We devils and angels are foreign existences to the authorities here. Though we notified them beforehand, surveillance is still necessary." Well, that makes sense. I've heard about Kyoto being the centre of Japanese supernatural oddities. From their point of view, we are the outsiders. With slight wariness, we passed through the main entrance without issue. Walking further along, we reached the main hall. Continuing, we found the steps leading up the Inari mountain. We took photos as we advanced, and began our next challenge of climbing the mountain path through a thousand torii. We had been walking for tens of minutes. "...Hooo -- ha... W-wait, wait for me... W-why are you all so energetic...?" Motohama was out of breath. Matsuda sighed as he spoke on the steps above. "Hey hey, Motohama. This is shameful. Even Asia-chan and the rest are fine." Since Matsuda was actually quite athletic, this level of exertion was nothing. Well, we are devils after all, so our base abilities are definitely higher than normal humans. Not to mention we have been training, so this sort of thing is a piece of cake. As for me, due to the summer training deep in the mountainous wilderness, this level of exertion isn't even going to disrupt my breathing. ...Tannin-ossan, I can climb this kind of mountain without any sense of fatigue. I thanked the former Dragon King who is now in the Underworld. We were checking out some little stores at the rest stop half way, while continuing up the challenge that was Inari mountain. Motohama was completely breathless at this point. "Oh oh, what a great view." "Yes, too wonderful." "Then take a photo. By the way, do the local schools in this area use this mountain path for running? But looks like there are no runners today." Xenovia and Asia were touched by the scenery of the Fushimi Inari mountainside, while Kiryuu showed her knowledge as she snapped photos of the view. However, there really were tons of red torii no matter how far we advanced. Written on them were the names of companies or shops. They must have made offerings to the divinities at Fushimi Inari to make wishes. I've always felt that if you visit a mountain, you have to reach the top. That was what I learned from training in the mountains. If you climb a mountain, climb all the way to the peak! Something like that. "Sorry, I'm going to head to the top first." I informed the others, and then ran up the steps at full speed. Ah, if I was still a human, ascending this mountain would have killed me. After becoming a devil and undergoing non-stop training, this was so easy. I tried as much as possible not to disturb the other tourists, and continued up the steps. And then, I reached the peak. ...At the top of the mountain was an old shrine. Yes, this was the peak? To be honest, the path did branch off to other directions along the way. There must be other places to visit. Due to the dense foliage, there was barely any sunlight, and I was surrounded by a slight shade. The sound of rustling... Winds blowing through the trees. It really felt deserted. Other than me there was not a single soul. What should I do next? Let me pay respects to this shrine then head back down, everyone else is probably up here by now. I faced the shrine and clapped my hands together. "Let me see and touch breasts all the time! Help me find a girlfriend! Help me do erotic things with Buchou and Akeno-san!" As I finished this shameless but honest prayer, and prepared to leave--
"...Not from Kyoto?" --
A voice was suddenly heard. Noticing the presences around me...
Ah, it seems like, I was surrounded? There were clearly many inhuman presences. ...Not very strong individually, but they are numerous. Heh, I didn't know I had already honed my senses to such a degree! Anyway, too bad I didn't sense anything until I was surrounded...
As I prepared a stance, what appeared before me -- was a very cute, short girl in a priestess outfit. "...A girl?" Her blonde hair shining, both her irises were also golden coloured. She looks to be the age of a young primary school student. But clearly not human from the things on her head. -- Animal ears. Similar to Koneko's, but did not feel like a cat. That furry mass behind her must be the tail! A dog youkai? No, since it's Fushimi Inari, it must be a fox? By the way, why did fox-sama come to me? Because I'm a devil? But on the bus...
Could the feeling of being watched be from these guys? Ha! Was my breast-related wish forbidden!? Just as I occupied myself with random thoughts, the animal-eared girl glared at me, gnashing her teeth in rage and yelled:
"Outsider! How dare you...! Attack!" At the girl's command, out of the trees stepped many fellows with black wings and crow heads, dressed like mountain hermits. There are also some others with fox masks who dressed like priests. "Oh oh oh! What is this! These are karasu-tengu...? Foxes?" These first time opponents gave me quite a surprise. Without giving me a break, the young girl pointed at me and yelled:
"Give my mother back!" The tengu and the fox priests began to attack! I instantly materialized my gauntlet, and dodged their attacks! This level is not too hard to handle! "M-mother? What are you talking about? I don't know who your mother is!" I roared at the girl. I really don't know! About her mother, how could I know if I just arrived in Kyoto! However the girl does not seem to be listening! "Don't lie! My eyes cannot be deceived!" I didn't lie! What the heck, I just arrived in Kyoto and this happens! Although I wanted to escape, a tengu's staff came smashing down upon me. Am I going to be hit!? Just as I prepared myself--
Clang! The one who blocked the opponent's staff was --
"What's the matter, Ise?" "What are these? Youkai?" Xenovia and Irina have arrived! The two of them were carrying wooden swords they must have bought from the local specialty stores. Asia also hurried over a little later. Seeing the four of us gathered, the young girl and her group showed surprise but instantly became even more angry. "...Is that so, you all are the ones who ... my mother! Unforgivable! Unclean devils! You have tainted this sacred place! I will not forgive you!" ...No chance to talk at all! Her unilateral decisions were so vexing! If that's the case, leave it to me to endure such a situation! "Asia! Do you have the thing you received from Buchou?" "Yes!" Hearing my question, Asia took out from her jacket a card etched with the Gremory crest. If anything happened in Kyoto, this identification card could substitute for the absent Buchou and authorise me to promote. Asia had specifically obtained the card from Buchou before the trip. The reason why Asia was holding on to it was because it was best carried by someone who will stick with me throughout the trip. It's true, Asia and I will be together all the time during this school trip! "Transform! T-that..."
Queen!