Don't use Type-Moon references in Oregairu!

Yui Yuigahama mechanically pulled out her phone, saw the screen, and then said to Haruno with an extremely fawning tone, "Haruno-neechan, please save Yui!"

"What a strange way to address you... Sigh, sometimes I feel like I'm both a father and a mother to you underage high school students."

"Mommy, save me!"

"Alright, alright, put it on speakerphone, I'll handle it."

Everyone else suppressed their laughter and left the table, leaving Yang Nai to deal with the situation.

Incidentally, they planned to visit the two great magicians, firstly to learn about the progress of the experiment, and secondly to see if there were any good things they could bring to Kyoto.

However, the two of them remained in the laboratory without sleep.

"...Props? Put that pile of...wait a minute, Beimu, I think it might be better to preprocess them before importing them?" Lisa was completely absent-minded, as if she hadn't heard a word of Fujimaru Ritsuka's long-winded explanation.

Bei Mudshou's dark circles were even more pronounced. He rubbed his hair, tilted his head back, and gulped down a bottle of homemade energy drink.

After letting out a harsh sound, he continued in a muffled voice, "Pre-processing blood? But what we need is that subtle life force in the blood of the True Ancestor, which is the only way to make the spirit foundation fragment grow and replenish itself. Won't you lose your vitality by doing this?"

The experimenters began to argue loudly with each other, their arguments so profound and complex that the visitors could barely understand what they were saying, but could not comprehend it at all.

"Alright! Stop!" Fujimaru Ritsuka forcefully intervened, separating the two. "How long has it been since you two rested?"

"Huh? Rest?" the two said in unison. "With such great experimental materials, of course we haven't slept since we got them."

"It's been more than three days and three nights, it's such a big New Year..." After being glared at, Fujimaru Ritsuka stiffly changed her words, "If you've tried so many times and still have no clue, I suggest you take a break."

"What's there to rest about?"

"I suspect you've gone astray. Get a good night's sleep and recharge. Then, use sleep to disconnect from your previous train of thought and organize your thoughts properly. See if there's anything you haven't thought of yet."

Fujimaru Ritsuka tried her best to persuade them to go to sleep.

For no other reason than that there is still a half-dream demon working hard to contribute to the experiment. If you don't sleep, how can you get that guy to work?

Having not slept for several days and nights, the two were indeed a bit dazed, and they vaguely felt that what Fujimaru Ritsuka said seemed to be true.

The key issue is the lack of progress. If there were progress, I would definitely start taking energy potions and work myself to the bone for three days and three nights to continue the experiment.

Then I'll go take a nap first.

It seemed as if I heard such a vague voice of advice.

Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others naturally sensed the fluctuations as well. They gave a wink to the onlookers behind them, and the four girls behind them didn't mention the strangeness they felt.

They realized that it might be the half-sleep demon that Fujimaru Ritsuka had mentioned before, so they gathered around, offering words of advice and asking for props.

Finally, the two of them went to sleep, leaving behind a pile of items they could take with them.

"Nice! Let's take these props back, and pack them in our suitcases. Let's go and talk to those people from the Kansai Spellcasting Association."

181. The Kansai Spellcasting Association isn't united either (5K).

Going to Luoyang is a natural kind of romance in Japan.

Heian-kyo, the former capital of Japan, was modeled after the capital of the Tang Dynasty when it was built. Initially, Kyoto was planned to be divided into two parts: the Left Capital (modeled after Luoyang) and the Right Capital (modeled after Chang'an). However, the Left Capital prospered while the Right Capital declined. Therefore, Kyoto was also known as "Luoyang" or "Rakujo" (the Castle of the Lost City).

"So, the so-called 'entering Kyoto' was nothing more than the local warlords leading their armies into Kyoto to assert the Japanese imperial family's rule over the country. Even during the Warring States period, this city was a useless burden, neither worth keeping nor worth discarding. It was completely replaced by Edo, which is now Tokyo, during the Tokugawa Shogunate. Only the Emperor and his so-called nobles, who were all dressed in white and causing trouble, remained in Kyoto."

