A blue sky, a deep blue lake.
And then, suddenly, an ancient dragon appeared.
Her appearance was very graceful and divine, but at the same time, she exuded an unapproachable, intimidating aura.
≪Kyoa
A clear roar, vibrating through the air, thundered.
It's a pure and pleasant melody.
It is the supreme voice possessed only by monsters created with the expectation of becoming the guardian deities of humanity.
"Lord Mizuchi is furious... It's over... It's the end of Japan..."
But that voice is also a symbol of an absolute "power" that no human being can resist.
Having lost all will to resist or flee, none of the court nobles, who were well-versed in historical events, showed any sign of wanting to escape.
Lake Biwa is close to Kyoto.
And that is where the foundation of the court nobles' lives lies.
Even if we escape now, once the dragon goes on a rampage, Kyoto will be annihilated...
Therefore, it's clear that he feels there's nothing he can do by running away.
The same was true for the members of the Asai clan's retainers who were participating in the horse parade.
As someone who lives near Lake Biwa, I suppose I knew about the existence of the mizuna, even if I had never seen one myself.
They all stood there, staring blankly at the water god.
"M-My lord?! Where are you going?!"
That's why they must have noticed me charging headfirst into such an overwhelming presence.
The retainers became agitated, and screams immediately erupted.
"You can't go!! You mustn't go, you sir!!"
Haruhime's heart-wrenching scream echoed—and the sound of horse hooves continued without any hesitation.
"My lord!!"
Naotsune's voice boomed, and the sound of horse hooves could be heard.
And as if drawn in by their movements, the sound of the men who had been hesitating and standing still stomping their feet echoed.
≪Kyoa
But as if mocking their courage, the Water God slowly opened his mouth.
The moment the inside of his mouth turned bright red ...顫動Sendou
With a tremendous spurt, the water stored in the body is compressed and spurted out.
"Ugh, ughh
"Aaaaaaaaaaaah!?"
A water cutter boasting tremendous water pressure, high output, and long range.
It easily bores, gouges, and digs up the earth.
鐘紡KaneboMount Nanao is located 8 km in a straight line from there.
They effortlessly forged a path leading to that point.
The ultra-high-pressure water jet spewed out by the water god collided with the meandering Anegawa River just before Mount Nanao.
Even from the Kanegafuchi Spinning Company's location, it was clearly visible as a tremendous spray of water erupted, accompanied by an equally tremendous popping sound.
Seeing that no one was caught in the crossfire of such a powerful breath attack, it seems like a very well-calculated performance.
"That's going too far...!"
—It was so horrific that it made Taishakutsukimo stop in his tracks and stare at the scene.
A straight, deep trench runs from Kanebo to Nanaoyama.
The waters of Lake Biwa and the Anegawa River flowed into that area, creating a new river.
≪Kyoa
The dragonfly cries out as if mocking the people.
Faced with that overwhelming power, everyone loses the will to resist.
However, I was certain.
The water god isn't serious at all; he's just playing around.
But that playfulness was so great that it could single-handedly destroy and alter the very topography of Japan.
I had completely forgotten about it.
The fact that the opponent was a monster and ultimate weapon created by ancient people who were cornered on Chikubu Island and on the brink of extinction, to serve as their guardian deity, made it all the more surprising because they were so friendly and easy to talk to.
"Come back! Please come back, my lord!!!"
I could hear the voice of Princess Osamu, who was half-crazed.
It's a scream of utter desperation, overwhelmed by the imminent fear of losing the man she loves, her greatest confidant.
But that's probably unavoidable.
Even I, who know that it's all a setup, am honestly feeling a bit overly tense.
To her, who knows nothing of what's going on, it must feel like the end of the world.
"Kyuuuuuuuuu"
In that very situation, a single cry rang out, breaking the atmosphere that had been completely dominated by the dragon.
A pure white figure soars into the sky above the Nagahama Imperial Palace.
Reflecting the bright sunlight pouring down, the celestial rainbow silkworm—Bontenmaru—spreads its wings wide.
She, too, is unaware that this is a pre-arranged charade between me and the Water God.
However, that is precisely why a sense of desperation oozes from Bontenmaru's entire being.
That monster, spoiled by his mother and recently living a decadent life no different from a pet dog, flew straight towards me, radiating tremendous fighting spirit, to save me from danger.
