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SO : 10 The Sage of Gensokyo
🕑 Added 2024-09-05 02:58:14 +0000 UTCIn the Japanese-style cabin within the interstice, Yukari Yakumo sensed something unusual. She opened her amethyst-colored eyes, her expression serious, and abruptly sat up from the tatami mat.
The great youkai's figure was striking, with a lithe waist and graceful demeanor.
Her golden hair cascaded around her, the thin blanket slipping down her smooth, pale skin, revealing glimpses of her delicate, white limbs.
Normally, when Yukari Yakumo awoke from her winter slumber, she would be enchanting and full of languid charm, exuding an air of lazy elegance.
But this time, Yukari Yakumo's demeanor was unusually grave, her eyes reflecting a subtle anxiety and panic.
"Lady Yukari!"
At her call, a stunning young woman clad in a white robe and wearing a peculiar hat, with nine tails, appeared in the modest bedroom.
From the girl's posture alone, one could surmise she was the legendary nine-tailed fox.
However, unlike the seductive nine-tailed fox of legend, this nine-tailed maiden was marked by a sense of solemnity rather than allure.
Ran Yakumo, originally a nine-tailed beast, had been tamed by the youkai sage a thousand years ago, becoming her shikigami and adopting the Yakumo surname.
Since then, this nine-tailed fox had served the youkai sage for a millennium, unwaveringly and continuously by her side.
Currently in the kitchen, Ran Yakumo, upon hearing her master's call, quickly donned her clothes and arrived in Yukari Yakumo's winter slumber chamber.
To see Yukari Yakumo, who was not supposed to awaken until spring, rouse during her hibernation was surprising.
Moreover, the usual springtime softness in Yukari Yakumo's demeanor was replaced by a severe and composed presence, making Ran Yakumo momentarily feel as if she were witnessing the youkai sage's former grandeur from a thousand years ago.
How long had it been since she had seen Lady Yukari in this state?
Reflecting on it, it had been over a hundred years.
Since the Hakurei Barrier opened a century ago, isolating Gensokyo from the outside world, Lady Yukari seemed to have fulfilled her duties and had since become increasingly indifferent.
This once formidable youkai sage had become a recluse, or to put it simply, had turned complacent.
It was as if Yukari Yakumo had already resigned herself to fate and had begun to embrace idleness early.
Yet, who could have anticipated that over a hundred years later, she would see Lady Yukari's old self again?
'In that case, Lady Yukari might become motivated again and no longer remain idle.'
Ran Yakumo's joy was not merely about Yukari Yakumo's sudden return to her former self.
It was more about the fact that since Yukari Yakumo had become idle, she had left all matters to her shikigami.
Not only did Ran Yakumo have to complete Yukari's various bizarre tasks, but she also had to attend to Yukari's daily needs and repair the great barrier in her spare time.
This continued for a century without rest, demanding her diligence and preventing any lapse in effort.
In such a demanding environment, Ran Yakumo had felt immense pressure, and her mental state had suffered.
If Lady Yukari were to regain her sage-like demeanor and assist her with some of the work, she would be overwhelmed with emotion.
"Something major has happened. Ran, come with me!"
As she spoke, Yukari Yakumo rose gracefully, her delicate feet touching the tatami mat.
She spun around, her provocative figure encased in a purple gown adorned with lotus leaves and lace.
"Lady Yukari, is there an issue with the barrier?"
Ran Yakumo's expression shifted slightly. In her mind, the only thing that could make Yukari Yakumo so concerned would be the Hakurei Barrier.
"Something has entered Gensokyo from beyond the barrier."
Yukari Yakumo gave a brief response to Ran's question. As she spoke, gaps appeared behind both herself and Ran.
These were interstitial spaces, with ends of the spatial rift tied with cute bows, yet countless eerie eyes peered from within the gaps, evoking fear.
Ran Yakumo had long since grown accustomed to these eyes.
She was puzzled. Objects from beyond the barrier entering Gensokyo was not an unusual occurrence.
Indeed, when the number of humans in the human world dwindled, Lady Yukari would sometimes conceal certain individuals.
But this time, Lady Yukari was mobilizing with unusual urgency. Could it be that the entity from beyond the barrier was an extremely terrifying and forgotten being or youkai?
Despite her confusion, Ran did not ask further. She knew she would soon learn the answer.
Before being swallowed by the interstice, Ran prepared for battle.
As the interstice opened from the Japanese-style cabin, another gap appeared within Gensokyo.
Yukari Yakumo, accompanied by her shikigami, emerged from the rift, her gloved hands holding a parasol as her gaze fell upon the lawn below.
Once they emerged from the interstice, Ran was ready for anything. She realized they were near the Hakurei Shrine.
However, despite her vigilance, she found no enemy. Her attention gradually shifted to the pitch-black paper Yukari Yakumo had picked up from the lawn.
"Lady Yukari, what is this thing…"
At the mere sight of the black paper, Ran's nine tails bristled in fear, as if she had seen something extremely terrifying.
Ran Yakumo's face showed her dread, and she instinctively took a step back.
Realizing this action was akin to abandoning Yukari Yakumo, she quickly regained her composure and returned to her place.
"As you can see, Ran… the power contained in this thing is truly formidable. Even a trace of it reveals the majesty of its owner."
Yukari Yakumo's eyes narrowed, her vigilance heightened to its peak.
It was precisely the sudden appearance of this object in Gensokyo that had roused her from her winter slumber.
"Lady Yukari, what exactly is this? Could it be related to the moon…"
Ran asked cautiously, her voice lowered as if speaking too loudly might attract the attention of the paper's master.
"No, you overestimate the inhabitants of the moon. They do not possess such power."
"…If this object were to suddenly appear on the moon, it would likely cause a panic throughout the lunar realm."
Yukari Yakumo mused, briefly considering whether to send the object to the moon.
But ultimately, she abandoned the idea, suspecting that the presence of this object in Gensokyo might hold some meaning beyond her understanding.
"So, what is this thing?"
Ran hesitated to ask. She had a rough idea of the symbol on the black paper but could not be certain.
"Ran, do you recognize it? This is the Zoroastrian symbol of Faravahar."
"…Strangely, the Faravahar symbol is typically male, yet this one features a female face."
"This object has significant research value. Let us take it back for further study."
Hearing Yukari Yakumo's words, Ran's expression changed dramatically: "Lady Yukari, this object is too dangerous."
"Yes, I am aware. But Ran, perhaps the appearance of this object is destined, a sign of hope!"
Yukari Yakumo murmured, "...Zoroaster is the term used by the ancient Greeks; more accurately, he should be referred to as Zarathustra!"
...
As Seigou emerged from the darkness, he left his palace and headed towards the arena.
