Volume 2
Chapter 1 Part
3
Distant
Reverberations, Desire to Set the Field Ablaze 3
Translator : PolterGlast
"―No need to
answer that."
As soon as the sliding
door was opened, a clear voice dominated the infirmary.
It was neither a
metaphor nor an expression, merely a single, clear voice and it changed the
atmosphere of the infirmary, not to mention Genji and Akira.
Genji was about to ask
who it was, but as soon as he recognized the person on the other side of the
door, he stopped moving, as if frozen in place.
―Who was standing there was a young girl.
She was around 12
years old, and looked so graceful and attractive.
She had beautiful long
hair that almost reached her waist, and a face that reflected the radiance of
her inner strength.
Her flawless, supple
curves were wrapped in a delicately tailored Rinzu Kimono made of the finest
silk, over which she wore her favorite and famous cherry blossom-dyed shawl.
A small family crest
sewn on the chest area of the Rinzu Kimono was swaying.
A phoenix pecking at a
bead from above to below, surrounded by a sun crest with phoenix wings forming
a border.
The next head of
Kihouin, one of the Shi-in and the highest status in Shumon Province.
―None other than Kihoin Tsuguho.
With two girls
accompanying her, Tsuguho stepped into the infirmary without any hesitation.
"I know this may
seem rude, but I must beg your pardon given the subject of your
conversation."
"Y-You are,
...... the Princess of Kihoin. It is a great honor for me to meet you. ......
What business does the Princess have to visit me in person? I am sorry, but I
am currently in the midst of something important-..."
Genji, who had been
stiffened by Tsuguho's sudden visit, finally recovered and rose up from his
seat and bowed.
"Yes, I know.
...... Since my visit is also related to it."
"That's............?"
While Genji was about
to ask her what she meant, Tsuguho turned her body toward Akira.
Facing the gaze of a
nobleman of the highest rank, comparable to Gioin, Akira was visibly hesitant
to meet her gaze.
Seeing Akira's anxious
expression, she opened her mouth with a soft smile which seemed to ease Akira's
vigilance.
"Nice to meet
you, Akira-sama. My name is Kihouin Tsuguho, and I am the next head of Kihouin,
which governs Shumon Province. Congratulations on your victory in defeating the
Hyakki Yagyo last night. ―I would like to talk to you about this matter and
future matters."
"―Wha!? Please,
hold on a second!! Akira is currently in the process of being interrogated for
having obtained a spirit vessel without permission while not registered as a
citizen of Karen! Can you-............"
Upon hearing Tsuguho's
words, Genji's complexion changed.
Even though he was
aware of the rudeness of interrupting the words of Tsuguho, who is a
high-ranking figure, he still dared to interject from the side.
It's only natural.
Akira's official
standing is that of an outsider commoner who has migrated from outside the
province.
In terms of standing,
he is considered to be one step short of a mountain dweller who is not
registered with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and is considered to be on
the same level as a reserve army of criminals.
On the other hand, the
Kihoin Tsuguho is the highest-ranking family that rules over Shumon Province,
both in name and in reality.
There should never be
a situation where two people in diametrically opposite standings could have a
face-to-face conversation.
Although Genji's
behavior was considered disrespectful, Tsuguho still looked at him without
raising a single eyebrow.
"...... The 8th
garrison captain, Asogi Genji, correct? Your command and coordination regarding
the defense of the midstream of the Tatehami River during the Hyakki Yagyo was
excellent. It is probably the best possible command that could be made by a
single garrison. You will receive your merits at a later date, and I will not
make you look bad."
"I-I appreciate
that. B-But at the moment-"
"I am well aware.
Regarding Akira-sama's suspicions, right? ―Regarding that matter, Kihouin has
determined that there is no problem at all, and will not pursue the
matter."
"Ha~a!?"
In response to
Tsuguho's announcement, Genji's mouth fell wide open in disbelief.
Again, Akira is
currently being treated as a criminal.
