The Old Man Who Saved Another World 15 Years Ago is Now Getting Caught Up In A Modern Fantasy - Episode 9

It seems that the demons are in a space called the Otherworld.

It is a separate space that exists concurrently with this world, a hidden world where neither observation nor interference is possible.

“So, in other words, we’re going to head over there to defeat the youkai in that otherworld, huh? …Wait, if we can’t observe or interfere, how are we supposed to get to the otherworld?”

After hearing Kukuri’s story, I naturally had a question and asked it.

“In the other world, there are mechanisms.”

“Karaku?”

“Yes. Originally, the otherworld did not exist in Japan. — It all began in the Heian period, when conflicts with demons were never-ending. The former onmyoji constructed a barrier that enveloped the entire country to put an end to the strife.”

“When it comes to barriers, it’s a barrier master, huh?”

“No, back then there was no distinction for onmyoji. Unlike now, where they specialize in specific areas, Heian-era onmyoji mastered everything, including exorcism, barrier techniques, astrology, and other arts. The current state of onmyoji is, in a sense, a division of labor. I explained this to you earlier, didn’t I?”

“The onmyoji of the past were really something.”

“I can’t say for sure. The Heian period, generally considered a peaceful era, was actually a time of war against demons for onmyoji. Through these conflicts, the skills and abilities of onmyoji improved, and legendary onmyoji emerged. However, skills grow with the passage of time. If a versatile onmyoji from that era were to face a modern exorcist specialized in combat, I think the exorcist would win—oh, I got sidetracked.”

Ahem, Kukuri clears his throat.

“Let’s get back to the story of the other world. This barrier that stretches across all of Japan is called the ‘Toyohashira Great Barrier,’ but… it’s long, so everyone just calls it the Great Barrier.”

“Wasn’t it the land of abundant rice fields, Toyohashira no Mizuho no Kuni? It’s from Japanese mythology, right?”

“Oh, you know quite a bit, don’t you? The great barrier constructed by the onmyoji of the Heian period has a function suitable for ending the conflicts with the youkai. That is the other world.”

The Great Barrier and the Otherworld, huh?

“The Great Barrier is not actually a barrier to protect Japan. Its true essence is a barrier to isolate and confine yokai.”

“In other words, is the true nature of the otherworld the Great Barrier?”

“That’s right. It’s a replica of real Japan recreated by the Great Barrier. The movement of the clouds, the arrangement of the buildings, the flow of the wind—everything is the same. Only the breath of life is absent in this parallel, adjacent empty-box world—this is the other world.”

It’s an incredibly grand story.

“There are several processes through which youkai can manifest, but the most common one is natural manifestation. Youkai naturally manifest due to people’s various fears, but the Heian period onmyouji moved the place of their manifestation to the otherworld they constructed using a great barrier.”

I’ve never heard of demons naturally occurring before.

In other words, human fear is gathered in the otherworld through the function of the Great Barrier, and that is where the youkai will emerge.

So, in present-day Japan, youkai do not naturally occur.

“However, we couldn’t completely seal the demons into the other world. If the demons keep increasing endlessly, the great barrier won’t hold, and over time, the demons began to gain the ability to pass through the great barrier and come here.”

“I see, so we need to exorcise the otherworldly demons before that happens. And that’s the job of an exorcist?”

“That’s right. The organization formed to prevent the collapse of the Great Barrier is the Onmyoin. The barrier masters manage the Great Barrier, the astrologers predict the occurrence and movements of yokai in the other world, and the exorcists venture into the other world to cull the youkai. This is the role of modern onmyoji.”

“I see…”

The other world is a replica of Japan recreated by the Great Barrier.

The Great Barrier was constructed by the Onmyoji of the Heian period to prevent the natural occurrence of demons.

However, the great barrier is not something that can perfectly seal away the youkai; it is necessary to thin out the youkai from the other world.

What was created for that purpose was the Onmyoin, a system for maintaining the Great Barrier by barrier masters, astrologers, and exorcists.

To put it simply, this is it.

“It’s a well-crafted story. The onmyoji from back then who created the Great Barrier were truly amazing.”

“Really, you know? You should be grateful to our ancestors. …Well, as a result, Japan entered an era of conflict among humans. It’s just not how things should be.”

Are you referring to the Genpei War, which brought an end to the Heian period, and the subsequent era of warfare that continued until the Edo period?

I see, so that’s how it connects.

If there is a common external enemy, we unite, but without one, we fight among ourselves—this is the nature of humanity.

As a result of the disappearance of the demons that instilled fear in humans, they end up hating each other, making them a sad species.

“Thanks to you, I understand about the other world. The reason we came here is to exorcise the demons predicted to come from the other world. So, in the end, how do we get to the other world?”

“That’s where the barrier masters come in.”

Saying that, Kukuri turned her gaze towards the barrier master who was waiting nearby.

“Open the ‘gate'”

“Ha!”

The barrier master, following Kukuri’s instructions, moved to a spot a little distance away and crouched down, placing their hands on the ground.

The change happened immediately.

“This is…”

Countless lights are being drawn on the ground, centered around the barrier master.

It spread out and eventually etched a geometric pattern resembling a magic circle into the ground.

“The only way to cross the great barrier and enter the other world is to intentionally create a small hole in the great barrier with the hands of a barrier master and pass through it. This is called a ‘gate.'”

“Is it okay to open a hole in the Great Barrier?”

“It’s just a hole big enough for a few people to pass through. Compared to the great barrier that covers all of Japan, it’s like a mosquito bite. It’ll be repaired immediately, and to ensure there’s no chance of anything going wrong, the barrier masters will open the ‘gate’ with the utmost care.”

While listening to Kukuri’s explanation, the barrier master who had been working stood up and came towards us.

“Open the gate, no problem! We can go anytime!”

“Thank you for your hard work! Now, Yukimura. Are you ready?”

“Ah. I can go anytime.”

“Okay. This way.”

Kukuri leads the way, and I follow behind.

Kukuri and I stand in the center of the pentagram—the “Gate”—created by the barrier masters, surrounded by the exorcists led by Mr. Genda.

And outside the formation, only the barrier masters remained.

“Go ahead and fly!”

“Ha! Then, milady, esteemed exorcists. Wishing you good fortune!”

Right after that, the scenery in front of me changed.