Volume 3
Chapter 13
Part 3
Reverse the
Spiritual Path, Follow it to the Sanctuary 3
Translator : PolterGlast
The true essence of
Kihoin-style lies in not letting one's offensive step falter.
The fastest step, the
tip of the sword that travels the shortest distance. It does not matter if the
attack got predicted as long it is capable of knocking down the defenses as
well.
Despite the variety of
spirit techniques he boasts, his swordsmanship should be mastered by a single,
solid blow.
As taught by Genji, he
took a firm step forward and forced Nurarihyon to retreat with the slash he
struck down with.
The distance between
the spiritual path and Nurarihyon opened up slightly.
"―Hi, hi, hi~.
Even if you are Kanna-no-Mikura, since you cannot rely on divine energy, your
swordsmanship alone is simply crude."
"Damn it."
At first glance, it
seems that Akira has the upper hand, but in fact, he is the one with the more
impatient look on his face.
Even in the cursing
word he spat out, there was no hint of any leeway.
The small distance
that Akira had gained was, as Nurarihyon taunted, merely a game.
―He showed that if he wanted to, he could get it back
at any time.
But Akira could not
retreat. If he were to lose the offensive, there would be no chance for Akira
to regain his ground.
Aware of this fact,
Akira's advance continued unwaveringly.
"Are you not
going to use your spirit techniques?
You should be well
aware by now that swordsmanship alone is not enough to reach me."
"What a
loudmouth!"
With his unique gait, he
invaded the opponent's space and unleashed a slash that left the opponent no
time to breathe.
But it was once again
avoided by Nurarihyon.
The situation was a
stalemate, with both sides aware of the situation.
Perhaps it was Akira's
impatience with the reality that they were in a stalemate, but his blow had a
crudeness to it that could not be overlooked.
A large slash was
released and it cut through empty air without impact.
"―Hi, hi. How
disappointing."
Nurarihyon should
easily be able to close the gap with a single step, but Akira still rearranged
his stance.
Chūdan-no-Kamae.
Beyond his vision, the reddish-black glow of the miasma erupted.
"!?"
"Since I'm alone,
the battlefield seems to be a little lacking in splendor.
That's why I have
prepared reinforcements, albeit small."
From beyond the vague,
swirling miasma, a huge frame supported by muscles emerged.
Akira had seen this
many times before, and it was one of the devil's paths, the ogre summoning.
―Ga, aaaaaa!!
At a quick glance,
there were at least ten of them, and they all let out a roar of fury.
Even Saki and Ryota
would have a hard time fighting them on their own, and Nurarihyon's mouth
curled up into a crescent moon.
"We, too, have
made ample preparation for our next move. Now, what will you do?"
"―Naturally, your neck is my first priority."
Yuge's declaration
slipped into Nurarihyon's taunt.
As if in accordance
with his determination, a slash was released and went straight toward the neck
of the soldier.
Nurarihyon's machete
sprang up from below and engaged with Kojou's slash in a wide arc.
The interlocking
blades sent sparks flying, and Kojou's slash turned in the opposite direction.
It was a blow carrying
plenty of weight within it. The strike was deflected, but it also slightly disrupted
Nurarihyon's stance.
"―Hi, hi!"
The gazes of Kojou and
Nurarihyon crossed at a distance where their breaths were almost brushing each
other.
Nurarihyon's sneering
breath was laced with miasma, and his hands moved rapidly with his unique body
movements.
―A spider-like flash of lightning was unleashed,
invading the defenses.
In opposition, Kojou's
spirit power swirled up and entwined with Nurarihyon's machete blade.
Jinroin-style
Spirit Technique, Shoden, ―Tsumuji Kaze
Converging explosive
pressure crawled from the weapon to Nurarihyon.
He let go of the
machete without hesitation, and the atmospheric violence burst into his body
with no directional consideration.
Boom. The force, which
should not have existed in Shoden, rocked Nurarihyon's body, which was covered
with a Noh mask.
The impact received at
such close range could not be ignored, and even his retreating gait was
shaking.
To hit the target
first. As the reputation boasts, metal element excels in long-range combat, but
is weak in close-quarters combat.
Despite this, the
power of the whirlwind only ruffled Kojou's sleeves.
Soyokaze. The spirit
technique that Kojou always wore doubled the power of the attack and protected
Kojou from damage along the way.
It is true that the
difficulty of each of his techniques is not that high.
However, he performed
several different techniques simultaneously and chained them together
systematically.
All of these
techniques were exercised instantaneously and without delay. The ability to use
it at a stage where it can be used in actual combat is the sole forte of Yuge's
unique ability.
The momentum of the
blow caused Nurarihyon's feet to retreat.
―At the same time, Kojou stepped forward and turned
Nurarihyon's attempt to regain his footing into a futile attempt.
