Volume 5: Kyoto Summer Campaign Chapter 290: Found Ogata Ittosai! (Part 1)
"Come."
Amaji's fingers moved flexibly, turning the Kasumagami in her right hand around, and she grabbed the barrel of the Kasumagami with her hand, pointing the handle at Ogata.
"Take it and have a look. You can think of Suying and Kasumi as shorter, more portable cannons."
After taking the Kasumi Nagi handed to him by Atachi, Ogata carefully looked through it from top to bottom.
Although the appearance of Motoya and Kasumi is very similar to modern Earth revolvers, their shapes are slightly different in some places.
The barrels of Suying and Kasumi are longer and thicker.
As Ogata looked Kasumi up and down, A-Machi beside him introduced her to Ogata:
"Is this the place where bullets are loaded? " Ogata raised his finger and pointed at the chamber of Kasumagari's gun.
If he looked like he was very familiar with the shape of the pistol, it would most likely make Ating suspicious.
In order to avoid arousing Atachi's suspicion, Ogata decided to pretend that he had no idea what this thing was and didn't even know where to load the bullet.
"Oh! You are so smart! You found the most essential part of this revolver in one go!" A-Ming praised, "Yes, the bullets are filled in this place."
"This is my father's greatest invention. It was improved upon the barbarian's short gun, separating the barrel from the chamber and successfully increasing the ammunition capacity. This allows this revolver short gun to fire continuously."
Atachi raised his finger and pressed it against the barrel of Kasumagami's gun, then pushed it inwards, pushing the barrel out.
Ogata looked at the pushed-out gun chamber - the magazine's loading capacity was less than what Ogata remembered for a revolver.
Kasumi's ammunition capacity is only 4 rounds.
All four missile bays are loaded with projectiles and are ready to fire at any time.
"Does Motoya only have 4 rounds of ammunition?" Ogata asked Atachi.
A-Ming nodded:
"Mosakura and Kasumi are a pair. Not only do they look alike, they also have the same ammunition load."
"...Not only can it be carried close to the body, but it can also fire continuously... It is indeed an incredible weapon."
Ogata decided to play dumb to the end and act like a complete novice who was seeing this kind of firearm that was easy to carry and could fire continuously for the first time.
"This revolver has a big flaw."
Ating smiled bitterly.
"Although it is more convenient to carry than ordinary cannons, and can fire continuously, which ordinary cannons cannot do."
"But its power is somewhat inferior to that of ordinary cannons."
"The firing range is also shorter than that of ordinary cannons. It cannot fire at long distances."
"So Suying and Kasumi are more suitable to be used as hidden weapons."
At this time, Ating also raised Suying in her left hand, and looked up and down at the gun body of Suying with a helpless and somewhat bitter look.
"What a pity... Father passed away not long after creating Su Ying and Kasumi Nagi."
"I didn't even have time to learn how to make this revolver from my father."
"But it's a blessing in disguise. Although I didn't master the production method of the revolver, I know how to make the special bullets for the revolver."
"The bullets used in ordinary iron cannons cannot be used in this revolver short gun. Both Su Ying and Kasumi must use special bullets."
After hearing what Atachi said, Ogata turned his gaze back to Kasumagami's open ammunition bay.
It was discovered that just as Atachi had said, the four projectiles in the ammunition bay were smaller than the cannon projectiles that Ogata had imagined.
"I don't know if I will ever have the chance to master the manufacturing method of the revolver and improve all the current defects of the revolver..."
"There's a chance." Ogata said without hesitation as he handed Kasumi back to Atachi.
"How do you know I have a chance?" After taking Kasumi back, Atachi asked back in a half-joking tone.
"Because, Atachi, didn't you tell me before that you have a talent for using and making firearms?" Ogata smiled faintly, "Maybe one day in the future, you will make an even more powerful revolver."
"Thank you for your words." Ating smiled, "Okay, let's go out."
Ating raised his head and glanced at the sky which had been dyed a dim yellow by the sunset.
"It's almost time for dinner... Let's go find a restaurant that looks delicious."
