Chapter 414: Entering the castle

Tenshukaku, the highest point in Inazuma City, and indeed the entire nation of Inazuma.

Every resident of Inazuma City could look up and see the towering Tenshukaku. It had stood there in the past, stood there now, and would continue to stand there in the future.

If there was anything in Inazuma that could be said to be eternal, it was Tenshukaku.

Because the Shogun resided there.

To reach Tenshukaku from the main gate, one had to cross a bridge and then ascend a long corridor. Along the way, samurai guards stood watch, protecting the Shogun and maintaining the tranquility of Tenshukaku.

Of course, everyone knew that Inazuma didn't need to protect the Shogun—it was the Shogun who protected Inazuma.

The samurai guards were there to prevent the Shogun from being disturbed by irrelevant individuals. They safeguarded the peace of Tenshukaku.

But...

"They're so weak. What can guards like these really protect?"

Li Mo moved forward, effortlessly defeating every samurai guard in a single encounter. Even the strongest among them were nothing more than ordinary people to him.

Defeating them was trivial.

The guards further up hadn't noticed the commotion below, but by the time they saw Li Mo, it was already too late. They fell into a deep slumber before they could react.

Even though magic related to other worlds, such as religion or fairy tales, couldn't be used here, Li Mo had grasped the essence of magic. By drawing on the existing culture of this world, he could create similar magical techniques.

Inazuma was not lacking in tales of ghosts and monsters. In the distant past, Inazuma had even witnessed the "Night Parade of One Hundred Demons." In an era with limited entertainment, these stories were passed down through generations.

However, most of these techniques relied on brute force. Without worrying about mana consumption, Li Mo had developed a variety of practical spells.

Kamisato Ayaka overheard Li Mo's assessment of the guards.

She wanted to say that the guards weren't actually weak. While they were fewer in number than the Tenryou Commission's forces, their strength was considerable. They were among the elite, and she herself wouldn't have been able to handle them as effortlessly as the shrine priest had.

Perhaps Kujou Sara could.

Among the younger generation, Kujou Sara was far ahead in terms of martial prowess.

After all, she was a tengu.

"Isn't Tenshukaku a bit too high? I think it could be half as tall and still serve its purpose," Li Mo remarked.

"Tenshukaku has always been here, Your Excellency."

"Has it? The higher you go, the colder it gets..."

Li Mo sighed.

Was Ei destined to be alone?

No, perhaps she had already felt alone for centuries.

Her sister had died, her closest friends had perished, and Inazuma lay in ruins. When she looked around, the only familiar face left was that of the young fox from long ago. The happiness she once held in her hands had turned to sand, slipping through her fingers.

She had become alone.

But thinking about it this way, didn't Yae Miko, that lazy fox, bear some responsibility?

Considering the blank slate of the past few centuries, and the fact that history books wouldn't record their private interactions, who could say what had truly happened during those years?

Lost in thought, Li Mo passed the drowsing guards and arrived at the entrance of Tenshukaku.

The rain continued to fall. To prevent the guards from catching a fever or worse, Li Mo had moved them to sheltered areas, just as he had done with the Tenryou Commission officers.

The only exception was Kujou Takayuki. Li Mo hadn't bothered with the old man.

A clown like him could die for all he cared.

The entrance to Tenshukaku was blocked.

"Who goes there? Hmm? The White Heron Princess? You've brought a criminal here, trespassing into Tenshukaku and disturbing the Shogun's peace. Do you know what crime you've committed?!"

Kujou Sara, the tengu raised by the Kujou Clan, stood firm, barring their way.

Kamisato Ayaka didn't respond. At this moment, the initiative lay with Li Mo, not with her.

She was merely an observer, and could only be an observer.

Kujou Sara's attention was fixed on the shrine priest before her.

"Kujou Sara, right?"

"Who are you?"

"The shrine priest of the Grand Narukami Shrine. I have business with the Raiden Shogun."

Kujou Sara narrowed her eyes and gripped her bow. "If you wish to meet the Shogun, you must submit a formal request. The Shogun will decide."

She could sense the hostility emanating from the shrine priest. All the guards along the way had been incapacitated, though she didn't understand how. But it was clear that he was a formidable enemy.

A shrine priest from the Grand Narukami Shrine?

If he was from the shrine, why was he resorting to such extreme measures?

"Is the Shogun speaking with someone?"

"That's none of your concern."

Li Mo glanced sideways and noticed Kujou Sara's Vision. Those who possessed Visions had a certain resistance to his magic. Combined with his earlier actions, his credibility in her eyes had plummeted.

The fact that she hadn't attacked yet was already a sign of respect.

In truth, Li Mo knew how to avoid a fight—he could simply produce the appointment letter from centuries ago. But...

"I don't feel like talking."

He moved.

Kujou Sara was no ordinary opponent. She could see Li Mo's speed.

Lightning enveloped her body—Kujou Sara wielded an Electro Vision.

Black wings appeared—the wings of a tengu.

But in the next moment, Kujou Sara felt pain. Though she had sensed his speed, she suddenly found herself immobilized, as if rooted to the spot. Then, she was grabbed by the shoulders and slammed into the wall of Tenshukaku.

"The tengu clan... In the end, this city is now home to oni, tengu, and even celestial foxes. It's a pity that the grandeur of centuries past hasn't returned."

Li Mo revealed his tails.

Nine white fox tails swayed behind him, and his white fox ears were clearly visible.

"Kujou Sara, out of respect for your loyalty, I advise you not to act rashly. If you have questions, you can ask Ayaka.

Ayaka, come here. Take these documents and have a good talk with Kujou Sara."

He pulled out a stack of files from his inventory—evidence of Kujou Takayuki's correspondence with the Fatui, obtained from the Tenryou Commission.

Handing the documents to Kamisato Ayaka, Li Mo said, "The restraints on Kujou Sara will lift in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. I don't know why you followed me, Ayaka, but it doesn't matter. From here, you'll have to stop."

Li Mo turned and pushed open the door, entering Tenshukaku.

Kujou Sara watched his retreating figure, seeing something she could hardly believe.

Kamisato Ayaka, standing nearby, said, "Did you notice? For a moment, he seemed just like the Shogun."

"Who is he?"

"The shrine priest of the Grand Narukami Shrine, someone trusted by Lady Guuji. And... perhaps someone who wishes for Inazuma's prosperity," Kamisato Ayaka replied.

Kujou Sara fell into a brief silence.

In Li Mo's figure, she had caught a glimpse of the Shogun's shadow. Though he was a celestial fox, he truly resembled the Shogun.

"Lady Kujou Sara, let's discuss these documents. They contain things you've been unaware of."

Kamisato Ayaka skimmed through the files in her hands and began to explain to the immobilized Kujou Sara...