Volume 4
Chapter 1 Part
2
Severing the
Ties, Beneath the Descent of the Night 2
Translator : PolterGlast
Souma, who had taken
the initiative, swung his sword, raging with divine energy, from the
hassō-no-kamae stance.
The lapis lazuli glow
carved a trail and aimed for Akira's shoulder.
The brother who
intercepted him, as natural as ever, used the back of his right hand, which
housed the glittering obsidian glow, as a shield.
Clash. The creaking
space scattered sparks, and the lapis lazuli glow struggled against Akira's
right arm.
"...Impossible."
Souma's doubt leaked
out as his blade was stopped by mere flesh.
Unable to accept the
reality, he poured more of his lapis lazuli divine energy into his sword.
Divine energies
exploded, turning into shockwaves between them.
Perhaps fanned by the
violent blast, their haori fluttered wildly.
The struggle gradually
turned into a grinding stalemate.
Their feet exploded,
leaving holes behind each other.
Souma's sword slashed
through the void.
Gioin-style
Spirit Technique, Shoden, ―Engetsu.
The flying slash,
which should have been avoided, grazed Akira's flank,
—and his haori and uniform fluttered, scattering some
of its pieces.
"Phew"
But Akira simply
exhaled.
The obsidian divine
energy dissolved and danced, converging into the boy's body in an instant.
—It was the first time Akira had consciously done this.
An application of
Aragamioroshi, regardless of the school. The divine energy raged in the
returning backhand strike of Akira.
"Cuit it
out-," "Just because you managed to get the upper hand—"
Before he could
recover his posture, a band of divine energy danced from Souma's body.
"Already!"
"Don't get cocky, you loser!"
Akira's hand strike
fell first. But faster than that, Souma's divine energy wrapped around Akira's
arm.
An abnormal resistance
pressed down on Akira's arm. Souma's sword took the upper hand again from
Akira.
"Damn it!"
"Too slow!!"
His instincts sounded
an alarm. Countless bands of divine energy danced toward Akira, who was
retreating.
Weaving the path of
spirit power, it was a spirit technique that weaved a cage of slashes.
Gioin-style
Spirit Technique, Chuden, ―Tsukitadori.
Following the dancing
path of divine energy, Souma's sword bared its fangs at Akira.
It was impossible for
Akira's skill to deal with all the intricately woven cages.
Nevertheless, he still
hadn't run out of options.
Because the obsidian
glow that resided in Akira shone far higher than Souma's divine energy.
Akira once again
pointed his right hand, still filled with raging divine energy, at the sky
while glaring at Souma.
Gioin-style
Spirit Technique, Chuden, ―Kagetsuotoshi.
"Dieee~!"
"Bring it
on~!!"
The intersecting
hatred cried out for an irreconcilable end.
Ignoring the cage of
divine energy, Akira's right hand reached for Souma.
—In an instant, water fell with a thunderous sound
above Souma's head.
Souma's spirit
technique, woven from divine energy, was shattered by the pillar of water that
surged down from above.
Without resistance,
let alone a moment's attenuation, the spirit technique vanished.
Even witnessing that,
Souma's feet did not stop.
Water splashed at his
feet as he stepped forward, converging around his sword.
Gioin-style
Spirit Technique, Consecutive Technique―
"Ranguri
Itoguruma!"
"—Too weak."
Faced with the flurry
of twisting slashes, Akira spat out arrogance.
The ever-changing
swordsmanship was the specialty of his master, Asōgi Genji.
No matter how talented
Souma was, he could not match Genji's mastery.
With a sense of ease,
he confronted the dance of the spirit technique he had seen countless times.
Ranguri Itoguruma,
characterized by its overwhelming number of strikes, was a spirit technique
that maintained its offensive by making it difficult to read the swordsmanship
with special footwork.
—However, these continuous slashes also have their
weaknesses.
Even though its
footwork was difficult to read, there were moments when the sword's trajectory
was inevitably limited.
That was the opening
that Ranguri Itoguruma showed.
