Tokyo Ravens Volume 10

1/28/2015
TokyoRavens:Volume10BakaTsuki
TokyoRavens:Volume10
FromBakaTsuki
Contents
1NovelIllustrations
2Chapter1RabbitfromtheTempleof
Darkness
2.1Part1
2.2Part2
2.3Part3
3Chapter2Visitors
3.1Part1
3.2Part2
3.3Part3
4Chapter3SacredGroundofConspiracy
4.1Part1
4.2Part2
4.3Part3
5Chapter4OnmyoujiattheMountain
5.1Part1
5.2Part2
5.3Part3
6Chapter5CursedTempleonFire
6.1Part1
6.2Part2
6.3Part3
6.4Part4
6.5Part5
7Translator'sNotesandReferences
CoverforVolume10
NovelIllustrations
Cover
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Chapter1RabbitfromtheTempleofDarkness
"Ibelievethattheessenceofsorceryiswhatarecalled'lies'."
"Butisn't'truth'sometimesmoreofafalsehoodthanlies?"
TsuchimikadoHarutora
Part1
Thisoccurredmanynightsearlier
Thataltarwasontheroofofabuilding.
Toriiwereerectedonthefoursidesofaplatformconstructedfromstone.Thenorthtoriiwasblack,the
easttoriiwasblue,thesouthtoriiwasred,andthewesttoriiwaswhite.
Theplatformhadalreadybeenassembledonmanypedestals,arrayedwithamultitudeofofferings.
Silvercoins,whitesilk,apaperhorse,apapersoldier[1],fullarmor,bowandarrows,alongsword,
cloisonnenamel[2],gold,akoto[3],alute.Therewerealsomanyvesselsmadefrompaperthatwere
carefullyinfusedwithmagicalenergybytheonemanagingtheplatform.Nexttothemwerealsoritual
toolsataikodrum,aconch[4],sleighbells,ahei[5],incense,ahandbell,avodoodoll[6]andcharms.
Theritualhadalreadybeenpreparedproperly.Thewindgustedacrossthetopoftheroof.Thesky
slowlybrightenedandtheallencompassingdarknesswaschasedawaybythesun.Itwouldbedawn
soon.Thetimewhenthesunandmoonswitchedplaceswasimminent.
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Therewerefivefiguresontheplatform.Inthecenterstoodaboywrappedinablackcoat,hislefteye
coveredwithacloth.Thehemofhisblackcoatwasblownaflutterbythewind.
Infrontoftheboywasapedestaluponwhichlaidagirl.Itwasasifsheweresleeping,buttheuniform
onherbodywassoakedinblood.Thewindgentlybrushedagainstthegirl,andthepinkribbontyingthe
girl'slongblackhairswayedsoftlywiththewind.
Behindtheboyandthegirlweretwofigureswatchingeverything.Onewasawomanwithanimalistic
earsandatail,andtheotherwasamanwithonlyonearm.Thetwostayedlikethiswithoutsaying
anything,quietlywaitingforthecomingofthattime.
Thefinalpersonwasasmallgirlwhohadpreparedtheritualwhilewaitingforthem.Herexpression
wascoldasshestaredattheattentiveboy.
Theboywaslookingaroundwithhisremainingrighteyeinordertocheckthealtar.Thegirlwaitedfor
theboytofinishhisinspection,thenwalkedtowardstheboy,givinghimasheetofpaperthathadbeen
foldedmultipletimes.Thiswasthescriptfortheritualoration.
Theboyreceivedthescriptandhelditagainsthischestforamoment,closinghiseye.Afterawhile,he
noddedtothegirl.Afterthegirlgrabbedahammer,shestruckthetaiko.BoomBoomBoom
BoomBoomBoom,shestruckitsixtimes.Then,shetooktheconchandblewit.Thesound
containedmagicalenergyanditgraduallypermeatedthedawnair,butthelastnoteechoedthroughout
theareaseveraltimes.
Thetwofigureswatchingeverythingfrombehindturnedtheirbodiesslightly.
Theblackcoatwrappedaroundtheboyswelledasifitwerebreathing.Theboyheldthescriptbefore
himselfandloudlychantedtheincantation.
"TheTsuchimikadoOnmyoudousectwouldliketoaddressTaizanFukun,thelordoftheunderworld"
...Thathappenedmanynightsago.
Thewheeloffatethattranscendedtimeaccelerated.
Part2
Thewindblowingtowardsthemountainwoodsintensifiedthechillofwinter.Thegirl'ssmallbody
couldn'thelpbutshiver,soshebroughtthebamboobroomtoherchest,rubbingherhandstogether.The
mountaintopalwaysfeltthecomingofwinterearlierthanatthefootofthemountain.Thebreaththat
camefromhermouthinstantlybecamefaintwhitemist.
Shecasthergazeaboveher,wherethedarkskywascoveredeverywherebybranches.Thebrightred
leaveshadbeguntofadethesefewdays.Ripenedfruitoccasionallyleftthetipsofbranches,dropping
downfreely.Thankstothat,shewouldn'tbeabletosweepitcleannomatterhowsheswept."Hah"
Withthatsigh,thegirlglaredatthefallenmapleleaves.
Notlongafterwards.
"Akino!Areyoustillnotdone!?"
Aroarcamefromaplaceveryfaraway.ThegirlnamedAkinoshouted"Yeah"aftersheheardthat,
andinthenextmoment,thegirl'shairseemedtofloatupwards.
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Thegirlhastilycoveredherheadwithherhands,andinexchangethebroomfelltotheground."Ah
Ah"Sheglancedatthefallenbroomontheground,andtheillfittingglassesonherfacealsoslid
downwithoutmissingabeat.Intheend,Akinoquietlywailed"Uuu"whileholdingherheadwithboth
handsandwithherglassesaskew.Sheturnedtolookinthedirectionoftheroar.
Otherthanthereddenedmapleleaves,severalancienthugecedartreestoweredaroundher.Anoldhall
couldbeseenacrossthedoorpostlikecedartrees.ABuddhistmonk
frowningasalwayswalkedfromthere,wearingablackpriest'srobe
overanantarvasakasaya[7].Hewasanoverweightajari[8]ofthis
monastery.
"Ah,PriestTadanori......"
"Theothersallfinishedalready,you'retheonlyonealwaysdilly
dallying."
"AAh......Sorry......"
Akinothoughtoffleeingwhileapologizinginastammer.Thoughshe
apologized,hervoicewasalmostinaudibleunlessonelistenedclosely.
Notknowingwhy,themonkfrownedandglaredatthegirlwitha
frighteninglook.Themonkcomplainedtothegirlwitharesignedexpression,butAkino'seyeslooked
gingerlyupwardandthemonkcouldonlyforcehimselftoswallowallofhisanger.
"......Anyway,hurryupandfinish.We'regoingtopreparelunch,sogohelppreparethefood!"
"OOkay......"
Akinoimmediatelyrepliedandpickedupherbroom,adjustingherglassesatthesametime.After
Tadanoristaredatthegirlagainasifexhortingher,hewalkedbackintothehall.
Tadanoriwasthepersoninchargeofthevihara[9]andwasamanwholikedtoreprimandothers,but
rightnowhehadbecomecautious.Itwasn'tjusthim,alloftheadultsinthismonasterywerelikethat.It
wasararefortunewhendisagreementsweresettledwithoutangersflaring.
Evenwiththatsaid,nothinglikethattrulyeverhappened.Akinohastilysweptalltheleavestogether
intoabasket.Afterthrowingtheleavesintotheincineratorbehindthemonastery,shewalkedtowards
thestorehousetohelppreparelunch.Therewasamonasterykitcheninthiswarehousealongwithmany
roomsformonks.Therewerealsokitchenssetupinthewoodenmonkrooms.
Shoutssoundedouttheinstantsheentered.
"You'reslow!Akino!Whatwereyoudoing!?"
"SSorry......"
"Akino,there'snotenoughfirewood!"
"OOkay......I'llgogetsomenow......"
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Akinorespondedwhilesprintingtotheright,carryingbackthefirewoodstackedundertheeavesofthe
building.Probablybecausegasolinewasveryprecious,itsusagewasrestricted.Hence,theybasically
usedawoodburningstovetocookfoodeveryday.
Buttheirfirelightingmethodwasveryuniqueitwasverystrangeindeed.
Theseniorsoftheviharastoodinfrontofthestove,forminghandsealstowardsitandchanting
incantationswiththeireyeshalfclosed.Notlongafterwards,thefirewoodinsideignitedintoflame.
Thiswasmagic.
Moreover,itwasclassifiedastruefirstclassmagicundermodernOnmyoulaw.
"Gettheplatesoutnow,Akino!"
"Okay......"
"Hurryupabit......!?You,thisagain!"
"S......Sorry......"
Angryandimpatientscoldinglambastedtheslowidiot.Akinotearfullypickedupthepiecesofthe
shatteredplate.Butshewasstillloudlyscoldedbyherseniorsafterthis.Akinohastilycriedoutwhile
dealingwithhertask.Themonastery'sdietoughttobevegetarian,butthiswasn'tstrictlyfollowed.
Povertywasonething,buteatingmeatwithoutconcernwasanotherthing.Whattheywereroasting
rightnowwasthevenisontheyhadhuntedseveraldaysearlier.
Akino'sstomachrumbledwithhunger.Thelidclatteredandstartedtoshakeasifrespondingtoher.
Afterfinishinglunchandcleaningupabit,Akinohadabitoffreetimeuntilitwastimetopreparethe
dinnerthattheycalled'slop'.Akinosurreptitiouslywatchedherseniors,takingasmallerfirestarterfrom
thewarehouseandsomesmallsweetpotatoesandwalkingtothetempleinthedilapidatedhalfofthe
monasterygrounds.
Akinofirstdugashallowholeintheground.Afterputtingthesweetpotatoesin,sheputfallenleaveson
top,thenlitthemandcoveredthemwithash.Aftercheckingthattheleaveshadignited,shequietlysat
atthebaseofacedartreethatstoodnearby.
Sinceithadn'trainedrecently,theleavesburnedintoashveryquickly.Akinowatchedtheashgetblown
awaybythewindwhilequietlywaitingforthesweetpotatoestofinishroasting.Itwasbecauseshe
wouldbescoldedbyTadanoriifhesawherinherhidingplacesecretlyroastingandeatingfoodthatshe
hadsnuckaway.Evenifshewerespottedbyanothersenior,itwouldallbeconfiscated.
ThemonasteryAkinolivedatwascalledSeishukuTemple.Itwasamountainmonasterysituatednear
thepeakofamountain,farawayfromcivilization.Gettingherewasextremelydifficultanditwaslikea
placeisolatedfromtheoutsideworld.
No,itwasn't'like'that,itwasintendedtobesecluded.Eventhesurroundingsofthemonasteryactively
hidtheirexistencefromtheworld.Itwasaplacethathadfallenbehindthetimes.Itwasadifferent
worldfrombeyondthefootofthemountain,atruemountainousalternateworld.
Akinowastheyoungestinthisalternateworldandalsotheweakest.Shewasalwaysatthebottomofthe
hierarchy.Puttingasideappearancesfornow,shewasinapositionwhereshewasdeniedeverything.
Eveninthelunchjustearlier,noneofthedeliciousvenisonhadbeensharedwithher.Eventhoughshe
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hadlowexpectations,shehadendedupcrestfallen.Soshehadtakentheopportunityshesawtodayto
filltheappetiteofhergrowingperiod.
Thefire'sheathadalreadyvanished.Thecoldairseemedtoseepintoherbodybitbybitasshesat
directlyontheground.Butitwasfortunatethatitwasn'twindy.Akinowrappedherarmsaroundher
knees,curlingintoasmallballandquietlystaredattheash.Akinothoughtthatifthiswaycouldmake
thesweetpotatoesbecomeabitwarmerandabitmoredelicious,shedidn'tmindwaitinginthecold.
Herheartwasalsoabithappy,aswellastense,fromsneakingfood.Actually,roastingsweetpotatoes
wastheonlythingAkinohadfelttobefunthesepastfewdays.
"......Sweetpotatoes~Sweetpotatoes~Areyoudoneyet?Delicious~Hot~Piping......"
Itwasunclearwhetherhertimingwascorrect,butwhethertheyweredoneornotcompletelyreliedon
Akino'sownintuition.
"They'realmostdone","Ah,I'llwaitabitmore."
RightasAkinoleisurelytalkedtoherself.
"Hey,Akino!"
AvoicesuddenlybarkedoutfrombehindherandAkinowentspeechlessoutoffright.Sheheldher
knees,andatthesametime,herbodywentstiff.Simultaneously,aboveherheadtheareaatthetop,
wherethereoughttohavebeennothingatalla'disturbance'occurred,aphenomenonthatwascalled
lag.Then,thethingshiddentherematerializedandrevealedthemselves.
Twolongearsprotrudedslightly.Theyweretworabbitears,coveredinwhitishsilverfur.Itwasn'tjust
ears.Ashortroundtailalsoappearedonherbottomthatsatontheground.Itwasarabbittail,justlike
herears.
ThewideeyedAkinowasunabletomove,andonlyherearsswiveledinalldirectionsinapanic.
"Haha."AdrylaughsoundedoutafterAkinowasseenlikethat.Afterhearingthis,hertensionsuddenly
vanishedandsherelaxed,theearsonherheadcollapsingasiftheyhadrunoutofenergy.
"Senjiichan[10]......"
Shelookedbackwithanunhappyexpressionasanoldmanwalkedoutfromamongthecedartrees
smiling.Hiswhitehairhunginaverticalbun,andwhentakentogetherwithhiswhitebeard,oneknew
hewasanelderlymanataglance.Strangely,heworeawornoutwhitecoat,patcheduphakamaandan
eyecatchinglinengown.Butinexplicably,helookedunreliableatfirstglance,notjustfromhislazy
appearance.Ateasingsmilesurfacedonhiswrinklefilledfaceasherevealedachildish,cutesy
disposition.
"Don'tbesosurprised,Akino.Youhaven'thadenoughpractice."
"ItwasSenjiichanwhoscaredme~Especiallysinceyouevenchangedyourvoice......"
"WhatdoyouthinkIam,tobesoscaredofme?Whatarethoselongearsfor?"
"IIdon'thavethembecauseIlikethem......"
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"Haha,youprobablygothappyfromseeingthesweetpotatoes.Tadanorisanwillnoticeyousooneror
laterifyou'relikethat.He'sbeeninanirritablemoodrecently,soyou'lldefinitelygetaseriousscolding
ifyougetcaught."
Senlaughedloudly,butAkinofrowned"Uu",theearsonherheadcrookinginto''characters.
Actually,sinceSenhadnoticedher,shecouldntassertthatTadanorihadn't.
"Aren'ttheyvaluableears?Youalwayshidethem,youshouldusethemifthey'reeffective."
"TThat'snoneofSenjiichan'sbusiness."
Akinopoutedhercheeks,tightlyhuggingherkneesandcurlingintoaball.Butshecouldn'tconcealher
earsnow.
Akinowasoneofthosewhowerecalled'possessed'.
Itseemedthattheywerealsocalled'livingspirits'recently.Thesocalled'livingspirits'originally
referredtopeoplewhohadbeenpossessedby'oni'andwhowouldthereforebecomeoni.Butinmodern
times,whenitwasbelievedthatoniwereakindofspirit,itseemedthatpeoplepossessedbyspirits
otherthanoniwerealsocollectivelycalled'livingspirits'.Inthatsense,livingspiritsweren'tanyrare
occurrenceinthisSeishukuTemple,atleastputtingasidehownormalsocietywasfornow.Thoughit
couldn'tbesaidthatthereweremanyeither,inugamipossessedorfoxspiritpossessedpeopleoften
camethroughhere[11].
Butunfortunately,Akinowasn'tanordinarylivingspirit.
Shewasthelivingspiritofa'rabbit'notoftenseeninthisworld.
"Nomatterhowmuchyouwanttohideit,itlookslikethey'llpopouteverytimeyou'respooked.It'slike
akitsunetryingtohideitstailwithpoortransformationability."
"Youdon'tneedtoworryaboutthat.ThoughI'mstillunskillednow,I'llbeabletohidethemwellas
longasIpracticemore."
"Nomatterhowwellyouhidethem,everyone'sgoingtoknowaboutyourearssoonenough."
"Thatdoesn'tmatter.Iwanttohidethem."
Akino,inabadmood,becameabitmouthy.
ThoselongrabbitearsweretherootofAkino'sinferioritycomplex.
Shedidn'tknoworwanttoknowwhatotherpeoplethought,buttoAkino,having'thesekindsofthings'
bouncingupanddownonherheadonlyfeltupsettingandtrulyuseless.
Therewerepeoplewhocalledherbunnygirl,andtherewerepeoplewhoavoidedanddislikedher.
Moreimportantly,Akinoherselfdefinitelydidn'thavethetalenttobecomeanythinggreatrather,since
shewasanidiotandbecauseofthecounterproductiveattentionofherrarerabbitlivingspirit,shehad
endedupbeingtreatedasanidiotandwasorderedaround.
Otherpeoplealsotreatedherlikeanexoticanimal.
ToAkino,thesehatefulearswerethesymbolofherbeingtreatedasauselessobject.
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"Imyselfthinkthey'reapairofprettycuteears."
"That......isn'ttrue."
Akinocurledintoaballwhiledeliberatelydenyinghiscompliment.
Butwhilesheslowlyreplyed,thetipsofherearshappilyjumpedup.AnotherreasonAkinoalways
dislikedshowingherearswasthattheywouldfullyexpressherhiddenfeelings.ButthefactthatAkino
didn'thideherearsinfrontofSennonethelesswasproofofhowcloseAkinowaswithSen.
ThewaySenteasedAkino'srabbitearswithoutreservationswasn'tlikethefeelingofhowotherpeople
talkedaboutthemwithcontemptandmalice.
Incontrast,SentreatedtheuselessAkinolikehisgranddaughter.SenwastheonlypersonAkinocould
relaxaroundinthemonastery.
Akino'slongearsshookassheaskedSen:"Senjiichan,areyouwateringagain?"
"Yeah,that'sright.'Senrepliedwhileturningtofacethetemplenexttothem.
Thetemplewasalmostcompletelydilapidated.Itswallsandroofwerecoveredinholes,andalso,itwas
completelyfilledwithweedsashighasthefloor.ItseemedithadbeencalledtheTachibanaHall[12]and
wasstillspaciousasabrokendownroom.Sincetherewasnooneelsewhousedit,Senhadbroughtin
potswithsaplingsplantedinthemandcarefullyraisedthembyhimself.
Akinowasalsooftennearbykillingtime.Inanycase,shecouldfeelthemostateaseintheplacethat
Senoftenwasin.
"Isyourworkokay?"
"Ifinishedalongtimeago."
"Aahhh......Unwittingly,you......IheardthatSenjiichan'salwayslikethat.Whycanyoufinishitso
easily?"
"I'mme,youknow.I'velivedseveraltimesaslongasyouhave.Finishingthatlevelofworkquicklyis
natural."
SenwasamaleservantintheSeishukuTempleandresponsiblefordoingthemonastery'schores,just
likehowAkinowasinthevihara.Eventhoughhedidworkthatwasdifficultforhisagedbody,this
kindlyoldmanwasalwaysfloatyandleisurely.Akinocouldn'thelpbutthinkthathewasusedtosuch
things.However,toAkino,shecouldn'timaginegettingaccustomedtothesekindsofthingsatall.
"ItfeelslikeIcoulddoalotofthingsifIwereabletofinishabitsooner......"
Shetriedquietlymurmuringwordsthatdidn'tsoundrealisticatall.
Akinolookedtwelveorthirteen,butevenshedidn'tknowhertrueage.
ShehadlivedattheSeishukuTemplesinceasfarbackasshecouldremember,andotherthangoingto
thefootofthemountainasanenvoy,sheneverwentanywhereelse.Shelivedthisuninterestinglife
everydayalongwiththechangingofseasons.Evenshedidn'tknowhowmuchshehadgrownduring
thistime.Shecouldn'timaginethattherewouldbeanychangeifshetrieddoingabitmore.
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But
"Well......willthisplacestillexistwhenthattimecomes?"
Sensmiledwhilespeakinginanuncharacteristicallyclearvoice.ThetipsofAkino'searsslightly
twitchedinresponse,andshelookedupatSenaboveherheadwithan"Eh".
"Senjiichan?Whatdoesthatmean......"
"Hey,Akino."
"Yeah?"
"Arethesweetpotatoesdone?"
"Sweetpotatoes?...Ahh!?"
Shehadcompletelyforgotten.Shegrabbedherbroominapanic,diggingthesweetpotatoesoutofthe
ash.Justlikeshehadanticipated,theirouterskinhadbeenbakedblack.AkinowailedwhileSenlaughed
"haha".
"Well,alright,I'llbegoing,thefoodwillbegonesoon......"
Aftersayingthis,SenwalkedintotheTachibanaHalltowaterthesaplings.
Afterthat,Akinogotridoftheouterhalfoftheroastedsweetpotatoesandonlymanagedtoeatthe
centerportions.Butshewasveryfortunateastheunburntpartswereroastedverywell,Akinomanaged
toconsoleherself.
Aftershedestroyedandconcealedtheevidenceofhersneakingfood,shestrolledaroundappropriately
cautiouslyhidingherearsandthenreturnedtothewarehouse.
Preparationfordinnerwouldstartsoon,beforetwilight.
Dinnerwascalled'slop'inthemonasterybecauseonlytwomealswereservedatthemonastery,
breakfastandlunch.Theydidn'teatfoodatdinner,butate'slop'instead.Ofcourse,inSeishukuTemple
whereevenmeatwasscarce,itwasjustaformalizedname.Akinowasscoldedbyherseniorsagainand
scamperedaroundwithatearfulexpressionwhilepreparingfordinner.
Partwaythrough,therewasn'tenoughfirewoodagain,andshewentoutsidetobringsomein.
Then,whenAkinowaspickingupthefirewoodstackedundertheeavewithan"uurgh",sheheard
Tadanori'svoice.
"......You'resoimpatientagain.Theidentity......Yeah,ifit'sthere......"
Shelookedover.Hehadasadexpressiononhisfaceandheldacellphonewithonehandwhilewalking
fromthetemple.
"......Herealready?Understood.Fornow,I'llsendpeopleover.Willyoubeheretomorrow?......
Yeah......Nn......"
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Herepliedseveraltimesoverthephoneandthenturnedoffthephoneaftertheconversationended.
AkinoquietlystaredatTadanori.Ratherthanbeinginterestedinthecontentsoftheconversation,she
wasmoreinterestedinhowTadanorihadaphone.
Becauseoftheworkinthemonastery,therewascellphonereceptiondeepinthemountain,andthere
werealsocellphones.ButAkinonaturallydidn'thaveone,andshehadn'teventouchedone.Acell
phonewasoneofthethingsAkinowantedthemost.
AfterTadanorinoticedAkinostaringwordlesslyathim,helookedover.Inordertoavoidbeingviewed
asbeinglazy,Akinohastilyturnedaway,carryingthefirewoodandwalkingaway.
ButTadanoricalledouttoAkinoassheturnedherbackandpreparedtoleave.
"Akino"
"YYes?IIwasn'tslacking.I'mseriouslypreparingfordinner......"
"Yeah.That'senoughofthat.Ijustwantedtoaskyoutobeanenvoy."
"Anenvoy?"
"Yes.GototheFrontHallrightnowforme."
Uponhearingthat,Akinoinadvertentlyrevealedtheearsshehadoriginallyhiddenthoughshewas
surprised,therewassomejoyinthat.
Justlikeitsname,theFrontHallwasoutsidethemonasterygroundsitwasaSeishukuTemplehall
erectedinanareaatthefootofthemountain.
IthadbeenremodeledlongbeforeAkinohadbeenborn,andithadbeenusedbythetownasa
storehousetostorepurchasedmaterialsuptonow.ToAkino,whocouldalmostnevergoout,thatplace
waslikeaconnectiontotheoutsideworld.
"Godownthemountainbeforeitgetsdark,ifyoucan.Itwouldbebesttocomebacktomorrow,so
hurryupandgo."
Akino'sheartbeatevenfasterwhensheheardthatshecouldstayovernight.Shecouldspreadherwings
andsoarhightonightandplaytoherheart'scontent.Nomatterwhat,thereweremagazinesfromthe
outsideattheFrontHallalongwithtelevisions.Thoughthereweremagazines,televisions,andinternet
enabledcomputersinthemonastery,Akinocouldn'tmonopolizeanyofthem.Hersmallfreedominthis
momentwaslikeamomentarybreatherthatshefeltecstaticabout.
Then,
"IIfit'srightnow,thenwhataboutdinner......?"
"Gofindsomeafterwards.There'sfastfood."
Shecouldn'thelpbutfeelamazed.Shealmostthrewdownthefirewoodtoraiseherarmsandcheered.
Shecouldeatcupnoodlesthere.ToAkino,thiswasablessingthatshehadn'thadinayear.Werethe
thoughtsinhermindreflectedonherface?Tadanori'sfacebecameovercast.Akinohastilyputawayher
childishexpression.
Onlythendidshenoticethatshehadn'theardsomethingimportant.
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Shecarriedthefirewoodbackwhileasking.
"Then,PriestTadanori?WhatexactlyamIanenvoyfor?"
"Haven'tyouheard?I'mgoingtocontactKengyousamanow.Itseemsliketherewillbeanewdisciple.
Itseemsthatthepersonisalreadyatthefootofthemountain."
Justthen,therewasabitofa'disturbance'aboveherhead,andAkinohastilypresseddownonherhead.
Theeyesbehindherglassesbecamewideandround.
"He[13]hastoleavesoon.Sotomorrow,you'llbringthatpersontothemonasteryinmystead,alright?"
TadanorifrownedandAkinoreturnedtothetemplewithhim.AftergivingAkinothekeytotheFront
Hall,hereturnedtohiswork.Ontheotherhand,Akino,whowasleftbehind,wasstillinastateofshock
afteracceptingthekey.
Tadanorisaidtobringthediscipletothemonastery.
Anyway,therewouldbeanewpersonatthemonastery.
Anticipationanduneasyemotionschurnedinherheart.Ithadalreadybeenseveralyearssincea
newcomer.Whatkindofpersonwoulditbe?Amale?Afemale?Howold?Woulditbeagentleperson
orabadheartedindividual?WouldthatpersonmockAkinoifheorshesawherrabbitears?
"......Ah,hmm?Wait!Ifthatperson'salreadyatthefoot,thatmeans......"
'LivingattheFrontHallandbringinghimorhertomorrow'meantthatAkinowouldhavetostay
togetherwiththenewcomertonight.
Suddenly,theuneasyfeelingrapidlyswelledincomparisontoheranticipation.Itwouldbefineifheor
shewassomeoneeasytotalkto,butifnot,thenshemightbetoonervoustosleep.Whatshouldshedo!?
...Akino,whosesorrowseemedtohaveallgatheredonherface,heardthecawofacrowfromthe
distanceassheleftalone.Theskywasalreadycompletelytintedwiththesunsetglow,andthesun
graduallysank.ThoughAkinohadconfidenceinherspeed,itwasoverlydangeroustowalkthe
mountainpathatnight.Soshehadtohurrydownthemountainbeforethesunsetcompletely.
Shehastilyreturnedtothewarehouse,explainingthesituationtoherseniors.
Originally,ithadbeenabusytime,butAkinowantedtoleave,soherseniorswereextremelysarcastic
withAkino,butitcouldn'tbedelayedsinceitwasamissionfromabove.Akinoconstantlyapologized
andthenleftthewarehouseinahurry.
Theredtintedmapleleavesswayedwiththewindandthenquietlyfell.
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Sinceithadbeenalongtimesinceshehadtheopportunitytocomeoutandwalk,theskywasblackand
thesurroundingshadbeenshroudedindarknessbythetimeAkinofinallywalkeddownthemountain.
Shewentthroughthemountainwoodsviaterracedfieldsonthemountain'sslope.Lightsfromhomesof
farmingfamiliesweresparselydottedthroughthevastdepthsofthegorge.
Then,thehillsthatsurroundedthisareaspreadoutaboveherheadjustasitturnedtonight.Theclouds
intheskywereunusuallyeyecatching,andshecouldfeelaheavyatmosphere.Itwasn'tsomuchfrom
beingimmersedinthefaintmoonlightscatteredfrombetweenthecloudsbutratherfromthefeelingthat
itgavethedeepblueskyadifferentcolor.Thecloudsthatfloatedfromonesideofthemoontoanother
changedtheirshapesbitbybitastheyslowlyflowed.
Akinonormallylivedsurroundedbyatallcedarforest.Inthatworld,Akinowouldoccasionallycometo
anempty,openplaceandbeoverwhelmedbythefeelingofvastnessuponseeingthesky.Likearabbit
thatcrawledoutfromundertheground.Sheoriginallythoughtofherselfasextremelyminiscule,even
petty,anexistencelikeapebbleoraweed.
Butontheotherhand,shesuddenlythoughtofrunningtosomecornerbelowthatskyandsuddenlyhad
aninexplicablefeeling.
Evenifshedidn'tknowwheretogoevenifshecouldjustgotosomeplacesheimagined,herheart
couldn'tstopbeatingandshehadthoughtsofsinglemindedlyrunningforward.Theothersinthe
monasteryprobablyalsoheldthesamefeelings.
Akinohadn'tleftthemountain.
EvenAkinoknewoftheoutsideworld.Shehadonlyreceivedthemostbasicteachingsfromtheadults
inthemonastery.Throughmagazines,television,internetofcourse,itwasn'tcompleteshehad
understoodnormalsocietalpracticesabouttheworldoutsidethemountain.
Butthatwasjustknowledge,anditwastheknowledgeaboutanotherworld.Thoughshewantedtogo
sometime,itwasaforeignworldafterall.
Akinowasaforeignbodyherself,asshehadexperiencedpersonallyallthistime.Thoughlivingspirits
wereveryvaluable,itwasjustarabbitlivingspirit.Howmanypeoplewhohadlivedinsuchan
enclosedplacesinceasfarbackastheycouldrememberwerehereinJapantoday?Thoughthe
monasterywasabnormaltotheoutsideworld,itwaseverythingtoher.
Butwhydidshereallywanttorunoutandseethesceneryacrossfromthemonastery?
Ofcourse,herslowselfdefinitelycouldn'tgiveananswertosuchathingnomatterhowshethought.
"......Ah,I'mhungry."
Itwouldalreadybetimetoeatdinneratthemonastery.Akinoclutchedthekey,continuingtowardsthe
FrontHall.
ThefrontHallwasthejunctionbetweenSeishukuTempleandthecountyroad,situatedinthecenterof
apatchofnarrow,flatland.
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Eventhoughitwascalledahall,itlookedlikeanoldwarehousefromtheoutside.Normallytherewas
justanautomaticdefensivebarrieraroundit,buttodaytheoutsidelightbytheentranceforimported
goodswaslit,revealingasmallorangecoloredlight.
Thereweretwofiguresbeneaththatlight.
Onewasafamiliarface,andtheotherwasanunfamiliarface.Akino'sheartbeatbeatviolently.
"Ah,aren'tyoutherabbit?Youwerethemessenger?"
"PPriestKengyou!?Pleasedon'tcallmethat!Ivealwaystoldyou!"
"Well,evenwithyourhipsandchest,youlooklikearabbit.You'veprobablygrownsincethen,right?
Hmm?"
"TTThat......"
Whatwashesayingsosuddenlyinfrontofanewcomer!?Akinoblushedandstaredatthesuitwearing
manbeforeherPriestKengyou.
ThoughKengyouwasanajariofSeishukuTemple,hedidn'twearpriestclothesnorwashisheadshaven
bald.Hewasalwaysworkingoutsidethemonasteryandwasgoodinvariousaspects.
Thiswomenlovingdepravedmonkwouldbeevaluatedverybadlyinseveralaspectsasadisciple.
AkinoseemedtostillbeoutsideKengyou'sstrikerange,soshewasaccustomedtothisbanter.
"Anyway,didyouhearabouteverything?Thispersonissomeonewhohopestoenterthemonastery,
whichwehaven'thadoneofformanyyears."
Kengyoulightlystrokedhischin,speakingwithanarroganttone.BeforeAkinoreadiedherselftoface
himagain,thefigurewaitingbehindhimsteppedoutfromKengyou'sside.
Itwasagirl.
Andshewasveryyoung.ButshewasolderthanAkino.Perhapsshewasalreadyahighschoolstudent.
Herlongblackhairreflectedhersnowwhiteskin.Shehadaslenderbodyandabeautifulfigure.As
someoneofthesamegender,Akinowasalsotakenaback.Thiswasanoutstandinglybeautifulgirlin
bothfeaturesandfigure.
Butshegaveoffaverycoldimpression.
Wasitthemoonlightshewasimmersedinfromaboveherhead?Shecouldn'tseeanythingresembling
likeordislikeinhereyesthatstaredatAkino.Thatexpressiontoo,ascalmandunruffledasthesurface
ofalake.Shegaveoffmoreofacalm,thoroughimpressionthananindifferentone.Shewasmore
hardenedandsolitarythandispassionate.
Sheworeashortcoat,shorts,andlongstockings.Sheworefingerlessglovesandsomewhatshortboots
onherfeet.Ahandbaginacamouflagepatternwasslungoverhershoulder.Ratherthanbeingboyish,it
wasmorelikeshewasdressedcompletelyforefficiencyandwithoutembellishment.So,that
discrepancywasclearlyevidentasifitdominatedthegirl'scharacteristics.
Buttherewereexceptionsinthatutilitarianoutfit.
Therewasapinkribbontyingthegirl'slongblackhair.
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"......Um......"
JustasAkinowasabouttogreether,sheimmediatelynoticedthatshedidn'tknowwhattosay.
Shejudgedhertobethetypethatwasn'tveryeasytotalktoandevenfeltscared.
Butthoughshewasn'tsureofthereasons,shefeltastrangesenseofwrongness.Otherpeoplemightnot
feelanything.However,therewassomethingpalpable,gloomy,andwrongsomethingominous.
Evenso,shecouldn'tmovehergazeawayfromher.
"......"
ThegirlalsowordlesslylookedbackatAkino,whocouldn'tsayanythingandjuststaredintentlyather.
Then,thearomaofthemountainsoil,vegetation,andthelikemixedtogetherandafaintscentsurfaced
tofloatthroughthesurroundings.
Itwasthescentofincenseshehadneversmelled.
Then,
"...Nicetomeetyou,I'mHokuto."
Thegirlopenedhermouth.
Flatwords,butapurevoice.
"AAh,yes!II'm,um,uh,Akino,so......!?"
Shesuddenlybecametenseandtonguetied.Thiswasdefinitelyaverybadimpression.Withtheteasing
wordsKengyouhadjustsaid,thiswastheworstfirstimpression.Maybeshewasalreadybeingtreated
likeanidiotbythegirlwhostilldidn'tmakeanyparticularreactions.
KengyouwasratherunconcernedabouttheredfacedAkino,remarkingwithadisorganizedattitude.
"Then,that'sdone,right?Akino,I'llbeleaving,soI'llleaveeverythingelsetoyou."
"Eh?YYou'realreadyleaving?"
"Yougotheretoolate,Ialreadyfinishedeverything.Ihavetoreturntothetowntoday."
Kengyoucheckedhiswatchwhilespeakingwithoutpoliteness,butAkinowasquicklyoverwhelmedby
panic.
"But,youdidn'treallyintroduceus......"
"Justdowhateveryoulikeovertheevening.Cometothinkofit,I'minabitofahurry,soIdon'thave
timetokeeptalking."
Kengyoushotasidewaysglanceatthegirlwithacoldgaze,sayingthat.Thegirlwasstillresponseless.
Akino'sstomachhadalreadystartedhurting.
"Thenseeyoulater.Don'tdoanythingtroublesome."
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Kengyouselfishlyleftthosewords,explainednothingfurther,andleft.Justlikethat,hewalkedtowards
thecarstoppedonthecountyroad.Akinoseemeddrivenintothecornerandstaredatthegirlbeforeher
asKengyouleftbehindtheirbacks.
Then,
"Ah,right."
Unexpectedly,Kengyoustoppedandturnedback.
"Akino,Hokuto,youguyswillgetalonginthemonastery,right?Sincethetwoofyouarecomrades
withthesamenature."
"Eh?WhWhatdoesthatmean?"
KengyousmiledlightlyatAkinowhoaskedback.Itwasthesmilesheoftensawinthemonasteryfrom
herseniorsandajari.Asmilethatmockedaweakling,anexpressionthatmockedsomeoneinthelast
place.
"Becauseyou'rebothvaluablelivingspirits,sopracticeasmuchaspossibleanddoyourbestworking
forthemonastery."
Part3
Maybeshewouldn'tbeabletosleepthatnight.
Incontrasttothatpessimism,Akinoatethreecupsofcupramenfordinnerandsleptsoundlyclutching
herstomachuntildawn.Rightatnineo'clock,thenewcomergirlHokuto,whograduallyawokegot
up.Peopleinthemonasterygotupearly.Disciplesusuallygotupatfour.Iftheysleptin,therewere
punishments.
Tadanorihadn'tmentionedadeadlineforbringingHokutoupthemountain,butshewoulddefinitelybe
scoldedifshedidn'treturnbeforelunch.AfterAkinoandHokutobusiedthemselveseatingbreakfast,
theydepartedfromtheFrontHall.
StoneswerepiledintoastairshapethroughthepathcontinuinguptoSeishukuTemple.Lushcedar
forestsgrewallaroundthem.Tall,sturdy,mosscoveredcedartreesextendedfromthedensegrassunder
thetreeswithoutlimit,likepillarssupportingthesky.Thepathstretchedendlesslyupwardsbetween
thosecedartrees.
Themountainsidewasverytranquil.Theonlysoundstheycouldhearwerethesoundsoftheirown
footstepsandbreathing.Sometimesthechirpsofmountainsidebirdswouldreachthem,andtheechoing
ofthesoundsseemedtoaddcontrasttothestillnessoftheforest.
"......"
Akinowhowalkedaheadclimbedthemountainpathwhileoftenlookingbehindher.
AsidefromAkinowhohadgrownuponthemountain,themountainpathwoulddefinitelybe
exhaustingforsomeonenotusedtoitespeciallyforadelicatefemale.ButHokutobasicallyhadno
issueasshecarriedtheseeminglyveryheavybag,indifferentlyfollowingbehindher.Shedidn'tseem
worriedaboutrunningoutofbreathatall.Thoughitwasn'tvisible,itseemedthatshewasactuallyquite
tough.
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Inthatcase,thenextproblemwasthesilencebetweenthetwo.
Hokutowasareticentgirl.
Theyhadwatchedtelevisionandeatentogetherlastnight,butHokutohadn'topenedhermouthtospeak
atallwhilethere.AtleastreplytomeifItalk.Thatwastheminimumstandardnecessarytobetolerable.
Thankstothis,shehadn'tproperlyintroducedherselffromlastnightuntilnow.Evenshefelt
embarrassed.
Butevenso,sheknewthatHokutowasn'tasindifferentapersonastheimpressionshegaveoutatfirst.
Shewouldactivelyrespondifshetoldhersomething,andshewasveryobedienttoAkino'scomplex
instructionswithoutabitofdispleasureonherface.Also,lastnightshehadletAkinochoosethe
televisionchannelsandtheflavorofcupramenthatshelikedfromtheverystart.Therehadonlybeen
onesofa,andAkinohadinvitedhertosit,butshefirmlyrefusedandletAkinositthere.Shehadn'tbeen
madoranxiouswhensheoverslepttodayeither,elegantlymakingthebed.Shewasbeautifuland
elegant,simplyanangeltoAkino.
ButwhenHokutodidn'texpressheremotions,shedidn'tknowwhatshewasthinkingabout,andthat
wasthetruth.Also,thehatefulfeelingofwrongnessshehadfeltwhentheyfirstmeteachotherhadn't
goneaway.
"......"
Iftheywentforwardtothemonasterylikethis,Hokutowouldbecomeamemberofthedisciples.The
maleseniorswoulddefinitelybeheadoverheelstopleaseherbecauseshewassuchabeautifulwoman.
Inthatcase,Akinowoulddefinitelybeaskedtodomany,manythingsforthemtogetclosetoHokuto.
Sinceshedidn'tknowanythingatallrightnow,shemightnottreatAkinowellafterlearningAkino's
positioninthemonastery,eventhoughshetreatedAkinorespectfullyrightnow.Shewouldveryquickly
becomelikeeveryoneelseandwoulddefinitelytreatAkinohighhandedly......Akinothoughtofthat
kindofpremonition.
...Hmm?
Duringthat,shefeltthatsomethingwaswrong.
Itwasn'tanyverysubstantialreason,itwasjustthatshecouldn'timaginethatnaturalfuturescene
occurringwithHokuto.PerhapsitwasbecauseHokutowasdifferentfromtheotherdisciplesinthe
monastery.Becausetheatmosphereentwinedaroundherwastooincongruous,shecouldn'timaginethe
sceneofherbeingtaintedbytheatmosphereofherseniors.
Ofcourse,itmightbebecauseAkino'simaginationwasinsufficient.
"......"
AkinoglancedatthesilentlyclimbingHokutoafewtimesoutofthecornerofhereye.
Then,
"...Wedidn'treallytalkyesterday."
Suddenly,Hokutoopenedhermouth.Akinostoppedinsurprise,theninstinctivelycoveredherhead
withherhands.
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...OOhno!?
Wasshedoomedforstopping?Akinogingerlylookedback.
ButHokutostaredoverdumbstruck,blinkingasifabitshocked.
Itseemedthatshewastakenabackbyhercoveringherheadrightasshewasgoingtospeak.Shewas
probablytiredandhadaccidentallyshownheridiotattributes.
"What'swrong?Areyoualright?"
"IIt'snothing!I'mcompletelyfine!"
AfterAkinorepliedwithablush,Hokutolaughedquietlywhilewondering.
Abitterlaugh.Butitwasn'tasarcasticbitterlaughlikethepeopleinthemonastery.Itwasthefirsttime
shehadseenHokuto'ssincereexpression.
Akinocougheddrylytourgeherselfon.
"UUm,Hokutosan......?"
"YoucanjustcallmeHokuto.Isaidthatyesterdaytoo,sinceI'manewcomer."
"Ah,but,you'reolderthanme,andI'mnotusedtocallingpeoplebytheirnamedirectly......"
Akinostillhadn'tmadeafriendthatshecouldcalldirectlybytheirname.ShesawHokutogetconfused,
butHokutodidn'tpressthematter,smilingatAkinoagaininstead.
"Ididn'tthinktherewouldbeanyyoungpeoplelikeyouhere."
Hokutospokeinacalmtone.
"Butit'snaturalifyouthinkaboutit.Sincenoteveryoneinthisdarktemplecamehereoftheirown
will."
Hokuto'sgazedidn'tmeetAkinoasshesaidthis,butinsteadlookedinthedirectionofthemountainroad
behindher.
Akinorarelymettrueadultswhocamefromoutside,buttheyhadtreatedAkinowiththiskindof
attitudewhenshehadbeenachild.Itwaspatheticasherseniorinthemonastery,butHokutowasmore
adultlike.Butevenso,itmadeherhappythatshewasabletosincerelyconverseevenifshetreated
Akinolikeachild.
But.
"Darktemple?"
"Eh,uhh,sorry.Thatwayofputtingitisveryrude,right?"
"VVeryrude?......YoumeanSeishukuTemple?"
"Youdon'tknow?"
Hokutoaskedbackasifverysurprised,andAkinoautomaticallyapologized"Sorry,sorry......"
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"SinceIstillhaven'tleftSeishukuTemple."
"Eh?ThenAkinosanwasborninthemonastery?"
"ThoughIwasn'tborninthemonastery,Iwasraisedthereasababy......Also,uum,don'tcallme'san',
it'sabitembarrassing."
'Darktemple'wasprobablySeishukuTemple'snicknameoutside.Itwasherfirsttimehearingit.
Shefeltlikeitwasanevilname.Well,ifshetriedthinkingaboutit,therewouldobviouslybemany
similarities.
"ThenAkinochanalwayslivedinSeishukuTemple,huh."
"DDon'tcallme'chan'either,youcanjustcallmeAkinodirectly."
"Isthatso?ThenpleasecallmeHokutoaswell."
"Eh?YYeah......Okay......"
AkinomanagedtoreplyandHokutosmiled.
Herattitudewaslessestrangedcomparedtowhentheyhadfirstmetyesterday.ProbablyevenHokuto
hadbeenabitguarded.Thatcoldatmospherehadbeenamanifestationofthat.ButifwhatAkinofeared
showedsomesignsofabating,mightthereasonbethatshehadsleptinthismorning?
Amountainbirdcriedoutfromsomewhere.
TherefreshingwindblewthescentofincenseshehadsmelledyesterdaywaftedlightlyfromHokuto.
Itwasn'tabadscent.Livinginthemonastery,shehadlongsincegottenusedtosmellsofincenses.But
thescentfromHokuto'sbodywasmorelikeasubtlehintofincensethanascentthatAkinoknew.
Thetwoofthemstartedwalkingtothemonasteryagain.
"Akino,doyouhaveanyideawhattheydointhemonastery?...No,doyouknow?"
"Iknow.Um......themonasterypeopleallpracticemagic."
SinceshewasgoingtoSeishukuTemple,Hokutooughttoknowthismuch.Evenso,Akinotruthfully
explainedtoher.
Becauseofthegovernment,magichadbeguntobewidelyused.Supposedly,halfacenturyago,onthe
eveofthePacificWar,thevariousmagicspasseddownsinceancienttimeshadbeenanalysedoneby
oneandthenaddedintoanoverallsystemthatfurtherdevelopedit.
ContemporarymagicwasmanagedbyanationalorganizationtheOnmyouAgency.Themagicthatthe
OnmyouAgencyrecognizedashavingrealeffectswasnamed'FirstClassMagic',andonehadtoobtain
qualificationssetbyOnmyoulawtouse'FirstClassMagic'.
"ThecurrentmainstreammagiccanbarelybecalledOnmyoudou.Actually,magicfromothersystems
haveallbeenaddedintoit.LikeVajrayana,Shintoism,Shugendo,andothertypes......Hmm?Thenin
thatcase,whyisitcalled'GeneralOnmyoudou'?"
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"Becausethegreatmanwhoaddedthoseothermagicsandestablishedthefoundationsofmodernmagic
wasn'tamonkoraShintoist,butrather,anOnmyouji."
"Ah,youknow!Hewasthepractitionerinthemilitaryduringwartime.Whatwashecalled?Iseemto
rememberthathewascalled......"
Shefeltlikeithadbeenaslightlyunusualnamehavingtodowithlight[14].Probingthedepthsofher
memory,Akinoponderedbaselesslywitha"hmm".
Then,
"......Yakou."
"Eh?"
"......HewascalledTsuchimikadoYakou."
"Ah,right!Thatwashisname."
Hokutoseemedtohavedetailedknowledgeaboutthisaspect.Everytimeshesaidaword,sheseemedto
bereducingherprestigeasamonasterysenior.Shefeltashamed.
...Ah,but......
"Right.TsuchimikadoYakoucalledhimselfaterrorist."
TheinstantAkinoaccidentallywhisperedthis,shenoticedHokutoshiverslightly.Noticingthis,Akino
turnedtoHokuto.
"Hmm?Hokutosanno,Hokutoyoudidn'tknow?Thistimelastyear......Hmm,Ithinkitwasinthe
summer?ThatTsuchimikadoYakou'sreincarnationwentaroundcommittingcrimeseverywhere."
Thiswasnewsthatevensheknew.Akinotriedasking,feelingsurprised.
Hokutopausedslightlybeforeherreply.
"......Iknow."
"Oh.Soyoudidknow.Well,he'sveryfamousinthemagiccommunity.Iheardtherewasanarrest
warrantissuedbythenation."
"......"
Hokutodidn'trespondtoAkino'swords,herexpressionalmostfrozen.ButAkinodidn'tnotice.Her
naivemoodhadbecomegooduponfindingoutacommontopic.
"Thatreincarnationoftenbecomesatopicinourmonastery,youknow?Especiallybecause,well,isn't
themonasteryanextremelyseriousplacethatpracticesmagic?Thatkindoftopicspreadsvery
easily......"
AkinoglancedatHokuto'sappearancetobeabitprudent.Evenso,shedidn'tneedtoworry.Hokuto's
facerevealedthatshealreadyhadanunderstandingregarding'SeishukuTemple'smatters'.
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"Speakingofhidingpractitioners,dotheycomeherebecausetherearetwoimportantpractitioners
gatheredtogetherinthemonastery?"[15]
AkinosmiledbrieflytowardsHokuto'scalmtoneofconfirmation,replyingwitha"haha".
"Itseemslikeit.ThoughIdon'tknowtoomuchaboutthehidingorthetwoprofessionals......"
Rightnow,magicwaslegallyregulatedbyOnmyoulaw,andmostpractitionersweremanagedbythe
OnmyouAgency.
Butnotallofthem.
ThefirstmagicsandthehistoryofpractitionerswasevenmoreancientthanthehistoryofOnmyoulaw
andtheOnmyouAgency.Itwasbaselesstosaythatithadagrasponthosemagicsandpractitioners
decadesafterthewar.Moreimportantly,therewasalsoquiteabitofdarknessconcealedbehindmagic.
Whatthepublicauthoritiesdictateddidn'tseepintoallgroupsofpeoplethateasily.
SotheOnmyouAgency'sscopeofmanagementcouldn'treachthe'depths'ofthemagiccommunitythat
formedvariousdifferentnetworks,justthesocalled'surface'.SeishukuTemplethatwasknownasthe
darktemplewasoneoftherepresentativehubsofthesenetworks.
Information,techniques,andtalentedpeoplewhoneverappearedonthe'surface'gatheredhere.
Forexample,Hokuto,whocurrentlywantedtoenterthemonastery,wasquitethetalentedperson.
"Hokutosan,wereyouintroducedbyabranchmonastery?"
"......Uh.Well."
"It'sverystrangerecently,butitseemsliketherewerealotofthosepeoplebefore,right?Seishuku
Temple'sbranchmonasteriesarealloverthenation.Iheardthatitwastoincreasethespreadingof
techniquesorsomethinglikethat......Alotofpeoplewithvarioustalentscometovisitthe
monastery......"
AkinoexplainedtoHokutowhileunintentionallybecomingambiguous.
Therewerevariouspeoplewhoaimedtobecomepractitioners,buttheyhadsomethingincommon.That
wasthe'spiritsensingability'.Toauserofmodernmagic,itwasthetalentandabilityto'see'aura.
Everyonecarriedauraontheirbody,andeveryonepossessedspiritualpower,buttherewereveryfew
peoplewhocouldfeelauraandspiritualpower.Butmagicwasbasedontechniquesthatcontrolled
spiritualpower,sothinkingofbecomingapractitionerbecomingoneoftheextremefewwhocould
usefirstclassmagicwasimpossiblewithoutthatability.
Butbecausethepeoplewhopossessedsuchanabilitywerefew,therewerequiteafewexamplesof
thosewhowererespectedbyothersatthesametimeastheywereabhorredanddisgusted.
Itwashumannaturetobewaryofpeopledifferentfromoneselfandtreatthemdifferently.Nowadays,
informationregardingmagichadspreadtothestreetsandcouldbepickedupbynormalpeople.But
evenso,peoplewhopossessedanabnormalabilitywhohad'superpowers'receivedcriticalgazes
fromthosearoundthem.Especiallyinanenvironmentthatlackedanunderstandingofmagic,itwas
verydifficultforpeoplepossessingthespiritseeingabilitytoliveanordinarylife.Soiftheancient
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magicrelatedportionofthespiritualdisasterproneTokyoweretakenoutofthepicture,society'slevel
ofunderstandingdefinitelywouldn'tbeveryhigh.Eveniftheytriedtocoexist,therewouldbemany
peoplewhowouldendupmeetingmisfortune.
PlacesliketheSeishukuTempleoritsbranchmonasteriesdealtwiththosecircumstances.
Theabnormalsthatsocietydidn'tacceptwouldbetakenintothemonastery,whichwouldtraintheminto
maturepractitioners.
Thesocalled'disciples'weretheimmaturepractitionersgatheredinthemonastery.
"......It'sveryrare.Becausethere'snowhereelsetogo."
Thereweremanypeoplewithbadheartsamongthe'disciples'inthemonastery.Twistedpeople,people
whogotangryeasily,peoplewhooverlydisdainedothers......
Buttheywerealsoyoungpeoplewhohadgrownupinunfortunateenvironments,peoplewithnowhere
togootherthanthemonastery.
Akinowasnocounterexample.Shehadbeenabandonedinthemonasteryandhadlivedtheresinceshe
hadbeenababy.Itwoulddefinitelybequitedishearteningifababygrewrabbitears.Therewasno
helpingitthatherparentshadgivenupandentrustedhertothedarktemplethatwasverygoodat
dealingwithsuchthings.Rather,itwasfortunatethatshehadbeenblessedwithbeingabletoliveatthe
monasteryafterbeingbornitwasbecauseshedidn'tknowherparentsthatshedidn'tfeelanythinglike
resentmentorangertowardsthem.Shefeltlikethingswerebetteroffthisway.
"Ah,but,IactuallyhaverelativesinTokyo,youknow?ThoughIcan'tmeetthem.Butthey'resome
famousfamilythathastodowithmagicforgenerations......IfIdomybestpracticing,Imightbeableto
livewithmyrelativesinTokyosomeday."
Ofcourse,Akinocompletelyunderstoodthatsuchathingwasimpossible.Anoldtimeratthe
monasterySenhadtoldherthatshehadrelativesinTokyo.Shehadbelievedhimverysimplywhen
shehadheardasachild,andthoughshestillcouldn'tdoanythingevenaftersheheardit,sheoughtto
thankhim.
Hokutodefinitelyhadsimilarsituations.
......Ah.
Then,whenshethoughtofthat,Akinostopped.ShethoughtofwhatKengyouhadsaidwhentheyparted
yesterday.
"Um,HokutosNo,Hokuto?"
"Hmm?"
"CanIasksomething?Um,yesterday,whatPriestKengyousaid......"
Hokutoseemedtorealizeimmediatelyaftershetactfullyopenedhermouth.
"Aboutthevaluablelivingspirit?"
HokutorepliedstraightforwardlytoAkino,butherexpressionwasverycomplex.Asexpected,ithad
beenimpolite.
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"UUm!?"Akinoshrankbackinshame.
ButHokutowasn'tconcerned.
"Nowthatyoumentionit,Akino'salsoalivingspirit.I'mawaterdragonlivingspirit."
"Waterdragon?"
"Yeah."
Thatwasindeedquitevaluable.AtleastAkinohadn'theardofsuchuntilnow.
