Steel Diaries (First Half)

As the moon sets...

...the clouds part, revealing a clear sky beginning to lighten. Very nice.

... ...

There's just something about her stories that really speaks to me.

They make me feel like I'm a character in them myself, experiencing life in that palace.

But...

I can't get behind using them for politics. That's just cruel of MicchiI mean, Lord Michinaga.

Writers should be free to write what they want.

I don't think people can really do their best work when it's just for themselves. I think that only happens when they're trying to live up to others' hopes for them.

And I'm sure it's no different for her, either.

I think she's putting everything she's got into writing more stories to make Lord Michinaga and Lady Shoushi happy.

But then again, maybe I'm just overthinking it?

... ...

There are times when that is true, and times when it is not.

Stories, huh.

Yup. An unfinished story.

I know Kaoruko's journey isn't anywhere close to over. And I don't want it to end here and now.

I want to make sure she's writing her best story right up to the very end.

A story just for her, that only she can write!

... ...

You need not worry.

The act of storytelling...

...is very similar to the act of following one's dreams, finding inspiration in great poetry, and weaving one's own world.

She will see it through to the end. I'm certain of it.

Huh, really? You seem awfully well-informed.

...Indeed, I am. My own friends were great poets with similar inclinations.

And there you have it.

Lately, there have been a number of rumors about a steel monster supposedly walking the main roads at night.

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Indeed, I too am unsure as to what this means.

No citizen of Kyo has actually seen the creature themselves, yet the rumors continue to spread.

Should it prove to be no more than a rumor, then we can cease our worrying.

However, these rumors did begin only a few days ago, almost at the same time as

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Yes. Exactly.

Steel, huh. So this thing's usin' steel to armor its entire body?

If that's true, that's a hell of a thing.

Steel's been used to make weapons since pretty much forever, even back in the Age of Gods with Susanoo-no-Mikoto.

Even now, they say the sword that was used to kill Orochi was made of steel, and it's bein' kept in a shrine somewhere now.

But that was then, and this is now. And while I know a whole lot of things are different nowadays...

...I never heard of anythin' like that even as far south as Hakata.

Which basically means there's nothin' like it in all Japan, or China for that matter.

I'm guessin' it's prob'ly just a monster with tougher skin than usual.

I mean, it's not like we're talkin' about the Settsu armor here...

Master!

Oh?

？！

？！

What's that?

Hm? Oh, did I say something weird when I was talkin' to myself?

Sorry 'bout that. Didn't realize you were listenin'! I was just runnin' my mouth figurin' you wouldn't know what I was talkin' about.

Anyway, just forget you heard that! That was, well...

It's one of the Genji's most secret secrets, and I'll get in a heap of trouble if they find out I let an outsider know about it!

So please, just forget I said anything!

Great! That's all I needed ta hear.

Er...right. I neither heard nor recorded anything.

？！

We heard you say armor of steel could not possibly exist. No more.

Indeed, even several hundred years from now, in the age of war when I myself lived...

...steel armor was an extremely rare sight.

I have never heard of such a thing being made in Japan. The only sets that existed were imported from foreign lands.

Like China?

No, like the countries in the South Sea.

Countries...in the South Sea?

Oh!

So, down in the south...there are actual countries out on the sea...?

N-nnn.

I suppose that is technically what my phrasing suggests, but that is not generally what is meant, no.

I was actually talking about foreign lands from much farther awayWestern lands, to be exact!

？！

?

Nope, I don't get it! But wherever these places are, I guess not even Hakata trades with 'em.

Anyway, make sure you chew your rice thoroughly, Fujimaru!

You ain't touched your food in a while now. That ain't no way to show your appreciation to Lady Kaoruko's servants for goin' outta their way to make rice for our breakfast.

Now go on, eat up. And make sure you savor every bite.

？！

That's more like it!

All right, Fujimaru, I got somethin' to tell you. You just keep on eatin' while I do the talkin', 'kay?

...I wanna talk about what we're gonna do about the Imperial Holy Grail War.

To be honest, I dunno what I should do.

I got the marks on my hand, but I never got a Heroic Spirit of my own!

After a few long days of waitin', I thought you might be my Servant, but then you said you're not.

Instead, you're a Master who's got nothin' to do with the Imperial Holy Grail War.

Anyway, puttin' all that aside...

After hearin' everythin' your friends at Chaldea had to say, I can't help but think this Imperial Holy Grail War thing don't pass the smell test.

In fact, it reeks to high heaven of outright villainy. This Limbo guy, yeah?

I always thought this ritual sounded pretty weird, but now I know it's this evil bastard's crazy scheme, a lotta things make sense.

...Your friends said to stop the ritual.

Right?

？！

I think that's the right idea.

There's no point in warriors who've sworn to protect the country competin' with each other like this!

Well, I guess the Imperial Palace decided otherwise, but who cares! They're morons!

Anyway, there you go. I ain't about to dance to some evil bastard's tune!

Lord Kintoki...

Whoa there. Don't go fallin' for me now, you hear?

I see you have a great sense of humor as well, Lord Kintoki.

As I am a puppet, rather than a human being, I can assure you there is no need to worry about that.

Got it.

?

(Did Lord Kintoki just avert his eyes from me a bit?)

Lord Kintoki?

Yeah?

Is there something I am lacking? If there is, please, say so.

Heroic Spirits are supposed to be summoned in their prime, but I'm afraid I am still deeply flawed.

Regrettably, it seems that even in my prime, my various functions were plagued by many defects.

