Volume 3
Chapter 5 Part
2
Princess
Dances with Vermillion Gold, O you, Sever the Causes and Effects 2
Translator : PolterGlast
"We're a bit late.
...... Maybe we should
have just walked and endured getting wet."
"I told you.
It's faster to
exercise Aragamioroshi and run than to wait in line for the Tram."
It was late in the
evening, when a light drizzle was soaking the ground dark, when Akira and Jin
got off at the Tram terminal on the border of the 1st and 3rd districts.
Due to Jin's
personality, which was unusual for a high-ranking nobility, a casual exchange
naturally ensued between the two.
In response to Akira's
remark, Jin's mouth pouted slightly.
"Don't say that,
junior.
It is forbidden to use
Aragamioroshi in the city.
Besides, I've always
wanted to ride a Tram at least once."
"You've never
rode one before, senior?"
"This is my first
time.
......Nakiri territory
is not suitable for this kind of facility, and in Hakudō Province, the best
that can be expected is for it to be installed in the capital. It takes a lot
of resources and space, and I'm sure these luxuries are the same in other
provinces as well."
Although Tram is noted
for its convenience, it is also susceptible to delays due to the amount of
people and traffic.
In addition, if the transportation
company wants to make a profit, it is necessary to have a certain level of
fixed user mobility.
Even in Takamagahara,
a remarkably civilized area, it would have been impossible to provide
transportation of this scale unless it were in a fairly large city.
It was precisely
because he understood this that Jin's true intention was to enjoy
transportation for the sake of sightseeing.
The two of them spent
the rest of the day laughing. Shoulder to shoulder, they put up their
umbrellas.
The sound of rain
falling lightly. The water droplets fell to the ground through the umbrella's
oiled paper.
"...... Come to
think of it, the Nakiri territory has the same surname as my senior's.
Is there any reason
for that?"
"Are you sure
want to ask me that?
The people around you
are very careful not to talk about it, you know?"
"Sorry. Is it
improper?"
Akira's eyebrows
furrowed inwardly when he heard his casual reply.
As was the case with
Ugetsu, the nobility tends to place a high value on reputation.
In some cases, it is
even more important than blood relations.
For Akira, who was
also a victim of this practice, Jin's reaction was surprising.
"No, not really. In
fact, the Nakiri family is actually proud of it.
......It's a simple story. The Nakiri family
was originally the lords of the Nakiri territory."
The content of what
Jin told him was a shock to Akira.
Losing one position
from a feudal lord to a branch family. It is the kind of ugly story that anyone
would be uncomfortable with.
"You know about
the civil war 400 years ago, right? Until that time, the Nakiri territory was
under the jurisdiction of Kabeju Province."
The civil war between
Hakudō Province and Kabeju Province that almost divided Takamagahara. Nakiri
Territory, located exactly in the center of the four provinces, became the main
battlefield.
Aside from the details
of the incident, the Nakiri territory was transferred to the Hakudō Province as
part of the reparations for the civil war.
At that time, the Yuge
family was reassigned to Nakiri territory.
"Originally, the
Nakiri family would have been on the brink of banishment or disownment, but by
joining the Yuge family as its branch, the Nakiri family was able to settle the
matter, even retaining the family name.
That is why the Nakiri
family has pledged absolute loyalty to the Yuge family, and as a branch of the
Yuge family, we are proud of that.
There is one more
reason, but, well, it doesn't really matter."
The emotion hidden in
his light tone of voice seemed to even be filled with pride.
The way of thinking as
a member of the noble family, which is different from that of Saki and Ryota,
who belong to the eight families, struck Akira's interest for a while.
――――――――――
"But, well, the
city of Karen is by far the most developed."
"Kamotsu, the
gateway to the foreign countries, was pretty well developed, too, though.
Although once
Western-style clothing becomes the norm there, it's just a bit
disconcerting."
"Have you been
there?"
"Just last month.
In terms of development
alone, it exceeds that of Karen, but for me, I feel more at home in a kimono
than in Western-style clothing."
