We crawled through holes in the willow trees and walked for a long time through a futuristic passage reminiscent of an underwater tunnel.
The walkway, constructed from a concrete-like material, exuded an atmosphere distinctly different from that of the ground above.
It's as if you've stepped into the world of a science fiction movie.
Passing through the door that had been left open, you find yourself in an underground lake.
The scenery hasn't changed at all since the last time I was here.
In the center of the underground lake was an island, and a giant tower connected it to Chikubu Island on the surface.
And in the midst of that landscape—the water god sleeps. The water god created by the ego of the "ancient people" in this world.
She had only her head resting on the island, with almost her entire body submerged in the lake.
Perhaps that's the easiest way for them to maintain their massive size.
The underground lake is composed of smooth walls reminiscent of a limestone cave.
The space was illuminated by a soft light emanating from something resembling tiles embedded in the wall.
Setting aside the islands and towers, the most picturesque feature in the underground lake is undoubtedly the stone bridge, weathered by the passage of time.
"...Here we go."
Then, with a small shout, he leaps onto it.
Suddenly, a section of the stonework beneath my feet crumbled, making a splash and creating ripples on the surface of the lake.
(Ancient ruins lying dormant in an underground lake , an old stone bridge leading to them...it's incredibly romantic, isn't it?)巨竜dinosaur
With such thoughts in mind, I walked across the stone bridge, which was crumbling in places.苔生moss
The water god doesn't seem to have noticed my arrival, and shows no sign of waking up at all.
He continues to sleep soundly, looking as comfortable as ever, and his breathing is incredibly quiet considering his massive size.
"Water God"
After crossing the dilapidated stone bridge and arriving at the island with its concrete-like texture, I immediately called out to them.蛟Mizuchi
A snake-like skull.
The eight-pronged horns growing from the top of its head and between its temporal bones are semi-transparent, suggesting that its consciousness has not yet surfaced.
"Water God!"
He raised his voice again.
However, all that came back was the deep, citrusy sighs of the giant dragon as it slept.
Its eyelids were tightly closed and completely black, and it seemed unaware that I was nearby.
"Swee-swee-sama!"
≪...hmm≫
It seems that the third time's the charm, and they finally noticed.
I breathed a sigh of relief knowing that this wasn't a case of "what happens twice will happen a third time."
Its black eyelids opened wide, and its golden and red odd-colored eyes darted around, catching sight of me.
As soon as the dragon awakens, its eight-pronged horns make a loud roaring sound and glow with a bluish-silver light.
Then the water god stretched his neck wide and let out a huge yawn.
"...A foreigner?"
"Yes, it's been a long time."
≪It's been a long time... hmm≫
The giant dragon yawned loudly again and mumbled its lips.
It seems that both humans and monsters have a hard time waking up.
"No, it's nothing. For someone like me who has lived for a long time, our last meeting was just a moment ago. The difference in lifespan makes the difference in our perception of time all the more apparent."
The water god opens his bright red mouth and drinks the water from the underground lake, then turns his head around.
"But that's meaningless to you. What matters is asking why you've come here again. What's wrong, stranger?"
Perhaps refreshed after drinking water, the giant dragon's odd-colored eyes shone even brighter.
I felt myself being drawn in by the vivid color of her eyes, but I decided to tell her the truth for now.
"Because the water god told me before that if I wanted to talk again, I should come back."
"So that's why you came?"
"yes"
"I see..."
The master of the underground lake let out a voice that sounded somewhat pleased.
"What, from our perspective...the very existence of beings with whom we can communicate is a cause for celebration. Especially for us, who are trapped forever and not allowed to grow old and die."牢獄time
He says it so casually, but to me—it seems like something I could never bear.
But without hinting at any sense of tragedy, the water god continued.
"Through dialogue, I can truly feel alive. Life is an organism born to communicate with others. To spend time without conversation is no different from a corpse left exposed to the elements. It is tantamount to being dead while still alive. In that sense, your visit is welcome."悪戯mischief
Wait a while.
With that, the water god's head sank into the water.
Something seems to be moving around in the lake, and in response, the entire underground lake undulates and shakes.
