Abstract Eden

This chapter was MUCH better than the series has been as of late. I was pleasantly surprised. That being said, here’s a summary of events along with a few translation snippets.

Gitsune says that it’s been a while since they last saw each other, and suggests they talk over tea. Encho watches from the shadows, thinking about how he was sure Gitsune had died. “Still, a meeting between the two of them would be fitting… for my Hundred Tales.” Despite wanting to write down the mother-son chat, Encho realizes that he can’t stay there any longer, as he is being overpowered by the duo’s massive Fear.

Over on Mt. Nejireme, Kuroumaru delivers an order for all members to move out and asks Gozu if he’ll be complying with it. Gozu says no, that them leaving this late in the game won’t be of any help. “Gyuuki-sama said it as well. This battle will decide the true master of all spirits.” He mentions that all of the greater yokai like Seimei, Gitsune, Tsuchigumo, Nurarihyon, etc. are killing for their own senses of justice.

Gozu: As for us, I believe that our duty is to protect this mountain. Gyuuki-sama has said that is fine, as well…
Mezu: Gozu… you’re forgetting about Rikuo. You’re doing it on purpose, aren’t you.

Gozu rants a bit about how he doesn’t want to fight for Rikuo’s sake, and that Rikuo can go off and die or whatever, but Mezu reminds him that Rikuo is the Nura Clan’s leader and they’d be moving on behalf of the clan itself. Gozu, however, is still pissed. Kuroumaru steps in suddenly, declaring that they’ll all go together.

Kuroumaru: And also… Gozu, you’re worried about Tsurara, aren’t you.
Mezu: That’s right, Gozu!!
Gozu: Wait a… Oi, Kuroumaru, just what are you saying? …What’s that supposed to mean?!
Kuroumaru: Everyone knows that you like her. Well, it’s an impure motive, but you’ll once again have Yuki-onna’s Fear in addition to the strength of the Nura Clan!
Kuroumaru/Mezu: We’ll be rooting for you!
Gozu: What the heck are you saying!! You bastard!!! I’ll clear this up with the main house!!
Mezu: You’re finally willing to take action, Gozu!
Gozu: I’ll kill Yukinko and Rikuo both!!
Mezu: Why?

I died laughing here.

Anyway! Back on the endless staircase, the movement of the planets is finally taking its toll on Tsurara and Rikuo. Tsurara is having trouble continuing, and Rikuo notes that there’s the massive Fear of a Hyakki Yako coming from the next of the palaces, where Seimei is. Rikuo states that Gitsune is there as well.

Rikuo: Let’s go.
Tsurara: Eh? But… your Hyakki Yako is still…
Rikuo: That’s right… my Hyakki is surely fighting on my behalf even now. I’m not alone. I feel as if I am already performing matoi with them. Tsurara… so you’re the only one going against me, who I can’t matoi with. There was definitely a time before now when you refused it, too. Do you dislike me?
Tsurara: N-n-n-not at all!! I li… awawawa, that’s not it!!

Encho appears, congratulating Rikuo on having gotten so far in the face of such overwhelming Fear.

Encho: I’d thought it was my mission to finish telling the revival story of the messiah known as Seimei, but… well, whatever. Allow me to go look around at the other Gokadoin’s battles.
Rikuo: So you were the one pulling the strings after all…
Encho: Yes… as the “mouth”… I want to become the pinnacle of professional storytellers… However, the mastermind is Ariyuki, the 4th head. That boy has the face of a child, but that’s just because he became family head at a young age. You shouldn’t let down your guard against him.

Encho turns to leave, and Rikuo is about to chase after him when a giant hand grabs him by the arm and a voice tells him to just leave Encho be. Rikuo is surprised at the sudden appearance of Tsuchigumo and Itaku (though you don’t learn that’s who it is until after Gitsune/Seimei’s tea party).

Back in the last palace, Seimei and Gitsune are civilly drinking tea while Gitsune is nostalgic over Seimei’s childhood and Seimei looks like he wants to be anywhere but there. Gitsune suddenly asks Seimei what sort of world he intends to create. “A peaceful, beautiful world, of course… A world of order. A society devoid of worthless creatures.” When he explains himself further, she notes that he is certainly full of self-confidence. Seimei makes a scary face, stating that weak and ugly things are unnecessary and don’t need to exist. He goes on to say that it’s troublesome for him if Gitsune doesn’t stay dead, because he needs to become and stay strong in order to uphold order. “Still, it’s strange… I dropped you into a deep darkness. By all accounts, it should have been impossible for you to crawl out of there.” Gitsune asks what will happen to the Kyoto yokai under Seimei’s intended regime, stating that he is no longer her only child. Seimei assumes that she’s referring to Rikuo, but she says it’s more than just him. She essentially loves the Kyoto yokai as she would her own children and intends to protect them. Her followers are stunned.

Kyokotsu: Could it be that this person is both oneesama… and not oneesama? If she fused with the soul of that woman (Yamabuki Otome), is she now a “maternal” yokai…? If that is the case, then… no, but, I’m sure that just now she said that she loves us and will protect us…

Gitsune pulls a sword with a chain out of her school satchel and it’s a fight scene gogogo! Kyokotsu notices that the oni who came from hell with Seimei are starting to move, and shouts for the Kyoto yokai to protect Gitsune. Seimei fires off an attack at her that translates to “Eternal Cycle of Rebirth” (永劫輪廻, eigou rinne), but Gitsune is unharmed because the Kyoto yokai surrounded her. Those hit with the attack disintegrated, and even parts of those still standing were blasted away. The Kyoto yokai declare that they won’t let Seimei kill Gitsune, and when the latter tells her followers to stand down, Kyokotsu refuses.

