The previous night brought no suspicious visitors. Maybe the hero faction worries were overblown… or maybe my connections accelerated peace talks or security. Either way, we continue.
As we made our way up Sannenzaka, Kiryuu-san teased Asia and the other church girls by telling them, "If you trip here, you'll die within three years," but we eventually reached our first main destination of the day, Kiyomizu-dera.
"Ohh! A temple built with the finest heretical craftsmanship!"
"Yes! Praise be to heretics!"
…Please, both of you, tone it down. You're going to get us kicked out.
"This place enshrines the famous Thousand-Armed Kannon."
"Indeed. Which means, with a thousand arms, it could grope the chests of 500 women at once. If I achieve enlightenment, will I also grow extra arms for fondling boobs?"
"Pretty sure once you reach enlightenment, you lose all sexual desires… though maybe that's better for humanity."
If these guys ever achieved enlightenment, my workload would definitely decrease.
"Hey guys, it looks like there's a love fortune stand over there. Wanna try one?"
"Ooh, fortune-telling? Back in middle school, everyone but Ikki got 'Worst Luck', time for a rematch!"
Out of the three pervy idiots in our group, the two without girlfriends, Matsuda and Motohama, eagerly went to draw fortunes. But as soon as they read the results, their faces twisted in utter shock.
"No way! There's such a thing as 'Super Bad Luck'!? I heard some shrines don't even include 'Bad Luck' anymore!"
"Motohama too?! This kind of thing should only have one worst fortune at most! Why the hell did both of us get 'Super Bad Luck'!?"
As Matsuda and Motohama stood stunned and despairing, I had a hunch about this "Super Bad Luck" and quickly scanned the area. Sure enough, a tanned man in robes was sneaking out from behind the fortune stand. I circled around and grabbed his shoulder.
"Hm? Who dares to stop the great Count Pentagram?! I'm in a hurry, wait, you again!? You've been ruining my operations for years!"
Turning to face me, his forehead bore a massive pentagram. This was the infamous Count Pentagram, known for repeatedly sneaking into temples and shrines around Kyoto, replacing fortunes with "Super Bad Luck," and hanging ema (votive plaques) inscribed with "Death to the Normies." Though juvenile, his antics caused enough disruption that he's been banned from nearly every sacred site in the city.
Clearly, the fortunes Matsuda and Motohama pulled were switched by him.
Honestly, since I started visiting Kyoto, I've run into this guy at least once per trip. I've gotten pretty efficient at dealing with him.
"Alright, I'm calling the police. Excuse me, could you hold off selling any more fortunes? This man tampered with them."
"Unhand me! I am a proud member of the Four Conquerors! I will not bow to public security!"
The growing commotion drew the attention of the head priest, who approached, clearly recognizing the culprit.
"What seems to be the problem…? Oh, Count Pentagram again. If only you could channel your passion for mischief into virtuous deeds… Oh, Arima-san! Thank you again. I believe the last time we met was at Yasaka Shrine when you apprehended this gentleman. I'll take it from here."
"Much appreciated… Seriously, why do I always end up running into this guy whenever I visit a temple?"
"Ho ho! Perhaps the gods and buddhas are counting on you, Arima-san."
I made sure Count Pentagram couldn't put up a fight by lightly immobilizing him with senjutsu before handing him over. Then I turned back to the others.
"Sorry about that. Got sidetracked a bit."
"No worries, but… Arima-kun, you seem pretty friendly with the head priest here. You know him?"
"Ah, well… Ever since our school trip back in middle school, I've made solo trips to Kyoto from time to time with Kuroka tagging along, and I kept bumping into that guy. After enough repeated incidents, I kinda got to know the local priests and shrine heads."
"What!? You've been coming to Kyoto that often? Why didn't you tell us?"
"Wait a minute! Are you telling us you've been seducing Kyoto beauties and hooking up with maiko girls in secret!?"
I mean, I have been visiting "the other side" of Kyoto, but not in the way you guys mean.
After that, we had a relaxed time with Xenovia reacting dramatically to Ginkaku and Kinkaku, sipping matcha while enjoying the scenery, and eventually returned to the hotel.
After dinner at the hotel, Rossweisse-sensei arrived and told everyone to gather in the lobby. I went down with Issei and found the Occult Research Club, the Sitri peerage, Azazel-sensei, and Rossweisse-sensei all assembled.
…Yeah. This definitely feels like trouble.
Everything was going smoothly. So why the sudden emergency?
"Alright, now that everyone's here, I know this is sudden, but we're heading to the residence of the Nine-Tailed Fox, ruler of Kyoto's supernatural underworld. I'll explain more once we arrive. Ikki, where's the nearest entrance to the Other Kyoto?"
"From here, that'd be Douso Shrine, just near Kyoto Station. I've used it a few times."
"Great, then lead the way. No need to take the scenic route."
Following Azazel-sensei's lead, we made our way through the nighttime streets to the shrine entrance. I touched the torii gate, sent in some aura, and stepped through, emerging into a townscape like something out of the Edo period, where Youkai roamed freely. We had entered the Other Kyoto.
"Gotta say, seeing you so familiar with this stuff really hits different… You really have been coming here often without us."
"Yeah… Well, let's get going."
As we made our way to the residences of Yasaka and Kunou, various Youkai greeted us.
"Yo, Big Bro Ikki! Saw you in the news, you fought a foreign god, huh?"