I have thought about it a great deal, but the fact remains that my functions are still imperfect...

If I have done anything to offend you, I would ask that you please let me know!

R-r-right... Got it.

Now, uh, do you think you could maybe...

???

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Oh. I see...

?

D-don't get me wrong, I think it's great how your outfit's built for...mobility.

But when you get too close, it's a little hard to, uh, know where to look?

Catch my drift?

I-I see... Is that how it is?

That's how it is. So yeah, if you wouldn't mind givin' me some space, I'd appreciate it, haha.

Oh, hey! You're all done eating, Fujimaru!

All right then, now seems like a good time to tell you what I'm thinkin'.

I'm thinkin' I'm gonna stop this Imperial Holy Grail War, and whatever this Limbo bastard's up to!

So I want you to think of me as one of your trusted companions, just like the rest of your team!

？！

Right on!

I, too, am glad to have you on our team!

All right, next, we oughta figure out how it is we're gonna do that, right?

Well, I'm thinkin' the fastest way to do it is to take down that Limbo scumbag, since he's behind it all!

You don't know where he is, do you?

No, I am afraid not.

We do think he must be somewhere here in Heian-kyo, but even that is no more than a hunch.

Hey, nothin' wrong with hunches! In my experience, they're right more often than not.

Besides, it's not like we don't have any clues at all to go on, right? What'd you say this Limbo guy's other name was?

？！

That's it! Lord Ashiya Douman! He's the onmyouji runnin' the whole Onmyou Bureau in Lord Seimei's absence!

He's about as high up as higher-ups come. Rumor even has it that the Minister of the Left's keener to listen to him than to Lord Seimei now.

Danzo, I got a question for you.

Yes?

Would you recognize this guy if you saw him?

Yes, I would. Limbo and I have our own history of sorts.

So I am certain I could tell at a glance...

...whether this Ashiya Douman is the original living one from this time, or Limbo.

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Hell yeah!

All right, next thought! We're smack in the middle of the Imperial Holy Grail War, yeah?

And since it's this crazy huge ritual that requires every onmyouji in the Bureau workin' to pull it off...

...alla those folks're gonna have to hunker down in the safest part of the city!

So I'm thinkin' if Lord Douman's gonna be anywhere... it'll be the Imperial Palace.

Back when I was gathering information, I took a look at the Imperial Palace at the end of Suzaku Avenue.

Even though it's being rebuilt after a fire burned parts of it down...

...it has a strong, temple-level Bounded Field, better than top-rate mage workshops.

In fact, it could well be even stronger than that, and I am just not knowledgeable enough to see it.

Yes, I believe so.

Yeah.

？！

The only way we're gettin' in there's through the front door, and with a damn good reason...

...Huh?

Good morning, everyone. Oh my, I see you've all polished off your breakfasts.

Um, would you care for another serving of rice? It wouldn't take any time at all to prepare.

Hell yeah! Thanks, Lady Kaoruko!

E-eep!

I-I'm sorry. I'm not used to hearing men speak at such, er, volume...

S-so then, you would like seconds, yes? And very much so, from the sound of it?

Very well, coming right up. Hehe, the servants will be thrilled to know you enjoy their cooking so much.

Hm? Oh, yeah, seconds would be great, thanks!

And while we're at it, we got another favor to ask you, too, Lady Kaoruko.

Oh yes, by all means. Anything for honored guests.

Indeed, you're all free to stay as long as you like...

...and if you have any special requests, I will gladly do whatever I can to grant them.

I knew the daughter of Lord Fujiwara-no-Tametoki would hear us out. You proper nobles really know your manners.

I hate to take advantage of that generous nature of yours, but it's for the greater good!

Lady Kaoruko, we do have a request to make of you! A big one!!!

E-eep!

Oh, right. Sorry.

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Lord Kintoki! What were you thinking, making Lady Kaoruko cower in fear not only once, but twice!?

It's not like I was tryin' to scare her...

Sorry about that, Lady Kaoruko. See, the truth is...

...You wish to visit the Imperial Palace?

I see. Hmmm.

...While I am sure you already know this as a warrior of the Genji, I feel I must remind you that the Imperial Palace is home to His Imperial Highness, the emperor.

Only the highest ranked officials may enter, and only for the purpose of discussing political decisions that affect all of Japan.

The only exceptions are those who serve the emperor or empress personally, such as myself, as I am one of Lady Shoushi's ladies-in-waiting.

One cannot simply walk in as they like...

... ...

...But of course, you knew that when you made your request, didn't you?

Please. I'm beggin' ya here.

O-oh my! Lord Kintoki!

Please, stop that! Th-there's no need for you to bury your face in the floor!

(D-dogeza! I have never seen a warrior of Lord Kintoki's caliber lower himself like this!)

Please! We need your help!

I promise we won't make any trouble for ya! Well, I mean, not more than we're makin' now.

As long as it doesn't get back to the main Genji house, you can even use my name if you want.

We just wanna talk to Lord Ashiya Douman in the palace!

So please, Kaoruko, help us out!

L-Lord Kintoki...

... ...

I... Well, there may be a way.

If I use your name when I ask Lord Michinaga...

...he may be willing to let you in.

I have a tendency of finding myself in people's debt, so I do not want to owe Lord Michinaga even more...

Nnn...

...I don't wanna ask you to do anythin' you're not comfortable with, Lady Kaoruko.

If you can't help us, that's okay. We'll just lay low here until we come up with somethin' else.

