Himiko stood motionless at the gate, crown of black shards spinning lazily above her head.
The first guard had sprinted off to fetch the captain, leaving his partner alone and visibly trembling.
She let out a soft, impatient sigh and clicked her tongue once more.
"How dreadfully slow."
She took one graceful step closer. The remaining guard stumbled backward, spear rattling in his shaking hands.
"Stay back!" he yelped.
Himiko tilted her head, mismatched eyes gleaming with cold amusement.
"Relax, little man. I'm simply waiting for your friend to return with someone who matters."
She folded her arms beneath her chest, the porcelain dress-like structure of her body catching the sunlight. Her voice carried that same regal, aristocratic tone.
"Honestly. Five gold coins and clan loyalty just to read a few dusty scrolls? Your little town has quite the inflated sense of importance."
The guard didn't dare reply. He simply kept his spear pointed at her, sweat rolling down his face.
Minutes passed.
Finally, the sound of armored boots approached. The first guard returned with the captain — a stern, broad-shouldered man in full plate — and four additional guards flanking him.
The captain stopped a few paces away, eyes narrowing as he took in Himiko's striking appearance.
"You're the one causing trouble at my gate?" he asked, hand resting on his sword hilt.
Himiko smiled, small and imperious.
"Trouble? I merely asked for entry to your archive. Your men seem to think that requires payment and kneeling. I find both requests… distasteful."
She took another elegant step forward, voice smooth and dangerous.
"So I'll make this simple for you, Captain. Open the gates. Let me read what I came for. Or I will skip the boring formalities and take what I want by force."
The captain's face hardened. The guards behind him drew their weapons.
The tension at the gate crackled like lightning.
And from the treeline on the ridge, the four observers watched in dead silence, breaths held.
Himiko clicked her tongue sharply, the sound crisp and full of aristocratic irritation.
"Fine. You all choose this."
She took one more graceful step forward, crown of shards spinning faster above her head.
"I was going to let you all live. I simply wanted books. Nothing more."
Her mismatched eyes — one crimson, one silver-black — swept across the guards with cold disdain.
"Though I am merciful, I shall give you one last chance. Grant me entry to your archives… or I kill you all."
She tilted her head slightly, voice dropping into a dangerous, regal tone.
"Don't test me. I don't fancy being soaked in blood as I read, so do me a favour and move out of the way."
The guards froze. The remaining sentry looked like he might faint. The captain's hand tightened on his sword, but even he didn't draw it.
For several long seconds, no one moved.
Then the captain spoke, voice strained but firm.
"…You're no ordinary traveler. What are you?"
Himiko smiled, small and imperious.
"I am exactly what I appear to be — a queen who has run out of patience."
She took another step closer.
"Now. Open the gates."
From the treeline just behind her, the four observers watched in tense silence, barely breathing.
Himiko clicked her tongue sharply, the sound crisp and full of aristocratic irritation.
"Fine. You all choose this."
She took one more graceful step forward, crown of shards spinning faster above her head.
"I was going to let you all live. I simply wanted books. Nothing more."
Her mismatched eyes swept across the guards with cold disdain.
"Though I am merciful, I shall give you one last chance. Grant me entry to your archives… or I kill you all."
She tilted her head slightly, voice dropping into a dangerous, regal tone.
"Don't test me. I don't fancy being soaked in blood as I read, so do me a favour and move out of the way."
The captain and his six normal guards stood frozen, faces pale. The pressure coming off her was overwhelming.
The captain swallowed hard, then managed to speak.
"…You may enter the archive. But you only have one hour. Touch nothing that does not belong to you."
Himiko's lips curved into a small, imperious smile.
She took another step closer, voice smooth and commanding.
"I will leave when I am satisfied. You are in no position to put restrictions on me."
The captain's face twitched, but he didn't argue. He simply stepped aside, gesturing for his men to do the same.
Himiko walked past them without another glance, long black-and-white hair swaying, crown of shards spinning lazily above her head like a dark halo.
As soon as she was out of earshot, the captain exhaled shakily.
"…Send word to the elders. Now. We have something very dangerous inside our walls."
From the treeline just behind the gate, the four observers watched in tense silence, none of them daring to speak.
Himiko walked through the town gates like she owned the place, the crown of black shards spinning lazily above her head.
The archive building stood proudly at the center of Yoshino Town — a two-story structure of dark aged wood and reinforced stone. Its roof curved elegantly with ornate black tiles, and a simple silver banner with an echo pattern hung above the heavy double doors. Stone lanterns lined the short path leading up to it, giving the place a quiet, scholarly atmosphere.
Himiko pushed open the heavy wooden doors and stepped inside.
The interior was dimly lit by oil lamps and narrow windows. Tall wooden shelves lined every wall, packed tightly with scrolls, bound books, and carefully preserved records. A long central table ran down the middle of the room with several cushioned reading chairs. The air smelled of old paper, ink, and faint traces of cursed energy.
Behind a large desk at the far end sat an elegant older woman in fine robes — clearly a noblewoman, not a sorcerer. She looked up from her ledger, eyes widening slightly at Himiko's striking appearance.