While he acknowledges
the stylishness of Western-style clothing, there is a certain quality and
attachment to kimonos as well.
In Kamotsu, there are
too many fashionable outfits, which makes Akira conscious that he has somehow
lost his way when it comes to fashion.
There is a high
possibility that Akira was simply lacking in fashion sense, but he decided not
to think too much about it.
Because his pockets
were as empty as ever, so he didn't have the luxury of caring about what he was
wearing.
"You
old-fashioned bastard. You should be more concerned about fashion trends.
Well, I can say the
same thing about people from other provinces."
"How can I, a
commoner, talk about fashion trends among the royalty?
No matter how much
money I have in my pocket, it will never be enough."
"I see."
The two of them stood
shoulder to shoulder, and their haori fluttered drenched.
In the light rain, amidst
the chit-chat, they stroll down the main street leading to the headquarters of
the garrison, with Tram by their side.
―Then,
"......
Senpai."
"Since you felt
it too, it must not be just my imagination."
Subtle vibrations were
transmitted to the soles of their feet. A slight miasma, faintly rising from
the light rain and the heat of the steam, stopped them in their tracks.
A tingling sense of
urgency made him bend down and assume a fighting stance.
"From where?"
"I don't know.
I can't read the
source of the miasma mixed with the rain."
Jin's gaze swept
through the air as he responded bitterly, unable to find the source of the
miasma.
The surrounding nobles
must have begun to sense it too. Even unarmed people were starting to make
commotion in panic.
Akira felt annoyed at
this foolish spectacle, but consoled himself with the thought that it was
inevitable.
Since the miasma
outbreak is usually limited to the area around the miasma pool, it has never
been confirmed that it occurs in human settlements.
Even in Karen, there
are very few sightings of defiled beasts in the center of the city, and in
normal times, there are only the occasional small defiled beasts such as dogs
and nekomata.
Therefore, it was an
ironclad rule that the garrison should be stationed along the outer edge of
Karen, along the route of the dragon veins.
Maintaining public
order inside the city is the jurisdiction of the police officers, who naturally
have far less combat experience fighting the defiled beasts.
Judging from the
surroundings, Akira and Jin were probably the only ones who could engage in
battle.
They don't know where
their opponent is, what the threat is, or how many there are.
―Without a doubt, Akira will not be able to protect all
of the people around him.
The memory of losing
his friends because of his own decision made Akira's feet tremble with fright.
He glanced to the
side. Jin's figure appeared in his field of vision, seemed tense, but with some
leeway left in terms of emotion.
Jin's calm demeanor
helped considerably, and Akira's gaze adjusted.
After taking a few
deep breaths, the trembling in his legs subsided.
And at that moment,
―*fwiishh*, *fwiishh*, *fwiishh*!
An unnerving sound
echoed behind their backs.
They turned around,
and what leaped into their vision was a yellow multi-limbed thing that looked
like a spears skewering Tram with a resounding sound.
""Ha!?""
Although they were
prepared for it, their voices unexpectedly overlapped.
While they were in a
daze, the writhing limbs lifted the Tram upward. Shattered glass was scattered
about, and the abducted car body was tossed about like a toy.
The unrealistic sight
they had not expected to see in Karen's first district left them speechless.
"As expected of a
big city.
I didn't know they
kept such a Metamorph......"
"There's no way
that's possible."
Akira interrupted
Jin's mumbling.
Seeing this as an
opportunity, the reddish-black head of the Armored Centipede shot straight
toward Akira and the others, piercing the rain curtain. The reddish-black head
of the Armored Centipede danced toward Akira and the others.
""!!""
Two umbrellas were
brutally ripped apart and flung through the air.
The two who had been
its masters leaped backward and high into the air, letting their enhanced leg
strength guide their evasion.
After jumping about 10
meters in the air, they landed on the roof of a store, probably a merchant's
house, kicking up the roof tiles.
"Are you all
right, junior!?"
"Yeah,
somehow!"