The reason for this is
that it is a clear fact that Akira used a spirit vessel without permission and
there are many eyewitnesses to this.
A spirit vessel is a
symbol of military power for the nobility and is also proof of the significance
of their existence as a nobility.
If one belonged to a
noble family, there would be at least one spirit vessel in the family, and
inheriting a spirit vessel was regarded as a symbol of being the head of the
family.
A long time ago, the
inheritance of a spirit vessel was considered so important in the noble family
that anyone who unintentionally touched it would have been sentenced to be
executed in legitimate self-defense.
Not only touching a
spirit vessel, but also pouring spiritual power into it and wielding it.
It was obviously a
serious violation on Akira's part, and Tsuguho's statement that the matter
would not be pursued without a second thought was something close to an insult
that could not be comprehended by anyone even the strictest of judges.
―And the same was true for those who followed Tsuguho.
"H-Hold on,
Tsuguho-sama! What do you mean by 'will not pursue the matter'!?"
From behind Tsuguho, Banda,
the commander-in-chief of the garrison, came rushing toward her, gasping for
breath.
"T-That person
not only illegally obtained a lost spirit vessel, but also dishonored the
dignity of the nobility by wielding it!! I hear that he is a lowly commoner who
has migrated from outside the province. Why would Tsuguho-sama personally grant
an amnesty to such a person......?"
Amnesty. In other
words, to overlook any and all apparent criminal acts that took place there.
Everyone in the room
froze upon hearing Banda's words.
The amnesty, which
allows any crime to go unpunished, is the greatest privilege for those who rule
a territory.
While it has the
advantage of impunity, it also has the overwhelming disadvantage that any
further action taken by the pardoned person is the responsibility of Tsuguho,
and thus is a matter of trust, which is beyond one's control.
Of course, regardless
of whether or not there is a problem, once Tsuguho issues the order, she must
be prepared to suffer a certain amount of damage as a result of it.
There should be no
reason for Kihoin to go to such lengths to protect Akira.
However,
"There is no
problem. In the first place, this is not an amnesty."
"Haa~!?"
Banda opened his mouth
with a dumbfounded expression in response to being told that it was not a
crime.
The illegal
acquisition and use of the lost spirit vessel. No matter how one thinks about
it, this was a crime that would have been punishable by death if it were
committed by a commoner from outside of the province.
Since it was an
obvious crime, Banda's assumption that Tsuguho would not deny the crime
shattered.
"Besides, it is
not a lost spirit vessel."
"Then, what is
it?"
The spirit vessels
that were lost in inheritance disputes or in dark battles over the long years
are called lost spirit vessels.
Since these lost
items, whose knowledge had been lost, might provide whatever information
needed, such as output and grade, many of them had a performance that could be
mistaken for a sacred weapon.
Regardless of the
actual status of the lost spirit vessel, the spirit vessel that Akira wielded
was clearly of an exceptional grade.
It was not surprising
that Banda suspected it to be a lost spirit vessel.
"It belonged to
Kihouin. I, as the next head of the family, have granted its ownership to
Akira-sama."
"Wha!"
"You also said
that he is a commoner from outside the province, but Akira-sama is recognized
as a shrine parishioner at the Shusha Shrine. This should prove that the gods
have recognized him as a fellow human being worthy of this land."
In a sense, the
[Shrine Parishioner Lottery], which is a contract with the land gods, is an
element that is considered more important than anything else.
Confronted with an
unexpected fact, Banda was at a loss for words, but he quickly regained his
composure and began to add a few more words.
"H-However, there
is also the case that he performed [Higannue] without thinking of the damage to
the surrounding area. No matter how we think about it, he is just too
suspicious. Please, please reconsider."
"Too
persistent."
Banda persistently
refused to give up.
This was also a matter
of course.
Banda intentionally
put the 8th garrison in a dangerous position, and Akira personally took all the
credit for the successful eradication of Hyakki Yagyo.
After forcing the
garrison to be unnecessarily treated as pawns, the credit for the eradication
of Hyakki Yagyo, which he had planned to make up for the loss, was now gone.
