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

Shuten-dōji had thought the other party would ask more questions, but he didn't expect them to agree so quickly.

"I understand."

"but--"

"Uncle, you at least have to tell us why we absolutely have to get that mirror, right?"

After Shuten-dōji said that, Tamamo-no-Mae realized the exact same problem.

"really."

"Although I have reached a contract with Mr. Abe, I still do not know why Mr. Abe wanted to use that mirror even once."

Ibaraki-dōji did not speak.

But judging from the look in her eyes as she looked at Ian, she was also very curious about this question.

"..."

Ian's gaze swept over the women in front of him.

After hesitating for a moment, he spoke:

"Everyone, the reason I need that mirror is because..."

You begin to recount your experiences on Ghost Island.

[That was a peculiar encounter with Ushio Gozen, under the influence of a mysterious force.]

You have learned the truth about Minamoto no Yorimitsu from long ago.

[She was a "sacrifice" offered to the Ox-Headed King by Minamoto no Mitsunaka, with the assistance of another Onmyoji (yin-yang master) sharing the same surname "Abe," for the sake of the Minamoto clan's development.]

Her existence was the foundation for the Genji clan's continuous growth and expansion.

But this is not without its costs.

[If Minamoto no Yorimitsu continues to use this power, she will transform into Ushi-Gozen at some point in the future.]

You must stop this from happening.

[Therefore, you need Tamamo-no-Mae's mirror to "contact" Minamoto no Mitsunaka once again in order to find a solution.]

This is your true purpose.

"..."

Shuten-dōji curled his lip.

"Did the uncle encounter something like this on the ghost island?"

“Hmm.” Ian nodded.

"That's why I was in such a hurry to take you away at that time—after all, the whole island was actually part of Ugly Gozen."

"But what if that ugly princess is lying to us?" Shuten-dōji wondered. "After all, if that cow... I mean, if Minamoto no Yorimitsu really didn't continue using that power, then she wouldn't exist, right?"

“I’ve considered that possibility.”

Ian answered very seriously.

"But I think Ugly Gozen probably already knows that all of this is punishment."

"After all, she had been bound by the fate of killing demons for a long time before we got there."

"perhaps--"

"She wanted to find a way out."

"..."

Shuten-dōji did not pursue the matter further.

She knew that what Ian described was indeed a possibility.

And in any case, Ushi-Gozen has now disappeared.

Considering her reasons again is pointless.

"Mr. Abe."

"Xiaoyu, what's wrong?"

"Hmm... I'm a little worried."

"What if that mirror doesn't ultimately fulfill Mr. Abe's wishes?"

Tamamo-no-Mae definitely didn't want to help.

But she realized that the key to the whole plan was her own mirror.

She was somewhat afraid that it wouldn't live up to the high expectations of the great Onmyoji.

Ian, of course, understood what Tamamo-no-Mae was thinking.

He opened his mouth and said:

"Xiaoyu, don't be nervous."

"I know that mirror may not be able to realize my idea."

"but--"

"We have to give it a try."

Ian looked to the other side of the room—the room opposite the shoji door, where Minamoto no Yorimitsu was fast asleep.

"I don't want Raikou's future to be like that."

"She's already endured enough."

"so--"

The great Yin-Yang Master bowed before the two demons and one monster.

"Shuten-dōji, Ibaraki-dōji, and Tama-dōji."

"Please help me no matter what."

"please!"

The room suddenly became much quieter.

Those present all knew what your bowing meant.

This demonstrates a willingness to sacrifice one's dignity for Minamoto no Yorimitsu.

You truly love her—you're even willing to give up some important things for her.

"Mr. Abe..."

Tamamo-no-Mae helped Ian up.

"My concubine understands."

"I will do my best to help Mr. Abe."

"Xiaoyu, thank you."

"Hey, you fox are too cunning!" Shuten-dōji muttered. "Trying to move this old man with your actions, huh!"

"but--"

The little imp looked at Ian.

"Our ideas are pretty much the same."

"after all--"

"We were brought back from that godforsaken place by the uncle... so let's call it even."

“Hmm.” Ian nodded.

"Thank you, Shuten-dōji."

Snap—Snap—Snap.

Ibaraki-dōji clapped his hands.

"Great."

"In that case, after this is all over, Shuten-dōji will be able to get his hands on the big stick again."

"Ibaraki, what are you saying?!"

You have reached a consensus.

You've started making plans.

[You and Minamoto no Yorimitsu are responsible for drawing Fujiwara no Tokuko's attention during the next court assembly.]

[Shuten-dōji and Ibaraki-dōji were tasked with infiltrating the Heian-gū Palace and stealing the mirror from Tamamo-no-Mae.]

[Tamamo-no-Mae was stationed outside Heian-gu Shrine to provide support—after all, she was the owner of the mirror and could immediately assess any issues related to it.]

This was a well-organized operation with a clear division of labor.

Time slowly passed as we waited.

[You continuously refine various details—such as what the mirror should look like, and what precautions should be taken when the two demons enter and leave the Heian Shrine.]

Finally, the day you've been waiting for has arrived.

At the entrance.

Minamoto no Yorimitsu was tidying up Ian's clothes.

Despite having spent a long time together, Minamoto no Yorimitsu still felt the same attraction to him as he did back then.

"My lord, why do you want to come to court with me today?"

"Could it be that my husband has already figured out how to handle the matter of the Holy Emperor?"

You know that you and their plans cannot be told to Minamoto no Yorimitsu.

You decide to tell a few lies that won't affect things.

"No."