Volume 2
Side Story 12
Battle in the
Summer, Two Lilies Scattering Sparks 1
Translator : PolterGlast
―Late August, Central Province, Central Capital of
Tenryo.
Early in the morning,
at Tenryo Academy, after the summer vacation had ended, children of influential
noble families from all over the country were beginning to enter the school's
main gate, one after another.
It is 7 o'clock. It
may seem surprising, but the ones coming through the front gate at this
particular time are members of the nobility themselves.
The children of the
samurai families are already busy with their morning training before the sun
has even risen.
The words exchanged
are "good day" and "good morning" as if competing with each
other in terms of their upbringing.
Walking down the main
street, which fully displayed the old-fashioned atmosphere of the central
capital, were children in well-tailored uniforms and children in sailor's
uniforms.
In one corner of the
main street, Tsuguho, the successor of Kihoin, was walking with Nabari Kazune
and Niikawa Natsu, the two main members of her entourage.
The three of them were
all smiling on the surface, but the atmosphere was as if they were about to go
to war.
The surrounding
students, perhaps sensing the atmosphere, were walking at a distance from them.
"...... Umm. Why
am I alongside Tsuguho-sama?"
Alongside the group,
Rindou Saki's voice was heard as she was engulfed by their atmosphere.
Although she was
forced to stand alongside Tsuguho because of her family's status, she wanted to
escape from the heavy atmosphere that Tsuguho and the others were exuding as
much as she could.
In fact, she was standing shoulder to shoulder
with people she had only been acquainted with just recently.
That alone was enough
to make Saki feel uncomfortable with the curious stares and sense of being out
of place.
"Why, huh......,
you worked together with Akira-san at Kamotsu, right? I would really love to hear
all about Akira-san's exploits myself.
......And besides, the
person I am about to meet wants to meet you personally, as well."
"........................I
see."
However, Saki's best
rebuttal was silenced without any hesitation.
The only thing that appeared
in return was Tsuguho's smile, which showed no hint of doubt.
Unable to find any
place to direct her emotions at the mercilessness of the situation, she turned
a bitter gaze at the two entourages behind her, who had adopted an indifferent,
unconcerned expression.
Their responses were
just as wry as she had imagined.
She gritted her teeth
upon being thrown out alone into a battlefield, but then she recovered her
composure, realizing that she still had to ask them something.
"Well, fine.
There was something I wanted to ask Tsuguho-sama as well.
―Is the information you told me yesterday true?"
"Yes. In the name
of Kihoin."
"I know it is
rude to doubt you, Tsuguho-sama. But, I can't bring myself to believe it.
What on earth are they
thinking?"
"Perhaps,
nothing. Although the evidence is only circumstantial, there is no doubt that
they failed to follow the Ancient Covenant.
And considering the
current situation in Kokuten Province, it was probably only last month that
Gioin found out what had happened."
Spiritless. That is
the only word that can describe Kanna-no-Mikura.
It is a trait that is
not only plain, but if poorly understood, could be perceived as a defect.
However, the
importance of its existence, despite its simple trait, is limitless.
After all, there is no
way that anyone else could replace a person who can host a divine pillar and
make the divine will manifest in this world.
The failure to follow
the Ancient Covenant and the banishment of Kanna-no-Mikura. One could imagine
the turmoil within Gioin due to the blunder done by Ugetsu, who had a long
history of loyalty.
Beyond the main gate,
the symmetrical school building spread out.
The Tenryo Gakuin
Academy, which adheres to the " boys and girls must be at least seven
years old and not sharing the same classroom" principle, has divided the
boys' and girls' classrooms into two.
The mirrored school
building that spread out in the distance was neatly divided into the left
building for the boys' department and the right building for the girls'
department.
Good day and good
morning. With repeated greetings, the stand-up collar uniforms (boys) and
sailor uniforms (girls) split into two separate rows and disappeared into their
respective classrooms.
It was a common routine.
Following the flow of the girls, Saki and the others also turned their feet to
the right-wing buildings.
―Oooooh~~!!
The girls cheered
adoringly over the sound of their fierce voices.
Saki looked at the
backs of the girls who were flocking toward the training hall.
Judging from the
girls' cheering, it seemed that the boys were holding a morning training
session after the vacation break in the form of a match.
Saki watched the girls
cheering adoringly, feeling envious that her crisis seemed like someone else's
problem,
―She felt a slight twitch.
The loud cheers of the
ladies in the crowd made her recognize the owner of the back she could catch a
glimpse of over there belonged to Ugetsu Souma.
"...... Ara?
