Volume 3
Chapter 9 Part
5
The Girl
Comes, Raising the Signal 5
Translator : PolterGlast
On the way to
Jinroin's villa, Kagura, who had doubts about Nurarihyon's history, tilted her
head and opened her mouth to the surprised Akira and the others.
"Although I don't
know about Nurarihyon, I have heard a lot about the Divine Pillars from
Shiro-sama.
Divine Pillars cannot
lie to the myth that shapes them."
"That's true,
but..."
Having something he
already knew pointed out to him, Akira's voice was laced with a hint of
disappointment.
But the girl who bears
the name Jinroin went further and continued.
"Lies are not
just words. But character, actions, ―and even miracles as well.
If he can manipulate
lies at will, it means that Nurarihyon's lies are not perfect. In other words,
there are always events that cannot be lied about.
―I don't think he can ever fake a miracle, especially
one that is so close to his true nature."
Tsukishiro, the Divine
Pillar whom Kagura worships, has a particular fondness for divination.
However, divination is
essentially a ritual in which a person simply asks a question to a deity.
Just as it is
meaningless for a person to ask oneself questions, it is impossible for the
Divine Pillar to receive a response when it asks a question about itself.
However, in Kagura's
memory, Tsukishiro certainly said something like this.
She said,
―A Divine Pillar cannot tell falsehoods. And one must
always respond to the divination.
To put it clearly, a
Divine Pillar is obligated to always answer any legitimate question, no matter
how inconvenient it may be.
As such, the Divine
Pillar will always reciprocate legitimate requests with sincere results.
Like Onmyoujutsu and
Jujutsu. As well as divination, Vansuir's sacred arts are techniques that
imitate the myth of the Divine Pillar, the Divine Pillar must return sincere
results, even if the other party is hostile.
"If Padre is
truly a Divine Pillar originating from the Western Continent, it should only be
able to exercise miracles that are mainstreamed in the Western Continent, no?"
Hearing Kagura's
point, Akira and Saki exchanged glances.
It has been confirmed
in Karen that the jutsu exercised by Nurarihyon is Kidō (black magic).
Kidō (black magic) is
a Tsonma technique said to be exercised by the evil Immortals.
If Nurarihyon really originates
from the Western Continent, he should not be able to exercise it.
"I heard that
Tsonma is a nation that has many foreign deities with Taegen Shinjo as its
chief deity. Naturally, there must be some Divine Pillars who were expelled
from the Dragon Dens.
―Let's contact Tsuguho-sama. Depending on the
situation, we may need to make a major change in our approach."
"Yes.
If it's information
about Tsonma, I think it would be best to seek cooperation from the Onmyo
Ministry.
―Tenryō Academy also has a substantial collection of
books, and let's go back to the academy and ask for permission to browse the
archives."
"O-Oi, wait. The
car is still moving―!"
""Ah.""
As soon as Saki, who
was rushing to take action, lifted her hips, the steam car shook greatly, and
her posture collapsed in the cramped car.
Jin's warning was in
vain, and without being able to recover, Saki's slender body collapsed and
rested on Akira's chest at a distance where they could even feel each other's
breath.
"S-Sorry,
Akira-kun.
―Nakiri-senpai, stop the car!"
"We're in the
middle of the main road. If it were that easy to stop the car, we wouldn't have
any difficulties."
"S-Saki. Don't
wiggle around―"
Did she see their
unruly ruckus as one of her endearing games?
Inside the car.
Kagura, who could only watch the commotion she had never experienced in her
life, had a radiant smile on her childish face.
"That's not fair.
I want to play, too."
"We're not
playing, though."
"Akira, stop
moving! You'll bump into me."
In the limited space,
where one could barely move, the four of them were exchanging their respective
emotions.
Sometime later, the
car stopped on the shoulder of the road, and Saki and Akira, who had regained
their composure, sat back down in their seats.
Perhaps out of
embarrassment over a commotion that resembled a cat's play, they subtly averted
their gazes in the opposite direction, refusing to engage.
Kagura looked
alternately at Akira and Saki, who were leaning as hard as they could toward
the two ends of the narrow seat, and giggled childishly.
