Volume 2
Chapter 7 Part
1
The Oracle is
Lost Peacefully in the Fog 1
Translator : PolterGlast
The abandoned village
was located about 20 km west of Kamotsu, a distance that would take a whole day
to reach after setting out early in the morning.
Although they were
prepared for a delay in arrival due to the possibility of being attacked along
the way, the information brought back by the scouts ahead of them was rather
idyllic, and the soldiers were beginning to show some signs of relaxation as it
was well past noon.
Contrary to their
expectations, their journey was completed much earlier than expected, and they
were only a few minutes away from reaching their destination.
In a completely
relaxed atmosphere, the marching party paused on the outskirts of the road
leading to the village.
"Something's not
right."
"......You feel
the same way, after all, Ojou-sama?"
Akira and Saki, who
were walking side by side in the middle of the march, tilted their heads in
unison.
"Akira-kun, you
think so too?
...... [The Holy
Church of Ariadne] should have been the priority, but the Kuga family is
placing too much importance on the matter of the [Holy Church of Guidance],
which we don't even know if it even exists.
They were acting as if
an armed uprising was a certainty."
"Yes. The mission
that Tsuguho gave me was just to investigate the [Holy Church of Guidance] that
had taken over the abandoned village.
The Kuga family's
behavior seems like they are sparking unnecessary fires.
In any case, I can
only assume that there is a discrepancy in their information......"
"―What did you
say about the Kuga family?"
As the two of them
were facing each other and worrying, Kuga Ryota, who was the topic of
discussion, interrupted them.
Nonoka, who was
talking with Mii Rikuto, the head of the drill squad, returned an apologetic
nod from behind him.
―It seemed that Ryota's intuition could not be
restrained.
However, the time was
just right.
Akira turned to Ryota,
as though it were a blessing in disguise.
"Excuse me,
Kuga-sama.
I would like to ask
you something."
"Tch. You seems
to have a lot of free time, huh, outcast?" "Kuga-kun."
He showed his
repulsion to Akira, but when he saw Saki's glare, his mouth twitched and he
shifted his gaze.
Perhaps it was a
weakness stemming from love, his tongue seemed to be blunt when he was dealing
with Saki.
"......So, what
is it?"
"It's about the
investigation of the abandoned village.
People seem to think
that the [Holy Church of Guidance] is dangerous, but I don't understand the
basis for this.
The problem at the
moment is the [Holy Church of Ariadne], isn't it? Even though what we led at
the moment is a drill squad, there should be no reason to divide our forces
under the current circumstances."
"...... The [Holy
Church of Ariadne] and the [Holy Church of Guidance] were originally the same
religion. You know this, right?
The problem is that
the [Holy Church of Ariadne]'s religious power is directly related to the
number of its believers.
The number of people
living in the abandoned village is about 20. If they were to join the Vansuir's
emissaries, there is a possibility that Vansuir's territory will be established
in the immediate vicinity of Kamotsu."
"Why don't we
just take it back right away?"
That's what a commoner who doesn't understand
politics would think. Ryota's gaze turned to the ground as he muttered so.
"Our main concern
is exactly the creation of Vansuir's territory.
Have you ever heard of
the way the Western Continent works? They demand Consular Rights from other
countries and invade with the pretext of freeing their own people in there.
Knowing this, the Kuga
ancestors gave them Consular Rights in exchange for cutting off the [Holy
Church of Guidance].
―As for the Kuga family, we want to use this incident
to expel Vansuir as well as its consular rights."
"I understand
that, but aren't you overly concerned about the uprising of the [Holy Church of
Guidance]?
The fact that you're
so paranoid makes me wonder if there's something going on underneath all
this."
Supporting Akira's
suspicions, Saki took over.
But it was Ryota who
tilted his head at her question.
"What do you
mean, Saki? That's―" "Kuga-sama, a man claiming to be the
representative of the village has come to greet you!"
"Okay, I'm on my
way!
―Let's continue the talk later. If all goes well, we
can return to Kamotsu tomorrow."
Ryota turned his back
on Akira and Saki as the scouts who had gone ahead into the village reported.
Unable to interrupt
him, the two who were left behind could only exchange a puzzled glance.
"In the end, we
didn't learn anything, huh?"
"Yeah.
At least, the Kuga
family is sure about something."
