Volume 4
Chapter 3 Part
4
A Pivotal Moment,
Pointing to Light and Darkness 4
Translator : PolterGlast
"We will now
begin the Grand Feast."
As Her Eminence
Takamikura declared, tension ran through all those present.
The silk rustled
softly, and the flags bearing the family crests swayed slightly.
After confirming that
even the softest whispers had been silenced, Tsukinomiya Amane, the head of the
Tsukinomiya clan and representative of the Three Imperial Families, took out a
notebook from her bosom. The fountain pen fell on the first page of the
notebook, and it trailed smoothly across the paper.
"As we have
reached the time of the Kannamesai Festival as scheduled, —first of all, we
would like to express our gratitude for the efforts of the Four
Sovereigns."
""It is our
duty.""
With the unanimous
response of the heads of the Four Sovereigns, Amane felt a sense of relief
inwardly.
The Kannamesai
Festival, where the great divine pillars of Takamagahara and the upper nobility
gathered, was held over a period of three days.
Among them, the first
day of the procession, during which the Three Imperial Families, the Four
Sovereigns, and the Eight Families discuss the annual outline, was considered
the greatest privilege for those who were related to the Eight Families.
However, this honor is
nothing more than an extra benefit for those who know the truth.
Only on this day when
the heads of the Three Imperial Families, the Four Sovereigns, and the Eight
Families met face-to-face as representatives of all people, could they witness
the renewal of the Divine Age Covenant.
This is the original
role of the Eight Families, the cornerstone of the Divine Age Covenant. The
first day of the Kannamesai Festival was the moment when the distance between
humans and divine pillars was closest.
Amane turned her gaze
back to Takamikura, who was resting her cheek on the armrest.
Normally, Takamikura
would not intervene at all, but today, she opened her mouth generously.
"Before we begin,
let us welcome Ariadne's miko
—Come forward."
"Excuse me."
Amidst the commotion
caused by this unexpected event, Benedetta sat down at the desk prepared in
front of Takamikura.
"On this
auspicious day when we have been granted an audience, we pray for a long and
unbroken bond for many years to come."
"Umu. As you
wished, we have held negotiations before the Grand Feast as a reward for your
assistance in the Hyakki Yagyo.
Is there any
objection?"
"No. ...Thank you
for your generous consideration."
—The other party is a great divine pillar who even
knows about the Divine Age. She is certainly formidable.
When faced with a
humble attitude, anyone would be forced to behave energetically.
The golden divine
pillar sitting in front of Benedetta accepted her words calmly, but rejected
any other sweet-talks with just a few words.
Benedetta gnashed her
teeth inwardly without breaking her smile, displeased with the indifferent
response to her initial move, which prioritized profit.
The various provinces
and the accompanying nobles will decide the general outline of their actions
for the next year based on the decided outline.
Benedetta's most
important concern was the fact that the content of the general outline would
not be changed this year.
If the relationship
with Vansuir is carried on under Benedetta's leadership, it is guaranteed that
the relationship will continue unchanged even after the one-year period has
passed.
In this way, they
might be able to absorb all of the knowledge that Takamagahara possesses.
In order to achieve
this, they have to include the wishes of Vansuir in the final decision on the
general plan governing Takamagahara.
Although the primary
objective has been achieved, it has become difficult to add any other appeals.
"Military. An
alliance with the navy that has only recently begun to be established in
Takamagahara and cultural exchange based on study abroad. You seem to be in a
desperate situation.
—Did you find the Iron Age so threatening?"
"In the past,
there were more than a hundred divine pillars filling the Dragon Dens on the
Western Continent.
...But currently, as
far as we can tell, that number has decreased to about 80."
That would be so. The
golden eyes were downcast in melancholy, and a murmur of understanding escaped
from the cherry-red lips.
The Iron Age is not
just a phenomenon of the dragon dens being sealed.
The spirits disappear
along with the divine pillars, and the world's circulation slowly stagnates.
It won't have an
impact in a year or two, but it manifests itself in the mortal world as a
gradual and unstoppable breakdown.
The biggest problem is
that all the divine pillars of the Western Continent have become servants of
the Ariande Holy Church.
Although Ariadne
herself has remained solid thanks to the spiritual energy concentrated from all
over the continent, the total amount of the divine pillars that have become
subordinates has not changed.
—No matter how great Ariande is, she cannot support all
the divine pillars of the Western Continent and sustain their existence.
The debt, which
increases in weight along with the decrease in the Dragon Dens, will eventually
collapse along with Ariande when it exceeds a certain critical point.
The disintegration of
the divine pillars was a disaster of unprecedented magnitude, even for
Takamikura.
"What you call
the Iron Age is the end of the mortal world, which we call the age of God's
departure.
A world where our
protection disappears and all beings eventually perish."
"Did you know
about this phenomenon?"
"Yes. Ravana also
left us quite a souvenir."
Ravana. At that word,
a commotion ran through those present.
The name of the fallen
divine pillar, which they had heard many times, still held a threat even though
it had been repelled.
