The Meeting on the Pagoda

Remnants of the old Age of Gods like us should simply be swallowed by time forever...

Hearing Suwako's words, the Great Snake paused slightly. He seemingly hadn't expected Suwako to be so detached. Seeing that she remained completely unmoved even under his provocation, the Great Snake's tone shifted.

"Heh, I truly didn't expect it. The tyrant of old has actually become so content with the status quo... This world is truly a wondrous place."

"Time can change all things. Unlike you, who were sealed within the Void, I have experienced far too much while moving about in this body of a wild god over these past few millennia..." Suwako continued slowly, adjusting the brim of her hat.

"I felt that worm's aura. It seems He has successfully hatched from His egg and begun a new cycle. I know you likely had a hand in this, so I came specifically to Heian-kyo to confirm your status. It appears that although your seal has loosened considerably, you are still quite a distance from revival, let alone returning to your peak. Knowing you are in this state, I can rest easy..." Suwako spoke as she turned, preparing to leave the deserted, desolate courtyard.

"You intend to leave?"

"Of course. Kanako and the others are waiting for me. I still have a festival to enjoy, and I have no time to continue listening to your nonsense. I hope we never meet again." With a wave of her hand, Suwako walked toward the gate of the courtyard. At that moment, the Great Snake's eyes suddenly turned cold.

"You want to leave? I'm afraid it won't be that easy..."

Along with the Great Snake's words, a dark shadow flickered outside the courtyard. A figure dressed in pitch-black combat gear and a black mask appeared at the gate, blocking Suwako's path.

Simultaneously, over a dozen similar black-clad figures emerged from various dark corners of the courtyard. They gathered in the center, surrounding Suwako.

"These are... humans?!" Seeing this, Suwako turned back in shock, her brow furrowed. She demanded sharply of the Great Snake, "What are you trying to do?!"

"What am I doing? It's simple. Since you have completely fallen and are content with your current state, you no longer have any value as a partner to me. Therefore, aside from cooperation, all you have left is your value as a tool. How could I let a useful tool just walk away?"

As soon as the Great Snake finished speaking, the black-clad figures surrounding Suwako began to perform hand seals and chant incantations under their breath. Immediately, a strange Magical Array glowing with an eerie light formed beneath Suwako's feet. She instantly felt a massive restraining force, pinning her to the spot, unable to move an inch.

"Ugh... this, this is Onmyojutsu?! These people are Onmyoji?"

"Indeed. These are the spells invented by humans. In your current state as a mere wild god, you have no way to resist this power, do you? Do you regret it? Do you feel indignant? To think the once powerful and terrifying you would now be restricted by the arts of mere humans..." The Great Snake spoke slowly to Suwako, his words dripping with mockery.

"You..."

"Heh, since you are unwilling to seek revenge, I shall help you. I hadn't realized you managed to gain Takeminakata's trust. If I can fully utilize that trust, the results might be unexpectedly effective..."

The Great Snake's sinister voice continued to echo through the space. Meanwhile, one of the black-clad figures, who appeared to be the leader, stepped forward. In his hand, he gripped a blade wreathed in a sinister, malevolent power.

"Now, let us conduct an experiment. Let's see if your body as a wild god can withstand my corruption..." Amidst his wicked words, the leader of the black-clad men gripped the Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi and walked slowly toward Suwako.

Facing the approaching demonic blade, Suwako's expression grew solemn as her mind raced to find a countermeasure.

On the streets of Heian-kyo.

Miketsu, dressed in a white kariginu, walked through the bustling streets. Beside her was a young girl with a beautiful and dignified face, wearing a magnificent kimono.

"Mother, this year's festival seems even more lively than before..." Princess Kaguya said, holding a snack in one hand and a bundle of fox-themed trinkets in the other, looking around curiously.

"Yes, because more people have crowded into Heian-kyo... and many yokai as well." Miketsu fanned herself as she took her adopted daughter shopping. Looking at the surging crowds, she couldn't help but worry about Heian-kyo's fragile urban management. Over the past few days, Rihyon and the others had been at their wits' end trying to handle the frequent incidents caused by the gathering yokai.

"A gathering place for yokai... could that be the rumored Choyo-machi? I hope I can visit the demon realm one day too," Princess Kaguya said expectantly. Miketsu patted her head and smiled.

"You can go when you're a bit older. Although the demon realm in Heian-kyo is quite different from before, there are still risks."

On this day of the festival, Miketsu chose to participate in her human form. Every year at this time, she would make time to accompany Princess Kaguya.

They browsed the stalls and bought items all the way to Suzaku Avenue, the central thoroughfare of Heian-kyo. Upon arriving, Miketsu discovered that an important part of the Inari Festival was taking place: the Mikoshi Procession.

On Suzaku Avenue, many carefully selected, sturdy men dressed in uniform attire were firmly carrying a massive, heavy Mikoshi forward. A crowd had gathered around them, cheering and watching.

The Mikoshi was the divine palanquin of the deity, ornately decorated, enormous, and incredibly heavy. Even with many men carrying it together, it looked like an immense struggle; they were drenched in sweat, their muscles bulging. Yet, the men carrying the Mikoshi remained steadfast. They truly believed that Inari Okami was riding upon the palanquin, touring the land under their support to spread divine virtue. The onlookers also offered sincere prayers toward the exquisite Mikoshi.

To get a better view, Miketsu and Princess Kaguya climbed a Five-Story Pagoda. From their high vantage point, they looked down at the Mikoshi Procession nearby. Just then, a voice reached her ears.

"There is clearly nothing atop the palanquin, yet so many people are still willing to pour so much effort and sweat into it, holding onto infinite hopes. Heh, this is what they call faith... I wonder if that Inari Okami is worthy of such faith?"

Hearing the voice, Miketsu turned her head. On the other side of the pagoda's top railing stood two women. One was a blue-haired woman with a majestic and extraordinary aura, while the other was a green-haired woman standing respectfully to the side like an attendant. The words seemed to have come from the blue-haired woman's mouth.