Without fearing the
slashes, Akira took a large step forward—
"Wha-"
At the moment their
bodies crossed, Akira gently grabbed Souma's wrist, which was delivering a
horizontal slash.
The momentum of the
spirit technique collapsed, and a gasp of astonishment escaped Souma's lips.
Akira pulled Souma's
body toward him and threw him in a reverse shoulder throw.
Souma's haori danced
in the air without resistance.
Fluttering. The Ugetsu
family crest was washed by the moonlight for just a moment, then immediately
blended into the darkness.
"You sacrificed
your haori, huh?
What. Looks like
you're quite used to such muddy tactics."
"How dare you a
mere pseudo-kegare to take the Ugetsu family crest—!!"
—A lonely moon, veiled in mist, watches over a winter
camellia.
With the Ugetsu family
crest lost from his back, Souma took a step forward, his veins bulging.
Gioin-style
Spirit Technique, Shoden, ―Hangetsu-narashi.
—Boom.
Souma's divine energy
exploded in an instant, and the shockwave swept away everything in his vision.
White steam rose. —Piercing
through it, Akira took a distance.
"Cough"
"—I won't let you
escape!"
Souma's angry shout
chased after Akira, who was coughing due to inhaling the steam.
The lingering lapis
lazuli divine energy converged. —Instantly, a slash of divine energy approached
Akira's throat as it cut through the wall of steam.
Gioin-style
Spirit Technique, Chuden, ―Yumiharidzuki.
His posture was
disrupted by the explosion, and his vision was obscured by steam. And then a
slash came while his movements were restricted.
It was a perfect
surprise attack, but without panicking, Akira swung his right arm.
Devouring the water Qi
that resided within Akira, the spirit of the wood element obeyed with joy.
Water generates Wood.
With Akira's swinging arm, thunder roared.
Hariin-style
Spirit Technique, Chuden, ―Gokōnanakamado.
It was possible to
break through the raging wood Qi by letting the divine energy do the work, but
even so, the reward would still be too small compared to the risk.
Without letting Souma,
who hesitated, take his turn, the vortex of thunder and fire that split the
atmosphere blew away everything in front of him.
All that remained was
Akira standing calmly, and Souma was left bewildered.
Only the silence that
followed immediately dominated the battlefield for a while.
"...What's going
on?"
After a while, Souma
leaked a question.
"What?"
"What kind of
trick are you using to replenish your spirit power?"
It was easy for him to
imagine that Akira could mimic spirit techniques through talismans.
However, even Souma
admitted inwardly that Akira's abilities were not limited to that.
In the first place,
spirit techniques consume spirit power more than Onmyojutsu.
Even if Akira had been
able to store spirit power, the battle against Souma would still cause it to be
depleted.
"Well, who knows?
Do you think that a fool such as yourself can comprehend what you cannot
understand?"
"Don't mess with
me! I have the right to ask how you deceived my Lord's family with your evil
magic."
"This is Central
Capital. Do you think that someone without a position like you is allowed to
overstep their bounds?
—[Jewel of the North], my ass."
The demon child of
Ugetsu, who had caused the recent
turmoil, twisted his lips and sneered back
Having his own
rashness clearly mocked, Souma's emotions were once again ignited.
"...Very well.
You're a valuable specimen that's about to become a kegare, so if you don't
answer, I'll dissect you alive."
"!"
Behind the exchanged
provocation, he released the divine energy he had carefully kneaded.
Gioin-style
Spirit Technique, Shoden, ―Aragamioroshi.
With a gliding gait,
he reached Akira's chest. Without wrapping himself in spiritual power, he
flashed his white blade horizontally.
The basic premise of a
spirit technique is that it extends something in one's actions.
Faster, stronger,
farther.
However, as long as
will is involved, it is inevitable that there will be a momentary delay no
matter how hard one tries.
If one seeks only
speed in a duel, the best move is not to use a spirit technique.
Use Aragamioroshi to
get ahead of the opponent and cut them down with one's honed swordsmanship.
The overwhelming speed
of pure swordsmanship is Souma's specialty in dealing with opponents.
