NOVEL NEXT Chapter 121: ʕ•̫•ʔ---Tsukuyomi
Agnos smirked behind us. "Careful, Carl. The gods might take offense to your critique of their architecture. You don't want to end up as a cautionary tale for mortals."
I groaned but said nothing as we approached the Moon Wing. The double doors—etched with lunar phases and shimmering like liquid silver—swung open with a low, resonant creak.
A soft, cool light spilled out, bathing us in a glow that made me feel weightless, as if gravity had temporarily forgotten its job, revealing a stoic figure waiting just inside.
The butler, clad in flowing robes of deep blue and silver, looked like he had stepped out of a celestial tapestry. A crescent moon crest adorned his forehead, and his every movement was deliberate, exuding an air of quiet authority.
"Lord Tsukuyomi will attend to you shortly," he said, bowing gracefully. His voice was smooth, like polished glass, but carried the faintest hint of impatience. "In the meantime, you may wait in the guest area. Follow me."
Jiuge's pink eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly. "Thank you! We appreciate it."
The butler inclined his head slightly, then turned with a fluid motion, leading us through the Moon Wing.
The interior was breathtaking, with floors of polished moonstone that reflected soft, pearly light. Tapestries depicting constellations and lunar phases adorned the walls, while faint, celestial music filled the air.
The guest area was a spacious, serene chamber bathed in the silvery glow of an enchanted chandelier.
Plush chairs and a low table sat at the center, surrounded by shelves of scrolls, books, and artifacts that looked ancient enough to predate time itself.
A large, crescent-shaped window offered a stunning view of the celestial sky outside, where stars shimmered against an infinite canvas.
"Please make yourselves comfortable," the butler said, gesturing to the seating area. "Refreshments will be provided shortly. Do not hesitate to call if you require assistance."
"Thank you," I said, trying to sound as polite as possible while attempting not to gape at our surroundings.
The butler gave another curt bow and left the room, his footsteps silent on the moonstone floor.
Jiuge immediately took a seat and leaned forward eagerly, her eyes scanning the room as though expecting answers to materialize out of thin air. Agnos wandered over to a nearby shelf, casually inspecting the artifacts.
"Is it just me, or does everything here look absurdly expensive?" I muttered, sinking into one of the chairs that felt like it was made from clouds.
"That's because it is absurdly expensive," Agnos replied without looking up. "You're in Getsumei-jo (Moonlight Palace), a god's palace, Carl. Try not to break anything."
Jiuge shot me a grin. "Isn't this amazing? We're sitting in Tsukuyomi's guest area! It's so peaceful here—I bet even his waiting room has divine feng shui."
"I thought you were best friends with his wife. Surely you've visited before?" I asked.
Jiuge's smile faltered. "After she got married, we hardly saw each other anymore. She was always so busy."
I glanced at the large, sealed doors across the room, which led to the Sun Wing. The golden glow emanating from them felt both alluring and intimidating, as if the doors were watching us.
"I wonder what's behind those doors," I mused aloud.
"Amaterasu's domain. Don't even think about it, Carl. It's strictly off-limits, and we're not here to stir up trouble." Agnos warned.
"Right," I said, sitting back. "Let's just hope Tsukuyomi doesn't keep us waiting too long. Something tells me this is going to be a long day."
As we marveled at the grand lunar architecture, Tsukuyomi appeared, seemingly gliding toward us rather than walking. His robes shimmered, each movement causing the constellation patterns on the fabric to ripple like a celestial tide.
I looked up, and there he was: Tsukuyomi, the Moon God himself. He wasn't intimidating in the "I'll smite you" way like Zeus might be. No, he was worse—cool, calm, and so elegant he made everyone else look like we were wearing yesterday's laundry.
"Who is in charge here?" he asked, his voice as smooth as polished glass. He didn't shout, but the room fell silent as if he had.
I froze. Surely this was above my pay grade. But apparently, my body didn't get the memo because I stood up, clearing my throat.
"Uh, Carl Suis, sir. Zoologist for MECCP."
"You mortal do not disappoint," he said, voice cool as the night air. "You gawk exactly as expected."
"Uh, thanks?" I said, unsure if that was an insult.
Jiuge, completely unbothered, raised a hand. "Your Highness, may I ask about your design choices? The blend of cosmic minimalism and ethereal opulence is fascinating."
Agnos groaned. "Jiuge, for once, could you not fangirl over the furniture?"
Tsukuyomi raised an eyebrow, but his gaze lingered on Jiuge. "Curiosity is not a fault, though it may not serve you here." He turned to me. "You are the leader?"
"Technically, I'm the newly promoted MECCP staff," I said, rubbing the back of my neck. "But sure, let's go with that."
Tsukuyomi led us through a long corridor lit by glowing orbs that seemed to hum faintly, like a distant lullaby. At the end of the hallway, he gestured toward a vast study. Scrolls, charts, and celestial maps were strewn across an enormous desk carved from moonstone.
"This is where I last corresponded with Amaterasu," he said, his tone softening just slightly. "She was to begin her scheduled shift at sunrise, yet she vanished without word or trace."
Agnos scanned the room, eyes narrowing. "Did she mention any strange encounters or threats recently?"
Tsukuyomi hesitated, then waved a hand toward a stack of scrolls. "Her last messages are here. They were... unusual. She spoke of shadows in the sunlight and whispers in the winds."
"That sounds ominous," Jiuge muttered, scribbling furiously in his notebook.
"More poetic than informative," Agnos added, earning a glare from Tsukuyomi.
As we sifted through the scrolls, Jiuge froze, holding up a piece of parchment. "Guys, look at this."