The sky over Urakyoto had already regained its serenity, painted in orange hues that blended the tranquility of dusk with the lingering warmth of summer. The muffled sound of distant traffic seemed like a lullaby for a city that, though wounded, insisted on maintaining its rhythm.
In a small garden on the terrace of Yasaka's Mansion, two figures sat across from each other. Between them, a delicate wooden table held a steaming teapot and two handmade cups, exuding the gentle fragrance of freshly brewed green tea.
"It seems like… we managed to keep the damage within 'acceptable' limits," Kazuya said, his voice mingling with the light breeze that rustled his white locks.
He sat in a relaxed manner, legs stretched out in front of him and arms resting behind his head, unabashedly displaying a carefree posture. His sturdy, battle-scarred body, like that of a fighter, contrasted with the lazy smile on his face.
Some of his maids had been injured in the previous clashes, especially Salter and Jalter, who had come dangerously close to death while facing that Super Demon. Of course, neither of them would admit it. Even after he intervened and took care of that annoying fly, both insisted they didn't need help. As always. Still, he personally ensured they were healed before sending them back to the hotel where they were staying, along with the others. Only then did he come to meet Yasaka for one final meeting before returning to his home in Kuoh.
And here he was now…
"Hm… 'acceptable' is a very generous word, Kazuya," Yasaka replied, gently blowing on her cup before bringing the tea to her lips. Her voice carried its usual sweetness, but there was a subtle hint of exhaustion in her words. "But I suppose… if you hadn't been here, it would have been much worse. I don't know how I can thank you for that…"
She looked beautiful, as always, even if her traditional clothes were slightly disheveled from recent events. There was a glimmer of relief in her eyes—her daughter was safe, and her people, though wounded, had survived as well.
Kunou, for her part, had been there until just a moment ago. With the typical impatience of her young age, she had insisted on staying by her mother's and Kazuya's side, saying she wanted to help, that she was already strong enough for it. Yasaka, with that perfect blend of sweetness and firmness only a mother possesses, stroked her daughter's head, smiled, and asked her to go play for now.
Kazuya cast a glance at the sky, allowing himself to close his eyes for a brief moment.
"No need to thank me. Since we'll be future allies, this is the least I could do… Besides, I couldn't just let innocents get hurt when I could do something about it."
Yasaka smiled—a tired but sincere smile.
"You're a good person, Kazuya…"
Kazuya opened his eyes at the sound of his name.
"Only you think that… I've never considered myself a good person, Yasaka. I just try my best in a world where it's much easier to do the worst. Even if my actions are often seen as bad in the eyes of others…"
Yasaka's gaze softened.
"It doesn't matter what others think. I think you're a good person…"
The silence that followed wasn't uncomfortable.
Kazuya let out a lazy sigh.
"Yasaka… about that alliance proposal," he began, turning his gaze toward the Kitsune with a sly smile, "I think it's time we start taking concrete steps, don't you?"
Yasaka set her cup down on the table, her golden tails swaying gently behind her. The serenity on her face momentarily masked the tension forming in her heart.
"I'll speak with Amaterasu-sama about it," she said with a resolute tone. "I'll do my best to convince her…"
Kazuya raised an eyebrow, leaning back further, hands resting behind his head with a relaxed smile.
"I don't mind waiting… But I can't stay in Kyoto for too long."
Yasaka turned her gaze to the horizon, as if contemplating the golden threads of light fading into the shadows of the night. Her response came soon after, with a subtle smile on her lips:
"You won't need to wait long, Kazuya. I have a direct means of communication with Amaterasu-sama."
Kazuya blinked. For a moment, the air felt almost too light.
"Eh? So you're telling me you had a direct line to the Chief Goddess this whole time and didn't use it until now?" he said, feigning exaggerated indignation, his shoulders slumping in mock disbelief as he rested his forehead in his hand.
Yasaka let out a soft giggle, one of those that seemed to melt away the accumulated exhaustion of the soul. Gentle, warm, with a hint of teasing.
