Chapter 40: Decision and Arrival

He offers up his help to just about anybody. He might not have the looks of it, but he is a person that can't leave a struggling individual be it a human or an animal.

Abundance of the Harvest season, The Fall. It's what he and his position represents. The Ninth Herald from the past up to the present, all have the same principles of giving help to those in need. That also means they should have something to give, hence the establishment of a Business Empire.

Kirisame Magnolia is a man of boldness, intelligence, charity, and also strictness. Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime. That was his principle compared to his ancestors, mixed with his sharp tongue.

With an attitude like his, some people will find him rude, but the majority appreciates and somehow revered him for it. As time flew by, he hasn't realized how many people's lives he has changed.

He was a man who had everything. Well, he hasn't lost anything up to this day, but he is about to. Masks give strength, the phenomena of making impossible things become possible.

It was a miracle for the majority. However, as everyone could see, there are also those who are cursed by it. Zaiaku was such an example.

Break! Bam!

A sound of destruction. A screeching echo can also be heard.

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"

Even with a power that could be deemed as God-like, a Heraldic Mask could easily destroy its holder as soon as their concept and resolve are not aligned with each other. Or if the power residing within it, is beyond the user's control–

–and as for Kirisame Magnolia, there was only one thing from keeping himself 'human' up to this day. It was his 'love'. Love for his work, for the things he had always done. To clear one thing, he was not an evil person.

He clutches something from his face as he shows a pained and indignant expression.

"Damn you…!"

It's as if he's being tortured by something.

Kirisame trudges towards his car after making a brief stop. Fortunately, there are no people on the road to see him like this. As he returned inside his vehicle, Kirisame looked up at the mirror and observed a transparent figure, forming in an incomprehensible way on his face.

"You're not going to take me…"

Kirisame would then punch the gas and leave the area in a hurry. The direction of where he is going is pointing towards…Hokuto.

— — —

"Kirisame...wait, does it mean that you're a spy he stationed here?"

Yato inquired as he was severely confused as of this moment.

"Haha, no you are mistaken. He has no need for a spy, or does he even want to. I am just one of the many individuals that was saved by him a long time ago." Anyone can see how grateful Toshi is to his benefactor after seeing his expression.

Toshi then continued.

"All of us here are the people who have been saved by him a long time ago. Now from what the others have observed, Lord Kirisame is not doing well lately."

Yato raises a brow.

"And what makes them say that?"

The man besides Toshi speaks up.

"If you'll let me. My name is Kubo, and I am one of Lord Kirisame's envoys. I've already worked with Milord for over a decade, so I know if something is bothering him."

Kubo looks down before he continues.

"...well, bothering is an understatement. It feels like something is already wrong with his state. He was always in pain and volatile even if everything seemed fine. His past self is now but a fragment of what he has become today."

Kiyoto and Yato went speechless for a moment. Yato would then observe their reaction, seeing what expression they have, it looks like what Kubo just said is true.

"I don't mean to criticize him, but what if it's just his true self showing?"

Of course, Toshi and Kubo did not appreciate that remark. Although, Yato is someone who doesn't really know Kirisame, so they ought to understand where he's coming from.

Kubo replied.

"No. Lord Kirisame has already helped a lot of people in his own way, just like his ancestors. Something is being a trigger towards that change and the pain he is currently experiencing."

"...and I guess you know what that is?"

Toshi nodded.

"As a Kannushi, I have heard information and remarks regarding the history of the Masks. The Tenth and Ninth Herald has an opposite but interconnected concept–"

If the Ninth Herald's Mask was of Abundance with connection to Fall, then the concept of the Fox Mask was the vibrant blessings of which the harvests grow in Spring. But how are the two exactly opposed to each other?

The Fox Mask is now on the verge of losing its authority and power. Despite the efforts of the people and the rituals they're currently having, the Mask is still becoming less potent for an unknown reason.

If Spring ended without a harvest. Then the Fall shall not be abundant. With the Fox Mask losing power, it would only be logical that the Mask of the Ninth Herald will be affected in a drastic way.

Thus, a ritual has been proposed. This ritual will be held in Jissoji Temple, whereas the Head Priestess will be performing a Kagura dance under the Great Yamataka Jindai, while Kirisame shall be placed inside the sanctum.

It will be done before the Cherry Blossoms bloom. The Great Yamataka Jindai Zakura shall be subjected for a blessing, and all its leaves will be guided into the sanctum by which Kirisame awaits to be healed.

As for his part, he will then spread the power of his abundance into the Sacred Sanctum and into all of Yamanashi, which will likely help return the full authority of the Fox Mask.

"I see…so the one who proposed the ritual-"

"It was me."

Toshi confessed.

"What about the attacks? And the bypassing of the Torii gates?"

Yato inquires further.

