Hearing the man's story, the three young Onmyōji exchanged uncertain glances. Judging from his tone and body language, it didn't seem like he was lying.
If his words were true, then a being capable of controlling humans in their dreams—forcing them to perform unconscious sacrificial rituals—was no ordinary entity, whether demon or yōkai.
"Lord Kaede, I think we should inform our masters and let them handle this matter," one of the boys said solemnly.
Another nodded in agreement. "Yes, this isn't something we can resolve on our own. I support Shōta's suggestion."
However—Hanakaiin Kaede spoke up. "Sir, may I ask your name?"
"Onmyōji-sama, my name is Kurotsuchi Takeshi."
"Mr. Kurotsuchi," Kaede said, sitting upright, his tone firm but respectful. "Would you be willing to take us to the place from your dream? I don't doubt your words, but if we can gather tangible evidence, it will help persuade my master to take your case seriously."
Upon hearing this, Kurotsuchi Takeshi's eyes filled with gratitude, and he bowed deeply. "Thank you, honored masters. The place I mentioned lies beyond the city, outside the mountains. It's an abandoned shrine—not far from here. We can reach it within half a day."
"An abandoned shrine in the mountains?" Kaede turned toward Satsuki and said, "Lady Shrine Maiden, could I trouble you to inform Lord Keimei of the Department of Astronomy that the three of us are heading out for an investigation?"
"That won't be a problem," Satsuki replied calmly. "But are you sure the three of you will be enough?"
With the keen perception of her Tenseigan, Satsuki could see immediately what was truly happening with the man.
He was indeed cursed by some yōkai, and everything he had described was genuine—at least within his own subjective reality.
But that raised a question: if this had been happening for seven days straight, why had he only now decided to report it to the shrine?
Evidently, none of the three young Onmyōji had noticed that particular detail. Satsuki didn't bother to point it out either. After all, the malicious energy from the man's curse wasn't particularly strong—at least not compared to the powerful demons she had encountered before.
Still, based on the intensity of the curse surrounding him, the being behind it was likely comparable in strength to the Thunder Beast she had once seen—a near high-level yōkai.
Of course, that would be under normal circumstances. From Kurotsuchi's description, the culprit's current state was far from full power—otherwise, those samurai in the dream could never have broken the curse so easily.
Soon, the three young Onmyōji gathered their ritual implements and departed with Kurotsuchi Takeshi in tow. Satsuki, meanwhile, made her way toward the main sanctuary of the shrine to visit the statue of Ōmiyame-no-Ōkami and to find the "Lord Keimei" the boy had mentioned earlier.
In such a vast and prosperous shrine, finding the main hall was no difficult task—all she needed to do was follow the crowd.
Passing through the densely lined vermilion torii gates—the famed "Thousand Torii"—she reached the entrance to Inari Mountain. From there, a path led upward toward the summit, the entire trail flanked by rows upon rows of crimson gates.
Each torii had been donated by those offering thanks for fulfilled prayers. The miraculous efficacy of Ōmiyame-no-Ōkami had made this shrine flourish, with the number of torii growing to the hundreds and thousands.
Hence the name, "The Thousand Torii."
When Satsuki reached the outer precinct of the main hall, her Tenseigan instantly perceived the fierce divine aura and sacred barrier surrounding the structure. One of the nodes of the spiral seal was located precisely within the main sanctuary itself.
Seeing the formation, Satsuki murmured inwardly, "No wonder the divine domain of Fushimi Inari Shrine feels so narrow. Most of the shrine's divine power is being used to sustain that seal."
Through her Tenseigan's vision, she could tell that the collective wish power and faith energy here far surpassed even that of Katori Shrine—let alone Yasaka Shrine, hidden deep in the western wilderness.
However, in terms of domain range and divine strength, this Amatsukami was clearly much weaker than the other two deities.
The difference in divine strength was, of course, partly due to distinctions in divine rank and authority. But the greater reason lay in the fact that this deity had to constantly channel her own divine power into maintaining the incomplete spiral sealing node—converting it into purifying energy. This created a paradoxical scene where the shrine radiated both holiness and clarity, yet its divine domain appeared comparatively weak.
Satsuki approached one of the Onmyōji stationed nearby, offering a polite nod before asking, "Honored Onmyōji, I have an important matter and must meet with Lord Keimei of the Department of Astronomy. Is he available at the moment?"
The Onmyōji, maintaining formal courtesy, replied, "May I ask what business brings you here, Lady? Lord Keimei is currently in a meeting with guests inside the main hall. I'll need to announce your visit first."
