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ลำดับตอนที่ #4 : Chapter Two - The Sudden Disaster
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Chapter Two - The Sudden Disaster
Part 1
“Still not ready? How much longer do we have to wait, Hyoue?”
“Please, just a little longer.” Hyoue replied to the seemingly
impatient person.
The person waiting for Hyoue closed his eyes pensively and
walked away. Hyoue felt the wind blowing against him. The air was filled with
the ki of the youma and passed beneath Hyoue’s palm like a wind that would
swallow anyone. It was already dawn by the time the shredded remains of the
three people were discovered. This unbelievably serious situation completely
shocked the entire Kannagi clan. The Kannagi clan was undeniably astonished.
Before their reflexes could respond, the three defensively-prepared people were
killed, without anyone else even being alerted. The Fuuga clan had been
summoned in order to better understand the situation. Hyoue had gathered the
youma ki to understand who the enemy was.
"Hmm"
"T—this is...."
Quiet concentration. Hyoue gathered the youma ki in his
palms without letting any of it flow out. It was a very cold air. Even for
powerful practitioners, the ki provided sufficient reasons to fear it.
“This was caused by Fuujutsu, and was created by a practitioner
who is on a completely different level from my Fuuga clan. This practitioner
trapped the three victims in a wind kekkai and then killed them.”
Hyoue’s report was not in the least, beneficial. Any
practitioner could have easily deduced that from the sight of the incident.
“I understand that much. But, who did it?!”
“If you require a detailed report, I would like you to allow me
more time,” Hyoue replied indistinctly.
“Then do it quickly! You and your clan can act...”
“Everyone be quiet!”
At Juugo's angry voice, everyone present became silent. Juugo
then spoke in a consoling voice.
“So it's like that? Good job, you may retire... Right, how’s the
health of Ryuuya?"
Hyoue appeared surprised at that moment due to the Suzerain’s
concern over his son’s health.
“Yes… If he quietly recuperates, there shouldn’t be any
problems. However, he can no longer recover to the level of working for the
Kannagi clan anymore. This unworthy son really is an embarrassment.”
"It can't be helped if he is ill. Don't blame Ryuuya, just
focus on his recovery."
Hyoue bowed to Juugo’s words of gratitude.
“Yes… Thank you very much. I will now give instructions to my
subordinates….”
“Then please, I await your reply, Hyoue.”
The head of the Fuuga clan bowed silently and left.
***
The enemy was a Fuujutsu practitioner who loathed the Kannagi
clan. Naturally, everyone thought of a certain person who
had—coincidentally—just returned to Japan.
“It’s Kazuma! He obtained strength for revenge and returned to
Japan! My fellow clan members, let us destroy the traitor Kazuma. Find him
without delay and kill him!”
The person who made such an aggressive comment was the previous
Suzerain, Yorimichi. Even though he was retired, he still had the air of a
Suzerain. The entire clan loathed him, though he was unaware of it.
“Chichiue,
please. We don’t have enough evidence to prove that Kazuma did this.” Juugo
said in an attempt to stop Yorimichi's tirade.
“You—! Who but Kazuma could have done this...?”
“Yorimichi, please hold your tongue. When you speak like that,
it becomes impossible for us to discuss the issue.”
Genma coolly interrupted Yorimichi's ear-shattering ranting,
with a cold look that clearly expressed his scorn. The truth is, Genma looked
down on Yorimichi with disrespect from the depths of his heart. To him,
Yorimichi was a person who had no strength apart from scheming, yet was chosen
as the Suzerain. In Yorimichi’s thirty years as Suzerain, the strength of the
Kannagi clan reached rock bottom. Yorimichi's inability to control the
representative sword of the Kannagi clan and his inability to pass the sword
onto someone else resulted in it being buried deep in the warehouse before
Juugo’s succession to the Suzerain position.
However, Genma was not thinking about such a foolish item. He
believed that the one to succeed the position of Suzerain should be the
strongest practitioner of Kannagi. Because of this, he did not hate the current
Suzerain, Juugo. Genma understood that his own strength couldn't compare.
Previously, he wanted to prepare his son to be the next Suzerain. This was not
really a scheme; he just wanted to train and prepare Kazuma to give him the
strength to become the next Suzerain.
Yorimichi didn’t have such beliefs, as he was the type of person
who only had ambition for power. Or, at least that was what Genma thought of
him. No matter how Genma tried to hide his thoughts, they were clearly revealed
as he further enraged Yorimichi. Despite their close blood relationship of
uncle and nephew, the hatred between the two deepened again.
“Y-You want to shield Kazuma? No... should I say that this is
your scheme? Allowing Kazuma to go outside the country, having him learn jutsu
to kill Juugo and Ayano, and finally letting Ren succeed the position of
Suzerain?"
Yorimichi turned his accusing finger towards Genma. This kind of
bad will was materializing like “sticky things connecting items together,”
agitating the rest of the crowd.
“That kind of idea would only come from someone with low scruples.”
For Yorimichi to say such things was an almost insulting
provocation. Genma did not try to contradict him out of the fear of making an
extremely disrespectful reply if he did.
“Chichiue, that’s enough!”
Juugo cut in, interrupting the insulting diatribe. He decided to
settle it by ordering Yorimichi to be taken away.
“Yorimichi, you must be tired. Please return to your room to
rest.”
“Wait, Juugo! Genma cannot be trusted! If you don’t listen to me
now, you will end up regretting it sooner or later!”
Yorimichi was hauled away like luggage. His harsh voice slowly
decreased in volume until nothing could be heard.
“I really am sorry for the insulting diatribes of my father.
