Silver Serpent Singing the Sea ~23~ Shadow Affliction

Let us move the scene once more to the moonlit waves.
It was Tsukuyomi's storytelling that silenced the disgruntled Umiwaka and completely changed the atmosphere. He spoke of the outcome of Watatsumi's time in the 'Land of Yomi.' The Isarame, sitting in a row on the raft, listened intently.

"You speak as if you were there to see it yourself."

Umiwaka, who had been cast as the protagonist of the tale, looked exasperated. Even though he had interrupted several times, the Isarame, and even Seoritsuhime and Yare, had been so absorbed in the story that he likely felt he had had enough.
Still, when he saw the sparkle in the twins' eyes as they looked at him, his sharp expression softened.

"That is simply my talent for storytelling."

Tsukuyomi said it nonchalantly.

However, this was not merely a story; it was a real problem. A mass of wicked power brought back from Yomi had taken up residence in Umiwaka's shadow. While they were prisoners of the shadow, it could also be said that Umiwaka himself was a prisoner of his own shadow.
Earlier, Tsukuyomi had said that the shadow was so incredibly heavy that it had become like shackles on his feet. When the shadow suffered in the resplendent 'Ryugu,' Umiwaka suffered as well.
The two deities felt their hearts tighten at that fact. The person in question, however, wore a cool expression as if it were someone else's business.

And the Isarame would not leave the side of Umiwaka, the protagonist of the adventure tale.

"What is it... don't climb on me, don't pull on me! Go play wave-riding over there! You can't? This is how you do it."

Umiwaka took the twins and showed them how to leap from wave to wave. The water spray drew arcs in the night darkness, shining like glass.
The Isarame followed him, cheering.

Yare waited until they were sufficiently far away before asking Seoritsuhime.

"Could you tell me... what happened at the 'Ryugu' palace?"

Seoritsuhime turned to face Yare and let out a small sigh.

"At night, a monster would appear, and the guards near Watatsumi-sama's bedchamber would perish. This continued for many nights. Those who survived said that the monster emerged from Watatsumi-sama's bedchamber... and then returned..."

Tsukuyomi's thin eyebrows arched upward. Seoritsuhime continued.

"No matter who asked, Watatsumi-sama insisted he knew nothing. He told me... that as long as he became a body suited to the shadow, he could suppress it day and night, so it would be fine. But he said he was thinking of a way to prevent further sacrifices. That is what he said before he left 'Ryugu'."

That method must have been to take refuge with Yare in the deep, dark 'Deep Sea.' It could be said that it was successful. After all, no monsters appeared in the middle of the night.
Yare thought it would be the best strategy to lend his estate and wait for Umiwaka to grow up as he was. That was until he heard those words from Tsukuyomi.

"That child will not grow."

Those words traveled down Yare's spine like cold water. Seoritsuhime looked at Tsukuyomi in astonishment.

"It sounds cruel, but it is the truth. The shadow is too heavy; he can no longer become a body larger than that."

"My previous lord was nearly seven feet tall. Umiwaka and the previous Watatsumi-sama are the same. Eventually, his height will be the same as well..."

Tsukuyomi shook his head with a look of feigned sadness.

If it were the same body as your predecessor, you might have managed to suppress the shadow. It was precisely because you accomplished that, brother, that you were able to return from the underworld. But there were miscalculations—many of them.

Yarei muttered this, recalling the suffocating weight that had pressed down upon him just moments ago.

It must be terribly painful.

It is painful. It is a pain that lasts until death. If you cannot endure it for another few hundred years, the monster that emerged from the shadow will devour everything precious to you, brother, down to the very roots.

......What about... the 'Ryugu'......?

It is finished.

Yarei could not help but think how ironic it was. He had returned after enduring solitary penance to restore the 'Ryugu,' yet that very act had invited a new crisis for the 'Ryugu.' More than anything, what did it mean that the Sea God, still with the face of a boy playing with the waves before his eyes, would grow no further? It had been one year since he took human form from a jellyfish. To Yarei, Kaiwaka was a being who grew ceaselessly. It was only natural that he would eventually become a majestic King of the Sea, just like the Watatsumi of old.

That is why I thought to invite you, brother, to the 'Land of the Night.' There is no other way.

No.

Said Seoritsu-hime.

Kaiwaka is the King of the Sea. He is the guardian of the 'Ryugu.' Since that is how he wishes to be, he will never leave this sea.

Maiden of Kiyose... You have been waiting all this time, haven't you? For your Watatsumi to return once more. But as I said before, he will not grow. You should give up already.

Even if his soul is tainted, and no matter what becomes of his body, Lord Watatsumi is Lord Watatsumi. I must believe.

Ho ho ho ho, despite your appearance......

Tsukuyomi laughed from behind her fan.

Seoritsu-hime kept her long eyelashes lowered and said nothing more. Only she knows what is in her heart, but there is no doubt she is harboring a deep conflict. She could attempt to exorcise and purify Kaiwaka's shadow—though it would be extremely difficult. If he were freed from the yoke of the shadow, Kaiwaka would be at ease. He would be free to turn his light body and dance and sing, day or night. And he would grow into a beautiful young man. Yes, a young god who would be a perfect match for the princess. However, that would also be a betrayal of Watatsumi's wish. It would mean breaking off what he is trying to accomplish halfway through. No matter how painful or difficult it may be, he is doing this with the pride and self-respect of the King of the Sea.

Taking him to the Land of the Night. Exorcising and purifying the taint of the shadow. The gods before him each had their own means, but Yarei knew there was nothing he could do. Feeling as though he were chewing on sand, he downed his sake.

To be continued

次回…………ふたりでムフフ！？海へどっぼーん！です。お楽しみに(￣∇￣)

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