Authoress' Notes~!

Hello, my readers and reviewers! I am terribly sorry for not updating my story like I promised (due to me rewriting it over a few times and procrastinating).

But I've made good on these changes and made good on my promise of updating this chapter that I have been telling you guys about, so please enjoy it and tell me what you think!


Terminology:

1.) Ainokoyō ( 間の子妖 'Crossbreed Yōkai'): Commonly known as the subspecies of the Hanyō (半妖 'Half-Demons'), much like the borderline beings (Witches) though not much is known about them except that they were found sometime during the mid-16th to 17th centuries.

But due to their namesake, they're often mistaken as 'Outcast Ayashi' but unlike the Outcasts, the blood of the Yōkai progenitor(s) can either skip a generation or remain inactive for long periods of time.

- 'Ainoko' (間の子 'Crossbreed') is an short term for 'Ainokoyō; (間の子妖 'Crossbreed Yōkai').

Abilities: Exactly like the Ayashi, the Ainokoyō are capable of learning Yōjutsu, such as Yōki Conversion and Yōki Detection, and can heal much faster than the average Yōkai but with subtle exceptions:

- Demonic-enhanced Durability: Much like their ancestral progenitors (the Hanyō), the Ainokoyō also possess tremendous amount of durability to resist even the most devastating blows than most Ayashi.

- Demonic-enhanced Senses: Similar to Werewolves, the Ainokoyō have advanced senses (such as Sight, Hearing, Smell) and can detect even the 'tiniest cry for help'.

- Supernatural Immunity: It was revealed in Ch. 10, the Ainokoyō are blessed with immunity that enables them to resist any type of super-powered/supernatural-infused influence, such as concoctions and supernatural items but certain concoctions can leave the Ainokoyō exhausted after a specific amount of time has passed.

But much like the S-class Yōkai (such as Vampires), individual Ainokoyō abilities are relatively unknown but they're capable of performing either standard or high-level procedures of alchemy (錬金術 'Renkinjutsu'), witchcraft (魔術 'Majutsu') and Ninja Arts (忍法 'Ninpō').

Appearance: Like the Ayashi, the Ainokoyō doesn't differ that much from the average human with the exceptions of being characterized by their unusual hair/eye colors (Rondo-purple, Midnight-blue, etc), retarded aging, enhanced longevity and their unique birthmarks.

As true to their nickname, 'Flower-eyed Demons' (華眼妖 'Kaganyō'), the Ainokoyō have faint flower-shaped birthmarks located on the eyes but it varies differently:

For male Ainokoyō, the marks are somewhat fair in complexion whereas the female are of a lighter shade, almost transparent which isn't made apparent unless one makes a closer inspection.

It's also said that if an Ainokoyō were to awaken or succumbs to a grand amount of emotional means, the birthmarks becomes visible as the eye color glows a vibrant color and the sclerae becomes a lighter shade of gray as well as causing immense pain when sensing impending danger to the individual Ainokoyō.

2.) Kinkijū (禁忌獣 'Taboo Beast'): Exactly how the Hanyō are considered as a 'taboo existence', the Kinkijū are considered as an abomination due to their creation is a combination between science and black magic.

3.) Shikigami (式神 'Shikigami') is a being from the Japanese folklore, it's been thought as some type of Kami or a representation of a small ghost and are considered as familiars that Taoist and the Onmyōji can control back in Ancient Asia until the 19th century.

4.) Shurui Kōtai (種類交代 lit. translation 'Category Alteration') is an rare phenomenal ability that allows one to recreate his/her Monstricity genes into different one (through a special conduit), causing the body to undergo little physical modification as possible while leaving the user's personality intact.

Furthermore, the Shurui Kōtai grants its user complete access of the said Monstricity's powers and abilities, which is why it was deemed to be a force similar to the vampires' 'Wealth of Power' and the doppelgänger's shape-shifting ability.

Despite being known as an 'half-ass ability' and the 'incomplete form of shape-shifting', it's capable of extending the wielders' lifespan yet retards their aging process if it's been activated more than once. In Ch. 9, it's revealed that once the user has mastered each transformed state by the end of 12 months, the user can activate/deactivate it by his/her will (via incantation).

