Volume 2
Side Story 1
A Private
Conversation Dances, Yet Leaves Nothing but Confusion
Translator : PolterGlast
--Somehow he reminded
her of Ugetsu Souma, but he was an ordinary boy who left no impression on her.
That was the extent of
Saki's impression of Akira.
Even though they had
exchanged a few words during their first meeting on a mountain hunt, and even
though he had saved her by a hair's breadth when she was confronted by the
Lord, she was still unable to memorize Akira's name.
She had helped him
register early with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs because she owed him
her life and thought it might be "a chance meeting between sleeves is a
fate of many lifetimes" *1.
*1 This
phrase means that even the slightest touch of sleeves with a stranger on the
road is due to a fate from a previous life, and that no matter how small the
matter, even a small negotiation with someone, it does not happen by chance but
by deep karma.
She thought it would
be a friendship that would end in a week anyway, and if by some chance they met
again, it would take some time to remember,
―That's about the extent of it.
The first time she
came to recognize Akira was when she was confronting the giant ogre.
She was looking at
Akira's back as he ran at full speed, having attracted the attention of the
giant ogre, and she looked at him with a feeling of dismay.
That was the first
time an individual named Akira was caught within her field of vision.
As the sun began to
set, the atmosphere inside the car running toward the first district was very
uncomfortable, even though the foreign element called Akira was gone.
Saki, who had missed
the opportunity to get off the car following Akira, continued to experience the
uncomfortable sensation of sitting on the back of the car.
Nabari Kazune, who had
replaced Akira, now in the car with Kihoin Tsuguho and Niikawa Natsu. Saki
glanced around at the three of them.
Rindo Saki was born
into a direct lineage of the eight families.
With the exception of
Tsuguho, she is higher in family rank than the other two.
Therefore, she did not
need to be afraid of them in terms of status, but the fact that Natsu and
Kazune acted under the head of the family raised concerns for Saki.
Their roles are like
Tsuguho's secretaries, who take turns serving by her side and assisting her in
both public and private matters.
They are second in
rank only to Tsuguho, the next head of the family, and in some cases they even
have the right to speak on behalf of the head of the family.
Saki, on the other
hand, although born in the same generation as Tsuguho, has no role in the
external affairs of the family.
Saki was naturally in
deep intimidation to speak to them, and she was at a loss as to how to address
them.
"Saki-san."
This uncomfortable
atmosphere came to an end when Tsuguho suddenly spoke up.
"I'm sure there
is something you want to ask me. You have that look on your face."
"Ah ......
no."
Tsuguho pointed out
with a gentle smile.
The smile that did not
raise any alarms made her open her mouth, but she could not put her words
together and stopped short while making her mouth agape.
Especially since the
other party is the next head of Kihoin.
Even with a smile
reminiscent of the melting of spring snow, it would be difficult to even guess
what she was really plotting in her heart.
Among those who are
regarded as the next generation of Sannomiya Four Sovereigns, Saki is the
youngest after Jinroi Kagura in Western Hakudou Province, but she is well known
among the Tenryo Academy for her strict attitude toward the standards of fairness.
Saki is very much a
daughter of a noble family. She understands that there is information in the
world that is good to know and information that is better not to know.
The question is
whether or not what Saki is about to ask is right for her to know.
After thoroughly
weighing up the questions she had, Saki made eye contact with Tsuguho.
"............With
all due respect, I would like to ask something of you, Tsuguho-sama. Why did
you lend Jakuen Gayou to him, Akira, no, to a commoner? Both Jakuen Gayou and
Rakuyō Zakuro are the sacred treasures and divine artifacts of Shumon Province,
aren't they!!?"
Divine artifact is a
general term for vessels forged in the realm ruled by the divine pillar.
They are the
materialization of the divided spirituality of the divine pillars and their
half-body, the divine realm.
In general, they are
powerful weapons, and when it comes to the divine artifacts of the Great Divine
Pillar that protects the southern part of Takamagahara, they are several times
more powerful and valuable than those forged by the local deities.
There are four divine
artifacts in Shumon Province.
Yashiori-no-Nabegane,
owned by the head of Rindo, and the Kushidoko-no-Ohabari, owned by the head of
Kuga.
―and the Jakuen Gayou and Rakuyō Zakuro owned by the
head of Kihoin.
The two divine
artifacts that have been bestowed to the eight families are well known, but as
for the Jakuen Gayou and Rakuyō Zakuro, which are also the treasures of the
Province, although their existence is well-known, even Saki had never seen the
real thing.
"Those swords,
huh? Those have been transferred to Akira-san under the legitimate authority.
