Longing to be human, Longing to be youkai, Longing for friends, Longing for a group, Longing for a species,

Longing for a child,

I aspired to be a parent.

Despite my existence as a half-youkai, I felt my own growth through my bonds with others.

That... was my delusion.

The proof of my growth was...

Your brilliance was...

Had I been human, I could have followed. Had I been youkai, I could have taken it. Had I been a god, I would have just watched.

The more I got involved with others, the less I understood my own existence.

For a while, I decided to stop thinking, and stop moving.

Oh my? You're already drunk?

And here I was getting ready to ignore your long-winded talk... that's a shame.

As expected of a fasting-type guy. This is a reference to men perceived as non-masculine in the traditional sense, who are often referred to as 'herbivores'. Mokou takes this one step further.

Well, I'm sorry... that I get drunk so quickly.

I'm doing my best to keep pace with my seniors... you should be complimenting me instead.

Aya? That's something I can't ignore. To say such a thing to a lady... besides which, physically speaking, Mr. Shopkeeper is the most「senior」. Well... not that it means much in Gensoukyou anyway.

I guess so... ... I suppose that wasn't really something a guy who can't even tell if his body is aging or growing older should have said.

... Sorry to keep you waiting.

To think you've all gathered... I didn't expect all three of you would come.

Firstly... I've succeeded in my dealings with the Tenma. There are some conditions, but we've been granted access to the Youkai Mountain.

... And, about those conditions...

The destruction of the「dike」and the「aerial freight-carrying cable」that the Moriya Shrine is building. I believe these conditions can be fulfilled on the way to the Celestial World.

... Celestial World? I'd heard that we would be taking care of the Moriyas, who are active, first.

Kourindou... is there something you need there?

In addition, would there be no effect on Gensoukyou if we were to fight with the Celestials?

... The Sword of Scarlet Perceptions!

Using this sword, a young celestial girl caused an incident that affected all of Gensoukyou.

Through our plan, many will come to blows... if we can control the「ki」that is born from those fights well, then we can affect Gensoukyou's barrier.

I don't mind that but... what about the Moriyas? Myouren has to take care of the miko, and even if the gods of Moriya are weakened, they're probably still trouble.

Even supposing a surprise attack, isn't that too much for just Unzan to handle?

... Yes. Delaying the Moriyas...

Will be mine and Unzan's job.

Hoh...

... That's unexpected. I thought you'd just be concentrating in the back without taking part in battle...

Well... as a merchant, I am the weakest one here, and my place should be at the back, but if I don't at least manage to delay them...

In any case I am also a「man」. Instead of leaving my own tasks to others, I'll risk my life to see them through.

Ah... also, concerning the acquisition of the sword, the owner of the sword is one of our uncertain variables... it'd be annoying if she were to interfere in our battle with those of the Moriya.

There are some plans in place to deal with those who'll come charging in looking for a fight, but basically it'll be left to Unzan, who can respond over a large area.

... Now then.

There's a lot of orders now... as we don't have a lot of manpower, we can't afford any waste.

Until the third stage, we'll have to carry out our respective tasks... and then...

As before, for the fourth stage... the appearance of the「mountain」is the sign...

... To begin the「Thousand Autumns' Rapture」...

Notice: the serialisation has been discontinued due to the author's feigned illness. This is a recurring joke from the author, a la "to not be continued" in previous installments

... A sword of the celestials that can control ki? That's probably a sacred treasure, no?

Those kind of things are usually limited to certain users or species, hey?

I already have a countermeasure for that.

I would like to ask Youki-san to acquire that sword in the Celestial World.