Volume 3
Chapter 4 Part
2
Eat the
Unrest, and Survive 2
Translator : PolterGlast
The room, which had
been dominated only by the thin silence of dusk, was filled with the light of
an orange lamp.
A glass bookcase and
an oak desk reflected the light and glistened the varnish.
The study, which was
only a luxurious and bleak space with no sign of occupants, lit up in the
silent illumination.
―And,
The owner of the room,
an elderly man with sweat on his forehead, came back with violent footsteps.
The elegant door,
imported from Rondaria, creaked in protest, and he rushed to the desk,
seemingly without a care for what he was about to do.
"Damn you,
Kihouin!
Why did you decide to
get rid of me after all this time!?"
Banda Kanosuke's mouth
foamed with endless chagrin as he messily tossed over the desk drawer he had
purchased solely to fill his vanity.
"―You can say
that again.
I'm sure we did
everything perfectly well, just where did we step on the tiger's tail? ......Banda-sama,
do you have any idea?"
"None. I've
already agreed to withdraw from the military that they were so obsessed with!
I've also paid out
enough money to the council and the surrounding nobility. It makes no
sense."
It was while he was
busy negotiating with the Talisman Association to secure Gensei that he
received the urgent news from the Banda family, directly from the head of the
family, that he had been cut off for good.
When he tried to ask
the reason, he was ignored by the shadow workers and those with good ears in
the council, so he returned to his home in a desperate attempt to secure his
own safety.
However, it was
probably a gesture of mercy from Banda Sadakuni that he risked being blamed by
Kihouin to send that message.
"Kihoin's
arrogance is nothing new.
―So what are you planning to do now?""
"...... I don't
think we can count on the Banda family anymore."
While tossing his
accumulated savings across his desk, Banda barely acknowledged the reality of
the situation.
To make a comeback, he
needs to establish a proper foundation.
In most cases, this
would require financial resources, but Banda himself did not have that much
money left.
Because his cold
pockets alone would not be enough to secure a promising future.
If Banda himself
willingly gives himself up, he will be able to get some money in exchange for
his retirement.
However, if the
darkness of his past work for the Banda family came to light, there was no
telling what kind of retaliation he would receive from Banda Sadakuni.
After all, the only
option left to him was to gather up all the money he had and pursue a future in
which he would be able to survive.
―And,
"......"
Banda stood up
vigorously at the unexpected ringing in his ears.
The quiet ringing,
which didn't even shake his eardrums, caused him to feel anxious.
"What is going
on?"
"An isolation
barrier, huh? The center is probably this mansion.
―There's no way out of this."
Banda was in a panic,
but a voice calmly answered him.
"Damned Kihouin!
There's no way I'll
surrender to your wishes!!"
"Oh, can you
escape?"
"Of course! I
won't go along with the whims of these Kihouin women until they destroy me.
―Wait!"
Banda stopped moving
in response to the whisper, which was so calm as to be out of place.
―Who am I talking to until now......?
From the time when he
was cast off from the main family until now, Banda could only remember acting
alone.
...... So,
with whom am I exchanging words with?
A natural sense of
discomfort dredged itself out of his consciousness.
Banda's gaze wandered
to the couch in his study, desperately trying to hold on to the sensation that
even his doubts were fading.
It was brightly
illuminated by the flickering light of the electric lamp, yet that corner of
the room was still submerged in a stupefying dimness.
But someone sat at the
far end of the room and looked back at Banda.
......Since
when he had been there?
"Who the hell are
you!?"
"―Hihi. If you
allow such a gap in your perception, how can you be so sure of your own
abilities?"
"I'm asking you a
question! Answer me, who are- ~!!?"
"Hi, hi. Even if
you ask me.
I'm sure you already
know who I am."
The figure shook its
shoulders with a hint of mockery, not paying any heed to the furious yells from
Banda.
Banda was struck
speechless at the sight of the figure, which was vaguely emerging from the
shadows.
He knew. Of course.
They had known each other since birth. That figure born from the shadows,
"Me......!??"
"Yes, quite
nicely done, isn't it? I spent a lot of time and effort for you.
After all, even though
it is a high-ranked spirit, its ability is not as good as it should be. So, it
is not even close to the real you, but it doesn't matter. People won't know the
difference. Besides, there are only a few fools in our memory who have met all
of the conditions."
Hihi. The face that
emerged from the shadows was a wooden mask that had been elaborately carved
down to the last wrinkle.
The face, with its
smooth texture, looked back at Banda emotionlessly.
"It's a pity, but
it's time for you to go.
I've had enough fun
with you. We'll put the final touches ourselves."
"Don't screw with
me, Metamorph!!"
The moment the sneer
leaked out from behind the mask that hid even its emotions, a white-blade
radiance gushed out from Banda's hand.
The spirit weapon was
pulled out and burst into flames, and the papers on the desk were engulfed in
embers.
"―Hi, hi. What a
futile struggle.
My mask has three
powers. They are imitation, simulation, and mimicry.
......Therefore,"
"Guoo~!"
Before Banda could
unleash his spiritual technique, the writhing shadow devoured him.