I wonder how long he
could still afford to shamelessly show his face at the academy, given the
difficulties Ugetsu must be going through.
―Or was Gioin simply incapable of handling the
situation?"
Well, looks like
that's not the case. Noticing Saki's gaze directed at her, Tsuguho's bitter
monologue scattered into the void, not directed at anyone.
It was only recently
that a distinct miasma began to mix with the water dragon vein leading from
Kokuten Province. Rumors began to circulate through the Onmyoji that the
situation was getting worse without showing any signs of improvement.
"Tsuguho-sama.
Umm, what's going to happen to him?"
"Who knows? I'm
not even interested.
It's not my
jurisdiction to dispose of the remnants of the fools who have also forgotten
the true duties of the eight families.
...... Ah. Looks like
Shizumi-sama shares the same opinion as I do."
"............Eh?"
Tsuguho's response,
which did not even carry any emotion, completely cut down Saki's worries.
When she raised her
eyes, she saw Gioin Shizumi looking down from the window of the building with a
merciless gaze.
―In the women's department of Tenryo Academy, two
flowers in bloom are unnattainable.
Tsuguho, successor to
Kihoin, and Shizumi, successor to Gioin.
Shizumi never stopped
smiling, and was heralded as the beauty of a short-lived easter lily whose buds
were beginning to open.
However, when Saki
looked at her through the glass of the window, even that smile only reflected
her icy gaze.
Saki realized that her
gaze was directed at the cheers of the training hall, and she felt a sense of
sorrow at the dreary future.
Tsuguho, known as the
other lily, put her finger on her chin in contemplation.
"I prefer the
contact to be made during the daytime.
Natsu. Please inform the school that I will be
absent this afternoon due to some business.
Saki-san, I'll notify
the school that you will be absent this afternoon as well.
―It will surely be a long day."
"U-umm,
I-......."
"As I said
before, you must be present as well.
From their
perspective, we are the thieving cats who snatched Akira-san.
Especially you,
Saki-san. You have known Akira-san for the longest time as his mentor, so Gioin
will not spare you from the brunt."
"…...Yes."
Even though the
mentoring was ordered by Kihoin, there was no point in complaining as long as
she was so brazenly involved in the matter.
Besides, she wanted to
say something to both Tsuguho and Shizumi about their treatment of Akira.
Although it was not
official, Saki was the one who was entrusted with mentoring Akira.
In her perspective,
both of them seemed to have refrained from any contact with Akira, despite the
fact that they were engaged to be married.
Not only that, they
even seem to be intentionally avoiding contact with Akira.
There seemed to be
some kind of political power relationship at work here, such as the fact that
they were using Saki as an extension in order to give Akira more favorable
treatment.
―I guess it can't be helped.
With a sigh, Saki
switched her thoughts.
There are other things
she wants to ask, but she doesn't have the luxury of thinking about all of
them.
"There is one
more thing I would like to ask you.
―When will this be returned to the Nirvana
Religion?"
With a puzzled look on
her face, Saki looked at her bag.
There was a twisted
white stake tied to it.
The Nirvana religion's
sacred artifact was there.
There were two
Pārijātas recovered from the Kamotsu incident. The one that was kept at the
Gennaji Temple was held by Kihoin, but the other was handed to Saki for some
reason.
Saki is not a believer
of the Nirvana religion. She has no intention to treat it roughly, but it is
honestly too much trouble to carry around a sacred artifact of another country
that she cannot even use.
"I am sorry to
say this, but it is not something that can be returned.
The Pārijāta, which is
the cornerstone of the agreement made with Baratush, is the one that had been
kept in the Gennaji Temple. In other words, the one currently held by Saki-san
was brought here recently.
If they knew that
there was another Pārijāta in Takamagahara, Baratush would not remain silent,
even without our involvement."
"......Did the
mastermind intentionally plan all this?"
What came back to
Saki's memory was the existence of Padre, who escaped without ever making an
appearance.
Was he thinking that
even if he left this sacred artifact unattended, Takamagahara would not be able
to touch it? If he thought so, it was a very carefully prepared tool.
"No. Perhaps he
just didn't have the leeway to retrieve it.
The garrison sent out
their forces and led the followers of the [Holy Church of Guidance] to
barricade themselves. Taking advantage of the chaotic situation, he tried to
retrieve the Pārijāta from the shrine.
Judging from the
reports, this must have been the other party's intention."
"May I ask why
you speculated so?"
"Because even if
the cooperation with Vansuir is disposable, the Divine Artifact can never be
replaced.
―It surely is a miscalculation on his part to give up
such a precious object so early."
Despite that, though,
his way of handling it was rough, to use it for tampering with the village's
water veins.
