A/N: Howdy Everyone!!! I'm back for this weekend's updates!
Here is Chapter 76 along with chapter 26 rewrite.
Chapter 76 although it was fun write, the complex way to do the 'talks' made me stumble for like almost 3 days.. it made me almost think I won't be able to finished it on time. But after some miracle, I finish it.... I slept happily that night.
While Chapter 26, I finished it right way. It was so fun to write that I almost made it too long so I slip the chapter. So I can say that Chapter 27 rewrite is done... now just need to finish Chapter 77.....
anyways! that's all for my rumblings! Go and read this chapters and have fun as much as I did!
Do let me know your thoughts afterwards, it will be really helpful.
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Yasaka glanced at the newly arrived group with a look that was equal parts apologetic and resigned.
"My sincerest apologies for this... rather unusual situation," she said with a gentle bow. "It seems that Amaterasu-sama finds Nagumo-sama's presence… a bit overwhelming."
She leaned slightly to the side, whispering with measured firmness behind her sleeve. "Amaterasu-sama, your guest has arrived. Please stop hiding behind me like a frightened shrine maiden."
From behind Yasaka's kimono, Amaterasu peeked out with wide, almost childlike eyes. Her golden irises shine with divine unease as they locked onto Hajime's gaze. The moment their eyes met, she gasped and immediately ducked back behind Yasaka.
"HIIIIIIEEEEE!!! He looked right at me, Yasaka-chan! I felt my soul jolt! That person could absolutely send me back into the myth! I haven't felt this kind of pressure since Susanoo broke all my favorite combs!!"
Sagiri opened her mouth, closed it again, then leaned slightly toward Alice. "She… she can really feel it, can't she?"
Alice gave a subtle nod, keeping her expression as straight as possible. "This is a natural reaction.... being able to tell that Hajime is a Godslayer I mean....."
Anisphia tilted her head, her tone light and slightly amused. "So… the meeting's on hold because the sun wants to hide in a cave...... Again."
Yasaka sighed deeply, casting a look between her trembling goddess and the awkward godslayer who hadn't moved from his spot. "Welcome to Kyoto," she muttered.
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Eventually, all parties settled or at least pretended to. Hajime's group took their seats at one table alongside Sagiri, while Yasaka and Amaterasu sat at the other. Well, technically, Yasaka sat; Amaterasu remained stubbornly crouched behind her, doing her best to become invisible.
For all her divine grace, the sun goddess peeked out every now and then from behind Yasaka's shoulder like a nervous child forced to greet unfamiliar relatives.
Trying to cut through the tension, Alice smiled warmly. "Greetings, Yasaka-sama, Amaterasu-sama. We've brought some snacks for this lovely gathering."
Anisphia followed up with a cheerful grin. "And tea! Brewed through four magical filters. It won't dispel existential dread, but it has a pleasant citrus note."
Yasaka chuckled awkwardly. "They do mean well, Amaterasu-sama."
"Easy for them to say!" Amaterasu hissed from behind her shield. "They didn't feel it! The moment he stepped into the shrine, I felt it! This presence! That pressure! He could unwrite me from the mortal world with a glance!"
Across the table, Hajime kept his expression calm and composed. But inside? He was absolutely done.
How did my life end up like this? He thought. I'm making sun goddesses want to retreat into legend just for showing up...
Sagiri sat to the side, her postures straight but her eyes utterly lost. She didn't know whether to laugh, bow, or politely excuse herself from existence.
Before the awkwardness could stretch too far, the great doors slid open once more.
A new presence entered, light-footed yet composed. With a casual grin, Nurarihyon, the supreme commander of the Kanto Youkai stepped into the hall, radiating equal parts mischief and authority.
He froze mid-step, gaping at the scene before him. Amaterasu hunched awkwardly behind Yasaka.
Yasaka stood and bowed respectfully. "Nurarihyon-dono, thank you for—"
"...Is Amaterasu-sama hiding?" he asked, deadpan.
Before Yasaka could even reply, Amaterasu popped up slightly. "Nurahi!! Finally, you're here!! Come sit beside Yasaka-chan and protect me!! That godslayer is going to unmake me with just a glance!!"
Nurarihyon blinked slowly. "...Yes?"
Hajime let out a long breath. "Please. I don't bite."
"Unless you're a god," Anisphia muttered under her breath with a smirk.
Alice chuckled quietly, gliding a cup of tea to Nurarihyon with practiced grace.
"Not helping, Anis," Hajime muttered, shooting her a tired look.
Nurarihyon finally took his seat beside Yasaka, eyeing Hajime with a blend of curiosity and amusement. He exchanged a look with the fox matriarch, then turned back with an exasperated smile.
"So you're the infamous Godslayer, huh? Normally I'd laugh off rumors like that…" He glanced toward the still-hiding Amaterasu. "But judging by our chief goddess's reaction... there might be some truth to the stories."