"Fufu… And how was I supposed to trust you so soon? Even with Shuten Douji talking about you as if you were the perfect husband, I needed to see it with my own eyes. After all, the word of a drunken oni isn't exactly something you take to Amaterasu-sama, right?"
Kazuya sighed, a resigned smile on his lips.
"Fair enough. Even I'd hesitate if my reference was Shuten… But I'm glad my actions were more convincing than her words."
Yasaka nodded, her gaze now carrying a serene and mature glint.
"Yes. After what you and your wives did for Urakyoto, I decided it was time to use the direct communication spell. I couldn't ignore it any longer."
Kazuya tilted his head, curious.
"For you to avoid using it so much, besides not knowing me well, this spell… is it permanent? Or does it have limitations?"
Yasaka's smile faded, giving way to a more cautious expression. She shook her head.
"Unfortunately, it's not something I can use freely. It's a special emergency spell, Kazuya. It can only be used in truly urgent cases. And, to be more precise… it only has three uses."
"Three, huh…" Kazuya muttered, furrowing his brow.
"It's a spell that bypasses the bureaucracy of the Japanese Pantheon's communication lines and delivers the message directly to Amaterasu-sama. No intermediaries, no delays. It communicates to Amaterasu-sama like a prayer…" Yasaka explained calmly.
Kazuya scratched his chin, absorbing the information, before relaxing his shoulders and smiling.
"I see. Well… if that's the case, how about using the spell now?"
Yasaka smiled back.
"You're quite impatient, aren't you? Alright, I'll use it…"
She took a deep breath and, with a gentle gesture, brought her hand to her ear. A small golden magical circle glowed at her fingertips.
Kazuya watched in silence, eyes half-closed, as the Kitsune closed her own eyes for a brief moment and began to speak, her voice low and respectful.
"Amaterasu-sama… It's Yasaka. I request an urgent audience."
The magical circle reacted almost immediately, expanding into a soft glow. The response came as a whisper imbued with divinity, but clear enough for Kazuya to hear thanks to his heightened senses.
『Yasaka… I sensed that Urakyoto was attacked. Many of my worshippers prayed for my protection. I was about to contact you and am relieved to see you're safe.』
Yasaka bowed her head in reverence. "Thanks to Ryougi Kazuya and his wives. They were crucial in preventing a greater disaster. For this reason, I wish to formalize an alliance between the Youkai and him. I humbly request your approval, Amaterasu-sama."
There was a brief silence. Kazuya remained impassive, but his senses were alert. He didn't know exactly what to expect from the Sun Goddess, but from the tone of the conversation, it didn't seem like a refusal.
『Very well, Yasaka. If this man could protect your land, he has a merit I cannot ignore. I approve this alliance.』
The magical circle glowed more intensely, but before Yasaka could thank her, Amaterasu's voice returned, this time with a slightly firmer tone:
『However… I'm not satisfied with merely hearing about Ryougi Kazuya from others. All I've seen is the video of him humiliating the Crimson Maou in combat and the deeds of his organization that protects humans…』
Kazuya raised an eyebrow, a sly smile forming on his lips.
『I wish for him to meet me as soon as possible. We need to talk, along with the other gods. We also want to be part of this alliance… I'm interested in this Chaldea…』
Kazuya let out a sigh and nodded to Yasaka, who looked to him for confirmation, knowing he was listening.
Seeing his nod, Yasaka spoke: "He says he will be honored to visit you, Amaterasu-sama."
The magical circle began to dissipate slowly, like a flower of light shedding its petals into the air.
『Very well. Yasaka, arrange the visit. I expect you both soon.』
With one final golden flicker, the communication spell ended.
Yasaka sighed, lowering her hand and leaning back slightly, letting her body relax. "Well… it seems we made unexpectedly quick progress."
Kazuya ran a hand through his hair, still sporting that lazy smile. "Hah… Gods sure are impatient when something piques their curiosity, huh? I thought I'd have to push harder."
Yasaka smiled softly.
"Amaterasu-sama is not a goddess who ignores favors. But… it seems you caught her attention more than you might have wanted."
"Noticeable." Kazuya shrugged. "Well, if it's about playing politics, let's do it right. I won't complain."
