Commonality

Inside the Inari Secret Realm, within Eirin's laboratory, Miketsu fell into deep thought after observing the condition of Reisen, Chang'e's former host. Suddenly, an idea struck her.

"Eirin, you said before that the moon rabbits broke free from Chang'e's control and developed free will because of our planet's influence. Is it possible that Chang'e herself might be affected as well?" Miketsu asked tentatively.

Eirin raised an eyebrow at the question.

"You're thinking exactly what I am. In principle, since the moon rabbits are a part of Chang'e, any influence our planet has on them could potentially be transmitted back to Chang'e herself..." Eirin said, glancing out the window at the moon.

"Furthermore, in our world, being worshipped as a deity generates faith. Chang'e has been regarded as a god by the moon rabbits for a long time; that power of faith must surely be channeled to her. What happens when an alien god encounters the power of faith remains an unknown..."

As Eirin finished, Miketsu's eyes darted as she pondered. She then spoke again.

"Then, do you think it's possible... for us to communicate with Chang'e?"

"Communicate with Chang'e? Heh... you certainly are bold..." Eirin replied with a slight smile. However, her tone held no hint of surprise or mockery.

"Why? Is it not possible?"

"No, I didn't say it was impossible. Your idea is dangerous, but not unfeasible. Attempting to communicate with Chang'e is indeed very interesting. I believe that once we design a safe method, we can give it a try," Eirin said slowly. Miketsu nodded in agreement.

If they could communicate with an alien god like Chang'e, they might find other ways to coexist with it in the future.

"Alright, I'll have to trouble you with that later. But for now, that's not the most pressing matter."

"Indeed. I assumed you didn't call me back from the moon in such a hurry just because of Chang'e, who has already been sealed again."

Eirin smiled at Miketsu, who immediately stood up and led her out of the laboratory. They arrived at an open space within the Secret Realm—the same place where the space station construction had once occurred. Now, it was piled high with a massive amount of metal wreckage, forming a literal mountain of junk. Beside this mountain stood several mechas.

"This... this is..." Looking at the tall ancient mechas, Eirin's gaze immediately sharpened. The look in her eyes suggested she wanted to dismantle them for research right then and there.

"This is the technological crystallization of the Hundred Schools of Thought from the Pre-Qin era in the Central Plains. It is a miracle created by mortals themselves, driven by the labor of thousands under a certain emperor... They are the reason I asked you to come."

Miketsu explained the origins of these mechas and the 'junk' to Eirin, as well as what she needed them for.

"A technological miracle created purely by the mortals of this world a thousand years ago? Truly breathtaking..." After hearing Miketsu's explanation, Eirin walked up to a towering mecha and murmured as she stroked the steel armor. This was the first time she had seen such high technological prowess anywhere in the world outside of the Lunar Capital.

Most of the Lunar Capital's technology came from the archaeology of the ancestral moon rabbit civilization—or rather, extraterrestrial civilizations—and Eirin's own creations as the God of Wisdom. They were not the products of the lunarians' own intellect. These mechas, however, were different; they were the crystallization of the wisdom of this world's mortals, which undoubtedly shocked Eirin.

Looking at these Qin Dynasty mechas, Miketsu was also deeply moved. According to Okina's previous descriptions, almost all the Hundred Schools of Thought during the Pre-Qin era possessed some form of transcendent inheritance, mastering unique techniques and jutsu-shiki. After the First Emperor unified the land, he forcibly gathered the arts of the hundred schools into one, bringing all technology and jutsu-shiki under imperial control. These mechas, capable of slaying ancient gods, were one of the products of that era.

According to Okina, the First Emperor had also collected numerous treasures from the six conquered kingdoms. These treasures were forcibly destroyed to extract energy to power the mechas and the fleet for combat. From the looks of it, although the First Emperor's war against the Sea God was victorious, the entire fleet except for the mechas was virtually annihilated. The mechas themselves were eventually abandoned in the deep sea after their energy was exhausted.

From that perspective, the ancient Sea God of a thousand years ago must have been powerful to an incredible degree... perhaps only one step away from a full recovery...

"Alright... enough with the sentiment. Just tell me, can you handle these things as I requested?" Miketsu reminded Eirin, seeing the spark of fanaticism in her eyes. She had brought Eirin here to help modify these remains into a form suitable for the ritual.

"That... it's possible, but it will be extremely troublesome. It will take a very long time," Eirin replied, turning back to Miketsu. Miketsu's brow furrowed slightly.

"Extremely troublesome?"

"Yes. You're asking to recast these remains and refit these machines. Those are two massive engineering projects that require proper facilities, which don't exist on the surface." Eirin said, looking toward the moon in the sky again.

"We need to transport all of this to the Lunar Capital and use the furnaces and assembly bays there to complete the work you described. Fortunately, the main facilities of the Lunar Capital are in the outskirts and weren't destroyed because of Chang'e. However, just transporting this much material will take a lot of effort. The time required to finish everything will certainly not be short," Eirin said, spreading her hands. Miketsu let out a sigh.

"Hoo... I suppose that's the only way. Then, without further ado, please begin the necessary preparations."

"Very well. I'll arrange for the rabbits on the moon and Toyohime to assist with the transport. The remaining ships of the Purification Fleet can also be deployed. From now on, the primary mission of the Lunar Capital will be forging for you; reconstruction will be put on the back burner," Eirin continued. Miketsu offered her heartfelt thanks.

"I truly appreciate it..."

"Think nothing of it. Aren't you our great benefactor? Anyway... no time to waste. I'll head back to the Lunar Capital to make the arrangements..."

In the open field, Miketsu watched Eirin depart, a sigh escaping her heart.

At this rate, her revival progress might be delayed... she might not be able to make it before the other fellows. She would have to think of other countermeasures.

With that thought, Miketsu walked up to a mecha and placed her hand on it. Now, she would use her connection with the remains to confirm the candidates for the ritual priest.

...

Inside a vast, dark cavern, a giant, bloated worm covered in colorful patterns and markings lay coiled. On a stalactite before it, a purple snake was perched.

"It seems you have mostly recovered. So... how does it feel to have your body destroyed once again?" The purple snake spoke mockingly. Tokoyo-no-Kami responded in kind.

"Utterly humiliating... Just what kind of existence is that so-called Uka-no-Mitama-no-Mikoto? That power is nothing like that of an ordinary false god..." Tokoyo-no-Kami said slowly. He had already learned from the Great Snake what the true factor behind his last failure was.

That sustained energy output capable of piercing through the Earth's crust could only have come from one being at that time.

"She is indeed unlike ordinary false gods. I have clashed with her many times, and I know her uniqueness all too well. To be honest, she is more like one of our kind than those false gods..." the Great Snake said slowly, leaving Tokoyo-no-Kami slightly surprised.

"One of our kind? Then why does she oppose us?"

"Who knows. Perhaps her true form was an old enemy of mine, or perhaps she has no memory of being an ancient ruler. Regardless... she is our enemy for now, and that cannot be changed..."

"With her interfering like this... it will be difficult for me to take the final step..." Tokoyo-no-Kami said seriously, looking at the Great Snake. The Great Snake replied slowly.

"Therefore, you need to change your approach slightly... Do not focus your targets on things she easily notices or cares about...

"For instance, target things she herself holds hostility toward... some of our common 'enemies'."