"Mm~ Just tell him this," Satsuki said calmly. "Three of his disciples have just gone out to investigate an incident that may involve the work of an evil spirit."
"Three of his disciples?"
"Yes. One of them is named Hanakaiin Kaede."
"Ah, from that family, is he? Only that young master would be bold enough to act on his own. Please wait here, Lady—I'll go inform Lord Keimei at once."
Moments later, the Onmyōji returned from within the main hall and bowed respectfully. "Lady, Lord Keimei invites you inside to meet with him."
Nodding slightly, Satsuki followed the Onmyōji into the hall where the statue of Ōmiyame-no-Ōkami was enshrined.
Within, a middle-aged Onmyōji dressed in hunting robes sat upright upon a cushion before an incense altar. From his body, Satsuki's Tenseigan could clearly perceive the flow of strong spiritual energy—comparable in intensity to that of the Saigū from Katori Shrine. It was evident this man possessed considerable power.
However, when Satsuki's golden eyes shifted toward the person seated opposite him, a faint glint flashed across her gaze.
It was a woman—dressed entirely in black, like Satsuki herself. Her beauty was striking. Long, straight black hair cascaded to her waist, shimmering faintly in the surrounding light. Her pure obsidian eyes concealed an emotionless cruelty. Unlike the attire of this era, her outfit—a modern black dress paired with black stockings—clung to her flawless figure, emphasizing every graceful curve.
The moment Satsuki looked at her, the woman seemed to sense it as well. Slowly, she turned her head, and their gazes met.
Instantly, something electric passed between them.
A faint smile curved the woman's lips as she spoke in a low, enchanting tone, her voice carrying a dangerous allure.
"Today… Kyoto seems to have welcomed quite a few interesting existences."
—Indeed, quite interesting.
Satsuki calmly withdrew her gaze from the mysterious woman before her, then turned to inform the Onmyōji, Keimei, about the three young apprentices who had gone out to investigate, and described the strange dream in detail.
Upon hearing Satsuki's account, the Onmyōji known as Hanakaiin Keimei immediately realized the gravity of the matter.
"Foolishness! This is not an incident they should be meddling in!"
Without hesitation, he summoned several Onmyōji from outside and ordered them to take ritual tools and go retrieve their junior disciples at once.
Satsuki did not specify the location, yet Keimei seemed to already know where the incident had taken place.
Indeed, it appeared that the Onmyōji of Heian-kyō were not all incompetent fools.
Thinking this, Satsuki's golden eyes drifted once more toward the black-clad woman, her mind quietly adding, "Though their capability still seems… limited."
Perhaps feeling the moment was no longer suitable, or simply because her mood had shifted, the woman in black let out a soft, sultry laugh. Rising gracefully from her cushion, she said, "It seems our conversation will have to end here for today."
"My apologies, Lady," said Keimei with a polite bow. "Though the Department of Astronomy is skilled in observing celestial phenomena, our power is limited. I beg your pardon."
But the woman did not look disappointed in the slightest. Instead, she stepped forward with elegant poise, her high heels gliding lightly over the tatami. The black silk that encased her legs shimmered faintly under the lantern light as she walked toward Satsuki, whose sheer tights similarly highlighted the elegant lines of her legs.
Compared to the black-clad woman, Satsuki appeared especially more alluring—her seven-inch heels accentuating the curves of her body in a way not typical even in the modern era, where such footwear is generally reserved for special occasions or intentional seduction. It was no surprise she had earlier been mistaken for an oiran.
When the two women—both draped in pure black and visually captivating—passed one another, the woman stopped for a brief moment, turning her head slightly with an enigmatic smile.
"There's no need to apologize," she said in a voice both low and alluring. "For today, I've already received an unexpected delight."
With a soft, musical laugh, she turned and departed from the shrine's main hall, leaving behind only the lingering scent of perfume blended with the subtle trace of Satsuki's own fragrance.
Now, only Satsuki and Keimei remained.
"You must be Lady Satsuki, the shrine maiden accompanying Yasaka Shrine this time," said Keimei respectfully. "I've already received word from them—a shrine maiden with black hair, golden eyes, and a noble bearing. Indeed, it's easy to recognize you at a glance."
Satsuki was unsurprised that he knew her identity. After all, Yasaka Shrine's return this time was a major event, and it was natural for the accompanying members to be reported.
She nodded in acknowledgment and asked evenly, "Master Keimei, forgive my rudeness, but that woman just now—who was she?"
"That lady? I'm afraid I don't know," Keimei admitted, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. It seemed that even speaking with such a woman at close range had been a trial for him. "But she's a guest personally recommended by a certain high-ranking noble. I dare not inquire further."
