The horse-drawn carriage moved slowly along the mountain road.
Higashino Makoto leaned back in his chair, eyes closed, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.
In his mind, that collective human subconscious was still operating.
No consciousness, no thought, no self.
But it has power.
An immense power capable of changing the rules of the world.
If we could guide it...
"Cheng-san."
Momo's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Um."
What are you thinking about?
"I'm thinking about how to utilize that god. And in our world, where Novas Etier lives, is there a similar god?"
Higashino Makoto opened his eyes, his golden eyes gazing at the roof of the car.
"That thing has no consciousness, but it has power. If you can make it believe in something, it will accomplish it."
"For example?"
"For example, Higashino Makoto is the master of the world, controlling the human realm, heaven, and hell."
Momo's eyes widened slightly.
Is it possible?
"Have no idea."
Higashino Cheng shook his head.
"But it's worth a try."
He paused.
"But not now. Now, we need more intelligence. We need to understand how that thing works. We need to find a way to guide it."
Momo nodded.
"What about the Butterfly Sisters? What will happen to them?"
Higashino Makoto glanced at her.
"They can bring them along; it won't make a difference."
"Just carrying it?"
"Hmm, maybe."
Momo looked at him, a sly glint in her purple eyes.
"Cheng-san, you're lying."
"Okay, I'll do things I like, like... stacking them together or something."
"I knew it. That's why I'll help you, Makoto-san."
Higashino Makoto looked at her for two seconds, then chuckled softly.
"Okay, thanks."
Momo smiled.
The carriage continued its journey.
Outside the window, the setting sun was painting the sky a golden-red hue.
In the distance, the outline of Mount Fujikasane was faintly visible in the twilight.
Inside the carriage, a silver-haired, golden-eyed man was contemplating a question that could change the entire world.
How to guide God.
How to make the world the way he wants it to be.
He closed his eyes.
"Alaya... Gaia... Akashic Records..."
He said in a low voice.
"No matter who you are, one day I will find a way to control you."
No one answered.
Only the sound of wheels crushing gravel echoed in the twilight.
In the distance, wisteria blossoms on Mount Fujikasane drifted down in the wind.
It looks like purple snowflakes.
It was as if the souls of countless dead swordsmen were resting in the embrace of that unconscious "god".
Three days after leaving Mount Fujikasane, Higashino Makoto found that his way of seeing the world had completely changed.
It's not the kind of sudden enlightenment, but a slower, gradual change, like vision going from blurry to clear.
At first, he thought it was just an illusion; the faint mist floating above everyone's heads might be a mirage caused by sunlight or the fatigue from a long journey.
But on the morning of the third day, as he stood by his hotel window, watching the pedestrians coming and going on the street below, he confirmed it—
That's not an illusion.
A halo of light floated above each person's head.
It's like a color that can be perceived directly with the soul, a color that cannot be accurately described in words.
Some people are fair-skinned, some are dark-skinned, and most are shades of gray.
The intensity of the halo does not seem to have a direct relationship with a person's age, gender, or status.
He saw a faint white light above the head of a ragged beggar, while the head of a richly dressed merchant was dark and heavy.
"Interesting."
He said in a low voice.
Momo peeked out from under the covers, her short, pink hair sticking up messily, her ahoge (cowlick) tilted to one side, and her purple eyes half-open and half-closed.
"Makoto-san... what are you looking at so early in the morning?"
"Look at people's souls, look at their deeds and achievements."
Momo paused for a moment, then sat up, the blanket slipping off her shoulders.
She didn't pay any attention, just rubbed her eyes, walked to the window, and looked out in the direction of his gaze.
"I can't see it."
"Normal. This is something gained after 'seeing' God. Perhaps it's some kind of... side effect? Or rather, a gift?"
Higashino Makoto turned around, leaned against the window frame, and looked at her with his golden eyes.
"Momo, come here."
Momo walked up to him and looked up.
Higashino Makoto looked at the top of her head; it was white, but very pale.
"Your skin is a pale, almost ethereal white, but very faint..."
"Achievement?"
"Yes. 'Gong' means good deeds, merit, karma, whatever you want to call it. The opposite is 'ye' (karma), meaning evil deeds, sins, Curse."
Higashino Makoto reached out and gently touched the halo above her head with his fingertips.
The ball of white light trembled slightly at his fingertips, as if it were alive, or as if it were responding to his touch.
Everyone has it. It's just a matter of how much.
Momo tilted her head, her ahoge (cowlick) trembling slightly.
"And what about Makoto-san? What does Makoto-san have on him?"
Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment.
"They have both black and white, but overall they're more of a business color. However, the colors are strange; they don't seem to be the same as ordinary business colors. I'm not sure what they mean."
He withdrew his hand and looked out the window again.
This result was within his expectations, and even better than he had anticipated.
Although I consider myself a decent person by human standards.
But whether it's killing Orc or borrowing large amounts of seawater and land, it's all wrong for the world.
Momo walked to his side and took his hand.
Her fingers were slender and warm, her palm pressed against his.
"No matter what Cheng-san has, I will always be by his side."
Higashino Makoto glanced at her, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"I know."
After breakfast, Higashino Makoto called the three butterfly sisters to his room.
They stood before him, dressed in casual clothes bought from town.
Kanae Kocho wore a light purple kimono, Shinobu Kocho wore a dark blue one, Kanao Tsuyuri a pure white one.
All three of them let their hair down, instead of tying it into their usual buns, making them look less sharp as swordsmen and more feminine.
"Mr. Higashino, you were looking for us?"
Kanae Kocho's voice was gentle and calm, but her purple eyes held a hint of curiosity.
"Stand still, don't move."
Higashino Makoto stood up, walked to them, and looked at them one by one.
Kanae Kocho's head: The white light is intense, but it is interspersed with fine black lines, like cracks, or like it has been contaminated by something.
Shinobu Kocho's head: The white light is fainter than her sister's, and there are fewer black lines.
Kanao Tsuyuri's head: the white light is the faintest, but the purest.
There are almost no black lines, only a faint dark color at the edges.
"Mr. Higashino, what are you looking at?"
Shinobu Kocho's voice carried a hint of wariness.
"Look at your achievements and accomplishments."