—Victory.
In his enhanced
vision, he saw his own blade aimed at Akira's torso.
Seeing the inevitable
distance, Souma was certain of his victory.
In fact, it would have
been the best way to win. —If only the opponent were not Akira
(Kanna-no-Mikura).
*Clang*. A hard sound
echoed, a feeling that didn't seem like human flesh, and Souma turned his
astonished eyes.
The blade trembled but
did not even scratch Akira's skin, and scattered in vain.
The reality of a mere
flesh-and-blood contending with a steel weapon.
Still, without
hesitation, Souma relied solely on speed and pressed on.
Akira and Souma
continued their battle, scattering divine energy.
Fanned by the immense
divine energy, the ground beneath their feet sank and shattered.
"T-Take
this!"
"You use your
offensive footwork quite a lot, huh?"
"Shut up!"
Cutting off the rude
words, Souma launched a thrust from a low stance.
His brother's sword
bared its fangs at Akira's torso.
Taking a step from his
drawn left foot towards Souma, Akira avoided the thrust to the side and stepped
into his chest.
Without losing
momentum, Akira's powerful kick struck Souma's torso
A perfect kick from
the ideal distance. But the feedback he received made Akira's eyes twitch.
—It was too dull and heavy.
Souma's gaze pierced
Akira, who was about to kick the ground and jump back.
Despite his anger, his
eyes were still clear and cold.
Gioin-style
Spirit Technique, Chuden, ―Imachinotsuki.
A spirit technique
specialized in defense, the true essence of the Giōin-school.
Enduring the swaying
upper body, Souma swung his sword.
The lapis lazuli
divine energy gushed out and converged on his sword in a spiral.
With firm
determination, Souma stepped through the ground.
Gioin-style
Spirit Technique, Chuden, ―Chigae Mawaritsuki.
A vortex of water
wrapped around Akira's body as if to twist him apart.
Soon, it scattered the
plain cloth into the void, and Akira's figure sank into the vortex.
—He didn't become complacent, thinking he had won now.
Souma was aware that
Akira had thoroughly observed the Giōin-school, using him as a reference.
The solid presence
standing on the other side of the vortex he had created. Without a shred of
carelessness, Souma exhaled.
With each move, his
honed skills were being stolen.
The tingling sense of
crisis that was chasing after his instincts warned Souma that even his
proficiency was being stolen.
A few more moves. If
he allowed Akira to gain more time, he would be unable to handle him.
With cold sweat
running down his back, Souma made up his mind.
He assumed a
middle-position straight thrust.
Gouging the ground
with his stepping foot, Souma unleashed the precisely refined divine energy.
Gioin-style
Spirit Technique, Finisher Move―
"Sakuwatari!"
Everything in sight
froze, and the vortex cage that bound Akira stopped moving.
Souma's feet crushed
the frosty field, and his sword carved an upward trajectory.
The immense mass of
water, proud of its quality, split the frozen field and headed toward Akira.
A spirit technique
that crushes its target with the mass of the frozen world itself.
Crush. A crushing sound
struck his earlobes, and clods of earth and frost danced in the night.
The frozen cage was
crushed, and finally, Souma was certain of his victory.
—But,
"Are you done?
Ugetsu Souma."
"You even stole
my Imachinotsuki, huh?"
From behind the
rubble, Akira's voice resounded calmly.
Souma gritted his
teeth at the brittle certainty of victory.
The figure emerging
from the rubble was unharmed, at least his uniform, though his haori was in
tatters.
Seeing the obsidian
glow protecting Akira, Souma managed to squeeze out words.
"It's not so
strange, is it? Since there's a spirit technique similar to the Hariin-school,
then anything is possible."
"—How far will
you tarnish the schools before you're satisfied, you monster!!"
Akira replied calmly.
Infuriated by the act
of trampling over the distinction between schools, Souma raged with divine
energy.
Gioin-style
Spirit Technique, Chuden, ―Madoirōgetsu.
Before the opponent
could steal any more spirit techniques, he decided to overwhelm him with all
his might.