The noblewoman recovered quickly, her voice polite but firm.
"Welcome to the Yoshino Archive. I am Lady Eiko, steward of these records. May I ask what you are looking for?"
"I am not here for clan histories or common records," she said, voice smooth and regal. "Recently I experienced a… phenomenon. It felt as though my very will extended outward, judging everything around me and finding it lacking. The space itself seemed to bend to that judgment for a brief moment before collapsing. I need to understand what that was."
Lady Eiko's eyes widened slightly. She studied Himiko for a moment, clearly unsettled by her aura, before answering carefully.
"That sounds like the early signs of a Domain Expansion — specifically an incomplete domain. Most sorcerers begin with unstable domains that spill outward rather than forming a proper barrier. With refinement over years, they can stabilize, gain a barrier, and become far more potent. The abilities often change completely once the domain matures."
Himiko's crimson and silver-black eyes gleamed with interest.
"Fascinating. Bring me everything you have on Domain Expansion — especially the incomplete stages."
Lady Eiko nodded slowly and led her to a restricted shelf near the back. She pulled several thick scrolls and bound books, placing them on the central table.
"These are the most detailed records we have on domains. They're quite rare, even among sorcerers."
Himiko sat down with perfect poise, already opening the first scroll.
"And one more thing," she added without looking up. "I also require texts on the nature of cursed energy — specifically how it relates to the soul and the mind."
Lady Eiko hesitated, then retrieved two more ancient-looking tomes from another shelf and set them beside the domain scrolls.
"These discuss cursed energy at a fundamental level… though most of it is theoretical."
"Excellent. You may leave me now."
Lady Eiko hesitated, then retrieved two more ancient-looking tomes from another shelf and set them beside the domain scrolls.
"These discuss cursed energy at a fundamental level… though most of it is theoretical."
"Excellent. You may leave me now."
The noblewoman bowed and quietly retreated to her desk, leaving Himiko alone at the long central table.
Himiko ignored the books on cursed energy for now. She reached for the domain texts first, unrolling the thickest scroll with elegant porcelain fingers and began to read.
"Domain Expansion is the ultimate expression of a sorcerer's innate technique. It is the manifestation of one's soul into the physical world. For the vast majority, the first attempt at a domain is unstable — an incomplete domain. In this stage, the user's cursed energy floods outward without forming a proper barrier. The effect spills into the surrounding environment, altering or affecting everything within range according to the nature of the user's technique. These incomplete domains are highly volatile and usually collapse the moment focus is lost or cursed energy fluctuates."
She turned the page, eyes scanning every line.
"An incomplete domain typically lasts only as long as the surge that triggered it — often during moments of extreme emotion, transformation, or awakening. The environment is reshaped or frozen in place for mere moments before the domain recedes, leaving no permanent change. Because it lacks a barrier, it is inefficient and drains the user heavily. Most sorcerers require years of refinement before their domain can stabilize."
Himiko's crown of shards spun a little faster as she continued.
"Once refined, an incomplete domain may evolve into a true Domain Expansion. A barrier forms, containing the effect within a defined space. This greatly increases the potency and allows the technique to fully express itself. The abilities within a matured domain are entirely dependent on the user's innate technique — some domains kill instantly, others trap, manipulate, or overwhelm. No two true domains are alike."
She rolled the scroll further, reading deeper.
"Attempting to force a domain before one is ready can cause severe backlash. The soul may fracture under the strain. The mind may become unstable. In the worst cases, the user is consumed by their own incomplete power."
Himiko slowly closed the scroll, then opened the second one, continuing to read every detail about the different stages, the risks, and the theory behind domain refinement.
For nearly three hours she sat in silence, absorbing page after page with cold, focused intelligence.
When she finally set the last scroll aside, her crimson and silver-black eyes were glowing with newfound understanding.
She now knew what had surged through her during her evolution.
She now knew it was only the beginning.
And she now knew she would need far more than books if she wanted to fully master it.
After finishing the domain scrolls, Himiko carefully set them aside and reached for the two thick tomes on cursed energy.
She opened the first volume and began to read with calm, focused intensity.
"Cursed energy is produced by negative emotions. Every human constantly generates it in small quantities, though most are unaware. Only when those emotions intensify do they condense into usable power. The soul acts as the source. The mind acts as the gate. A balanced mind allows controlled use. An unbalanced mind causes the energy to spill outward, creating unpredictable effects."
She turned the page smoothly.
"The strength of one's cursed energy is determined by the depth of the soul and the clarity of the mind. Shallow emotions produce weak energy. Profound suffering or obsession forges dense, high-quality cursed energy. Techniques arise naturally from this process — they are the unique expression of how a soul processes its pain. No two techniques are ever identical, even within the same bloodline, because no two souls carry the same scars."
Himiko's crown of shards spun slowly above her head as she continued.
