I'm in another world, and I start out transformed into Lancelot.

She didn't go to sleep immediately, but leaned against the window, her gaze passing through the paper grid and landing on the silent divine sword.

Susanoo's words from the daytime still echoed in his ears—this sword not only slays demons and monsters, but also seals the Seven Evil Gods known as "Tsukuyomi".

The events of the day swirled in his mind: Susanoo's loss of control and hasty escape upon their first encounter, Abe no Seimei's eyes that seemed to see through the course of fate, and Ara's soul-piercing scrutiny...

Most importantly, the sun was asleep, its golden eyes, and the warm touch of the hot spring...

“Amaterasu…” she murmured the name silently, her fingertips unconsciously curling up slightly.

The moment this thought touched the depths of her heart, the Ame no Habakiri standing in the courtyard trembled very slightly.

Almost the instant Yuko lay down in bed, feeling sleepy and completely relaxed, her consciousness drifting towards a sweet sleep, a strange change occurred.

The indoor temperature suddenly dropped several degrees without warning, as if invisible frost was quietly spreading.

The faint chirping of insects and the sounds of summer that could be heard just moments before came to an abrupt end. The air became as heavy as solidified crystal, and even the soft rustling of bamboo leaves in the courtyard disappeared completely.

An indescribable sense of presence, chilling yet carrying a hint of inquiry, silently filled the entire room like an invisible tide.

The flowing shadows silently converged and condensed on the floor and walls. Where the pale moonlight and deep shadows intertwined, a hazy figure gradually became clear.

She was barefoot, hovering above the flowing shadows, as if she herself were a spirit born of the shadows.

Layers upon layers of black gauze wrapped around her slender body. The gauze was not static fabric, but rather seemed to have a life of its own, constantly changing and flowing.

What is most striking is her long, silver-blue hair that reaches her waist. Moonlight pours down upon it, giving it a cool, sharp luster like an icy spring, perfectly matching the chill emanating from her.

Those facial features bore a striking resemblance, seven or eight points, to the radiant sun goddess Amaterasu. But the resemblance was merely superficial; the truly unique essence lay in their distinct spirit.

Amaterasu's golden eyes are like molten sunlight, burning with an inextinguishable curiosity and a warm vitality; while these silver-gray eyes, piercing the darkness and gazing at Yuko in her sleep,

Inside, there is only eternal coldness and indifferent indifference, like ice that never melts, reflecting no glimmer of emotion.

She is the embodiment of the False Moon, one of the Seven Evil Gods who govern the night and mystery—Tsukuyomi.

She didn't speak, nor did she need to. She simply gazed silently at the sleeping Yuko Narukami on the tatami mat with her silver-gray eyes that could freeze the soul.

An invisible, damp, and sticky sense of perception greedily climbed and probed, like countless tiny, icy tentacles, scanning every inch of Yuko's breath that was exposed in her relaxed state.

"Is it you?" A sigh, almost blending into the moonlight, broke the deathly silence. "The human being hidden deep within the heart, by the light itself, by the heavens?"

His silver-gray gaze became even more focused, as if trying to pierce through Yuko's skin and reach the very core of her soul.

"Let me... take a good look. What is so special about that human who has been remembered by the glorious God-King for so many years...?"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The canvas of dreams unfolded before Yuko's eyes.

No longer the elegant courtyard of Heian-kyo, filled with mystery and danger, but the warm and familiar landmark in her life—Yoza Inaba.

The sky was a clear, azure blue, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of rice paddies and the unique tranquility of the countryside. Her heart fluttered slightly in this familiar and long-lost peace.

Beside the slightly quaint street, a figure stood quietly, facing the warm sunlight.

Her long, golden hair swayed gently in the breeze, the ends of which seemed to dance with the shards of sunlight.

The figure turned around, and the smile that spread across its face was like the warm sun of early spring, instantly illuminating Yuko's entire dream world—it was "Amaterasu".

"Yuko!" She waved her hand, her voice clear and bright, filled with a pure, innocent joy. "Come on, it's such a beautiful day!"

A gentle ripple stirred in Yuko's heart. It was a dream, yet she craved the warm feeling of walking hand in hand with the blonde goddess once more.

The two walked side by side, chatting easily. Walking on the familiar country streets, the smell of the earth and the laughter of children in the distance felt so real.

"Amaterasu" is like a girl visiting the countryside for the first time, full of interest in the wildflowers by the roadside and the wind chimes under the eaves, asking all sorts of questions, her smile carrying a human touch rarely seen in gods.

