CHAPTER 1 – NIGHT PARADE OF A HUNDRED GHOSTS

The intense moon was hanging in the dead of night night time sky.

The previous and gloomy road, positioned on the jap a part of the peaceable Kamakura Metropolis, was lined in dense fog. There have been already no shadows to be seen on the road.

Nevertheless, there was a younger woman who appeared to have come from a unique period. She wore a purple-colored kimono patterned with blue flowers with a pair of picket sandals adorning her ft and a paper parasol in her arms. She was strolling alone on this shabby rock-paved street.

Lily, that was the title of this feminine physique.

Why did we seek advice from it like that?

That’s as a result of, the soul of this younger woman, was a boy who might nonetheless be thought-about considerably good-looking.

Whatever the boy’s soul, or the fragile physique of the attractive younger woman, they have been each not of this world.

Lily had a well-defined face, and one take a look at her pinkish pores and skin, you possibly can inform she was a sheltered younger woman. Her large, glittering eyes carried a touch of panic and puzzlement as she checked out this previous, gloomy world.

Her small and delicate nostril was flushed as a result of chilly of the night time wind. The air exhaled from her healthy-looking lips was faintly seen. The road was so eerily quiet that it appeared she might even hear her respiration sound.

Lily had no thought how she obtained right here, nor might she even start to think about how she become a lady who wore clothes of this period. Furthermore, though it was a bit of chilly and he or she was holding a parasol, it was most positively not raining.

Lily was very clear that she was as soon as a boy residing within the trendy age, a median senior highschool pupil in S Metropolis. Nevertheless, she simply couldn’t keep in mind her unique title, so she might solely seek advice from herself as Lily.

The second she awakened on this world —fifteen minutes in the past— she knew that her title was Lily, although she couldn’t clarify how she knew.

Aside from her title, Lily recalled residing her previous as a boy. It was clearly one thing that simply occurred yesterday in keeping with her reminiscence, but it felt so way back. It felt as if her sense of time was distorted.

Maybe it was these previous buildings that gave Lily this sense of discomfort.

“This seems to be like some type of historical age. Don’t inform me I’m actually in historical Japan? Is that this the Heian interval or the Warring States? These are the one two eras I do know of about Japanese historical past. There’s additionally the chance that it is a completely different world that resembles historical Japan.”

As Lily considered such a factor, if not due to her genuine kimono and real feminine physique, she may need thought that she one way or the other ended up in some type of filming website after sleepwalking. Whereas Lily may need been common in each facet when she was nonetheless a boy, her sense of artwork was notably sharp. She was even an skilled in nationwide portray, so she might inform that these buildings have been genuine at a look. Their craftsmanship and realism weren’t one thing a filming website might replicate! Furthermore, the contemporary ambiance round right here made her much more satisfied that she had by no means been right here earlier than.

Having her eager sense of aesthetics as a boy was seen as being too delicate and delicate, so it naturally wasn’t one thing she was too pleased with rising up.

Though Lily wasn’t too masculine as a boy, it wasn’t as if she didn’t have her personal opinions. At current, though she was amazed and located this tough to imagine, she was considering actually arduous.

“No matter whether or not I’ve returned to Japan from a thousand years in the past or I’ve come to a unique world, it doesn’t change my present state of affairs. That’s, I’m in serious trouble!”

A fantastic woman all dressed up and alone in a desolate road in the midst of the night time might solely spell hassle. Even when she have been in S Metropolis with its good public order, Lily would nonetheless really feel a little bit of hazard, not to mention this world and its unknown civilization.

Though motion pictures made all the things within the historical period out to look very romantic and exquisite, Lily knew nicely that the true olden instances have been very merciless! Since that was the case, possibly it would’ve been higher if this was a unique world. In any case, there could be a unique tradition that Lily had but to know.

Lily naturally couldn’t see her personal look. She didn’t have a mobile phone to take a selfie with and assuming this actually was some historical time, there might not have even been a correct mirror. Nevertheless, from her personal slender arm to her pinkish pores and skin, and her small ft, in addition to her physique that might make a boy round her age to get a nosebleed, she was in a position to choose that she shouldn’t be ugly.

But, she felt that her line of sight was one way or the other a bit of greater in comparison with when she was nonetheless a boy? This made Lily a bit of pissed off.

And such an attractive and defenseless woman as her was strolling alone on this uncivilized, darkish, and mysterious world with naught however a parasol on her individual. She was in serious trouble certainly!

Lily started to examine her personal clothes, hoping to search out some kind of clues or possibly a hidden weapon. Nevertheless, the one factor she discovered contained in the sash of her kimono was an previous copper mirror.

A copper mirror?

Lily took out this plate-sized copper mirror to take a look at her personal look.

Solely that… this copper mirror was very rusty and previous. On prime of that, the moonlight was very dim. She might solely see a obscure define of her lovely face.

