Great Sage 12 – It’s Probably a Misunderstanding

February 16, 2022Zathael

I organise the current situation and assemble a chessboard in my head.

1.
Yuikuu said that his job was complete after I reached the kitsune.
2.
From Chiyo-san’s story, it seems that the Shimogami School’s target was Chiyo-san herself.
3.
And that it’s origin traces back to the later years of the sengoku period.

Which means that there’s the possibility that the Kashizu Sect had a problem with Chiyo-san falling into the Shimogami School’s hands.

――But if the Kashizu Sect is backing the Mafia, then they’ve only started to move recently.
This means that there is a factor that occurred recently I do not know about.

Not to mention that the attacker from last night, who concealed their presence, aimed for Kanako-chan.
As expected I still can’t assess this board state, I need whatever incident occurred recently.

If I can find that, this board will be complete.

As I was engrossed in my thoughts,

“If that’s the case, then what should I do…..”
Chiyo-san’s fluffy ears droop despondently.

“It’s not confirmed yet and there’s still lots we don’t know.
To solve that, could you set up an opportunity for me to speak directly to the Shimogami School”

Talking it out is the best way to settle things amicably after all.
The win condition is not to subdue the enemy but securing the safety of Kanako-chan, Maya-chan, and Chiyo-san.

“Yes, that is not a problem…..”
Chiyo-san turns to Maya-chan with a concerned look.

“It’s the same for us kitsune too but a contract should have equal value”
To which Maya-chan makes a forced smile and looks to me.

Even in the previous world, demons and apparitions would honour contracts of equal terms and those with responsibilities in the human race such as nobles would seek compensation to assure their promises.

A story from the time Master explained [the responsibility of those with great power] to me.

“There is no reason to be concerned with unreliable things such as good and evil, money and influence.
Adhering to your principles and honouring the way of the world is the responsibility of those with great power”

After that,

“However, at times, this can also lead to disaster.
Unequal exchanges can throw the balance of the world into disarray”

“Then what should I do”

“Resolve is also a form of payment.
For example, as compensation for saving ones life you could ask for the wealth of those who covert money, the honour of those with high social standing, or the chastity of a pure maiden and test their resolve”

“Is it fine not to receive the remuneration afterwards”
“I’ll leave that up to you”

That was how the conversation went.

This must be the time to question Chiyo-san’s resolve.

“Then let’s do this.
I’ll make a deal to annul the contract with the Shimogami School as well as guaranteeing the safety of the kitsune clan for this matter.
In exchange, Chiyo-san will give me the right to do with her as I please”

Putting it this way will test her resolve and not taking remuneration counts as doing as I please.

“T- That’s…..
If you’re alright with the likes of me”
Chiyo-san’s face reddens and she casts her eyes downward.

“Ahh, of course”
“Y- Yes, in that case, by all means lets make that deal”

Chiyo-san puts her fingers on the tatami and lowers her head.
Seeing this the young kitsune hop up and down in high spirits while Maya-chan’s mouth opens and shuts like a goldfish gasping for air.

That reminds me, I’ve made a similar contract somewhere before…..

I feel like I’ve made a mistake.

　　　×　×　×　×　×

“The first of all, let’s ensure the safety of this shrine”

Since that moment Chiyo-san has been glancing at me absentmindedly and Maya-chan has not said a word.

At this point it doesn’t seem like the mood to make an alteration to the contract so I try to change the atmosphere and continue the discussion.

“Ah, yes, you’re right.
The goshintai and stone pillars that suppress the demon’s gate were entrusted to Maya”1
Chiyo-san finally returns to her senses.

“Well about that, you see…..”
I take the broken katana and stones out of storage,

“Sorry Aunty, this is my responsibility”
Maya-chan also regains her senses and speaks to Chiyo-san.

“I can’t believe it”
Chiyo-san’s eyes turn wide as she takes the sword,

“Did you repair it”
She looks at my face.

“Please accept my apologies”
“No, aah as I expected”

As I apologise, Chiyo-san embraces the sword dearly.
Seeing that, Maya-chan tilts her head but,

“If it’s about the protection of the shrine then we should call Azan and Unzan”
Chiyo-san smiles extremely happily.

“You called?”
Wrapped in a purple hakama, the dandy uncle duo appear in the room.
I’m relieved that they are properly wearing clothes,

“Bring the defence blueprints for the shrine, after that I want you to participate in the discussion with my lord”
The two leave the room briefly and return with multiple scrolls, opening them up before us.