“This place is wonderful,” Amaterasu gazed at the distant, rolling rice paddies and verdant hills, her golden eyes sparkling with admiration. “Although it is not as magnificent as Takamagahara, it has… a unique tranquility.”

Yuko smiled and nodded: "Yes, this place holds many...precious memories for me." Her eyes were filled with nostalgia.

The two strolled into the Junis department store. Bright lights, dazzling shelves, the shouts of salespeople, and the noise of children... all created a typical scene of daily life.

Amaterasu was filled with curiosity about everything. "What are these things in these boxes?" she asked. "Those colorful liquids smell really good!" she pointed to the instant noodles and soda on the shelf.

Yuko patiently explained, "This is convenience food, and that's called a carbonated drink..." Watching the goddess carefully pick up a bag of snacks and blink curiously at the cartoon character on the packaging, Yuko couldn't help but chuckle.

They sampled some snacks at the tasting station. "Amaterasu" coughed slightly from the spicy potato chips, then quickly grabbed a sweet drink and took a big gulp, her expression contorting in an exaggerated grimace before relaxing again.

"Human tastes... are so polarized! Interesting!" Yuko's smile deepened as she looked at Yuko's slightly disheveled yet enthusiastic appearance.

When Amaterasu came out of the mall, she had a fisherman's hat with a cute rabbit pattern on it—Yuko suggested she buy it after seeing her looking at the hats in the shop window with interest.

"Shall we go for a walk by the river?" Yuko suggested. She remembered that she and her friends used to often relax by the river at sunset.

Chapter 165 Tsukuyomi's Home Invasion

“Okay!” Amaterasu readily agreed, still wearing the fisherman’s hat that contrasted slightly with her noble temperament.

They arrived at the clear stream that Yuko remembered. The water murmured gently, and the setting sun painted the sky a warm orange-pink. The grass on the riverbank was soft, exuding a scent of grass and earth. Yuko easily found a dry, flat patch of grass and was about to sit down.

"Wait a minute." Amaterasu frowned slightly, looking at the grass as if assessing whether it was worthy of carrying a goddess. "This... can I really sit here? My..."

Yuko saw through her "disdain" and patted the grass beside her with a smile: "Don't worry, Goddess! When in Rome, do as the Romans do. The grass here is very clean and comfortable to sit on! Look at me." After saying that, she sat down without hesitation and even stretched comfortably.

"Okay." After a brief hesitation, perhaps because her identity as a "goddess" had faded slightly in the dream atmosphere, or perhaps because she didn't want to appear too delicate in front of mortals, "Amaterasu" followed Yuko's example, carefully lifting the hem of her dress, which had been simplified to an elegant skirt in the dream, and sat down next to Yuko.

They sat side by side, gazing at the shimmering river and feeling the gentle breeze on their faces. The world seemed to consist only of the flowing water, the setting sun, and their own breaths. Yuko conjured two simple fishing rods from her "space backpack" in her dream.

"My goddess, would you like to try fishing? It's really fun~" Yuuko handed over a fishing rod.

"Fishing?" Amaterasu took the fishing rod, looking at the fishing line and the water with a puzzled expression. "With just a thought..." She seemed to want to say something, but seeing Yuuko's enthusiastic preparation of the bait, her golden eyes flashed, and she changed her mind, "Alright."

However, the goddess was clearly clueless about fishing. Her baiting was clumsy, her casting motion was stiff, and the fishing line even got tangled in a small twig. Finally, with Yuko's amused guidance, "Amaterasu" managed to cast the line into the water with difficulty.

Watching the buoy bob up and down in the water, Amaterasu turned her head to look at Yuko's skilled and self-satisfied expression, a very subtle strange light flashing in the depths of her eyes, so fast it was like an illusion.

"I wish time could stop at this moment..." Yuko murmured, gazing at the sunset. These words were utterly sincere; she so desperately wanted this dream of returning to Inaba in her eighties to last a little longer.

Amaterasu seemed slightly taken aback, but did not reply. She simply gazed at the setting sun, her profile appearing somewhat hazy and indistinct in the twilight.

Yuko suddenly remembered something and sighed softly: "Ah... it's a pity it wasn't raining, otherwise I could have gone to Ai's house to eat the legendary rainy day limited edition super deluxe meat rice bowl..." It was a super large portion of rice bowl with thick slices of meat, specially provided for rainy days, and it was a precious memory of her and her friends "fighting" in the rain.