Thesocalledwaterdragonswereatypeofwaterspirit.Thoughtheywereasubtypeofdragons,they
weretreatedasbeinginthedragonfamily.[16]Theylookedsimilartosnakes,butsheseemedto
rememberthattheyhadhorns,hands,andfeet.Inanycase,therewereextremelyfewpeoplewhosawa
waterdragon.
...Ah,right......
TheincongruousfeelingAkinohadfeltfromHokuto'sbodymighthavebeenbecauseofthatwater
dragonlivingspirit.Inanycase,Akinodidn'tevenknowwhatasocalledwaterdragonwas.Ifshe
considereditseriously,thepeculiarscentHokutogaveoffmightbebecauseoftheeffectofthewater
dragon.
...Butifshewereawaterdragonlivingspirit,maybe......
MaybeHokutohadsomethinglikeasnake'stailsimilartoAkino'sears?Ordidsheevenhavefangsor
somethinglikeaforkedtongue?Thoughshewasveryinterested,questioninganyfurtherwascertainly
nogood.
"Akino,whatkindoflivingspiritareyou?Couldyoutellme,ifyoudon'tmind?"
HerfaceunconsciouslytwitchedatHokuto'squestion.Butitwouldbetooslyforonlyhertoask
questions.Akinoavertedhergazeslightlyasifhavinggreattroublereplying.
"I'marrabbitlivingspirit."
Albeitherembarrassment,shewascuriousaboutHokuto'sresponseaftersayingthat.Akinoreturnedher
avertedgazetoHokuto.
"Rabbit,huh?That'sreallyunusual.Cometothinkofit,Ididn'tevenknowrabbitlivingspiritsexisted."
"......Aretheyevenrarerthanwaterdragons?"
"Yeah.Waterdragonsshouldbeveryraretoo,butevenso,therewerepeoplewhowerepossessedby
waterdragonsorwhogotclosetosnakespiritsinthepast,liketherecordsofthepeoplewhowere
possessedbytheYatonokami[17].Especiallysnakes,they'reactuallyaprettylargenumberofthem.
Butasforrabbits......"
HokutogazedatAkinowithacompletelydifferentlookfrombefore.Akinofeltembarrassedanyway
andturnedawaytohideit.
...Asexpected,I'mreallyweird.
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Shedidn'tneedtoespeciallyasksuchathing.Hokutodidn'tmockherorgetsurprisedeither,remedying
theincident.IfAkinohadbeenbetrayedandtakenforanidiot,shemighthavesunkintogloomand
depression.
"AAnyways.Getalongwiththelivingspiritsatthemonastery,okay?Therearealotofdifferentkinds
ofpeoplethere.Therearen'tjust'disciples'likeme,therearealsomanyactualpriests.Also,eventhough
there'stalkaboutpeoplehidinghereandthetwoimportantpeople,everyoneinthemonasterylivesan
ordinarylife."
Akinochangedthetopic,continuingtoexplaintoHokuto.
Actually,thepeopleinthemonasteryweren'tlegallyqualifiedtousefirstclassmagic,andtheywere
veryindifferenttothefactthattheywerelawbreakers.Incidentally,Akinoherselfhadn'tnoticedthatthe
peoplearoundherwereactuallytheequivalentofcriminals.
Ofcourse,thefactthattheywereabletokeepfrompanickingwithsuchacommonpracticewasbecause
thepeopleinthemonasterydidn'tknowwhatworkdoneintheoutsideworldwaslike.Butthatwaswhy
theywerecalledhopeless.
Manypeopleinthemonasteryjustdidtheirworktolive.
"Althoughtherearealotofinconvenientthingscomparedtothetownoutside,yougetusedtoitwhen
youlivehereforalongtime.Ithinkyou'llgetusedtoitquickly......ah,well,although......rightnow,
maybe......it'sabitnervewracking......"
"Didsomethinghappeninthemonastery?"
"Hah......wellactually,thepriestshadsomefightsstartingthisyear......Itseemslikeitwasbecause
thereweresomeopposingviews......"
Intheend,itwasasmallmonastery,andaheadonopenconfrontationwouldn'thappen.
ButitwasthetruththatthepriestsofSeishukuTemplehadsplitintotwofactions.Thatwasalsothe
reasonthatforTadanori'sconstantfoulmood.
"Ah,but,it'sokayifyoudon'tworryaboutit.Becauseit'sjustthepriests,soithasnothingtodowith
us......Butanyways,ithadsomethingtodowiththenationalOnmyouAgencyorganization,Ithink?I
don'tknowthedetailseither."
"Inthatcase,Ifearit'ssomethingrelatedtotheOnmyoulegalreform."
"Eh?"
"Well,totheOnmyouAgency'sposition,thedarktempleisadarkspotofthemagiccommunity."
IftheOnmyouAgency'sjurisdictiongrew,itwouldcatchtheeyesofthepeoplearoundit.Theywanted
totaketheopportunitytoreachanagreementnow.Theopinionsinthemonasteryhadprobably
disagreedonwhethertoacceptthatchangeornot,aswellasoverthemonastery'sfuturepolicy.
"......"
AkinolookeduncertainlyatHokutowitha'Eh?What'sthat?'expression.
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WhydidHokutoknowthosethingswhenshewasonlyenteringthemonasterynow?Eventheseniors
amongthe'disciples'definitelywouldn'tknowwhattheprieststalkedabout.
...Thisperson......
Whowasshe?Themomentthatthoughtflashedthroughher.
"...Ah."Hokutostopped.
Akinoreflexivelylookedupthestepsalonghergaze."Aha."Then,shelaughedquietly.
"That'sourmountaingate."
Themountaingatewaslinedoneithersidebycedarforestsandalsohadstonestairsleadingtothe
mountaintop.
Atfirstglance,anancient,outdatedgatetoweredoverthere.
Agatewithahipandgableroof[18]constructedoutoftwowoodenstructuresandcoveredwithfaded
tiles.Itwasn'thuge,butithadagreatoverbearingimpressionwhenitwassuddenlyseeninthe
mountains.Itabruptlymadethewitnessmeldintothesurroundingscenery.
Itwaslikeajudicatorrecognizedbythemountain.Evenwithoutanywords,itclearlyproclaimedthat
startingtherewasdivineterritory.
"......"
Hokutocomposedherexpression.
"......There'sabarrierputupontheedgesofthatgate."
"Ah,youalreadyknow?Butit'salright.Becauseyoucanenterthroughthegate."
"......AmagicIhaven'tseen......Mightthisbarriercoverthewholemountainfromhere?"
"Right.That'swhyyoucanonlyenterthemonasterythroughthisgate."
SeishukuTemplewasnearthemountaintop.Sothetemple'sbarriersurroundedthewholemountaintop.
Itwasquitealargescalebarrier,andoutsidersofcourse,practitioneroutsiderswerealsovery
surprisedatthestart.ButthatbarrierhadalwaysbeenupsincebeforeAkinohadbeenborn,andAkino
didn'tfeelthatitwasveryincredible.ToAkino,itwasjustthatkindofthing,nothingelse.
"Anyway,let'sgoup.Becausewe'reprobablygoingtobelate......"
Akinoimmediatelywalkeduptothegateaftersayingthat,andHokutofollowedrightafterher.
TheinteriorofSeishukuTemplestartedaftertheypassedthroughthegate.Evenso,thesurrounding
scenerydidn'tchangeveryquickly.Cedarforestsstilltoweredunchanginglyaroundacontinuous
staircaselaidwithstone.SeishukuTemplewasamountaintemple,andthissanghamara[19]wasbuilt
alongthemountain.Themountaingatewastheformalentrance.
Butevenso,aftertheywalkedpastthemountaingateforawhile,theycouldseebeechtrees,
wisteria[20],andcrimsonmapleleavesalongwiththecedartrees.
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Then,theycouldseeseveralwoodenstructuresontheothersideofthetreeshalls.
Thestonestepsturnedintoashikyakumon[21]muchsmallerthanthemountaingateandendedhalfway
through.AkinobroughtHokutooverthestonestepsandthroughthegate.
Thetwoofthemhadmanagedtoreachtheplaceonthismountainthattheyhadsetoutfor.
Itwasacourtyardlikeplacesurroundedbythemountainforestsandhalls.Therollingofthesurface
wasalsoverygentle,andtherewereoldlanternsplacedeverywhere.
"Alright,we'rehere."
AkinoturnedbacktolookatHokuto.Hokutostopped,castingasharpglancearound.
"Themainhallisinfront,andyoucanseethegatheringhallacrossfromit.Thetemplesarethere,and
thoughyoucan'tseefromhere,therearewarehousesinside.Thenthere'sthelivingquarters,and......you
canseetheroofofthepagodaacrossthetreesoverthere.Thereareafewotherplacesinsidethe
monasterylikebelfries,monk'squarters,andsmallerhalls......thosekindsofbuildings."
Akinopointedthemoutassheexplained,butshedidn'tknowhowmuchHokutoheard.Thegirlwho
hadcalledherselfawaterdragonlivingspiritnarrowedhereyeswordlessly,staringattentivelyatthe
sceneryinthemonasteryandprobablyusingherspiritualpowerto'see'.
Akino'sexplanationendedabruptlyafternoticingthatHokutowasencircledbythatcoldatmosphere
again.AkinohadgreatdifficultyspeakingtoHokutoandstoodtherestupidlyuntiltheend.
But.
"......Akino.Itseemslikethere'saracketoverthere."
"Eh?Hmm?Itreallydoes.Whathappened?"
Hokutowastalkingaboutthegatheringhall.Noisyvoiceswereaudiblypouringoutfromthere.
"Let'sgosee",Hokutosaid.ShewalkedforwardwithoutwaitingforareplyandAkinohastilychased
afterher.
Therewasprobablyadisputegoingoninthegatheringhall.AfterHokutoandAkinowalkedcloser,a
monkwalkedoutfromthecenter.HewalkedtowardsthetempleandstoppedafternoticingHokutoand
Akino.
ItwasTadanori.
"Akino,it'sthislatealready.Whatexactlywereyoudoing?"
"SSorryI'mlate!Um,PriestKengyoubroughtanewcomer,andIalreadybroughtherover,um......"
Asharpwarningassoonastheymet.Akinoinstantlybecametimid.Tadanorimovedhissharpgaze
fromAkinotoHokuto.Hokutohadherusualexpressionlessappearanceasshequietlyaccepted
Tadanori'sgaze.
"......Hmm,soit'syou?Butit'snotagoodtimerightnow.Youcan'tenterthemonasteryasanewcomer
rightnow."
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"Eh?Um,Priest?"
"Akino.IstillhaveotherbusinessthatIhavetoattendto.Miss,asyousee,wehavesometroublesto
dealwith."
Tadanoriproclaimedselfishly,andthenimmediatelyrantowardsthetemple.
Hokuto,whohadpracticallybeenabandoned,didn'tsayanythinginparticular,hergazeintently
pursuingTadanori'sback.Ontheotherhand,Akinowasconfusedandclueless.
Itwasveryevidentthatshehadneverbeenentrustedwithdoinganythinglikelookingafteranewcomer
untilnow.Similarly,Akinofeltcompletelyunsuitedtosomethinglikelookingafteranewcomer.
Eh?Ehh?
Whatexactlyhadhappened.Thensuddenly,Hokutokeenlylookedbackfromnexttoher.
Akinoalsoturnedaroundtolook.
"Oh,Akino,you'vecomeback."
"Ah,Senjiichan."
Senhadapproachedthematsomepoint.Hespokewiththetwoofthemasifhehadbeenstandingin
frontofthegatheringhallforawhile.
Hestillhadhisunchangingunconcernedattitude,asifthenoisymonasteryhadnothingtodowithhim.
AkinoregainedabitofhercalminfrontofthisneverchangingOldManSen.
"Anewcomerwasgoingtoenterthemonastery,soIfeltlikeIshouldcomedownforawelcome......Is
shethenewcomer?"
"Yeah,she'sHokutosan......Butratherthanthat,what'sgoingon?Whathappenedinthegathering
hall?"
Akinoaskedwithafrown,butSendidn'tbecomeseriousatall.
"Actually,itseemsliketheywerecontactedbyKengyousamajustnow."
Herespondedwiththat.
"Eh?Hecontactedthem?Whatisitthistime?"
"Nnn.It'snotmuch.AnenvoyfromtheOnmyouAgencyinTokyocametoday.That'swhyeveryone's
allaflutter.It'sbecomeaschaoticasadisturbedbeehive."
Akinoletoutan"Eh"voicewhensheheardthisunexpectedreply.
ShehadjusttalkedabouttheOnmyouAgencywithHokuto.AkinoquicklylookedatHokuto,but
Hokutowasmaintaininghersolemnexpression,listeningcarefullytoSen'swords.
Seeingthatthetwoofthemhadnothingtoask,Senlaughedoutloudwhiletellingthemaboutthe
situationinmoredetail.
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"Also,IheardthattheenvoyisoneofthefamousTwelveDivineGenerals,youknow?Whatkindof
abilitiesdoeshehave?Ohmy,it'ssoveryinteresting."
Chapter2Visitors
Part1
SeishukuTemple'sgatheringhallwasanextremelyspacioustemple.
Itwasaflatwoodenbuilding.AcalawasenshrinedatthecenterofthewallinsideandtheotherBuddhas
wereenshrinedalongtheotherwalls.Theafternoonsunlightslantedasitenteredtoilluminatethefloor,
buttheenshrinedBuddhasquietlygazedintothehallfromthedarkness.
Thegatheringhallhadroomforalmostahundredpeople,butrightnowtherewereonlyeightpeople
here.Theseeightpeopleweredividedintothreesidesastheyconfrontedeachother.
Therewerethreebaldrobedmonks.
Therewasascholarlymanwearingashirtandjeans,andamiddleagedwomanwearingglasses.
Slightlyfartherawaywasasuitwearingmiddleagedmanandateenager.Therewasalsoatwentysome
yearoldwoman.
Thelastthreepeoplehadcometovisitthemonastery.TheyweretheenvoysfromtheOnmyouAgency.
Theotherfivepeopleweretheleadersofthemonastery,buttheyweresplitintotwosidesverystrangely
andglaringateachotherinfrontoftheguests.
"Wereachedthisconclusionlongago."
Oneofthethreemonkssaidthis.Hewasamanwhogaveoffanespeciallyoverwhelmingfeeling,even
amongthethree.Thoughhewaspastmiddleaged,hestillarrogantlylookeddownontheothers.
"Whydon'tyoufacereality?"
Thescholarlymalesaidthis,fearlesslymeetingthepressuringgazesofthemonks.Theglasseswearing
womannexttohimnoddedapprovinglywhilestayingsilent.
"Ifthisgoeson,themonasterywillhavenowheretogosoonerorlater.It'sclearasday.Thoughit'sa
monasterythat'sfallenbehindthechangesofthetimes,we'llbeabletocontinueexistingaslongaswe
changeform.Isn'ttherenootheropportunityotherthanthis?"
"Preposterous!Thehistoryofthismonasteryisn'tsomethingthatthemereOnmyouAgencycan
compareto.Don'tevenmentionacceptingtheirauthority."
"That'swhyIsaid,you'realreadyoutdated!Thishasnothingtodowithlonghistoryinthefirstplace.
What'simportantisrightnowandthefuture!"
"Thepastandthefutureareallthesame.Thismonasteryhasneverchangedsinceancienttimes.No
matterhowthisworldchanged."
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"No,themonasterywasonlyabletoexisttotodaybecauseitwasconstantlychanging!Evenifthisisa
largechangethathasneverhappenedbefore,there'snoneedtobesoscaredofmovingforward!"
"Yourwordsaremeaningless.Theseactionsthemselvesareproofthatyourtrainingisinsufficient.
There'snoneedtowastewordswithyouanymore."
Theargumentsofthetwosideswentalongtwocompletelyparallellines[22]ofthought.Incontrasttothe
sternlyandcoldlystandingmonks,thescholarlymandesperatelyheldbackhisownanger.
"......"
OneoftheOnmyouAgencyenvoyswasexpressionless,anotherconcealedacoldsmile,andtheother
frownedwhilestaringattheleadersofthemonasteryinirritation.
Buttheheadmonkalsostaredoveratthem.
"I'veshownyouOnmyoujisomethingshameful.Pleaseforgivethepoorwelcomeofusmonks."
"Don'tworry,don'tworry."
Itwasthesuitwearingmiddleagedmanwatchingthesituationunfoldwhorepliedlikethis.
"We'renotsayingthatyourmonasteryhastocomeupwithananswerrightnow.We'vejustcometo
bringaproposaltoyourmonastery."
"Isee.Butitwillbethesamenomatterhowmanytimesyoucome.Ifearthatwewillbeunabletodoas
youwish."
"PriestJougen!"
Thescholarlymangroundhisteethandshouted.Buttheheadmonknolongerevenlookedathim.
"It'squitelate.Fornow,ourmonkswillpreparehousingforyoualltonight.Butpleasebewaryof
disturbingourpractice."
Onlysayingthatmuch,heleisurelyleftwiththeothertwomonksashisrobesflapped.
Hislivelymovementsmadeitimpossibletoestimatehisage.Thescholarlymanandthewoman
standingnexttohimresentfullystaredatthebacksofthedepartingmonks.
Thefrowningyoungwomansighedsecretly.
Notlongafterwards,guidescametoleadthemtotheirrooms.
"ThoughIalreadyheardbeforehand......theyreallyareamess."
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YugeMaristraightforwardlyexpressedherfeelingsintheloungeofthelivingquarterstheyhadbeenled
to.Shedidn'thideherdispleasedtone,sincetherewereonlycolleaguesinthelounge.
YugewasanIndependentExorcistbelongingtotheOnmyouAgencyExorcistBureau.
ShewasaNationalFirstClassOnmyoujiholdingthe'OnmyouFirstClass'qualifications,aswellasone
ofthesocalled'TwelveDivineGenerals'.Thoughshewasafirstratebarrieruserwiththestrange
nicknameof'BindingPrincess',shehadevengonetothiskindofbackcountryplacebecauseofaverbal
orderabouta'specialmission'.Thecoatsheworeearlierwasleftinherownroom,sorightnowshewas
dressedinajacket.
Thelivingquartersandthemonk'squarterslookedrelativelynewforthemonastery,liketheadded
warehouseportions.Buttheirdesignwasprettymuchthesameascountrysidehotels.Thoughitwas
fortunatethattherewaselectricity,therewasnoheating,andthemountainchillseepedintotheroom.
Thoughthemonasterywouldhavepreparedabrazierforherifshejustsaidtheword,Yugewasn'tvery
confidentthatshecoulduseabraziersoshehadcarefullyrefused.
Whatweregenerallycalledthe'livingquarters'wereprobablylodgingswherepeoplewroteormeditated
topurifytheirspiritandatesophisticated,spiritualcuisineintheevening,arecreationthatoughttobe
popularamongwomen.ThoughthatwasjustYuge'spersonalopinion.Butthistimethoughshehad
longsincepreparedherselfforitthatimpressionbecamefarremoved.Becauseofwork,Yugehad
almostneverleftTokyo.Itmightnotbebadtotakethetripasanopportunitytoexperiencethefeeling
oftraveling.Thoughshehadthoughtthisandhadoriginallybeenlookingforwardtothat,her
expectationshadeasilycrumbledthoughshehadlongsincepreparedherselfforit.
"Cometothinkofit,it'salreadyprettyinexplicablethatthere'selectricityhere.Idon'trememberus
seeinganythinglikepowerlinesonthemountainroaduphere,right?"
"......Ontheneighboringmountainisatransmissionlinetower.It'sdrawnfromthere."
ThepersonwhorepliedtoYuge'squestionwasamansittingwithhisfeetupinthelounge'swickerchair
andreadingabook.
Hewasaboutforty.Hiscarefullyarrangedhairwasmixedwithabitofwhiteonthesides.
Hewastallandlean,welldressedinadoublebreastedsuitwithahandkerchiefstuckinhischest
pocket.Buthisexpressionwaspoorandhisfacelookedslightlydispleased.Thoughhespokesmoothly,
histonewasdim.Hesoundedlikehewasdeliberatelysuppressinghistone,orratherlikehewaspurely
speakinginabusinesslikemanner.
ThoughhebelongedtoadifferentdepartmentthanYuge,hewasalsohersenpaiintheExorcistBureau.
HewastheSpecialSenseroftheIntelligenceDepartment,MiyoshiTougo.HewasalsoaNationalFirst
ClassOnmyouji.
"Officer[23]Miyoshi,areyoufamiliarwiththismonastery?"
"It'smyfirsttimehere.Justlikeyou.ThoughIheardrumorsbeforehand."
Miyoshifocusedonthewordsinhisbookwhilereplyingwithoutlookingup."Isee."Yugereplied.
"It'squiteastrangeplace.Itlookslikeabigandimpressivemonasteryfromthescaleofthings......ButI
neverwouldhavethoughtanoutdatedwayoflifelikethiswouldbeabletopersisttillnow."
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"Isee.Well,there'selectricityandwaterhere,andyoucangetphonereception.It'snothingtobe
shockedat,isit?Rather,isn'titquitenicetobeabletobeclosetonature?"
"RReally?"
"Theair'sextremelyfreshtoo.Ithasacalmfeelingofbeingdistantfromthehubbubofthecityand
troublesomecivilization."
"......Hah."
Yugesmoothlymincedherwords,facedwithathoughtthatshecouldn'tapproveofforawhile.Cometo
thinkofit,althoughMiyoshiusuallyspokeindifferently,itwashardtoimmediatelytellhowserioushe
was.
ButMiyoshilightlyflippedthepagesofthebook,
"Ofcourse,Ican'tsaythatit'scalmafterseeingits'spiritual'aspect."
Whileaddingthatsentence.
ThistimeYugealsonoddedinagreement.ThemountaintopterritoryofSeishukuTemplewasenclosed
inagiantbarrier.Justthatwasprobablyalreadyalargescalemagic.Butitseemedthatdifferentbarriers
ofvarioussizeswereplacedinotherplacesaswell.Forexample,therehadbeenquiteatough
permanentbarriersetupatthegatheringhalltheyhadjustbeenin.Perhapsthatgatheringhallwasused
asa'magicpracticefield'.Moreimportantly,itwasn'tjustbarriers.Mostofthepeopleintheareawere
practitionerswhocouldusefirstclassmagic.
"Cometothinkofit,whichsectdidthismonasterycomefrom?Vajrayana?OrShugendo?"
"Neopaganism."
"Eh?"
"Moreaccurately,itwastheShingonSeishukuTemple.Likeitsnameimplies,itwasoriginallyabranch
belongingtoShingon[24],butitbecameindependentafterthewar.Inotherwords,they'reShingon
neopaganists.Thisistheirhomemountain."
Yuge'seyeswidenedinsurprise.ButMiyoshiunconcernedlycontinuedreadinghisbook.
"Hence,thelookthatthismonasterygivesoffisverysimilartoShingonism.Buttheirdoctrinesand
trivialrulesandsuchcanbethoughtofasthingsexclusivetoSeishukuTemple.Forexample,didn'tthe
ajarijustnowthosemonkscalleachother'Priest'?Originally,Shingonmonksoughttocalleachother
'Monk'.Thoughitlooksverysimilaronthesurface,thetwoareactuallynolongerthesame.
Indeed,amongtheleadersthatcametothemonasterygatheringhalljustearlier,theothertwoin
additiontothethreerobedmonkshadalsobeenajari.Theyhadbeencalled'Priest'aswell.
"Perhapsanyonewhosepowerisrecognizedcanobtainpreachingempowerment[25]thoughI'mnot
sureifthat'sthecase,atleastthesystemisthatonecanbecomeanajari.Akindofneopaganistajariwho
constantlytrainsandlearnsmagicinplaceof'dharma',onefactionofSeishukuTemple.That'swhat's
goingon."
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"No,but......Ifthismonasteryonlyroseasneopaganistafterthewar,thenhasn'titshistoryastheso
calleddarktemplestartedonlyrecently?JudgingfromwhatthemonkcalledJougensaidjustnow,this
monasteryseemstohaveanextremelylonghistory......"
"This'temple'washeresincelongago.However,it'sunsurewhetherit'sbeenhereforhundredsofyears.
Similarly,justliketheysaidthemselves,themonasterybelongstotheShingonfactionbutactuallyexists
intheworldasa'darktemple'.Ashallsfor'magic'surpassingdoctrinesandsects.Thatkindofneed
existsregardlessoftheage."
"......Isee......"
Yugealsoknewthatthedarktemplewasrelatedtothemagiccommunity.Moreover,Yugewasalso
clearonthefactthatthedarktemplewasaplacethatacceptedpractitionerswhocouldn'tstayinsociety
forvariousreasons.SeishukuTempleanditsroleasanindependenttempleforthedarknessofthemagic
communitywerecertain.Atthesametime,itwasa'necessaryevil'.
Justthen,MiyoshiandYuge'sconversationbrokeoff.
Then,
"...OfficerMiyoshi.Doyouknowoftheotherside's'fightingpower'?"
Itwastheyoungmanwhohadbeensilentuntilnowwhoaskedthis.Yugeglancedathim.
Theyoungmanstoodabitfurtherawayfromthetwoofthem,hisbackagainstapillar.
Hewasayoungmanwithakeen,intellectualattitudethatmadetheword'sharp'instantlyemergein
one'smind.Hewaswellproportionedandhadhandsomefeatures.Butmoreimportantthanthatwashis
impressive,coldgaze.
Inanycase,onecouldtellthathewasverycapablewithasingleglance,andhewasextremely
domineering,vauntinghisownabilityratherthanconcealingit.
Hewasalsoveryyoung.Yuge'srecalledthathewasonlynineteen.ThoughheworeasuitlikeMiyoshi,
whatheworewasjustasinglebreastedsuit,soitwasabitmorecasual.Andhehadalreadyloosened
histie.
YamashiroHayato.HewasayoungNationalFirstClassOnmyoujiwhohadobtained'OnmyouFirst
Class'qualificationsthisspring.
"It'senoughifwehavearoughestimateoftheircapability.Pleaseletmehearyouropinion.Becauseit
mightbe'useful'informationlateron."
ThoughYamashiro'swordswereverypolite,Yugefrownedslightly.Theteenager'sexpressionand
voicebecameabitstrangelyrudesincetheyweretingedwithexcitement.
EvenatYamashiro'squestion,Miyoshi'sgazedidn'tleavehishands.
HejustreadhisbookwhilespeakingtoYugefirst.
"Yugeshi.Youhaveworktodo."
"Eh?......Ah,yeah."
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YugerealizedMiyoshi'sintentuponseeinghimpointtohisearswithhisindexfinger.Sheputupa
barrieraroundthem.
Thiswastoeliminateanymagicalsurveillanceandeavesdroppingfromtheoutside.Itwasunclear
whetheritwasbecausehehadn'tconsideredthatmuchorbecausehedidn'tthinkthatdoingthiswas
necessary,butthequestioningYamashiromomentarilyshowedadispleasedexpression.
Atthatpoint,Miyoshistillhadn'tliftedhisheadfromhisbookforamoment.
"Therearefortytwopeoplearoundotherthanus.Amongthem,therearethirtyninewhocanbe
identifiedaspractitioners.Thoughthereareseveralshikigami,Ican'tgetanyaccuratenumbersbecause
highleveloneshavestealthcapabilities."
Heindifferentlyreportedlikethat.
Yuge'sheartbeatwhensheheardthewordsoftheSpecialSenser.
MiyoshihadinstantlygraspedthespiritualsituationofSeishuku
Templeinaplacewithsomanybarriers,andmoreoverinthelairof
thesepractitionerswhosefriendorfoestatuscouldn'tbeascertained.
ThepeoplewhocouldbeappointedasSpiritSenserswereallpeople
withespeciallyoutstandingspiritsensingabilityevenamong
Onmyouji.ThoughanexorcistlikeYugewasrecognizedasa
representativeofmodernOnmyouji,thepositionofSpiritSenserput
moreemphasisoninnateabilityorinotherwords,onborntalent.
Moreimportantly,hewasaSpiritSenserwhohadobtained'FirstClass
Onmyou'qualifications,knownastheSpecialSenser.Thatkindof
personwasanirreplaceabletalenttotheExorcistBureau.
TherewereonlythreeSpecialSensersintheTwelveDivineGenerals
whohadobtained'FirstClassOnmyou'qualifications.Amongthosethree,itwasundoubtedlyMiyoshi
withthenickname'DivineEye'whowasthebestamongtheminqualificationsandpower.Though
outsideknowledgeofhimwaslow,hewasasecretpowerhouseintheExorcistBureau.
"Aboutfortypractitioners......Thoughthey'restillintraining,itwouldbeverytrickyiftheygrouped
together."
"......Anyway,aren'ttheyjustamob?Roguepractitionerswhohaven'tevenreceivedtruetrainingaren't
worthyopponentsnomatterhowmanythereare."
YamashiroquicklyshatteredYuge'sworry.Hisvoicedidn'tjustrevealpurearrogance,asacalm,steady
selfconfidencebasedonknowledgecouldalsobefeltfromit.
YamashirowasaMysticalInvestigatorwhohadbeenassignedtotheOnmyouAgencyMysticalCrime
InvestigationDepartmentrightafterhebecameaFirstClassOnmyouji.ThoughYamashirodidn'thave
anyspecialabilitieslikeMiyoshi,nordidhehaveastrongspiritualpowerorspecialtechniqueslike
Yuge,hisabilityinantipersonnelmagicagainstpractitionerswasfirstrate.Actually,hewastreatedas
apromisingfutureleaderbytheOnmyouAgencyhigherups.
But,
"Justincase,letmesayabitmore."
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Miyoshisupplementedwithextremelybusinesslikewords.
"TherearealsoquiteafewpeoplewhowereborninindependenttempleslikeSeishukuTempleinthe
OnmyouAgency.TheyareespeciallynumerousintheExorcistBureau.IndependentOfficerMiyachiis
oneofthem.Ofmorerecentpeople,IndependentOfficerKagamiisaswell.ThoughIrememberthat
Kagamishiwasonlyborninanindependenttemple."
"Eh?TheDirectorwasthatkindofperson?"
"Ohmy,youdidn'tknow?"
Shehadneverthoughtofthat.ThoughYuge'sbossMiyachihadtoldherofthismissionhimself,he
hadn'tmentionedsuchathingatall.
Anothersecret,justlikebefore.Yugemomentarilybecameunreasonablyangryasthatbeardedface
emergedinhermind.
"IInthatcase,whydidDirectorMiyachisendmeasanenvoy?Isn'tthisplaceliketheDirector'sold
home,then?"
"Hesentyoubecausethiswasjusttomakeaproposal.Ifwesentanegotiatorwholookedlikehemight
burntheentiremountaindown,wouldn'tthemonasterybeunabletocalmdown?"
Miyoshirepliedstraightforwardly.Butactually,hewasn'ttoosurewhyorrather,hedidn'tfeelany
interestinitatall.Onecouldalsothinkthatitwasevenlessconvenientbecauseitwaslikehisold
home.
Evenso,itwasstillmaddening.Yugefrownedasifsaying'thatbeardy',butdidn'tgiveitvoice.
Ontheotherhand,thefaceofYamashirowhohadstayedcalmandcomposedafterhearingofthe
numbersturnedsinisterafterheheardaboutthetopicofpeoples'origins.
"'OgreEater'wasfromadarktemple......"
Afterunconsciouslymurmuringlikethat,Yamashiroquicklycamebacktohissensesandclickedhis
tongueafterbecomingawareofhisownwords.Thoughheinstantlywipedoffhisexpression,hewas
visiblymoreseriousthanbefore.
Miyoshicontinuedspeakinginanindifferenttone.
"Thedarktemple'senvironmentisoverlycrueltoapractitioner.Butincomparison,thereareoften
monstersbornfromtherewhoareunboundbythecommonsenseoftheworld.Everyonehastheirown
opinionaboutenvironmentsthatcanmakepeoples'talentsbloomlikethat."
"......Thatmightnotbecertain.IftherereallywasapractitioneronthelevelofDirectorhere,itdefinitely
wouldhavereachedourears.AretherepeopleonthatkindoflevelinthecurrentSeishukuTemple?"
"HowshouldIputit?I'mnottoosureabouttheirskilllevels.Butattheleast,theseveralajariwemet
justnowhadquitethespiritualpowers.Eachonehadaspiritualpowerthatseveralordinaryexorcists
wouldn'tbeabletomatch.EspeciallythemancalledJougen.ThoughhemightnotbeonMiyachishi's
level,atleasthe'sfarsuperiortous.Ofcourse,thecomparisonisjustlimitedtospiritualpower."
YugebecamespeechlessafterhearingMiyoshi'sopinion.
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Indeed,shehadfeltthatallofthemonasteryleaderswhohadgatheredinthegatheringhallwere
outstandingpractitioners.ButexorcistswereelitesevenamongprofessionalOnmyouji.Anassertionlike
severalexorcistsbeingunabletocomparewasimpossibletobelieveinstantly.Thoughapractitioner's
excellencewasn'tdecidedbystrengthorweaknessofspiritualpower,butitwasthetruththatspiritual
powerhadaveryimportantroleinmagicalbattles.
"Butinthefirstplace,if,moreaccurately,we'reappraising'fightingpower',it'smeaninglesstojustpay
attentiontothepractitioner.Thisistheirhome[26].Therearealotofthingstheycando,likesneak
attackswhilewe'reasleeporburningtheplacewe'rein.Yeah,there'salsoassassinationwithpoison.In
addition,there's......"
"Hey,Officer.Don'tsaysuchunluckythings,alright?"
YugeputonabitterfacetowardsthecalmlyspeakingMiyoshi.
Then,Miyoshisuddenlyraisedhisheadawayfromthebookhehadbeenreadingandlookedinthe
directionofthenearbyYamashiro.
"Inanycase,thismissionisto'advise'SeishukuTemple.Evenifwecan'tconvincethem,wewillnot
takeanyforcefulmeasures.There'snoneedtobereckless."
Thoughhistonewasbusinesslikeasalways,fornowheseemedtobetryingnottoportrayhimselfas
lackinginforce.
Yamashirodidn'treplyyesorno.ButhetookonanextremelybusinesslikesmilelikeMiyoshi'sasa
replyandmovedawayfromthepillarheleanedon.
"I'mgoingtogowalkaround."
"Yamashiro."
"Iknow."
YamashirodealtwithYugewithoutthinkingasheleftthelounge.
Yugesighed.Youngpeoplethesedaysthoughshethoughtthat,Yugeinstantlyshookherheadina
panicafterrealizingthatthosethoughtswerelikeanoldperson's.Evenherthoughtshadstartedto
becomelikethoseofanoldperson'safterspendingalifeimmersedinworkeveryday.Thatwas
irritating.
"......ItseemslikeYamashiroshiwastheKurahashifamilyprotege."
Miyoshimurmuredthatsentence.Atthesametime,hisgazewasstillaimedinthedirectionYamashiro
hadleft.
"HewasbroughtintotheKurahashifamily'scareduringchildhoodandevenreceivedChiefKurahashi's
personaltutelageforawhile."
"Iheardsomethinglikethattoo.Well,thehigherupsareexpectedalotfromhim,right?Thoughhe
talksandactslikeabigshot,hemightfeelunexpectedlystressed."
Cometothinkofit,hisloomingarrogancecouldalsobeforgiven.Rather,ifshethoughtcarefully,an
arrogantkouhaiwasalwaysmuchbetterthanhercolleagueKagamiReiji.
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"Hispoweristherealthing.Arewebeingtooworried?"
YugesmiledwhilesummarizingthingstoMiyoshi.ButMiyoshicasuallyloweredhisheadtoreadhis
book.Yugeunconsciouslybecameirritated.Miyachiwaslikethistoo.Itlookedlikemenofthisage
especiallysingleonesmadeherunsettledinthewaytheyalwayswentabouttheirownways.
"......Actually,whatdoyouthink,OfficerMiyoshi?DoyouthinkSeishukuTemplewillacceptthe
AgencytheOnmyouAgency'sproposal?"
"Ah,I'mnotsure."
"It'salright,justsaywhatyouthink.Forme,Ifeellikewhatthatmanwhoopposedthemonkcalled
JougeninthegatheringhallbeforewashecalledPriestRian?wasright.It'struethatmaybethedark
templeexisteduptothispointoutof'necessity',butthesituationwillchangewiththeOnmyoulawlegal
reform.TheOnmyouAgencywon'tcontinuelettingthedarktemplesbe,andifthemonasterycontinues
theirpassivelyresistingattitudelikethis,thenwe'llhavetoseriouslycontendwiththem.Themonastery
hasnochanceofvictorynomatterwhatifthingsbecomethatway."
TheproposalthatYugeandtheothershadmadetoSeishukuTemplethistimewasacontracttomake
theSeishukuTemplebecomeanofficial'practiceground'fortheOnmyouAgency.Ofcourse,needless
tosaythiswasjustonthesurface.ItwasastrategytoslowlyturnSeishukuTempleintoadivisionofthe
OnmyouAgency.Plainlyput,itwasanexhortationthattheywouldoverlookalloftheassistancethat
SeishukuTemplehadgiventomagiccriminalsinthepast,andinreturn,SeishukuTemplewouldfall
undertheOnmyouAgency'smanagement.
Fromadifferentpointofview,itwasasocalled'surrendertreaty'.Butitdidhavesafeguardsforthe
peopleofthemonastery.ThepeoplewithpowerwouldbegivenqualificationsasOnmyouji.Nomatter
whathadhappened,thecurrentSeishukuTemplewaslegallya'criminalorganization',andthatwasthe
truth.ToYuge,theOnmyouAgency'sproposalwasalreadyanexceptionaldiscretionaryfavor.
ButMiyoshi'sopinionwasslightlydifferent.
"Eveninfrontofmattersoflifeanddeath,peoplecannevermakeanobjectiveandimpartialjudgment.
Rather,it'sevenhardertomakeasuitablejudgmentinthatkindofsituation."
Wasthatthecase?Yugehadtroubleagreeingforawhileandkeptherownpersonalopinion.
Inanycase,Yugeandtheothershadonlybeenorderedtoadvisethem.Nomatterwhatoutcomeswould
comeofthechoicethemonasterymade,theyweren'ttheresponsibilityofYugeandtheothers.
Inthatcase,nextwas......
"......Whatnow?Whatdoyouplanondoingfromnowon?"
"Oh,whatdoyoumean,fromnowon?"
"Theotherthing.The'Tsuchimikado'business.Whenarewegoingtomove?"
"......"
Miyoshistoppedreadinghisbook,liftinghishead.
Thoughhisexpressionhadn'tchangedmuch,herolledhiseyesafewtimesatleast,thatseemedtobe
whathewasdoing.Yugedidn'tknowwhathemeantatfirst,buthereyeswidenedaftersherealized.
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"......Eh?Eh?OfficerMiyoshi?Coulditbethatyou'veforgotten......"
"Noway.Irememberveryclearly."
Miyoshilookedinadifferentdirectionwhilespeakingassertively.Yugefeltirritated.
"Inthatcase,whydidn'tyoubringupthattopicfromthebeginninginourmeetingbefore?"
"Well......isn'titobvious?It'sbecauseitwasn'tthetimetotalkaboutthattopic.Inanycase,theystarted
theinfightingontheirown."
Thoughthatwasreasonablefornow,Yugestillshothimabarefacedsuspiciousgaze.Miyoshididn't
lookathiscolleague,pretendingtocough.
YugeandtheothershadanothermissionthistimeotherthanconveyingtheOnmyouAgency'sproposal
toSeishukuTemple.
ThatwasregardingtheinformationtheyhadgatheredaboutTsuchimikadoHarutora.
TsuchimikadoHarutorawasaboybornintheTsuchimikadobranchfamily,afamousOnmyoudou
family.HehadoriginallybeenaninexperiencedOnmyoujistudyingattheOnmyouAcademyOnmyouji
traininginstitute,orinotherwords,justastudent.
Butlastsummer,afterthetriggerofacertainevent,hehadsuddenlyraisedabannerofresistance
againsttheOnmyouAgency.
Hehadraisedacommotionintheagencybuildingwherehehadbeenincustody,andthenvanished
whilehidinghimself.Afterwards,hehadledtovariousincidentsandopposedtheOnmyouAgencyin
Tokyo.Moreover,hewassuspectedofcastingforbiddenmagicnotlongafterhevanished.Soon
afterwardsarosevoicesofagroupthatwantedtotreathimasaterrorist.
Butifthoseweretheonlyaccusations,theproblemofTsuchimikadoHarutorawouldjustbewithinthe
jurisdictionoftheMysticalInvestigators.
Actually,itwastheMysticalInvestigatorswhoweretracinghiswhereabouts.
ButinadditiontotheMysticalInvestigators,theOnmyouAgencyhigherupsno,theentiremagic
worldalsohadtopayattentiontoTsuchimikadoHarutorabecauseofacertainmatter.
TherumorthatTsuchimikadoHarutorawas'TsuchimikadoYakou'sreincarnation'hadspread
everywhereasifitwerethetruth.
Moreover,evenworse,thebelievabilityofthisrumorwas'veryhigh'.
Forexample,theincidentduringthesummeroflastyearthathadbecomethetriggerforHarutora's
disappearance.ThecauseofthatincidentwasamanmadeshikigamicalledtheRaven'sWingthathad
beendesignatedasaforbiddenmagicaltool.Itwasalsosaidthatamerestudenthadchangedso
drasticallybecausehehadbeenpossessedbytheRaven'sWing.ButtheRaven'sWingwasoriginallya
magicaltoolcreatedbyYakou.Itwasn'ttoomuchofaleaptothinkthatTsuchimikadoHarutorahad
'awakened'asTsuchimikadoYakoubecauseoftheeffectsoftheRaven'sWing.
Moreimportantly,theevenlargerproblemwasthatafterhisdisappearancelastyear,Tsuchimikado
HarutorahadappearedinfrontoftheOnmyouAgencydoors,andatthetime,twoshikigamihadbeen
confirmedbyhisside.
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TheywerethetwolegendaryshikigamithatYakouhadoncecontrolled,HishamaruandKakugyouki.
Ofcourse,itwasn'ttosaythatwasalreadycertain.Butitwasadoubtlessfactthatthetwoshikigami
wereextremelypowerfulindividualsandthatoneofthemhadbeena'onearmedoni'likethelegends
thattheyhadreceivedreportsaboutbefore.ThefactthatTsuchimikadoHarutorabroughtaroundthose
twopowerfulservantshikigamidefensiveshikigamiwasahugedrivingforcefurtherpropellingthe
rumorthathewasYakou'sreincarnation.
TherumorthatTsuchimikadoYakouwouldreincarnateintothebloodlineofhisdescendantshad
alreadybeenspreadfortenyears.TheTwinHornedSyndicatesecretsocietyformedbyYakoufanatics
hadalsotriedtocomeincontactwithTsuchimikadofamilymembersbeforetospuronYakou's
awakening.AlthoughtheMysticalInvestigatorshadcleanedouttheTwinHornedSyndicateafterwards,
therumorssurroundingYakou'sreincarnationhadn'tvanished.
TsuchimikadoHarutorawascurrentlycontinuingtolaylowinordertoavoidtheMysticalInvestigators'
pursuit.
AndthisSeishukuTemple,the'underground'ofthemagiccommunitywasagatheringplacefor
information.Itwashighlyprobablethattheycouldpickupcluesrelatedtothestillfleeing
TsuchimikadoHarutora.
ThiswasanothermissionthatYugeandtheothershadbeenassigned.
"Well,ifyoureallyhavetosay,thismissionwasjustincidental,butit'scertainlyamissionalthoughitis
incidental.OfficerMiyoshi,I'dbeverytroubledifyoudidn'tdoyourjobproperlyasourrepresentative."
"That'swhyIsaid,Ididn'tactuallyforget.Firstoff,thisisn'tsomethingwecanasktotheirface.
Becauseit'satouchytopic.Weneedtocarefullyobservethesituationwhileconsideringtheotherparty's
attitude."
"Why?"
"Doesthatneedexplanation?BecausethedarktempleisconnectedtoYakou."
Shetrulyhadn'tthoughtofthat.Butconsideringwhathadhappenedbefore,shereallycouldn'tbelieveit
immediately.Yugelookedathimsilently,butMiyoshijusthelplesslyclosedhisbook.
"Yugeshi,howmuchdoyouknowabouttheprincipaldeityofSeishukuTemple?"
"Idon'tknowmuch......Youaren'tsayingthatit'sYakou,areyou?"
"Thoughyou'renotright,that'snottoofaroff."
"Pleasedon'tjokearound."
"I'mnotjokingwithyou.Iwentoverandhadaglancesecretly,andtheboardinstalledinthemainhall
herereads'HallofMagic'.EventhemaindeityinthetempleisaguardiangodofmagicMyouken
Bodhisattva[27].Thoughhe'scalledabodhisattva,he'sactuallyadeva[28]andwasalsocalledtheNorth
StarDeity."
"Iknowthatmuch.TheMyoukenbodhisattvawascalledthedeificationoftheNorthStar"
Yugeshuthermouthrightthere.
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TsuchimikadoYakouwascalledthe'NorthStarKing'byhisworshippers.TheNorthStarreferredto
Polaris.YakouwasfigurativelyhonoredassuchforhisimportancewithregardtoOnmyoudou.[29]
"......Isn'tthatjustacoincidence?Didn'tthedarktemplehavehundredsofyearsofhistory,makingit
moreancientthanYakou?OrdiditchangeitsprincipaldeityduringYakou'stime?"
"Incorrect.ThemountaintheSeishukuTempleisonwasoriginallycalledthe'NorthStarMountain'.It's
doubtlessthatitwasseenasaplacetoworshiptheMyoukenbodhisattvasinceancienttimes."
"Thenwhat?"
"It'sjusttheopposite."
"Hah?"
"It'ssaidthatitwasthisSeishukuTemplethatusedthe'NorthStarKing'metaphorfortheirprincipal
deityasYakou'snickname."
"...!"
YugestaredatMiyoshiincredulously.ThoughMiyoshi'sattitudewasjustlikealways,shedidn'tfeel
likehewaslying.
"Didn'tIsay?Yakou'sconnectedtothismonastery.Well,italsohasrelationstohisdefensiveshikigami
aswellashisname.Butinanycase,althoughtherecordsareveryvague,it'sbelievedthatheobtaineda
lotofhelpfromSeishukuTemplewhenheestablishedImperialOnmyoudouatthemilitary'srequest."
"ThatYakou?"
"Yes.I'vesaiditbefore,it'sbecausethisplacehasexistedashallsof'magic'that'surpassdoctrinesand
sects'sinceancienttimes.
YugegroaneduponhearingMiyoshi'sexplanation.
ThoughtheGeneralOnmyoudouthattheOnmyouAgencycurrentlyusedwasOnmyoudou,itwas
actuallyamagicthatropedinalargeamountofmagicusedinotherreligions.Itwasbecausethe
ImperialOnmyoudouthathadbeenusedasthebasisofGeneralOnmyoudouhadbeenanenormous
systemofmagic,thathadbeenestablishedbyincludingallofJapan'svariousmagicsandsuperhuman
powersatthetime.
Inthatcase,itwasimpossibletoimaginethatYakou,whohadestablishedsuchasystemofmagic,had
beenunrelatedtothedarktemplewherevariouskindsofpractitionersgathered.
"Originally,worshipoftheNorthStarwasauniquefaiththatcouldbeseeninBabylon,India,and
China.AsthesymboloftheNorthStar,theMyoukenbodhisattvawasnotonlyrelatedtotheSeishuku
Temple,italsohaddeeprelationshipswithOnmyoudou,Sukuyoudou[30],Vajrayana,Taoism,andmore
recentlyNichiren.ThoughIcan'timaginehowexactlyitbecametheprincipaldeityofthedarktemple,
it'sindeedasuitableprincipaldeitytobeworshippedinamonasterywherepractitionersofdifferent
backgroundsgather.Moreover,intheagethatYakouestablishedImperialOnmyoudou,theajariinthe
monasterywhoknewofhisabilityallcouldn'thelpbutpraisehimastheincarnationoftheirprincipal
deity......Well,thatwasjustanoldrumor."
"......"
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"Butputtingasidetheoriginsofthename'NorthStarKing'fornow,attheleast,Yakouhasworked
togetherwiththedarktemplebefore,that'sabsolutelycertain.Idon'tthinkthiskindofplacewould
honestlyanswerusifwecametoaskthemforinformationregardingtherumoredreincarnationof
YakouasthepeoplewhoissuedanarrestorderforHarutora.Hence,wehavetocarefullyobservethe
situationwhileconsideringtheirattitude."
Miyoshirestatedthesameconclusionagain,openinghisbookandstartingtoread.
Yugesankintothought.
IfwhatMiyoshisaidwastrue,thenitwaspossiblethatSeishukuTemplewasinthe'Yakoufaction'.But
TsuchimikadoHarutora,whowasviewedasYakou'sreincarnation,wascurrentlywagingwaragainst
theOnmyouAgency.
Theniftheywerereckless,theymightcauseSeishukuTempletomovetoTsuchimikadoHarutorathat
kindofdevelopmentwasverypossible.
"......Honestly."
Miyoshisuddenlymurmuredthatword.Yuge,whoseattentionwasabsorbedbyanewpossibility,
unconsciouslyrepliedtohimwithaninquisitive"Eh?".
"Rightwhenwegothere.ForaninstantIthoughtwe'foundhim'......Butitlookslike'that'wasn'thim.
Well,whatever.'That'seemsmorelikeareforged[31]soulthanareincarnation......"
Whatwashesaying?YugesilentlylookedatMiyoshi.
TheSpecialSenserstayedstaringatthebookinhishands.ButYugenoticedthatthefocusofhisgaze
wasslightlyoff.
"......Also,itseemslikeit'ssealingsomething......No,it'skeepingsomethingmaintained......Isthatthe
onlywayit'sableto'stayalive'?Itfeelstoounnaturalforanythingsomeoneinthemonasterywould
do......Moreimportantly,Idon'tthinkthehigherupswouldfailtonoticeforbiddenmagicofsucha
level.Then......"
Miyoshihadalreadystartedtalkingtohimselfatsomepoint.Yugetroubledherselfoverwhetherto
speakupornot.Butitreallywasanincrediblycuriousmonologue.
"OfficerMiyoshi?Whathaveyoubeensayingsincejustnow?"
MiyoshiclosedaneyewhenYugespokeuptoask.Hereplied"It'snothing......"whileshakingaheadas
ifitwerenothingatall,continuingtoreadhisbook.
"Iwasabitinterestedbecausetherewassomeone'dead'here.Asexpectedofaplacelikethis
monastery."
Part2
Theairinthemonasterywasstilltenseevenafter'slop'ended.Therestlessandtensefeelingthathad
gatheredseemedtobeontheedgeoferuptionbutitwasforcefullystuckinthestaterightbeforean
imminentexplosionratherthantrulyexploding.
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Akino,whohadbeentoldtolookafterHokuto,hadstayedwithherfortheresttimeafterthat.Theyhad
preparedlunch,helpedwiththemonasterychores,prepared'slop',andhelpedwithmoremonastery
chores.Duringthattime,thetenseatmosphereofthemonasteryreacheditspeakwhenOnmyouAgency
envoysarrived.However,Akinowasunconcernedaboutthosecircumstances,makingitthroughtothe
nightbysinglemindedlyfocusingondoingherownwork.
TheplaceAkinousuallysleptwasaresidentialareaofthemonastery.Itwasthefemalequartersfor
'disciples'.Thoughtherewereotherroomsforwomen,Akinoandtwoyoungseniorslivedtogetherin
thissixtatamiroom.
ButthetwoseniorsreactednegativelytoAkinoforbringingbackHokuto.
"Thisplaceistoocrampedforfourpeopletolivein."
"WhatisthatTadanoridoing?"
Theyhadnochoiceifitwasaninstructionhandeddownfromabove,butitmadeherregretfulto
suddenlyrestrictherseniors'livingspacebecauseofthenewcomershehadbroughtback.Though
Tadanorisaidthathehadalreadybroughtitupwiththem,theseniorsinsistedthattheyhadn'teven
heardofthis.
Asaresult,Hokutocouldonlysleepinthebeddingstorageroomtonight.
"Evenso,youdidn'tneedtoaccompanyme,Akino."
"BBut,Icouldn'tconvincetheseniors,andIwasaskedtolookafterHokuto."
AkinospokeinaflustertothewrylysmilingHokuto.
Thebeddingroomwasseveraltimeslargerthanthefemalelivingquartersfrombefore.Butthefaded
tatamiwasmostlyoccupiedbypiledbedding.Becauseitwasasouthfacingroomthatthesunlightdidn't
reach,therewasdusteverywhereanditwasabitmusty.Butmoreimportantly,itwasinconvenientthat
therewasnolight.Akinohadbroughtacandleusedforceremoniesfromastorageroomsecretlyand
litthesmallcandlewithamatch.
Thelightthatflickeredinthedarknessilluminatedthebeddingroomandthetwogirlsinit.Thoughit
wascompletelydarkcomparedtothelightinginthefemalequarters,incontrasthermoodbecamehappy
becausethelowlightcouldconcealextraneousthings.
Butbecauseitwasanarrowspaceoccupiedbysheets,thearomathatHokuto'sbodygaveofffelteven
closertoher.Itwasasifshewerefeelingherbodyheat.Herheartbeatwasabitrestless.
"Sorryfortroublingyou."
"Ehh?No,it'snotlikethat!It'snotHokuto'sfault.Pleasedon'tbeconcerned.Ineverreallyhatedthis
room.EvenwhenIwasbymyself,Iwouldcomeheretosleepsometimes."
"Eh?Why?"
"Um......Well,likewhencertainthingshappened......"
Tobemorespecific,thesocalled'certainthings'werewhenherseniorsscoldedher,butitwastoo
shamefultoexplainthistothenewcomerHokuto.Thelensesofherglassesreflectedthelightofthe
candle,andAkinoforcefullystoppedthediscussionasifsaying'pleasedon'tworry!'.
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"Actually,Ishouldbetheoneapologizing.It'syourfirstdayafterenteringthemonasteryandImade
yourunintothiskindofthing......"
"That'snotAkino'sfault.Rather,it'sfortunatethatIwasabletomixinwiththemonasteryduringthe
hubbub."
"Eh?Whyisthat?"
"Ah,uhh......BecauseIdon'treallywantattention."
Hokutosmiledawkwardlyasshesaidthat.
Cometothinkofit,whenshehadmetAkinoforthefirsttime,Hokuto'sattitudehadbeenveryforced.
PerhapsHokutowasunexpectedlyshy.Forsomereason,shewasfloodedbyasenseofcloseness.
"......Hmm?ButIheardthatyoutalkedprettyactivelywithotherswhenwewereworking."
Indeed,thathadbeenwhentheywerepreparing'slop'.Becausethemonasteryhadbeenallpanicked,
AkinohadendedupbeingunabletointroduceHokutotoeveryonearoundthem.Incontrast,Hokutohad
beenscoldedfiercelyforaskingendlessquestionsofthepeopleinthemonasteryandothersendedup
avoidingher.