Fujimaru Ritsuka sat in the first-class seat she had reserved, pointing and chatting with her Chaldea friends, completely disregarding the so-called living gods.

Oh, right, the Emperor was forced to sign an agreement by his American father and no longer dares to call himself a divine ruler? That's alright then.

That's true, what right do American dogs have to possess divinity?

He continued to enthusiastically expose the shortcomings: "Back in the war years, the palace maids in the Emperor's palace couldn't get enough to eat, so they had to sell themselves in Suzaku to support the upper class. They only started to live a little better after the establishment of the shogunate. Ha, when the Meiji Restoration came, the Emperor couldn't wait to take his people to Edo, and incidentally changed Edo to Tokyo. Those who remained in Kyoto were basically just a bunch of old fogies."

Yui and Abigail, who hadn't studied much history, listened with great interest, almost shouting for more.

Yukino Yukinoshita and Utaha Kasumigaoka listened patiently to Ritsuka Fujimaru's ramblings, then asked, full of doubt, "Fujimaru! What are you trying to say?"

Haruno couldn't join the trip because she needed to stay in Chiba to contact other organizations, gather intelligence, and handle follow-up matters. Yui Yuigahama, without her "Blessing of Wisdom," was just a simpleton, and Abigail was purely a henchman. Therefore, the only ones who could assist Fujimaru Ritsuka with micro-management during this trip to Kyoto were Yukino and Utaha.

Before boarding the plane, they were dragged by Haruno to cram a bunch of knowledge, but they only vaguely knew it and could not say that they had a thorough understanding. They just vaguely sensed that Fujimaru Ritsuka was implying something.

“I’m not going to be a civilized person anymore!” Fujimaru Ritsuka’s voice turned cold. “Most of the people in Kyoto are old folks who have been around for a long time and are stubborn and traditional in every way. They take pride in their family background. There’s a bunch of arrogant old fogies in the Kansai Jujutsu Association. If we don’t teach them a lesson, they’ll just pretend to cooperate with us by offering charity.”

"However, as you have heard from the history just now, you also know that these guys once trembled at the feet of the rising samurai daimyo in Japan."

“Using violence may be the best way.”

There was no one else in the cabin. The first-class flight attendants had already been sent away by Fujimaru Ritsuka, so he could freely discuss things with his Chaldea friends.

He felt a bit of pressure from the Kansai Spells Association, so he wanted to resolve the issue quickly and decisively.

“But I don’t think what Fujimaru said is entirely correct.” Yukino thought for a long time, and her background as a politician led her to a conclusion: “What you said is not entirely correct.”

"Oh?" Fujimaru Ritsuka sat up straight. "I'd like to hear more."

"Fujimaru, you grew up in Tokyo? I feel you might not be very familiar with the local customs of Japan, and you might have focused too much on the power of those prestigious families in the Kansai Spellcasting Association, and confused them together."

Yukino spoke eloquently, but Fujimaru Ritsuka couldn't respond. Indeed, he had grown up in Tokyo, but he hadn't had time to pay attention to such things. For the past seventeen years, he'd been focused solely on training and studying. Therefore, he gave a vague answer and gestured for Yukino to continue.

"The so-called local sentiment, or Tosa sentiment, is actually a feeling that runs deep in the bones of people from regions outside of Tokyo."

"For example, Saga Prefecture was abolished and merged with other regions due to the war. This caused unrest, and the local people spontaneously revolted and burned down the administrative center. I'm sure you don't understand that, do you?"

Fujimaru Ritsuka nodded silently—No, it's just merging an administrative district, does it really need to cause a death?