The wind howled in
response to that determination, and a mist of water also painted over Souma's
vision.
Souma believed that
once Akira's vision was taken away, he wouldn't be able to steal any more
spirit techniques.
To deliver the final
blow, Souma refined his divine energy.
His sword, dyed in a
lapis lazuli glow. —However, a single talisman danced and fell into Souma's
vision.
A fire offensive
talisman. Before he could even comprehend it, the talisman was activated.
With a roar, a crimson
flame swelled and blew away all the mist.
"Who—!?"
"Ugetsu Soumaaa~!"
Saki's angry shout cut
through Souma's questioning.
Ahead of his gaze,
which sought the source of the voice, he saw the figure of Saki dancing in the
air.
Souma was forced to
retreat from the fire offensive talisman she released from her hands.
"By what right do
you interfere with the Ugetsu family?"
"I have every
right! It's a disgrace to the guardians to turn their blades on other provinces
during wartime.
If you're going to
commit any more disgrace, I'll have to punish you myself."
"Ha. Are you
talking about that Kegare that has been clinging to Ugetsu?
I'm merely declaring
that I will dispose of it responsibly though."
Saki was dumbfounded
by Souma's words.
Family. Sibling.
Compared to other noble families, the Rindō family had a good relationship.
—Therefore, somewhere in her heart, she wanted to
believe. That there was still familial affection between Akira and the Ugetsu
family.
So she couldn't
believe that Souma would reject such belief and betray her feelings without
hesitation.
"Are you serious,
Ugetsu Souma? You can't take back what you've said."
"Of course."
His clear and sharp
eyes give Saki an affirmation.
Souma did not even
doubt himself. With that conviction, Saki couldn't find the words to continue.
"That's
enough." "Akira-kun."
The only thing that
reached the girl's back was the flat voice of a boy.
"Thank you, Saki.
From here on out, it's definitely...
—Our problem."
It was as if emotions
were sinking like sediment.
However, those eyes
were not directed at Souma
—Strangely, there was no anger.
Being disregarded and
kicked without reason. He had experienced enough injustice in the Ugetsu's
past.
With calm emotions, he
looked up at the sky.
There, as always, was
the obsidian glow that filled his entire field of vision.
"It's ironic,
isn't it?" The mutter was directed at no one, and scattered into the void
without a response.
"They say that
you don't have something when you seek it, and then you have it when you give
up."
"What are you
talking about?"
Souma sneered at
Akira's monologue.
"You never had
anything to begin with. You were just crawling around thanks to the former lady
of the house's mercy."
"Yeah, that's all
there is to it from your point of view, huh?"
Akira also smiled
wryly at Souma's mockery.
Still, the words just
slipped through his mind, and Akira still wasn't looking at Souma.
"It's the same
for me.
—The sky has always been there, but I mistakenly
thought it was inside me and reached out."
Many divine artifacts
take the form of weapons.
Because that is the
ideal form that people can hold as a vessel for their powers.
Then, what about the
Kūgai Bakufu? —At what point can one say that they have acquired this
extraordinary divine artifact that symbolizes the entire world?
Akira had been looking
away from Ugetsu, and Ugetsu had never been looking at Akira either.
"...Have you gone
mad?"
Souma looked at Akira,
belatedly realizing the incoherent conversation.
But it was precisely
this indifference that Akira could not help but laugh at
He stepped forward,
protecting Saki behind him.
"No, I was just
talking to myself. So, shall we settle this, Ugetsu?"
"Good resolve.
Out of sympathy for
your earnestness, I'll swiftly cut off your head if you obediently offer it
up."
"That's exactly
what I'm about to say to you."
"Keep
barking."
Souma sheathed his
sword in response to Akira's obvious mockery.
He lowered his waist
deeply, and lightly put his hand on the hilt while holding the scabbard.
A stance for a single-draw
(iai) strike, by drawing the sword from the scabbard to cut through the
opponent's torso.
In contrast, Akira
quietly raised his right hand to the sky.
Immediately after
that, strange phenomenon happened.
