Kyoto.
After lying down for a while, I decided that I needed a change of scenery. Activating a random portal, I was thrown into Kyoto. Of all the places even theoretically possible, including Hell, Heaven, and all the other supernatural dimensions, I was thrown here.
All I had to do was sigh and take a tour of the city. As I walked through its streets, I noticed yokai masquerading as humans in addition to humans. And they lived... peacefully. Some of them were working as salesmen, some were scurrying around in a business suit and carrying a briefcase. Just looking at it, I felt... peaceful. Something about the scene calmed me.
I was thinking about things I hadn't thought about before. My memories of my past life. I... I couldn't remember my face or my mother's face. I couldn't remember how old I was, what I did, what I dreamed about. It was all a blur.
Also, why was my reaction to Akeno's embrace the way it was? Why did such closeness make me uncomfortable? I... I don't remember. Even after applying the Touch of Heaven on myself, I couldn't find any clues. It's as if the memories of my past were just... erased. Without a trace.
Did Alaya have something to do with this? I doubt it. If it was her, the 3rd magic would show something. But if she didn't do it, then who did? Or what?
Walking down another street, I came across a cute cafe with a very familiar name - Moon on the Water. So, of course, I decided to go in.
The interior looked nice. The cooking area was open and located in the corner, taking up ¼ of the room and showing the cooks at work. Its barrier was also a counter where you could sit. Along it were high chairs where customers sat. There were also booths, which were located against the walls and were bounded by traditional Japanese-style partitions.
And the most remarkable thing about the cafe was that both the customers and the employees were not human. Most of them were youkai, but some were not. I even managed to spot a dragon or two.
I quietly made my way inside and sat down at the counter and began studying the menu. And it looked colorful.
- Did you choose something? - I heard a woman's voice on the other side of the counter thirty seconds later.
I looked up and saw a pretty girl in a kitchen apron. She had long black hair, blue eyes, and a pretty good figure. Also, she had two cat ears sticking out of her head and vertical pupils.
- Bakeneko?
- Oh, you're right. My species is usually confused with the other one," she nodded and smiled. - First time in Kyoto?
- Uh-huh. The visit here was... spontaneous. I think I'll have the ramen. It looks quite appetizing.
- Good choice. Please wait," she said and left to prepare my order.
While I was waiting for my ramen, I managed to feel someone sit down next to me. Turning toward him, I was greeted by the broad smile of a short, balding old man with a very familiar head shape.
"Moon on water" and an elongated skull? That's him? Heh.
- Wow. Few can sense my presence. And even fewer are still alive.
- О? Then I'm lucky if I've managed to do both," I smiled back at him. - My name is Romani Archaman, Magician. Is this your establishment, Nurarihyon-sama?
- Heh. How insightful," he grinned. - Yes, it is mine. And what is such a powerful wizard doing here in Kyoto?
- Powerful? I wouldn't call myself powerful," I said, shrugging. - And may I ask why you think so?
- Well, well. You can fool the people around you, but not me, wizard-kun," Nurarihyon waved me away and looked at me intently. - Answer my question.
Does he see me as a threat? Well, he's worried for nothing. And how could he sense my power? I keep my mana in check, which has become a habit. To ALL supernatural beings, I should look like a fairly ordinary mage with a mana level just above average. The only exceptions are someone along the lines of Ophis or Beasts.
- The visit here was spontaneous, as I'm sure you've heard by now, Nurarihyon-sama.
- Spontaneous? - he raised an eyebrow.
- I needed to... think," I mumbled.
When he heard my answer, his stare changed to one of interest. And a rather kind smile appeared on his face.
- Ho? Share your problems with the old man, young one. I'll give you some advice," he patted my shoulder and turned toward the kitchen. - Kana-chan! Bring something stronger!
- Got it! - shouted a female voice, "I'll be right there!
- No need for that, Nurarihyon-sama. I'll try to figure it out on my own. - I waved my hands.
