Xingyue, is Xiaokai also considered Kai?

but……

Novia also knew that Hojo Ujimasa himself had appeared in Gudagata Taikou Risshiden, and his appearance was that of a punk man with brightly colored hair. It seemed that Hojo's ancestor Hojo Soun was still inside him, which meant he could possess people... so he was just like herself now.

Gudagata Taikou Den is a short manga where the experience points are based on Sengoku daimyo as masters. It opens with Toyotomi Hideyoshi, accompanied by Okita Souji, killing Imagawa Yoshimoto at Okehazama. In the end, Hideyoshi is defeated by Nobunaga due to the setting sun, and the story ends with the unfinished battle between Nobunaga and Takechiyo, who is Tokugawa Ieyasu.

In short, it's a prequel to the Holy Grail War in the Imperial Capital.

"Ugh, he got away again! Damn it... Ahhhhh, this is... Uncle's aura?!"

Ushiwakamaru sniffed the air as if it were a puppy, then stopped, laughed heartily, and struck a pose.

"I never imagined that you would look like this beneath your armor, Uncle. In that case, you must be weaker than me now. If I were to cut off your head, you would probably die."

Judging from Ushiwakamaru's words and excited expression, Novia felt that she had mistaken her for Minamoto no Tameaki. This was normal, after all, Minamoto no Tameaki was made from the remains of the Moon God. Back when he was Avia, he had used the power of the Moon God. At that time, the Moon God's body was still hanging in space.

Ushiwakamaru's father was Minamoto no Yoshitomo, and both Minamoto no Tametomo and Minamoto no Yoshitomo's father was Minamoto no Tametomo.

During the Hōgen Rebellion, Minamoto no Tametomo and his father sided with Emperor Sutoku, one of the four great vengeful spirits of Japan, while Taira no Kiyomori and Minamoto no Yoshitomo were on the opposing side of Emperor Go-Shirakawa. Emperor Go-Sūtoku's side was defeated, thus ushering in the Taira clan regime, the first military regime in Japan.

"idiot."

Before Novia and Ushiwakamaru could make a move, a soft shout came from inside the shopping district, and Taira no Masakado, wearing a black hat and a brown coat, with a pair of sunken light gray eyes, walked out at an unimaginable speed. The tree roots crawling on the ground at his feet looked like black snakes.

"Eh?! Lord Pingpingpingpingpingpingpingping! What brings you out here?!"

"What are you thinking, you idiot?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the tall and imposing Taira no Masakado used a throwing technique, and Ushiwakamaru was thrown to the ground like a radish. Although the man used it casually and his movements were small, it was clear that it was the Aikido Tenchi-shoku technique.

Ushiwakamaru didn't take this to heart at all. Instead, he laughed heartily. After laughing for a while, Ushiwakamaru, who had been lying on his back, quickly got up, knelt down, and solemnly bowed to Novia.

"I'm so sorry! It was a misunderstanding on my part, please forgive me! By the way, you absolutely must try the fried mantou (steamed buns), it's a famous and fragrant product of our Kanda Shrine—"

Ushiwakamaru turned around and called out to Taira no Masakado, "You agree, right, Lord Taira no Masakado, Lord Kanda no Myojin!"

Kanda Myojin's duty is to guard the gates to the land of the dead, which is the god that Taira no Masakado became after his death.

Kanda Shrine, one of the Ten Shrines of Tokyo, is dedicated to Ōkuninushi, Sukunahikona, and Taira no Masakado.

Novia realized that by now, Eri had already had contact with all three of them.

Years ago, he and Eri made the 'suicide' of Yoruichi Yukinobu, who had summoned the Great Lord of the Ninja, possible. Later, in the case of Louis XVII and his master, Eri obtained the Tenno Rama Ship of Sukunahiko. Now, he has encountered Taira no Masakado, who manages the gates of the underworld.

Novia could only admire John Dee's deep planning, having started the Holy Grail War over a decade ago while still human. However, it was likely that his schemes clashed with El's, since El's appearance was probably an accident.

"Shut up, you idiot."

Ushiwakamaru, who had been scolded by Taira no Masakado, raised his hands in mid-air, showing a defeated expression. Then Taira no Masakado turned to look at Novia.

"Let me reintroduce myself. My name is Taira no Masakado, and I am also the shrine priest of Kanda Shrine, which manages the Tokyo Religious Veins. Now, please—"

Just as Taira no Masakado was about to speak in a manner contrary to his usual 'enthusiasm', Ushiwakamaru tugged at his sleeve.

"Lord Taira no Masakado, the lord has arrived."

Upon hearing this, everyone present turned to look at a girl dressed as a red and white shrine maiden behind Taira no Masakado. She appeared elegant and serene, and looked to be just over four years old. Her face was so pale that she looked sickly.

"Ah, it's true... someone's coming..."

The girl seemed a little overwhelmed by the large crowd. She quickly straightened her wrinkled skirt, brushed the sand off her clothes, and then stood before the crowd, bowing respectfully to each of them. Her purple and white patterned trousers indicated that she was the priestess in charge of Kanda Shrine.