HokutohadenthusiasticallyaskedabouttheenvoysfromtheOnmyouAgencytheTwelveDivine
Generals.
"Sorry.Um......It'sbecauseIhadtocheckwhocamenomatterwhat."
"Ah,youdon'thavetoapologizeforthat......"
TheTwelveDivineGeneralsoftheOnmyouAgencywerethestarsofthemagiccommunity.Itwas
understandablethatshewasinterested,butshedidn'treallyunderstandwhatshemeantby'checking'.
"Um,didyoufigureoutwhotheywere?"
"Yeah.JudgingbywhatIheard,itseemslikeoneofthemisaSpecialSenser.Theotheroneisafemale
IndependentOfficernamedYuge.ThelastoneisthepersonwhojustbecameaNationalFirstClass
Onmyoujirecently......Anyway,I'mrelieved."
"Relieved?"
"Ah,no.Um......Ishouldsayit'sfortunatethatit'snooneIrecognize......"
Hokutoloweredherheadwitharelievedexpressionasshespoke.Akinowasstunned.Sincetheywere
fromtheTwelveDivineGenerals,thensheshouldbehappyifsomeonesheknewcame,butthatdidn't
seemtobethecaseforHokuto.
"Well,um,althoughHokutowasn'tveryluckytoday,Ithinkthosepeoplewillgobackverysoon.Inthat
case,IthinkPriestTadanoriwillgobacktomanagingthemonasteryandthechoresandallocationand
things.Ofcourse,there'salsothepractice."
"......Yeah."
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ThoughHokutonoddedafterhearingAkino'swords,Akinocouldn'tseeherexpressionclearlysinceit
wastoodark.Butthatwasenough.Itwasn'talwaysrighttoseeeverythingclearly.
Afterthat,thetwoofthemchoseplacesthatlookeddecentamongthepiledblanketsandthenlaiddown
inthenarrowspace.
Akinowouldnormallybeunabletosettledownbecauseofasenseofdistance,butshehadshareda
roomwithHokutointheFrontHallyesterday.Evencomparedtothattime,thesenseofdistancehad
greatlyreceded.Actually,sleepingpillowtopillowlikethismadeherhappy.Thoughtheyhadbeen
kickedoutofthefemalequarters,shewasthankfultohertwoseniorstonight.
"Ah,right.Wehavetogetupatfourtomorrow.Thoughit'sabitearly,willyoubealright?"
"Hmm?Wasn'titAkinowhooverslepttoday?"
"TThatwas!?Iaccidentally,um......iitwasbecauseIwasn'tusedtotheplace."
"Usuallyyouwouldn'tbeabletosleepifyouweren'tusedtotheplace."
"ThThat'snottrue!Itwasjustacoincidencethismorning......Iwasjustunlucky!?"
AkinorepliedwithablushtoHokuto'steasingtone.Butinexplicably,shedidn'tfeeluncomfortableeven
thoughshewasclearlybeingteased.Thoughshefeltabitembarrassed,shedidn'thateit.
"HHokutotoo.Atthestart,weren'tyoucompletelysilentwhilewearingthatunhappyexpression?"
"Didthathappen?"
"Ah,howshameless.Youcan'trememberthingsaboutyourself."
"IwassosurprisedbythefactthatAkinoatefourbowlsofcupramenthatIwasn'tabletotalkwith
you."
"IIdidn'teveneatfourbowls.Itwasonlythree!"
"Ididn'tseeyouasaglutton."
"IIwasjusthungry.Hokuto,youjustdon'tknowthatyoucan'teatthingslikecupramenwheneveryou
wanthere."
Akinodesperatelyprotested.ButAkinoherselfknewthattherewasasmileonherfaceassheprotested.
Hokutowasthesame.Inthefaintlight,shesaidbullyingwordswhileshowingamischievoussmile.Her
gazewassofamiliarandsogentlethatshegraduallybecameembarrassed.Herheartitchedandshe
becamehappy.Thiswasherfirstexperience.
Astheychangedintotheirsleepingclotheswhilesittingonthespreadsheets,atsomepointthetwoof
themstartedchatteringinloweredvoiceswhileconstantlylaughing.
Shewasextremelydelighted.Anditmadeherhappy.Hatefulthingsanddifficultthingsallinstantly
becameneedlesstoworryabout.Whatwasupwiththis?Itwastrulystrangeitfeltcurious.
"Really.Wehavetogetupearlytomorrow,butisn'titHokuto'sfaultthatwewon'tbeabletosleep?"
"It'smyfault?"
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"It'sbecauseyousaidweirdthings,Hokuto.Ididn'tthinkyouwouldbethiskindofpersonyesterday."
"Hmph.Ithoughtsotoo."
"Eh?"
"IneverthoughtthatIwouldbeabletolaughlikethisaftercomingtothedarktemple.Ihaven'tlaughed
likethisinalongtimeinthefirstplace.Honestly,howlonghasitbeen?"
"......"
Akinodidn'trespondtoHokutoswordsassheseemedtobetalkingtoherself.Sheheldherkneesand
curledintoaballwhilewatchingHokuto.
Likethat,shesuddenlysawHokutostopsmilingandlookcalmlyatAkino.
"ItwasgreatthatAkinowasthefirstpersonImetwhenIcamehere.Thanks."
Shesaidthatstraightforwardlyandwithoutbeingoverlypolite.
Foramoment,Akinocouldn'trespond.Hercheeksjustgraduallyheatedup.Thoughsheopenedher
mouthasiftosaysomething,shecouldn'tsayanythingotherthanstrangesoundslike'um'and'aah',so
shehastilyclosedhermouth.
Then,sheloweredherheadagain.
Buttheonethingshewascertainofwasthatshefeltthesameway.
ItwasgreatthatHokutohadbeenthenewcomerwhocametothemonastery.Akinoraisedherheadwith
ablush,wantingtoatleastconveythatfact.Shelookedthroughherglassesthathadslippedslightly
becauseshehadloweredherheadtowardsHokuto'sface.
Hokutosuddenlyfroze.
"Um".AkinostaredatHokuto.HokutoalsostaredatAkino......Buttheirgazesdidn'tmeet.Hokuto
staredatAkino's'head',dumbstruck.
Shewailed.
"Ah!Eek!DDon'tlook!"
Thoughshefranticallyraisedherhands,shewasalreadyasteplate.Herfingertipstouchedandfeltthat
sensation.Ears.Hatefulrabbitearsthathadjumpedout.Itlookedliketheyhadunexpectedlypoppedout
becauseheremotionshadbeentoointense.Thoughitwouldbefineifshedematerializedthem
immediately,shecouldn'tdoitsinceshewastoofretful.
Akinokeptherhandsraisedwithanalmostcryingexpressionandwasmoreorlessabletoblockher
earsthatway.
Ontheotherhand,HokutostillstaredatAkinoandherearsindisbelief.
Herearstwitched.Thoughshehadn'tintendedit,unfortunatelyitseemedthattheywereconsciousthat
theyhadbeenseen.Herearsmovedbythemselves.AsiftoexpressAkino'sfeelings,therabbitearson
herheadtwitchedaroundandchangedtheirdirectionbitbybit.
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Then,Hokuto'seyeswiden.
"......So..."
"......!?"
"Socute......"
"......Eh?"
Akino'searsreactedsharply.
HokutokeptstaringintentlyatAkino'searswithaseriousgaze,andthenblinked.
"What?Rabbitlivingspiritsgrowcuteearslikethat?"
"WWhoknows,um,well..."
"ThoughKon'searswerealsoverycute......Buttothinkrabbitearsarethiscute.They'requite
expressive......Ah,theymovedagain."
"......Kon?"
Oneearjumpedinsurprise.ThoughAkinoquietlyaskedback,Hokutodidn'tnoticeit.Incontrast,she
unconsciouslydrewcloserwithanextremelymovedappearance.
"Uhm,cantheyhearsound?"
"Eh?ThTheycan'treally......Ratherthansound,theymakeiteasiertosensepresences."
"Isee.Sincethey'respiritual,Iguessit'scloserto'sight'[32].Thencanyoumovethemyourself?"
"Um,ttoacertainextent......"
Akinohelplesslyloweredherhandsuponfacingthatlookthatwereinstantlyfilledwithanticipation.
Sheheldherkneesandcurledintoaballagain.Sheadjustedherglassesandlookedupasiftryingtosee
herownforehead.
Theearsthatwerecurrentlybentintoa''characterjumpedandfloppedtotheright.Then,theyjumped
againandmovedintheoppositedirection.
Withan'ooh',Hokuto'seyesbecameredtinged.
"That'sreally......socute."
"......"
"CanItouchthem?"
"Ueeh!?"
"Ah,it'sfineifyoudon'twantthat"
"Nono,it'snotthatIdon'twantit......youcanttouchthem......uuuu......JJustforabit......"
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Akinohesitated,deeplyblushing,andendeduploweringherhead,stickingherearsforward.
Hokutosoftlyextendedherhand.
Herfingertipstouched.Akinocouldn'thelpbutshuthereyeswithan"ah".Anunimaginablefeelingof
herearsbeingtouched.Thoughshecouldn'tkeepherearsfrommovingasiftotwistthemselves,Hokuto
keptstrokingherrabbitearswithherslenderfingers.Itwasasifshewereaddictedtothegentlefeeling
ofthatfur.
"Socute......HowshouldIputit?TheyareareflectionofAkino'spersonality,right?"
"WhWhatdoesthatmean?"
"DoesntAkinosanbehavelikearabbitinsomeways?"
"Ehh?"
"You'retimidinfrontofpeoplebutyou'realsoaglutton,andyou'reabitpanickedbutunexpectedly
leisurely."
"Ah,that'swhatyoumeant."Shecouldn'tdenyit.Intheend,hercrookedearsdroppeddownlistlessly.
Thinkingthatshewasunhappy,Hokutosaid"Ah,sorry"whilehastilypullingherhandaway.
"Thatwasrudeofme.Butit'strulyverycuteandsuitsyouverywell.Also,they'reextremelyprettynow
thatI'velookedatthemclosely.Ratherthanbeingwhite,theirfurismoreofawhitishsilver."
Hokutowasn'tjustbeingpolite.Thoughsherealizedthis,Akinostillhadcomplexfeelings.Afterall,
thesewereattherootsofherinferioritycomplex.
"Whydoyouusuallyhidethem?"
"Because......it'sterribletohavethesethingsonmyhead.Becauseeveryonetakesmeforanidiot......"
"Terrible,huh?"
ThoughHokutorespondedwithasurprisedface,shedidn'texpressoppositionoragreementlikebefore
whenshesawAkino'sstubbornexpression.
But,
"IlikeAkino'searsverymuch."
"......"
Stunned,Akinoburiedherfaceintoherknees.Shedesperatelytriedtoconcealherexpressionlikethat.
Incontrast,therabbitearsonherheadjumpeduphappilyafterpausingforamoment.How
embarrassing!Sheendedupnotbeingabletoraiseherheadbackup.
ButAkino'sjumpingearssuddenlystopped.
Herearschangeddirectionintheblinkofaneye.Inthedirectionoftheslidingdoorseparatingthe
beddingroomandthecorridor.Then,Hokutoseemedtonoticeaswell,herbodytensedupinaninstant.
"Whoisit"
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"Ah,iit'salright.It'sprobablyTengusan."
Ataloss,Hokutoasked,"Tengusan?"Then,thedoortothebeddingroomwaspulledopenwitha
clatter.
Thelightinthecorridorhadalreadyvanished.Agiantfigurequietlyenteredfromthedeepdarknessthat
thelightofthecandledidn'tilluminate.
Itwasahugeman.
Hischestwasverythickandhisarmswerethickandlongliketreetrunks.Thoughhewasquitetall,he
wassobroadshoulderedandsolidlybuiltthatitseemedtomakehisbackhunch.Hence,hisprofile
lookedmorelikeagorillathanahuman.
Thoughhehadthatabnormalbody,hisclothesweremoreeyecatching.Themanworeaformalmonk's
robe,buttherewasaheadpiecetiedaroundhishead,amajestictengumask.
Hewassuchahugeman,buthisfootstepsdidn'tmakeanysoundatall.No,thatwasalsoobvious.
"...Ashikigami?"
"Yes."
AkinorepliedtoHokuto'ssuspicion.
Uponcarefulinspection,theshikigamiwearingaTengumaskcarriedaloadofsheetsoverhisshoulder.
Hedidn'tevenglanceatAkinoandHokutowhowerepreparingtosleepinthiskindofplace,moving
intothedepthsoftheroom.Then,heplacedthesheetsoverhisshoulderonthepiledsheets.
"......Ahighlevelmanmadeshikigami?Whoseisit?Isitashikigamiofamonkhere?'
"Ah,no,he'swild."
Hokutomadeashameful"Hah?"sounduponhearingAkino'sreply.
"Wild?WWild......"
"Inotherwords,he'snoone's.He'sjustashikigamisanwho'salwayslivedatthemonastery."
"Ahh,soyoumeanheservesSeishukuTemple......Butevenso,there'snoreasonforhimtohaveno
master."
"Evenifyousaythat......Well,ifyouhadtosay,'everyone'shismaster',Iguess?He'lldowhatever
anyoneasksofhimaslongasit'ssomethinghecando.He'sverystrong,sohe'salotofhelp."
"......"
Hokutostillfrownedasifunabletoacceptit.Ontheotherhand,thetengumaskwearingshikigami
slowlyturnedaroundafterpilingupthesheetshehadcarriedoverandwenttowardsthedoor.
Hewasdoingchoresalone,evenwhileeveryoneinthemonasterywassleeping.Akinosaid"Thanksfor
yourwork"tothebroadback.
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Immediatelyafterwards,theshikigamistopped.Instantly,itturnedaround,thetengumaskfacingAkino
andHokuto."Hmm?"Akinowastakenaback.
Then,
"Deadpersonishere."
Alowvoicecamefrominsidethetengumask.
Akino'seyeswidened.
"Deadpersoncanmove,interesting."
Akino'srabbitearsfroze.Shefeltshockedfromthebottomofherheart.
Afterwards,theshikigamiwalkedforwardagain,shufflingfromtheroomintothecorridor.Thesliding
doorwasclosedwithaclatter.Akino'searswerestillstiff.
"......Ahh,hescaredme."
Sheonlymanagedtoletoutabreathawhilelater.
"It'sthefirsttimeI'veheardTengusansaysomething......IguessTengusantalks."
Evenherseniorsdefinitelydidn'tknowthatthetengushikigamicouldtalk.ThistimeevenSenwould
havetocomeaskhertolearnaboutit.OrmaybeSenalreadyknew?Shewasabitexcitedinhershock.
Inanycase,shehadcomeacrossarareoccasion.
"Howincredible.Hey,Hokuto.Tengusannormallydoesn'tsayanythingatall!Iwonderwhat'sup
today.Hokuto,youheardhimtoo,right?Right?'
AkinoexcitedlyturnedtowardsHokuto.
ButHokuto'sfacewaspale.
"Eh?Ah,Hokuto,youwerefrightenedtoo,right?It'salright.Thoughhelooksveryscary,hedoesn'tdo
scarythings."
AkinohastilyexplainedabouttheshikigamiasiftocomfortHokuto.Butsheinadvertentlyhada
suspicion.
Whentheshikigamihadenteredtheroomjustnow,Hokutohadn'tbeenscaredalthoughshehadbeen
nervous.Shecouldn'thavebeenfrightenedbythefactthathehadspokeneither.Becauseinanycase,
thiswasHokuto'sfirsttimemeetinghim.Inthatcase,whywastheblooddrainedfromHokuto'sface?
Right.Akinofinallythoughtofit.
TheshikigamihadsaidthosewordswhenhehadlookedatthemAkinoandHokuto.
Deadpersonishere.
"......Eh?"
Deadperson?
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Hokutobitherlipsilentlyandherbodystiffened.Thatexpressionwasevenharsherandcolderthan
duringfirsttimeshehadmether.
Suddenly,avaguefeelingofcoldnesswelleduponAkino'sback.
ThearomaofincensethatcamefromHokuto'sbodystillfloatedinthemiddleoftheroom.
Whenanighttimemonasterywasmentioned,onewouldthinkofasilentenvironmentwithnosoundat
all.ButitseemedlikeSeishukuTemplewasn'tlikethis.
Thesoundofinsectscouldbeheardeverywherealongwiththecriesofwildbeaststhatcamefromthe
darkmountains.Thesesoundsofnaturecouldonlybeheardbecausetheactivitiesofhumanshad
ceased.Moreover,thoughhehadlongsincepreparedhimselftofacecompleteblackness,therewere
actuallylitstonelanternsdottingthearea,andhencetherewasbasicallynoproblemmovingaroundthe
monastery.
Perhapsheshouldsayasexpectedofthedarktemple.Thelitfiresweremagicalfires.
Yamashirowalkedoutoftheroomallocatedtohimandleftthebuildingtogodeepintothemonastery.
Needlesstosay,hewasobviouslystealthed.Hecautiouslypaidattentiontothesurroundingswhile
pushingasidethetreebranchesandquicklystridingintothecedarforest.
Thetrainingpractitionerscalled'disciples'inSeishukuTempleprobablylivedinthegeneralquarters.
Butthepeoplewhohadbecome'ajari'seemedtobegivenlargeroomsorhuts,alsocalled'monk's
quarters'.
Butthatwasn'ttosaythateverypersonhadtheirownroom.Rather,severalpeopleusedonemonk's
quarter,usingasingleroomasaden.
Whatasimplelife.Itwouldbereasonableforsomeonewhofeltconfidentinhispowertobedissatisfied
withthetreatmentinthemonastery.
Thepersonhewasgoingtomeetwassomeonewhoheldsuchdissatisfaction.
Seeingthelightofhisdestinationdeepintheforest,Yamashirostopped.
Thelightthatflickeredthroughtheshadeofthemountainforestcamefromthemonk'squarters.
Yamashirosnorted.
"......Whydon'tyoushowyourself?Orareyousayingthatit'sfineifIbreakinlikethis?"
Itwasunclearwhohewastalkingto,butimmediatelyafterwardsthespacebeforehimwaveredslightly.
Abarrierwashastilybeingreleased.
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Coulditbethattheywantedtoconfirmhispower?Thoughitwaslaughable,therewasnomeaningin
readingintotheotherside'sthoughtsforeverylittlethingorrather,theothersidewasn'timportant
enoughforhimtodoso.Yamashirostrodeforwardwithanindifferentattitude.
Thismonk'squarterlookedontheoutsidelikeahermitage.Hestoodinfrontoftheentrance.Thedoor
openedasifithadbeenwaitingandawoman'sfacepeekedout.Shewastheglasseswearingmiddle
agedwomanthathehadseeninthegatheringhallduringtheday.
"Sorryforearlier."
"......"
Heknewfromjustseeingtheaura.Thiswomanhadputupthatbarrierfrombefore.Thewomaninvited
Yamashiroinwithanawkwardexpression,thenclosedthedoorofthemonk'squarter.
Thoughitwasanancientbuildinglikehethought,therewasstillelectricity.Hetookoffhisshoesand
passedthroughthehallfollowingthewoman'slead.
Hearrivedataninnerroom.
"I'vemadeyouwait,PriestRian."
"Ah,I'vebeenwaitingforyou,Yamashirokun."
TheoneintheroomwasthescholarlymanwhohadfoughtwithJougeninthefatheringhall,Rian.
Thoughitwasatraditionalroomabouteighttatamilarge,therewasatableandbookshelveswereplaced
bythewalls,soitlookedlikeitwasusedasalibrary.Rianrosefromhisseat,signalingwithhisgazeto
thewomanwhohadledhimhere.Thewomanquicklywithdrewfromtheroom,shuttingthesliding
door.
ThisroomlookedlikeRian'sden.Refusingthechairthattheajarioffered,Yamashiroputhishandinhis
suitpocket.Hetookoutasealedletter.Rian'sfacelitupwhenhesawit.
"That'sfromChiefKurahashi......"
"Yes.Iwasinstructedtosecretlybringittoyou,whichiswhyIamhere."
RianjumpedtoaccepttheletterthatYamashirooffered.Heopenedtheseal,readingtheletterinsideas
ifwolfingitdown.Yamashiroglancedtoconfirmhisappearanceandthenobservedtheroomwhile
smiling.
Alaptopwasopenedonthedeskfacingthewindow.Therewasalsoacalculatorandatablet.Therewas
asmallLCDtelevisionbytheside.Itfeltlikethetableofsomeoneinthisbackwardsmountainworld
whowasincrediblyjealousoftheoutsideworld.
Movinghisgazetothebookshelves,hewasabletoseereligiousandmagictextsmixedtogetheralong
withnewlookingbooksonbusiness.Therewerewinebottlesarrangedinsidetheglassdoors.There
weremanykinds,buttheywereallhighpricedgoods.Thismanwastotallyeasytoseethrough.
Consciousofthisfact,Yamashiro'ssmilebecamecold.
"......Notabadcollection."
"Eh?......Ah,yeah.Wantaglass?"
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AflatteredexpressionemergedonRianandheopenedtheglassdoorandtookoutabrandy.
"Isthisthesocalled'hannyatou'[33]?"
"Hmph.Therearepracticallynoreligiousrestrictionsinthisplace.Moreimportantly,it'snothing
importantanyway."
"Indeed.Thoughit'sveryimpolite,IwasquitesurprisedwhenIcamehere.Ineverthoughtyouwould
belivingsuchanoutdatedlife."
"It'snotlikeIenjoyit.Youmightnotknowthatthingslike'conventionalism'areakindofpowerful
'magic'oftheirown.Theybindpeople'sheartswithnoregardformagicalresistance."
"......Whatiftherewerea'spell'thatcoulddestroyit?"
"Hmm.Well,aboutthat.Forexample,there'sthis."
Sayingthat,Rianwavedtheletterinhishands.
Then,hetookoutaglasscupandopenedthebottleofbrandy.Thescentofbrandyfloatedthroughthe
roomwithacheerfulpoppingsound.
"Cometothinkofit,Ididallthisfortheexpresspurposeofactivatingthat'spell'.TheOnmyouAgency
isactuallyabletobreakSeishukuTemple'ssealthecurseofconventionalism.Orinotherwords,it'sits
leader,HisExcellencyKurahashiGenji."
"......Inthatcase,I'mjustameansthattheChiefisusing,right?"
"That'scorrect."
Riansmiledwhileofferinghimaglasscupfilledwithbrandy.Yamashirorespectfullyonthesurface
acceptedit.
"ToSeishukuTemple'sfutureandtheprosperityoftheOnmyouAgency."
Rianspokewhileraisinghisglass.Itwasprobablyforhisownfutureandprosperity,Yamashiromocked
inhisheartwhilesilentlyraisinghisglass.
YamashirohadmetthismancalledRianinthegatheringhallnotlongagoforthefirsttime.Buthehad
alreadycommunicatedwithhimthroughmailseveraltimes.
Originally,beforeYamashiroandtheothershadbeensentasenvoysoftheOnmyouAgency,Seishuku
Templehadalreadysplitintotwofactions,theconservativefactionandthereformistfaction,andbegun
opposingeachother.ThisconflicthadbecomeespeciallyintensesincethefinalstageoftheOnmyou
lawlegalreformlastyear.
TheOnmyoulawofthepasthadstrictrulesregardingthescopeofauthorityanddutiesofOnmyoujior
practitioners.Totakeittotheextreme,Onmyoujidutieswerelimitedtojustpurifyingthemanyspiritual
disasterswithinTokyoanddealingwithmagicalcrimesrelatedtopractitioners,andforthistheyhad
permissiontousemagic.Thoughsocalledspiritualtreatmentwasanexception,inthefirstplacethis
wasjustinordertotreatspiritualencumbrancethatwascausedbyspiritualdisasters.
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ButthatOnmyoulawwasbeingreformedonalargescale.Alargeportionoftheregulationstowards
Onmyoujiandmagicwerebeinglifted.Thoughithadn'tactuallycomeintoeffectnow,itwas
anticipatedthatfutureOnmyoujiactivitywouldspreadintovariousareas.
AmongtheSeishukuTempleinhabitants,thereformistfactionbecamegreatlyexciteduponlearningof
thislegalreform.Itwascurrentlyagreatopportunitytoutilizethegreatopportunityofthelegalreform
anduseitasatriggertoabandontheirillegalbackgroundandmovetotheoutsideworld.Advocatesof
thatbecameincreasinglylouderandlouder.
Thereformistswerecomposedofyoungpractitionersdissatisfiedwithlifeinthemonastery.Itwasthe
Rianbeforehimwhohadbecometheircoreperson.
RianhadsecretlykeptcontactwiththeOnmyouAgency,askingtheOnmyouAgencyforsupportforthe
purposeofreformingSeishukuTemple.Itwaspracticallyanactionofbetrayalforthe'darktemple'that
livedonillegalactivity.Butithadbeenworthwhile,asRianhadsucceededinlayingdownasecret
agreementwiththeOnmyouAgencyhigherups.EvenMiyoshiandYugewhowerealsoenvoysdidn't
knowofthatmatter.ThiswasafactthatonlytheMysticalInvestigatorYamashiroknew.
Riansatbackonhischair,lookingovertheletteragain.
"......Thankyousomuch.Everyone'smoralwillrisethistime."
"......"
Yamashirostillstoodmotionlessly,silentlybringingtheglasstohislips.
Rianandtheothersdesiredtheoutsideworld.
Buttheydidn'tleavethemonasteryoftheirowninitiativebecausetheydidn'tknowhowtoliveoutside
themonastery.Moreover,theyweren'tresolvedtogiveuptheirpositionsasajaritoliveonasamere
practitionerorevenapractitionerwithoutqualifications.Thisactuallywasnosimplematter.People
whogrewupinthemonasterywouldhavegreatdifficultylivingoutsidethemonastery.Hence,they
specificallywishedforthemonasterytoopenitselfup.
IntheletterthatYamashirohadhandedover,ithadbeenwrittenthatthetreatmentofallofthepeople
RiancountedasreformistswouldbeguaranteedintheOnmyouAgencyChief'sname.Thiswasthe
secretagreementthatRianandKurahashihadmade.TheitemofRian'spersonaltreatmenthadbeen
explainedinaspecificallypreparedletter.
Thatsecretletterhadbeenprepared'justforhim'.
"Anyway,you'veworkedhard,Yamashirokun.IhopethatyoucouldsayhellototheChiefformeafter
youreturn.Theopeningofthemonasteryisn'tsofarawayanymore."
Yamashirocouldn'thelpbutwanttoclickhistongueagainuponseeingRiansmilingandpretendingto
betough.
"Notsofarawayanymore?Whatareyousayingsocasuallyhere,Priest?"
Histonechangedslightly,becomingsharpandcritical."WWhat?"Rianflinchedasifhehadbeenhit.
"It'salreadybeenhalfayearsinceyoucontactedtheOnmyouAgency.We'vecometoSeishukuTemple
tovisityou,butIhaven'tseenanydevelopmentsatall.Whatdidyousayagain?Theinternalmonastery
adjustmentswouldbecarriedouteasilyaslongasyouhadthebackingoftheOnmyouAgency.Letme
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seethereformsyou'rebringingabout,or......"
"ThThat's......Therearevarioussituationsonthisside.Evenso,we'restillgettingreadytoadvance."
"Andtheresultwasthedisputeduringtheday?No,thatdoesn'tevencountasadispute.PriestJougen's
factiondoesn'teventreatyoulikeanopponent,right?Also,actually,theresultsofyour'gettingready'
haven'tchangedthesituationatall."
"II'dbeverytroubledifyoumadeajudgmentbasedonthatevent.Peoplewhoweren'tborninthe
monasterydon'tunderstandmostoftheproblemsleftinthemonastery.There'snohelpingitthatwe
havetospendsometime."
Rianfrownedandrebuttedtherudeaccusationsoftheyoungenvoy.Cometothinkofit,itwasmore
likeanemptyexcusethanarebuttal.Hethoughtthatitwastragicthatapersonofthislevelhadbeen
abletocaptainthereformiststhankstohishighstandingamongthem.Orperhapsthesocalled
reformistswerejustofthesamelevel.Thoughhehopedthatitwastheformer.
"Inanycase,I'llhavetoreportthecircumstancesofthemeetingduringthedaytotheChief.Ourcontact
inthefuturemightgotoPriestJougeninsteadofyoudependingonthecircumstances."
"Wha!?Thatkindofridiculousideaisimpossible.Youcanseeataglance,right?Thatpersonwon't
agreetosomethinglikeopeningthemonasterynomatterwhat!"
"Evenso,there'snootherwayaslongashe'sthepersonwhoactuallycontrolsthismonastery.Idon't
knowhowtimefeelstothepeopleatSeishukuTemple,buttheOnmyouAgencynolongerhasthetime
totoleratethiskindofpace."
RianbithislipatYamashiro'sacridtone.ThoughhestaredfiercelyattheMysticalInvestigator,Rian
seemedtounderstandthathiswordsweren'tjustforshow.
"But......Inthatcase,whatdoyouproposeIdo?"
"It'sverysimple.Beforeweleavethemountain,pleaseletmeseesome'results'.EventheOnmyou
Agencyobviouslyhopestonegotiatewithsomeonewhocanmakegoodonwhattheysay.Naturally,it
wouldbethebestifPriestRianwereabletoshowsome'results'."
"......"
Rianloweredhisheadandsankintosilence.
Whatanindecisiveman.ButYamashirodidn'ttakeanyfurtheractionstourgeRian.Rather,hesmiled
leisurelywhilewaitingandsippingbrandy.
HehadactuallyconsideredforgettingRianandcontactingJougen.Butjudgingfromthecurrent
situation,thatwasevenmoredifficult,andmoreimportantly,itwasclearataglancethatthe
negotiationswouldstall.ItwouldbebestifRianwereabletomovetoseizetherealauthorityof
SeishukuTemple.Evenifhecouldn'tdothatmuch,aslongashewereabletothrowtheinternalsof
SeishukuTempleintochaos,theOnmyouAgencywouldbeabletotakeadvantageoftheopeningand
absorbit.TheworkofMysticalInvestigatorsalsoincludedthatkindofshadybusiness.
Riancontinuedthinkingsilentlyforalongtime.
Finally,
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"......There'sstillaproblem."
"Whatisit?"
"Ourcomrades......arebasicallyallyoungpeople.Thoughsomearerecognizedasajari,it'svery
unfortunatethatatthistime,ourfightingpoweriscomparatively......"
"......Youcan'topposePriestJougenandtheothers?"
YamashiroconfirmedquietlyandRiannoddedresignedly.Howpretentious,tothinkthattheirside
didn'tevenknowthatmuch.
ThereweremanyhighlevelpractitionersinSeishukuTemple.Moreover,mostofthemweremagical
criminalswhohadbeentaintedbyillegalactivities.Becauseofthat,theywerehighlyguardedagainst
theOnmyouAgencyandtheybasicallysupportedPriestJougenasconservatives.Thathadbeenthe
mostimportantreasontheOnmyouAgencyhadchosenRianratherthanJougenastheirmiddlemanor
perhaps,theyhadnochoicebuttochoosehim.
"If,hypothetically,aheadonconfrontationoccurred,ourchanceofvictorywouldbeslim......No,
thoughIthinkitdependsonthemethods,evensowewouldbemakingadangerousgamble......"How
naive.Yamashirosmiled.Whatdidhemean,theirchanceofvictorywouldbeslim.Ifthetwosidestruly
separatedtofightamagicalbattle,Rianandtheothershadnochanceofvictoryatall.
But,
"......Priest.That'swhywe'vebeendispatched."
Yamashirospokegently.RianabruptlylookedupattheyoungMysticalInvestigators.
"Don'tlookatmelikethat,we'rejustdoingourjobsasNationalFirstClassOnmyouji.However,why
doyouthinkwewerespecificallytakenfromouroriginalpostsandchosentocometoSeishukuTemple
asenvoys?"
"BBut......!?Then,theothertwoaswell?"
"Ah,sorry.Ofcourse,theydon'tknow.Butifsomethinghappens,theycan'tpossiblyrefuse.More
importantlyhowshouldIputit,thisisadenofmagicalcriminals.Withthatreason,wecancomeup
withanynumberofexcuses."
Rian'seyeswidenedatthiscasuallysmilingYamashiroandhegulped.Hewassilentlikethatfora
while,butintheendheshookhisheadinatremblingvoice.
"YYoudon'tknowhowfearsomeJougenis.ThoughIdon'tmeantobelittletheTwelveDivine
Generals,thatmanisamonster.IcanunderstandhispowerbecauseI'malsoanajari."
YamashirosnortedsoftlyuponhearingRian'sominouswords.
Butcometothinkofit,hiswordsweretrue.Hedidn'tneedtorecallMiyoshi'sfightingpoweranalysis.
Hecouldunderstandjustfrom'seeing'Rianthathistalentasapractitionerwasfirstrate,thoughhis
actualbattleexperiencewasunclear.
EventhisRianwassoterrified.ThattoldhimthatJougenwasonadifferentlevelfromhim.
However,intheend,thatwasjustthestrengthofasingleperson.
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"Inthatcase,letmeaskyousomething,PriestRian.PriestJougenandtheothers,orinotherwordsthe
forcesoftheconservatives,arethey'sincerely'resolvedtoopposetheOnmyouAgency?"
Rian'seyesopenedwide.
"NNo.Thatkindofthing......"
"No,right?That'sright,theycouldn'tpossiblyhavesuchdetermination.Atleastmostpeoplewould
hesitate.It'sfinetobeunfamiliar,butsomeonefamiliarwithsocietycantrulyrecognizethepowerofthe
OnmyouAgency,right?ThenwouldsomeonewhorecognizesthepoweroftheOnmyouAgencybeable
tocrossbladeswithaDivineGeneral,therepresentativeoftheOnmyouAgency?Don'tyouthinkthat
theywouldwaverifwemadetheofferofforgivingtheirpastcrimesaslongastheygaveupon
resisting?"
"......"
"Ofcourse,therearesomestubborn,selfserving,ignorantseniorsamongthem.MaybePriestJougenis
likethat,forexample.Buttheconservativesshouldhavemindsoftheirown.Whatdoyouthinkthey
believeaboutthecurrentsimmeringSeishukuTemple?"
RianfellsilentagainatYamashiro'ssweetwords.Butthissilencefeltdifferentfrombefore.Hiseyes
weresaturatedinanabnormalmadnessandhislipsweretight.
Yamashirosmiledinsatisfaction,noddinglightly.
"Priest.Thoughthisisofftherecord,Iobtainedsufficient'decisionmakingpower'fromChief
Kurahashi.Pleaserelyonmeifyou'retroubledbyanything."
Part3
Itwasfourinthemorning.Thelandscapewasstilldark,stillshroudedbynight.The'disciples'softly
rose,toobusytospeaktoeachotherastheyscatteredtovariousplacesunderthefirelightillumination
ofthestonelanterns.Someweregoingtopreparebreakfast,someweregoingtopreparepracticeforthe
ajari,andsomewereresponsibleforotherchores.Theyallhadtheirownduties.
Ofcourse,Hokuto'sdutyhadn'tbeenassignedyet.So,todayshewasalsohelpingwithAkino'sshare.
Thatshareofthedutyrequiredthetwoofthemtosweepeverycorneroftheareacleanwithbamboo
broomsinhand.Thoughitcouldbeeasilycompletedbyusingshikigami,the'monasterychores'were
alsotrainingafterall.Theajarihadinstructedthattheyweretodothemontheirown.
Themountainmorningsbecameparticularlycoldwiththecomingofwinter.Thetwoofthemputon
thickclothingandarrivedatthedesignatedarea,thenstartedsilentlysweepingleaves.
Thoughitwasn'trequiredtobethatway,peopleusuallydidn'ttalkmuchinthemorning.Itwasalso
becausetheirsleepinesshadn'tfullycleared,butitwasmoreliketheyfeltasifitwouldbebetternotto
disturbthepredawnmountainatmospherewithevenanextraneouswhisperingvoice.Perhapstheyhad
noticedthepresenceofhumans,asthesoundofinsectsfromnearbywasonlyfaintlyaudible.Allthat
wasleftweretheregularscratchingsoundsproducedbythetwoofthemsweepingtheirbamboo
brooms.Soonafter,thefaintdawnblendedwiththemorningmist,coveringthearea.Thelitstone
lanternscrackled,theirlightswayingstrangelyinthedarkness.
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Thecryofabirdsoundedinthemountain.
Morningwouldarriveafterawhile.
Suddenly,thesoundofthebamboobroomsstopped.Thoughitwasdelayedbyabit,theotheronealso
stopped.Akinoheldherbroommotionlessly,herheadlowered.Hokutoalsostoppedherhandsand
turnedtolookuponnoticing.
"......Akino?"
Hokutospokeuptoask.EventhoughAkinodidn'treply,herbodywasstillmotionless.
Thetwoofthemalmosthadn'tspokenyesterdaynightaftertheominouswordsthatthetengushikigami
hadleftbehind.ThoughHokutoopenedhermouthasiftosaysomething,sheendedupswallowingher
wordsbackintoherstomach.
"Akino.I'llgosweepoverthere."
Akinoinstinctivelycasthergazetowardsthere,feelingthegloominessinthewords.Thefaceofthe
HokutowhomethereyewasfilledwithlonelinessAkinofinallymusteredthecourage.Akinogripped
herbroom,walkingtowardstheHokutowhowascautiouslykeepingherdistancefromher.
"Akino?"AsurprisedexpressionsurfacedonHokutoasshenoticedthis.
SheapproachedHokutoandwasabletosmellhersweetaroma.
ButAkinowasn'tinterestedinthat.
"UUm,HHokuto."
"Yes."
"YYouknowaboutyesterday?Um,whatTengusansaid,well,yyoudon'tneedtoworrytoomuch
aboutit,so......"
"Eh?"
Hokutocouldn'tconcealherconfusiontowardsAkinowhowasrackingherbrains.ButAkinowas
unconcerned,going"Nnn"whilenoddingvigorouslyasifsheintendeditforherself.
"IIonlylearnedthatTengusancouldtalkyesterday.Ihavenocluewhyhewouldsaysomethinglike
that.Sodon'tbeconcerned.EEvenI'mnotinterested."
Herfinalwordswereclearlyalie.
Butitwasn'taseriouslie.
AkinogazedatHokutothroughherglasses.Whenshecomparedthemlikethis,Hokutowashalfahead
tallerthanAkino.HokutohesitatedslightlywhilelookingatthelittleAkino,but......
Herexpressionsuddenlyrelaxed.
Shetookonamischievousexpression,hereyessmiling.
"But......WhatwouldyoudoifIwerereallyadeadperson?Wouldthatbealright?"
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"OfOfcourse,what'stheproblem!?Therearealotofweirdpeoplehere.II'malsoarabbitliving
spirit.That'snotanythingtobeconcernedabout!"
Akinoassertedthatcompletelyseriously,completelysolemnly.
Atthesametime,lagappearedonthegirl'shairandlongrabbitearspokedout.ButAkinonolongerhad
anyintentionsofhidingthem.ShelookedintoHokuto'seyeswithmoisteyesandanearcrying
appearance.
Hokutoquietlyclosedhereyes.
"......Thankyou.Akino......You'retrulygentle."
Shecalmlysaid.
Then,shekeptsaying"I'msorry".
"II'mactuallyhidingalotofthingsfromyou.IfIwereforcedtosaythem,Iwoulddefinitelygetyou
intotrouble.But......ThefactthatI'mbeingdishonestcomparedtoyouwon'tchange."
"Hokuto."
Akino'seyeswidenedasshegazedmotionlesslyatHokuto.
"IIt'sfine.Everyone'slikethathere."
Everyonehadtheirownreasonsforcomingtothemonastery.Akinoknewnothingaboutanything
outsidethemonastery,anditwasverydifficultforhertoimagine.Moreimportantly,askingaboutthe
pastsofotherswastabooedinthemonastery.Thiscouldonlybecomethefinaldestinationforpeople
withnooneelsetogobecauseitwasaplacefarremovedfromworldliness.Inthatsense,itwasas
expectedforasocalled'monastery'.
Itwouldbealieifshesaidshedidn'twanttoknow.Buttherewerethingsthatshewantedtoprotect
evenifshelied.
ButHokuto'sfranknessdidn'tstopthere.
"Akino.There'ssomethingIhopeyoucanunderstand.Icameherewithagoal."
"AAgoal."
"Yes.Also......I'llleavethisplacewhenthingsfinish."
"......Eh?"
Thosewereunexpectedwords.EventheshockshehadreceivedathearingthatHokutowasaspirit
definitelyhadn'tbeenaslargeaswhatshereceivedfromhearingthatsentence.
"BBBut,leavingthemonasteryisn'tthateasy......TTheonlyoneswhocanleavearebasicallypriests
whobecameajari,youknow?Youhavetogothroughmanyyearsoftrainingtoberecognizedifyou
wanttobecomeapriest......"
Akinoinstantlyexplainedthat,butatthesametime,sheknewthatwasn'tthetruth.
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Manypeoplewhoenteredthemonasteryenteredbecausetheyhadnowheretogointheoutsideworld.
Hence,therewereveryfewpeoplewhowantedtoleave.Therewerepeoplewhosneakedoutbecause
theygottiredoflifeatthemonastery,butthesepeopleendedupreturningtothemountainandreturning
totheirpreviouslifeafterreceivingpunishment.
Butthemonasterywouldn'tespeciallypursueafugitivewhosneakedout.Evenmoresoifthefugitive
wasa'disciple'andnotanajari.Tohomelesspractitioners,themonasterywastheirlaststrongholdand
nottheirprison.Inprinciple,nonajaripeoplewereforbiddenfromgoingoutside,butthatwasjustto
keepupdiscipline.Theywouldn'tpurposefullycallbackpeoplewhocouldliveonoutside.
Hence,ifHokutowantedtosneakoutofthemonastery,perhapsshewouldsucceed.Evenifitwere
knownbeforehandthatshewantedtoescape,nothingcouldbedoneatall.
Hokutosaidthatshewasbeingdishonest.ThenmaybeshestubbornlywantedtotellAkinothatshewas
goingto'leavethisplace'toatleastcompensateherabit.
"EventhoughIdecidedthatbymyself,I'mreallysorry."
Hokutoapologizedagain.Thistime,Akinocouldnolongermakeareplyatall.
Herrabbitearssilentlydrooped.Hokutostayedagonizinglysilentasshewatchedfromtheside.
"H......Howlongwillitbeuntilit'sover?"
"......Idon'tknow.Butsincemyfatherreadthestarsaweekago,perhapsitwillhappenverysoon......In
afewdays,Iguess."
"How?"
Akinodidn'tunderstandwhat'readingthestars'meant.Butthatkindofthingdidn'tmatternowthatshe
hadheardsomethinglike'afewdays'.
Howlonesome.Howdepressing.
But,atthesametime,
......Iguessthat'sright.
Shethought.
Hadn'tshealwaysfeltthatshewasararetypethatcouldn'tbefoundinthemonastery?Sheshouldhave
knownlongagothatshewasn'tsomeonewhowouldbecontentwiththemonastery.Apretty,gentle
personlikeherwasn'tsuitedtothiskindofremoteworld.Moreimportantly,it'sevenmoreimpossible
forhertostaynexttosomeonelikeme.
HokutohadonlycometotheSeishukuTemplethatdidn'tsuitherbecauseshehadherowngoals.ThenI
justhappenedtoleadheraround.That'sit.WhyamIsodepressedatthissimplematter?Also,what
exactlywasIlookingforwardto?Myexpectationsweresofoolish.
"......"
Thiswon'tdo.SinceHokutoisverygentle,shemightfeelresponsibleifsheseesmysorrowfulattitude.
There'sfinallysomeonewhotrustsmeandtoldmeafewsecrets.Thiswon'tdo.
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"Is......"
"Eh?"
"IsthereanythingIcanhelpwith?Anything?"
Hokuto'seyeswidened.
Shesmiledabitbitterlyandshookherheadlightly.
"Ireallycan'twinagainstyou,Akino."
Shespokequietly,hervoicefilledwithagratitudethatcouldn'tbehidden.Akinobecameconfusedwith
an"Eh?Eh?"whensheheardthoseunexpectedwords.
Hokutochangedthewaysheheldthebroominfrontofherchestandspokequietlybuthappily.
"Then,Akino.CanIaskyouforaveryembarrassingthingrightnow?"
"WWhatisit?"
"Pleasebefriendswithme."
Herrabbitearsstoodup.
Hercheeksreddenedrightthere.Beforehermindhadreactedwithwhattosay,hermouthhadalready
madestrangestutteringsoundsbyitself.Itwasnothingtobragabout,butshehadneverhada'friend'
sinceshehadbeenborn.Ifyouhadtosay,Senprobablycounted,butthiswasthefirstpersonofa
similarage.'Friends'wereoneofthemanythingsshehadmissedoutonasauselesspersonwhohad
grownupinthemonasteryandwhoknewnothingexceptforthemonastery.
Evenso......
"Nogood?"
"TTTThat'snotwhatImean!"
Hertonguealmostgottiedupinherrushedstateofnervousnessandexcitement.Akinobarelymanaged
toreply.Theearsonherheadalsojumpedleftandright.Hokutosmiledwhilehappilysaying"Thank
you."
...WhatshouldIdo?
Ihaveafriend.Imadeafriend.ButwhatshouldIdowithafriend?Shestartedbecomingconfusedand
agitatedaftershestartedgettinghappy.Akinodesperatelydugthroughherlackingknowledge.Anyway,
sheshouldstartwithbread.Sheoughttogobuysomeyakisobabread.Butshedidn'thaveanymoneyon
her,andshedidn'tevenknowwheretobuyyakisobabread.
Withacuriousface,HokutolookedonattheflusteredAkinofromtheside.
"Right.Hey,Akino.Asthanksforbecomingmyfriend,I'llletyouseesomethingstrange."
"Eh?"
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Hokutolaughedbrightly,suddenlyextendingherrighthandtotheside."Keepitasecret,"shesaidto
Akino.Then,shespokeasiftotheareaaboveherpalm.
"......It'salright.Comeout."
Shewasn'tspeakingtoAkinotheinstantshethoughtthat,afaintlightflashedaboveHokuto'spalm.A
goldenlightaboutaslargeasatemari[34].Thatlightslowlyextendedintoaribbon.Akinogulpedasshe
watchedthelight.A'dragon'aboutonemeterlongcamefromthatgoldenlightrather,thatlight
condensedtogethertoformit.
No,Akinowasn'tsurewhetheritwastrulyadragonorwhetheritwassomethingelse.Becauseitssize
wastoosmallnomatterwhat.ButjustlikethedragonsAkinoknewof,ithadtwohornsandamane,
alongwithfourshortclawedlimbs.Itwascoveredinbrightgoldenscalesthatflashedlikejewelsinthe
mistasittwistedelegantly.
"......"
Akinocouldn'tsayanything,herattentionstolenbythedragonthathadappearedbeforeher.Atthe
sametime,thedragonalsogaveasimilargazeatthegirlwithrabbitearsonherheadthatwaslookingat
it.Itsexpressionseemedtobesaying'What'sthis?Thisperson'sreallystrange'.Thedragonfloated
lightlyintheairlikethat.
...Howamazing.
Whatabeautifulcreature.Itwaslikealivingpieceofart.Ashikigami,probably.Butitprobablywasn't
themanmadekindofshikigamithatcouldbeseeneverywhere.Thoughtheaurashefeltfromthebeing
beforeherdefinitelywasn'tverystrong,shecouldfeelanobleair.
Then,AkinosuddenlyturnedtolookatHokuto.
"Hokuto,this,isitHokuto's?"
Hokutohadsaidthatshehadbeenawaterdragonlivingspirit.Andwaterdragonswereakindof
dragon[35].Theylookedverysimilartodragonsontheoutside.
"Itis,right?Becauselookhowsmallitis.Thisisa'waterdragon',right?"
"...Ah,um......"
Hokutodidn'treplytoherimmediately.ButasAkinosaidthatwithsuchnaiveconfidenceand
innocence,thedragon'smovementsseemedtosuddenlyturndifferentfrombefore.
ItglidedthroughtheairinfrontofAkino.Akinowasreflexivelytakenaback,butshestillcontinued
staringenthusiasticallywithachildlikecuriosityatthedragon.HerearstwitchedasiftoexpressAkino's
excitement.
Thedragonstaredatthoseearsforawhile.
Itbitdownallofasudden.
Therabbitearsbuzzedwithlag,ignoringAkinoandHokutowhoweremomentarilypetrified.One
secondlater,Akinowailedwithan"aah".
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"You!?Hey,Hokuto!Whatareyoudoing!?"
"MMy,ee,eear......!?"
"Letgo!Letgorightnow!"
Akinowailedasifbeggingforherearstobespared,runningaround
backandforth.Thedragonbitingherearflewaroundlikeabanner.
Akino'sagilitywasshocking.
Howfast.
Itwasjustunconscious,disorderlymovement,buttheywere
frighteninglyfast.Itwasalreadyatthelevelwhereshecouldsee
afterimages,nojoke.ThoughHokutodesperatelypursued,she
immediatelygaveup.Orrather,itwasalreadytiringtokeepupwith
hereyes.Shemovedlikeafleeingrabbit.
"Hokuto!"[36]
Thedragonfinallyreleaseditsjawuponhearingthatangrybellow.Atthesametime,Akino'sfeet
tangledtogetherandshefelldownwithathump.HokutohastilyrantowardsAkino.
"Akino!Areyoualright?"
"Ueeh......Myear......"
"That...idiotHokuto!There'salimittohowunreasonableyoucanbe!"
ThoughHokuto'seyebrowsfurrowedandsheglaredatthedragon,thedragondidn'tlookashamed.It
tookupanarrogantattitudeunsuitedtoitssizeandevenwaveditstailasiftosaythatitwasobvious
payback.
"Sorry.Thatidiotstilldoeswhateveritwants,evenafteralltheseyears......Itthinksofitselfasadragon,
soitgetsindiscriminatelyangrywhenpeopletreatitasawaterdragon."
HokutohelpedthesprawledAkinoup.Incontrast,thedragontothesideshoweditsteethagain.It
seemedtobedissatisfiedwiththeexplanationofit.Hokutonarrowedhereyesandglaredbackin
irritation.
"Soannoying.Hokutowaslikeawaterdragonjustnow,right?Firstoff,howcanyoucallyourselfa
dragonwhenyoubiteakidwho'sdonenothingatall?Ifyoudon'tlikewaterdragon,we'lljustcallyou
'lizard'."
Thoughthedragontwistedbackandforth,extremelyupset,itdidn'ttakeanyfurtheractionsof
opposition.Ithadprobablyconsideredthatitwouldreallybeapainifitwerecalled'lizard'.
"......'Hokuto'?"
"Ah,Akino.Areyoualright?I'mreallyso"
"Didyoucallit'Hokuto'justnow?"
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AkinofirstlookedatthedragonandthenlookedupatHokuto,stillsittingontheground.Herglasses
wereslippingbecauseshehadrunbackandforthandthenfallenover.Butthelagoftheearsonher
headhadalreadystoppedandtheyhadreturnedtonormal.
Hokutowasfinallyrelieved.
"Yes.ItsnameisHokuto."
"Thesamename?"
"......Ratherthanhavingthesamename,it'smorelikewe're'thesame'.Becauserightnow,halfofme
canonlyexistduetoHokuto."
"WhWhathappened?......Ah,sorry.I'mnotveryknowledgeableaboutmagicthings,soIdon't
understandwhatyousaid,Hokuto......"
Akinospokewithaconfusedface.Hokutosmiledwhilereplying,"It'salright."
"Justlikeyousaidbefore,Akino,it'spossessingme......No,I'm'letting'itpossessme.Henceitwasn'ta
liewhenIsaidIwasalivingspiritrightnow."
"Canyoustand?"Hokutoaskedgently.Then,shepulledherhandandstoodupwithAkino.Akino
adjustedhercrookedglasseswhilelookingbetweenHokutoandthedragon.Shealternatedbetweenthe
humanandthedragon.
ThegirlHokutoandthedragonHokuto.
"......Whatasurprise."
"Yeah.RReally,I'msorry."
"Ah,Iwasn'ttalkingaboutthat......HHokuto,isitthatyoucanletthewaterdragonthedragon
possessyoufromtheoutside?"
Rightasthephrase'waterdragon'lefthermouth,shehastilychangedherwording.Hokutosaid"Yeah"
whilenodding.
"Mycircumstancesareprettyunique.ThoughIsaythat,Icanonlyletabitofitout.Thethingfloating
overthereisn'tthemainbody,it'saverysmallpartofit."
Evenso,itwasstillshocking.Akinohadneverheardofsuchathingbeingpossible.Akino'sgazewas
drawntothedragonagain.Butherpsychologicaltraumafrombeingbittenhadn'tvanished.Whenshe
mettheturningdragon'sgaze,theearsonherheadinstantlyleapedintheoppositedirection.Itwassuch
asmalldragon,butitlookedmajestic.
"ButIwasalsosurprisedjustnow!Akino,you'reextremelyfast.Youweren'tusingmagicmovement
methods,right?Coulditbebecauseoftherabbitlivingspirit?"
"Uu,yeah.ThoughI'mnotverysuremyself,PriestTadanoriandSenjiichanthinkthat'sprobablywhy."
Akino'sonlytalentwasrunningfast,especiallywhenshewasescaping.Inthefirstplace,shecouldonly
wieldhergreatestspeedwhenshewasinapanickedstatelikebefore.Inthatcase,itwaspossiblethat
shewouldrunintotreesorfalldownfromacliff,sonormallysheranwithmuchmorecontrol.
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Butratherthanthat,
"Ahh,ohno......"
Shelookedattheground.Theleavestheyhadmanagedtogatherhadbeenkickedalloverbecauseof
hermindlessrunningbackandforth.Theywouldhavetostartalloveragain.HokutonoticedAkino's
gazeandexpressionandsmiledwrylywhilepattinghershoulder.
"Wecanstillmakeitifwe'refast.I'llhaveHokutohelptoo."
"Eh?Howwillithelp?"
"Well,goodpoint.Anyway,I'llhaveitstartoffbygatheringleavesuponebyonewithitsmouth."
Thedragonopposedasifsaying"Don'tjokearoundlikethat".ButHokutosaid"Thisispunishment"
withadeliberateexpressionoffeignedignorance.Itlookedlikethoughshesaidtheywere'thesame',
Hokutowasinamorepowerfulpositionthanthisdragon.Akinogiggled,butsheimmediatelyturnedher
faceawayinapanicwhenshesawthedragonstaringather.
Suddenly,rightthen.
Akino'searsreactedkeenly.Thedragonalsoabruptlybecamealert.
"......Itwasyou?Theyinauraoftheareahasbeendroppingsincethemorning."
Thoughthatvoicewasneitherloudnorfierce,itstillrumbledasitpassedovertheground.
