Volume 3
Chapter 13
Part 7
Reverse the
Spiritual Path, Follow it to the Sanctuary 7
Translator : PolterGlast
Hariin Homare, adorned
in silver and blue glow, stood ready with her wooden sword inscribed with the
name [Kashoku Ginboku].
The blade was merely a
foot long, not sufficient even for a casual match. The distance between Homare
and Giant Ogres was about half 50 meters. It was quite a gap, but it was still
a distance that could be shaved off in a fraction of a second.
Waves of miasma surged
towards them.
Homare was relatively
tall, but compared to the towering Ogres, she seemed almost like a child.
"Alright, Homare.
With my divine artifact, let’s annihilate these fools who dare to disturb the
sacred grounds! ...Homare?"
Seiran, clinging to
Homare's back, pointed at the approaching Giant Ogres. But her words went
unanswered, and she turned to look at her with a puzzled expression.
The Giant Ogres drew
closer, yet Homare still didn't move an inch.
"Homare? You
better move soon, or you’ll be in danger."
Seiran urged her,
patting her slender shoulder.
The Metamorph
creatures were closing in.
―Seiran's impatience accelerated as Homare remained
motionless.
"Homare. The
Giant Ogres is almost at the barrier, no, it's right in front of me,
―Homare!!"
―Ga, aaaaaaa!!
Ignoring the divine
pillar, who was practically in tears, a Giant Ogre's fist slammed toward
Homare.
*Clash, boom*.
"Ah~! My
barrier!?"
The impact shook the
air, and the divine pillar's cry echoed.
As the boundary of the
barrier rippled blue, the young miko raised her wooden sword, trailing silver
light.
With a downward swing,
the wooden blade sliced through the air.
Hariin-style
Spirit Technique, Shoden, ―Enbi.
The slash, flying
through the air, bared its fangs at the leading group of Giant Ogres that were
swarming around the barrier.
The Giant Ogres,
accustomed to the resistance of protectors, met the Enbi head-on.
―The bursting impact mowed down their consciousness.
The leading Giant
Ogres collapsed.
The others of the same
kind who tried to catch up with them stopped in their tracks, bewildered.
Confronted by this
unexpected reality, the Oni were thrown into confusion. As they hesitated, the
Kashoku Ginboku danced with a blue divine energy.
It was true that the
Oni had a high resistance to spirit techniques.
But that resistance
was limited to the surface of their skin.
Even if their skin
resisted spirit power, their internal organs weren't strong enough to withstand
the shock transmitted through the air.
Furthermore, it was
Seiran's divine energy that Homare exercised.
The shock, imbued with
the might of a divine pillar, was something even the Giant Ogres couldn't
withstand.
Homare's spirit
techniques struck again and again.
―After the vanguard of the Giant Ogres had been
defeated, Homare finally spoke.
"As I thought, it
seems the mountain's barrier is intact. If only the outer layer of the Five
Elemental Barrier has been breached, then it can be assumed that only the core
of the spiritual path has fallen.
―What do you think, Ao-sama?"
"You fool! Of course,
it can withstand the punch of the Giant Ogre, but that doesn't mean I like it
when my sacred grounds are punched!"
Seiran shouted,
exasperated by Homare's calm tone.
Every barrier of the
Cornerstone Mountains was the last thin layer protecting the sacred grounds.
It certainly boasts
the greatest durability, but that doesn't mean it's pleasant to be hit by a
defiled beast.
"Even if they are
Giant Ogres, there's still a possibility that it won't be strong enough to
withstand such an attack. I'm relieved to have confirmed the barrier's
strength."
"That's not the
point! Beyond the barrier is my sacred ground! If you want to know about its
strength, you should just ask me!"
Upon hearing Homare's
flippant remark, which was clearly an excuse for using the barrier as a shield,
Seiran shook the girl's slender shoulders.
Tears welled up in her
eyes.
Homare, inwardly
reflecting on whether she had gone too far in her teasing, turned her foot
toward the Great Ogres.
"As I am
exercising Arawakamioroshi, I myself will not be able to step outside of the
barrier of Mt. Himorogi.
―And now I am sure of it."
"...Uh-huh.
Nurarihyon's goal is to cross the spiritual path of Aioi and reach
Takamikura-sama."
Reluctantly, Seiran
sharpened her gaze.
While the outer Five
Elemental Barrier had been destroyed, the barrier of the Cornerstone Mountains
remained intact. To create this situation, it was necessary to sever the
spiritual path connecting to the Cornerstone Mountains.
