Chapter 34

Kyoto. Yasaka's Palace.

I sat in the seiza position in one of the rooms of the palace and sipped my tea with a calm expression on my face, even though I'm an avid coffee drinker. The moon was shining unusually bright that night, eliminating the need for an alternative light source. The sounds of fireflies permeated the room, and the warmth of the tea cup warmed my skin.

So, today's incident aside, I need to think about how exactly to deal with Kokabiel and Excalibur.

The Fallen can be dealt with without too much trouble, as his role isn't important enough to proceed with caution. He's just the catalyst for the Biblical faction's peace treaty. I haven't met him yet, so it's too early to draw conclusions about his personality. What if he also doesn't fit the canon as well as Riser? Who knows, who knows.

According to the description from the anime, he's a typical war-crazed villain, without any clarification in the narrative. And I wouldn't want to let him go to waste without figuring out his motives. Cao Cao and his gang reeked of arrogance and a kind of madness, just like the recently met Shalba. They didn't have any deep thoughts or thoughtful motivation, as was the case with Riser. And considering that Kokabiel, though fallen, is still an angel, I highly doubt his mind is as illogical and clouded as the first two.

I think I should get him into a conversation sometime to get a better idea of what exactly his goal is.

The Excalibur thing is both complicated and simple at the same time. I'll definitely get all seven of his reshaped shards, even the Excalibur of Control that Arthur currently possesses, as well as making it whole again with the help of Merlin and Emiya under Muramasa's influence, but then what's next?

Leave it in the hands of the local factions? Nope. The other supernatural factions, upon learning that the sword is unified again, will try to pull something, as the balance of power will change. Although the local Excalibur isn't as strong as Artoria's, it's still powerful enough to pose a threat to mystical beings. A noble Phantasm of rank B. Maybe B+ at most. Durability is very lame when you consider it in his shards, though.

Morgana, Artoria, Merlin, Lancelot, and even Mordred wouldn't mind the idea of keeping the sword in my care, but then the Biblical faction would lose an effective weapon and an important asset in its face.

And all would have been simple, were it not for Alaya's restrictions. In the absence of them, my hands would be completely free, and Trihexa wouldn't be a problem, as two EX-ranked Noble Phantasms from two Great Servants at once would wipe her out in a second. But unfortunately, I'm still limited in what I can do.

I need to start testing my theories on circumventing the rule of relative non-interference in the plot as soon as possible, or else there will be more and more of these situations. Although, they're going to be that way anyway, given the intensity of the story arcs.

I took a sip to calm my mind and looked into my cup.

- You may enter, Ms. Ninja," I said, still not taking my gaze off the cup, "You don't have to be so careful. If I wanted to do something, your attempts to resist me would be futile, as you probably already know from Nurarihyon-san's words. 

The response was a silence that didn't last too long, as the shoji to my room opened, and in its opening was a figure dressed in a black ninja uniform.

- I apologize, but I'm only doing my job. - She replied, sitting down in the seiza.

- I see," I looked at her and placed the cup on the table, "I understand Yasaka-sama wants to see me?

Her answer was a short nod. I got up from the table and headed to the main hall, which took about a couple minutes to reach. Once inside, my eyes immediately noticed Yasaka sitting on her throne and Nurarihyon standing at the stairs to her and smiling cheerfully at me.

- It is a pleasure to welcome you to my palace, Romani-san," Yasaka began, adjusting her kimono, "First of all, I want to thank you for saving my daughter, as well as apologize for my behavior when we first met. I should have investigated the situation more thoroughly before making false accusations.

- It's all right," I said, "Given the emotional state you were in at the time, your actions can be justified. And the damage you and our not-so-decent guest have done, I've already undone.

At my words, her ears drooped, and Nurarihyon chuckled.

- Well, well, well. You shouldn't have mentioned it, young one. You upset the lady.

- Oh, you could have kept your mouth shut, old man," I rolled my eyes, which got another chuckle from him, "By the way, how did your people miss someone like Shalba anyway? I thought that since Kyoto was the capital of the Yokai faction, the defense should be at an appropriate level, right?

