Volume 3
Side Story 4
Still Chasing
You, Who's Far Away
Translator : PolterGlast
Tap,
tap. Tap, tap, tap.
The
sound of tapping on the surface of the water brought Genrei's vision back to
this world.
Eyes
with a black radiance wandered through the void,
She
shook her pair of twinkling eyes and turned them toward the girl sitting by her
side.
"......
Shizumi?"
"By
your side. ...... You were casting your consciousness to Shumon Province yet
again, huh?"
The
shadow of worry in Shizumi's tone made Genrei's mouth curl up into a pout.
Genrei,
who rules over the Water Element, holds an overwhelming advantage over the Fire
Element, which is in a conflicting relationship.
In
recent times, Genrei has been extending her own divine energy into Shumon
Province through the dragon vein of the water element.
Originally,
the dominion of the divine pillar extended only to one's own province and its
borders.
However,
the dragon veins, which start from the dragon den, go all the way around and
back again.
In
particular, the dragon vein of water Qi runs parallel to the water vein
throughout Takamagahara.
Taking
advantage of this, Genrei was scanning Karen's water veins to probe Akira's
shadow.
For
Divine Pillar, however, this act is tantamount to looking directly into the
inside of one's own body.
Especially,
extending one's consciousness outside of one's domain carries a burden beyond
description.
―Yet, without hesitation, Genrei
repeated the act to penetrate Karen.
"Akira
doesn't seem to have touched the major water vein. Aka is hiding him so well."
"Kuro-sama,
about you extending your consciousness. Seems like Aka-sama is-..."
"Yes,
she is aware of it. ...... But, there's no way I will just leave her
alone."
Shizumi silently
concurred with Genrei's affirmation.
Despite Kihoin's
message, about Shuka's willingness to share.
It is Shuka who has
the upper hand in the dispute over Kanna-no-Mikura.
In order to turn
things around from this point on, Gioin could not afford to lose ground
politically or emotionally.
This is, so to speak,
a game of patience to see who will be the first to bring the issue to the
Central Province for adjudication.
If even this stage is
in vain, Kokuten Province's argument will be completely worthless.
...... Especially,
Akira's emotional aspect.
Akira said that he
wanted to apologize to Gioin.
This means that
Akira's feelings about Kokuten Province will be resolved.
Akira's concern is
ultimately about his guilt toward Gioin.
If she can maintain
this without losing it, she may be able to ask him to return to Gioin.
For this reason, Gioin
absolutely must apologize to Akira before he does.
―That was Gioin's only chance of victory.
"Shall we ask
Fuji-no-Morimiya for judgment?"
"Don't."
It
was natural to bring this issue to Fuji-no-Morimiya, the adjudicatory authority
within Sannomiya (the Three Imperial Families).
But
Genrei's response was curt.
"Among the
Sannomiya, Fuji-no-Morimiya, which is the yang phase, is close to Aka, the
extreme of the yang phase.
In terms of sentiment,
there is a strong likelihood that I will be at a disadvantage.
Although it will be a
big deal, Tsukinomiya is the best place to go if we want to carry it out.
......And, Utanomiya
is not dependable in this world."
In contrast, Genrei,
which is the extreme of Yin, is very close to Utanomiya, which is responsible
for the Yin phase, but Utanomiya, which is in charge of ritual authority,
cannot be expected to intercede in Akira's matters.
Ritual is the
connection to the divine realm. It is common sense to minimize the relationship
with this world.
Genrei's decision to
go to Tsukinomiya was not so far off the mark.
However, Tsukinomiya's
approval is ultimately the final judgment of the higher will. If she were to
lose, Gioin would have no means of settling the dispute diplomatically.
In the end, there is
only a hard-line approach, which is always accompanied by civil war.
No wonder Shuka and
Genrei are so careful in their decisions.
"Then..."
"For the time
being, we'll limit ourselves to stirring Karen's veins.
Hopefully, this will
make Kihoin see how serious we are."
The point is to show
off their seriousness and wait for the other party to react.
Water is an essential
element for life. Even if one believes it to be a threat, if it is wrenched
out, the other party will have no choice but to come to the negotiating table.
In many cases,
however, this tactic ends badly for the instigator.
Using the other
party's life and death as a shield.
For the other party,
it becomes a justification for not having to choose any other option.
"It would be
rather difficult, if I may be so presumptuous. It would give them an argument
that we made the first move."
"Akira is over
there, you know!? Aka wants to keep me in the dark!"
Swoosh. Genrei's
emotions were shaken up, and the surface of the water was abuzz as the space
warped.
Even though she had
passed a major crisis point, Genrei's emotions, which have not yet regained
stability, have a great potential to collapse at the slightest touch.
Shizumi dared to speak
the truth, as she knew that any offhand remark would be counterproductive.
"Yes. Therefore,
there is only one best move we can do.
We will meet Akira-san
before the Kannamesai Festival and apologize for Gioin's failure ahead of
time."
If Akira wishes to
dispel his feelings, then we can prevent him from doing so.
It is simply a trivial
matter of who said it first. But it is also an element that cannot be taken
lightly if one seeks sincerity in negotiation.
