Volume 3 - CH 1.2

Jusetsu, who decided to return to Yamei Palace, noticed a group of people walking down the outer corridor. “Ah!” Senjo let out a small cry and rushed to the side.

“That’s the Lady Crane Consort,” she whispered to Jusetsu. Jusetsu looked at the girl walking behind them with her attendants accompanying her. She was nothing more than a girl. She wasn’t a mature older woman like the other consorts she had met.

She’s like a butterfly.

That was what she thought at first glance. The Crane Consort’s steps were light, as though she was weightlessly flitting between flowers. The hem of her deep purple skirt, embroidered with silver thread, fluttered, and silver shoes peeked out from underneath. Her lustrous black hair was tied into twin hoops with the rest hanging down, and her dark eyes shone like the surface of shimmering water.

A butterfly with beautifully fluttering wings. A butterfly that showed an unaffected interest in the unknown.

The Crane Consort was staring straight at Jusetsu with her large eyes.

“Pardon me, are you the Raven Consort?”

Her voice was also light. Standing in front of Jusetsu, she observed her without reserve in her large dark eyes. She was a little taller than Jusetsu, and she was probably about the same age.

“You look like a small bird,” the Crane Consort said after observing her thoroughly.

“Do you know a bird called a willow tit? You look just like that little bird.”

Koushun also talked about that bird.

He said that Jusetsu resembled it. Were they that similar?

“It has a black head and a white body. Its wings look silver in the sunlight and are very beautiful. I adore the color silver.”

She said and narrowed her eyes in pleasure. Jusetsu frowned slightly. Could she possibly know that my hair is silver? The Crane Consort’s shoes were covered in silver embroidery, and her hairpin was also silver. It was rare, because gold was mainstream for the hairpins of consorts. She must simply love silver.

“Did Senjo have a request for you? She hasn’t been feeling well recently, so I’ve been worried about her. When you’re dealing with a ghost, you can’t drive them away by giving them money. It’s quite troublesome when the other party doesn’t understand the way of the world.”

Isn’t that right? She tilted her head and asked for agreement.

“It isn’t only ghosts who don’t understand the way of the world.”

“Oh, truly? You and my father are quite similar.”

“Huh?” Wasn’t she a willow tit?

“Like you, my father is calm and collected.”

It seemed that she wanted to say that her appearance resembled a willow tit and her mannerisms were similar to her father. But since Jusetsu didn’t know how to answer her, she decided to keep quiet.

“Lady Raven Consort, what is your name?”

“…Ryuu Jusetsu.”

“Lady Jusetsu. I’m Banka. His Majesty gave me this name.”

Jusetsu knew that. She nodded lightly.

“Lady Jusetsu, would you like to have tea with me now? I’d love to talk with you.”

What did she want her to talk about? Ghost stories? Jusetsu couldn’t quite grasp this girl called Banka.

“I have no desire for tea. I’m on my way back.”

She said flatly and flipped her sleeves. Talking with Banka didn’t seem likely to yield anything about the curse. It would be better to ask the attendants later. She glanced at the ones standing behind Banka. No one had a particularly strange attitude. Like Senjo, they were wearing fine clothes, and some of them were also wearing white coral ornaments on their sashes. Perhaps it was trendy here.

Banka tilted her head slightly as she stared at Jusetsu, who quickly left.

“Lady Raven Consort…Lady Raven Consort.”

A palace lady called out to Jusetsu as she was about to leave Hakkaku Palace through the same back door she used before. Jusetsu recognized her as the palace lady who had stared at her like she wanted to say something. She was a petite girl with dry, red, adorable-looking cheeks.

“Um…I’m a palace lady who worked at Jakusou Palace until recently,” the girl hesitantly said in a thin but clear voice.

“——At Jakusou Palace?”

After the Magpie Consort passed away, the palace ladies and eunuchs attached to Jakusou Palace were reassigned. The doors of the palace were closed, and there was no longer anyone there.

“I was the one who lent the palace lady uniform to the consort.”

Jusetsu’s eyes widened at those unexpected words. Those clothes—the palace lady’s ruqun the Magpie Consort was wearing when she secretly visited her. Was that the one?

“At that time, I knew that the Lady Magpie Consort’s heart had been hurting for some time. But I just kept quiet and lent her my clothes.”

The girl’s voice was thin and trembling.

“The Magpie Consort seemed to be growing weaker and weaker by the day. Even when she was awake, she seemed like she was wandering around in a nightmare. We palace ladies had to inform someone when we feel that something is wrong with her. And yet…”

We didn’t do anything, the girl said, and hung her head. Jusetsu could feel the regret festering in her eyes. Jusetsu stared at the girl’s trembling eyelashes.