With a loud bang, a tremendous column of water rose in the distance.
Just as a whale drives krill to the surface to eat them, the head of the water god leaped out with great force.
Then, just when it seemed to disappear back into the lake, the dragon's head suddenly surfaced near the island and spat out a large fish.
It's a creature that bounces around and jumps, and it's about 20 cm long and has a shape like this.鯛sea bream
However, unlike sea bream, its body was blue like a mackerel, and it had no scales at all.
Is it better raw or cooked?
"Um...oh, then let's have it grilled..."
I see.
I didn't understand the intent of the question, so I answered impulsively.
However, the water god nodded and raised his enormous arm from the water onto the island.
An arm with four fingers, each with a thick, sharp claw.
The dragon skillfully touched the surface of the fish with its claws.
Immediately, the fingernails become red and scorching hot, and begin to burn the surface of the fish with a crackling sound.
Then, skillfully flipping it over with her fingertips, she browned the other side in the same way, looked at me, and said:
"I've given you the choice between raw and grilled, but this fish is actually tastier when eaten raw ... or rather, I remember being told that by the ancients. Next time you come, you should try eating it raw."父tower
"..."
"What's wrong? It's getting cold. Let's eat."
"Oh, yes."
I took the head and tail of the fish that was offered to me and took a bite.
I honestly thought that simply grilled fish would be rather bland, but—
"--good"
≪I suppose so≫
This was incredibly delicious.
It has a springy texture when you bite into it, but the moment you chew it with saliva, the fat melts away, and the delicious flavor spreads slowly throughout your mouth.
Moreover, the fat isn't greasy at all, and it has just the right amount of saltiness and a soy sauce-like aroma, so no additional seasoning is needed.
"This is a fish created by those who lost the sea and were trapped inland."
The water god looked down at me, who was frantically biting at a fish, and said:
"Something that can be eaten deliciously without any preparation... This is a life form born from such a decadent idea. Well, it only inhabits this underground lake, though."
"The water god is..."
It was so delicious that I devoured every last bit, even the internal organs, and as I placed the bones, which were just the head and tail, at my feet, I asked.
"Do you eat this fish regularly...?"
No, that's not right.
The giant dragon responded, peering into my eyes.
"I am made to not desire food. I can eat, but it is not necessary. As long as there is light, I can convert it into energy and continue to function. The luminous plates embedded in this underground lake are for illumination, but they are also for my survival. For my survival in this land where light does not reach."
"...is that so"
≪Oh, that's right≫
The water god skillfully pulled the fish bones I had left behind towards him with his toes.
Then, after instantly carbonizing it, he blows it away with a citrusy breath.
"There is no better place to live than here. If someone like me were to appear on Earth, people would be thrown into chaos in an instant. Though the ancient people who created me no longer exist, the purpose of my existence, etched into me, is to protect humanity. That remains unchanged even now."
"So, are you still alive?"
It's ironic, but...
The dragon continued with a self-deprecating tone.
"It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say I'm bound. For example... with my power, I could destroy humanity . But what lies beyond that? What am I supposed to do in the land where I am the only one left?"容易Tayasu
With that, the water god closed his eyes.
"If humanity perishes, I too will perish. The disappearance of the reason for existence is also the disappearance of life. The fact of 'being there' is not necessarily self-evident. We exist because we are needed—to that extent."
The giant dragon let out a deep sigh.
"How many times have I cursed this immortal body, this body that must continue to live. But my existence is only possible because...the ancient people longed for a god to protect them. I am here because I was needed. And you, too, are here because you seek me. That is why I exist, and can exist—through your existence."
"Through me?"
That's right.
The water god opened its odd-colored eyes, slowly lowered its head, and brought the tip of its nose closer to me.
"If you had not sought me, I would not have appeared to you. If you had refused to follow that hybrid of horse and fox, you would never have met me. You sought me, to walk the path for your own life. As a result, I am recognized and can exist."認識world
The giant dragon said this, then slammed its jaw down onto the island and submerged most of its neck in the lake.
"So, why did you come here? What exactly do you want?"
"...If you say so, that will make things much easier."
