Regarding Kaguya-hime presence, the Onmyoryo's stance was simple—You are the boss; we'll cover for you while you're on vacation.
Yes, it was that simple.
Though deities were rarely seen outside of shrines, the fact that no youkai caused trouble near shrines was a reality. In the eyes of the Onmyoryo, shrines essentially kept to their own small territories because those were the orders they received.
Though they didn't know why the gods did this, they didn't dare speculate. They showed the "Celestial" who appeared on the surface the utmost respect. But that didn't mean they didn't have their own little schemes.
You five lolicons want to pursue Kaguya-hime? Sure, go for it! Support!
But that was it. No matter the outcome, it was a personal action. As long as it wasn't forced, simple pursuit shouldn't be a problem. Even if the pursuit failed... so be it. No loss. But if it succeeded, it would be a huge win.
So when Fujiwara no Fuhito and the others brought the books to the Onmyoryo, the staff were very attentive. But once the items were revealed, the Onmyoryo staff were completely baffled.
The Stone Begging Bowl of the Buddha, the Jeweled Branch of Hourai, the Robe of the Fire-Rat, the Jewel from the Dragon's Head, the Cowry Shell of a Swallow.
What on earth were these?
The first reaction of the Onmyoryo staff was that Kaguya-hime was playing them.
But as the five men showed the books Kaguya-hime had given them, the Onmyoryo staff's headaches grew.
At least the descriptions in the books didn't seem fabricated, but based on those descriptions, each item was weirder than the last.
First, the "Stone Begging Bowl of the Buddha." The book said it was far away in India. Even if one just went to get it, who knew how long it would take? To get to India, one had to reach Tang Dynasty China first. It was said there was a maritime silk road to India, but what then? What if they couldn't find it?
Next, the "Robe of the Fire-Rat." There were some clues; clothes immune to fire weren't entirely rare. The kariginu robes worn by Onmyoji, treated with special rituals, could resist ordinary flames. But according to the book, the Fire-Rat Robe was not only beautiful but also grew more beautiful the more it was burned.
What the hell? Was there even such a ritual? They had never even heard of it!
Still, there was at least a lead. They'd let the idle clerical staff at the Onmyoryo try to develop such a ritual in their spare time.
Those two were barely plausible, but the remaining three were truly bewildering.
The "Jeweled Branch of Hourai" was described as a jade branch with many jewels growing on it.
If it were a handicraft, they could make it. But the problem was that it was "alive" and theoretically continued to grow. Sorry, couldn't help there; the Onmyoryo didn't have that technology.
The "Jewel from the Dragon's Head" was a widespread rumor in Japan. As an island nation, Japan had many legends about the sea. Undoubtedly, a "Dragon" was an extremely powerful being. A jewel from its head was a rare treasure. If they had the ability to steal that, would they still need to value Kaguya-hime so much?
Finally, the "Cowry Shell of a Swallow" was something where they knew the words separately but didn't recognize them together.
Everyone knew what a swallow was, and a cowry shell (koyasu-gai) was a special prayer item in ancient Japan used for safe childbirth. But did swallows use them?
The Onmyoryo staff really didn't know, so they planned to ask some acquainted youkai. Youkai were diverse; maybe there was a swallow spirit who used one?
At this moment, the Onmyoryo staff and the five men had very complex feelings.
One could say Kaguya-hime was rejecting them indirectly, but these things were all documented in books...
'No, how can we doubt Kaguya-hime? As a Celestial, the items for her marriage proposal naturally cannot be too shabby. Yes, that must be it!'
So where was Kaguya-hime now?
"Why did I die again?"
Holding her handheld console, Kaguya Houraisan looked at the screen that had gone dark again and wanted to curse.
As for those five annoying guys?
She had already swept their existence out of her mind.
Lancer didn't know that Kaguya-hime had already given the "Five Impossible Tasks" to the five suitors. After all, he thought the mission would be complete once the requirements were set. Unfortunately, he seemed to have underestimated the persistence of the lolicons. Five difficult tasks couldn't completely stop them. Kaguya-hime trouble wasn't over, so naturally, his mission wouldn't be finished either.
But right now, he faced another issue.
The trip from Bamboo Mountain to Youkai Mountain wasn't too far. Riding his motorcycle, Lancer could reach it in a few hours.
This time, he was no longer an illegal entrant, so he didn't hide himself. Soon, the Youkai Mountain patrol discovered him. Whether it was good luck or bad luck, the one who found him was an old acquaintance—the White Wolf Tengu he had pinned to the ground before.
The two stared at each other for a few seconds before Lancer gave a smiling wave.
The other was baffled and furious at the same time.
As a member of the Youkai Mountain security force, he spent most of his time patrolling the outskirts, so he didn't know Lancer had gone to the Kappa clan from another direction. But Lancer return meant he had gone out, yet he chose to re-enter right in front of him.
'Is this guy here to humiliate me?'
Lancer just smiled at the glaring White Wolf Tengu. They weren't close, and he had held back in their previous encounter; otherwise, the first strike would have pinned him to a spear.
The White Wolf Tengu flew toward the interior of the mountain.
True, Lancer had a pass, but for a Great Youkai to appear in Tengu territory, constant surveillance and vigilance were necessary. He had to report it.
Soon, the Great Tengu who had reported to "Tenma" for Lancer arrived.
Flapping his black wings, he landed directly in front of Lancer.
"Did you... not find it?"
Undoubtedly, it seemed to him that Lancer hadn't been gone even a week. It didn't look like a completed mission. Even for him, flying to the Kappa territory would take a day.
"Check the goods."
Without wasting words, Lancer pulled the maple-leaf-shaped fan from his weapon case. The Tengu's eyes widened. He hadn't expected Lancer to actually bring it back, let alone so quickly.
'How did he do it?'
The thought appeared naturally in his mind, but his body instinctively reached for the fan.
"You've seen it. Where is the item I want?"
Though the Tengu clan had been relatively reasonable so far, not attacking him without cause, that didn't mean he would foolishly hand over his bargaining chip.
The scene fell silent for a moment, until—
"I will contact the 'Youkai Sage' for you."
A strange voice suddenly echoed in Lancer ear...