“The building is composed of the [Shrine Office] which doubles as a reception desk and residence and this [Main Shrine].
The front path is protected by us guardian kitsune while the mountain ridge at the back has the demon gate sealing stone pillars.
They all cooperate with the main shrine’s goshintai to protect it”

It’s impossible to attack from the front without ascending the stone steps with a valley on each side, and the back is covered in forest.

It’s constructed almost like an isolated castle from the sengoku period, you can easily understand the designers intentions.
It’s a layout created solely to protect something important.

“That feudal lord must have loved Chiyo-san”

“Yes”
Chiyo-san hugs the katana once again with a great smile.

Her fiendish chest is pressing against the sword…..
they’re pushing out from her collar.

I pull out two of the recovered rooks,
“Can these be used as a substitute at the demon’s gate”
I ask the dandy uncle duo,

“Letting us borrow items of such high divine rank…..”

The two’s eyes widen.

“I’d also like to deploy these around the torii”
I pull out three pawns and consult with the two who protect the front side,

“By all means”
I receive the approval of the dandy uncles.

“Then I’ll store this blade in the hall of worship and we can finish the plan”
Chiyo-san peeks at my face as if to seek confirmation.

“What is it”
It was embarrassing so I unintentionally spoke out,

“This blade was bestowed upon Chiyo to protect her by feudal lord-sama just before he died”

Hearing that story, I lower my head apologetically,

“No, please raise your head.
Here’s what feudal lord-sama said at that time,”

According to Chiyo-san’s story, she was always secretly supporting the lord as to not disturb him, but one day she was easily caught.

“It must be the will of the heavens.
For the kitsune who are said to live for hundreds of years, once I have passed through the cycle of reincarnation we will definitely meet again.
Until that time use this sword to protect yourself and survive without fail”

“What are you saying”
The surprised Chiyo-san replied,

“I cannot tell you now but…..
The moment when this blade is reborn, time will begin to move again and this long distortion will come to rest.
At that time, I’ll show my face once again”

After saying so it seems that the feudal lord smiled.

“That high divine rank, deep wisdom, and kind and vast heart.
I can no longer see you as another person”

Tears are welling in Chiyo-san’s eyes again but,

“Ah, that’s probably a misunderstanding”

After replying so, she tilts her head cutely.

“I mean for a long time I’ve done things like saving a village from monsters or discovered a legendary relic and been called the reincarnation of the hero or the return of the legendary saint.
If that was all true then I’d have one hell of a previous life”
While I explain with a strained smile, Chiyo-san’s mouth opens vacantly.

“I’m sure I have a tendency to be easily misunderstood”

Looking at my watch, it’s about time to catch the bus.
I’ve done what I need to do here, I need to focus on my next move now.

Deal with things swiftly and always maintain a positive attitude.
No matter the time, that is the way of thinking needed for victory.

“Now Maya-chan, it’s about time so we should return”
“Eh, eh? What are you talking about, we still need you know…..”
Maya-chan panics and looks between me and Chiyo-san.

“I see, Chiyo-san, if you feel danger while contacting the Shimogami School then please contact me.
Why didn’t the phone work earlier”

“Umm, my apologies, when entering the bath I forgot my phone in the shrine office”
“Then next time please bring your phone with you to the bath, times are dangerous right now”

I give her a reminder but, for some reason, it seems like Chiyo-san was distracted.

Deep in thought on the bus ride home, Maya-chan asks,

“Hey, do those sorts of things happen often”
As if she couldn’t believe it.

“Those sort of things?”
“Those things they call like fated people”

“Not that much but…..
I’d say around seven or eight times”
“All girls?”

Now that she mentions it, for some reason they’re all girls.

“That’s right, I’ve only just realised though”
“Then, you took a similar attitude to them all like how you abandoned her imperial majesty in that memory of yours”

“As you may expect I was bewildered the first time but I guess you could conclude it that way”

Maya-chan stares fixedly on my face like an adventurer who’s discovered a rare animal,

“As a person you’re the best but as a man you’re the worst you know”

She closes her eyes and slowly shakes her head.

Translator’s Notes:
1: The demon’s gate(Kimon) refers to the northeast direction and is believed to be the place where oni and other evil spirits enter from.