"I guess so.
Ah. Speaking of which,
there is one more person who seems to know a lot of information about the
village.
―Squad Leader Mii, may I have a minute with you?"
"Alright, I'll
leave it to you then.
I will attend the
greeting of Kuga-kun and the village representative."
"Okay, take
care."
To resolve their
concerns, Akira and Saki turned away and went on their way.
Mii Rikuto, who had
finished his conversation with Nonoka, stood in front of Akira in exchange for
the sound of the girl's departing footsteps.
"―Protector-dono,
did something happen?"
"No, I called you
because I wanted to ask you something. You are from the abandoned village where
we are heading to, right?"
"Yes.
My family has been a
landowner in charge of an area of the former Kouri village for generations.
At the end of last
fall, our well ran dry and we were unable to negotiate water supplies with the
neighboring village, so the village was abandoned―"
"―That's it.
So, in other words,
all of the original residents have been relocated?"
"―Yes. My father
told me that, fortunately for us, the harvest was at its peak and all the
inhabitants were able to find new jobs in Kamotsu before winter."
"Kouri village,
right? How many of the original residents were there?
―Just a rough estimate is fine."
"I think it was
no more than 30."
The original number
was 30. And probably only 10 of them were able to fight.
With Rikuto's answer,
Akira was now convinced of the discomfort he was feeling.
It is certain that the
flow of events from the abandoned village to the migration of the [Holy Church
of Guidance] is related to someone's intention.
However, the way it was
done was very lukewarm.
Regardless of whether
it is long-term or short-term, the best solution to take control of a village
is to kill all the original inhabitants.
With a population of
30 or so, if the preparations are thorough, it can be done in a single night,
even if it is troublesome.
And those who leave
the village basically never return to it.
―In other words, if all goes well, it should be
possible to delay the discovery of the crime for 10 years.
Even though they have
gone to such great lengths to prepare for this, they have not taken any
measures that even Akira could have thought of.
Akira felt a
discomforting difference in the issue at hand, as if the outcome of controlling
the village was of no importance, and the only thing on their minds was to
remove the scent of those who had planned it thoroughly and to proceed with the
next plan.
"......After
that, the [Holy Church of Guidance] came, huh?
How did you discover
it?"
"My father
returned to the village for business.
He found that all the
houses had been taken and that the water in the wells had returned.
The Lord of Kuga told
him that if he had abandoned the village, he could not complain that people had
taken up residence in it.
However, when
Kuga-sama asked for the establishment of a village hall and the payment of
taxes, he was rejected, saying that the [Holy Church of Guidance] had no reason
to kneel to the divine pillar of Shumon Province."
As expected, it was
discovered in no time, perhaps because they were taking things easy.
What's more, even
after being discovered, they were not even concerned about it, and simply left
the situation in chaos.
The person responsible
for it should be ......,
"A Padre,
huh?"
"Yes.
He said that the
divine pillar beyond the ocean guided the people and brought back the water
resources to the wells.
I heard he performed a
miracle while the believers witnessed it."
"I'm curious
about this so-called miracle.
―Squad Leader Mii, I would like you to show me around
the Kouri Village."
"Understood.
Right away, sir?"
"Yes, right away.
You know the area
pretty well, right?"
"Of course."
――――――――――
......I
thought he was going to be more arrogant than I had heard before.
"―[May the
blessing of the divine pillar be bestowed upon you through the guidance of the ocean.]
My name is Hansuke,
and I am the representative of the [Holy Church of Guidance].
I received word the
other day that an auditor would be visiting us, and I was asked to serve as a
guide."
A mature,
honest-looking man bowed his head.
The sight of the man
bowing was so unnerving that everyone present exchanged glances.
"......What does
this mean?"
"......How do I
know?"
Without introducing
themselves, Ryota and Saki whispered to each other.
This low stance
dampened their anticipation of a confrontation, which they were prepared to
engage in.
That being said, it
didn't change what they should do.
They decided to let
the former Kouri village governors who were standing behind them to discuss the
practical matters, with Ryota taking the lead in questioning about the current
situation.
"I heard that you
don't have to pay this year's taxes, is that right?"
"Y-Yes.
I have been told that,
out of the Lord's kindness, we don't have to pay this year's taxes."
"What kind of
nonsense you came up with!?