HokutoandAkino'sheadsshotover.
Amonkstoodinthemist.
Akasayawasdrapedoverhisblackmonk'sclothing.Hewasanoldajari.Butthoughhewasold,he
didn'tfeelsenileatall.Itwasunclearhowlargehisbodywas,butitgaveoffastiflingpressure.A
burninggazecamefromthedepthsofhisslightlynarrowedeyes.
"PPriestJougen!"
Akinoevenforgottohidehertwoears,bowingdeeplyinapanic.
HokutosawherreactionsfromthesideandbowedlikeAkinowithanervousexpression.Thedragon
continuedfloatingintheairwhileleisurelyreturningtoHokuto'sside.Thedragon'sgazeremainedon
Jougen.
Atthesametime,Jougensizedupthethreeofthemwhilecasuallywalkingtowardsthem.
Hisfluidmovementsdidn'tmakeanynoise.Thehemofhismonk'sclothingrustledasitswayed,andthe
mistaroundthemdispersedasifshakenbytheajari'smight.
Then,Jougenstoppedinfrontofthetwoofthem.
Akino'skneesshookinhernervousness.Hokutocontinuedbowingherheadfromnexttoherwhile
watchingJougenwithacarefullook.HerrabbitearstrembledslightlyandAkinogulped.Hokutowas
currentlylikeanajaribeforepractice,likeapractitionerabouttofaceactualbattletraining.
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Jougenopenedhismouthandspokeslowly.
"IheardfromTadanori.YouarethenewcomerKengyoubrought?"
"...Yes."
"Yourname?"
"Hokuto."
"Lastname?"
"IheardthatIwouldnolongerneeditafterenteringthemonastery."
"Indeed.Nothingisaskedofotherpeoples'pasthere.But"
Jougenstoppedtalkingforawhile.ThoughAkinocould'see'Hokuto'saurawithherheadlowered,she
couldn'tglimpseherexpression.Theonlythingsheunderstoodwasthatherheartwasbeatingagitatedly
andnonstop.
"Raiseyourhead."
Akinostraightenedasifshehadbeenpulledupwithrope,butHokutomovedcalmlyandfluidly.The
twoofthemraisedtheirheads.
JougengazedatHokutowithnarrowedeyes.Hisburninggazeseemedtobeallthemorepowerfulwhen
hewasunarmed.Hokutohadn'teventwitchedfacingTadanori,butrightnowherexpressionbecame
stiffwhenshewasinfrontofJougen.Butshedidn'tdrawback.Shevisiblygrittedherteethandresisted
Jougen'smagneticseemingfeelingofmight.
Jougenwasthemostaweinspiringajariinthewholemonastery.SomeonelikeAkinowouldshake
uncontrollablyjustbystandinginfrontofhim.Shecouldn'tbelikeHokutonomatterwhat.
Butthatwasn'ttosaythatshecoulddonothingatall.
...WWhyisHokutobeingthisconfrontational......!?
HokutostaredstraightatJougen.HerstancewasasifshewasabouttofightwithJougen.Coulditbe
becausethedragonhadbeenseen?Cometothinkofit,Hokutohadsaid'keepitasecret'.Maybeshe
wasangrybecauseithadbeenseen.
Inanycase,thiscouldn'tgoon.Akinothoughtthiswhileresolvingherselftojumpofffromthestageof
Kiyomizu[37].Sheclosedhereyesandstraightenedherspine.
"P,PPPPriestJougen!"
Sheraisedhervoiceasmuchasshecould.
"II,IwastoldtotakecareofHokutobyPriestTadanori.TThewaterdragonfloatingthere......Hokuto
isawaterdragonlivingspirit.And,um,iifshe'sdoneanythingwrong,I'lllecturehersternlylateron!
AAndHokuto?ThisisPriestJougen,thegreatestpriestofSeishukuTemple!SSo,don'tactlike
that......BBepolite,um......"
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ThoughAkinosinglemindedlythoughtofhowtoimprovethesituation,sheendedupbecoming
incoherentbecauseofthepressurefromthetwosides.Sheendedupfailingbeautifully,asifpouringoil
onafire.Achillranthroughherreddenedface.EvenHokutowasnolongerpayinganyattentionto
Akino.Shedidn'treply,stayingmotionless.
However,
"Iamnottheoneinchargeofthismountain."
ItwasJougenwhoreplied."Eh?"Akinocouldn'thelpbutspeakquietly.Then,sheclosedhermouthina
panicandloweredherhead.
Jougenglancedatthesmalldragon.
"......Waterdragon?Livingspirit?"
"......"
"Thenwhat'sthis'Soulforgingincense'?"
"......"
Hokutodidn'treply.Butherbodyvisiblybecameevenstifferthemomentsheheardthoselastwords.
Akinodidn'tinterruptafterthis.Whatwas'Soulforgingincense'?Coulditrefertothatscentofincense
fromHokuto'sbody?Whatdidhemeanbytalkingaboutit?Akinosurreptitiouslylookedupwardsinher
fear,peekingatJougen'sappearance.
Suddenly,
...Hmm?
ShesawJougen'slipsshowingasmile.Theajari'sfeelingofpressureshehadsenseduntilnowreceded
thoughitdidn'tjustdisappear.
"......Ah,well.Itwasmydesireforanyonecapabletobeabletoenterthismonastery.Doyourbest."
Hesaidthatinalow,smoothvoice.Jougenturnedaround.
Hedepartedfromthetwoofthemonhisownthroughthefaintlylingeringmist.Thestrength
inadvertentlydrainedoutofHokuto'sbodyandsheslumpeddown.
But,
"PriestJougen!YYouwon'tbelieveit!"
Severalmonkscamerunningfromthemonasterycourtyardalongwithsuddencries.Tadanori'sfigure
wasvisibleamongthem."...Hokuto!"Hokutorapidlycommandedandthedragoninstantlyvanished.
Akinoalsofranticallydematerializedtheearsflinchinginsurpriseonherhead,makingthemvanish.
Atthesametime,Jougen,whohadjustleft,stopped,staringatthemonksandrecoveringhisnormal,
toughface.
"......Whatisit?"
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"UUm!"
"Justnow,therewereshikigamifromthemountaingate"
"ThTheyhadthismessage"
Themonkswerequitepanicked.Tadanoricameforward,passingoveraheavilyfoldedpieceofpaper.
Jougentookthemessage,spreadingitopenwithawaveofhishandandmovinghisgazeoverthe
message.
Afterhereadit,asmileevenmorepowerfulthantheonebeforeemergedonhisthinlips.
Butitwasjustforamoment.AkinoandHokutoobservedJougen'ssmile,butcouldonlystandinthe
distanceblanklywatchingthesituationunfold.
"......Understood.Allofyou,return."
"Jougensama!"
"ThThisisahugematterforthemountain!"
"AftertheDivineGeneralsyesterday......."
Tadanoriandtheotherpriestsspokeoneafteranotherthoughstrangelycautiousofthesurroundings
andpepperedJougenwithquestions.
However,Jougenwasunmoved.Hejuststaredatthemonksasifsaying'fools'.
"You'renobetterthanRianlikethis.Howunsightly.Whydon'tyoubeabitmorepatient?"
"But,Priest!Ifthisgoeson"
"Ifthevisitorisindeedhim"
"Ahem!"Jougenroared.
Themonkswentsilentasiftheyhadbeenelectrified.Theyallfrozeinplace.ThoughAkinoandHokuto
wererelativelyfar,theypracticallystoppedbreathing.
"......Returntotraining,allofyou."
Afterloftilyannouncingthistothefrozenmonks,Jougenfinallyleft.Thoughtheleftbehindmonks
stayedpetrifiedforawhile,theyfinallyregainedtheirfreedomofmovementandstartedtalkingwith
loweredvoices.
...WWhatexactlywasgoingonthistime?
Akinohadneverseenthemonksseemwaryabouttheirsurroundingslikethis.Shehadonlylivedday
afterdayinthemonastery,though.
Akinodidn'tknowwhattodoaboutthe'change'thathadappearedbeforeherforthefirsttimeorabout
that'omen'.
Suddenly,
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"......Coulditbe......"
Hokutomurmured.
Hokutodesperatelystrainedherearstohearthemonks'conversations.Shewatchedthemasiftryingto
wolfdownthestateofaffairsfromthere.
TheHokutoatthattimeseemedlikeshehadknownlongagowhatwasgoingtohappennext.
AkinofeltanintenseunrestinherchestasshelookedatthesideofHokuto'sface.
Notlongafterwards,thenameofthevisitortothemountainemergedfromthemouthsofthepeopleat
themonastery.
Chapter3SacredGroundofConspiracy
Part1
TheOnmyouAgency,whichsupervisedtheOnmyoujioftheentirenationbasedonOnmyoulaw.
Actually,itcouldbecalledthegovernmentbodycommandingthemagiccommunity.Itsheadquarters
wasinTokyo'sAkihabara.TheheadquartersoftheExorcistBureau,whichheadedthepurificationof
spiritualdisasters,wasinthenearbyKanda.
ThoughtheheadquartershadbeenattackedbyOnmyoujiayearago,ithadbeenlongsincerepairedby
nowandthetracesofdamagefrombackthenhadlongsincevanished.Rightnow,itstillusheredina
manwithanimmovableheart,whostillfulfilledhisdutyasthecentralfigureinthemagicworld.
HewastheOnmyouAgencyChief,KurahashiGenji.
Itwasalreadypast10o'clockinthemorning.Kurahashi,whowasimmersedinworkdayafterday,
didn'tshowanysignsoffatigueonhisfaceashemovedabouthisbusiness.
Hekeptupasteelyappearanceandanunshakeablewill,walkingtotheexecutiveoffice.Hisfigure
seemedlikethatofakingreturningtohiscastle.
ButKurahashionlykeptupthatsteely,sternattitudeuntilheenteredtheexecutiveoffice.
"Ah,goodmorning~"Themanlyinglazilyonthesofausedforreceivingguestscasuallygreeted
Kurahashi.
Kurahashi'sgazemovedtothemanonthesofaandhiseyebrowsraisedslightly.
"Don'tcomeinwheneveryouwant.HowmanytimesdoIhavetotellyouforyoutounderstand?"
"Didn'tIalsosaysomanytimesnottobesounfamiliar?"
"Whathappenedtoyourduty?"
"Ijustgotsomepermissiontocomerestabit."
"Shikigamidon'tneedanythinglikerest."
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"That'ssocruel.EventhoughI'mashikigami,Ialsohavehumanrights...Ah...IguessIdon't..."
Thoughhealsoadmittedhismistake,hedidn'tintendtogetupfromthesofaatall.
Kurahashisnortedquietlytoendthemeaninglessconversation,thenwalkedovertothedeskinhis
room.
Thetwoofthemcontrastedsharplywitheachother.
Kurahashiwasamanfromthefiftiethgenerationofhisfamily.Hehadasturdyframeandgaveoffa
forbiddingairwhenhewassilent.Hepossessedamaturedominatingairandawiseintellect,andthe
impressionhegaveotherswasabsolutelynotthekindthatwoulddothingshalfheartedly.Rather,he
hadanoverwhelmingfeelingofmight.
Butthatmightwasn'tjustnaturaltalent.KurahashiwastheheadofafamousOnmyoujifamilyaswellas
beingtheExorcistsBureauchiefandtheMysticalInvestigatorChief.Hewassomeonewhosepowerand
achievementswereattheapexofthemagiccommunityoutofallOnmyouji.
Ontheotherhand,theyoungmanlyingonthesofalookedonlysixteenorseventeenfromhis
appearance.Atrendyyoungman.Butstrangely,heworearoundcrystallensoverhisrighteye.That
strangefashionstylehadanaristocraticair,asifhegaveoffanauraofunconcern,decadence,and
profligacyfromalloverhisbody.
HisnamewasYashamaru.Hewasashikigaminow,buthisnameinhispreviouslifehadbeenDairenji
Shidou.HehadbeenaNationalFirstClassOnmyoujinicknamedthe'Professor',andhadoncebeenthe
directoroftheImperialHouseholdAgencyLingeringSpiritDivision.
Hewasalsothemastermindbehindthe'GreatHinamatsuriPurification'spiritualdisasterterroristattack
threeyearsago,andhadbeenaleaderoftheTwinHornedSyndicate,anowwipedoutsecretsocietyof
Yakoufanatics.
Itwasverystrangethattheyweretogether,astheyclearlyoughttobeenemies.
Butrightnowthetwoofthemwere'comrades'.Thetwoofthemhadsecretlybeen'fightingtogether'
sinceDairenjiShidouhadbeenresurrectedasYashamarunotlongago.Well,itwasn'tjustthe'twoof
them'.TheKurahashiandSoumafamiliesthattheyservedhadbeenalliessincetheancientWarring
StatesPeriod.
Yashamarulaiddownleisurely,hisheadcoveredbythenewspaperhewascurrentlyreading.
"You'reasbusyasalways."
"You'requitefree."
"Didn'tIsayIwasresting?Don'talwayssaysuchirritatingthings."
"Unfortunately,manpowerisinsufficientrightnow,asafterall,therearethreeNationalFirstClass
OnmyoujiwhoarenotinTokyo.Dailyaffairsaretroubled,andIhavetoprepareformywork.Idon't
havethetimetochatwithyou."
Kurahashiplacedthefileshewasorganizinginhishandsonthedeskwhilespeaking.
"Yeah~"
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Yashamarulaydownlazily,movinghisgazefromthenewspaperashereplied.
"MiyoshiandtheothersonlyleftfromTokyoyesterday.TherewasYugetoo,andwhoelse?"
"Yamashiro."
"Oh,thatguy.Yeah,he'sservingasthecontactwiththedarktemple."
Yashamarufinallystoodhimselfup,neatlyplacingthenewspaperonthetable.
Ashesnickered,theeyebeneathhismonocleflashedwithcunning.
"Howishe?Isyourdiscipleuseful?"
"ThatdependsonhowIusehim."
"Ah,soinotherwords,itdependsonwhatyoudecide.Incidentally,itseemslikehistitleisn'thidden
like'Shadow's."
"NoteveryMysticalInvestigator'snameishidden."
"Doesitdependonhowthosepeopleareused?"
"That'sright."
ItwasKurahashiwhowascommandingtheMysticalInvestigatorsrightnow,soitwouldn'tbetoo
wrongtosaythatthiswashispolicy.
"Hmmm."Yashamarurepliedvaguelywithanextremelypleasedappearance.
"Well,it'senoughifhe'susable.Youknowabouthisabilityaswellasanyone.ButtheMystical
Investigatorsreallyhaveheapsofworkrightnow."
"It'snotjusttheMysticalInvestigators,we'reseverelylackingtalentintheAgency."
"'Talent'andnot'members',huh.Whatapain."
Yashamaruchuckledwithanunconcerneddemeanor.
Lastwinter,thejurisdictionthatOnmyoulawsetdownhadfinallybeenwidenedafterseveralspiritual
disasters.TheOnmyouAgency'sinfluencehadbeensteadilygrowingeverydaysincethen,whetheron
thelegalorillegalsideofthings.
Atfirst,whenOnmyoulawwasenactedforthefirsttime,peoplehadextremelynegativeimpressionsof
theworld'sOnmyouji.Inthefirstplace,magicwasanunknowntechniqueintheeyesofpeoplewhohad
nothingtodowithmagic.Moreover,theformerorganizationthatledtheOnmyouji,theOnmyou
Agency'spredecessortheOnmyouBureauhadbeenamilitaryorganizationrevivedbytheold
Japanesemilitary.Itwasanorganizationmeanttodealwiththeintimidating,fearsomespiritualdisasters
thathappenedfrequently.ThebackgroundsetbyOnmyoulawwasmeanttolegallybindtheOnmyouji
inplace.Atthesametime,itwasalsothetruththatitwasthatwayinordertoobtain'approval'fromthe
public.Totakeittotheextreme,Onmyoulawwasa'purification'ritualagainsttheOnmyoujithatcould
usemagiccapableofaffectingawar.
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Andnow,that'purification'thathadlastedhalfacenturywasfinallyover,andmagicandOnmyouji
wereabletospreadtheirwingsandsoarhighinsocietyagain.Ofcourse,theyhadn'ttakenanyopenly
powerhungryactionsinordertoavoidagitatingtheworldormoreaccurately,theotherministriesand
agencies.ButtheimprovementsinOnmyoulawwerefocusedonexpandingtheboundariesrelatedto
magicandOnmyouji.However,theOnmyouAgency'ssizehadn'texpandedinproportiontoitsrapidly
expandingjurisdiction.TheOnmyouAgencyhadmanyordinaryworkers,buttheyallhadvarious
duties.OnlyprofessionalOnmyoujicouldassistwiththe'current'situations.Resourcesoftalentlike
professionalOnmyoujicouldn'tbesupplementedimmediately.Therewerealreadyveryfewpeoplewith
thetalentstobepractitioners,andtherewereevenfewerwiththetalentstobeprofessionalOnmyouji.
Moreover,onehadtoaccumulatefirsthandexperienceinordertobecomeindependent.Theexpansion
ofanorganizationofpractitionersrequiredalongamountoftimeandlotsofmanpower.
"But......"YashamaruspokewhilelookingatKurahashinexttothedesk.
"WasitreallygoodtoredeploythreeoftheTwelveDivineGeneralsinthiskindofsituationwhere
manpowerisinsufficient?NevermindthecontactYamashirofornow,butYugeisanexorcistwho's
alwaysbeendependableduringlongperiodsofinsufficientmanpowerandoneoftheIndependent
ExorcistscentraltotheExorcistBureau.IshouldhavetosayevenlessaboutaSpecialSenserlike
Miyoshi,it'sincrediblyrarethathe'sexcusedfromwork.Ofcourse,thesameistrueoflettingthem
leaveTokyo.Wecan'tevengivethemanyotherwork."
WhatYashamarupointedoutwasn'texaggerated.TheTwelveDivineGeneralsweretheNationalFirst
ClassOnmyouji,humanresourcesthatcouldn'tbeacquiredonalargescaleaswellasvaluablefighting
powerthatcouldonlybeacquiredinsmallquantities.Ontheotherhand,iftheywereusedincorrectly,
theOnmyouAgencywouldbeinoperable.
TherewerecurrentlyonlythreeSpiritSensersamongtheTwelveDivineGenerals,andtheirparticular
techniqueswereextremelyimportanttospiritualdisasterpurification.Theirtalentswereparticularly
scarceamongtheNationalFirstClassOnmyoujiwhenmanpowerwasinadequate.Originally,they
wouldn'thavebeenselectedtocarryoutmissionsinotherplacesunlesstherewasnootherchoice.
But......
"YoucouldsaythatMiyoshihimselfwishedtobemobilizedforthismission.Justcallthismattera
drill."
SomeonefromtheExorcistBureauwouldinevitablyhavedoubtsifheheardthat,soKurahashispoke
verycalmly.
"Itrustyou'veheardofthat'sensorynet'?"
Unexpectedly,Yashamarubecameseriousandaskedwithacoldtone.ThesensorynetthatYashamaru
spokeofwasanabbreviationforthe'spiritualdisasterearlydetectionsensorynet'thattheOnmyou
Agencyhadplacedwithinthecity.
ThewaytheExorcistBureauhaddiscoveredspiritualdisastersbeforewasbyactuallyusinghuman
observation.SpiritSensorshadbeenplacedinvariouslocationsinthecitytwentyfourhoursaday,
constantlywatchingthelevelofauradisruption.Ifanabnormalityoccurred,operativeswould
immediatelybeappointedtomobilizeandcheckthesituationonthesceneandthenreporttothe
ExorcistBureauIntelligenceDivision.Rightnow,the'sensorynet'replacedthosemethods.
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Theyhadonlyusedlargescalemanpowertacticsbecausespiritualdisasterscouldn'tbeseenortraced
exceptbypeoplewhohadspiritseeingability.Butthe'spiritualdisasterearlydetectionsensorynet'plan
thatwascurrentlybeingputintopracticemadeitsothatshikigamicoulddetectspiritualdisastersin
placeofandaswellasSpiritSensers.Theyusedrelativelysafer,materializedmechanicalmanmade
shikigamiinsteadofsummonedforms.Thesemechanicalshikigamihadmagictosensetheflowofaura
addedtothemandwerepositionedalongtheauraflowwithinTokyotoregularlyreportinformation
abouttheaura.
Ofcourse,theshikigamicouldn'tworkunlesstheyweresuppliedwithacertainamountofmagical
energy,soitwasnecessarytosupplythemwithmagicalenergyeverysooften.Butspiritualdisasters
happenedformanykindsofreasons,andthemechanicalshikigamiwererestrictedfromgoingtocheck
outunknownsituationsbypresetconditionsontheirmagic.Butevenso,theuseofthissensorynet
greatlyreducedtheburdenontheSpiritSensers,anditseffectivenesswasquiteevident.Inanycase,if
thesensorynettrulyworked,theywouldbeabletodetectspiritualdisastersaheadoftimeandgetahold
ofinformationonspiritualdisasters.Withthat,theyexpectedanincreaseinspeedwithwhichtheydealt
withandpurifiedspiritualdisasters.
"Themechanicalshikigamideployednowarestillintheteststage,right?Regardless,theirnumbersare
stillinsufficient."
"Evenso,we'vealreadyputaportionofthemintotesting.Ifthey'retrulyeffective,thenthetwinswill
beabletomakeupforthespiritualdisastersensinginsidethecity."
"Don'tyouthinkthetwodon'thaveenoughexperience?"
"Thenit'llbefineiftheyjustaccumulateexperience.Wouldn'titbeworseifwedidn'ttrainsuch
valuabletalent?"
AmongthethreeSpecialSensers,thetwootherthanMiyoshiwereapairoftwinOnmyouji.Their
individualabilitieswereincomparabletoMiyoshi's,butifthetwoofthemworkedtogether,theywere
morethantwiceascapableasMiyoshi.ThatwaswhyMiyoshi'sredeploymentwouldbecomepossibleif
thesensorynetwascompleted....ThatwaswhatKurahashithought.
Yashamarufrowned.
"Weshouldtrytokeep'that'assecretaspossible."
"It'llbefineifyoujustchangethewayyouthink.Thosekindsofthingsarehardtospotinthefirst
place."
"They'reonthemountainwithoutknowingthetruth?Coulditbethatyoumadethedecisionthatyou
shouldproceedsecretlywithacointoss?"
Yashamarusmirkedandmockedhim,butjustthatmuchwouldn'tmakehisoldfriendchangehismind.
Thereticentmanwasn'twillingtowastehisbreathevenifashikigamidrovehimon.Yashamarusaid
"My,my",thenlaidhisbodybackonthesofainaslovenlymanner.
"Well,IalsoknowthatthepriorityrightnowisthestrengtheningoftheMysticalInvestigators.The
mostworryingthingsrightnowaremen,notspiritualdisasters."
"Itseemsliketherearehumanswhocanalsobe'spiritualdisasters',youknow."
"Wow,whatarevelation."Yashamaruleanedbackandspokehalfjokingly.
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Kurahashijustindifferentlycontinuedthetopicfrombeforeinresponse.
"Inthefirstplace,MiyoshiwasevenmoresuitedtotheMysticalInvestigators.Especiallynow,Ihope
thathisspiritsensingabilitycouldbeusedfortheMysticalInvestigatorsinsteadoftheExorcistBureau.
Theabilityto'see'aurawasthebasicabilityofapractitioner.SpiritSenserspossessedexcellentspirit
sensingability,andthatrepresentedaconsiderableadvantageinsituationalawarenessofothermagics.
Moreover,SpiritSenserswerealsogoodatperceivingspiritualdisasters.
Finally,thereweremobilespiritualdisastersthatwerecalled'spirits'.Theyweren'tpurelyhazardous
existences.Thereweremanyexamplesofthembecomingpowerful'shikigami'forOnmyouji.
"Actually,theMysticalInvestigatorshavemanytargetsrightnow.TsuchimikadoHarutora,
TsuchimikadoYasuzumi'sgroupofthree,ShadowandPriestDoman,AmamiDaizen.Evenifthey're
spotted,anormalMysticalInvestigatorwouldbehelplessagainstanyofthem.Theonlythingwecando
ishavetheMysticalInvestigatorsacttogether.Butintheend,itstilldependsonwhatTsuchimikado
Harutoraandtheothersdo."
AfterthereformtoOnmyoulaw,theinfluenceofthemagiccommunityhadchangedgreatlyalongwith
thewideningoftheOnmyouAgency'sjurisdiction.SeveralpowersthatopposedtheOnmyouAgency
hadslowlysurfacedamidstthat.Forexample,theSeishukuTemplethatthreeDivineGeneralwere
currentlyheadingtofornegotiationswouldverylikelybecomeanopposingforceinthefuture.Butthe
onethattheOnmyouAgencywantedthemostandpursuedwiththegreatestforceamongtheseseveral
dangerousforceswasTsuchimikadoHarutora.Hewascurrentlybecomingslowlyknownamongthe
publicasaterrorist.
ThiswasanoutcomethattheOnmyouAgencywasonesidedlyintentionallycontrolling.TheOnmyou
Agencyhadmadehisimageintothegreatestthreatandthemostdangerousexistencetothemagic
community.Butthatjudgmentwasn'tcausedbyTsuchimikadoHarutora'sactions.
Hewassuspectedofusingforbiddenmagicduringthesummerofthelastyear.Moreover,hehad
confrontedtheOnmyouAgencyseveraltimesafterthatandhadinterferedwithofficialbusiness.He,
amongseveralmagiccriminals,hadspecialattentionbecauseofhispotentialthreat.Hisindividual
importancewassimilartothe'D'fileinthepast.Butthebiggestreasonhewasviewedasadangerwas
becauseofthecirculatingrumorsthathewasthereincarnationofthefatherofmodernmagic,
TsuchimikadoYakou.Thoserumorswereslowlybeingaccepted.
Andbecauseofthosereasons,itwasveryprobablethathewouldbecomethestandardbearerforthe
forcesopposingtheOnmyouAgency.IfheusedTsuchimikadoYakou'sfameasa'leader',itwas
possiblethathewouldunitethecurrentlyscatteredantiOnmyouAgencyforcestogetheronebyone.
...AtleasttheOnmyouAgencyworriedthatsuchapossibilityexisted.
"Actually,puttingasideYasuzumikunandtheothersalongwithShadowfornow,onlyTsuchimikado
YakouissettinghissightsontheOnmyouAgency.Well,Ican'tsayanythingaboutAmami,buthecan't
possiblybenotpayingattentiontoYakou'sreincarnation."
Inanycase,TsuchimikadoHarutorarequiredthemostattentionamongthedangerouselementsthatthe
OnmyouAgencywasminding.
Theydidn'tknowhowtheywouldrespondoncehemoved.ThatwaswhyTsuchimikadoYakouwasthe
mostdangerous.
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"Iwishweatleastknewabitaboutwhathewasthinking......"
"Canyounotimagineanythingeither?"
"No,no.Firstoff,thecurrenthimisbothHarutoraandYakou.Idon'tknowwhetherhe'stwopeopleor
one.Ican'tevengetagriponhispersonality,sopredictinghisactionsisimpossible."
"WhenyousawhimwiththeSoumaprincessattheendbefore,youindeedreportedthat'hegaveoffan
impressionofbeingYakou."
"Totellthetruth,I'monlytwentyorthirtypercentsure,Ican'tbecertain."
Yashamarushruggedhisshouldersashespoke.
"Moreover,evenifYakoutrulyawakened,whatwouldtheawakenedYakouwanttodotothecurrent
magicalcommunity?That'sanotherquestion.
Also,ifyouthinkaboutitcarefully,weren'tweoriginallytryingtoinheritYakou'swill?Whyarewe
opposinghimnow?Didwegetabadimpressionfromtheincidentlastsummer?Hmm,itindeedwasn't
thatgood,buthowcanwelettheawakenedYakou'sjudgmentofgoodandevilbehampered?Also,
didn'twetryapologizingforourmistakeslastsummer?"
ThetrueintentofTsuchimikadoHarutora'sactionssincelastsummerweremystifying.Itwasalsoone
ofthereasonstheOnmyouAgencyconfrontedhim.Perhapsitwasthewrongmovetocallhima
terroristwithoutknowinghisgoal.Buttheystilldidn'tknowwhathistruegoalwas,andinanycase,the
distributionofpowerwoulddefinitelychange.
Asexpected,TsuchimikadoHarutorawasstillatthecenterofthings.
"Onemoretime......"
"Hmm?"
"Weneedtotalkwithhimagain......"
Kurahashispokecalmlyandresolutely.Yashamarudidn'tdisagreewithhim,ashealsofeltthatthiswas
aneed.TheKurahashiandtheSoumahadbeenalliesandsupporterssinceancienttimes.Supportersof
whom?Ofcourse,thesupportersofYakouinthepast.Thekingofthemagiccommunitywasn'tthe
KurahashifamilyortheSoumafamily.Rather,ithadbeentheTsuchimikadofamilyforcenturiesthe
king'sbloodlinedescendedfromAbenoSeimei.
"Theproblemis......Howcanwecontacthim?Wehavenowayrightnowotherthanhavingthe
MysticalInvestigatorssearch."
YashamarudeliberatelylookedatKurahashi,revealinganevilsmile.
"Couldyougetyourmothertohelp?Thisisthekindofsituationwhereweneed'divination'.Anyway,
she'sveryfreenowsincesheretiredfromtheOnmyouAcademy."
"Ithinkit'sprobablyimpossible."
"Thenwhataboutyourdaughter?Arethereanytracesoftheothersidecontactingher?"
"None."
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Kurahashirepliedimmediatelywithoutevenlookingattheshikigami.Then,hepickedupthefiles
placedonthetableandstartedreadingthemwithanoftusedposture.
"Ah,Isee."Yashamaruclickedhistongue.
"Well,theothersidecan'treallytouchtheKurahashifamily.Yasuzumikunandtheothersarequietas
usual.Howannoying~AndIcan'tfindanycluesfromthatlivingspiritboyeither."
"Judgingbythecircumstances,it'sverylikelythatShadowandAmamiaremovingtogether.Perhaps
Amami......"
"Cometothinkofit,Shadow'stheonlyonemovingaroundundisguised~We'renotgoingtobeableto
justsitbackandwatchthatguyanymoresoon."
Acruellightinstantlyemergedfromtheeyeunderhismonocle.
Kurahashispokeinordertomakehimcalmdown.
"Kogurewillactifthere'sanymovement."
"Iknowthat.Heshouldbeusedtoitnow,right?TotheMysticalInvestigatorwork?"
"He'susedtoit,buthe'snotasgoodasweexpected.Kogure'sjustanexcellentwatchdog,he'snota
hound.Especiallywhentheopponentisanoldfox."
"Yeah......Heyhey,thenwhywerewewillingtomovesuchapreciousIndependentExorcist'sfighting
power......"
"ItwasforMiyoshi."
"Ohh......"
Hegotit.Yashamarunoddedhisheadinunderstanding.Hewasstilllikealways,amanableto
anticipateeverythingbeforehand,makedecisions,andtakeaction.
Yashamaruputhishandsbehindhimonthebackofthesofa,wavinghisraisedlegsbackandforth.
"It'snotjusttheindustry.TheorganizationalstructureoftheOnmyouAgencywasmostlyreworked
too."
"Ofcourse.Anorganizationthatcan'tchangewon'tgrow."
Kurahashiscannedthetopicsofhispaperswhilespeakingcalmly.Thatwasthepowerofan
organizationleader,onethatcouldn'tbestoppedbyapurepractitioner.
"How'syourside?ArethingsstillgoingsmoothlywiththeSoumaprincess?"
"Yeah,therearenoproblemsfornow.Thetrainingisgoingverysmoothly."
"Eventhoughyousaythat,youcan'tcometotheexecutiveofficetokilltimesooften.Thinkofthe
princess."
"Don'tsaysuchnastythings,Kumomaru'sstayingwiththePrincesswhileI'mlazingresting,sothere
won'tbeanyotherproblems.Also......"
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"What?"
"I'vehadmydaughteraccompanytheprincesstotakehermindoffthingsrecently.Itwasn'teasy~"
Yashamarusmiledslightlyashespoke.Hedidn'thaveanevilsmile,andthatwaswhyhelookedallthe
morechillingtosomeoneinformed.
Kurahashilookedquietlyathisoldfriendforamoment.Then,hereturnedhisgazetothepapersinhis
hands.
"Shehasn'thadcontactwithTsuchimikadoHarutoraeither?"
"No.It'sreallyhardtothinkthatTsuchimikadoHarutorawouldstayquiettohisfriendsforawhole
year,givenhispersonality.IshereallyYakou?"Yashamarumused,lookingattheceiling.Kurahashi
didn'tsayanythingatall,continuingtolookatthepapersbeforehim.
Justthen.
Aweakvibrationsounded.Kurahashistoppedtheworkathandandtookouthisphone.Itseemedthata
phonecallhadcome.
"Who?"
"Yamashiro."
Kurahashilookedatthetimewhilepreparingtotakethephone.Itwasprobablyaregularreport.
Yashamaruleisurelyreachedhishandtothenewspaperonthetablewithanindifferentappearance.
But......
"What?"Kurahashi'svoicewasn'tlikeusual.Hewasaudiblyshaken.
TheactionofYashamaru'shandasitreachedoutforthenewspaperwasrelaxed,lackingtensionas
always.
Butafterheheardthatvoice,hisexpressionbecamedifferentfrombefore,flashingwithasharplight.
Kurahashicontinuedtheconversation,gluedtothephone.
Yashamarusatupproperlyonthesofa,straighteninghisbodyandputtinghishandsonhisknees.His
whiteglovescoveredhisfingersandslowlyclaspedtightlytogetherbeforehim.Hewaitedlikethat.
"Understood,I'llsendpeopletodealwithitimmediately.Butitwillbeeveningattheearliest.Until
then,I'mcountingonyou."Kurahashihungupthephone.
Yashamaruspokeinanerratictone.
"Who?"Thesamequestionasbefore,butinatoneseveraltimesmorepressingthanbefore.
Kurahashispokebitterlyandhelplessly.
"We'vefoundoutthatTsuchimikadoHarutorarecentlymadeabriefvisittotheSeishukuTemple.
Thingsarereallydevelopinginabaddirection......"
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Part2
Cloudsstillhadn'tappearedbydawn,butbynooncloudshadalreadycoveredtheskyabovethem.
Intheend,noonewaspayingattentiontotheweatherevenifthecloudsenvelopedSeishukuTemple.
Thatwasbecausecloudsevendenserthantheonesintheskywereswirlinginsidethemonastery.
TsuchimikadoHarutorawascoming.
Atfirst,thatinformationhadbeenbannedfrombeingdiscussedamongJougen'sgroupofajari.Butby
thetimebreakfasthadfinishedcooking,thatmatterwasbeingquietlydiscussedamongthe'disciples'.
Then,itspreadtoeverycornerofthemonasterylikepiledupdominoescollapsing.
TherumorthattheboywasTsuchimikadoYakou'sreincarnationhadreachedtheisolatedSeishuku
Templefromtheworld.Thepersonwhohadbroughtforthcommotioninthemagiccommunitysince
lastyear.Thatperson'sappearancewasn'tsomethingthatcouldsimplybecalledan'incident',asanyone
inthemonasterycouldrealize.
Then,atnoon.Thefirstclashfinallyexplodedinthemonastery.
Thelocationwasthemainhall'scourtyard.Infrontofanaudiencegatheredinsidethecourtyard,Rian
askedJougenforthetruthofthesituation.
WasTsuchimikadoHarutoracoming?
"Iheardhewasalreadyhere."Jougenreplieduncharacteristically.
"He'sacriminalwantedbytheOnmyouAgency."Rianshoutedandrantowardshimfrominsidethe
courtyard.
JougenlistenedtoRian'sreply,hisvoiceclearlyveryunsettled.
"Fortunately,thereareDivineGeneralsinthemonasteryrightnow.It'sadivineblessing.We'lluseall
ourpowertocapturehimandgivehimtotheOnmyouAgency."
"Ridiculous!"JougenfacedRian,speakingwithanicecoldtonefromtheverybeginning.
"Thismonasterydoesnotrefuseanyone,nomatterwhotheyare.Also,eventhoseDivineGeneralsmust
complywiththemonasteryruleswhentheyarehere."
"Don'tberidiculous!Youcan'tevenbeflexibleinthiskindofsituation?"
"Nomatterwhatthecircumstancesare,'thisplace'istrulydifferentfromtheoutside.Inthefirstplace,if
wefollowtherulesofoutsiders,therewillbenonewcomerstothemountain.Therearequiteafew
criminalsherealready.ThefirstpeopleweoughttohandovertotheOnmyouAgencyareourown
people."
"That'sjustsophistry!TheOnmyouAgencyacceptedus,anddidn'ttheymakeusaproposal?But
TsuchimikadoHarutorawasn'tinit.We'rethecomradesoftheOnmyouAgency,buthe'sanenemy!We
shoulddoourbesttocapturehimtogaintheOnmyouAgency'sfavor!"
"Enemiesandcomradesmakenosensefromyourajarimouth.Weneverrefuseanyonewhocomesto
thismonastery.EvenfortheOnmyouAgencyandTsuchimikadoHarutora,thismonasterywilltreat
themequallynomatterhowtheyfightwitheachother."
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"Enoughisenough!Alright?Isn'tthisagoodopportunity?Supposingwe'reabletorestrainhimhere,it
wouldbeagreatfavorfortheOnmyouAgency.Itcouldbeahugebenefitforourfuture."
"Asanajari,youshouldn'tkeepmakingtroublebycomplaining.Rian,you'reextremelydisappointing."
"PriestJougen!?"
"That'senough!"
JougensnortedincontemptatRian'sattempttopersuadehim.HishalfnarrowedeyeslookedatRian,
theirgazeasintenseasfire.Evenifhisoldboneswerewrappedinrobes,hemadetheyoungerRianfeel
asifhewerebeingpresseddownonbyquiteabitofstrength.RianclickedhistongueandJougen
suddenlyraisedhiseyebrows,hiseyesfullofkillingintent.
Allofthemonksand'disciples'watchingthisheldtheirbreathastheylookedatthedisputebetweenthe
two.
Then,
"......Excuseus."
Theatmosphereintheareachanged.
ThethreefromtheTwelveDivineGeneralshadappeared.Theyhadprobablyheardtheclamor.
Miyoshistoodinthefrontwithhistwohandsbehindhisback,lookingashardtofigureoutwhathewas
thinkingasalways.YugeandYamashirowaitedbyhissides,andbothhadbitter,solemnexpressions.
TheemergenceoftheDivineGeneralsthrewthepeopleinthemonasteryoffbalance.
Butsomeoftheajaris'expressionstiffenedastheirbodiesswelledwithmagicalenergy.Theytook
stancesinpreparationsforaclash.
Theirfacesshowedthattheywereresolvedtonothesitateoncesomethinghappened,evenifitspurred
onamagicbattle.
Moreover,theDivineGeneralsalsohadtheirresolve.
...Atthesametime,theDivineGeneralsandtheajaris'inconsistentopinionswereclearlylaidoutona
pedestal.
Asifthingswouldexplodeattheslightesttouch.
However,JougenstilllookedatMiyoshiwithaproudattitudeinthetensionfilledair.
"Anotherdisturbanceagain.I'mextremelysorryforallofthis."
Jougenbowedhisheadashesaidthis,hisrobesswaying.
Intheend,althoughhebowedhisheadinapology,theothersidedidn'tfeeladeferringattitudeatall.
Withoutmissingabeat,Jougensupportedhisapparentstrengthwith'etiquette'.Adecisiveattitudehe
tookupbecausehisopponentswereinferiortohimself.
"Pleasedon'tbeconcerned."Then,Miyoshirepliedextremelypolitely.
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"Rather,thesourceofthiscommotionisthematterthatyoureceivedpriornoticeofTsuchimikado
Harutora'sarrival,right?Isthatthecase?"
"Indeed."
"Isthattrue?"
"Well.Thisinsignificantmonk[38]doesn'treally......"
"Areyousure,Priest?"
"Hoh.Ihavenoideawhyyoubelievethat.......Thisinsignificantmonkjustwantstomaintainthestatus
quo."
"Doyouknowthegoaloftheotherside?"
"Itwasn'tmentionedinthemessage."
"Whendidhesayhewouldcome?"
"Themessagewrote'today'."
"Heiscomingquitequickly."
"It'sasyousay."
MiyoshiandJougenconciselyconfirmedwitheachother.
Neithersideshowedanattitudeoffacinganally.Butfromthepointofviewofathirdparty,thebrief
conversationindeedsupplantedtheawkwardatmosphere.Butthetenseatmospherepresentwasn't
alleviatedatall,andthetensionintheatmosphereincreasedinstead.
"......Tch!?Miyoshisan!Pleasespeakforus.ThisconcernsboththeOnmyouAgencyandSeishuku
Temple."TherestlessRian,nolongerabletoexpressarrogance,approachedMiyoshi.
Miyoshi'sexpressiondidn'tchangeashisgazeshottowardsRian.
Then,Jougenopenedhismouththistime.
"PeopleoftheOnmyouAgency.Iunderstandyourposition,butevenifyouareinesteemedpositions
rightnow,youarestillvisitors.Youneednotspeakaboutthemattersofthismonastery."Jougen
announcedresolutelyinacalmtone.
"......"
Yugeturnedherwrist,formingahandseal,andYamashirorapidlysurveyedthesurroundings.He
movedhisbodyslightly,makingpreparationstoactatanymoment.TheexorcistandtheMystical
Investigatorenteredastateofbattletogether.
But,
"That'strue."Miyoshislowlyopenedhismouthtospeak.
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"Weweredispatchedasenvoys,oractually'emissaries'.Thoughwearecivilworkersbelongingtothe
OnmyouAgency,thecircumstancesrightnowareslightlydifferent.Rightnow,weshallfollowyour
customs."
"What!?"Riangroaned.
"Youflatterme."Jougensmiledslightly.
Aseriousdeclaration.
Thetenseatmospherealleviatedabit.ButYugehadntrelaxed.Evenifshereleasedherhandseal,she
sigheddeeply.
Ontheotherhand,theotherswerethesameasbeingunabletorelaxfromjustthat.JougenandRian
confrontedeachother,thesoundoftheirteethgnashingpracticallyaudible.Then,Miyoshistaredat
Jougen.Afterthat,MiyoshiavertedhisgazeandfinallyfacedYamashiro.
Needlesstosay,YamashiroandRianhadbeenunabletorespondtothisoccasion.Hehadbeenseenas
immaturebytheDivineGeneralsagain.Yamashiro'scalmexpressionneverchanged.
ButthemomentheheardMiyoshi'swords,
"...Tch."Heclickedhistonguequietly.
Buteveryonepresentknewthatthisdefinitelywasn'tover.ThatwasbecauseTsuchimikadoHarutora
stillhadn'tappeared.
Thecloudsfillingtheskyhadn'tdissipatedbecauseofthisfirstclash.Rather,theirdensityslowlyand
steadilyincreased.
Asexpectedofthatday,eventhemonasterychoreswerefarfromroutine.
ThoughJougen'sfactioninshort,theconservativeajarikeptuptheirnormalactions,theycouldn't
hidehowmuchtheywereshakenevenbyreproachingthosebelowthem.Thefactthatlunch
preparationswerecompletedsmoothlyseemedlikeamiracle.Mostofthe'disciples'stoppedworking
andtrainingafterwards.
Ofcourse,Akinowasalsorestless.
Shehadn'tthoughtthat'that'terroristwouldcometotheirmonastery......
Tobehonest,shewastrulyterrified.Thoughthereweremanypeopleinthemonasterywithpowerful
magic,theycouldn'tbecareless.Ifamagicbattlebrokeoutinthemonastery,shewasn'tsurehowmuch
damagewouldcomeofit.
Peoplemightgethurtormaybeevenkilledbecauseofthat.Shefeltextremelyterrifiedjustfrom
imaginingit.
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Evenso,thefactorthatmadeAkinothemostanxiouswasHokuto.
HokutohadclearlybeenstrangesinceshehadlearnedthatTsuchimikadoHarutorawasgoingtovisitthe
monastery.Thoughshehadn'tdonemuchyet,sheseemedabsentminded.
Afternoontime,AkinoandthenewcomerHokuto,whowereatthebottomofthefoodchain,quickly
cleaneduplunchamidsttheseniors.Duringthistime,theyheardaboutthedisputethatoccurredinthe
courtyardbetweenJougenandRian.Hokutofinallybecamerestlesswhensheheardofthefight.Also,
evenwhenHokutosilentlylookedatAkinolikebefore,Akinofeltchillsfromhericecoldgaze.Itwas
likewhenshehadconfrontedJougeninthemorning.Asolemnattitudeasifshewerereadyforwar.
Then,intheend,
"Sorry,Akino.I'mgoingtogosee."
Apologizing,sheabandonedherchoreswhilewalkingtoseethesituationinthecourtyard.Akinohad
alsobeenwithheratthetimewithaworriedlook.
...'Icameherewithagoal'.
Hokutohadsaidthatthismorning.IfhergoalwasrelatedtoTsuchimikadoHarutora,thenshehadonly
saidthatbecauseTsuchimikadoHarutorawouldappearatthemonastery.
AfterpartingwithHokuto,Akinoslowlyfinishedcleaningupalone.Then,shemovedtothecourtyard
asifescapingfromthenoisyatmosphereinsidethetemple.
Sheheadedtowardstheplaceshealwayswent.Inthedirectionofthedilapidatedtemple.Onthethird
stepofthestairsattachedtothetemplefloorwasSen,smokingapipe.Akino'sstepsfalteredasshe
approached,butSenstillnoticedher.
"Oh,Akino,areyourchoresdone?"Hisvoicestopped.
Eveninthiskindoftime,Senwasthesameasalways.AkinoherselfwasalsoshockedathowSenwas
abletobethisatease.
"Yeah."Thevoicesherepliedwithgainedabitofvigor.
"Senjiichan,here,water."
"It'salmostout,huh."
"Tobaccoisreallyprecious,it'llbegoneifyoukeepsmokingit."
"Ah,well,it'sjustonceinawhile."Senrepliedinanextremelyrareinstanceofembarrassment,his
beardconcealinghismovingmouth.
Heletgoofthepipehewassmokingandblewoutthinsmoke.Helookeddifferentfromusualbecause
themonasterywassoclamorous.
AkinomovednexttohimandSenmaderoom.Akinoalsoslowlysatdownonthesteptheoldmansat
crossleggedon.
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Thoughtheywereinsidethemonastery,therewasnodifferencebetweentheirsurroundingsandthe
outsidemountain.Oldcedartreeswerelinedup,growingontheemptyexposedground.Inthefirst
place,itwasaplacethatsunlightwouldn'tevenreachduringtheday,anditwasevendarkerbecauseof
theclouds.Thecryofamountainbirdcamefromsomewhere,echoingdeepwithinthemountains.
"Hah~"Akinosighed.
"......Senjiichan,haveyouheard?TsuchimikadoHarutorawillbevisitingtoday."
"Oh,Iknewsinceyesterdaythatwewouldhaveaguestsinceeveryone'sinsuchanuproar."
"Isitalright?"
"Whatdoyoumean?"
"Afterall,isn'tthatpersonabadman?Iwonderwhatwillhappenifthatkindofpersoncomes."
"......"
Akinospokeanxiously.Incontrast,Sensmiledcheerfully.
"Akino,didn'tyouknow?Thereareallsortsof'evilpeople'inthismonastery.You'realso'evil'insome
sense."Senleisurelysmokedashespoke.
"......MeandSenjiichantoo?"
"Ofcourse.Thisoldmanisabletoeateverydaythankstohis'evil'companionsinthemonastery.So
thisoldmanisalsothesame."
Sen'swordssuddenlymadeAkinoconfused.
"But......"Thetopiccontinued.
"'Good'and'evil'arewordsrelativetothetime,place,andposition.Forexample,Akino.Haveyou
thoughtofwhetherkillinganimalsis'evil'?"
"Eh,but,ofcourse......"
"Thenwhatifthatanimalisapoisonoussnake?Whataboutabeethatattackspeopleorawildbeastthat
destroysfields?Ifwedidn'thaveclearrulesabouthunting,killingwouldbe'evil',right?Butshouldwe
reproachpeopleeradicatingthingsharmfultothemas'evil'?"
"That'sbecausepeoplearebeinghurt,right?Theywerewrong."
"Isthatso?That'sallspokenfromthepositionofhumans.Fromthepositionofthoseanimals,aren'tthe
humansthatkillthem'evil'?Huntingtoo,weactuallykillthelivestockweeataswell.Standardsofgood
andevilaredifferentdependingonvariouscircumstancesandreasons."
"Iguess."
SensmileduponseeingAkinowhodidn'tknowhowtoreact.
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Thesocalled'good'and'evil'arealsoaffectedbycircumstances,reasons,andfactors.Thingslike
murderare'good'duringwartimeandarecommonduringwars.Similarly,the'evil'outsideandthe'evil'
insidethemonasterynaturallychangedependingonthecircumstances.Thewaysweexpressour
reasonsaredifferenttoo.
AkinofrownedatSen'swords.Shehadn'theardsuchwords,andshefeltabithappyasaresult.
"......Anyway,Senjiichan,soyoucouldsaythatTsuchimikadoHarutoraisn'tabadperson?"
"Dependingonwhatyoujudgetobe'evil'."
"......Idon'tknow."
"Haha..."Senlaughedagain,continuingtosmokethepipeinhismouth.
Shewasbeingteased.AkinostaredatSen,poutinghercheeks.Hermoodhadbecomequiteabit
happier.
ItwasaquestionthatAkinodidn'tknowtheanswertointhefirstplace.No,itwasn'tjustAkino.The
othersinthemonasterywerealsofeelingrestlessbecausetheydidn'tknow.Iftheyhadneverknown,
thinkingandworryingwereinevitablethings.Ofcourse,therewasalmostnothingthatshecoulddo.
ButAkino,whohadregainedhercheerfulexpression,immediatelybecamegloomyagainafterhearing
Sen'snextwords.
"Cometothinkofit,how'sthenewcomertoday?Isshestillwithyou?"
Akino'sshouldersuddenlyslumped.Herearsseemedtoalmosttouchtheground.
"Woah!"Senputonashockedexpression.
"What'swrong?Didyoufight?"
"......No,but......"
Hokutohadcomeherewitha'goal',andthatsecretwassomethingthatwasonlybetweenthetwoof
them.Shecouldn'ttellSen.
Akinostoppedherselffromrevealingthesecretthatshewasadragonlivingspiritevenifthepersonin
questiondidn'tcare.
So,
"......HowshouldIputit?Hokutobecameextremelyconcernedwhensheheardthenewsabout
TsuchimikadoHarutora.She'sbyherselfwatchingthemovementsinthesurroundingsrightnow."
"Isee,sheleftyoubehindandwentoutbyherself."
"TThat'snotit."
Akinoinstantlydeniedit.Butmaybeitcouldbeexpressedthatway.Thatkindofirritationfelttoo
superficialcomparedtoHokuto,TsuchimikadoHarutora,andthegroundlessnewsthatmightseriously
troublethetemple'sfuture.
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Akino'sfacereddened.
Then,
"That'sgreat."SensaidthisuponseeingtheflushedAkino.
"Eh?WWhat?"
"Youonlymetthedaybefore,butsheknowsyoursecretandshe'sdeliberatelyavoidingyou.That's
probablybecauseshethinksofyouasa'friend'."
Akinofrownedwhileblinkingasthiswassaidofher.
...Yeah.
Indeed,theanxietythatthecurrentAkinofeltwassomethingshehadneverfeltbefore.Thiswasanxiety
thatsheonlyhadbecauseshewasafriend.
Hokutohadleftherpain.Shehadmanagedtobecomehappy.Thatwasthemainreasonshefeltanxious
atTsuchimikadoHarutora'sarrival.
HokutohadmanagedtoputherpainbehindandbecomefriendswithAkino.Becausetheywerefriends,
shewasstillunabletogetoverthosefeelings.
"Alright,alright,sinceAkinodoesn'thaveexperience,letmeteachyouawaytomakefriends."
"Eh,whatisit......!?"
"Well.Itisn'tanythingtoohard.Alright?Takeallthehatefulthings,thetoughthings,thepainfulthings
andtroubles,andproperlyconveyyourthoughtstotheotherpersonwithoutenduringthemonyourown.
Makeyourfeelingsclear."
"......Feelings......?"
"Yeah.Conveyhappy,joyfulthingstotheotherpersonatthesametime.Allyouneedtodoisproperly
conveyyourfeelingsoftreasuringher.Don'tbeshyanddon'tfeelbothersome."
"......"
Anobvious,ordinarysuggestionwithoutanysentimentbehinditatall.Butatthesametime,maybeshe
recognizeditagainasthosewordspointedout.
IheardthatHokutowantedtobecomefriendswithAkinonomatterwhatyoudid.
WhyhadAkinorunoutwithoutsayinganythingatall,andwhyhadsheentrustedherwithsuchthings.
Shedidn'thaveanyideawhatHokutowasthinkingof.ThatmadeAkinofeelevenmoreagonized.
Then,shewouldconveythosefeelingsofhersanddefinitelyhearHokuto'sreply.MaybeHokuto
wouldn'tevenbeabletorespond,butevenso,shewouldknowwhatherfriendthought.
Akinowentspeechless.
Herdepressedselfslowlyregaineditsvigor.Hereyessparkled.
"Senjiichan,thanks,I'llgofindHokuto."
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Aftersayingthat,Akinosprintedoutwithoutevenwaitingforareply.
Thesolesofhershoesstruckthegroundhardandsheacceleratedinaflash.Shesprintedlikethewind
asiftotakeoff.Herfigureinstantlyvanishedintheforest.Senchuckled,tenderlywatchingAkino's
departingback.
Heinhaledsmoke.
"......Hokuto......"
"That'salsofate,Iguess."Sensaidsuggestively.
YamashirowasaMysticalInvestigators.EvenifthepractitionersinSeishukuTemplewererather
peculiar,itwasimpossibleforhimnottoseethatTsuchimikadoHarutorawasgoingtovisitinthiskind
ofcommotion.Originally,oneofthegoalsYamashiroandtheothershadforcomingtothisdarktemple
wastogatherinformationregardingTsuchimikadoHarutora.
However,
"......So,intheendwehaven'taccomplishedeither'gatheringinformation'or'arresting'."
Theyimmediatelyquestionedhimafterreturningtotheirquarters.Itcouldn'tbeinferredwhatMiyoshi
wasthinkingfromhisreply.
Itwasn'tjustYamashiro,Yugewasalsostunned.Sheshookherhead,unabletotakeit.
"Holdon,OfficerMiyoshi.Aren'tyoubeingabittoounreasonable?TsuchimikadoHarutoraisamagic
criminalwantedbytheMysticalInvestigators.IfheappearsinSeishukuTemple,wecouldn'tpossible
pretendthatwedidn'tseehim."
