Magical Lotus - Mahou Shoujou Byakuren - Episode 3

[Oldmansour]

>In that case, how long have you existed?

>Since the demons were cast out of your world.

[DracoOmega]

>Does that mean this was originally their home as well?
>How long ago was this?

[Oldmansour]

>Does that mean this was originally their home as well?
>How long ago was this?

>I do not have that answer. I was meant only to separate their world and this one. It is possible that they did originate in this world. It is also possible that Terrans, like yourself, originated in what is now their world. The information is not part of what I am.
>If you mean in terms of your numbers, I do not know. But I believe the number would be a large one.

[DracoOmega]

>If you are unfamiliar with the numbers, perhaps you can answer in relative terms? How much further back were you created compared with the last time battle was waged against the demons in this land?

[Oldmansour]

>If you are unfamiliar with the numbers, perhaps you can answer in relative terms? How much further back were you created compared with the last time battle was waged against the demons in this land?

>I think the correct term to use is 'ages ago'.

[DracoOmega]

>Do you know who created you?

[Oldmansour]

>Do you know who created you?

>I do not know who put the barrier in place. But I do know that it is made up, in large part, of the four Animal Gods of your world. Their lives fuel what I am.

[DracoOmega]

>Earlier, you said that the Metal Tiger had been destroyed before the creation of the barrier."

[Oldmansour]

>Earlier, you said that the Metal Tiger had been destroyed before the creation of the barrier."

>It was, but it's life flows through me. It was dead before I was created. If I am using the terms correctly, I suspect that the barrier was created from the life force of the four Animal Gods.

[DracoOmega]

>Does that connection allow you any contact with the echos of those gods? If indeed the others linger as the Metal Tiger does?

[Oldmansour]

>Does that connection allow you any contact with the echos of those gods? If indeed the others linger as the Metal Tiger does?

>I do not believe so. I had no idea you had spoken with the Metal Tiger until you informed me. But I could attempt to make contact, if you believe it will help.

[DracoOmega]

>At present, I think not. But depending on how matters go regarding the issue at the shrine, I may ask again later.
>On a related topic, have you sensed the presence of any more demons crossing in this world, aside from the one whose youma I encountered initially?

[Oldmansour]

>At present, I think not. But depending on how matters go regarding the issue at the shrine, I may ask again later.
>On a related topic, have you sensed the presence of any more demons crossing in this world, aside from the one whose youma I encountered initially?

>As you wish.
>I have not. There remains only the one demon in your world at the present time. What of the demon you imprisoned?

[DracoOmega]

>I was actually meaning to ask you how well you could still sense that one, and whether you had any idea how plausible it is that it could escape from its prison. And would you be aware of it trying, or in particular succeeding?

[Oldmansour]

>I was actually meaning to ask you how well you could still sense that one, and whether you had any idea how plausible it is that it could escape from its prison. And would you be aware of it trying, or in particular succeeding?

>I have no sense of that demon at the moment. If it escaped into this world, however, I would sense its presence. It has crossed the barrier once. If it reentered this world, I would know. However, if it was merely making an attempt, I would say that I would not sense it. My senses for the demons are limited to this world. Which means that if it escaped back into its own world, I would not be aware of it.

[DracoOmega]

>Can we sense the presence of the demon in the bubble we created for it, if we focus upon it?
>I hope you do not take this the wrong way, but if you are a barrier that lies between two worlds, why do your senses only work in the one of them and not the other?

[Oldmansour]

>Can we sense the presence of the demon in the bubble we created for it, if we focus upon it?
>I hope you do not take this the wrong way, but if you are a barrier that lies between two worlds, why do your senses only work in the one of them and not the other?

>Stretching out your extra senses, you feel around for the dimensional bubble you crafted for the demon. It's an odd sensation, not quite like anything you've sensed before, but after several moments, your 'fingers' land upon the Rainbow Oubliette where lies the Champion of Water. It feels at once very far away from you, and yet somehow right at the end of your arm. It's a slightly taxing sensation.
>I was created to ensure the demons never crossed into this world. That they never plague this world is that which I am. I cannot sense their presence in their own world because I do not need to sense their presence in their world. Only this one. That is why I can sense 'escapees', but not 'residents'.
>What do you mean by 'the wrong way'?

[DracoOmega]

>Can we sense the demon inside the bubble, or just the bubble itself?
>I suppose that makes sense. And I only meant that I did not intend offense at questioning your abilities; perhaps I am mistaken in applying Terran social rules to our interaction, but that is what I know

[Oldmansour]

>Can we sense the demon inside the bubble, or just the bubble itself?
>I suppose that makes sense. And I only meant that I did not intend offense at questioning your abilities; perhaps I am mistaken in applying Terran social rules to our interaction, but that is what I know

>At the moment, you can only sense the bubble. But it feels intact and solid.
>Offense? Ah, yes, the Terran sentiment. But you should know what I am capable of, if it will aid you in your battles to come. Unless I am mistaken, the appropriate response would be 'Don't worry about it'.
>"Byakuren?"

[DracoOmega]

>...did someone walk in here without us noticing it?
>Turn to the voice. Who's there?

[Oldmansour]

>...did someone walk in here without us noticing it?
>Turn to the voice. Who's there?

>Quite possibly.
>Slightly to your right stands Marissa, looking a little confused and concerned. "You okay, girl?"

[DracoOmega]

>Smile and try not to look too ruffled
>"Oh, I'm fine. Just lost in thought, a little."

[Oldmansour]

>Smile and try not to look too ruffled
>"Oh, I'm fine. Just lost in thought, a little."

>Pulling yourself back together, you address Marissa's concerns.
>"Real lost, I'd say." Your blonde friend retorts, placing her hands on her hips. "I stomped up on ya with all the grace of a gut-shot rhino. I knew you could concentrate, but damn, girl."

[DracoOmega]

>Let out a little self-effacing chuckle
>"Yes, perhaps I was a little far away at that moment. What're you doing hanging around school at this hour, anyway?"

[Oldmansour]

>Let out a little self-effacing chuckle
>"Yes, perhaps I was a little far away at that moment. What're you doing hanging around school at this hour, anyway?"

>"I could ask you the same thing." Marissa retorts with a grin. "No way your tennis group's practicing today, and the gym's booked too." She cups the point of her chin with two fingers. "If I were a bettin' girl, if you're here at this time, I'd guess you were having a word with the good doctor Okuu. Am I right?"

[DracoOmega]

>"You are right indeed. And she gave me as clean a bill of health as her examination could provide, if case you're worried I was ruminating about that."

[Oldmansour]

>"You are right indeed. And she gave me as clean a bill of health as her examination could provide, if case you're worried I was ruminating about that."

>Marissa chuckles. "Matter of fact, I was. I know you pretty well, and you've usually got something pretty heavy on your mind when you get that real faraway look on your pretty little face. And when you put that together with proximity to Utsuho..."

[DracoOmega]

>"Understandable. But you needn't worry about that; I feel fine, my head feels fine, and there's every indication that I really am fine."
>Slight grin
>"And you never answered my question."

[Oldmansour]

>"Understandable. But you needn't worry about that; I feel fine, my head feels fine, and there's every indication that I really am fine."
>Slight grin
>"And you never answered my question."

>"And I bet you're tired of people worryin'." Marissa says, her cheerful self again.
>She places her hand dramatically over her breast. "Touch?." She jerks her thumb behind her, towards the door. "And I was actually about to pay our nurse a visit myself."

[DracoOmega]

>Tentative smile
>"Oh? Should I be worrying about you instead?"