Kyokotsu: No, we won’t pull back. If I could see your face one more time, I would devote my life to you. That it what I wished. Thanks to that, you are here with us now…

Seimei prepares to fire off another blast, and Kyokotsu tells Gitsune to run. She won’t, instead reaching for her sword again and declaring that she intends to live on alongside her “children”. Kyokotsu protects Gitsune from Seimei’s next attack, but half of her body is blasted away. Gitsune grabs onto her, and Kyokotsu says how happy she is that she was able to see Gitsune again. Seimei mocks Gitsune for embracing a weakling like Kyokotsu, which basically sends Gitsune over the edge.

Gitsune: Seimei! Just who do you think you are!!
Seimei: Naturally, after a thousand years, I am now… a god.

More fighting, with Gitsune’s forces on the losing end. Suddenly, she notices Rikuo jumping into the fray over Seimei’s shoulder. Behind him are Tsuchigumo and Itaku, both plowing through enemies like they’re nothing. Rikuo saves Gitsune from impending doom, stating that he made a vow to her grandson Yoshihira to show Seimei that those who exist between the boundary of human and yokai must bridge the gap between the two sides. Itaku says to leave the henchmen-types to him and Tsuchigumo. Gitsune asks if Rikuo was the one who brought her back to life, but he tells her it was his grandfather. Rikuo tells Tsurara to look after what’s left of Kyokotsu (so I guess she’s not dead after all?). Gitsune states that even though their enemy is the same, the two of them aren’t suited to be allies.

Gitsune: You all hate the Kyoto yokai, don’t you…
Rikuo: Well, even if you were with the Nura Clan… I can’t forgive you lot, who made an enemy of humans. However, right now… I have a reason to protect all of you. As the master of all spirits, that is.
Gitsune: …I see. I will rely on the sincerity of those words.

And then they combine forces and take on Seimei together. Meanwhile, at the main house, Orochi releases a creepy new shikigami from her mouth that is apparently even stronger than the snakes from before. Aaand Nurarihyon slaughters it. Even Ibaraki and Kidomaru are impressed by Nurarihyon’s power. Nurarihyon tells Setsura that they’re going to go defeat Seimei, and she’s surprised because she thought they were going to leave that to Rikuo. Nurarihyon goes on about how awesome he is before collapsing to the ground and spewing up blood.

Elsewhere, the onmyoji brigade has been joined by Akifusa and are now equipped with mystical onmyoji swords which they use to make a hugeass barrier. Back to the endless staircase, where Yura and Mamiru are blasting through enemy yokai. They’re suddenly joined by the just-arrived Toono yokai (minus Itaku). Yura asks where Itaku is, and Awashima says that he’s competing with Tsuchigumo, who he met along the way. Yura has the hilarious visual of Itaku riding on Tsuchigumo’s head. Yura, Mamiru and the Toono group continue up the staircase.

Back in Ariyuki’s palace thing, Tamazuki is having a rough time against Yosuzume and ends up pulled into the mirrors’ world where Ariyuki is waiting. Yosuzume is revealed to be Ariyuki’s shikigami, and Tamazuki realizes that Ariyuki has been behind everything. Ariyuki also hilariously started out as one of Encho’s fans. He loaned Yosuzume to Encho upon hearing that Seimei would be revived. Trapped in the mirror world, Tamazuki starts doubting himself - especially upon realizing that he has managed to lose his puppy. “The darkness is frightening… I can’t endure being surrounded by darkness and mirrors!!” Dassai breaks through, chiding Tamazuki, and the puppy is safe and sound. Tamazuki regains his composure and fighting spirit and changes into his yokai form.

Over to Yuiyui’s palace now. Ao and Kuro’s group is badly beaten, but Kubinashi suddenly appears. lol, Kubinashi. “These guys are small fry, but they’re my comrades! I won’t let you hinder them any further!” Ao and Kuro keep trying to tell Kubinashi that Yuiyui is a tough opponent, but Kubinashi ends up shouting that weaklings should get out and take everyone else with them. Ao is pissed. XD Kubinashi recounts Rihan’s speech about how yokai are weak individually, but are strong when they are risking their lives for the sake of someone/something else. Ao and Kuro leave with the rest of their group, and Kubinashi faces off against Yuiyui. Outside the palace, Ao demands that Kubinashi not die.

Back to the Seimei battle! Gitsune and Rikuo tagteam Seimei, with Gitsune trapping him with her tails and Rikuo sneaking up behind him with kyouka suigetsu. It doesn’t work. Gitsune tries a sneak attack as well, but Seimei counters… except it’s Rikuo who gets hit with the blast by protecting Gitsune. Rikuo’s allies FREAK THE FUCK OUT because holy shit half of his body is gone.

Seimei: You have verified my words with your own body.
Gitsune: Rikuo!! You fool!! Why did you do that!
Rikuo: Seimei… That’s right, I’ve verified it. Verified the path I believe in and must follow!!