Volume 2
Side Story 8
Torn by
Drizzle, Weeping in the Dawn 2
Translator : PolterGlast
"W-What did you
say............?"
Ugetsu Tenzan was
stunned by the words he was told.
His rational mind
instinctively refused to comprehend the words spoken by the person in front of
him.
He could not even
understand the words he himself had uttered.
He even forgot the
courtesy he should have shown to the person in front of him. Unable to even
think about his own shameful and disgraceful behavior, he simply repeated his
question one more time.
"What did you
just say............!?"
He fell to his knees. The
eyes of Gioin Shizumi, who sat at the seat of honor, looked down coldly and
unwaveringly at Tenzan's miserable body, which had never been seen before――.
In the early morning,
the cloudy weather that had been dismal until last night was gone, and the
clear blue sky illuminated Nanatsuo.
Ugetsu Tenzan and
Souma were visiting Gioin's mansion located halfway up Reimei Mountain.
There was not a shred
of anxiety in their hearts.
With enthusiasm and
steady steps, Tenzan, with Souma following behind, approached the main gate
leading to the main residence of Gioin.
*Creak, bang*. With a
heavy sound of creaking oak wood and iron hinges, the main gate opened both
ways.
Watching as the gate
stopped moving, the two slipped through the gap and made their way to the main
residence.
―What the?
Although he refrained
from saying it out loud, Tenzan inwardly tilted his head at the strange
atmosphere that surrounded him.
Even though he only
visited the residence once every six months, it was not as if he and the other
party were strangers to each other.
Yet, he felt a
tingling sensation on his skin as if he had wandered into enemy territory.
Perhaps being swept
away by the atmosphere, Souma's expression was a little stiff in front of the
Gioin Residence, which he was visiting for the first time.
"Souma, don't
lose your composure."
"......Yes. My
apologies, Father."
It would be a bad
thing if Souma were to stumble on his first visit to the shrine.
Tenzan gave him a
short warning before he stumbled, to which Souma responded with a quick
response.
He seemed nervous, but
not so nervous as to make a bad decision, so Tenzan gave him a nod in relief.
He thought back to his
past actions. Nothing was left out, he had received both the advance notice and
the promised response.
It was the same Gioin
residence as usual, and the same entrance to the shrine as usual. However, it
is human nature to become concerned once one starts to ponder about it.
―Speaking of which, the reply to the advance notice was
a little later than usual, and the main gate was not fully opened for two
persons.
But since there was no
problem with the response, Tenzan guessed that the problem was more likely to
be external.
―That reminds me, Gioin seems to be in a bit of
disarray lately.......
Although it was not
comforting, the information that Ijitsu disclosed to him last night came back
to his mind.
I see, so this
is what he meant.
Since the information
has not even reached the State Council, there is a strong possibility that it
is only happening within the Gioin.
Was it early July when
this all started?
Since nothing had
changed, Tenzan comforted his inner concern by concluding that the cause must
be other than Ugetsu.
―Although I do not know what the cause is, I should at
least be prepared to do my utmost to respond to any request from Gioin.
He couldn't just grab
anyone in the vicinity and ask them questions directly.
The lady attendant
leading the way did not say anything, and Souma and Tenzan had to wait in agony
in a separate room for a while until Shizumi called for them.
"It is a great
honor for me to meet Gioin's Head, I am, Ugetsu Tenzan, would like to express
my deepest gratitude."
"Yeah. It's been
six months, Tenzan."
After a while of
waiting, Tenzan and Souma were led into the central hall where Shizumi was
waiting.
Shizumi's expression,
which usually never lost its soft smile, showed a lack of emotion, and Tenzan's
vigilance was raised, believing that he was in serious trouble.
In the not-so-calm
atmosphere, the two walked forward to the middle of the hall in a kneeling
position and exchanged greetings while maintaining their prostrate posture.
"It seems that
your Ladyship is troubled by something, may I ask what it is?"
"......No need,
let's proceed to the report about the first half of the year.
