Volume 4
Chapter 3 Part
1
A pivotal
moment, Pointing to Light and Darkness 1
Translator : PolterGlast
A deep stance, a body
lowered as if sinking, and then a sharp slash. The spirit energy scattered in
the air was split apart into upper and lower sections, and an unrestrained strike
extended toward Akira.
""Haa!""
Their exhaled breaths
overlapped as Akira’s wooden sword caught up at the last moment.
Clash. The wooden
blade of his opponent slid through the bending oak bark with the force of a
scorching blow.
Spirit energy exploded
along with a purple lightning flash.
Seizing the moment,
Akira stepped deep into Sonomi’s space.
Gioin-style Spirit
Technique, Chuden, ―Yumiharidzuki.
From a blind spot to
the throat. An extended slash from a minimal movement, a slash that would be mistaken
for an invisible strike by those who are in contact with it.
As Akira stepped
forward, Sonomi pulled back her wooden sword. Sonomi's wooden sword intertwined
with the momentum of Akira's approaching sword, as if dancing.
The spirit power of
both, which had dissolved and danced, converged on both of them almost
simultaneously.
Gioin-style Spirit
Technique, Chuden, ―Imachidzuki.
—Boom!
The tranquility of the
dojo, faintly dyed by the morning sun, was shaken by the heat of the two who
were engaged in a battle.
Their gazes
intertwined at a distance where their breaths touched each other, and then they
took a step back as if they had exchanged a silent agreement.
“—That’s enough.”
Amidst the tension
reaching its limit, Genji’s voice fell between the two. With a light glance, he
used his gaze as a spear. With that, Akira and Sonomi ended the match by
sheathing their swords and bowing.
—Strong. And unreasonably so.
A smile mixed with
emotions adorned Sonomi's lips.
Imachizuki is a spirit
technique that wraps itself in the explosive pressure of water. While it boasts
excellent defense, it lacks sustainability, and requires considerable skill in
actual combat.
It is a spiritual
technique considered a gateway to the advanced techniques of the Giōin-school.
Akira had seen it once
and imitated it, and had mastered it effortlessly after a few uses.
He had heard that the
Kanna-no-Mikura could theoretically imitate any spirit technique. But after
all, imitation is just a superficial ability, and it is different from the
skill of mastering a technique physically and mentally.
However, his
understanding of the principles behind a technique is abnormally high. Even the
Kanna-no Mikura, with their divine talent, could not match this, which was
proof of Akira's own talent.
The autumn chill that
swept through the dojo gently stroked the sweat that ran down the cheeks of the
two who had crossed swords.
Gazing at Akira, who
was breathing roughly in the cold, Sonomi expressed the emotions that were
swirling in her heart.
"Akira-kun, how
is it?"
"Well, I'm
ashamed to say, but I don't really get it.
I only feel that I am
getting weaker."
There was no hint of
deception in those regretful words. Akira really meant it.
"You're getting
stronger.
—Don't worry, you definitely are."
Her tone was flat,
hiding as much emotion as possible. The girl's restrained gaze crossed with the
boy's straightforward one.
"I know I'm
making progress.
But as you know, we
don't have much time left."
"Currently, you have
almost mastered Chuden. I think you're more than meeting the expectations of
the princesses.
Akira-sama's
impatience must be due to the upcoming Kannamesai Festival."
"Is that
so?"
Although Sonomi tried
to comfort him, Akira's downcast gaze clearly revealed his inner thoughts.
The feeling of having
mastered the water-based spirit technique was indeed pulsing deep within
Akira's heart. But no matter how many spirit techniques Akira performed, Sonomi
was able to counterattack them smoothly.
The wall that he
experienced with Sonomi was endless, similar to his confrontation with Asogi
Genji. In the end, Akira couldn't read Sonomi's limits until now.
Akira's impatience was
due to the fact that he did not feel that he had mastered Gioin-school. It was
a side effect caused by Akira's rapid growth, which even he himself couldn't
understand.
However, being aware
of this fact could lead to unnecessary changes. Therefore, Sonomi avoided
making a clear judgment about Akira's current situation.
"Firm in defense.
You know that the Giōin-school is known for that.
To be honest, spirit
techniques are just a side skill for water-based techniques."
"—To call a
factional school a side skill is quite belittling, you know?"
Genji interrupted
Akira's conversation. From his point of view, who first and foremost stood as a
guardian, all of the five factional schools are formidable rivals. Regardless
of Sonomi's true intentions, he couldn't ignore such dismissive remarks.
"I didn't mean to
belittle it.
If you were a
water-based guardian, you would would give a similar response."
"……Hmm."
