488 Yukine by the River, Her Thoughts, Her Identity, and Another Oracle (1/2)

Day 125 - 10:22 PM - Agos River, Mount Malabito, General Nakar, Quezon

Yukine sat on the rocky riverside, playing with her foot on the water. Her white robe lay on the rock beside her, revealing her beautiful visage as a fox spirit in human form.

She was a part of the Yuki Kitsune, a group to gather intelligence and information that was directly under the Empress, the leader of the Japanese Branch of Auraboros.

Yuki Kitsune was composed of white spirit foxes who were the ones with the most alluring appearances among the spirit foxes. This quirk made it easier for them to deal with people and gather information without getting too much suspicion. Some times, their appearance made the people overlook the severity of their questions without using their abilities to charm them.

Because of that, no one forced them to act their status. The Yuki Kitsune were free to move and act in any way they wanted as long as they would get their work done fittingly.

Furthermore, as spirit foxes feed off the life force of their victims, they were sensitive to these energies, making their job easier.

But this time, Yukine, the vice leader of Yuki Kitsune, was having a hard time in her mission.

Her mission was to gather information about the several phenomenons that happened in the countries south of Japan. It was not surprising considering how many things had changed during the apocalypse. Still, nothing could cover that the ones that happened in the south-east countries of Asia were among the most earthshaking.

It was earthshaking in a literal way.

Who would have thought that a Spirit Tree would be born in the mortal world at this time? The latest one before this was already a thousand years ago. It was at the time way before someone said to have discovered America.

There was also the Moria. It was a tree born as a gift from a godly being. However, that person made it that the Moria would not be exploited aside from its fruits. Thus, it had far lesser capabilities, consciousness, and intelligence compared to the ones planted by powerful entities. It was nothing more than an ancient tree that continued to exist for religious purposes.

This time, after a long time, a Pure Spirit Tree appeared. And it was a fully grown one. Of course, everyone that was able to would try to contend for it no matter how much they sacrifice. That was what the China Branch of Auraboros was doing. Furthermore, they took an interest in the resources that the base that harbored the Pure Spirit Tree had.

As for the Japan Branch, aside from trying to take over the remains of Japan, it had a far lesser interest outside their jurisdiction. Unlike the empire of Japan, led by humans, that tried to colonize as many countries as they could, the members of the Japan Branch did not aim for that scale.

But the main reason for this was different.

It was because, unlike most humans, Yukine could not read what was going on in that person's mind. The owner of the Spirit Tree that she had observed in these past days was not something to be taken lightly. She followed him every time he came out, and he also just left her alone until now.

The reason might be because the current plan of the China Branch to involve innocent people angered him.

And thus, she finally managed to meet the entity named Mark.

For the result, however, she wished that she knew more before this. What she received was a direct threat and a declaration of war towards the Organization.

Because of the outbreak, their information gathering had been slower. Although the Japan Branch knew that some branches started to move against weaker countries, they were not able to gather their accurate plans.

When Shin's group accepted the rescue mission, they only knew that the plans of Auraboros in Bay City had failed. They did not know what the exact plans were or who was in charge of the mission. It only came to light when The Great One had gone missing.

The Great One, he was not just some random leader or character in the Organization. Among the thirteen founders of Auraboros, he was the eight. The weakest among the thirteen was a Lower Diety while The Great One was just a few steps away from being a Higher Deity.

All the branches of Auraboros had contact with all the founders through magical means. And they all knew that they lost contact with The Great One due to an unknown reason.

It came to light that he led the mission in Bay City directly. Although he could not go physically, he was able to due to the use of small ritual portals. Not to mention that the current founders could not leave their personal spaces due to a reason unknown to everyone.

And in that mission, The Great One led, something severe might have happened. The other founders could tell that he was still alive. However, any form of contact was not possible.

Now, Yukine gained a valuable but threatening piece of information.

The cause of what happened to The Great One was the person the China Branch was currently facing.

”Hah...”

Yukine sighed. She remembered the sentences she spoke to Tan Sitong before she left. Those words were nothing much but a play despite having some truth in it. Now, she could not even believe that her words would not come true.

Furthermore, she tried to use this opportunity to measure his strength as the Jiangshis that Tan Sitong brought were well-known warriors. But even with that, she could tell that he was holding back. This situation made it harder for her to gauge things accurately.

”What should I report to the Empress? Incomplete reports like this were unacceptable for her.”

While she was thinking deeply while looking at her reflection on the river water, she heard a loud flap of wings.

”What could you be thinking too deeply, milady?”

A middle-aged voice echoed from behind her.

”Kouki.”

Yukine spoke.

”Yes, milady?”

The voice from behind replied.

”What will you do if someone gave a declaration of war to the organization?”

”Hmmm...” The voice hummed. ”That depends, milady.”

”Just answer.”

Yukine pressed.

”The person should be a powerful one if someone was able to declare something like that. In that case, it depends on whether the person is a slaughterer or not, or if we offended him or not. At the moment, our branch is avoiding conflict as we stabilize our condition. If that person would not slaughter everyone just because they were a part of the Organization, then I will not join the battle. On the other hand, I would fight. If he stepped into our with the goal to slaughter, I would kill him. But if he was stronger, I will still fight and let you, milady, and the Empress, escape.”

”You're not going to escape?”

Yukine asked.