But before you make
your report. Ugetsu Souma, only the Head of Ugetsu and his legitimate heir are
permitted to sit in this room.
I do not recall giving
you permission to sit here."
"I......"
"Haha, my apologies. Forgive this Tenzan for the delay in the
introduction, it is my negligence that has caused this embarrassment."
Perhaps sensing a
repulsion from Shizumi's blunt order to leave without regard to the situation,
Souma, who had not been allowed to speak, raised his voice.
Tenzan, sensing the
situation, hurriedly spun words to cover Souma's words.
"What is
it?"
"I would like to
take this opportunity to convey to you that Souma here was officially recognized
as Ugetsu's heir by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs last month.
Therefore, I would
like to ask for your continued support to him as the next head of Ugetsu and as
a spouse of Gioin for many generations to come."
*Creak*. Before Tenzan
could finish his words, Reimei Mountain wailed.
Not only the three
seated in the middle hall, but everyone who lived in the capital heard the
mournful lamentations of the Great Being.
"What was
that―?"
"No need to worry
about it.
―However, Tenzan, the legitimate heir of Ugetsu should
have been Akira-sama. Where is Akira-sama?"
The servitude words,
which were only in the form of a question, bound Tenzan and Souma without any resistance.
As the descendants of
demigods, Sannomiya the Four Sovereign has been granted the authority to force
people into servitude.
Even if one were the
head of one of the eight families, it would be impossible to resist this
authority. When one is ordered not to be concerned, even if it is unreasonable,
it is difficult to even be aware of it.
In her short life so
far, Shizumi had never exercised this authority.
However, given the
current turmoil, Shizumi had not the slightest bit of composure to hesitate in
exercising this authority toward the Ugetsu.
"I, too, am
deeply saddened to inform you that he has already been cremated.
All of his belongings,
with the exception of a few items, have been disposed of......."
"―Tenzan. I would
like to know where Akira-sama is and what happened to him?"
"My apologies.
He was frail from
birth.
On top of that, he is
so incompetent that he can't even be educated to be the head of the family. I
had tried to make him repay the debt of gratitude to Gioin-sama who showed her
kindness to him, but his health deteriorated and......"
"Tenzan, stop
letting your tongue dance around with falsehoods."
Tenzan's attempt to
divert Shizumi's attention was met with a slight surge of anger.
With that emotion, the
words of servitude once again dominated the hall.
"Let me ask you
again.
―Where and how did Akira-sama die?"
Shizumi's increasingly
sharp tongue revealed the seriousness of Gioin's intentions.
Tenzan's head, which
had remained in prostration, sank even lower.
―If it were possible, it would have been best if the
Ugetsu's disgrace could be removed without being known to Gioin.
Muttering inwardly,
Tenzan went on to describe the banishment three years ago and his prediction
that he had probably succumbed somewhere around the mountain ridge on the
border of the province.
"―My apologies.
If possible, I would
have preferred to handle the matter without being known to the people of Gioin.
......That thing,
whose name was Akira, was incompetent and could not be allowed to become the
consort of the Gioin.
―A stain since the beginning of Ugetsu's history. If
that thing was not eliminated, we would not be able to show our face to Gioin
in the future."
"......Incompetent?"
He knew he was going
to be asked about the core of the matter.
He was hesitant to
reveal the details of this disgrace. However, he couldn't trade it for having
Ugetsu's loyalty called into question.
After a moment of
hesitation, Tenzan boldly spun his words.
"W-We found out a
short time after that thing was born that it was a pseudo-kegare."
"......A pseudo-kegare?"
"Sincerely.
We hope you will not
turn your face away from our disgraceful story,
―There was no spirit residing within that thing!"
As though his previous
hesitation had been a lie, Tenzan explained the defects of Akira to Shizumi in
an endless stream of words.
He is inferior to his
own brother Souma in both literary and military skills, and he is unable to
create talismans because he is not even inhabited by a spirit.
A less-than-human
creature, he could not even become a shrine parishioner. A fool who clings to a
life that has no choice but to fall into kegare.