Given that the main
shrine had been half-destroyed by the rampaging dragon veins, it should be the
Soukoku spiritual path that fell.
"Though, I have
no idea how they destroyed the core of the spiritual path inside the
barrier."
"We can think
about that later..."
"?"
Was there any other
question that should be prioritized?
Homare tilted her head
at the divine pillar's voice, which still sounded stern.
"Hurry up and
finish off those annoying beasts, you foolish girl.
Even if we're safe, I don't
feel good about it!"
She glared at her miko
with tearful eyes and pointed forward.
Ahead of them, the
Giant Ogres were swarming around the boundary of the barrier, regrouping and
swinging their fists down.
The spiritual path and
the sacred realm. The sturdy barrier protecting Mount Himorogi was shaking
under the onslaught, yet it repelled every attack.
A wry smile played on
Homare's lips as she watched the scene.
"―Fufu. Shouldn't
they be able to see the futility of this without even bothering to think about
it?"
"Who cares about
their thoughts? They are dumber than monkeys after all.
More importantly,
hurry up, it's getting annoying."
Perhaps
misinterpreting their banter as a provocation, the Giant Ogres intensified
their attacks.
Undeterred by the
looming fists, Homare stepped closer to the barrier.
The divine energy that
was being kneaded from her tanden enveloped the girl's body.
Hariin-style
Spirit Technique, Chuden, ―Gokōnanakamado.
"The
Hariin-school isn't good at long-range attacks, but it's not impossible.
―Let me show you one."
The intricately woven
armor of divine energy came undone right before the Giant Ogres' eyes.
Dancing in the air
like a sash, it was gradually condensed into purple electricity.
The noises resembling
the crawling of multiple limbs tormented the ears of those who were standing
there.
Hariin-style
Spirit Technique, Uraden―
"―Mukadenanakamado."
It was like a
Centipede writhing its purple limbs. With blue divine energy woven into it,
Homare swung and reaped it in all directions.
The purple electric
charge left behind a trail of noises and residual shockwaves generated from its
friction with the air.
Baring its fangs from
the side, the spirit technique slashed through the Giant Ogres' torso without
even allowing them to resist.
And the subsequent
explosive pressure tore their bodies apart.
―Homare had only launched a few blows. However, after
the overwhelming devastation had passed, there was no Giant Ogres that remained
alive on the spot.
"...Well. This
spirit technique is not popular because it is difficult to master and it
completely disregards one's defense which is one's strong point."
"Indeed, flashy
moves is Aka's specialty.
―Or rather, Homare. You're not using my barrier as bait
to round them up or anything like that, are you?"
"...........................
Well, I guess that takes care of most of
the commotion."
"Bullseye! That's
what you really think, right, Homare?
How dare you a mere
Miko use Mt. Himorogi's barrier as a shield!?"
One person and one
divine pillar were making a fuss. Behind them, one of the guardians, who had
been waiting patiently in the rear, called out to them.
"H-Homare-sama.
We've gathered all the injured here."
"Thank you. To
avoid worsening their injuries, please try not to move them anymore."
"Umm. Currently,
only Lord Houjou is at the front lines.
―Should we support her?"
"That's
unnecessary.
On the contrary, if we
were to interfere and try to steal her prey, we'd only incur Lord Houjou's
wrath.
...There is no telling
which one is the real monster."
Through the flickering
barrier of the divine spirit, they caught a glimpse of Houjou Izana's rampage.
The sharp slashes of
spiritual power flashed in all directions without wavering.
―Each time they did so, the giant frame and parts of
the Giant Ogre flew through the air as if it were a toy.
The girl, standing at
the pinnacle of Kabeju Province, murmured these words and positioned her divine
artifact in front of her.
Leaving the chaos of
the battlefield far behind, Homare calmly exercised the power of Kashoku
Ginboku.
"Well, that
personality is a blessing right now.
Let's get ourselves
back in order."
A gentle breeze,
unlike anything one's expect on a battlefield, circulated around the girl.
―A wave of cool, yet warm air caressed the cheeks of
everyone present.
Once, twice. Delicate
waves gently washed over their wounds, easing the pain with each pass.
Eventually, the
lingering miasma and violence left the guardians' bodies, and Homare exhaled
deeply.
"I think this is
enough.
―Can you move?"
"Yes, there's no
problem. After leaving those in critical condition behind, we'll return to the
frontlines."