We heard you refused
to pay taxes though."
Ryota had a bad
feeling about this, but within a few minutes, the discrepancy in the
conversation started to become noticeable.
Things were being
conveniently rewritten to suit their convenience.
"Kuga-kun, calm
down. You knew it was not going to be a simple case, didn't you?
Your name was Hansuke,
right? What was the reason you refused to establish a village hall?"
"I don't remember
refusing.
There was a person who
was in charge of the village hall, so I left everything to him.
He was the contact
person, so there was no trouble at all."
Hansuke's tone, spun
without hesitation, sounded like he was telling the truth.
Damn. Ryota kicked the
ground in frustration.
The fact that it was
being twisted and manipulated made him scratch the surface of his many doubts.
"Let's just go
ahead and investigate the village as originally planned.
Once we have a full
picture of the situation, we may come to a different conclusion."
"Investigation?
What are you talking about, Saki?
It's certain according
to the oracle that an armed uprising will take place in this village.
So, wouldn't it be
better to just demolish the village and be done with it?"
"...... Wait,
Kuga-kun. What did you just say?"
Oracle. Saki, who was
trying to appease Ryota's frustration, grabbed Ryota's shoulder when she heard
the inaudible voice contained in his complaint.
――――――――――
"―We were granted
permission to enter the village rather easily."
"The Kuga family
is personally paying a visit after all.
Whatever they're
planning to do, they won't be able to make any public resistance.
―Where is the well?"
"It's near my
parents' house.
Oh, there it is."
In the center of the
slightly greener ground, a wooden well frame could be seen.
Several women could be
seen gathering around it, but they dispersed in three groups when they saw
Akira and Rikuto's figures.
"...... The
atmosphere is not good."
"From their perspective,
we're the suspicious ones.
We should behave not
to provoke them.
―I don't see any water in sight though?"
"Perhaps it's
because the Padre is not in the vicinity.
I heard that his
miracles were able to bring forth the water."
"Well, that's
indeed what you said.
...... In that case,
do you know where the Father is?"
Rikuto shook his head,
looks like he didn't know.
Even Akira, who had
mentioned it, did not have that much expectation, so he shrugged his shoulders
and put the issue of the Padre at the back of his mind.
Instead, he decided to
put his concerns into priority.
He took out a Taiji
diagram and an abacus from his luggage.
Since it was
impossible to do mental calculations, he simply matched the directions and
played out the abacus.
"Protector-dono,
what are you doing?"
"Feng shui
calculation. Wait a minute, this is a bit tricky."
Feng shui calculations
are used to change dragon veins, but they can also be applied to read the flow
of water veins.
While roughly
picturing the topography in his mind, Akira continued his calculations,
assuming the well to be the endpoint.
―Eventually,
"Something is
wrong.
The location of the
road, the river, and the rice field replacing a pond with the mountain in the
background. There is no doubt that the topography is in perfect order."
"Did you find
anything concerning?"
"Yes, there are
many things to be concerned about.
―Squad Leader Mii, where is the shrine?"
"It is at the
foot of the mountain.
...... However, since
the chief priest has evacuated, there should be no one left there."
"Well, it would
be preferable if no one is there.
Have you ever entered
the forbidden area of the shrine?"
"No way!"
Without waiting for
his reply, Akira turned his feet toward the shrine.
He understood from
Rikuto's reaction, who followed behind him, that he had never been in the
forbidden area.
"As I
thought."
After muttering these
words, he entered the shrine grounds through the torii gate.
The moment the
boundary between the real world and the divine realm became vague, he felt the
illusion that the spiritual pressure on his soul became viscous.
Getting this close,
the abnormality of the dragon's vein could be felt physically.
He felt heavy, stiff,
and sluggish.
"...... There are
many purposes of the forbidden areas, but they can be roughly divided into
three categories."
They went behind the
main shrine, which was in bad shape and had clearly not been cared for since
the village was abandoned, and peeked into a small cave that had opened up
between the rocks.
"To protect a
particularly important deity, the fulcrum of the dragon vein,
―and,"
Droplets of water
seeped from the rock surface, dripping and wetting Akira's cheeks.
"...... To
protect the water source of the entire region from people's convenience."
The water, which had
been thought to have dried up, was abundant deep inside it.
"Water!?
How?"
