#839 The Tenjin Demands Something

Sixty thousand years ago... 

...Just kidding.

It was early last winter.

We summoned a deity to this otherworldly Tenmangu Shrine.

And what appeared is none other than the shrine’s deity, Sugawara no Michizane.

By the way, Lord Michizane doesn’t permanently reside in this otherworldly shrine.

His original headquarters are in our world, his true base of operations.

In Japan, shrines have a “branch system.” As long as the spirit agrees, you can establish numerous subsidiary shrines apart from the main one.

This system allows people who don’t live near the main shrine to easily visit a local branch instead—a convenient setup.

Our otherworldly Tenmangu Shrine is one of these branches. 

It’s not Michizane’s main residence, but he can easily manifest himself here if there’s a branch.

That’s how Michizane can come and go as he pleases in this world, not bound by the usual divine rules.

So, what brings him here today?

“Behold this landscape.”

“Landscape?”

The place where I find myself in an audience with Lord Michizane is, needless to say, within the grounds of the Otherworldly Tenmangu Shrine.

The worship hall that I and the orcs combined our efforts to construct stands magnificently as always today.

“Indeed, the shrine is splendid. It rivals the main halls of Kitano Tenmangu and Dazaifu Tenmangu. But don’t you think it’s a bit lonely by itself?”

“Not at all.”

After all, the orcs and I worked hard to build this shrine! 

It’s a masterpiece worthy of any travel magazine. 

It’s our pride and joy!

“I understand that! Of course I do! Yet, does it not stand to reason that landscapes need a good combination? Clouds to the moon, wind to flowers!”

“Isn’t that a bad combination?”

Well, I do get what Michizane is trying to say. 

The shrine is built on an empty plot far from the farm, surrounded by nothing but barren land. 

No matter how grand this orc-built shrine is, it can’t hide the overall emptiness.

A town at the gate...would probably be too much to ask for, but it could use something more.

“Exactly! This shrine needs flowers! Flowers, you understand!”

Ahhh, I see. 

Flowers.

Indeed, that’s the fastest and most effective way to add some color.

“So, should we plant tulips all over this plain?”

“No, that’s not ittttttttt!!!”

Wuh?

What’s with the sudden outburst, Lord Tenjin?

“No! While tulips possess their own splendid beauty, they do not harmonize with the sanctity of a shrine. Such a mixture of Eastern and Western aesthetics is unheard of! You won’t find tulips in the Collection of Poems of Ancient and Modern Times, will you?!”

Mixing Japanese and Western aesthetics... 

How about this? We expand the shrine and add a windmill. 

Tulips and windmills go great together.

“Why do you persist on tulips? Reconsider your choice of flowers! Oh, bother, fine, I’ll say it myself! Plums! How about planting plum trees?”

Plum trees?

Why plums?

“Am I not Sugawara no Michizane, synonymous with plum blossoms? Have you not heard the poem ‘Plum, send your scent to me on the spring breeze’ and so on?!”

“I’m sorry, I don’t know it...!”

My apologies for my ignorance.

But I do know that Michizane adored plum blossoms. 

That’s why Tenmangu shrines are often adorned with plum trees.

“Knowing that, why would you consider anything else?! I’m tempted to stuff a hot, freshly made umegae mochi in your mouth!”

“Please don’t—I’ll burn myself.”

And so, at Michizane’s request, we planted plum trees on the grounds of the otherworldly Tenmangu Shrine. 

We were also preparing to construct Orkubo’s Castle at the time, so it didn’t stand out much, but the tree planting started in parallel.

Luckily, we already had plum trees on the farm, so it wasn’t too much trouble.

After all, plums are not only delicious but also quite valuable.

Like turning them into dried plums or plum wine, for example.

A splendid plum grove flourishes in one corner of the dungeon orchard, intended for such uses.

Why not uproot a few and transplant them around the otherworldly Tenmangu Shrine?  

With the hyper fish fertilizer, I could even speed up their growth, so starting from scratch is an option, too.

As I was concocting various plans in my head...

“Pray, hold a moment.”

Here goes Michizane, butting in again.

What now?  

Just when I thought we’d wrapped up our discussion, does he have more opinions to share?

“Umm... well, I heard a certain tale that... umm...”

“Are you talking about tulips once being used as a speculative investment?”

“Enough about tulips! It’s not some historical anecdote!”

So, what is it then?

“...I-I hear that this farm also has... cherry blossoms.”

Yes, we do have those.

Thanks to the Hand of Supremacy’s effect, I’ve managed to cultivate almost every plant I know, including familiar trees.

Among them are both cherry blossom and plum trees...

“Moreover, the cherry blossom trees in this world... they’re not just grown ordinarily. They’ve become something quite magnificent, haven’t they?”

“Are you referring to the Sakura Yggdrasil?”

The Sakura Yggdrasil.

A special cherry blossom tree, born from various trials and errors.

Cherry blossoms were unmatched in popularity in my world, and it seems to hold true in this world as well.

I must admit, with a mix of reflection and pride, that I’ve managed to cultivate something quite exceptional myself.

“Apparently, in this world, it’s a unique Yggdrasil combined with a cherry blossom tree. So, Lord Saint, couldn’t we do the same with plum trees?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, can’t you create a unique and magnificent tree by merging a plum tree with the Yggdrasil?”

“Wh-What...?!”

Why not just plant ordinary plum trees? 

They’ll surely bloom beautifully in early spring.

“No! It won’t do! It’s unacceptable for plums to be overshadowed by cherry blossoms in this world, too!”

“Huh?”

“Why is it always the cherry blossoms that get all the attention?! Plum blossoms have been celebrated for their beauty since ancient times! Why not write a hit song titled ‘Plum’ in the modern style?”

Come to think of it, are there even any J-pop songs about plums? 

Plenty come to mind for cherry blossoms, though.

“I vehemently oppose this current state of affairs! Plum blossoms are also beautiful! They are splendid! Therefore, let’s first ensure that plum blossoms gain more renown than cherry blossoms in this world! That is my sacred mission as the chairman of the Plum Status Improvement Committee!”

“How many members does this committee have?”

“Just you and me, about two!”

Somehow, I’ve been counted in without realizing it. 

I don’t remember ever signing up for this!

“So, Lord Saint! I implore you to a plum tree that rivals any cherry blossom with your power! In my capacity as the Chairman of the Plum Status Improvement Committee, I decree this request!”

“I’d prefer if you ordered me as the god that you are!”

I really don’t want to follow such an absurd committee’s directive!

Does it matter if plums are not number one? 

If they’re someone’s one and only, then to Michizane, plum blossoms are his one and only, and that should be enough, right?

“Cursesssssssssssssss! Why are plums at the bottom of the pine-bamboo-plum ranking?! Surely the blooming plum should win against the pine and bamboo!”

Ah, it’s useless.

This god loses all reason when it comes to plums. 

He was once a vengeful spirit that struck terror in the heart of Kyoto. If his wrath turns towards this farm, we’re in trouble.

“Am I really left with no choice but to accept...?!”

I reluctantly agree to the Yggdrasil + plum tree order.

What I thought was a simple mission of planting trees just escalated in difficulty.