บท 27: Searching for the Ruler of Time, A Flustered Yae Miko
Hearing the Heavenly Principle mention the name "Istaroth," Raiden Makoto tilted her head in confusion.
Noticing Makoto's puzzled expression, Noah understood immediately that she might not recognize the name Istaroth. After all, Istaroth was the most mysterious of the Four Shades and had gone by countless titles throughout history.
Most people who were aware of her existence referred to her as the "Goddess of Moments."
"She's the one who gave you the seed for the Sacred Sakura Tree," Noah explained.
Raiden Makoto's expression shifted to one of realization, and in her palm, she materialized a small seed.
The seed glowed faintly with purple light, and intertwined around it was a thin strand of silvery energy imbued with the power of time.
"So you mean the Ruler of Time. Before the Khaenri'ah disaster, she and I had a brief exchange, but we didn't meet face-to-face," Makoto explained. "She handed me this seed for the Sacred Sakura Tree and instructed me to plant it in the past when I awakened in the future. She said it would help me resolve Inazuma's calamity."
As she spoke, her gaze drifted toward her sister. Raiden Ei lowered her head, her guilt plainly written across her face. Now everything was clear.
During the Khaenri'ah disaster, Ei had left Inazuma under the care of Kitsune Saiguu while she rushed off to Khaenri'ah to save her sister. However, in the process, she had allowed Inazuma to fall into chaos and had ultimately lost her dear friend Kitsune Saiguu.
Yet, even after Makoto's death, her elder sister had to clean up the mess Ei had left behind five centuries ago.
Ei lowered her head further, as if she were a child caught in the act of wrongdoing. "I'm sorry, Sister… Inazuma became like this under my watch."
Makoto reached out and patted Ei on the head. "You're not exactly cut out for this sort of thing, are you?"
Makoto smiled warmly and placed the Sacred Sakura seed in Noah's hand.
"If you're looking for that Ruler, I don't know where she is. All I can do is give you this."
The seed in her hand was incredibly precious. Without it, Inazuma would have been destroyed in the disaster five centuries ago. But Makoto trusted Noah, for he was the Heavenly Principle. Surely, he wouldn't allow Inazuma to be destroyed.
Noah casually tossed the Sacred Sakura seed, letting it disappear into the space above the mountain five hundred years in the past.
What he truly wanted was the faint trace of Istaroth's aura lingering on the Sacred Sakura seed. He would use it to track her down.
Meanwhile, Yae Miko looked at Noah with wide, curious eyes as he stood there holding the seed. Her thoughts raced as she tried to make sense of what she had just heard.
Wait a minute... wasn't he supposed to be the God of Time? But now he's looking for this "Ruler of Time"? Did she misunderstand Noah's identity entirely?
As she put the pieces together, Yae Miko's expression turned into one of subtle frustration, her thoughts spiraling into embarrassment. The image of Noah's playful, knowing smirk when she had asked him that question earlier filled her mind. She felt a strong wave of secondhand embarrassment crashing down on her.
While Yae Miko struggled to keep herself composed, Raiden Makoto walked over to her and gently placed her hand on Yae's head.
"So this is Yae Miko? You've grown into a reliable adult, just like Kitsune Saiguu," Makoto said warmly.
Yae Miko snapped out of her thoughts and instinctively nuzzled her head against Makoto's palm like a cherished child. "Makoto-sama…"
In that moment, all of Yae's buried feelings surfaced—the longing, the warmth, the bittersweet memories of the past. She felt a pang of nostalgia for the times when Makoto used to cradle her as a small fox spirit.
The tender moment was suddenly interrupted by a soft, clicking sound.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Noah interjected, clicking his tongue teasingly. "I never thought I'd get to see this side of Miko. What a rare treat."
Yae Miko's body stiffened as she glared at Noah with an expression that screamed indignation. He was practically glowing with satisfaction, his smirk filled with amusement.
"Looks like Miko has a softer side after all," Noah said, his tone light and teasing. "When I patted your head earlier, I didn't get to see you act so spoiled. It's almost enough to make me feel like I missed out."
Back when he was pulling for Yae Miko in the gacha, Noah had spent ten full ¥648s on her. And now, looking at this lively and entertaining Yae Miko before him, wasn't she far more amusing than the flat 2D version on a screen?
