Chapter 124: The Situation
In the reception hall of Reiyama Shrine, Mai Shinomiyai sat on one side, dressed in a red and white miko outfit, while Tsukasa Shinomiyai, in divine officer attire, sat beside her, his aged and determined face filled with a solemn expression.
Facing them were three men in various attire, their equally solemn expressions creating a suffocating atmosphere in the hall, as if the very air had frozen.
“Patriarch Shinomiyai, what should we do now? Should we immediately issue orders to investigate Kyoto?” Jirou Tsuchimitsu impatiently tapped his cane on the table, looking at Tsukasa Shinomiyai, who sat in the main seat and had delivered this terrifying news, and couldn’t help but ask.
After all, every time the Underworld had appeared in history, it was accompanied by world-ending disasters. How could he still be in the mood to sit here and discuss these matters?
“Patriarch Tsuchimitsu, please do not be anxious. I invited everyone here precisely with that in mind, but we should discuss the specific solution after that person arrives,” Tsukasa Shinomiyai looked up, a forced smile on his face, but he still spoke to comfort the anxious Jirou Tsuchimitsu.
The patriarchs in front of him were all young, much younger than him. By seniority, he was a generation older, which was why Tsukasa Shinomiyai could somewhat keep them in check.
The world-ending catastrophe eight years ago had almost destroyed the Onmyoji lineage in Kyoto. Those of his generation who were psychics had either died or been wounded. Those who had luckily survived had passed on their positions to their successors for various reasons. The current patriarchs were basically the younger generation. Only his Shinomiyai clan had to rely on him to stubbornly support them.
“That person…”
Hearing Tsukasa Shinomiyai’s deep and reliable voice, Jirou Tsuchimitsu’s anxiety was somewhat dispelled. It was mainly because this was his first time as a patriarch participating in such a large-scale event, and he had encountered a crisis of this magnitude. His inexperience made such a reaction understandable.
“That person could not receive the message due to an engagement. They replied five minutes ago. Given their speed, they should be arriving soon,” a sweet and gentle voice came from the side, as if it had magical power, dispelling the solemn atmosphere of the room. Energy with a faint scent of plants and trees enveloped the room, and the cool feeling quieted everyone down.
Mai Shinomiyai retracted the ritual whisk she was holding and bowed slightly, apologizing for her unauthorized use of her ability.
This action drew the attention of the patriarchs present. It was not only the girl’s fresh and transcendent temperament but also the energy displayed by her actions, which was definitely not something the successor who supposedly did not engage in Onmyodo could have performed.
“Bang—” “Sizzle— Sizzle—”
However, before the patriarchs could ask the patriarch of the main seat, Tsukasa Shinomiyai, a crisp sound of something landing and the continuous sound of electric arcs came from outside the courtyard.
The sound of a cane tapping the ground and footsteps could be heard in the corridor. The slightly ajar door was pushed open from the outside, revealing a short, white-haired old man. His golden eyes still flickered with residual electric arcs from using his power, and he exuded an imposing aura that commanded respect without anger.
A stern yet deep voice echoed in the room.
“My apologies for keeping you all waiting.”
…
Tsukasa Hamano felt a headache, or rather, a sense of being overstretched.
Old people never admitted their age. Even though he was full of injuries and illnesses and had reached such an old age, there were still very few people who could truly defeat him in a head-on confrontation.
This was also why the old man couldn’t get old. Because he was “Thundery,” he was Tsukasa Hamano, the “symbol of justice.” If even he fell, it would mean that justice had been defeated.
At the very least, he couldn’t collapse until the next successor emerged.
But the current situation had somewhat exceeded Tsukasa Hamano’s expectations.
Psychics were a profession that Japan had possessed since ancient times. They evolved from ancient sacrificial practices and were supernatural beings who possessed extraordinary powers even earlier than heroes.
Compared to modern heroes, psychics were actually a different kind of person altogether. Both the power they wielded and the things they dealt with were completely different from those of heroes.
The abilities of psychics were not strong. In most cases, their power was even weaker than that of ordinary firearms, let alone comparable to powerful heroes.
But after Tsukasa Hamano, due to work, truly came into contact with this circle, he discovered that these people were actually guardians who silently protected the world in another dimension.
“Pure lightning power has unparalleled destructive power against ghost gods.” This was the reply from a cheerful Onmyoji he had cooperated with at the time. As for his final outcome, he was swallowed whole by the giant python to buy him time.
Because of the commission from the psychic world at that time, Tsukasa Hamano came into contact with the other side of this world for the first time. But at the same time, the already immensely heavy burden on his shoulders increased by another layer.
The giant python that emerged from the Underworld cost the lives of the entire younger generation of psychics in Kyoto, and he himself had to summon heavenly lightning to kill it.
And the small pile of ashes placed on the table in front of everyone was irrefutable evidence of the Underworld’s reappearance.
The terrifying, sky-obscuring giant python seemed to appear before his eyes at that moment. Even for him, who had experienced countless battles in his life, that scene of a demon god descending evoked a hint of fear.
But now, with him not at his peak, could he still risk his life to summon heavenly lightning again? If another demon god like that giant python appeared, what would Kyoto do?
Various thoughts swirled in Tsukasa Hamano’s mind, but his face remained expressionless. He nodded to Tsukasa Shinomiyai, who sat in the main seat, and said.
“Patriarch Shinomiyai, this situation is mostly just your speculation. Like the demon god python before, it has only appeared once in the past century. Other ghosts are not that powerful, so we don’t need to be so alarmed.”
“I will take the lead with the Association. We will closely monitor the abnormal situations occurring in various areas of Kyoto during this period and will immediately connect with you for investigation. If Underworld creatures appear, purify them in a timely manner.”
“And, even if a demon god-level existence truly appears, isn’t there still me!!”
He struck the ground heavily with his sturdy cane, and a terrifying aura emanated from the old man who was over fifty years old. However, his aged face wore a familiar, signature smile. Just one glance at it dispelled all fear in his heart, as if as long as this person was here, there was nothing to be afraid of.
“Yes, Senior Hamano!”