Well, I guess we'll be makin' trouble for you either way, but...

!

Y-yes... That's true, isn't it?

All right, I understand. I understand very well now.

Then again, how many debts I owe at this point hardly matters...so I shall take care of this myself!

O-okay. Hm?

Hang on. I ain't hearin' things, right? Kaoruko just said she'd figure something out, yeah?

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I was a little uncertain of what to do since it was such a big request...b-but I'm not uncertain anymore. That's all.

So while I am uncertain how helpful I can be, I will do my best.

Awesome! Thanks, Kaoruko!

Thank you, Lady Kaoruko. We are in your debt.

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...You're welcome.

At any rate, I will do everything in my power to get you inside the palace, but I am still not certain Lord Michinaga will allow it.

So if I am unable to make that happen, I hope you can forgive me.

Oh, I don't know. I think you've got a pretty good shot.

You're not just any lady-in-waitin', after all. You're THE Murasaki Shikibu. I'm sure the Minister of the Left remembers who you are!

I mean, from what I've heard, everyone in the whole palace reads your stories!

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Y-y-yes, that's right.

(Gasp of realization)

Don't tell me. You've read it, haven't you...?

N-n-no, wait! I'd love to know what you think...

I mean, I'd REALLY love to know what you think, b-b-but...

I-if you say anything I'm not ready to hear, I, I, I d-d-don't know what I'll

But never mind that! You need permission to enter the palace, right!?

Then leave it to me! I'll, um, do the very best I can to get you in!

Um...

It seems that authors have, um, various difficulties of their own.

Sure looks that way...

I can't even imagine what it's like for 'em. 'Course, this is my first time meetin' a storytellin' genius.

Writin' stories is basically like lookin' in on entire lives unfoldin' in completely different places and describin' 'em one word at a time, yeah?

That's a whole different, uh, story from just recordin' some noble's accomplishments or rumors about some warrior.

It ain't at all like keepin' a diary, either.

I think it was Kiyoko who said writers pick and choose whatever they like from real events, rumors, journals, dreams, and so on...

...and then they weave all those different elements together into a single story.

So you start with just words, and when you're done, you've got a vision of a whole other world different from the one we live in.

Man...

I bet both readin' and writin' things like that has gotta be a ton of fun.

Thank you for waiting.

Lord Michinaga has agreed to grant you entry into the palace tomorrow morning, though only briefly.

Now come, we must leave right away.

That's great, Kaoruko! Thanks a ton!

C'mon, Fujimaru. I know you're sleepy, but it's time to get goin'.

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Here, Master. I have brought you a damp towel. Perhaps it will help you wake up.

？！

Feelin' more awake now?

I know it's been a while since we had dinner, and you must be pretty tired, but you'll just have to suck it up.

Anyway, I gotta say, it was pretty smart of you to get us in right around daybreak, Kaoruko.

I'm sorry it took so long for my messengers to obtain the necessary permissions.

Still, if we take a carriage right now, we should arrive at the palace shortly before the gates open.

？！

Oh, well, this is actually a special exception.

Since this is a matter that needs to be kept quiet from the main Genji house...

...the Minister of the Left thought you should come when you were unlikely to see any palace outsiders.

(Low whistle) Nice thinkin', Lady Kaoruko.

'Course, I expect we'll still have some waitin' around to do once we get there.

But hey, that means we oughta get to see Lord Douman first thing in the mornin', right?

Yes, that's true.

You hear that, Fujimaru!?

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Right, Master!

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N-no, not at all!

Yes. Very much so.

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Typically, carriages are only for nobility.

Normally, it would be unthinkable for a shinobi like myself to so much as set foot in one.

Ahh, this is so exciting.

I cannot believe I got to ride in a carriage not once, but twice...

Ah.

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O-oh, no, it's just, well...

Master. I am detecting vicious magical energy signals outside of the carriage.

There are monsters afoot...

But don't worry. Lord Seimei's spell should keep them away from us.

We will just have to go around them, that's all.

Too much trouble. Come on, Boss!

Haha, I bet seein' a little Ashigara sumo'll wake you right up! Lady Kaoruko, you and your servants can just sit back and enjoy the show, too!

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Right!

Hostiles confirmed. Moving to eradicate now, Master!

I'm amazed. We made it to the palace without having to take a single detour.

That was truly an impressive performance.

I still can't quite believe you defeated all those monsters so easily.

Hey, it's daylight now! That's a weight off our shoulders.

(Yawwwn) Man, now I'm feelin' sleepy.

Hehe, how silly. Were you not the one saying fighting would wake us all up?

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Yes, um, we do tend to see a lot of monsters in the middle of the night, or right before dawn.

Yeah, those things really prefer darkness. They almost never show their faces when the sun's out.

The only thing you gotta worry about durin' the daytime is oni.

That truly does sound nightmarish. I had no idea Heian-kyo was such a dangerous place...

Be that as it may, Kyo is still the most prosperous city in all of Japan.

Indeed, I daresay it would be impossible for any other town to surpass its scale.

Even the town of Hakata Otsu, which serves as Japan's key port of trade with China, is still a far cry from Kyo's size.

And yet, despite that

We still gotta deal with monsters. But hey, what're you gonna do?

Heian-kyo wouldn't be what it is today if it hadn't been for the great Sei-i Taishogun, Sakanoue-no-Tamuramaro...

...and all the other warriors who fought and died to claim victory here.

And of course, when you got winners, you also got losers.

So what happens to the losers? Maybe they all die off...