- And it matches, but the demon got into the city in some other way we don't know about yet," Yasaka said and thought for a moment, "You don't have any guesses on that?

- Just a couple. And without any proof.

Georg of the Heroes faction and perhaps someone from the faction of past demon lords, given that Shalba was the one who came to the city. And the fact that he was alone is pure arrogance.

- I see. Anyway, I'd like to thank you in some way," Yasaka straightened up and said, "What would you like to receive as a reward?

- Oh? I intervened purely of my own free will, so I don't see the need for something like that," I shrugged, "And anyway, what makes you so sure I'm not part of some sinister plan of the enemy?

- Well, well, well. Don't you know that, Romani? - Nurarihyon grinned, "One of the Yokai's greatest abilities is the ability to read intentions. The Kitsune are particularly gifted in this area.

- Nurarihyon-sama is right. If you had ill intentions toward us, I could sense it. So your suspicions are unnecessary.

Heh. How did an entire village of Nekoshou go under the knife if the Yokai have such skill? The geniuses in senjutsu missed the definitely aggressive demons right under their noses? By the way, I don't know the details of this event yet.

- I have a question.

- What kind of question, Romani-san? - Yasaka asked.

- Can I know the details of the incident without being told? - I asked, at which Nurarihyon stopped smiling and Yasaka made a very sad face. "If it's as you say, I don't understand why it happened.

There was silence for a few seconds, which felt like hours.

- It was... our oversight. And I would prefer to stop there, Romani. - Nurarihyon replied.

Yeah... that's a response I don't think I've gotten yet. According to the wiki, Kuroki and Koneko's father was a scientist who experimented on his own children. And he was sponsored by the Naberius family, who were interested in the race's abilities.

I sighed and rubbed my temples.

Okay, I'll get the details from Kuroki. She hangs around my house anyway.

- Okay," I began, and Nurarihyon and Yasaka relaxed, realizing that I had decided to postpone the topic, "In that case, I'd like to go home. The residents of my home are somewhat... restless.

- Okay," Yasaka nodded, "But what about the reward.

- See you later, Yasaka-san, old man. - I said and teleported home before I heard her.

I'll ask her for the reward some other time.

-0-

As soon as Romani disappeared, there was a silence in which Yasaka went into thought.

- What do you think of him, Yasaka-chan? - Nurarihyon asked cheerfully.

- He's strong. Very strong, even if he tries to hide it," she replied thoughtfully, "How did you meet him, Nurarihyon-sama?

- Spontaneously," he grinned, "He was going through an identity crisis and happened to stumble upon my establishment. We met there and got to talking. I'd call him a true neutral, if I were to infer from his thoughts and conversations.

- I see. - Yasaka nodded.

Romani Archaman was... unusual. When she had first met his eyes, two words had rung clearly in her mind: 'Wisdom' and 'Magic'.

Magical power enveloped Romani's body like a thick woolen cloak. A very thick cloak from which thin threads of mana would occasionally fly out. And each of those threads was powerful. So much so that each of them could match one of Yasaka's most powerful spells. Based on that, one could imagine how powerful this man was if he didn't hold back.

Not only that, talking to him gave the feeling that Romani knew far more than she showed at first glance.

And... as she spoke to him, a subtle feeling of... connection ran through her body, and her heart skipped a beat. Outwardly, of course, she didn't show it, but that didn't negate the fact itself.

All of this raised questions in Yasaka's mind, even if she believed Nurarihyon's words about the man's character.

- Do you want my men to observe him, Yasaka-chan? - As if reading her mind, Nurarihyon asked.

- No, he'll notice. It's better to let things stay the way they are. We already have problems with the demon faction, and I don't want to add to them by provoking this man.

- Suit yourself," he said and headed for the exit, "I'll be at my place if you need anything.

Yasaka nodded briefly and drifted off again. She needed to think. And to check on Kunou.

-0-

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