"As expected of
the renowned Yuge Kojou. Unlike the inexperienced Kanna-no-Mikura, your mastery
in swordsmanship is on a whole different level."
"You give me a
lot of credit for my mere seniority.
Since you can praise someone
like me, I can see that your skill is not far off from mine."
"―Hi, hi. It only
took you a few decades to match the skills that we have cultivated over
countless years.
Human's growth sure is
scary."
A series of flashes
transformed into sparks between Kojou and Nurarihyon.
The crescent moon on
Nurarihyon's mouth deepened its shadow in the dancing brilliance.
"But is this all
right? From what we can see, there are only inexperienced people in Jinroin's
camp.
Surely, the Giant
Ogres will be too much for them to handle."
The whisper filled
with venom that induced one's, however, Kojou laughed it off.
"You see,
Nurarihyon.
You seemed to be so
confident about your inept leadership in sending Giant Ogres to the battlefield
of Jinrouin."
Then, from behind
Nurarihyon. A loud shout echoed from the other side of the battlefield,
separated by the Giant Ogres.
"A blow shall be
struck."
An unyielding resolve
to destroy the Ogre species. The divine artifact that will lead one to victory
on any battlefield against Ogres.
"―Hyakkimaru!"
A tremendous wind
pressure cut through the battlefield.
The spirit power
roared out, and the unreasonable violence sent the Ogres flying into the air.
From behind, Nakiri
Jin slashed into the battlefield, followed by Kuga Ryota's spirit technique
that swept the area.
That was all.
However, these moves,
which could not be overlooked, turned the battlefield, which had been filled
with a thick sense of defeat, upside down.
"......Hmm. This
is kind of bad."
But contrary to
Nurarihyon's words, there was no hint of impatience in his tone.
―The other party is moving as he expected.
This assurance was
enough to make Nurarihyon decide to make the final move.
The miasma, which had
been stored up until now and had never been used up, was kneaded and refined.
Hadn't anyone thought
of doing this before? People write talismans with their spirit power, and use
their spirit power to exercise their spirit techniques.
If this is the case,
then is it not also possible to use miasma as a substitute for the spirit
power?
This conclusion is the
very technique that Nurarihyon honed during his long life.
―Now is the time to release the miasma.
From the white
scabbard he had hidden in his pocket, he unsheathed a katana the size of a
dagger.
―Oni!!
The apparition
inhabiting the katana let out an eerie cry.
Nurarihyon laughed
while kneading the miasma into its very core.
It did not even have a
style, all he gave was the name of the technique.
"―Ensetsu."
"Tsk!"
A miasma-infused slash
was unleashed, coming at the unsuspecting Kojou.
With barely time to
catch a breath after parrying it, Nurarihyon moved on to the next blow in a
fluid motion.
"Egasane."
As he stepped forward
within a single breath, a huge blade of miasma crashed into Kojou
―The blade of miasma rushed toward Kojou's body without
allowing him to resist even for a second.
Kojou's blood danced
in the breeze, mixed with the spirit power that was being devoured.
The strongest physique
in Takamagahara was thrown into the air. Kojou's eyes crossed with the sneering
Nurarihyon,
―but there was not the slightest hint of defeat in his
eyes.
Since he was facing a
fallen deity, Yuge had no intention of underestimating his opponent in this
decisive battle.
The strongest in
Takamagahara. Yuge knew the weight of that title better than anyone else.
High level of skill
and a seemingly high wall. When one heard of this title, one was bound to focus
on Kojou's presence at the center of this name.
It would always
unconsciously attract attention. ...... It has the sweetest taste to be a bait.
At that moment, a card
fell from Jinroin's hand, and Nurarihyon's gaze was involuntarily drawn to it.
―With lingering flames etched at his feet, Akira
stepped deep into Nurarihyon's bosom.
Both of his arms
grasped the brilliance of the divine artifact that is the symbol of
purification (Jakuen Gayou).
The tip of the sword,
which was aimed at Nurarihyon, had already been infused with the brilliance of
vermillion gold.
The divine energy was
refined to a critical point and controlled.
Kihoin-style
Spirit Technique, Okuden, ―Higannue.
In a single breath,
Akira thrust the very flame of purification toward his opponent.
The exploding divine
energy and the miasma clashed head-on, scattering shockwaves across the ground.
Naturally, the power
of Okuden pummeled the opponent with every last bit of the remaining divine
energy that Akira possessed.
Even if the opponent
was a metamorph, this power would be enough to purify it instantly,
However, Nurarihyon's
wall of miasma was able to overcome it head-on.
"W-What!?"
"The attack of a
divine artifact is truly on a different level.
To think that the lees
of the miasma that I have been absorbing for thousands of nights since I was
thrown out of my land can only be barely enough to contend with it."