"That was
amusing.
―Brother, may I sit on your lap as well?"
""Don't.""
If it were known that
Jinroin's young heir had skin-to-skin contact with a man over such a childish
ruckus, even if it weren't the old man from earlier, their blood vessels might
even burst.
......Nevertheless,
wasn't Kagura's vigilance a little too lax?
Perhaps she knew that
she would be turned down. Kagura looked at her toes, her shoulders shaking,
with no expression of disappointment on her face.
"What a shame.
Father doesn't let me sit on his lap anymore, and I miss it."
"Boys and girls
do not share a seat at the age of seven.
―I think it means that Kagura-sama has reached the age
to weigh the distance between men and women with marriage in mind."
These words made me
look at Saki and Akira alternately.
Although a subtle
space has now been established between the two, Akira and Saki's bodies had
been touching one another without their being aware of it until just now.
If she were to apply
Saki's logic, they, who were unaware that they were touching each other, would
be husband and wife.
"Ani-sama, are
you married to Rindō?"
""No.""
With a bouncing
momentum, the overlapping denials were returned to Kagura.
Kagura looked up at
them, her gaze filled with suspicion.
"......I'm
Akira-kun's mentor, so our relationship is a bit close.
You could say that we
are like sibling apprentices, or perhaps we are friends who aspire to the same
martial arts."
Saki's hands were
intertwined and unraveled as if to show the relationship between the pair.
Watching this with
amusement, Kagura shifted her gaze to Akira.
"―Is that true?"
"Yes. I was
taught the Kihoin-school by Captain Asogi, who was Saki-ojousama's guardian.
......Through that
connection, the head of the Rindō family has come to stand under my
guardianship."
There was no agitation
evident in Akira's tone of voice. Feeling a strange sense of defeat, Saki
stared at the boy with a sideways glance.
―Her field of vision reflected Akira's neck.
Which seemed to have
matured slightly since the first time they met, but it looked awfully stiff.
Saki smiled with an
indescribable sense of relief when she saw the reddish tint on his stiff neck.
Akira, perhaps
noticing the change in Saki's demeanor, shifted his gaze to her.
"Ojou-sama, is
something wrong?"
"No, it's
nothing."
―Did she notice the bluff that I had put up as best I
could?
Akira's inwardly
nervous question was met only with a big, blossoming smile.
♢
Mt. Kugatachi,
towering in the southeast, at first glance, is merely a mountain that can be
climbed with ease.
However, it is the
cornerstone of the fire element in the Five Elemental Barrier, so its defenses
are much stricter than one might expect.
The barriers
constructed by the Onmyoji, are not only visible to human eyes, but also strong
enough to crush even the most ordinary metamorph, protecting the entire
mountain.
"―I wonder if
Saki-san can handle it."
"There should not
be any problem. From what I can see, she's steadily deepening her relationship
with Akira-sama."
It is evening. As
Tsuguho looked out over the crimson-tinted Central Capital from the shrine near
the top of the mountain, a smoldering sense of uneasiness came over her.
The attendant girl,
who had previously prepared a white robe for Tsuguho, quietly put the soft silk
robe in a paulownia wood box so as not to disturb her.
That's right. Tsuguho
responded. Tsuguho's tone was unwavering, and she turned her attention back to
the back of the main hall.
Sitting in front of
the altar at the far end of the hall, she lit the incense burner.
With the prepared
tools in hands, a mutter leaked out between the fading of her downcast twin
eyes.
"How about Gioin?
Any news?"
"They would be
late.
Kuro-sama's mood
seemed to be unstable, so they were forced to delay their return to the Central
Capital.
According to the
latest schedule, they should be arriving at Tenryō Station in three days."
"Looks like they will
be able to make it."
The aide's reply was
tinged with thoughtfulness.
The fact that they
responded to the Central Province's request suggests that although there is
internal turmoil, they have gained enough room to make things right with the
other provinces.
And the current bigger
issue is the oncoming Hyakki Yagyo.
Central Capital could
not ignore the achievement of subduing this issue.
That's why, the
success of it will be very persuasive in the discussions that will follow
involving Akira.
