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

After all, as Minamoto no Yorimitsu's teacher, you could sense that her swordsmanship was gradually changing.

The most obvious of these is the power to manipulate lightning.

That level of sophistication is definitely not something that should be used under normal circumstances.

"So, what exactly is the price for Ugly Queen?" Ian asked again to confirm.

"I've already said that—"

Ugly Gozen's eyes once again returned to their merciless state.

"That is to become me."

"Whether it's Minamoto no Yorimitsu or myself."

“We are all messengers of the Ox-Headed Heavenly King—things that the Genji had to summon in order to maintain the prosperity of the clan.”

"Minamoto no Yorimitsu will get closer and closer to me until everything is beyond redemption, and he will eventually become a being who only knows how to kill demons."

You've realized the purpose of Ghost Island's existence.

This is a manifestation of Ushi-Gozen's power to slaughter demons.

She slew these monsters here day after day, until you arrived.

You know all too well that this is an endless torment.

"But--"

Ian looked at the ugly queen in front of him.

"If that's the case, why did you send demons to Heian-kyo in the first place?"

Upon hearing this, Ushi-Gozen looked towards the sea amidst the thunder.

"I wanted to make her realize that something was wrong and get her attention."

"But as it stands now—my ideas don't seem to have had the desired effect."

"So you wrote a letter to Lai Guang afterwards?"

"Correct."

“Because of Minamoto no Yorimitsu, I have complete memories of Kyoto,” Ushi Gozen continued to explain. “So it’s not difficult for me to do these things.”

You have gained a better understanding of Ugly Gozen's objectives.

You gradually realize that she is not as hostile towards Minamoto no Yorimitsu as you imagined.

On the contrary, she seemed very worried that Minamoto no Yorimitsu would become her.

"so--"

"You just want to stop Raikou from becoming you, right?"

Ian took a deep breath and asked this question.

"That's not entirely true."

The demon slayer gripped his weapon, turned his back to Ian, and then answered.

"I just feel that this is not the path we should have taken."

"But--"

Ian looked at the back view that resembled Minamoto no Yorimitsu in some ways, but was not exactly the same.

"In that case, how could you possibly exist at the same time as Raikou?"

"If she became you, she shouldn't exist at all."

"And if she hadn't become you, you shouldn't exist at all."

"Logically speaking, that is indeed the case."

Ushi-Gozen drew her sword and pointed it at the pitch-black sky above.

The thunder roared, like a bull charging forward.

"But there is something on this island that provides the power that allows me to exist temporarily."

"..."

You recalled the legend of Oni Island that Shuten-dōji had told you.

Legend has it that something capable of granting all wishes is buried on this island.

千?寻'.免?'费;;小"说;裙'.2!,5,"5'5?,9"?5'3;0;0'. '千'寻,:小:"说:中"转:裙.5."5;4.7!0?7.,5"5;5【如果它真的如传说中的那么厉害的话，同时维持丑御前和源赖光的存在似乎也不是什么难事。】

But then you suddenly realize something.

That was Ugly Gozen's objective.

She appeared here so that she wouldn't be able to show up herself.

How can this be achieved?

In that instant, you suddenly understood.

"Was your original goal to have Raikou kill you here?"

Ian looked at the ugly Gozen in front of him and expressed his thoughts.

“In that case, the story of ‘Minamoto no Yorimitsu becoming Ushi no Gozen’ will no longer exist.”

"You think this can solve all the problems, right?"

Ugly Queen paused for a moment—she didn't seem to have expected Ian to understand her thoughts.

However, she quickly let it go.

The demon-slaying warrior turned around and looked at Ian.

"Yes."

"So now you understand how foolish it was to not let Minamoto no Yorimitsu come here, right?"

"Abe, you've messed everything up."

"But none of this was ever true in the first place, was it?"

Ian retorted mercilessly to Ugly Queen's words.

"Yes."

"You might indeed be able to get Minamoto no Yorimitsu to kill you."

"but--"

"None of this will change, will it?"

"She will still become you, and stand tall on this ghost island."

"..."

Your words struck a chord with Ugly Gozen.

She looked at you, her earlier composure slowly fading.

You realize that this might be something that has troubled her for many years since the Battle of Mount Ooe.

"So what should I do?"

Ugly Gozen looked at Ian in front of her.

"This is the only method I can think of."

She may have realized all of this long ago—but she had no choice but to try all sorts of seemingly foolish methods.

Realizing this, Ian pondered for a moment before replying:

"You don't have to do anything."

"I don't have to do anything?"

"Correct."

Ian stared directly at the face before him that was almost identical to that of Minamoto no Yorimitsu.

"This is not something you should be thinking about."

"You've already suffered enough, being cursed by the matter of the demon slayer."

"so--"

"Leave the rest to me."

"here you are?"

“Yes, leave it to me.” Ian nodded. “I will definitely find a way to prevent her from becoming you.”

"I assure you as a great Onmyoji."

"..."

The thunder in the sky gradually subsided.

The dark clouds that had been flashing with lightning gradually dispersed.

The bright white light shone down on Ushio Gozen.

Her face was expressionless, but the corners of her mouth gradually turned up, eventually forming a faint smile.

"I understand."

"In that case, I have no choice but to trust you."

"So--"

"Take it with you."

As soon as Ugly Gozen finished speaking, a golden light appeared in front of Ian.

A gleaming golden double-eared trophy appeared before him—this was clearly the foundation she had mentioned for maintaining everything.

"Ugly Gozen, this..."

"It's alright, take it with you—it'll make this ghost island disappear completely."