Folks from historical instances have been so pitiful. They couldn’t even see their very own look clearly.

The copper mirror may need been price one thing, so Lily put it again at her waist.

“Historical instances huh, this must be a poor period the place peculiar individuals can’t even get rice to eat. I’ve this set of garments and that copper mirror, so I assume I’m the daughter of some wealthy household with appreciable social standing? It’s unlucky I don’t have any type identification, I don’t know tips on how to get dwelling.”

“Whether or not that is historical Japan or a unique world, at the very least it’s higher than the underworld. It’s certainly harmful to run into strangers on the street, however there must be a authorities workplace proper? If I can discover that type of place and faux that I’ve misplaced my reminiscence, by how I dressed, they need to at the very least be capable to safe my security! As for what’s come after that, let’s put it off till that point.”

As Lily considered that, she made her approach in the direction of the primary street.

“Huh? What’s with this place? The pathway earlier was paved with rock, so how come this avenue shouldn’t be paved?”

Lily arrived at what gave the impression to be a a lot wider road. There have been white partitions surrounding the courtyards discovered on either side of the road. Lanterns have been hanging on the gates of these courtyards. By wanting into the courtyards, she might vaguely make out some timber and pavilions whereas the remaining was shrouded in full darkness.

Historical instances weren’t like the flicks. Lily figured that the candles and oil lamps should have value an extravagant quantity. Who would mild up these lamps at a time like this?

The wind blew over and induced Lily to tremble barely.

“Ought to I am going and knock their door? This appeared just like the family of a rich household. It must be safer with wealthy individuals proper?”

Lily shook her head to disperse this type of foolish ideas. Wealthy individuals didn’t imply they have been civilized individuals. There’s a saying that historical individuals revere navy expertise and all the things was spoken by power. Seeing such a ravishing younger woman delivering herself to their door, it was straightforward to think about they might oppress her by drive!

She shouldn’t take her possibilities!

She was in a totally unknown world, a bit of mistake might spell nice hazard!

Solely that… she couldn’t proceed to cover in the dead of night nook both. With this climate, with out something to eat or drink, possibly she would already starve to dying or freeze to dying on the road by tomorrow morning. That may be too depressing!

A authorities workplace or someplace comparable must be her finest wager!

Lily checked out this lengthy road shrouded in dense fog. Even beneath the illumination of the moonlight, she couldn’t see something past 100 meters. She had no thought the place the street results in.

Lily was regretting the very fact she didn’t take a great look grandpa’s survival movie. The boy now discovered himself in an unfamiliar world with none survival ability. She couldn’t even inform which route she was dealing with for the time being.

Abruptly, a bone-chilling wind blew straight into her face.

“Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!”

These lanterns in conjunction with the road all of the sudden lit up by themselves. These darkish orange tint within the dense fog have been as in the event that they have been a pair of eyes gazing on the lone woman on the darkish expansive road.

Lily stiffened and felt chilly sweat seeping out at her again.

“Growth! Growth!”

Step by step, drumming sound gave the impression to be transmitted from forward.

“Growth! Growth! Dongdong! Growth…”

The drumbeat regularly will get nearer. It carried an historical, easy but unusual rhythm. One swaying lantern after the opposite appeared from throughout the dense fog.

The sound of the flute transmitted over, typically melodious, typically sorrowful. Accompanied by the beat of the drum and energetic sound of the zither, they shaped a wierd but harmonious sound as they approached Lily.

“W-what is that this music? Why, in a chilly night time like this, would there be this type of music efficiency? And who’s the performer?”

Whereas unsure, Lily instinctively felt hazard. Nevertheless, for some purpose, her slender legs gave the impression to be nailed to the ground, unable to budge an inch.

A couple of figures appeared from throughout the light-smudged fog. A few of these figures appeared humanoid, women and men alike. A few of these figures have been so tall they didn’t look like correct life kind in any respect. And though some figures couldn’t be seen clearly, they have been simply as weird. These figures ignored frequent sense and have been floating in midair.

Harmful, extraordinarily harmful!

The tune sounded so mournful that it gave rise to a sense of pity, besides, Lily instinctively felt worry.

Run! She should run away from right here!

However Lily’s small ft didn’t take heed to her order. From childhood till now, she had by no means confronted a real life or dying disaster. Probably the most painful expertise she ever had was that she was secretly in love with a senior feminine schoolmate however by no means get to admit. Although her household monetary state of affairs was common, it was to not the purpose of not having meals and clothes supplied. When a boy like that was thrown into a totally unimaginable state of affairs like this, solely panic ensues!

In a second, the sound was getting louder and louder. The beating drum and unhappy tune of the flute appeared to pound instantly in her coronary heart, pulling at her soul, which induced her hair to face on finish. She was virtually solely drenched in chilly sweat from head to foot.