Hearing Tsuguho's
speech that seemed to convey certainty, Saki retracted her rebuttal, even
though her doubts were not fully answered.
The fact that Tsuguho
did not mention some details about the matter meant that Saki did not need to
know about it.
In other words, if
Saki were to find out about it, it could turn into a trouble for herself.
So far, she has been
completely at the mercy of the Four Sovereign's whims.
Saki did not have the
resolve to get involved in the royal court's agenda any more than she already
had.
But,
"...... That's
not the reason why I'm forced to hold this Pārijāta, though, is it?"
You noticed, huh?
Tsuguho smiled mischievously without stopping her steps toward the right-wing
buildings.
Tsuguho was aware that
Saki intended to return Pārijāta to her.
Given Akira's
experiences, it would be easy for him to teach her, but that would not be in
Saki's best interest.
For better future plans,
Saki had to realize things on her own.
About Shuka's actions.
Above all, about Tsuguho's insight that urged her to hold the Pārijāta.
...... But, at least a
few words of advice to help her realize it would suffice.
"I can't disclose
the reason why I ordered you to hold onto it, Saki-san.
―Well, let's see....... Do you know the Shīta's
authority, the Great Divine Pillar of Nirvana religion?"
"......No."
Although it took root
in Takamagahara, the Nirvana religion is the religion of the Han Country (Baratush).
The details of this religion are not something that a noblewoman like Saki
would be familiar with.
Tsuguho looked at
Saki's blank expression with a smile on her face and whispered something that
only Saki could hear.
"Shīta's
authority is salvation. The salvation of this world.
Pārijāta is the
world's most sacred artifact, made up of twenty-eight pieces.
―Do not forget. A sacred artifact is a representation
of the authority held by a divine pillar, but it is not the divine pillar
itself."
Under the bright
sunlight, Tsuguho's whispering lingered in Saki's thoughts for a long time.
――――――――――
Tenryo Academy
attracts promising children who are expected to lead the next generation from
all over Takamagahara, and naturally, the number of days required for their
return varies from region to region.
Therefore, there was a
considerable amount of leeway for the start of full-fledged classes, and
Tsuguho and the others returned to Tenryo Academy one week before official
classes were scheduled to begin.
"Are you sure
that Shizumi-sama went to the central building?"
"Yes. I saw her
there, and I'm certain of it."
"...... It's a
meeting that I don't want to attract attention to, so it's rather
convenient."
In a hallway of a
deserted school building. When Tsuguho asked her a question, Kazune, who was
standing behind her, answered without hesitation.
It was late afternoon
after the morning class, which focused on reviewing the previous semester, had
ended without a hitch. Tsuguho and Saki had gone to the central buildings of
Tenryo Academy to have a meeting with Shizumi.
Adjacent to the club
activities building, which is mainly for student self-management, is a place
that is shared by both genders, so even though there are many men who use it,
it is not a place that women, who are part of the Four Sovereigns, would have
much connection with.
"............―I
don't understand.
What exactly is the
problem?"
"―Because you
don't even know what it is, how can you understand it?"
Tsuguho frowned upon
hearing the commotion echoing from the other side of the stairs.
One is Shizumi. And
the other one could be guessed right away.
"...... Ugetsu
Souma, huh? Looks like she managed to attract a nuisance."
"Shall I pull
Souma-kun away?"
Tsuguho shook her head
and rejected Saki's suggestion.
If a third party were
to interfere, the situation might become even more complicated.
With a single sigh,
Tsuguho stepped toward the gap between the two.
She thought that even
if it was a third party, given her family's status, it would be possible for
her to get Souma to leave.
As expected, Shizumi
and Souma were at the top of the stairs.
Shizumi's two
entourage members, who seemed to exude murderous intents, looked at the
intruders as though they were trying to eliminate them, but they lowered their
heads when they caught sight of Kihoin.
"―Excuse me for
interrupting.
It has been a while,
Shizumi-sama. I have something to discuss with you about, may I?"
"...... Yes, no
problem.
That's all I have to
say, Ugetsu Souma. Please leave."
"No, I can't
withdraw here.
You are probably aware
that this cold treatment toward Ugetsu has been criticized as excessive even if
it's done by Gioin.
Furthermore, with the
current situation in Kokuten Province and the Bon Festival approaching,
people's hearts might turn away from Gioin if things continue as they are
now."
It is probably because
his own territory is being driven into a corner. Souma desperately tried to
persuade her, but he was unable to shake Shizumi's indifferent gaze.
Souma's expression,
which had always been calm for as long as Saki could remember, was distorted
with impatience.
