The interior of the medical center radiated an air of advanced technology merged seamlessly with magic, creating an environment that appeared to be plucked from the pages of a futuristic novel. Gleaming surfaces and softly humming machinery surrounded them, a symphony of innovation brought to life through Atlantean magical prowess. This marvel left Matsudaira's group in a state of awe, their expressions a mix of fascination and disbelief.
As they followed Greed through the corridors, they arrived at a room that stood apart in its grandeur and significance. The VIP room was a haven of serenity, its pristine atmosphere seemingly untouched by the bustling world beyond. Within its confines rested a stasis pod, a beacon of hope and concern. And within that pod lay Koyuki, known by the title Wrath, in a state of profound slumber.
In this hushed setting, an unexpected tableau unfolded before them. Daniel stood at one side of the pod, his expression a blend of concern and affection. Little Sylvana, her presence surprisingly gentle despite her earlier exuberance, clung to Daniel's hand. Nearby, Envy observed with a quiet intensity, her gaze reflecting a complexity of emotions.
Greed's entrance prompted a nod of acknowledgment from Daniel, a mutual understanding transcending spoken words. Approaching Matsudaira's group, Greed gestured for them to take in the scene before them. The juxtaposition of futuristic surroundings with the poignant human connection at its heart evoked a profound sense of depth.
Matsudaira and his group entered the room, taking their places on the ground in the traditional Japanese manner, kneeling and bowing towards Daniel. This gesture caught Daniel off guard; it was the first time someone outside of those he had 'Actualized' had shown him such deference.
"Greetings, Lord Emberweave," Matsudaira said, his voice laced with formality as he bowed on one knee, adhering to Japanese tradition.
"What are you doing? Get up!" Daniel swiftly reached out, using his strength to help Matsudaira and the others to their feet. The unexpected show of strength surprised Matsudaira momentarily. Aside from being a mage, Matsudaira was also a warrior who had served in protecting the Tokugawa Clan in Japan. His expertise in magic-enhanced strength, coupled with his naturally honed physical abilities, placed him in remarkable shape.
"Lord?" Envy repeated, seeking clarification. "Mr. Matsudaira, I believe there might be a misunderstanding. The titles of Lord and Lady of the Hightower are reserved for mages in High Councilor positions. While Daniel is undeniably a powerful mage, as well as a brilliant Artificer and Alchemist, he doesn't technically hold the title of lord."
"No… it is accurate, Grand Counselor Envy. He is the husband of Princess Koyuki. In our terms, he is at least a lord," Matsudaira explained.
"Princess!?" Envy exclaimed, taken aback by this revelation, unaware of Koyuki's true identity.
"Aunt Envy… let me wxplain" Greed intervened, offering to shed light on the situation for Envy.
After a brief explanation from Greed, Envy grasped the truth about Koyuki's royal status. She took a deep breath, her sense of awe palpable in the room.
As a Grand Councilor of the Hightower, Envy served as a vital link between Japan's Onmyoji and the mages of the Hightower. This role granted her access to a trove of secrets that remained hidden from others.
Greed's brief explanation unveiled Koyuki's true identity, leaving Envy momentarily breathless with awe at the revelation. As a Grand Councilor of the Hightower, tasked with bridging the gap between Japan's Onmyoji and the mages of the Hightower, Envy held privileged knowledge that eluded others.
Greed's revelation was profound: Koyuki, or Wrath, was the daughter of 'Mayumi Mori No Tokugawa,' the princess of the current patriarch of the Tokugawa clan.
Notably, the inclusion of 'Mori' in her name suggested her mother's connection to the Mori clan, a powerful entity rivaling the Tokugawa Clan in might. The Mori clan possessed a secret bloodline, with many of the most potent Onmyoji and Miko tracing their lineage to this influential clan. Consequently, it was likely that Koyuki held dormant powers linked to the Miko, yet to awaken.
"That is… a lot to take in," Envy murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as she settled back into her seat at the table, attempting to regain her composure.
ραndαsnοvεl.cοm Once Envy had seated herself, Daniel directed a question to Matsudaira, inquiring about his purpose for being there.
"So… Mr. Matsudaira, why are you here? Are you, perhaps, intending to bring her home despite her current condition?" Daniel's question hung in the air.