"What about their
relationship with Ugetsu?"
"......On the
surface, they are pretending that nothing has changed, but according to a
report from the Left-Wing Building, the relationship is now becoming more
distant than in the previous semester.
Geoin and Ugetsu
factions now seem to be on the verge of an internal split."
A more accurate
description of the situation would be that the Ugetsu faction is on the verge
of isolation.
However, with its long
history, the amount of trust that has been built up over the years is also
considerable.
There were many who were
not even aware of what was going on, and many of them were taking it lightly as
a temporary clash caused by superiors and subordinates.
―If the situation were to fall apart to this extent, an
ordinary noble family would crumble of its own accord due to frustration.
In addition to the
weight of history comparable to that of the Four Sovereigns, Souma's political
stand at the Tenryō Academy has allowed him to manage to this extent.
"I thought he
would leave the academy before the Hyakki Yagyo, but having a talent sure can
be a little troublesome at times, huh?
―How is the distance between him and Akira-san?"
"There was a
paper-thin situation, but he got away from it well.
Akira-sama is avoiding
him, and I think the concealment that the spirits do on his behalf is working
perfectly.
......His Yosturugi
surname was also a good move. If Akira's name stimulates Ugetsu's memory, the
concealment will be ineffective."
―Is the elimination of Ugetsu Souma unnecessary then?
Upon hearing Niikawa
Natsu's report, Tsuguho expressed her relief.
Since they were short
on fighting forces, it would be best for Tsuguho if Souma could be used as a
useful asset during the Hyakki Yagyo.
With a brand-new
pine-scented plaque in hand, she chipped it away bit by bit with her spoon.
Once, twice. When she
threw the piece into the burning incense burner, a little bit of smoke was
carried by the fragrant breeze.
Dipping her fingertips
into the holy water infused with spiritual power, she drew a line in front of
the altar and herself.
An isolation barrier.
Following Tsuguho's moving finger, the divine energy of vermillion gold
separated the real world from the spirit world.
"Princess. The
other Four Sovereigns have not arrived yet."
―Currently, aside from Utanomiya, which sits on Mt.
Shourou (Belfry), only Tsuguho is occupying the cornerstone of the Five
Elemental Barriers.
All of the
cornerstones of the five elements must be occupied by the Four Sovereigns and
the Three Imperial Families. Since this is the minimum requirement for
reinforcing the Five Elemental Barriers, the initiation of the technique now
would only be burdensome and ineffective.
A voice of concern
flew out from the girl playing a supporting role in the preparatory stage of
descending Shumon Province's divine realm to Mt. Kugatachi.
However, Tsuguho
smiled lightly and brushed aside the concern.
"Don't worry. We
won't go into full-scale exercises, we'll just be ready to go at any moment.
Gioin's schedule is
fixed, as is Jinroin's, who will probably begin their purification tomorrow,
―What about Homare-sama?"
"......They said
she was on a business trip to the northern part of the Central Province.
Apparently, she has
nothing to hide, and I have been told that she could be contacted easily
through the academy.
―Though, she seems to be very keen on visiting the
Talisman Association."
Tsuguho tilted her
head slightly at this report.
It is not the first
time that officials of Kabeju Province, which, like Shumon Province, lacks
sufficient manpower of Onmyoji, have shown interest in the management of the
Talisman Association.
There was no suspicion
about the visit itself, but the organization that directly controls the
Talisman Association is the Onmyo Ministry, which is located in the Central
Capital.
If one wants to know
how it operates and gain knowledge of its management, it would be logical to go
to the Onmyo Ministry, which is also close to the Tenryō Academy.
"Has there been
any notable movement in the Talisman Association in the northern part of the
Central Province?"
"No. It is just a
rumor, but I hear that she has been actively visiting every Talisman
Association in the northern part of Central Province.
......Shall we look
into it?"
"Let's see.
...... No, it's fine.
I don't want to
provoke them and have them probe into our pockets.
―Besides, I'd be in trouble if their return to the
Central Capital is delayed."
"Understood."
Tsuguho's words were
certainly true.