Genrei, perhaps aware
of this, turned her head away and responded only with a nod.
The pouty expression
on her face, which could be seen even through the nape of her neck, showed that
she was far from convinced, even though she could understand it with her
rational mind.
Even so, her unvoiced
complaint implied that she agreed.
"Thank you. After
we receive Akira-san's consent, we will begin negotiations with Kihoin."
"...... Mm.
Assuming that Akira is going to put an end to Ugetsu, what should we do about
the other imbeciles around them?"
A
ghastly smile appeared on her young face.
For
Genrei, those who harmed Akira were like insects in a lion's den.
Although
she could stop Ugetsu's demise, she wanted to clean up at least the parasites
that were buzzing around them.
Since
Akira's banishment was discovered, most of the people who were involved in
Akira's cold treatment have already been identified.
To
sort out Akira's feelings, she has not touched Ugetsu, but even so, Gioin's
failure to clean up the surroundings could be criticized as ineptitude.
......
So, she intended to settle the matter by the time of the Kannamesai Festival.
"The
two main targets are Ijitsu from the Provincial Council and Mikuriya Hirotada
from the old Central Province family, and the only one remaining, Mikuriya
Shishin, whose whereabouts are still in question and I'm not sure how to handle
him."
"Where
does he live?"
"He
has been invited to Kamotsu in Shumon Province to teach swordsmanship.
If
a noble of Central Province stays in Shumon Province, there is a limit to what
we can do by ourselves."
Even if Central
Province has nothing to do with it, Shumon Province is a party to this whole
affair.
If Kokuten Province is
plotting to kill Central Province's nobles, they will definitely try to find
out who is behind it.
There would be no
problem if Kihoin found out, but there would be a good chance that they would
use this as an opportunity to make some kind of concession.
"What a
troublesome place he's run off to.
―Shall we smoke him out?"
"No. Let's wait
him return to Central Province and we'll take care of him there.
......As for Ijitsu,
he is a provincial council, so we won't have any trouble dealing with
him."
"A councilor,
huh? A very strange group of people that have been spreading their wings of
late."
Genrei, who can not
interfere with the affairs of this world, muttered with a sense of dismay.
For Gioin, there were
also underlying circumstances that forced them to compromise.
The role expected of
the Provincial Council is to assist in the decisions made by the
Sannomiya-Shiin.
This is because
industrial technology, which has developed rapidly since the opening of
civilization, has brought convenience and at the same time has become too
complex to be controlled by a single decision-making process.
However, this position
can easily engage in the distribution of rights openly.
On top of the many
advantages, their rights are also enormous. It did not take long for it to
become synonymous with bribery and corruption.
"Once we've
boiled the political lees down to their womb, the rest is to dispose of them
afterward. We plan to reorganize the rest, too, to a certain extent."
"That would be
great.
...... The only
problem is that there are people outside of the province who were also involved
in Akira's banishment."
Shizumi's brow
furrowed as she found it difficult to respond.
Mikuriya Hirotada, the
current head of the Mikuriya family, is the younger brother of Ugetsu Sanae,
wife of Ugetsu Tenzan.
The Mikuriya family is
one of the oldest families in the Central Province, even if it is currently in
decline. If they were to eradicate this family, Central Province would not
remain silent.
"Fortunately, the
only outsiders who were involved with Akira were the Mikuriya family members.
At worst, it should be
possible to sink one of the old families."
"Very well."
Genrei's short
response was tinged with dissatisfaction.
In the Central
Province, the nobility, especially those in the center of the capital, are
called the "old families".
The Mikuriya family
once prospered in the center of the city, but they have been unable to keep up
with the recent changes and have been in decline for some time.
If one were to think
of it simply, the Mikuriya family would be one of the declining families, but
the relationship between the old families is complicated and mysterious.
It would be impossible
to understand where and how they were connected without seeing it from within.
If Gioin were to
meddle with the head of the Mikuriya family, even if it were just the former
head, there was a possibility that the entire old families would turn against
them.
This was the main
reason why Gioin had refrained from interfering with them until now.
"If we are going
to meddle in the Central Province, we must obtain the tacit approval from
Fuji-no-Morimiya.
......If possible, it
would be best if we could seize both the current head (Mikuriya Hirotada) and
the former head (Shishin) at the same time."
"No, Shizumi.
Just be sure to crush them one at a time, along with their souls."
*Snap*. Along with
this declaration, Genrei's emotions were filled with anger. With a
reddish-black gleam in her black eyes, the divine pillar in the form of a child
pronounced a divine punishment.
"Aa~, what a
shame. Had they trespassed into Kokuten Province, I would have personally
strangled them myself."
In response to the
lamenting curse, several of the talismans around her turned to ash.
Looks like things
would be rough for a few hours. With this estimate in mind, Shizumi carefully
took out a suppressing talisman.
Stability and
instability. Genrei's emotions, alternately surging and sinking, still
maintained a precarious equilibrium at the edge of the water that was about to
collapse.
♢
"Haa~a~a... At
last, things have finally calmed down."
"It's been
several days since the disturbance broke out, and you still haven't gotten
everything in order?"
