第４５４堀：考察 酒呑童子といふ者 (Part2)
"……No matter how you look at it, this wasn't just some power struggle of the era. It makes sense that they only abducted the princesses. They weren't kidnapped; they chose to side with Oeyama, didn't they? It’s a story about how Oeyama was a better choice for forming a marriage alliance than the folks in Kyoto."
"I knew you’d see it that way, Seraria."
"……If there were any nobles who heard this story and didn't reach that conclusion, they should be demoted to commoners immediately."
"The story goes that afterward, the five who cut off his head felt remorse, repented for their sins, and wished to help those suffering from illness. So, instead of bringing the head back to Kyoto, they buried it there. Now, it’s known as the Kubizuka Daimyojin, and they say it has miraculous effects on healing illnesses..."
"That, by any logic, just means the five who did the deed couldn't live with their guilt and buried him there. And as for why Shuten-doji was driven to Oeyama in the first place? It was because he was ill, wasn't it?"
If that weren't the case, there would be no reason to specifically mention illness. They could have just called it a victory or a stroke of good fortune.
"Now, knowing all this, are you in favor of resurrecting Shuten-doji?"
"……No. I doubt he would want it himself. To be rampaging around as some kind of monster."
I don't have the heart to cut down an opponent like that.
*Sigh*... my motivation has completely withered away.
"That Dojigiri Yasutsuna is national treasure class, right?"
"Yeah."
"Doesn't that basically mean the country acknowledges it? That sword isn't a fake. They’ve enshrined it as a blade that cut down a magnificent person. It’s well-said that it’s both a divine sword and a cursed blade."
……But, I noticed something a bit strange.
"Hey, if Shuten-doji was human, why does he have powers like being a 'demon' or the 'physical immunity' you mentioned?"
That’s right, there shouldn't be any magic on Earth.
"Well, as far as I know, it’s not common knowledge now, but it might exist in the shadows, and this was a long time ago. Back then, there was someone called Abe no Seimei, said to be the greatest Onmyoji in history—like a grand mage in this world. Maybe those kinds of powers existed back then."
"……In other words, you’re against the resurrection because you have no idea what kind of powers he might use, right?"
"Exactly. According to Luna, using powers like the Five Elements or Onmyodo is possible, so we really have to assume those powers are real, don't we?"
"In that case, I definitely want to prevent the resurrection."
Not knowing the opponent's capabilities at all is unacceptable. In that sense, I don't want him brought back either.
"Honestly, it’s just a massive headache, so I want to recover it as soon as possible."
"Even so, it’s currently with Bicks or Nogosh, isn't it?"
I just hope nothing happens that would break the seal...
Surely, even if they are a Dungeon Master and a God of Swords, they wouldn't be taken over that easily.
We can watch how things develop leading up to the execution in a month, and if we move to suppress it then, it should still be in time.
That’s what I thought, but...
『Master. This is Kirika. Today, while observing and monitoring the Sword Country’s public tournament, Nogosh appeared with the sword and performed a spectacle of cutting a Minotaur in two with a single strike. I have sent the footage, and as you will see upon checking it, it feels to me as though he has already been taken over by the blade. Mr. Mauve and the others share this opinion. I propose we move up the start of the execution.』
That message had reached my husband.
Things never go as planned, but this time, we were definitely caught on the back foot.
***
As I wrote in the preface, this is fiction, and it is a personal interpretation tailored to this story based on historical documents. Please understand that.
With that premise, there were common mysteries in the stories of Shuten-doji, which led to this interpretation. They say he had a mansion on Oeyama, that he actually responded to negotiations, and that he kidnapped princesses—these are the actions of a wise person, and one who understands human nature.
For that reason, I have taken the liberty of treating this as part of the power struggles of that era. There may be those who are dissatisfied, but this is the direction I wish to take with Shuten-doji.
Also, regarding the "Aratama" (rough soul). Some of you left comments about the "One Spirit, Four Souls" concept; please understand that this story operates on the premise that these four souls exist in both gods and humans.
Finally, setting aside the difficult topics, here is what I think while playing Pokémon Sun.
I guess I’m an old-school Pokémon trainer.
The reason is that, aside from Decidueye—one of the three starters you get at the beginning—my team is entirely composed of Generation 1 Pokémon.
Butterfree: Intense status ailment infliction with Compound Eyes. Arcanine: A hardcore Fire-type that hasn't changed since the old days. Parasect: A cheat-tier capture specialist with Spore and False Swipe. Poliwrath: A sturdy Water/Fighting type. Pikachu: Can't underestimate him because of Volt Tackle.
I realized it myself in the second half; my sub-Pokémon are Gengar and Alakazam. I truly felt, "Wow, I’m a Gen 1 loyalist."
Also, I’ve never used a Z-Move. I feel a bit bad that I’m just clearing the game by defeating them normally.
Lastly, I’m busy with Shuten-doji and Pokémon, but... tomorrow is the release of G Generation Genesis!!
The Saberfish fighter is making a comeback!!
Well, there are many complaints about the G Gen scope being limited to the first 100 years of the Universal Century, but as a fan of such minor revivals, I couldn't be happier.
I want to build a Saberfish squadron and put original characters in them named "Mobius 1," "Galm 1," "Griffith 1," "Garuda 1," and "Scarface 1"!!
Don't you think destroying Mobile Suits with a fighter jet is the height of romance?
Of course, destroying them with a Type 61 Tank is also quite nice.
Well, this has gone on for a while, so until next time.
Oh, and "play games in moderation"?
No, what are you talking about? Games are something you play by shaving off your life force.