As Tenzan's many years
of pent-up resentment turned into abusive words, he spoke to Shizumi with a
mixture of complaints, and his shoulders gradually became lighter, as if a
heavy burden had been lifted from them.
Aa. Has the pain of
hiding things from Gioin disappeared? The cool breeze blowing in his chest gave
Tenzan the illusion of being deeply moved.
A moment of silence
prevailed in the hall.
He was bracing himself
for praise or, conversely, outrage from Shizumi, but only time passed in
silence.
"―――so?"
"......Huh."
Shizumi's lips
trembled.
The muttering that
fell out of her mouth was filled with heartfelt doubts.
Actually, not much
time had passed, but for Tenzan, the words Shizumi had spoken for what seemed
like an eternity were not what he had hoped or expected, leaving him with
nothing but confusion.
"He doesn't have
a spirit within him. Is that a problem?"
"My Lady,
that's......"
"That's enough. You
mentioned that Ugetsu Souma was officially recognized as a legitimate heir by
the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
For that to happen,
Akira's soul stone must be returned to the Ugetsu family.
―Where is Akira-sama's soul stone?"
The fact that Shizumi
had opened her heart to Akira to this extent was a miscalculation on Tenzan's
part.
Tenzan gritted his
teeth at his own misjudgment, thinking that he should have told Gioin about
Akira's true nature earlier, and asked for Gioin's cooperation in getting rid
of Akira.
He couldn't afford to
further offend the Gioin.
He had intended to
throw it away, but perhaps it was the right decision to bring it along.
He rummaged around inside
his sleeve and pulled out what used to be the soul stone of Akira.
Shizumi gently stroked
and rubbed the surface of the soul stone, which looked like a white pebble, and
then handed it over to Sonomi, who had been standing by the wall.
"I'm sure he is
grateful in the afterlife for the kindness you have shown to such a failure.
......As for us,
Ugetsu, it is finally time for us to prove our worth to Gioin.
Souma that stands
before you here is a rare and exceptional talent that could be called outstanding
even in the history of Ugetsu, and embarrassingly, I am confident that he will
never disappoint the expectations of the Head of the Gioin family.
Please, I beg you to
consider him as Gioin's consort............"
"Ugetsu."
Her flat tone of
voice, devoid of emotion, inevitably interrupted Tenzan's long, drawn-out
speech.
"Your visit here
has been of great significance.
―You are now permitted to leave."
"Huh? W-What did
you say............?"
Tenzan's knees went
shaky at the sudden permission to leave.
"W-What did you
just say,............!?"
As the mid-summer sun
fiercely filled the central hall with a contrasting gloom, Shizumi's lips, with
all emotion drained from her expression, spun her words one more time.
"You may leave.
That's what I said-" "P-Please hold on a second!!"
Tenzan, unable to wait
for her to finish her sentence, shouted as if to cover the end of her words.
Tenzan was fully
prepared for the fact that his expulsion of Akira would cause a certain amount
of displeasure.
But the fact that he
was treated so rudely for the first time in the Ugetsu family's history shook
Tenzan's pride.
"This Tenzan was
prepared for how displeased My Lady Gioin would be with Ugetsu's actions!
However, this was all
done in order not to tarnish the honor of Gioin!
And to be the consort
to rule over Kokuten Province, Souma is the best possible candidate!
Please put aside your
displeasure, and make a rational decision as the head of the Gioin who rules
over the nobility of Kokuten Province!!"
"......Rational?
If so, then let me
answer you. The basis of your decision is based on the fact that he is Ugetsu's
legitimate heir, right? However, that was merely a customary practice.
What Gioin wanted was
for Akira-sama to be the consort, not the other way around."
"That's..."
"That's all I have to say."
Shizumi turned her
back without a second thought to Ugetsu, cutting short Tenzan's attempts to
make an excuse.
......But,
"......Ah,
right."
Before leaving the
hall, she glanced at her entourage, who were waiting by the wall.
"I'll leave the
rest to you, Sonomi. Please take care of Ugetsu's report."
"I shall do as
you command, Miss."