"Haha, dear envoy, do you think that the ritual has been approved by everyone? It was but a minority of us that agreed upon it. So we had a thought, we need them to be more desperate about bringing their dear Fox Mask's power back."

Kiyoto reacted.

"By…causing destruction…you mean."

Toshi narrows his eyes and crosses his arms.

"We were not meant to harm anyone, it was just really a distraction to bypass more Torii gates, but the guards responded quickly. Bypassing the Torii gates will make them think that it's getting weaker and will blame the dampening of the Fox Mask."

"So they'll consider the ritual some more, huh?"

Yato theorized.

"Precisely."

Toshi answered.

"I surmised we will be receiving news about the decision tomorrow. Since I've brought it up with them and it seems like they're on the verge of agreeing. I just want the two of you to turn a blind eye on this and don't let your Ruler get in the way."

Kiyoto responded.

"What's Akafuyu got to do with this?"

"About the previous dream that the Head Priestess had. She said that someone with a Powerful Mask will change the course of all that will soon transpire."

"And you think that's Akafuyu? Isn't it closer to Kirisame since he's the one about to restore the land as you said?"

"The Head Priestess does not approve of Lord Kirisame entering the sanctum."

Kiyoto and Yato were both surprised.

"Huh?"

"She said that it will only bring more chaos as per her dream. But the Fox Mask is not potent anymore, it's inaccurate. Lord Kirisame, as the interconnected Herald and with the power of Abundance, is the most logical solution for the land. And at the same time, it might help him resolve what he's currently experiencing."

"That's all just a logical gues–"

"No, everything was lined up. The two Heralds will be able to help each other and their people. What is there to disapprove of?"

Toshi speaks seriously. It seems like he's not backing down anymore.

"We have already informed Lord Kirisame with the ritual and he seems to be joining us tomorrow."

Kubo announced.

"He is?"

Yato asked with doubt.

"Yes. With the pain he is enduring right now, Lord Kirisame might see this as an opportunity to get rid of his agony as well as helping the people of Yamanashi."

Kubo proudly remarked.

Although with all that said, Yato begins to question something. He thought to himself: 'Something is not right, Kirisame agreed with just that and is now on his way? This isn't like him. And what the hell is his mask anyway!?'

Yato then asked another question.

"So, do the two of you know what kind of Mask Kirisame has? Or have you seen it yourselves?"

"No we haven't seen it yet, but it has the concept of Abundance. Why, why is it important to you?" Toshi inquisitively asked in return.

"No it's not, I'm just curious."

Yato scratches his head and had another thought: 'Abundance isn't all good, until we know the truth of his mask, the ritual thing would be disastrous.'

"What do we do if we decline?"

Kiyoto inquired which made Yato snap out of his thoughts.

Toshi sighed.

"I don't know why you would still decline after hearing all that, but well if you did…we'll still let the two of you walk away since we're buddies. But you will be watched closely, and we'll treat you as hostile if we have to."

Everyone sharpens their eyes. Yato then steadily stands himself up.

"If that's the case, I think we'll have to agree. We're just going to watch things happen and have our Lord Akafuyu enjoy her vacation right?"

Kiyoto looks up to him as he says his statement.

"That's right. I think it's just an easy and agreeable task to do."

"Alright then."

Yato gestured to Kiyoto to stand up as he decided that they're good to leave.

"Can I trust your word on this?"

Toshi wanted to make sure before the two of them leave.

"Yeah, sure. We have nothing to lose if we agree anyway."

Yato then opens the door and proceeds to walk outside. Toshi and Kubo, who was still sitting inside can be seen doubting his words after careful observation of their expressions.

"Toshi-san. I respect you…I know you have no ill intentions and just wanted to help both parties. But you're more in favor of Kirisame. If that becomes a problem–"

Kiyoto clenches his fist and faces Toshi.

"-then I'll not just stand by."

"....."

The room was filled with silence. Kiyoto then followed Yato and finally left the area peacefully, without any of the members stopping them.

As time passed by, Habiki the bard and Millie the cat went inside.

"How did it go?"

Millie asked.

Kubo looks at Toshi who is sipping his tea at a leisurely pace. He then puts the now empty cup over the table and looks up at the ceiling.

"I…have no idea how it went."

As time peacefully passed by the night, morning came in quickly. The day where a decision will be made.

As for Kiyoto and Yato who have gathered quite a load of useful information and Akafuyu who had been warned by Miko, they had their own discussion afterwards.

Meanwhile, a car stopped in front of Yamanashi's Torii gate. The Guardian approached the vehicle and saw a familiar person inside. The person then stepped out of the car and introduced himself.

"I have no need for introductions, but I'll do it for formality. My name is Kirisame Magnolia. I'm here for the ritual."

As soon as he finished his brief introduction, a blurry figure can be seen appearing and disappearing in his face. Its shape–

–is of a flower.