...or maybe they head out to the fields and mountains and spend the rest of their days nursin' a real bad grudge. The kind that lasts for generations.

When they die like that, they probably come back to haunt the people they see as responsible for their fate...

...and it wouldn't be any surprise if their grudge 'caused 'em to turn into oni or tsuchigumo while they were still alive.

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Lord Kintoki...

... ...

...Just kiddin'.

If everyone that lost a war really did turn into monsters, society as we know it would've been wiped out long ago.

So no, I don't think that's where all oni and tsuchigumo come from. Just some of them.

I wonder which side Ootakemaru came down on, and whether he changed his mind after Lord Tamuramaro beat him?

And then there's his wife, Lady Suzuka Gozen.

Some people say she was an oni herself, or maybe the daughter of the Demon King, but who knows?

Maybe she was just a really tough warrior from a powerful familyone without any horns, or flame breath, or anythin'.

Not that we'll ever know now, of course...

Anyways.

Some of the losers who nursed a hell of a grudge gave themselves over to darkness...

...And even now, they threaten Kyo during the night.

You got it.

...Here we are, everyone. We've arrived at the Imperial Palace.

Then if you will excuse me...

Huh? Lady Danzo was just here...

I don't see her anywhere though...

Is she still in the carriage? ...No, she's not. That's strange...

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I could have sworn I saw her here... I even thought I heard her voice...

But, if you're sure...I suppose I suppose it must have been my imagination.

Perhaps it's because I didn't sleep last night.

Well, that certainly won't do now. I need to be clearheaded and on my best behavior here.

No, not just me; that goes for all of you, too. Remember, the palace does not tolerate any rudeness whatsoever.

So please, make sure you take extra care with how you speak and conduct yourselves.

Is that clear?

？！

Got it. No, wait. I mean...

Ahem!

I am aware, Lady Kaoruko. Rest assured, I, Equerry Sakata Kintoki of the Genji clan, have matters well in hand.

Please be sure that you do. One transgression will see us all lose our heads, myself included.

All right, let us be on our way.

...Lord Ashiya Douman, the current head onmyouji.

I have indeed heard rumors that he is somewhere inside the Imperial Palace.

He would not usually be here this early...

But apparently, he is in the middle of performing a crucial ritual with the rest of the Onmyou Bureau...

...so he is at the palace day and night for the time being.

I do not, however, know exactly where to find him within the palace.

All I can do is show you around while no one else is around.

Whatever you do, please make absolutely sure you do not go anywhere the emperor or Lady Shoushi may be.

Understood.

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Good. Then please continue this way.

Although Lady Shoushi's father, Lord Michinaga, has taken up residence in the palace...

...we should not have to worry about running into him at this time of day.

So please do not worry about that.

Got it.

Whoa there. Hold up, Lady Kaoruko. There's someone headed this way...

Whoever it is, they've got a real glamorous air about 'em. Could be a lady-in-waiting, or

Oh.

Well, hello there. What a surprise to see others up and about at this hour.

You're one of Lady Shoushi's ladies-in-waiting, aren't you? Murasaki something, wasn't it?

Good morning, Lady Takako.

My name is Fujiwara-no-Kaoruko. I am also known as Murasaki Shikibu.

That's it! Murasaki Shikibu! I've been reading your stories for a long time now!

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Yes?

Um, I'm sorry, but who might you be?

Oh, right, where're my manners?

I'm Sakata Kintoki of the Genji family. We've come to see Lord Douman about an important matter.

Well, how very polite of you. I suppose this must be your first time seeing me in this form?

Huh?

You mean you don't remember? Come now, think back to when you first came down from that mountain in Sagami

Oh, but then again, you were so young that maybe you couldn't tell your foxes from your tanuki back then.

Hehehe. I do beg your pardon.

N-not at all.

We do appreciate everything you do for the city of Kyo, Lord Sakata Kintoki.

As for the, um, young man with the dark hair...

I couldn't help but notice you seem rather transfixed with me.

Have we met somewhere before? If we have, I'm afraid I can't remember.

I am Takako, one of the emperor's concubines.

A pleasure to make your acquaintance.

I'm sorry?

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What is it, Fujimaru? Cat got your tongue or somethin'?

Oh, I gotcha. It wasn't a cat. It was the pretty noble lady! Haha, sorry about that, Lady Takako. I hope you can forgive my young friend here.

Hehehehe, I see. Yes, that's quite all right.

You certainly are a...straightforward one, aren't you?

(You there.)

(You can see, can't you?)

(How strange. My illusions are perfect; no one but Lord Seimei should be able to see my tails, or the ears atop my head.)

(No matter how gifted you may be, this should be entirely impossible.)

(And yet...you saw through my illusion like it was nothing.)

(...Are you sure we haven't met somewhere before?)

(If you and I already have a connection of some kind, that would be a different story.)

？！

(Oh my, I see.)

(Then we DO have a connection of sorts.)

(Still, it seems you aren't here for me. So, you truly are here to see Lord Douman?)

(Well then, that's quite all right. I'm happy to keep my nose out of your affairs.)

(So I do hope you'll return the favor, and keep my little secret.)

(Do we have an understanding?)

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Teeheeheehee. Good. Then do take care, won't you?

For I'm told oni and vengeful spirits have taken to prowling even within the palace walls of late...

...Phew.

I don't know what it is, but there was somethin' about her that made my blood run cold. Me, Kaidoumaru of Ashigara!