However, hearing
Genji's voice filled with suspicion, Sonomi shook her head in reply. Sonomi's
unwavering voice made her words believable. Genji held back his words,
considering the possibility.
The factional schools
were always at odds with each other. Even if they belonged to the same
province, the tendency was even more pronounced the closer they were.
Furthermore, in Shumon
Province (the land dominated by fire-based techniques), water-based techniques
were rather hidden in a shadow.
Even an experienced
person like Genji knew little about water-based spirit techniques. In front of
Akira and the others, Sonomi showed them a talisman.
"As I mentioned
before, water is the heaviest of all spiritual powers. It is unchanging and
immovable. Its constant nature makes it very incompatible with spirit
techniques."
The spiritual thread
that sealed the spiritual power swayed slightly in her palm.
"On the other
hand, water is extremely compatible with Onmyoujutsu, especially talismans.
That's why Kokuten
Province has so many Onmyouji."
"……I know that,
but there's one thing I don't understand."
Even after hearing
Sonomi's explanation, a question lingered in Akira's mind. It was a
contradiction that clung to a corner of his thoughts.
"—I've heard that
the Ugetsu family is the strongest among the noble families.
But with that
explanation, it should be difficult to call them the strongest."
"That's a good
question."
Sonomi nodded in
response to Akira's question. In the end, the noble families were the
culmination of trial and error and refinement by spiritual practitioners.
Since their origins
4,000 years ago, there has been no difference in the ideas and techniques they
have passed down continuously. Ultimately, what matters is compatibility and
individual skill.
The best example of
this would be Yuge Kojō. Although everyone acknowledges him as the strongest in
Takamagahara, that is merely a title given to Yuge Kojō as an individual.
Similarly, the Ugetsu
family has the greatest advantage over other families.
"It has been
4,000 years since the founding of the Ugetsu family.
The history of the
Ugetsu family can be said to be the same as the history of the factional
schools."
"History?"
As if something
unpleasant had resurfaced, a distortion appeared in the corner of Akira's eyes.
Nodding in understanding of his feelings, Sonomi continued without touching on
the subject.
"History is
simply the culmination of many years of trial and error.
The strength of the
Ugetsu family can be proven by its history."
How to succeed and
what to fail from. Only the Ugetsu family, which has supported the factional
schools, had a monopoly on this knowledge.
―How ironic.
Sonomi muttered
inwardly as she responded
The Ugetsu family,
which had never hesitated to make history its pride, would eventually bring
about its own downfall because it had neglected its own crucial history. No one
would have dreamed of that.
♢
—Central Capital. Around dusk.
As the crimson of the
evening sun was about to end, Mikuriya Hirotada, the current head of the
Mikuriya family, hurried back to his home. The sound of gravel crunching under
his feet seemed to follow him as if beckoned by the twilight.
He had just returned
from a business meeting with a merchant family he had known for a long time.
"I should have
asked them for a lantern instead of trying to look polite.”
A wry smile appeared
on Hirotada's lips as if to drown out the loneliness of not having an escort.
He shrugged his shoulders to fend off the chill of a sudden gust of wind.
Perhaps because the
business negotiations ended with a satisfactory result, his gait was light
despite his wry smile.
With the conclusion of
a deal with Ijitsu Narikane imminent, Hirotada's goal was finally in sight.
The dragon veins of
water Qi that ran along the water veins were very few in the Central Capital.
The artificial wind holes that the Mikuriya family was aiming for had an
irresistible appeal to the old families that did not have their own territory.
Combined with his
father, Mikuriya Shishin's pursuit of the restoration of military power, a time
of revolution was coming for the Mikuriya family, which had been in the shadows
until now. And it was almost there. If the engagement between Giōin Shizumi and
Ugetsu Souma was fulfilled at tomorrow's Kannamesai Festival, it would be like
progressing through a game of shogi.
There was only one
concern that remained.
"……What to do
with that..."
Although it was not
taboo, artificial wind holes drilled into the dragon veins were fraught with
problems.
The depletion of
spiritual energy in the downstream area would be the least of their worries.
Hirotada knew from past cases that there was also the possibility of creating
unintended miasma pools.
Moreover, Ugetsu
Tenzan is someone who demands sincerity even in secret agreements. If it were
known that he was involved in such acts behind the water rights, it would not
be difficult to imagine that the relationship between the Mikuriya and Ugetsu
families would take a drastic turn.
Therefore, it was
better to cut ties with the Ugetsu family and protect oneself before the matter
became known to the Ugetsu family. Mikuriya Shishin had placed absolute trust
in the alliance, but Hirotada doubted even that.
Fortunately, Ugetsu Souma
was a talented individual. He was a vessel who had achieved unprecedented
results in both academics and martial arts in the history of the academy.