Genji, who had been
called to headquarters a few days after the disturbance caused by Banda,
breathed a huge sigh of relief upon his return to the camp.
Kojou, who had never
been involved with Karen's garrison, smiled wryly and congratulated Genji on
his hard work.
Genji sat down
vigorously in his seat for the first time in a long time.
*Creak*. Immediately,
the cheap backrest screamed in protest.
He straightened his
back and looked up at the ceiling to suppress the scream of the chair.
"The damage
caused by the Hyakki Yagyo was concentrated on the outskirts of the city rather
than on the Tatehami River. The people in the Provincial Council were just
counting the money for reconstruction as if they were watching a fire on the
other side of the river.
―This time, the area from the periphery where the
upper-class families live to the center of the city has been ravaged. They
can't just look the other way, and look at each other with bloodshot eyes as
they try to pin the blame on each other."
"Although there
is no need to bring a perfectionist mindset into the management of an
organization, the current situation is not even close to it."
Genji shrugged his
shoulders at Kojou's harsh criticism.
He understood what
Kojou was trying to say, but the higher-ups had their own point of view on the
matter.
Because of the
problems caused by the predecessor, Banda, the next commander-in-chief will surely
have a very tenuous foundation.
In this situation,
seeking the position of commander-in-chief is nothing more than poor fortune.
"I agree, but
please do tell me. What about there in Hakudō Province?"
"There are
certainly many in the Provincial Council who are looking for a quick buck. ......But
fortunately, there aren't many of them who dare to think that they can dodge
Jinrouin's watchful eyes."
"That's enviable.
As for us, the best we can hope for is to see the successor to the commander of
the garrison."
Kojou shrugged his
shoulders lightly, and Genji looked at him with envy that wasn't an act.
"More
importantly", Genji then changed the subject. Kojou, perhaps sensing
something in his friend's expression, also changed his expression. "I
heard that the mastermind behind this incident is a powerful incarnation with
the power of a divine pillar. Have you heard about it, Kojou?"
"Kihoin-sama told
me, at least.
―I'll also advance my schedule and go after him."
"That is
reassuring. Actually, I've received Kihoin-sama's direct order. I'll be heading
to the Central Capital with Akira in tow."
"...... As
expected."
Kojou lightly replied
with a nod, an outcome he had already foreseen.
When Kojou heard the
announcement that Kihoin Tsuguho and Akira were heading for the Central
Province, he took full advantage of his position as an emissary to ask to
accompany them.
However, Kojou was
aware of the subtle hesitation before the permission was granted.
Although Kihoin
suspected that Yuge Kojou was aware of Akira's true identity, she was not
certain either.
To provoke him by
probing in the wrong direction could lead to a troublesome situation.
......Perhaps, that
was where Kihoin’s hesitation lay.
That's why she decided
to use Asogi as a potential escort to keep him in check.
Their aim was to track
down an evil god. So, considering Kojou's strength, he would be welcomed with
open arms, even if he was related to another province.
When he saw Kihoin's
reaction, Kojou was almost certain of Akira's true identity.
That is why he takes
full advantage of the opportunity he gets.
Kojou's first priority
is to build a solid relationship of trust with Akira while he is still unaware
of the fact that he is related to another province.
"―Speaking of
which, Akira's coming with us."
"......You seem
to be paying quite a lot of attention to him."
"Well, I have a
bit of a concern about him."
Unable to hold back a
sigh, Genji grabbed a teacup filled with water.
It was already cold,
but he gulped it down in one gulp.
"―Akira is
currently attending junior high school, but this time, there is no end in sight
for his trip to Central Province."
"I see. There is
a possibility that he will not be able to keep up with his classes because of
his absence from school, huh?"
Kojou pointed this
out, and Genji nodded his head.
Akira is a student,
but he is also a protector of the garrison. It is not a job that can be done
simultaneously.
Since he stood as a
pivotal part of the national defense, it might be inevitable that his student
status would be neglected. However, Genji also felt a deep sense of uneasiness
in his heart.
"It seems that
they are thinking of throwing him into the Central Province garrison or the
Kingsguard.
...... I was hoping
he'd be a little more considerate of his own educational background."
"I see. ―If that's the case, shall I do the honors?"
"Pardon?"
Kojou readily agreed
to Genji's complaint, which was nothing more than a rant.
Although he is not
familiar with lessons for students, Kojou is often called upon to engage in
combat training all over Takamagahara.
Naturally, his
background became solid and he has a lot of connections as a result of these
encounters.
This fact is no
different in the Central Province, where among the connections he has obtained
is the name of the head of an academy.
Genji, who had
graduated from an elite school in Karen, had no access to these connections.
"In short, you
want him to at least take a lesson, right? I know someone who worked as a
teacher in Central Province. If it is just a short-term transfer, perhaps he
could do me a few favors."
"......That would
be great, but is that okay?"
"Don’t worry. He
owes me a favor in the past. This kind of hassle is not even close to paying
that debt."
Kojou stood up, taking
it lightly, as if it were no big deal at all.
―Nakiri Jin has grown quite fond of his friendship with
Akira. For that fact alone, this was a small price for Kojou to pay in return.
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