Learning Skills and Making Sacrifices

"Two of you, my lord invites you in."

Demon Blade Princess, clad from head to toe in armor, came out personally to receive them, sparing the Osaka military an awkward situation.

If they let the two inside and they clashed with the Great Onmyoji, all their efforts these past days would be wasted; but if they tried to stop them, what were they supposed to use to stop Dragon Rank Hikari?

Fortunately, as expected of the Great Onmyoji, he seemed to have anticipated Hikari and Tokugawa Shizuka's visit and had sent Lady Demon Blade Princess to receive them.

"Lady Demon Blade Princess."

The many superhuman soldiers and officers saluted in succession.

"Mm."

As a Shikigami under Seimei, renowned for her combat prowess—

Demon Blade Princess appeared often enough to be considered a familiar face to the Osaka military.

"Lord Hikari, Miss Tokugawa, this way."

As the Osaka military made way, Hikari and Tokugawa Shizuka followed behind Demon Blade Princess and entered the stronghold of the Great Onmyoji, Abe no Seimei.

Creak, creak, creak—

Ox carts rumbled over the bluestone pavement, while sleeves scented with plum blossoms by court ladies drifted out from behind hanging curtains; before a paper umbrella shop beside the street, an old woman hunched over as she opened umbrellas patterned with moonflower blossoms one by one; atop the distant Reversal Bridge, green ghostly flames floated through the air as several noble young men in tall hats, their teeth blackened, flirted with shirabyoshi dancers, inadvertently revealing dry bones beneath their long robes.

Whether the buildings or the "residents," all had completely regained the ancient appearance of a thousand years ago. Of course, they were all products of supernatural power.

Thus, atop the endless rows of three- and four-story pavilions, Smoke Veil lounged lazily with a smoking pipe in