Tamamo-mae: Help Me, Mr. Abe!

"..."

Tamamo-mae was indeed very beautiful.

Coupled with her pleading tone, she appeared even more pitiful.

If any other man saw this scene, they would probably agree to her every request without hesitation.

But Ian didn't.

The friendship between Shuten-dōji and Ibaraki-dōji made him realize that many things in this world cannot be judged by a single impression.

Just like demons are evil, but also have a kind side.

Only after understanding them deeply do you have the right to speak.

What's more, Tamamo-mae in front of him was no exception.

However—

Looking at her sad eyes, Ian didn't immediately reject her claim.

The ground under Tamamo-mae's feet gradually loosened, returning to normal.

The Grand Onmyoji looked at her and said coldly:

"This is not the place to talk about this."

"Let's go somewhere else."

[You take Tamamo-mae out of the dead end.]

[Talent "Mountain and Water Confrontation" activated: No one questions why you have an extra person by your side; they think it's all reasonable.]

[You take her to the best sake house in the capital.]

[You ask for a room with excellent privacy.]

[In the large room, only you and she exist.]

[You order a table full of dishes and the best sake.]

Gurgle.

Looking at the table full of dishes, Tamamo-mae's throat moved slightly.

Ian knew what that meant—she was hungry.

"Want to eat?" he asked.

"Yes," Tamamo-mae nodded.

"Then answer me a question," Ian said, looking at Tamamo-mae. "After answering, you can eat as much as you want."

"..."

Tamamo-mae hesitated.

Obviously.

Although the food in front of her was a rare treat for her hungry stomach, Ian's question was also worth being cautious about.

After thinking for a moment, she gave her answer:

"Can you tell me what the question is first?"

"After all... my abilities are limited, and I can't answer if you want to know something too complicated."

To her question Ian had a calm expression as he replied.

"You definitely know this question."

Ian took a sip of the sake on the table.

"Are you... the 'Algae Woman' that the Emperor is searching for recently?"

He wasn't asking randomly.

After all, he wasn't the kind of person who didn't receive anyone.

If her identity was normal, there would be no need to secretly observe him in the dark.

Not to mention looking for a chance to be alone.

Then—

There was only one possibility.

That was that Tamamo-mae's identity was definitely not simple.

Combining the previous thoughts, the only thing that fit was the "Algae Woman."

"..."

Tamamo-mae's eyes trembled—this was obviously a reaction to being caught by Ian.

Her expression began to become a little awkward.

But Ian said at this time:

"Eat first."

His words shocked her.

"Migu?"

Though a little surprised, she nodded.

"Oh, okay."

[Tamamo-mae is surprised by your answer.]

[But she is probably really hungry.]

[This is understandable—after all, if she is the 'Algae Woman,' it is not easy to eat her fill in the current search environment of Heian-kyō.]

[Under your gaze, she nervously filled her stomach.]

"Thank you, Mr. Abe."

After eating, Tamamo-mae bowed deeply to Ian.

Ian was a little surprised.

"You knew my name?"

"Yes," Tamamo-mae raised her head. "Mr. Abe is very prestigious in Heian-kyō. Even if I haven't specifically investigated, I know your name."

"Then in that case—"

Ian looked at Tamamo-mae with a pair of cute fox ears.

"You should know what my identity is."

"Right, Miss Algae Woman?"

"..."

Silence means confirmation.

Ian was now almost 100% sure that Tamamo-mae in front of him was the "Algae Woman" that Emperor Karasu-in was looking for.

According to the interests involved, his best choice now was to offer her up in the name of Minamoto no Raiko.

In this way, the Minamoto clan would have made a great contribution.

Minamoto no Raiko would inevitably be further reused.

However—

Ian found that he still couldn't forget the look he saw on the street that day.

At least find out what happened first.

The Grand Onmyoji thought so and said again:

"It doesn't matter if you don't want to admit it."

"Anyway, as long as I hand you over, everything will be clear."

"But I don't know what will be waiting for you then."

"Migu?!"

Tamamo-mae panicked a lot.

She shook her head repeatedly and quickly said:

"I admit it! I am the 'Algae Woman' that the capital has been looking for."

Finally, Tamamo-mae admitted her identity, but Ian didn't stop and continued to ask:

"Then isn't that even stranger?"

"Since you are the 'Algae Woman,' why did you come to me?"

