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

"……I see."

You didn't mention the woman you saw.

You did not intend to deceive Minamoto no Yorimitsu.

[It's just that the other person disappeared so quickly that you started to doubt whether you were seeing things.]

You don't want to cause Minamoto no Yorimitsu unnecessary worry.

[You should only bring it up with her after you've confirmed that such a thing truly exists.]

But it's strange.

Since that encounter on the street, the Great Onmyoji had never seen that beautiful figure again.

Everything seemed like a bubble or an illusion.

Ian couldn't help but wonder if he had really seen something wrong.

but--

He hoped it wasn't fake.

He wanted to see her again.

After all, that sorrowful look in her eyes always made him feel that there was some unknown secret behind her.

Your wish ultimately did not come true.

Things unfolded exactly as Minamoto no Yorimitsu had predicted.

Because of her, you were also able to lead a group of foot soldiers to search the city.

This should have been a cause for celebration—after all, it meant being given a certain level of recognition and importance.

But your life has become somewhat strange because you've been appearing on the streets of Kyoto so frequently.

It seems someone is secretly watching you.

here we go again--

Those gazes that seemed to come from nowhere.

Ian frowned slightly.

This wasn't the first time he'd felt that kind of gaze.

Ever since he took over a portion of the foot soldiers, he has felt this gaze from time to time.

And over time, this gaze has appeared more and more frequently.

But that's not the most serious problem.

Rather, it's because they themselves are unable to perceive the source of the gaze.

If I had to describe it—

It was as if the owner of this gaze had deliberately concealed their presence.

If it weren't for my own identity as an Onmyoji, which has honed my keen senses...

They might not even be able to detect being "monitored".

You realize there might be a big problem here.

You must find the person who is giving this look.

You took immediate action.

"Do as I say," Ian commanded the foot soldiers around him.

"Yes, Lord Abe!"

The foot soldiers dispersed.

Ian's surroundings returned to their quietude.

However, he could still clearly feel that gaze was still there—which meant that the other party's target was indeed him.

That makes things much easier.

Ian began wandering the streets of Kyoto.

He was sometimes fast and sometimes slow.

The gaze hidden in the shadows also adjusted its own rhythm.

The great Onmyoji reached the street corner.

A figure hurriedly followed.

But when the figure turned the corner, he found himself in a dead end.

Where did he go?

next moment--

The ground beneath his feet began to sink, firmly imprisoning his feet.

This is a "prison" forged using the element of earth from the Five Elements theory.

Immediately afterwards, Ian's voice came from above.

He was already sitting on the walls on both sides of the alley, looking down at the person who had been watching him from the shadows.

"Have you seen enough?"

"If I've seen enough... I should send someone as suspicious as you to the foot soldiers."

"Migu!"

The monitor cried out in alarm.

Please don't do this!

"I... am simply looking for another opportunity to see you alone!"

"Meet again?"

Upon hearing this, Ian suddenly realized something.

He leaped down from the wall, stood before the other person, and removed the black veil that concealed their face.

Ian paused for a moment when he saw the other person's face.

Because it was a face he had only seen once, but which he had already deeply memorized.

Pink hair, fox ears, golden eyes, and fair skin.

"You're the person from that day!"

"Yes, it is indeed I, Tamamo-no-Mae."

The fox-eared girl who called herself Tamamo-no-Mae had a sorrowful look in her eyes, a look that would sadden anyone who saw her.

"Although it might be a bit presumptuous to say this now, but—"

"Could you please help my concubine who is currently trapped in this predicament?"

137. Tamamo-no-Mae: Help me, Mr. Abe! (4,000-word chapter)

"..."

Tamamo-no-Mae is indeed very beautiful.

If paired with this pleading tone, it would appear even more charming.

If any other man saw this, he would most likely agree to all her requests without hesitation.

But Ian did not do that.

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

It's like how ghosts are evil, but at the same time they also have a kind side.

Only after gaining a deep understanding can one have the right to speak.

If even ghosts and monsters are like this, then Tamamo-no-Mae in front of us is naturally no exception.

but--

Looking into her somewhat sorrowful eyes, Ian did not immediately deny her statement.

The ground beneath Tamamo-no-Mae's feet gradually loosened its restraints and returned to its normal state.

The Grand Onmyoji looked at her and coldly said:

"This is not the place to say these things."

"Let's talk somewhere else."

You led Tamamo-no-Mae out of this dead end.

[The innate harmony between mountains and rivers has been activated: No one will question why there's an extra person by your side; they'll simply find it all perfectly reasonable.]

You led her to the best tavern in the capital.

You requested a room with excellent privacy.

In this vast room, only you and she exist.

You ordered a table full of food and the best wine.

Gulu.

Looking at the table full of dishes, Tamamo-no-Mae's throat moved slightly.

Ian understood what this meant, of course—she was very hungry.

"Want some?" he asked.

"I want to." Tamamo-no-Mae nodded.

“Then answer one question for me,” Ian said, looking at Tamamo-no-Mae. “After you answer, you can eat as much as you want.”

"..."