"For example, in the game, it is said that when Oe Sakura designed Nobunaga, he did not dare to make the character panels of those with weak battle records in the local areas too weak, for fear of protests from local players. In some regions, if the descendants of the daimyo family in the past run for parliament, a bunch of people will beat drums and bring their own food to vote for him, just because they were once the daimyo's subjects."

The clues are starting to become clearer. Fujimaru Ritsuka had always thought that the Kansai Spell Association was like a tangled mess that some great emperor had faced, which could not be untied without cutting it with a sword. But now it seems that there are actually opposing contradictions within it.

“I understand what you mean, Yukino. The Relationship Spell Association has never really been a united front. It exists as an alliance, but there are huge differences between the forces in Kyoto and the forces in the local areas.”

Yukino nodded: "That's right. Moreover, the Kansai Spellcasting Association's headquarters is in Kyoto... but the center of the Osaka metropolitan area, which includes Kyoto, is Osaka, so it's possible that there are quite a few complaints in Osaka as well."

“Many things in modern times involve resource issues,” Fujimaru Ritsuka decided. “Then it’s simple. We’ve already sent a visiting letter under the guise of a formality. Let’s not rush into action. Let’s take two days to assess the turbulent situation within the Jujutsu Association. If there are conflicts between local powers and Kyoto, should we support an opponent or allow a powerful figure to take over? We’ll adapt to the situation.”

Kasumigaoka Utaha listened quietly for a while, then came up with a new proposal: "To be honest, under the pressure from the Special Affairs Bureau, they'll probably just maintain a semblance of harmony. Investigations alone might not uncover anything. But I have an idea—don't we have a capable ally who can charm others so much that they simply can't refuse?"

As soon as they finished speaking, the three turned to look at Yui Yuigahama, who was happily eating the pudding provided for first class on the plane. She looked at them blankly and said, "Meow?"

"I'm entrusting this important task to you." Yukino patted him on the shoulder.

“Ms. Lisa has conducted tests; the power of the Innate Mystic Eyes is natural yet difficult to detect, especially in our world. Yui, your ability is truly amazing!” Utaha showed an expression of admiration.

"For my sake, Yui, use the Mystic Eyes on them!" Fujimaru Ritsuka pleaded earnestly.

"Hahaha, I never thought I'd be so useful! That's good! Just wait and see." Yui patted her chest confidently.

Fujimaru Ritsuka, Yukino Yukinoshita, and Kasumigaoka Utaha: This girl is too easy to fool! As a tool, she's perfect!

-------------------------------------

In the antique-style tea room, Tsuchimikado Yasumasa and his uncle sat facing each other, with a female tea master serving him freshly brewed tea.

He accepted the teacup with both hands, expressed his gratitude, then swished the teacup three times, took a small sip, drank slowly, and returned it. Tsuchimikado Yasumasa followed the tea ceremony etiquette meticulously throughout.

His inner disgust and boredom were concealed by the respectful mask on his face, remaining completely hidden.

While his uncle, a direct descendant, was idly appreciating and praising the tea bowl that had been passed down from the Heian period, Tsuchimikado Yasumasa observed his uncle without making a sound.

He knew why he had been summoned to the tea room today.

But he didn't ask any questions.

As a member of a collateral branch, although he possessed unparalleled mastery of Yin-Yang arts in Japan, he still could not transcend the constraints imposed by his family.

He was still just a mortal, and even though he could suppress the other members of his clan, putting his younger sister and mother in danger was completely contrary to his wishes.

"Taishin, what do you think Chaldea's intentions are in coming here at this time?"

Finally, the old man couldn't hold back anymore, could he?

Tsuchimikado Taishin chuckled inwardly, but outwardly remained nonchalant: "Chaldea...that's a partner of the Special Affairs Bureau. Theoretically, they shouldn't have any dealings with our Jujutsu Association. This time, it's either a small matter or a big one."

He was unwilling to comment further on this, since these self-proclaimed superiors were just putting on a show.

Sure enough, his uncle simply nodded thoughtfully and didn't bring it up again.