"Is the Iron Age
a trap set by Ravana?"
"A plan to
reclaim his own dragon den (Lanka territory) that was stolen.
While ravaging
Bharatush, he would also restore his own divine realm. That was probably the
original plan."
The bridgehead that
Rondaria built in Bharatush is located in the Lanka territory.
This fact alone is
evidence that Takamikura's imagination had shot through a certain amount of
truth.
Ariadne, who had
conquered the Western Continent, must have already reached the limit of the
total number of divine pillars she could support.
If she were to also
flatten the divine pillar (Sheeta) of Bharatush and its followers, Ariande
would undoubtedly collapse of her own weight.
After that, all Ravana
has to do is return to her own dragon den where nothing is left.
If that happened,
there would literally be no one to stop her.
However, that plan
began to fail when Akira stopped Benedetta in Kamotsu.
"So the crisis
was averted just in time, huh?"
"Well, who knows?
—You people (the Western Continent) have tasted the sweetness of subjugating
others.
Sooner or later, the
same thing will happen."
Benedetta bit her lip
slightly at the prophecy uttered by Takamikura.
Even without hearing
the prophecy of the divine pillar, the expansion of territory had already been
incorporated into the political plans of the Western Continent, starting with
Rondaria.
Even now, Benedetta
could not be optimistic that human desires would stop just because Vansuir
advocated for reconciliation.
"If so, this
negotiation shall be our salvation.
Her Eminence
Takamikura, I beseech you to send Akira-sama, your Child of Grace, to the
Western Continent in order to avert the Iron Age that will eventually cover
everything."
"...So everything
was just for the sake of making a move on Akira, huh?"
Shuka, who was beside
Akira, interrupted Benedetta.
Her eyes, burning like
flames, met the blue eyes of the Priestess of Vansuir.
Without a word,
Genrei's obsidian gaze, also filled with intimidation, reached her.
"Aka, Kuro,
stop."
"Even if it is
Mother's orders, I can't just sit back and obey.
Ariadne has ravaged my
garden many times. I don't even feel like listening to this nonsense."
"This is not your
problem, it is something that Kanna-no-Mikura should decide. Akira is only
bound by himself,
—Priestess of Vansuir. Likewise, you should persuade
Akira with sincerity."
"...Once the Iron
Age begins for real, even Takamagahara will not be immune to it.
Please
reconsider."
"No need."
Having said what she
wanted to say, Takamikura lowered her golden eyes.
Having been told
silently that the negotiation was over, Benedetta simply returned a light bow.
Although she did not
get a definite assurance, the fact that she would not interfere with Akira's
invitation was a step in the right direction.
With that thought as
her harvest this time, Benedetta stood up, considering her next move.
---
Benedetta left the
Great Hall after the negotiations with Vansuir were over.
From this point on,
the information to be handled would basically be of a highly confidential
nature.
Approximately half an
hour for each province, the reports continued without interruption, perhaps
they had been prepared in advance.
Starting with Shumon
Province, and then moving on to Hakudō Province and Kabeju Province in turn,
Giōin Shizumi bowed her head deeply when it was finally the turn of Kokuten
Province.
"Gioin will now
report our decision.
We hereby declare that
Ugetsu has been expelled from the seat of the Eight Families."
"We accept your
declaration. Does anyone among the Eight Families have any objections?"
It seemed that this
had also been reported in advance, or perhaps everyone had been informed of the
circumstances.
Without any sign of
commotion in response to Tsukinomiya Amane's question, a hand was raised after
a while from the back of Hakudō Province.
Drawing everyone's
attention to a single point, an old man stood up while keeping his hand raised.
A seasoned veteran who
had long served as the head of the Sanezaki family since his teens.
"I am Sanezaki Yukitsuna,
the sixth-ranked of the Eight Families.
—May I speak?"
"Do you have any
objections to Giōin's decision?"
Shizumi's gaze shot
through the old man's frame.
Ignoring the sharp
gaze that would make a normal person take a step back, he returned a good-natured
to the girl.
"I wouldn't dare.
Sanezaki family has
had almost nothing to do with this incident. Since the annual report has also
been finished, I would like to be excused from the meeting."
"—There's no way
a head of the Eight Families would be allowed to leave the meeting during the
first day of the Kannamesai Festival."
Ignoring the smile,
Yukitsuna shook his head at the words thrown by Kuga Hōri, who was trying to
probe the old man's intentions.
"You see. Even
this Yukitsuna cannot overcome the passing years.
I have decided to
retire from the position of head of the family at this Kannamesai
Festival."
As if to prove his
point, the old man gestured to the side.
A middle-aged man who
had been introduced bowed deeply while seated.
"I apologize for
the late report to the members of the Eight Families.
My name is Sanezaki
Masamichi, and I have been granted the position of head of the Sanezaki
family."
"But I have
already notified this matter to the Three Imperial Families and Four
Sovereigns, so please rest assured."