Hearing Yuko's sigh, Amaterasu couldn't help but smile, turning to look at her with pure light shining in her golden eyes: "I am a god, you know?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Yuko clearly felt a conscious fluctuation in the power of the dream. The sky suddenly darkened, like an overturned ink bottle, with dark clouds rapidly gathering. Large raindrops poured down without warning, densely pounding the river, grass, and leaves, making a rustling sound, instantly enveloping the world in a curtain of rain.

Miraculously, an invisible, gentle "barrier" quietly opened up around the grass where they were sitting. Dense raindrops slid down automatically about half a meter above their heads, as if crashing against a transparent dome. Despite the torrential rain outside, this small space where the two were located remained completely dry, even the grass remained unexpectedly dry.

"Wow! As expected of the goddess~" Yuko's eyes widened in surprise, and she clapped enthusiastically, looking at "Amaterasu" beside her with a bright smile, "This power is so convenient!"

This time, when praised so directly by mortals, Amaterasu did not avoid the topic as she had done by the river before. Instead, she raised her delicate, fair chin and, with an air of self-righteous arrogance, readily accepted the honor that belonged to the "Sun Goddess": "That's natural." Her tone carried the reserve of a deity, but the light in her golden eyes seemed to deliberately intensify, as if emphasizing her supreme status.

Although the heavy rain was blocked, the humid air and the familiar rainy atmosphere were conveyed with unparalleled realism.

"Let's go, strike while the iron is hot!" Yuko laughed as she stood up, taking Amaterasu's hand. "I'll take you to experience the miracle of rain!"

Amaterasu was obediently pulled up, and the two quickly left the riverbank. Yuko led her familiarly through the town's streets, which were now hazy from the rain, and soon arrived at a small restaurant with a sign that read "Love Home".

Pushing open the slightly narrow wooden door, a warm aroma mingled with the scents of sauce, meat, and steaming rice wafted out. The restaurant wasn't crowded, which was perfect for them.

"Boss lady, two servings of the special rainy day meat rice!" Yuko greeted her familiarly. The boss lady behind the counter responded with a beaming smile, "Sure thing! Rainy day special, coming right away!"

Soon, two large bowls of steaming, incredibly generously portioned rice bowls were served. It was a true challenge to the concept of a "bowl." The rice was piled high, almost overflowing, and topped with a thick layer of glistening, marbling-colored grilled meat slices, the enticing aroma filling the air. The rich sauce slowly seeped into the rice beneath the meat, giving it a glossy sheen. At the very top was a golden-brown soft-boiled egg; a gentle poke released the yolk, which mingled with the sauce, creating a visually stunning presentation.

Even as a goddess, Amaterasu couldn't help but show a genuine sense of amazement when she saw the huge bowl of meat over rice, overflowing and resembling a small mountain.

"Can humans really eat such a large portion of food at once?" She couldn't help but tilt her head slightly, her gaze shifting back and forth between the huge bowl and the relatively petite Yuko.

"Don't worry! I'm a meat expert, I've done this many times before!" Yuko patted her chest, confidently assuring everyone. Her eyes shone with self-assurance; she had already maxed out all five stats!

The girl picked up the large spoon placed beside the bowl. Just as she scooped up a large spoonful of food mixed with sauce, egg yolk, and rice, topped with a few thick slices of grilled meat, and was about to bring it to her mouth, she caught a glimpse of Amaterasu's gaze from the corner of her eye, a gaze filled with curiosity and inquiry.

Chapter 166 The Moon's Shadow and the False Sun Shatter the Dream (1/2)

A mischievous thought flashed through her mind. Yuko paused slightly, a teasing smile appearing on her face.

With a flick of her wrist, she offered the spoonful of food, which carried the "miracle," to Amaterasu, her tone casually probing: "Want to try some? A delicious treat unique to rainy days, Goddess?"

"!!" The goddess in the form of a young girl was clearly not prepared for this sudden invitation.

A barely perceptible hint of surprise crossed her golden eyes—a surprise so real it was almost unmistakable. She looked at the generously portioned spoonful of ingredients, fragrant and flavorful, offered to her, and instinctively tried to maintain her divine composure by refusing.

However, her intense curiosity ultimately prevailed. She stretched out her slender white fingers and gently tucked a few strands of golden hair that might have slipped down her cheek as she lowered her head behind her ear. Then, she slightly parted her pink lips, brought the spoon close, and with an almost ritualistic caution, gently but completely took the food into her mouth.

