Volume 3
Chapter 6 Part
2
Doubt the
Outcome, Trace It Back to the Intention 2
Translator : PolterGlast
The day after
Nurarihyon's rampage, the clear autumn sky lit up the streets of Karen in
contrast to the rainy weather of the previous night.
Nakiri Jin was alone
in the courtyard of the inn, working on his training, under the dazzling
morning sun.
Swinging sounds
echoed, and the wind brushed away the heat of his training that coiled around
his body.
―Just one more swing.
While clenching his
teeth, he stepped forward and delivered an overhead strike.
*Swish*. The clear
morning air was split by a bamboo stick, and his throat let out a satisfied
breath.
He was looking forward
to mastering his trump card in preparation for the Tenran Tournament at the
beginning of the year.
What crossed his mind
was Akira's blow against the Armored Centipede.
The blow, which seemed
to have been carved out of the fierceness of the fire element, was the very
embodiment of the power that Jin did not possess.
The Jirouin style
emphasizes quick attack above all else.
Strike a sure blow
from outside the opponent's attack range. While it enables one-sided attacks,
it also inevitably results in situations where the power of the attack is not
sufficient.
Although he never expressed
dissatisfaction with this fact, he still had a kind of longing for the high
firepower that he could not reach.
......That's why,
He traced Akira's
movements from memory, matching them with his own as best he could.
The sample for the
fire-element, an overhead strike. Then, he combined the spiritual power of the
metal-element with it,
―The moment he did that, spiritual power spilled out of
his palm and dissipated.
"......Damn
it."
The result was as
expected, and a cursing word leaked out of the corner of his mouth that he had
no intention of delivering to anyone.
The metal-element is
second only to the water-element in terms of compatibility with spirit vessels.
Furthermore, it is
only logical that the incompatibility of the Jinrouin style (metal-element)
with the Kihouin style (Fire-element) would be magnified when the former is
used to imitate the latter.
......Since it is
something that Jin can come up with, people in the past have probably thought
of it and tried it out.
―As soon as it fails to take form, one can guess the
outcome.
With this failure
bitterly etched in his memory, Jin took his thoughts away from his training.
He propped his wooden
sword at his side and drank water directly from the gourd he had previously
placed there.
The cold droplets ran
down his throat and disappeared, taking the heat from his stomach.
In the empty courtyard
of the inn, the chirping of birds drifted past in the shadows.
Eventually, the heat
in his body subsided, and Jin stretched and stood up again.
"......Let's look
at it from a different perspective.
The Jinrouin style is
incompatible with spirit vessels, but it works well with Onmyojutsu."
Perhaps aided by the
fact that no one was around, Jin put his embarrassment aside and let his
soliloquy roll off his tongue.
After organizing his
thoughts, he projected the best solution that he could refine.
"In other words,
it is obvious that the compatibility with talismans is also in line with
it."
He recalled as
accurately as possible the scene when he was involved in one of Akira's
incidents the day before yesterday.
Although Akira was
unaware of it, Jin had been observing Akira's fighting style for some time.
By channeling the
recoil of the spirit technique into a talisman, an emergency means of exercising
a spirit technique equivalent to an external power without a spirit vessel.
What amazed him more
than anything was the fact that Akira could even exercise the Hariin-school's
spirit technique without regard to the five elemental correlations.
Well, what can he say,
it seems that Akira was doing a rather brazen and flashy stunt that only left
Jin feeling rather embarrassed .......
But it may not be a
bad eye-opener.
Exercising spirit
techniques through Onmyoujutsu. ...... Coupled with the flashy move, it looked
like a trump card in Jin's eyes.
He checked left and
right. After making sure that no one was around, he pulled out a metal-element
talisman from his pocket.
After further checking
left and right as a last confirmation, Jin slowly clamped the talisman between
his sword fingers and tried to put on his best posture.
Jinroin-style Spirit
Technique, Shoden―
"Enre―"
"What are you doing, Jin?
*Startle*. The voice
from outside of his consciousness made Jin's shoulders shake in a very obvious
way.
Behind Jin. There,
from the corridor leading to the courtyard of the inn, was the figure of Yuge
Kojou, who was looking at him dubiously.