Run! I need to run! No matter the place is that this, no matter what these issues are, I need to get away from right here! I need to not let these issues uncover me!

Lily pinched her personal thigh arduous, however even her fingers felt powerless. She didn’t even really feel any ache pinching her thigh by her clothes!

In the end, her physique was nonetheless unable to maneuver. This was extra horrifying than a defenseless man dealing with a fierce tiger within the mountain woods! There’s no approach a contemporary period denizen would be capable to stand this type of misery!

At this second, Lily realized that she may probably die right here. Though this was an incomprehensible world, this sense alone was real!

“Don’t inform me… I’m actually going to get killed by these issues?”

Simply presently, a nice and tender voice of a lady transmitted from who is aware of right here, “Don’t transfer. If you wish to reside, simply stand proper the place you might be. Don’t run in any respect value!”

“Eh?”

Who was talking to her? Lily couldn’t see anybody at both facet.

The woman’s voice continued, as if it was instantly transmitted to Lily’s consciousness, “Open your parasol and let your self conceal beneath it. Simply open it slowly… and so they gained’t be capable to discover you.”

Even when she needed to run, Lily’s personal ft didn’t take heed to her order. At the moment, she selected to imagine the woman’s nice voice as a substitute of these unusual figures that have been approaching from the entrance.

Opening up the parasol, it was such a pure motion. And but, at this very second, it felt like such a tall order!

“No! I need to survive! I don’t even know what sort of world is that this, nor had I absolutely understood what occurred to myself, I’m not prepared to simply die like this!”

Abruptly, Lily appeared to have regained management of her personal physique. She was now not trembling as she slowly lifted up her head. She took a deep breath because the night time wind evenly brushed her elegant lengthy hair.

Lily lifted the darkish purple paper parasol that was painted with the falling petals of sakura.

“Whoosh!”

The parasol was unfurled.

Because it seems, the within of the parasol was spotlessly white. Solely on the edge was there a shade of pink, and proper within the center was the drawing of sakura blossom. They have been so vivid and lifelike that it felt as in the event that they have been actually drifting within the sky. For a second, it appeared as if Lily was enveloped by the sunshine of the falling blossom.

“Similar to this, stay right here and don’t let any elements of your physique depart the shade of the parasol by all means. Don’t transfer, simply keep as nonetheless as a log.” That voice reminded Lily once more.

From throughout the waning lights of the fog, a fox that was a number of instances greater than in actuality walked out. This fox was silvery white and three tails have been sticking up behind its physique. Its golden eyes have been seemingly watching Lily.

Lily’s complete physique shuddered.

“Don’t transfer! The Three-Tailed Demon Fox merely caught the scent of somebody in entrance, however she is unable to search out you. As soon as you progress, it will likely be in a position to see you.”

Lily resisted the urge to drop the parasol and switch round to run shortly with nice issue. The heavy breasts that she had but to get accustomed to, rose up and down alongside together with her gasp for breath. A bead of sweat was flowing down from her brow.

That rhythmic tune was getting louder, but erratic. It’s like being in a harmful and unpredictable journey.

Behind the demon fox, a girl with a ravishing, but a bit of old style kimono walked out from the fog. Her complexion was pale, solely her lips have been pink. She didn’t have an eyebrow, and there have been two black dots on her brow. The girl held an historical lute as she walked in the direction of Lily with unsteady but swish steps.

Behind the lady was a three-meter tall bull demon with pink fur and deathly pale tusks.

One after one other, demons and ghosts that Lily had by no means seen earlier than nor had she ever dared to dream about, emerged from the dense fog identical to this. They walked in the direction of Lily with fierce and absent-minded gait.

Lily didn’t even dare to breathe. She simply stood there whereas holding her breath.

That demon fox and girl walked previous Lily. These huge tail even stretched beneath the parasol and brushed Lily’s face. Happily, the fox didn’t really feel something.

Nevertheless, that green-colored evil spirit with large construct was strolling straight in the direction of Lily. If she doesn’t transfer, they’ll collide!

At the moment, Lily felt as if her coronary heart would bounce out from her mouth.

“Stay calm and picked up, evenly transfer to the facet. You could not arouse their consideration. Don’t make any noise! And your physique should stay beneath the shade of the parasol. Now—! Transfer!”

Lily didn’t have the time to apply transferring silently. She might solely depend on her instinct to rigorously transfer to the facet. The picket sandal was virtually sticking to the bottom as she shifted one step to the facet.

She efficiently dodged the inexperienced satan.

It was lucky that her leg was lengthy, this one step was simply sufficient. Furthermore, Lily shouldn’t have tailored to this physique but, however her physique moved unexpectedly nicely. This delicate sense of steadiness and bodily understanding was not one thing she initially possessed, as she was only a boy who didn’t do a lot train to start with.