Please forgive him on my behalf.”
Juugo placed both of his hands on the tatami in a slight bow.
Genma replied indifferently, “I didn’t pay attention. The reason for such words
is that the previous Suzerain cares deeply for the Kannagi clan.”
With an exchange of glances that instantly understood each
other, they smiled at the same time. The time for chatting was over, and it was
now time to discuss more serious matters.
“As the previous Suzerain said, the timing is too much of a
coincidence. It is better for us to meet again and talk.”
Genma maintained his silence from the start, perhaps because he
did not want to discuss his own son.
“Would Kazuma submit to our instructions willingly?”
“If he won’t submit, we will have to use force to bring him
here. Even though he has gained strength, he is still Kazuma. Two or three
people will be more than enough to capture him.”
“...That’s good, then. The selection of persons in charge of
this assignment will be your responsibility, Genma. No matter what, it is
necessary to bring back Kazuma quickly.”
“Understood.” Even though Genma had just received an order to
capture his own son, Genma was tranquil compared to others.
“Ayano-sama has returned!”
The serious expression on Juugo’s face began to relax. Genma put
on a highly energetic and fierce look as well.
“Oh, I'm back!”
She appeared without even waiting a second. Bah! She pulled the
sliding door open and caught everyone’s attention.
“I’m home, Otou-sama!
Ehh...? What’s going on?”
An assertive young teenage girl appeared before the crowd,
noticing the mood a moment later. Her long, pink hair that almost reached her
back flowed along with the movements of her head, representing the blooming of
a bishoujo.
At that moment, the 'dark and cold' atmosphere completely vanished. Her
spiritual energy completely cleansed the room's atmosphere in one breath. The
appearance of an unclear enemy who killed family members became muted. The
people who had been discussing this situation nonstop now faced a blinding
light. Their feelings of discomfort and distress completely vanished.
As if facing the rays of the sun, all movements in the dark
ceased to exist. The girl in the doorway, a girl who had the ability to
vanquish darkness with spiritual powers not unlike the power of light, was heir
of the Suzerain, owner of Enraiha and Juugo’s daughter: Kannagi Ayano.
“How’s the report, Ayano?”
Juugo tested his daughter with the same serious expression that
he used when asking other people. To him, that was the best way for a father to
guide his daughter.
“Excuse me.” Ayano at that moment finished bowing. “The youma
that was released was completely vanquished.”
“Hmm, good job.”
Finishing her report to the Suzerain as a practitioner, Ayano
innocently continued her questioning.
“So, what actually happened, Otou-sama?”
“Hmm——earlier, three people had been killed without being
noticed. This is a serious situation!"
Although they were distant relatives, Ayano quieted after
hearing how three people from the family had been killed. The 'serious
situation' wasn’t the fact that 'three people had been killed.' Rather, it was
because it was 'without being noticed.'
This was not some callous sentiment, but it was an understanding
of what was of primary importance. For a girl of only sixteen years of age, who
had such a strong will and discipline, it was surprising.
“Nobody saw who it was? A Fuujutsu practitioner?”
“Of course there's a suspect.” Faced with Ayano’s questions,
Juugo replied heavily, “...It’s Kazuma.”
“Who’s that?”
Faced with this kind of close and revealing speech, Juugo’s 'sun
vein' furrowed.
“Think carefully about your older cousin’s name... the one who
you fought against in the 'Succession Ceremony' for Enraiha, the representative
sword of the Kannagi clan."
“Older cousin... Could it be the Kazuma who left the family four
years ago? Could that even be called a fight?”
Juugo secretly spied on Genma’s expression to see if there were
any changes from hearing Ayano's blunt words. Genma's inner feelings were not
apparent, as his outer unreadable appearance didn’t change at all.
“Right, I heard he left the country... and trained elsewhere.
Later, he became a Fuujutsu practitioner?”
“That’s how it is. Supposedly, he returned to Japan recently and
changed his name to Yagami Kazuma. Yesterday, he met with the late Shinji
during a job, where he beautifully completed it. It seems like he has trained
very hard in those four years.”
“Kazuma... Looks like he hates us…” Finally remembering, Ayano
looked distant.
“It could be like that,” Genma replied without any facial
expression.
“But, even though it is like that, we cannot just kill him. If
it was done by him, we need to use his life to pay for the crimes.”
“If...?”
Ayano turned to look at Genma, searching for a clue as to what
Genma was thinking. Genma accepted Ayano’s look without any change. The one who
disinherited Kazuma and the one who provided the reason for his disinheritance
crossed gazes. The first to look away was Ayano. Strength as practitioners
aside, her life’s experience was immensely surpassed. In reality, even with
careful searching, she still lacked the confidence in her ability to win. Ayano
stopped her meaningless gaze, and turned to look towards Juugo.
“So, what do we do next? Eliminate him?"
After seeing his daughter say such words so easily, Juugo
immediately replied.
“We still cannot be certain whether Kazuma was the one who did
it, but no matter. We should find him and talk with him first.”
“...Yes...”
Perhaps due to the mighty power that Enraiha bears, whenever
Ayano was faced with a problem, she was inclined to use power to resolve it.
Juugo had always hoped that she understood her position as the next clan chief
and therefore had to be more flexible in her thinking.
“You have just finished a mission, you must be tired, today get
some good rest.”
“...I understand.”
Even though she did not seem pleased, Ayano still obeyed her
father’s words and quickly left the scene after bowing. The attitude she
portrayed by not even looking at Juugo showed just how unhappy she was.
“......This stubborn child.”
Juugo sighed as he muttered this. However, despite his tone
being so bitter, he was still unable to hide the overflowing love he had for
her.
