I killed so many monsters threatening the villagers' safety without losing control. Father will surely praise me!
Minamoto no Yorimitsu's expectations were not disappointed.
Having overcome her demonic nature, she spared no effort in wasting time to eliminate so many demons and protect the lives of the villagers, which greatly pleased Minamoto no Mitsunaka, who held himself to high moral standards.
Today was the happiest day for this seemingly cold-hearted demon slayer; his praise for his daughter came from the bottom of his heart.
[His daughter is not an uncontrollable monster, but a warrior who will bear the same mission as him for the Minamoto clan, protecting Heian-kyō from countless monsters and demons.]
[And many more people.]
[Achieving the highest realm of martial arts]
[To accomplish the great cause of "peace and prosperity for all under heaven" through one's own efforts]
Felix did not disturb the truly harmonious relationship between father and daughter. He quietly took Umeko back to his room.
The fox, who had been bored out of her mind, sniffed lightly with the tip of her nose. Upon smelling a familiar scent, a hint of surprise flashed in her golden eyes.
Then, she felt relieved.
If even a supreme deity like herself was drawn to Felix, it wasn't surprising that a creator deity would take notice of him in advance.
Given Felix's current potential, countless powerful figures across the land would be vying for him.
I should rest and recover first, then go back and fight when I'm stronger!
"Umeko, how exactly did you get injured? I can clearly sense a divinity in your wound that's completely different from yours. It couldn't be an internal conflict among the gods, could it?"
Felix looked curiously at the pink-furred fox, whose body trembled and who lowered her head, refusing to answer.
"Don't be like that. Can't you be more straightforward? I don't like people who speak in riddles."
Actually, it wasn't that she wanted to speak in riddles.
It was mainly because it was too embarrassing!
"If you find it embarrassing, then let me answer for you."
Izanami, whom he hadn't seen for a long time, appeared before Kagerin in a form strikingly similar to Erice.
"I'd rather you didn't!"
The pink-haired fox, who had only been able to whine, suddenly spoke in human language, stood up, and glared angrily at Izanami, one of the creator deities.
"I also want to know—you're all perfectly fine. You're the original deities of this land, and you can still operate on this island under another identity, so why won't you take action against Ashiya Dōman, who colluded with an alien god?"
"It's all because of you that I've ended up like this..."
---
What the...?
Dōman severely wounded a deity on the level of the Amaterasu?
He even colluded with an alien god?
Is this a Lostbelt, or just the normal Heian period?
Now Felix understood what the question mark after "Heian-kyō" meant.
If Dōman colluded with the Alien God so early on, didn't that mean this timeline was inevitably heading toward the FGO worldline?
Of course, it was also possible that this Dōman came from the future.
Regardless, Ashiya Dōman's goal was definitely to become an "Evil of Humanity," which is why he chose to attack the Amaterasu, attempting to use the divinity of a major deity to advance into a human evil.
It couldn't be ruled out that Dōman still had the Imaginary Tree.
Just as Felix finished sorting out the intelligence, the black-haired beauty, who had been questioned by Tamamo-no-Mae[1], pondered for a moment, then shook her head and said...
"Well, deities should have left the stage of history. Only those of us living on islands can remain on Earth for now, but there are many restrictions."
"Besides, compared to me, you're the one who doesn't want to go to the Reverse Side of the World. Staying on the surface will give Ashiya Dōman an opportunity."
"But the time hasn't come yet!"
Tamamo-no-Mae would never admit that her strength was relatively average among the major deities and that she had stayed on the surface longer than other major deities.
"Alright. But the reason I didn't intervene or give any warning was to see if humanity's potential could overcome this obstacle."
Izanami turned her gaze to the black-haired boy, who was simply listening without offering any opinion, wondering how he would defeat Ashiya Dōman.
Only by defeating him could they see humanity's true potential, willingly accept the arrangements of the "Root," and leave the stage of history without a trace of regret.
"This is it."
In the past, Felix certainly wouldn't have dared to claim he could be a match for that chimera-like monstrosity, Ashiya Dōman.
Not to mention that Dōman had also stolen Tamamo-no-Mae's divinity, reducing her to her original form.
Normally, with so many buffs stacked, a character would be at least quite formidable.
Too bad.
"Aren't you confident?" Izanami hesitated for a moment, then decided she would help him out if all else failed.
Hmph, human, consider yourself lucky!
"Yes, but you'll find it unbelievable."
"Huh?"
The two women were curious why Felix was so confident he could defeat Ashiya Dōman.
This time, no deity was willing to get involved.
The only teammates who could provide help and were useful were the child Minamoto no Yorimitsu and the seriously injured Tamamo-no-Mae.
"No matter how you look at it, Ashiya Dōman had only one goal: to become an Evil of Humanity."
"Human evil..."
Hearing this, Tamamo-no-Mae and Izanami couldn't help but feel a chill run down their spines.