The inexperienced satan all of the sudden stopped proper beside Lily. Her ears might choose up its heavy respiration, and he or she was assaulted by the stink of the satan. It appeared to have discovered one thing and checked out Lily’s route for a second. After that, it simply continued to maneuver ahead.

Earlier than Lily might heave a sigh of aid, a cat-sized inexperienced lizard with a conical bamboo hat trotted previous her leg whereas letting out clicking sound!

This time, Lily was fully terrified! She lined her mouth with lightning fast motion and swallowed the shriek that was about to flee from her mouth.

And over there was a lantern with one leg. It had an exaggeratedly large eye. There have been even just a few thick eyelashes sticking up above the attention. A pink tongue was protruding from its large mouth because it jumped left and proper in the direction of Lily’s route. Lily thought that if her thigh was licked by that tongue, she would positively really feel sick to the purpose of fainting. Behind that lantern demon, there was a bear-sized raccoon canine with a bamboo hat hanging on its again. There was additionally a girl with unkempt hair slithering over together with her decrease half snake physique.

So far as the eyes might see, there have been a minimum of 100 completely different sorts of demons and ghosts accompanying this drawn-out musical efficiency as they moved ahead.

Evening parade of 100 ghosts!

On her first night time right here, the woman of one other world encountered Kamakura Metropolis’s monster parade that solely occurred every year!

This present day was exactly the fifteenth July of the Heian Empire’s lunar calendar. ⌈1⌋

It was clearly the midsummer season, however the wind of the underworld realm shrouded Kamakura Metropolis with the chilly of late autumn.

Lily was unable to maneuver, but she couldn’t keep in the identical spot. As contradictory because it was, she had no time for doubts. Counting on her senses, she moved one step at a time and averted a collision with the hundred demons. She moved to the facet, and eventually arrived on the entrance of an alley.

“You might be fortunate to have left the pathway earlier than Michizane arrives.” That voice continued, “Along with your physique that’s fully missing in coaching, when you come nose to nose with Michizane, you’ll be discovered even with this sakura parasol.”

Lily didn’t absolutely comprehend the which means of her phrases, however even when she was in a comparatively protected place now, she didn’t dare to maneuver carelessly. She simply continued to steal a look from the nook of the alley.

She solely noticed a bearded man with Tang Dynasty official hat ⌈2⌋ among the many hundred demons. He was at the very least 100 ft tall, and although he was a bit of chubby, his blackish face had a pair of tyrannical eyes. These eyes have been so piercing, simply them induced her personal eyes to prick endlessly. Lily hurriedly lowered her head and dare not look straight at him once more.

“That’s the Demon King Michizane! The night time parade of 100 ghosts this time was led by him. They got here all the way in which from the northeast demon gate. Each family will lock themselves of their home tonight and by no means come out. Even the warrior on night time patrol didn’t dare to return out. In the event that they dared to steal a look at Michizane, even when they don’t die, they are going to be met with nice misfortune!” That voice continued to elucidate.

After listening to these, Lily felt offended in her coronary heart. You need to’ve stated that first!

That voice stated teasingly, “Little sister, though you lack coaching and appeared like a pampered woman, out of your calmness and decisiveness simply now, in addition to the management over your physique, it was a feat not many males can attain. Maybe, it won’t be your misfortune to return to this world…”

Simply when Lily lowered her head in vexation, she didn’t discover that when Michizane walked previous the alley, he stopped to take a look at Lily’s route. And from that fast look, one thing unbelievable occurred; a sorrowful expression appeared on his wild and ruthless face.

Behind Michizane, there was an excessively large ox chariot. It was unknown whether or not that ox was a beast or a monster. That chariot, however, was extraordinarily attractive.

“The girl within the chariot is the saintess ⌈3⌋, the mom of Prince Kohei. Ever since…”

Lily didn’t hear clearly the latter a part of the woman’s narrative. She was already unable to soak up extra new info as a result of stimulation and disaster she simply skilled.

Lastly, the demons and monsters regularly obtained additional away together with the waning lights and bone-chilling tone of the flute.

Even the encompassing temperature regularly returned to its unique state.

Lily appeared on the distant mild with lingering worry. The sunshine of the lanterns alongside the road additionally silently extinguished and returned to as they have been earlier than. If was as if nothing had ever occurred on this Kamakura Metropolis.

“I’m undecided… how ought to I categorical my gratitude to you…” Lily lastly dared to voice out her ideas, “I nonetheless do not know which deity are you. Is it potential to point out your self to let me pay homage to your esteemed self? And, the coaching you have been referring to…”

That voice didn’t seem once more. Regardless of what number of instances Lily known as out in a low voice, she didn’t reply.

The one factor remaining on the empty road was the shivering woman beneath the moonlight.

Simply what sort of harmful and fateful encounter nonetheless awaiting her on this darkish and mysterious different world?