Nurarihyon's response
was calm but definitely filled with admiration.
But that was no
consolation.
Having the greatest firepower
he could muster was blocked, an involuntary gasp escaped from Akira's throat.
Shuka's divine energy
was already showing signs of depletion. If Akira had not settled the matter
here, there would have been almost no chance for him to win the battle.
Akira's left hand swam
as he sought one more move out of impatience.
After pulling out a
fire talisman with a habitual gesture, Akira tried to activate it with all his
might.
―Fail.
As his mind wandered
off into nothingness, the talisman slipped from the gap between the fingers of
his left hand.
Akira's skills as both
a guardian and an Onmyoji are only barely adequate in terms of evaluation.
It was obvious that
copying Yuge Kojou's skills would not be enough.
He looked bitterly at
the falling talisman at the edge of his field of vision.
One more strike. Akira
had no other choice but to seek the possibility of such a strike.
Unable to even release
the Higannue, the torrent of vermillion gold began to fade in an unconcealed
manner.
―Will I be defeated, will it be over?
Akira placed the
talisman in the center of his field of vision and extended his attention to the
fire spirit that dwelled within it.
In an instant, the
spirit responded with joy.
Without incantation.
Without even a sword finger, the fire talisman turned into an enormous flame in
Akira's field of vision.
For Akira, it was something
that had been a natural occurrence from the beginning.
It was so natural that
he was not even mindful that it existed,
―the voice of the spirits.
Shuka's divine energy,
which he had relied on so heavily, depleted, and for the first time in his
life, Akira raised a cry of yearning for the spirits.
Even though the
spirits that resided in the talisman had dispersed, Akira still delivered his
voice to the spirits that filled the place.
The fire element
spirits that were most familiar to him raised their voices in response, and the
vortex flames of purification dispelled the remaining miasma that Nurarihyon
was wearing.
"I-..."
"―Well done."
I did it. Akira was
about to mutter these words when Nurarihyon leaped out from the middle of the
firestorm, interrupting his words.
―His destination was the entrance to the sacred path
protected by Kagura.
"Hold it!!"
Akira was completely
caught off guard and turned around to see Nurarihyon brandishing his dagger.
The blade's metal was
dull, reflecting the setting sunlight.
―Calamity, demon!!
In response to
Nurarihyon's command, miasma was released from the dagger.
A reddish-black glow,
vaguely obscuring one's vision, swirled into Kagura like an avalanche.
The young girl stared
emotionlessly at the filthy scene and muttered a few words.
―The protection of the great path that keeps on going.
Once existed, always will be.
"Circle
back, ―Rin'ne Eigou (eternal reincarnation)."
Instantly. A barrier
as strong as the Five Elemental Barrier trapped Nurarihyon within.
"Brother and
father's spirit techniques had stripped away all the miasma that you have in
your body.
―It's presumptuous to think that you could bring down Jinroin
with just your own body."
"I see. This is
the power of the divine artifact, huh?"
The voice of an
adolescent girl echoed across the battlefield carried by the slightest breeze.
Kagura who stood as a
sovereign at such a young age, glared at Nurarihyon with a mature radiance
contrary to the tone of her voice.
Many of the divine
artifacts are manifested in the form of weapons, but this does not necessarily
mean absolute.
Kagura's divine
artifact, Rin'ne Eigou, is one such example. It is a divine artifact in the
form of a mirror.
Its power is the
reversal of cause and effect.
A borrowed hand that
draws a certain result from the future based on itself.
And one more thing.
Even though she still
has the limbs of a child of age 10, it is not for nothing that Jinrōin Ko
entrusted this situation to her.
As she entered the
battlefield, Kagura also had a trump card to play.
"One is
suffice, two are full, Kegare is no more......"
Kagura's fingers, as
she recited a prayer, released multiple metal-element barrier-type talismans.
Following this, a
regeneration talisman was also released.
A whirlwind born from
the metal-element barrier-type talismans, curling up in a pale, purifying
flame.
The Onmyoujutsu, which
was taught directly by her father, Yuge Kojou, is an Onmyoujutsu specialized
for dealing with miasma.
A storm of
counter-curse that returned the miasma back to the opponent, purifying it while
crushing it to death.
"Mm!"
"Exorcise, and
purify. ―Haraido ōkaze!"
―Ka, kaki, ki, ki~~...
The whirlwind,
transformed into a purifying radiance, laid waste to the inside of the barrier.
A shattering scream of
death followed shortly after.
Nurarihyon, who
narrowly escaped purification, leaped from the shadow of the pale, swirling
flames toward Kagura.
"Kyaa~!"
"Too naive."
Taken by surprise,
Kagura screamed, and Nurarihyon reached for the barrier.
