Chapter 509

But...

Novia also knew that Hōjō Ujimasa himself had appeared in Guda Guda, appearing as a flamboyant man with brightly colored hair, and that Hojo's ancestor Hōjō Sōun was also inside him, meaning he could possess people... which was similar to her current situation.

Guda Guda Den is a short manga where the experience points are used to Master Sengoku daimyo. It opens with Imagawa Yoshimoto at Okehazama Okita Souji. Toyotomi Hideyoshi the end, Hideyoshi is defeated by Nobunaga due to the setting Sun, leaving the ending with the unresolved duel between Nobunaga Takechiyo, who is Tokugawa Ieyasu.

In short, it's a prequel to the Holy Grail War in the Imperial Capital.

"Ugh, he got away again! Damn it... Ahhhhh, this is... Uncle's scent?!"

Ushiwakamaru sniffed the air as if it were a puppy, then stopped, bursting into laughter as he struck a pose.

"I never imagined that your armor concealed such a form. In that case, your strength must be inferior to mine. If I were to cut off your head, you would likely die."

Judging from Ushiwakamaru's words and excited expression, Novia felt that she had mistaken her for Minamoto no Tametomo no Tameaki. This was normal, after all, Minamoto no Tametomo was made from the remains of the Moon Goddess. Back when he was Avia, he had used the power of the Moon Goddess, when the Moon God Machine was still hanging in Universe.

Ushiwakamaru's father was Minamoto no Yoshitomo, and both Minamoto no Tametomo and Minamoto no Yoshitomo's father was Minamoto no Tameyoshi.

During the Hōgen Rebellion, Minamoto no Tametomo and his father sided with Emperor Sutoku, one of the four great vengeful spirits of Japan, while Taira no Kiyomori and Minamoto no Yoshitomo were on the opposing side of Emperor Go-Shirakawa- Shirakawa. Emperor Go- Emperor Sutoku's side was defeated, thus ushering in the Japan military Taira Regime in Japan.

"Idiot."

Before Novia and Ushiwakamaru could make a move, a soft shout came from inside the shopping district, and Taira no Masakado, wearing a Taira no Masakado hat and a brown coat, with a pair of sunken light gray eyes, walked out at an unimaginable speed. The tree roots crawling on the ground at his feet looked like black snakes.

"Eh?! Lord Pingping... Lord Taira no Masakado! What brings you out here!"

"What are you thinking, you idiot?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the tall Taira no Masakado used a throwing technique, and Ushiwakamaru was thrown to the ground like a radish. Although the man used it casually and his movements were small, it was clear that it was the Aikido Heaven and Earth Throw technique.

Ushiwakamaru didn't take this to heart at all. Instead, he laughed heartily. After laughing for a while, Ushiwakamaru, who had been lying on his back, quickly got up, knelt down, and solemnly bowed to Novia.

"I'm so sorry! It was a misunderstanding on my part, please forgive me! By the way, you absolutely must try the fried mantou (steamed buns), it's a famous and fragrant product of our Kanda Shrine-- "

Ushiwakamaru turned around and called out to Taira no Masakado, "Aren't you right, Taira no Masakado, Kanda Myōjin Myojin!"

Kanda Myōjin's duty is to Protection the Demon Gate to the land of the Yomi, the realm of the dead, which is where Taira no Masakado became Deity after his death.

Kanda Shrine, one of the Ten Shrines of Tokyo, is dedicated to Ōkuninushi, Sukunahikona, and Shrine no Taira no Masakado.

Novia realized that, by now, Erice had already had contact with all three of them.

Years ago, he and Erice made the 'suicide' of Yoruichi Yukinobu, who had summoned the Ōkuninushi of the Yagai Yukinobu, possible. Later, in the case of Louis XVII and his Master, Erice obtained the Heavenly Raft of Rama Sukunahikona, who manages the Taira no Masakado of the Yomi Demon Gate.

Novia could only admire John Dee's deep planning, having orchestrated the Holy Grail War for over a decade while still human. However, it was likely that his schemes clashed with El's, since El's appearance was probably an accident.

"Shut up, you idiot."

Ushiwakamaru, who had been scolded by Taira no Masakado no Masakado, raised his hands in mid-air, revealing a defeated expression. Then Taira no Masakado turned to look at Novia.

"Let me reintroduce myself. My name is Taira no Masakado, and I am also the Kanda Myōjin of Kanda Shrine, which manages the Leyline of Tokyo. Now, please—"

Just as Ushiwakamaru Taira no Masakado at his sleeve.

"Taira no Masakado, the lord has arrived."

Upon hearing this, everyone present turned to look at a Miko dressed as a red and white shrine maiden behind Taira no Masakado. She appeared elegant and serene, and looked to be just over four years old. Her face was so pale that she looked sickly.

"Ah, it's true... someone's coming..."

The girl seemed a little overwhelmed by the large crowd. She quickly straightened her wrinkled skirt, brushed the sand off her clothes, and then stood before the crowd, bowing respectfully to each of them. Her purple and white patterned trousers indicated that she was the Chief Priest of Kanda Shrine.