“…Each person who goes through life day by day has their own limits. The phrase ‘know your limits’ is commonly said,” Jusetsu said. “Your hands are too small to save the Magpie Consort. But when you look back at what has passed, your hands seemed much bigger.”

Yes—it was the same with Jusetsu. She looked at her own hands. What she could do with them was, as a matter of fact, insignificant. Even so, she couldn’t escape the regret that she could have done more with her hands.

“Rather than lamenting, it is better to hold a memorial service for the deceased. So the soul of the Magpie Consort reach the end of the sea, cross the sea of stars, and become a healthy new life.”

Prayer exists to scoop up feelings you can’t do anything about, she thought.

“You should pray for her.”

The girl looked up at Jusetsu with wet eyes and slowly nodded.

“Thank you very much. ――I’m glad that you’re here, Lady Raven Consort. I’m sure the Lady Magpie Consort feels the same way.”

The tormented look on her face softened. The girl returned to her work.

“It was good that you came here today, Niangniang,” Jiujiu said, who was standing by her side. “I’m sure she feels much better now.”

“I—do not think I said anything remarkable.”

“I don’t think it needs to be anything remarkable. Right now, that girl wanted you to listen to her, she wanted your words. All she needed was for you to listen to her and find words for her.”

“…Is that it.”

Jusetsu—the Raven Consort wasn’t that kind of existence. Still, she wondered if there was anyone in the world for whom these words became their salvation.

As night fell, the grey clouds became thicker. It might rain. It was a very humid night, and the wind wasn’t blowing at all. Jusetsu was sitting on the edge of the window, slowly fanning herself with a large fan. A moist, warm breeze caressed her cheeks. The darkness outside the window was more dense than deep, like the mud settled at the bottom of water.

A small light flickered in that mud. Jusetsu stopped fanning herself.

“Is His Majesty here?” Jiujiu, sharp-eyed, noticed the change in Jusetsu’s demeanour. “I have to prepare some tea.”

“Tea would not do in this humid weather,” Jusetsu was astonished to see Jiujiu hurriedly heading for the kitchen.

“Then, shall I peel some peaches and serve them? We have some chilled in the well.”

“Rather, I’m sure he brought something himself.”

“Oh, I have no doubt you’re right, Niangniang. I wonder what His Majesty brought tonight.”

Jusetsu’s prediction was correct. When Koushun arrived, he had his personal attendant, Ei Sei, carry a basket of melons. They were sweet melons that had been offered to court as a gift.

“These are melons from Tou Province. There’s nothing like these melons in the summertime,” Koushun said, but he didn’t look particularly hot. Since he lacked facial expressions, it was difficult to tell whether he was unwell or healthy.

Even so, he must be feeling hot, since he was loosely dressed in silk robes. The light indigo color was cool to the eyes.

“Melons are good for the body because they take the heat out of it,” Jusetsu said after she sat across from Koushun. “If you don’t sweat in hot and humid weather, the heat will be trapped inside you.”

“I see. Then I’m glad I brought these,” Koushun answered dispassionately. His voice was as quiet and calm as ever, making one think of a composed and firm mountain in winter.

Jiujiu brought over the sliced melons. “I heard you visited Hakkaku Palace,” he suddenly said as brought a slice of melon to his mouth. Perhaps Onkei or someone else had reported it to him. “Is there any danger?”

Since the incidents with the Magpie Consort and the Owl happened, Koushun seemed somewhat worried these days.

“No. ——I think,” the case of the curse from before came to mind, so she couldn’t definitively say that there was nothing wrong.

Koushun observed her closely. “Should more guards be added?” he asked.

“Even if they can use a sword, there is no one who can use sorcery. There are times where there is nothing we can do.”

“The sorcerers were expelled by my grandfather…the Flame Emperor. But having a sword is better than no sword.”

Swords and bows were rather more effective on Shougetsu. Having Onkei as her only guard in an emergency scared her. It wasn’t that she was afraid of danger approaching her. She was afraid of sacrificing Onkei.

――But, on the other hand, increasing the number of people by my side is…

She took a slice of white melon and put it in her mouth. When she bit down on it, her mouth was filled with a refreshing juiciness.

“…Just one. It would be helpful if you could send me a capable person.”

If she placed someone by her side, she would have to place another person there to protect them. More and more—more and more people. That was how it worked. That was why Reijou strictly admonished her. She didn’t need an attendant. She shouldn’t have a eunuch. The Raven Consort was a solitary existence——.

As the number of people increased, they would become the shields and swords of the Raven Consort. They would become the Raven Consort’s—the Winter King’s stronghold. Whether she wanted them to or not.

She knew that in theory. But Jusetsu no longer had the heart to forsake everyone around her.

――I’m weak. I became weak.

