The Surrender

Early morning in the Inari Secret Realm, the sun began to rise, casting its first rays over Mount Inari. The mechanical giant bow resting upon the mountain peak shimmered under the dawn light. Nearly all the foxes on the mountain had gathered within the secret realm, gazing curiously at this massive object that had fallen from the sky. Many playful foxes had already crawled into the space station through its breaches, dragging out assorted junk and even beginning to gnaw on the wiring. Upon seeing this, Miketsu quickly chased them all out and ordered Tsuruha to restrain them from approaching the grounded station.

Restraining the foxes and arranging accommodations for the moon rabbits—after a long night of labor, the commotion caused by the space station's crash was finally settled. Miketsu sighed with relief, thinking it fortunate that the station had landed within the secret realm rather than being seen by the mortals of Heian-kyo; otherwise, it would have surely caused a massive panic.

Through questioning the group of moon rabbits, Miketsu gained a clear understanding of what had transpired on the space station and the truth behind the firing of the orbital cannon. She learned how Toyohime had been stripped of power by the overseer sent by the Moon Capital following the mission's failure, and she discovered the ultimate fate of that same overseer.

Knowing all this, Miketsu felt a weight lift from her heart. She thought to herself that Eirin had been right—Toyohime was not a heartless person who would drive others to total extinction. Her own decision to show mercy had not been in vain.

After finishing her tasks, Miketsu arrived at the room where Eirin was treating Toyohime. She found Yorihime sitting there anxiously, her expression troubled. When Yorihime saw Miketsu approach, she gave a startled shiver.

"Don't panic... how is the situation inside?"

Miketsu spoke to steady Yorihime’s nerves. Yorihime sat up straight, still uneasy, and responded in a soft, hesitant voice.

"Mas—Master has been inside for three hours now... she hasn't come out yet, so I don't know the specifics..."

Over three hours?

Miketsu’s brow furrowed slightly. Just as she was about to say more, the door suddenly opened, and Eirin stepped out.

"Master, how is my sister!?" Yorihime stood up immediately, asking with urgency. Eirin glanced at her before speaking slowly.

"Her life is saved. She should wake up shortly. However, her recovery will be a major issue. If she were in the Moon Capital, she might never be able to use her abilities again. But here with me, there is a chance for a full recovery." Eirin clapped her hands together as she spoke plainly. Hearing this, Yorihime let out a long sigh of relief.

"Phew... Thank you so much, Master..."

"You are my disciples, after all. I couldn't just leave you be. Furthermore, I am not the only one you need to thank. The Miko of Inari has been performing rites to dispel calamity and pray for blessings, which lowered the risks of my treatment. It allowed Toyohime's recovery to exceed expectations." As Eirin spoke, Kikyo, dressed in her red-and-white miko robes, stepped out from behind her.

Miketsu’s divine power was not that of a god of medicine and could not directly cure illness. However, since people viewed sickness as a form of calamity, the Inari divine power’s ability to dispel disaster and evil could reduce the chance of falling ill and maintain health.

When applied to surgical treatment, this meant a significant reduction in risks like infection, better stabilizing the patient's condition and allowing the healer to proceed with confidence.

"I... thank you, Miss Miko. And... Lord Inari..." Yorihime bowed to both Kikyo and Miketsu in gratitude. Kikyo responded with a simple, brief nod, while Miketsu exhaled and spoke.

"Very well. Since things are settled here, we should discuss official matters. Come, this isn't the place for a conversation. Let's go inside and talk." Miketsu addressed Yorihime before turning back into the room. Eirin glanced at Yorihime and followed Miketsu, bringing the girl along.

...

Inside Toyohime's room, Miketsu sat across a table from Yorihime, while Eirin sat to the side. Toyohime was still unconscious, lying on a futon nearby. Looking at the uneasy Yorihime, Miketsu spoke directly.

"Now then, Messengers of the Moon, the Watatsuki sisters—what are your plans?"

"Plans... what do you mean?"

"I'll be blunt. Currently, you, your sister, and your subordinates are staying here as prisoners of war. Out of respect for your Master, I haven't mistreated you. However, enemies remain enemies. If you still harbor hostility and intend to continue the Moon Capital's mission, I cannot accept that. Therefore... I wish to formally ask for your surrender..." Miketsu stated her thoughts plainly, leaving Yorihime stunned.

"Surrender... You—you want us to fight for you? To turn against the Moon Capital? I'm sorry, but we cannot accept such an act of betrayal..." Yorihime spoke with great difficulty. At that moment, an unexpected voice suddenly rang out.

"I... I accept..."

"Sister!" Yorihime turned her head in shock. She saw that Toyohime had just woken up and was looking at them weakly from her futon.

"Sister, how can you say that? We are..." Yorihime was so flustered she forgot to ask about her sister's health.

Looking at Yorihime, Toyohime struggled to sit up. Yorihime rushed over to support her. Leaning against her sister, Toyohime continued in a weak voice, "Yorihime... we no longer have a place in the Moon Capital. Setting aside our two consecutive failed missions, the overseer, Asamasa, is dead. What do you think will happen to us if we return now?"

"What... the overseer from the Council of Sages is dead?" Yorihime was aghast. On the other side, Miketsu smiled faintly.

"Indeed. I've already heard about that so-called overseer from your moon rabbits. He died of arrogance and stupidity..." Miketsu recounted what the moon rabbits had told her, leaving Yorihime frozen in place.

"The overseer of the Council of Sages is dead... That is indeed a grave problem, but it was an accident. If we explain clearly..."

"How will you explain?" Eirin spoke up then. She looked at Yorihime, who was still clinging to illusions, and continued sternly.

"The Moon Capital's cutting-edge weapon was attacked, yet you two sisters and all the moon rabbits survived. You were teleported into the enemy's headquarters along with the entire weapon. From beginning to end, the only person to die was the overseer, and his cause of death was being thrown into space. If you were the Council of Sages, what would you think? This is a blatant defection! By now, those Sages have likely put both of you on the same criminal list as me. Returning now is walking into a trap! Do you think they'll listen to your explanations? Don't be naive!"

Eirin finished by slapping the table, startling Yorihime into silence, as if she had suddenly been transported back to her days as a student.