Tap tap ×2
"So this is the town to the northwest?"
Under her umbrella, Ei crossed the arch bridge at the town's entrance, gazing at the bustling, expansive streets ahead.
"This scale… you call this a town? It's big enough to be a city, isn't it?"
The Shogun, who was walking under the umbrella beside her with her arm looped through Ei's, glanced around at the lively streets, unable to hold back a small sigh of amazement.
As for why she was holding Ei's arm—well, that was because Ei had insisted. It definitely wasn't her own idea! And since Ei was holding her umbrella anyway, this arrangement simply let her share the shade—that's what Ei had said, at least. Yes… that's right. It wasn't her idea.
"You're not wrong. But perhaps, to the people of this world, something of this scale is already a 'town'. Maybe what they call a 'city' is even larger than this."
Ei tilted her head slightly toward her obedient daughter beside her.
"..."
Indeed, the Shogun thought, this town's size could rival half of Inazuma City. The difference was that Inazuma's streets were more polished and its buildings finer. Most of the houses here were single-story, like those back home, with only a few two-story ones—nothing like tall buildings. From above, the rooftops would probably look as dense as an ant colony.
"Ei… don't you think the environment of this world is strangely similar to Inazuma?"
The Shogun asked, glancing toward the woman whose arm she held. She wondered if Ei had noticed.
"Mm. I was puzzled by that at first too—why the landscapes, people, and even their clothing customs resemble ours so much. But… I suppose it's not necessarily a bad thing."
As Ei strolled down the town's main street, her eyes softened at the sight of the bustling merchants and the crowd of residents passing by. There was a kind of quiet tenderness in her gaze.
"Ei?"
The Shogun looked up at her in confusion.
"Hmm?"
Ei turned, patient and ready to listen.
"…Never mind, it's nothing."
The Shogun hesitated for a moment, then swallowed her words, a small breath of relief escaping her. She knew why Ei had said it was "not necessarily a bad thing." The town's peace and liveliness, so similar to Inazuma's, must have touched the god's heart—reminding her of her own homeland's tranquility.
"Pfft… what's wrong?"
Ei chuckled affectionately, sensing her hesitation.
"...It's nothing. I just think… Ei, you've started smiling more."
The Shogun didn't reveal what she had really wanted to say, instead shifting the topic to what she truly felt.
"…Me?"
Ei blinked, then touched her own cheek in mild surprise, unsure what to make of that observation.
Had she really been smiling more? She hadn't even noticed. Perhaps… it took another's eyes to see what she couldn't.
"…You didn't used to smile much."
The Shogun recalled how Ei had once secluded herself within the Plane of Euthymia—lonely, at times despondent, even insecure. She would occasionally smile, yes, but never with the same warmth she did now.
"Maybe it's… because I'm with you."
Ei exhaled softly. Being with her daughter made her happy—truly happy. Their bond had only deepened since then.
"I… didn't do anything though///"
The Shogun turned her face away shyly, her fair, delicate cheeks tinged with pink.
"Shogun… you too, you know?"
"?"
The Shogun blinked in confusion.
"You blush more easily now."
Ei smiled at her.
"You're mistaken… it's just the sunlight."
The Shogun immediately denied it.
"Mm—let's say it is, then."
Ei shook her head with a faint, indulgent smile, choosing not to argue.
"..."
The Shogun sighed in mock exasperation, giving her a small glare.
Ei smiled inwardly and subtly tightened her arm around the girl's, pulling her a little closer.
"!"
The Shogun stiffened but didn't resist, obediently allowing herself to be drawn nearer. To Ei, her daughter's most endearing trait was that quiet, innate softness—an unspoken sweetness beneath her cool exterior. Even her small moments of rebellion were… adorable.
All around them, men and women in kimonos—some couples, some families—passed by. Their own presence blended perfectly among them. Their traditional clothing and parasol made them look like ordinary travelers, perfectly fitting the world around them.
Both sides of the street were lively with merchants advertising their goods and waiters from nearby restaurants calling out to potential customers.
Tap tap ×2
Though the road beneath their feet was dirt, it was surprisingly even, with hardly a bump in sight. Occasionally, horse-drawn carriages passed by, but the path was wide enough to accommodate both them and the bustling crowds—it perfectly matched the lively energy of the town's commercial district. The shop signs bore words they could read but not quite comprehend, though the goods displayed gave a general idea of what was being sold.
"Hey there, lovely ladies! Come take a seat in our shop—fine wine, fine meat, satisfaction guaranteed~!"
A sharp-eyed waiter spotted the two beauties at once and hurried over with a grin, enthusiastically advertising his establishment.
"Excuse me, is this… a restaurant?"
Ei asked politely.
