Since he had already returned to the Butterfly Mansion from Asakusa, Kanzaki Kumo adjusted his original plan.
He intended to visit Mount Kumotori first to look around the area and get acquainted with the Kamado family, which would also make it easier to relocate them later.
The round trip this way also happened to be much shorter than taking a detour through Asakusa.
Once he had confirmed the situation, he would take Kanae to meet Tamayo and Yushiro. Kanzaki Kumo could then bring Yushiro along to relocate the Kamado family.
Mount Kumotori stood at the junction of two prefectures and a small stretch of metropolitan territory, with several neighboring towns not far from its foot.
Forests covered much of the mountain, including both primeval broadleaf woodland and some artificially transplanted larch groves.
With autumn only just underway, a little snow had already accumulated on the summit, glittering in the morning sunlight. A little farther down, withered yellow leaves and bare branches filled the landscape. Farther down still, golden leaves swayed in the wind halfway up the mountain, while at its foot, the leaves on the trees were still mostly green.
Though its elevation was not particularly high, it already gave something of the impression of "four seasons on one mountain."
At an inn in the town below, Kanzaki Kumo gazed toward Mount Kumotori from the terrace. The beauty of nature inspired wonder whenever one witnessed it.
Kanzaki Kumo had arrived two days earlier, but he had first spent some time circling the foot of the mountain. Only after finding no signs of demon activity did he prepare to climb it early that morning.
The Kamado family was somewhat well known in the nearby towns for the excellent charcoal they made in winter. A few questions were enough to learn