Chapter 80

"You know, Ddraig, I think it's almost time to leave." I strolled down the horrific paths that made up Yomi. I may have been less carefree if I did not know Izanami was watching over me.

[Yomi or this world?]

"The world." I hummed, reaching down and grabbing a handful of soil. I didn't actually have a chance to inspect this place before.

It was rather interesting, from a research standpoint.

I added some of the soil into a little baggy and put in my ring.

[I can see it. You did pretty much everything you set out to do here, which wasn't much.]

"True. I finally got my little project up and running." I nodded at his words. My house was ready for further world-line expansion….hopefully. You never know what could go wrong down the line. On the surface, it seems to work.

[I think this whole trip did you good.]

"Yeah, it was a nice vacation….even if I had to meddle in some annoying stuff." I felt extremely refreshed. It was a nice load off, especially from seeing mom again.

And I have a new friend that I've grown close to these past few weeks.

Being able to just relax and deal with my own shit for awhile, it was very therapeutic. But, I really need to get back to 'work'.

I'm not nearly as strong as I want to be, and I have yet to push my current strength to its limits. Hell, I haven't had a proper fight in what feels like forever. I'll need to check back in with everyone back home, see where they are with that…..but my gut is telling my they won't be done anytime soon.

Perhaps I should look over that list of worlds the old man gave me? I'm sure there's something there I can find useful.

Izzy appeared infront of me as her house came into view. "You know, you didn't have to come here I—"

"Nope." I cut her off. "I really don't mind coming here to visit you, Izzy." This silly goddess, but I'll keep reinforcing it every time I see her. Her default mindset to think the worse of herself.

She let out a small huff. "Do what you want."

I couldn't help but smile.

She looked slightly different, perhaps a little dressed up without 'appearing' to have dressed up, if that makes sense. Equal parts excited for the meeting with a dash of uncertainty mixed in?

"Ready to go?" I offered my hand as I created a new portal.

"As I'll ever be." She took it as I guided her on through.

***

"Your method if traversing space is still as vexing as the first time I saw it." Izzy commented as we appeared outside the compound where Yasaka lived.

"Oh, are you curious?"

"Mildly." She said dryly. "But I will not pry if you don't wish to share."

I paused at her words. "It's something difficult to talk about." I said quietly.

"Does it involve Artoria?" Izzy asked, though I knew she wanted to say other things.

"Somewhat." I confirmed.

"I see."

Did she notice the strangeness surrounding us?

No, she would have to be a fool to not notice something so obvious. The fact that she hasn't brought it up beyond this….

The gates of the fortified mansion opened up, Yasaka walked out, garbed in a more regal outfit flanked by several guards who all looked wary, some eyes glancing towards Izzy.

But what grabbed my attention was the little fox hiding behind Yasaka.

She stared at both me and Izzy curiously, not a hint of fear in her eyes.

"Lady Izanami, we thank you for your gracious visit." Yasaka bowed lightly. "If you would please follow me inside, I have prepared accommodations."

"Very well." Izzy said evenly.

It seems I was regulated as the side character here. Not that I minded that much, if I was merely here for Izzy's moral support, that would have been fine as well.

The place seemed a bit more fixed up compared to last time. No bodies littering the floor, no blood splashed across the building and no more huge craters from battle.

Yasaka led us to a different part of the building, not really her meeting area, but a more personal space.

The guard didn't even argue when she dismissed them. Honestly, it looked like they would rather be any other place than there.

And if I noticed, then Izzy most definitely did, even if she didn't say or do anything.

***

Izanami POV

"Thank you for coming, Lady Izanami." Yasaka said once again.

"It was no trouble." I said calmly. Though I would never had come had Wilhelm not convinced me…..does he think I can't see through is intentions?

I suppose it is endearing in its own way, to have someone fuss over my wellbeing.

"You saved my daughter's life." Yasaka replied. "I am forever gratefully for your intervention."

"It was merely a whim."

Her expression didn't change. "Regardless, if it were not for you, I would be without my daughter. And no other deities answered my requests."

Oh, did my daughter ignore her Miko? I couldn't help but frown, I would have to chastise her the next time we met…..if we ever meet again.

"If there is anything you require, I am at your service." Yasaka dipped her head down again.

There isn't anything I need, but I had a curious thought. "Did you offer the same reward to Wilhelm?"

Yasaka blinked for a moment, a sly smile forming on her face. "The only thing of worth I had to offer him was myself, alas he turned this old woman down." She feigned heartbreak, but I felt my own lips curl up.

Oh, Artoria was correct then, he certainly does attract women easily. Though how much of that is sincere I wonder? I had this strange, albeit small, twinge of possessiveness emerge…..I just shook my head and squashed such thoughts.

Regardless, I held back a laugh at the look on Wil's face and continued. "Perhaps he is just embarrassed?" I held my expression even, but the look on his face just made it all the harder.

"Well, now that you mention it….." Yasaka looked thoughtful.

"It's understandable." I nodded. "He has never experienced the touch of a woman; he probably did not know how to react to your forwardness."

"I see, I guess I will have to be more persuasive in the future then."

Wilhelm even looked a little red, how cute.

Call my 'goddess powers' lame, will you?

Humph.

"Indeed, you will have to work harder, he already has a harem."

