In a way, this might even be considered a blessing.
With things now changed, Asase Hibiki would likely not try to help rescue Akou Bimmoku—whose appearance resembled Takamine Konomimaru—and thus turn against the Shogun.
Which meant she would not dismantle the sealing barrier on Seirai Island, releasing the lingering resentment of the slain Thunderbird.
And that, in turn, would prevent the tragedy where she—and countless Inazuman warriors—died under the Shogun's lightning judgment.
"I basically prevented an entire tragedy, didn't I?"
Lori muttered to himself.
There was also the matter of Miyuu Chiyo.
Her clan—descended from Miyuu Michihiro's eldest son—would, in the future, be annihilated by the Traveler (whose cruelty had been maxed out by bad writing), causing the bloodline to vanish forever.
But now, with Chiyo yet to have any descendants, that doomed future would no longer occur.
A cause for celebration.
Makoto didn't mind Lori suddenly asking about Takamine; after answering, she moved on to discussing preparations for the Seven Archons' gathering.
Naturally, the three of them wouldn't travel like mortals in carriages.
They could teleport or cross the skies as lightning itself.
But before departure, they needed to clear the mountain of pending work.
Fortunately, the three Commissions' duties were fully established by now, allowing them to shoulder most of the burden for the Shogun.
Back then, the Commissions were still competent—like Hiiragi Hiroshi of the Kanjo Commission, who had personally developed and managed Ritou with tireless dedication for Inazuma.
A pity that his descendants fell so far. Truly lamentable.
"Speaking of rewards—Chiyo, since you have returned victorious, do you have anything you wish to request? I will grant it."
Makoto shifted the topic and turned toward Chiyo.
"If Your Highness truly permits it, then please—marry me to Lord Lori. It is my only wish."
Chiyo answered without a moment's hesitation.
Makoto's expression froze.
"T-That is…"
Lori tapped one of Chiyo's horns with his knuckles, teasing:
"Was your lifelong ambition not to face life and death with burning spirit, earning immortal glory for your dwindling clan in the name of the war oni?"
But Chiyo only flashed a sly, perfectly reasonable smile.
"Precisely because our bloodline grows thinner, I must strive to strengthen it. If I can bear several children with you, surely our clan's prestige would soar."
"Ah, so that's what you were planning."
Lori sighed.
It wasn't that he disliked Chiyo's enthusiasm.
He just had… other ambitious goals.
Like testing the "collector's experience" of having a set of sisters.
As for Chiyo—
to put it bluntly, she didn't care how many women Lori had.
The oni were bold and unrestrained in such matters.
So before achieving his goals, Lori was very disciplined.
Chiyo leaned forward, eyes blazing with passion and confidence.
"Well? What do you think?"
Her posture suggested that if he said "yes," she'd sprint back to her clan to prepare the wedding immediately.
"Nothing doing. Instead of thinking about marriage and children, you should focus on earning accomplishments."
Denied, the oni girl puffed up her cheeks in frustration.
Makoto, amused, suggested gently,
"Choose something else."
"I have nothing else."
Still sulking, Chiyo rolled over and buried her face in Lori's chest.
Seeing this, Makoto thought for a moment.
"…Fine. Then I shall reward you with the sword guard you begged me for."
Hearing that the beautifully crafted tsuba she'd long coveted was being granted, Chiyo instantly forgot her grievance and smiled brightly.
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
Lori pinched the oni girl's smooth, soft cheek.
"Acting spoiled after getting what you want, are you?"
Chiyo giggled and intentionally rubbed her face against his hand—completely shameless.
Noticing Ei secretly glaring at Chiyo's actions, Makoto quietly slid to her sister's side and whispered in her ear:
"If you're jealous… you can do the same."
Ei's entire face flushed scarlet.
"I—I am not!"
But her earlier reactions had already told the whole story.
Knowing she had no convincing rebuttal, Ei simply turned away and refused to engage.
"Still such a child," Makoto murmured affectionately, brushing Ei's bangs behind her ear, eyes brimming with tenderness—and a quiet sorrow.
Seeing this, Lori sighed inwardly.
It was clear Makoto's perception of her future fate was sharpening.
Any day now, she might vanish without warning—
and the next time they saw her, she would already be a corpse.
Before that happened, he needed to find a subtle chance to remind her to settle her affairs.
Otherwise he would be the one caught unprepared.
Furthermore, the barrier around Narukami Island needed strengthening.
It would serve as the last defensive line when the Abyss calamity began.
"Speaking of which, where did that fox woman wander off to?"
Just as the thought crossed his mind, he heard a faint "kyun—kyu—" fox cry.
Right—he'd forgotten that Saiguu's kin was still here.
Lori perked up and looked toward Makoto's loose sleeve.
Sure enough—a fluffy pink-and-white fox head was peeking out cautiously.
The tiny creature bared its tiny fangs upon seeing him, clearly remembering the humiliation from last time.
"You hold a grudge, don't you, little thing?"
Lori laughed and scooped the fox out of Makoto's arms.
The future great youkai, Yae Miko, was currently helpless against being picked up and toyed with.
Of course she struggled—
though her efforts were utterly futile.
"Enough teasing. Be quiet for a bit."
Lori stroked her fur skillfully.
Seeing her bright, suspicious little eyes, he couldn't resist flicking her forehead.
The fox opened her mouth, and just when he thought she was about to bite him—
A crisp, childish voice rang out:
"Bad guy! Don't hit me!"
Lori froze for a second, lifted her small chin, and asked:
"You can already speak?"
The little fox swished her tail proudly,
then used his surprise to slip free, hopping back to Makoto's shoulder to sulk.
"You're so cute at this age… if only, in the future…"
Lori paused, a wicked idea forming.
"Makoto, didn't Saiguu leave a magical artifact here last time? Where did she put it?"
"The mirror?"
Makoto retrieved it from the offering shelf and handed it over, though she wasn't sure what he intended.
Holding the palm-sized mirror, Lori's mood brightened immediately.
"As far as I know, this mirror can preserve images. With spell reinforcement, the recording can last for centuries."
"Why not preserve a memory of this moment?
A thousand years later, should we view it again… it will surely stir different emotions."
Everyone found the idea very appealing—
especially Makoto, who agreed on the spot.
If possible, she wanted to leave behind more memories for those she cared about.
Seeing unanimous approval, Lori grinned with satisfaction.
Meanwhile, the little fox eagerly peeked at the mirror—completely unaware of the sinister intentions behind the suggestion.
"Little one… do you really think I can't handle you?"
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