Tokyo: Starting with the Shrine Maiden

They didn't use shikigami (spirits/ghosts), but instead sparred using incantations.

Haruhiko was able to glimpse the two people's styles of sorcery.

Contrary to his expectations of a sinister villain, their style was actually quite normal.

It's similar to the Onmyoji that Haruhiko encountered in his later years.

However, he was very curious about what the two people's shikigami were.

Under normal circumstances, an Onmyoji only has one Shikigami.

It's very difficult to find another example like Abe no Seimei who had twelve shikigami.

There are three reasons.

First, we can't afford to raise them.

The growth of a shikigami requires a large amount of spiritual energy materials and food.

Secondly, the shikigami disagrees.

Shikigami are generally yokai, and most yokai are proud and unwilling to compete or cooperate with other yokai.

Third, there is only one spot available for signing the contract.

In Onmyoji, the Shikigami Contract can theoretically only be signed with one yokai.

Abe no Seimei must have used special methods to acquire such an outrageous number of shikigami.

In the afternoon, Fujiwara Akimitsu's arrangements finally came to fruition.

In this era, a woman's attractiveness is judged by her upbringing and literary talent.

The Fujiwara clan produced three empresses.

It is said that three women from the Fujiwara clan entered the palace and became empresses.

However, this situation has not yet occurred.

To prepare for the occasion, Fujiwara no Michinaga would regularly hold poetry and song exchange sessions for eligible women in his family, inviting renowned figures of the time.

The next meeting will be held tomorrow night.

As a result, Haruhiko, Enno, and Myoen were assigned to be somewhat famous waka poets.

The so-called waka is a poetic form that originated in Japan by absorbing and adapting Chinese folk songs and ballads.

For example, the Manyoshu is a classic work from the golden age of complete Sinicization.

"Can you sing waka?"

Yuan Neng toyed with an invitation and asked a question.

“Not really.”

Haruhiko also had an invitation in his hand, which served as proof of his entry into the Grand Minister's residence the next day.

He answered that he didn't really know.

Because if it really comes down to it, he can become a plagiarist.

I actually learned a few of them in a history class at the University of Tokyo.

"Master Xianguang said he would prepare a song for us to deal with the situation, so there shouldn't be any major problems."

Yuan Neng paused for a moment and said, "I'm just afraid of unexpected things happening, like being called out by name."

"hope everything is fine."

Haruhiko put away the invitation and said, "We'll see how things go."

Will Abe no Seimei come?

Miao Yan suddenly asked, her tone filled with anticipation.

It's not that I'm looking forward to seeing him, but rather to defeating him.

"He is the Onmyoji responsible for Fujiwara no Michinaga's safety, so he will definitely be either secretly present at the gathering or simply show up."

Yuan Neng glanced at him and said, "Without my order, you are not allowed to approach him."

"Yes."

Miao Yan answered weakly.

The Onmyoji of this era all had a special feeling towards Abe no Seimei.

You either fear or you worship.

Haruhiko didn't care.

No matter how powerful you are, you'll still die in the end.

Wait, how did Abe no Seimei die?

Haruhiko suddenly had a question.

According to the records of the Tsuchimikado clan, Abe no Seimei did not survive like Ashiya Dōman.

But no one knows how he died.

Haruhiko touched his chin.

Could it be related to Ashiya Dōman?

After all, in the game's setting, he appears as Abe no Seimei's lifelong enemy.

Haruhiko was thoughtful.

It is unknown whether Ashiya Dōman, the persona he was incarnated as, had any interaction with Abe no Seimei at this time.

If not, it means the bigger one is yet to come.

Haruhiko was conflicted for a moment.

To be honest, he really wanted to know what had happened back then.

But he was also worried that something might happen to Tsuchimikado Mari and the others.

Haruhiko let out a breath.

Let’s talk about it then.

Take one step at a time.

The banquet was about to begin.

In the darkness of night, a magnificent mansion was brightly lit.

The people coming and going at the entrance are all great poets.

Haruhiko changed into an elegant kimono today, making him look like a scholar from ancient times.

The same applies to Yuan Neng and Miao Yan.

The three of them also changed their appearance.

But instead of using magic, it was a human skin mask.

the reason is simple.

If you use magic, traces of psychic energy will remain.

There is nowhere to hide in front of Abe no Seimei; wearing a human skin mask is safer.

Please show me the invitation.

The three of them blended into the crowd and lined up at the door, but someone immediately stopped them.

They produced the invitation, checked it, and received permission.

Upon entering the mansion, Haruhiko had one immediate impression: it was huge, much bigger than Fujiwara no Akimitsu's mansion.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a palace.

Fujiwara no Michinaga truly lived up to his reputation as a regent.

Historical records indicate that he even forced the then-Crown Prince to abdicate simply because he was not born to an empress from the Fujiwara clan.

The crown prince who abdicated was married to Fujiwara no Akimitsu's daughter.

Therefore, although the two share the same surname, they are actually mortal enemies.

The courtyard was filled with desks.

Haruhiko, Enou, and Myoen did not sit together, but separately.

They needed to find nearby psychics so they could sneak into the backyard and find Fujiwara Michinaga's room during the later gathering.

Haruhiko chose a spot in the eastern corner.

He sat down at an empty desk and activated his perception spell.

Most of the people attending the party were ordinary people.

In this era, because psychic energy is more abundant, there are more psychics.

But this is mostly relative.