"M-Master, how
long have you been there!?"
"Just now? The
inspection of the garrison headquarters is over, and we can finally have our
meal."
With a gesture of
ignoring Jin's agitation, he stepped down onto the courtyard.
He caught a glimpse of
Jin's footsteps through the slightly muddy footprints left behind by last
night's rain.
Footprints that were
clearly too conscious of rigidity, different from the Jinrouin style.
"―Is it perhaps
Akira-kun's influence? Looks like you're aware of the lack of compatibility,
but a hard-handed approach is certainly attractive. It's a mistake that Jirouin
style always goes through."
In response to Kojou's
smiling mutter, Jin's mouth twisted in dissatisfaction.
Those who practice
Jinroin-style have the embarrassing fate of seeking power. In fact, Kojou had
made the same mistake and had been laughed at by his own master.
"Yes. I wanted to
improve my power in preparation for the Tenran Tournament."
".......I see.
Trial and error is a
good thing, and I won't stop you as long as you've completed your basic
training."
"Really?"
"There is no
growth without learning. Jin, you're my disciple, but you are being too
narrow-minded if you expect to grow in the same way as your master."
Kojou could see it
from the footprints. Although Jin was dissatisfied with it, Kojou smiled at
this apparent growth and then turned his back.
"Well, shall we
have breakfast? We missed dinner last night, so we may as well indulge
ourselves in a little luxurious meal in the morning.
So,......"
"Yes."
"What were you
trying to do just now? It was quite a childish gesture, holding up a talisman
in such a grandiose manner."
"Ugh. ...... it's
part of the trial and error."
Jin's cheeks flushed
with vermilion as he realized that he had been watched all along.
Just like in a popular
theatrical performance, he held up a talisman and made a flashy gesture. In
fact, it was a childish act that only a child would do.
Although Kojou thought
it was just a mere show-off, it would be a different story if there was a
meaning to this act.
Kojou quickly turned
to Jin, his curiosity piqued.
"Hmm. Let me ask
you, what were you trying to do?"
"I don't think
it's something new.
I was wondering if it
is possible to divert the technique and spiritual power sealed inside the
talisman and release it as one's own spirit technique."
"...... You are
doing a dangerous thing. I'm glad I stopped you."
Kojou, furrowing his
brow, breathed a sigh of relief.
Even though Jin was
from the Hakudō Province, which has an affinity for the Onmyojutsu, being from
a samurai family, he only had a passing familiarity with it.
What Jin was about to
do was one of the failures that Onmyoji would be taught about.
"It has been
proven by Onmyoji that it will definitely fail.
Let me ask you this
first, where do you build your formula for the spirit technique?"
"Where?
...... OF course, by
thinking and then manifesting it in the spirit vessel through one's own
spiritual veins."
"Correct. Then
what about Onmyojutsu?"
"By making a sign
with your fingers and through the involvement of incantations and rituals.
......Ah-"
After that much was
explained, even Jin finally understood.
While the protectors
construct their techniques inside their bodies and exercise their spirit
techniques, the Onmyojis construct their techniques outside of their bodies.
To use a talisman to
exercise spirit techniques is nothing but the act of returning the spiritual
power that has acquired the orientation of the five elements back into the body
and constructing it as one's own spirit technique.
Undoubtedly, the
spirit that resides in oneself will show rejection.
Even a recovery
talisman that aims to recover using the moderately adjusted spiritual power
takes a moment to blend with one's own spiritual power.
"That's how it
is. ......When the Onmyoji developed the talisman, they came to the same
conclusion as Jin and of course, they failed.
It didn't take them
long to come to the conclusion through trial and error that it was simply
impossible."
"I see.
......Huh?"
Jin replied with a nod
of understanding,
―Jin's thinking finally came to a halt with the fact
that the premise was wrong.
In the first place,
Jin decided to give it a try because he had seen it being done successfully.
The conclusion that it
is simply impossible to do is one thing, but the fact that he had seen a
successful example is another story.
"Master. What if
there is someone who has succeeded?"
"Did you see a
successful case? Who is it?"