Part 2[edit]
It was easy for the information network of the Kannagi clan to
find out where Kazuma was.
Finding him the next morning did not really require any special
methods because he used his own name to register into a hotel.
Consequently, at Genma’s command, two practitioners were sent
out.
Yuuki Shingo and Oogami Takeya were the strongest practitioners
of the branch families. Even though they had opposing personalities, they were
great friends. This combination, outside the main family, could be said to be
without equal.
From Genma’s point of view, he had thrown in the two strongest
cards at hand. However, the selection of the oldest son of the Yuuki family
might have been a deadly mistake. Why? That was because this man had absolutely
no desire to convince Kazuma.
“Kazuma, you bastard, I will cut you into ten thousand
pieces.”
“If he dies, it will be problematic. At least leave him with the
ability to talk when we take him back.”
As they waited for the upcoming report, they headed directly
towards Kazuma. Of course, they had absolutely no desire to persuade him;
however, they never expected that they would be assaulted.
“Is the report ready yet?”
“It’s going to be ready soon.”
This kind of discussion couldn't satisfy them at all. They
didn't know how many times they had asked. Given that the two of them were
still waiting to receive the same report, it didn't matter how much they asked…
“What the hell are they doing, that useless Fuuga clan! It’s
that one person, Kazuma; can’t they easily bring him over!?”
Shingo reprimanded angrily as they began turning the arrowhead
towards the Fuuga clan.
“This is worrying. The Fuuga clan might even be connected to
this situation.”
Takeya forcefully said some pretty words to sway Shingo. A
situation in which the Fuuga clan was shielding him wasn't impossible, after
all. Takeya's plan to insult them and redirect Shingo's anger was certainly
welcomed.
Thinking shortly, Shingo gritted his teeth angrily and said,
“damn it, they only have slightly sharper senses, what's there to be complacent
about?”
“Don’t say it like that. They're just a bunch of sad people with
non-discussable... Nil fighting power. Failing to do something this simple,
aren't they very pathetic?”
“That’s right, hahaahahahahahaaaaa…”
Just as Takeya had wished, Shingo had completely forgotten about
the issue of the reprimand. Hearing this sudden liberated laughter, Takeya had
a thought not unlike one from 10 seconds ago. “Still not ready yet?” Similarly,
he felt it to be very slow and lengthy.
“Incoming, in the area right ahead, about 500 meters. Looks like
he hasn’t noticed.”
Suddenly, amidst the conversation between the two, a voice
appeared. It was from a jutsu used by the Fuuga clan called “Method of
Summoning/Calling Spirits”. It allowed the wind to carry voices over large
distances.
“He’s coming! I won’t leave him any limbs, arms or legs. Burn it
all! Let’s attack!”
This was not voiced for anyone to hear, only Shingo’s mumblings
to himself. It could be seen from his hatred-filled eyes that his passion
certainly could be really problematic.
Shingo rattled on about how he would execute Kazuma. He hoped
Kazuma would at least put up some resistance before dying so that he and Takeya
could slowly torture him to the brink of death. Shingo was determined to make
Kazuma suffer as painfully as possible.
Takeya pulled a small distance away from Shingo from this,
thinking 'so this guy is this dangerous.' And so, the distance between their
hearts grew larger.
Just when a rift between their friendship was about to form,
Kazuma appeared.
They faced the apparently defenseless and casual Kazuma. Takeya
arrogantly greeted him.
“Long time no see, Kazuma!”
“…Oh, you're the successor of the Oogami family?”
Kazuma paused for a moment to recollect his memories. However,
Takeya took it as a display of shock as if Kazuma had just realized he was
being ambushed. His arrogant upraising mentality weakened Takeya’s
concentration.
“Do you know why we are here?”
Takeya questioned using a tone filled with superiority. At the
same moment, he calmed Shingo, whose eyes were blood-shot and whose heart was
filled with the desire to release his flames.
“No idea.”
Kazuma’s reply could not be any more honest. Yet, it was not
entirely without a sense of taunting. He used a joking action to exaggeratedly
shrug his shoulders and shake his head. As expected, he managed to piss Takeya
off enough for his veins to show.
However, Takeya succeeded in controlling his anger, and, after
recovering his cool, began to explain.
“Yesterday night, three practitioners of the Kannagi clan were
killed."
“Uhmm... and?"
Kazuma asked, with the same tone of supreme authority.
“The person who killed them was a Fuujutsu practitioner."
“……………………..”
“……………………..”
Their surroundings were covered in silence as a warm wind blew
through the dusk on Tree-Shadow Road. The red leaves began to dance lightly,
shined upon by a crimson sun that dyed them an even darker shade of red. This
was the beauty that appears before the darkness that controls the world.
“……………..”
The first to open his mouth was Kazuma. It seemed like he
detested the still silence even more than being stared at by the two men.
“So, what's the matter?”
“The Suzerain has things to ask you! Follow us!”
“It wasn’t me. Are you finished?”
Kazuma said, clearly showing his desire to leave. He suddenly
bounced to the side. An instant later, the space that Kazuma had just jumped
away from became engulfed in a fireball.
Kazuma looked towards the perpetrator. Shingo, using a tone like
a natural-born deep-voiced singer, shouted.
“Hm hm hm, what’s the matter, you finally admit it? Then, there
is no other way besides force to subdue you!”
At the same time, 'tongues of crimson' surrounded Shingo and
began to burn and dance.
Even though these flames were attached to Shingo’s body, his
clothes were not burned. He was exhibiting an unexpected level of precision.
As the flames continued to move on his body, Shingo became so
happy that his lips slanted. He proclaimed...