―The contract has already been made, and there is nothing I can do about
it."
"...... Even so,
isn't it too much to give away the Rakuyō Zakuro. And it seems that even the
Jakuen Gayou wasn't completely under control yet."
Saki's protest, which
leaked out unintentionally, was not unreasonable.
Divine artifacts are
not only a symbol of the Divine Pillar, but also a symbol of the province.
If such items were to
be given out without permission, it would surely cause an uproar in the council
of the province.
For the council,
sacred artifacts are symbols of the province, because they want them to be
nothing more than a picture that fits on a billboard.
Besides, Jauken
Gayou's power that was shown before would also become a problem.
Legend has it that
with its single swing, the battlefield as far as the eye can see could be
scorched to ashes, and with that kind of power, it's understandable.
A commoner wields
Rakuyō Zakuro of the same caliber without even being aware of it.
Frankly, for Saki, it
was nothing short of a nightmare.
"Therefore.
Unlike the Jakuen Gayou, the Rakuyō Zakuro has its own characteristics. We
haven't made a formal contract yet, and in that case, we can just substitute it
with a spirit vessel that we don't have to worry if it breaks."
I wonder if that's
true. Saki looked skeptical, but she couldn't penetrate Tsuguho's smile.
"...... I have a
few more questions I'd like to ask you."
"Please
ask."
"It's about the
spirits of the underworld. ―Why did you lie to him?"
Tsuguho, while facing
Saki's increasingly sharp gaze, hid her mouth with the back of her hand and laughed.
"I didn't lie.
―I'm sure you know that I can't lie, don't you?"
Sannomiya the 4
Sovereigns, the descendants of a demigod and a demi-human, are bestowed with
the authority that comes with inheriting the blood of the divine pillars.
As the top of the
race, they have absolute power of speech, forcing people to obey them.
It is a tremendous
authority.
Especially when it
comes to those in high positions of power, it is an unparalleled weapon.
On the other hand,
however, there was a drawback because this compelling power also applied to the
Sannomiya the 4 Sovereigns themselves.
They could not tell a
lie.
If they did so
intentionally, they would have to be prepared to pay a heavy price.
"Please don't
deceive me! I have some knowledge about the spirits of the underworld.
Isn't it because they
have disappeared from this world that they are called the underworld? It is
impossible for them to merely reside in people!"
In front of Akira, she
avoided mentioning it because she did not want to get into trouble, but the
spirits of the underworld are well known to a certain extent.
As the spirit
continues to ascend, it will eventually take on a divine energy and become a
divine spirit.
When they continue to
ascend, they ascend to the top of the divine pillar and become land deities.
The state between the
divine spirit and the land deity, waiting to hatch into the divine pillar, is
called the "spirit of the underworld".
Naturally, they must
possess powerful spiritual power and divine energy, but there is no way that
such a being can appear in this world.
"I am not lying.
―I was just explaining about the spirits of the underworld. It is up to the
individual to determine how they perceive it."
"That's ......,
then why did you do that ..................?"
It was not a lie. Then
why mislead him?
If there was no
circumstance for Tsuguho, then one should assume that there was a circumstance
for Akira.
Thinking this far,
Akira's mutterings came back to her like a revelation.
―Because, I don't have a spirit,
"No way."
Even with Saki's
knowledge, she has never heard of a normal human being who does not have a
spirit in him or her.
And this information
is definitely not something one is allowed to hear.
"I always knew
when we were at Tenryo Academy that Saki-san was highly sagacious. Your meeting
with Akira-san is probably the greatest blessing in this matter."
The smile on Tsuguho's
face was the same as the one she saw earlier, but it was somehow mysterious.
She couldn't help but
be aware of the fact that she had stepped into the depths from which there was
no escape at this point.
"Saki-san, right
now you are undergoing training as a guardian, right? Do you have some other
business besides that?"
"Y-Yes."
That's why I
can't take on any extra work.
Saki nodded while
saying so inwardly.
In fact, the head of
the Rindo and Kuga have directly ordered her to keep Kuga Ryota in check, so
she couldn't take on any more duties.
"Even if I were
to ask about-, ... A~a, I see. You're Kuga-kun's suppressor, huh?"
Before Saki could
answer, she was able to think and guess the correct answer.
At this point, she
probably already figured out that the reason was to improve Ryota's character
and that the instructions were given in anticipation of Tsuguho's forthcoming
selection for a spouse.
"If that is the
case, there is no problem. The spouse selection process has been canceled after
all."
"........................Eh?"