This was the single strongest Spirit Origin on Earth, excluding any external giant spiders[2]. In terms of specifications, it far surpassed that of a major deity!
If Ashiya Dōman succeeded, wouldn't Japan be doomed?
"Don't worry, Ashiya Dōman could never become a human evil. Without the necessary conditions, he would only ever be a chimera monster."
"That's a relief."
They certainly wouldn't believe anyone else who said that, but Felix's "True Name Discernment" had already proven he knew a great deal of information, even their own dark histories, so there was no need for doubt.
"To ensure I can kill him, I'll try to cooperate with Ibuki-dōji."
Hearing this, the two women blinked in confusion.
Who was Ibuki-dōji? She was the child of Yamata no Orochi!
Not only did she inherit her father's traits and the nature of a flood deity, but she also possessed the divine sword from within her father's body—the Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi.
She was more dragon than demon, more deity than anything else.
However, because of her demonic appearance, she stood on the opposite side of humanity.
You're a demon slayer, so what makes you think you can cooperate with her?
Actually, it was very simple. Just offer her good food and wine, and don't look at her with prejudice. Ibuki-dōji definitely wouldn't mind helping you out.
This was also recorded in Fate/Samurai Remnant.
The "Flashing Demon Slayer King" defeated the supposedly invincible Ibuki-dōji with fine wine.
As for Ibuki's drunken antics... Felix subconsciously ignored that.
"Can it really be done?"
"Guaranteed to be safe."
Felix knew all about the process and tactics, so why would he consider Ashiya Dōman a threat?
What was incomprehensible was how Tamamo-no-Mae was so severely wounded by Ashiya Dōman.
Even if Tamamo-no-Mae was weak, she was still a major deity. She wasn't someone a clown like Ashiya Dōman could fool. He must have used a powerful, one-time attack.
Vimana?
"Well then, let's do our best and show humanity's courage and wisdom to the Creator."
Before she even finished speaking, Izanami had already disappeared, watching the man and the fox from afar.
"If all else fails, I will step in as well. Consider it payment for all these years."
The Reverse Side of the World was so boring that even the deities liked to find some amusement.
After hearing so many stories over the years, it would be truly cruel not to offer some help.
Okay, that was settled.
If he encountered difficulties, she would lend a hand.
Especially with Ibuki-dōji—if Felix failed to negotiate with her, she could save his life.
Then he would definitely look at her with new respect and be extremely grateful!
Hehe! The dignity a Creator Deity deserved was finally reclaimed in front of Felix!
...
"Damn it, damn it! I knew you guys were just looking for entertainment. Your first thought upon seeing me ambushed and seriously wounded by Ashiya Dōman was probably to laugh out loud!"
The fox angrily stretched out her claws and viciously stabbed at the soft bedsheet, as if treating it as a deity from the Reverse Side of the World, ready to beat them up.
"That's normal. Aside from a few deities like Odin, who almost never take action, they just stay in the Reverse Side of the World, frantically seeking entertainment by watching the livestream."
The most typical example was Gudako.
After fighting for so long, the Earth was reduced to a blank slate, and you're telling me the deities in the Reverse Side of the World were all fine and could even watch the livestream?
Even though I know there's nothing wrong with it, I still can't help but hold a grudge.
"Well, I accept it. Unlike me, I'm still sheltering a corner of the Earth."
"It's definitely not for entertainment; the Reverse Side of the World is quite boring."
Felix glanced at the pink-furred fox, who then awkwardly rubbed her head with her paw and stammered.
"Regardless, I've exhausted Ashiya Dōman's terrifying attack. He'll never be able to wield that sword that can cut down all evil again."
"Is it... Indian divinity?"
"Huh?!" Tamamo-no-Mae jumped up suddenly. How did he even know that?
"What a confusing timeline."
Felix covered his head speechlessly. It seemed it wasn't that the Jade-Faced Golden-Haired Fox was too weak, but rather that Dōman had a stronger "father."
"What do you mean?"
Knowing there was no such thing as a free lunch, the pink-haired fox walked gracefully and alluringly toward Felix, obediently lying down on his lap. She then rolled over, exposing her vulnerable belly, and began to purr softly.
"Hey, I thought after laying all your cards on the table, you'd go back to your old attitude and talk to me in a condescending tone."
His words earned him a glare from the fox.
"A tiger fallen from grace is bullied by dogs; I'm no longer some supreme deity."
Having lost most of her divinity, Tamamo-no-Mae, with only her shattered divine core remaining, still possessed a divine body.
In a sense, she had become a great tonic.
No matter who consumed her, their abilities would be greatly enhanced.
Felix, who had already guessed her identity, did not do so.
Was there any need to deliberately maintain the noble status of a major deity?
"Besides, aren't you... my savior?"
(The image of Jeanne d'Arc Alter Santa Lily saying "That should be me!" appears in Felix's mind.)
[1] Tamamo-no-Mae is a "bunrei" (separated spirit or avatar) of the sun goddess Amaterasu
[2] ORT??