In response to their
voices, Armored Centipede bared its fangs from behind billowing clouds of dust
and smoke.
The head of the
Armored Centipede, which had turned into a reddish-black spear with its fangs
sprouting out, thrust itself into the roof where Akira was standing.
Scattered roof tiles
and screams. Leaving all this behind, Akira jumped down to the ground.
The roof was a weak
foothold, and there was a possibility that the roof would collapse.
Perhaps reaching the
same conclusion, Jin also landed on the ground and looked up at Centipede.
"Looks like he's
targeting you, junior, do you know each other?"
"I purified one
of his friends just recently.
...... I recall it was
called Orochi. Do I have a disposition to be favored by long bugs?"
―*chk*! *chk*!
The two exchanged
casual talk as if they had much time to spare, and Armored Centipede's fangs
creaked in response.
The fangs opened as if
to show off, and the venom trailed through them.
Jin stepped in front
of Akira at the obvious threat.
He held his tachi in a
lower-level stance (gedan-no-kamae),
ready to intercept.
"I'll pound his
jaw, no matter what it takes.
Junior, you, on the
other hand, knock his head off."
"Ou!"
Perhaps responding to
the two's fighting spirit, the Centipede's head fell as a reddish-black flash.
From high to low. The
fangs looming with great momentum.
Without fear of the
clear threat, Jin's blade slashed upward.
Jinroin-style
Spirit Technique, Chuden―
"Sake
Oroshi!"
The spirit technique,
accompanied by a storm of wind, blasts forth along the tip of Jin's swung
sword.
From below to above.
The intangible hammer accurately hit the Centipede's jaw.
―Kii!!
Perhaps coupled with
the speed of the fall, the Armored Centipede's bitter cry leaked from the gap
between its fangs.
Taking advantage of
the opportunity that the falling giant's body was turned upward to the sky,
Akira kicked the red-brick wall and leaped up much higher than Centipede.
A white blade was
drawn from his waist, and a vermilion-gold luster stained the flashing trail.
The overflowing
spiritual power was converted into flames, and a single powerful slash seized
the defenseless head.
Kihoin-style
Spirit Technique, Finisher Move―
―Ishiwari Tonbi.
It is a destructive
blow unleashed from the uppermost stance, which is considered the worst move,
with no consideration of defense or evasion.
However, its power is
undeniable.
It is a blow that will
submerge anything into its destructive will, and it blasts through the sky,
"!!??"
However, it was
Akira’s Ishiwari Tonbi which was overwhelmed by the sharp but blunt sound.
With a thunderous
roar, the flames of the explosion licked the hard Centipede's eyeballs, but its
fangs, without the slightest wound, turned toward Akira.
Akira's Ishiwari Tonbi
is certainly immature; he has not yet caught up with Rindō Saki in terms of
skill, let alone Asogi Genji.
―But his enormous spiritual power should be more than
enough to compensate for his poor skills.
So, Akira did not
expect that it could not even shatter this Metamorph's armor.
The Centipede's huge
body passed in front of Akira's eyes, and the towing limb that swung out
further repelled Akira's body as it flew through the air.
"Ugh~"
"Are you okay, junior!?"
"Somehow!"
Hearing Jin's voice of
concern, Akira jumped to his feet and readied himself.
The circulating
spiritual power healed his body, and the pain instantly disappeared.
"Is Armored
Centipede really this durable, like it can even block the fire elements?"
"No, they are
not. The previous one was much softer and was defeated by your blow, senior.
This guy's hardness is
on another level!"
"Exactly. This is
my divine artifact, after all.
I will not allow it to
be shattered by the mere blades of this world."
"―Who's there!?"
Akira glared at the
Armored Centipede after his response, intended for Jin's words, was interjected
by someone else.
A figure of an old
man, larger than Akira, emerged from behind the white screen that billowed out
of the destroyed steam pipe.
The old man's
appearance was something Akira did not recognize, but he seemed to pay more
attention to Akira than Jin, as if he had seen him before.
"I felt relieved
that I managed to break away from Kihoin, but I never expected that I would run
into you here.
