Late at night.
The ancient, elegant Kiyomizu-dera was completely surrounded by over a thousand vicious monsters.
Inside the temple, around a hundred onmyoji glowing with blue spiritual light gritted their teeth as they maintained the barrier's stability.
There were men and women among them, old and young.
It could be said that every adult stood here now, facing monsters and death head-on.
This was the sense of duty the Hanakaiin Clan had forged over nearly a thousand years of inheritance.
It was not only the Thunderbolt School. The branch families guarding the first three seals were the same.
The Aika School branch family at Ryūenji Temple had it somewhat better, with at least a few survivors.
But at the Katsura Imperial Villa and Inari Shrine farther ahead, no one had been spared.
"Kawada!"
"Any news? Have Mamiru and the others reached the main house?"
Takeki Kakeiin, the current head of the Thunderbolt School branch family, called out despite himself while maintaining his hand seals.
Yet no one responded even after a long while.
"Is there any news?!"
Takeki Kakeiin, now over fifty, shouted again. He could feel that he would not live until dawn.
But at the very least, he wanted to hear that his family was safe.
In truth, he was asking for all the onmyoji present. Their families had all left together.
Fortunately, a voice finally rang out. "Yes, yes, yes! The main house has called!"
The voice was filled with joy and excitement.
"Head of the family, the main house says they've arrived and are arranging accommodations!"
Takeki Kakeiin's eyes widened. Looking at the horde of monsters beyond the barrier, he burst into laughter.
"Good! We can die without regrets now—but before we die, we can't let them have an easy time of it!"
"Everyone, listen up!