I guess this means she's more fearsome than the giant bears on Ashigara? Man, this stuff's exactly why I don't understand women...

A-are you all right, Lord Fujimaru? You seemed like you were discussing something very private.

I've never exchanged more than a few pleasantries with Lady Takako myself...

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Yeah? I don't know what that was all about either, but

Excuse me, please.

!

(Huh!? I didn't sense his approach!)

(How the hell did he get behind Fujimaru without me noticin'!?)

？！

...I do beg your pardon.

Could I have a moment of your time, young man?

I couldn't help but notice the many impurities circling about your head.

They may have something to do with your unusual manner of dress, but no matter. Please remain still.

...Exorcisin' evil spirits, huh.

And ya did it so easily, without even needin' to light any sacred fire. Pretty clear why they say you're one of the best onmyouji we've had in ages.

There we go. That should do it.

Have you run into any creatures of the night lately? Well, that won't do at all. You nearly brought the impurities with you into the palace.

But that's all right. Now that I've exorcised them, we have nothing to worry about.

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Yes, that is me.

O-o-oh my goodness! I'm so terribly sorry!

Though I have been fortunate enough to study under Lord Seimei...

...I had no idea some residual anger from the monstrosities that roam Kyo at night was still clinging to you!

I do hope you can forgive me, Lord Fujimaru...

Then, you mean

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It is good to see you again, Lady KaorukoI mean, Lady Murasaki Shikibu. And you, Lord Sakata Kintoki.

As for you, I don't believe I've had the pleasure. Indeed, my name is Ashiya Douman. I am but a humble onmyouji.

With the great Lord Abe-no-Seimei absent, I, along with all the capable onmyouji at the Onmyouji Bureau, have been attempting to fill his shoes.

As it is my task to protect the Imperial Palace, albeit in a manner wholly separate from our valiant warriors...

...I was duty bound to do something about the impurities I saw clinging to you, however minor.

？！

？！

Goodness me. It seems you're not overly fond of me. Perhaps I shouldn't have been so hasty in stepping in to exorcise you.

I'm afraid I don't understand why it is you're so wary of me...

But it's quite all right. I am but a humble onmyouji, after all.

I am well aware that Lord Abe-no-Seimei has the love of the people in a way I never will.

Indeed, the public seems to view me as something of a villain. So do not worry, I am accustomed to such dislike.

？！

？！

Oh?

Then may I ask how you already know about me? Surely you can't have heard anything from the missing Lord Seimei.

(Danzo!)

(I've been doin' my best to let him blab on without cuttin' him off, but I can't wait anymore!)

(Is this the bastard you guys were tellin' me about!?)

(Is this our Limbo guy right here?)

(Right!)

(Master! Lord Kintoki! Forgive me for remaining hidden while I speak!)

(This man here does indeed look exactly like Limbo!)

(However... I cannot sense any of Limbo's unmistakable malice from him.)

(In fact, I sense nothing evil about him at all!)

(It is almost as if the very type of magical energy he uses is completely different from Limbo!)

(Huh, is that so? Then this guy and Limbo must be different people.)

(This is great, Danzo. Just knowin' that's a big help.)

...

...Lord Kintoki?

Do I perhaps have something on my face?

Nah, you don't.

We just wanted to see you to check up on somethin', and we have. We're all good now.

If my friend there can't seem to stop shudderin', well, it's prob'ly 'cause he's never met an onmyouji before.

Can't blame him, really, since he's from real far away!

Oh, I see. Do you mean like Sagami, or somewhere thereabouts?

Somethin' like that!

What's all this commotion?

Where do you think you are, Douman? Have you forgotten that you stand in the Emperor's Palace?

L-Lord Michinaga!

Oh, Kaoruko, it's you. Hmm...

...And you're Kaidoumaru of the Genji clan. Hmm.

I don't recognize you. Who are you?

...I am glad to see you in good health, Lord Minister of the Left.

This young man here is my apprentice. I expect he will one day be the equal to even the Four Heavenly Kings!

I am responsible for bringing him here, so I beg you, please be lenient with him!

Lord Michinaga! These are the two visitors I told you about the other

Silence, Kaoruko. I'm speaking with Kaidoumaru right now.

...Y-yes, Lord Michinaga. Forgive me.

Now... You there, boy. Let me take a look at you.

？！

Oh?

How odd. It seems you are truly unafraid, even in the presence of the Minister of the Left.

I see. So you are one of the Genji's up-and-coming warriors? Kaidoumaru never mentioned that.

If you had shown the slightest sign of fear, I would have declared you an interloper and lopped your head off where you stand...

But, heh, it seems you are made of stern stuff indeed. Have you perhaps encountered a great malicious spirit before?

If you have, yet retain your sanity, that would mean you must be of a kind with Raikou and Kaidoumaru there.

Wouldn't you agree, Kaidoumaru?

...I would.

While such monstrous bloodlines have no place in the nobility, they can be quite useful in warriors, as Mitsunaka has demonstrated.

You may raise your head, warrior of Ashigara. I will not reproach you for this transgression.

Thank you, Lord Mi

Now, why have you done it?

You said you had a reason for this? Very well. Tell me what it is.

Yes, sir...

(Hoo boy... Now what do I do?)

(Just our luck to run into the Minister of the Left like this.)

(And in front of Lord Douman, no less.)

... ...

(So, what do I do?)

(If I mess up here, all our heads'll roll for sure.)

(Hehe, well, Sakata Kintoki, this'll be a good challenge in its own right!)

