Volume 5, Chapter 10 – Bureau of Divination

Volume 5, Chapter 10 - Bureau of Divination

Translator: Silva

Lily was in a daze as she paced back and forth on Suzaku Avenue alone. Although she disregarded everything to meet with Lady Fujiwara no Ayaka, she didn’t even get to see her face nor did they actually have a real talk.

Just what did she mean by that? I am a samurai, what can I even do at a bureau? They wouldn’t make me a watchman, would they? Even if that was Ayaka’s arrangement, Lily wouldn’t willingly accept it if they really made Lily watch the door.

Lily felt a little wronged, it hadn’t been an easy journey towards Heian-kyo!

Yet all she received was a cold reception.

However, Ayaka was such a distinguished existence, perhaps there might really be an unimaginable reason with her arrangement.

That said, Lily was also very curious about that so-called Bureau of Divination. After all, onmyodo was an art that could stand toe-to-toe with the samurai in Heian Dynasty.

Even if she wasn’t going there to look for work, it wasn’t a bad idea to at least go and take a look.

Lily found a deserted corner to change out of her clothes since her current garment was torn in battle. Although the street was devoid of people, it was still very nervewracking to change clothes in broad daylight.

After Lily changed into another set of red clothes with white flowers, she planned to make her way to the Bureau of Onmyo.

She had so many clothes stored in her mirror space that it beggars belief.

Following Ayaka’s indication, Lily made her way around Heian Palace’s wall and found a big avenue. Although the capital was big, it was quite easy to find the road due to its squarish layout.

This avenue was called Ichijo Street.

“For such a cultured capital, they are quite negligent in naming their streets,” Lily muttered to herself.

More and more people started to appear over time. There were some who rode oxen carts to work and others who made their way to work on foot. Some officials were also making their way to the Heian Palace on foot. This was the capital, after all, not all officials or bureaucrats could afford to get a rider to the palace.

Additionally, there were also some samurai and common folks strolling casually on the street.

Lily saw a tall, handsome man with an uncommon aura walking towards her so she approached him to ask, “Excuse me, sir, can I get directions to the Bureau of Divination?”

That man in white hunting cloth gazed at Lily with his shrewd, twinkling eyes, “Oh, never did I expect to run into such beauty this early in the morning. Miss, you want to go to Bureau of Divination?”

“That’s right, can you please tell me where it is?” Although this man was indeed very handsome and gave people a good feeling, Lily was completely immune to praises that came from the opposite sex. Thus she continued her questioning in a calm and direct manner.

“Just keep moving forward, it’s not far from here,” The man pointed directly behind him.

“Thank you.” Lily genuflected.

Although that man didn’t harbor any wicked thoughts, he still took a few glances at Lily to appreciate her beauty before making his way again.

Following his indication, Lily headed in the direction of the Bureau of Divination.

After walking for roughly nine hundred meters, Lily arrived before a building with red pillars and a black roof. Exotic lanterns were hung all around the building and some white muslins were hung on the beams of the entrance, making this whole building look a bit mysterious. The door was wide open but one could only see a round paper window screen. That said, however, Lily could sense various profound auras coming from the inside.

“That’s enough, Mr. Toshiyuki, please keep quiet for a while, have you not offended enough samurai already?” Nishimoto shook his head impatiently, “If you’re really sent here by Lord Chief Advisor, how come I’ve not received the order? And you, if you have any recommendation letter, why aren’t you taking it out yet?”

“I apologize, I should’ve mentioned that this was Lord Chief Advisor’s spoken order.”

“Spoken order?”

“If you think I’m making this up, you can send someone to verify it. Do I dare to fake Lord Chief Advisor’s orders?” Lily said confidently with her chest propped up. She wouldn’t shirk just because someone said she was exposing too much skin.

Nishimoto pushed his paperwork to the side. Seeing Lily’s confident appearance, it seemed that she really wasn’t bluffing. After all, this matter would be too easy to expose. All the governmental affairs of Heian-kyo were settled by the chief advisor, faking the chief advisor’s orders carried as heavy a penalty as faking the emperor’s edict.

“You really are sent here by Lord Chief Advisor?”

Lily just stood there and answered with her silence since she couldn’t be bothered to answer again.

Kujo Nishimoto and Fuen Toshiyuki bowed their heads and discussed among themselves for a while. They cast an annoyed glance at Lily from time to time, and finally, Nishimoto said, “In that case, why don’t you start by kneeling down to greet us properly?”

“Who are you two? Why should I kneel down?”

“You arrogant woman!” The oval-faced elder berated, “This is the Onmyo no Taizoku, Lord Kujo Nishimoto. And I am the Onmyo no Shozoku, Fuen Toshiyuki! The two of us performed recordkeeping in the Bureau of Divination. If you are here to work, then we are your immediate superior, how can you not greet us?”

“If I don’t, would you disobey Lord Chief Advisor’s order and not assign me to a post?” Lily replied coyly.

“You!!’ Toshiyuki was so mad that even his beard started to twitch.

“Forget it, we won’t lower ourselves to your level,” Nishimoto continued, “We will arrange a post for you. However, know that we will definitely go to verify Lord Chief Advisor’s spoken order at a later date.”

Nishimoto then asked, “Miss, what is your name?”

“Kagami Lily.”

“Oh?!” Nishimoto was surprised, “Could you be the young lady from Kansai’s Kagami house?”

“No, I came from Kamakura. I shouldn’t have any relationship with Kansai’s Kagami house.” Lily answered calmly.

Both Nishimoto and Toshiyuki viewed Lily with disdain the moment they heard that she was from Kanto. If not because she had a pretty face and a fabulous body, perhaps they really wouldn’t see any good points about her.

The two bowed their heads again to talk this over. Soon after, their eyes lit up as though they just got a brilliant idea.

Nishimoto smiled slightly and declared, “Then I will assign you the post of Onmyo no Jojo.”

“Oh?” Lily asked, “What might the responsibility of this post entails?”

“This post is ranked second only to Onmyo no Shojo, they possess a comparatively large administrative power and is an important position. Since you are sent here by Lord Chief Advisor, we will grant you this important post without going through an assessment test. As for your responsibilities, I will send for someone to take you to your post. The staff back there will explain everything to you.” Nishimoto said.

“In that case, I offer my thanks to your lordships.” Lily turned her hips a little and performed a curtsy.

“Mmm, that’s more like it. Kagami Lily, even if you are recommended by Lord Chief Advisor, know that the chief advisor is very strict and impartial. Since you are here now at the Bureau of Divination, you must work hard, follow the rules here and obey your superiors, is that clear?” Nishimoto clarified.

“Lily understood.”