His political skills
were particularly remarkable. It was rumored that his methods were forceful,
but there was no denying that his charm was even greater.
If they could make
Souma a puppet, silencing the Ugetsu family would be an easy feat. At worst, by
sending a conveniently puppeted noble family to serve Souma, it would be
possible to make it known that there are Eight Families under the Old Families.
—The problem was that even though they sent a letter
requesting a visit to the academy, permission to meet with Ugetsu Souma was not
granted.
"But well, the
extended deadline gave us some leeway."
With the Kannamesai
Festival just around the corner, there was no need to rush. If he could meet
with Souma several times before graduating from the academy and find his
weakness, there would be no problem.
He arrived at his
familiar mansion and reached for the gate.
"—Excuse me.
Mikuriya-sama, I presume?"
"Who?"
A voice was thrown at
his back.
There was no murderous
intent in his tone.
Without losing his
composure, Hirotada turned to face the other party.
Beyond his gaze. From
the shadows created by the telephone poles, a protector stepped forward.
A young boy who was
probably still a student bowed deeply with a stern expression.
"May I ask who
you are? To be honest, I have no recollection of ever meeting you."
"That is understandable,
as this is the first time I've had the honor of meeting you.
—I am Sakou Yasuharu, the grandson of Sakou Jinbei, the
head retainer of the Ugetsu family."
"Hmm?"
Just when he was
getting antsy to make contact with Souma, he suddenly found himself in the
presence of Souma's subordinate.
Shrugging his
shoulders, Hirotada turned back to the boy.
"Judging by your
name, can I assume that you are a direct retainer of Souma-kun?
—Did you hear about me from him?"
"Yes. About a
month ago, Souma-sama told me.
He told me to ask for
your help if the Ugetsu family was in danger in the Central Capital."
"I see. That's a
good judgment."
With no way to contact
Ugetsu Souma, the Mikuriya family was grateful to have someone who could
provide information about the situation. However, the fact that he was seeking
help from the Mikuriya family, an old family from the Central Capital and even
another province, indicated that something serious must have happened to Souma.
"I apologize. The
situation is complicated, and I am alone and helpless.
It was only the day
before the Kannamesai Festival that I was able to contact Mikuriya-sama."
"……I see, you've
had a hard time. Alright, what do you need?"
"Is it possible
to send a secret message to the head of the Ugetsu family?"
With the Kannamesai
Festival approaching, Ugetsu Tenzan would undoubtedly have arrived inin the
Central Capital. Yasuharu's request was well within Hirotada's expectations.
—However,
"I'd like to say
it's easy, but it's difficult to keep it secret.
—Or rather, it's too late."
"As expected,
huh?"
The expression on
Hirotada's face was bitter, as if to show his distress. Yasuharu had expected
this and simply replied apologetically.
Although he knew where
Ugetsu Tenzan was staying in the Central Capital, there were a considerable
number of Imperial Guards stationed there under the guise of protection. It was
almost impossible to make secret contact in the current situation, when the
Mikuriya family was not in power.
"I can't promise
you, but let's hear about it first.
I might be able to
help, once I understand the situation."
"……Understood.
The Ugetsu family may be in crisis.
Please, I beg you to
help us."
"Understood.
—Come with me. We can't talk about this here."
Yasuharu briefly
expressed his gratitude for Hirotada's consideration. Hirotada opened the gate,
and a faint sneer appeared on his lips.
It was true that it
was difficult to contact Tenzan.
But it was not
impossible.
Just when he was
wondering what to do with the Ugetsu family, like a revelation, an opportunity
arose to lend Souma a debt of gratitude that could not be repaid.
If he could handle
this matter skillfully, it would undoubtedly be a major step forward for
Mikuriya Hirotada's ambitions.
With that excitement
in his heart, Hirotada opened the gate leading to his mansion.
♢
It was 6 o'clock in
the morning.
Gazing at the Central
Capital as it gradually brightened, Akira took a deep breath.
"Un. It suits
you, Akira."
Akira only returned a
simple nod in response to Saki's voice from behind him.
The newly given
guardian's haori followed Akira's movements. Soft to the touch, the supple and
strong fabric danced lightly in the morning sun.
"Finally, it's
the Kannamesai Festival.
...Are you
ready?"
"Yes."
His short reply was strongly
tinged with a tension that could not be concealed. But without saying any more
words, Saki nodded and was about to leave the dojo.
Nevertheless, Akira's
whisper reached her back.
"Thank you, Saki.
For coming this far
with me."
At that heartfelt
voice, a blush spread across the girl's cheeks.
She had no words in
return.
She simply leaned her
shoulder against his a little closer. Their gazes met, and the girl's smiling
face fell into Akira's vision.
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