"ThenYuge,whatdoyousayweshoulddo?Doyouthinkyoucancapturehim?"
Yugebecameupsetwhenthisquestionwasreturnedtoher.
ItwasverypossiblethatTsuchimikadoHarutorawasYakou'sreincarnation,whichwasthereasonthe
OnmyouAgencyviewedhimasdangerous.Moreover,itwasn'tjustthathewasamagiccriminal,it
mighthavepoliticalimplicationsaswell.
Butjudgingfromtheseveralincidentsthisyear,theycouldascertainthatTsuchimikadowasquitea
powerfulmagicuser.Evenifitwasunclearwhetherthetwodefensiveshikigamihebroughtaround
werethetrueHishamaruandKakugyouki,itwascertainthattheyweretwoverypowerfulshikigami.It
wasimpossibletocapturehimeasily.
But,
"......Idon'tplanonshowingweakness.Idon'tplanonoverstatingmyability,butatthesametimeIdon't
planonbeingexcessivelymodest."
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YugewasnoexceptionamongtheTwelveDivineGenerals.ShewasanIndependentExorcistswho
couldeasilypurifyaspiritualdisaster.Moreover,Yugehadthenameof'BindingPrincess'andwasan
absolutelyfirstratebarrieruser.Thejobof'capturing'suitedherperfectly.
ThekeypointthatMiyoshihadmentionedrestedonYuge'sability.
"Yuge,thisisSeishukuTemple,youknow?"
Jougen,wholedSeishukuTemple,hadopenlydeclaredhisintentionsofwelcomingTsuchimikado
Harutora.Withthat,theprobabilitythatSeishukuTemplewouldtrytostopthemonceMiyoshiandthe
otherOnmyouAgencypeopleexpressedtheirintentofarrestingTsuchimikadoHarutorawasveryhigh.
Theywereoutnumberedlikethis.EvenifYugecoulddefend,theycouldn'twinifSeishukuTemple's
capablepeoplesurroundedthem.EspeciallyJougen,whoMiyoshihadhailedas'apersonfarmore
powerfulthanus'.
"Then."
Yamashiroquicklyinterjected.
"Let'sletthingsmoveinJougen'sdirectionandpullRianwhospokeoutbeforeovertoourside.Ifwe
havehimbecometheleaderandsplitSeishukuTempleintwo,wemightbeabletolimitthemfrom
gettinginvolvedinotherthings."
"PriestRian,huh?Ishethatrespectedinthemonastery?"
Miyoshispokeindifferently.Heseemedtobeuninterested,orperhapsRianwasjustthatshallow.
Yamashirosmirked.
"I'llexpressoursupport.IfhehastheOnmyouAgencybackinghim,theremightbeagoodamountof
peoplewhochooseoursideinsteadofJougen's....But,there'snotime.Thisjoboughttohavebeen
completedbytheMysticalInvestigators,andthistimeI'dliketorequestsupportfromOfficerMiyoshi
andIndependentOfficerYuge."
TsuchimikadoHarutora'smessagehadstatedthathewasgoingtocometoday.Inthefirstplace,they
couldn'tdistinguishwhetherthatmessagewastrueforfalse,butevenifTsuchimikadoHarutoradidn't
come,thiscoulddevelopintoanopportunityforhisworkinsideSeishukuTempletoprogress.
ButMiyoshididn'tnod.
"Yamashiro,it'sgoodforyoungpeopletobemotivated,butChiefKurahashiwillgetangryifyougotoo
far."
Yamashiro'srelaxedexpressionvanished.Hecouldn'tdistinguishwhat'level'ofasuggestionMiyoshi's
remarkwas.
MiyoshiwasunconcernedabouttheyoungMysticalInvestigator'sreaction.
"Isaidjustnow,thethreeofusareemissariesandwillfollowtheircustoms.'Arrestingpeople'isn'tan
actionthatweherehavetotake."
"......Youknew?"
"No,Ididn'tknow.ButIcanimaginethatthatpersonhasbegunpreparingveryquicklyalready."
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YamashirosmiledpolitelyatthecalmlyspeakingMiyoshi.
"What'sgoingon?"YugequestionedYamashiro,unabletounderstandwhatthetwoweretalkingabout.
"I'vereportedeverythingregardingTsuchimikadoHarutora'svisittoChiefKurahashi.AsOfficer
Miyoshipredicted,reinforcementsshouldbeheadinghererightnow."
"What?"
"Whydidn'tyousaythatearlier."YugestaredatYamashiroinsurprise.
"Sorry,IndependentOfficer,it'sbecauseitwasmyMysticalInvestigatorwork.Butthereinforcements
willarrivethiseveningattheearliest.Soit'snotguaranteedthatthey'llbehereatthecriticaltime.I
meantosaythatweshouldbeofuseifpossible.Iwon'tdenyitevenifyousaythatI'mgettingcarried
away."
Yamashirospokestraightforwardly.Henolongerhadanyintentofconcealingit.Yugeworea
displeasedexpression.Evenifheloweredhishead,itdidn'tmakeherfeelanybetter.Allofthatwas
withinYamashiro'scalculations.
"Anyway,ifreinforcementsarecoming,thenwecan'tdescendthemountainfirst.Let'sstayasweare."
"OfficerMiyoshi,tobehonest,itmightindeedbegettingcarriedaway,butwecan'tjustwaitandleave
everythingtothereinforcements,that'snotwise.Sincethethreeofushavetheadvantageofbeing
onsite,wereallyoughttoactwhenwecan."
"Rejected."
"Why?"
"That'sobvious,it'sbecauseit'stoodangerous."
"Whatdoesthatmean?"
"Nothingbuttheliteralmeaning.Thetwoofyoumightbefine,butwhatifsomethinghappenstome?"
Yamashirodidn'treallyunderstandevenafterbeingtoldthis.
Yamashirowasabitstunned.Yugefurrowedherbrows,andontheotherhand,Miyoshiwasstillas
calmasalways.Incontrasttothem,hespokeleisurelywitha'thisistroublesome'tone.
"Thisistroublesome.Thetwoofyou,listenup,especiallyyou,Yuge.Ihopeyoucanrealizethereason
youwerechosenforthismission."
"Hah......huh?"
"Isn'titsomethingyoucanrealizewithjustabitofthought?Itwastoprotectme.Nomatterwhat,I'ma
SpecialSenser,ahumanresourcethatneverfailsinjobslikedetectingmagic,right?Iwaschosenasan
envoy,andatthesametime,youwerechosenasanenvoyasabarrieruserfornothingotherthan
protectingmewithyourlife."
"No,that......"
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"Youwereonlydispatchedtoguaranteemysafety.Otherwise,howwouldtheyhaveputanIndependent
Exorcistwhowasverybusyinthefirstplaceonthiskindofremotemountain?"
"......"
Thosewords'verybusyIndependentExorcist'wereindeedtrue,andshealsohadtoadmitthatwhat
Miyoshisaidwasprobablythecase.
TheSpecialSenserMiyoshiTougo'sabilitieswerethe'treasure'oftheOnmyouAgency.Itwasafragile
treasurethatwasunabletofightandevenlackedtheabilitytoprotectitself.Itwasareasonableoreven
naturalmeasuretoplacepowerful'shields'nexttohim.
Butshewaspowerlesstorefuteitwhenthepersoninquestionsaidsomagnanimouslythat'Yamashiro
andYuge,I'magreater,morevaluablepersonthanyou,soIneedyoutoprotectme'.Itwaslikean
emperorproclaimingacommandtohisservant.
"Howunreliable.Comeon,Yuge,really?"
"......Alright......"
"...Well,Yamashiro,YugeandIhavetorefrainfromfoolishactionsthatprovokethosearoundus.I
won'tforceyoutostopifyouwanttoactnomatterwhat,butifyou'replanningonpullingoverPriest
Rianwithoutanyhesitationlikeyousaid,Iurgeyoutocalmlywaitinstead."
Itwastrulyshameless,butMiyoshilecturedYamashirowithoutanyremorse.Yamashiroalsothought
seriouslyforalongtimeoverwhetherhewasbeingtakenforanidiot.
Theconversationinthequarterwasenvelopedinsilence.Onlytwoofthemwererestless.
Suddenly,thethirdperson,
"Ah."
ClappedhishandsasifseemingtothinkofsomethingandslowlyturnedtowardsYamashiro.
"Cometothinkofit,Iforgotitduringyesterday'sconfusion,there'ssomethingIwanttoconfirm."
"Whatisit?"
"TheforbiddenmagicTsuchimikadoHarutoraissuspectedofusingwasindeedtheTaizanFukunRitual,
right?"
"......Isthatso?"
Hedidn'tunderstandMiyoshi'sintentatalluptothispoint.Butthatsaid,hecouldn'tignoreit.
Yamashirorepliedseriously.
MiyoshiheardYamashiro'sreplyandthoughtquickly.
"Isee.That'sunexpected,butofcourseImighthaveguessedwrong.It'sveryhardtodeterminethe
location."
"......"
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"......OfficerMiyoshi?Excuseme......Whatdoyoumean......"
Quiteweary,Yamashiro'svoicestartedbecomingimpatientashequestioned.Thiswasanexperienceof
beingmistreatedatthehandsofanirritatingboss,albeitthefactthathewasaNationalFirstClass
Onmyouji.[39]Thosehandsalsomadehispatiencedroptoitsverybottomlimitsbecauseoftheir
pressure.
Miyoshi'smomentarydazeendedinaposedproclamation.
"Goodtiming,Yamashiro.Iurgedyoutowaitbefore.Letmegiveyousomeadviceonwhyyouought
todoso."
"Whyisitlikethis,Rian?Shouldn'ttheOnmyouAgencybebackingus?"
"Also,isthematterofwelcomingTsuchimikadoHarutorareallyseenasdecidedinthemonastery
becauseofthedisputeearlier!?"
"ThemoderateajariturnedtoJougenandtheothers......IfwejustrecognizehimasYakoureborn,won't
wehavenotimetomakeourcase?"
ThereformistajarigatheredinRian'squarters,criticizingtheirleaderwithpaledfacesoneafteranother.
Actually,Rianhadcompletelylostthedisputeinthecourtyardbefore.Thankstohim,theirplanshad
beencompletelydisrupted.
But,
"There'snothingwecandoanymore,right?Wedidn'tpredictthatTsuchimikadoHarutorawouldcome
hereatall.Wedefinitelycan'tignorethat."
"Evenso,there'snomeaninginmakingthesituationofJougen'ssidebetter!Also,what'swiththestance
thatthoseTwelveDivineGeneralshadtaken?"
"That'sbecausetheMysticalInvestigatorYamashirofled!Ifthatbrathadabitofcouragebefore,the
resultwouldhavebeencompletelydifferent.Damn,thatguycouldhavejust......Intheend,he'sjustan
errandboy.Iwastrulyfoolishtoholdexpectationsofhim."
Rianspatbitterly.
Inanycase,TsuchimikadoHarutora'sarrivalandtheacceptanceofthisinthecourtyardmeantthatRian
andtheotherreformistshadtrulybeencaughtinadilemma.Theyhadtoregretfullyadmitthatthey
hadn'tgottenthebestendofthebargain.
But,
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"Let'sendthis.WehaveamessagefromKurahashiGenji,theOnmyouAgencychief.TheOnmyou
Agencythatheleadsdominatesthemagiccommunityandalwayswillinthefuture.EvenJougenand
Yakou'sreincarnationwontbeobstacles."
Riansurveyedthefacesofhiscomradesashespokedevoted,enthusiasticwords.
Ofcourse,evenifRianhadambitionsanddesires,hehadconsideredplayingitsafe.
Butabovethat,SeishukuTempleoughttopickthecorrectchoice,joinwiththeOnmyouAgency,and
openupthetemple.
Theotherajarihadnowayofguaranteeingtheirlivesotherthanthat.Onmyoulawwasbeingchanged,
andtheOnmyouAgency'spowerwascurrentlyspreadingallthewayoverhere.Theywererightly
awareofthecurrentsituation.
Inthefirstplace,itcouldn'tbesaidthatthepeoplelivingatSeishukuTempleweretruly'living'.
Comparedtopeopleontheoutside,whywasitthatonlytheywerepractitioners,andwhydidtheyhave
tobeforcedintothiskindofunfree'life'?Evenfortheirmagictraining,maybetheyneededtolearnthe
latesttheoreticalapproachesoftheOnmyouAgencyratherthanstubbornlyusingtheirstratifiedmethods
frombefore.
ThepropositionofJougen'sconservativefactionmeantnothingatall.Theywerejustpurelyafraidthat
changewouldhappen.
"TheDivineGeneralsfrombeforeassentedtoJougen'swords.Butthatdefinitelywasn'ttheirtrue
feelings.Yamashiroprobablythinksthesameaboutthat.It'sunderstandablethattheyfinditdifficultto
act.Thenweneedtodosomethingtomakeitmoreconvenientforthemtomove."
Rianspoketohiscompanionsandalsotohimself.
"Ifwe'resuccessful,we'llbeabletogranttheOnmyouAgencya'favor'.......Right,thisisactuallyan
opportunity.Rightnow,wehavetomusterourcourageandact.Likethat,we'llcarvethenamesofus
reformistsinthelonghistoryofSeishukuTemple.It'sperfect.Everyone,prepareyourselves."
"......"
Part3
Akinoranlikethewindtothemonastery.
Tapatthesametimesheleapedofftheground,hersmallbodyflewlikeanarrow,thewindshe
whippedupmadethefallenleavesdance.Shefearlesslyflewintotheflowingscenery.
Rabbitearshadgrownfromherheadatsomepointintime.Ashort,roundrabbittailalsogrewfromher
bottom.However,Akinodidn'trealizeormaybeshejustdidn'tcareasshecontinuedtorun.
ShesearchedforHokutostartingfromoneendofthehallinsidethemonasterytemple.Atthattime,the
earsonherheadsuddenlychangeditsdirectionintensely,andshesetouttofindHokuto'spresence.
Shesuddenlyaccelerated.
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Normally,shewouldtrynottoruninthemonastery,sinceshewouldbescoldedforbeing'dangerous'.
Butrightnow,thosethingsnolongermattered.Shewasunconcernedabouttheobstaclesontheroadas
well.Withahop,shejumpedoverthetopofastonelantern.Withaswish,sheswiftlypassedovera
fallentree,hergazejumpinginalldirectionsasshesearchedforHokuto.Crunchcrunchcrunchafter
shetreadrhythmicallyonfallenleaves,shecrouchedherbodylowandleapedpastasmall,ancient
pond.Mostpeoplewerejustwatchingfromafar,sotheydidn'tnoticeAkino.Iftheynoticedtheauraand
cametocheckitout,Akinowaslongsincegonefromtheareabythetimetheyarrived.Thegirlran
throughthemonasterywithoutbeingscoldedbyanyone.
Shesensedtheheavyatmosphereinthemonasteryassheranhereandthereagain.
Onethingshecouldunderstandwasthatanxietyandconfusionhademergedoneveryone'sfaces.
Eventheajariandseniorswhowereusuallyegotistichadbecomefrightened,restless,andtroubledby
theimminentchanges.Hugethingshadtobewaitingfortheminthefuture.Itwasabigeventthatcould
draginevenAkino,whocoulddonothingatallregardless,alongwiththepowerfulajariandseniors.
However,Akinohadstoppedworrying.Sheranlightly,yetfreely,likeagustofwind.
Shehadlookedaroundtheentiretemplebuthadn'tfoundHokuto.Coulditbethatshehadalreadyleft
themonastery?Theanxietythatsuddenlyoverflowedfromherheartmadeherchesttighten.ButAkino
immediatelyshookherhead,denyinghersuspicions.
Hokutowasn'tsomeonewhowouldn'teveninformherfriendsevenifshedidleavethemonastery.
Thoughshehadonlyknownherforashortamountoftime,sheunderstoodatleastthatmuchabouther
personality.Sinceshewasn'tinthetemple,thenshewouldjusthavetothoroughlysearchinother
places.Akinopickedupherspeed,runningtoandfrointhemonastery.
Afterrunningeverywhereandsearchingonce,AkinofinallyspottedHokutowhenshereturnedtothe
areabehindthehallshehadbeenatearlier.Shewassurprised.Shehadn'tthoughtHokutowouldbewith
themonasteryshikigamiwiththatTengu.
Theplacethetwoofthemwerewastheveryendofthemonastery.Thecedartreessuddenlypartedin
thatarea,leavingbehindabroad,openspace.Sincethegroundhadcrumbledfromheavyrainsthe
previousyear,alargefissurehadpartedtheforestthere.Thoughitwasn'tverysteep,thesurfaceofthe
groundwasclearlyrevealed.
Beforeherwasalargeswathofferns.Akinoacceleratedwithallherstrengthandleaped.
Thumpinaflash,shejumpedtoatrunkofacedartree.Thump,thumpthen,likethat,shejumped
fromonetrunktoanother,leapingabovethegroupoffernsasifperformingacrobatics.
SheflewlikeacannonballtowardstheplaceHokutoandTenguwere.
AkinosuddenlyflyingoutfromthetreesmadeHokutoturnaroundandcry"Ah!?"outofshock.Akino
stilllandedwithheracceleratedspeed.Sheskiddedonthegroundwhiledoingherbesttokeepher
balanceandnotfalldown.
"...Ah,ouch!"
Shefailedandtumbledintheotherdirection.
Itreallyhurt.
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"......OOw......"
"Ah,Akino!?Whathappenedtoyou?AAreyoualright?"
HokutorantowardsAkino,whohadfallenfromthesky.Shecameincontactwiththesamesweetaroma
asbefore.AbigbumphadrisenonthebackofAkino'shead.Shecalledout"Hokuto......"whilesitting
up.Fortunately,herglasseshadn'tbrokenfromthefall.
"Sorry.IstartedrunningwithoutevenknowingitwhenIwaslookingforyou,Hokuto."
"Lookingforme?Whathappened?"
"It'snotlikethat......Ah,butwhyareyouinthiskindofplace,Hokuto?Also"
Cometothinkofit,AkinowhohadbeenconstantlylookingupatHokutoturnedhergazeinTengu's
direction.
"WhyareyouwithTengusan?DidTengusansaysomethingagain?"
TheshikigamicalledTenguwasstandingwithatengumasktiedaroundhisheadlikealways.Hestood
inapositionslightlyfurtherawayfromthetwo.Hisexpressioncouldn'tbeseenonthefaceonhishuge,
abnormalbodybecauseofthetengumask.Hisfigureseemedlikeamountaindwellingmonsterinthe
deepcedarforestbelowthedimsky.
Ofcourse,hewasafamiliarshikigamitoAkino.Althoughshewasn'twaryofhim......Theincident
yesterdaynight......
Hokutoalsoseemedconfused.
"Well,I'mnottoosure.ThisshikigamisuddenlyappearedwhenIwasreturningaftercheckingthe
situationinthemonastery......Itbeckonedformetocomewithoutsayinganything,andthenIjustcame
tolook."
Hokuto'sexpressionwhenshehadseenTenguhadbeenevenmoreconfusedthanAkino's.Then,the
Tenguthathadcalledheroverhadstoodtherewithoutdoinganythingafterall.Akinoraisedher
eyebrows.
Indeed,Tenguoftenjuststoodstilllikethatorwanderedthemonasterywhenhewasn'tfollowing
anyone'sinstructions.Sometimeshewouldalsoclimbtreesandstandonthetreebranchesincomplete
silence.
Butshehadneverheardofhimcallingsomeoneoverlikethis.Ofcourse,thatbeingsaid,shehadseen
Tenguspeakingforthefirsttimelastnight.Whatexactlyhadhappened?AkinostaredatTenguwhile
listeningcarefullyandfurrowingherbros.
"ThenAkino,whyareyouhere?Youevensaidyouwerelookingforme."
"Eh?Ah,that'sbecause......"
Akinofalteredforamomentuponbeingaskedaboutthisagain.Shelostthemomentumthatshehadrun
allthewayherewithandfeltabitembarrassedinstead.
Shecouldn'tbelikethis.Ifsheequivocatedhere,herwordswouldhavecometonothing.
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"BecauseII'mveryconcernedaboutHokuto."
"Eh?WWhy?"
"BecauseyoubecameverystrangeafteryoulearnedthatthatTsuchimikadoHarutorapersonwas
coming,Hokuto.Howisthatrelatedtothe'goal'youtalkedabout?"
OnceAkinoconfirmeditdirectly,Hokuto'stonestartedtowaver.Asexpected,itwasthecase.Akino
breathedinandcontinuedspeaking.
"Hokuto,youseemlikeyou'reinanurgentsituationrightnow.It'smorelikeyou'vebeenforcedintoa
cornerthanjustnothavinganyfreedomtoact."
"You......Youcouldseeit?"
AkinonoddedhonestlytoHokuto'squestion.
"SoI'mveryworriedaboutyou.That'swhyIcametofindyou.Because"
Akinochokedupasshespoke.
"We're...friends......"
Herfacewashot.Shewasprobablyalreadyred.Herheartthumpedasitleapedandherearsalso
trembledslightly.
"Akino......"Hokutowasverysurprised.Sheclosedhermouthtightlyandturnedherfaceaway.
Hesitationandindecisionwerewrittenonthesideofherface.ThoughHokutodidn'tsayanything,
Akinocouldseethatherheartwasconflicted.
Akinodidn'tsayanythingeither,waitingforHokuto'sreply.Hokuto'shesitationslowlyturnedinto
decisivenessunderAkino'sgaze.
Then,
"......It'sasyousay,Akino."
Hokutonoddedandadmitted.
"IcametothedarktemplebecauseIlearnedthathewouldcomeherethroughmyfather'sdivination.I
cameheretomeetwithhim."
"......IsthatTsuchimikadoHarutorapersonyourfriend?"
"Yes.I'm......"
"Tsuchimikado."
Tengusuddenlyspoke.Thetwoofthemturnedintheshikigami'sdirectioninsurprise.
Thetengumaskwasontheshikigami'sface,soneedlesstosayitwasverydifficulttoreadhis
expressionorevenhisgaze.Butrightnow,theycouldclearlysensethattheshikigamiwaslookingat
thetwoofthem.
Tenguslowlyraiseditsthick,longarm.
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"Look."
HepointedatHokuto.
"Hokuto,possessing,deadperson."
"............"
Hokuto'seyeswidenedasshegazedatTengu.Akinocontinuedlisteninginconfusiontothedialogue
betweenHokutoandTengu.
"Hokutois,Tsuchimikadofamily's,dragon."
"......Whydoyouknowthis?You,whatareyou......"
"Corpseis,Tsuchimikadofamily's,kin,right?"
Tenguquestioned.AkinoinstantlylookedupatHokuto.
Hokuto,noticingAkino'sgaze,turnedherfacefromTengutoAkinoandsmiledcalmly.Then,she
turnedbacktoTengu'sdirection,straighteningherbackanddrawingupherchest.
Herexpressiontightened.Hokutorepliednoblytotheshikigami'squestion,herblackhairandtheribbon
tiedinitswaying.
"Yes.Iwon'thideitanylonger.MynameisTsuchimikadoNatsume.Iwasadoptedbythe
Tsuchimikadomainfamilynotlongafterbirthandwasraisedasthenextfamilyhead.Tsuchimikado
Harutoraismychildhoodfriend."
"...!"
"Also......It'struethatI'madeadperson.Lastsummer,Iwasresurrectedfromdeath.......No,Iwasjust
awakened,andrightnowI'mstillbarelymaintainingmycurrentstate."
ThosewordsthatwerehalfaconfessiontoAkinocontinued.
ItwouldbealietosaythatAkinowasn'tsurprised.Shehadreceivedquiteashock.Thatwas
undeniable.
But,
"Isee."
Akinospokeasifsighing.Hokutofrozeinsurprise.
"What."
"......Eh?"
"Hokuto,Ithoughtyoursituationwasscarierfromhowdramaticyouwere."
"......Ah,Akino?"
HokutoseemedflusteredatAkinowhosmiledratherthanfeelingtense.Shehadsincerelyspokenthe
truthandcompletelyconveyedit.
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"Doyouunderstand,Akino?I'msomeonewhowasresurrectedafterdyingonce,youknow?There's
nothingmoretaboothanthat.Itwasoneofthemostreviledforbiddenarts......Anunforgivablething.
Akino,evenyoushould......"
"Hey,Hokuto."
"...Eh?"
"Goodandevilchangedependingonthetime,occasion,andposition.Hokutomighthavediedandbeen
resurrectedbyaforbiddentechnique,butnooneherecaresaboutthatkindofthing.Well,maybethere
arepeoplewhocare,buttheywon'tsayanythingaboutitordoanything.Ofcourse,I'mlikethattoo."
Thosewordswereallthetruth.
Thepeopleinthemonasterywerediverseandvaried.Also,noonewasconcernedaboutanyone'spast.
Ifsomeonehadoncedied,thenatmosttheymightfeelabituncomfortablearoundthem,buttheway
theytreatedherwouldn'tchange.Maybeitwasabitdifferentfromthe'outside',but'SeishukuTemple'
wasthatkindofplace.
Thefinaldestinationofpeoplewithnowhereelsetogo.ThatwasSeishukuTemple.Sotherewere
actuallymanypeoplewithvariouscircumstances,pasts,evils,anddestinieslivingtogetherinthe
monastery.Hokuto's'fate'wasjustoneofthese.
Moreimportantly,judgingfromthecurrentcircumstances,itseemedlikeHokutohadn'tdoneanything
incredible.Itwasn'therfaultforbeingbornandraised,andsheprobablyhadn'tthoughtofand
orchestratedsomethinglikeherresurrectionafterdeath.
ThentheHokutowhomAkinorecognizedwasn'taliaroravillain,butthesameHokutoasalways.That
wasthethingshewashappiestabout.
"Soyoudon'tneedtoblameyourselflikethat."
"BBut."
"No.Hokuto'ssuchabeautifulandgentleandgoodperson.Evenifyou'rehalfaliveordead,Hokutois
Hokuto."
AkinospokenaturallyandHokutostoppedmovingasifshehadbeenstruck.
Herbeautifuleyesweresowidethattheymightpopout.WhywereAkino'swordsabletotouchher
heartlikethis?
Itseemedlikeshehadproperlyconveyedthem.Akinogiggledshyly.
However,
"......Sothat'showitwas."
Thevoicethatsuddenlyarosedidn'tcomefromTengu.Rather,itwasthevoiceofayoungman.
AkinoandHokutosuddenlyspunaroundasiftheyhadbeenstruck.Theylookedatthecedarforestthat
Akinohadjustflownoutfrom.Ontheothersideoftheswathoffernsthatcoveredtherootsofthetrees
stoodamaninasuit.
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"Itrulyhavetoadmit.MiyoshiTougoistrulyveryvaluable."
Theyoungmansaidthis,takingoutacharm.
"...Order."
Ashesaidthis,heplacedthecharmonhiswrist.Theplacedcharmignited,instantlyburningawaythe
ferns.
Akinoflinchedinfright,drawingbackherbody.Theyoungmanslowlywalkeduptheopenedpath.
Thatwasfirstclassmagic.Theseniorsalsousedfiremagicwhentheywerecooking.Butthemagicthe
youngmancontrolledwhilepracticalandabitroughwasveryeffective,givingAkinoanominous
premonition.
HokutoquicklysteppedforwardinordertoprotectAkino.OnlythendidtheshikigamicalledTengu
slowlyturnaround,butbythentheyoungmansawonlyHokuto.Hokutotookaconfrontationalstance
witharesoluteexpression,watchingcalmly.
"TsuchimikadoNatsume."
Theyoungmanannounced.
"Ican'tletupafterhearingthatnamenomatterwhat.EspeciallynowthatTsuchimikadoHarutorawill
bearrivingsoon."
Akinosuddenlyhadathoughtasshewonderedwhothispersonwas.Therewereonlythreepeoplein
SeishukuTemplethatAkinodidn'trecognizerightnow.ThoseweretheDivineGeneralsdispatchedby
theOnmyouAgency.However,therewasonewomanamongthethreeofthemandonepersonwhowas
older.
Thentherewasonlyonepersonremaining.
"I'mYamashiro.AMysticalInvestigator."
Theyoungmangavehisname.
"Idon'tknowhowimportantyouaretoTsuchimikadoHarutora......Butatleasthedeliberatelyused
forbiddenmagictoresurrectyoufromdeath.Youcanprobablybecomeabargainingchip.Fornow,I'll
escortyouback."
Hokuto'seyesinstantlybecamesharp.Incomparison,theyoungman'smouthcurvedintoamocking
smileashehappilysteppedout.
AterracedmountainroadwasconnectedtoSeishukuTemple.
AnOnmyoujistoodinfrontofthismountainroad,raisinghisheadtolookatthemountaintop.
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Themountainwascoveredwithlarge,ancientcedartrees.Themountaintopwasenvelopedingray
clouds.Evenlookingaroundcasually,hecouldfeellikeithadbeenaccumulatingsomethingforalong
timefromitsaweinspiringappearance.Itfeltlikearemotemountain.
TheOnmyoujinodded,muttering'hownostalgic'asheturnedtolookbehindhisback.
Anancientwarehouselikestructurestoodthere.ItwasadesigncompletelydifferentfromtheFrontHall
thathehadknown,butitseemedtostillbearthename.
Justthen,atruckdroveupnexttotheFrontHall.TheOnmyouji'sgazereturnedtotheNorthStar
Mountainfrombeforeandhetookoutacellphone.
"...Senpai?Howisitoverthere?'
"They'realreadydeployed."
"Understood.Then,I'mgoingover."
Heendedthecall,acalmsmilesurfacingonhisface.
"Youtwo,areyouready?"
"Ofcourse."
"Yeah..."
TheOnmyoujinoddedattheseinvisiblevoicesandthenstrodeout.
Chapter4OnmyoujiattheMountain
Part1
Itwastheworstoccasiontoslipup.Natsumegrittedherteeth,glaringatthesuitwearingyoungman
Yamashiro.
Shehadgonetosuchlengthstoslipintothemonasteryconcealingheridentity,buthertrueselfhad
beennoticedbyaNationalFirstClassOnmyoujiMysticalInvestigator.Thatkindofthingwasstupidas
wellashavingtheworstpossibletiming.
YamashirohadsurreptitiouslydrawnclosertoNatsume.Inotherwords,shewasbeingwatchedtosome
degree.NatsumehadavoidedcontactwiththeDivineGenerals,andsheoriginallythoughtshehad
concealedherauraquitewell,butthathadbeentoonaive.
ThoughNatsumewasangeredatherinability,sheimmediatelycomposedherfeelingsandfocusedon
thesituationbeforeher.Fortunately,Harutorawouldappearatthedarktempletoday.Shejustneededto
buytimeuntilheappeared,andshehadthemagicaltoolsthatsheneededforthat.
......Right.EveniftheopponentwasaDivineGeneral.Shecouldonlytakeashot.Natsumeinstantly
adjustedhermindtoanalertstate,lettingmagicalenergyswellupfromherentirebody.
"......Hmph."Yamashirosnortedupon'seeing'Natsume'sstate.
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Butontheotherhand,Natsumecouldn'tignoreAkinowhomshewasshelteringbehindher.Akinowas
tense,herbodystiff.Therewasnohelpingthat.
Thoughthe'disciples'ofSeishukuTempleconstantlyunderwentmagicaltraining,Natsumeknewafter
beingwithAkinothewholedayyesterdaythatshehadn'treceivedtrainingasapractitioner.
Shecouldn'tinvolveherinthis,andshehadtoconsiderthepossibilitythatshewouldbecapturedtobe
usedasahostage.Ifpossible,shewantedtochangethelocationofthebattle,butitwasunknown
whethershewouldhavesuchanopportunity.
Then,therewasonemorethingtoremember
"......ThatTenguprobablyisn'tyourshikigami."
Yamashiroslowlyturnedhisgazetowardsthetengushikigami.Ofcourse,Yamashirohadrecognized
theexistenceofthisTengubeforehand,andhehadbeenabletoconcludethattheshikigamiprobably
wasn'tNatsume's.
"Coulditbethatbrat'sshikigami?She'squitea'strange'kid,that'sforsure."
Nowthathementionedit,Akino'srabbitearswereout.Akinowentstiff,frightenedbyYamashiro's
tone.
Natsumeimmediatelysaid,"...Tengu?CanIentrustAkino'ssafetytoyou?"
"HHokuto?"
Akinohadsaidthatthetengushikigamiobeyedtheordersofpeopleinthetemple.Natsumehadjust
enteredthemmonastery,butthisshikigamiseemedquitefamiliartoAkinowhohadgrownupinthe
monastery.
Asexpected,Tenguslowlynoddedtoexpressacquiescence.Shewasextremelygrateful.Butshe
couldn'tjustdropherguardlikethis.Tengu'sstrengthwasstillunknown,andshewasn'tsurehowmuch
shecouldentrustitwith.Moreover,
"You'realsoquitestrange,TsuchimikadoNatsume."Yamashirosaidthistotheintentlystaring
Natsume.Moreover,heusedaleisurely,chattingtone.Natsume'sexpressionbecamesharpenedat
Yamashiro'swords.
"YoustayedattheOnmyouAcademyuntillastyear,andyouweretogetherwithTsuchimikado
HarutorainthefortyseventhclassofstudentsifIremembercorrectly.Inotherwords,youguysaremy
kouhai.Actually,IwasalsoastudentoftheOnmyouAcademy,ofthefortyfifthclass."
Natsumefoughtbackfromlettinghereyestwitch.Adifferenceoftwoyears,orinotherwords,thisman
hadalreadybeenathirdyearwhenNatsumehadenteredtheacademy.Thoughtherewasverylittle
contactbetweenfirstyearsandupperclassmen,sheoughttohaveheardsomethinglikerumorsabout
someonewiththelevelofabilitytogain'FirstClassOnmyou'qualifications.
ProbablyanticipatingNatsume'ssuspicions,Yamashirospoke.
"Originally,InolongerhadanythingtolearnaftermysecondyearattheOnmyouAcademy,butifI
knewthatsomeonefromtheTsuchimikadofamilyorthatTsuchimikadoYakou'sreincarnationwas
enteringtheacademyitwouldn'thavebeenbadtostayforanotheryear.Howregrettable."
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"............"
ThatmeantthathehadleftbythetimeNatsumeandtheothersentered.
TheOnmyouAcademygraduatesmostlyenteredtheOnmyouAgencyforwork,anditwasn'tstrangefor
theMysticalInvestigatorstohaveacademygraduates.
"Howunexpectedforfellowacademymemberstomeetinthiskindof'filthy'monastery.Howironic."
Alookof'irony'alsoappearedonYamashiro'sfaceashesaidthis.Itwasindeed'ironic',butNatsume
didn'thavetheleisureforjokeslikethat.Theopponentwasaprofessionalathumantargetedmagic
alongwithaDivineGeneral.Natsumeknewquitewellexactlyhowstrongtheirpowerswere.
"Butwhyareyouhere?IwasguessingthatyouweredefinitelyactingtogetherwithTsuchimikado
Harutora.Didyoucomebeforehandtodoscoutingwork?"
"............"
"Well,whatever.Wedon'thavethatkindoftimeeither."
YamashirosaidthistothecompletelysilentNatsume,alsolosinghisinterestinfurtherpursuingthe
subject.Yamashirohadaclearconfidenceonhisfacesincehestartedthinking,andNatsumejudgedthat
thiswasn't'faked'.Itwasagoodsignthattheenemywascareless.
OutsideofitsrelationtoHarutora,thefactthathementionedtheOnmyouAcademytopicwasprobably
becausehewasabitinterestedinNatsumeasanOnmyouAcademykouhai.Shewastrulygratefulthat
shewasbeinglookeddownonatthistime.
"......HHokuto."
Akinocalledoutquietlyfrombehindherback.
Herbodywasshaking.Natsume'sheartwasfilledwithapologytowardsAkino.Shehadjustbeen
grantedthegoodwillofhernaive,brilliantpersonality,andintheendshehadpulledherintoa
troublesomesituation.Butthosethoughtsalsostoppedthere.Shehadadutytosendherbacksafeand
sound.
"Akino,leavemeandrunbacktothemonasterywiththetengushikigami.It'salright,youshouldbeable
togetthereinaflashwithyourspeedfrombefore."
"HowcanI!IIcan'tleaveHokutoherealone!"
JustasAkinotriedtospeakfrantically.
"...!?Order!"
AtthesametimeasNatsumeinstantlyputupadefensivewallbythrowingoutaprotectivecharm,the
UnmovingGoldenChainsthatYamashiroreleasedhurtledtowardsher.Themagicalwallshook
intenselybecauseofthemagiccollision.
...Sofast!?
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Hehadn'tneededtospeakanincantation,hehadn'tformedahandseal,andhehadn'trefinedany
magicalenergy.Thoughthemagicwasrelativelyincomplete,thevictorwouldprobablybedecidedif
shetookoneofthosetotheface.
"Hey,don'tmakemewastetimefornoreason."
AsYamashirospokewithacalmtone,hecasuallyshortenedthedistancebetweenthetwo.
Akino'swailssoundedfrombehindher.Natsumechangedthepositionofherarmthatmaintainedthe
magicalwallwhilerefiningmagicalenergy.Then,shethrewoutasecondprotectivecharm,butthis
timesheinterferedwithandrewrotethemagic.Sheconnectedthemagictothemagicalwallshehadput
upbefore.Shepurposefully'disrupted'themagic.
"Deflect!Order!"
Themagicalwallfrombeforeinstantlyswelledupafterabsorbingthesecondprotectivecharm.A
projectilemagicthatattackedwithamagicalwall.Sheforcedthemagicalwalltogooutofcontrol,and
itdefendedagainsttheUnmovingGoldenChainsthatconstantlyshotoutwhilemovinginthedirection
oftheattacks.
"......Tch."
Yamashiroclickedhistonguewhileturningtoavoidthemagicalwall.Shelettheoutofcontrolmagical
wallflyathimdirectlyasameansofattack.Itseemedthattherewouldn'tbeenoughtimetodealwith
eachandeverymagicsheused.Yamashiro'watched'Natsumewithacoldgaze.
NatsumerantotherightinaflashinordertoputsomedistancefromAkino,takingadvantageofthe
openingfrominterruptingtheUnmovingGoldenChains.ItwasbecauseYamashirowasn'tthekindof
opponentthatNatsumecoulddealwithwhileprotectingAkinoatthesametime.Thetengushikigami
startedapproachingAkinoasithadpromised,asiftakingNatsume'splace.Akinowascurrentlyunable
tomovebecauseoffearandnervousness,soitwasbettertohavetheshikigamimovehertoasafeplace.
Yamashirocalledoutirritatedly:
"Isaid,don'tmakeyoursenpaiwastetimefornoreason,kouhai."
Yamashiromaintainedhisslightlyforwardleaningpostureashesaidthat,pursuingNatsumewithagile
steps.
Hetookouttwocharmsfromthefrontpocketofhissuitandtossedthemout.Theywereshikigami.
Twocompletelybluecatlikeshikigamiappeared.'WA2CatBandage',aWitchcraftCorporationbinding
shikigamithattheMysticalInvestigatorscommonlyused.ThetwoCatBandagesleapedfromthe
groundintoadashrightafterforming.Thoughtheywerejustordinary,commercialmanmadeshikigami,
theirauraandmobilityweredefinitelyonadifferentlevelunderthecontrolofaDivineGeneral.The
twosplituptoattackNatsume,likehuntinglions.
Natsumeranwhileformingaseal."Suzaku!Genbu!Byako!Koujin!Nanto!Hokuto!Sandai!Gyokujo!
Seiryuu!"
Natsumesuddenlystoppedandturnedherbody,forminghandsealsatthetwoshikigami.Atthesame
time,agridpatternfilledwithmagicalenergyflashedwithwhitelightinfrontofNatsume.Kujikiri.
Herblackhairfloatedbehindherasifblownbyastrongwing.Thetwopouncingshikigamistopped
becausetheycollidedwiththekujikiri.But,
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"Flowandbind.Order."
Yamashiro'sattackcameasplitsecondafterthetwoshikigamiwerestopped.Heheldupacharmwith
twofingers,hurlingthecharmwhilechantinganincantation.Itwasawaterelementcharm.Themagic
becameatorrentthatrushedalongtheground,approachingNatsume.
Thoughshereflexivelywantedtotakeoutawoodelementcharm,Natsumeimmediatelyanticipatedthe
entiretyoftheopponent'smagicfromtheenemy'sgoalsandmagic.Shepulledoutametalelement
charm,throwingitasiftoscattertheapproachingcharmmagic.
"Metalconquerswood!Order!"
ThemagicaltorrentYamashirohadunleashedwasabouttocrashdownontopofNatsume.Theinstant
shethoughtthat,thetorrentinstantlybecameanetofvines.Thenetofvinescarryingwateraurawasa
magicformedonthebasisoftheFiveElementsMutualGenerationconceptof'watergenerateswood'.
ButeverythingwasbrokenoffbythesharpshardofmetalthatthemetalelementcharmNatsumethrew
outturnedinto.FiveElementsConqueringmetalconquerswood.However,thewoodaura'smighthad
beenempoweredbecauseofitsgenerationfromthewateraura,andNatsume'smetalauracouldn't
completelyneutralizeit.Thecutvinesstartedgrowingfromtheirseveredends.Themovementofthe
growingvinesrushedtowardsNatsumeasifflyingthroughtheair.
...Inthatcase!
"Ombishibishikarakarashibarisowaka!"
HerfingersfluidlyjumpedfromaDharmacakrasealtoasealofmagicbinding.UnmovingGolden
Chains.Thistime,themovementofthevineswerefinallystoppedafterthatmagicboundtheopponent's
magic.
Butjustthen,thetwoCatBandageshadalreadyregainedtheirmobility,andYamashiro'snextmagic
hadalreadybeenreleased.
"Solidifyandharden,Order!"
Yamashirocroucheddowntostickacharmontheground,anearthelementcharmthistime.Five
ElementMutualGeneration,thesameasbefore.Inotherwords,earthgeneratesmetal.
Aftersheleapedback,sharpmetalshardsshotupfromtheplaceNatsume'sfeethadjustbeen,andthose
earthenteethconstantlyreachedupastheypursuedinthedirectionNatsumeescaped.
Theearthaurasummonedbythemagicbecamemetalauraunderground.Asexpected,itwasthesame
FiveElementsMutualGenerationasbefore.Butitwasnouseevenifshesawthroughtheopponent's
repeatedmagic.RightafterNatsumeavoidedtheattackfromunderherfeet,thetwobluecats
immediatelyclosedinonherfromtheleftandright.Evenifshecouldusethesamedefensivemethods
toneutralizethemagic,shewouldn'tbeintimetodealwiththetwoshikigami.Moreover,Yamashiro
hadalreadycasuallytakenoutthenextcharm.
Hiscontinuous,wantonwavesofattackswerepurelytosealNatsume'sactions,andthefollowup
attackswerejusttobackNatsumeintoacorner,nottodealwithherinstantly.Histacticwastoapply
pressureonherbitbybit,inordertokeepheraliveandnotkillher.
...Ifthat'swhattheopponentintends!
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Shewouldwinwiththis.Natsumemadeherdecisionandstoppedevading.Shepouredallherfocusinto
hermagic,refiningmagicalenergy,andformingabasicseal.
"Noumakusarabatatagyateibyakusarababokkeibyakusarabatataratasendamakarosyadaken
gyakigyakisarababiginnanuntaratakanman!"
ThiswasAcala'sFireRealmmagic.
TheflamethatburstfromNatsume'sbodyswirledintoavortexcenteredonthegirl.Herblackhairlifted
aboveherhead,blownagainstgravitybytheheat.
Themetalaura'smagicalenergypiercingthroughthegrounddissipatedharmlesslyafterencountering
Natsume'sflame.Fireconquersmetal.Thetwoapproaching'CatBandages'werealsoscorchedand
forcedtoretreatfromtheintenselag.Thepillaroffirereachingintotheskybeganchurningupthedim
clouds.Yamashirostopped.
"...Ho."Yamashironarrowedhiseyesandspoke.Thecold,mockingsmilehadfinallyvanishedfromhis
face.
"...Makarosyadakengyakigyakisarababiginnanuntaratakanman!"
NatsumeunleashedherferociousFireRealmmagicatYamashiro.Atthesametime,shecaststealth
magic.Fromthestart,shehadn'tneededtodefeathim.ShejustneededtoescapeuntilHarutoraarrived.
UsingtheFireRealmmagiccouldalsoblindtheopponent'seyes.Aslongasshetookadvantageofthis
periodoftimetoescapeintothemountainforest
"Youalreadywanttoescape?You'retoonaive,thinkingyoucouldwinwiththat."
Yamashiro'svoicecamefromthedirectionoftheFireRealmmagic,andNatsume,whowasabouttorun
away,turnedherheadto'see'Yamashirowithoutslowingdown.
YamashirohadputupabarriertodefendagainsttheFireRealm,anddestroyingitwascompletely
impossiblesinceshehadcompletelyreleasedcontroloftheFireRealmmagic.However,thefirerealm
magicshehadpouredallherstrengthintostillsustaineditspower.Yamashirooughttobeunableto
releasethebarrierandattackNatsumefrominsidetheFireRealmmagic.Shecouldescape!Natsume
believedthis.
Suddenly,somethingflewlikeanarrowfromoverhead.ReflectedinNatsume'seyesaftershespun
towardsitwasthefigureofabluebirdtearingthroughtheclouds.
"A'SwallowWhip'!?"
Shewasn'tintimetoinstantlyevadeit.WhentheblueswallowwasabouttocrashintoNatsume'schest,
itslongestfeathersbecamewhipsthatextendedouttoentangleNatsume'sbody.
"Ah!?"
Herfeetleftthegroundandimmediatelyafterwards,shefelttheimpactoffallingdownthroughouther
body.
TheSwallowWhipwastherepresentativebindingshikigamithatMysticalInvestigatorsused,onpar
withtheCatBandage.Justlikeitsnameimplied,itsfeathersbecamewhipsthatentwinedaround
Natsume'sbodyandboundher.Natsumestruggledasifrollingontheground.
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WhenNatsumemanagedtostruggletoherfeet,shefelttheSwallowWhip'swingsextendandtwine
aroundherkneestobinditstarget.Cometothinkofit,SwallowWhipwingsweresetupwithaweak
UnmovingGoldenChainsmagicbydefault,whichwaslowpoweredinordertobeactivatedfrequently
againstthetarget.Onceonewasbound,itwasdifficulttoescape.
...But,how?Whenhadheusedit!?
Natsumeoughttohavenotbeencarelessanywhere.Therewasno
reasonsheshouldn'thavenoticedifYamashirohadsummoneda
SwallowWhip.
But,"......Ihaditwaitintheairbeforecomingincontactwithyou.I
havetheupperhandnow,right?"
ThepoweroftheFireRealmmagicNatsumehadreleasedhadstarted
tofadenow.Yamashirodeflecteditoutwardwithabarrierasif
mimickingNatsume'smethods,fendingofftheFireRealmmagic.
Yamashirosmiledknowingly.
"Well,that'sprettygoodforastudentwhowithdrewinhersecond
year.Withthatkindofskill,youcouldevengetqualificationsasa
professionalOnmyouji.......ButI'mnotsurewhetherthesubjectof
forbiddenmagicwouldworkattheOnmyouAgency."
Yamashiroshruggedhisshoulderswithaleisurelysmileashesaidthis.
Natsumegroundherteethasshelaycollapsedontheground,herblackhairscatteredoverherface.The
FireRealmmagicfrombeforehadalreadyusedallofNatsume'spower.ButNatsumecouldn't'see'any
tracesofdisturbanceinYamashiro'sauraafterresistingit.Itwasasifhehadn'tevengottenserious.
Eventhoughhewasyoung,hispositionasaDivineGeneralwasn'tunwarranted.
"Inanycase,you'reakouhai,soIdon'tplanontreatingyouroughly.Behaveyourselfandsitstill."
YamashirospokehaughtilytoNatsumeashestuckhishandsintohispantspockets.Hisexpression
carriedthecold,penetratinggazeuniquetoprofessionalMysticalInvestigators.
However,whenYamashirowalkedtowardsNatsume,hesuddenlystoppedandshowedanabnormal
expression.
AkinosprintedinfrontoftheimmobileNatsume.Thetengushikigamiwastogetherwithher.
"Wha!?"Natsumewascompletelyspeechless.
NatsumehadfocusedhermindonYamashirosincethemagicbattlehadstarted,andshehadbelieved
thatthetengushikigamihadactedtobringAkinobacktothemonastery.Rightnow,Akinowas
spreadingherarmsandconfrontingYamashirowithoutevenhidingherrabbitearssolelytoprotect
Natsume.
"Akino,no!"
"TTengusan!PleasehelpmereleaseHokuto'sbindings."
"Whydidyoucomeback?"
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"Isn'tthatobvious?We'refriends!"
NatsumecouldonlygritherteethtightlyandglareresentfullyatTenguatAkino'swords.Itobeyedthe
ordersofpeopleinthetemple,soinotherwords,perhapsithadalreadybroughtherbackandthenhad
beenorderedbyAkinotobringherbacktoNatsume.Thoughshehadthoughtithadconsciousness,it
seemedlikeitwasn'twiseenoughtoreadthesituationyet.
Ontheotherside,Yamashiroexpressionlesslygazedattheinterruptingyoungsterandshikigami.
"............"
Hesnortedemotionlessly,hishandsstillstuckinhispockets.
Then,thetwoCatBandagesthathadbeenscorchedintolagbytheFireRealmmagicclosedinon
Natsumefromtheleftandright.TheyplannedonbindingAkinoandTenguaswell.
Didshehavenootherchoicebuttouseit?Natsumethoughtwithaslightlybitterexpression.
"......Akino.Pleaseleaveme."
"No!'
"Inthatcase,pleasehidebehindTenguandcrouchdownontheground."
"Eh?"
"Hurry!"
AsNatsume'sshoutranginAkino'sears,sheinstantlymovedwithaspeedthatleftafterimages.Itwasa
highspeedthatevenmadeNatsumewhohadinstructedhertodosodoubtherowneyes.Eventhe
expressionlessYamashiroberatedhimselfforbeingcareless.
AfterAkinoreturnedbehindthetengushikigami,shecarefullygotdownonthegroundasNatsumehad
instructed.
Natsumeraisedherheadfromthegroundafterconfirmingallofthis,lookingatthetwoCatBandages.
Then,
"Hekireki.I'mcountingonyou!"
Instantly
Withacrashingexplosionofsound,Natsumewascoveredinablindinglight.TheSwallowWhip
bindingherbodyinstantlyturnedtoash.Then,intenselagalsoappearedalloverthetengushikigamito
herside.Akinowholayonthegroundalsowailed"Eek!?"fromfright.
"What!?"
YamashiroreflexivelychangedhisstanceasNatsumeleapedup,releasedfromherbindings.Asshe
stoodup,herbodywaslacedwithdischargingsparks.Sparkingelectricityconstantlycoursedthrough
thejacketshewore.
Itwaslightning.
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"Couldthatbe?Lightningmagic!?"
Yamashiromovedhishands,instantlyformingaseal.Theinstantheputupabarrier
"Hah!"
Natsumeswungoutwithherglovedrighthand.
Flash.
BrightyellowlightningfromNatsume'srighthandleftscorchedtracesbetweenherandYamashiro.
Then,athunderousrumblerangout.Ajarringsoundofimpactcameimmediatelyafterwards.The
lightning'smightshovedthebarrierandYamashiro'sfeetslidbackwards.Takingadvantageofthat
opportunity,Natsumeswungbothherhandsthistime,andcountlessboltsoflightninginstantlytore
throughtheair.TheCatBandagesthathadbeenonstandbydroppeddowntowardsNatsume'shead,but
liketheSwallowWhip,theywereinstantlyturnedtoashalongwiththeirshikigamicharm.
"Youdidn'tevenuseacharmNo!?Ashikigami!Adefensiveshikigami!?"
Yamashiroshoutedoutthecorrectanswer.Thiswasahighlevelmanmadedefensiveshikigamiofher
originalcreation,Hekireki.Itwasn'tmaterialized,itwasjustaspecialshikigamithatfollowedits
master'sinstructionsandreleasedseveralpresetmagics.Ithadn'toriginallybeenNatsume'sshikigami.It
wasadefensiveshikigamithathadbeenspeciallylenttoherfromanextraordinaryformerexorcist
whowascurrentlyactingasNatsume'smaster[40].ItwasoneofNatsume'strumpcards.
"Tengu!PleaseleavewithAkinonow!"
Thesmellofburnedairspread.ItwastruethatHekirekiwasquiteapowerfulshikigami,butitsabilities
wereextremelyspecializedandthusitsscopewaslimited.Inthefirstplace,lightningmagicwasknown
tobequitedifficult,andthedifficultyofcontrollingHekirekiwasevident.Thatwaswhycontrollingit
wasadifficulttechnique.
Thatsaid,lightningmagicwasdifferentfrommostothermagic.Theoutcomewasvisiblethemoment
afterusage,anditwasamagicthatactivatedinonefellswoopthatwasimpossibletochangeoradjust.
Itwasamagicthatcouldn'tbeproperlygraspedwithoutproperresolve.
Butrightnowwasn'tthetimetohesitate.
"Noumakusanmandabotananindorayasowaka!"
SheformedthesealofTaishakuten,thegodoflightning,andchantedhismantratostrengthenherlink
ofspiritualpowerwithHekireki.ShepouredhermagicalenergyintoHekirekiandattackedthroughthe
shikigami'smagic.
RaginglightningassaultedYamashiro.
"Tch!"
Yamashiromaintainedthebarrierwhilerunningtotheopenmountainground.Butthelightningmagic
attackwouldhititstargettheinstantitwascase.'Evading'itwasimpossibleinthefirstplace.
Yamashironarrowedhiseyes.
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"IrememberthattherewassomethinginImperialOnmyoudouGotit!Akadaoftheeast!Shiyutakou
ofthewest!Satsuteiroofthesouth!Sodamaniofthenorth!"
Hechantedtheincantationofa'lightningrepelling'magicofImperialOnmyoudou.Thoughitwasabit
rare,itwasindeedaconventionalmethodofdealingwithlightningmagic.Butthiswasn'tamagicthat
sealedlightingmagic.Intheend,itwasjustan'avoidance'magic.
ButitwasalrightifNatsumecouldn'thit.Sheconstantlyreleasedlightingstrikeswithoutany
reservations.Ragingthunderfloodedhishearingandmadehisskinvibrate.Theflashesscorchedhis
retinasandhissightturnedwhite.Itwasalrightifshecouldn'thithimdirectly,itwasenoughtojust
barragehim.