...... So, it was you who was seized by the
Great Divine Pillar of the Shumon Province, huh?"
The old man rubbed his
chin in a relaxed manner, putting aside the tension in the air.
Akira tried to probe
his memories of the figure, but he couldn't recall anything.
"Do you know
me?"
"What are you
talking about, junior?
...... That's Banda,
the commander in chief."
"That's
him?"
Akira's brow furrowed
at the comment made by Jin.
The fact is, Banda was
the one who had been stirring to get rid of Akira, so it would be foolish of
Banda to confront Akira directly like this.
But there was
something more puzzling than that, something that was reflected in Akira's
vision.
"How do you know
it if he's wearing a mask, senpai?"
"Mask!?"
To Akira, the man
standing there was a man in black wearing a mask of an old man.
His mannerisms were so
devoid of features that it did not seem like that of an old man.
Not even his
expression was visible. His gaze, extending from behind the slick Noh mask,
crossed Akira's. After a few moments of silence, the man's shoulders shook in
mockery.
"―Hi, hi. I had
assumed it, but it really didn't work for you either, huh?
Well, never mind. To
enact the karmic cause and effect of this world is the authority of my Nine
Dharma Treasures.
Although it is earlier
than expected, but being caught by the Great Divine Pillar and meeting with you
is still according to plan.
It is regrettable that
we are not at the garrison headquarters, but I guess I should start the Hyakki
Yagyo here!"
As if to interrupt the
loud laughter of the man, the Armored Centipede bared its fangs and crawled on
the ground.
The Centipede alone
was too much to handle. The situation suddenly changed, and Akira and Jin
jumped back separately to avoid the Centipede's fangs.
"Senpai, how
about defense?"
"The Jinrouin
style is all about quick attacks and hitting.
Defense? There's no
such thing."
"Weren't you
proud of your Soyokaze!?"
"Think about the
difference in mass.
It's not a big deal if
it's just as big as a boar, and it's basically intended for use against
people."
How useless! Ignoring Akira's
dismissive words, Jin held his tachi in the iai stance.
It is a stance to jump
into the opponent's bosom and intercept him. In the original Jinroin style,
this would be considered a poor strategy, but that approach is what makes Yuge
Kojou the strongest.
Abandons defense and
finds a way out at close range.
If that is Yuge
Kojou's nature, there is no reason that Nakiri Jin, Koujou's first disciple,
cannot catch up to him!
The distance between
the two instantly disappeared. A flash of Jin's weapon struck the wide-opened
mouth of the Armored Centipede.
Jinroin-style
Spirit Technique, Shoden―
"Nagi no
Minamikaze!"
The wind pressure hit
the rear of the skull, and the Armored Centipede's path changed slightly.
Jin's lightning-white
blade passed through the side of the advancing Centipede and was thrust into
its neck.
Jinroin-style
Spirit Technique, Consecutive Technique―
"Shiragasane!"
A sharply honed gale
slash. However, being crushed by the flames that erupted, Jin's entire physique
was knocked away from the Armored Centipede.
Just before Jin's
body, which was flung through the air, slammed into a multistory building, he
braced himself against the impact by positioning his foot against the wall.
"Damn it!
It's not a water
element. This bastard looks like an Armored Centipede, but it's actually a
fire-element."
―Gyahahahahaha~!!
Perhaps having hit the
bullseye, the Armored Centipede sneered at Jin.
In the meantime, Akira
fired an Enga at its torso, but the black outer shell blocked the flying slash
of flame without difficulty.
The other party did
not stand idly by and watch. With a slippery motion, the man closed the gap
between the two, and a plain blade pointed at Akira's flank.
"It would be troubling
if you forget about me."
"Shut up, just
watch, you coward!"
Receiving each other's
blade with the hilt of the sword, the two moved away from each other as if
being repelled by the opposing blade.
The man jumped back
while snickering, and a necklace of a design that Akira remembered from his
memory peeked out from his chest.
"―That
necklace."
