Act Three: Path of Insincerity, Part Four

Look out, Master! It's Kama!

Oh great...you took the honest route here. You lot really are hopeless, aren't you?

Why couldn't you let the attendants do their job? You could have been here in no time if you'd just let them show you the way.

But, that's okay. This doesn't change how I feel about you. I still hate you now just as much as before.

Isn't it reassuring, knowing that no matter what you do, nothing about me or how I feel will change? Now don't worry, and enjoy the journey.

Stop talking out of both sides of your mouth. All we want to know is the truth.

Oh, right, you think I'm a liar, don't you? Never mind that I've been telling you the truth this whole time.

Once a Goody Two-shoes, always a Goody Two-shoes, huh, Pārvatī? Well, you're right, as usual. Ugh, you make me sick.

I already know you hate me. All right, I'll be more direct then.

Is this about me? Did you turn everyone from Edo Castle and Chaldea into building materials for this Ooku...

...just so you could get back at me?

.........

Heh. Hehe.

Aha, ahaha, ahahaha!

Are you serious? You are, aren't you? Ugh, you're even more of a goody-goody nitwit than I thought.

I guess you pretty goddesses really do think the world revolves around you, huh? What a joke.

I-I didn't think it was likely! I know how preposterous it sounds!

But I had to check just to make sure, all right!?

Anyway...if that's not the case, then that clears up one thing.

You aren't here so you can get back at me...which must mean that I'm here only because you are.

...Whatever it is you're up to, something is telling me I have to put a stop to it.

So I'll ask you one more time. What are you up to?

？！

I might not be a liar, but that doesn't mean I'm always completely truthful.

If I had to make things real simplewell, I guess I do for you guysand boil it down to whether I'm a good or bad girl...I'd say I'm a bad girl.

Is that your way of saying you aren't going to tell us?

More like there's just no need. Even you guys will figure it out sooner or later.

Really, I'm just lazy. I can barely work up the energy to do anything.

That's why I'm not even going to try and stop you now.

Our paths just happened to cross here, that's all. By all means, keep doing what you're doing.

Oh my, how kind of you!

Last time, you said your goal was to have us wander this labyrinth for eternity.

But now, you're letting us make our way to the next floor out of the goodness of your heart!

...Why, it's almost as if you want us to penetrate all the way to the deepest, innermost chamber of this labyrinth.

...

I only meant that I'M not going to try and stop you.

You do need a proper welcome at these major junction points, after all, so I'm putting others in charge of that.

A proper welcome, hm. I find it difficult to believe we will be subjected to anything remotely satisfactory.

Oh no, it'll be fine. It's all set up so you become like that naturally.

And I don't mean the Ooku. I mean all of you.

...?

This is the Ooku; an inner chamber kept away from the surface. An isolated nighttime paradise that never sees the light of day.

I would be an abject failure as a host if I couldn't make sure its guests were properly entertained.

Now go on, my attendants. These poor, pitiful humans are being kept down by meaningless nonsense thanks to Fumougokai, the precept which forbids lying.

Go on and let them experience the Ooku's full and unbridled pleasures for themselves!

How many times do I have to say it!? The Ooku is not some cheap nighttime paradise, dammit!

If anything, things were much more frantic during the day!

I understand your anger, but I'm afraid Kama already got away, so...

At any rate, it looks like that ghost left behind another pillbox.

？！

...Is everything okay, Master?

Did you just hear those voices you mentioned before again?

I thought as much. Please don't hesitate to tell me things like this, Master, no matter how small they may seem.

We navigators can never have too much information, after all.

Of course not. I may not be able to fight by your side right now, Master, but as your navigator, I'm going to make sure I don't miss anything unusual!

？！

I do not think you are experiencing auditory hallucinations, but whatever it is you are hearing, we are not picking it up.

Maybe you are picking up on tiny oscillations or formless remnants that last for only a split second.

At any rate, I do not think they pose any danger, but if you hear them again, please let us know right away.

All right, why don't we start by examining this pillbox a little more closely?

Let's see... This one says "Ietsuna."

That is right! Well done! Are you something of a history buff, Fujimaru?

Sorry, no, he was the fourth. Perhaps we should make some Tokugawa shogun flash cards once you get back!

？！

So that is the name of the next shogun after Lord Iemitsu.

Assuming everything goes well, that would mean Lord Iemitsu's son, Takechiyo, ends up taking over from his father without any issue...

That's right, he does. Although, I am a little surprised.

Isn't it confusing, having every shogun from the first to the fourth go by the same childhood name?

Oho, that's an excellent question; one that I don't think I've ever been asked before. I guess it's time for another impromptu wet nurse classroom then!

"Takechiyo" was originally Lord Ieyasu's childhood name.

And since he was the one who united Japan and founded the shogunate, it was thought that giving his descendants the same name would bring good fortune.

And of course, there is only one heir in waiting at any given time, so no two children go by the same name.

So we never have to worry about anyone getting confused.

I see...

For that matter, Takechiyo was, of course, in Edo Castle along with his father when this happened.

And naturally, it is my duty as a loyal retainer of the Tokugawa family to save him as well. Hmm. Maybe this pillbox has some connection to him?

That is what I thought too, so I have been examining it from every angle I can, but I have not yet been able to verify anything.

All I can say is that you should definitely hold on to it. I will keep poking around to see what I can find.

Thank you. Next to Lord Iemitsu, Takechiyo is the one person we absolutely can't afford to lose.

Oh, by the way, I'm afraid there's a little problem.

We've been seeing more static on our connection the further you delve into the Ooku.

And since we need to prioritize existence verification above all, we might end up losing the connection at times.

I'll do everything I can to prevent that from happening, but I think you should be prepared in case it does...

Now that you mention it, I remember you mentioning some kind of underground labyrinths that still exist in the modern day, Master.

Now, what were they called again... "Kyoto, Shinjuku, and Osaka Stations"...?

Indeed. Rest assured, Lady Mash, I swear on my sword that I will guard Master's life with my own.

Oh yes. Of course, I will do all that I can to help, at least as much as I'm able. But of course, when it comes to combat...

...I could not even hold a candle to a goddess with a divine spear or a legendary swordsman.

Still, if there is anything you require of me, anything you would like me to do for you, please do not hesitate to ask.

That goes for all of you, of course. Master, Lady Pārvatī...Lord Yagyu.

...

Yes?

？！

(All that aside... First is not to kill, then not to speak falsehoods...)

(I wonder... Could this Ooku be...)

(...No, it's still much too early to say. All I can do now is bide my time until I am certain.)

(Strange as it may be to think of a god of love, I can tell Kama has another, more complicated side to her...)

(And if that is so... Hehe. Hehehe...! Then I find myself in exactly the sort of situation I expected it was!)

(This Ooku is precisely the opposite of what I would have created, but it is indeed a paradise.)

(There is, after all, nothing sweeter than doing what one shouldn't... Mmm...)

Just to reaffirm what Mash said, we will make sure to keep verifying your existence no matter what, so there is no need to worry about that.

All right then, let us keep this investigation going, shall we!