Chapter 360
Kwarurung! There was the rumble of thunder and a flash of light . However, there were no rain clouds, and the lightning moved in a horizontal rather than vertical direction .
It was strange to see lightning cross a dry sky, but most people who saw it thought it was just a whim of heaven . Theodore would arrive at Tsuchimikado Castle before the news spread to anyone’s ears .
‘There isn’t long left . ’
There weren’t any landmarks . It was said that mountains and rivers changed after 10 years . Now that it was hundreds of years later, there weren’t many parts left that were consistent with Seimei’s memories . However, unlike geographical features, spatial coordinates didn’t change . Even if the mountains collapsed, the rivers were filled in, and there were no cities, the absolute numbers remained the same .
He moved forward maybe around 100 kilometers . It only took a few minutes for the lightning mode Theodore to start decelerating .
“Seimei,” Theodore spoke as he split a cloud into two, “I have crossed the border . Are we moving to a secret place? If I enter this way, there might be some friction . ”
[I understand, but it doesn’t matter,] Seimei spoke in a decisive way . Then he explained why, [The power of space movement is convenient, but you should’ve understood after you were caught by the wind demon . There are many means to interfere with spatial movement, and there are independent forces with authority over the sky . ]
“Umm . . . ”
[In the first place, if space movement were a flawless trick, then there would be no need for flying . Do you want to repeat constant short spatial jumps in order to fight?] Seimei said . Then he added a note, which was, in fact, the real reason for the frontal entrance, [My wards include the ability to block spatial movement and will attack any person who tries to go through . If you move through space blindly, you will be a wreck, even with your current power . ]
“ . . . It is overly impressive for a crime prevention function . ”
[Just think about the times . At that time, the ability to block space movement was essential . It was an age when famous people appeared in the cities in the double digits . ]
In modern times, there were few people who could use space movements . However, they had been common in Seimei’s time . The hard walls hadn’t been able to stop anyone . Thus, the shamans had strengthened their wards for the purpose of protecting their valuables . Fortunately, spatial movement was vulnerable, and there were many methods to interfere with it . Moreover, if the obstacle was a transcendent like Seimei, it would be hard for Theodore to break directly through .
“Sigh, it can’t be helped . I will go through the front door . ” Theodore was convinced and shook off his hesitation .
Kwarurung . . . !
He added a secondary spell as a boost, and the lightning bolt was twice as fast . If a conflict was inevitable, then it was better to take the initiative .
Theodore might have Seimei in his body, but it was difficult to prove this relationship . How many people would trust Theodore, who had the appearance of an outsider, if he showed up and said he had been given permission by a great man who had been dead for hundreds of years?
He would be treated as a madman, and they were likely to be hostile .
‘I don’t like this trick, but it is for the best . . . ’
Some emotions were quite rational . Just as people who suffered great damage in a natural disaster didn’t harbor hostility, there were people who stayed cool when faced with an absolute power gap . It took a lot to make a cooled down enemy burn with the will to fight . For example, things such as hatred or a sense of duty . Theodore intended to aim for the gap between these .
‘Blow out the spark before the fire of hostility lights up . ’
He would crush it all with strength .
Kwarururung!
The momentum of the lightning increased until it was like a lightning dragon . Simultaneously, it fell from the sky and down into Tsuchimikado Castle . It seemed like the sky was collapsing! The ward around Tsuchimikado Castle sensed the approach and immediately created a shield, but there was no collision .
[Emergency Order, open the way,] Seimei borrowed Gluttony’s mouth to cast a spell, and a hole was bored in the middle of the ward .
Theodore dug in without missing this moment . “I have entered the castle . ”
[Turn right 30 degrees and go straight . My shrine is there . ]
The lightning dragon moved following Seimei’s guidance . People were shocked by the lightning, but none of them dared to fight him . Lightning had appeared in the clear sky in the shape of a dragon . . . ? Theodore, the only transcendent since the Age of Mythology had ended, was like a god .
‘No, some people are quickly approaching my destination . ’ Theodore was moving through the castle when he frowned at an overwhelming sensation . It was slower than him, but it was still pretty fast . They were master level, but their reaction speed was hard to understand .
“Nice move . Their speed suggests they knew about my approach beforehand . ”
[······ . ]
“Seimei, why do I have a bad feeling?”
[Well, I think you’re mistaken?]
“I will see . ”
Theodore was filled with doubts as he arrived at his destination and landed on the ground . It was precisely the area around the shrine .
“Is this your work as well?”
[Yes, it is a moderate seal, but it still remains . ]
There was a different type of ward protecting Tsuchimikado Castle . The Senbon Torii (shrine gates) were the main source blocking unqualified access . It might be a seemingly simple structure, but there were thousands of seals carved on them . Of course, Theodore could break through with his power, but what was the point of breaking down a legacy that contained great historical value?
“Stop!” A warning called out in a strange language . Based on Seimei’s memories, it was hard to learn . Both the word order and pronunciation were different .
Theodore turned in the direction of the warning .
‘Um . ’ All of his preconceived thoughts were blown away .
There were only three master class people . The combination was one shaman and two swordsmen . Among them, the swordsman who gave the warning was the strongest .