“If you refuse to talk about it, then you are very suspicious.
I’ll burn off your arms and legs! Lessening the weight will make you easier to
transport! I won’t kill you, but could you continue to live in such a
humiliating condition? After the Suzerain finishes his questioning, I’ll be
merciful, and kill you within one week! You can use that time to fully regret
your life. I want you to know that after killing Shinji, I absolutely cannot
allow you to continue living untroubled!”
Assuming that the future would be as Shingo claimed, Kazuma
nevertheless was still faced with watching the crazed, laughing Shingo as if he
was observing some kind of rare animal. He turned to Takeya and asked very
seriously...
“So the Kannagi clan still feeds this kind of thing?”
“—No, ahh….hu….”
Takeya really had no reply. He, who considered himself to be
normal, did not want to be associated with the thing next to him as though they
were of the same kind.
“Shingo always adored Shinji. Now he hates you for killing him,
he is quite within reason.”
“That’s why I said it wasn’t me.”
“Then please go and clarify everything with the Suzerain.”
“I am no longer part of the Kannagi clan. If the Suzerain has
business with me, tell him to come and look for me himself. Please pass it
along to him like that.”
“It seems … The negotiations have broken down then.”
In order to make good on his words, Takeya raised his 'ki.' He
then directed the surrounding fire spirits to dance with his conscience.
The surrounding temperature rose enough to be felt with the skin.
Even though the fire spirits had yet to materialize, the surrounding area had
clearly changed in physics.
Seemingly frightened by the emergence of such elevated fighting
spirit, scores of red leaves continued to flutter down, instantly changing into
ash and floating away before touching Takeya’s body.
Remaining subdued, Kazuma stood with his hands in his leather
jacket, watching the two of them. It seemed like he had no desire to confront
the Kannagi clan, though it was hard to tell from that kind of pose.
“This is your last opportunity. Yield humbly to us, Kazuma.”
Faced with Takeya's final ultimatum, Kazuma raised his middle
finger and said.
“Take a good look at yourselves before coming.”
Shingo and Takeya moved in complete coordination, releasing
their fireball attacks at the same time.
“Die!!!”
“You idiot!”
The instant they started their jutsu, the two believed that
victory would be definite. Two of the clan's strongest practitioners were
attacking at the same time. No matter what kind of strategy Kazuma had, facing
those two massive powers would be hopeless.
But...
Boom!
The fireball in Takeya’s hand suddenly exploded. He was
incredulous that the fireball had such a big categorical runaway explosion.
The fireball, leaving Takeya’s control, was like a wild animal
with its tooth pulled out. Even with the protection of the fire spirit, it was
impossible to shield against the crash of the explosion’s force.
The shock struck his entire body and Takeya was simply knocked
out.
(W, What? What just happened…? Shit, Shingo, leave….)
Unfortunately, Shingo had similarly lost consciousness, with
black and blue continuously pulsing on his face.
As Kazuma returned his hands into the pockets of his leather
jacket, he lowered his head to the two people before him. After flashing a
condescending grin, he walked right by the two unconscious persons' sides.
Contradicting his wish to leave immediately, Kazuma stopped. As
if feeling something, he looked towards the trees where there was no one.
“If you want to pick a fight with me, I won’t be merciful.”
At the same time, one of the trees split in half. There was no
noise from the chopped tree. A guarding Fuujutsu practitioner slowly slid down
from it.
Already forgetting to hide himself, this person stood while
dumbly staring at Kazuma. As Kazuma turned to leave, he became fearful. “The
one we lured was him? The prey we were hunting is this frightening
thing——?"
Part 3[edit]
“Seriously, father worries too much. I alone am enough. I don’t
know how many times I have repeated this. When will he acknowledge me? Am I
that untrustworthy?”
“The Suzerain acknowledges the young mistress' abilities, but as
a father he is simply worrying about his daughter.”
Confronted with the disgruntled Ayano, the man in his forties
cajoled her.
Ayano had been ordered to a certain temple in the city of
Yokohama Yamate to strengthen the weakening seal inside. Coincidentally, this
place was very close to where Kazuma had extorted every cent from his employer.
Basically, this was where he had exorcised only a few days ago. However, Ayano
knew nothing of this.
Upon arriving at the location and discovering that the seal had
deteriorated to a point beyond the previously assumed limits, Ayano immediately
discarded the idea of resealing it, instead deciding to eliminate the seal.
Without any attempt to test it, she immediately ripped off the seal.
One of her favorite sayings was, “this method is faster.”
People without significant confidence in their own abilities
would not say something like that. However, the two men that accompanied her
knew that she had the prerequisite abilities needed to complement such
self-confidence.
Certainly, Juugo also knew that she had this kind of ability,
but such worries of a father were within reason. Even if Ayano described Juugo
as stupid or foolish, most of time he still sent two or more people to protect
her.
“He always lectures me. 'Don't mix work with your private life.'
'Don't follow your own desires to do things.' Isn't that right, Uncle Masato?”
Still discharging her irritation, Ayano faced the said man,
Masato, the younger brother of the head of the Yuuki family.
“Because he is the Suzerain, he cannot mull over such minor
issues.”
A smile and a laugh appeared on Masato’s thin face. As a member
of one of the branch families, he certainly was not thinking about the
consequence, but it seemed like Ayano hadn’t really noticed or cared.
This man, Oogami Masato, although possessing strength greater
than his older brother, disliked scheming for the position of family head. And
so, he went off to Tibet to train like an eccentric person.
When he returned to Japan, he was ordered to protect Ayano.
