Mondaiji-tachi Volume 5

Part 3

----*Ding Ling* Following the movement of her silver hair, the bells gave off a crisp jingle. A breeze flowed down from the red clay tiles of the roof, bringing the smell of flowers that would have reminded one of being in a peach garden. They walked along the path where the bustle of daily life clamored for attention all around them. A huge mansion stood ahead at the end of the path with the banners of the Community's emblem being flown from its parapets to show the authority over the Outer Gate. This was Little Garden's Fourth level---Outer Gate Number 6243. Banners of "Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven" flew high and demarcated the higher Floor. Just outside of the Community's mansion stood a lady with two followers in tow. She stood in a stance befitting of a Door Guardian, with her silver hair that shone with its own brilliance that seemed to compete with the Sun. "Haiz. How many years has it been since I last visited the headquarters of "Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven"?" The Beautiful lady wore a purple wafuku with her silver hair pinned with Kanzashis that had bells on its end.[7] If only that moment could stop for a little longer, it would look like a wonderful portrait. Unfortunately, there was a special aura that seemed to surround her. ....How should I describe it? To put it bluntly, it was the obaa-san aura. Standing beside the beautiful silver haired lady, that had a polite and peaceful smile, was the 'Thousand Eyes' shop assistant of Outer Gate Number 2105380, and Kuro Usagi who was shivering in fear with her ears pressed flat against her head. "....The last time Shiroyasha-sama came to this place would be around 50 years ago." The question just now could only have been directed towards the shop assistant, so she grudgingly replied. "Oh. So it seems. Time does fly by very quickly." The silver haired beauty who laughed softly---Shiroyasha turned back her head to look at her shop assistant as she replied. She wore a smile that seemed like someone who was going to greet an old friend. This feeling wasn't felt by the other two who were really tense and fearful about being in this place. The Community that resided here belonged to the upper levels of Little Garden. And it was one who's known to be a strong Demon Lord since a long time ago. Looking up at the flag flown from the mansion's vantage point, they reaffirmed their determination.

["Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven" Bull Demon Lord------ and Gorgeous Monkey King Sun Wu Kong had equal footing at the topmost of the Seven Great Demon King Rankings.] As long as one is from Little Garden, they would have heard of his name. Of the Seven Great Demon Kings described in The Journey to the West, four with powers so immense, that they are able to overshadow most other life forms, still exist and they are very well known in the realm of Little Garden.

"Great Sage Equalling Heaven" -------------------------- Handsome Monkey God Sun Wu Kong. "Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven"---------------------- Bull Demon King. "Great Sage Who Devastate Seas" ---------------------- Saurian Demon King. "Great Sage Who Leaves Heaven in Disarray" -------- Roc Demon King. Except for the Handsome Monkey God Sun Wu Kong who followed Xuanzang journey to the west and converted to Buddhism, all the other three have taken up the path of Demon Lords and continued to maintain their communities. In spite of the fact that these Demon Lords have not committed any major evils since the time that all seven Great Demon Lords challenged Heaven to a battle, their names will always be remembered by those of the Little Garden who think of the term Demon Lords. However, talking about Demon Lords, Shiroyasha still counts as one of the most befitting as an Elder Demon Lord. Gazing at the flag fearlessly, she then looked around in disappointment. "Let's not talk about the lack of having someone to welcome us.... There's totally not even a shadow of a living thing outside the doors. I clearly informed them beforehand to prepare a banquet, but it seems that they aren't too functional in the mind." Shiroyasha sniffed in disgust. Kuro Usagi dropped her ears even further, as she started timidly. "Shiro, Shiroyasha-sama.... This is to be expected. The fact that Bull Demon King hates the Buddhist World is common Knowledge and this is confirmed even by my ears. Even if you do not count me who works for Indra, Shiroyasha-sama's presence would also cause much irritation to them...." Nervously twitching her rabbit ears, Kuro Usagi had held her heart in her mouth. ---Having his sworn brother Sun Wu Kong taken away by the Buddhist world, the emblem of Great Sage Equalling Heaven destroyed, and his own son Red Boy (Hong HaiEr) converted to Buddhism. It caused much talk on the street that the rest of the Yōkai Lords under his flag would have an impassable gulf separating them from the Buddhist world. Though Shiroyasha knows the existence of the gulf, she just shook her head. "No, Kuro Usagi. It's precisely the reason why I chose this time to visit. You would have heard of me returning my [Divinity] back to the Buddhist world, and that makes it the perfect time for me to be here."