Novia then learns that the little girl named Oshu is the Master of Taira no Masakado and Ushiwakamaru, in other words, she has summoned two Servants in a very strange way.

Ah Xiu specially invited Novia and the others into the main hall, which was off-limits to ordinary people, to inquire about the situation.

Novia didn't hide anything about this, saying that he wanted to find the Buddha's fruit and Buddha's mind of Vairocana.

Komiya Tsukasa's answer was concise and to the point: "Leave it to me." She indicated that since there was a possibility of a threat, in order to prevent the already paralyzed Tokyo from collapsing, she was willing to fully assist with the matters Novia mentioned.

However, before that, she earnestly requested everyone to participate in an event she was looking forward to—the Kanda Festival.

"……What?!"

Eri was somewhat surprised by the answer, but her face remained calm. "Although I don't really want to say it, this isn't the time for playing house. Don't we have more important things to do?"

Eri had an indescribable feeling towards the little girl named A-xiu, as if she wanted to stay away from her.

...Right, it must be that Taira no Masakado is going to participate in the Holy Grail War later, and this child is his Master, his enemy, that's right.

Eri thought so.

"Mom, I think participating in some activities wouldn't be a bad idea..."

"Since there's an event, of course we have to participate enthusiastically!"

Lushena's eyes shone even brighter. "And isn't it quite romantic to hold a large-scale event in a desolate city?"

I'm defeated by the two of you...

Eri sighed, "Um, excuse me, please allow me to say one more thing, because we're really quite busy..."

"Uh-huh."

Eri tried to explain the whole story to Shu and discuss it with her, but Shu's view on the matter was quite positive, while Eri was the one who felt somewhat confused.

"Yeah, Eri, you must be having a hard time right now."

...Huh? Did I mention my own name?

“…Um, that’s not what I meant.”

Eri knew that A-Shu was listening attentively to her explanation.

But knowing this doesn't mean I can really tell if she's taking it seriously. I'm finding it increasingly difficult to understand what this little girl is thinking.

"It's okay, it's only one day. The Kanda Festival will be over soon. I've been preparing for it for a long time. Shana, what do you think?"

Ah-xiu shook the sleeves of her shrine maiden's robes, raised her hand, and Ushiwakamaru immediately charged over from where the roasted buns were.

"I've heard the details! I understand everything! I knew all along that my lord definitely wanted to do this!"

"Right! And if this continues, all the materials will be wasted."

“But my lord, although you are prepared, it is not appropriate to force others to agree. It must be their heartfelt consent. You cannot be too reckless.”

"Yes, you're right."

Since she hadn't given up yet, Eri was planning to refuse outright, but suddenly Novia, standing beside her, said in a low voice that sounded like she was pouring cold water on her: "That's right, I think it's better to refuse. And don't you think it's terrifying to hold such a large event in a place where there are hardly any people? People who really want to do it can't do it well, but the people who least want to participate are the ones who are suitable. What kind of job is this?"

"...What nonsense are you spouting?"

Eri Seihara thought that since she hadn't seen the Demon King, the lack of people around her would make her feel bad, but Novia's words made her anxious, and she tried to explain.

"It's not that I really don't want to participate—"

"Of course I understand that, and I also know that you didn't become a night watchman willingly, so you don't want others to do similar things, right?"

"...Huh? What does this mean?"

Erise rushed forward, wanting to refute Novia.

Damn it, if it weren't for that Demon King, I would never have applied to be a night watchman...

That was clearly a difficult decision, but at least I made it because I wanted to fulfill my responsibilities. I was only eight years old then! Even the Demon King was understanding towards me. You, who know nothing, only came because you said my mother was in Tokyo—

"..."

It was only then that Eri noticed that Novia's pale blue eyes had been fixed on her.

Those flawless eyes left Eri speechless, even though she wanted to retort.

He wasn't worried about falling out with me.

Eri felt there was a more dangerous intention in Novia's eyes, as if she was being pressured to speak more bluntly and directly, but how could she put it...?

The next second, Novia, holding a hot fried mantou (steamed bun) that Ushiwakamaru had just given him, stuffed it directly into Eri's mouth.

"?!"

Have you ever thanked someone when they helped you in the past?

"call."

Seeing this, Vairocana and Ushiwakamaru couldn't help but burst out laughing.

On the other hand, Ah Xiu felt very admiring, crossed her arms and nodded repeatedly.

"You two... are great! Compared to the usual fun duos, you're from a completely different world. But that's what makes it interesting. Keep it up!"

"I think Miss Xiu, you're fearless too..."

Eri sighed helplessly as she ate her fried mantou with her small cheeks puffed out, "There are hardly any people left in Tokyo, yet they still want to hold a festival."

"Really? I also feel that I'm a little different from those kids who were born into the new generation."

"Hmm? But you..."