Juugo held him in high regard, as from the first time Ayano went on a mission,
he was continually responsible for her protection.
Ayano also had good feelings about this easygoing relative.
Contrasting the princess-like treatment that most people gave her, Masato’s
causal attitude was quite refreshing for her and felt very good.
Consequently, they referred to each other (Uncle Masato and
Ojo-sama) as if they were a real family.
“Maybe if it's to allow the younger practitioner here to learn,
this kind of reasoning is possible. Isn’t that so, Takeshi…Takeshi?”
“Ahh, yes!?”
The younger practitioner was staring at Ayano with eyes of
admiration. Oogami Takeshi’s uncle had to call out many times before he finally
paid attention.
“Did you not hear… Stop staring stupidly at Ojo-sama, and be
prepared. We don't know when the seal will be released.”
“Yes, I understand! Just as Uncle has said! It is really a great
honor to be allowed to watch Ayano-sama's striking fight method!”
In an attempt to look good in front of Ayano, Takeshi
pointlessly shouted in a loud voice. He stared at Ayano with admiration and
reverence. After all, to Takeshi’s generation of practitioners, Ayano had the
status of a goddess. Being able to watch her striking method from close by,
while guarding her, was a task anyone would accept.
“Yes——It’s——like——this?”
“Yes, it’s like that!”
The exhilaration of being able to talk to Ayano flowed from
Takeshi’s entire body. Though, Ayano did not like being looked up to like that.
It gave her the feeling that she was separate from normal people, instead
becoming an entity that she didn't want to be.
Unfortunately, no matter how often she explained that, it was
useless. It was Takeshi’s only, yet simple, means of showing deference to a
much stronger and more beautiful existence.
“Ah, forget it. … It’s about time.”
Ayano, sensing the expanding ki of the youma, relaxed and turned
herself towards the main hall. Her miniskirt started to flutter and dance.
Now, why would Ayano be wearing her high school uniform?
This was not only to allow her to normally attend high school.
Since, if you thought about it, the best outfit for a high school student was
their uniform. So, Juugo focused upon this point and added, within the range of
his abilities, the best class of defensive spells to it.
The uniform, in order to allow better transpiration, was woven
from the best type of silk there was. That is, during the process of fabrication,
air was mixed into it. Furthermore, everything was sewn from expensive
materials.
As a result, a high school uniform was made from extravagant
amounts of money and time. It would not be wrong to call it a work of art;
since, the high cost certainly made it worthy. The money placed into this
uniform was enough to buy a car, or even a luxury house.
Of course, Ayano paid attention to wear this outfit, not because
of its capabilities, but because it was a gift given to her by her father. As a
result, she frequently wore this outfit in combat.
In this uniform, the world’s most expensive combat outfit, Ayano
watched as the seal began breaking. She took a deep breath and started moving
and warming up her own inner strength.
Pah!
A clapping sound started to vibrate within the room. Ayano
opened her two closed palms. A flaming line appeared between them. She grasped
it with her right hand, swinging it horizontally.
The meter-long, burning line instantly materialized into a
crimson sword.
There was no blunt side to this bright crimson sword, as it had
two edges. The blade of the sword was surrounded by a golden flame, releasing
vivid beautiful light. It was as beautiful as one could imagine.
The sword was the Kannagi clan’s supreme treasure, Enraiha. It
was awarded to the Kannagi clan’s founder by the King of the Fire Spirits. It
has been passed down and used to defeat evil ever since. '
Ayano lifted Enraiha upwards, grasping the sword with her other
hand as well and making a downward stroke. Golden pieces of the flame trailed
behind it, spreading in all directions. In an instant, she beautifully stopped
the sword before her eyes. Whether it was done ten thousand times or a hundred
thousand times, this was a beautiful motion that could always be appreciated.
The vase of the shrine approached its limits and, with a “pong”
sound, burst open. Even before the pieces could finish falling, a white light
shot towards Ayano.
Ayano made a downward stroke with Enraiha, attacking the light
head on. Upon contact, the white substance gave off a sound like sprinkling
water on a burning hot pot and vaporized.
“Ugh, it’s sticky.”
Ayano mumbled after seeing it disperse in all directions. The
material was connected by thin threads.
She redirected her vision to the inside of the main hall, seeing
a few dots of light. The thing slowly moved forward and revealed itself.
“Wah…”
Ayano, inadvertently surprised, let out a gasp. The thing that
had appeared was ——
Possessing a great number of eyes and beyond eight feet, covered
with dirty yet rigid fur, the segmented animal produced sounds like “kulah,
kulah” as its legs brought it into the open. Anyone would shiver upon seeing
its full appearance, a monstrous spider freak.
“Earth Spider huh... Need help?”
“Not necessary.”
Ayano immediately replied. Though it produced a very disgusting
feeling, there was no time for complaints. It seemed like she was more afraid
of disappointing her otou-san, and fighting against spiders or cockroaches was
nothing in comparison.
(Come...)
Summoning fire spirits does not require chants and such. As if
following Ayano’s thinking, fire spirits assembled themselves and flew into
Enraiha. The light of the flame became even brighter, shining along the sword's
blade.
Within the range of her awareness, Ayano continuously summoned
more spirits. Juugo had instructed her many times, "Don’t be like other
practitioners. The spirits are not commanded; you can’t be too arrogant."
“The spirits have the same level of existence as we do.”
Juugo frequently repeated this saying, that spirits were the
means to safeguard the existence of the world’s order. The Kannagi clan had a
contract with the spirit king, and the spirits were only helpers.
Of course, Ayano also understood that her own strength was
borrowed. The power was gifted for a short period of time, and only to seal or
vanquish the inconsistencies in the world’s order.