"Alright, go
ahead. But don't rush.
―It seems things have calmed down on the other side as
well."
Homare replied lightly
and turned her gaze towards the other side of the barrier.
Purple lightning
danced in front of Homare's field of vision, and spirit power gushed out
following the trajectory of the slashes.
The Giant Ogres
collapsed as their torso was split apart.
After that, only
silence remained on the battlefield.
"...Something's
off."
"What's the
matter, Homare?
―I believe we should've successfully eradicated the
majority of the Hyakki Yagyo."
"That's exactly
why. Even with Giant Ogres as the core of the group, calling this scale a
Hyakki Yagyo is a bit of a stretch.
This must be a decoy,
but it's too weak for targeting Takamikura-sama's dragon den."
The enemies must have
spent a long time planning this. That much is certain, based on the information
they've gathered.
A plan that the divine
pillar, who has no concept of age, had spent a lot of time coming up with.
Certainly, it's a
powerful group attack, but considering the amount of time and effort invested,
Homare's intuition tells her something is amiss.
"If our
information is accurate, similar-sized groups should be attacking all of the
Cornerstone Mountains.
If we multiply this
group by five, it would undoubtedly be the largest-scale Hyakki Yagyo in
history."
"...Historically,
multi-front attacks have been considered foolish tactics. If the goal is to
conquer the Cornerstone Mountains, a concentrated attack would be the best
approach.
But with this move,
it's as if they want to keep the Divine Pillars occupied at the Cornerstone
Mountains―"
Just as Homare's
doubts were taking shape, the torii gate leading to the spiritual path behind
her rumbled.
The spiritual path of
Aioi, directly connected to the dragon veins, expelled divine energy that
rippled like the ocean.
Witnessing the
unprecedented glow of divine energy and the two figures that appeared along
with it, Homare involuntarily muttered in confusion.
"That's..."
♢
The heavy spiritual
pressure that had weighed down on Akira suddenly lifted.
His eyelids, tightly
shut as he was swept by the turbulent dragon veins coursing through the
spiritual path, were filled with brightness.
―I'm out.
Before he could fully
realize it, he was tumbling down the sloping ground.
"Ugh, gah!"
"―Hee, hee.
Perhaps because we didn't follow the procedure, the exit was reversed.
But now, there are
only a few Cornerstone Mountains left for us to traverse."
"!!"
Akira's body tumbled
and rolled, losing to the momentum.
A mocking voice
descended from above as he groaned in pain.
Instinctively, driven
by a sense of crisis, Akira raised his Rakuyō Zakuro as a shield. The crimson
blade narrowly intercepted the hatchet that protruded from the dust cloud.
A bluish talisman
ignited at the fingertips of the Noh-masked man, and the divine energy of ocean
depths soared up. The flickering divine energy enveloped the damaged hatchet,
then extended its blade further.
Witnessing this scene,
a question formed in Akira's mind.
"You're sealing
divine energy within the talisman? Wait... come to think of it, that's always
been the case. Whenever you activated a talisman, divine energy was
generated."
The talisman technique
originates from Taoism and is a technique that flourished in Tsonma. Its
greatest advantage is that anyone can use it.
Its convenience is so
great that it has spread even to Takamagahara, a country beyond the ocean.
There is no wonder that Nurarihyon, who was once regarded as a divine pillar of
Tsonma, would use it.
However, the technique
that exercised the divine artifact (Pārijāta) is completely different.
Suddenly, a conclusion
dawned on Akira's mind.
"―Hee, hee. Did
you finally notice?"
"Yeah, I was
wrong to think it was a completely different technique. The origin of the
talisman technique―"
Before Akira could
finish, the Noh-masked man slashed forward with force. The unleashed slash
caused sparks to fly between them.
The sudden change in
the opponent's offensive was proof that Akira's conclusion was correct.
―Basically, the techniques used by Nurarihyon originate
from the Taoism of Tsonma.
But Taoism is, after
all, merely a human technique.
It is not something
that can interfere with the powers of a divine artifact like the Pārijāta.
The technique that he
taught Ambrosio to pull out the Pārijāta.
It is not a technique
that could be attained even if it were imbued with divine energy.
The shape of the
Pārijāta formed an image in Akira's mind.
The surface of the
white, twisted stone stake was densely covered with mantras.
He remembered a
passage he had come across when he was researching Nurarihyon's origins at
Tenryō Academy.