Yasaka gave a slow nod, her tone caught between pride and frustration. "Amaterasu-sama is one of the oldest and strongest gods in the Shinto pantheon. Her divine authority is matched by few, across any belief. And yet… here we are."
Amaterasu huffed from behind Yasaka, voice still shaky but sharp. "You don't get to talk! You two aren't gods! You can't feel it—the dread! His very presence screams 'I could end you' just by blinking! Try sitting in the same room with someone who can kill a divine being and smile about it!"
Alice let out a soft laugh, the corners of her eyes crinkling. "Honestly, I wasn't expecting this meeting to feel like a divine sitcom."
Anisphia casually shrugged. "Yeah, I gave up on the formal tone the moment she threatened to hide in a cave. Let's just call this what it is: an anxiety tea party between scared gods and confused visitors."
Alice offered Yasaka a warm, appreciative smile. "Still, Yasaka-sama, Amaterasu-sama, Nurarihyon-sama… thank you for receiving us. Your hospitality means a great deal to us."
Yasaka returned the smile with her usual poise. "We are honored to host guests from beyond the stars—especially ones who bring not only purpose but understanding."
Nurarihyon gave a small grin. "And tea. Never forget the tea."
Alice laughed softly. "That too. Conversations tend to flow better with a touch of citrus and a good cookie."
Taking the lead with her usual grace, she folded her hands over the table and smiled. "Then, with your permission, Yasaka-sama, Nurarihyon-sama… do we need to prepare a calming blend of tea specifically for Amaterasu-sama?"
Amaterasu peeked out again from behind Yasaka, visibly trembling.
Hajime, noticing her distress, tried to soften his posture. He sat straighter, relaxed his shoulders, and offered what he thought was a polite, non-threatening smile.
It didn't work.
Amaterasu went even paler. She flinched and looked like she was about to faint on the spot.
Alice sighed deeply.
Thwack.
Anisphia, without missing a beat, gave Hajime a firm smack on the head with a folded paper fan. "Stop smiling like a final boss about to deliver his monologue."
Hajime winced and rubbed his temple. "...I wasn't trying to look like anything."
Sagiri, seated at the side, looked like her soul had long since floated off into the astral plane.
This is my diplomatic assignment? Really?
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Alice cleared her throat softly, voice gentle. "We sincerely thank you, Yasaka-sama, Nurarihyon-sama, and… Amaterasu-sama," she added with a kind glance toward the goddess still peeking from behind Yasaka's tails. "On behalf of the Nameless of the Astral Express, and our captain Noah Alden, we extend to you our friendship and deepest gratitude for allowing us this opportunity to sit with you all."
She gave a graceful bow, followed by Hajime and Anisphia.
"Please, you're too kind," Yasaka replied with a warm smile. "As we said before, let us treat this meeting as a friendly gathering between newfound companions."
Nurarihyon let out a chuckle. "And do speak casually. Keeping things formal while our sun goddess is still hiding behind tails must be exhausting."
"NURAHI!!" Amaterasu snapped, glaring from behind Yasaka.
That earned a soft laugh from Alice, and a full, mischievous grin from Anisphia.
"Sorry, Alice. Nurarihyon's right. I think my cheeks are about to cramp from holding in my laughter." Anisphia grinned playfully, clearly enjoying herself. "Anyway, just in case you haven't heard it properly, allow me to introduce myself again! I'm Anisphia Wynn Palettia, the crew's resident inventor and magical genius. You can just call me Anis!"
"Hmm, I like this girl's attitude," Nurarihyon chuckled, clearly entertained by her energy.
"Of course you do," Yasaka said with an amused sigh, shaking her head lightly.
Alice offered the pair an apologetic smile. "Please forgive her. She's enthusiastic by nature."
Anisphia perked up again, dramatically pointing across the table. "And this elegant lady beside me is Alice, our diplomatic envoy and supreme negotiator! The one responsible for making sure none of us accidentally sell our souls in a conversation!"
"...Alice Louise Gododdin. And I apologize for our Anis'… blunt delivery," Alice said with a graceful bow.
Next came Hajime, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "...Nagumo Hajime. The crew's mechanic and weaponsmith."
"HIIEE!! H-He makes weapons?! Oh no, he definitely forged god-killing artifacts already! Am I going to be erased by a spatial collapse?!" Amaterasu squeaked, clearly not whispering as she trembled behind Yasaka.
Anisphia barely held back her snort. "Don't worry, he only uses those on bad gods."
But before Amaterasu could spiral any further into her divine panic, Yasaka gently cleared her throat. "It is our pleasure to meet you, Anis-sama, Alice-sama, and Nagumo-sama. Kyoto and all of Japan formally welcomes you."