"Wha~!!"
Tenzan's complexion
grew desperate at the way he was treated.
It is customary to
report directly to the higher-ranking members of the nobility as a matter of
courtesy.
The Ugetsu family is
ranked first among the eight families. The only person of higher rank present
there is Gioin Shizumi.
Although Dogyu Sonomi
is a member of the same eight families, she is ranked seventh of the eight
families, far inferior to Gioin Shizumi and Ugetsu.
Shizumi should have
understood this, but the fact that she made it so clear was tantamount to her
publicly stating that the Ugetsu family was inferior to that of the other eight
families.
No matter how one
tried to cover it up, the talkative and gossipy royal court would still catch
on to the rumors.
It is as good as
confirmed that tomorrow afternoon, the fall of the Ugetsu family will be on the
tables of the nobility in the capital.
Ugetsu Tenzan clenched
his fists as if they were dripping with blood at the humiliating treatment.
Shizumi turned her
back to the hall, but as she stepped out into the outer corridor, she stopped
one last time.
"Ugetsu.
―Do you know Kanna-no-Mikura?"
"H-Huh......."
"Forget it. That explains everything."
It was not that she
was expecting it. However, Shizumi's emotions finally froze below zero when
Tenzan showed only a dumbfounded expression on his face.
Turning her back on
the first rank of the eight families, Shizumi left the place without any
hesitation, having completely lost interest in them.
"............
Princess.
I am terribly sorry
for your loss."
"No need to
console me.
I will be on my way to
Kuro-sama, prepare my white robe for exorcism.
The mountain wailed,
so Kuro-sama must have heard it too."
She returned to her
room and began to change without hesitation.
Now that Akira's death
has been confirmed, Genrei's rage cannot be stopped.
Since that is the
case, the most urgent task for Shizumi is to at least limit the damage to the
vicinity of Samidare territory.
"Was it alright
to let Ugetsu Tenzan go home like this?"
"To crush the
retainers, Tenzan must remain the head of the family until the end.
If they are scattered
everywhere else, they will leave nothing but trouble.
―More importantly, have you finished investigating
those involved in Akira-sama's banishment?"
While helping Shizumi
get dressed, Chidjiiwa Kaede cast her gaze down slightly.
She had not enough
time to get the information she needed, but that didn't mean she couldn't find
it.
"...... We have
discovered that there are several noble families with whom Tenzan had been in
close contact every time he stayed in Nanatsuo.
There are two families
that are deeply affiliated and influential even though they are apart. Putting
aside whether or not they knew about the situation, they are not unrelated
based on the way the Ugetsu family handled the situation."
Ijitsu Shigenori and
Mikuriya Hirotada. Shizumi raised her eyebrows upon hearing the two names
mentioned.
It took her a few
seconds to recall the names of the nobles, who, to be honest, did not leave a
lasting impression on her.
"If I recall
correctly, that Ijitsu belonged to the State Council, right? I remember him
presenting me with a strange and detailed petition."
"As for the
timing of the petition, it coincides strangely with Akira-sama's visit to the
shrine. It's just a guess on my part, but I think it might be......."
"That's indeed
the case, huh?
―The Mikuriya family is Central Province nobility,
right, so why do they even travel to Nanatsuo?"
"Yes. Mikuriya
Hirotada is the head of the Mikuriya family.
But After I
investigated it, I found out that he is related to Tenzan's wife, Sanae
Ugetsu."
What a hassle. Shizumi
gritted her teeth in frustration.
If the problem is only
internal to the Kokuten Province, no matter how Gioin wields its sword, there
will be no complaints in the end.
However, if the nobles
of other provinces were to be punished, the decision would have to be made by
either Tsukinomiya, who oversees the Central Province nobles, or
Fuji-no-Morimiya, who is in charge of enforcing the law.
"I remember now.
They are a member of an old family staying in Nanatsuo, wanting the right to
preside over the water vein that flows to the Central Province."
"Yes. The
Mikuriya family has been in a severe decline in recent years, and it appears
that they are aiming to regain their footing by taking control of the water
vein.
