Ubume answered directly. Her expression and tone were both utterly cold and detached.

“Why did you come to Heian-kyo?”

“Rumors of me spread here, so I thought it necessary to see for myself.”

“Why did you interfere with our seizure of the infants?”

“I love these babies, so I wanted to protect them...”

Ubume answered every question truthfully. It was clear that she was under the influence of a spell. The Minamoto Clan excelled at spells that could manipulate and influence yokai and spirit beasts; they were now using these techniques to extract the information Ubume held.

“Where are the infants you took hidden?”

“They are hidden in a cave in the mountains west of Heian-kyo. The specific location is...”

Finally, Minamoto no Yorimasa asked the most critical question, and Ubume continued to speak without reservation. The men in black beside him immediately noted the location.

Once all the necessary questions had been answered and sufficient information gathered, the smile on Minamoto no Yorimasa’s face widened. He released his hand seal, dispelling the spell. As the light from the talismans and arrays faded, Ubume snapped awake. She braced herself against the floor, gasping for breath.

“You... it’s you people... wasn't I handed over to the Onmyoryo? Why did I end up in your hands!” Her mind returned to her, and Ubume looked at the scene before her with clear disbelief. She had dealt with these men in black many times before.

“As a monster, you dared to oppose us in Heian-kyo. You were never going to escape our grasp. I will make you pay an eternal price for your actions...” Minamoto no Yorimasa spoke coldly.

“What... what are you going to do?”

“What else? We will forcibly convert you into a shikigami to serve us forever... Of course, that’s after we reclaim what was ours. It won’t be long now.” Minamoto no Yorimasa continued. Having obtained the key information, they were ready to begin their operation.