"Thank you very much," the three replied in polite unison.
"So," Yasaka continued as she lifted her teacup, "aside from our little nation, have you had a chance to visit any of the other countries during your stay?"
"Unfortunately, not yet," Alice answered with a soft smile. "Ever since we arrived and just after we settled in... we were immediately pulled into the Kokabiel incident."
"Oh my," Yasaka said, her brows knitting in concern. "Such unfortunate timing. I do hope that event didn't leave a bad impression of our world."
"Hehehe, no need to worry," Alice replied lightheartedly. "Incidents like those are practically a routine for us. Every world we visit has at least one or two major events that shatter expectations."
"Ah, so then," Nurarihyon leaned in slightly with a curious grin, "would this be your first peaceful stop?"
"Yes! After this meeting, we were thinking of visiting a few local spots and maybe soaking in a good hot spring." Alice smiled.
"Hohoho! That sounds like a fine plan," Nurarihyon chuckled, patting his knee before casting a glance toward Yasaka. "Then, Old Fox, we can't possibly let our guests walk away with mediocre memories, can we? We'll have to give them our finest hospitality."
"Please stop calling me 'Old Fox,' you silly old man," Yasaka huffed, a faint ripple of pressure escaping her aura. "I was already planning to do that without your input."
"Kakakaka! Easy, easy," Nurarihyon said with a nervous laugh, wiping a bit of sweat from his brow.
"Really, there's no need to go out of your way," Alice interjected kindly. "We simply want to experience your world as it is. We're used to moving around a lot, so Sagiri-san is more than enough to guide us."
"That won't do," Yasaka said firmly, folding her arms. "As your hosts, we insist. Anything less than proper treatment would weigh on our conscience."
Woah... politics really are a nasty job, Hajime thought, his eyes narrowing slightly. The way they speak so politely, yet every word hides something underneath.
He glanced at Alice, who was currently smiling and engaging in light-hearted banter with Yasaka and Nurarihyon, two ancient youkai, both easily over a thousand years old.
The way they subtly asked about our group's movements, if we've contacted other factions, our involvement in the Kokabiel incident… and how they insisted on assigning a guide. It's not just hospitality but also surveillance. Hajime let out a sigh in his mind. Thank Pandora I have Alice… I wouldn't last a minute in these kinds of talks. No wonder Anis avoids her kingdom's politics like the plague.
"...I hope our world has treated you kindly?" Nurarihyon asked with a teasing smile, though his eyes remained sharp.
"Ahahaha! Of course!" Anisphia answered with matching energy. "The food's great, the inn we're staying at feels like home, and our housemates—ghosts, youkai, all of them—have been nothing but kind."
She gestured lightly toward Sagiri. "This one here's our housemate. You might even know her. she's Ameno Sagiri, a Chuuma ninja after all."
Yasaka tilted her head with a gentle smile. "Hmm? Is that so? I did hear that the granddaughter of the Ameno clan's matriarch would be escorting our guests. That would be you, then?"
Sagiri gave a polite bow. "Yes, Yasaka-sama. I am Ameno Sagiri, granddaughter of Ameno Shigure." Her voice was respectful as she glanced toward each of them. "It's an honor to meet Yasaka-sama, Nurarihyon-sama… and Amaterasu-sama."
Nurarihyon chuckled, his grin easygoing but sharp beneath the surface. "Hoho~ So that old lady actually sent the Ameno princess herself. She must've thought carefully about this meeting."
Hajime caught it the way Nurarihyon's smile stayed, but his eyes briefly narrowed with intent.
"Ah, no, please…" Sagiri raised her hands a little, modestly. "I'm not a princess or anything grand. I'm just a normal chuuma ninja. Obaba-sama simply felt that someone like me who is close and in contact with them would be best suited to guide our visitors to Amaterasu-sama."
Amaterasu leaned in curiously. "You seem quite young. Fourteen? Fifteen?"
Sagiri hesitated for a breath, then answered with calm composure. "…I'm sixteen this year, Amaterasu-sama."
"Sixteen, is it? Then… are you perhaps already married?" Amaterasu asked with a slight disappointment, catching everyone a little off guard.
"N-Not yet… like Amaterasu-sama said, I'm still young and inexperienced… So marriage at this age is a bit..." Sagiri trailed off, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"I see…" Amaterasu replied, a peculiar glimmer sparking in her eyes.
"Amaterasu-sama," Yasaka said gently, folding her hands in her lap. "These days, young women usually marry around the age of twenty-five to thirty by human standards."
"Ehh? That late already? But isn't it normal for girls to marry as soon as they start bleeding?" Amaterasu asked innocently, tilting her head.
"Ahahaha! That may have been the norm—thousands of years ago, Amaterasu-sama," Nurarihyon chuckled, shaking his head. "Hehehe, despite your age, you really are still a bit innocent, aren't you, Ookami-sama?"