"Ha! Knew you were the real deal, Big Bro! Ever since you crushed all of us back then, we've been sparring regularly to get stronger! Call us if you need anything!"
Yeah, still not used to being called "Big Bro" by the same guys I flattened last summer. It's like I accidentally started a gang or something. And honestly, I think their loyalty is more to Kunou than to me… Still, I guess I'm being looked up to. But if this continues, I have a bad feeling Kunou's gonna end up being called "Big Sis" or "Boss Lady" someday. I should try to prevent that.
While feeling a bit overwhelmed by the welcome, we passed through a massive torii gate and reached a large mansion, where someone familiar was waiting in front, Leviathan-sama, dressed in a kimono and accompanied by a fox guide.
"Yoo-hoo Everyone! It's been a while since the Underworld party. I've been waiting for you!"
Still as energetic as ever.
"Leviathan-sama!? Why are you here!?"
"I was here for work, but then something unexpected happened. Let's talk inside."
Led by a more serious, businesslike Leviathan-sama, we were taken into the mansion. There, just as expected, we found Kunou and the tengu, not Yasaka herself.
"It seems some of you are meeting me for the first time. I am Kunou, daughter of Yasaka and the one who governs both the surface and underworld of Kyoto's Youkai. I apologize for summoning you so late at night."
Kunou offered her apologies, and the tengu began explaining.
"Yasaka-sama vanished the other day. She had departed from this mansion to meet with an envoy from Mount Sumeru, but never arrived. One of her guards was found badly wounded, and according to him, they were suddenly engulfed in a purple mist, then found themselves surrounded by enemies in an unknown place."
"From what Ikki told us previously, it matches the abilities of the Longinus 'Dimension Lost.' The attackers were also human, which strongly suggests the Hero Faction of the Khaos Brigade."
Right, thanks to what I'd shared with Izuna, Kunou was able to piece it together quickly.
"I was originally scheduled to meet with Yasaka and the envoy afterward, but when I arrived, everything was already in chaos. We're currently cooperating with the Youkai to investigate Kyoto thoroughly."
"I see… So the Nine-Tails is still in Kyoto?"
"Sensei, how can you be so sure? Isn't it possible they already left the city, or even gone overseas or to the Underworld?"
Issei asked, but Azazel-sensei shook his head.
"No. Kyoto itself is a ritual city built to regulate massive spiritual flows. If the Nine-Tails, who anchors the system, left without preparation, it would immediately affect the ley lines, and that hasn't happened. Which means Yasaka is still somewhere within Kyoto."
"Hey, Kunou… Why didn't you tell us earlier? We're not strangers, we could've helped!"
Issei voiced his concern, so I smacked him with the "Painful Fan-kun."
"GHYAAAAAA! That hurt like hell! I thought you were just joking like Azazel-sensei!"
Ignoring the writhing Issei, I turned to Kunou.
"Sorry, Kunou. You didn't want to bother us during our school trip, right? Issei means well, but he should think before speaking. He might be fine for now, but if he wants to be a king someday and lead a peerage, he's gotta learn how to consider these things… Was it you who called us here?"
The tengu nodded. Politics and decision-making like this are still too early for Kunou.
"Yes. Lady Kunou was reluctant, but I advised her. Rescuing Yasaka-sama is the top priority. Also, if Ikki-dono were kept in the dark, there's a high chance someone would twist it later and use it against him. I take full responsibility for putting our needs above your trip. If you must direct anger, let it be at me. Still, I humbly ask for your help in saving Yasaka-sama."
He bowed deeply, and Kunou followed suit.
"Please… I ask this of you too. Help us save my mother."
"Well, that's that. You kids may be young, but you're our main fighting force. Our men will handle the search, but you might be called to fight. We'll handle the tough stuff, go enjoy your trip. You only get one high school school trip, after all."
"Yes, sir!"
Everyone gave a firm reply and returned to the hotel, but I stayed behind to speak with Kunou.
"I'm sorry, Ikki… You came all the way to Kyoto, and now this…"
She looked heartbroken, so I gently patted her head and smiled.
"It's hard not to worry, but I'll say it anyway, don't blame yourself. This is all on the terrorists. You've done nothing wrong."
"But still! We dragged you into a Youkai matter, "
"Too bad. I'm your fiancé, remember? For my cute fiancée's sake, I want to be involved."
Her face instantly flushed bright red.
"Y-You've changed a bit, haven't you? You didn't used to say things like that so openly… Not that I mind…"
Well, maybe getting a little sweet with Shirone loosened my filter a bit. Not that I'm not embarrassed, mind you.
Still, to reassure her, I pulled her close and gently patted her back.
"We'll rescue Yasaka-san for sure. So take it easy, alright?"
"Mm… I believe in you, Ikki."
Kunou even shed a few tears while I held her, but by the time we parted, she looked much calmer, and I returned to the hotel.
Since I hadn't been gone long, I caught up with the others easily. But when Saji, who met Kunou for the first time, said, "Wait, that tiny girl is your fiancée?" It triggered the day's second "Painful Fan-kun," and he was promptly dragged away by the other Sitri girls.
Sure, arranged childhood engagements are rare in modern Japan, but they do still exist, you know?
Then Azazel-sensei had the nerve to ask, "So? Did you use your fiancé privileges to kiss that tiny bishoujo? You monster!" which earned him the day's third feint "Painful Fan-kun", followed by a body blow.
No one came to help Azazel-sensei as he collapsed on the ground, moaning.
And just like that, our second night in Kyoto came to an end.
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