Interrogation at Takamagahara

Clearly, Miketsu did not believe that Takamagahara would simply turn a blind eye once they became aware of Suwako's existence. Although they likely did not know Suwako was an ancient god, there was no reason for Takamagahara to allow a wild god—one who had once controlled a nation and openly rebelled against them—to continue existing in secret.

After finishing the letter, Miketsu found that Suwako shared her concerns. Suwako expressed deep worry regarding Kanako's current situation. Upon finishing the letter, Miketsu could not help but sigh.

"It seems... there is more work to be done,"

Miketsu murmured to herself. She immediately wrote a reply to Suwako, expressing her own worries and perspective. If Kanako had indeed been forcibly summoned to the heavens because of Suwako, then Takamagahara would certainly not ignore Suwako now that her presence was exposed.

In fact, Miketsu believed that the one in the most danger right now was not Kanako, but Suwako. No matter what, Kanako was a Yamato god; even if she faced punishment, it would likely be like Miketsu's own past—a forced sealing of her godhead into a deep slumber. At worst, she might be stripped of her godhead, much like Ichimokuren.

Suwako, however, was different. As a powerful wild god who had once been an enemy of the Yamato, she now faced the very real danger of a new subjugation campaign by the other Yamato gods. This could result in the destruction of her wild god body and a devastating blow to her faith.

Considering these factors, Miketsu suggested in her letter that she should perhaps head to Mino Province first, just in case. However, Suwako's reply rejected this idea.

...

"Thank you for your concern. Your worries are not without merit; a subjugation by the other Yamato gods could indeed come at any moment. However, do not worry—I have my own ways of dealing with them. For me, the most critical issue right now is Kanako. She is in Takamagahara, and I am powerless to help her there. I can only rely on you to lend her a hand."

...

After reading Suwako's reply, Miketsu breathed a sigh of relief. Since Suwako herself had said as much, Miketsu would have to focus her efforts on Kanako.

Though she did not know what kind of trump card Suwako possessed that would allow her to withstand the orthodox gods of the Yamato, Miketsu chose to trust her and focus on aiding Kanako.

In any case, even if Suwako was an ancient god by nature, the Yamato gods could not truly kill her. However, dying again would cause immense damage to Suwako's divine soul.

"It looks like... I have no choice but to visit Takamagahara after all..."

As she spoke, Miketsu pulled an iron bell from her sleeve. Stepping outside, she gave it a sharp ring.

When she had allowed Takemikazuchi-no-Kami to return, she had asked him for a way to contact him. In response, he had given her this iron bell. According to him, it could be used to summon his Divine Messenger.

Miketsu now needed to learn about the situation in Takamagahara through Takemikazuchi-no-Kami.

After ringing the bell, Miketsu stood patiently and waited. Before long, a sudden crack of thunder echoed from the distant horizon, and patches of dark clouds began to form.

Accompanied by this daylight thunder, a large white bird burst from the clouds, flying straight toward the distant Mount Inari. A moment later, the bird entered the Secret Realm of Inari and landed before Miketsu.

"What is it?" the bird asked, speaking with the voice of Takemikazuchi-no-Kami.

"I heard that Takeminakata has been forcibly recalled to Takamagahara?" Miketsu asked directly, not wasting any time.

"Correct. She has been taken into custody for secretly harboring a non-submissive wild god who was meant to be exterminated. Her interrogation is about to begin, where her crimes will be judged and her punishment decided..." Takemikazuchi-no-Kami answered calmly. Miketsu frowned upon hearing this and asked another question.

"And... what of the wild god she was harboring?"

"Amaterasu Omikami has already ordered me, Futsunushi-no-Kami, and Ame-no-Hinatidori-no-Kami to Mino Province to deal with that wild god. We are about to depart," Takemikazuchi-no-Kami continued. Miketsu was slightly shocked to hear that Amaterasu had dispatched three gods to deal with Suwako.

It seemed Amaterasu was taking this matter quite seriously. She wondered if Suwako's so-called trump card would be enough.

"To send three at once... In that case, I have a favor to ask of you..." As she spoke, Miketsu looked at the white bird with a subtle glint in her eyes. The bird shivered involuntarily at her gaze.

"What... what do you want me to do?"

The bird's eyes revealed a deep sense of dread as it looked at Miketsu.

...

In Takamagahara, amidst a vast and boundless orange-yellow sea of clouds, a massive mountain peak pierced through the mist.

At the summit was a wide platform. At the front stood a massive stone torii gate, facing a brilliant sun disk that hung eternally in the eastern sky.

Several figures stood upon the platform. Most were warriors clad in heavy armor, standing as still as stone statues.

Aside from these attendants, there was a man over three meters tall. He wore short garments, his physique robust and dark-skinned, with arms that were slightly deformed in their thick length. He had short yellow hair and a yellow mustache on his grim face.

Beside the giant were three youths of average build dressed in long robes. They shared similar handsome features, with fiery red streaks in their black hair. Their robes were adorned with similar red lotus patterns.

Whether it was the giant, the three youths, or the numerous attendants, they were all gathered in a circle on the mountain peak. In their center knelt a woman in red clothes and a black skirt with short blue hair. It was Takeminakata-no-Kami, Yasaka Kanako.

Kanako knelt respectfully on the ground, facing the stone torii gate and the sun disk that hung eternally beyond it.

"Takeminakata... are you aware of your crimes?"

The one who spoke first was the middle youth of the three brothers.

"I am not aware of any crime I have committed, Hoori-no-Mikoto," Kanako said plainly. The second of the three brothers spoke up sternly.

"You were originally the general sent to subjugate the wild god of Suwa. Not only did you fail your mission to destroy her, but you also concealed her and allowed her evil rites to continue and flourish!"

"The mission I received was to conquer the land. Since Suwako surrendered the territory, I saw no need to drive her to a desperate, suicidal resistance. I believed it was only a matter of time before her faith was assimilated and she faded away on her own, Hoderi-no-Mikoto." Looking at the second youth, Kanako continued to respond with a calm expression.