Therefore, she was not ordering them, because such matters were
unnecessary. If the correct way of thinking was clear, the fire spirits would
certainly answer.
Having respect for the world, not obtaining huge power or being
arrogant. Ayano, no matter what, always called out to them like this: “Please,
lend me your strength…”
“V… Very formidable…”
Takeshi watched, dumbfounded as the enormous number of spirits
gathered into Ayano’s body. The amount of spirits he could manage was only one
small portion of hers. For him, it was the first time seeing the main family’s
power, as different from him as sky and ground.
“Ah, formidable, right!?”
Masato said, smiling to show off his own condition.
“Even though we said it recently, no matter how hard we work, we
won’t be able to reach such levels.”
His uncle’s reply already forgotten, Takeshi once again looked
at Ayano.
Ayano, holding Enraiha, continued to confront the earth spider.
(What should I do… looks like I can’t get close…)
Even though the summoned spirits were already enough to destroy
the earth spider, she really didn’t have the confidence given her distance from
it. Even though Enraiha was an ancient sword used for summoning, it was
necessary to employ it to its fullest potential.
In other words, she had to close in and puncture or split the
earth spider, then, from the inside, burn its body completely.
(Of course, if that was done, more sticky stuff will probably
fly out from the cut… after the explosion, the body's pieces would fly
everywhere… and if it's female, after opening its skin, hundreds of spiders
might come out… No———!)
Just thinking about it made her hair stand on end. Inside, Ayano
started complaining bitterly. If Takeshi could have read Ayano’s inner thoughts
then, his own thoughts of reverence would probably have disappeared.
The earth spider seemed to seize the opening that Ayano's
mulling gave. Using its long legs it made a 'palapala' sound, as it turned its
body and started moving.
“You want to escape!?”
Suddenly, white silk spat out from the tail towards the pursuing
Ayano. At the same time, she pulled up Enraiha to face it.
Golden flames emerged from Enraiha, burning the spider’s web.
Unfortunately, because of the blockage by the silk, Ayano still could not get
close to the earth spider.
Ayano could only stop and focus her mind. She took a deep
breath, tuning her ki, and calmed down.
(This kind of thing can’t do any real kind of obstruction. I'll
just kill it in a few seconds.)
Lifting up Enraiha, she performed a downward swing with her full
strength. The golden flame, the highest level of fire purification, not only
completely burned down the earth spider’s web, but also closed in directly on
the earth spider itself.
Kaboom!!
With the sounds of the explosion, the earth spider was
surrounded by flames.
“Got…Gotcha…?”
But, as Ayano dubiously mumbled while looking into the flames,
what emerged was only a white cocoon-like object. What really surprised her was
the “pishpish” sound of it splitting open.
Pang!
Like a thin layer of glass shattering, the middle of the cocoon
split open and the earth spider reappeared, completely unharmed.
The webbing apparently contained some special component that
could block spiritual energies. The spider had used that covering to hide its
body and avoid the purifying powers of the flames.
“...It’s~ it’s quite formidable, hu~”
Ayano sang. At first glance she seemed very calm, but a careful
study would reveal that her sun vein had already risen.
Ayano did not attack with full strength, but her confidence
ebbed when she saw it being completely deflected.
“Only a little bug, don’t be so haughty ——!!”
Resonating with Ayano’s anger, an even greater amount of fire
spirits gathered. There was no materialization, but in the vicinity, enough
spirits gathered to equal a volcano opening.
“Then… regretting it now?”
Accompanying her anger, Ayano entered a selfless state. Her
composure was completely engulfed by anger, and transformed into strength.
She continuously summoned stronger and even stronger spirits.
This time, it wasn't directly released into a single area but, using her
immovable strength of mind, was released into one direction.
This time, Ayano held Enraiha perpendicular to her body. Focused
on running after the earth spider, she took a deep breath and released it with
a sharp “kiai.”
“Haa!!”
In an instant, the flame flew into the earth spider’s body. Its
abdomen expanded and exploded, transforming it into a miniature torch.
Within this seemingly small torch gathered the entire area’s
fire spirits. The explosion of the fireball continued to expand. This time the
earth spider was definitely transformed into ashes.
Nothing was left. The pieces of the spider’s body and the youma
spirit around it had been completed purified. Now, the temple where the youma
was vanquished finally filled with the tranquil air that temples should have.
If an attack from the outside could be defended against, simply
attack from the inside. Even though describing it was easy, actually doing it
was close to impossible.
This was like the world’s own close relationship with the
spirits. Like the life force of living beings.
The body of living beings that have water cannot remain
unaffected by water spirits, and living beings that have heat house fire
spirits within their bodies.
Though youma materialize, they can’t escape this rule.
However, in ordinary circumstances, controlling the spirits
residing within the body was impossible.
These kinds of spirits, infinitely close to a living beings’
survival instinct, hold enormous willpower. The origin of life does not allow
control to anyone.
Even a genius can’t control it easily as he would like. But in
this world, no matter what, there are always people who spend their entire day
saying 'logical boundaries' are for foolish and sad humans.
“Heh. It was this kind of thing.”
Ayano released a pleasing smile and turned around to go back.
“Then, let’s go! ...”
She couldn’t continue her dialogue. Ayano stupidly stared at the
two’s body language. Probably, the bigger body was Masato, and on its left was
Takeshi's body. Everything seemed to be just fine.
But——
(How come there’s no head…?)
The two were standing naturally. The taller one still had both
hands in his pockets, and the other seemed unable to control his exhilaration,
holding a fist in front of his chest.