"That's right~! We're the most popular spot on this street! How about coming in and having a seat, beauties?"
"…Shogun."
Ei instinctively turned toward her daughter.
"I… am not hungry."
The Shogun murmured softly.
"If you're not hungry, then how about a little drink instead? It's sweltering out here—come cool off inside!"
The waiter continued to pitch eagerly.
"Wine, hmm… that doesn't sound bad…"
Ei hesitated, her expression softening. It had been quite a while since she last drank, and the thought tempted her slightly. Just a sip wouldn't hurt, right? But just as she leaned forward to take a peek inside, the arm looped around hers suddenly tightened—pulling her back.
"?"
She blinked, confused.
"No drinking."
The Shogun's tone was uncharacteristically stern, her eyes sharp with disapproval. There it was again—that motherly protectiveness reversed into daughterly authority.
"J-Just one sip…"
Ei said awkwardly, trying to explain.
"Not even half a sip."
The Shogun turned away, her tone firm.
"…I don't get drunk."
Ei tried again.
"Still not allowed."
"…"
Ei looked at her daughter's resolute face and knew there was no winning this. She sighed softly and turned back toward the waiter, who was now smiling awkwardly.
"My apologies. My daughter isn't feeling up to it today, so we'll pass."
She explained politely, then led her "daughter" away by the hand.
"...Ah, yes, of course—wait, daughter?"
The waiter froze, his eyes widening as he watched the two walk off arm in arm.
"Whoa… what kind of world are we living in?! That husband must be something else!"
He muttered as he stomped back into the restaurant, clearly misunderstanding the situation.
"Shogun… I wouldn't even get drunk. Just a taste, that's all."
Ei said gently, trying to placate her daughter. She understood why the Shogun was so strict, but truly, her tolerance was exceptional.
"Even so, you'll reek of alcohol afterward. It's unpleasant."
The Shogun muttered, a faint pout in her voice.
"…Alright, since you put it that way, I'll skip it."
Ei conceded, smiling softly. After all, her daughter's concern came from a good place.
"…Good."
The Shogun's expression relaxed slightly, her tone quieting.
"Still… while I might handle it fine, you should stay far away from alcohol."
Ei's tone shifted—gentle yet firm—as she turned serious, looking at her daughter.
"Me? I don't drink that stuff."
The Shogun replied with disdain.
For one, it didn't taste good. For another, she simply had no interest in it. The smell alone was unpleasant enough. She had never once touched alcohol.
"Mm… that's good."
Ei nodded approvingly. She didn't mind abstaining herself—but when it came to the Shogun, she intended to be strict. Some things, she would protect her from—no matter what.
The two continued down the road until they reached a fork, naturally taking the left path. Like before, it led into another stretch of bustling market street—this town really was quite large.
Tap tap~
At that moment, a young man with a hollow expression staggered past them, his steps weak and aimless. He looked utterly drained, almost like a walking corpse. His desolate demeanor immediately caught their attention.
"?" ×2
Mother and daughter both stopped in unison, glancing back at the man who had just walked by. In this lively setting, his presence stood out sharply—like a lone boat adrift on an endless sea.
(Look, it's Kazumi…)
Women along the roadside began whispering softly. Their murmured voices reached Ei and the Shogun's ears clearly.
(How pitiful… he looks completely worn out.)
Another woman added quietly.
(Every night he's like this—it's frightening!)
A nearby shopkeeper joined in.
(Yeah… it's unbearable. Every night, we're on edge.)
(Right. Once night falls, another young girl might disappear.)
Though their tones were hushed and secretive, every word reached the pair's sharp ears.
"Shogun…"
"I know. You want to ask about it, don't you?"
The Shogun knew her mother well—Ei was not one to turn a blind eye to trouble. On the contrary, whenever something wrong appeared before her, she had to step in. The matter with Ippei had been proof enough. Though it hadn't concerned her directly, she had interfered anyway.
Of course, part of it might also be that Ei subconsciously viewed this world as a reflection of Inazuma—and thus its people as her own.
"Mm."
Ei nodded slightly and, together with the Shogun, turned to follow the young man. Perhaps because he was so lost in his despair, their footsteps went unnoticed as he aimlessly wandered down the street.
"…" ×2
They exchanged glances before Ei finally spoke.
"Young man, wait a moment."
"…?"
The unfamiliar yet gentle voice made the youth—Kazumi—pause mid-step. His mind, clouded in exhaustion, cleared for a moment. Unsure if the call was meant for him, he turned slowly, revealing a face worn and pale.
Before him stood two women in elegant kimono, both with long, soft lilac hair, their appearance graceful and refined—perhaps no older than twenty. Their resemblance suggested they might be sisters, though he didn't recognize them; strangers, certainly not locals.