‘Well, I will win . ’
It might have been different back when he was in the 8th circle, but it wasn’t enough to deal with him now that he had become transcendent . The swordsman also understood this and had cold sweat on his frowning forehead . His gut instincts told him that this unknown person was an existence beyond him .
They shouldn’t fight . After deciding that, the swordsman said, “ . . . A great person has come to see us . I am Nobutsuna of Japan . I would like to ask for your indulgence . ”
Likewise, the shaman, Toman, acted in a manner similar to the swordsman . The problem was that his grandson was immature despite being a master and lacked self-control .
“Grandfather, why are you lowering your posture? Who on earth is this ruffia―”
As the young master shouted, the faces of two elders paled .
“You! Don’t speak rashly when you don’t know anything!”
“G-Grandfather . ”
“If you say one more word, I will cut off your arm . ”
The young swordsman shut his mouth with surprise . Meanwhile, Nobutsuna hurriedly bowed to Theodore . “I’m sorry . I educated my grandchild wrongly . ”
“I will accept your apology . ”
“Thank you for your generosity . ”
Did Nobutsuna, a sword master of Japan, normally have such a submissive attitude? No . He was never like this . Neither the powerful nor the rich could compel him . Nobutsuna was able to overthrow thousands of warriors alone . Yet, he was now surrendering to a stronger power . Nobutsuna had built up life experiences over a hundred years and was forced to be careful .
‘I don’t think there is any hostility, but if we need to fight . . . ’
Staring from Tsuchimikado Castle, the whole of Japan would turn into a sea of fire . Nobutsuna and Toman didn’t see any future existing after . However, while the two of them were feeling fearful, a clear and gentle voice rang out, “It is nice to meet you . ”
Standing on the first threshold of the Senbo Torii, Miko Suzuka greeted them, “I am Suzuka, the miko of Founder Seimei . ”
“I am Theodore Miller . ”
“Can I call you ‘Theodore’?”
Theodore nodded, and Suzuka licked her dry lips nervously . If the voice was true, then she knew this man’s purpose . “Did you come to pick up the three artifacts?”
The eyes of the three masters widened while Theodore complained to Seimei, ‘Hey, did you spread a rumor before I came?’
[N-No! I only told my miko . Wouldn’t it be a mess if you met the miko without her knowing anything?]
‘You didn’t need to hide it from me . ’
[Surprise . . . ?]
‘I will talk to you later . ’ He ignored Seimei and cut off the connection .
Theodore cleared up his mind and confirmed her words, “Yes, I think you received his message . ”
“That… Isn’t it a bit rude?”
“Our relationship isn’t a formal one . ”
It was a conversation involving only two people, but Suzuka felt like she was being ridiculed . Theodore had omitted the title for Founder Seimei and claimed he didn’t have a formal relationship with the Founder… A living person was acting like he had a friendly relationship with the dead .
In that case, the voice she had heard might be a trick performed by this man . However, Suzuka hid her doubts, smiled faintly, and clapped her hands .
“Ah, it is like this . I’m sorry,” she spoke in a gentle voice, “But Theodore, if you want to enter the shrine, you have to pass the test that the founder arranged . Outsiders aren’t allowed to cross this torii . ” Apart from the seals on the Senbon Torii, Seimei had set up a test for those who wanted to cross this threshold .
It was to judge the personality of the strong person who appeared to become the master of the three artifacts . Catastrophic damage could be caused if the wrong person got their hands on the artifacts .
Suzuka warned Theodore, “If you walk up the stairs, please keep this in mind . Not one person has passed the test so far . ”
The masters’ eyes narrowed as they realized the meaning of Suzuka’s words .
The test wasn’t that easy to pass, and there had been many cases of mental or physical damage . This was a test, but it didn’t mean it was safe . It was why no one had challenged it for over 300 years .
“Kuk . ” Why . . . ? Theodore just laughed at her words .
“I understand,” he gave a short reply and stepped on the stone stairs .
Tak .
Then he casually took two steps .
“ . . . ”
“ . . . ?”
“ . . . !”
“ . . . !!”
The expressions of the four people, including Suzuka, distorted with surprise, astonishment, dismay, and wonder . The test was terrifying to the soul, so why was this man okay? The reason was simple .
“I’m sorry but I passed the Heaven and Earth test a long time ago . ”
That’s right . The identity of the test that Seimei wrapped around this shrine was the Heaven, Earth and Person test . It was something Theodore had experienced in the past after consuming the book, the Art of Yin and Yang Written Treatise .
Saving lives, keeping your will, bowing to fate—they were the trials that tested these three problems . Two were easy to solve, but Theodore had died hundreds of times in the last part . The same problems couldn’t hinder him after he already passed them .
Then at that moment . . .
Huuuuuuong!
There was an unknown resonance . Theodore and the four other people stiffened . Suzuka knew what was at the epicenter of the resonance . “The three artifacts? Why?”
The three artifacts sleeping inside the shrine woke up . The oscillation was due to them stretching after having slept for a long time .
Flash! A light rose from beyond the Senbon Torii, flashing three times . There was no need to explain the identity of the artifacts again . The Heavenly Sword, Eight Mirrors, and Eight Jade Magatamas—those who possessed only one would gain the power of a hero . Yet, all three rushed toward Theodore now .
“Eh?”
Then they penetrated his body .
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