"I believe this is
part of the mastermind's plan.
―First, he dried up the water source and made the
villagers leave the village.
Alternatively, summon
the [Holy Church of Guidance] and bring back the water.
Since they were
worshipping a different deity, they wouldn't even think about worshipping
something else. So they would never come close to the shrine either.
After that, that
mastermind can do whatever he wants until people find out that the [Holy Church
of Guidance] has taken their village."
"...... But how
did he dry up the water source?
I have never heard of
such a technique. before."
It's not surprising
that he didn't know, Akira nodded silently.
In most cases, water
veins flow along the dragon vein of water Qi.
In other words, with
the knowledge of interfering with the dragon vein of water Qi, it is possible
to dam the flow of the water vein.
This technique
requires feng shui calculations.
And those who can
possess them are limited to Onmyoji or those who have similar knowledge.
―Even so, doubts remain.
"If it were a
shallow situated dragon vein, it could be interfered with to a reasonable
degree by the feng shui calculations I mentioned earlier, but,
...... The water Qi of
the dragon vein ought to be the most profound of the five elements, with it
should be flowing deep underground.
It would normally be
impossible to dam or drain it with just a simple technique―."
A carefully prepared
and skillful technique, as if slowly tightening the neck with a cotton ball.
In contrast, the
sloppiness which does not consider the fact that it will be discovered today as
a problem.
The person who planned
this definitely did not have the cooperation with the [Holy Church of Ariadne]
in mind.
―...... Help.
A sorrowful voice
whispered directly into Akira's mind.
*Woosh*. The cool
summer breeze blowing through the mountains swept over the area.
*Shudder*. The
sensation that sent a shiver down his spine was burned into his mind.
It was the same
sensation he felt when he entered the sacred ground at the time of the [Shrine Parishioner Lottery] a month ago.
When he turned around
out of impatience, he could not even see Rikuto who was supposed to be standing
there.
An unnaturally
inorganic silence surrounded Akira.
"...... Who
called me,"
"It's me."
A clear voice shook
the silence and reached Akira's ears.
Somehow, from the
shadows of the main shrine, a woman clad in a Chihaya was looking at Akira
intently.
"......You are
just in time.
If it had been a
little later, we would have been at the mercy of that fiend."
"I see that you
are the ruler of this land.
Does my Lady know who
has committed this atrocity against the water vein?"
"A guest from
beyond the ocean,
...... though I cannot
even catch a glimpse of him now."
It may have escaped,
or it may have hidden. In any case, it is undoubtedly a troublesome opponent
since he could escape from the sight of the land deity.
Hearing her regretful
voice, an uncontrollable anger was transmitted to Akira as well.
It was only natural.
According to the geographical aspects, this land should originally belong to
the fire element.
Water conquers fire.
If the water is dammed to such an excessive extent, the land belonging to the
fire element will have no choice but to sink without resistance.
This is a primitive
but effective means of sealing the divinity of the fire element.
"...... Then,
what was the method used to dam the dragon vein of water Qi?"
In response to Akira's
question, the woman glanced at the top of the rocky grotto where the forbidden
area is located with a glimmer of hope.
The woman's whisper
reverberated in Akira's ears as she turned her gaze.
"The deadline is
tonight.
Kanna-no-mikura.
Although the outcome has been decided, do not forget that Nanten has given you
everything.
Know that victory is
the greatest offering for the Phoenix."
What did she
mean?
The woman was already
gone when he looked back at her to ask her what she meant.
"―Protector-dono?"
Rikuto's dubious voice
was thrown at his back.
―Akira realized, the divine realm had vanished, and he
had returned to the world he knew so well.
"...... No
problem.
I'll check the top of
the grotto, help me."
"Wait a minute.
The land deity will be furious!!"
"Don't worry, I
have permission."
Shaking his head, he
dispersed the remnants of his previous daydreams and leaped over the top of the
grotto, shrugging off objections.
The anomaly was
immediately apparent.
Directly above the
grotto. A twisted stone stake had been driven into the ground in a place that
had no intention of hiding.
―The stake.
Hearing the woman's
words, Akira grabbed the stake and pulled it out without hesitation.
The stakes were pulled
out without much resistance, and immediately afterward,
―Air bubbles surfaced on the surface of the water
filling the grotto, and creating multiple ripples.
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