Chapter 141. Minamoto no Raikou: People Say That Danna-sama Has a Lover Outside
[Your plan is steadily progressing.]
[You frequently visit the residence where Tamamo no Mae is hiding.]
[You do this to attract as much attention as possible.]
[And the result is exactly as you expected.]
On the streets of Heian-kyo.
"Abe-sama."
Tamamo no Mae gazed at the bustling street, her face filled with worry.
The image of the soldiers from before still echoed in her mind.
In reality, even a fox could sense that the number of curious onlookers around the residence had increased significantly.
Although they dared not take any action against the "lover" of the Grand Onmyoji, she could not afford to be careless.
"I… it seems I am being watched."
"If this continues, will it affect Abe-sama?"
"Tamamo, you don't need to worry about that."
Ian gently stroked Tamamo no Mae's anxious hair, his voice soothing her.
"You only need to behave and follow instructions, understand?"
"As long as no one sees your true appearance, there's nothing to be concerned about."
Tamamo no Mae obediently nodded.
At this moment, she had absolute trust in this Grand Onmyoji.
"I understand."
"I will be sure to protect myself well."
"Umu, that's the right attitude."
[The rumors about your lover continue to spread.]
[But you don't mind them.]
[Because this is exactly the situation you need—enough attention, enough public interest.]
[Only then will the act of "slaying the fox spirit" be accepted by all.]
[However, you are not just creating rumors.]
[You must carefully arrange Tamamo no Mae's next actions.]
"Mikon!"
Tamamo no Mae closed her eyes, looking like she was trying to endure something.
Her hands tightly gripped the tatami under her body, leaving clear marks.
Her legs, forming an M shape, were trembling non-stop.
And at the gate of the fox treasure, a small wooden button was blocking the exit.
The two were pressed so tightly together that there was not even a gap left.
The Grand Onmyoji gently stroked the edge of the pure white treasure, then whispered in the fox spirit's ear:
"Tamamo, now it's possible."
"Mikon!"
Pfft—
The small wooden button was pushed away, hit the wall, and fell onto the tatami, rolling a few times.
Immediately after, water droplets splashed in the air, drawing shimmering arcs before landing, wetting a large area below.
"Tamamo."
Ian looked at the scene before him, unable to help but laugh.
"Here I am!"
Tamamo no Mae tilted her head back, her face flushed red, shyly looking at Onmyoji.
"Abe-sama, is something wrong?"
"Nothing." Ian shook his head.
"It's just that you seem to be working harder and harder these days... to the point where even the wooden button can't stop you anymore."
"That's..."
Tamamo no Mae lowered her head, twisting her fingers together.
"Because Abe-sama said that this looks really nice... I've been practicing really hard."
"Of course... it could also be because I'm getting more and more sensitive to Abe-sama's fingers."
"With just a simple touch, I feel the desire to offer you a performance worthy of admiration."
As she spoke, Tamamo no Mae became increasingly embarrassed.
"Does this… make you feel uncomfortable?"
"Not at all."
Ian gently patted her head.
"I enjoy seeing your performances, Tamamo."
"Really?"
Tamamo no Mae reached for Ian's hand—the one that still bore faint traces of their earlier connection.
"Really."
Ian reassured her.
"But Tamamo—"
"Let's stop here for today."
"We still have to get used to some other things."
"Eh? I understand."
[You take Tamamo no Mae outside.]
[Due to the previous experience, she is actually somewhat afraid of doing this.]
[You know that very well.]
[But you still have to do it.]
"Abe-sama."
Tamamo no Mae tightly grips the hand of the Grand Onmyoji beside her.
"We are about to..."
"Don't worry, Tamamo." Ian reassures the fox girl beside him.
"I am guiding you through the escape route."
"E-escape route?"
Tamamo no Mae looks at Ian in confusion.
"Abe-sama, what do you mean?"
"It's very simple."
While holding her hand, Ian patiently explains.
"Tamamo, if the previous plan goes smoothly..."
"Then what will be the outcome?"
"..."
Tamamo no Mae lowers her head, lost in thought.
With her sharp intellect, she quickly finds the answer.
"Abe-sama, you plan to tie me up with ropes in front of everyone, then 'kill' me... After that, use a fake corpse as convincing proof, correct?"
