Chapter 28.2 Mistress of the Morning Gate

Perfectly clean skin, silky light brown hair below the waist, fine, perfect features, pink, moderately plump lips, and heavenly blue eyes that sparkled with life. And the eyebrows are unique — two thin, expressive arcs and dark dots above them, as often depicted in manuscripts of goddesses.

About the figure I can only say that this girl has breasts, the rest is professionally covered by an expensive kimono.

There was silence for a few seconds, during which the hostess looked at us with undisguised interest, often shifting her gaze from her mother to me and back again. She compared us and smiled lightly, subtly, with the corners of her red lips. I myself felt more and more attracted with each passing second;

I wanted everything at once, and my desires began with this girl. I wanted to hold her in my arms, smell her scent, feel her essence, kiss her perfect lips, look into her pure eyes...

This obsession drove me harder and harder, my body trembled with anticipation, my blood ran hot. I was on the verge of getting up and fulfilling my desires when a memory from my past life seized me. It was uninformative at the moment, but it was enough to cling to what was left of my sanity.

 A stream of magic erupted from the core, filled with the power of the indomitable element, burning away the blue fog that engulfed my body and mind. Almost instinctively, I purified myself, returning to normal faster and faster, remembering the details of the concept that had surfaced. Vayla.

A fiery bird, capable of transforming into a beautiful maiden or vice versa, conquering men with her magic, charming them, subjugating them to her will. But there was little information about Vale in the books about the boy who would never die. Just a passing mention, that's all.

 There were no descriptions of such creatures in this world, though it's worth considering that most of my knowledge is concentrated in Asia and the equatorial region of the planet. In the abandoned texts, there was a single scroll about non-Asian Egypt, and monsters, subordinate and subordinate, created and natural. There was no mention of the veils. I wonder if they exist in this world.

— Tenno Hinako-no-miko, Mistress of the Morning Gate, Mistress of the Sun Palace and the Flame Palace, anointed by the Light Amaterasu, the first of the Circle of Lords. — I was distracted from my thoughts by the voice of my mother bowing to the Mistress with dignity, and I immediately repeated the bow.

As if to confirm the words, a ray of light entered the room, warming my soul and bringing peace to my heart. A moment and everything disappeared, became as it was. But it wasn't an obsession, it couldn't be — I heard a light chime in the upper layers of the astral, echoing to the other planes. This girl is favored by her mistress — it is noticeable. The girl nodded slightly, smiled, and spoke in a velvety voice, soft, enveloping.

— Hoshino Junko, Hoshino Clan Hunter, and...

— My son Sora.

— Yes... — the hostess stretched out with a strange twinkle in her eyes. — Your son, Junko-san, is already known in the mystical world as a worthy successor to the glory of the Hoshino Clan. But why was he always seen among the people of the Miyazaki Clan? — The girl blinked slightly.

— His father is a Miyazaki, and I have been a prisoner all these years. — The mother replied calmly, — I didn't even feel anything from our connection.

— That explains a lot. — The hostess said thoughtfully, tapping her slender finger on the table; no one touched the tea that was being served. — The fall of the Hoshino Clan was a hard blow for many, and no one has seen your blood since. We assumed there were no survivors. Imagine our bewilderment when the Council received news of a young human mage, one and the same in magic and appearance as the Hoshino Clan.

Each time, the news of the young mage only confirmed his identity, especially when a mountain village of Yokai was destroyed. But then the Neko family appears and tells strange things: the mage saved them by destroying the murderers and also gave them some good advice.

We are indebted to you for saving the Neko and for the information you brought us. — She bowed her head briefly, almost nodding, but it was so graceful that it took my breath away again. I really need to visit a brothel, my hormones are dripping out of my ears. The hostess smiled mischievously and shot her eyes at me. — But we'll talk about that later. Right now I'm interested in the reason why you came to the Quarter. Shall I enlighten you? — The girl raised her eyebrows.

— Of course. — The mother bowed briefly. — We escaped from the Miyazaki clan and need a safe haven for a few days so that our son can perform a ritual. Something to do with the Astral.

— That's how... — The hostess turned her attention to me and her gaze changed dramatically, only thanks to my sensitivity I was able to catch it, as nothing had changed in her appearance or voice. — Sora-san, you must realize that I cannot allow anything dangerous to happen to my wards on my lands.

— Nothing dangerous will happen to you. — I said, looking into the inhuman celestial eyes. — The protected place is necessary so that I will not be interrupted while I am immersed in a layer of the not too distant past — it could be dangerous for me. The ritual I wish to perform is for greater stability and clarity of perception.

— In that case, I see no obstacle to granting your wish. You will receive a free house immediately.

The girl clapped her hands, and a translucent yurei appeared in front of her, bowed deeply, and disappeared. And I didn't even feel it. Not at all. This could be dangerous. We bowed gratefully.

— Tenno-sama, may I ask a question? — Mother spoke suddenly and the hostess nodded. — What is the reason for the desolation of the quarter? Or is it a secret?

— There is no secret. — The girl waved her hand lazily. — In the past few years, the tension between the people and our society has increased significantly, and cooperation has decreased.

The situation worsened two years ago when mages began to show unmotivated aggression in our territories, attacking and organizing robberies. In small communities, entire families of Ayakashi and Yokai were wiped out. We had no proof that this was done by magicians, but everything was clear. Eventually, the situation escalated to the point where even neutral shopping districts became dangerous.

— Are you expecting an attack? — Mother asked tense.

— No. Tenno Hinako-no-miko is still calm. — The guards of these places are very strong and even the strongest mages won't be able to get past them, especially since we can always seal the entrances.

— Spies... — I suddenly understand, and the word comes out.

— That's right. — The hostess smiles contentedly. — There is no war without spies.

I get goose bumps again. War, then. But why? No, why — understandably, all wars are about profit. But I've learned a lot in the clan, and I've learned that the areas of influence and power were divided centuries ago, and that was fine for everyone. A new redistribution?

— Well, — the hostess spoke again, looking at our thoughtful faces. — You must rest and prepare for the ritual. After the ritual, I will invite you to my house. Go now, rest is no less important than work.

We rose in silence, bowed, and left the room.