If Akira, who had been
the great contributor to the victory, was not killed in secret, there would be
no tomorrow for Banda.
However, Tsuguho, too,
did not give a second thought to Banda's plight, and simply dismissed it.
"―Kuh, but,
Tsuguho-sama, how could you entrust a spirit vessel to an individual on your
own accord? Spirit vessels should be strictly controlled by us, the nobility,
and even if it is Kihoin, it would be too arbitrary for you not to say a word
to us."
Judging that there was
no way to use Akira, he quickly switched to blaming Tsuguho for her negligence.
Normally, this would
have shaken one's firm ground a little bit.
However, he was wrong,
"Banda."
The air surrounding
Tsuguho turned cold and heavy.
"Since when are
you in a position to tell Kihoin to ask for permission?"
Banda's assumption did
not go outside of the ordinary category of nobility, in other words, he did not
consider anyone higher in rank than himself.
Telling Kihoin to ask
for permission.
This is a clear act of
overstepping his authority over Kihoin, and regardless of whether or not he is
conscious of it, it is a fatal blunder.
When Banda finally
realized this, his face turned pale.
"N-No. We have
not the slightest intention to raise any suspicion against
Kihouin............"
"Hou~. Are you
telling me to ask for permission without even being aware of it?"
The fatal grave that
has once been dug will only get bigger with each defense.
Looking for a way to
make up for it, he desperately tried to mend the situation, but all he got were
empty words.
Perhaps fearing the
repercussions, the military officials he had brought with him also took a step
away from Banda.
Banda, now completely
alone and helpless, felt a shiver down his spine from the hot, sweat-inducing
atmosphere.
At first, he was just
trying to protect himself, but before he knew it, he found himself in the
middle of an unreasonable exchange of words as if a blade were being held to
his throat.
".............M-My
apologies. It seems that I got a little ahead of myself when I heard the news
that a spy from another province might have been found."
"―Then, are you
saying that our conversation here was not what you intended?"
"Of course not,
ma'am! ...... We will investigate the matter later, and those who spread false
information will be severely punished."
Is there another
culprit? As soon as Tsuguho implied this question, Banda immediately decided to
take advantage of it with all his might.
He hurriedly listed
the names of sacrificial pawns in his mind and bowed his head, which was
noticeably pale.
"I see. So, now
that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, you'll withdraw the warrant for
Akira-sama's arrest, right?"
"............ Of
course, ma'am. I will return immediately and have the arrest warrant
withdrawn."
"Very well."
Government bureaucracy
has always been about the process itself: making a reason, getting permission,
and getting results.
Strange as it may sound,
the result itself is not important.
Even though there was
no time to spare, it was true that Banda had already made up the reason and
moved ahead of the others to capture Akira.
He was using his
position as the commander-in-chief of the garrison as a shield to make an
arrest that was on the verge of overstepping his authority.
If Banda's judgment
were correct, it would be about time for a formal arrest warrant to have been
issued.
It would not be easy
to simply assert that the reason was a mistake and then pretend that it had
never happened.
To put it simply,
Banda had to produce some kind of result.
If he could capture
Akira, he would have solved the problem, but Tsuguho's rejection of his request
made that impossible.
On top of that,
Tsuguho had personally ordered Banda to withdraw the arrest warrant.
―It was no coincidence. Without a doubt, Tsuguho
understood the situation and the consequences and ordered Banda to handle his
blunder on his own.
At this rate, it was
doubtful whether there would be time left for him to make a scapegoat and get
away with it.
Banda's back shook
with humiliation at having been ordered to do such a troublesome task, even
though it was his own fault.
As Banda bowed in
resignation and turned on his heel, Tsuguho's voice was thrown at his back.
"―Banda"
"......Yes, ma'am"
"I'm a little
busy, so there may be a delay, but I'll evaluate the merits and demerits later.
In particular, I will be very careful in my evaluation of your work."
"U-Understood."
