Midday in Heian-kyo was the time when the morning's toil finally gave way to rest. Whether Kizoku or commoner, people from all walks of life gathered during this leisure hour to chat, and the focal point of their conversation was the premier event in the capital: the public marriage selection for the eldest daughter of the Asakura family.
The first round of the selection had concluded just yesterday. In a single day, over ninety percent of the suitors had been eliminated, including many young lords from prominent clans. It was clear that yesterday's competition had been fierce. Various tidbits of news had already become hot topics among the citizens of Heian-kyo, with rumors growing more embellished as they spread—absurd tales had even surfaced, such as the Great Onmyoji Abe no Seimei using divine powers to battle dozens of men for a stalk of Jade Bamboo, or Young Lord Aka of the Fujiwara setting fire to Kiyomizu-dera.
Now, Princess Kaguya's marriage selection had reached the second round, and the number of candidates had been narrowed down to just five. People from all sectors of Heian-kyo were paying close attention to the progress, with countless betting pools opened as everyone wondered who would ultimately win Princess Kaguya's heart.
In the courtyard of the Asakura Residence, the five candidates—the Tanuki, Minamoto no Yorimitsu, Seimei, Mokou, and Houraisan Yoru—gathered once more, eyeing each other warily. Before them, the doors of the longhouse slowly opened, revealing the petite figure of Princess Kaguya sitting behind the threshold, smiling as she looked upon the group.
"Good afternoon, everyone. I am honored that you could arrive in this courtyard on time. After a night of rest, I presume you are all well-prepared?" Princess Kaguya said softly.
"There is no need for further pleasantries. Everyone present is fully prepared. Please present the challenge, Princess Kaguya, and let us see what this second round entails," replied Minamoto no Yorimitsu with a smile, his words directly bypassing the usual formalities.
"Since the head of the Minamoto Clan has said so, let us get straight to the point. I shall now announce the second round of testing. Just like the previous round, I would like to ask you all to find some things for me..." Princess Kaguya said in a level tone, looking at the five suitors.
"Finding things? What is it this time?" Yoru muttered in confusion. A familiar sense of déjà vu rose in her heart. Five people... finding things... This increasingly familiar scenario gave her a slight sense of foreboding.
"Unlike the last round, this time, I wish to ask you to find five treasures. These are treasures that I do not possess; I have only heard of them in legends. I would like each of you to retrieve one for me..."
Treasures that only existed in legends, one for each person... Hearing this, Mokou's lip twitched slightly. This plot was now highly consistent with the deeds of the Princess Taketori from centuries ago. If it followed this progression, Princess Kaguya would ask them to find several extremely rare legendary treasures that ordinary mortals could never hope to find. Back then, her father, Fujiwara no Fuhito, had returned empty-handed.
Thinking of this, Mokou did not panic; instead, she breathed a small sigh of relief. She knew that the Fujiwara Clan of today was not what it used to be. As a family skilled in crafting tools, they themselves possessed a collection of various treasures. With the Fujiwara Clan's current power, if they were asked to find items like the Fire-Rat Robe or the Jeweled Branch of Hourai, there was a high probability they could find them.
The Fujiwara will definitely not repeat the same mistakes. With this thought, Mokou looked at Princess Kaguya with confidence, waiting for the challenge.
Seeing the eyes of the crowd upon her, Princess Kaguya smiled gently, then turned her gaze first toward the fair-faced youth who was actually the Tanuki.
"Young Lord Yu, I hear you have a deep background in the demon realm..."
"Haha, of course! If what Princess Kaguya seeks is related to the demon realm, I can certainly find it for you!" the Tanuki replied confidently under her gaze.
"That is perfect. I wish for you to find a certain type of Yokai for me. This Yokai is ever-changing; it can transform into any image envisioned in another person's heart, yet it is uniquely unable to transform into the image within its own heart." Princess Kaguya stated her challenge. The Tanuki froze upon hearing this, his face filled with confusion.
