Kyoto, Onmyo Bureau headquarters.
After Tokyo fell three years ago under the simultaneous assault of Ai Bielie and the other four sufferings—birth, aging, illness, and death—this became the nation's capital and military center.
The population density outside the headquarters district was frighteningly high, making it exceptionally lively. Yet the closer one got to the Onmyo Bureau headquarters, the more obvious it became that there was a guard post every three steps and a sentry every five.
Warrior Monks, their faces covered by Iron Masks and their hands gripping lethal weapons, patrolled silently in dense ranks. From time to time, more than a dozen figures swept through the shadows like illusions.
Absolute silence.
Amid such stern patrols, identification plaques symbolizing the highest status hung from the walls, while a meeting that might determine the fate of tens, perhaps hundreds, of thousands was underway.
Before the government envoy, the three great families, and representatives of the ancient Onmyoji clans, the elderly man serving as the Onmyo Great Administrator of the Onmyo Bureau—and also a Great Onmyoji—braced both hands against the table and spoke:
"While Everworld has ceased merging with the mortal world, he is the greatest threat to our Kyoto."
"The greatest threat?"
A young man from an Onmyoji family laughed. "No matter how great the threat, could it possibly exceed the forces of Everworld on either side?"
"Of course."
The Onmyo Great Administrator waved his hand.
Spiritual Power flashed, forming lines of text and clear images in midair.
"—For more than three years, he has used unknown means to travel freely between Everworld and the mortal world, launching terrorist attacks in different cities.
"Because of this, he has caused economic losses exceeding tens of billions of yen, directly killed or injured more than a thousand transcendents, and caused countless indirect casualties."