Odokuro's steadfast vigil, igniting the Flower of Life

She was like a valkyrie descended from the Divine Realm.

She held an arrow of light, a divine bow at her side. Her dragonlike tail gently brushed against space, while her long red-and-black hair radiated an overpowering visual presence.

Indeed, Suzuka Gozen embodied the very meaning of overwhelming strength.

No sooner had she strolled down from the sky than she planted her palm on Otakemaru's head and forced him to bow to the onmyoji before her.

The commanding presence of Mount Suzuka's big sister instantly silenced the words Arata had just been about to say.

After all, that was none other than the young lord of Mount Suzuka!

He was the terrifying powerhouse who had almost led the Sea Kingdom in dragging all of Heian-kyo into certain doom!

Yet this gallant woman had him completely subdued, like a little child.

What a jaw-dropping sight.

Naturally, Otakemaru had tried to struggle free of her restraint.

After all, he had grown up. He could stand on his own now, and having his own sister pin him down before others left him embarrassed and ashamed.

In the end, however, he resigned himself to his fate, hanging his head and offering an apology as well.

"Although I cannot forgive Otakemaru's crimes on behalf of every yokai who died in that battle, neither can I lay the blame for everything on him alone."

"The true mastermind who brought about this tragedy is the culprit who must answer for it in full."

Arata spoke earnestly as he met the apologetic eyes of Mount Suzuka's ruler.

"Besides, saving Mount Suzuka's life force was Kusa's own choice. As her onmyoji, I respect her."

He added that afterward.

Ultimately, the only one whose forgiveness he could even remotely offer was Hotarugusa, who had poured her own yokai power into