"How dare you
speak to Shizumi-sama without having assumed any official position?
I have heard that you
are a brilliant man, but you seem to grow considerably conceited."
"Even if you are
my senior, do you think you, who belongs to the Dōgyou family (the seventh rank
of the eight families) is qualified to interfere in this matter?"
"Hee~. Ugetsu
(the first rank of the eight families) sure knows how to bark.
Should I teach you how
to behave?"
Souma responded to
Sonomi's provocation with a sneer.
Even after Tsuguho's
intervention, the tense atmosphere remained in a stalemate.
At that moment,
"―Hello~, are you
in the middle of something?"
"Homare-sama!?"
Three different
factions. While they were pondering what to do with the situation that was not
progressing, a cheerful woman's voice came from behind them.
When they looked at
the unexpected intruder, they saw an unexpected person standing there with a
smile on her face.
It was a female figure
with short hair, an appearance scarcely seen in Takamagahara. There is only one
female student with this hairstyle enrolled at Tenryo Academy.
Hariin Homare, the
younger sister of the current head of Hariin, who is enrolled in her final year
at Tenryo Academy.
Her hair and language
are often frowned upon by teachers and staff, but other than that she is an
excellent student and a woman who has upheld the best of her generation until
Souma broke her record.
"...... May we
help you?"
"Yes, with
Souma-kun it is.
I'm sure the Fuwa
family has already contacted you, but the head of Hariin told me to listen to
what you have to say as well. ...... Since she became a mother, she has become
much more of a nag, you see.
Look, can you please
stop trying to get me involved in this, please?"
"Wha, wait a
second......!"
Shall we? With these
words uttered in an implicit manner, she pushed Souma's back and forced him to
leave the place.
He showed signs of
resistance but reluctantly closed his mouth under Homare's unwavering gaze.
Just as he was about
to leave for the bottom of the stairs, he looked back at Tsuguho and the
others.
While smiling without
a hint of ill intent, he mischievously closed one eye and vanished from sight.
A typhoon had just
passed. The cause of the whole messy situation was brilliantly taken away, and
both Gioin and Kihouin, who were left behind, let their gazes wander.
"...... We are
saved for the time being.
Let me thank you for
this later."
"......Don't
worry about it.
......But, was that
all right? If things get this messy just before the festival, it could have
repercussions for your engagement."
"That is true. I
think I need to reevaluate my marital relationship with Ugetsu."
Shizumi started to
speak, trying to break the awkward atmosphere.
Tsuguho's response was
not out of place either.
"Ara, I guess
it's not a bad idea.
In the academy, one
never goes beyond the status of a student, and even though he/she is an
excellent student, he/she is still young and the same age as us.
You need to look at it
from a long-term perspective."
"That is for
Gioin to decide.
―Well then."
Embracing the awkward
atmosphere, Shizumi walked past Tsuguho as if to end the conversation.
―And then,
The words thrown at
her back brought her steps to a halt.
"Ah, right. I,
too, have decided to be engaged.
Today, I wanted to
deliver this news to Shizumi-sama."
"That's-,
......
congratulations."
"Thank you.
Actually, he's from a
commoner background, but Kihouin insisted on it."
"A commoner? Are
you sure there wasn't any trouble during the screening process?"
"No, there was
not even any screening process.
Aka-sama liked him
very much after all."
It is common knowledge
that bloodlines largely determine which rank of spirit a person will possess.
It is common knowledge
that in rare cases, a commoner may be blessed with a mid-ranked spirit, but in
most cases, the descendant will end up with a low-ranked spirit.
However, if the divine
pillar itself recommended it, the case would be different. It means that the
divine pillar has recognized him as a worthy vessel.
In such a case, all
the principles of human society would be disregarded.
Then, something came
to Shizumi's mind. One of the possible locations where Akira might be hiding.
She felt suspicious,
"He came to Karen
three years ago, but he seems to be born in Kokuten Province.
―I heard that he experienced misfortune of being
banished from his own homeland."
―Shizumi was convinced.
No sound, no
expression. Gioin Shizumi who was hailed as the "Easter Lily" turned
her emotionless gaze toward Kihoin Tsuguho who was hailed as the "Formosa
Lily".
"...... Is
Akira-san, doing well?"
"―It's going to
be a long story.
Do you have some time
to spare?"
Tsuguho accepted the
pressure of Shizumi's gaze with a smile and brushed off the subject.
A slight summer breeze
blew across the corridor with an undisturbed calmness. The two lilies, filled
with even more turbulence, let their uniforms fight the breeze, turning their
gazes into gunfire and scattering sparks.
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