However, there are slight drawbacks:

- When the Shurui Kōtai is activated, the transformation lasts for about 12 months' time and the user must undergo constant training to strengthen their mentality in order to properly hone the skills/abilities of the said Monstricity in question.

- Much like the Jinchūriki and the Bijū correspond with each other through empathy, the user's emotions acts as a fuel source for each transformation. To prevent of becoming a danger to their surroundings, the user is voided of all contact from the outside world and must be kept in total isolation until their training regiment is complete.

5.) Demon Hunter (鬼猟師 Oniryōshi): Exactly as the name implies, they are people who makes their living in hunting down Yōkai though there's been many different versions over the years but unlike the stereotypical kind that is consisted of humans, the Oniryōshi are entirely consisted of Ainoko/Hanyō and requires pair cooperation.

6.) 'Converted Ones' (仮装人'Kasōjin'): Is an term is used for humans who were bestowed with either the 'Kiss of Darkness' (blood transfusion) or the 'Kiss of Dark Awakening' (bathed in the blood of a 1,000 pure-blooded demons (純血妖怪 'Junketsuyō').

– 'Awakened Being' (覚醒人'Kakuseijin'): This term is used for the Ainokoyō when they came of age.

However if an Ainoko were to experience an premature awakening, the recipient's yōki is amplified by the latter's escalating emotions, up to the point where it threatens to break yōki-infused items/chakra-infused techniques (such as barriers and enchantments) and shattered them in a matter of seconds, leaving the said area exposed to an all-out assault.

7.) Sakaiyō (境妖怪 'Boundary Yōkai') is an archaic term for Half-breeds (半分の 'Hanbun no').


OC Country:

1.) Mizūmi no Kuni (湖の国 lit. meaning 'Land of Lakes') is an independent super-continent located south beyond the boundaries of the wetlands (Nami no Kuni and Mizu no Kuni) and a massive waterfall-like caldera beyond the Ryūjin-iriguchi (Dragon God's Gate) and the Ryūōnaiji (Dragon King's Labyrinth).

Nicknames: Ryūōseidō (竜王聖堂 'Ryūōseidō' lit. meaning ''Dragon King's Sanctuary'), Komoryōiki (隠領域 'Komoryōiki' lit. meaning 'The Hidden Realm'), Mizūmigakure (湖隠れ 'Mizūmigakure' lit. meaning 'Hidden Lake Village'), Rōsokutō-shi (ろうそく灯市 'Rōsokutō-shi' lit. meaning 'Candlelight City'), Tōketsu-ji no Sato (凍結時の里 'Tōketsu-ji no Sato' lit. meaning 'The Land of Frozen Time'), Fukyū to Eien Seinen no Sato (不朽と永遠青年の里 'Fukyū to Eien Seinen no Sato' lit. meaning 'The Land of Immortality and Eternal Youth')

Overview: According to Katakura Kojūrō (Kagetsuna), after the Battle of Sekigahara and the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu had his allies conceal any information concerning the Reflectare-Mysteria family and their ties to the Human World.

Rather than to rely on the power of the Ayashi, Ieyasu firmly resolved in relying on Humanity's strength as he believed that conflict started by human hands should end by human hands alone, thus, safeguarding future generations of Ayashi and Humans from centuries of abuse and prosecution.

After the Sengoku-jidai came to a close and with the help of the Dark Lord (Tenmei Mikogami), the Reflectare and the Mysteria clans have founded Mizūmi no Kuni somewhere in the Shinobi World (忍び世界 'Shinobi Sekai' lit. meaning 'Ninja World').

In the later chapters, it's revealed that Sasha's ancestors (Cassandra and Sașa Reflectare Lacul), in fear that the world wasn't ready to accept their way of life, they created a barrier to shield their country from prying eyes and continued their tradition of rescuing others who received the burnt of Humanity's darkness, Human and Ayashi alike, so as such; they're responsible for the global vanishings in the Human World.

In ch. 17, Sarutobi Daisuke mentioned that the population, which is descended from Hanyō/Junketsuyō and Hanyō/Humans marriages, are noted to have extreme long lifespans and retarded aging, gaining the epithets 'The Land of Frozen Time' (凍結時の里 'Tōketsu-ji no Sato') and 'The Land of Immortality and Eternal Youth' (不朽と永遠青年の里 'Fukyū to Eien Seinen no Sato'), exactly how Uzushiogakure (渦潮隠れの里 'Uzushiogakure no Sato' lit. meaning 'Village Hidden by Whirling Tides ' or 'Hidden Eddy Village') was once renowned as the 'Village of Longevity' (長寿の里 'Chōju no Sato').

