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

"That's what I said..."

Tamamo-no-Mae looked somewhat troubled.

"But my magic weapon is not with me right now, so I cannot guarantee that I will pass that inspection."

"Your magic weapon?"

“Yes.” Tamamo-no-Mae looked directly at the man in front of her.

“That was originally a mirror that I always carried with me.”

"But because he was in such a panic during the escape, he accidentally left it in the prison van."

"Therefore, having no other choice, I have come to seek Mr. Abe's help."

[Tamamo-no-Mae sounded very aggrieved, but you remained unmoved.]

[Because although you understand the reason for the sadness in her eyes, you haven't felt a sufficient reason for you to take action.]

You've decided to tell everyone everything.

"Why should I help you?"

Ian spoke his mind directly.

"These problems are indeed very serious for you... but for me, they're not unacceptable, are they?"

"You are a fox demon."

"And I am the Great Yin-Yang Master."

"Helping you...wouldn't that just be a hassle for me?"

"..."

Tamamo-no-Mae fell silent.

But she didn't cry; instead, she appeared somewhat calm.

You realize that she may have been mentally prepared from the moment she came to you.

"Hmm...that's true."

Tamamo-no-Mae lowered her head, her voice low and sorrowful.

"I am truly not qualified to ask Mr. Abe for help."

"I misunderstood Mr. Abe's smile that day... I'm sorry."

"So--"

Tamamo-no-Mae stretched out her hands toward Ian.

"Please, Mr. Abe, tie my hands and go to receive your reward before the others."

"Consider this my way of repaying Mr. Abe for this meal."

Despite the outstretched hands reaching towards him, Ian remained clear-headed.

He said, "Are you trying to advance by retreating? That kind of thinking won't work on me."

"Do not."

Tamamo-no-Mae shook her head and gave a wry smile.

"I have simply come to realize that there is no one in this world who would want to help me."

"I'll just accept whatever reality has in store for me."

"..."

You are not heartless.

Seeing Tamamo-no-Mae give up, you were somewhat moved.

You recalled the ugly Gozen from Oni Island.

You realize that if you accept reality, Minamoto no Yorimitsu will eventually become Ushi-Gozen.

You refuse to let this happen.

[You realize that Tamamo-no-Mae's situation is actually somewhat similar to hers.]

But you didn't just so easily accept the idea of ​​helping Tamamo-no-Mae.

You need a reason—a reason strong enough to make you take this huge risk to help her.

"Miss Algae".

Ian stared directly at Tamamo-no-Mae, who was already disheartened.

"If you really want me to help you, then at least make me feel that it's 'worth it'?"

"otherwise--"

Aren't you worried that I'm two-faced and might betray you at any time?

"Eh?!"

Tamamo-no-Mae raised her head, and her fox ears, which had been drooping just moments before, now looked much more spirited.

She's not some slow-witted idiot.

She understood what Ian meant—it wasn't that he absolutely couldn't help her, but that he needed a sufficient reason.

Tamamo-no-Mae began to think seriously.

This is her only chance to save herself, and she must seize it.

As the saying goes, quick thinking comes from a moment of crisis.

Tamamo-no-Mae quickly came up with a reason.

She looked at the great Onmyoji before her and cautiously spoke again:

"Then, Mr. Abe—"

"If my mirror can do things for you that are impossible in the mortal world, would you then have a reason to help me?"

"……maybe."

Ian did not give an immediate answer.

"Miss Zaonv, why don't you tell us first?"

"Ahem." Tamamo-no-Mae cleared her throat.

"That is a mirror that I was born with, and it possesses great power."

"Then why were you caught?"

"Because that power cannot be released casually," Tamamo-no-Mae explained.

"With my use, it can revitalize the soul and life force, thereby achieving things that are impossible in the mortal world."

"That's-"

Tamamo-no-Mae looked at Ian in front of her with an extremely serious expression.

"To communicate with the deceased."

"..."

Ian's pupils widened slightly.

Because that's exactly what he needs!

With it, he could reconnect with Minamoto no Yorimitsu's deceased father, Minamoto no Mitsunaka.

by that time.

That way, you can find out more about the other "Abe".

There must be a way to change the destiny that Minamoto no Yorimitsu carried.

"You didn't lie to me, did you?"

Ian looked at Tamamo-no-Mae in front of him and asked this question.

"I'm the only one who can help you. You should know what the consequences of deceiving me will be."

Ian's reaction relieved Tamamo-no-Mae.

She knew her reasons had moved Ian.

"Yes, of course I know."

"Therefore, from the very first moment I met Mr. Abe, every word I uttered was utterly honest."

"..."

Ian pondered for a moment, then nodded.

"I understand."

"In that case, I'll help you find a way to escape and retrieve the mirror—but I'd like to use it once afterward, is that alright?"

Tamamo-no-Mae nodded.

"Isn't that natural?"

"Alright, I'll arrange your accommodation now, and we can discuss the rest later."

Upon hearing this, Tamamo-no-Mae wiped the corner of her eye.

This is her only support in Heian-kyo so far.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Abe."

138. The Great Onmyoji's Other "Home" in Heian-kyo (4,000-word chapter)

You have found a house for Tamamo-no-Mae in Heian-kyo.

This is something Tamamo-no-Mae absolutely could not have done alone.

However, with your help, it's no longer a problem.