“You really went all out. Was it truly worth paying such a price just to escape the West? Is it really that bad there?” Miketsu sighed softly after hearing Dakini-ten’s explanation.
“Well, from the perspective of an ordinary mortal, it’s not particularly terrible. I just couldn’t get used to it. It was far too dull and tedious, with a mountain of things you aren't allowed to do, and those annoying scriptures every single day... To be honest, now that I’ve successfully made it out, I am absolutely never going back.” Dakini-ten spread her hands and looked at Miketsu with a matter-of-fact expression, as if she were signaling, ‘From now on, I’m sticking with you.’
“Does the Tathagata know what you’ve done? Aren't you afraid the West will send someone after you?” Miketsu’s eye twitched slightly at Dakini-ten’s words. She thought to herself that she was already on shaky ground with Takamagahara; if she ended up in a feud with the West because of Dakini-ten, things would become truly chaotic.
“How could He not know? That is the Tathagata we’re talking about. My little schemes can’t be hidden from Him. However, since our syncretism helps the Buddhist faith spread faster across this island nation, He is content to let it happen. He’s just turning a blind eye. You can think of it as Him selling me to you in exchange for the faith of this Eastern land...” Dakini-ten continued her explanation with a relaxed air.
“Besides, even if the West wanted to cause trouble for me, it wouldn’t be that easy. Nowadays, descending to the human realm is becoming increasingly difficult. It would be very hard for the Buddhas to manifest in this remote island nation where Buddhist faith isn't yet deep. So, you can rest easy.”
Hearing Dakini-ten’s words, Miketsu let out a small breath of relief before continuing.
“Fine. Now, one last question. Since you had this plan all along, why didn't you explain it to me at the start of our syncretism? Why didn't you let me complete the process all at once instead of making me wait all this time?”
“If I had explained everything to you the first time, would you have believed me?” Dakini-ten shot Miketsu a look. Miketsu realized she had a point; if Dakini-ten had said that during their first syncretism, Miketsu likely would have thought it was a trap or a trick and wouldn't have trusted her at all.
“Then again, did you already suspect that you wouldn't become a mere avatar after the full syncretism? You agreed so readily when I finally made the proposal,” Dakini-ten asked, voicing her final doubt.
“More or less... After all, it was far too strange that I could borrow your power for thirteen years without a single hint of backlash. Back when I hadn't mastered divine power, I didn't understand the nature of the syncretism contract. But as I grew stronger, I gradually realized that I was always the one in the dominant position. It wasn't so much that I was borrowing your power as it was that I was commanding it.” Miketsu responded with a slight smile. Over the past thirteen years, she had indeed felt something unusual about the contract.
“I knew it... No wonder you didn't fall for my trick. I was really hoping you’d look a bit more distressed or angry at the end.” Dakini-ten put on a look of mock disappointment.
“Heh, actually, even I couldn't be certain what would happen after the syncretism. In the end, I was just taking a gamble... Regardless of the outcome, as long as I could stop the calamity from happening, I was willing to accept it.” Miketsu said with a smile. She slowly looked up at the sky; the black clouds that had filled the horizon had finally dispersed, leaving the twilight sky vast and empty.
With the crisis averted, Miketsu felt exceptionally light and comfortable. Dakini-ten looked at her and seemed to want to say something, but ultimately held her tongue.
...
On a small hill, Minamoto no Yorimasa watched the black clouds vanish from the sky, his brow furrowed and his face dark.
“Lord Patriarch... what is the situation at the Forbidden Grounds now?” Behind Yorimasa, a man dressed in black asked respectfully. Behind him stood dozens of others in similar attire.
These were Yorimasa’s confidants—subordinates and clansmen he had painstakingly selected. Before the vengeful spirits of the miko in the Forbidden Grounds could spiral out of control, they had left in advance. They were the continuation of the Ritiual Branch of the Minamoto, those most deeply influenced by the Great Snake and the most fiercely loyal. Any who had wavered in their resolve had been abandoned in the Forbidden Grounds to be slaughtered by the miko's resentment.
“There is no Forbidden Grounds anymore. We no longer need to stay in one place. We must leave Heian-kyo for a while to regroup our strength.” Without turning around, Yorimasa spoke to his subordinates in a heavy voice.
“Understood... but Lord Yorimasa, if we do that, aren't we essentially admitting that those people from the Warrior Branch of the Minamoto are the true Minamoto lineage?” the man in black replied, a trace of bitterness in his voice.
“Hmph, do not cling to what is lost. We will eventually return alongside the will of the Snake God. When that time comes, there will be no power in all of Heian-kyo that can stop us. We will show that traitor, Minamoto no Yorimitsu, what the true mission of the Minamoto is, and what path our clan is meant to walk...
“Everything for the will of the Snake God. That is the destiny of the Minamoto.”
Looking toward Heian-kyo, a solemn light gleamed in Yorimasa’s eyes.
...
In the Upper Capital District of Heian-kyo, within the Minamoto Residence.
Minamoto no Yorimitsu, who had already donned his suit of armor, looked at the fading black clouds in the sky. His expression tightened as he waved a hand to his busy subordinates.
“Stop the mobilization. The matter at the Forbidden Grounds has been resolved. There is no need for us to act.”
“Yes, Lord Patriarch.” A samurai obeyed Yorimitsu’s command and ran off to relay the orders to the others. Yorimitsu gazed toward the distant Forbidden Grounds, lost in thought.
“My Lord, was the crisis at the Forbidden Grounds resolved once again through the divine grace of Lady Inari?” Onikiri asked with a serious expression, standing by Yorimitsu’s side.
“Certainly. In the Heian-kyo of today, no one else possesses such capability.” Yorimitsu said, his face remaining calm.
“Lady Inari has protected humanity once more... My Lord... if that is the case, doesn't it mean your recent preparations and previous efforts were all for nothing? As long as Lady Inari’s protection remains, disaster will not fall.” Hearing Yorimitsu’s words, Onikiri voiced his doubt.
“Do not say that, Onikiri. Lady Inari’s divine grace is indeed as vast as the sea, and she protects us mortals without asking for anything in return. But remember, you must never assume such protection will exist forever... We must prepare for the unexpected.” Yorimitsu spoke calmly, while Onikiri’s brow furrowed slightly.
“My Lord... are you saying that in the future, Lady Inari might...”
“No, that is not what I meant. What I am trying to say is that if humans only have eyes for the protection of gods and only know how to bow their heads in prayer, they will never see the future.” As he spoke, a small smile played on Yorimitsu’s lips.
“In this regard, whether the object of worship is the Great Snake who brings calamity or Inari Okami who brings blessings, it is all the same. Humanity needs a path that belongs to itself.”
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