In the world of Type-Moon, it all begins with becoming Morgan's husband!

However, you know that's far from enough.

[Shuten-dōji couldn't possibly be without a way to counter this kind of magic.]

And your premonition soon became a reality.

It's getting foggy.

Just a moment ago the mountains were sunny and clear, but now a thick fog has inexplicably rolled in.

Even without dismounting to confirm, Ian knew that this fog was definitely caused by Shuten-dōji.

Fortunately, he and Minamoto no Yorimitsu always kept a close distance.

So even with such a thick fog, they could still sense each other's presence.

"Madam, can you hear my voice?"

"Yes, I can still see you."

Minamoto no Yorimitsu's answer very concisely summarized the useful information.

This is a partnership between husband and wife.

Ian made a quick judgment.

This is simply fog brought in from other parts of the mountains, not some kind of sorcery created using the abilities of ghosts or monsters.

That would make things much easier.

Ian raised his hand, sensing his surroundings.

Soon, a ball of flame appeared in his hand.

In the blink of an eye, it spread outwards at a terrifying speed.

Zila Zila.

The water vapor in the air was burned away by the raging fire, producing a series of crackling sounds.

In just a short while, Ian evaporated all the water mist around the two of them.

"Husband."

As the surrounding environment gradually brightened, Minamoto no Yorimitsu couldn't help but feel some doubts.

"If I remember correctly, last time you used the oil lamp in the hallway, right?"

"So how did you make the flames appear out of thin air in your hand this time?"

Without hesitation, Ian began to explain.

"A banquet is being held nearby."

"banquet?"

Minamoto no Yorimitsu heard a name that was almost impossible to hear here at this time.

Just as she was about to ask what was going on, she suddenly realized what had happened.

That's right.

It is indeed impossible for a "human" person to hold a banquet at this time and in this place.

But if—

Is it a "ghost"?

For the demons of Mount Ooe.

Seeing a group of clueless people barge into this territory and fall into a trap would surely be a very interesting sight.

Perhaps they are watching all of this from somewhere right now, and then happily enjoying it.

Having thought things through, Minamoto no Yorimitsu looked at Ian beside him and found that Ian was also looking at him.

Their eyes met, and their thoughts were already self-evident.

"Are they playing a trick on us?"

Minamoto no Yorimitsu held the famous sword Hizamaru, looking somewhat angry.

As the eldest daughter of the Genji clan, this was the first time she had been mocked like this.

"I think so."

Ian looked ahead at the road.

"And...it's probably not just this fog."

"Not just fog?"

“Yes.” Ian nodded.

"Madam, we are no longer in the same position as before."

Looking at the somewhat different environment around him, Minamoto no Yorimitsu did not doubt Ian's words.

But at the same time, a question arose in her mind.

"But my husband, haven't we not walked a single step?"

"Yes."

"We haven't taken a single step."

As Ian said this, he pulled out his knife.

"But that doesn't mean we won't move."

“…I don’t quite understand.” Minamoto no Yorimitsu said honestly.

"Let me put it this way, madam."

"If a chessboard is full of pieces, how do you move the pieces without touching them?"

"..."

Sensing that Ian was using this question to guide his thinking, Minamoto no Yorimitsu began to ponder it seriously.

Suddenly, she understood.

"Husband, could it be that you turned the chessboard around without moving the pieces?"

"Madam, you are indeed very clever."

Ian looked at Minamoto no Yorimitsu beside him with a smile, his eyes full of satisfaction.

This is something that is often overlooked during a game of chess.

Things that can move are not just chess pieces.

The chessboard is also something that can move—it's just that the rules restrict it.

In the current situation, it's as if Shuten-dōji directly moved the ground beneath their feet.

"My lord, this ghost seems quite powerful."

"Madam Yi, are you afraid?"

"No."

Minamoto no Yorimitsu stared intently at the road ahead, his gaze resolute.

"In fact, this is the first truly powerful ghost I've ever encountered."

"We can't lose to him."

"As expected, Madam thinks the same way I do."

Ian gave a confident smile.

"Onmyoji cannot allow the demons to provoke them and then continue to remain in a state of swallowing their anger."

You absolutely cannot allow Shuten-dōji to make fun of you like this.

You've decided to crack it.

[The Great Onmyoji with Innate Talent++ has been activated: You realize that Shuten-dōji's sorcery and the ground have been used up.]

This is a direction to consider.

The movement of land has led to changes in the landscape.

This, in turn, leads to chaos among those involved.

So--

Once we find something besides the land that can be used to determine our location, we can move on, right?

There are such things nearby.

Ian looked at the trees around him.

"Madam, let's follow the direction of the trees."

Your judgment is correct.

Regardless of how land changes hands.

The trees remain relatively stationary throughout.

This means that if you proceed in the direction the trees are, the movement of the land will not affect your and Minamoto no Yorimitsu's observations.

【And this is indeed the case.】

[You quickly escaped the ever-changing land—it seems Shuten-dōji didn't design all areas of Mt. Ōe to be in this fluid state.]

You realize that it's not over yet.

"My lord, the horse won't go any further."

"He was probably scared."

"Too--"

Minamoto no Yorimitsu dismounted from his horse.

"It's already very kind of them to have come this far with us."