After finishing her final instructions to those most directly bound by her contracts within the Inari divine realm, Miketsu left the Inari Shrine. She headed elsewhere to bid farewell to others; after all, she had lived here for over a decade and had unknowingly made many friends.
Some of them, she feared, she would only see again in the cycle of reincarnation...
'Phew, well... let's visit them one by one...'
...
Heian-kyo, Greater Imperial Palace, Onmyoryo.
Atop the Astronomical Pavilion of the Five-Story Pagoda, Yura was reviewing documents at a low table. Hearing her colleague's words, she looked up curiously at the girl in kariginu standing by the railing.
"What? You're saying you're going away for cultivation?"
"Yes. After all, for a shugenja, power and status are never the primary goals. It's the realm of one's power that matters, isn't it?" Miketsu replied with a faint smile, lightly waving her small fan as she gazed at the capital's scenery from the top of the tower. Hearing this, Yura couldn't help but mutter under her breath.
"It's not like I've ever seen you particularly obsessed with pursuing higher realms before..." After her grumbling, Yura spoke up again. "So, how long do you plan to be away for your training?"
"Well... it will likely be a very, very long time. So, for the time being, I'll have to ask you and Seimei to look after the small clone shikigami I'm leaving behind." Miketsu turned around, folded her fan, and spoke as she walked into the room. Her words made Yura's brow furrow slightly.
"A very, very long time... it sounds like I'll never see you again." Yura stopped her pen and looked at Miketsu. Miketsu took the opportunity to sit directly in front of her and poured two cups of tea from the pot on the table.
"No... no matter how much time passes, we will surely meet again. I promise you." As Miketsu spoke, she pushed a cup toward Yura and picked up the other for herself.
"We'll meet again...?" With a hint of doubt, Yura picked up the cup. Then, under Miketsu's smile, she drained the tea in a single gulp along with her.
...
Heian-kyo, Upper Capital District, Fujiwara Residence.
In the courtyard of the great estate, Mokou, dressed in the attire of a noble lord, walked through the bamboo grove with Miketsu. Upon hearing Miketsu's words, Mokou spoke in surprise.
"What? You're leaving for a long time... just how long is 'long'?"
"Well, probably about a thousand years..." Miketsu responded bluntly. Mokou froze for a moment, then began muttering with a face full of confusion.
"A thousand years... how long is a thousand years? Ten centuries... a thousand single years... how old am I now? Um..." Mokou thought back in bewilderment, but soon shook her head.
"Forget it! I don't care how long it is. I won't die anyway, so I'll definitely be here when you get back. Just don't forget to come find me then!" Mokou waved her hand and spoke with her usual frankness. Seeing that her personality hadn't changed at all, Miketsu couldn't help but smile.
...
Heian-kyo, Choyo-machi, by the quiet riverbank during the day.
Miketsu, dressed in black robes and wrapped in bandages, walked along the shore. Beside her was the young yokai who had followed her all this way, Nura Rihyon.
"Nura Rihyon, do you still remember your purpose for following me?" Miketsu spoke in a low voice, using the tone of the Owl she hadn't used in a long time. She didn't look back as she stepped forward. Nura Rihyon answered immediately.
"Is there even a need to ask? Naturally, it was to train under the General's command until I reached your level, and then go out to forge a world of my own." Hearing Miketsu's question, Nura Rihyon answered without hesitation. Miketsu chuckled and continued.
"Then, what do you think... of your current self?"
"Well... compared to the General, I'm still far too lacking, especially in terms of strength..." Nura Rihyon paused, speaking with some embarrassment. Miketsu responded directly.
"Becoming the lord of a region requires more than just strength... other aspects are equally important. Nura Rihyon, you indeed have the aptitude. What you need now is time and opportunity to grow your power. And for that... perhaps you need to venture into the wider world. You might not be able to obtain what you need by staying under my command."
"Owl General... you..." Looking at the dark figure before him, Nura Rihyon wanted to say something but hesitated. Miketsu stopped her pace and gave him one final word.
"When you feel the time is right, leave. After all, you dream of becoming a king. In the future, there will be an era that belongs to you..."
...
The Moon, Lunar Secret Realm.
On the outskirts of the busy, newly-built Lunar Capital, a small and exquisite Inari Shrine stood on a silver-white hillside covered in flowers. While the moon rabbits were all busy, only two figures were present here.
Miketsu, in her red and white miko outfit, and Princess Kaguya, in her silver-white formal dress, sat together on the grass beside the shrine's torii gate. Miketsu explained her temporary departure. Though Kaguya looked reluctant to see her go, she eventually nodded in understanding.
"I see... does Mother need to leave for such a long time? But it's alright. Kaguya will wait for the day of your return, Mother."
"Ah... there's no need to be so worried. Although I say a thousand years, I can still interfere with the mortal world during that time. You might even see me pop out to visit from time to time," Miketsu said with a smile to comfort Kaguya, who nodded gently.
Just then, a small white rabbit emitting a faint silver glow hopped over from a distance, eventually landing in front of Kaguya. Kaguya was delighted and carefully picked up the rabbit.
"Ah! Lady Chang'e... you've run off to here. How is it? Have you adjusted to the temporary body Lady Eirin made for you? Don't worry, your formal body is already being prepared..."
Looking at the rabbit in Kaguya's arms, which was twitching its ears and looking at her, Miketsu didn't quite know what expression to make. She couldn't help but complain inwardly.
'As expected of an Alien God; their sense of morality is truly different... to be able to endure such a temporary body.'
...
Kanto, by Lake Suwa.
With a gentle breeze blowing, Miketsu sat leisurely by the shore with her feet in the water. Looking at the clear sky, she chatted comfortably with Suwako, who was perched on a large boulder nearby.
"So, your wind priestess has gone back?"
"Yes. Following your instructions, she went back the same way she came," Suwako said casually, spreading her hands.
"And what about your ancient god body? That butterfly wouldn't have forced you into mutual destruction with it, would it?" Miketsu tilted her head and asked. Suwako answered directly.
"Of course not. But I did end up heavily injured. It won't recover for another hundred thousand years or so. I just tossed the body back under the lake to let it heal slowly."
"Is that so... and how do you feel about a timeframe like a thousand years?"
"It's just the blink of an eye. That amount of time is truly nothing to an ancient god. Honestly, it was a bit redundant for you to come here to say goodbye," Suwako said with a shrug.
"Hmm... is that so..."
Hearing this, Miketsu didn't give a direct answer. She looked at the sky, gave a long stretch, and then stood up.
"In that case, I won't dawdle here any longer. It's time to get to work..." As Miketsu spoke, her form gradually became transparent.
"Well then... let us meet again later..."
(End of Volume 1)
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