However, Natsu was
keenly aware of the fact that her true feelings were hidden in the brief pause
before she responded.
Tsuguho was well aware
that Hariin Homare's talent was not limited to her studies.
They had been partners
in many discussions since entering the academy, and she was good at connecting
the small pieces of information that she had.
Tsuguho had heard that
when Homare had unexpectedly made contact with Akira, she was able to guess
something just from his body gestures and facial expressions.
Tsuguho was relieved
because Homare left Tenryō Academy immediately afterward, but if she were to
become curious about Akira's true identity, there is no telling what she would
have learned more than what Yuge Kojou had already learned.
If she were to talk
about an ideal situation, after bringing the Hyakki Yagyo to a smooth end and
calming the situation down, she would start the Kannamesai Festival as soon as
possible―.
"......Something's
not right."
"Is something
wrong?"
After thinking that
far, Tsuguho raised her voice involuntarily.
Natsu's gaze fell on Tsuguho's
suddenly raised doubts.
"Jinroin, who was
expected to be the latest to arrive, has already arrived, and Gioin followed suit.
Hariin has gone to the
northern region for a visit that makes no sense at all.
―Don't you think that's too convenient?"
"For us?"
Perhaps not
understanding Tsuguho's words, Natsu asked in return. In response to Natsu's
question, Tsuguho gave a slight nod.
Normally, three,
excluding Jinroin, would be spending their days at Tenryō Academy, but two of
them are away from the Central Capital due to business.
And yet, the two of
them would return to the Central Capital at about the same time.
―Moreover, even Jinroin arrived in the Central Capital
as if they timed their arrival.
Akira's concealment
will not work on the Four Sovereigns, because the demi-gods and demi-humans
will always be interested in Akira.
Thus, the two of the
Four Sovereigns' absence, while Akira attended school, allowed Kihoin to spend
some time without unnecessary trouble.
There are not many
measures Kihoin could have taken to conceal Akira's true identity.
On top of that,
Akira's ability has already attracted so much attention that it is no longer
possible to conceal it.
Even aside from
Homare's ability, it doesn't seem to be a coincidence that the Four Sovereigns
have been kept away from Akira's surroundings.
―No.
"It's too
convenient for Akira-san, not us."
"Isn't it just a
coincidence? If the roll of the dice is absolute, I believe it would be
impossible that it could even stand as a plan."
Tilting her head,
Natsu objected.
It would certainly be
convenient for Akira, but each of Tsuguho's points was accompanied by a high
degree of coincidence.
Even if someone had
devised a plan, it would be too reliant on others.
"......Yes. That
is for sure.
Natsu, can you contact
Utanomiya on behalf of Kihoin?"
"There is too
much of a difference in status between us.
Even if it were
granted, it would be difficult to contact Utanomiya directly considering the
fear that Fujinomorimiya would get wind of it.
―Are you concerned about something?"
Kihoin is the extreme
end of yang. As a faction of Fujinomorimiya, which oversees the yang phase, it
is very difficult to make contact with Utanomiya.
"Fujinomorimiya.
At least, Yukiko-sama was most likely unaware of the Hyakki Yagyo.
As long as Nurarihyon
is targeting the Central Capital's dragon dens, there is bound to be an oracle
about it, and yet they haven't reacted to it."
"Are they perhaps
trusting in the Five Elemental Barriers?"
"Trust and
neglect are two different things. ...... The silence of the Tsukinomiya is
nothing new, but something may have happened to Utanomiya, who is in charge of
the rituals."
It has been many years
since the Imperial Throne's Princess made any moves outside of the Kannamesai
Festival.
But it was a clear
anomaly that she remained silent when danger crept into her lap.
"Someone is
acting solo? For what purpose?"
Tsuguho's twin eyes
were downcast. She wandered through a maze of thoughts, but without a clue to a
way out, time just kept ticking away.
The torches flickered.
The slight rustle of the wind lured Tsuguho's gaze outside.
Before she knew it,
the sun had set, and darkness had painted the outside of the main hall.
The moonlight had not
yet risen. The darkness of night that seemed to creep into her vision made her
slightly uneasy, and she trembled slightly.
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