She didn’t know what to do.

“I’ll send you someone from the rokuboushi. Those men are as tough as any military officer.”

These were the eunuchs who were allowed to carry a sword and dealt with crimes in the inner palace. They were also an agency under the direct control of the emperor. When Jusetsu was attacked by Shougetsu, they were a great help to her.

“Who should we send?” Koushun glanced back at Ei Sei, who was standing behind him.

“How about Tan Kai? I think he would be a good match with Onkei,” Ei Sei’s expression was cold as he answered. He always seemed to be in a bad moon whenever he was in Jusetsu’s presence.

Koushun lightly nodded in agreement. Turning to Jusetsu, he said, “I’ll send him to you tomorrow.”

“I heard that the Crane Consort is from Ga Province.”

“Yes. She’s the youngest daughter of the Saname clan. Saname is—”

“I heard. They’re a powerful family that came here from Kakami.”

“They did, but that was a very long time ago. It was back when Ikahi Island still existed.”

A long time ago, between Shou and Kakami, there was an island called Ikahi Island. It was used as a halfway point for ships, both business and personal, coming and going between the two countries. However, the island sank at some point, and traffic between the two countries became much longer.

“Ga Province is a good land. It is a fertile plain surrounded by mountains, and it has a port as well. Recently, they have been focusing on raising silkworms, and they have yielded high quality raw silk. They are somewhat far from the capital, but they can deliver their goods faster by using waterways.”

Shou, an island nation, had many mountain ranges in the inland area, so the routes to the capital were mainly by sea, but the time it took to reach the capital had been shortened considerably thanks to the river-to-river canals built in the previous dynasty.

“If we can get high quality raw silk, we will not only be able to supply the capital, but also be able to do good business with other countries.”

It was a casual remark, but Koushun’s eyebrows twitched slightly. Thinking that it would be a pain if there were complicated circumstances, Jusetsu decided to change the subject. “I heard you gave Banka her name,” she said as she ate a melon.

“Yes, that’s right. The members of the Saname clan never reveal their true names to outsiders. Only their parents know their true names.”

“They’re controlling of their children.”

To know someone’s name was the ability to control someone. The Saname clan probably had stronger parental authority than others.

“I hear the children have a lot of respect towards their elders. Have you met the Crane Consort?”

“I have.”

“How did you think of her?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m not good at dealing with that girl.”

“Huh,” Jusetsu stared at Koushun. It was rare for him to say something like that. “I haven’t interacted with her enough to answer your question, but she seems to be a good-natured girl.”

“She has no malice. But—I can’t tell what she’s really thinking.”

“But everyone is like that,” Jusetsu said, but she somewhat understood what Koushun was trying to say. Banka was a slippery girl. One couldn’t tell what she thought of you, whether she liked you or not.

“The Crane Consort’s father is also a man who’s difficult to read. The Sanames aren’t governors of the province nor do they hold any central government office, but they are the de-facto rulers of Ga Province. The native ruling families and officials dispatched from the capital do not get along. That’s natural. But the Crane Consort’s father is doing just fine. It seems that he is winning the officials over. ――If you’re going to frequent Hakkaku Palace, you should be careful.”

Jusetsu wondered if he deliberately made the daughter of someone he was wary of his consort. In other words, she was a hostage.

Is Banka a hostage to curb the Saname clan?

Koushun spoke plainly, but she couldn’t identify the feelings behind his words. She mused that he and Banka’s father might be very similar.

“Come to think of it, the Crane Consort told me that I resemble her father.”

Koushun tilted his head slightly. “No, not at all.”

“It’s not our appearances. She said that we are both similarly calm.”

“Is that so…?” Koushun looked even more puzzled.

“She told me that I resembled a willow tit. You’ve also told me that before.”

“——A willow tit. The Crane Consort said so?” Koushun frowned slightly.

“Yes.”

Koushun fell silent with a grave look on his face. Was he thinking about the fact that the willow tit’s plumage was silver?

“…The request came from the Crane Consort’s attendant?”

“Yes. She’s being haunted by a ghost.”

Koushun looked at her face. “Isn’t it hard for you?”

Jusetsu blinked. Koushun suddenly lowered his gaze, seemingly searching for the words.

“Isn’t it hard to live a life where all you do is listen to the requests of those who come here?”

He was talking about the Raven Consort’s way of life. A bitter smile appeared on Jusetsu’s lips.

“Too late for that now.”

“I’m asking because it is now.”

This was all because he heard what the Owl said.

“——Nevertheless, there’s nothing that can be done. That isn’t allowed.”

For the peace of Shou, the Winter King must exist, and the Raven Consort must not appear officially as the Winter King. Jusetsu couldn’t leave the imperial palace and must live here for the rest of her life. All the while suffering the pain of being split apart every night of the new moon.