"What did you—?"
"Well, I
wonder?"
Slowly, but surely.
The sky, which had just turned dark, began to recall the dawn, turning white.
In response to Akira's
wish, the night sky began to change its colors.
"Are you going to
ignore Ugetsu's question, you pseudo-kegare!"
"Why don't you
use your proud brain a little, [Jewel of the North]-dono?"
"—How dare you
bark at me."
Mocked by Akira for
his nickname, Souma accelerated so much that his figure became hazy.
Gioin-style
Spirit Technique, Chuden, ―Minamodzuki.
With a violently
jumping leg power, his vision blurred as he approached. The boy who stood ahead
of him, his brother, raised his right hand to the sky.
—...What happened?
Without even having
time to wonder, an obsidian glow gushed down from the sky.
It wasn't a sword, nor
was it a talisman. It was a pure torrent of water.
Souma stared in
disbelief at the unacceptable sight.
How much kindness had
the Giōin bestowed upon this pseudo-kegare? A glow that was almost pure in
color, enough to confirm such folly, and the radiance was so bright that even
the night sky sparkled in its brilliance.
To resist the precious
thing that was pouring down from above, Souma had no choice but to be ruthless
if he wanted any chance of victory.
In the narrow gap of a
moment, the boy made up his mind.
The distance between
him and Akira was about 7.2 meters. Slightly far, but Souma still stomped on
the ground with his well-trained physique.
The palm he extended
towards the void grabbed Ugetsu's divine artifact that had been sheathed deep
in his heart.
Akira didn't hesitate
either. The obsidian glow simply fell from the height Akira had pointed to.
"Zei~riaa~a~a~!"
"Break the
silence—"
The two's
determination crossed. Just as their refined divine energy was about to be
released.
"Both of you,
stop!!"
A woman called out a
desperate plea and intervened front of Akira.
She dropped a silver
wooden sword into Souma's hand, who was about to draw his divine artifact, and
her divine energy bound his body like roots.
With a grunt, Souma
fell forward onto the ground.
With that sight on her
back, the woman's wooden sword pointed at Akira's throat.
Akira's momentum
stopped just before that, his divine energy dissipating in front of the woman
who had intervened.
Short hair that could
be mistaken for a man's swayed.
Hariin Homare, the
girl he had briefly spoken to at the academy, stood in front of Akira, asking
as if pleading.
Hariin, the sovereign
of Kabeju Province. She is the younger sister of the current head of the
family.
She looked around at
everyone present. Finally, she fixed her gaze on Akira and opened her mouth.
"I get the gist
of the general situation.
I, Hariin Homare, will
take responsibility for this dispute. Is that okay?"
"What about the
Ugetsu family?"
Akira's pressing
question is only natural.
If he doesn't get to
the bottom of this, it could lead to problems later on.
"I'm sorry, but
they are currently under Hariin's custody.
I'm not asking you to
give me face, but I want you to yield for your own sake.
—The deadline is until the Kannamesai Festival. The
children of Ugetsu will be bound by my Kotodama."
"Homare-sama.
Kotodama is a bit too much."
In response to Saki's
concern, Homare shook her head and showed only determination
A half-god, half-human
can manipulate Kotodama to bind others, but in exchange, they cannot lie.
Making a promise with
Kotodama, without knowing what might trip them up, could lead to life-or-death
consequences.
"I believe this
is the best course of action at the moment.
I will provide further
details to Gioin and Kuhoin later. —Once they know the circumstances, they
won't say no."
This was the turning
point. Homare's gaze towards Akira intensified.
Her half-god, half-human
instincts feared being targeted by Akira's hostility.
If Akira wanted to, he
could use Kotodama to bind even Homare.
While she feared that,
the instinct that wanted to accept it swayed her emotions in conflicting ways.
Suppressing that
dangerous emotion with pure reason, she simply exchanged glances with Akira.
After a long silence,
Akira slowly released his divine energy and turned his heels.
—The regained silence wiped away the tension, and soon
everyone except Souma let out tired sighs.
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