"My junior
(Akira). The day before yesterday, when he was being pursued by Banda's
men."
"―Are you
certain?
Kojou's brow furrowed
as he listened to the details of Jin's story.
If it were Enga or
Kyūshou, one would only suspect some kind of tampering, but if it were Gokō
Nanakamado, there would be no room for any tampering.
Although often
mistaken for internal technique, that spiritual technique is actually a kind of
external technique.
Moreover, when the
metal-element and wood-element are pitted against each other, it is a given
that the metal-element will use the Gokō Nanakamado as its first move.
The possibility of the
metal-element's user mistaking it is almost nil.
Naturally, it would be
difficult to think that Jin mistook it.
If that is the case,
then it is Akira who should be under suspicion.
......A boy who was
recognized as a protector despite being from a commoner's background because of
his great accomplishment in the Hyakki Yagyo a couple of months ago.
"―Wait."
Kojou stopped with a
shudder as understanding finally dawned on him.
Why had he never even
questioned it before?
The fact that he was a commoner means that he
had only been learning basic swordsmanship until then.
In other words, he had
only been receiving guidance in spirit techniques for only two months.
The boy, who should
definitely be a Shoden, started to dip his toe into the realm of Chuden, and is
now practicing Chuden's spirit techniques without a hitch.
Unusual ability.
Moreover, the fact that he is exercising it openly means that he has been
permitted to use Chuden spirit techniques.
It is not a permission
that can be granted even with Rindo family's influence.
Unless Kihoin, the
leader of the faction, pushes hard, it will not be granted.
But he can't think of
any reason why Kihoin would be so supportive of a commoner.
"Jin, anything is
fine. Did you find anything intriguing about Akira-kun?"
"About Junior?
......No, not particularly."
"Is that
so?"
"Ah, now that I
think about it-"
It was understandable
since they had only known each other for a short time, but Kojou still found it
disappointing.
He was about to switch
his thinking when Jin's words stopped him.
"In yesterday's
battle, it seemed that Junior was wielding a strange spirit vessel."
As far as Jin could
remember, Akira's spirit vessel did not deviate from the norm.
―But when he was struggling to endure not being crushed
by the divine realm that Tsuguho had cast down, he caught a glimpse of Akira's
wielding spirit weapon at the edge of his vision, and the blade of the sword
seemed to be dyed a shade of dark red darker than dark-red.
No. More than that,
"In other words,
Akira-kun was able to act normally in the divine realm―!?"
"......Perhaps
Tsuguho-sama was protecting him from the pressure of the divine realm."
"It is the realm
of the divine pillar itself, filled with divine authority, there is no way such
a thing is possible."
The Kannamesai
Festival, where the five divine pillars gather, is only able to reduce the
pressure of the divine realm by maintaining the balance of the five elements.
Even so, it is a dangerous
umbrella, not a task that can be carried out only by the Arawakamioroshi of the
fire-element.
In the first place,
even if it were possible, why would they put so much trust in a single
commoner?
"......A sword
with a blade darker than deep-red?"
In Shumon Province,
where there is a lot of strife, there are more opportunities to exercise divine
artifacts than in other provinces, and because of this, the appearance of
divine artifacts has been documented to a certain extent.
Jakuengayou, which
weaves the authority of the divine pillar into its blade, is well known, but
Kojou also knew its counterpart.
This counterpart's
blade has a dark red color that looks as if it were sculpted from the shadows
of the sun.
―Its name is Rakuyō Zakuro.
If his assumption is
true, then Akira has been blessed by the divine pillar of the Fire-element.
If he had only been
backed by Kihoin's great favoritism, he would have only suspected some kind of
business deal.
However, by being
blessed by the Divine Pillar, he could exercise spirit techniques that
transcend the five elements, wield a divine weapon, and furthermore, gain
freedom in the divine realm.
There was only one
answer that would come to mind.
―Kanna-no-Mikura.
A few days ago, he was
laughing at the thought of Rindo Kozaburo's illegitimate child, but now that it
has come to this, it is no laughing matter.
