Hidden Dangers

Heian-kyo, Choyo-machi.

As usual, the streets of Choyo-machi were teeming with yokai under a canopy of brilliant lanterns. The prosperous scenery stretched into every alleyway, but a closer look revealed that the crowd gathered in the Ghost Market was significantly larger than before. In some places, the streets were even suffering from congestion.

More than a month had passed since the Yokai Lord Assembly. Following that event, the once-flourishing Nightless Island had been utterly destroyed. As one of the most prestigious ghost markets in the demon realm, Nightless Island had boasted a massive volume of visitors; with its ruin, that traffic had been dispersed. Choyo-machi had absorbed a portion of that flow, further fueling its prosperity. However, there was another reason for the sudden surge of yokai in the district.

A tributary of the Kamo River cut through the heart of Choyo-machi. Along a certain stretch of its banks, a massive throng of yokai had gathered on both sides. These creatures were bustling and jostling, pushing forward in a desperate bid to reach the front row. The crowd was so dense that some yokai were shoved through the riverbank railings, tumbling into the water below.

The reason for this gathering lay in the center of the river. There sat a massive flower boat adorned with countless floral decorations. A large stage had been erected upon the vessel, where a young girl with white hair and elegant robes danced gracefully with two large fans. Her movements were fluid and spirited, like a butterfly beating its wings. Combined with her peerless beauty, she drew thunderous cheers from the yokai and even the few humans on the banks. The audience shouted the dancer's name in unison.

"Shiranui!" "Shiranui!" "Shiranui!"

On the other side of the street, atop the roof of the Cat Izakaya—which was decorated with exaggerated gold coins and cat paws—Miketsu sat in her black robes. Occupying her usual seat, she held a small sake bottle in one hand while watching the girl's performance in the river. She spoke in a low, contemplative voice.

"As expected of the songstress who was famous throughout the land fifty years ago. Such popularity is truly impressive."

"Indeed, General. Shiranui has only been in our Choyo-machi for a little over a month, yet she’s already gathered such a following. If she keeps performing for a few more months, I doubt there will be any room left to stand on these banks." The speaker was Slippery Nura, who stood nearby leaning against a wooden railing. He stared at the distant Shiranui while holding a sake bowl. Beside him, the tanuki Tamamura held a sake jar, his eyes and mouth wide open as he stood frozen in a daze.

"She... she’s so beautiful..." the tanuki stammered in a trance. Seeing this, Slippery Nura let out a cold snort.

"Heh. A being like Shiranui is meant to be admired from afar, not trifled with. You can put it out of your mind, you lecherous tanuki. No matter what you try, it's impossible."

"Tsk! Why is it impossible? I can transform into a top-tier handsome guy, you know! Combined with my years of experience, why wouldn't it be possible?" Tamamura retorted, his tone full of indignation.

"I said it’s impossible, so it’s impossible. Go find a mirror and look at your true self. With a face like yours..."

Miketsu ignored the daily bickering between Slippery Nura and the tanuki, sipping her sake as she continued to enjoy Shiranui’s dance. Just then, a cyan figure drifted toward her side.

"My, my~ I didn't expect you to be so captivated by Shiranui's charms, Owl. Though it is understandable. In any story, if a powerful hegemon doesn't have a beauty to fall for, the tale loses much of its color." Sitting down beside Miketsu, Ao Andon spoke with a smile. Miketsu slowly turned her head to look at the uninvited guest.

"It is merely appreciation. The pursuit of beautiful things is a common trait among all sentient beings," Miketsu said with feigned profundity, though inwardly she was feeling a twinge of nostalgia for her lost life as a man.

"As for you, Ao Andon... I don't recall inviting you up here to join this banquet."

"An invitation? Hehe... with a friendship like ours, do we really need such formalities? You're being far too distant..." Ao Andon chuckled, half-covering her mouth. Miketsu could only complain inwardly: I only met you a month ago, where did this 'deep friendship' come from?

A few days ago, Miketsu had been startled when Ao Andon first appeared in Choyo-machi. She immediately understood what the woman meant by "see you again soon" when they had parted ways. Ao Andon had actually come to Choyo-machi specifically to find her!

"Hehe. Though the time I spent with Owl was short, I fully sensed the countless fascinating mysteries surrounding you. After meeting you, I’ve become intensely interested in the truth hidden behind your Secret Lore. If I can't investigate it, I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep at night."

Recalling those words, Miketsu felt a headache coming on. She began to question if her decision to cooperate with Ao Andon against Yakumo Yukari had been too hasty.

In short, the arrival of this so-called seeker of Secret Lore was proving to be a real nuisance.

In the distance, the Cat Shop Owner watched Ao Andon sitting next to Miketsu. She chewed on a fish with palpable irritation, grumbling through her bites.

"What is this... the General went to Nightless Island and brought back two women... the General... is way too much of a flirt!"

Beside the Cat Shop Owner, the white fox wagged its tail and let out a few soft whimpers.

As time passed, Shiranui’s performance concluded. At Miketsu’s invitation, the songstress arrived at the banquet hall on the top floor of the Cat Izakaya. There, Miketsu saw the stunning woman up close.

"How is it? Have the past few days in Choyo-machi been alright?"

"Yes. Thank you for your arrangements, General. Ali has been doing very well here."

"Then... regarding the God of the Eternal World, have you felt His influence again over this past month?"

"No. Since leaving Nightless Island, the voice of the God of the Eternal World has not echoed in my heart again... I suspect that after Owl destroyed His physical form, He will need a long time to recover. Until then, He won't be able to influence much," Shiranui replied. Miketsu nodded slightly, accepting her explanation.

After learning Shiranui’s story from Slippery Nura and Seimei, Miketsu had decided to invite Shiranui to stay in Heian-kyo’s Choyo-machi for a while. The reason was none other than the God of the Eternal World.

Although the trip to Nightless Island had been fraught with accidents, Miketsu’s original goal had been largely achieved. The Black Tortoise demonic power had failed to bring disaster to Heian-kyo. However, the mission wasn't perfect; the God of the Eternal World’s final escape left behind a massive hidden danger.

Ali was the priestess of the God of the Eternal World, making her mind highly susceptible to His influence. Miketsu believed that if Shiranui were left to her own devices, she might eventually fall under the god's mental control and become a complete puppet. Therefore, Miketsu chose to invite Shiranui to live where she could be monitored and protected. This allowed Miketsu to keep a potential risk factor under control, and Shiranui might even prove useful if they had to face the God of the Eternal World again in the future.

"It’s been hard on you, leaving your home to settle in such a distant place. But there is no other way. We must remain vigilant against that Eternal Worm that has yet to perish."

"It hasn't been hard at all. Coming to Heian-kyo was for my own sake as well. I’ve always wanted to see this city for myself. After all... this is his hometown. I wanted to see it too..." Shiranui said softly, her expression tinged with a faint melancholy.