Even the Water God understands. He knows that I didn't just come to see him for no particular reason.
There is always an underlying meaning behind human actions.
"I'm asking you out on a date."
≪...What?≫
"Next month, on July 13th, we'll be holding a horse parade in Nagahama. It might only be a miniature to the Water God, but...would you come and see it?"
Don't say such stupid things.
The dragon let out a voice of disbelief.
"Among humans, there are those who worship me as a god. Let me show myself on earth. If my believers make a fuss, this already chaotic world will become even more chaotic."
"No, that's more convenient for me, with the caveat that it's convenient for me."
≪...What?≫
I continued, noticing the dragon's surprised voice.
"If the Water God were to appear on land, people would undoubtedly be thrown into chaos. But what if I were to pretend to have calmed him down? What if, after our exchange, the Water God continued to watch our horse parade, realizing that I had no intention of harming him?"
≪...≫
"After the horse parade is over, I will have a ritual performed on Chikubu Island . We must maintain the pretense of appeasing the water god. From then on, July 13th will be designated as the day of appeasing the water god, and the head of the Asai clan will spend the night with you."社Yashiro
Is that what you want?
"That's right."
There are times when you shouldn't lie.
In this situation, I intended to answer honestly.
"If the Asai clan becomes a family that worships the water god , then no other family in this world will be able to easily interfere. The military power of a daimyo family alone will be crushed by a military power even greater than theirs. For the Asai to survive, they will need a power other than military power."祀pine tree
Up until now, I have been proposing economic strengthening measures under the slogan of "enriching the country and strengthening the military."
One of the results of this effort was the development of sericulture, which apparently allowed them to secure enough financial resources to support the construction of Nagahama Palace and Nagahama Castle.
However, the question of whether that alone would be enough to overcome the turbulent Sengoku period always haunted me.
The high-quality kimono that Nobunaga casually bestowed upon Osamu demonstrates that the Oda family possessed far greater economic power than the Asai family.
Will the Oda family continue to need the Asai family in the future?
As long as Nobunaga and I are alive, our relationship might be able to work things out.
However, things will likely change when it comes to the generation of children and grandchildren.
"We must create a reason, a situation, a religious meaning, for the Asai to rule the country . And above all... as long as we live in Omi, as long as we live in Japan—we must make it widely known that we must live alongside demons."在Na
It will undoubtedly serve as a powerful deterrent.
However—
"To live alongside monsters... That's a statement that would make my father and other ancient people faint if they heard it... But remember, there are those who will never accept monsters. Religious and ideological deterrents create a polarization of good and bad, a structure of binary opposition, both within and outside the community. Are you prepared to throw yourself into that battle?"
--What the Water God says is correct.
But I've already made up my mind.
To create a society that accepts Zashiki-warashi (house spirits) and gradually eliminates discrimination against them.
It was already clear that in that path, they would eventually clash with forces that sought to eliminate zashiki-warashi (house spirits) and other supernatural beings.
In that case, there's no need to hesitate now.
I raised my left fist and forcefully struck my own right chest.
A dull thud echoed in the underground lake, eventually fading away amidst the sounds of the lake's .揺蕩Tayuta
"I've already made up my mind! When I came to this world and decided to live with Ichi!! And when I learned about Osamu's circumstances and decided to take her with me on this journey through life!!!"
Then he thrust his left fist in front of his nose and slowly opened it.古竜Koryu
"If you truly live to protect others, then lend me your strength to create a society where people can be human and find happiness!"
≪...Let me ask you just one thing.≫
The water god slowly raised his head like a snake and asked:
"By revealing myself, I too will bear risks. Are there any benefits that outweigh the risks?"
I kept my outstretched hand and said with a smile:
"When I said to the Water God, 'It's been a long time,' he said, 'For me, who has lived for such a long time, it's as if it happened just a moment ago.' If you cooperate with me, I and my descendants will appear before you at least once a year. From what I've seen so far, you seem to be quite eager to talk."
"...Interesting, alright."
The dragon that lives beneath Lake Biwa announces in a low voice, seemingly enjoying itself.
"So... what are your plans for the timing of this date?"