Inazuma City wasn't particularly entertaining. Or rather, the entire nation of Inazuma lacked much in the way of leisure activities. Compared to a modern metropolis, life in this ancient society was far too mundane.
But there was one exception.
**Yae Publishing House.**
The name alone made it clear this place was connected to that sly fox of the Grand Narukami Shrine. In fact, it was Yae Miko's personal venture, born purely out of her boredom and desire to publish light novels for amusement.
Yes, its existence stemmed solely from Yae Miko's whims. Yet over time, Yae Publishing House had become a cornerstone of Inazuma's entertainment culture.
The light novels sold here were affordable, accessible even to commoners. Combined with Inazuma's decent literacy rates, these books had spread far and wide.
Li Mo had come to visit.
Though he had been in Inazuma for months, he had never set foot in Yae Publishing House. He had been too busy—who had time for idle browsing?
After seeing Sangonomiya Kokomi off and parting ways with Lumine and Paimon, he finally made his way here.
Perhaps due to Yae Miko's instructions, the editors seemed to recognize him, greeting him with deference the moment he arrived.
Fortunately, he was just here to browse.
A quick scan of the shelves revealed a trove of light novels, their titles alone evoking a sense of déjà vu from his past life. Take, for example, *Reincarnated as a Hilichurl: Just Eat Sunsettias to Grow Stronger*—a perfect embodiment of the genre, at least in terms of sheer absurdity.
He flipped through a few pages before setting it down. Pure wish-fulfillment trash.
Next, he picked up the bestselling *Oni-Blade Warrior*. The pacing and plot were decent, the characters serviceable. But the author had a habit of cramming in excessive lore and new power systems with each volume, leaving earlier setups forgotten.
Li Mo withheld judgment. At least it was better than the glorified picture books that passed for novels these days.
Time passed idly in Yae Publishing House. Most of the books were mediocre, yet they dominated Inazuma's literary scene. Even with the Sakoku Decree lifted, foreign merchants were already negotiating translation rights. Rumor had it Yae Miko was even planning a festival to promote Inazuman culture abroad.
A question mark floated in Li Mo's mind.
*Since when?*
Resolving to ask Yae Miko later, he left with a single book in hand.
By the time he stepped out, dusk had fallen. Knowing it would be midnight by the time he returned, he decided to linger in the city until the night market closed and the streets emptied before making his way back.
Despite the recent upheavals of the Vision Hunt Decree and Sakoku Decree, Inazuma City thrived. Then again, as the nation's heart, stagnation would have been stranger.
The late-night streets were silent. Since the destruction of Tenshukaku, the Shogun had taken up residence at the Grand Narukami Shrine, shifting the seat of power to Mount Yougou. Logistically, a remote shrine made for a poor administrative center—information traveled slowly, inviting inefficiency.
But the tanuki messengers bridged the gap. These yokai were uniquely suited to navigating the treacherous mountain paths.
The road from Inazuma City to the shrine was meticulously guarded. With critical dispatches flowing daily between the Tenryou Commission and the shrine's foothills, security was paramount. Since Kujou Sara's return from the frontlines, she had even drafted plans for a large-scale sweep of Narukami Island's monster populations. The proposal still sat on Li Mo's desk, awaiting review.
*Why hasn't the Shogun handled this herself?*
Passing through Konda Village, Li Mo quickened his pace. To avoid disturbing the villagers, he cloaked his presence with a simple spell, moving like a ghost along the road.
By his standards, he was walking slowly. Sleep was no longer a necessity, and wandering under the moonlight held its own peculiar charm.
The false sky stretched above, its artificial stars shimmering with an eerie beauty.
*"True Tales of the Supernatural"... The full moon approaches. Perfect timing.*
Lumine would likely depart for Tsurumi Island soon. This matter wouldn't concern her.
Best to leave it to Yae Miko.
He had taken the book for a simple reason: traces of a spell lingered within its pages. A bit of mental cross-referencing revealed its purpose.
Not long ago, the Riftwolves had gnawed through the Sacred Sakura's roots, leaking fragments of stored memories. Before entering Makoto's consciousness space, Li Mo had helped contain the damage. But the repercussions weren't so easily resolved.
If the memories of fallen warriors could seep out, what of the yokai whose souls were entwined with the tree? Could their remnants briefly manifest in the world?
The answer lay in his hands.
*True Tales of the Supernatural* detailed a ritual to summon spirits. A quick inspection confirmed its authenticity—though the price was possession.
A bunch of dead yokai causing trouble? That was Yae Miko's domain. As a half-baked yokai himself, Li Mo had no business meddling.
Strolling leisurely under the moonlight, he dissected the esoteric knowledge. With the aid of his *"False Simulated Astrolabe: Mystic Foundation,"* he could even solidify mysteries akin to Magecraft Crests.
As he walked, he pondered his departure. Every story needed an ending, which was why he had stayed this long. He could have left after the battle at Tenshukaku.
But he had remained, assisting Ei with the Tri-Commission's affairs. While he lacked hands-on administrative skills, his strategic oversight was unmatched. His unique position allowed him to spot flaws others missed.
Now, Inazuma was on the right track. Tenshukaku's reconstruction was underway, Tatarasuna's industrial revival and Seirai Island's development were imminent. Agricultural subsidies, textile industry reforms, educational overhauls, even shipbuilding expansion—he and Ei had laid the groundwork.
Would industrialization draw the Heavenly Principles' wrath? Perhaps. But with Snezhnaya and Fontaine leading the charge, how quickly could Inazuma possibly catch up?
*Unlikely.*
By the time Li Mo reached the Grand Narukami Shrine, dawn was breaking. Yae Miko's shrine maiden, Kano Nana, had just arrived at the gates, caught between drowsiness and wakefulness. The sight of Li Mo jolted her fully alert.
He nodded in greeting.
Then, faintly, Kano Nana heard someone shout—
"Fox, wake up!"
The sparrows perched nearby didn't even stir.
She blinked.
Must have been the wind.