Beyond the darkness,
which did not allow him to even move, the figure wearing Banda's mask stood up.
Somehow, a mask that
resembled a non-human face had appeared in its hand.
"With your human
life no longer of any use, this Metamorph mask would be more befitting of your
end."
"........................!!??"
Without even replying.
Banda's consciousness
was abruptly cut off and vanished as the Metamorph mask was pressed against him
from beyond the darkness.
"―Now that this
has happened, the Divine Pillar must have taken notice of me.
Although it is a few
days earlier than planned, let's call it a rehearsal for the Hyakki
Yagyo."
The masked figure left
a merry mutter.
In the study that had
lost its master, the monologue was the only thing that sadly colored its end.
――――――――――
At the same time, in
the light rain that had begun to fall in the evening, a group of police
officers surrounded the area where Banda resided from a distance.
A few of them entered
the large garden, which seemed to satisfy the owner's vanity.
Behind them, Tsuguho
Kihoin had joined the command headquarters.
"―How is the
situation?"
"Oh,
Tsuguho-sama. We have just commenced."
Tsuguho only gave a
nod in reply and looked around the hastily prepared tent.
Mototaka Muto, who saw
Tsuguho's appearance, stood up and greeted her.
"I am Muto of the
Public Security Bureau.
You don't have to go
all the way to a place like this, just leave it to us to secure it."
"I have a bad
feeling about this lone rascal.
If it is my name you
are referring to, I am sure the head of the family would understand."
"Understood. What
about your escort?"
"No need.
Concentrate on what you have to do."
"...... At least,
please do not leave your tent."
Muto shrugged his
shoulders at the curt response, not letting his expression slip out.
The next head of
Kihoin, which stands at the pinnacle of the various clans and factions. That is
the true identity of the girl standing in front of Muto.
Certainly, Muto's
concern seemed unnecessary.
Nevertheless, she is
one of the most important figures in the Shumon Province. Muto, who looked at
her with a bitter smile, gave his assent and turned his stern gaze toward the
mansion.
There was no sign of
anyone in the residence within the range of Tsuguho's vision.
The police officers
heading toward the eerily silent mansion stepped from the garden into the outer
corridor of the mansion. ......
""Uwaaa!?""
With a soul-deafening
scream, bodies flew into the air.
As the officers
groaned on the muddy ground, a large foot descended to the ground from the back
of the mansion.
"Banda......?"
"That one?"
A stunned voice
escaped Tsuguho and Muto's mouths as they recognized the figure of the person
they had met a few days earlier.
His abnormal body with
muscles overlying muscles and a very elaborately carved wooden mask that might
resemble a bug.
The way he was
behaving was clearly abnormal, and Tsuguho voiced her doubts.
"I knew he was wicked,
but it seems that he has been harboring something very dangerous in his heart.
That is surprising."
"No matter how I
look at him, he doesn't seem to fit with the description."
"―Well, well. Is
this not Tsuguho-sama?"
The two were puzzled
as they exchanged words with each other, when another person appeared from the
back of the mansion
The appearance of this
person made Tsuguho and Muto raise their vigilance to the highest level.
The figure, with its
bare feet on the ground, was so lacking in features that they had no
recollection of it.
However, from the neck
up, it is the face of Banda that remains in their memories.
The discomfort, which
almost made them lose sight of its physique, gave everyone present the illusion
that only Banda's head was floating.
"Identify
yourself!"
"Oya~,
Tsuguho-sama. Didn't we just meet last month?
...... Have you
forgotten already?"
Compared to the first
deformity, the one that descended later looked more like Banda himself.
However, even after
understanding this fact, Tsuguho's gaze became sharper.
"Yes, I did meet
Banda.
But it is not you.
Compared to you, the one standing next to you is much more human."
"―Hi, hi~.
As expected. The eyes
of Sannomiya-Shiin (the Four Sovereigns of the Three Imperial Families) cannot
be deceived, after all."
In response to
Tsuguho's words, the thing standing in front of her shook its shoulders in
mockery.
After turning its head
over and indulging in a round of laughter, it raised its head and Banda's
figure no longer
Instead, there was a
thing wearing an elaborate human face.
"All hands on
alert!
Protectors and above,
you are permitted to draw your blades."
"He may look like
a human, but he is a kegare! Be on your guard!"
A forest of swords was
lined up, and their edges were all lined up as they bared their fangs at Banda.
The Onmyojis who had
been waiting in the back simultaneously performed the Kuji-in*1, and
the barriers that rose up along the lattice reinforced the isolation barrier.
*1 The
kuji-in (Japanese: 九字印) or jiǔzìyìn (Chinese: 九字印), also known as Nine Hand Seals, is a system of mudras and associated
mantras that consist of nine syllables. The mantras are referred to as kuji
(Japanese: 九字), which
literally translates as nine characters.
Muto pulled a kunai
from his pocket and raised his voice.
"No matter what
you are, we have laid out a complete blockade around this place. You cannot
escape, just be quiet and accept your inevitable purification!"
"You are making
an unreasonable demand of me.
You should not demand
what you cannot do, knowing that you have failed to become a guardian. ......
Onmyoji."