But then the barrier
released a lightning bolt to purify the unforgiven beings.
The thunderbolt
blasted through space is the last barrier that protects Mitsusu-Torii Mountain.
The crescent moon on the mouth of the Noh mask worn by the soldier deepened.
The last two
prerequisites for the scheme. The destruction of the miasma in his body and
reaching the barrier created by the metal element's divine energy.
All of these were
achieved.
A deep, dark, oceanic
darkness. The world was painted with a radiance of divine energy that Akira and
the others had never seen before, and from Nurarihyo's palm, the world was
painted over.
The cold, shimmering
color swallowed up the divine energy of the metal element along with the
barrier, transforming the entire area into a frozen field.
The barrier was gouged
out, and its corner was scattered and destroyed.
―I won.
While being tossed
about by the ice and snowstorm he had created, Nurarihyon took a step in front
of a row of torii gates.
With a big smile of
triumph, he jumped out of the torii gate into the wide-open spiritual path of
Aioi.
♢
They must have been
trying to conserve coal for the long stop.
The steam spewed from
the front of the steam locomotive flowed outside of the windows.
Shizumi Gioin looked
downward at the yin-yang meter.
"The miasma level
is over 30 even though it's still daytime.
Is it already
started?”
Her mumbled voice,
however, was drowned by the surrounding commotion.
The steam locomotive
on which Shizumi was riding was forced to make an emergency stop now that it
was about to arrive at the Central Capital.
Even though Central
Capital is protected by the Five Elemental Barrier, it is said that outside of
the barriers, damage caused by defiled beasts is quite common.
There is nothing to be
afraid of on a moving train, but a stationary train is no different from a box
made of steel.
They must have been
driven by anxiety. The normally quiet first-class cabin was filled with angry
shouts as the passengers lost their composure.
"What's wrong!?
Why isn't it moving!?"
"My apologies. An
investigation is underway."
"That's all
you've been saying since a few minutes ago.
Even a parrot could be
a little more witty!"
"―My apologies.
An investigation is underway."
"You're getting
cocky! Listen, I'm―"
They argued and
bickered. The very empty complaints were directed at the conductor, who had no
idea what was going on.
While wondering if she
should stop this incompetent man who only caused more chaos, Shizumi pondered.
"I wish I had a
map."
She had a yin-yang
meter and a taiji diagram at hand. In addition, the dragon veins that runs
directly under Shizumi is from the water element.
With all of this in place,
it is possible to get a rough idea of the current status of the Central Capital
through Yin-Yang calculations.
She considered
measuring the surroundings by eye and making a rough estimate, but a slight
mistake in the calculation could result in the opposite number.
After considering it
as an option, she silently and immediately ruled it out.
"Sorry to keep
you waiting, Princess."
"Welcome back,
Kaede. How was it?"
Chidjiiwa Kaede, who
had made it to her seat through the commotion, leaned over and spoke next to
Shizumi's ear.
"I've heard the
reason for the emergency stop.
―The area up ahead is submerged in miasma."
"I see. Then we
should assume that the Hyakki Yagyo is taking place.
―Up ahead, huh? Are they aiming for Mt.
Mitsuzu-Torii?"
"Perhaps.
......Shall we get off the train and head there?"
Shizumi stood up
without hesitation, fully foreseeing the situation.
She glanced at the
simplified route map.
The map is not useful
for yin-yang calculations, but it is a good enough substitute for a map to get
a general idea of where one is located.
"Yeah The train
will not be able to go any further, so it would be quicker to force our way
through by using Aragamioroshi."
Perhaps she had
anticipated Shizumi's decision, without protest, Kaede opened the sliding door
of the train.
As she landed on the
tracks, rustling sounds echoed along the stepped gravel.
“How will we proceed to Mount Kayanowa?”
She knew the general
geography of the Cornerstone Mountains.
Either along the old
road that crossed the ridge, or along a safer route that detoured around the
mountainside.
“Let's head directly toward the mountain ridge. We
don't have time to detour."
"Understood."
There was no
hesitation in Shizumi's reply. With everything that was happening, even a few
seconds was precious.
Besides, if one were
to use Aragamioroshi, one would be able to run through even the roughest
mountain roads as if they were on level ground.
Kaede nodded her head
in response, and Shizumi turned her gaze in the direction of Mount Kayanowa.
If her memory served
her right, they needed to cross three mountains to reach it from their current
location.
Even if they rushed in
a straight line, it would take several hours to reach it.
It would be evening by
the time they arrived. She entrusts her wish to her companion, Dogyou Sonomi,
and the aspiring guardians who were stationed at the Cornerstone Mountains to
protect the barrier.
Aragamioroshi. Leaving
behind the reality of gravel exploding beneath her feet, Shizumi's body
accelerated even faster toward Mount Kayanowa.
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