Then, maintaining that momentum, it plunges sharply into the air, launching a suicide attack on the water god.
"Kyuuuuuuuu!!"
The Heavenly Rainbow Silkworm repeatedly charges headfirst into its prey with desperate, all-out attacks.
However, compared to the size of the dragon, this insect monster is no bigger than a bean.
Naturally, they were unable to inflict any damage—in fact, it was Bontenmaru, the one doing the crashing, who was suffering the damage.
≪Kyoa
And it seems the Water God has no intention of explaining the situation to the Heavenly Rainbow Silkworm.
I don't know if that was for dramatic effect or not.
Or perhaps, considering the presence of a zashiki-warashi (a type of house spirit), they wanted to avoid mentioning it.
However, the dragon's body was simply too large to knock down the Tianhong Silkworm, which kept charging forward despite being battered and bruised.
However, after being attacked dozens of times, even the water god must have gotten tired of it.
The eight-pronged horns of the dragon, shining with a bluish-silver light, suddenly emitted a vivid glow, blinding the Heavenly Rainbow Silkworm.
And without missing the moment when Bontenmaru faltered in mid-air, it seized the opportunity to bite into Bontenmaru's body with its enormous mouth.
The court nobles, guests, and retainers of the Asai clan, who had been watching the situation with bated breath, and the common people all screamed in terror.
The giant dragon, with the Heavenly Rainbow Silkworm in its mouth, shook its head violently and tossed the tiny ball of fur towards the distant Chikubu Island.
"Kyuuuuuuuuu"
A column of water erupts with a loud splash.
The silkworms, having been slammed against the surface of the lake, thrashed their legs and wings frantically, desperately trying to avoid drowning.
Indeed, its pure white, fluffy body absorbs water and becomes heavy—and it slowly begins to sink into the lake.
"B-Bontenmaru...?!"
That monster shouldn't die in such a farce.
As I involuntarily shouted, Takatora was shouting something completely different behind me.
"B-Bizen-no-kami-sama!! Look at that!!"
"air..."
A peninsula jutting out into the northern part of Lake Biwa .葛籠尾崎Tsuzuraozaki
And who should appear but the gigantic monster that was on the battlefield during the Battle of Lake Yogo.
He slowly rose to his knees, his eyes fixed only on the drowning Bontenmaru.
" ...Why again...?"絡新婦Jorōgumo
Although significantly smaller than the water god, it is still a massive creature measuring over 30 meters in length.
Her face, as white as lime, was devoid of emotion, only her eyes, as red as fresh blood, shone brightly.
From the neck down, except for the soft chest and hindquarters, it is covered in a black, shiny, chitinous carapace.
Such a giant, monstrous creature steps into Lake Biwa.
As smoothly as a water strider, it glided across Lake Biwa, using two of its six arms to scoop up the rainbow silkworm.
Then, after gently touching Bontenmaru to his chest as if to comfort him, he laid Bontenmaru to rest on Chikubu Island.
"..."
Eventually, the Jorōgumo slowly turns to face the water god.
With six arms raised and crouching, he makes a gesture as if stomping on the surface of the lake, slowly approaching the water god.
Seeing this, a look of pure joy was clearly visible in the dragon's eyes—it exuded an air of pure delight.
≪Kyoa
"—!?!"
The water god's mouth opens, and a high-pressure stream of water is unleashed once again.
The Jorōgumo dodged it with a cartwheel, then clenched her fists tightly and, ignoring the exploding surface of Lake Biwa, charged with full force at the giant body of the dragon.
Then, leaping into its embrace, he thrust his right fist towards the giant dragon's neck.
"!"
Each time the giant thrust his fist forward—right, left, right—a low, heavy thud echoed.
With her jet-black hair flying wildly, the Jorōgumo strikes down the water god.
It was like a scene from a tokusatsu drama where a giant hero battles a monster.
Having gotten close to the Water God, the female titan launched a series of fierce attacks, including flying knee kicks and elbow strikes .打擲Chouchaku
However, it's not the case that the Jorōgumo's attacks are effective against the giant dragon.
This attack seems to be having more effect compared to Bontenmaru's earlier attack, but...
Even so, to the dragon, it probably just seems like a baby playfully hitting its parent.
"...!"