Though a wry smile
involuntarily leaked out when he thought that Rindo, who were famous as a
loving couple, might have been engaged in a fierce marital quarrel behind the
scenes.
"......Now, I
wonder if Akira-kun is aware of it?"
"Pardon?"
Jin, who heard the
unintentional mutterings, followed Kojou back to their room.
It was tricky to tell
Jin. Because it is not knowledge that even the branches of the Eight Families
are allowed to know.
While pretending it
was nothing, Kojou quickly thinks about it.
The basis of the
divination that Tsukishiro, the great divine pillar of the Hakudō Province,
saw, lies here.
―If so,
"Jin, before we
head for the 8th garrison, can you send a telegram to Nakiri's capital?"
"! ―Yes, leave it
to me."
Originally, there was
no need for them to directly contact the capital.
For if they were to do
so, they would first address the head of the Yuge family, the lord of the
territory.
If they dare to
specify the capital, it would mean sending an urgent telegram to Jinrouin via
Nakiri.
Which move would
Jinrouin make? Laughing in amusement at the thought, Kojou opened his mouth to
fulfill his duty.
♢
The mountain wind,
blowing wildly, traced the mountain ridge of Nanbane Mountain Range.
The wind pressure
could blow a person high into the sky if one was not careful, but this would
not be the case if one were a non-human being.
"...... Have you
made it safely through Shumon Province? The trap of bonds will be easy to
escape from if one has the authority of the Nine Dharma Treasures.
It was once a sacred
artifact that dazzled Shīta's eyesight, and it has proven to be very
effective."
Nurarihyon boasted as
he stood on the border between Shumon Province and Kabeju Province.
Although it was a
risky gamble, he was sure he would be paid well in return.
"Since I gave
them so much of a scent, they must have realized that I am still alive.
......Armored
Centipede, the metamorph of Nanbane Mountains, and then the storms at Karen.
With all these arrangements, they'll have to head for the Central Province
sooner or later."
―Hi, hi.
With a hushed sneer,
Nurarihyon pulled out three masks from his pocket.
Nothing was carved on
the masks. The eyes and mouths were gouged out expressionlessly, and they
looked back at him.
"One for escaping
Baratush, one for being chased out of Tsonma.
One for Takamagahara a
thousand years ago.
......It took three to
survive this time. After thousands of years, I finally reach six."
So much hard work. He
heaved a sigh and put the mask back in his pocket.
"Once we lure
Kanna-no-Mikura to the Central Province, all the remaining conditions will be
met."
...... What concerns
him is that the plans are progressing in a strangely smooth manner.
It is going far more
smoothly than he expected.
If things continue as
they are, he will have to accelerate the Hyakki Yagyo.
That would be a
problem. He had arranged it so that it would coincide with the Kannamesai
Festival.
If the other party is
not prepared to face him, he might just end up throwing out empty hands.
"―Well, whatever.
I never thought it would be possible to go on without a flaw from the very
beginning.
Better late than
never, I suppose."
At the slightest hint
of concern, Nurarihyon snickered.
The fact that he
couldn't retrieve the thorn that directs the ocean (pārijāta) also pained him,
but that was to be expected.
And the remaining one
is confirmed to be in Kihoin's warehouse, as expected.
―If things go as planned, everything will be fine.
"Hyakki Yagyo
will proceed as planned.
―See for yourself, Takamikura (Imperial Throne). Do you
think you can escape from the sun by hiding in Iwakura (a
place where gods resided)?
Let it be engraved in
your hearts that my victory is certain!!"
―Hi, hi, hi~i~i~i~!!
Amidst the blowing
wind, the loud laughter of the miasma-filled Divine Pillar echoed through the
void, reaching no one.
――――――――――
TIPS: About Rindo
Kozaburo
Rindo Kozaburo is
Saki's father, who appeared only once.
He is the head of the
Rindo family. He does not even have a concubine, which was unusual.
.....Despite this, he
is probably the only one who has been laughed at twice for cheating on his
wife, just because of rumors.
Incidentally, this
reputational damage was revealed to his wife (someone in Kamotsu must have told
her out of spite), and they had an epic fight over an affair that never even
happened.
He is indirectly
Akira's number one victim.
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