Onmyoji, a nobleman in Heian-kyo

Page 638

You can tell at a glance that she has undergone rigorous training; she probably worked as a maid in some noble mansion.

"Try to be careful, the president is a good person." Kikyo Kushida whispered to Honami Ichinose.

Honami Ichinose felt sad, but still gave a soft "hmm".

Although she didn't want to think of things as so sinister, she couldn't survive if she didn't think of them as sinister.

After all, her parents and sister worked very hard every day, and their pay wasn't much. With her talent, they could barely make ends meet.

But this is already a very happy thing...

Therefore, Honami Ichinose has a great obsession with survival.

She couldn't imagine how much her mother's and sister's lives would be affected if something really happened to her.

Another half hour passed.

Those who didn't want to take action stayed on the hill under the protection of Ayanokouji's subordinates.

The others gradually searched for clues about Kiyohime.

"After finding Kiyohime, we need to resolve her tragedy, but how?" Ayanokouji asked Hikigaya with a puzzled expression on the way.

Hikigaya walked with him.

Horikita Gaku traveled with Shijo Emperor.

None of the four intended to linger on the hill and waste time.

"I don't know... We can't just detain Anchin and prevent him from contacting Kiyohime, can we? Perhaps we can only try our best to play the role of 'protector' in the process."

"I was wondering if she would kill us all after we failed..."

"Uh, I don't know." Hachiman remained silent.

Ayanokouji's conjecture wasn't entirely without merit, but since they couldn't get out, they could only complete the mission.

"Let's cover Miss Maki, Ai, and the others as they leave first," Ayanokouji said after a few seconds of contemplation.

Hachiman gave a vague "hmm": "That's pretty much what I think too. Let's try our best to protect the others, because there might be a third or fourth time..."

"I understand."

Ayanokouji understood that Hikigaya was trying to persuade him.

If such challenges arise again in the future, then it is essential to establish a solid foundation of trust with other people who lack the necessary abilities.

Otherwise, if a third test really comes along, and cooperation is required, then things will be very difficult.

"This kind of thing does more harm than good...it doesn't seem to have any benefits."

"Who knows? Someone like Cao entered the circle through traditional aristocratic communication methods and might be able to obtain some unexpected information—if this is really the past, some information that we want to know might be easier to obtain."

“…Huh?” Ayanokouji was stunned.

Having not taken the evil god's wish too seriously, he then discovered other...treasures?!

"If you want to understand the situation in the court, you can start learning now. We are currently in the reign of Emperor Daigo. After the Fujiwara clan used a scheme to demote and exile Suga, they began to gradually move towards the path of power held by the maternal relatives. At this time, internal struggles began within the Fujiwara clan."

Hikigaya then spoke briefly.

I used to read a lot of history books when I was bored, and they are still relevant to this era.

However, when he actually faced it, he didn't know what would happen.

"Could you tell me more about it? I'd like to know more," Ayanokouji asked immediately.

His dull eyes lit up for once.

He only had a general understanding of history, not a deep knowledge of it.

Hachiman asked with a strange expression, "You're planning to become a political aristocrat?"

"No, I just want to learn more. It's better than knowing nothing at all."

"Okay, I understand. I will try my best to tell you what I know."

Hachiman nodded without hesitation.

After thinking for a moment, he added, "Historical knowledge can only be used as a reference."

Ayanokoji: "I know!"

And so, Hikigaya and Ayanokoji began to talk as they walked.

Neither of them showed much interest in the quest issued by Orochi.

In fact.

Kyosuke Kosaka wasn't very interested either.

At the banquet, he casually recited Chinese poems and waka poems, which piqued the interest of the nobles.

He was playing the mystery by trying to keep his background a secret as much as possible.

Since we'll be leaving soon anyway, we should just keep bluffing!

It's noon.

Kyosuke Kosaka allowed the others who were with him to move around freely, while he wandered around with the spider lily in his arms.

Knowing that Kiyohime's father was Masago Seiji, a shoji (prince), he had a general idea.

Now, of course, we should take the spider lily with us for a stroll, lest she become unhappy and attack us again.

"You seem to have quite a good writing style."

"It's all copied; not a single song is original."

"Being able to plagiarize is also a skill~" The red spider lily is very vibrant.

By using the technique provided by Kyosuke Kousaka to reduce her presence, she witnessed a rather interesting scene within the aristocratic circle.

These nobles, whose lifestyles were quite frivolous, were rather interesting compared to the commoners.

The red spider lily is like observing a new species of animal.

In short, it felt very novel!

She had viewed the memories of many people, including soldiers, generals, yin-yang masters, and merchants, but compared to these nobles, she seemed to be lacking.

"Delicious food, fine clothes, beautiful women... these wonderful things belong to the nobility."

"The red spider lily sighed."

Kyosuke Kosaka: "What are you trying to say?"

"I didn't mean anything by it~ I just wanted to give a compliment~ Through the aristocratic circle, I've seen many things I've never seen before, it's amazing."

“Speak freely, there’s no need to be polite. I am also a member of the nobility.”

"You are a little different from them," the spider lily said with a smile.

She clearly sensed that this group of people were very similar to Kyosuke Kosaka.

Where exactly are they similar?

She couldn't explain it clearly.

It is understood that Kyosuke Kousaka is very likely connected to these people in some way.

But the red spider lily doesn't care about any of that.

She likes fun things.

What still interests me is—my obsession.

Coincidentally, these individuals, each with their own distinct personality, all possessed extremely strong convictions.

What exactly is it? The red spider lily is eager to find out.

Of course, she's just observing now, saying nothing and doing nothing.

evening.

The temple fair has started again.

Today is the second day.

The three-day temple fair is a rare feast for this place all year round!

Whether commoners or nobles, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the event.

"What exactly is the purpose of holding this temple fair?" The other shore flower fiddled with the fox wood carving in her hand, as if talking to the air.

Kousaka Kyosuke thought for a moment and said:

"It is to promote activity within the territory. Currently, the currency issued by the imperial court is still being promoted. Many people do not understand the existence of currency and barter instead."

"And the nobles, following the imperial court's orders, established markets to purchase grain and pay with currency, and then opened shops to earn back all that currency..."

The red spider lily smiled enigmatically: "You really know a lot about this."

"I made that up."

"If it sounds reasonable, then it's not just made up."

"Yes, yes~" another voice chimed in from the side.