For the first time, emotion appeared on the previously expressionless face of the Jorōgumo (spider woman).
It was panic. He must have realized that his full effort was completely ineffective.
But perhaps revealing that was a mistake.
≪Kyoa
"—Ah!?"
A cute sigh, like that of a young girl, escaped from the Jorōgumo's mouth, a sound completely out of place in the setting.
The water god's arms gripped her torso tightly.
The dragon's claws begin to burn red, and the Jorōgumo's doll-like face contorts in agony.
With its overwhelming grip and heat, it was easy to see cracks appearing in the carapace that protected the Jorōgumo's body.
"Ahh!?"
With a loud crack, the exoskeleton split open, revealing skin with a rubbery texture—at that moment, the water god slammed the Jorōgumo's body into the water.
Grabbing firmly at the legs of the Jorōgumo who had fallen face down onto the water's surface, the dragon effortlessly threw the giant to the ground with a sideways toss.
Just beyond that is the familiar Kanebo Square.紛Grandchild
A heavy rumbling sound echoed, the vibrations were so , and black dust rose high into the air.紛Grandchild
The court nobles screamed as they saw the Jorōgumo (spider demon) thrown to the ground nearby.
Meanwhile, the water god was slowly moving, closing in on the fallen Jorōgumo.
"It's all over!! Japan is finished!!!"
Kanebo is now in the midst of a frenzy.
Nobunaga stood there motionless, glaring at the water god despite the dust rising up.
≪Kyoa
For some reason, the water god holds down the Jorōgumo's back with one arm and lets out a triumphant roar, as if declaring victory.
The Jorōgumo desperately tries to get up, putting all her strength into her arms, but she is physically unable to stand.
For the dragon, even a colossal monster easily exceeding 30 meters in length is an insignificant opponent.
"Takatora!!"
"Y-yes!!"
I called out to Takatora in a voice full of conviction.
"You understand the language of monsters, don't you!?"
"Yes! I understand!!"
"Then teach me its language!! That monster is not someone I can defeat in a fight!!!"
"I, I understand!!"
Taishakutsukimo stopped in its tracks and slammed on the brakes, raising a tremendous cloud of dust with a loud scraping sound.
It seems she's just as excited as the water god.
The giant dragon let out a tremendous roar as it held down the Jorōgumo (spider demon) with one arm and looked down at me.
I could tell that Takatora was about to lose consciousness behind me. That's how tremendous the pressure and malevolent aura he was emitting was.
"Water god! Please be calm!!"
He pulled out the Ishiwari Kanemitsu sword, pointed its tip at the giant dragon, and shouted.
"My name is Asai Nagamasa, from northern Omi! Listen to me!! Why have you appeared in this land!!!"Chin
The water god lets out a truly terrifying growl.
"Lord Bizen-no-kami...! The dragon says, 'I am the oldest being in this lake. There's no question of me appearing; this is my land!'"
≪Kyoa
The water god, with a truly convincing performance, opened his mouth wide and threatened.
"Ah... well, he says, 'I have come to see what has become of the people of the earth who have forgotten to respect me!'"
"What?!"
I questioned Takatora with a terrifying intensity, and then shouted at the top of my lungs so that everyone could hear.
"Does that mean you're not trying to destroy the people?!"
≪Kyoa
"Lord Bizen-no-kami! He says, 'I have only come to the surface, drawn by the scent of an intriguing festival, in order to relieve my own worries!'"
"...I understand!!"
I sheathed Ishiwari Kanemitsu, dismounted from Taishaku Tsukige, and, kneeling on one knee, spoke—not so much to the Water God, but so that everyone present could hear.
"Then, behold to your heart's content! We shall offer our horse parade to the god of the biwa!! Now, be pacified!!!"然deer
When Takatora called out to the water god, the giant dragon remained silent for a moment, then slowly released its arms from the Jorōgumo and moved toward the temporary shrine.
The court nobles were at a loss as to what to do, and stood there in a daze, their mouths opening and closing.
"Everyone!! Listen carefully!!!"
I yelled at the Asai family procession, which had barely fled, and said to them.
"We will now begin the horse parade once again! This is a horse parade to be offered to the god of Lake Biwa and to appease his anger and sorrow!! Do not lose your composure, and do not leave a disgrace for future generations!!!"I was flustered.