…
…
The two walked out of the remote alley side by side and returned to the street.
They looked around - they were now in a residential area, so there were only houses where Kyoto citizens lived nearby, and there was no restaurant to be seen.
Ogata and Atachi were not in a hurry. They just walked along the street leisurely, looking for a hotel.
At this moment, the two suddenly noticed that a conspicuous huge monster suddenly appeared on the road ahead.
This conspicuous behemoth is somewhat similar in shape to the floats that Ogata often sees on television in modern Earth.
However, the "float" that appeared in front of Ogata was much smaller than the ones he had seen on TV before.
Many citizens gathered around this "float".
Some of the citizens gathered around this "float" were just there to watch the fun.
Some were climbing up and down the "float", apparently repairing it.
Just as Ogata was wondering what this "float" was, Atachi beside him suddenly shouted excitedly:
"Ah! It's Yamaboko!"
"Shanboko?" Ogata asked doubtfully.
Just when Ogata was about to ask Atachi what the Yamaboko was, Atachi trotted towards the "float" in front of him with excitement on his face.
And Ogata could only hurriedly follow behind Atachi and run towards the "float" in front with Atachi.
At the outermost edge of the crowd surrounding the "float", an elderly man, hunched over, looked up and down at the "float" with a look of satisfaction and excitement.
"Hello!"
Ating, who was jogging along, asked the old man.
"Excuse me, is this a Yamaboko?"
Ating raised his hand and pointed at the "float" not far away.
After hearing this question from Ating, the old man raised his eyebrows slightly:
"Oh? Little girl, judging from your accent, you are from Omi, right?"
"Yes." Atachi nodded, "I am indeed from Omi."
"You are a foreigner, but you know Yamaboko from Kyoto."
"I have always been interested in the Gion Festival in Kyoto. Although this is my first time attending the Gion Festival..."
"Hehe." The old man laughed softly, and a look of pride gradually emerged on his face. "Yes, this is the Yamaboko. Do you see the big mantis on it? This Yamaboko is the 'Mantis Mountain'."
Ogata raised his eyes and looked towards the top of the Yamaboko - when he first saw this "float"... or rather, the Yamaboko, Ogata noticed that there was a very conspicuous large mantis placed on the top of the Yamaboko.
This giant mantis seems to be made of paper and wood. It is larger than an average adult, so at a glance, this huge mantis is quite visually impactful.
"Did you two come to Kyoto specifically to watch the Gion Festival?" the old man asked Ogata and Atachi.
"Hmm..." Ating hesitated for a while, "I guess so."
"Then you guys have arrived just in time." The old man smiled, "Today happens to be the climax of the Gion Festival."
“Although I have always been interested in the Gion Festival, I don’t actually know much about it.” Atachi said with a wry smile, “ After all, there aren’t many people around me who know about the Gion Festival or have a deep understanding of it…”
Hearing what Ating said, the old man smiled slightly.
Turning his head and looking back at the Yamaboko in front of him named "Mantis Mountain", the old man said softly:
"Almost 1,000 years ago, a plague ravaged Kyoto."
"Everyone thinks it's evil spirits and malice at work."
The old man with a strong Kyoto accent talked eloquently.
"In order to drive away evil spirits and appease vengeful spirits, everyone held a ceremony at Higashiyama Gion Shrine to worship the Ushito Tenno."
"After the sacrifice, the plague miraculously subsided."
"Since then, the people of Kyoto have gradually developed the habit of offering sacrifices whenever there is an epidemic."
"This custom gradually evolved into today's 'Gion Festival'."
"Every July, we Kyoto people hold the grand Gion Festival, which lasts for a whole month."
Hearing this, Ogata raised his eyebrows:
"So - Kyoto will be holding the Gion Festival for the entire month of July?"
"That's right." The old man nodded with a smile, "Although the Gion Festival will be held for a whole month, it won't be lively every day."
"The climax and the busiest day of the Gion Festival is July 17th, which is today."
"This day every year is the day of the 'Yamaboko Parade'."
