I Save The World In A Doomsday Text Game

Chapter 226-3: Slaying Asura, An Invitation from Iya Palace (3)

Fortunately, the samurai and onmyoji had served as both frontline shields and attackers, allowing him to bring it down.

He had even held back one last trump card during the fight.

If anything unexpected had happened and the dog-eat-dog tactic had failed, he could have summoned the Calamity Mage’s yokai true form and joined forces with that major ally to crush the boss.

However, if the Calamity Mage had died in the battle, it would have meant losing a powerful figure of his faction, and likely missing out on several oath quests and side storylines.

So unless it was absolutely necessary, Lin Xun would never call that powerhouse in lightly.

Ordinarily, this would be the joyful time to inspect the loot.

But though the boss was dead, the event was not over yet…

[The citizens surrounded you in a dense throng. In this moment, they did not fear your many-eyed visage, for you were the one who had slain the gigantic monster and saved their lives.]

[One by one, the people fell to their knees, prostrating themselves before you. Their words speculated that you must be an immortal dispatched by the Ancient Heavenly Enma, come to deliver all beings from calamity…]

[A few onmyoji pushed through the crowd. At their head was the one holding the purification wand.][His hunting robes were caked in dust, and he walked with an uneven gait, clearly bearing serious injuries.]

[You have discovered a Fire-Worshipping Senior Onmyoji!]

[He reached out to shove aside the crowd, then stepped up to you, his eyes glinting as he questioned. “Who are you, esteemed one? Why do you look so… Why do you wield sorcery the likes of which I have never seen? Why did you appear so suddenly to help us fight the monster?”]

[You smiled faintly, claiming you were a foreigner from a distant land. By divining the stars, you had calculated that Sakura Falls would face a great disaster today. If left unchecked, it would bring immeasurable suffering.]

[Though you, too, worship the Ancient Heavenly Enma, the faith of your homeland differs from Sakura Falls. Yours is rooted in compassion and salvation, which is why you had crossed mountains and oceans to exterminate the monster.]

[As for your miraculous sorcery, you explained that every land nurtures its own ways. Foreign magic naturally differs from that of Sakura Falls, that is only to be expected.]

[Hearing that you had come so far across the sea solely to save the people, the Senior Onmyoji of Iya Palace was filled with profound respect.]

[He bowed deeply and declared in a clear voice. “Master from afar, I am an onmyoji in service to Iya Palace, a humble practitioner of Sakura Falls. Your great deed moves me beyond words. I sincerely invite you to visit Iya Palace in the neighboring city, Thousand Orchid City, as our honored guest.”]

[Do you wish to accompany the Fire-Worshipping Senior Onmyoji to Iya Palace in Thousand Orchid City?]

“How amusing… An invitation straight into the heart of enemy territory?”

[Seeing your hesitation, the onmyoji quickly leaned close to murmur in your ear. “Master, the spells you wield are wholly unheard of, utterly unlike our own. Why not come to Iya Palace and exchange knowledge? Share your arts, learn from ours, would that not be wonderful?”]

“No wonder this onmyoji, who’d shown no concern for ordinary lives, was suddenly so touched by my supposed virtue. He’s got his eye on my skills.”

Lin Xun was just about to press ‘Yes’ when new text appeared…

[A samurai covered in wounds staggered into the crowd, his face deathly pale. Coughing up blood, he rasped loudly. “Foreign master, rather than going to Iya Palace, you should come with me to meet the Shogun…”]

[As he spoke, he could no longer support himself and collapsed.]

[You have discovered a Fire-Worshipping Shogunate Bannerman Samurai!]

“…Now I understand what they mean by ‘a foreign monk recites sutras best.’”

He, a so-called ‘demonic remnant,’ had suddenly become the most sought-after figure.

[The onmyoji chuckled softly, waving for someone to bring a warhorse and place the gravely injured bannerman upon it.]

[He produced an ofuda, traced seals, and invoked his power to forcibly disperse the crowd of onlookers.]

[Adjusting his lacquered cap, he continued calmly. “Master from afar, why not consider your answer as we go? Even if you wish to meet the Shogun, you must still pass through Thousand Orchid City.”]

[“Besides, the bannerman is gravely wounded. If he is not treated soon, his life will be in danger. There is no grand shrine here in Fukoka, only in Thousand Orchid City can he be healed.”]

[After a long moment of thought, you nodded slowly.]

[The onmyoji left several men behind to investigate the monster’s origins and handle the aftermath, then brought up another horse for you.]

[The entire party consisted of onmyoji, save for the single, grievously injured bannerman samurai.]

[You mounted your horse and set out…]

[Before long, you left Fukoka behind and entered the wilderness.]

[The Fire-Worshipping Senior Onmyoji looked around carefully. Seeing no one nearby, he began tracing seals and chanting…]

[Bright yellow ofuda burned to ash, and a mass of black karmic fire appeared out of thin air.]

[Your expression changed. You raised your staff, ready to erect a Knowledge Barrier, only to see that the karmic fire was not aimed at you…]

[The fire engulfed the barely-living bannerman samurai. Amid his piteous screams, he and his horse were reduced to ash.]

[The Fire-Worshipping Senior Onmyoji gave a soft laugh and proclaimed in a loud voice. “The bannerman samurai, wounded while fighting the monster, was being escorted to Thousand Orchid City for treatment. Alas, his injuries were too grave, and he perished on the road…”]

[He turned to you again, calm and confident. “Master from afar, now no one will dare to stand in the way of your journey to Iya Palace. You need not hesitate further.”]

[“Rest assured. I would swear before the Ancient Heavenly Enma himself, Iya Palace shall receive you with the highest honors.”]

Lin Xun narrowed his eyes.

It seemed the native factions of Sakura Falls were not as unified as they appeared.

From being a fugitive hunted by Iya Palace, he had become their most esteemed guest. The irony of it all was almost funny.

[You heaved a long sigh, then solemnly offered a prayer for the slain bannerman before continuing your journey…]

[Your destination: Thousand Orchid City, the great metropolis surrounding Sakura Falls’ capital.]