The goddess gracefully placed the food in her mouth, chewing slowly, calmly analyzing the complex sensory signals transmitted by her taste buds deep within her consciousness. After a moment, she swallowed the food and calmly gave her evaluation: "The sauce is rich, the meat slices are plump, and the cooking time is acceptable...not bad." Her tone was flat, as if she were evaluating an insignificant offering, but the almost imperceptible pause before saying "not bad" betrayed a hint of her true thoughts.

"Thank you for the compliment~" Yuko contentedly took back the spoon, not minding at all that it was the one Amaterasu had just used. With perfect ease, she began devouring her "mountain of meat" with the same spoon, her movements swift and precise. Each spoonful scooped up a full portion of food, and when she put it in her mouth, she seemed very satisfied, as if she were performing a solemn ritual that brought her joy and pleasure. Yet, she was so fast that only the afterimage of the spoon flying around could be seen.

Amaterasu silently watched Yuko's focused and thoroughly enjoying state as she ate, her eating speed seemingly bottomless. The idea that it might take several Star Children to finish that meal lingered in her mind, and Amaterasu fell into a brief silence. The ever-present coldness of observation in her golden eyes gradually faded, replaced by a purer emotion called "shock." She subconsciously covered her mouth slightly, clearly reflecting Yuko's ferocious eating habits.

My God, is this really something a human could do?!

Even in a dream world that she created herself and whose senses were almost indistinguishable from reality, the "ordinary" behavior exhibited by this individual named Narukami Yuko still exceeded some of the gods' preconceived notions.

As Yuko flattened most of the "mountain of flesh" with almost combat-like speed, Amaterasu's expression gradually changed from initial shock to something more complicated and difficult to describe.

"Phew—so satisfying!" Yuko put down her empty bowl, exhaled contentedly, her cheeks flushed with a healthy rosy glow from the hot meal, and her eyes held a delighted invitation: "Alright~ It's a rare opportunity to come here, so how about trying another of Yasho Inaba's great attractions? The onsen at Amagiya Ryokan is amazing! A soak will wash away all the fatigue of the day."

Amaterasu seemed still processing the "brutal" meal she had just experienced. Hearing this, she snapped out of her reverie, her golden eyes blinking as if weighing her options. Ultimately, those complex thoughts seemed to be suppressed. Looking at Yuuko's bright eyes, she nodded gently, reverting to her distant yet somewhat accommodating attitude: "Alright." This was her way of accepting the mortal's invitation.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The hot spring bath at Amagiya Ryokan is small and exquisite. A hazy mist hangs in the air, carrying a faint smell of sulfur and the fresh scent of wood. Only the two women are in the women's bath; the dim light filters through the paper windows, creating a soft glow in the steam.

The two removed their outer garments. Once again, they were completely naked in the hot spring, but Amaterasu's behavior was completely different from her initial shyness. She appeared unusually quiet, her movements even carrying a flowing, unhurried ease and a sense of matter-of-factness. However, her golden eyes, amidst the misty steam, never truly left Yuuko, her gaze complex and unfathomable, far beyond mere admiration.

The warm water gently enveloped her body. Yuko leaned against the smooth stone by the pool and let out a comfortable sigh: "Ah, this is wonderful. My bones feel so soft." She closed her eyes contentedly, enjoying this rare moment of relaxation. The warmth dispelled the slight chill from the rain and temporarily relieved the burden on her heart.

Just then, Amaterasu moved. She slowly rose, and droplets of hot spring water, like pearls from a broken string, slid down her body, which was shrouded in mist yet embodied the ultimate beauty of a deity. Without shyness or avoidance, she walked barefoot across the smooth rocks at the bottom of the pool and stopped in front of Yuuko. She was only wearing a wet, clinging silk undergarment, revealing her exquisite curves. Water droplets meandered down her slender neck and delicate collarbone, disappearing into the full curves outlined by the soaked, thin fabric.

Yuko sensed something was amiss and opened her eyes, meeting a pair of golden eyes looking down at her. This time, there was no longer the familiar warmth or curiosity within them; instead, there was an almost eerie focus and an undeniable pressure.

Amaterasu leaned down slightly, extending her hands. Her warm, damp fingertips, with an irresistible force, cupped Yuko's cheeks. "Hey...human~ do you love me?" Her voice carried a deliberate sweetness, a familiar voice to Yuko, yet subtly tinged with an imperceptible chill, completely different from the clear, bell-like tone of Amaterasu in her memory, filled with pure, sun-like curiosity.