- Yes, you should! Go on, tell me.
I guess my visit to Kyoto is going to last longer than I expected.
-0-
Emiya residence.
I didn't arrive home until late afternoon, showing up in my room.
Talking to Nurarihyon was a nice change of scenery. Every now and then just having a heart-to-heart talk can be helpful. I even stopped loading myself up.
He listened to me attentively, not interrupting and nodding from time to time. I talked for a long time, at least a couple hours. Of course, I paused to savor my ramen and drink the sake Kana-san had brought. I didn't mention the fact that I'd been reborn, but I guess that wouldn't surprise him. The Age of Gods, after all.
And after listening to me, he asked me just one question, "What would change if I knew what happened before?". And I just hung there, thinking. For, like, five minutes.
Really, what would change? And I was able to come to a definite conclusion - nothing. But... not knowing bothers me... bothers me. Especially my reaction to Akeno's proximity.
Shaking my head, I headed for the common room. I didn't feel like eating, but lounging on the couch is always a good idea. Reaching the stairs down, I heard voices I didn't expect to hear and stopped. At least not here and not today.
- Thank you, Archer," came Azazel's voice, his tongue a little slurred. - You want to work for me?
What the hell are you doing here?! How did you get away from Nightgale?! No one. Absolutely no one can get past her.
- Thank you, Azazel-san, but Master won't let me go. Besides, he's like a little kid, always able to find adventures for his annoying ass," Archer replied in a smug tone.
Uh-oh. I'll remember that for you, Queen Shirou. Get your 'sword bone' ready.
- Don't say that, Archer-san! - I heard Akeno protest. - Yes, he likes to be annoying, and there are times when you want to hit him, but he's not as bad as you say.
And this is after all I've done for you, you bloody sado-masochist?! This is your gratitude?!
- I knew it! You like him! Where is he?! He's gonna feel the power of the Holy Lightning! - Now there was a baritone voice with quite a bit of genuine rage.
Who the hell are you?! Oh, wait. That's bloody Barakiel in my house! What the hell are you doing here?!
- N-no! You're wrong, Father! He's not my-- He's not--
At least try to deny it convincingly! And you're not even 18 yet, damn it!
- I was right! Where is he?! Show him to me!
Oya. He wants to see me that badly? Heh.
I walked down the stairs and looked at them. They in turn heard the sound of footsteps and looked back at me. As it turned out, everyone else was in the hall from the Servants besides Archer, except for Hercules who was outside.
Artoria, Merlin, Lancelot, and Gilgamesh looked at the guests with some understanding, still nodding at Emiya's words. Medusa and Enkidu, were doing something in the kitchen, apparently helping Archer with the cooking. The Assassins were in ghostly form somewhere around here. Issei just stared and drooled at Tiamat and Ophis cuddling with each other on a vacant couch. And Alaya just stood and giggled in one corner of the room.
And Azazel, Barakiel, and Akeno were sitting at a table with Archer standing next to them, besmirching my name with his completely false accusations.
- I'm here, you perverted masochist. Did you want something? - I asked and smirked arrogantly.
- You're going to pay for ruining my daughter! - he shouted, spreading his wings and lunging at me.
I waited until he almost reached me, and when his fist was already a centimeter away from my face, I tilted my body slightly and gently punched him with my index finger in my fist. Applying Strengthening, of course. And yes, I'll keep silent about the fact that my Strengthening is much stronger than anyone else's.
Barakiel didn't have time to react and completely took the impact of my finger. As a result, he slammed into the wall at high speed, leaving an indentation in the shape of himself, and slid to the ground.
- Father!" cried Akeno and ran over to him to check on his condition.
There was a sepulchral silence in the room. No one said anything but glanced at Barakiel and me.
- Well, I hope he liked it," I shrugged and sat down on the couch, where I was greeted by the embrace of Ophis and Tiamat.
-0-
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