"..."

Hearing this, Tamamo-mae seemed to be reminiscing.

"Because—"

"Mr. Abe gave me a very friendly smile on the street that day."

"I... felt this for the first time."

"So I thought Mr. Abe would be the one who could help me."

Tamamo-mae said very emotionally, but Ian's expression didn't change much.

He just looked back at the shoji door behind him, confirmed that it was tightly closed, and then continued:

"Then tell me."

"What... what happened to you?"

"I understand."

[Tamamo-mae tells you the reason why she came to Heian-kyō.]

[She has no intention of entering the court to serve the Emperor.]

[She was forcibly declared to enter the court after only meeting his important officials in the mountains.]

[After that, Tamamo-mae took the opportunity to escape.]

"..."

After listening to Tamamo-mae's story, Ian was silent for a while before continuing:

"Do you... hate the Emperor?"

"Of course," Tamamo-mae answered without hesitation.

"Bring me to the capital in a prison car, and then ask me to serve him."

"Although I have a good temper, I can't be treated so rudely!"

"Then—"

Ian looked at the angry Tamamo-mae in front of him and didn't lose his logic.

He pointed out a suspicious point in her words.

"Since you have escaped, why don't you just leave Heian-kyō?"

"Why come to me?"

"This..."

Ian's words pulled Tamamo-mae back to reality from her anger.

She muttered softly.

"The reason for coming to Mr. Abe is partly because of that smile."

"On the other hand, it's because I can't get out."

"Can't get out?"

Ian quickly reacted.

"Do you mean that all the roads out of the capital are blocked?"

"Yes," Tamamo-mae nodded. "I have tried very hard to investigate every road that can leave here."

"But none of them are suitable for me to pass."

Ian knew that Tamamo-mae was not lying.

After all, he, as a Grand Onmyoji, was half a guide to the means of blocking demons from entering and exiting.

In other words—

She came to him in a desperate situation.

Ian looked at the very sad Tamamo-mae in front of him.

Her two fox ears were half drooping, looking listless.

"But can't you hide your aura?" the Grand Onmyoji asked. "Why not just slip through like before?"

"That's..." Tamamo-mae hesitated, her expression turning troubled. "It used to work, but now... now it's different."

She lowered her voice, as if afraid of being overheard, even though they were in a private room. "They've started using... special incense. Incense that reacts to my kind. It reveals my presence, even when I think I'm perfectly hidden."

Ian raised an eyebrow. "Incense?" That was a new development. He knew the Imperial Court had various methods for detecting yokai, but this seemed particularly targeted.

"Yes," Tamamo-mae confirmed, her fox ears twitching slightly. "And they're burning it everywhere. At the gates, on the roads, even in some of the merchant districts. It's... suffocating."

She shuddered, a visible sign of her distress. "I can't even get close to the exits without them knowing. And with the increased patrols... it's impossible."

Ian considered her words. The incense was a clever tactic, effectively negating her ability to blend in. It also explained why she was so desperate.

"So," he said, leaning forward, "you're trapped in the city, unable to escape, and you've come to me because you believe I can help."

Tamamo-mae nodded earnestly. "Yes, Mr. Abe. You were kind, you're powerful, and... and I don't know who else to turn to."

"And what exactly do you want me to do?" Ian asked, his voice calm and measured. "Do you want me to help you escape? To hide you? To fight against the Imperial Guard?"

"I... I don't want to cause any trouble," Tamamo-mae said, her voice barely a whisper. "I just want to be free. To go back to my home."

She looked up at him, her golden eyes pleading. "Please, Mr. Abe. Just... help me get out of the city."

Ian remained silent, weighing his options. Helping Tamamo-mae was a risky move. It would put him at odds with the Imperial Court, potentially jeopardizing his position and the safety of the Minamoto clan.

But there was something in her eyes, a genuine desperation, that resonated with him. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her story than she was letting on.

"Alright," he said finally, making his decision. "I'll help you."

Tamamo-mae's eyes widened in surprise and relief. "Really? You will?"

"Yes," Ian confirmed. "But on one condition."

"Anything!" Tamamo-mae exclaimed.

"You tell me everything," Ian said, his voice firm. "Everything about why the Emperor wants you, everything about your past, everything you know. No secrets."

Tamamo-mae hesitated for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Agreed. I'll tell you everything."