Onmyoji, a nobleman in Heian-kyo

A gust of fragrant wind came.

As expected, Kyosuke Kosaka bore the weight of a person.

But the rebound force after the initial softness made him fall into deep thought again.

"I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!"

"I'm sorry, Lord Kyosuke. Although my maid is obedient, she can be clumsy at times."

As Kirisu Mafuyu, who had been pinning down Kousaka Kyosuke, quickly got up and apologized, Fujiwara Kaori followed suit and apologized as well.

Kyosuke Kosaka shook his head to indicate that it was alright.

Kirisu Mafuyu is an ice queen who combines "mysterious self-confidence" and "housework idiot".

This is perfectly logical for such a thing to happen.

"Let's continue talking."

"Aren't you going to drink water?"

"No need—I'll handle this water." Seeing Kirisu Mafuyu hurriedly reach for a cloth to wipe the water off the floor, Kousaka Kyosuke used his spiritual power to evaporate it even faster.

Kirisu Mafuyu looked dejected, and even her beautiful long pink hair seemed to have lost its luster.

Kyosuke Kousaka couldn't help but feel guilty.

Given his position, it was inconvenient for him to say anything.

Fujiwara Kaori, who was constantly observing Kousaka Kyosuke, had a beautiful face with gentle eyes and a faint smile.

Men with good personalities are rare treasures in this era and even in modern times.

It's necessary to let your good friends know this too.

That night, Kousaka Kyosuke talked to Fujiwara Kaori about the banquet. As the night deepened, Fujiwara Kaori wanted to sleep with Kirisu Mafuyu, and Kousaka Kyosuke said he had no objection. The night passed without incident.

Just like before, some people's little hands were still a bit unruly.

Day 47 of crossing

As dawn broke, Kyosuke Kousaka left.

Fujiwara Kaori and Kirisu Mafuyu, who had already woken up in the mansion, watched him leave until his figure disappeared.

“Mafuyu, it seems that Lord Kyosuke has never had sexual intercourse with a woman before.”

"...No, unclean! Filthy! And what were you doing last night?!"

After Kousaka Kyosuke left, Kirisu Mafuyu glared at Fujiwara Kaori with a mixture of shame and anger, keeping her voice hushed.

She never imagined that her friend would do such a shameful thing last night!

Fujiwara Kaori didn't seem to care much. She glanced around and pulled Kirisu Mafuyu straight into the room before speaking.

"It's quite common for husband and wife to do this kind of thing, and besides, Lord Kyosuke is on the orders of Master Dojo to subdue the monsters of Mount Oe. Do you know what that means?"

"..."

Kirisu Mafuyu immediately fell silent, her emotions plummeting.

She certainly knew what that meant.

War means death.

Even a high-ranking official who commands the entire army cannot guarantee safety.

Kyosuke Kosaka may never return this time.

"Well, at least you weren't being unreasonable. In a couple of days, you can marry Lord Kyosuke."

"What are you saying?"

"Don't be like that, calm down. Kyosuke-sama is a novice, just like you. You've hit the jackpot."

Having anticipated that Kirisu Mafuyu would once again become flustered and incoherent, Fujiwara Kaori pressed down hard on her shoulders with both hands.

I feel quite tired.

"I'm entrusting you with my most precious possessions! Accept them with gratitude! Otherwise, you'll regret it when you encounter a burly and uncouth man like Fujiwara Yasumasa!"

"...How did you know I was—"

"I'm so tired."

Fujiwara Kaori rolled her eyes, not wanting to say anything.

She was also feeling very confused at the moment.

Kyosuke Kosaka is actually going to conquer Mount Ōe, which is home to countless fierce monsters.

Even if we consider the outcome according to history, folklore, and other sources, it is a victory.

It's unclear whether Kyosuke Kousaka, a character not mentioned in any books, will return alive.

On the contrary, Fujiwara no Yasumasa, who had previously harassed her, was the victor in folk tales, along with Minamoto no Yorimitsu and others.

This made Fujiwara Kaori somewhat worried.

She unconsciously looked at Kirisu Mafuyu, who was worried and looked uneasy.

"Make the most of this opportunity, or you'll lose not only good memories but also the will to live."

Fujiwara Kaori let out a soft sigh.

Women have always had it so tough in any era.

the other side.

Kyosuke Kosaka was the one who began gathering people for the position of prosecutor.

The people sent to subdue Mount Oe were not only from the family, but also from a large number of fire soldiers from the Kenbishizuo and the guards from the various guards' palaces.

The Taoist priest, who valued him highly, even mobilized a small group of 500 fierce soldiers from the garrison headquarters for him.

The so-called "garrison headquarters" were military agencies stationed in various provinces under the jurisdiction of the imperial court during this era, responsible for the defense of their respective regions.

The vast majority of the soldiers in the regiment had fought against the southward-migrant Ainu and local natives, so their combat effectiveness was certainly not bad.

Of the remaining 1000 people, the Fujiwara Kita family would provide 500, and the remaining 500 would be recruited by Kousaka Kyosuke himself from the Kenbishi Agency.

This made things a bit difficult for Kyosuke Kousaka.

Even a lowly soldier in the Bureau of Investigation and Punishment likely has some noble blood; they simply lack status and position due to their weak ties to their master.

However, their actual treatment is still much better than that of ordinary people!

Sending these pampered, lazy people who only know how to slack off at work to fight a war...that's difficult!

Forced conscription would lower morale and damage his reputation, and Kousaka Kyosuke, who believed he was absolutely capable of surviving, did not want to do that.

Kousaka Kyosuke was somewhat moved when he inadvertently recalled the phenomenon of involution among the lowly and non-human beings during the flood season a few days ago.

This time, some of the untouchables and non-humans will also be forcibly conscripted, but even if we win, they won't benefit from it.

There was nothing he could do to help.

Time flew by, and at noon, Kyosuke Kosaka left the Prosecutor's Office to return to his residence.

Unexpectedly, when he went outside, he saw Ayanokouji Kiyotaka driving an oxcart and waiting for him.

"Hmm?" Kyosuke Kosaka tilted his head, looking puzzled.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, who rarely saw this side of Kousaka Kyosuke, felt his eyelids twitch, but still spoke:

"Lord Kyosuke, I have come to serve you on the orders of Lord Dojo."

Kyosuke Kosaka tensed up, instinctively wanting to step back, but instead leaning back instead.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka paused for a moment, then immediately changed his words:

"From today onwards, I will be Lord Kyosuke's attendant."

Kyosuke Kosaka breathed a sigh of relief, but nodded thoughtfully without refusing.

Because I couldn't refuse.

23. Ayanokoji's younger sister? /Minamoto no Yorimitsu/Wanting to improve herself?

豱辘辘~

The oxcart moved forward smoothly.

Leaning against the carriage wall, which was intricately carved with vine patterns, Kyosuke Kosaka casually gazed at the scenery outside the window.

The people and things in my eyes kept receding.

Suddenly, Kyosuke Kosaka froze.

A tall woman with a long ponytail that reached her thighs came into view.

The woman, dressed in a brownish-yellow blouse, appeared to be about seventeen or eighteen years old. Her icy and beautiful face exuded an aloofness that made her seem unapproachable.

No, that's not right. It's—killing intent!