"N-Nurahi!! Are you teasing me again?!" Amaterasu puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms in a pout. "I just didn't realize that much time had passed!"
But then her eyes drifted toward the far end of the table—toward Hajime, who was silently watching the entire exchange.
"Hiiiee!!" With a startled squeak, she vanished again behind Yasaka's fluffy tails, peeking out only with a hint of crimson on her face.
Hmm? When did the topic turn away from us to this world's mystical side? Hajime blinked, then glanced toward Anisphia the one who casually tossed Sagiri's name earlier to steer the conversation.
Anisphia, sensing his gaze, turned and gave him a sweet smile.
SCARY! SO SCARY!! Hajime broke into a cold sweat. She redirected the flow of the conversation so naturally! from investigating us to discussing local powers. As expected from the Princess who always runs away from her royal duties!! She's good!
"This may be a little forward," Yasaka said with polite curiosity, "but if you wouldn't mind, what exactly does your group represent? And why did you choose to visit our humble little world?"
Hajime's eyes widen slightly before settling back. So now they're going straight to the point, huh?
Nurarihyon let out a low hum, swirling his tea. "Indeed. We don't wish to come off as distrustful, but one can't help but wonder, just what does the powerful interstellar guests such as yourselves seek in such an unremarkable world as ours."
Alice smiled from their question, she brought her cup to her lips, taking a sip before speaking. "Your honesty is appreciated. We understand your concerns and we assure you, we hold no offense for being questioned."
"Yep~ after all, this kind of thing usually happens every two or three worlds." Anisphia said with a cheeky grin, taking another bite of her cookie.
That earned a chuckle from Yasaka and Nurarihyon, and even a curious side glance from Amaterasu, who tilted her head slightly.
Alice set her cup down, her voice were filled with pride. "We are known as the Nameless, from the Trailblazer Faction, followers of the Aeon Akivili. We journey across the sea of stars, guided by the three cardinal truths of destiny; The Known, the Unknown, and the Unknowable. We recognize the Known. We can tolerate the Unknown. But we will never bow to the Unknowable."
Even Yasaka, Nurarihyon, Amaterasu, and Sagiri were taken aback by the gravitas in her tone. For a moment, the atmosphere around the group felt heavier, charged with something more.
"Our motto is simple," Hajime added, as he finally spoke. "Explore, Understand, Establish, and Connect."
He then raise a finger before continuing. "'Explore' means diving into the unknown. Traveling through untouched galaxies, seeking out new worlds, new cultures, and new bonds."
"Understand," Anisphia said with a confident smirk. "We aim to unravel the secrets of the universe. Like Alice said, we never bow to the Unknowable."
"Establish," Alice added as she gently sipped her tea before setting it down. "Our crew works to build presence across worlds; to learn from others, form bonds, and, when possible, foster trust and friendship."
Hajime glanced at Yasaka, Nurarihyon, and Amaterasu, offering a brief but sincere smile. "And finally, 'Connect.' That's the heart of it. Whether it's the Astral Express, the people we meet, or the stars we cross… our goal is to build bridges, between people, between cultures, between worlds."
Alice placed her cup back on the table with soft finality. "Every world we visit becomes a part of something bigger. We carry each bond forward. Toward unity, toward hope. I hope that answered your doubts and questions."
"…Such grand ambitions…" Amaterasu murmured, her gaze thoughtful.
Alice chuckled softly. "Amaterasu-sama, it may sound lofty, but this is who we are. The Nameless have always walked this path; our predecessors, and now us. Trailblazing isn't just a job... it's a belief. A promise we continue to keep."
"Trailblazers..." Amaterasu murmured the word slowly, as if savoring it each syllable. Her eyes narrowed slightly, thoughtful.
Alice gave a faint smile, respectful but assured.
Nurarihyon leaned back wide eyed. "So, to put it simply.... you came to our world because you stumbled upon it, got curious, and decided to build a connection with us? Is that what you're saying?"
Alice nodded without hesitation. "Yes. We believe that through Trailblazing, we become part of the world, and that world becomes part of something greater. A shared future, not just observation."
Yasaka and Nurarihyon exchanged a glance. Then Yasaka spoke, tone gentler now. "Then, may I ask... do you come here as allies? Or will you merely watch from the sidelines?"
Nurarihyon added, his voice lower and more serious. "Where do you draw the line? Will you only step in if another crisis like the Kokabiel incident arises?"
Before Alice could answer, Hajime spoke up, with an unwavering will. "We will stand by this world. Because our path was all about moving forward. Like our Captain says Trailblazing means bringing change. Even just by being here, we've already change the fate of this world. So if trouble comes, we won't turn our backs to you and to this world."