The Cursed King

Their next stop in Japan was Kyoto. Elise and Loriel boarded on the bullet train and arrived in Kyoto in about an hour and soon discovered that Loriel was right, there was a distinctive air to Kyoto that was calming unlike the bustling streets of Tokyo.

The two of them hopped off with Elise carrying a small bag filled with assorted goodies. Elise took out one long strip of gummy candy and quickly took a bite.
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"You really enjoyed the vending machines, didn't you?" Loriel chuckled and glanced at his girlfriend.

"They were pretty affordable. Plus it's so varied, there's candy, snacks, juices, and... even vegetables and batteries? They sell everything on the vending machine."

"Japan likes to make everything convenient and a seamless transaction."

"They really do, it's great that they do that and yet still retain this air of culture," Elise said. "Where are we going next?"

"There's a lot of ancient castles and temples to visit and later in the evening, we can soak in one of the very relaxing hot springs here."

"Oh, that sounds quite lovely."

"Indeed." Loriel nodded. "Before one hops into an onsen as hot springs are referred to here, there's a need to be fully clean prior to that. and bathing suits are not allowed in the hot springs."

"Wait, they aren't?" Elise's eyes widened.

Loriel chuckled. "Yeah. It's a long-held tradition that one dips into an onsen fully naked."

"I didn't know that." Elise blushed at the thought. He already saw her naked once, when she was taking a bath after her father passed away. Elise was too weak and couldn't dress herself. The man helped her. But it was a special case. Loriel also acted so naturally, without any hint of being perverted.

"You don't have to worry about that though, we're renting a private onsen for ourselves. So you can wear whatever makes you feel comfortable."

"Oh, why didn't you tell me that in the first place?" Elise pouted at him.

"It's because you're so cute."

"You really know what to say to keep me less upset, don't you Loriel?" Elise sighed but eventually smiled. "Well, we should get going now and visit all the places that we can!"

"Don't worry, we'll stop at all of the most prominent places. Whether it's to the north, south, east, or west part of Kyoto? We'll get there."

"Thank you so much, this trip would have been so different without you."

"I'm just lucky enough that you asked me to go with you."

Elise grabbed his arm and smiled. "Who else would I go with? You're my boyfriend."

There was a beautiful smile on Elise's face that brought him joy. Even until today, the little and small things were enough for her to be happy about. It was a sight that he wished he had been able to make more for her when they were just newlyweds.

***

The two of them were in Central Kyoto and took advantage of the many beautiful places there. They visited both Nijo Castle which Elise learned to be a former residence of a shogun, an old ruler of Japan in the past, and even the Imperial Palace.

Their visits there were quite prompt and fast, both agreeing that they could spend more time there when they were about to go.

Loriel and Elise caught another train station and headed out. One of their first destinations was around Eastern Kyoto.

It took about only ten minutes for them to arrive at the base of a forested mountain. Higashiyama mountains was a cool and relaxing place to be in, and even more so once they arrived at the Zen temple.

The sight of Nanzenji Temple left Elise in awe. When they first arrived, both she and Loriel came across its massive entrance gate, which extended over the treetops.

It was something that was more than common in this time and age, but to see it built in the past was another thing entirely.

"This place is amazing." Elise breathed aloud and walked through the temple's grand halls that were free for the public.

Loriel and Elise walked hand in hand. "I agree."

He did think that this place was a relaxing place to be in, but for an immortal who had spent his earlier centuries doing everything to end his boredom... it only mattered that Elise was here with him.

There was a thoughtful look on her face. Elise said. "If we want to enter the other sub-temples around this place, there's a small fee to keep this place protected. I wonder how long this temple has been around? Wait, I can search that up."

Before she could break away from Loriel to grab her phone, Loriel was quick to answer her with an informative and relaxed tone.

"The history of Nanzenji dates back to around the middle of the 13th century. If I recall, the late Emperor Kameyama built his retirement villa at this location which was later converted into a Zen temple. Although most buildings we see now were built after the Muromachi Period, it ended around 1573."

Elise's eyes widened. "Wow, you don't only know the language but even the history?"

"I like to read when I have the time."

Elise smiled at him. "That's impressive, you're quite well-read. Your explanation almost makes me feel like we've lived in that time period. I wonder how the Emperor thinks of how the world changed? He must be so surprised to see how far we've reached."

Loriel thought about it and shrugged. "If he were alive today, I suppose he'd be impressed... but he might yearn for the older and more nostalgic times."

"Really? But I think the Emperor would think it's amazing that there are vending machines everywhere now. Look at what I got earlier?" Elise dug into her bag and revealed two small lucky charms. 

Loriel raised a brow at the two trinkets.

"It was outside of the temple, but even they sell good-luck talismans." Elise smiled. "I got two lucky charms, one for you and one for me. They're bound to protect us and also make us lucky."

Loriel looked at it and smiled. "I guess the Emperor would think that this is quite nifty."