It didn’t seem odd that they had no heads, for whatever reason.
Ayano looked toward the ground, where two round objects entered
her eyes. Ayano stumbled, nearly falling over, but steadied herself. She knelt
down and lifted one of them onto her knees. Even though it was quite heavy,
Ayano smiled as she smelled the odor of the person that she really liked. Ayano
hugged the head of the one who, from a very young age, fought together with her
and taught her the ways of survival. Quietly, she mumbled.
“Uncle… head… fell down… uh…"
Ayano sadly smiled as she tried to put Masato’s head back on.
Hoping that by doing this he would return to life, she stubbornly forced the
head back on.
As if mocking Ayano, an unseen blade lightly carved into
Masato’s body. In a second, the big body split apart into hundreds or even
thousands of slices of meat.
His heart had stopped pumping a while ago, so fresh blood did
not fly out from the sharp cuts.
Although there were no sounds of flowing blood or breaking
flesh, strangely enough, it still gave people a feeling of reality.
Under the blowing of the wind, Masato’s body came apart without
a sound. As if it had gone through a paper shredder, the pieces of meat danced
in the sky like flower petals.
Ayano watched the frozen picture.
Drip.
Accompanying the sound of a water droplet, something fell on her
face. Ayano unconsciously tried to remove it.
It was a bright red piece of meat, which still had some
remaining warmth. Ayano’s consciousness seemed to pass through a filter as she
realized what was on her fingers. She only recovered a small amount.
“No...”
It had once been a part of Masato’s body, but now he could no
longer be described even as a corpse.
“I don’t want this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
At that moment, Ayano's screams could be heard far and wide.
"Kukukukuku—————"
This sound that vibrated through the air, the snickering sound,
wasn’t directly sent to the brain. To better describe it, accompanying this
“snigger” were some strong feelings. This derision towards the opponent’s “awareness”
seemed to provoke and annoy Ayano.
Faced with the appearance of the enemy, due to frequent training
of the body and spirit, Ayano instantly entered fighting mode.
She buried deep within her the feeling of anguish, substituting
it with the feelings of animation and anticipation.
Directing her anger towards her opponent, she challenged it...
"Come out!"
Ayano had already surpassed the limits of anger that could be
expressed on a human's face, though she seemed determined that she could. She
looked up.
It was that thing. In front of a branch on a huge tree
stood a human shadow, completely without fear of danger and with its right hand
resting in its pocket.
Since it was a place without much light, she was unable to
clearly see her opponents face. It didn’t really matter, though, since the
overflowing of evil ki already told her 'this is an enemy.'
Ayano silently swung Enraiha upwards.
There was no need to know who it was, nor was there the need to
accumulate strength. All that was required was to calmly mix in the killing
intent and kill it in one strike. The sharpened killing intent transformed the
burning sword blade, whose flames flowed upwards.
Moving lightly, clearly defying its weight, that thing
avoided the slash, leaping high onto the roof as if flying. That thing
looked down towards Ayano, slowly moving its body as if to say "chase
away."
This was clearly a trap, but Ayano bravely accepted this kind of
provocation.
(Even if it is a trap, it doesn't matter, I will definitely
annihilate you.)
Deep within herself, she was submitting to such a type of anger.
Ayano had already begun a rampage for revenge.
Part 4[edit]
In the sky, the ki of a youma suddenly appeared.
“Hmm…”
Kazuma suddenly looked toward the sky. To conceal itself, it had
gathered bit by bit in the sky. Suddenly, a wind blade flashed out. Kazuma had
absolutely no time to defend, and even flying backwards to avoid it took his
full effort.
The wind blade passed right by Kazuma, who was still rolling
away, and then, slightly changing its angle, sliced the Fuuga practitioner,
Shingo, and Takeya in half with one strike.
“Wait! Wait a second!!”
Kazuma yelled mindlessly as the situation changed into something
that he had not predicted.
(I... I was actually ambushed!?)
Actually, it was the first time he had been ambushed.
Furthermore, it was an ambush with wind spirits? No matter who had summoned
them, it was impossible for Kazuma not to feel the gathering of such a degree
of wind spirits. No matter how great the Fuujutsu practitioner, the use of
Fuujutsu could not deceive Kazuma. This was not a question of the difference
between abilities, but that the rules were thus.
However, what had just occurred was that impossible situation.
Kazuma immediately broke off his thoughts, focusing towards the thing in the
sky.
“What’s… that thing...?”
A really small object, perhaps smaller than 20 mm, was floating
in the sky about 20-30 meters above. Near it, five things rose and flew out.
“Someone’s hand…? Doesn’t seem so... red leaves…?
No matter how he looked, it didn’t seem like it was flying in
the sky. It wasn't controlling the wind. With a questioning look, Kazuma
suddenly discovered what that thing really was.
It was a human hand. A strange human hand was flying in the sky.
However, even recognizing it didn’t solve anything, as it still couldn’t change
the fact that three people had been killed.
(Anyways, first let’s defeat it!)
Kazuma mumbled in a voice that only he himself could hear. The
thing that looked like a hand flew higher into the sky... and disappeared.
“Wait! What are you actually thinking!?”
Kazuma protested to the wind spirits, as this was clearly
against the contract. But, the spirits only made an uncertain sound, and they
certainly couldn’t tell Kazuma the location of the strange human hand that
disappeared.
“What's going on…”
The miserable condition in front of his eyes, the corpses of
Shingo, Takeya and the Fuuga practitioner, seemed just as if it was done by
Kazuma.
The spirits disobeyed the contract? —— Impossible.