Novia then learns that the little girl named A Xiu is the Master of Taira no Masakado and Ushiwakamaru, meaning that she has summoned two Servant in a very strange way.

A Xiu specially invited Novia and the others into the main hall, which was off-limits to ordinary people, to inquire about the situation.

Novia didn't hide anything about this, saying that he wanted to find the Rushana's Buddhahood and Buddha-Mind Vairocana.

Chief Priest's answer was concise and to the point, "Leave it to me." She indicated that since there was a possibility of a threat, in order to prevent the already paralyzed Tokyo from collapsing, she was willing to fully assist with the matters Novia mentioned.

But before that, she earnestly requested everyone to participate in an event— the Kanda Festival.

"... What?!"

Erice was somewhat surprised by the answer, but her expression remained calm. "Although I don't really want to say it, this isn't the time for playing house. Don't we have more important things to do?"

Erice felt a strange urge to distance herself from the little girl named A Xiu.

... That's right, it must be that Taira no Masakado is going to participate in the Holy Grail War later, and this child is his Master, his enemy, that's it.

Erice thought so.

"Mom, I think participating in some activities wouldn't be a bad idea..."

"Since there's an event, of course we have to participate enthusiastically!"

Rushana's eyes shone even brighter. "And isn't it quite romantic to hold such a grand event in a desolate City?"

I'm defeated by the two of you...

Erice sighed, "Um, excuse me, but please allow me to say one more thing, because we're really quite busy..."

"Uh-huh."

Erice tried to explain the whole story to A Xiu and discuss it with her, but Shu's view on the matter was quite positive, while Erice was the one who felt somewhat confused.

"Yeah, Erice, you must be having a hard time like this."

... Wait, did I mention my own name?

"... Um, that's not what I meant."

Erice knew that A Xiu was listening attentively to her explanation.

But knowing this doesn't mean I truly care; I can't really tell if she's taking it seriously. I'm increasingly unable to understand what this little girl is thinking.

"It's okay, it's only one day. The Kanda Festival will be over soon. I've been preparing for it for a long time. Shana, what do you think?"

A Xiu flicked the sleeves of her Miko maiden's robes, raised her hand, Ushiwakamaru immediately charged across from where the roasted buns were.

"I've heard the details! I understand everything! I knew all along that my lord absolutely wanted to do this!"

"Right! And if this continues, all the materials will be wasted."

"But my lord, although you are prepared, it is not appropriate to force others arbitrarily. It must be their heartfelt consent; Ether reckless."

"Yes, you're right."

Since she hadn't given up yet, Erice was about to refuse outright, but suddenly Novia, standing beside her, said in a low voice that sounded like she was pouring cold water on her enthusiasm, "That's right, I think it's better to refuse. And don't you think it's terrifying to hold such a large event in a place with hardly anyone around? People who really want to do it can't do it well; it's the people who least want to participate who are suited for it. What kind of job is this?"

"... What nonsense are you spouting?"

Erice Seihara thought that since she hadn't seen the Demon King, few people would bother her, but Novia's words made her anxious, and she tried to explain.

"It's not that I really don't want to participate—"

"Of course I understand that, and I also know that you didn't become Night Watch willingly, so you don't want others to do similar things, right?"

"... Huh? What does this mean?"

Erice rushed forward, wanting to refute Novia.

Damn it, if it weren't for that Demon King, I would never have applied to be Night Watch...

That was clearly a difficult decision, but at least I made it because I wanted to fulfill my responsibilities. I was only eight years old then! Even the Demon King was understanding towards me. You, who know nothing, only came because you said my mother was in Tokyo—

"..."

It was only then that Erice noticed that Novia's pale blue eyes had been fixed on her.

Those flawless eyes left Erice speechless, even though she wanted to retort.

He wasn't worried about falling out with me.

Erice felt there was a more dangerous intent in Novia's eyes, as if she was being pressured to speak more bluntly and directly, but how could she put it...?

The next second, Novia, holding a freshly fried Ushiwakamaru steamed bun) that Ushiwakamaru had just given him, stuffed it directly into Erice's mouth.

"?!"

Have you ever thanked someone when they helped you in the past?

"Call."

Seeing this, Rushana and Ushiwakamaru couldn't help but burst out laughing.

On the other hand, A Xiu felt very admiring, crossed her arms, and nodded repeatedly.

"You two... are great! Compared to typical comedic duos, you're from a completely different world. But that's precisely what makes it interesting. Keep it up!"

"I think Miss A Xiu, you're fearless too..."

Erice fried mantou with her small cheeks puffed out, "There are hardly any people left in Tokyo, yet they still want to hold a festival."

"Really? I also feel that I'm a little different from those kids who were born into the new generation."

"Hmm? But you..."

Erice hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping herself. No matter how she looked at him, she felt that A Xiu was a four-year-old child.