(All right, time to steel myself! I'm just gonna have to make him understand what's at stake!)

Kaidoumaru.

I know you are not a frequent visitor to the palace, and especially not at this early hour.

I also heard from Kaoruko that you wished for an audience with this onmyouji.

Why is that?

Tell me why you have done this, Kaidoumaru.

... ...

...It's the Imperial Holy Grail War.

All those claims about the Imperial Holy Grail War bringing Kyo a thousand years of peace...

Are a pack of lies!

!?

Oh?

The Imperial Holy Grail War's true aims are pure malice!

We believe it is all a villain's scheme, and that it will lead to a great uprising that threatens the peace of the entire city of Kyo!

So please, Lord Minister of the Left.

We beg of you, please reconsider going ahead with the Imperial Holy Grail War!

A villain's scheme!?

But, Lord Seimei himself detailed the workings of this ritual in the letter he sent...

Haha. Hahahaha.

A villain's scheme that will lead to a great uprising, hm? Of all the things I thought you might say...

Have you forgotten, Kaidoumaru, this contest was Seimei's own proposal!?

I can understand how an innocent youth of the mountains to the east may not fully grasp the weight the words of the greatest onmyouji of our time hold...

...but that is no excuse not to think before you speak!

Remember, Kyo is already beset by constant threats to its peace!

While it would be easy to dismiss this Imperial Holy Grail War as something not to be trusted...

...if true, the thousand years of peace we stand to gain in exchange for the lives of a few foreign sorcerers is a most worthy prize.

And if it should prove to be false...then we shall be no worse off than we are now.

Am I wrong, Kaidoumaru?

But... But Lord Minister of the Left...

I am told that we only know about this ritual from

Ah, the hell with it! C'mon, Minister, how do we even know this letter even came from Lord Seimei!?

For all we know, it could just as easily be a fake!? Don't ya see how damn fishy all this is!?

C'mon, Minister! This's gotta be some kinda villain's plan!

Lord Kintoki! Lord Kintoki! S-s-s-stop, please!

You mustn't speak to Lord Michinaga in such a coarse manner!

...Ah.

S-sorry 'bout that. I mean... Forgive me, Lord Minister of the Left.

But I meant every word I said! Please, at least believe me about that!

...Hmm.

You have certainly never been this insistent about anything before, Kaidoumaru.

I can also see you are by no means an experienced liar.

You say a villain is behind this? Tell me more.

Well whaddaya know! You're a lot more reasonable than I thought, Michinaga!

Lord Kintokiii!

？！

Oh?

？！

...Go on.

...Hmm.

So, you believe this to be the scheme of a villain from another world, do you?

Fascinating! Indeed, we do know there are worlds beyond Japan and China...

...as evidenced by the different Casters from distant lands we have already seen.

And it does stand to reason that not every person from these other worlds would be kind and pure of heart.

So I can see the logic behind your claims. However.

Everything about the letter we received, from the crest on its seal to the strokes in its writing, matches Seimei's other letters.

Isn't that right, Douman?

...Yes, Lord Minister. I'm certain of it.

...

(I still don't trust that Douman guy, but...)

(If Danzo says it ain't him, I'll just have to trust that it ain't.)

('Sides, accusin' him of bein' Limbo now won't get us anywhere.)

？！

Is something wrong?

？！

Furthermore, you have no evidence to verify your claims.

It is one thing to make claims about this Limbo person being behind it all, but as of now we have only your word.

And we cannot halt the Imperial Holy Grail War on your word alone.

... ...

(...Dammit, I shoulda seen that comin'!)

(Of course that's how this was gonna go when we had no plan for things to go like they have!)

(Right now, the only proof we got is Fujimaru and the rest of the Chaldeans' word.)

(I believe 'em. I'm already totally on board. But of course Lord Michinaga isn't gonna go for it.)

(Especially when he doesn't have the same bad feeling about all this that I got.)

(So now what do we do?)

However...

I am a reasonable man.

If you claim that the Imperial Holy Grail War is in fact a wicked scheme that must be stopped, then bring me proof!

!

Michinaga...!

Watch your tongue, Kaidoumaru.

Now, as I was saying. You may either bring me proof that this is all some wicked scheme...

...or, if all the Masters remaining in the Imperial Holy Grail War were to refuse to compete, that would effectively halt the ritual as well.

Lord Michinaga, that would

Am I wrong?

N-no. It would indeed be impossible to complete the ritual if the Masters refused to participate...

As I thought. Hmph. And those are not the only ways.

If the Genji clan, the protectors of our city, were to determine that the Imperial Holy Grail War is indeed evil, I would certainly be willing to believe them.

There are few tasks more important than protecting the city where the emperor resides.

So if the clan charged with that task were to abandon this ritual in favor of protecting the city...

...I would certainly have no grounds to object.

How does that sound?

Hey, yeah! You really are a reasonable guy, Michinaga!

Hm?

(This aura...)

？！

Brother Tsuna!?

I overheard your discussion. My apologies.

I never thought we would both ask to enter the palace, Kintokilet alone do so at the same time.

Unfortunately for him, Lord Minister of the Left, your proposal will not be possible.

I am both a Master in the Imperial Holy Grail War, and a member of the Genji clan, which means neither of your conditions can be met.

For I am devoted to seeing the Imperial Holy Grail War through to completion.

Ah, if it isn't Tsuna! The warrior of Genji entrusted with the prized Higekiri!

Hahahahahaha, it seems as though you have your work cut out for you, Kintoki!