"Tamamo, it seems you have understood my plan."
Ian gazes straight at the bustling streets of Heian-kyo before him.
"That is indeed the plan."
"So—"
"Tamamo, there is only one chance."
"You must leave at the right moment... otherwise, everything will fall apart."
[Tamamo no Mae fully understands your words.]
[She nods slightly, beginning to carefully memorize the escape route she must take.]
[The two of you walk back and forth multiple times, confirming the path step by step.]
[Only when Tamamo no Mae has completely memorized it do you finish this process.]
[You take her to rest.]
[The two of you stop at a tavern.]
[Both of you choose a seat in a prominent position.]
"Abe-sama."
Tamamo no Mae looks at the Grand Onmyoji across from her, a trace of worry flickering in her golden eyes.
"Not avoiding the public like this... is it really okay?"
"There's no problem."
Ian takes a sip of the sake on the table.
"This time, there's no need to avoid anything."
"But if you do this... it will be difficult to explain to your wife, won't it?"
Tamamo no Mae does not want to cause trouble for Ian.
"That is exactly what I want."
Ian looks at the fox girl, whose face is full of concern.
"If Raikou takes the initiative to come to me, things will be much simpler."
"Simpler?"
"That's right." Ian nods.
"Tamamo, don't forget Raikou's status... If she finds out that I am meeting with you like this, she will definitely take action."
"If that's the case—"
Before Ian can finish speaking, Tamamo no Mae cuts in.
"If that's the case, letting her witness everything firsthand will make it even more convincing."
"Umu." Ian smiles lightly. "Tamamo, it's great that you understand."
"..."
Tamamo no Mae observes her surroundings before turning her gaze back to the Grand Onmyoji in front of her.
Suddenly thinking of something, she flashes a mischievous smile.
"If that's the case—"
"Abe-sama, then you and I should display a bit more intimacy, shouldn't we?"
As she speaks, she fills the cup in front of her.
"In that case, would you care to share a sake cup with me?~"
"That way, everyone here will surely take notice."
"...That's fine by me."
[Tamamo no Mae's suggestion proved highly effective.]
[Sitting in a prominent spot and sharing a sake cup, the two of you quickly drew the attention of every patron in the tavern.]
[Some people recognized you.]
[You knew that before long, this incident would reach Minamoto no Raikou's ears.]
[But you weren't worried.]
[In fact, you even thought about pushing things a step further.]
Late afternoon.
After spending the day strolling with Ian, Tamamo no Mae was utterly content.
"Abe-sama."
She clung to the Grand Onmyoji beside her, her gaze filled with longing.
"Today has been the happiest day since I set foot in Heian-kyo."
"Thank you."
"After all, you never had the chance to wander around before." Ian gently stroked her long hair.
"It's not just because of that."
Tamamo no Mae looked up at the man beside her.
"Abe-sama… More importantly, it's because you are here with me."
"I truly love being by your side."
"..."
"Don't say things like that right now." Ian interrupted her.
"Tamamo, the most important thing right now is whether you can survive this operation or not."
"If anything happens, we'll talk later."
"..."
Tamamo no Mae remained silent for a moment before nodding slightly.
"Umu."
"I understand."
[The "illicit affair" between you and Tamamo no Mae grew increasingly sensational.]
[Rumors of you having a mistress spread throughout the streets of Heian-kyo.]
[You knew that sooner or later, Minamoto no Raikou would hear about it.]
[And that was exactly what you wanted.]
Moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating the room.
Ian was waiting for something.
He had a feeling—tonight, Minamoto no Raikou would definitely come to him.
And sure enough—
The shoji door was pulled open, then immediately shut.
Minamoto no Raikou stepped inside, gripping the katana Hizamaru in her hand.
Her face was more solemn than ever before—a look he had never seen on her.
But—
That stern expression lasted for less than a second before it completely crumbled.
She placed down the katana entrusted to her by her father.
Then, in the next instant, she threw herself at Ian, pushing him onto the tatami.
The once endlessly gentle female samurai seemed to have lost all reason at this moment.
She pressed her lips firmly against his, leaving no gap between them.
Her tongue coiled and slid deep into the Onmyoji's mouth, as if she wanted to consume even the air inside.
A kiss so fervent it was suffocating.
Yet Ian did not reject it.