Since the internal
situation had been revealed to this extent, it was definitely not meant in a
good way.
Even so, Banda did not
show any facial expression, and with a slight nod of the head, he left the
place.
In his place, two
people whom Tsuguho knew well appeared.
"............Eh?
Tsuguho-sama?"
"Huh? Why are you
here?"
―It was Saki and Ryota.
The Four Sovereigns
and the Eight families are close enough to be allowed to address each other
directly even in their official capacities, and they have known each other for
a long time.
But apart from that,
the three of them were also related in some other way.
"Oh my~, it has
been a while since we last met at the academy. Are you two perhaps, undergoing
training as guardians?"
The three, who are the
same age, had entered the Tenryo Academy in Hisashi Province at the same time
this year.
Saki and Tsuguho, in
particular, are close in age and family, and they are also in the same women's
department at the academy, so they are quite casual when talking to each other.
"Yes. ......Umm,
Tsuguho-sama, what is your business here?"
"Well. I'm here
to talk about Akira-sama's future. ―Are you two acquainted with
Akira-sama?"
Akira-sama!!?? Hearing
Tsuguho say so, Saki's and Ryota's eyes widened in surprise.
Kihouin is the
highest-ranking family in Shumon Province, both in name and in reality.
It was a complete
surprise to both of them that Tsuguho, who was undoubtedly one of the few
top-ranking persons in Takamagahara, would refer to someone by an honorific
title, such as "sama".
Although Saki was
shaken by Tsuguho's words, she quickly held her composure and opened her mouth.
"I-I've only
known him for a short time. When I came to the 8th garrison, I had the
opportunity to talk with him several times. And he saved me when we carried out
a mountain hunt, so I offered my support for his [Shrine Parishioner
Lottery]."
"I see, then......"
Saki's words made
Tsuguho understand.
The reason why Akira,
who was still in his early years of duty, was able to receive the [Shrine
Parishioner Lottery] so early.
Although some
circumstances surrounding him were still unclear.
However, this fact was
also a blessing in disguise.
Since Akira was
recommended for the [Shrine Parishioner Lottery], at least Saki had no negative
feelings toward him.
Tsuguho then glanced
at Ryota who was standing next to Saki.
When the topic of
Akira came out of Saki's mouth, she could see Ryota's expression distort into
jealousy.
―With this alone, she was able to get a rough idea of
the relationship between the two.
"―I understand.
Well then, Saki-san, I have to take Akira-sama with me. And for further
explanation, could you please accompany us?"
"I-...... can't.
I'm so sorry. The truth is, I lost track of the spirit vessel that Akira-kun
once wielded. I'm currently in the process of dredging the riverbed to search
for it."
Or rather, she would
like to reject it with all her might.
Saki is the lowest
member of the eight families, so she does have the status to act as Kihoin's
attendant.
But, meeting the
qualifications and being able to do so without any problems are two completely
different things.
"......A~h. Sorry,
I guess I haven't informed you. Regarding the spirit vessel that Akira-sama
wielded, we already know its whereabouts."
"Eh!?"
"Now, everything
is resolved, yes? Then, please accompany me."
Without looking at the
surprised Saki, Tsuguho lightly intertwined her fingers on both hands and
smiled as though trying to persuade her with the atmosphere.
――――――――――――
TIPS: About Lost
Spirit Vessels
A lost spirit vessel
is a vessel that has been lost in the course of history.
There are various reasons
for this, but it is said that many of them were lost due to inheritance
disputes.
In fact, 90% of them
were damaged due to defiled beasts or territorial disputes.
Finding the lost
spirit vessels and using their power to defeat the evil feudal lords and revive
the fallen family is a popular theme in theatrical performances.
Some stories are so
popular that they are likely to be met with a general "no way", such
as the one in which someone slices through the clouds with a single swing, or
the one in which someone defeats an army of enemies and stands side by side
with the eight families.
By the way, since many
of the names and titles of the lost spirit vessels were added afterward, there
are nearly half of them that do not even retain their original names, which is
regrettable.
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