Yae Miko rolled her eyes in mock anger. "You're such a god with terrible tastes. Like I'd ever act spoiled for you! Keep dreaming!"
This god from Celestia was absolutely insufferable! A hundred—no, a thousand times worse than that little elf who ran around dropping bombs everywhere!
Noah, feigning deep contemplation, sighed dramatically. "Ah, so this is what it's like to see someone become emboldened just because they've found a powerful backer. Truly an eye-opening experience."
Yae Miko was so furious she stomped her foot in frustration. But she dared not actually argue back. She puffed out her cheeks, glaring at him indignantly. "I am a fox, not a dog!"
Noah shrugged casually. "In the world I used to live in, foxes are classified as canines. So, by that logic, you're a dog."
Yae Miko's face turned bright red with anger. "You… You… You…"
Her words caught in her throat as her frustration boiled over. Ugh! She couldn't beat him in a fight, and she didn't dare to out-argue him. This was beyond infuriating!
As she fumed, she cast a pitiful glance at Raiden Makoto for support. But Makoto was suppressing a laugh, her lips pressed tightly together, though her eyes glimmered with amusement.
As expected… the Heavenly Principle truly had human emotions. Or perhaps, could he actually be human himself?
Seeing that even Makoto seemed to find this situation amusing, Yae Miko spiraled into despair. Forget it. Let the world burn already.
Raiden Ei, meanwhile, was utterly oblivious as to why Noah enjoyed teasing Yae Miko so much.
Noah, seeing that Yae Miko's face was flushed red with indignation, finally decided to ease up before she gave herself an aneurysm. His smug grin widened as he declared, "Alright, alright. I'll take my leave for now. You all have your heartfelt reunion—I won't eavesdrop anymore."
With that, his form disappeared from Makoto's consciousness space.
As soon as Noah vanished, Yae Miko frantically looked around to confirm he was truly gone. Then, she exploded in a fit of rage, stomping her feet as she unleashed her fury.
"AAAAAH! That damn bastard! So what if he's a god?! You're the dog! Your whole family are dogs! You're nothing but a vile, mean-spirited god with terrible taste!"
Raiden Makoto and Raiden Ei both froze in place, their eyes wide with shock. A moment later, chills ran down their spines.
Cursing the Heavenly Principle… That was something even they wouldn't dare to do, not even in their most rebellious thoughts!
Makoto hurriedly covered Yae Miko's mouth, her expression stern. "Miko! How could you say such things? And about him of all people!"
Raiden Ei nodded solemnly. "You absolutely mustn't curse that person. Not now, not ever."
Muffled protests came from behind Makoto's hand as Yae Miko's eyes widened in disbelief. What?! I'm the one who's been bullied! I'm the victim here! How could you side with him?! Her eyes grew misty with unshed tears.
This isn't the master I wanted! I'm done. Just let the world end already.
When Noah's consciousness returned to his body, so did the consciousnesses of Raiden Ei and Yae Miko. No matter how long one spent in the mental realm, only a single moment would pass in the real world.
Noah glanced at Raiden Ei, who looked radiant with joy. Her typically stoic face now glowed with happiness. "Makoto will need some time to fully regain her form. The Ley Lines can't provide all the energy at once—if they do, it could cause an outbreak of monsters across Inazuma."
Raiden Ei nodded. She had nothing further to say.
But Yae Miko, still feeling wronged, spoke up in a soft, pitiful voice. "I… I want Lady Saiguu to be revived."
Noah glanced at the dejected Yae Miko. Seeing her like this, he thought to himself that he might have gone a bit too far in teasing her. Although he enjoyed poking fun at her, he had no intention of actually making her cry.
"Kitsune Saiguu, huh? She's not a god, so reviving her won't require much ley line energy. And since she still has a physical form wandering in the White Fox Plains, it'll take even less energy. It's definitely doable."
Yae Miko's gloom instantly evaporated, replaced by sheer delight. But then she froze, her expression turning to one of disbelief.
"Lady Saiguu… has a physical form?"
After all, Kitsune Saiguu had perished in the darkness of the Abyss. How could her body still exist? And in the White Fox Plains, no less—so close to Yashiori Island?
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