Which of the sovereigns of the Tsuchimikado clan, including him, or rather, which of the great clans in Kyoto that rode the wave of the extraordinary did not have a high opinion of themselves?

Relying on their own family's knowledge, the veracity of which is uncertain, they actually provided a systematic path for those to advance to the level of extraordinary beings. These Onmyoji and Shinto practitioners all considered themselves chosen ones. If the Special Affairs Bureau in Tokyo hadn't been established quickly enough, and if the infiltration here hadn't been a step too slow, perhaps they wouldn't have been able to suppress their ideology of "reclaiming their former glory."

But Uncle, what does this so-called past glory mean?

The prestigious families of Kyoto, based in Heian-kyo, used the power of the city to indulge in the extravagance and debauchery of the entire country.

It was still the era of the samurai, when local daimyo suppressed their territories and even the people of Kyoto had to defer to them.

Or perhaps it was an era where gods and Buddhas were united, religions reaped the rewards of worship, and the people chanted the names of the gods and Buddhas.

Tsuchimikado Yasuma lowered his head, concealing his hidden gaze, and coldly watched as the family's large ship crashed into the iceberg.

However, they probably don't consider Chaldea to be an iceberg.

As Tsuchimikado Yasuma pondered the group of people he had met in London, his mind was filled with a myriad of thoughts—that guy was not one who could be swayed by words or power.

"...Chaldea is a minor matter. Whether it's the Special Affairs Bureau's probing or a spur-of-the-moment gesture of goodwill, its threat and value are not high. The key is the recent unusual movements of China and the United States. Taizhen, what do you think?"

The uncle looked over again.

Tsuchimikado Yasuma pursed his lips so tightly that they appeared somewhat pale. He said, "Just as the association's previous meeting said. A catastrophe."

“Yes, it’s a catastrophe.” The uncle waved away the tea master and, disregarding his manners, stroked his bald head, which had almost no hair left. “I’m so worried that I’m going to lose all my hair.”

Don't these two hairs of yours count as being bald?

Tsuchimikado Yasumasa tried hard to suppress his laughter: "Uncle, you work tirelessly day and night for the sake of the family. You've worked so hard."

"Stop talking nonsense. I know you've always had your own ideas." The uncle slapped his thigh, no longer maintaining his kneeling posture, and casually crossed his legs.

Tsuchimikado Yasumasa lowered his eyes: "It's nothing more than the proposal I submitted in the previous meeting..."

"Distribute resources evenly, strengthen the capabilities of other local forces, and ensure their combat strength; negotiate with Osaka to increase the number of slots tenfold, ensuring that those money-grubbing guys have the possibility of advancing; discuss with Shinto and temples to spread low-value general-purpose spells through a contribution-point exchange system..."

The uncle, with a strange expression, recounted the details: "If you weren't a genius and the strongest fighter in our Tsuchimikado, just this proposal that I've withheld would make you a laughing stock in the entire Kyoto circle."

"Who are we? We are the chosen ones, the purest bloodline among humans and gods. We possess countless secret techniques, but do those people deserve to be called that?" The uncle snorted coldly, picked up his teacup, and took a sip. "What you're saying is nothing more than wanting to strengthen our relationship with the Spellcasting Association. But dealing with crises that haven't even occurred yet is nowhere near as important as maintaining our nobility."

Tsuchimikado Taishin then realized that the Chaldea incident was merely a prelude; his uncle had approached him on behalf of the family elders to give him a warning. Although there was a distinction between direct and collateral lines, his uncle was considered a trustworthy man. Only he would speak so bluntly to him.

But Uncle, are you really unaware of the recent unusual movements of China and the United States? Even such great powers have made different major moves, while we still cling to the so-called monopoly on the right to create extraordinary abilities, which will only make us relics in the annals of history.

But he still chose to lower his head and apologize: "It was Taejin who didn't think things through."