......The previous
head of the Mikuriya family has no hesitation in proclaiming that Ugetsu Souma
is his direct grandson. At the very least, we should seek punishment for
Hirotada and the previous head of the Mikuriya family."
"No problem.
Let's make a visit too
Tsunomiya. Even though it is an old family, it is only a small, fallen noble
family."
"Understood."
It's not impossible,
it just takes a lot of time and effort. Without hesitation, Shizumi made the
decision to destroy the Mikuriya family.
"―What about
Mother?"
"I have received
word that Her Ladyship the Predecessor has stepped out of her territory and is
on her way here.
She will arrive by the
end of the day."
"I see, then,
it's all right.
―Prepare for the appeasement ceremony. If Kuro-sama
gets angry, you may proceed at once."
"......Understood."
Kaede couldn't hide
her nervousness upon hearing Shizumi's words.
The rage of the great
Divine Pillar. The fall of the Aragami, the epitome of this, has only been
recorded twice in the history of Takamagahara.
In both cases, the
scars that remain on the land indicate that there was extraordinary
devastation.
Furthermore, Genrei is
a Divine Pillar of the water element.
If Genrei were to fall
into Aragami, there was no doubt that water sources throughout Takamagahara
would be affected.
People are strong
against hunger but weak against thirst. It was not difficult to imagine the
extraordinary damage that would be inflicted on Takamagahara if the water
supply were to be stopped.
"If I fail to
return from the shrine, do not hesitate to ask Mother to take over as the head
of Gioin and seek her instructions.
If you do so, you
should be able to prevent the worst from happening."
"―Yes."
Kaede hesitated, but
after a few moments, she nodded her head decisively.
She was going to a
sanctuary where the wrath of a deity was raging. There is no guarantee that
even Shizumi, a half-god and a half-human, will be unharmed.
She wore an exorcism
white robe and scarlet hakama. After putting on the best protection against the
miasma she could, Shizumi stood up with determination in her heart.
The water that filled
the Kuroyouden, Genrei's sanctuary, was both freezing cold and searingly hot.
Even so, the contradictory
Genrei rage that tormented Shizumi's body seemed to be barely resisting her
downfall as an Aragami.
"―Where's
Akira?"
"......Kuro-sama."
The Great Divine
Pillar, in the form of a young girl who still radiated a jet-black radiance in
the midst of the darkness, quivered her cherry-red lips in a pensive smile.
She must have heard
Tenzan's ramblings in the central hall.
Nevertheless, she
still asked the question, probably because she did not want to believe it until
the very last moment.
Shizumi was unable to
respond to Genrei's question.
"Where is
Akira?"
"Based on
Tenzan's deceptive story, and corroborated by the information we obtained.
If the banishment
happened three years ago, then he should be somewhere within walking distance.
Assuming that he left
the Samidare territory penniless and moved around while maintaining his
livelihood, he would most likely be in the area around the border
of-......"
"That's not what
I'm asking!"
*Rumble*. Genrei's cry
shook the Kuroyouden.
One ripple generated
multiple ripples, and her raging emotions tormented Shizumi's body even more.
"Where is
Akira!!? He must be crying somewhere!! Go find him right away!!"
"That's......."
Shizumi painfully
understood how Genrei felt.
Akira is a boy whom
she has known since childhood.
The boy with whom she
had been betrothed since birth, and the modest smile that she saw on his face
every once in a while was comforting, especially for Shizumi.
It may not be what
most people would call romantic love, but there is no doubt that he was the
best partner for her to spend the rest of her life with.
"That's right! I
have given him my blessing, remember!?
Even if he were to
cross over to another province, he should not be in any danger!!"
"............"
This was the point at
which even Shizumi and the others would tilt their heads in wonder.
The blessings given to
Akira are on a different level than those given to people in the [Shrine
Parishioner Lottery].
It is true that if he
were to step outside of Kokuten Province, it would be much less effective, but
as long as Genrei's divine energy remains, he would be able to avoid most
calamities.
