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

"This is the Palais des Anpes, the French royal palace."

"If this is discovered, wouldn't that be a serious offense of disrespect?"

"Yes." The Grand Onmyoji nodded. "You're right, Madam."

"However, one thing is certain: this person is very capable—after all, the lady has attended court so many times and never noticed this problem, has she?"

"This shows that he knows how to hide these traces without affecting his own requirements."

"really."

Minamoto no Yorimitsu nodded in agreement with Ian's statement, but soon a new question came to mind.

“Husband, now that I think about it, it seems even more wrong.”

"Madam, what do you mean?"

"Husband."

Minamoto no Yorimitsu's gaze swept across the array of roads laid out within the palace.

"Since there is someone who can be praised even by her husband, she must be an extremely powerful Onmyoji, right?"

"In that case—"

"Why did no one mention the existence of this Onmyoji when they were eliminating the 'Algae Woman'?"

"What you're saying is indeed a bit strange, Madam."

Ian pursed his chin and began to seriously consider the question.

However, this is clearly not something that can be answered in a short time—after all, there are just too many possibilities.

Seeing her husband looking so distressed, Minamoto no Yorimitsu reached out and patted his head.

"Alright, my husband, let's put these things aside for now."

"Since the array was discovered inside the palace, we just need to report it later."

"Let him decide what to do next."

"……Too."

You have temporarily concealed your thoughts.

[You will go to court with Minamoto no Yorimitsu.]

You met many officials of the current dynasty.

[Your innate Kyoto fame has been activated: As Kyoto's top Onmyoji, you are renowned even among current officials.]

You started chatting with these people.

This relieved Minamoto no Yorimitsu.

[She, who always cares about her husband, is very worried that you might not like this atmosphere.]

But now it seems there's no need to worry about that anymore.

The morning assembly has begun.

But the person who appeared before the assembled officials was somewhat unexpected.

Because it wasn't the Holy See, but another woman.

"..."

Ian looked puzzled.

He whispered a question to Minamoto no Yorimitsu, who was standing nearby.

"Madam, why is that person sitting up there...?"

Minamoto no Yorimitsu knew what her husband was confused about.

She began to explain.

"Husband, don't worry."

"This is the French Emperor's empress—she will report what we have to the French Emperor."

"Queen?"

Ian suddenly thought of something.

"Madam, what is her name..."

"Fujiwara no Tokuko." Minamoto no Yorimitsu lowered his voice, afraid that others would hear.

"?!"

Xiu Yien's pupils dilated slightly in an instant.

He had heard this name from Tamamo-no-Mae.

That was the person the foot soldiers mentioned when she was put into the prison cart!

You realize that the plan to capture Tamamo-no-Mae might be related to Fujiwara no Tokuko.

You would like more information.

But you discover that Fujiwara no Tokuko doesn't seem to want to show her true face.

Even when meeting with her ministers like this, she concealed her face with a veil.

You increasingly feel that something is wrong.

"lady."

Ian looked at Empress Fujiwara no Tokuko at the front, his brow furrowed with only confusion.

"Don't you think it's very strange for the Empress to attend court?"

“After all, according to ethical principles... this should have been done by the French Emperor.”

"My husband, you are right."

Minamoto no Yorimitsu's gaze also fell on Fujiwara no Tokuko, who was at the very front.

"This is certainly a very strange thing."

"But no one would be the first to speak out—that would inevitably cause many conflicts and even incur the Queen's hostility."

"And more importantly."

"His Holiness has not raised any objections so far. On that point alone, it is not our place to interfere, is it?"

[You certainly understand what Minamoto no Yorimitsu meant—it's better to remain silent than to question the Empress.]

You didn't say anything more.

But deep down, you don't accept this situation.

After all, the retired emperor was the symbol of power in Heian-kyo. If the empress were to hold power on his behalf for an extended period, the result would inevitably be the exile of power.

You sense there's a big problem behind this.

But there's nothing you can do to change that for now.

"Husband, let's stop for now."

"It is time to report to the Empress about the removal of the 'Algae Maiden'."

"it is good."

[This period of court politics, led by the Empress, has begun.]

The ministers reported the matter to Fujiwara no Tokuko one by one.

No one questioned it, and no one objected to it.

The atmosphere seemed almost exactly the same as when the Emperor was present.

Everything is proceeding smoothly and logically.

Soon, it will be your turn and Minamoto no Yorimitsu's turn.

You have come before Fujiwara no Tokuko.

"Reporting to the Empress."

Minamoto no Yorimitsu presented the "fox corpse" to Fujiwara no Tokuko.

"This is the result of eliminating the 'Algae Woman'."

"The Great Onmyoji has successfully killed 'Mori-onna' in Heian-kyo, ending the calamity she brought."

"……it is good."

Fujiwara no Tokuko answered coldly, then looked at the great Onmyoji standing to the side.

"but--"

Because of the veil, Ian could not see the other person's eyes.

But the intuition he had developed over his long career of exorcising demons told him—Fujiwara no Tokuko wasn't so happy.

And this is indeed the case.

After scrutinizing Ian for a while, Fujiwara Tokuko's voice rang out softly.

That was a tone that carried a hint of reproach.

"Does Your Majesty recall that when you were given the order, capturing them alive was the priority?"

"But now they've delivered a corpse..."

really.

Regarding the removal of the "Algae Woman," everything was almost exactly as Ian had sensed.

What they wanted was to bring Tamamo-no-Mae into the palace, not to kill her somewhere.

Fujiwara no Tokuko's attitude was by no means deliberate harassment—in fact, she was hoping that Tamamo-no-Mae would be brought into the palace.

The sight of the "fox carcass" extinguished that hope completely.

That's probably why she was unhappy.