Koushun was silent, seemingly thinking about something. Jusetsu didn’t speak any more than that and simply turned her face to the latticed window, staring into the darkness. In the past, she might have gotten irritated by Koushun’s kindness. But now, his words quietly and calmly seeped into her heart like rain.

On the contrary, it pained her all the more.

When Koushun was about to leave, he glanced at Jusetsu’s sash.

“You’re wearing it.”

The fish-shaped ornament was hanging from her sash. It was a wood carving made by Koushun. Its tail was a bit chipped, but Jusetsu wore it as it was. The chip came from the time when Koushun defended Jusetsu from the Owl’s blade.

Jusetsu also looked down at the fish and toyed with it slightly with her fingertips. She thought that it was adorable how it swung when she walked.

“I—like it very much.”

Koushun paused for a bit when she said that. Perhaps he was surprised that she was being surprisingly straightforward.

“I see. I’m glad to hear that.”

He said, and laughed just a little bit.

The strong scent of gardenias hung in the air. The fragrance of these flowers sweetly masked both the scent of the air after rain and the scent of grass. It looked like the petals had absorbed the moonlight, and perhaps their beauty was more striking in the evening or in the deep darkness rather than in the morning sun.

Enveloped in the suffocating scent of gardenias, Jusetsu was led to Senjo’s room once again.

“The ghost came again last night, but thanks to the reassuring power of your ward and amulet, Lady Raven Consort, he was not as terrifying as before.”

Thank you very much, Senjo said. Indeed, her color did look much better today.

“And—now I know the ghost is Hashuu,” Senjo smiled sadly. “I don’t think he would do me any harm even if he becomes a ghost.”

“Ghosts are transformed beings. ‘Tis best to keep that in mind,” Jusetsu cautioned.

Senjo nodded obediently and said, Yes. Jusetsu told Jiujiu, who was accompanying her, to stay in the corner of the room, and then opened the back door. Even in the morning sun, it was dim here.

“Yesterday, after you left, I was thinking about what you told me…” Standing in front of the window, Senjo nervously clasped her hands together. “I still don’t really know who could cast curses or who might be able to carry out a curse. I might have unknowingly caused someone to hold a grudge against me, but…I don’t remember having an argument with anyone around me.”

In general, grudges were incurred without the knowledge of the person in question. The most likely factors for someone to hold a grudge against you would be in your usual sphere of life. In this case, the Crane Consort’s surroundings.

Should I investigate the other attendants?

“Did all the Crane Consort’s attendants come with her from Ga Province?”

“Some are, but there were others who were newly recruited by Lady Banka when she entered the inner palace. They are all from Ga Province, though.”

Since the curse began before she entered the inner palace, if there was any connection, it would have to be with an attendant from before.

“I would like to talk to one of the veteran attendants. Preferably one who is as loose-tongued as possible.”

“Haa…the oldest attendant here is Miss Kitsu Rokujo, but she’s a strict person, so she might not be suitable. There is a young girl named Tou Koujo who became an attendant after me. Because of her youth, she’s quite talkative…”

Jusetsu asked her to bring this Tou Koujo to her. A little while after Senjo went to go get her, she heard high-pitched chatter coming from outside.

“Miss Senjo, I was told by Miss Rokujo to prepare the flowers. We’re decorating the emperor’s residence. If I’m scolded by Miss Rokujo for still not preparing them yet, will you explain the situation to her properly? She keeps complaining about the decorations not being good enough or the scent of the incense being too subpar. His Majesty is coming here tonight, after all.”

――Koushun’s coming here?

Come to think of it, the palace did seem busier than yesterday. The emperor was visiting, so the palace was probably in a flurry of preparations.

“Yes, yes, I’ll make the excuses for you, so please listen to what the Raven Consort has to say. And please keep your voice down.”

Senjo, looking fed up, had Koujo enter the room. Koujo was one of the attendants standing behind the Crane Consort yesterday. She was a lovely girl with glossy skin and large round eyes. Perhaps because she was the type who couldn’t get the details right, both her hair bun and ruqun were a bit sloppy. Koujo’s eyes fluttered as she stared at Jusetsu sitting in a chair, as if looking at a rare animal.

“There are a few things I wish to ask you,” When she broke the ice, Koujo nodded.

“Yes, I heard it from Miss Senjo. It was the curse, right? I don’t know anything about that kind of thing. Are you asking if anyone has a grudge against Miss Senjo? I’ve never heard anything about that either. After all, Miss Rokujo has great authority over us,” Seeing the question in Jusetsu’s eyes, she explained, “She said that we would incur divine punishment if we bore grudges, get jealous, or get angry. She told us that if we kept our hearts and minds pure, we will be happy. These are very important lessons from Lord Hakumyoushi.”