He lightly swirled his cup, watching the reflection of the orange sky in the green liquid. The now-cool tea matched the warm atmosphere of their conversation, which seemed to be nearing its end.
Yasaka, in turn, picked up her own cup, bringing it to her lips before speaking with an expression that blended serenity and a touch of anticipation.
"Kazuya… Do you plan to leave Kyoto tomorrow? Or will you stay, since Amaterasu-sama wishes to see you soon?"
Kazuya smiled lazily, tilting his head to the side.
"I plan to stay for the next week. We have some things to organize, and… well, my wives need some time to rest too." He stretched his arms back, letting out an exaggerated yawn. "No point rushing if the body can't keep up."
Yasaka watched him in silence for a moment before letting a sweet, inviting smile curve her lips.
"In that case, why don't you all stay here at the mansion? You, your wives… and anyone else who wants to come. Kunou would be thrilled too."
Kazuya raised an eyebrow, surprised by the direct offer. "You sure about that, Yasaka? I'm a complicated guest, you know. And my wives… well, let's just say… we make noise."
Yasaka's smile didn't waver. On the contrary, a playful glint danced in her eyes. She rested one hand on her chin, leaning slightly forward, and with a velvety voice, replied:
"No problem. I can make noise too, Kazuya. And depending on the situation… I might even join the chaos."
The world seemed to slow for a second. Kazuya blinked, surprised, his usual air of indifference briefly slipping. He tilted his head, as if processing her words, but soon his characteristic laziness returned, and he let out a resigned sigh, a sly smile on his lips.
"I should've known you'd say something like that, Yasaka. You're a natural tease…"
She laughed softly, pleased.
Kazuya then stood, stretching his arms in a long yawn before looking at the horizon, now tinged with deep blue. "For today, I'll head to the hotel where they're resting. Tomorrow morning, me and the rest of the team will come to Urakyoto."
Yasaka nodded, rising as well, her tails swaying elegantly behind her. "Alright. I'll prepare everything to receive you."
Before leaving, Kazuya turned to her once more, his tone more serious but still carrying his usual lightness.
"How long do you think it'll take to arrange a meeting with the Japanese Gods?"
Yasaka brought a hand to her chin, pondering for a moment before answering. "Three days, at most."
Kazuya smiled, satisfied.
"Great. Then we have enough time to prepare… and rest a bit before the politics start biting."
Yasaka took a step forward, stopping beside him, and with a smile that blended softness and confidence, said:
"Rest well tonight, Kazuya. Starting tomorrow, this mansion will be your temporary home."
Kazuya gave her one last look, one that said more than words could, and responded with a simple wave before turning toward the exit.
And so, under the now-darkened sky, streaked with magical lanterns beginning to light up across Urakyoto, Kazuya departed, ready for another night of transition… while the world seemed to quietly hold its breath for what was to come.
_____________________________
(A/N: Good afternoon, everyone! Today's chapter officially marks the end of this arc. I've decided not to write Kazuya's meeting with the Japanese Gods in a full scene — at most, I'll include a brief flashback in the next chapter. Stretching this part out would end up dragging the arc too much, and I'd rather keep the story's pace flowing smoothly.
Also, I'm eager to move on to the next "month" in the story, because that's when I'll start unveiling the real reason why Kazuya has the Fate Gacha ability and his connection to Ritsuka Fujimaru from his past life.
So stay tuned, because the important revelations are coming!
I want to share something important with you: after a long time, I was finally able to see a specialist, and my current goal is to reach $1,000, the first step to buying my hearing aid!I'm very close to reaching this goal, and any support makes a huge difference!
As a thank you, once this goal is reached, I'll be doing a mega release on Patreon: around ten chapters of each of my stories. In addition, I'll be posting two chapters per day on Webnovel for you to follow along.
If you'd like to support me, please check out my Patreon.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who follows me and gives me the strength to keep writing!
📚 For $2.99, you can read up to 5 chapters ahead, perfect for avoiding spoilers or just bingeing.
📚 For $5.99, you get full access to ALL content, no holding back.
My Patreon: patreon.com/Adam_Kadmon)