Saki's thoughts came
to a complete halt as a huge explosive statement was thrown in her face with an
air of innocence.
"W-What are you
trying to do!? Shouldn't I be introduced by the time I graduate from the middle
school!? If I doesn't start the spouse selection process now, I won't be able
to make it in time!"
Saki was in a panic,
but that was to be expected.
The mate selection
process for the Sannomiya the 4 Sovereigns was always a difficult one.
The time it took from
the start to the decision varies, but it was said that it never took less than
a year.
Tsuguho is 12 years
old this year, the same age as Saki. And it is just a matter of time before a
decision is made in the next two years.
"That's right.
But there's no problem. Even if you talk to the head of Rindo, he will make the
same decision for you."
"......
Really?"
Rindo Kozaburo is
nonetheless the head of one of the eight families.
It would be difficult
to reverse a decision once it has been made, even if it were by the imperial
decree of Kihoin.
"Yes, of course.
A~a, right, the head of Rindo is scheduled to come to the temple tomorrow. Just
perfect. Saki-san, please come along."
Saki felt a sense of
discomfort at the way the conversation was smoothly connected.
The conversation was
so smooth that it seemed as if she was reading from a script, yet there was
still a forcefulness to it that could not be hidden.
"Tsuguho-sama.
The damage Akira-kun did today, was it on purpose?"
That's just a hunch.
But if she didn't
assume so, it wouldn't make any sense.
"Ara. What made
you think so?"
"When we stood in
front of the boulder, Tsuguho-sama muttered something."
―With its size, it should be able to absorb a good
amount of the spiritual energy blast.
If one simply took
those words, it could be interpreted that it was only because the boulder was
of that size that the damage could be suppressed.
In addition, the fact
that Tsuguho is incapable of lying supports that first impression.
However, Tsuguho did
not say the subject or whose point of view it was.
And she did not
mention what would happen as a result of absorbing the spiritual blast.
"...... You
really are a sagacious person, aren't you, Saki-san?
Yeah, you're right. I
wanted Akira-san to safely understand, as early as possible, the experience of
failure, and it also includes first-hand experience of the disastrous
consequences brought about by holding the Jakuen Gayou."
"Why......?"
"It is not possible
to stop Akira-san from pulling out the Jakuen Gayou, since it is his right to
do so. However, with this, he will not be able to usheath the Jakuen Gayou
easily. ......And this is also for Saki-san's sake. From now on, Saki-san will serve
as Akira-san's instructor."
"Instructor!?
Please hold on a second. I believe that to be an instructor, one must have at
least reach a Kaiden in Kihoin-school. I am still in the Chuden grade, and
there are many others who would be suitable for the role of instructor!"
"I'm sorry to say
this, but I don't expect you to actually be his instructor. For that part, I
already gave that role to Asogi Genji. What I expect from you, Saki-san, is for
you to show him the proper conduct and mindset as a member of nobility. ―In
Rondaria, it's called a mentor. Isn't it wonderful?"
Tsuguho's unwavering
smile implicitly told her that this was a decided matter.
......There is no way
out of this.
At this point, Saki
has made up her mind to enter into the depths of the matter one step further.
"You seem to be
treating Akira-kun very favorably. May I ask why?"
"Fufu~. Looks
like you're putting a lot of effort into your calculations, but it's not that
hard to figure out. ―Do you know the term [Kanna-no-Mikura]?"
"...... No. I
apologize for my ignorance."
"You are not
ignorant. This is a term that is taught orally only to the heads of the eight
families and above. Please ask the head of Rindo for details. Just tell him
that Tsuguho Kihoin has allowed Saki-san to disclose the oral tradition, he
won't say no."
"...... Yes. May
I ask you one last question?"
"Yes."
"Why me?"
Tsuguho chuckled in
response to the extremely straightforward question.
It was smooth and
elegant chuckle, without a hint of arrogance.
"Fu, fufu~. Very
well, the reason is simple.
First, because
Saki-san comes from the Eight Families.
There is a difference
in the way of thinking between ordinary noble families and the eight families.
What Akira-san needs
is the mindset of the Eight Families.
Secondly, because
Saki-san is from Rindo.
If you were related to
Kuga Houri, I would have handled the situation differently.
Frankly, that fellow
is too ambitious. He would not be suitable for mentoring Akira-san."
She raised her
fingers, one, then two, and continued her explanation.
Then, while holding up
the third, Tsuguho mentioned the biggest reason.
"Finally, because
Saki-san is a woman."
The girl, who should
have been no older than Saki, smiled.
Wiping away her
innocence, her face unmistakably that of a ruler.