“——Hakumyoushi?”

“He’s the god of the Eight Truths Sect. They haven’t heard of him yet around here? He’s quite famous in Ga Province, there has been many temples built for him there.”

“Eight Truths Sect…”

She thought she heard that name from somewhere. ——No.

――That was the “Moon Truth Sect”…

It was a religious cult created by Ran Hyougetsu. Their names were similar, but were they related? Or did all such sects have similar names? She knew that new faiths were flourishing in many places these days. The Moon Truth Sect was just one of them. It was said that faith in Wulian Niangniang was waning, and her temples were only becoming more and more deserted. The Winter Ministry’s Seiu Temple was in a terrible state as well.

“Most of the attendants are believers, even Miss Senjo. Right?”

Koujo looked back at Senjo. She nodded.

“I spent my days in tears after Hashuu died, but thanks to Lord Hakumyoushi, my heart has become much more at peace.”

Senjo stroked her white coral ornament. She frequently caressed it in order to calm herself down.

“What is that ornament?”

“It’s a token of the Eight Truths Sect believers. I have one too. Look,” Koujo showed the ornament tied to her sash. “Well, I’m more wearing it because it’s cute than because I’m a believer.”

“…Is the Eight Truths Sect connected to the Moon Truth Sect in any way?”

“Moon? Huh?”

Senjo and Koujo looked at each other blankly.

“’Tis fine if you don’t know. Who is this Hakumyoushi?”

“We told you, he’s our god. Since he’s a god, no one’s ever seen him before. There’s a priestess, though. What was her name again?”

“It’s Lady Injou,” Senjo said reproachfully.

“Oh, that’s right. She’s a little girl. And there’s the founder as well. He’s in charge of all kinds of things.”

Jusetsu’s brow furrowed as she pondered all this.

“The Crane Consort dislikes gods and faiths, so she herself isn’t a believer nor does she wear the white coral, but she lets her attendants do as they like. There aren’t any inconveniences in particular. In that way, the Crane Consort is free, or maybe she’s uninterested in other people.”

“You’re going too far, Koujo.”

“Oh, did I say something bad? I don’t think I did. After all, isn’t it a good thing that she isn’t a consort who fusses over everything? She bestows ruquns and hairpins like candy. Miss Senjo, you received a pine-colored cloth the other day, but isn’t it too plain? There was a beautiful purple one, so I wondered why you didn’t go with that one. Were you deferring to Miss Rokujo?” Koujo’s open and frank chatter didn’t stop for a minute as she smoothly switched topics.

“No, I thought I’d tailor that piece of cloth and present it to Mother-in-Law, so I accepted it.”

“Mother-in-Law…? Oh, you mean the mother of your deceased fiancé? You also gave her a gift the other day, didn’t you? I don’t mean to be insensitive, but it all happened before you were married, and your fiancé has died, so why do you need to devote yourself so much to her?”

Koujo said in an exasperated tone. Senjo smiled sadly.

“Mother-in-Law and Father-in-Law are now the few threads that connect me to my fiancé.”

“Haa, so that’s how it is,” Koujo looked like she didn’t understand at all.

“The two of them were very concerned about me coming here with the Crane Consort. The inner palace is a place of both splendor and horror, unfortunately. I hear a lot of ghost stories as well…”

“I hear a lot of them too. They’re entertaining, aren’t they?” Koujo seemed to like ghost stories. In contrast, Senjo, who had experienced them for herself, frowned.

“’Interesting’? Really, Miss Koujo——”

“Oh, please don’t tell Miss Rokujo. Are you done with me, Lady Raven Consort? Can I go back?”

Jusetsu, who was deep in thought, raised her head when she was asked that.

“Ah, yes, I have what I need. I apologize for interrupting your work.”

“No, I should thank you. I’m glad to have an excuse to slack off. Oh, don’t tell anyone.” Koujo laughed mischievously and ran out of the room. She was a restless girl.

“I apologize for her lack of manners… She comes from a family from the lowest echelons of the Saname clan, but she wasn’t brought up very strictly.”

“I mind it not. I feel cheered by her.”

When she said that, Senjo smiled.

“Indeed. I’m glad to hear that. I also feel a little cheered up when I’m with her.”

“There are people like her out there. It would be better for you to stay with her.”

“Haa…is that so.”

An expression of “that’s going to be absolutely unbearable” appeared on her face. Jusetsu thought that Senjo should stay together with Koujo, because Koujo was capable of eliciting such emotions from her.

“Do not hold grudges, do not envy others, do not get angry, and keep your heart pure—was that right?” Those were the teachings of the Eight Truths Sect.  “Those are teachings that must attract the weary.”