NatsumecheckedAkino'scurrentcondition.ThetengushikigamihadjudgedthatbeingnexttoNatsume
wasverydangerous,soithadcarriedAkinobackandputherlowtotheground.Ifshejustcontinued
suppressingYamashirowithallherpowerlikethis,shewouldbeabletostophispursuit.Then,she
couldescapebyrunningintothemountainforestwithAkinoandTengu.But,
"Ireallyunderestimatedyou,kouhai!I'vechangedmyopinionofyou,soI'llalsostartfightingforreal."
Evenwhilehewasavoidinglightningstrikes,theyoughttohaveconveyedhugeimpactstohimjustby
strikingrandomlynearby.
However,theMysticalInvestigatorreleasedhisbarrier.Severalcharmsappearedinhishands.
Shikigamicharms.
Then,heinfusedthecharmswithmagicalenergy
Natsumeinadvertentlybecamefearfuluponfeelingadisgustingpresence.
"Come!Evilspirits!Order!"
Yamashirodidn'tthrowoutthemagiccharm.Rather,hegrippedittightlyinhishand,andthendense
blackmiasmapouredfromthegapsbetweenhisfingers.Itformedirresoluteblobs,anditseemedthata
terrifyingpulsationwasborninthatblackfog.Thoughtheywereclouds,theyseemedtohavea
viscositylikemoltenmetal.Moreover,Natsumerememberedthefeelingofthismiasmaextremely
clearly.
"Kodoku!?Tothinkyou'reusingforbiddenmagic."
NatsumehadwitnessedaYakoufanaticMysticalInvestigatorcontrollingakodokubefore.Butthe
kodokuatthattimewasundoubtedlydifferentfromtheoneYamashirocontrolledintermsofnumberor
miasmaquality.
Thekodokuwerebrimmingwithanticipation.Whenshethoughtthat,theirsurfacessuddenlysplitand
gianteyeballsappearedintheblackfog.
TheeyeballsthatwereflickeringbackandforthallturnedtofocusonNatsume.
"Go."
ThekodokupracticallycriedoutastheyrushedinNatsume'sdirection.
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GoosebumpshadrisenalloverNatsume'sbody,butsheengagedthegroupofkodokuwithoutashredof
cowardice.Witharumblingroar,sheconstructedabarrieroflightning.Atthesametimeasitstopped
thekodokus'advance,itbeganburningthemfromtheoutside.But,
......Thisisbad.Ifthisgoeson......!
Lightningmagicwasusually'inactive'relativelyoften.Itcouldn'tbecontinuouslycastwithoutquite
somespiritualpower.ThoughHekireki'sexistencemoreorlesscompensatedforthatfault,itwasquite
anintenseconsumption.Ifshedidn'thurryupandresolvethings,Natsume'sspiritualpowerwouldburn
itselfout.
"...Hmph.You'restilltooyoung."
Yamashirosmiledproudly,andNatsumesuddenlyrealized.
OnekodokuhadcircledaroundtoNatsume'srightsideandwasclosingin.Shehadn'texpectedhimto
casestealthmagiconakodoku.Natsume'srighthandreflexivelyslashedoutandelectricityranalong
thesurfaceofherpants.Lightningreleasedfromherglovedfingersstruckthekodoku.
Butthepowerwastooweak.Thewrigglingblackfogwasonlyhalfblownawaybythelightning.The
remainderglidedthroughtheairasitapproachedNatsume.
Shewasgoingtogethit.WhenNatsumethoughtthis,herbodywassuddenlyliftedupfrombehind.
...Eh!?
Herbodydangledintheair,pulledupbyapowerfulstrength.Itseemedlikeshewasfloatingonthe
wind.Whenshecametohersenses,shewasalreadyflyingbackwards.Shedesperatelyturnedtolook
andsawthetengushikigamibehindherholdingAkinowithonehandandholdingherbythecollar.
"You?"
Thetengushikigamidroppedlightlyonthegroundbehindthem,carryingAkinoandNatsume.
"Hokuto!?AAreyouhurt!?"
"Akino......"
Yamashiroontheothersideclickedhistonguemagnificently."Tch!"Shehadbeensavedwiththebest
timing.Natsumethankedthetengushikigamiwithextremegratitude.
"HHokuto,you'reincredible!Soamazing.Ididn'tknowyouweresostrong.You'rereally,really
amazing."
Akinorambledon.Natsumehadjustbeensavedfromacrisis,soallshecouldfeelwashelplessness.
Evenso,Natsumeinadvertentlysmiledwryly.
ItwasbecauseAkino'srabbitearslookedsocutejumpingbackandforth.
"......CallmeNatsume."
"Eh?"
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"Itwasn'talietocallmyselfHokuto,butthat'swhatIwasalwayscalled."
Akinowasdazedforawhileatthestart,thennoddedcontinuously.
"Natsume,you'rereallyamazing."
"No,I'mnotmuch.Also,it'snotover."
Then,NatsumeturnedhergazeinYamashiro'sdirection.
Yamashirolookedatthetengushikigamiasifsizingupthenewfightingpower.Then,heregroupedthe
groupofkodoku,preparingtofindtheopportunitytoattackagain.
Natsumeadjustedherstanceafterbreathingdeeplyagain.Sheignitedherfightingspiritagainand
focusedherconsciousnessonHekireki.
"Onsarabatatagyatahannamannanoukyaromi!"
Theseductiveyetbitingcoldfemalevoicesoundedinthemindsofeveryonepresent.
Part2
"Ohmy......"
Miyoshiraisedhisheadandmurmuredinsurpriseashesatonawickerchairreadingabookinthe
loungeofhislivingquarters.
"Itseemslikeitendedupturningintoamagicbattle."
Astorm'scoming,Miyoshisaidtohimselfinamutteringtone.Yugewasmeditatingnexttohim,or
perhapsitcouldbesaidthatshehadbeenaskedtowaitathissideforthewholetime.
Hereyeswidenedwithan"eh"andsheturnedherfacetowardsMiyoshi.
"Yamashiro?"
"Yeah.Itlookslikehewasunabletorequestassistancewithgentlemeans.Well,thatwasanticipated."
Miyoshishowedalookofseeingfarinthedistance.Then,Yugeaskedseriously.
"IstheopponentreallyTsuchimikadoNatsume?"
"ThoughIcan'tsayforsure,it'sninetypercentcertain."
TheforbiddenmagicthatTsuchimikadoHarutorausedwasthe'soul'magicthatwasespeciallytaboo
amongforbiddenmagictheTaizanFukunRitual.
AndthepersonhehadusedtheTaizanFukunRitualtoresurrectwasagirlalsofromtheTsuchimikado
familyTsuchimikadoNatsume.
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BecauseoftheOnmyouAgencyhigherupsortobedirect,ChiefKurahashi'sinfluencethatmatter
wasstillstrictlycontrolledinformationevenoneyearafterwards.Thatsaid,thetableshadalready
turned.TheKurahashifamilyhadoriginallybeenabranchfamilyoftheTsuchimikadofamily.Hehad
probablydecidedthatitwasn'tsuchagoodthingforthemainfamily'ssecretstobeexposed.
Inanycase,TsuchimikadoNatsumewasakeyindividualiftheywantedtocontactTsuchimikado
Harutora,thatwasforsure.
"Shouldwegoovertoo?"
"IfYamashiroshi'sthere,it'salreadyenough."
"But."
"First,evenifwehurryovernow,it'lljustmakechaos."
"Isee."
"Also,ifyougo,who'sgoingtoprotectme."
"......Haahh."
YugewasmoreorlessusedtoMiyoshi'salwayscalmtonewhenhespoke.Actually,Yamashirowasa
NationalFirstClassOnmyoujiMysticalInvestigator,aprofessionalatmagicagainsthumans.Asa
SpecialSenser,Miyoshididn'tmatterasmuch.TheMysticalInvestigatorYamashiroandtheexorcist
Yuge,whowasusedtospiritualdisastersasopponents.Obviously,theformerwasmorecompetentin
thistypeofmagicbattle.
NevermindTsuchimikadoHarutorawithhistwopowerfulshikigamifornow.Therewasnoreasonthat
hewouldbeunabletocaptureTsuchimikadoNatsumewithjustherashisopponent.
"Also,wealsohaveourownvisitors."
"Eh?"
ThemomentYugerepliedthis,shealsonoticedthemovementsnearby.Sheimmediatelyputupabarrier
insidetheroom.
But,
"Yugeshi,thebarrieronlyneedstocoveryouandme.Theywon'tbeabletocomeinifyousealeven
theroom."
"......Isthatalright?"
"Thepeopletherewon'ttakeanyactionstoprovoketheOnmyouAgency."
Cometothinkofit,thevisitorswerefromthereformistfaction.Yugeadjustedtherangeofthebarrier
andlimiteditaroundherandMiyoshi.
Afterwards,peopleofthemonasteryenteredthequartersandrushedintotheloungewithpatteringfeet.
Yugeslowlystoodupfromherchair.
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Therewereeightintotal.
Thoughtheyweredressedinvariouscolors,theyallcarriedpowerfulaura.Perhapstheywereallajari.It
wasRianwhoenteredfirst,hiseyesglintinginhispaleface.Astheyhadanticipated,heledtheprimary
membersoftheSeishukuTemplereformistfaction.
RianspoketothesittingMiyoshi.
"Excuseme,Miyoshisan.CouldIaskwhereMysticalInvestigatorYamashirois?"
"Hejustleft."
"Wheredidhego?"
"Heshouldbebytheedgeofthemonasteryrightnow.Hehassomebusinesstoattendto."
"Damn,atthiskindoftime!"
ThesilentYugerapidlysteppedforwardtowardsthecursingRian.Justthatmovementmadetheajari
tenseup.
"CouldIaskwhatyourbusinessis?Don'tyouthinkit'sabitabsurdtobargeinwithsomanypeoplein
thesecircumstances?"
"Ifthat'swhatwe'retalkingabout,yourdeclarationearlierwasfarmoreabsurd.Tothinkyouwould
acceptTsuchimikadoHarutorawhomtheOnmyouAgencydesignatedaswanted.Whatexactlyareyou
intendingbydoingsuchathing?"
"Idon'tremembersayinganythingaboutacceptance.Inlightofyoursituation,thethreeofussaidthat
wewouldacquiescetoyourmethods.Butifthedarktempletrulyacceptshim,theOnmyouAgency
won'tdaretolookdownonSeishukuTempleanylonger.Youcanprobablyimaginewhatkindof
countermeasurestheOnmyouAgencywilltake."
"......Yugeshi,youdon'tneedtobringupyourownspeculation."
"Yes,myapologies."
Yugeadmittedherfaultquitereadily.Thatsaid,anyonecouldseethattheywerejustacting.Thelatter
halfofherdeclarationhadbeenasuggestionaswellasawarning.Thosewordswerebettersaidfrom
thepositionofanindividual.YugeherselfhadconsideredvariousmeansofdealingwithSeishuku
Temple.
ButRianturnedbacktolookathiscomradesbehindhimafterhearingYuge'swords,notevenseeming
toletMiyoshi'sexhortationof"Didyouhearclearly?"enterhisears.
"Asexpected,theOnmyouAgencywon'tignoretheproblemofTsuchimikadoHarutora.Seishuku
Temple'sfatewillbechosentoday.Wecan'tletJougendowhathewantsevenforthefutureof
SeishukuTemple."
TheajariroaredloudlyasiftoreplytoRian'srousingwords.
Yugeputonanexpressionofincomprehension,butMiyoshisilentlysattherewatchingRian.
"PriestRian,couldIaskwhatyouplantodo?"
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"Miyoshisan....No,'DivineEye'MiyoshiTougo.Also,'BindingPrincess'YugeMari.Pleaselendus
yourstrength.WewillresistJougen'styrannyandhelpyouarrestTsuchimikadoHarutora."
"Ohmy,that'squitetroublesome."
Miyoshirepliedstraightforwardly,puttingonatroubledappearance.
"Ithinkwesaidinthecourtyardthatwewouldcooperatewithyouractions."
"IrealizeyourtruefeelingsfromhearingYugesan'swordsfrombefore.Youoriginallysaidyouwould
followthemonastery'spolicies,soyoushouldtrytolistentoouropinionsaswell,right?Themonastery
isn'tallcomposedofstubbornajarilikeJougen.Alloftheajaristandinghereagreedtoyourproposal."
"Howunfortunate.ThethreeofusonlyrecognizePriestJougenastherepresentativeofSeishuku
Temple.Thoughwe'retalkingwithyourightnow,youmightnotrealizethatintheend,weneedto
focusournegotiationsonPriestJougen."
Miyoshi'stonecouldn'tbecalledpolitenomatterwhat.Thatsaid,histonewouldn'tchangetowards
Jougeneither.Hedidn'tparticularlyintendonbelittlingPriestRian.Thoughhethoughtthis,theface
thatRianlookedatMiyoshiwithwaspaleandfilledwithhumiliationandanger.
Butrightafterwards,PriestRianswallowedhisangerandturneditintoagloomysmile.
"Isee,perhapsthecurrentcircumstancesareindeedlikethat.JougenistheactualmonarchofSeishuku
Temple.Butthatwillchangeinthefuture."
Riantookoutanenvelopefrominsidehisclothingashesaidthis.Yugereflexivelyinfusedthebarrier
withspiritualpowertostrengthenit.However,Rianwasunmoved,takingoutasheetofpaperthat
seemedlikestationeryfromtheenvelopeandthenpassingthestationerytoMiyoshiwithaflickering
gaze.
"You'llbeabletounderstandjustbylookingatthismessagethatI'vealreadymadecontactwithChief
KurahashiGenjioftheOnmyouAgency.He'salreadyansweredme,sayingthatIwillbeinchargeof
thetempleafterSeishukuTemplemergeswiththeOnmyouAgency."
Rianspokeoverbearingly,aconfidentlookoffrombehindvictoryonhisface.
YugeinadvertentlylookedatMiyoshi'sface.Miyoshibreathedhelplesslyoutofhisnostrils,andfinally
stoodupfromhischair.
Hesilentlytookthestationeryandspreaditopen,lookingatthecontentsandthenraisinganeyebrow.
AfterYugeglancedslightlyatthecontents,herfacebecamehardoutofshock.
"Officer.Thisis."
"Icansaythatitprobablywasn'tdirectfromthesource.Itwasthroughsomesortofintermediary."
MiyoshirespondedtoYuge'ssuspicion.
"What?"Then,Rianaskedwithacloudyexpression.
"Whatareyoutryingtosay?Areyousayingthatwecan'ttrusttheveracityofthismessage?"
"That'sright,justlikeyousay.Youcan'ttrustit."
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"Whatnonsense!Properlylookattheendofthemessage,ithastheChief'sownsignature."
"That...Alright,whydon'tyouletyourcomradesstandingbehindyouconfirmthelatterportion."
Sayingthis,Miyoshispreadthemessagehehadtakeninfrontofthem.
AfterRianglancedbrieflyatthemessage,hislipstwistedasifmockingMiyoshi'sfarce.Butthe
expressionoftheajaribehindhimchangeddrasticallywhentheysawthecontents.
"WWhat!Hey,Rian.What'sgoingon?"
"Whatexactlydoyouwanttodo?Don'tjokearoundduringthiskindoftime.Where'sthereal
message?"
"WWhat?"
ThepalefacedajarirestlesslyquestionedRian.Rianfrowned,puttingonasurprisedexpressionof
incomprehension.
Hisgazereturnedtothecontentsofthemessage.
"Istheresomethingstrangeaboutthismessage?ItcamedirectlyfromtheOnmyouAgencychief."
Aftershelookedathimdoublecheckingthecontentsofthemessagewithaseriousface,the
bespectacledwomanwhohadstoodnexttoRianyesterdayspokeinaslightlyshakingvoice.
"Rian,can'tyou'see'it?"
"...Heprobablycan't.[41]Asexpected,thismessagewasjustapurecatalyst.Theillusionmagicwasonly
castonPriestRianhimself."
Miyoshiassertedthisandthenfoldedthepieceofpaperorrather,the'magicalpatterncoveredby
marksofink'backtoitsoriginalstate,givingittothebespectacledwoman.Sheacceptedthemessage
andthenimmediatelyopeneditupamonghercompanions,checkingitagain.Thencametheangry
shoutsandmoansoftheajari.Rianfinallyunderstoodthesituationafterwitnessinghiscomrades'
reactions.
"Illusionmagic?How?TThatMysticalInvestigatorYamashirodefinitelytoldmethatlettercamefrom
ChiefKurahashiyesterday."
"Yeah.Thenasexpected,itwasYamashiroshi'smischief.Isee,yousecretlymetwithhim."
Miyoshispokewhiletakingonanindifferentdemeanor.Perhapshealreadyunderstoodtheentire
situationtoasignificantdegree.Yugesuppressedherinnerdispleasure.Thoughithadbeenpartofhis
mission,shecouldn'tgetusedtothosekindsoftricky'politics'regardless.
"Mischief?"Rianmutteredasifhehadlosthissoulfromacrosshim.
"TThenwhataboutthenegotiationswehadbefore?"
"Youmeantheonesbeforethethreeofuscamehere?Well,althoughYamashiroshi'saMystical
Investigator,itwasprobablyapureconcoctionthatthecommanderoftheMysticalInvestigatorsChief
Kurahashiwascontactingyouinthefirstplace.Perhapsitwasevenan'informal'agreement."
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"TThenwhataboutthetreatmentwewereguaranteedbefore!?"
"Alright,whatwesaidaboutOnmyouAgency'sconditionsyesterdayaretrueatleastatthispoint.As
foryourindividualtreatment,Ihaven'treceivedanyinformationfromtheOnmyouAgency."
RianfrozemotionlesslyuponbeinginformedthisinMiyoshi'scold,businessliketone.Someajarishook
inanger,somesighed,somefrozeoutofsurpriseattheoutcome,andsomewerespeechless.
Theajariwerealloutstandingpractitioners.Yugedidn'tdarebecareless.Buttheydidn'tseemproneto
anoutburstatall.
Itwasfortunatethattheycouldgetoverthispeacefully.Butontheotherhand,shealsounderstoodthat
theycouldn'topposethatJougennomatterhowmanypeopleofthisleveltheygathered.Thoughshe
didn'tknowwhatdevilishideasYamashirohad.Theywereprobablyinvolvedinhisplot.
Themomentshesankintothought.
"...Yugeshi."
Yuge'shandsformedUcchusma'ssealfasterthanMiyoshi'snotification.
"Onshurishurimamarimarishushurisowaka."
Withnoregardforthepanickedstancesoftheajari,shechantedamantraandstrengthenedthebarrierin
aflash.
Then,atthesametime,
"Areyousatisfied,Rian?"
Avoicesounded.Theajarilookedaround.Apparently,theloungeofthequarterswereconnectedtothe
hallattheentrancebyaslidingdoor.Rightnow,thisslidingdoorandthedoortotheentrancewere
openedandarobedmonkwearingakasayastoodoutside.HewasJougen.
Theajariimmediatelyseethedwithkillingintent,butturnedbackasiftheyhadbeenchasedintoa
cornerratherthantakingstancesto'oppose'himlikeRianspokeof.Jougenwasequanimoustowardsthe
youngajaris'killingintent.
"......Jougen."Rian'sfacetwistedashecalledout.
ButJougenwarnedhimcalmly.
"Pleasebeaware.TheOnmyouAgencyisanestofdemonswheremanycraftypractitionersare
gathered.They'renotopponentsthatyoufledglingnovicescancompareto."
"SSowhat.It'sbetterthanhavingtheOnmyouAgencyasanenemy.Yourmethodswillendupleading
SeishukuTempletoruin."
"It'sasyousay.ThatiswhyIneedTsuchimikadoHarutoradono."
"WWhat?"
Rianandtheajariwereallstunned.EvenYugedoubtedherownears,andMiyoshishowedasurprised
lookasthebarrierprotectedhim.
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ButJougenformedabindingsealinplaceofareply,hiswidesleevesslowlyswaying.
"Noumakusanmandabazaradansendamakaroshadasowatayauntaratakanman..."
HechantedAcala's...salvationmagic.Magicalenergyinstantlyburstoutfromhisbodywithno
warning.Therefinedmagicalenergyswelledupinaflash.Theheatwaveitbroughtwithitpressedback
ontheroom.Atthatpoint,theajarihadn'tcompletedtheirmagicsintime.
"Huh!?Thisguy."
Jougen,whowaschantingthemantra,wasn'trushed,nordidhehaveanyintentionofspeedingup.
"Order."
Theajariapproachingtheentrancereleasedmagicinunisonsincetheywerebeingtakenlightly.Butthe
attackwasineffective.
ThemagicalenergydispersedaroundJougenasheusedhismagicitselfformedatoughbarrierthat
blockedtheattacks.
Jougen,hiseyeshalfclosed,watchedtheajarilikethat,calmlyswitchinghandseals.
Fromaswordsealtoabladeseal.ADharmacakraseal.Adivinesalvationseal.Followingthatorder,he
slowlychantedamantra.
"...Onkiriunkyakuun..."
Spiritualbinding,orthesocalledUnmovingGoldenChainsmagic.TheUnmovingGoldenChains
commonlyusedinGeneralOnmyoudouhadtakeninthefeaturesoftheShugendosystemofmagicand
increaseditsusability.ButwhatJougenusedwasaVajrayanaprayer.
Rianandtheothers,whorealizedthattheirattackswereineffective,continuedtoformsealswithpale
faces.Theyputupbarrierstoresistthemagic.
Then,theUnmovingGoldenChainsboundthemandthebarriertogetherandtightenedaroundthem.
"Urgh!?"
Theywereimmobilizedlikethat,stillintheirposturesofmakingvarioussealsandcompletelyunableto
move.Itwasasiftheairhadsolidified.Whethertheirlimbs,ortheirskin,organsorbones,theirentire
bodieswereallboundmercilesslyandtightly.TheonlythingthatenduredJougen'spowerwasthe
UcchusmabarrierthatYugeputup.
"Jougen,you"Riangrittedhisteethandsaid.
ButnotevennowdidJougenchangehisexpression.Hejustswitchedtoanothersealwithoutpausing,as
ifcarryingoutsomesequenceaspartofrepetitiontraining.HerepeatedamagicofAcalaagain.
"Noumakusanmandabazaradansendamakaroshadasowatayauntaratakanman."
Theprayerwascomplete.Intheend,eventheconsciousnessoftheyoungajariwasboundandtheyfell
onebyone.ThoughRiandesperatelystruggledagainstJougenuntiltheveryend,thevictorhad
undoubtedlybeendecidedwhenhismovementshadbeensealed.Aftercryingouthatefully,hefellonto
thegroundlikehisothercomrades.
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Acleansweep.Asajari,theirpowerswerenolessthanprofessionalOnmyouji.ButJougenhadeasily
toppledthemsinglehandedlywithanoverwhelmingstrength.Miyoshicoulddefinitelyjudgethat
Jougenwasextremelystrong.
"..."
Yuge'sexpressiontensed.ButJougenreleasedhissealafterrenderingalloftheajariunconscious,
loweringhishands.
Jougenspokeinacold,indifferenttone:
"."[42]
"HHowdoyouplanontreatingthesepeople?"
"Itwon'tbemuch.They'llcontinuetotrain,asthey'reallpeoplewhohaven'tcompletedtheirtraining.
Also,evenwithoutthesepeople,the'strength'ofthismonasterywon'tchange."
Withhalfclosedeyes,Jougenarrogantlyeyedtheajaricollapsedonthefloor.Thatexpressionfeltmore
emotionlessthanstern.AchillranthroughYuge'sback.
"Quiteawonderfultechnique."Miyoshisaidstraightforwardly.
"Nothingbutalowlytrick."
"You'retoomodest.Justthefactthattheybecameajariisenoughtoprovethatthey'requitecapable.
EspeciallythatPriestRian,isn'thequitepowerful?Butthey'reuselessintheeyesofPriestJougen.
Trulyquiteremarkable."
"Thismonkisundeservingofyourpraise."
"Stillspeakingpolitely"
"Thismonk'spowerisunremarkable.Sir,youshouldknowofthetruemonsterwholeftthismountain."
YugewastakenabackbyJougen'swords.Sheunderstoodwhothemonsterhespokeofwas.
"Thismonkhasaquestion.MayIaskyoutoenlightenme,sir?"
"Feelfree,Priest."
"WhyistheenvoyassignedtoSeishukuTemplenot'Enma'Miyachi?"
"Ifyoureallywanttoknow,"Miyoshiconcealedhisownexpression,andthencontinuedtospeak
boldly.
"Quiteunexpectedly,wewereworriedthathewouldfeel'homesick'."
"OOfficer."
YugewarnedMiyoshiinavoiceclosetoagroan.Evenso,MiyoshistilllookedatJougenundauntedly,
waitingforhisresponse.
Jougensmiledbitterlyforamoment.
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"Itwouldbejoyousifhetrulyhadthosefeelings."
ThatsentencewasthereplythatJougenmadetoMiyoshi'sprovocativeseemingstatement.Then,
Miyoshicontinuedspeakingwithasharpvoice.
"Couldyouclarifyformewhatyoumeantbywhatyousaidbefore?"
"Whatwasthat?"
"Pleasedon'tfeignignorance.Whatexactlydoesthesentence'thatiswhyIneedTsuchimikado
Harutora'mean?Isittruethatyousuddenlyreceivednoticethathewascomingtothemountain?"
"Ishallbehonestwithyou,itwasindeedthismonkwho'invited'him.ButIdidnotthinkthatyouwould
meetwith'him'bychance."
YugewasstunnedbyJougen'sspeakinginacleartone.Thiswassomethingthattheycouldn'tignore
afterhearingnomatterwhat.
"SoSeishukuTempleplansonjoininghandswithTsuchimikadoHarutora."
"......"
Jougendidn'treplydirectlytoYuge'squestion.MiyoshiandJougen'semotionless,artificialgazes
crossedinmidair.
Justthen,thundersoundedinthedistance.
MiyoshiandJougenavertedtheirgazesatthesametime,turninginthedirectionofthethunder.
"Thunder?......No."
Jougenmurmuredquietlytohimself,asiffocusinghisattentiononclearlylistening.Ontheotherhand,
Miyoshigazedintospacewithaseriouslook.
Yugefeltconfusedatthereactionsofthetwo,butsheimmediatelyunderstoodwhatwasstrange.The
thunderdidn'tstop.
Thethundercontinued,butalmostneverbrokeoff.Itwasindeedcloudyrightnow,buttheyweren't
thunderclouds.Thiskindofsudden,continuousthunderwasquitestrange.
ButYugehadonceencountereda'similar'situationtothis.
"......Magic?"
AfterYugemurmuredthatword,shethoughtofthemagicbattlethatwasgoingonrightthismoment.
ThemagicbattlebetweenYamashiroandTsuchimikadoNatsume.Right,thatsituationfrombeforehad
involveda'Tsuchimikado'aswell.
"OOfficer,coulditbethatTsuchimikadoNatsume!"
"......"
Miyoshididn'trespond,pullinghisconcentrationfromthefarawaythunderbacktoJougenwhostoodin
theentranceofthequarters.
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Jougenwasthesame,leisurelyyetcarefullywatchingthesituationplayout.
Then
'Thatvoice'resoundedinunisoninsidethemindsofthethreeofthem.
Part3
Tadanorinoticedthesoundofthunderfromafarrightafterhehadwalkedoutofthetemple.
Hereflexivelylookedupatthesky.Thoughtheskywasfilledwithclouds,theyweren'tatthelevel
wheretheycouldmakethatkindofthunder.Orwerethundercloudsfloatingtowardsthemfrom
somewhere?Howinauspicious......ButmaybethatwasaweatherbefittingthecurrentSeishukuTemple.
Thoughhedidn'tlooktherole,Tadanorihadbeenanexorcistduringhisyouth.Duetohisyoung
arrogance,hehadclashedwithhisbossoverconflictingopinionsandhadretiredfromhisOnmyou
Agencyjob.Thoughhewasconfidentthathisabilitywasn'tpoor,hehadunderestimatedhowtoughit
wastobeapractitionertryingtosticktothepathofmagicinthisworld.Hisvagrantlifehadcontinued
adinfinitum,andbeforehenoticedithehadjoinedtheSeishukuTemple.Ithadalreadybeentenyears
sincethen.Hecontinuouslylivedthrougheverydullday,andonlyrealizedthattimehadslippedby
whenhelookedback.
Hecouldn'tassertthathehadneverregrettedthelifechoiceshehadmadeinthepast.Hecouldcalmly
accepthiscurrentcircumstances.Tadanorihonestlyadmittedthis,whichprobablymeantthathehad
settleddown.
Hequiteenjoyedhiscalmlifeatthemonastery.Hehadlongsincestoppedpursuingthoughtsofchange
bynow,nottomentionthoughtsofreturningtotheOnmyouAgency.Hence,Tadanori,whowas
basicallymaintainingamoderateposition,approvedofJougen'sthoughtsthistime.Thoughhehad
definitesuspicionsaboutJougen'sassertions,TadanoriheldreverenceforthemonumentalJougenasa
lowerleveledpractitioner.
Butontheotherhand,hecouldvaguelyfeelit.TheOnmyouAgency'sinfluencewasconstantly
spreadingalongsidethereformofOnmyoulaw.ThatwasanunstoppablepassageoftimethatJougen
couldn'tresistwithhiswayoflifeandpolicytowardsthemonastery.
AftertheDivineGeneralshadvisitedfromtheirworkplaceyesterday,newsthattheOnmyoujirumored
tobeTsuchimikadoYakou'sreincarnationwasvisitinghadarrivedtoday.Hehadthepremonitionthatit
wassomekindoffatefulrevelation.MaybethatwasproofthathehadconvertedtoBuddhismthough
perhapsjustonthesurface.
Hehadentrustedhimselftotheseasonalcycle[43]andlivedunchangingdays.
Butithadprobablyreachedatimewhenhecouldnolongercontinuemaintainingthatkindoflife.
Tadanoriindifferentlylookedupattheskyandsighed,droppinghisgazetohisfeet.
Thenthestartof'change'beganatthatappropriatemoment.
"Onsarabatatagyatahannamannanoukyaromi!"
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Thevoiceresoundeddirectlyinhisbrain.
Itwasawoman'svoice,withanalmostseductivecharm.Butthetonesheusedgavehimafeelingof
piercingclarity,likeacoldflowingbrook,andpenetratedthelistener'sthoughts.
Thevoicechantedanordinarymantra.Anesotericmantrathatwasrecitedduringprayerandtraining.
Also,itwastheincantationchantedhereattheShingonSeishukuTemplewhentheNorthStarKing
visited......
Tadanorialmostunconsciouslycasthisgazetoacornerofthecorridortheshikyakumon[44]connected
tothestairsstretchingtotheMountainGate.
Thetallcedartreesstretchedendlesslyintothedistance,creepingallthewaytothefootofthemountain.
Theancientgabledshikyakumonstoodinthemiddleofthisbackdrop.
Also
Asmalldarknessappearedasifcuttingthroughspaceonthedimsideofthemountainforest.
Itpassedthroughthestandingcedartrees,flyingoverthetopoftheshikyakumonandsilentlyreaching
thecourtyard.
Asmalldarkness.
Itwasaraven.
Butsomethingwaswrong.Tadanorifinallyrealizedasheunconsciouslyfolloweditwithhisgaze.This
ravenhadthreelegs.Beforehewasabletoconsiderthis,hisinstinctsthatrealizedastepearliersenta
chillrunthroughhisentirebody.ThethreeleggedravenpassedoverTadanori'shead,silentlyflapping
itswings.Itflewtowardsthemainhallintheinteriorofthecourtyard,andthen.
Tap.
Theravenbeatitswingspowerfully,scatteringdancingparticlesoflightandblackfeathersasitlanded
infrontofthemainhall.
Tadanoriinadvertentlyblinked.Theravenbeatitswingsandlandedjustashethoughtthat,theraven
thatoughttohavelandedtransformedintoaboywrappedinablackcoat.
ThepersonthattheravenbecameseemedtobeunconcernedabouttheshockedTadanoriandclimbed
thestairsofthemainhall.
Hefirstputhishandstogetherbeforeheentered.Heboweddeeply.
"Onsojirishutasowaka."[45]
HechantedthemantraoftheMyoukenBuddha,theprincipaldeityofthemainhall.Hedidn'tlook
humblerather,thewayhechantedfeltstrangelyfriendly.Thatsimplesinceritymadethedumbstruck
Tadanorimoreorlessreturntonormal.
Thepersonwrappedintheblackcoatfinishedchantingthemantraandbowedagain.
Then,thatpersonturnedhisbacktothemainhall.
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Hewasaboy.
Buthehadaninexplicableairtohimno,itwasmoreaccurately
describedasbroadmindedness.Hecouldfeelanextraordinarybreadth
ofmindtohim.Hisunornamentedposturemadeonefeelabroad
toleranceunbefittinghisage.
Theblackoutercoatcoveringtheboywasablackreflectivecolor,
seeminglywovenfromalargeamountofravenfeathers.Tadanori
knewitsname.'Raven'sWing'.Thenthenameofthisboywentwithout
saying.
No,thatwaswrongTadanoriunderstoodthetruthextremely
naturally.
Hedidn'tpossessapowerfulaura,norwasheaweinspiring.Itwasn'tasenseofgreatnessorhisability
asapractitioner.Therewasanevenmoreinexplicablebutextremelyconvincingfactor,practicallyan
instinctivesense,thatdirectlytouchedthesoul.
ThatpersonthatgreatmanwasTsuchimikadoYakou.
Then,theboynoticedthegazedirectedtowardshimandlookedatTadanori.
Butonlyhisrighteyelookedover.
Theboy'slefteyewascoveredwithaneyepatch.Anexquisitebrocadeslantedverticallytocoverhisleft
eye.
"Priest!"
Theboycalledout.
Tadanorilookedleftandright.Onlyafterconfirmingthattherewasnothirdpersonheredidhefinally
pointtohimself.
"Yes!"
Theboynodded.
"IstheresomeonenamedJougenhere?I'dlikeyoutobringhimamessage.TellhimTsuchimikadohas
alreadyarrived."
Hiswordswereclear.Ahh.Hecouldn'thelpbutthinkthatYakouwasthiskindofperson.
Suddenly,withoutanytriggeratall,herecalledhismemoriesattheOnmyouAgencytenyearsago.He
hadsomekouhaiwhowerefeverishlyinclinedtowardsYakoubackthen.MakiharaandMutobe.Also,a
kouhainamedEtoifhehadn'trememberedincorrectlywhowasalwayswiththetwoofthem.He
recalledtheearnestdescriptionsofTsuchimikadoYakouthattheyhadweaved.
ThefounderofOnmyoudou,theancestorofJapanesemagic,ayounggreatOnmyouji.Ageniuswho
hadbeencalledthereincarnationofAbenoSeimei,oneofhisancestors.Eventhoughhewasasenior,
theyhadferventlyexplainedexactlyhowunmatchablehisgreatnesswas,theireyesflashingwithlight.
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Thatgreatpersonwascurrentlyspeakingtohim.Tadanoricouldonlystandinastupor,feelinglikehe
wasdaydreaming.
"......Hmm?Uh......You'reanajarihere,right?IthoughtIsentamessage,diditnotmakeithere?"
Theboyscratchedhishead,puzzledatthespeechlessandstunnedTadanori.Evenso,Tadanoricouldn't
breakthroughthecountlesssadfeelingsrattlingaroundintenselyinsidehim.
Theonebeforehimwasthesymbolofchangethathefearedandavoided.
Moreimportantly,the'foundation'oftheworldthathecurrentlylivedinhadbeenestablishedbythis
man.
Hewasjustashamefulpractitionerwhohadnowheretogointhesocietyoutsideandwhohadendedup
settingfootinthedarktemple.Tothinkthatallofasudden,thathistoricalfigurewhohadbeenborn
fromanancientbloodlineofmagicwasspeakingtohimwithacasualattitude.
Hecouldn'tevenimaginethatsuchathingwashappening.
Justthen,peopleofthemonasterycontinuouslyappearedfromthetemplesandthegatheringhallbehind
themainhall,clusteringinthecourtyard.Everyonefocusedontheboystoppedinfrontofthemainhall,
stunnedanddumbstruck.Theboyclearlybecamemoreandmoretroubledatthegraduallyincreasing
audiencethoughhewascompletelyfearlessandabittersmileappearedonhisfaceasiftosay,'Well,
whatdoIdonow?'
Justthen,
"I'vemadeyouwait."
Adeepvoicesoundedandenteredtheirears.
Atthatmoment,eventhatvoicehadtroublehidingitsexcitement.Tadanoriturnedhisheadtothe
masterofthevoiceJougen.Heseemedtohavecomefromthedirectionofthelivingquarters.His
monk'sclotheswereinararestateofdisarrayasherantothecourtyard.
AfterseeingJougen,theboyrevealedacheerfulsmile.
"Tsuchimikadodono,itisnicetomeetyou.ThismonkisnamedJougen."
Atthesametimeasheintroducedhimself,Jougennimblyneatenedhisappearance.Theboyreturneda
"Nicetomeetyou".
IncontrasttowhenhehadspokentoTadanori,theboy'sexpressionhadchangedabit.Hestillkepthis
straightforward,familiarattitude,butaleisurely,unrestrainedtingehadmixedintohissmile.Asifhe
hadmetagoodopponentinagame,theheroicyoungmanrevealedachildishandunconcealed
fearlessnessfromhisheart.
Theboyasked.
"PriestJougen,canIviewthat'summons'asbelongingtoyou?"
"Indeed.Eventhoughitwastestedbytime,theancientagreementshouldbeenactedaccurately.This
monkishonoredthatyouhavecomesofarforamerenobody.......No,onthisoccasion,allowmeto
welcomeyour'return'."
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Sayingthis,Jougenstraightenedhisback,hispriest'sclothingswayingelegantlyasheloweredhishead.
"NorthStarMountainMaster[46],TsuchimikadoYakoudono."
Jougen'swordsimpactedthepeoplegatheredinthecourtyard.Tadanoriwasnoexception,ashe
inadvertentlyletoutan"Eh?".
Theboysighedandspoke,showinga'thisisreallytroublesome'expression.
"Priest.Mynamerightnowis'TsuchimikadoHarutora'."
Jougensmiledslightly,raisinghishead.
"ThenHarutoradono.Asoneoftheajarientrustedwithwatchingoverthisplace,allowmetoextend
mymostsincerewelcometoyourreturn."
Yuge'smovementswereastepslowerthanJougen's,obviouslyallbecauseofMiyoshi.
"Yugeshi!ThechantjustnowwasobviouslytheannouncementofTsuchimikadoHarutora'sarrivalto
themountain.Ifyourunoutwithoutaplan,whatwillyoudoifyougetdraggedintoamagicbattle!?I
won'ttellyoutodoanythingelse,butpleasebecautiousandmovecarefully."
Hence,YugecouldonlyleaveJougenaloneasherushedtothecourtyard.Shefirstcastatoughbarrier
toprotectherselfandMiyoshi,andthencaststealthmagicontopofthat,andfinallyheadedtothe
courtyardaftertheajari'strail.Also,shedidn'tgodirectly,butrathercircledaroundtothegatheringhall
behindthemainhall,loopingtothecourtyardfromtheotherdirection.
ThetwoofthemreachedthecourtyardrightwhenJougenwasbowinghishead.Yugehidbehindthe
trunkofacedartreewhensheheardtheajarisay'NorthStarMountainMasterTsuchimikadoYakou'
andrapidlyturnedhergazetothemainhall.
Ablackclothedboysilentlystoodinthemiddleofthemonastery.
HewastheoneeyedboythatshehadseeninthewantedpicturesoftheMysticalInvestigators.He
himselfstraightforwardlygaveoutthenamethathewaswantedby.
"Priest.Mynamerightnowis'TsuchimikadoHarutora'."
"ThenHarutoradono.Asoneoftheajarientrustedwithwatchingoverthisplace,allowmetoextend
mymostsincerewelcometoyourreturn."
ThatwasTsuchimikadoHarutora.
ThefeelingoftensioncoursedthroughYuge'sbody.Thentheblackcoatheworeonhimwasprobably
Yakou'smagicaltool,the'Raven'sWing'thathadtriggeredacommotionattheOnmyouAgencylast
year.No,ratherthanthat,wherewerehisdefensiveshikigami?WhereweretheHishamaruand
KakugyoukithatservedYakou?Hadtheynotmaterialized?Heoughttohavenoreasonnottobring
them.Evenasfeelingsoftensionclawedather,Yugedidherbesttothinkforherself.
But.
...Return?
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Atthestart,shethoughtshehadmisheard.Butshewasn'ttheonlyonesurprised.Theaudiencegathered
inthecourtyardinthemiddleofthemonasteryweresimilarlystunnedatJougen'swords.
Herememberedthatthesocalled'Master'meantthepersoninchargeofthesect.Inotherwords,the
MasterJougenspokeofwasthesectleaderoftheShingonSeishukuTemple.
"Yakouwastheleaderofthedarktemple?"
"......It'smyfirsttimehearingthatkindofthingtoo.Butthat'sstrange......"
ThoughMiyoshiponderedthis,onlypurecuriositycouldbefeltinhiswords,unlikeYuge's.
Hewassotalkativeatatimewhentheyclearlycouldn'tguaranteetheirownsafety.Itwastrulyacritical
situation,buthefeltsoleisurely.CouldthisbeviewedasconfidenceinYuge'spower?
Similarly,thepeoplewhofelttroubledbythenameofMasternaturallyincludedHarutorahimself.
"PriestJougen,I'mnaturallyveryhappytobewelcomed,butIdon'trememberbecomingtheMaster,
youknow?IwasindeedthankedforlookingafterSeishukuTemple,andthoughpeoplejokedandsaid
'whydon'tyoubetheMaster'..."
"ThismonkhearditfromthelastwordsofthedyingPriestShinra."
"Thatperson......Doingwhateverhewantsonhisownagain."
"Moreimportantly,Harutoradonorespondedtothemessageofthismonk.Sevendaysago,thismonklit
thehoma[47]duringthedeadofnight.Thoughittooksometime,youappearedinthistemplelikePriest
Shinrasaid.Thiscanbeseenasyourcommittingtotheagreementofbecomingthismonastery's
Master."
"Well,eveniftherewerearrangements,thereareactuallyalotofthingstoconsider."
TheboyHarutoralookedtroubled.
Uponcalmobservation,itwasatrulyinexplicablescene.Aconversationbetweenastillyoungand
rathercasualboyandaquitestern,aboutfiftyyearoldmonk.However,theonebeingpolitewasthe
latter.Theformerneveractedimpolitely,andrather,hismethodsofinteractionfeltextremelynatural.
Thesetwowereindeed'communicatingwitheachother'.Perhapsitwasduetocommoninformationthat
onlythetwoofthemknew.
Atthesametimeashewastheformerstudentraisedbythebranchfamily,TsuchimikadoHarutora,he
wasalsothegreatOnmyoujiwhohadrevivedmagicduringthewar,TsuchimikadoYakou.The
conversationbetweenthetwomadethat'truth'graduallyfeelrealtothethirdpartyYuge.
"Harutoradono."
JougencalledouttoHarutoraandalsoYakou.
"Ihavenootherreasonsforinvitingyouhere.Iknowofyouractivities,anditisthetruththatyouare
undoubtedlyTsuchimikadoYakou'sreincarnationandthereforetheMasterofthismonasteryaswell.
Atthesametime,inlightofthecurrentsituationofthemagiccommunity,thismonkbelievesthatright
nowisasuitabletimetocallyoubackastheMasterofthismonastery."
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"......Trulyquiteincredible.Thenwhatdoyoumeanby'suitabletimetocallmeback'?"
"Harutoradono,thismonkneednotexplainthemachinationsoftheOnmyouAgency.Allowmeto
speakfreely.Thismonasteryisonthinice.Ifthisgoeson,thehistoryofSeishukuTemplethathasbeen
handeddownforhundredsofyearswillmeetitsendwithinseveralyears."
"......"
Jougenassertedwithoutchanginghisexpression.Harutoradidn'tsayanything.Butthepeopleofthe
monasteryclamoredloudlyastheywatchedthis.Theyclearlycouldn'tconcealhowshakentheywereby
Jougen'sdirectwords.
Jougencontinuedspeaking,unconcernedabouttheirshakiness.
"TheOnmyouAgencyhastheirownplans.Thismonkdoesnotknowwhattheyarebasedon.Weare
separatedfromtheworld.Weoccasionallyaccept'work',butweonlyhopefortheopportunityto
exerciseourskills,andwearemerelyaringoftrainingpractitioners.ButtheOnmyouAgencyis
threateninguswiththat,notlettingusbebutthatisalltriviaonthe'surface'.Bothsideshavenoreason
toresenttheother,muchlessreasonforhatred."
ButJougencontinuedspeaking.
Withaflatyetsomewhatcrazedtone.
"IftheOnmyouAgencywishestointerferewiththismonastery,thatisunacceptableandcannotbe
permitted.Howcanwebecomemeatontheirchoppingblock?Indeed,thismonasterymightbethe
poisonofthemagiccommunity.Butpoisoncanbecomemedicinesometimes.Inthefirstplace,magicis
bothyinandyang.Abandoningeitheronesideisabsurd.Ifwesitanddonothing,thoseactionswill
bringaboutthedisruptionofyinandyang!"
Jougenspokepowerfulwords.Thosewordsheldloftyselfconfidence.Likeanenlightenedmonk
expoundingtheessenceoftheworld.
Yugeshowedasourexpressionasifshehadeatenalemon.Miyoshimutteredtohimselffrombehind
herback:"Itlookslikewe'requitereviled."
"IcannotdenythattheOnmyouAgencyisextremelypowerful.Thismonasterycannotopposeit.Asfor
ouroptions......youaretheonlyroutethismonasterycanstilltake,Harutoradono.Outsideofhaving
youasourMastertoleadusinconfrontingtheOnmyouAgency,thereisnoalternative."
"......"
"Inaddition,thisisn'tpurelyforthebenefitofthismonastery.Rightnow,youarecrossingbladeswith
theOnmyouAgencyalone.Althoughthishumblemonkisignorantofyourreasons,thismonasterywill
providesignificantassistanceinyourcontendingwiththeOnmyouAgency.Pleasejoinhandswithus
andbecomethepoison,theyin.Then,asthispoison,thisyin,wewillrighttheOnmyouAgency's
foolishnessforbecomingpurelyyangandextendtheprosperityoftheentiremagiccommunity.
Harutoradono.Please,youmustacceptthepositionasthismonastery'sMaster!"
StrengthswelledinJougen'soldbodyashestraightforwardlymadehisrequest.Evenafterhiswords
werespoken,theclearsoundstillreverberatedinthemountain.
...Tothinkhewasthisridiculous......Tch.
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ShehadimaginedthisduringhisdisputewithRianearlier,butasexpected,Jougenwastrulypreparing
toopposetheOnmyouAgency.Thatdefinitelywouldn'tbeoverturnedaslongashewasstilltheactual
decisionmakerofSeishukuTemple.
Yugeimmediatelythoughtofit.IfperhapsTsuchimikadoHarutoratrulyjoinedhandswithSeishuku
Temple,thenwhatlevelofthreatwouldtheyposetotheOnmyouAgency?
But,fasterthanshecouldreachaconclusion:
"Sorry,Imustrefuse."
Harutorarepliedcalmlyandquickly.
Jougen'sexpressionwasunmoved,asperhapshehadanticipatedthis.Butunstablefluctuationspalpably
appearedintheswellingstrengthfillinghisbody.
"......Wouldyouinformthismonkofyourreasons?"
"Ididn'tplanonthatinthefirstplace.Also,sorry,butifIwantedfightingpoweragainsttheOnmyou
Agency,SeishukuTempleisunabletobecomemystrength.I'mtryingtolayaslowaspossibleright
now,youknow?ThemomentIcomeoutofhiding,that'sequivalenttomakingmymove.ThoughIdon't
knowwhatyouexpectofme......I'mnotasomnipotentasyouimagine."
Harutorashruggedashesaidthis.
Hiswordsandactionsweren'tarrogant,norwasheselfabasing.Incontrast,hisnatural,alwayscasual
attitudemadeYugesomewhatfearfulandanxiousasshestoodinthepositionofhisenemy.
Evenso,Harutorastillspokewithafamiliar,naturalattitude.
"Actually,Irespondedtoyour'summons'becauseIhavesomebusinessatSeishukuTemple.Iplanon
leavingsoonafterIfinishthatbusinessthoughImustapologizetothepeopleofthemonastery."
"......MayIaskwhatthatis?"
"Yeah.......WellalthoughIdon'tknowwhathe'scallednow,istheresomeonecalledSenhere?"
JougenshoweddispleasureforthefirsttimeuponhearingHarutora'squestion.
"......Senisstillaround.Butthatpersonisjustaservant.He'snotsomeoneyouneedtobeconcerned
about."
Thewordsherepliedwithwerelacedwithanger.Harutoralaughedbrightly.
"Isee.ItseemslikeyoureallyareShinra'sdisciple......'Don'tignoreSensan'steachings,listencarefully
tothem'...DidShinranotsaythosethingstoyou?Thatperson'sdifferentfromyou,hehadquiteahigh
evaluationofSen."
"......Idorememberyourwords.ThoughPriestShinrawasanoutstandingman,hewasapersonwhohad
variousfaults."
"Haha,Iguess.Ican'tdenyitwhenyouputitlikethat."
Harutoralaughed,seemingquiteamused.HeconfrontedthatJougenwithahardtobelievecarelessness.
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"Butwhatever.It'senoughthathe'sstillalive.I'llgolookforhim.Cometothinkofit,theSeishuku
Templeareaisprettynostalgic."
Harutoracrossedhisarmsashesaidthis,surveyingthecourtyard.
"......Really,itwaswellpreserved."
Deepemotionsunbefittinghisagecouldbeclearlyseenonthefaceoftheboyashemutteredtohimself.
Atthatpoint,Yugeclearlyfelttheoldsoulexistingintheboy'sbody.
HewasTsuchimikadoHarutora.
HewasTsuchimikadoYakou.
JougenenduredHarutora'sreplywithagrimface.Foranundetectableinstant,heforcefullyclenchedhis
fist.
"......Negotiationshavebrokendown.Pleaseconsideritcarefully.IwouldfeelashamedifIcausedyou
trouble."
"Don'tworry......Also,ourgoalswerecompletelydifferentfromthestart,andIdon'treallyhaveany
particularobligationtogoalongwithwhatyouadvocate."
Harutorasmiled.Itwasafearlesssmileunlikehissmilefrombefore.
AdespairingsmilesurfacedonJougen'sfaceatthis.Thespacebetweenthetwotensedupinstantly.
Clearlyunderstandingthis,theonlookersimmediatelyheldtheirbreath.
"Harutoradono."
"What?"
"I'mextremelysorry,butpleaseallowthishumblemonktoholdyouback."
"Didn'tIsay?Irefuse."
"Thismonasteryhasnomeansofcontinuingonoutsideofyou."
Jougenasserted.Harutorascratchedhishead,troubled.
Then
"...That'senough,stoprightthere.YouwhoarecalledJougen,backoff!"
Withoutwarning,ashikigamimaterializedonthestepsofthemainhall,infrontofHarutora.Yuge
alongwiththepeopleofthemonasterywatchingthiswerealltakenabackandtheirbodies
inadvertentlyshivered.
Itwasawoman.
Moreover,anextremelybeautifulone.
Nobleanddignifiedlikeayoungfemalesoldieryetseductiveandalluringatthesametime.Those
completelyoppositequalitiesmeldedtogethertothegreatestextent.Sharp,keenblueeyes.An
otherworldlybeautifulwomanwhosebodywascoveredbyamilitaryoutfit,butonewhogaveoffa
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flirtatiouscharmthatcontrastedwithit.
Buttherewereabnormalitiesinherhumanform.Apairofanimalisticearsgrewonherhead.Also,a
soft,leafshapedtailswayedbehindher.
Alivingspirit[48].Andintheformofa'foxspirit'.
"Intheend,mylordhasnoobligationtoansweryourplea,especiallywhenthereisnobenefitforhim.If
youstubbornlyattempttoharmmylord,Iwillshownomercyevenifyouarerelatedtothemonastery."
Thewomanannouncedsternlyandcoldly.
Then.
"......Well,Iguessit'sgettingtroublesome.Harutora.Isthatenough?"
AnothershikigamiappearedbehindandtothesideofHarutora.
Thistime,itwasman.
Hisbodywashuge.Hewasalmostastallastheeavesofthemainhall.Thoughhehadasturdy,
muscularbodytocomplementhisheight,theappearanceofthesuitheworegaveoffanintelligent
impression.Hisshortgoldenhairmadeonethinkofacrown.Hischiseledfeaturesrevealedatough
smileashelookedextremelyjoyfullyatJougen.
Theman'smuscularfleshvanishedwithoutatraceintheleftsleeveoftheman'ssuit,andtheempty
sleeveswayedfreelywiththewind.Inaddition,negativemiasmapouredfromtheman'sbodydemonic
aura.Hewasnamedthe'onearmedoni',abeingwhohadlivedandwanderedthroughtheworldsince
ancienttimes.
"ThesituationisgenerallythesameaswhatIanticipated.Well,thingsconcludedfasterthanI
imagined."
Themanspokeinasomewhatbrusquevoice.
Yugeheldherbreath,watchingthesetwoshikigami.
Abeautifulfoxspiritandaonearmedoni.TheleftandrighthandsthatsupportedYakou,Hishamaru
andKakugyouki.TheiroverpoweringpresencesmadeonefeelthatHarutora,whohadseemed
distinctivewithinthissituationinthefirstplace,wascompletelyoutofplace.Themomentthetwo
shikigamiappeared,itcouldbefeltthattheirmasterHarutora's'presence'rosegreatlyintheblinkofan
eye.Itwasn'tamistake.Therewasnootherordinarypractitionerwhocouldevenmatchuptothefeatof
leadingthesetwodefensiveshikigami.Atthatpoint,Miyoshisuddenlyreproachedherwithaswift
"Yugeshi".Whatwasit?Whenshethoughtthat
YugemetKakugyouki'sgaze.
"So?Whatareyouplanning,OnmyouAgency?Thoughweareenemiesofenemies......Shouldweenjoy
thebattle,sinceit'sarareopportunity?"
...No!?
Adisaster.Herstealthhadalreadybeenseenthroughthemomentshethoughtthis.
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Shehadbeenoverlyfocusedon'observing'thetwoshikigami,leadingtoadisturbanceofherstealth
magic.Whatalowlevelmistake.No,maybeshehadbeenspottedevenearlier.Anyway,althoughher
stealthmagichadbeenbroken,herbarrierwasstillmaintainingfunctionality.Yugeshowedherselffrom
behindthecedartree,herfaceflushedfromunease.
Jougenwasunmoved,ashehadprobablyanticipatedthattheywouldbehidingsomewhere.Butthe
otherpeopleofthemonastery,includingHarutora,allshotglancesatYugesimultaneously.
Asplitsecondlater,MiyoshijumpedoutafterYuge.