Because he could feel it—Minamoto no Raikou was afraid.
A long time passed.
The radiant war goddess finally pulled away.
Her beautiful violet eyes were now filled with shimmering tears.
The proud, invincible woman who had never conceded to anyone—
At this moment, she looked like a child, utterly aggrieved.
"My lady."
Ian reached out and wiped away the tear at the corner of Minamoto no Raikou's eye.
"Why are you crying?"
"Because I am about to lose my danna-sama."
Minamoto no Raikou, still straddling Ian, spoke with a trembling voice:
"They all say… that you have another woman."
"That the two of you shared a sake cup, walked hand in hand through the streets, and even stayed in the same room."
"Danna-sama!" Raikou's anguish was unmistakable. "Why did you do this?"
"Is it because I haven't had time to be with you?"
"If that's the case—"
"Wouldn't it have been better if you just told me?"
"The position of Mino no Kami, I don't have to…"
Before she could finish speaking, Ian reached out and covered her mouth.
"My lady, do not say such things."
"The revival of the Genji clan still depends on you."
Hearing this, Minamoto no Raikou pushed Ian's hand away from her lips.
"But, danna-sama—"
"You once said that we would reach that day together!"
"So why are you betraying me now?"
"My lady."
Ian did not shy away from Minamoto no Raikou's accusations—because he truly had a plan.
He spoke calmly:
"Why would you rather believe outsiders than the one who has been by your side for so many years?"
"..."
Hearing this, Minamoto no Raikou seemed to realize something.
She furrowed her brows slightly and asked in a low voice:
"Danna-sama, what do you mean?"
"Could it be… that everything they said was false?"
"No."
Ian shook his head.
"It was not false."
"I truly did those things—My lady, but first, calm yourself."
"..."
Minamoto no Raikou nodded.
She did not want to believe that the man before her would betray her.
Seeing that the beauty before him had temporarily calmed down, Ian continued:
"My lady."
"Lately, you have been preoccupied with the existence of the so-called 'courtesan,' haven't you?"
"Umu." Minamoto no Raikou nodded.
"I have searched for nearly two months… yet still found no trace."
"Perhaps the courtesan left Heian-kyo long ago."
"No." Ian shook his head.
"My lady, it is still in Heian-kyo."
Minamoto no Raikou was about to question Ian's certainty, but in that instant, realization struck her.
"Danna-sama, could it be that you…"
"That's right, my lady."
Ian took Minamoto no Raikou's hand.
"I have discovered the whereabouts of the 'courtesan'."
"The actions you heard about before were all meant to keep it within my grasp."
"My lady, its true form is that of a fox spirit."
"Report this to the Tenno under the name of the Genji clan."
"...Danna-sama."
Minamoto no Raikou gazed intently at the Grand Onmyoji beneath her, the sorrow in her eyes finally easing somewhat.
"So… this is what you were doing?"
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Because—"
Ian looked into Minamoto no Raikou's deep violet eyes.
"My lady has already borne too much."
"I saw no need to trouble you before everything was settled."
[Minamoto no Raikou did not doubt your words.]
[Or rather, this was precisely the explanation she wanted to hear.]
"How wonderful…"
Minamoto no Raikou rested her head on Ian's chest.
"Danna-sama did not betray me… I thought I would have to use Hizamaru tonight."
"Use Hizamaru?"
Ian glanced at the famed katana that Minamoto no Raikou had set aside.
"My lady, were you planning to kill me?"
"No."
Minamoto no Raikou lifted her head slightly and shook it.
"I could never bring myself to harm Danna-sama."
"So—"
"If Danna-sama had truly changed his heart, I would have chosen to take my own life right before your eyes."
"That way… no matter which woman you are with in the future, you would never be able to forget me."
"..."
Ian gently ran his fingers through Minamoto no Raikou's beautiful violet hair.
"My lady, rest assured."
"You will never die before me."
"I know."
Minamoto no Raikou wrapped her arms around Ian's neck, her warm breath tickling his ear.
"Danna-sama, I want you right now."
"Umu, I know."
[The two of you shared a passionate and fervent dance upon the tatami throughout the night.]
[All preparations for the plan were now complete.]
[But at this moment, you were still unaware—]
[This would be the beginning of a storm that would once again plunge Heian-kyo into chaos.]