“The weary?”

“It’s exhausting to be resentful and angry. Letting go of those things would leave your heart at peace. But telling people not to resent or be angry is tantamount to telling them not to feel or think anything. I feel that it is healthier to tell people to come to terms with those feelings rather than telling them not to feel them. However,” Jusetsu lowered her lashes. “I suppose that for those who are tired of holding grudges, it’s sometimes easier not to feel or think anything at all.”

Senjo only listened in silence as she considered the meaning of Jusetsu’s words.

“…The Eight Truths Sect. Are there any sorcerers within the sect?”

Senjo blinked at the sudden question. “Sorcerers? Yes, there are. Among the believers and among the temple guards as well. Even the founder, Master Hakurai, is a sorcerer.”

“If one is a sorcerer, then one is able to cast curses.”

“What are you saying?” Senjo exclaimed in shock, then hurriedly covered her mouth. “Are you saying that someone in the Eight Truths Sect cursed me?”

“Curses aren’t something you can do half-heartedly. Is there anyone else you know who can cast curses?”

“That’s… But isn’t it a bit hasty to suspect the sorcerers of the sect just because there’s no other suspects?”

“I’m saying that it’s the most likely possibility. If someone connected to you wanted to curse you, who would they ask? Is the Eight Truths Sect so widespread in Ga Province that most of the attendants are believers?”

“But I don’t believe that means the Eight Truths Sect would do such a thing as—cursing me,” Senjo squeezed the white coral ornament. “After Hashuu was killed, I was unable to eat or sleep. I hated the men who killed Hashuu, but they had been executed, so there was nothing more to be done about it. You don’t know how many times I regretted going to the god’s temple or getting into that palanquin. It was Hashuu’s parents who took me to the Eight Truths Sect’s temple. The founder was there, and he told me that I should leave all my hatred and regrets here. The rest will be taken care of by Lord Hakumyoushi. Then, he gave me this ornament. As soon as I touched the white coral, I remembered feeling very refreshed, like a breeze was blowing through me. I was indeed comforted then.”

Jusetsu silently listened to her story.

“…Hakumyoushi will take care of it…?” she muttered and looked at the door. “Where do those feelings go after he takes them?”

“Huh…?”

Ignoring Senjo’s confusion, Jusetsu continued. “There are several methods for casting curses, but the most common one is to give the curse tool to the person you wish to curse. For instance, creatures like snakes, toads, and insects are concealed inside gifts. Or combs, rings, and necklaces. Curse tools vary greatly. Did you receive any gifts before leaving Ga Province?”

“If it’s gifts…I received many of them from my relatives.”

“Do you have them now?”

“I couldn’t bring all of them with me, but I did bring some.”

When Jusetsu asked to see them, Senjo opened her chest and took out a box. It was a beautiful box, crafted of cypress with brocade affixed to its surface.

“This box was given to me by my uncle on my mother’s side. I keep the gifts inside, because they’re important. This is a piece of thin silk I received from my paternal grandparents. This is a sash I received from my maternal grandparents. Ga Province produces good quality raw silk, so I received many textile gifts. This is from my paternal—”

“What is that?” Jusetsu pointed to a cloth bundle in the bottom of the box. It was a thin, small package. The cloth was light indigo, dyed fast with a white floral pattern.

“I received it from Hashuu’s parents. It’s a charm from the Eight Truths Sect. I was told that it was a talisman for good health and that I should put it under my bed, but I didn’t want to accidentally throw it away or tear it, so I put it away in the box.”

Jusetsu opened the bundle. Indeed, there was a talisman inside. It was a piece of hemp paper with characters and patterns written on it in ink. Jusetsu stared at the talisman in silence.

“Um, is something wrong…?”

“——This isn’t a talisman for good health.”

A “Huh?” slipped out from Senjo’s mouth.

“It’s an incantation. Words for a curse,” Jusetsu looked at her. “This is a curse tool. One of the curse talismans used by sorcerers. It must have been written by one. If this is a talisman from the Eight Truths Sect, then it must be from one of their sorcerers. And it was given to you by Hashuu’s parents. They disguised it as a talisman for good health and told you to carefully place it under your bed. ——It is said that a curse is most effective if you bury it under your bed or hide it above the beams of the ceiling.”

Senjo’s smile froze on her face. After a while, her cheeks twitched, and her mouth opened.

“Are you saying that Hashuu’s parents cursed me?”

Jusetsu didn’t answer. This talisman represented the truth. And Senjo would know best what kinds of words were used by Hashuu’s parents when they gifted her with the talisman.