Capital: Mizūmigakure/Rōsokutō-shi (Candlelight City)
Population: 65,000,000
Economy: 29/30
Military: 20/20

Government: Much like the Crescent Kingdom, the Land of Lakes is ruled by monarchy.

According to Masamune, when the Heir comes of age, he or she is to ascend the throne, though whether they take up the task as ruler or pass the right onto their younger sibling is up to them (meaning, if they wish to live their lives the way they want, then they can entrust the future of the kingdom to their younger sibling) or pass the right onto their children.

The sole proof of succession as the Shujinkō (or Joshujinkō) is an heirloom called the *'Hitsukiryū' (陽月竜 lit. meaning 'Sun Moon Dragon'), the counterpart of the Kanaka family heirloom, the *Shokuryū (食竜 'Eclipse Dragon').

1st Generation (15th – 17th Century):

– Rikutō Lanterna: 1st First Head (一代目主人公: 陸灯 ランテルナ 'Ichidaime Shujinkō: Rikutō Ranteruna')

Years Active: 1523 – 1581

Status: Deceased

– Hikaru Lanterna: 2nd Head (二代目主人公: ヒカル ランテルナ 'Nidaime Shujinkō: Hikaru Ranteruna')

Years Active: 1582 – 1598

Status: Deceased

– Kairi Lanterna: 3rd Head (三代目女主人公: カイリ ランテルナ 'Sandaime Joshujinkō: Kairi Ranteruna')

Years Active: 1600 – 1686

Status: Retired

2nd Generation (18th – 19th Century):

– Sakaru Lanterna: 4th Head (四代目主人公: サカル ランテルナ 'Yondaime Shujinkō: Sakaru Ranteruna')

Years Active: 1703 – 1854

Status: Retired

- Akaru Lanterna: 5th Head (五代目主人公: アカル ランテルナ 'Godaime Shujinkō: Akaru Ranteruna')

Years Active: 1854 - 1855

Status: Retired

3rd Generation (20th – 21st Century):

– Kaede Lanterna: 6th Head (六代目 主人公: カエデ ランテルナ 'Rokudaime Shujinkō: Kaede Ranteruna').

Years Active: 1855 – 1945, 1995 – Present.

Status: Retired – Active.

– Shisha Lanterna: 7th Head (七代目 主人公: シシャ ランテルナ 'Shichidaime Shujinkō: Shisha Ranteruna').

Years Active: 1946 – 1995.

Status: Deceased.

4th Generation (21st Century):

– Saki Lanterna: 8th Head (八代目 主人公: 咲希 ランテルナ 'Hachidaime Shujinkō: Saki Ranteruna').

Years Active: (Has yet to take up the Mantle).

Status: In-Training.


Geography:

According to Masayuki, Mizūmi no Kuni is considered as the mirror-image to the Five Great Nations, filled with large quantities of freshwater lakes and is attributed to the mythical 5th element, Quintessence.

Despite being located inside a landscape-like caldera and is hidden beneath a thick blanket of fog, it's actually a prospering country, filled with lush and green ranging from tropical to woodland and mountainside environments.

Regions: Each region is governed by the 'King's Watchdogs' (王様の番犬 'Ōsama no Banken') via Earldom. In the story, on Rōsokutō-shi's National Holiday, 'Ascension Day' (昇天の日 'Shōten no Hi') when the Heir turns 21, almost anyone can succeed their predecessors as Earl regardless of gender.