―It said that mantras are syllables that have been
compressed into shapes to interfere with the real world.
By describing the
present world as text, it is possible to reproduce the miracle of
reincarnation, which is the destruction and regeneration of all things.
This knowledge,
originating from Bharatush, states that if one delves deep enough, it is
possible to freely manipulate any existing concept.
It is said to have
been spread by some unnamed divine pillar, and there are even theories that claim
it is a kind of divine artifact.
"...Mantras are
your divine artifact.
If we assume that you
are the embodiment of that knowledge, then it makes sense that you can
interfere with Taoism which is based on that knowledge along with techniques
related to it.
―You, Nurarihyon, are a divine pillar of
Bharatush."
There was no reply to
Akira's assertion. Divine energy traced a trajectory through the void and bared
its fangs at Akira.
The Rakuyō Zakuro
intercepted the attack, and sparks flew as Akira began to retreat.
The divine energy,
which contained the ocean depths' radiance, eroded the divine energy that Akira
had kneaded.
―Water overcomes fire. Just as his fire-element divine
energy was about to be overwhelmed, Akira exploded his divine energy in
defiance.
He squandered the
remaining spiritual energy within him. The recovered divine energy began to
dwindle in the stalemate.
While feeling the
sensation of his divine energy running out again, Akira continued to speak.
"A divine pillar
who has a strong affinity for water and was exiled from Bharatush. If we trace
it back to this point, there are only a few possibilities for your true
identity."
"―Hee, hee. Even
if you know that, it's a bit rash to become arrogant and think you can defeat
me."
Akira could not
respond to the Noh-masked man's remark. Instead, a more intense sword fight
dominated the area. For several exchanges, sparks flew as the Rakuyō Zakuro and
the hatchet clashed.
The Noh-masked man's
remark was correct. Even if Akira knew Nurarihyon's origins and managed to find
a way to win, he was not prepared to reproduce the history of defeat that his
opponent may have suffered.
Nevertheless, this was
the only chance left for Akira to win against a divine pillar. Akira had no
choice but to gamble.
―The moment when the being before him mistakenly
believed that his bet was Nurarihyon's origins.
This was the moment
for him to make his final bet.
"Seeeiii~!"
"―!?"
With an exhalation,
the divine energy that resided within Akira flared up.
Kihoin-style
Spirit Technique, Shoden, ―Kyūshou.
The clashing blades of
divine energy created a slight gap in Akira's offensive.
That gap, caused by
the divine pillar's carelessness, was the final bet Akira had aimed for.
Kihoin-style
Spirit Technique, Consecutive Technique, ―Ranguri Itoguruma.
With the residual
flames of Hayabusa-gake at his feet, Akira continued his attacks with waves of
slashing blows.
Just a little more,
and he could reach the Noh-masked man's throat.
Having expended all
the divine energy he had poured into the Rakuyō Zakuro, Akira thrust its tip
towards the Noh-masked man.
―A dull, grinding sound echoed.
A thrust delivered
with all his might merely pierce the belly of the hatchet that had blocked it at
the last moment. Although it had come close to the Noh-masked man's eyes, the
thrust lost momentum there.
The vermillion gold
divine energy scattered and dissipated, and a momentary silence returned to the
battlefield.
Just like that, a
mocking smile adorned the mouth hidden behind the Noh mask.
―I won.
Akira's divine energy
was probably running low. If he continued to press without using Rakuyō Zakuro
(the God-Slayer), there was no way he could defeat the Noh-masked man.
With that certainty,
the Noh-masked man met Akira's eyes. However, upon being pierced by Akira's
unwavering eyes, he shuddered with a cold shiver down his spine.
The Rakuyō Zakuro
turned into vermillion-gold droplets and disappeared.
The hatchet, which had
been severed, snapped off at its base, and the suddenly freed upper part swam
in the air.
Without stopping,
Akira launched another thrust, this time with his bare hand, towards the
now-exposed torso.
"Be
resplendent!"
It was the very image
of a phoenix swimming in the sun.
The unsheathed blade
was imbued with a resplendent vermillion-gold glow.
"Jakuen
Gayou!!"
Even without the
God-Slayer, there was nothing that could withstand the radiance of a single
flame that held the power of judgment and subjugation.
The divine energy of
the southern sky transformed into a giant spear and struck the Noh-masked man's
torso.
Their respective
divine energies foamed in a struggle, and eventually, the vermillion-gold flame
overcame the radiance of the deep ocean.