“That’s impossible…no, I’m sure that my in-laws gave it to me without knowing that it was a curse. After all, they——”

Senjo was trembling. Jusetsu looked down at the talisman again. If Hashuu’s parents had given this to her without knowing it was a curse, then why did the curser curse Senjo? Above all, this curse used none other than Hashuu’s ghost as a tsukaibe.

When she heard that Senjo was still close to Hashuu’s parents, she thought briefly, That’s dangerous. After all, Hashuu was killed, and Senjo was still alive—. Jusetsu wondered uneasily how Hashuu’s parents felt as they received her, and how Senjo would perceive this.

Jusetsu didn’t attempt to tell Senjo about those thoughts. They were nothing more than her imagination. She didn’t think it would be good to voice them out loud. What she could do was limited.

“I shall return the curse.”

Senjo looked up in surprise.

“The curse shall return to its executor. It will return to the sorcerer and the ones who asked the sorcerer to curse you. The purpose of the curse isn’t killing, so they will not die. I hope the sorcerer isn’t a dimwit.”

But even as she said that, Jusetsu glanced at the talisman. This sorcerer is far from a dimwit. They are most likely a first-rate one.

A first-rate sorcerer created a curse for mere harassment?

Jusetsu wondered what their intention was for doing this. She frowned.

“Once the curse is returned, the tsukaibe will be released as well. Hashuu’s ghost will disappear quickly. Then, he will finally be able to cross over to paradise.”

Jusetsu pulled out a peony from her hair. The petals turned into pale pink smoke into her hand and twined around her fingers. She tossed the curse talisman into the air. Jusetsu blew the smoke at the talisman as it fluttered and fell.

The talisman burned silently. It billowed and sprang up as though it was writhing in the air. Jusetsu flipped her hand and sent a breeze towards the door.

“Return to your master.”

The flames turned into an arrow, then flew out of the door with a mighty rush. There was a sound like glass breaking. The arrow flew high and far, and it was out of sight in no time at all. Only a faint trail of pale red remained in the slightly overcast sky.

Jusetsu drew back a little. The ghost, freed from its tsukaibe bonds, was beginning to appear on the other side of the door, shimmering like a flickering flame. Gradually, his outline became clearer. Hashuu was standing there with his blade wounds and dripping blood still there.

Senjo ran up to him noiselessly. She stopped at the door and teared up in front of Hashuu.

“…Hashuu…”

Senjo was about to take a step towards the ghost, but Jusetsu grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

“Lady Raven Consort? What are you—”

There was a gurgling sound. It was the sound of blood flowing out from Hashuu’s opened mouth. His wide-opened eyes were fixed straight on Senjo. But there was no love or tenderness in them.

His eyes were dark with sadness and anger.

“Sen…jo…” Hashuu tried to speak through the sound of gurgling blood. “Why…did you…run away…and…leave me…behind…?”

With each word he spoke, bubbling blood, mixed with drool, gushed from his mouth. Hashuu reached for Senjo, His hands were covered in blood.

“You traitor.”

Those were the only words that resounded clearly and lowly. The ghost flickered again, and then quietly, as though burning out from the tips of his fingers, it disappeared. All that remained was a dim shadow.

Senjo collapsed on the spot. Her eyes were wide open and unblinking. Tears welled up from the edge of her eyelids and streamed down her cheeks. They dripped onto her clothes, leaving stains behind.

“…Did Hashuu die thinking that?” A voice like an empty husk leaked out from Senjo’s mouth. “Did he think I was a traitor who abandoned him and ran away?”

Senjo lowered her head and stared at the floor.

“Back then, it was true that I…abandoned him and ran away. While he was holding the palanquin bearers back, I left him to go call for help—that’s the truth. But, I knew that Hashuu wouldn’t get away. And if I stayed there to help him, I might have gotten killed as well. I—was scared. I was scared of being killed. That’s why I took advantage of Hashuu telling me to escape and ran away. If he says that I abandoned him and ran away, then he’s right.”

Not wiping away the tears that kept streaming down her face, Senjo’s gaze wandered through the air.

“Would it have been better if I had died with Hashuu? Was that what my in-laws, who cursed me, wanted? Did Hashuu also wanted me to die with him? Is it wrong that I’m alive?”

Senjo lay down on the floor and sobbed. Jusetsu looked down at her trembling body. This is me, she thought. Jusetsu understood Senjo’s feelings of being afraid very well. She had been afraid, horrified, hugging her knees tightly and shaking. That was how she abandoned her mother to her death.

How did her mother feel when she left Jusetsu and ran away?

She didn’t know. What she did know now was only a little bit about ghosts.

“…I told you that ghosts are transformed beings,” Jusetsu said softly. “People’s feelings are not singular. Just as you said you were afraid of being killed, Hashuu must have been afraid of being killed as well. Do you think it strange that he tells you to run away, but also doesn’t want you to go at the same time?”