A bright smile,
revealing nothing of what he was thinking, graced the old man's lips.
"I was planning
to stay by as Masamichi's guardian for a while, but there are some topics that
I can't listen to as a retired man. Since the necessary reports I needed to
make have been finished, I will leave the rest to Masamichi."
"...What a
cunning fellow."
Without anyone trying
to stop him, the old man nodded to Jinrōin Jō, the head of the Jinrōin family,
and left briskly.
Watching Yukitsuna's
back as he left, Kuga Hōri muttered those words bitterly.
♢
"Giōin-sa..."
The next thing he
knew, Ugetsu Tenzan had stepped down into the Raden Room.
It must have been
regularly maintained. The smooth feeling of the tatami mat welcomed Tenzan's
soles.
Although he had judged
many things in his life, Tenzan had never been judged.
Flustered by the
greatest shame in his life, Tenzan stumbled a few times before he fell to the
ground from the waist down.
"Father!"
"Souma, are you
alright!?"
The voice of his only
son, who was worried about him.
Seeking Souma's
figure, Tenzan came to his senses.
Relieved to see his
son sitting at the lowest seat, he stood up.
"Compared to you,
Father, this is nothing. A mere pseudo-kegare has dared to target our
Lord!!"
"I know. That
bastard was leisurely surrounded by the Kihōin family. In that case, there is
no other way but to reveal the truth to the court.
If there is someone
who can be asked for help, —should we cling to the Hariin family?"
Since the mediation of
the civil war 400 years ago, the Ugetsu family and the Hariin family have been
on intimate terms across the provinces.
But Souma shook his
head with a gloomy expression at the thought of the first person he would think
of asking for help.
"The head of the
family's trust seems to have been eroded.
It was Hariin Homare
who captured me when I tried to destroy him."
"In that case,
not only the Giōin family, but also the Kihōin family and the Hariin family
cannot be counted on.
—Have you explained to them that he has no
spirit?"
Tenzan's questions
piled up, and Souma lowered his gaze weakly.
From his appearance,
it seemed he had explained but was not listened to.
"...I see."
As if to comfort his
disheartened son, Tenzan offered only a short word of consolation.
"You said you
tried to kill him, did you fight him?"
"He was
disguising his spirit techniques with a cursed talisman. That must be his
trick."
"I see. —Can you
win next time?"
"Yes!"
Souma nodded
forcefully in response to Tenzan's probing question.
At this point, Souma
had a fairly good grasp of Akira's combat techniques.
He had almost drawn
his divine artifact in his haste, but his opponent was a pathetic remnant who
did not even possess a spirit weapon.
Souma was convinced
that if he handled the situation calmly, he could easily win the battle.
Satisfied with those
words, Tenzan found a glimmer of hope.
There were three main
reasons why the Ugetsu family banished Akira.
He lacked academic
ability and was slow in swordsmanship. Most importantly, he had no spirit.
All of these factors
indicated that Akira was not qualified to be the head of the Ugetsu family.
"Then, at worst,
we can claim our legitimacy by exposing his incompetence."
"—I think you'd
better stop."
A calm tone poured
cold water on Tenzan's last hope.
Tenzan's gaze swept
around the room and then to Souma's rear.
"Old Man
Sanezaki."
"You people, who
have been expelled from the Eight Families, could it be that no one has
explained your crime to you?
As I thought."
With vigorous steps, a
familiar old figure passed Tenzan and Souma and stood in front.
Sanezaki Yukitsuna,
the former head of the Sanezaki family, sat down lightly in that spot.
The old man, who was
slowly sitting cross-legged, gently stroked his white beard.
"Our crime, you
say? We merely banished an incompetent from Ugetsu. Why do we have to be blamed
so much for our family's internal affairs?"
"If he were
incompetent, that argument would certainly be valid.
—Right. Precisely because he is not incompetent,
everyone is blaming you."
Finally, Tenzan's
thoughts were connected to that fact.
Ugetsu Tenzan had
repeatedly asserted the fact that Akira had no spirit.
Everyone present had
heard that fact.
And yet, without a
hint of being surprised, everyone had dismissed Tenzan's plea.
"Are you saying
that we've lost something that we should know?"
"That's right.
You've finally regained your sight."
Yukitsuna affirmed
Tenzan's murmur with an implied sneer.
"Be grateful,
head of the Ugetsu family. Let me tell you how you can survive as part of the
Eight Familie."
Yukitsuna's cheek,
lined with wrinkles, twisted in an arc that resembled the curve of the moon.
"—Kanna-no-Mikura.
That is the name of the crime you have committed."
A somewhat dim
presence fell into the Raden room.
-----
Thank you for my Patrons !!
[Platinum]
Aiden Elliott
MaxKne
Swagaraga
[Gold]
B random
DavidA
[Silver]
blue shooting
CoolmanMTD
Creris
Frédéric Bertrand-Hudon
Gtsfan321
Pristia
Anton Lim
Ctdela
Curious Panda
Read Advanced Chapters only on my Patreon
-----