The old man nodded at the "Mantis Mountain" not far away.
"There are more than 30 kinds of yamaboko that participate in the annual 'Yamaboko Parade'."
"This 'Mantis Mountain' is just the most common one among the more than 30 types of Yamaboko."
"There are many yamaboko that are larger and more luxurious than 'Mantis Mountain'."
"These Yamaboko were built by us, the common people. The government was not involved in the construction of the Yamaboko."
"See those guys climbing up and down Mantis Mountain?"
"Those are the ones responsible for building 'Mantis Hill.'"
"The Yamaboko Patrol will begin tonight, and these people are doing the final inspection of Mantis Mountain."
"When the 'Yamaboko Parade' began, more than 30 Yamaboko of different styles and sizes moved in an orderly manner along the street."
"By then, there will be countless citizens watching and cheering on both sides of the street."
"This will be the grandest and most beautiful sight in Kyoto in a year..."
"At this moment, all Kyoto residents are looking forward to tonight's 'Yamaboko Parade' and fireworks."
At this point, a look of deep reminiscence emerged on the old man's face, with tears glistening in his eyes.
"This is also the scenery I love to see most in my life..."
"Hmm?" A-Machi's face showed some confusion. "I remember that the Yamaboko Parade of the Gion Festival was held during the day. How come it was held at night?"
The old man laughed:
“In the past, it was held during the day.”
"But this year, under the arrangement of Kyoto Town Magistrate, Lord Kamiyama, the Yamaboko Parade was moved to the evening."
"In order to make this year's Gion Festival more lively, Lord Kamiyama added an extra segment: fireworks."
"After the Yamaboko Parade ends, fireworks will be set off that will light up the entire city of Kyoto."
"Because only by putting the two major events of 'Yamaboko Parade' and 'Fireworks' together can it be more lively."
"And fireworks only look good at night, so Lord Kamiyama has scheduled this year's 'Yamaboko Parade' to be held tonight."
"Some traditionalists are very unhappy about Lord Kamiyama's decision to change the time of the Yamaboko Parade and add more fireworks to the event."
“But the vast majority of people still welcome Lord Shenshan’s arrangement.”
"After all, there aren't many days in a year when you can watch fireworks."
“So you see.”
The old man raised his hand and pointed forward.
“Did you see the looks on these people’s faces?”
Ogata and A-machi both looked at the faces of the citizens who were watching the inspection work on Mantis Hill.
All of these people's faces were filled with excitement, excitement and anticipation.
"Everyone is looking forward to tonight."
The old man sighed.
"I look forward to seeing the beautiful fireworks after watching the grand 'Yamaboko Parade'."
"Everyone has had a very hard time these years..."
"First there was the 'Tianming Great Famine', then there was the 'Tianming Great Fire'. Everyone was tortured by these disasters one after another..."
"Now there is finally a day to indulge in joy and fun, and everyone is looking forward to it..."
"I heard that the reason why Lord Shenshan decided to add the 'fireworks' segment tonight was to take care of us who have had a hard life over the years."
"What a pity... there was still a small accident at this year's Gion Festival..."
"Hmm?" Ogata asked back, "What accident?"
The old man sighed:
"Last night, a murderer suddenly appeared."
"It is said that from last night till now, this man has killed more than 30 innocent people."
"Everyone is a little bit nervous now ..."
"But - fortunately, the government has found out who this person was."
"Officials are now tracking this man down from house to house."
"Just now, a government official came with a wanted warrant for this man to be beheaded and told us to be careful of him."
"It's a pity that I have now forgotten the name of that human killer..."
"Alas... Once people get older, their memory and other things really don't work anymore..."
After learning that the government had found out who the murderer was who killed more than 30 innocent people, Ogata and Atachi both felt a little relieved.
"It's really annoying to kill innocent people like this." Ating said with disgust, "I really hope the government can catch this guy as soon as possible."
As soon as Atachi finished speaking, Ofang, who was standing next to Atachi, nodded slightly as if he agreed with her.