If Kazuma were to hear this kind of situation from someone else,
he would have highly doubted the mental state of that person. This was why what
just happened was a very irregular situation.
The spirits did have cognizant qualities. Initial Principle ——
it was when the world was first created. Immutable laws were created alongside
this existing world, and the spirits obeyed them, allowing this world to remain
intact in this kind of shape and reality. Bees have to live in a beehive, and
one part of himself recognizes his own existence. The portion, even if it had
intelligence, couldn't possibly think. And of course, it was impossible for
spirits to have the type of free will to break a contract.
If the spirits had the free will to move about, then the laws of
science would be broken. The world would be destroyed within three days.
All of the wind spirits should obey Kazuma's command. Even the
spirits contracted with that thing had to follow that rule. But it
didn't...
“An exception...”
Kazuma thought of the worst case scenario, and sighed weakly.
(There’s someone like me? No way…)
It made him lose his enthusiasm just by thinking about it.
Perhaps he could be considered lucky... Of course, Kazuma did not want to think
this way at all. He now had no spare time to indulge in thought.
Since he sensed a massive amount of fire spirits coming towards
him.
(So even Ifrit
has come here? Crap, when did Japan become a world of youma!?)
Even before he finished composing his thoughts, a situation
appeared that he could not have predicted.
What emerged was not Ifrit, but a young girl. She had red flames
and eyes of burning hatred, holding accumulated power in her right hand.
“Kazuma—— !!”
The strength of the fire spirits that gathered in her right hand
had already crystallized. Ayano seemed to have made up her mind that moment.
Chop!!
Ayano quickly entered the rapidly retreating Kazuma’s vision,
swinging the red sword that was, for the Kannagi clan, more important than
anything else. It was the sword that had made his life very chaotic.
Faced with the godly sword that he would have preferred never to
meet again, Kazuma yelled,
“Enraiha!? Are you Ayano!?”
The only answer was a sword flash from Enraiha. Kazuma tried his
best to explain to Ayano, who was filled with killing intent and not listening
to anything.
“Hey, hey, wait a moment, this is a misunderstanding! They
weren’t killed by me… hey, you should listen to what other people are saying!”
Flaming white fireballs continuously approached. Kazuma kept
dodging and speaking, but Ayano seemed like she couldn't hear at all.
Ayano was already too angry and had already forgotten herself
due to the esteemed Masato's death. She had no time to listen to people
talking. Furthermore, given what her otou-san had told her, Kazuma was quite
suspicious.
Dang!!
“Hey!!!”
The fireball that Kazuma thought he had evaded suddenly
exploded, blocking his means of retreat. Noticing this, Ayano took advantage of
the explosion to appear in front of his eyes while swinging Enraiha.
“Uncle’s revenge!!”
“!!”
With that, she did a two part strike with the intent of
splitting Kazuma like bamboo. Kazuma escaped by shifting his body sideways,
using his palms to catch the sword handle near its top. Facing Ayano’s fiery
anger and blood-covered face, he yelled,
“Otou-san? ... Genma died?”
However, even before he finished saying it, he realized that it
was a mistake. Even though Ayano and Genma’s relationship wasn’t so bad at
first glance, if Genma were to die, Ayano would not try to avenge him.
Another person appeared in his head. The “uncle” from the Oogami
family that Ayano had been very close to.
The name was probably...!!
—— Bam!
"Ugh..."
Suddenly, Ayano threw her head upwards and struck Kazuma’s chin.
Because of his pondering, his reflexes were somewhat slower. Though he quickly
evaded, the blow still caused dizziness and pain in his head.
Despite that, he calmly asked,
"Oogami Masato died?"
Ayano's face became even more somber. She forced so much
strength into Enraiha that its flames could be clearly seen even from a
distance.
(Seems like that had the opposite effect...)
Kazuma shrugged his shoulders, sighing. He had no more questions
to ask this person filled with such emotion. Faced with this confused, angry
little girl, anything he did would be useless.
However, he couldn't kill her. If he was to hurt Ayano, the
fool’s father, Juugo, would completely recognize him as an enemy. This had to
be avoided.
This was not because he feared Juugo, who was the Kannagi clan’s
strongest practitioner, but when he lived as 'Kannagi Kazuma,' Juugo was his
only ally. In order not to sadden him, he could only do one thing.
“Ah—— Ayano-chan? I’m —— leaving then, the issue with cleaning
up the corpses will be left to you. Then, see ya.”
Skillfully avoiding the tenacious approaching flames, Kazuma
escaped.
“——Wait, wait a second!”
Kazuma, turning his back to Ayano, leaped up, surrounding
himself with wind, and flew upwards about 10 meters, disappearing.
“Wha... Where did he...”
Kazuma floated directly above her as she continued to look
around.
Manipulating the air and changing the reflection rate of light.
Kazuma made himself transparent, just as if he was wearing an invisibility
cloak. If Ayano had looked closely, she could have seen the parts where waves
emerged from high heat, but as she was being controlled by anger and had
forgotten herself, she did not.
Kazuma took no pleasure in watching the troubled Ayano, but
thought about what he had to do later on.
From the looks of things now, the one who killed Shingo and
Takeya has made me his scapegoat. If even Oogami Masato's murder is blamed on
me... If they really believe that I am the one who killed Oogami Masato as
well...
Will this become an all out war with the Kannagi? Hmmmm...
interesting, but this feeling of being toyed with by someone else really
sucks... So then, what should I do now?
Hehe, hehe.
Kazuma burst out laughing. The Kannagi
clan and the mysterious Fuujutsu practitioner. Two of the strongest things in
the world were already assaulting his life. Of course, he could not ignore
this.
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