Tsuna...!

...Kintoki.

I told you I would have you show me your left hand the next time we met.

Did ya now?

If we were not in the Imperial Palace right now, Equerry, I would take a look right now and cut you down where you stand.

However... Heh. It seems the terrain advantage lies with you now.

So, you've made me go back on my word. It would seem that here, at least, you are the superior fighter.

Well thanks. That's awful nice of ya.

Heh.

Hehe.

？！

O brave and powerful Genji warriors, please!

Please, no further!

This is the Imperial Palace. You simply cannot fight here.

I beg of you...do stay your blades.

So, there we have it!

We might not be any closer to findin' Limbo, but at least now we know he and Lord Douman are different people!

And the Minister of the Left even gave us a chance to stop the whole Imperial Grail War!

I'd say we got luckier than we could've hoped for!

All we gotta do is get either the Genji clan or the other Masters to wash their hands of it.

So! What's our next move?

While Lord Watanabe-no-Tsuna does pose a major threat, if we put him aside for now...

I believe our best option would be to find the three remaining pairs of Masters and Servants.

Unless it would be easier to convince a majority of the Genji clan to denounce the Imperial Holy Grail War instead?

...Nah, you're right.

Boss Raikou ain't gonna be much help right now, so... Sorry 'bout that.

？！

Right on!

Gotcha. Man, you don't waste a second, do ya?

I like it. Haha, you almost remind me of the imperial officers.

You used to pokin' around unfamiliar places or somethin', Fujimaru?

Then I'll have to make sure I don't fall behind!

？！

You got that right! Okay then, let's go see what the hot gossip is.

The city is so much livelier now than it was at night. The difference is truly, well, night and day.

I suppose I should have expected as much. No... Truly, this is what it should be like all of the time.

Pretty much. Come to think of it, you two still haven't seen what it's like during the day, huh?

Guess that makes sense, since we had to stay inside Kaoruko's house all day yesterday.

Hey! It's Kintoki!

I knew it was you! Hi, Kintoki!

Oho, if it isn't Kaidou of Sagami! Have you grown even bigger since I last saw you?

Tell me, does the leader of the Genji know you're going around town with such a lovely lady?

Here, Kintoki, have some mochi! Don't worry, it's my treat!

O-oh, hey, this is great. We don't even have to go around lookin' for people to talk tothey're comin' to us!

Hehe, that'll save us some time. Hey everyone! You heard about anything weird happening lately?

Hmmm?

Are we talking about nighttime, or daytime? It better be day, what with all the monsters who come out at night.

We haven't seen the tengu much lately. The only weird thing I can think of is that oni! The one from Mt. Ooe!

What, her? She's no big deal. The Genji are around to handle exactly that kind of thing.

Me, I'm more worried about the tsuchigumo. I heard they've even been showing up around Sai Road at night lately.

At night? Well that's no surprise. At nighttime, they show up around Suzaku Avenue, too.

Whaaat? No they don't. Come on, Kaidou, tell them I'm right!

Hm? Oh, uh, I'm not sure.

Oh no you don't! The only sorts of tsuchigumo a Genji warrior needs to worry about are the big ones!

It's the officers' job to handle the monsters that wander around Kyo at night, right?

Haha, thanks for sayin' so.

We don't usually divide the work up that neat and tidy, but yeah, that's basically right!

Ooh, ooh, Kintoki!

What about the steel monster!?

Eh?

？！

The steel monstera great, hulking beast that wanders the streets of Kyo at night, and that towers over the average person.

That's it!

You know the Inari Shrine down the road from the palace?

Well, my big sister said she saw it slipping out from the grounds there!

So there are monsters out there that not even the great virtues of Inari can do anything about? Yikes, that's scary.

Ohhh, you mean the shrine where they keep the Inari palanquin! Yeah, I think I've heard that one, too!

My cousin has a daughter who lives out near Nishiboujou alley...

...and she said a big steel monster shows up around midnight making weird creaking noises.

...

So how long has this steel monster been showin' up?

Has it always been around, or is this more of a recent thing?

Hmm, I'm not sure. I think I heard about it yesterday, or maybe the day before...

My sister said she saw it yesterday!

Master.

Indeed, it would.

Yes, Master.

？！

Then let's go check it out!

Danzo, let Kaoruko know we'll be comin' back late, will ya!?

Understood!

All right, it's nighttime now.

So far, there ain't been anything weird.

Man, it's been forever since I had company at a stakeout.

？！

Hm?

？！

Not as much as an actual officer. Catchin' thieves and lookin' for people's usually their thing.

Our job's to deal with the oni tryin' to take over Kyo, and to take out monsters like the great tsuchigumo.

We also exorcise ghosts that show up in temples or noble houses, take care of any stragglers who crop up from the rebellion in eastern Japan...

Things like that, basically.

But, every now and then...

...we get jobs that involve takin' a page from the officers' book, like this.

Jobs that involve layin' low, hidin' out, and investigatin' the truth behind a rumor or mystery.

Though it's all a pain in the ass. There's just so many people out 'n the city.

And any place with a lot of people seems like it always has more than its share of trouble.

...Nnn, can't say I do, no.

Nah, it ain't that.

？！

Did I mention I grew up on a mountain?

It was Mt. Ashigara, way off to the east in a place called Sagami. And of course, there weren't any other people around.

Only other things there were beasts, beasts, and more beasts. Oh, and the occasional oni.

So I never saw this kinda thing back up on the mountain.