"Wehavenoknowledgeofthismatter,andwe'recompletelyunrelated.We'reabsolutelynotyour
enemies."
Heproclaimedloudlyandresolutely.ButheshrankbehindYuge'sbackasiftryingtohidehimself.
Thoughshewasalreadyusedtosuchthings,whatwasthisshamefulfeelingasafellowDivineGeneral?
HarutoralookedunperturbedbytheDivineGeneral'sunbecomingdemeanor.
"I'mextremelythankfulbutthat'salsoverystrange.Infact,I'mdesignatedaswantedrightnow.
......Well,Igetitfornow.Pleasestaytothesidefornowanddon'tcomeovertoimpedeus."
HegrinnedindifferentlyashespoketoYugeandMiyoshi.
Quiteahappysmile.Hewasbeingentertainedbythesecircumstancesrightnow.
"Howregrettable."
Jougenspoke.
"Inthatcase,Ihavenootherchoice.AlsoHarutoradono,you'relookingdownonthismonktoo
much."
ThebarrierYugeputupsuddenlyvanished.
"...What!?"
YugewasshockedandMiyoshistunned.HishamaruandKakugyouki'seyesalsowidenedslightlyaslag
flowedacrosstheirbodies.
IfJougenhadchantedamantra,ormaybehadseemedlikehewastryingtoformaseal,Hishamaru
wouldnothavehesitatedtostophimbeforehandnomatterwhatkindofmagicheused.
ButJougenhaddonenothingatall.
TheoneswhohadactivatedthatmagicweretheajarisupportingJougenwhohadbeenwatchingthe
developmentsfromafarandwhohadreceivedJougen'ssecretsignalof'Howregrettable'.
Magiccenteredonthemainhallspreadexplosivelyintothesurroundings.
Abarrier.Butitwasn'tanysimpleordinarybarrier.Itwasabarrierthatcompletelycutoffthe
functioningofmagicalenergyinsidethebody.Acala'sartshadbarrierprotectionmethods,andthis
barrierwassimilarmoreaccurately,itoughttobenamedan'array'[49].
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Eventhoughitwassimilar,thescaleofthemagicwasworldsdifferent.Normally,theobjectofabarrier
protectionmethodwasasinglepractitioner.Thepersonusingthatmagicwouldcuthimselfofffromthe
effectsofsomesortofmagicalspiritualpowerthatwasabarrierprotectionmethod.Butthecurrent
arrayhadbeenlaiddownbeforehand.Itsscalewasatthelevelwhereitsealedtheentiremountain.
Whenthebarrierthatspreadfromthemainhalltouchedthebarrierthatsimultaneouslyspreadfromthe
footofthemountain,theymergedtogetherandlaiddownahugearray.YugerecalledtheMountain
GatethattheyhadpassedtoastheycametoSeishukuTemple.
Ifsherecalledcorrectly,abarrierhadoriginallybeensetupfromthatMountainGatethatcircledaround
fromthemonasterytoevendeeperupthemountain.Thismagichadstrengthenedtheoriginalbarrier
moreaccurately,ithadinstantlychangeditintoadifferentmagic.Thatsaid,theeffectiverangeofthis
arraywastheentiremonasteryofSeishukuTemple.Itwasactuallyimpossibletocoveragreaterrange
usingthismagic.
Yugewasanexpertonbarriers.Thatwaswhysheunderstoodevenmoreprofoundlythehugescaleand
difficultyofthisgiantarraythatusedthepreviousbarrier.
Thisarraywascalledthe'StealerofDivinity'andcouldrenderallpractitionerspowerless.Itmostlikely
neededvariousconditionstobemetthedistributionofaura,anenvironmentofmagicalenergy
cultivatedoveralongtime,depositedpowerfromthespiritflow,anidealspiritflowwhenitwas
activated,andsoon.Currently,ithadactivatedforthefirsttimeafterallofthoseconditionshadbeen
perfectlyfulfilled,thatwasforsure.Moreimportantly,asuitablemagichadtobepreparedalongwith
thecountlessconditions.Justimaginingitalittlemadeherfeeldizzy.Theonlythingsheknewfor
certainwasthatthismightbesomethinglikea'heavenlyfeat'.
Hishamarulookedup,clickinghertongueindispleasure.Theearsonherheadtwitchedfrom
restlessness.Kakugyoukiwhistledwithanappearanceofadmiration.Lagwasoccurringthroughoutthe
bodiesofthetwoshikigami.Thoughitwassurprisingthattheywerestillabletostaymaterialized,
powerfulshikigamioftheirlevelwerealsoaffectedbythebarrier
"...Howisit?"
Jougensmiledarrogantly.
"Harutoradono.No,Yakoudono.Thisisthebarrierthatyoulaidatthismonasterybefore.Evenso,I
addedsomemodifications.Evenyoucannotreleasethemagicrightnow."
Harutorajustmadean"nn"soundtoJougen'swords,smilingwrylyback.
"Well,itwouldbetoohardtoreleasethemagicrightaway.Butwhatdoyouplanondoingafterthis?
Aren'tyoutroubledaswellbybeingunabletousemagic?"
"......Youareapowerfulpractitioner.ButastheMasterofthismonasterythis'darktemple',youmust
viewyouraccumulatedexperienceofusingmagicinabroadersetting."
Suddenly,Jougenraisedhisrighthand.Withthatsignal,robedajarichargedin.
Theywereallequippedwithguns.Amongthem,therewereevenpeopletotingautomaticweapons.A
worthyimageofmodernsoldiermonks[50].
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"Thismonasteryhasvariouskindsof'work'.Weusevariousweaponstoachieveourgoal,notlimitedto
'firstclassmagic'.Ingeneral,magicisoneofthese.Evenso,Idonotintendtousefirearmsinsidethis
monastery.Pleasegiveuponresistance."
Thenumberofajariwasroughlyfortyorfifty.Itlookedlikenon'disciples'wereincludedamongthem.
Bythelooksofit,morethanhalfofthemonastery'smembershadchosentofollowJougen.Without
exception,alloftheirmuzzleswerepointedatHarutora.
"You......scoundrels!"
Hishamaru'seyebrowsslanteddownwardsandsheshoutedpowerfullywithoutregardforthelagallover
herbody.Butevenshecouldn'tcompletelydefendagainstthisnumberofgunswhilebeingmagically
sealed.Needlesstosay,itcouldn'tbedoneevenwithKakugyoukiwhoalsowaitedbehind.Evenifshe
couldkeepherselfsafe,shewouldbeunabletoprotecthermasterHarutora.
Yakou'sreincarnationHarutoraandthetwodefensiveshikigamithatsupportedhim.Thisbarrierarray
wasthetrumpcardSeishukuTempleusedtoopposethem.
"Harutoradono.Pleasegiveupandsurrender."
Thefrontofthehallwasalreadycompletelysurroundedbysoldiermonks.Yuge,whostayedstandingto
theside,feltaninauspiciouscoldsweatformonherback.
...Thiswas......bad.
WhattheyhaddonejustnowcompletelyannouncedtheiroppositionoftheOnmyouAgency.After
capturingHarutoraandtheothers,Jougendefinitelywouldn'tjustallowYuge'sgrouptoreturn.Perhaps
theywouldalsobecaptured.
YugelookedaskewatMiyoshi.Eventhatmanwascurrentlyfurrowinghisbrowsindispleasure.Buthe
wasunabletothinkofanycountermeasuresandcouldonlycontinuestayingsilent.
"......Really."
Harutoracomplainedlightly,surroundedbymuzzles.
"Youjustputonsuchairsandtalkedsomuch,butisn'twhatyou'redoingnowthesameasaYakuza?"
"......Thismonkwillhappilyacceptwhateverblameyouhaveafterthis."
"No,Idon'twanttoblameyouforanything.Moreimportantly,Ialsoagreewiththepointof'viewing
accumulatedexperienceofusingmagicinabroadersetting'.So,asthanks,letmeshowyou'my
methods'thistime."
Sayingthis,Harutoratooksomethingoutextremelysmoothlyandnaturally.
Histotallynaturalmotionmadetheguntotingajaritightlysurroundinghimunabletoreact.Jougen,
whowastheonlyoneabletomove,staredatthethinginHarutora'shandswithatensefaceitwasn'ta
charmoramagicaltool.
Itwasacellphone.
"......That'sright.Tobehonest,thisisamilitarymethod."
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Harutora'slipscurledintoanicecoldsmile.Suddenly,agiantblackshadowcrossedovertheclouded
courtyard.
Yugesuddenlylookedup,hereyeswidening.Aflockofbirdswereflyingtothecourtyard,their
numbersimmeasurable.Dozensofbirdspackedtogetherandflewtogetherasaflock.
Theseflappingbirdswereseagulls.Moreover,theywereblue.Theywereshikigamithetransportation
typeshikigamimanufacturedbytheWitchcraftCorporation,'T2SeagullFlyers'.
However,whatattractedYuge'sattentionwasn'tthegroupof'T2SeagullFlyers'itself,butratherthe
cablesthatwerestrungfromeachoftheseagulls,alongwiththegianthunkofmetalhungbelow,
supportedbythestrengthofgroupsofdozensofseagulls.
"Wha"
Thepeopleinthecourtyardslowlylookedupattheskyandwereshockedspeechlessonebyone.The
peoplerightunderneaththeshadowsfledinapanic.
Then,whentheyhauledtheirobjectandarrivedatthecenterofthecourtyard,theseagullsreleasedthe
cablestogether.
Thehunkofmetaldropped.
ThebarrierarraythatJougenandtheothershadputupfullycoveredthevastinteriorofSeishuku
Temple.Ofcourse,thatincludedthespaceabove.Thehunkofmetaldroppedfromaboveontothe
hemisphericalbarrierandtouchedit.Wavesoflagflittedoverthebarrier'ssurfaceandthehunkof
metalpassedthrough,collidingheavilywiththeground.
Thegroundshook,thetremorsandimpactpassingthroughtheentiremonastery.IncludingJougen,
Yuge,andMiyoshi,everyonestareddumbstruckatthehunkofmetalthathaddroppedfrommidair.
Harutoracalmlyissuedanorderamidsttheshockthathadstillnotdissipated.
"Magicrelease.Tsuchigumo,activate."
The'incantation'thatdidn'tcontainanymagicalenergywasnomantra,norwasitaprayer.
Butthemomentthosewordslefthismouth,themagicthathadsurvivedhalfacenturyinsidethehunkof
metalsincetheSecondWorldWarfinallyawoke.
Itwasimpossibletousemagicinsidethearraythatcutoffmagicalenergy.Butthegiantarraythat
Jougenhadputupcouldn'tstopthemagicalpatternsthathadbeenphysicallycarvedinsidethehunkof
metalfromactivating.Moreover,itwasarmoredwithnewantimagicbarriers.Thecompletelynew
barriersputupinsideitblockedtheeffectsofthearrayputupinsidethemonastery,ensuringthatthe
magicalenergyinsidethearmorcirculatedwithoutanydisruption.
Thehunkofmetalmovedasifitcouldn'twait.
Eightlong,foldedlegsmadesharpmetallicsoundsastheyspreadoutradially.Thelonglegstreadon
theground,supportingthemainbody.
Anabnormalshapeshoweditself.
Aspider.
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Agiantspidermadeofmetal.Fromitsheadup,ithadanupperbodyresemblingsamuraiarmor.Onits
foreheadcoveredbyaconicalsamuraihelmetwasapentagrammarkgivingoffafaintgoldenlight.
Yugegasped.
"Thoseare'ArmoredJuggernauts'!"[51]
Inthepast,TsuchimikadoYakouhadacceptedtherequestoftheoldJapanesemilitaryandcompletely
recreatedmagic,leadingtotherevivedOnmyoudou.
Hisrepresentativemilitaryinventionduringwartimewasthis'ArmoredJuggernaut'.
Also.
"......It'snotjustone."
Miyoshisaidquietlytohimself.HenoddedatYuge,whoturnedaroundwithan"Eh?"
"Ican'see'spiritevenwhenmymagicalenergyiscutoff.There'soneonthenorthfoothillsnow.There's
alsooneArmoredJuggernautsthat'sactivatedalreadyonthesouthsideatthebaseofthemountain
wherethemountainpathis.It'sgoingtomovesoontotearopenthebarrierinthemonastery.
ThebarrierarrayJougenhadprepareddidn'tjustincludethemainhall,itcoveredtheentireperimeterof
themountain.Namely,the'base'ofthebarrierwasalsoplacedatthefoothills.Rightnow,thatbasewas
beingcompletelydestroyedbytheArmoredJuggernauts.
"...Impossible."
Jougen'svoiceshook.
Inresponse.
"Verygood."
Harutorasmiled,theRaven'sWingflutteringonhisbody.
Hespoketothetwodefensiveshikigamiwaitingfortheirmaster'sinstructions.
"Begin."
Chapter5CursedTempleonFire
Part1
Thesternyetalluringvoiceofamaturewoman.Theinstantthatmantrasoundedinhermind,Akino's
breathingmomentarilystoppedandherearsstoodstraightup.
InadditiontoAkino,shockedexpressionsevensurfacedonNatsumeandtheMysticalInvestigator
namedYamashirowiththatsuddenvoice.
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ButunlikethepurelyshockedAkino,thetwoseemedtoalreadyknowwhoexactlythemasterofthe
voicewas.
"Thatvoicejustnow!"
"Damn,he'salreadyhere!?"
Theyturnedtheirgazestowardsthemountaintopastheyshouted.
Then,Akinorealizedwhoexactlythemasterofthevoicejustnowwasfromthereactionsofthetwoof
them.
...TsuchimikadoHarutorahadcome!Natsume'schildhoodfriendwashere!
Huh,butthevoicejustnowhadbeenafemalevoice.CoulditbethatTsuchimikadoHarutorawasa
woman?Ormaybehehadascendedthemountainwithawoman.Nomatterwhichpossibilityitwas,
TsuchimikadoHarutorawasalreadyatSeishukuTemple,thatwasforsure.
...Natsume......!?
FretfulnessthatshehadneverbeforeshowedwasonNatsume'sface.Fretfulnessalongwithanxiety,
anticipation,andevenalittlebitofdreadweremixedtogetherintoanextremelycomplexexpression.
"You'vestartedgettingabitpanicked.Butsincemytarget'salreadyarrived,Idon'thavethetime.I'll
quicklyfinishyourightaway."
Yamashirodeclaredcoldly,controllingthegroupofeyecatchingblackkodoku.
"......That'smyline."
FlashingelectricitycrackledasitflowedoverNatsume'sentirebody.Yamashirosnorted,unleashingthe
kodokuagain.
NatsumefearlesslystoodinfrontofAkino,facingtheapproachinggroupofkodoku.Lightningfilledher
visionwithacrashandAkinodesperatelyheldbackfromcryingout.
Akinofeltlikeshehadenteredanotherworldinthisvortexofintensevibrationsandrumblingthatshe
wasexperiencingforthefirsttimeinherlife.Lightningstrucknexttoheragainandagain.Theearson
herheadwerealsoflattenedasherlegstrembled,unabletomove.Evencheckingthesurrounding
situationwasverydifficult.
Shedidn'tevenhaveroomtostepintothatkindofintensemagicbattle.Allshecoulddowasbackupas
muchaspossibletomakesureshedidn'tobstructNatsumefrommovingback.
Soatleast,
"TTengusan!PleasehelpNatsume!"
Eventhoughherrequestwassoirrational,Akinostillshouted.Sheshoutedwhilemovingasfarfrom
NatsumeandYamashiroasshecould,runningawayfromtheterrifyingthunder.
Then,shefelldown.
...Ah,honestly!
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Howslowdidshehavetobe?Butshedidn'thavetimetosighaboutit.Sheadjustedhercrookedglasses,
breakingintoarunagain.
Butthenextmoment,amysteriouslossofenergypassedoverAkino.Akinostaggeredandalmostfell
downagain,hastilystoppingherself.
...Eh?Whatwasthat?
Atthesametimeasshesuddenlynoticedsomethingwaswrong,Akinorealizedthattherumbling
thunderhadalsovanished.
"Natsume!?'
ShehastilyturnedaroundandspottedNatsumetheredownononeknee.Akinowasfrozenwithterror
foramoment.Itwasn'tjusttheelectricitythathadvanished,aseventhegroupofkodokuYamashiro
controlledhadalsodisappeared.Then,Yamashirolookedup,cursingfiercely,"Damn!"
"What'supwiththatbarrier!?Amagicalarray?DidJougendothis?"
Yamashirowasangry.Then,Akinoalsonoticedthatevenherrabbitearshadvanished.
Thoughshedidn'treallyunderstand,itappearedthatallmagicrelatedthingshadsuddenlybeen
renderedineffective.ItwasprobablyrelatedtoTsuchimikadoHarutoraarrivingatthemountain.The
reasonthatNatsumewaskneelingwasdefinitelyrelatedtomagicbecomingineffective.Shewasaliving
spiritlikeAkino.
ButNatsume'ssituationwasevenmoreseverethanAkino,whojustfeltalossofenergy.Herfacewas
paleandherbodycouldn'tmove.Rightnow,shewaspracticallycollapsedontheground.
...Coulditbe!
Itwasn'tjustbecauseshewasalivingspirit,itwasprobablyalsorelatedtohowshehadalreadydied
andbeenresurrected.Inthatcase,wouldn'tNatsumefallintoquiteadangerousstatewhenmagicwas
sealed?
"Tch!IguessIhaveto!"Ontheotherhand,Yamashiro,whohadlosthiskodokuandwhosemagichad
beensealed,fishedsomethingoutofhisclotheswithagrimexpression.
Itwasapistol.Akino'sexpressionchanged.
"Iwon'tkillyou.Butdon'tblamemeifyoustilltrytoresistandIshootyourleg.Inanycase,youhave
nochanceofvictoryifmagicissealed.Giveup!"
YamashiroapproachedNatsumewithoutanyregardforherreply.Natsumeslumpedonthegroundon
oneknee,glaringatYamashirothroughherscatteredblackhair.Thoughanendlessfightingspiritshot
outofhereyes,herfacewasbloodlessandherforeheadwasheavilysweating.Eventhoughthegun
totingMysticalInvestigatorwasalreadycloseby,Natsumedidn'tseemlikeshewouldbestandingup
anytimesoon.
Natsume'sconditionwasverydangerous.AkinoreflexivelyrushedtoNatsume'sside.Butsomeonewas
alreadystandingbetweenNatsumeandYamashiro,evenfasterthanAkino.
TheshikigaminamedTengu.
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Yamashirostopped.
Thetengushikigamiwasalsoaffectedbythebarrier.Lagwasalloverhisbody,andhisfigurehad
almostvanishedalready.Evenso,theshikigamistoodsluggishlybetweenthetwoofthem,facing
Yamashirofacetofaceinordertostophim.
"Hey.Don'tgetintheway."
Yamashirogrowledindifferently.Thegunsoundedandthelagontheshikigami'sbodybecameeven
moresevere.
Ofcourse,Akinoshouted"Stop"withapaledface,butYamashirodidn'tpayattentionatall.Oneshot,
twoshots[52].Yamashirocontinuouslyopenedfire.Hefiredtomaketheshikigami'smovementseven
slowertostoptheshikigamiwhileclosinginonNatsumebitbybit.
Justthen,thesituationchangedagain.
Suddenly,thestrangelossofenergyinsideAkino'sbodyvanished.
Thebarrierrenderingmagicineffectivehadbeenreleased.Natsume'seyesflashedasshestaggeredup.
Yamashiroraisedtheguninapanic,butthehandhegrippedthegunwithhadbeengrabbedtightlybya
handasthickasalogextendingfromtheshikigaminexttohim.
Yamashiroglared,immediatelyformingabladesealwithhislefthandandslashingattheshikigami's
arm.Whilethelagclearedaway,Yamashirorapidlywithdrewhisrighthandandretreated.Butthepistol
droppedfromhishandontotheground.
ThetengushikigamisteppedonYamashiro'sdroppedpistol.
Then,Tengucrushedthepistolintoscrapwithaheavyimpact.
"You!?"
Yamashirobeganpreparingwiththecharmshetookoutlikemagicafterpullingaway.Butatthatpoint,
Natsumehadalreadypreparedforbattleagain.ElectricityfilledNatsume'sbodyandsheheldmany
charmsinhertwohandstoconfrontYamashiro.Akinostoppedandheldherbreathagain.Shefeltthata
magicbattlewouldstartagainbetweenthesetwopeopleandthetengushikigamiinthemiddle.
Butthetengushikigamistandingmotionlessbetweenthetwoofthemquietlysaidsomethinginaudible.
NatsumeandYamashirostoppedmovingatthesametime.Theshikigamistraightenedthebackithad
beenhunchingbefore,turningitsgazeinthedirectionofthefootofthemountainthenorthsideofthe
NorthStarMountain.Akinoswiftlyfolloweditsgaze.Thesoundofsomethingmovingcamefrom
withinthedense,lushforest.
Thesoundofsomethingverylargemoving.
Akinorematerializedtherabbitearsthathadvanishedbecauseofthebarrier.AsAkinostuckherears
up,thepresenceshefeltimmediatelybecamecleartoher.Thesoundofbarkrapidlysplittingapartand
branchescrackingcametoher.Also,amechanicalsoundofmetalrubbingtogether.
Then,themomentAkinothoughtoftryingtoseewhatwasintheforest,agiantbodyofmetalrushed
intothebattlefield,kickingasidethegiantcedartrees.
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Thatgiantbodyofmetalhadtheformofaspider.AstrangespiderTsuchigumo.
"That!?"
"AnArmoredJuggernaut!?How!Whyisithere?"
NatsumeandYamashiroexclaimedinshock.Withthat,theTsuchigumoheadingtowardsthe
mountaintopabruptlystopped.
OntheTsuchigumo'storsowastheupperbodyofasamuraiwearingancientarmor.Theironhelmetthat
covereditsfaceturnedtoNatsumeandtheothers.
Ahazyflameshimmeredinthedepthsoftheemptyfaceinsidetheironmask.Themomentthoseempty
eyescaughtNatsumeandtheothers,theyseemedtoturnflashingandradiant.Theeightsteellegs
supportingitstorsomovedupanddownintenselyasiftheyfelthappyatspottingtheirenemy.
Then,itchargedstraighttowardsNatsumeandtheothers.
"What!?"
Yamashirohastilyretreated.Natsumeandthetengushikigamialsofledfromthelinearlycharging
Tsuchigumoinapanic.
Eventhoughitlookedquitemassivefromtheoutside,theTsuchigumo'smovementswereextremely
fast.TheTsuchigumoimmediatelyadjusteditsdirectionthemomentitschargewasdodgedandcharged
straightaheadagain.Amomentumasifitwereyelling'chaaarge'.Itwasastrangeseemingbodyof
metal,butwhydiditfeelsoterrifyinglypowerful?
"Coulditbe......DidTsuchimikadoHarutorabringthishere!?"
Yamashirododgedthesecondchargewithallhismightasheroared.Evenifhecouldusemagic,hestill
wasn'tanopponentwhocouldfacetheTsuchigumoheadtohead.Afterall,theopponentwasaspideras
powerfulasatank.ThoughAkinodidn'tknowexactlywhatkindofthingthe'ArmoredJuggernaut'was,
shefeltthatitwouldbeimpossibleforapurehumantowinagainstitheadtohead.
TheTsuchigumosamuraichargedtowardsYamashirowhilespittingsilkfromitsmouth.
ItstargetwasNatsume.Natsumecrackledwithlightning,incineratingthespidersilk.Butthelightning
thatattackedtheTsuchigumo'smainbodyatthesametimebarelyharmedtheTsuchigumoatall.The
Tsuchigumo'smovementswerejustslightlydelayedbylag,andalthoughitfullyenduredtheblow,it
wasunharmed.
TheTsuchigumofreelyswungitseightlegswhilechargingandspittingspidersilkaroundit,toyingwith
NatsumeandYamashiro.ThetwoofthemmanagedtoescapeitsincetheTsuchigumowastargeting
bothofthematonce,buttheTsuchigumoshowednosignsofslowingdownatall.Beforeanyoneknew
it,thetengushikigamihadalreadymovedawayfromthetwoofthem,watchingthefreelyrampaging
Tsuchigumo.
TheTsuchigumorapidlystampededbackandforthwithabandon.Itwasn'tlikeamachineatall,asits
movementswerefilledwithvigor.Butithadquitethemassafterall,andthesurroundingsshook
constantlylikeanearthquake.Akinoandtheothersbarelymanagedtostaybalanced.
But,"Eek!?"
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TherampagingTsuchigumochargedatthefrozenAkino.Moreaccurately,thepositiontheTsuchigumo
turnedthroughjusthappenedtobewhereAkinowas.Akino'searsshotupasifshehadbeenprickedand
preparedtoescapeinapanic.
Then,shefelldown.
"Akino!?"
Frightened,Natsumeimmediatelyreleasedalightningstrike.Sheprobablywantedtoholdbackthe
Tsuchigumo.ThelightningstrikedroppedstraightontheTsuchigumo'sbody.Butnevermindbeing
harmed,theTsuchigumo'sspeeddidn'tevendrop.Itseightlegstrampledthegroundasitcharged
towardsthefallenAkino.
Akinofeltthatshewasgoingtodie.
ButthemomentbeforeitsquashedAkino,theTsuchigumosuddenlystoppedmoving.
Itsgiantbodyslidtothesidebecauseoftheeffectsofinertia.Akinocradledherheadasshelayonthe
ground,butfortunately,theTsuchigumoraiseditsbodyaboveheranddeliberatelyraisedthelegsthat
wereabouttotouchAkinoasitdeftlydodgedherandflewout.TheTsuchigumofinallymanagedto
stopafterithadcompletelypassedoverAkino.
Akino'searsstuckupasshelayonthegroundandshelookedaround.Then,sheraisedherheadandsaw
thattheTsuchigumothathadflownoverherheadhadchangeditsdirectionandwaspeeringatAkino.
Akinometthesamurai'sgaze.
Hermindhadbecomeblank.
Ahazylightslowlyswayedinsidetheironhelmetthatsymbolizedanger.Shefeltanillusionasifthe
samurai'slookwereconveyingsomethinglike"Tch,acivilian".Justanordinarycomplaint.The
TsuchigumosoonlostinterestinAkinoandtookaimtochargeatYamashirowhowasstaringonin
shock.
Akinoblinkedinsurprise.
...IItseemslikeitletmegojustnow!
WhileAkinowasstillspacingoutontheground,
"Akino!Areyouhurt?"
Natsumeranover,speakingasshehelpedAkinoup.
"NNatsume?What,what'sgoingon?"
"TheArmoredJuggernautoneofthemilitaryshikigamithatYakoumade."
"MMilitaryshikigami?"
"Yeah.ThoughIfoughtoneonce......itfeelscompletelydifferent.......Asexpected.Backthen,itwas
definitelybecausetheshikigami'smasterwasdifferent......"
TheTsuchigumohadprobablyletAkinogojustnow.Itwasaspidershapedbodyofmetal,butitfelt
particularlyhuman.Thatwasverylikelybecauseofitsmaster.
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NatsumeheldAkino'sshoulderswhilelookingatthemountaintopwithagrimexpression.Thedirection
ofthetemple.AkinofeltcertainwhenshesawNatsume'spureandresolutelook.Asexpected,hewasin
themonastery.Natsume'schildhoodfriendwhomshehadcometosee.
Then,atthatmoment,adazzlingflamelituponthemountaintoptheygazedat.Also,apowerful
magicalenergyspilledforth.Thepresenceofafiercebattlethatwasenoughtoaffectthefootofthe
mountain.
Amagicbattlewasbeingfoughtthere.
"......Akino.Sorry.I......"
"You'regoing?"
"Yeah."
Natsumeturnedherhead,noddingwhilelookingintoAkino'seyes.ThecurrentNatsumefeltasifshe
wereevenyoungerthanherselftoAkino,probablybecauseofherundisguisedattitude.
"Iunderstand.II'llgotoo.Actually,IcancarryNatsumethere"
"It'salright.I'llusemy'trumpcard'."
"Trumpcard?"
"Yeah.Akino,youdon'tneedtoforceyourself."
YamashiroevadedtheTsuchigumo'sattacksonhisownasthetwoofthemtalkedtoeachother.Even
Yamashirodidn'thaveiteasyagainsttheTsuchigumo.TheTsuchigumohadalsostartedbecoming
angeredagainsttheopponentwhowasmorepowerfulthanithadanticipated.
ButrightasNatsumesteppedawayfromAkinoandwasabouttoadvance,theTsuchigumoimmediately
includedNatsumeasanattacktargetagain.ItspatspidersilkatYamashirobeforeitandtookadvantage
oftheopeningleftbyhishavingtodealwiththespidersilktochargetowardsNatsumeagain.
Thistime,Natsumedidn'ttrytoflee.
ThegroundshookastheTsuchigumorushedstraightather.Akino'searstrembled.Yamashiroclicked
histonguewhiletakingupacharm,thinkingthatitwouldbetroublesomeifNatsumedied.Thetengu
shikigamiwhoobservedfromthesidealsotookastanceasifitwererightabouttostepout.
ThedistancebetweenthegirlandtheTsuchigumoshortened.
Evenso,Natsumedidn'tretreat.
Shebrushedherblackhairwhilecallingoutsternly.
"Come,Hokuto....Firstseal,purge!"
Rightasthewordslefthermouth,anastonishing'yinaura'pouredfromNatsume'sentirebody.
Itdidn'tfeelmixedatall.Itwasanoble,highlevelyinwateraura.Thatwaswhatithadbeencalledby
someancientpractitioners.
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Inotherwords,itwas'draconicaura'.
Then,Natsume'sspiritualpowerincreasedexplosively.TheaurathatcouldbefeltfromNatsume'sbody
wasnolongerthespiritualpowerofa'human'.Itwasasifshewereamobilespiritualdisaster.Akino
realizedinstinctively.ThesmallgoldenwaterdragonNatsumehadletherseeinthemorning.This
spiritualpowerhousedinNatsume'sbodycomposingamajorportionofNatsume'sbodywasthe
spiritualpowerofthatbeautifulcreature.
Itwasn'tawaterdragon.
Rather,itwasatruedragon.
Yamashiro,whowasheldupbehindthem,alsostoppedspeechlessuponseeingNatsume'ssealbeing
released.EventhefuriouslychargingTsuchigumowastakenabackanditsadvancewasthrowninto
disarray.
Natsumeextendedherrightarm,raisingitaboveherhead,asiftograbtheentiresky.Thedraconicaura
inNatsume'sbodyspreadtowardstheskyalongsideNatsume'sraisedrighthand.
Accordingtothe'FiveElementsofYinandYang',abasictenetofOnmyoudou,'lightningaura'was
composedofthewoodelementofthefiveelements.Moreover,itwaswateraurathatgeneratedwood
aura.
WatergenerateswoodintheFiveElementsMutualGeneration.
Inaddition,whatNatsumereleasedwasnosimplewateraura.Rather,itwasthehighpurityyinaura
releasedbyatruedragondraconicaura.Thelightningaurathatthedraconicaurageneratedwas
practicallyindistinguishablefromthe'divineroar'thatthedragongodrulingtheweatherwouldrelease
towardsthegroundwhileangry.[53]
ThedivinespiritualpowerthatNatsumebroughtforthwascondensedintomagicalenergy.
Natsumeloudlychantedanincantation.
"Thunder,filltheskyforninedays!"[54]
ThegreatestthundergodofTaoism,LeiGong[55].AndtheCrossofThunderbearingLeiGong'sname.
NatsumechantedthemagicwhileswingingherraisedrighthandstraightattheTsuchigumo.
Thunderengulfedtheworld.
Thebattlefieldwascompletelysplitintwobytheimageofthehightemperaturewhitestreakoflight.
ThegoldenlightningpiercedthroughtheTsuchigumo,anddazzling,scalding,andterrifyingarcsof
electricityfiercelyscatteredfromtheTsuchigumo.
Shecouldn'topenhereyesatall.Akinocoveredherfacewithherhands,herrabbitearsjumpingleftand
rightinagitation.Hersensesalsobecameslow.Hersenseswereallparalyzedandshecouldn'teven
keepherbalance.
Shedidn'tknowhowlongitwasafterthat,asifevenhersenseoftimehadvanished.Akinoopenedthe
eyelidsthatshehadshutoutoffright.
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TheTsuchigumohadfallen.
Itsbodythatwassupportedbytheeightlegswasemittingsmokeanddroppedontheground.Eventhe
groundarounditwasdeeplyindentedasifithadbeencrushed.
Then,infrontoftheTsuchigumostoodNatsume,herarmstillswungdown.
FaintremnantsofelectricitystillcrackledonNatsume'sbody.Thedraconicaurahadalreadybeen
releasednow,andswirledelegantlyarounditsmaster.Thatappearanceseemedasifshewereashaman
whohadsummonedalightninggodintoherownbody.
Akinowasdumbstruck.
But,
"Careful,theArmoredJuggernautcanstillmove!"
Natsumedidn'teventurnaroundasshewarnedAkino.Howwasthatpossible?RightasAkinothought
that,theTsuchigumomovedwithaclank.
She'looked'overinsidethesamuraihelmetwithnotracesofweaknessandthefierylightthatflashed
initseyeswasstillnotextinguished.Theunyieldingfightingspiritandthesenseofmissioninthose
eyesslowlyburned.
TheTsuchigumo'slegsstartedmovingwithaclatter.
"AkinoI'llbetheresoon."
NatsumesaidthattoAkinoandrushedofftowardstheTsuchigumo.Akinowastonguetied.Natsume's
actionsweresoswiftandpowerful,buttheywerealsoextremelyspry.
Natsumeranlikethewind.
TheTsuchigumostoodupagain,itswholebodyshaking.
Thesamuraispatoutspidersilk.Natsumeincinerateditwithlightning.Afterthat,sheleapedup.She
flewhighthroughtheskybuttheTsuchigumoaimedatNatsumewhowasflyinginmidairandjumped
up.Itssharplegspiercedupwardslikespears.
...Natsume......!?
TheywerealmostabouttohitNatsume.
ButNatsumesteppedinmidairandbarelyavoidedtheTsuchigumo'slegs.
Natsumemovedstepbystepinmidair,rapidlymovingbackandforth.WitheveryoneofNatsume's
steps,goldendraconicauradiffusedfrombeneathherfeet.
ThedraconicaurabeneathherfeetstretchedintoalongtailinmidairasNatsumeflewoverthelush
mountains,rushingstraighttowardsthemountaintop.
AkinowasinadvertentlyfascinatedasshestaredatNatsumerunninginmidair.
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TheTsuchigumoshookitslegsasitlookedup,asiftosay:"Althoughyou'reanenemy,thatwas
beautifullydoneindeed."Then,itmoveditsbodystifflyandbegantopursue.
Akinocamebacktohersenses.
Cometothinkofit,Yamashirohaddisappearedatsomepoint.Perhapshehadalsogonetothetemple.
WhataboutTengu?
Akinolookedhereandthere.Thetengushikigamiwasinthesameplaceshehadseenitbefore,standing
therewiththeexactsamepostureasitwatchedAkinoandtheothers.
ItseemedthatTengunoticedAkino'sgaze.Thetengushikigaminoddedlightly,rushingtowards
NatsumeinthedirectiontheTsuchigumohadleft.
Youcometoo,itwassaying.
"......Yeah."
Akinonoddeddeeplyandstartedrunningatfullspeedasvigorflowedintoherwholebodyfromher
rabbitearstohertoes.
Part2
TheArmoredJuggernautsthathaddroppeddowninthecourtyardimmediatelystartedtosuppressthe
area.Thefreelyswingingeightlegsdroveoffthesurroundingpeople.Thesilversilkthatthesamurai
spataccuratelyboundthearmedsoldiermonks.
TheajariwereknockedflyingafterbeingboundbytheTsuchigumo'sthread,thenimmediatelylost
consciousness.Itwasn'tasimpleunconsciousness.Rather,itwasbecausethethreadabsorbedtheir
spiritualpower.
Ofcourse,thesoldiermonkswouldn'tjustsitanddonothing,andsomeofthemalsocounterattacked
withtheirautomaticweapons.ButtheriflebulletswereeasilydeflectedoffthearmoroftheArmored
Juggernauts.
TheArmoredJuggernautwasamechanicalshikigamiwhosemetalbodywasitsvessel.Firearmsonthe
levelofriflescouldn'tevenmakeitlaginthefirstplace.Incontrast,theTsuchigumofiredthecannons
installedoneithersideofitsbodyasiftosay'Notbad,letmereturnthefavor'.
TherumblingsoundofcannonfirefromthePacificWarera,differentfromthesoundofmodern
firearms,resoundedthroughthemountain.Smokecurledupfromthebarrels.
Stonelanternswereshattered,hugetreestoppled,andlargeholesopenedupinthemonastery.The
cannonsbombardedtheshikyakumon[56]likefullpowerchainsaws.Thoughitlookedliketheir
accuracywasn'tsogood,theireffectivenessasadeterrencewastherealdeal.Thesoldiermonkswho
hadsurroundedHarutorabeforefledeverywherelikescatteringspiders.
"Well,tobehonest,thingslikemilitaryvehiclesareexceptionalfightingpowers."
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Harutoramurmuredtohimselfwithabittersmile.Evenwithmorethantwentymilitarymonksasits
opponents,thestrengthofasingleArmoredJuggernautwasoverwhelming.Andthoughthesoldier
monkswereallarmedwithfirearms,theyweren'tusedtousingthemandcooperatingforagroupbattle.
JudgingfromthewayJougencommandedthem,hehadn'tcommandedanarmedgroupbefore.And
needlesstosay,infantrylikethiswereuselessagainstmilitaryvehicles.
Beforeanyonenoticed,thetwoDivineGeneralswhohadannouncedtheiruninvolvementbeforehand
haddisappearedsomewhere.Theywereprobablyafraidofgettingdraggedinandhencehadtaken
advantageofthechaoscausedbytheArmoredJuggernautstoescape.
"DDon'tpanic,justdrawback!"
"No,aim!Aimattheshikigami'smaster!"
Itseemedthatseveralhighrankingajariwereshoutingangrily.Avoidingtheshikigamiandattacking
themasterwasafundamentalofmagicbattlewhenconfrontingpowerfulshikigami.Buttheexcellence
oftheTsuchigumowasn'tjustintheiroffense.TheTsuchigumonimblyusedtheirlegsandbodiesto
blockbullets,deflectingalloftheshotsaimedatHarutora.Then,thepeoplewhohadaimedatHarutora
alongwiththeircommanderswereimmediatelydealtwithbytheloyaldefensiveshikigami
"Scoundrel!"
Aftertheyweresubjectedtoafiercecounterattack,theywentsilent.ThebarrierbasedontheMountain
Gatewouldbedestroyedsoonandflawshadappearedinthearraycoveringtheinteriorofthe
monastery.Thoughthemainhall'sbarrierstillstayedup,asmalldefectwouldhavehugeconsequences
sincethemagicitwasconstructedwithwasextremelyunstable.Rightnow,thelaghadalreadysubsided
fromHishamaruandKakugyouki.
Then,asHishamarudancedmarvelouslythroughthebattlefield,Kakugyoukienteredthedepthsofthe
mainhall,destroyingthefinalbarrier.Thearrayhadalreadyvanishedcompletelywhenhecameout.
Thesoldiermonkswerestillputtingupresistance,butnotlongafterwardstheysawthesecondArmored
Juggernautadvancingwhileconstantlyknockingdownthecedartreestotheleftandrightofthe
mountainpathinfrontofit.ThiswastheArmoredJuggernautthathadjustactivatedbythesouthsideof
themountainanddestroyedthebarrierattheMountainGate.
Themonksmoanedindespairuponfacingthenewpowerfulshikigami.ThesecondArmored
Juggernaut'seightlegsclankedasitmovedandclimbedupthemountainpath,gazingatthesoldier
monks.Then,iteasilypassedthroughtheshikyakumonthathadalreadybecomecannonfodder.It
walkedinfrontofthefirstArmoredJuggernautasifsaying'Requestingregroup',neatlyandrespectfully
arrangingitseightlegs.Incomparison,thefirstArmoredJuggernautstampedbackrespectfullyasifto
say'Goodwork'.
Withthetwogatheredinthecourtyardalongwiththeoneattackingonthenorthsideofthemountain,
thethreeArmoredJuggernautswereallobjectsthathadbeenstolenfromtheOnmyouAgency
storehouses.Originally,vesselsofthelevelofArmoredJuggernautsoughttohavebeensealedinthe
OnmyouAgencybuilding'ssealedstorageroom.Butunfortunately,theArmoredJuggernauts'vessels
weretoohuge,anditwasdifficulttokeeptheminsidetheagencybuilding.Hence,theArmored
JuggernautshadbeenkeptinastorehouseadministeredbytheOnmyouAgencyunderthenameof
researchmaterials.
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Ofcourse,magicalsecurityhadbeencastonthestorehouse.Especiallyaftertheincidentwiththe'Child
Prodigy'DairenjiSuzuka,thatsecurityhadbecomeevenmoreserious.Evenso,itwasquiteeasyto
breakintothestorehousecomparedtotheagencybuilding'ssealedstorageroom.Harutoraandthe
othershadusedstealthmagictoinfiltratethestorehouseandcleverlystolentheArmoredJuggernauts.
"TheywereoriginallythingsImade,soit'smoreaccuratetosaythatI'm'takingthemback'."
ToHarutorawhocasuallysaidthat,Hishamarureplied:
"Thesethingsmustbeveryhappyrightnowaswell."
"Thosethingsarearmaments,notyou."
Kakugyoukirebutted.
Also,Harutorahadcastsomemisleadingprecautionsonthesimpleshikigamiguardsandworkersso
thattheArmoredJuggernautswouldn'tberealizedasstolenforawhileafterwards.Actually,Harutora
andtheothershadspentthesevendaysbetweenreceivingJougen'smessageof'summons'toarrivingat
SeishukuTempleonstealingtheArmoredJuggernautsalongwithhandlingandmaintenance.
Harutora'sreasonsforespeciallyutilizingtheArmoredJuggernautswasn'tbecausehehadanticipated
Jougen'snextmove.Rather,hehadpreparedthemaseffectivemeasurestosuppressaforestedmountain
battlefieldincasethesummonstoSeishukuTemplewasatrap.Intheend,itwasjustcoincidencethat
theyhadbecomeaneffectivecountermeasuretoopposethismagicalenergysealingarray.Butevenif
hehadn'tpreparedtheArmoredJuggernauts,Harutorahadothermeansofdestroyingthemagicalarray.
HishamarureturnedtoHarutora'sside,leavingthesuppressionofthecourtyardtothetwoArmored
Juggernauts.Harutorabrieflycheckedtheappearanceofhisdefensiveshikigami.
"Areyoufine?"
"Ofcourse,Harutorasama."
Hishamaruwavedherfoxtail,replyingpompously.
Kakugyoukishruggedhisshouldersatthetwo,showingafedupexpression.
"WhatHarutorawantstohearaboutistheconditionofyour'stability'.It'snormallyinaprettybad
condition,andthemagicalarrayjustnowcouldonlyhaveimpacteditnegatively.Whydon'tyoujust
obedientlystayonthesidelines?"
"Howfoolish.Defensiveshikigamiaresupposedtoalwaysstaybytheirmasters.HowcanIalonestay
uninvolved?"
Thefoxspiritfrownedandrejectedtheonearmedoni'sproposal.ButHarutoraalsolookedtroubled.
"ButwhatKakugyoukisaysisreasonable.Hishamaru,youdon'tneedtoforceyourselfthatmuch."
"What!HHarutorasama,evenyou'resayingsuchthings?Harutorasama,areyousayingyounolonger
needHishamaru!?"
"Ineversaidthatkindofthingatall."
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"TThenpleasedon'tsaysuchheartlessthings.Mycurrentconditiondefinitelyisn'tassevereas
Kakugyoukisays.It'smynaturalresponsibilitytomovealongsideyouasadefensiveshikigami."
HishamarudesperatelyspoketoHarutorawithadespairingexpression.
Tearswelledupinherclearblueeyesandtheearsonherheadandher
elegantfoxtailtrembledpitifully.Tobehonest,ithadbeenfinewhen
shehadherchildform,butHarutorawasprettytroubledeverytimehe
sawherdothiskindofthingwithherstiflingbeautynowthatshehad
anotherworldlygorgeousappearance.Hesmiledbitterly,justreplying
toHishamaruwithan"Iunderstand".Actually,hefeltmoreatease
lettingherfollowhimbyhissidethanforcefullyorderinghertoleave
andendingupwithhersecretlytrailinghim.
Then,Harutora'sgazereturnedtothebattlefieldbeforehimagain.He
wishedhecouldhaveavoidedlettingtheArmoredJuggernautsloosein
thisoldhauntifatallpossible.Unfortunately,thingshadturnedinto
this.Thepassageoftimewastrulycruel.
Harutoraworeacomplexexpressionashiseyesreflectedascenefrom
thesameplacebutadifferenttime.Then,therewasanostalgicfigurefromthatscene.
"I'mverysorry,Shinra."
Harutoramutteredwithalonesomeexpression.
Butitmightbetooearlytosaythat.Thechangestothebattlesituationbroughtbythevanishingarray
weren'tjustbeneficialtoHarutoraandhistwodefensiveshikigami.SeishukuTemplewouldn'tyieldthat
easily.
"Noumakusarabatatagyateibyakusarababokkeibyakusarabatataratasendamakarosyadaken
gyakigyakisarababiginnanuntaratakanman!"
Acala'sFireRealmmagicswirledinthecourtyard.HarutoraandHishamarutookupstancesagainstthis
powerfulmagicalenergy.Kakugyoukismiledlightlyashemarveled.TheFireRealmmagicinthe
courtyardspunintoagianttornadoofflame.Sparksscatteredineverydirectionlikedustalongwiththe
fiercegale.
ThepoweritcarriedwaspresentlymorethanthelimitedusecannonsoftheArmoredJuggernauts.The
tornadoofflameswelledmoreandmoreintoagiantvortex.Thetwomechanicalshikigamiwereforced
tostopinapanic.Theywereprotectedbymagicalarmor,sotheyweren'tseriouslyharmedevenafter
beingengulfedbytheFireRealmmagic,butunlikebullets,theycouldn'tdoanythingtostoptheFire
Realmmagic.Then,theFireRealmmagicthatengulfedtheArmoredJuggernautsrushedtowardsthe
mainhall.
TheRaven'sWingHarutoraworepowerfullyflappeditshem,bringingitsmasterintotheair.Thetwo
defensiveshikigamicontinuouslyavoidedtheheatwave,movingtotheroofofthemainhall.Butthe
FireRealmmagicdidn'tstopwildlyextendinginpursuittowardstheblackclothedshikigami.
"Don'tthinktoomuchofyourself!"
Hishamaru'smagicalenergyrosefromherbody.Itformedapaleblueflamefoxfireandrushed
straighttowardstheapproachingFireRealmmagic.Theyengulfedeachother,ridingtheirmomentums.
Thecrimsonandpaleblueflamesconstantlyintertwined,thegorgeouslycoloredflamedancingnonstop.
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However,justthen,
"...Harutora,Hishamaru,carefulofbelow."
Kakugyouki'saw'underhisfeetandsimultaneouslyleapedup.HarutoraandHishamaruinstantlyturned
toevade,theblackcoatandthefoxtailflutteringinthewind.
Immediately,aragingauraspoutedforth,shootingthroughtheroofofthemainhallfrombelow.The
aurathatburstoutlikeavolcanoheadedtowardsHarutorawiththemomentumofitseruption.Probably
becausethespiritualpowerwastooviolent,itwasn'tevencontrolledbyanorganizedmagicspell.They
probablywouldn'tgetoffunharmediftheyweredrawnintothistorrential,avalanchingmagicalenergy.
Theintenseeruptiondefinitelywasn'tasimplemagic.
"Theyopenedupagapinthespiritflow."
Harutoraspokehelplessly.Thethreeofthemleapedintotheairtoevade.TheFireRealmmagicandthe
torrentofmagicalenergythatapproachedthemfrombelowconstantlytossedthethreeofthemaround
likeleavesintheair.Harutora'shairandtheRaven'sWingswishedloudlyastheyweresweptbythe
strongwind.
However,atthesametimeasapowerfulwindsweptoverHarutora'sbody,henarrowedhisrighteye
andlookeddown.Hespokeinacoldvoice.
"...Hishamaru,you'reinchargeoftheFireRealmmagic.Kakugyouki,I'mleavingthespiritflowto
you."
"Understood."
"Ican'tcompletelysuppressit,youknow."
Aftertheybothreplied,thetwodefensiveshikigamiflewoutlikemeteorsandlandedagain.Hishamaru
wasthefirsttoact.
"Taniyataudakadaibanaenkeienkeisowaka!"
SheformedadragonsealandchantedthemantraofVaruna,oneoftheAdityas[57].Instantly,the
defensiveshikigami'smagicalenergyturnedintorain,thedownpourbatteringtheFireRealmmagiclike
awaterfall.Thevaporthatwasproducedfromthecollisionswelleduplikesmoke.Hishamaruputupa
barrier,unafraidofthescaldingwatervaporasshedroppedtowardsit.
"Noumakusanmandabodananbarunayasowaka!"
ShecontinuedchantingthemantraoftheAditya,andthewaterfallpouringdownwardsbecamea
whirlpool.Sheusedthewhirlpooltodestroythevortexofflamefromtheinside.Thetorrentoverflowed
outinalldirections,andeventheArmoredJuggernautleftinsidetheFireRealmmagicwerepushed
away.
Ontheotherhand,thewayKakugyoukidealtwiththingswasquitesimple.
"Anyway,Icangetseriousthistime."
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Atthesametimeashebrokeoutinafearlesssmile,thespiritflowerupted.Kakugyoukibaredhisteeth
themomenthisentirebodywasinstantlyviolentlystruckbymagicalenergy.Hisnormallynarrowed
eyeswidenedwithagrimlightandhisshortgoldenhairsparkledasitextendedintoamessymane.
Highdensitydemonicaurafilledhisbody,andhisnormallyalmosttwometertallbodygrewonce,
twice.Itswelledmoreandmoreasifitwerenormallysuppressed.
Then.Apairofominoushornsgrewfromhisforehead.Afterthemagicalenergytouchedthedemonic
auraentwinedaroundKakugyouki'sbody,itbecamedemonicauraandstarteddissipatingintotheair
behindhim.Kakugyoukiwasimmersedintheeruptingmagicalenergy,andthespillingmagicalenergy
flewoutfromtheholeintheroof.
Herevealedthesmileofawildbeastthathadcaughtitsprey.Hebaredhisteethandroared,firmly
clenchinghisrighthand
Hesmashedtheeruptingground.
Theresoundingimpactraisedthegroundaroundthespiritflow.Atthesametime,themainhallthatit
wascenteredonwasblastedoutexplosivelyfromtheinside.Theshockwaveinthedirectionofthe
courtyardcollidedwithHishamaru'storrentandsentpowerfulsplasheseverywhere.Afterthepowerful
magicsoftheFireRealmandthespiritflowwereneutralized,Hishamarucalmlystayedinthecourtyard
andKakugyoukistoodonthefoundationoftheexplodedmainhall,leisurelystretchinghisbody.Then,
"......."
Harutoraleisurelydroppeddowntotheground,spreadingthewingsoftheRaven'sWing.After
finishingthepurificationprayer,heclappedhishandsatthesametimeashelanded.Themagical
energycarryingsoundpurifiedallthesurroundingspiritualpower.Then,Hishamarureturnedto
Harutora'sside.
"Harutorasama..."
"Yeah,Istabilizedthespiritflowfornow.Goodwork,Kakugyouki."
"It'stooearlyforthanks."
Kakugyoukihadalreadyreturnedtohisoriginalappearance.Helightlystrokedhischin,motioning
towardsthemovementfromthedirectionofthecompletelydestroyedmainhall.
Theinteriorofthemainhallwasraisedfromthegroundtowardsthepeakofthemountain.Apatchedup
gatheringhallwaserectedthere.InfrontofthegatheringhallstoodtheajariofSeishukuTemplesideby
side.TheretreatedsoldiermonkshadgatheredtogetheragaincenteredonJougen.
Jougen'sfacewasgrimasheglaredatHarutora.Hislipsweretightandhiseyesburnedwithavicious
lightasifhewantedtosearhisopponent'ssoul.
Hishamaruimmediatelymovedtoeliminatetheenemieswithacoldlook.ButHarutorastoppedher.
"PriestJougen."
Harutoracalledout.
"Doyoustillwanttocontinue?"
"Ofcourse.Thismonasteryabsolutelywillnotsurrendertoanoutsideforce."
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"Wedon'tplanonmakingyousurrenderoranything."
"TheendresultwillbethesameifweleavetheOnmyouAgencyalone."
"IneverplannedonleavingtheOnmyouAgencyaloneinthefirstplace."
"Inthatcase."
Jougengrittedhisteeth,speakingwithanunbearableanger.
"Whydoyourefusetosavethismonasterywhenyoupossesssuchstrength!?Whydoyouabandonthis
monasterythathasbrandeditsmarkintohistorysinceancienttimestotheOnmyouAgency?Without
thismonastery,thefeatsthattheancientsconstantlyundertookthegreatmagictechniquesthathave
existedforsolongmightend!Whydoyou,whotouchedtheworldwithmagicandalloweditto
bloom,wanttoabandonthisplace?Therearecountlessthingsthatyououghttoprotecthere!"
Thatcrythatcamefromhissoulenvelopedferventquestions.Harutoracalmlyacceptedthequestions.
"Itfeelsbadtobethoughtofassuch,butPriest,it'stoolatetobringupsuchcriticismsnow."
Harutorarepliedinabitinglycoldvoice.
"Priest,howmany'featsoftheancients'doyouthinkI'vecrushedandhowmany'longlivedtechniques'
doyouthinkI'veseveredinthepastforthenation?I'mthepersonwhomeltedandrecastthethingsthat
youalwaysprized,forgingthemintothingssharpassabers.ThingsIoughttoprotect,yousay?Have
yougonesenilefromoldage?I'mthemadmanwhooncemuddiedthenation'smagicintochaosand
thenreorganizedthemwithnomisgivings,youknow?"
Harutora'swordsweren'texcitednorfrenzied.Rather,theyheldasomewhatsadtune.Butthecurrent
Harutoracarriedanabnormalfeelingofpressure.Hecarriedadeeper'darkness'differentfrommagical
energyorspiritualpower.Jougen'sfacepaledintheblinkofaneye.
"Priest,youmadeamistakethemomentyouentrustedthecontinuityofthedarktempletome."
JougenbithisliphardatHarutora'slecturingtone.Then,hisbodyshookandheshoutedout,flippingthe
sleevesofhispriest'sclothing.
"Attack!"
Atthesametimeasthesoldiermonksscattered,onegroupstartedchantingincantationslikeFireRealm,
curses,UnmovingGoldenChains.Somealsothrewcharms.