"True mastery requires harmony between soul, mind, and cursed energy. When these three align, the user can direct their power with precision rather than being ruled by it. Without this harmony, even the strongest cursed energy becomes dangerous to its owner, leaking into the environment and forming uncontrolled phenomena."
She closed the first tome and opened the second, reading further.
"Some individuals are born with an innate technique — a power that is carved directly into their soul from birth. These are rare and exceptionally difficult to control. For most, however, power is shaped gradually through life experiences. The stronger the emotional wound, the more potent the resulting technique becomes. This is why many of the greatest jujutsu users emerge from tragedy rather than training."
For nearly two hours Himiko sat completely still, absorbing every line with sharp intelligence. The only sound in the archive was the quiet turning of pages and the soft spinning of her crown.
When she finally closed the last book, she remained seated in perfect poise, eyes gleaming.
She now understood far more clearly what had happened to her.
She understood why her power had spilled out uncontrollably during her evolution.
And she understood that what she had experienced was only the beginning of something far greater.
A small, cold, regal smile curved her lips.
"Perfect."
Himiko closed the last book with a soft thud, satisfied.
She had absorbed everything these texts had to offer. The nature of domains, the stages of their growth, the relationship between cursed energy, soul, and mind — all of it now sat neatly in her mind, sharp and clear.
She rose from the table with regal grace, the crown of black shards spinning lazily above her head. Without a single word to Lady Eiko, she walked out of the archive, long black-and-white hair swaying behind her.
The moment she stepped outside, she heard voices.
Two townsmen were leaning against a wall near the gate, chatting loudly.
"Did you hear? Another special grade curse appeared a few weeks ago. They're calling it the Fly King or something. Apparently it can talk — fully conscious, not like those mindless ones."
The other man laughed. "Yeah, I heard. Born from people's fear of flies, of all things. Swarms of fly-headed things follow it around. Sounds disgusting."
The first man smirked. "They're already power-scaling it against the Porcelain Onryo. You know, that white curse that wiped out the entire Higuruma Clan. People are saying it'd be a good fight — one's a giant swarm bug, the other's that elegant-looking monster with the crown."
The second man chuckled. "I'd bet on the Porcelain one. She sounds way more refined. That fly thing probably just buzzes around and vomits maggots. No class."
Himiko stopped dead in the street.
Her crimson and silver-black eyes narrowed, the crown above her head spinning faster. A small, dangerous smile slowly spread across her porcelain lips.
She stood there for a moment, listening to the two men continue joking about which special grade would win in a fight, completely unaware that one of them was standing right behind them.
Himiko's voice came out soft, regal, and dripping with cold amusement.
"…How interesting."
Himiko stepped silently behind the two men and smoothly hooked her left arm around the first man's shoulders and her right arm around the second, standing right in the middle between them.
Both men stiffened immediately, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden closeness of this strange, beautiful woman.
Her voice came out smooth and regal, laced with cold amusement.
"Oh please, don't stop on my account. I was thoroughly enjoying your little debate."
She tilted her head, crown of shards spinning lazily above her, her mismatched crimson and silver-black eyes gleaming with wicked curiosity.
"So tell me… between that elegant Porcelain Onryo and this new Fly King, who do you gentlemen think would win in a fight?"
The first man laughed nervously, trying to play it cool. "Hah, well… the Porcelain one sounds way more dangerous. That fly thing's probably just a big bug. No real class."
The second man, clearly more on edge, stammered, "Y-Yeah, I'd put my coin on the white one. She wiped out an entire clan. That fly king sounds gross."
Himiko's smile widened, cold and predatory, as she kept both men locked in her arms.
"How fascinating. I quite agree."
She leaned in slightly, voice dropping to a silky whisper.
"After all… elegance always triumphs over insects, doesn't it?"
The two men laughed awkwardly, still trapped against her, having absolutely no idea they were standing in the arms of the very "Porcelain Onryo" they were discussing.
Himiko kept her arms hooked around both men's shoulders, holding them close like old friends as she asked with sweet, dangerous curiosity.
"Where is this Fly King now, hmmm?"
The first man, still trying to act relaxed, answered quickly, "Last anyone heard, it was spotted near the old ruins up in the northern mountains. Some abandoned temple complex. That's where the swarm's been gathering. No one's been stupid enough to go check though."
The second man nodded nervously, clearly uncomfortable being this close to her.
"Yeah, the Fly King stays up there. People say it's building something. Like it's gathering all the flies in the region. Smart move to stay away from it, honestly. That thing sounds nasty."
Himiko's smile grew wider, her crimson and silver-black eyes sparkling with cold delight.
"An abandoned temple in the northern mountains…" she murmured, almost to herself.
She finally released both men, patting their shoulders once with elegant porcelain hands.
"Thank you, gentlemen. You've been most helpful."
She turned and began walking away with perfect regal grace, long black-and-white hair swaying behind her, crown of shards spinning above her head.
The two men stood there stunned, watching her leave.
One of them finally muttered, "…That woman was terrifying."
The other could only nod, still shaken.
Neither of them realized they had just given the Porcelain Onryo exactly what she wanted — the location of her future general.