There weren't any kids runnin' around laughin', or mothers cookin', or men workin'...

Like I said, there weren't any other people at all up there.

So now that I live in the city, and I see that sorta thing all the time...

...I've really come to love 'em.

Not sure I'll ever really feel at home in the city, and I'm not big on crowds.

Still love those people anyway.

I mean, I guess I liked the way the beasts up on the mountain went about livin' their lives doin' whatever they felt like, too.

But even though it's real similar, it ain't quite the same thing, is it? Hmm.

I guess the best way I can put it is, they're different, but they're also not.

？！

Hehe.

I'm back, Master.

As you wished, I informed Lady Kaoruko that we would be returning late this evening.

Great. Thanks, Danzo.

Also, on my way here, I ran a quick scan of the Inari Shrine grounds and the surrounding area...

...and discovered a small shrine over by the tall grass that leads directly to a natural cavern!

Nice!

That's really, uh... Oh! Golden!

Right, Fujimaru?

？！

Hell yeah!

So there's an underground cave out here in Inari Shrine, huh.

You're right, it does look like it was naturally formed. I wonder how far back it goes...

It probably ain't that deep since I'm not feelin' much in the way of wind, but...

Ha, whadda ya know! I'm usually pretty dense when it comes to these sorts of things, but even I can tell there's somethin' unusual here!

Indeed. My sensors are detecting the same thing.

This cavern may not be very deep...

...but it is located right on top of a leyline rich in magical energy!

？！

I don't know anything about magical energy, but I can tell there's something ominous about this place.

Perfect for a monster's nest, or for an onmyouji's sacred fire.

So does that mean this is a good place...or a bad one?

If Lady Mash were here, she could put down a summoning circle...

But never mind that now. The important thing is, this cave would be a tremendous asset to any participant in the Holy Grail War!

It would be an invaluable source of magical energy for Master and Heroic Spirit alike, and for the Imperial Holy Grail War, it would be a key strategic point for any Caster!

So, that means

Hah! Looks like we hit the jackpot on our first try!

There's something in here! It could be monsters, or oni, or tsuchigumo!

Hell, maybe it's even another visitor from a different world!

Magical energy signals detected up ahead!

Measuring energy levels now... Whatever they are, they are not Servants!

Aha! So these things are the steel monsters those people were talkin' about!

？！

Interestin'! These things really are made of solid steel! They may look like it, but they ain't sets of armor!

We haven't heard a name, so they aren't Masters! Hehe, so I guess that means we've got ourselves some Casters!?

No, they themselves are not Casters! I suspect they are familiars, or perhaps clones!

...!

Here they come!

...They stopped.

That was weirdly easy. Were those things illusions or somethin'?

No. I believe they were either familiars or clones, as I originally suspected...

So they were shikigami, huh.

Something like that. This cavern may not lie right on the intersection between all the city's leylines, but it is still abundant in dense magical energy.

It would be a tremendous asset for a Caster.

It would also be the perfect nest for certain types of monsters.

I expect the Caster who discovered this cave likely placed those things here to ward off unwelcome creatures.

Gotcha.

Those things weren't nearly enough to take down a Master, so it makes a lotta sense if they were bein' used for pest control instead.

？！

Yes.

Oh yeah, you said that before, too. What are those?

？！

"Babbage"? Now that's a foreign name if ever I've heard one.

What's he like? Where's he from? Is he one of your allies from Chaldea?

Or is he a Caster from a foreign land, like I'm guessin'?

I am not entirely sure how to describe him, but you may think of him as a Caster.

However, even if he is the same Heroic Spirit we know, he would be a completely different person now that he has been summoned to this time and place.

Huh???

My apologies. Charles Babbage is indeed a Caster.

He is a Heroic Spirit who made a mark on humanity in the distant paswell, considering our current time period, I suppose it would be the distant future.

And we do indeed know his name and what he looks like at Chaldea.

Huh, okay.

？！

Difference Engine? What's that?

？！

Hmm.

...A different world?

The Difference Engine would later be developed further, into the Analytical Engine.

I am told it was a landmark invention that enabled people to perform calculations well beyond human capability, which in turn led to great cultural developments.

Lord Babbage hoped to use it to bring about a new chapter in human history...

...but that dream never came to pass.

Huh... Okay.

A cruel twist of fate prevented Lord Babbage from completing the Difference Engine in his lifetime...

But inspired by his ideas, humanity would go on to create devices of equal capability, which they then used to achieve other incredible things.

Now, the Lord Babbage who has materialized as a Heroic Spirit dreams of another historical timeline.

A hypothetical world where he succeeded at completing the Difference Engine.

Alternatively, it may be that Lord Babbage is able to see the Pruning Theoretical Phenomenon.

The Pruning Theoretical Phenomenon...

Oh, right! The Pruning Theoretical Phenomenon! I remember now!

Think you mentioned that when you guys were tellin' me your story.

Let's see, I think the Pruning Theoretical Phenomenon...

...means futures that could've happened if circumstances were different?

？！

I knew it.

As long as human history remains human history, there will also always be tomorrows that can never become today.

Thus, it is the fate of humanity that all tomorrows which will never be part of the Chronicle Theoretical Phenomenon will be pruned away.

Gotcha. Er...well, not really...

But basically, you're sayin' this guy was inscribed in humanity for doin' somethin' he never actually managed to do...

And now, he gets summoned to time periods different from his own, while still dreamin' his old dreams, right?

...That's one of the saddest things I've heard in a long time.