"I see."
Hearing that, Satsuki asked no more. Clearly, even Keimei knew little of the woman's true identity—which, given his level and experience, was perhaps for the best.
Having said that, Satsuki stated her true purpose—to pay her respects to the deity Ōmiyame-no-Ōkami, enshrined at Fushimi Inari Shrine.
Such a request, naturally, Keimei did not refuse and began making immediate arrangements.
It was worth noting that since Ōmiyame-no-Ōkami presided over agriculture and commerce, countless worshippers visited the shrine each day. To accommodate them, multiple statues of the deity had been established throughout the complex—acting as extensions or "divine avatars" to receive the prayers of the masses.
These smaller shrines were scattered across the grounds, with devotees choosing locations according to the difficulty of their wishes. The higher up the mountain one went, the greater the power—and the stronger the faith required.
Of course, the most spiritually potent was the primary statue of Ōmiyame-no-Ōkami, enshrined behind the main hall at the mountain's summit.
However, that main statue was not open to ordinary worshippers.
Satsuki's case, however, was different. As a shrine maiden representing Yasaka Shrine, her visit was not one of agricultural or commercial devotion but rather a form of diplomatic courtesy.
Though one shrine served the Kunitsukami and the other the Amatsukami, both were sacred domains—and for priests, such distinctions were matters they dared not comment upon. To them, all deities were simply revered "Highnesses."
Thus, the rites differed between ordinary pilgrims and visiting shrine maidens. At Fushimi Inari Shrine, shrine maidens from elsewhere were required to undergo a purification ritual before paying respects to Ōmiyame-no-Ōkami's true form. However, since Satsuki was not of their own shrine, the degree of formality in the ritual could be made… flexible.
For instance, members of the shrine itself were required to perform strict rites before facing their own deity—three days of incense bathing, fasting, and purification. But for outsiders, a symbolic gesture was usually sufficient.
Satsuki was already well aware of such customs. After all, Fushimi Inari Shrine, situated in Kyoto, was a grand and formal institution, its rituals far more refined than those of Yasaka Shrine, which often found itself entangled in warfare in the western regions.
Under Master Keimei's direction, preparations for the ceremony were made with remarkable efficiency. Before long, a bathing kimono was ready, and Satsuki was escorted by a shrine maiden to a mountain spring behind the main hall.
The shrine maiden, clad in the traditional red and white robes, bowed respectfully and said, "Lady Satsuki, the deity's seat lies further up this mountain path. Once you have completed the incense and bathing rite, please ring the bell to summon me. I will then guide you up to the shrine for your audience."
"Thank you," Satsuki replied softly.
Once the shrine maiden left, Satsuki turned toward the mountain spring, her golden eyes reflecting the twilight glow descending upon the mountaintop vista. She set the ceremonial robe aside.
Of course, she had no intention of bathing. As one who bore the body of the Demon Buddha, her form was already untouched by dust or impurity. Immersing herself in the spring would serve no purpose whatsoever.
Instead, she spoke calmly into the air, her voice resonating faintly through the spiritual domain. "Enough playing around, Ruri, Sesshōmaru—come here."
—"Ah, really? I just finished sampling thirteen local snacks, and you're already calling us back? Such a shame. According to my calculations, there are still sixty-eight other delicacies in this city I haven't tried yet. Sesshōmaru, wouldn't you like to taste a few?"
—"Pointless. Human food doesn't suit my palate."
A vortex of demonic energy suddenly formed beside Satsuki, and from within stepped Ruri and Sesshōmaru.
Under normal circumstances, such a spatial transfer through yōki would be impossible within the divine domain of Ōmiyame-no-Ōkami. Yet, none of the three seemed surprised in the least.
As soon as Sesshōmaru emerged, his nose twitched. His expression darkened in distaste. "Why is there such a strong fox stench here?"
"Fox scent?" Ruri immediately lifted the hem of her violet kimono and began sniffing furiously. "That doesn't make sense! I only borrowed the Nine-Tails' power, not her body!"
Satsuki gave a faint smile at Ruri's theatrics while Sesshōmaru, clearly uninterested, ignored her antics and looked toward Satsuki instead.
"This place lies within the main sanctuary of Ōmiyame-no-Ōkami," Satsuki explained evenly. "A fox scent is only natural—one of the deity's avatars is a fox."
Then, her tone shifted subtly, her golden eyes glinting with quiet amusement.
"Besides," she added, "I happened to meet a rather interesting little creature just now."