The evening drums sounded over the darkening mountain, and crimson sunset clouds blazed golden.
It should have been time for weary birds to return to their woods, yet birds fluttered restlessly above Mount Otoko's peak, looking down at the uninvited visitors at its foot.
Because the Nue appeared and vanished unpredictably in the sky, the Kyoto Prefecture Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces had hastily established machine-gun positions throughout the forest at the mountain's foot, their antiaircraft machine guns pointing skyward.
Outside Hachiman-gu on the mountain, several temporary bunkers and defensive lines had already been built. Fully armed Self-Defense Forces personnel stood ready, and a grim atmosphere filled the air.
"My positions are impregnable. Even if eight or ten of those monsters called Nue show up, they won't get a single step past our lines."
The Major General from Okubo Garrison swept out an arm and declared this with tremendous confidence.
Though time had been short, pressure from Kyoto Prefecture's bigwigs had ensured that the positions were respectably laid out.
Mineko Yuki lowered her binoculars, a noncommittal expression appearing on her pretty face.
Although she was a Superhuman, she knew little about military affairs. Professional matters were best left to professionals.
The only question was whether the mastermind would launch another attack.
And if another attack really came, when would it happen?
A thief could spend a thousand days plotting, but no one could spend a thousand days guarding against thieves.
After all, the attack had only happened last night. Kyoto Prefecture was on edge, its vigilance at its peak, but as time passed, it would inevitably relax.
Besides, precious Superhuman combat assets like the Twelve Divine Generals could not remain tied down at Hachiman-gu forever.
If nothing happened for a while, Mineko Yuki would most likely be transferred out of Kyoto