Senjo lifted her face. Her cheeks were wet with tears.

“That ghost merely showed you just one of his emotions. He was used for a curse, so his resentment and sadness are brought into the open and exploited. The curse-users—Hashuu’s parents’ feelings must have been there as well. It was a mixture of all those things. However,” Jusetsu put the words together matter-of-factly. “Even so, Hashuu chose to let you go. Do not forget that. Though feelings are changeable and difficult to discern, the actions we take do not change no matter how much time goes by. The fact is, you are kept alive because of Hashuu. Don’t deny his actions.”

Oh, I see.

As she spoke each word to Senjo, Jusetsu felt her heart stir.

I’ve always denied my mother’s choice.

Part of her had always hated her mother’s choice to go to her death. She wished she had died with her then, so that she wouldn’t have to suffer the pain of abandoning her and running away.

But…

Senjo’s mouth was slightly open, and she was looking up at Jusetsu with wet eyes. Eventually, she bowed her head deeply. Yes, she said in a hoarse voice.

“Jiujiu,” Jusetsu called to Jiujiu, who was standing by in a corner of the room. Jiujiu, who had been watching them with bated breath, hurriedly straightened her back and said, “Yes?”

“Go get Tou Koujo. And then, some hot water.”

Jiujiu quickly left the room. Jusetsu looked down at Senjo. “You better have her stay with you for a while. That girl is like the embodiment of lively spirit,” she told her.

“The curse didn’t wish for your death. It means that Hashuu’s parents didn’t think that far. It’s just that—they had nowhere for their feelings to go.”

The uncontrollable feelings that were exorcised in the form of a curse—Jusetsu thought about the sorcerer who created this curse. All the hatred and regrets you carry can be left here—so the founder of the Eight Truths Sect was said to have said. Hashuu’s parents must have left their anguish within this talisman. And thus they were freed from suffering. The sorcerer turned the entrusted suffering into a curse.

I don’t like this, she thought. Feelings with nowhere to go shouldn’t be made into curses. How could that be salvation?

“For helpless feelings, what is needed isn’t curses. …It surely must be prayer.”

Surely—that was all she could say. Perhaps prayer was also a type of binding spell. However, Jusetsu wanted to pray rather than bear grudges.

Jiujiu came into the room, bringing the hot water as well as Koujo, who looked confused as to why she was called here. Jusetsu only said to her, “Keep Senjo company,” and left through the back door. In the dim light, humidity enveloped her skin. It might rain tonight. But the ghost that stood there was no longer there.

Even though there was no wind, the copperplate banners lined up all over the room rustled against each other. In the center stood a man wearing a stone mask. Dressed in a long white robe, he wore neither a topknot nor a futou. His black hair, streaked with grey, was simply tied into a loose ring on his back.

The curse is returning here.

The dry sound of a hard object cracking echoed. A banner split right in half. One after the other, the banners cracked, and the room was filled with a deafening noise. The man exhaled a puff of air, and pursed his thin lips. At that moment, the mask shattered and fell to the floor. A stream of blood trickled down from his forehead. The man casually wiped it away with a handkerchief from his pocket and glowered into the air.

“…Is that the best you can do?”

His voice as he muttered that was low, akin to a groan. His face was as pale as his robes, and his eyes are sharply upturned. He was a little past forty, but it was difficult to tell how old he was, as he looked both mature and youthful at the same time. He was a tall man who carried himself well with a high strung-seeming shadow to his oval face.

“It seems to be true that Wulian Niangniang has weakened.”

He spat out in a somewhat bitter tone and left the room. He went to the courtyard from the outer corridor and headed for the gazebo.

She’s probably here.

He thought, and sure enough, there was a girl lying asleep in a chair. She was curled up like a cat. She was around ten years old, maybe younger. She still had an innocent face. Her white ruqun was stained with mud in places, probably from playing in the courtyard. The man frowned.

“Injou.”

He called her name in a voice that contained irritation, but the girl didn’t wake up. The man sighed and was about to leave the gazebo, but then turned around. He took off his long robe and gently put it on the girl who was curled up and sleeping.

“——Master Hakurai.”

There were footsteps running down the outer corridor. The man quietly left the gazebo and turned that way.

“What?”

“There you are. Oh, you’re injured, sir?” The servant, a young man, panicked exaggeratedly upon seeing the man’s—Hakurai’s forehead.

“It’s just a scratch. It’s nothing. What do you want?”

“Y-Yes, the master is calling for you.”

Hakurai glanced at the gazebo, then nodded at the young man.

“Okay. I’ll be right there.”

He walked down the corridor with long strides. The young man followed him. Both had white coral ornaments swinging from their sashes.