The balance collapsed
in an instant. A crashing sound echoed as the divine artifact's blade pierced
through the Noh-masked man's torso.
Akira, transformed
into a spear made of divine energy, took a large step forward, and with the
momentum of the thrust, both Akira and the Noh-masked man crashed into the
entrance of the spiritual path.
"This is the end,
Nurarihyon!" "―Hee, hee, hee! Well done."
Akira's declaration
and the Noh-masked man's praise intersected.
An immense amount of
heat surged up from his torso to his face, and the lower half of the Noh mask
cracked and shattered.
―Peering from behind it were Disheveled teeth and
blue-black skin. A shallow, vulgar miasma spilled out from the gap in the Noh
mask.
The golden, turbid
eyes of the Ogre met Akira's gaze.
"!?"
"—Hee"
Before Akira could
utter a question, both of their bodies were swallowed by the spiritual path.
♢
For a brief moment as
the vast amount of divine energy clashed, Homare could do nothing but watch.
If one were to receive
such a level of heat at such close proximity, even a skilled Miko would not be
able to escape unscathed.
No. More than that,
Homare couldn't comprehend the situation.
"Why does he have
that?"
She was familiar with
one of the faces that emerged from the spiritual path. It was the boy she had
briefly spoken to just before leaving Tenryō Academy.
The crimson blade
flashing in his palm bore the characteristics of the Rakuyō Zakuro, a legendary
artifact.
It is the treasure of
Shumon Provinceu, only permitted to be given to the head of the Kihoin clan.
Even if Akira was
betrothed to Kihoin Tsuguho, it would be an abuse of authority for her to give
the divine artifact to him.
But reality unfolded
before her eyes, scattering vermillion-gold divine energy, transcending these
understandings.
Akira and the
Noh-masked man's divine energies clashed, attacking and defending.
Overwhelmed by the
splendid and magnificent sight, Seiran murmured from behind Homare.
"...What's going
on?"
"Ao-sama, do you
know something?"
"I know. ...No, I
don't.
I don't understand
anything. Who is that?"
"Huh?"
"Depending on the
situation, things could get worse.
That divine energy,
Aka?"
"Right. He's a
boy who's staying at Tenryō Academy.
...I think his name
was Akira."
As Seiran murmured,
Homare heard the sound of grass being crushed behind her.
―Before she knew it, a presence was standing there.
Was it the guardians
she had stationed behind her?
Without paying
particular attention, Homare simply kept searching through her memory and said
the name on her tongue.
Next to Homare stood
12 boys. The firce battle where divine energy was flying about was reflected in
their vision.
Eventually, the battle
concluded, and a raging fire pierced the Noh mask, leading into the spiritual
path.
At the end of the
battle, one of the boys caught a glimpse of Akira. ―His pupils dilated wide.
♢
How many times he had
dived into the spiritual path?
Bracing himself
against the oppressive spiritual pressure with nothing but willpower, Akira
still did not stop driving his sword into the Noh-masked-man.
The blade, cutting its
way up inch by inch, scorched the dark blue skin of the Noh-masked-man, which
had revealed its true nature.
What had been
Nurarihyon's divine artifact was now nothing more than burnt wood.
Deep within, a golden,
turbid eyes distorted in mockery.
Witnessing this
deformity that didn't seem like a divine pillar, Akira's murmur was leaked out
into the void.
"What... the hell
are you...?"
"―Hee, hee, hee.
We won. I've fulfilled all my duties, my Lord!!"
Scorched by the
surging divine energy, the Noh mask turned to ash.
What was revealed was
a person with disheveled hair and blue-black skin, with a disorderly set of
teeth and two horns.
One of the demon
species and said to be the spirit of a woman who died of starvation.
―Hannya cried out a one-sided victory and was
unceremoniously engulfed by the divine energy of the Jakuen Gayou.
"What the...
―Gah!??"
Akira's thoughts came
to a halt at the unexpected outcome.
In confusion, he
stopped.
Suddenly, a light
sound struck his back, followed by a searing shock.
About to collapse in
agony, he looked back.
In his blurred vision,
he saw Saki's expression, devoid of emotion.
"―Hee, hee. Were
you surprised?"
"Nurarihyon!!"
"Correct. I have
only one more trick left.
Please bear with me
for a little while longer."
His vision and the
world began to rumble.
As everything crumbled
into the depths of the divine realm, the final battle between Akira and
Nurarihyon, wearing the Noh mask of Saki, began.
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