Sensing his eyes upon them, Ei remained calm, speaking with her usual composed tone.
"I heard others mention your name—Kazumi, was it?"
She asked gently.
"…(nods)"
Kazumi froze for a moment, then gave a silent nod.
"Good. We'd like to ask you a few questions, if that's alright."
Ei said courteously.
Her calm demeanor seemed to bring him back to himself. The dullness in his eyes flickered faintly with life again.
"…Alright."
Half an hour later—
The three arrived at the town's residential area. The streets here were narrower than the commercial district, about half as wide—enough space for a single carriage and a pair of pedestrians to pass side by side. On both sides stood wooden fences enclosing private yards. With so many houses, the layout resembled a maze, though from outside one could glimpse lush trees and the two-story buildings beyond.
Kazumi stopped at the middle of the street—the site of the incident. Turning to face them, his expression was filled with sorrow.
"This is where Riko disappeared."
He spoke bitterly.
The story was simple yet chilling. His girlfriend, Riko, had vanished here the previous night—without warning, without a sound, as if swallowed by thin air. One moment she had been walking beside him; the next, she was gone. All that remained was a single wooden sandal. He'd searched the entire town through the night, sleepless, only to cross paths with the two of them by chance that morning.
"I know it sounds unbelievable, but—"
"This is no ordinary matter," the Shogun interrupted softly. "Only common folk would dismiss it. But… we are not ordinary."
Releasing Ei's arm, the Shogun knelt gracefully, brushing her hand over the ground where the girl had vanished. Her fingertips lingered against the earth, sensing something.
"You are…"
Kazumi was visibly surprised. If that was the case, then could these two before him be—
"We're merely travelers from afar, here to sightsee," Ei explained softly, still holding the wisteria-patterned paper umbrella that originally belonged to the Shogun.
"Though, we sometimes take on… small part-time jobs while we travel," the Shogun added.
"…Part-time jobs?" he repeated blankly.
"Ei, activate your Elemental Sight," the Shogun instructed calmly, choosing not to elaborate.
Vmm~!
At once, Ei's eyes glowed faintly violet as their visions linked. The world around them was overlaid in shades of amethyst. With a resonant pulse—like a sonar sweep—the area shimmered in response. Soon, traces resembling tendril-like marks appeared on the ground, unnatural and eerie, stretching forward from where Ei's hand had touched the earth, as though something had been dragged away.
"What happened to your face?"
Kazumi blinked in confusion at their strange display, only to be startled by Ei's sudden question.
"?"
He looked at her, puzzled.
Ei's gaze softened slightly. His face was covered in bruises, as if he had been beaten.
"Ah… that was… Riko's family," he said awkwardly, raising a hand to touch his still-burning cheek.
"Do not worry. That girl will be saved," Ei said gently, her voice calm and reassuring.
"...Thank you."
Some of the tension in Kazumi's expression eased.
Whirr...
The Shogun disengaged her Elemental Sight and rose gracefully, glancing down at her slender fingertips. After rubbing them lightly, as if confirming something, she turned toward Ei and met her eyes.
Ei nodded in understanding. Together, they followed the faint dragging traces, invisible to normal eyes. Such markings were residual distortions from an alternate space—an unseen rift. Elemental Sight allowed them to perceive the remnants. Once they found the entrance, the rest would be simple.
"Um…"
"?" ×2
Both women turned to look back at the young man.
"Uh… may I come with you?"
His voice was full of desperation. From the look in his eyes, it was clear—these two were his only hope.
"…You may, but be cautious," Ei replied gently before the Shogun could speak.
"(You're bringing him along?)" the Shogun whispered quietly to Ei.
"(If the girl still lives, perhaps he'll be able to reunite with her.)" Ei responded softly.
"(That's fine, but…)"
"(You're worried he'll slow us down?)" Ei teased lightly.
"(No… I'm worried he'll be in danger.)," the Shogun sighed in mild exasperation. "Civilians are helpless against demons—especially those with Blood Demon Arts."
"(Don't worry, I'll watch over him.)," Ei replied with a small smile.
The Shogun rolled her eyes slightly and gave Ei's palm a small, affectionate squeeze before snatching the paper umbrella from her hand and stepping forward first.
"Pfft…"
Ei couldn't help but smile fondly at her daughter's reaction—but then paused for a moment in realization.
The Shogun had been right earlier…
She really did smile more now.
"Come along. Stay close to us," she said, her tone returning to its usual calm.
"O-Of course," Kazumi answered quickly, hurrying after them with an awkward expression. There was something mysterious about these two women—something otherworldly. But looking at their serene faces, he couldn't possibly believe they meant harm.
After all… villains couldn't possibly look this beautiful, could they?
At least, that's what he told himself as he followed them into the unknown.