"I thought that
the role of mentor was normally assigned to men."
"Because it is
necessary to teach the art of swordsmanship. No one can truly be a good mentor
except women.
―Let the man stand up while we step back, use his
favor, and whisper to him passionately in his bedchamber. If one wants the next
generation to flourish, one must properly take the reins of men.
I expect you,
Saki-san, to relieve Akira-san of his vigilance and to connect with his
trust."
In short, you are telling me to be both a mentor and a spy?
"...... Do you
have any concerns about Akira-kun?"
"Despite what I
said in front of Banda and Asogi, it does not mean that I don't have my own
suspicions. There are some discrepancies, especially regarding his
income."
"Income?"
"You didn't
notice? Akira-san is relying on the supply of the 8th garrison's stock of
recovery talismans as his main source of income."
Saki remembered the
casual conversation between Tsuguho and Akira on the way to Kutsunagahara.
Although she had often
wondered about Akira's daily life, all she could figure out was that his
commoner life was unusual.
"The minimum
price for a bundle of ten recovery talismans is 10,000 yen. He delivers them
once a week, so that's 40,000 yen a month."
"...That's quite
a lot of money."
"No, not at all.
The paper and ink used to write the talismans and especially the holy water,
which is filled with spiritual power to the utmost limit, are very expensive. If
you take these factors into account, the net profit should be around 30,000 yen
per month. If we subtract the tenement rent and food expenses from that, then
he should barely make ends meet."
"......It's kind
of going around, huh?"
"Furthermore, he attended
an ordinary junior high school. If one is born in Karen, the tuition is free,
but for Akira who came from outside the province, he has to pay for the
tuition. At this point, his income from the recovery talismans alone would not
be able to completely cover it. ―And yet, Akira-san could still afford to
provide for himself, even if only just barely."
In other words, he has
some other source of income.
"You want me to
ask him about it?"
"If what he does
is legal, there should be no problem. But if it is illegal, you will need to
have a concealed operation to prevent Akira-san from noticing it. If necessary,
you can ask him to give up his business. In short, I want to clean up
Akira-san's situation. If it's income, I can provide it myself."
―Ki, kiki~.
As if waiting for
Tsuguho to finish her words, the steam car stopped with a high-pitched screech
of brakes.
―Before one knew it, they arrived in front of the
entrance to Rindo's residence in the first district which was already
illuminated by lights.
"―It seems we've
arrived. Well then, Saki-san. I'll be waiting for you at Mt. Ootori
tomorrow."
"............Yes."
She have no intention
to continue the conversation. Saki felt such an intention.
Still feeling regret,
but forcibly swallowing it, Saki nodded her head.
Saki's figure
disappeared behind the illuminated light.
After watching her
disappear, Tsuguho finally set off on her way home.
"Are you sure it
was alright ......?"
Kazune asked shortly,
breaking the silence in the car.
"It's fine. I'm
not ordering her to do it, but it would be ideal if she would do it naturally.
It seems that Saki-san
doesn't hate Akira-san either, so for now, it's enough to make her aware of him
as her pseudo-partner as a mentor."
Although she did not
tell Saki, there is another role that is expected of her.
Even if
Kanna-no-Mikura is determined to be one's partner, it doesn't mean that the
pressure coming from outside the province will cease.
This is because the
decision whether to stay or not is entirely up to the will of Kanna-no-Mikura
himself.
If, by any chance, the
presence of Kanna-no-Mikura were to be known, all of the five provinces would
be in a state of frenzy.
That was why they used
women as the biggest chain to hold Kanna-no-Mikura in place.
The reason is that a
woman who is unique to the area can be an alluring attraction that men
unconsciously find easy to accept.
―Rindo Saki was considered to be the spearhead of the
initiative and the first candidate for concubine.
It was early in the
morning of the next day, a little early for the gates to open, let alone for
the guests to enter the palace, when a pale-faced Rindo Kozaburo, accompanied
by his daughter Saki, stepped across the threshold Mt. Ootori.
――――――――――――
TIPS: About the
spirits of the underworld
Spirits grow with time
and other factors. This is called ascension.
This is one of the
names given by humans to the rough stages of a spirit's ascension.
The process starts
with a low-level spirit, then evolves into a medium-level spirit, a high-level
spirit, a divine spirit, and a land deity, but there is a blank period between
the divine spirit and the land deity, and this period is called the spirit of the
underworld.
If we compare it to a
butterfly, it is similar to the feeling of a chrysalis waiting to hatch, but
the actual nature of the chrysalis is unknown.
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