Its Purpose

Nara, within the elegant attic of the Eternal Pavilion Pharmacy.

After being frantically shaken by Eirin, Kaguya finally awoke from her post-sleep grogginess, and only then did she manage to somewhat grasp the current situation.

“Hmm… so, Eirin, you suspect that the Onmyoji’s daughter in Heian-kyo is another princess created by the Lunar Capital after me?” Kaguya said, sitting on the futon with her arms crossed, her eyelids still drooping with a hint of weariness.

“Of course. After all, the existence of a ‘princess’ is essential for the Lunar Capital. If you don’t return to the Lunar Capital and they can’t find you for a long time, then creating a second princess would be necessary…” Eirin said, stroking her chin thoughtfully.

“And that girl, named Asakura Kaguya, appeared exactly thirteen years ago. That was also when a meteor shower appeared in the sky, and the eternal power of the Eternal Pavilion was disturbed and broken… Coupled with the rumored manner of that Princess Kaguya’s appearance, she is the new ‘princess’ created by the Lunar Capital after Your Highness.”

“A new princess?” Kaguya tilted her head, her confusion undiminished as she continued.

“Then… since the Lunar Capital created a new princess, why would they lose her on Earth again this time? With me as a precedent, they should have strengthened their supervision. How could such a mistake happen again? That shouldn’t be the case!”

“Hmph… who knows? Perhaps an unforeseen accident occurred that even the sages couldn’t predict…” Eirin said, her brows slightly furrowed.

“An unforeseen… accident?” Kaguya murmured, while Eirin let out a slight breath and continued.

“Yes, and this accident might very well have originated from within… In fact, when I left the Lunar Capital, I already sensed some uncertain stirrings. Although I don’t know the current state of the Lunar Capital, it must have suffered a major upheaval thirteen years ago, and that new Princess Kaguya was sent to Earth during that upheaval.”

Listening to Eirin’s words, Kaguya slowly nodded, then continued.

“Indeed. Thirteen years ago, the eternal power of the Eternal Pavilion was disturbed, and Eirin, you predicted the birth of a new princess. Back then, we thought the Lunar Capital would use the new princess’s power to search for the eternal power on Earth and find us. That’s why we abandoned our original reclusive way of life, using the eternal power, and came to live in plain sight among mortals in human towns… I never imagined that the Lunar Capital, after creating a new princess, would actually lose her again…”

As Kaguya spoke, her expression grew serious. She looked at Eirin and continued earnestly.

“Eirin, how should we deal with that new Princess Kaguya in Heian-kyo now? Should we just leave her be?”

“Of course we can’t leave her be. According to rumors, that new princess was likely abandoned on Earth shortly after her birth. She probably has no memories or knowledge related to the Lunar Capital, yet she possesses the same quality of eternal power as you, Princess.

“As time passes, her power is bound to grow stronger and stronger. But if she doesn’t learn to control it like you, Princess, this power will inevitably attract the Lunar Capital’s attention. Heian-kyo isn’t far from here, and by then… we might be affected…”

Eirin spoke with a very serious expression. For her, the Lunar Capital interfering with Earth was absolutely unacceptable. It could very well affect them, who were also hiding from the Lunar Capital and living on Earth, which was something they absolutely did not want to face.

“So… Eirin, you mean…” Kaguya continued to ask, and Eirin replied directly.

“I want to bring that new princess over to our side. Firstly, we can teach her how to use her power so she won’t easily attract the Lunar Capital’s notice. Secondly, I can analyze the Lunar Capital’s current technological level through her, and if possible, perhaps even figure out what happened in the Lunar Capital. Thirdly, if we are eventually discovered by the Lunar Capital, she can serve as a bargaining chip in our negotiations with them. We might even be able to exchange her for the Lunar Capital’s pardon, allowing us to live on Earth forever without needing to hide, completely without a care in the world.”

Eirin continued her analysis, and Kaguya’s eyes lit up as she listened.

“So, that means we might even get pardoned by the Lunar Capital!”

“That’s just a thought… whether the Lunar Capital is willing to negotiate with us, or willing to agree to our terms, is still up for debate. Heh… but it’s still too early to talk about all that. The prerequisite for all of this is that we need to get our hands on that new princess.” Eirin continued, and Kaguya’s expression showed a hint of excitement as she listened to her words.

“Then, let’s go to Heian-kyo right now and snatch that Princess Kaguya! Eirin!”

“Whack!” The moment Kaguya uttered those words, Eirin, from who-knew-where, pulled out a stack of paper fans and smacked Kaguya on the head, a cross mark appearing on her forehead. After Kaguya clutched her head and hunched over, Eirin said with a smile.

“Has your mind gone completely blank from sleep, Princess? This Princess Kaguya isn’t like you; when you fell to Earth, your foster parents were just ordinary old folks. Her foster mother, however, is a Great Onmyoji among mortals, a powerful figure in the Heian-kyo Onmyoryo and a high-ranking official of the court. Do we want to make enemies with the entire Onmyoryo, and even the human court, by snatching her daughter?”

“Ugh… they’re just mortals… what’s there to be afraid of…” Kaguya said, sitting back up while still clutching her head, sounding aggrieved.

“Things are not as they once were. Over these past few centuries, human Onmyojutsu has advanced significantly, and even their top practitioners are difficult to deal with. Those Onmyo Clans in Heian-kyo still possess jutsu-shiki capable of temporarily reaching the divine realm, making them very troublesome to confront. We are already being hunted by the Lunar Capital; if we provoke the human court as well, we won’t be able to stay in this country.” Eirin said, rubbing her temples with a hint of helplessness. After listening to Eirin’s words, Kaguya pondered for a moment before speaking.

“Then what should we do? We can’t just go to Heian-kyo and steal her, can we…?”

“Heh… don’t worry, Princess. I’ve already thought of a way. Isn’t there an opportunity right now to legitimately acquire that Princess Kaguya without incurring Heian-kyo’s enmity?” Eirin said, looking at Kaguya with a playful smile, while the latter still looked utterly bewildered.

“An opportunity?”

“Yes, an opportunity that requires neither theft nor force, a rare chance… Your Highness, please make an effort and go marry that Princess Kaguya.”

“Eh!!” Hearing Eirin’s words, Kaguya paled in shock, exclaiming in disbelief.

“But, but I’m a girl!”

“Don’t worry, Princess. I’ll make sure no one can tell you’re a girl. Besides, you spend all day idling at home; why not seize this opportunity to be useful…”

“No, don’t!”