If he were to lose all
of the divine energy, it would be immediately known to Genrei, including his
whereabouts.
This incident should
not have happened unless both the divine energy and the blessing were lost or
sealed at the same time.
However, since it has
already happened, the reason why it happened is no longer important.
What matters is what
happened as a result.
Shizumi, having made
up her mind, held out to Genrei what had once been Akira's soul stone with
trembling fingertips.
"......Here you
go, Kuro-sama."
"―What is
this?"
"This is
Akira-san's soul stone."
H~. Genrei's throat
tightened in trepidation.
Genrei's fingertips
gently rub the surface of the stone on her slightly trembling palm.
It has been a month
since the connection between the soul stone and Akira was severed. Although
Akira's presence has faded considerably, it is still not completely gone.
It was easy for Genrei
to immediately detect whose soul stone it was.
Even so, she still
carefully and thoughtfully probed the soul stone for residual signs,
―Each time, Genrei sank into unfathomable despair.
Silence descended on
the Kuroyouden.
Time passed in a state
where everything and everyone, even emotions, were frozen.
Only a momentary calm
ruled over the shrine, like the harbinger of a Tsunami approaching from the
great ocean.
"―Oh Akira, my
Kanna-no-Mikura."
Despair leaked from
Genrei's lips.
"My first
Kanna-no-Mikura."
The mutterings became
like a pit hole, and her emotions began to collapse rapidly,
As the curse spun from
Genrei's lips, the surface of the water began to surge and roll in opposite
directions.
"―You are my
spouse. My very first husband!!"
"!!!?? Kuro-sama,
please stay calm!! I beg you, please calm yourself!!"
Aaaaahhhh! Mt. Reimei
wailed in response to Genrei's fury.
A reddish-black glow
rose from the surface of the water that filled the Kuroyouden.
Miasma began to seep
into the water.
This is the sign of
the descent of Aragami. Despite Shizumi's desperate efforts, several of the
protective talismans she wore to ward off the miasma burnt up.
Without giving time
for the burning remains of the talismans to dissolve and disappear, Genrei's
curse shook the Kuroyouden, which was illuminated by the dreadful color of the
miasma.
"I won't forgive!
I won't forgive you, Ugetsu!!
You have humiliated my
husband, you have humiliated me!!
Do you think you are
clever!!?
Ah, I see.
I will never forgive
such fools for scheming against me!!
Even in death, you
will end up like a tube worm crawling through the netherworld!!"
"Kuro-sama!
Please calm down!!
If you act so
violently, Akira-san's soul stone will be destroyed!!"
"！！！！"
Hearing Shizumi's
words, which she hoped would calm her down even if only temporarily, Genrei's
wild divinity was drastically calmed down.
A soul stone that
carries the radiance of connection is a difficult thing to interfere with, even
if one is a divine pillar, but a soul stone that has lost its radiance is no
different than a white, brittle pebble.
Genrei carefully
wrapped the soul stone that used to be Akira's soul stone in her palm close to
her chest, desperately protecting it from being exposed to her own raging
divine power.
The fury raged without
pause and yet had considerably calmed down.
After a while,
Genrei's words came out in a whisper.
"......Ugetsu, I
won't forgive you."
"Yes,
absolutely."
"I will give more
despair to whoever has humiliated Akira."
"Yes, as you
wish."
"Shizumi.
―Let me mourn for Akira. Do not call on me for a
while."
"I will be
standing nearby, so please be at ease. We shall let Akira-san rest."
"U…………
U~a~aaaaaann~~~~!!"
With a sorrowful mourning, Genrei's tears dripped onto the fluctuating surface of the water.
The wailing of a young
girl whose emotional dam had been broken continued to shake the darkness of
Kuroyouden indefinitely.
After that day, the
water veins surrounding Kokuten Province began to stagnate, and a large-scale
pool of miasma plunged the entire area centering on the Samidare territory into
a whirlpool of disaster.
The descent of
Aragami. The residents of the area were not yet aware that this was the
precursor of such a phenomenon.
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