A Yokai that can transform into what others think of, but cannot manifest its own thoughts? What kind of Yokai is that? I've never heard of such a thing!
While the Tanuki was agonizing, Princess Kaguya turned her gaze to Minamoto no Yorimitsu and continued.
"Lord Minamoto, I imagine that since the Minamoto are both warriors and an Onmyo Clan, you must be very knowledgeable about weapons."
"I have some experience, certainly. Princess Kaguya, are you perhaps interested in weapons and armor?" Yorimitsu asked with a hint of curiosity.
"Yes. I am currently searching for a peculiar blade. Legend says this blade can strengthen itself by consuming various materials. It is said that a certain samurai once held this blade; he greedily fed the edge with all sorts of materials, gradually strengthening it in hopes of making it the greatest blade in the world. But in his pursuit of power, the samurai was too reckless; he fused materials into the blade without considering if they were compatible. Ultimately, the samurai died because the blade consumed the wrong materials, and the peculiar blade was lost. I would like the head of the Minamoto Clan to find it and bring it to me." Princess Kaguya spoke slowly, and Yorimitsu nodded thoughtfully, showing no particular reaction.
After assigning the task to Yorimitsu, Princess Kaguya turned to Seimei, continuing in her soft tone.
"Lord Seimei is a Great Onmyoji and surely knows many spells. I wish to ask you for a legendary incantation. This spell is extremely powerful, silent, and formless. It can invisibly protect every aspect of the caster's safety. Casting this spell requires no incantation and no hand seals. However, this spell has one flaw: once cast, it is difficult for the caster themselves to perceive, to the point that the caster might not even realize such a spell is protecting them..." Princess Kaguya finished and looked quietly at Seimei. Seimei looked up at the sky thoughtfully and nodded.
"What a miraculous spell... It is my first time hearing of such a thing..."
Next, Princess Kaguya's gaze turned to Mokou. Mokou felt a shiver run through her body under the gaze, feeling somewhat nervous.
"Young Lord Aka, rumors say the Fujiwara Clan holds ten million treasures and knows countless secrets of hidden hoards. Could you help me find a type of spirit bamboo?"
"Spirit bamboo?"
"Yes. Legend says this spirit bamboo is exceptionally precious. Once harvested and sharpened, it can transform into a divine weapon. However, in the wild, one can only find the bamboo shoots. To obtain the mature bamboo, it must be carefully tended by hand, watered daily with morning dew for over a decade. This spirit bamboo also has a flaw: once it grows into mature bamboo, it is like crystal or jade, so beautiful that one can hardly bear to cut it, leading to hesitation... I wish to plant such a stalk of spirit bamboo. I ask Young Lord Aka to find it for me." With a strange glint in her eyes, Princess Kaguya spoke slowly. After hearing her words, Mokou couldn't help but scratch her head in distress.
Does such a spirit bamboo even exist? I'll have to go back and ask the people at home later.
Finally, Princess Kaguya's gaze fell upon the last person—Yoru, who was somewhat dazed by the previous challenges.
"Young Lord Yoru... I heard your family is famous in Nara and is well-versed in medicinal herbs and pathology. Therefore, I seek a medicine that countless people have searched for since ancient times. Legend says this medicine can grant eternal life, preventing death and allowing one to exist forever in this world... Although there are many legends about this medicine, it has always been like an illusory bubble, but I believe you, Young Lord Yoru, might know its whereabouts."
Upon hearing this, Yoru's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected the little princess to ask her for the Elixir of Immortality! Yoru was not only familiar with this item; she knew it intimately!
"Very well. I have finished describing the items you all need to find. Please go and search for them on your own. Regardless of the method used, the first person to deliver the correct treasure to me shall be the winner... I wish you all luck in finding your treasures."
Looking at the five people before her, each with a different expression, Princess Kaguya smiled and gave a slight bow.
Rate on N.U.