Eri hesitated, but no matter how she looked at him, she felt that Shu was a four-year-old child.

It can't be reverse aging, right? That's way too childish!

"...Actually, I was born at the cusp of the old and new generations. Don't let my young age fool you, I'm actually fourteen, just like you, Erise. The reason I'm like this is because I have an incurable disease."

Eri felt that this answer was a bit subtle, and it was not easy for her, an outlier who did not have the Holy Grail and had not yet participated in the Holy Grail War, to give a proper answer.

but.

It's the transition period between the old and new generations...

The black-haired girl couldn't help but look up and survey the familiar 'business district'.

I think I was born in Tokyo during that same period.

Chapter 524 Barely, Maybe, Probably, Seems like, Perhaps I like it (7.K)

Kanda Festival——

Along with the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto and the Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka, it is known as one of the three major festivals in Japan, and during the Edo period it was also called the Tenka Matsuri.

During the Aizu campaign against Uesugi Kagekatsu and the Battle of Sekigahara, Tokugawa Ieyasu prayed for victory at Kanda Myojin Shrine. Therefore, after unifying Japan, he established the Kanda Festival as a traditional festival for the Tokugawa family, and the Kanda Shrine was moved to Edo Onimondo, where it became the guardian deity of Edo.

"May 15th is auspicious during the day and fun at night."

People in Tokyo describe the festival as follows: people flock to the streets, beating drums and gongs, waving banners, wearing straw hats adorned with red flowers, waving fans, and playing flutes, praying to the three deities of Kanda Shrine. Meanwhile, horses and giant black oxen pull two-wheeled carts southward toward the shrine.

Each neighborhood has its own float, some even taller than three stories—ancient courtiers in silk robes appear and disappear on the roof of the float.

In addition, there will be a rooster, a long-tailed phoenix, many different kinds of monsters, a multi-segmented blue octopus, a huge bouquet of flowers, and the rising sun bathed in brilliant light.

If Eri had lived in Tokyo until now, she would definitely have attended the parade, and the Kanda Festival would have become her festival. However, with Tokyo reduced to ruins, everything has become nonsense, a pipe dream.

Ten years later, in 2021, pervasive dust covered the streets; gray embers were devoid of luster; newly built attics emitted a damp and cold smell; the gloom surrounding the business district was reflected on the bright sea surface, the city's remaining protective shield; drones occasionally rolled in from the deeper sea; even the walls of the shrine that guarded the city were empty, without graffiti, notices, or even the "No Entry" sign of Akihabara Tenmangu Shrine.

It was as if a deity was whispering: "You should also live out your life in solitude forever."

Even so, Eri still felt nostalgic because she saw many empty stalls around the shrine, with bare, old, and unusable light bulbs hanging from them. So many meaningless things would seem like a show to both people of the new and old eras.

Even so, Eri couldn't help but think of the time when she was four years old and still in Tokyo, when many people must have strolled and laughed here.

The once radiant smiles, the once lively atmosphere, the air I could breathe and the stones I stepped on—it's all a part of the real world, yet it gives me a feeling of being adrift. Is it because the shrine is located at the gates of hell? Or is it because I've been here before?

"I did come here, didn't I?"

The girl blurted out unconsciously, her deep blue eyes still wandering in the dark blue darkness.

The thought that Tokyo, where she once lived, had become the underworld always made her feel a little sad.

simply……

Eri suddenly realized—it was as if Death Himself had turned this place into the underworld.

She has no memory of anything before the age of four, and the reason she didn't ask her mother, Nami, for details when she saw her now is the same. In her eyes, Tokyo has become like this, and her mother was already very kind to send her away back then, and she did right by her... Chitose is the same. Even though she has no blood relation with her, she still makes a fuss about being her granddaughter.

Suddenly, Eri recalled the strange feelings she had during the Louis XVII case. Sometimes she seemed silly, and other times she was very perceptive. She seemed to care about nothing, yet she was very sensitive to certain things, as if she had a dual personality.

"Miss Eri, Miss Lushena, and Mother Tiamat, I thank you all for your assistance. In particular, Miss Eri's concerns about my lord are well-founded."

Ushiwakamaru left the fried mantou stall and went to find the three people outside the shrine on his own.

"Within Tokyo, I will use my sword to completely eliminate any hostility directed at us... But as my lord mentioned, she is fearless and has been so since childhood. Unless she encounters difficulties and suffers heavy losses, she will never stop. This has also caused my lord a lot of headaches."

"Niu Ruo, are you referring to that serious-looking kid next to Xiao Xiu, the one named Taira no Masakado...?"

Tiamat asked with great concern, to which Ushiwakamaru smiled, as if trying to soothe her anxiety.

"That's precisely why I'm needed. The Kanda Festival has been my lord's childhood dream, but it's been ten years already. No one knows what will happen if it's held again... However, this is the mission I, as a military commander, must fulfill. If the situation becomes so dangerous that it's beyond our capabilities, I promise to step forward and shield you all so that you can escape danger safely."