Upon hearing the other
party's reply, Muto's expression became distorted.
Muto, who could not
succeed as a guardian, sought a position as an onmyoji who could also stand in
battle.
However, there are
only a limited number of people who know of this fact.
In particular, since
he was placed in the Public Security Bureau, his personal information was
strictly regulated.
The person in front of
him casually dismissed this fact.
―In other words,
"Watch out. This
guy's able to peek into your memories!"
Muto's warning made
everyone tense.
However, the man with
the Banda mask hid in the shadow of Banda, who was wearing the mask of a bug.
"This is a mask
carved from the Armored Centipede that I brought with me during the invasion of
the Dragon Vein.
See for yourself the
wonders of my power."
"Gu, fu, gi, gya~!"
At the same time as
the declaration, miasma erupted from the face of the centipede.
The miasma that
crawled through Banda's body invaded every nook and cranny, causing the human
body to bubble distortedly.
"You don’t say―!"
"Wonderful. Even
though it had been smoldering in the dullness, it was still a high-ranked
spirit after all.
It was worth it to
have chosen a high-quality body!"
―G-Gyahahahaha~!!
Tsuguho's mutterings
were blindsided and the masked man's loud laughter.
The black and glossy
torso leaped out from between the swirling miasma and approached Tsuguho
without hesitation.
The distance between
them instantly disappeared,
―Mutō's kuji-in barrier, which sprang out from the
side, blocked the blow and deflected it away.
The rivalry collapsed
in an instant, and the barrier shattered. Still, as a final effort, it jumped
its writhing, black torso upward.
The impact dispersed
the miasma. There appeared a huge Armored Centipede.
"Please step
back, Tsuguho-sama!"
"No need to be
concerned.
...... To think he was
able to transform a human being into a kegare."
A strange ability that
Tsuguho has no recollection of. If that creature were to rage throughout the
city, it could easily paralyze the city from functioning.
The only saving grace
was that the key seemed to be its mask.
It was unclear how
many layers there were, but there was no doubt that there was a limit to the
number of layers as long as it was based on substances.
It wasn't that the
people around them were just sitting idly by.
Everyone flashed their
blades to engage, but they were repelled by the miasma and the yellow limbs
that were being flung about.
"Isn't it
stronger than an Armored Centipede!?"
"Probably because
it's a high-ranked spirit, that is if he's telling the truth.
We can never be too
careful, but since the mask is the cause, it probably cannot exhibit any more
abilities than what it mimics."
Although it is
different from the normal Armored Centipede, there should also be an upper
limit. That's what Tsuguho deduced
"......Armored
Centipede is a water element, right?"
There is no reason to
doubt. Replying with a nod, Mutō pulled out a barrier-type talisman from his
pocket.
He pierced the
talisman with the tip of the kunai, and without hesitation, he closed the gap
with the Armored Centipede,
Jumping onto the
rampaging Metamorph's back, he raised the kunai and stabbed it along with the
talisman.
"Fire Barrier
Talisman!"
The Onmyojis
immediately formed hand seals in response to the type of talisman that was
being shouted out.
The rising wood Qi
covered the Armored Centipede in layers, and Mutō, who had taken a distance, formed
a sword finger and activated the talisman.
―Boom.
The Fire Barrier
Talisan devoured the wood Qi and generated more firepower than an
offensive-type talisman.
Due to the
relationship of water conquering fire, the Armored Centipede, which has water Qi,
has an advantage over fire Qi, but fire Qi, which has gained strength by
feeding on wood Qi, should be able to overcome this opposition and be able to
overpower the Centipede.
Muto then instructed
the Onmyojis to spend all the wood-type talismans to seal the Armored Centipede
in a cage of wood chi.
With this, the Armored
Centipede should be rendered immobile.
"Hou~. What a
splendid coordination.
―But haven't you forgotten? A mask is a tool to be used
in a performance, after all."
The tone of his voice,
which did not contain a trace of impatience, caused everyone present to
stiffen.
At that moment, the
body of the flame-wrapped Armored Centipede swelled up, fed by all the wood
chi.
"...... A Fire
Element Armored Centipede!"
"That is correct.
You misjudged, Kihouin!!"
―Creak! Creak!
The insect's body
expanded even more enormously, and its flaming torso shattered the barriers and
rose up in the rain.
Its eyeballs, looking
down from a great height, intertwined with Tsuguho's gaze.
―The hateful Kihoin, the one who humiliated him.
Throwing the details
of what he had done into oblivion, the reddish-black Centipede's head bared its
fangs in accordance with the hatred stirred up by the slightest memory.
―Gyaahahahaha~!!
Banda's fangs, in
which only hatred and instinct remained, descended in a straight line toward
Tsuguho.
The Centipede's fangs
closed in on Tsuguho, whose expression was not visible, without resistance,
"―I beseech
you."
The long golden hair
and the blue eyes burning with fighting spirit intercepted the falling assault
head-on.
Flames rose with a
roaring sound.
In a section of a
high-class residential area inhabited by wealthy aristocrats, the malicious
intent of miasma and the divine energy shining in vermillion gold were grinding
away at each other as if to devour the other.
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