It can't be reverse aging, can it? That would be way too childish!

"... Actually, I was born at the cusp of the old and new generations. Don't let my young age fool you, I'm actually fourteen, just like you, Erice. The reason I'm like this is because I have an incurable disease."

Erice felt this answer was a bit awkward, and it wasn't a good answer for her, an outcast who didn't have the Holy Grail and hadn't participated in the Holy Grail War.

But.

It's the transition period between the old and new generations...

The Black-Haired Girl couldn't help but look up and survey the familiar 'shopping district'.

I think I was born in Tokyo during that same period.

Chapter 524 Barely, Maybe, Probably, Seems like, Perhaps, Like (7. K)

Kanda Festival--

Along with the Gion Festival in Kyoto and the Tenjin Festival in Osaka, it is known as one of Japan three major festivals of Osaka, and Edo period it was also called the Tenka Festival.

During the Aizu Campaign against Uesugi Kagekatsu and the Battle of Sekigahara, Tokugawa Ieyasu prayed for victory at Kanda Myōjin. Therefore, after unifying Japan, he established the Kanda Festival as a traditional festival for the Tokugawa House, and the Kanda Shrine was moved to Edo Demon Gate, where it became the Protection Deity of Edo.

"May 15th is auspicious during the day and fun at night."

People in Tokyo describe the festival as follows: people flock to the streets, beating drums and gongs, waving banners, wearing straw hats adorned with red flowers, waving fans, and playing flutes, praying to the three Deity of Kanda Shrine. Meanwhile, horses and giant black oxen pull two-wheeled carts southward toward the Shrine.

Each neighborhood has its own float, some even taller than three stories—ancient courtiers in silk Long Robe appear and disappear on the roof of the float.

In addition, there will be a rooster, a long-tailed phoenix, many different kinds of monsters, a multi-segmented blue octopus, a huge bouquet of flowers, and the rising Rising Sun bathed in brilliant light.

If Erice could still be living in Tokyo today, she would definitely be there to watch the parade, and the Kanda Festival would be her holiday. But with Tokyo reduced to ruins, everything has become a pipe dream, a pipe dream.

Ten years later, in 2021, pervasive dust covered the streets; gray embers were devoid of luster; newly built attics emitted a damp and chilly smell; the gloom surrounding the business district was reflected on the bright sea surface, the City's remaining protective shield; Drone occasionally rolled in from the deeper sea; even the walls of the Shrine that Protection the City were empty, without graffiti, notices, or even the "No Entry" signs of Akihabara Tenmangu.

It was as if Deity was whispering, "You are destined to live on in solitude forever."

Even so, Erice still felt nostalgic because she saw many empty stalls around the Shrine, with bare, old, and unusable light bulbs hanging from them. So many meaningless things would seem like a charade to people of both the New Era and old eras.

Even so, Erice couldn't help but think back to when she was four years old and still in Tokyo, when many people must have strolled and laughed here.

The once radiant smiles, the once lively atmosphere, the breathable air around me, the stones I stepped on—it's all so Present World, yet it gives me a sense of unease. Is it because the Shrine is located at the Demon Gate? Or is it because I've been here before?

I did come here, didn't I?

The girl blurted out unconsciously, her deep blue eyes still wandering in the dark blue shadows.

The thought that Tokyo, where she once lived, had become the Underworld always made her feel somewhat sad.

Simply...

Erice suddenly realized—it was almost as if the Death God himself had turned this place into the Underworld.

She has no memory of anything before the age of four, and the reason she didn't ask her mother, Nami, for details when she saw her now is the same. In her eyes, Tokyo has become like this, and her mother was already very kind to send her away back then, and she did right by her... Chitose is the same, even though she has no blood relation with her, she still makes a fuss about being her granddaughter.

Suddenly, Erice recalled the strange feelings she had during the Louis XVII case. Sometimes she seemed silly, and other times she was very perceptive. She seemed to care about nothing, yet she was very sensitive to certain things, as if she had a dual personality.

"Miss Eri, Miss Rushana, and Mother Tiamat, I thank you all for your assistance. In particular, Miss Erice's concerns about my lord are well-founded."

Ushiwakamaru left the fried mantou stall and went alone to find the three people outside the Shrine.

"Within Tokyo, I will eliminate any hostility directed at us with my sword... But as my lord mentioned, she is fearless, and has been so since childhood. Unless she encounters a serious problem and suffers severe injuries, she will never stop. Lord Masakado has been racking his brains over this."

"Niu Ruo, are you referring to that serious-looking kid next to Xiao Xiu, the one named Taira no Masakado...?"

Tiamat asked with great concern, to which Ushiwakamaru smiled, as if trying to soothe her anxiety.

"That's precisely why I'm needed. The Kanda Festival has been my lord's childhood dream, but it's been ten years already. No one knows what will happen if it's held again... However, this is the duty I, as a military commander, must fulfill. If the situation truly becomes more dangerous than we can handle, I promise to step forward and shield you all so that you can escape danger safely."