"Well~, this is a
souvenir. I got this after I visited Kamotsu."
"I have seen it
before. Yes, it's the design of the [Holy Church of Guidance]. You,"
The man laughed and
directed his left hand, which was holding a talisman, at Akira.
He held up only his
index and middle fingers forming a sword finger, tracing the void as if
slashing it.
"Indeed, we are
finally able to meet here.
I hope you enjoyed the
battle against Vansuir I staged for you."
"Padre!!"
The man's taunting
voice struck him, and his memories were connected to the correct answer.
The unidentified man
who had instigated the [Holy Church of Ariadne] and fled without ever being
seen.
Behind Banda's mask,
the man's mouth curved into a crescent moon.
Struck by his mockery,
Akira gathered the lingering flame at his feet and attempted to lunge forward.
"―He, he.
I would love to play
with you, but I'm a bit in a hurry here.
Therefore, I shall ask
for Banda-dono's help."
Accompanied by a
sneer, the talisman left Padre's hand and ripped through the void, aiming at
Jin.
As if in pursuit of
Jin, who evaded the flying talisman, multiple flames chased after him.
Several flames
exploded and then disappeared. Seeing that the distance between Jin and the
Armored Centipede had opened up sufficiently, Padre threw a noticeably large
talisman into the middle of it.
A reddish-black flame
of miasma flared up, and from within it a huge arm with bulging muscles
emerged.
Next, a huge,
well-trained physique with legs that support it.
"This is Kidō
spell, Demon Summoning.
With my current skill,
two is the limit, but I believe it should be enough to stop you in your tracks.
―Gaaaaaaaa~aaa~aaa~a~!
The two giant ogres,
summoned by the technique, howled in menacing fury as soon as the miasma flames
dissipated.
It was during the last
Hyakki Yagyo that Akira encountered the giant ogres. The threat was vivid in
his memory, and it was ingrained in his mind.
As Akira was being
intimidated, the voice of Jin, who had made up his mind, rang out.
"―Sorry, junior.
Can you buy me some
time?"
"Yeah."
The distance between
Jin whether to Akira or Padre was equally wide open, and no matter which way he
turned, the presence of the giant ogres would stand in his way.
The only option
available to Jin now was simply to defeat the giant ogres as quickly as
possible.
Understanding this
fact, Akira's determination immediately returned.
"Thank you.
...... In return, I'll show you something good."
Before Akira could
reply, Jin extended his hand into the void.
"Padre, is it?
Summoning two giant ogres before me is quite an impolite and bad move."
His mutterings were
short, and Jin gripped the hilt stored within him.
―It is the crystallization of a thousand years of
Nakiri's land. It is the essence of history, the essence of those who have
fought against evil and wished to carve a single sword into the great ogre even
in death.
"―one
sword, to serve,"
At the same time as
his call, a blast of air rushed through the air, and the two giant ogres were
blown across the street at once.
The enormous spiritual
power converted into heat, evaporating the frequent rain and dyeing the field
of vision white.
The vision was lost.
However, the ensuing powerful winds cut through the void up and down along with
the vapors that filled the air.
The blade, which has
nothing to do with cutting, still dances sharply in the void.
Holding the hilt, Jin
proudly announced the name that resides in his own bloodline.
"―Hyakkimaru."
――――――――――
TIPS: Regarding
Finisher Move.
A spirit technique
that was born as a result of the attempts of mid-ranked spirit protectors who
could not attain Okuden to seek for the same level of power as Okuden.
A technique used by
those without power to fight against those of higher rank.
...... It may sound
very cool.
In fact, if one were
to add power to power, one's most powerful technique would be born! It may
sound insane. Or rather, most of them were created based on bold ideas.
A spirit technique
that pursues power, requires a lot of time to accumulate and is slow to
activate.
However, its
difficulty is about the same as Chūden's, and its power is comparable to that
of Okuden's. It is called roman (ロマン, dream).
...... There are a lot
of people who use it, even those who already attained Okuden. Because it is
flashy and cool.
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