As she spoke, that beautiful face suddenly drew close, so close that she could feel the slight tickle from her breath, its target precisely aimed at Yuko's lips.

However, the anticipated panic, shyness, or the trembling fear of mortals under the might of a god—none of it happened. Just as they were about to touch, a hand, warmed by the hot spring but remarkably steady, swiftly and precisely grasped the slender wrist of the "goddess" opposite them. The sudden movement stirred small ripples on the water's surface, but they quickly returned to calm.

Chapter 167 The Moon's Shadow and the False Sun Shatter the Dream (2/2)

Yuko slowly raised her eyes, and those golden eyes that should have reflected the sun's radiance were close at hand. What surged within them was not the warmth of the sunlight, but a deep, almost hollow, coldness.

The human girl gripped the goddess's wrist tightly, a calm smile curving her lips, as if she were merely brushing aside a wisp of troublesome willow catkins.

“I really like Lady Amaterasu.” Yuko’s voice was steady and clear, like a piece of ice thrown into scalding steam, instantly piercing the deliberately created illusion.

Her gaze did not waver, but instead met his. Her unique silver-gray pupils, like sharp stars in the mist, pierced through the swirling water vapor and hazy moonlight, looking straight into the depths of those golden eyes.

“However…” she paused, her grip on her wrist remaining firm, as if casting a tangible question mark, “…and who are you?”

With her wrist firmly restrained, "Amaterasu"—or more accurately, the imposter who had now revealed part of her true form—did not panic or rush to defend herself like a normal person. Her bright golden eyes narrowed slightly, the warmth in them quickly fading, replaced by a cold, playful light, like a hunter scrutinizing an unexpectedly rebellious prey.

"Oh?" A subtle, enigmatic smile curved her lips. The deliberately imitative, bell-like voice of Amaterasu vanished, replaced by a deep, languid, and magnetic mature female voice, like a vintage wine aged for a thousand years, each syllable carrying a seductive weight.

"How did you figure that out, human?"

The sudden change in voice created a strong sense of contrast. If Amaterasu's voice was like the morning light and birdsong piercing through the forest, clear and melodious, carrying a natural purity and vitality, then this voice at this moment was more like fine wine swaying in a crystal glass in the dead of night, mellow, mysterious, and carrying a hint of dangerous allure.

An inopportune thought popped into Yuko's head: the quality of that voice is actually quite appealing to certain groups of people... Wait! Hold on! Is this the time to be thinking about that?!

She shook her head violently, trying to shake off that inappropriate and bizarre "fantasy," then her gaze unconsciously glanced upwards. Above the head of that imposter goddess, a virtual symbol that only she could clearly see flickered faintly: False Amaterasu (Tsukuyomi). This title, like a cold footnote, pierced through all pretense.

But if she pointed it out directly, wouldn't it be considered teasing? Yuko hesitated for a moment and chose to explain it by a more "serious" feeling that was closer to her instincts.

"Your feeling... is completely different from Amaterasu's. She's like sand baked by the midday sun, warm, inclusive, and full of life. But you..." She paused, carefully choosing her words, her gaze sharp as if trying to pierce through the illusion before her, "...if I had to describe it... cold, like that... icy reflection that inevitably exists under warm sunlight?"

“A cold reflection…?” This description precisely captures the essence of the environment.

"Pfft... Hahaha!" The goddess burst into unrestrained laughter, as if she had heard the funniest joke. Her laughter was filled with self-mockery and a strange sense of pleasure at having her truth exposed. With a slight twist of her wrist, she slipped away from Yuuko's tightly clasped fingers, as easily as if she had never been restrained at all.

“That’s right, human, you are quite perceptive.” She raised her chin slightly, the moonlight outlining her long and graceful neck. “Just as you said, the sun’s radiance is as beautiful as the shadow it casts… and that is as deep and dark as it is.”

As she spoke, as if modified by an invisible brush, incredible changes occurred upon her. Her dazzling, flowing golden hair, like molten gold, rapidly faded from the tips, covered by a cool, moonlit silver-blue. Then, her fair skin lost the radiant, life-giving glow befitting a sun goddess, becoming pale and delicate, like a piece of fine, cold jade meticulously sculpted.

The most breathtaking change was in her eyes—those golden eyes that had once disguised themselves as Amaterasu, shining with a sun-like radiance. Now, as if they had experienced a lunar eclipse, the depths of her pupils were covered by a cold, soul-freezing silver-gray, with only a faint golden ring remaining at the edges of her pupils.