"Yes, Lord Emberweave," Matsudaira responded honestly, a mix of admiration and concern visible in Daniel's reaction. Admiration, for Matsudaira's candor, and concern, for his daring honesty in Daniel's presence.
Unfazed by the atmosphere, Matsudaira continued, addressing the true intent behind his visit.
"But it's not solely due to the Shogun's order. I believe we might have the means to help Koyuki-Sama regain her life," Matsudaira explained.
An abrupt and palpable shift occurred, as Daniel's aura transformed into a menacing bloodlust, surpassing even that of Satan. In Matsudaira's mind, a vivid hallucination materialized – a battlefield drenched in the blood of countless warriors, with Daniel standing as a lone figure defying the might of an entire army.
This hallucination wasn't a magical construct; it was a manifestation of fear and instinctual survival, compelling Matsudaira to retreat from Daniel's presence.
"Mr. Matsudaira," Daniel began, his tone chillingly measured, "if this is a jest, I must say I find it far from amusing. Swear on whatever holds the utmost importance to you that this is no jest." Each word resonated with an icy precision.
[The intensity of this man's murderous intent… Has he truly wrought devastation on a national scale to amass such a level of animosity?] Matsudaira's mind raced, grappling with the overwhelming fear that had taken root within him.
Shrouded in fear, Matsudaira felt the weight of the moment as he stood before the formidable assembly. With a deep breath, he spoke, his voice carrying the gravity of his oath.
"Upon the honor of my Matsudaira Clan, I solemnly swear that every word I speak is the unadulterated truth, devoid of jest or deceit."
The room held its breath for a moment, the air thick with tension. Matsudaira's voice quivered slightly under the weight of his oath, and the oppressive aura of Daniel's bloodlust gradually receded. An expectant silence hung in the air, awaiting the outcome of this solemn declaration.
Daniel's eyes bore into Matsudaira, unwavering yet no longer emanating the ferocious hostility that had gripped the room just moments before. "Explain," he demanded in a voice tinged with an edge of impatience.
Matsudaira understood that in the realm of individuals like Daniel, there was little tolerance for anything other than precision and gravity. Nodding, he took a deep breath and began to recount the intricate plan that involved binding Koyuki to Yamata No Orochi, the ancient deity of calamity in Japanese mythology.
"The ritual would involve invoking Yamata No Orochi, the deity known as the God of Calamity in our folklore," Matsudaira explained. "By binding Koyuki-Sama soul to Yamata No Orochi, we aim to tap into its power – a power that might just hold the key to mending her fractured state between life and death."
As the words left Matsudaira's lips, he could feel the weight of the proposal reverberate within the room. He watched intently as Daniel's gaze narrowed in deep contemplation, his thoughts churning as he assessed the potential risks and rewards of such an endeavor. Meanwhile, the others in the room remained silent, their eyes shifting from Matsudaira to Daniel, waiting for the mage's response to this audacious plan.
Daniel's gaze shifted purposefully to Envy, recognizing her as the beacon of knowledge amidst uncertainty. He sought her insight, understanding the gravity of the situation and the pivotal role her understanding could play.
"Will it work?" He asks.
In response to Daniel's inquiry, Envy's measured voice began to unravel the intricacies.
"While there are no guarantees, Mr. Emberweave, the premise behind Mr. Matsudaira's proposal holds potential. Binding a witch's essence with the fragment of a Demon or Devil operates on a similar principle as binding a witch to the demon itself. This interconnection allows the witch to access the latent power within the fragment.
Given Koyuki's lineage in the Mori clan, the possibility of her binding with Orochi's power, and thus mending her fractured soul to her body, becomes plausible. Essentially, Orochi's power would serve as a binding agent, reuniting Koyuki's soul with her corporeal form."
Daniel's expression remained thoughtful, absorbing the nuanced explanation Envy provided. He weighed the intricacies of magic against the stakes of their endeavor.
"Koyuki-Sama's revival is a matter of significant import," Matsudaira added, his voice carrying the weight of sincerity. "Please, trust us, Lord Emberweave. We truly meant Koyuki-Sama no harm."
Turning his gaze back to the stasis pod that held Koyuki, Daniel considered the weight of their choices. The prospects were daring, the path uncharted, but the promise of revival loomed tantalizingly before them.
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