Current Earls:

- Earl Date Masamune
- Earl Chizakura Senri
- Earl Ryūsuke Kanaka
- Earl Akagusa René

- Northern Region (北部領域 'Hokubu-ryōiki'):
Head of State: Earl Date Masamune

Villages:

• Kūgemura (Sky Flower Village)
• Sōkumura (Blue Crimson Village)
• Yōkamura (Leaf Flower Village)
• Shūkamura (Autumn Flower Village)

- Southern Region (南方領域 'Nanpō-ryōiki'):
Head of State: Earl Akagusa René

Villages:

• Natsukamura (Summer Flower Village)
• Suikamura (Blue Crimson Village)
• Tsukikamura (Moon Flower Village)
• Nikkamura (Sun Flower Village)

- Eastern Region (東方領域 'Tōhō-ryōiki'):
Head of State: Earl Ryūsuke Kanaka

Villages:

• Ryokukamura (Green Flower Village)
• Shinrinmura (Woodland Forest Village)
• Sekkamura (Winter Flower Village)
• Ryūkamura (Dragon Flower Village)

- Western Region (西部領域 'Seibu-ryōiki'):
Head of State: Earl Chizakura Senri

Villages:

• Harukamura (Spring Flower Village)
• Enkamura (Flame Flower Village)
• Yūkamura (Evening Flower Village)
• Seikamura (Star Flower Village)


Mizūmigakure's Military is by far one of the largest in the entire kingdom, specializing in Alchemy, Witchcraft and Ninja Arts; clearly surpassing even the Five Great Nations in terms of military might and power.

Organizations:

1.) Rokkagumi (六花組 lit. meaning 'Snow Flower Corps') is Rōsokutō-shi's Royal Guard (王宮警備 'Ōkyū-keibi') and the crowned pinnacle of Mizūmigakure's Military.

It is consisted of 3 groups:

- The City Guard (市街隊 'Shigai-tai') is in charge of quelling the capital's unrest and to ensure the public's safety.

- The Border Guard (国境警備隊 'Kokkyōkeibi-tai') is tasked with patrol surrounding the regions for any signs of danger to the outer villages and suburbs.

- The Expedition Squadron (遠征隊 'Ensei-tai') is responsible to ensue safe passage for those who desire to escape from life's hardships (via war and carnage) and seek refuge.

The members of the Rokkagumi, ranging from the unit captains to the commanders, are codenamed as 'Colored Lotus' (カラード 蓮 'Karādo Ren'), the portmanteau between their hair color or personality trait and required to work in pairs during each and every mission.

Later in the story, it's revealed that after establishing Rōsokutō-shi, Countess Sașa Mikazuki and Queen Cassandra Mysteria were the ones who founded the Rokkagumi and tasked them in defending and keeping the peace within both worlds.

2.) Meidojūji (冥土十字 lit, meaning 'Hades' Cross') is a 10 millennium-old organization dedicated in creating an drug called the 'Shinso's Elixir' (真祖水/真祖のエリクサー 'Masosui'/'Shinso no Erikusā' lit. meaning 'Elixir of the First Ancestor') by combining the blood of a 1000 Ayashi and the Dragon King (竜王 'Ryūō').

According to Mikazuki Isadora, nearly 4,000 years ago, the Reflectare Lacul were nearly hunted down to the brink of extinction due to the clan's unparalleled 'immunity' to the vampire's weaknesses, immense vitality and advance healing qualities to cure the sick and the injured regardless of the fatalities.

Isadora's great-grandfather, Sophist Reflectare Lacul (ソフィスト リフレクターレ・ラクル 'Sofisuto Rifurekutāre · Rakuru') was caught and imprisoned by Meidojūji, not only to harvest his immunity but also to use his rare ability, Quintessence, for their own gains before he escaped and passed it on to his progeny.

3.) Kikaryōkai (鬼華霊会 'Kikaryōkai' lit. meaning 'Demon Flower Spirit Association') is Sasha's group way back when they were in Jr. High. Shortly after Sasha greed to become Tenmei's 'Kagetsukai', Kanada and the others created the Kikaryōkai in hopes of lessening Sasha's workload.

Unlike the Kōan'iinkai (Public Safety Committee) who grew corrupted over time and extorted many clubs, the Kikaryōkai acts as a patrol unit that snuffs out the school's worries (such as reports for vandalism and indecent sightings).

In the Kashūkigi and in the Tōharukigi, after the events of the 'Meidojūji Fiasco', it was later renamed as the 'Shinsengumi' (新選組 lit. meaning 'Newly Selected Crops'), in order to honor the late 7th King's (Shisha Lanterna) previous occupation.


Authoress: More will be revealed in due time, so please wait patiently, my readers~!

Remember, all reviews and opinions are welcome and if you want, you can input on what I should do for my future chapters that is still in the works (via PM).

So all in all, have a nice day and P.S., I OWN NOTHING~! ^w^