"Ara Ara~" She cooed. "At that age and he already has multiple women? I really do have my work cut out for me." Yasaka looked over to her daughter, who seemed slightly embarrassed by the conversation. "Sweetie, why don't you take 'Daddy' and show him around while me and Lady Izanami have some girl talk?"

"Mooooom!" The little kitsune squeaked out, her cheeks flushed red.

"You know what? I would 'love' to see the place." Wilhelm stood up, eager to escape this conversation.

"F-fine." The little kitsune's expression betrayed her tone, she looked rather excited to spend time with Wilhelm.

How adorable.

We both watched for a moment as they left the room.

"Did you wish a moment to ask for advice on how to better seduce him?" I eyed the Youkai leader.

She let out a laughed. "Oh my, no. Just because I enjoy showing off a bit… I'm not that easy." She waived her hand flippantly. "And he's a bit fun to tease, but I'm not going to literally throw myself at him."

"I hope you don't plan on leading him on then." I calmly stated.

Yasaka paused for a moment giving me another look. "I never said I was against the idea." She smirked. "If he had actually reciprocated the other day, I would have probably shown him my personal quarters, I was extremely grateful for the safe return of my daughter."

"Well, I don't think he would be against it either." I replied. "Heaven's know I caught him taking glances at my rear every now and then."

"Oho~ He is a young man after all." Yasaka laughed. "He is handsome as well, and my daughter is quite taken with him." She hummed to herself. "I could certainly do worse, and the most important thing would be my daughter's approval." Her eyes softened at the mention of her daughter. "If she latches on anymore, I'll probably be seeing a lot of him regardless, who knows what will happen in the future."

"I'm surprised you do not already have a lover; your beauty is not unknown even to the divine realm." Or what I have read online.....many -- many stories regarding her.

Yasaka seemed mild surprised. "I have tried once or twice since Kunou's father passed, but they never ended well. Either Kunou disliked them or they were seeking some kind of political gain from me." She had a melancholic smile on her face. "Will though, he didn't even react when I buried his face between my breasts." She huffed. "That hurt my pride a little."

"How forward." I couldn't help but comment. Her breasts were quite magnificent if I were to be honest….not that I was envious. I do think my bosom was quite ample as well….just not to that level. Does he prefer women with larger breasts...? "I do not think It had anything to do with your appeal, I think he was more taken back by your daughter at the time. He appeared rather concerned and meticulous when caring for her."

"You say something like that, and any hesitance I have will start to crumble." Yasaka had a smile on her face. "Are you sure you want me stealing him away from you?"

I blinked in confusion. "Pardon? Do you think we are in a relationship?"

She tilted her head. "Are you not? You both appeared rather close….I just assumed."

Me and Will….?

"No." I said quietly. "...We are merely friends." I shook my head, dismissing some fanciful thoughts. "You did not wish to speak of these matters when you sought my audience."

Her expression changed from playful to serious. "Yes, Lady Izanami." She said with her more regal tone. "I wish to properly thank you for your help. I was truthful when I said that I owe you a great debt for saving my daughter."

"Child, be careful with your words, do not forget who I am."

"I am aware who you are, and I will not take back what I have said. You have my eternal gratitude, my…patron refused my request, yet you helped me, words cannot express how grateful I am."

"You are being very candid with your willingness to associate with me, will it not cause problems?"

"I had a good portion of my retinue try to overthrow me not that long ago, at this point I am willing to stomp on anyone who say any words that displease me." She said dryly. "You are welcome in my lands, my home and my daughter's life." She stated. "Wilhelm isn't the only one she wanted to see."

"You are trusting your daughter with me?" I eyed her suspiciously.

"I'd like to think I am a good judge of character."

"Clearly not." I frowned, only for her to let out a small laugh.

"Then do I have to rethink my stance on Wilhelm as well?" Her lips curled up. "It's a shame, I think she called you 'Auntie Izanami' the other day as well."

I paused and felt something in my heart that was foreign.

You sly fox...

I was about to respond but both our eyes turned towards a new face that entered. "Lady Yasaka, I apologize for the disturbance." One of her guards appeared. "But you have a visitor and he was quite adamant about seeing you."

Yasaka narrowed her eyes as a person walked right in behind the guard.

Rather rude of him. I nearly scoffed until I recognized the face of the person.

"Okita Souji." Yasaka's expression steeled.

Well, this certainly wasn't good. I only had the vaguest idea of Wilhelm's relationship with his father, never elaborating past 'estranged'.

"Lady Yasaka, I apologize for coming abruptly, but I have a miss—"

Almost as if que, Wilhelm walked back in from another door, lead by the little kitsune herself.

There was a silence that permeated the place now as Okita's eyes widened at the sight of Wilhelm.

Will narrowed his eyes at the man, a tension filled the air.

"Hey there, Kiddo." Okita broke the silence. "Been looking everywhere for you."

***

Oh wow, I'm sure there will be a nice peaceful talk next chapter with absolutely no fighting involved whatsoever :).

Anyways, just a reminder, i'm probably taking the weekend off from writing, just need a small break. If you want to read 5 chapters ahead or support me, visit my pat.reon.com/Astoryforone, next world was leaked and tomorrow is the new interlude for them.