Shiroyasha said while sweeping back her silver hair. ----- Originally, the [Divinity] title of "Shiroyasha" was obtained after her entry to the Buddhist World. Being a "White Night" Spirit, she's one of the Celestial beings in Charge of the Sun's orbit, and one who is able to sit on par with the Sun god. Even though she needn't belong to a religion with her immense Spirit Power, she decided to take on the job of a Floor Master and use her position to help the lower levels. The only condition to do so would be the conversion to Buddhism as a means to restrain her powers. In the previous Demon Lord attack, where she went on the defensive, Shiroyasha had returned her [Divinity] and hence appears to be a grown woman having lost the power to maintain her childlike form. Silver hair that seemed to reflect light in a way that reminds one of the sun-rays during sunrise. The heroic spirit that surrounded her seemed to befit one with envious amount of Spiritual energy such as her. Shiroyasha took in the sight of the headquarters silently. Her bells continued to jingle as a gust of wind blew from behind . "There's an unknown threat pressuring the lower levels. So as to maintain the peace of the lower levels, we would need the help of the strongest of the higher levels.... Bull Demon King's strength. 'Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven' gathered six Demon Lords under his wing by his own strength. This is evidently no simple feat----I hope you will bravely present yourself, Kuro Usagi." Shiroyasha used a rarely seen powerful glare on Kuro Usagi. Facing such a different atmosphere, Kuro Usagi straightened up and perked up her ears as she nodded in agreement. "Yes, understood. Since this concerns the safety of Little Garden, I swear that I will not back down on the pride of a 'Moon Rabbit'. Even if I'm stabbed by knives in my sides, I will not retreat." "Keke, with that resolve, I'm relieved." "Yes! ♪ But what should Kuro Usagi do then?" "Oh, right. I have not explained to you right? So---- change into this costume!" *Pak,pak!* Shiroyasha clapped her hands twice. Immediately, a costume that used little material in its makings appeared before Kuro Usagi's eyes. It was much more minuscule in size compared to the clothes she now wore. Kuro Usagi's train of thoughts seemed to have pulled the emergency brakes and her rabbit ears were turning pale as blood seemed to drain out of them. "Shiro...Shiroyasha-sama? This, these clothes are?" "Mhm! The date of renewal for the rights to being a judge is coming around soon! These are the clothes that I have prepared for you beforehand! So, pick one of these and use your cute

seductiveness to entrance the Bull Demon Lord! Let's start from the transparent tight one piece dress that comes with accessories such as a tie and netted stockings...." "I've already refused those didn't I, you horrible god!" ------*Xiu Pak!* Kuro Usagi swung down her favorite paper fan with much vigor. "Rea, Really! How can you talk nonsense after coming to this kind of place! Please state your real intentions for dragging me out to this place!" "Hnh, you are the one who really can't differentiate the place and time for stuff! I'm the strongest Floor Master Shiroyasha! I swear upon the Gods of Heaven and Earth that I've never taken my work lightly! With all my utmost! Even if it is a prank, I will also give it my all!" "Are you an idiot? Arrrrrrgh---!" *XiuPak-----!* Kuro Usagi used strength that surpassed that of what she has used before to swing her paper fan downwards. Shiroyasha who wasn't quick enough to dodge the attack was sent flying into the mansion's outer wall, following with the sound of an explosion, with her head embedded in the wall.