"My,ohmy."
Kakugyoukismiledslightlywhileseveringallofthemagicsclosinginwithdemonicaurainaflash.
HishamaruflewoutfrominfrontofHarutora,constantlyreleasingpalebluefoxfire.
Amagicbattlestartedagainintheblinkofaneye.
Harutoradidn'tavoidtheassaultingmagics,astheRaven'sWingdidn'tletanymagicattackgetwithin
halfastepofhim.Harutoracalmlyadvanced,andtheArmoredJuggernautsthathadbeenpushedintoa
cornerofthecourtyardmovedagain.
"Sinceyounolongercareaboutthemonastery,thenIdon'tneedtobepoliteanymoreOverwhelm."
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TheArmoredJuggernautsthathadbeenpushedawaybythetorrentseemeddizzyasiftheyhadcrashed
intoagianttree,butoncetheyreceivedtheirmaster'sorder,theirjointsinstantlycreakedastheymoved
again.Theystampedthegroundwiththeireightlegsastheyadvanced.Whentheywereabouttocrash
intothesoldiermonks,Harutora'sgrimandsadexpressionsuddenlyrelaxed.Heturnedhisgazefrom
thechaoticbattleoftheshikigamiadvancingthroughthegroupofsoldiermonks,turninghisbacktothe
battlefieldandwalkingtoatemple.
Thetemple,whichfacedthecourtyardlikethemainhall,wasalreadyinahalfwreckedstateafter
enduringthemagicbattleandtheshockwavesofcannonfire.ButHarutoradidn'tfacethedirectionofits
entrance,butrathertheothersideofthebuilding.Therewasapersoncomingoutwhohadbeenthereto
avoidthebattlefieldinthecourtyard.
"Sensan!"
"Hohoho,it'sbeenalongtime,Yakousama.No,IshouldcallyouHarutorasamanow."
Thesoundofexplosionsandshoutsoverlappedwithchantedincantationsfromtheothersideofthe
courtyard.Buttheoldmanwhohadshowedupdidn'tseemtenseashestrolledleisurely.
Buthiswrinkledsmilewasevendeepernow.Hiseyesthatwerestillclear,albeitweatheringmany
years,currentlycontainedanindescribablegratitude.
"You'requiteold.Ireallywouldn'tknowyouifIcouldn'tclearly'see'.Butthat'sanobviousthing.How
manyyearshasitbeen?"
"Well,thisoldmanforgotaswell.Istoppedcountingataboutninety."
"'Oldman'?Hahaha,thewayyouspeakissuitableforanoldfogey."
"Asyousay,I'malreadycalled'OldManSen'nowadays.Butthere'snohelpingit.It'sbeenalongtime.
Itreallyhasbeensolong."
Senlaughedcheerfully,nostalgicemotionsspillingforthfromhischest.Harutora'sremainingrighteye
moistenedslightly.
"AlthoughHarutorasamaisadifferentperson,Yakousama'sappearanceremainsthere."
"It'sthesamebloodline,afterall.Quitetheresemblance,huh?"
"Honestly,it'squitenostalgic.Thatrecklesshabitofyourshasn'tchangedatall."
Sen'sgazeturnedtothecourtyardashesaidthis.Rightnow,flamewasdancing,waterwaspouring,
windwasraging,andthegroundwasshakingthere.Anintensebattlewascleanlydestroyingthepast
thatthetwoofthemshared."Howshameful."Harutoraapologizedbitterly."It'salright,it'salright."Sen
smiled.
"Ratherthanthat,Harutorasama,coulditbethatyoucamehereespeciallyfor'that'?"
AsSensaidthis,hebroughtHarutoraaroundtotheinteriorofthetemple.Thevariousthingsthatwere
naturallyplacedonthegroundherebrightenedHarutora'sspirits.
"Thetokijiku![58]Asexpected,it'salreadybearingfruit!"
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WhatHarutoralookedatwasaseedlingplantedinapotinside.Thesaplinginthepotwaslessthana
metertall.Itsleaveshadbecomesmallandroundforthecomingwinter,andthereweretwosmall,
orangefruitthesizeofababy'sfistdanglingsparselyonit.
"Sen,didyouhelplookafterit?"
"Yeah,Ididn'thaveanythingelsetodo."
"Apractitionerabletomakethisthingbearfruit.Ineverthoughttheretrulywouldbeone."
"You'retookind.Nurturingisveryinteresting,whetherit'shumansorotherthings."
Sensmiled,bendingdowntopickupthepot.
"IjustwateredtheminTachibanahall.Asexpected,itwasn'twrongtohavebroughtthemhere."
HesaidthisandthengaveittoHarutora.
"Isthisalright?"
"Whatareyousayingatthispoint?Though,whatdoyouwanttousethisthingfor?"
"I'mstillunsurenow."
"Oh,unsure?"
Seninquiredincredulously,andHarutorasmiledbitterlyafteracceptingthepot.
"Tobehonest,I'mdesperatelyinvestigatingsomethingrightnow.I'mnotsurewhetherthatthingwillbe
helpfuleither.ButIplanongatheringeverythingIcanfirst."
Harutorashruggedhisshoulders,lookingatthesapling'sfruitwithahopefullook.ThecurrentHarutora
resembledanimmatureboybefittinghisage.Senquietlylookedathisgoodfriendfromlongago.
Heslowlyspoke.
"Harutoradono,coulditbethattheTaizanFukunRitualfailed?"
Harutorawastakenaback,showingastunnedexpression."How[59]?"Heaskedback.Senlaughedout
loud,sayingwithabanteringtone:
"She'shererightnow."
Eh.Harutorawasspeechless.Then,
Thehugesoundofthundercamefromthenorthofthemountain.Harutoranoticedthat'presence'.His
righteyewidened.Hegaspedandopenedhismouth.
"Wha!Thatwaslightningmagicjustnow?Alsoisn'tthatdraconicaura!?Whyisshehereah.
Yasuzumi'sdivining!"
Harutoraimmediatelypanicked,unconceivablerestlessnessonhisface.Hereflexivelyturnedinthe
directionofthecourtyard,clenchinghisteeth.
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SencarefullyobservedHarutora.Heeliminatedanyextraneousworryfromhistoneandspoke.
"Hiyakuroubouistheretoothatguy'smovingaroundhoweverhewantsrightnow.I'mnotsureabout
thedetails."
"......?!"
Harutoraturnedaround,carryingthepottedsapling.
"You'renotgoingtogomeetthem?"
"There'sareason!"
"Isee...Inthatcase...Wouldyoumeetsomeoneelse?"
"Eh?"
Harutorastoppedandlookedback.OldManSensmiledwithanunreadableexpression,lookingat
Harutora.
Amomentarysilencefelloverthem.
Harutorashookhishead.
"Sorry,Sensan,Idon'thavetimetochatwithyouanymore."
"Isee.Then,that'senough,goahead."
Themomentarystiffnesswasreleased.Senspokewithhisoriginaltone.Thatsteadyattitudemade
Harutora'sfeelingschokeupagain.
HemightnotbeabletoseeSenagain....No,perhapsthiswouldbetheirfinalfarewell.Harutorabithis
lip.Heforcedhimselfwithhiswillpowertosmilecheerfully.
"Sensan,thankyousomuch.I'llplayaboardwithyounexttime[60]."
"Youstillhaven'thadenough,huh.Harutoradono,mayeverythinggowellforyou."
HarutoraflippedtheRaven'sWing,flyingtothecourtyardwhileholdingthepottedsapling.Heflewinto
thestillongoingmagicbattle,issuinganorder.
"Hishamaru!Kakugyouki!We'reretreating!"
Part3
Natsumepassedoverthehighcedartreetops,constantlysprintingupwardswithallhermight.Her
beautifulblackhairextendedbehindher,thepinkribbonflutteringinthewind.Eventhoughher
breathingwasextremelyerratic,Natsumedidn'tstopevenforabit.
NatsumecurrentlyhadtheTsuchimikadofamily'sguardianbeastthespiritualbeastHokutoinher
body.HercurrentabilitythatwassimilartoflightwasactuallythemanifestationofthedragonHokuto's
ability.ThedraconicaurathatoverflowedfrominsideherbodycompliedwithNatsume'swill,pushing
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Natsume'sbodyforwardstepbystep.
Butshecouldn'tkeepuphercurrentstateforlong.
Inthefirstplace,itwasquiteadangerousthingforalivingspirittousethestrengthofthespiritual
entitypossessingtheirbody,evenifamagicsealinganydirectinteractionwascastonthem.Themore
theyusedthestrengthofthespiritualentity,themoredangerousthehumanportionofthelivingspirit
wouldbecome.
Moreover,Natsume'ssituationwasevenmoresevere.ThestrengthofHokutopossessingherbodywas
almostallusedtomaintain'Natsume'sexistence'.Thespiritualpowersheusedbyreleasingthefirstseal
wasactuallymisappropriatedstrengththathadoriginallybeenusedtomaintain'Natsume'sexistence'.In
otherwords,NatsumewasputtingherselfindangerwhenshecontrolledHokuto'sspiritualpower.
...It'sfine.It'salright.Ifit'sjusttothemountaintop!
Natsumetreadonair,runningvigorouslytothemountaintopalongwithagustofwind.
Sherantowhereherchildhoodfriendwas.
...Harutora......!
Thereweretoomanythingsshewantedtoask.
Therewerealsocountlessthingsshewantedtosay.
Whywhydidyoudeliberatelysummonmebacktothehumanworldandthenabandonme?Whydid
youleavemewithYasuzumibuthideyourselfinthedarkness?Whydidn'tyouevencomeseemea
singletimeorevencontactmeonce?
Also,whatexactlywasthecurrentHarutoradoing?Whatkindofgoaldidhehavetorebelagainstthe
OnmyouAgency?WhatexactlywasHarutorapreparingtodo?Hehadstrayedfarawayfromhislife
untilthatpointandlefthisfriends,evenabandoningNatsume.
Coulditbe
CoulditbethatHarutorahadtrulybecomeYakoualready?
ThatTsuchimikadoHarutoranolongerexistedatall?
Shecouldn'tevenfinishwhatshewantedtoaskandwhatshewantedtosayinanentirenight.Her
doubtsandanger,hersadnessandfear,spilledoveruncontrollablyfromherchest.
Butnomatterwhat
Shewantedtoseehim.
Shewantedtoseehisface.
Shewantedtohearhisvoice.
Shewantedtofeelhispresence.
Natsumecutthroughtheskywithnoregardforherowncondition,advancingtowardsthemountaintop.
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Then,shefinallysawtheroofofthegatheringhallamidstthemountainforest.Justthen,
"Ombishibishikarakarashibarisowaka!"
Hergazedropped.TheUnmovingGoldenChainsthatwasunleashedfromthemountainforest
completelyboundthecarelessNatsume.
"What!?"
Natsumelostherbalance,droppingfromthesky.Natsumeincreasedtheoutputofdraconicaura,
forcefullytearingaparttheGoldenChainsandlandingontheground.
InfrontofNatsume'sangerfilledglarestoodapractitioner.
"...Hoh."
Yamashirosnortedfiercely.
"Ithoughtyouwereusingsometechnique......ItlookslikeyoujustlettheTsuchimikadofamilydragon
possessyou,huh?Whatanincrediblestrength.Ineverthoughtyouwereadragonlivingspirit."
"......Pleasemoveaside."
"AndifIrefuse?"
Natsume'srightarmshotout.LightningarcedtowardsYamashirowithaflash.Butthe'lightning
repelling'magicthatYamashirohadcastwasstilleffective.ThelightningstrikeavoidedYamashiro,
instantlytearingintoacedartreenexttohim.
Moreover,thislightningstrikeofNatsume'shadonlycharredthetree.Sheinadvertentlyfeltabit
regretful.Itwasveryobviousthatherpowerhadclearlylowered.
"What?Ifinallymanagedtocatchuptoyou,butyou'reoutofspiritualpower?"
YamashirospokeandunleashedUnmovingGoldenChainsagainwithoutchantinganincantationor
formingahandseal.NatsumereleasedalightningstriketoobliteratetheGoldenChains,butthemoment
shereleasedthatlightningstrike,hervisionwentblack.
Achillassaultedher.Shecouldfeelthecoldpresenceof'death'insideherskin.
Hokutoinsideherbodywassendingheranacutewarning.Shewasalreadyatherlimits.Ifthiswenton,
problemswouldappearinthemagicHarutorahadcast.Natsume'ssoulthatwasmergedwithHokuto
wouldleaveherbodyagainandbecomeatruewanderingsoul.
Evenso,Natsumedidn'tactivatethesealagain.
"Don't...get...in...my...way..."
Eventhoughgroansofpaincamefromhermouth,Natsumestillattackedwithrakingstrikesof
lightning.Lightningcrisscrossedeverywhere,flashingwithlightandheatandburningthebarkofthe
nearbytreesintoash.
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Atthesametime,NatsumetriedtorapidlycirclepastYamashiro.Herchargingfigurewasfilledwith
thedraconicaurathatrepresentedNatsume'slifeasshereachedtheastonishingspeedthatalivingspirit
had.
But,
"Order."
Yamashirodroppedanextremelyordinarywoodelementcharm.Butthevinesthatthecharmformed
boundNatsumeasshepulledlightningwithher,thencontinuedbybindingNatsume'shandsandfeetin
aflash.
Natsumefellontheground,slidingalongtheslope.Natsumeimmediatelyreleasedlightningand
incineratedthevines.
Butwhenthevineswereincinerated,Yamashiro'sfingershadalreadytakenupanotherwoodelement
charm.Itwasthisrelaxed,sowpacedstrategyagain.
Then,finally,
......Ah.
Herconsciousnessstartedtobecomefuzzy.Natsumelostholdofherconsciousness.Itwasbecausethe
lightningstrikesfrombeforehadalreadysurpassedtheboundariesherbodycouldtolerate.Shefelt
Hokuto'sundisguisedpanicthenslowlydriftedaway...
"Reseal!"[61]
Apowerfulvoicecamefromthetrees,pullingNatsume'slifebackbyahair'sbreadth.Thesealon
Natsume'sbodyclosedthedraconicaurainsideherbodyagain,supportingherlifewithallitspower.
TheconsciousnessthathadalreadyvanishedfromNatsumereturnedtoherbodyagain.
Itwasamalevoicebelongingtoathirdparty.
Averyfamiliarvoice.Shehadonlybeenawayfromhimforafewdays,butstrangely,itfeltvery
nostalgic.
"!?Who"
JustasYamashirotriedtofigureoutwhatexactlyhadhappened,
"Youbastard!"
AnextremelypowerfullightningstrikeracedtowardsYamashiroalongwithawoman'sangryroar.Even
thoughthe'lightningrepelling'magicwasstillmaintainedonhisbody,thislightningstrikesurpassed
thespell'slimitsandelectricitypouredtowardsYamashiro'sbodylikerain.Eventhoughhewasn'thit
directly,Yamashirowasstillknockedoffthegroundandsentflying.
"Shit!?"
Yamashiroputupabarrierinapanic.Natsumetwistedherhead,lookinginthedirectionofthevoice.
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Asmallwomanwearingmiasmaprotectionclothingappearedfromthedarkmountainforest.Sheworea
headbandonherforeheadandtheeyesbeneathherheadbandwerefilledwithrageasshecharged
towardsNatsumewithallherstrength.
"Lookatwhatyou'vedonetoNatsume!I'llkillyouuu!"
Alongwiththatextremelydirectdeclarationofbattle,furiouslightningstrikesshottowardsYamashiro
asiftoverifythatproclamation.Yamashiroreflexivelystrengthenedthebarrierandsprintedwithallhis
powertoavoidthelightningstrikesatthesametime.Thelightningstrikesdoggedlychasedtheescaping
Yamashiro,theirwhitelightilluminatingthesurroundingsandtheirroarsextremelyaudible.
Yamashiro'sfacestiffenedwhenhesawthesuddeninterferer.Thatwasobvious.Thiswomanwasa
formerexorcist,aswellastheformercaptainofaspiritualdisasterpurificationteam.Shewasacapable
person.EvenmorefearsomewasthemasterofthevoicethathadresealedNatsume.Eventhoughhe
hadraisedhisvoice,hewasstillenchantedwithapowerfulstealthmagicandhispresenceevento
Yamashirowasundetectable.Yamashirowasn'tjustwaryaboutthe'lightninguser'infrontofhim,he
wasevenwarieraboutthepractitionerwhowasconstantlyhidinghispresence.
GratefulandapologeticfeelingshoveredoverNatsume'sheart.
Butrightnow,shehadto......
"......Yeah."
Natsumegrittedherteeth,runningupthemountainagain."Natsume!?"Thewomanwasextremely
shocked,butuponseeingYamashiroabouttochaseNatsume,sheimmediatelystartedobstructing
Yamashirowithallherstrength.Sorry.Natsumethankedtheminherheartwhileheadingtothe
mountaintopalone.
Eventhoughshealmostfellseveraltimes,shestilldidn'tquitrunninguptheslantedmountainside.It
wasn'tjustherspiritualpower.Evenherphysicalenergyhadreacheditslimitslongago.Evenso,she
climbedupwithherhandsandpushedasideweeds.Natsumedidn'tcareifherhandswerecoveredwith
woundsasshecontinuedrunningtoherdestination.Shegaspedforbreathasshecontinuedrunningto
thegatheringhallshesawupabove.
Then,whenshesawthegatheringhallontheothersideofthethicketagain,Natsumefelttheripplesofa
magicbattlepervadingtheairandgulped.
Tracesofmagicalenergyandresiduesofaurafloatedthroughtheair.Therewasthelightoftreesasthey
crackledandburnedalongwithsmokethatwaftedeverywhere.
Thegatheringhallcurrentlylookedlikeitwasabouttoburndown.
Also,onlythefoundationwasleftofthemainhallthatoughttohavebeenontheothersideofit,having
completelyvanished.
Fallenajariwereeverywhere.Therewerealsopeoplestaggeringandmoaningloudly.Andpeople
bleedingandslumpedontheground.Wreckagewasscatteredoverthedestroyedground.Thewakeofa
battlefieldthosewordsflashedthroughhermind.Natsumesteeledherheartandturnedherhead,
musteringherenergyandtreadingonthegroundagain.
Shereachedthecourtyard.
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Nothingwasleftaroundher.
Thedestroyedmainhallofwhichonlythefoundationwasleft,alongwiththegatheringhallburningon
theinside.Fallenpeopleofthemonasterywereeverywhereandthesurroundingswerefilledwith
agonizedwailsandgroans.Thetemplewasalsoinahalfdestroyedstateandtheshikyakumonwas
practicallyunrecognizable.Thegiantcedartreessurroundingthecourtyardwerealsofalleneverywhere
andburning.
Also,onthemountainpathinfrontofher,twoArmoredJuggernautsknockedoveronetreeafter
another,advancingthroughthemountainpaththatwentthroughtheshikyakumon.Theywerecurrently
leavingthebattlefield.Why?Shehadnodoubt.Thebattlehadalreadyended.
Natsumeglancedaround,herhairfluttering.
Then,sheinadvertentlyraisedhergaze,lookinguptowardstheeasternsky.
Foundyou.
Somehow,itwasalreadyevening.Ashencloudsstillcoveredtheskylikeanaturallyformedceilingas
theyswepttowardsthedistanthillslikewaves.Thereddishsunsetshotbeautiful,slantingraysoflight
throughthegapsformedamongtheclouds.
Asshelookedalongtheraysoftwilight
Agiantravenflappeditswingsinthedistanteasternsky.
AnOnmyoujiwearingablackcoatfleweastthroughtheair.
Shehadbeenleftbehindbyhimagain,leftallalone.
Natsume'stearsflowedfromhereyes.Thehottearsslippedoverherdirtcoveredcheeks,dropping
down.
Natsumecrossedherarmsoverherchest.Herbodytrembledconvulsivelyalloverastearsflowedeven
moretempestuously.
Then,shebreatheddeeplyandshakily,andinthedirectionofherdepartingchildhoodfriend'sback,
"BAKATORA!"
Sheshoutedangrily.
Afterthat,sheweptloudly.
Part4
Maybeshehadneverrunwithallhermightlikethisbefore.Akinofullyexertedthelegpowerofthe
rabbitlivingspirit,climbingupthemountainforestinamatterofmoments.Butherfeetbecameheavy
whensheapproachedthecenterofthemonastery.Therewasstillsomedistance,butmagicalenergy
producedfromtheusageofmagicreachedher.Also,chaoticyelling.Soundsofdestruction.Atthesame
time,thoughthemainhallwascoveredbytheforestandoutofsight,theskynearbywasbrightlylit.
Somethingwasburning.
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"......Ugh."
Thoughshewashonestlyveryscared,shewouldnolongerturnbacknow.Akinosloweddownwhile
hidingherselfandcarefullyclimbingthemountain.
Itlookedlikethecourtyardhadbecomethecentrallocationofthebattle.Akinoapproachedbitbybit,
hidingintheunderbrushandpeeringacrossfromanextremelycloseplace.
Shecouldn'thelpbutdoubtherowneyes.Thegatheringhallwasburningferociously.Themainhall
seemedtohavealreadyvanished.
Thiswouldn'tdo.Shecouldn'tapproachlikethis.Akinodidn'trushdirectlytowardsthecourtyard,but
insteadcarefullycircledaroundtotheinteriorofatempleinordertokeepfrombeingspotted.Butcome
tothinkofit,halfofthattemplehadalreadybeendestroyed.Akinocouldonlysuppressherfearand
steelherownheartasshefacedwhathadbecomeofthefamiliar
sceneryoftheplaceshehadbeenraisedinsincebirth.
Butintheend,shewasluckytohavecircledaroundtothisside.That
waswhyAkinowasfortunatelyabletorealizeanunanticipated
reunion.
"Senjiichan!"
"Ohh,Akino.You'realright."Akino'sendurancereacheditslimitas
shesawSen'sfigure.Sheranoverandheldhim,buryingherfaceinhis
chestwhilesobbingloudly.Therewasnohelpingthisbecauseofher
fearandsadness.Afterall,theonlyworldthatAkinoknewofhadbeen
draggedintoavortexofwarandlost.Sencontinuously,quietly,and
gentlystrokedthestillcryingAkinofromtheside.
SenkeptwaitinguntilAkino'scryingstopped.
Then,shebroughtAkinotothecourtyard.
Themagicbattlehadlongsinceendedbythattime.
Stunned,shelookedatthedesolatescenebeforeher.ButAkino'sgazemovedtowardsthegirlstanding
blanklyinthecenterofthecourtyardratherthanthebarrenmonasteryscenery.
"Natsume!"
ShehastilyrantowardsNatsume.Natsume'seyesreddenedwhenshesawAkino.Shesniffledand
lightlycalledout"......Akino."
"Whathappened?Areyoualright!?"
"Akino.I,I......"
"DDidyounotmeetwiththatHarutoraperson?"
"......Yeah."
Herfacewasswollenfromcryingandgrimyallover.Natsumenoddedpowerlessly.
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TheearsonAkino'sheadswayedleftandrightinembarrassmentsinceshedidn'tknowwhattosay.
TheunimaginableappearanceofthataweinspiringNatsumecryinggaveAkinoquitealargeshock.
Althoughononehandherconsciencefeltbadduetothewrongoccasion,thesestraightforwardthoughts
stillcametoher.
Beautifulpeoplewerestillbeautifulevenwhentheywerecrying.
"Natsume."
"Natsumechan!"
Sheturnedaroundtolookinsurpriseatthosesuddenshouts.Amanandawomanranovernextto
AkinoandSen.
Themanhadaclothtiedaroundhisheadandascragglybeardgrowingunderhischin.Hewasamanas
stronglybuiltasawrestler.Buthedidn'tfeelintimidating.Onthecontrary,hegaveoffagentlekindof
impression.Incomparison,thewomanwasrathersmall.Sheworesomethinglikeablackjacketandher
hairwasheldupwithaheadband,exposingherforehead.
Akinoreflexivelytensedupbecausetheywereadultsshedidn'trecognize.Butthetwoofthemlooked
overatNatsumewithsincerelyworriedexpressions,soAkino'snervousnesswasrelievedveryquickly.
"Uncle.Aunt......"
Natsumesaidthisinaquietvoice.Theyseemedtobepeoplesheknew.
ThemanapproachedNatsume,momentarilyshootingAkinoandSenasharpgaze.Then,hemotioned
slightly,returninghisgazetoNatsumewhilelecturingherinasterntone.
"That'senoughbeingreckless.Youalmostdiedjustnow."
"......I'msorry."
"Tothinkyouwouldsneakintothiskindofplacealone!Doyouknowhowworriedwewerebecause
youdisappeared?"
Natsumerepeated"I'msorry"tothewoman'sreproachfulquestion.Butthewomanlosthersteamvery
quickly,regainingherincrediblyworriedexpression.
"......Then,didyoumeetHarutora?"
Natsumebitherlipandlightlyshookherheadleftandrightuponhearingthewoman'squestion.After
thewomansaid"Thatidiot"inaquiet,indignantvoice,shesoftlyheldNatsume'sshoulders.Sheknew
whathadhappenedwithoutawordbeingsaid.Itwasbecausetheyweresoclose.
"Inanycase,we'lltalklater.TherearestillthreeDivineGeneralshere.ThoughtheMysticalInvestigator
frombeforebackedoffonhisown,hemightnotnecessarilygiveuplikethat."Themansaidthatwhile
lookingaroundtheareawithabitterface.Akino'sheartbeatspedupwhensheheardhiswords.
"......Natsume,areyouleaving?"
"Akino......"
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NatsumeimmediatelybecameunabletoreplyuponfacingthewordsthatunconsciouslyleftAkino's
mouth.Butsherealizedfromthatresponse.Natsumehadsaiditbefore.Oncethingswereover,she
wouldleavethisplace.ThewomanwhoheldNatsume'sshoulderslookedbackandforthbetweenthe
twogirlswithaconfusedexpression.Hereyesmovedtomeetthegazeofthemannexttoher.The
expressionsofthetwoofthemwerecomplex.
Justthen,
"CouldIbotheryouforamoment?"
Senspokeupnexttothefourofthem.
IncontrasttoAkinowhodidn'tknowhowtoreact,Sensaidwithanattitudejustasleisurelyasalways:
"Thetwooverthereseemtohavealreadymappedoutatrailoffthemountain,butyoudon'tknowthe
newestpaths.Thoughthey'reslightlydangerous,wecanavoidotherpeoplethatway.Whatdoyoutwo
say?Ifyou'dlike,allowthisoldmantoleadyouall."
Miyoshi,whosatonafallentreeinthemiddleofthegreen,denselygrowingforest,openedhiseyesthat
hadbeenclosedforalongtime.
"......Sawit.Consideringthedirectionhewasflying,hewasheadedtoTokyo,butIcan'tsayforsureoff
justthat."
"WhatabouttheArmoredJuggernauts?Canyoufigureout?"
"Themagicalenergywascutoffpartway.Theyprobablystoppedbeingactive.Inthatcase,they'rejust
simplechunksofmetal.Ican'tdoanything."
MiyoshishruggedandYugecouldonlysigh.Buttheyindeedcoulddonothing.Thespiritseeingability
was,intheend,justtheabilityto'see'aura.Itwasn'taclairvoyancethatallowedonetoseeintothe
distance.Rather,thefactthathehadbeenabletotracetheauraofTsuchimikadoHarutoraasheflewto
escapethebattlefieldsofarjustnowdemonstratedthehighabilityofthe'DivineEye'.
"......How'sthesituationinthemonastery?"
"It'sbasicallyalldestroyed.Butitseemsthattherewerenodeaths.Howincredible."
Intheend,justlikeMiyoshiannounced,Yugeandtheothershadn'tinvolvedthemselveswiththe
commotioninSeishukuTemplefromstarttofinish.Thoughtheydidn'tknowwhatwouldbecomeofthe
monasteryinthefuture,therewasn'tasinglethingYugeandtheotherscoulddorightnow.Allthatwas
leftwastoreturntotheOnmyouAgencyandreportwhathadoccurred.Fortunately,sincethiswasa
secretmission,theydidn'tneedtowriteaproperreportforitiftheytrulydid,itwouldprobably
becomeverythick.
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Theirmissionhadfinallyended,albeitinaveryunexpectedfashion.Yugesettleddownasshethought
overthings.
"Ah,cometothinkaboutit,whataboutTsuchimikadoNatsume?DidYamashirocatchher?"
"Yugeshi.IneverdefinitivelysaidtheoneI'saw'wasTsuchimikadoNatsume."
"Buttheprobabilityisextremelyhigh,right?Sheevenusedlightningmagic.Sincewecan'thearthe
soundofthunderanymore,thebattleendedalready,right?Sinceit'sYamashiro,heoughtnottohave
madeanymistakes......"
"That'snotthecase."
Yugemadean"Eh?"sounduponhearingMiyoshi'sclearcutnegation,hastilyaskingback.
"DidYamashirolose?"
"Ahh,sorry.I'mnotsayingthatYamashiroshiwaskilled.Butitreallyfeltlikesomeoneintervened.
Honestly,Ididn'tclearly'see'Yamashiro'ssidesincemyattentionwasfocusedonTsuchimikado
Harutora.ThoughI'minspectingthemonasteryrightnow,itwillbehardtofindthetargetiftheystealth
duetothechaoticstateoftheaurahere.
Miyoshispokecasually.Thoughshereallywantedtotellhimtobeabitserious,atleastMiyoshiwas
continuouslydoingwhateverhecouldtolearnaboutthecurrentsituation.Actually,itwastherestless
Yuge,whocoulddonothingbuturgeMiyoshionfromtheside,whowasofnouse.
"First,sincewecan'tfindYamashiroshianymore,let'sfirstgobacktomeetupwiththeothersandhear
aboutthecausesandeffectsofthesituation.Intheend,theOnmyouAgency'saidstilldidn'tmakeit,
andatthistimewe'llonlygetbacktoTokyotomorrownomatterwhichroadwetake.We'lllookfora
hotelafterwegetdownfromthemountain."
"Wait,Officer.Firstoff,notcontactingheadquartersis......"
"Yamashirokunwilldothat,right?Findingaplacetostayatinthiskindofbackcountryplaceismore
pressingofamatterthanthat.Evenifwesearchedwithourphones,thingslikebackcountryhotels
wouldn'tevenhaveawebsite......Ah,cometothinkofit,Yugeshi,doyouknowaboutanylocal
specialties?Honestly,thefoodweateinthemonasteryyesterdaywastasteless."
Miyoshistoodupunconcernedlywhiletalkingandpullinghisphoneoutfromhissuit.Thenheturned
onhiswebbrowser,startingtosearchforhotels.
Yuge'sheadstartedhurtingagain.Butevenwhenhewasdoingsomethinglikethis,Miyoshididn'tstop
searchingforTsuchimikadoNatsume'sauraforamomentwithoutadoubt,hedidhisjobthoroughly.
Unlikeheruselessselfthatcouldonlystandaroundattheside.
Thatwasalsothebehaviorofaprofessional.Yugesighedthenshesmiledwryly.
"......Ididsomeinvestigationbeforewecamehere.There'saspahotelintheneighboringtownwitha
highlyacclaimedboarmeatstew."
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"......Yes......yes.Intheend......yes.I'mextremelysorry.I'llreturntoregroupwithOfficerMiyoshiand
IndependentOfficerYugeafterthisandreturntoTokyo.I'llmakeadetailedreportthen......"
Excuseme.Sayingthat,Yamashiroturnedoffhisphone.Thoughhehadbeenpatientforawhileatthe
start,heendedupstompingonthegroundoutofirritation.
"......Damn!Thisisn'tlikeme......"
ThetwowhohadinterferedpartwaythroughwereprobablytheTsuchimikadobranchfamilymembers.
ThoughTsuchimikadoNatsumeactingalonefromthestartwasitselfverysuspicious,theirtiminghad
beentoolateforthemtohavebeenhidinginthedarknesssupportingherfromthebeginning.Itlooked
liketherehadbeensomediscordbetweenthem.Thoughiftheyhadbeenmovingtogetherfromthestart,
therewouldhavebeenmeanstodealwiththemaswell.
"IfIknewthisearlier,IdefinitelywouldhavecapturedTsuchimikadoNatsumeevenifIhadtoforce
thingsalittle......"
Hehadbeentoonaiveforwantingtokeepherunharmedandavoidextraneouseffortwhilecapturing
her.Thatnaivetywastheproofofhisyouthandofhisabsolutelyinsufficientexperience.Becausehe
hadalittlebitofoutstandingtalent,Yamashirohadveryrarelyfaceda'difficultsituationcausedbya
problemofability'.Thatwasn'tegoism,itwasthepuretruth.Actually,thefactthathehadverylittle
experience'breakingthroughdifficulty'wasaproblemthatevenYamashirohimselfcouldn'tignore.
Howmaddening.Butbyusingthisdisappointmentandhumiliationasfuel,hecouldgrowevenfurther.
Growththatwouldallowhisabilitytobecomeevenmoreeffective.Thatwasanecessaryconditionthat
heneededasanewcomerinordertostandsidebysidewiththeotherDivineGeneralsinthefuture.
"......Justwatch.Soon,evenI'll......"
Yamashirogrippedhisphonetightly.Then,heconcealedhisdeterminationandresolveinhisheart,
urginghimselfonwiththemandbeginningtomoveagain.
"......Stop."
Thecarthatchuggedalongthenationalroadstoppedontheshoulderduetothatword.
Thebackseatdooropenedandamansteppedontotheasphaltroad.Thiswasaroadthatsnakedupthe
surfaceofamountain.Thesurroundingswerecoveredbydensemountainforests,andtherewereno
othercarscomingotherthantheonethathadstopped.
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Thesunwassettingandtheskywasdyedcrimson.Butthemanfacedthedirectionofdenseclouds.The
manshowedasharpgazeashequietlystaredintothedistanthills.
Thedriverrolleddownthewindow.
"What'swrong?"
"......It'snothing."
Themanrepliedbriefly,buthedidn'taverthisgaze.
Suddenly,thesoundofaphoneringtonesoundedinthecar.Themansittinginthepassengerseathastily
pickeduphisphone.Afterhespokeafewfastwords,heleanedtothedriver'sseatwithoutevenhanging
upthephone.
"It'sfromtheagencybuilding!TsuchimikadoHarutoraseemstohaveescapedfromSeishukuTemple
already.Apparently,themonasteryisdestroyed."
Themannoddedheavilyuponhearingthatreport.
Then,
"Kokuryuu.Yougocheckthesituationfirst.DasaiandReisen,youinspectthearea.Goseewhetheryou
canfindtheauraoftheRaven'sWing.Hou'oubiden,you'reonstandby."
Thethreematerializedcrowtenguflappedtheirwingsandflewhighintothetwilightsky.Theyflew
intotheairwhilecawingandscatteringblackfeathers.
Themanreturnedtothebackseatofthecar,closingthedoorveryloudly.
"Drive."
Afterhebrieflysaidthat,heslumpedhisbodyintotheseat,crossinghisarmsandclosinghiseyesasif
heweremeditating.
Thecarstartedupagain.
KogureZenjiroudidn'tsayasinglewordafterthatuntiltheyreachedSeishukuTemple.
"Yeah.That'sright.Itendedjustnow."
Theboyreportedextremelyhappily,placingthephonetohisear.
"Intheend,TsuchimikadoHarutoraranaway.Thingsreturnedtothestartingpoint.ButIdidn'tthink
thatguywouldusetheArmoredJuggernauts.Andthreeofthem,even.Isn'tthatbeautiful?......Uh,
what?No,there'snohelpingthat.WhenIgothere,healready......No,no.Yourrequestsaretooover
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thetop.IonlynoticedtheOnmyouAgency'smovementsintheafternoon,youknow?That'swhyevenif
Icouldcatchup......Ah,no,althoughI'mnotsurewhetherIcancatchup,therewasnohelpingitfrom
thebeginning......"
Theboyspokecontinuouslythroughthephone,buthestartedspoutingexcusespartwaythrough.
Hewasayoungboywholookedlikehewasinelementaryschool.Buttheplacetheboycurrentlysat
wasn'tanywherenormal.
HesatontopofapowertransmissiontowertothenorthoftheNorthStarMountain.Itwasaplace
aboutahundredmetersabovetheground.Althoughitwasveryfaraway,hecouldviewtheentire
regionsoftheSeishukuTemple.Theboydangledhisfeetinthiskindofplacethatitwasunimaginable
forsuchayoungboytoclimbupto,abitterexpressionemergingonhisredsunglasseswearingface.
"Anyways,it'salreadybasicallyover,soI'llreturntowhereyouare.I'lltellyouaboutthedetailsafterI
getback."
Sayingthis,theboyhungup.Heshookhisheadandmutteredwhilestandingupfromthetower.
"Ineverthoughtthatguywouldbesolongwinded.Ireallyjoinedupwithatroublesome'master'."
Howfoolish.Theboyfrowned.
However,
"Ahwell.Intheend,it'sstillworthalook."
Afterhequietlysaidthis,hejumpedoffofthetowerextremelycasually.
"......Doesitendhere?"
Jougenclosedhiseyesandbowedhisheadaloneinthedepthsofthemonasteryhehadbeenpushed
backintobytheopponent'sshikigami.
TsuchimikadoHarutora'saurahadalreadyleftthemonasteryashortwhileago.Thetwodefensive
shikigamiandtheArmoredJuggernautswerethesame.Thoughtheenemieshadalreadywithdrawn,he
didn'tdaresayanythinglikethatmeantthemonasteryhadwon.Theajariwhohadfoughtnexttohimin
thebattlehadvanishedatsomepoint.Thoughtheyshouldn'thavedied,hecouldn'tbelievethatthey
weresafeandsound.
"Whatacompletedefeat."
Hehadtoadmitthatpoint.Itwasstillanextremelyvividreality.
Eventhoughhehadtakentheinitiativetodestroythemainhallinordertoattemptresistance,hehad
endedupwithnothingatall.Allhehadaccomplishedwasturningthemonasteryintoruins.
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SeishukuTemplehadbeendestroyed.Thoughmaybeitwouldhavebeendestroyedifhehadn'tdone
anything,hehadgivenitthefinalblowbecauseofhisinexpediency.
Whatexactlyhadhelivedinthisworldforupuntilnow?Whatexactlyhadhestudiedeverydayand
resolutelyaccumulatedharshtrainingforuptothispoint?Buthecouldnolongerevenfindtheanswer.
Hisincompetencehadledtothis.Whatcouldhedootherthanacceptitresignedly?
Jougensmiledslightly,reachingintohisclothingandtakingoutaknifehehadcarried.Thiswasn'ta
magicaltool.
Rather,itwasanordinaryknifethatcouldbeseenanywhere.
Hethrewdownthesheathandbaredtheblade.Jougengrippedthehandleoftheknifeasifforminga
seal.Hepointedtheknifeathimself,closedhiseyes,raisedhischin,andexposedhisthroat.
"...Namu."
Afterbrieflychantingthat,hestabbedhimselfwithouttheslightesthesitation.
But,
"...Ugh!?"
Inthenextmoment,heopenedhiseyesinshock.Hishandscouldn'tmove.ItwasUnmovingGolden
Chains.Immediatelyafterwards,acrunchingsoundrosefrombehindhim.Jougenstayedinhispetrified
state,onlyabletoturnhiseyeballsinthedirectionofthatnoise.
Then,hiseyeswidened.
"......Rian."
"Youdidallofthishoweveryoupleased,butintheendyoujustwanttocommitsuicideonyourown?
Don'tberidiculous!DoyouthinkI'llacceptthat?"
Rianshowedupwithhishairamessandhisbreathingerratic,andhehimselfwasalreadytaxedtohis
limits.ButalightstillburnedinhiseyesashestaredonlyatJougen.
"EvenifSeishukuTemplehasbeenrouted,thatdoesn'tmeanthepeopleofthemonasterywillvanish.I
definitelywon'tpermitsuchanirresponsibleactionasabandoningthem.Jougen.It'stooearlyforyouto
die!"
Rian'sbodyshookoutofangeraswellasfromsomethingelseasheassertedresolutely.
ThismomentwasthefirsttimeRianhadoverwhelmedJougen.Jougenbithislip,theknifestillheldand
waiting.Ateartrickledfromthecorneroftheoldmonk'seye.
Part5
ThepathSenledthemtowasasmallmountainpaththathadonlyappearedrecentlyandthatnoone
outsidethemonasteryknewabout.BehindSenfollowedAkino,whohadconcealedherears,alongwith
NatsumeandthewomanwhohadnamedherselfasChizuru.BringinguptherearwasChizuru'shusband
Takahiro.
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ItseemedthatthemarriedpairTakahiroandChizuruwereoftheTsuchimikadobranchfamily.Though
ithadbeenadifferenttime,itseemedthattheywerestillworkingforthemainfamily.Indeed,itwasas
muchahistorical,legitimate,traditionalfamilyaswasrumored.Sencouldn'thelpbutsmileinsideashis
oldfriendsurfacedinhismind.
Atanyrate,thesetwoseemedtohavetakenuptheroleofprotectingNatsume.Senslowlyunderstood
theoverallsituationuponhearingtheargumentsbetweenthethreeofthem.Inanycase,the
TsuchimikadomainfamilyheadhadforeseenthatHarutorawouldvisitthemountainthroughdivination.
So,NatsumeandTakahirowhohadlearnedofthatforesighthadsilentlycometoSeishukuTempleby
themselves.Itlookedlikeshewasquitearesourcefulgirl.Atthesametime,hediscernedthatHarutora
waswaryofsomething.
Theskywasalreadycompletelyblackwhentheirgroupfinallyreachedthefootofthemountain.
Thegraycloudscoveringtheskyhadalsovanishedandthemoonthatshoweditsfaceilluminatedthe
surroundings.TakahiroandChizuruthankedSenagainandSenaccepteditwithalaugh.Ontheother
hand,thefacesofthetwogirlshadn'timprovedabit.Theyhadn'tsaidanythingwhiledescendingthe
mountain,andtheyseemedliketheystillweren'tplanningonlookingateachotherrightnow.
Sensecretlysmiledattheirinnocentfriendship.
Then,hesuddenlyopenedhismouthtospeak.
"Takahirodono,Chizurudono,althoughthisismypersonalrequestifpossible,couldyoutakeAkino
backwithyou?"
"...Senjiichan!?"
AkinoturnedtolookatSen,dumbfounded.Natsume'seyesalsowidenedandshestaredoverintently.
TakahiroandChizurusuddenlycouldn'thidetheirconfusion.Evenso,theyweren'tasflusteredasthe
children.
"......AlthoughI'mextremelysorry,wecannot."
Takahirobowedrespectfullyashespoke.
"We'recontinuingtoliveafugitivelifeinordertoescapetheOnmyouAgency'seyesandears.Also,
we'rewanted.Natsume'safamilymember,sothere'snohelpingit,butasfortakinginandplacing
someoneunderageinthatposition......"
"Oh?Takahirodono,youdefinitelyknowaboutthecircumstancesofthedarktemple.Thedarktemple's
thesamewithregardtostandinginanunlawfulpositionandfortakinginunderagepeople.No,the
monasteryseemscompletelydestroyednow,soit'snoteventhesame,it'sgreatlyworse.Livingwiththe
TsuchimikadofamilywouldbebetterforAkino."
"No,no,but......"
Takahirolosthiswords,hisexpressionweakening.Chizurualsopuzzledoverwhattosay,andNatsume
andAkinostaredateachother.Thetwogirlsmotionlesslywatchedthesituationunfoldwith
appearancesofnotevenknowingwhethertointerject.
Sensmiledinsatisfaction.
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"There'snohelpingithey,Hiyakuroubou."
Hecalledouttowardstheforest,andsuddenly,thetengumaskwearingHiyakuroubouappeared.As
expectedofTakahiro,heseemedtohavenoticedbeforehand,butChizuruandNatsumewere
momentarilytakenaback,whileAkinojoyfullycalledout"Tengusan!"
Hiyakuroubouneateneditsclothingandpulledoutapieceofpaperaccordingtoitsmaster'sorders.It
wasacontract.Senacceptedthatcontract,thensmiledproudly,givingittoTakahiro.
"ThisisthebriefcontractthatIreceivedwhenIwonahundredgamesofshogi[62]manyyearsago.
ThoughI'mverysorryforbringingitoutwhenthemanhimselfisn'taround,I'mnotsurehowlongI'll
havelefttouseitifIdon'tuseitnow."
Takahirotookthecontract,hisfacetwitchingasheturnedtolookattheoldman.Chizuru,whopeered
infromtheside,alsocouldn'thelpbutshowabittersmile.
Onthecontractwaswritten
'TheTsuchimikadofamilywillfulfilltherequestofSeishukuTemple'sSennomatterwhat.
TsuchimikadoYakou.'
"TThis,but......"
"What?"
"EEvenifyousaythat,it's......"
"Oh?Eventhoughleadershiphasbeenpasseddown,thisisindeedthecontractoftheTsuchimikado
familyheir.CoulditbethattheproperTsuchimikadofamilymightbreakacontract?"
Senspokeunconcernedlywithabrightsmile,butTakahiroworeadispleasedexpressionasifhehad
eatenabitterbug.
"Senjiichan."
Finally,shefeltliketheadultsweredecidingwhattodo.Akinotrembledslightlyonthesidelineswhile
speakingup.
Acomplexmixtureofanxietyandanticipationwasonthatface.Herfacewascurrentlywearingan
expressionthatsaidshewasgoingtoleavethenestitwasanexpressionSenliked.
"Akino.It'stimeforyoutoleavethenesttoo.......Tobehonest,we'velivedtogetherforalongtime......
Well,there'snohelpingit."
"HowcanI?BecauseifI......leavethemountain,then"
"No."
Sensmiledbutspokeclearly."Senjiichan."Senstaredasifsomewhattakenaback.
"Thatwon'tdo.Akino.Thenesthasalreadyburneddownandyoucannolongerreturn.Youhavetogo.
Thetimeforyoutoleavecannotwaitanylonger."
"BBut."
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"What,Iwon'tdiefornoweither.Youshouldgoseetheoutsideworld.Listentomethistime."
"Senjiichan......"
Akinocouldnolongersayanyotherwords.
Thatchildprobablyhadn'tresolvedherselfatall.Rightnowshewasjustconfusedaboutthesudden
situation.
ButnexttothetimidAkinowasafriendwhoencouragedher.Moreover,shewasafriendshehad
formedafirmbondwith.Sencouldresteasy.Akinohadtodepartnow.OnlySencouldclearlyseethe
fatethattheheavenshaddeliberatelywoven.
Intheend,Chizuruwastheonewhomadeherdecisionfirst.
ThecontinuallysilentChizuruwrinkledherbrowwithan"Ughhhh",then
"...Akinochan?Areyoureallyokaywiththis?"
"Hey,hey,Chizuru?"
"Quiet....So,Akino?Iwanttoproperlyhearyourreply."
"II......"
Akino,drivenforwardbySen,lookedatSenandthenatNatsume,asiflookingforsupport.Aftera
moment'shesitation,Natsumenoddedslightly.SensilentlypraisedNatsumeinhisheart.Shewasvery
composed,andhadagoodnature.Shewouldn'tstandstillwhenthetimetoseizeherfatecame.
AfterAkinolookedatNatsumenodding,shenoddedinresponseasherbodyshook.
"Iwanttogo."
ShetoldChizuruherthoughts.
Chizuru'sfacebrokeoutintoanamicablesmile.Ontheotherhand,
Takahirostillseemedunconvinced.Thoughhesawmorerealistic
problems,allhecoulddonowwasacceptit.Itseemedthatjustlike
before,theTsuchimikadofamilywomenweremoreimposingthanthe
men.
Sendecidedtoreleasethefinalmagic.
"Takahirodono,AkinohasdistantrelativesinTokyo.They'realsoa
traditionalfamilyrelatedtomagicforgenerations.Ifconvenient,please
trytoseethem."
"Eh!?SSenjiichan,isthattrue!?"
AkinostaredatSeninshock.Ontheotherhand,Takahirovisiblysighedslightly.Thoughhisconscience
couldn'tstomachdraggingachildlikeAkinointoafugitivelife,SeishukuTemplelookedquitedismal
now,evenifonlyitsappearancehadbeenruined.Incomparison,findingherrelatives,convincingthem,
andentrustingAkinointotheircaremightbewhatAkinohopedfor.
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"What'swrong,Akino,didyouthinkthethingaboutyourrelativeswasacompletelie?"
"It'sbecause......"
"Look,Itoldyoutheirnamebefore.Whydon'tyoutellTakahirodono?"
"Ah,well,that......"
ThoughSenurgedheron,Akinostammeredforawhile.Familynamesweren'tusedinthemonastery.
Becauseshehadneverhadtheopportunitytostateherfamilyname,Akinoseemedtobeunabletothink
ofitforawhile.
AfterAkinofurrowedherbrowsandponderedfiercely,
"Ah,'Ouma'."
Sencouldn'thelpbutlaugh.
"It'snot'O',it's'So'."
"......Oh,itis?Sorry.Noone'sheardmyfamilynameforalongtime."
Akinoexplained,embarrassed.Ontheotherhand,Takahiro'sfadedinterestflaredupagainandhisface
stiffened.Chizurulookedoverinsurprise,noticingherhusband'schange.Natsumestillhadn'trealized.
"Akino,pleaseintroduceyourselfproperly."
SenlikeamischievouslittlemonksmiledwhileindifferentlyurgingAkinoforward.Akinoadjusted
herposturewithanervousface,deeplybowingtoTakahiroandChizuru.
"III'mSoumaAkino.Um,well,ppleasettakecareofme......!"
SenreleasedthemagicandinstantlyboundthethreeTsuchimikados.
SenlookedatthethreeTsuchimikadosandthenthoughtforawhile.
YakousamaHarutorasama,didyoualwaysknowthatthiswouldhappentoday?Hecouldn'timagine
gettingtheupperhandoverthatgeniusinanythingotherthanshogi.Maybehecouldtryforlongevity.
Senlookedupattheskyinajoyousmood.
ThewhitemoonshoweditselfinthenightskyasitquietlyshonedownonSenandtheothers.
Translator'sNotesandReferences
1. (anma)and(yuudo)arepaperdollsshapedlikeasaddledhorseandabraveservant
usedasofferings.
2. (shippou)aretheseventreasures(gold,silver,pearls,agate,crystal,coral,lapislazuli)ora
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pieceofcloisonn[1](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloisonn%C3%A9)
3. Achineseandjapanesestringinstrument
4. Awindinstrumentmadefromashell
5. This.(http://www.shinsendou.com/gohei.html)
6. Notexactlyvodoo,butsimilarisa"human"shapeddollmadefromanymaterialusedasa
scapegoattoreceiveallthefilthandthecursesfromaperson,thusprotectingthem.
7. Aninnerrobecoveringthelowerbody.
8. A'seniormonk'whoteachesdisciples.Roughlymeans'onewhoknowsandteachestherules'.
9. Aplacewherewanderingmonkswouldstopontheirjourneys.I'mnotsureifthisisthe
appropriatetranslation.Chinese:''
10. Grandfather
11. Thissentencewasnotfullytranslated.Notsureaboutatranslationfor''.
12. Extremelydubioustranslation.
13. Ibelievethisrefersto'Kengyousama',whoseemstobesomeoneimportantinthemonastery,
andnotthedisciple.
14. Yakouiswrittenwiththewordforlight.
15. I'mnotexactlysurewhatsheistalkingabouthere.Mostlikelyforeshadowing.
16. I'mnottoosurewhatthissentenceistryingtoconvey.
17. Agroupofmalicioussnakedeities.
18. AnarchitecturalstyleofChineseoriginandlateradaptedbyJapan.Theroofslopesdownonto
foursidesandthenmeldsintoagableontwosides.
19. TheformalnameforaBuddhistmonastery,includingitsgrovesorgardens.
20. Afloweringplant.
21. Afourleggedgate.
22. Literalmeaningthattheydon'tcomeincontactatallandwillneverreconcile.
23. Miyoshiisactuallyaddressedas'SpecialSenserMiyoshi',butthatisfartooawkwardaphrase
tobeusedinEnglish.
24. AmainstreamschoolofJapaneseBuddhism.
25. Thereisawelldefinedtermforthis,butIcouldnotfindagoodEnglishtranslation.Inessence,
itmeansstatusandpowerandtheprivilegeofholdinganextremelyimportantritualofesoteric
Buddhism.
26. ThisisinEnglishintheoriginaltext.
27. ThedeificationoftheNorthStarinShingonBuddhism.
28. Asuperhuman,incontrasttohumanbodhisattva.
29. Thiswasadaptedabit.Yakou'snameis'',whichcouldberoughlytranslatedto'nightlight',
liketheNorthStar.TheNorthStarisoneofthemostimportantandvisiblestarsinthesky.
30. EssentiallyIndianOnmyoudou.
31. Theremaybeabetterwordthanthis.
32. Referringtospiritsight.
33. Priestsaretechnicallynotpermittedtodrink.'Hannyatou'isawaythattheysecretlyreferredto
alcohol.
34. Ahandballconstructedfromoldclothing.Basketballsized,Ithink?
35. Duh,buttheydon'tsharethesamecharactersorpronunciationintheoriginaltext.
36. 'Hokuto'iscallingouttothedragon.
37. Anidiomthatbasicallymeans'taketheplunge'.
38. Referringtohimselfinanextremelyhumblingmanner.
39. IbelievethissentencewasgarbledinmyChineseversion.Arecheckwouldbeveryappreciated.
40. RecallasimilarlightninguserinVolume8Chapter2.
41. Theoriginalversionofthisisalanguagespecificsarcasticcomment,Ibelieve.
42. Ihonestlycanmakenosenseofthisline.
43. Essentiallymeanshelivesanextremelymundanelife.
44. Fourleggedgate.
45. Notsureaboutthis.
46. SupposedlythistitleisactuallyamorespecificonetiedtoBuddhismunfortunately,Iwas
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1/28/2015
unabletotranslateit.
47. AritualofShingonBuddhism.Itinvolvesmakingofferingsofaconsecratedfire.
48. Iamnotsureifthisiscorrect.AcheckwiththeoriginalJapaneseversionwouldbenice.
49. .Theremaybeabetterword.
50. Thetermusedherereferstomonksthattrainedinmilitaryarts.Therewereseveralsuchtemples
startedaftertheHeianerathatdidsuchthings.
51. Backafterninevolumes.
52. redshotsblueshots?
53. Ibelievethisisametaphorforlightning.
54. Thisneedseitherromanizationorabettertranslationfromthemainsource.
55. Literally'thunderking'.
56. Afourleggedgate.
57. TwelvemajorgodsofHindumythology.
58. Amythicalfruitsaidtograntimmortalitytoitseater
59. The'How'of'Howdoyouknow'.
60. He'sofferingtoplayagamewithSen.
61. Thismaybe'reboot'intheJapaneseversion,justlikeTouji's.
62. GGYakou.
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