Monday, November 18, 2024

[WN] God Slumbers : Volume 4 Chapter 4 Part 2


Volume 4

Chapter 4 Part 2

To Part From the Water Mirror's surface, as if Severing It Cleanly 2



Translator : PolterGlast



No matter how many blows one strikes to the water's surface, a small wave cannot shake the great ocean.

The characteristics of water-based techniques are similarly heavy and immovable. That is why water-based techniques require the acceleration of spirit power to execute.

 

Overturning this fundamental principle, Ugetsu's variant technique, Kagetsu Koukou, allows for almost instantaneous acceleration of spirit power.

 

Whether it's based on a special ability like Dogyou, or purely a technique, this spirit technique, which only the direct line of the Ugetsu is allowed to use, has only been known by name throughout history, without even its technical principles being known.

 

With a thunderous sound, water washed over Akira's vision.

Averse to the azure spirit light, Akira subconsciously chose to retreat.

 

"You... bastard!"

"—I won't let you get away!"

 

The water parted, and Souma stepped forward sharply from beyond. The two realized that they were now within each other's striking distance.

Gioin-style Spirit Technique, Shoden―

 

"Tsuranemikadzuki!"

"Gu, raa!"

 

Souma unleashed three consecutive blows. Swallowing his fear of being trapped, Akira accelerated his spirit power.

Forcing his trembling legs to stop, he swung his wooden sword.

He gathered the black glow into his wooden sword, despite the lack of acceleration, and took a step forward, throwing away his cowardice.

 

Akira forcibly shook off the heavy pressure on his body using only his physical strength.

Even with insufficient spirit power, the black and azure clashed.

 

Overpowered!?

 

First strike, second strike. Unable to withstand the third strike, the fragile black glow shattered. Enormous amounts of moisture enveloped both their visions.

 

"Not yet!"

 

It could be said that in a battle among guardians, victory is ultimately determined by how quickly one can deliver a spirit technique. Against Souma, who could use water-based techniques almost as fast as fire-based techniques thanks to Kagetsu Koukou, Akira's only chance of victory was to dominate the first move.

 

Turning his breath into a shout, Akira took a step forward.

He was about to activate an earth-offensive talisman he had drawn from his pocket, when...

 

Piercing through the dissipating black water vapor, two talismans fell into Akira's vision. The torn pieces of red spiritual thread were swallowed up by the azure spiritual light.

Wood-offensive talismans.

 

"!!"

 

Following the warning of his instincts, Akira accelerated the spirit power in his tanden.

Gioin-style Spirit Technique, Shoden, ―Aragamioroshi.

 

The trajectory of the wooden sword, swung horizontally, caught the blazing, bluish-white talismans.

The overlapping impact accompanied by lightning flashes engulfed Akira and hurled him backward."

 

 

"Well done, Souma!!"

 

Amidst the swirling dust that obscured one's vision, Tenzan clenched his fists and cheered.

 

Akira's, no, the Kanna-no-Mikura's worth. The mistakes the Ugetsu family had made were now something Tenzan couldn't deny.

 

If they were to let this slide, it was obvious that the Ugetsu's survival would be in jeopardy.

 

The match unfolding before his eyes was the final lifeline that would determine their future. Souma's victory was the prerequisite for claiming Akira's incompetence and the need for his re-education.

 

No problem. Kagetsu Koukou is a spirit technique that is impossible to imitate. It's the ultimate secret of the Ugetsu, granted only to the head of the family. It's incredibly difficult to learn, and even those who excel at imitating seen spirit techniques couldn't even begin to comprehend it.

 

Souma mastered it at the age of eleven when he entered middle school. It's no wonder he's proudly called [the Jewel of the North].

 

Tensan desperately tried to calm himself, disguising his growing anxiety.

 

He turned his gaze away from the match.

 

In his field of vision were Takamikura and the representatives of the Three Imperial Families and the Four Sovereigns, looking bored.

Mustering his courage, turned to kneel down.

 

"Takamikura-sama, I have something to ask."

"We are in the middle of a match. How impertinent of you."

 

"—I don't mind. Ask away, Ugetsu."

 

Finomorimiya Kaoruko interjected, but with Takamikura herself permitting him, Tenzan felt a sense of relief. He bowed even deeper and raised his voice.

 

"I would like to clarify the charges against the Ugetsu."

"You are being charged. Banishing Akira is your crime."

 

Tenzan's question was met with Genrei's reply.

A judgment was, in a sense, a debate. Without a basis for rebuttal, it would be one-sided, but with careful consideration, there would always be openings to be found.

 

"So, is it a crime for a noble family to dispose of an incompetent?"

"—No. The elimination of impure blood can be said to be a duty of life, not just of the nobility."

"That's right. Then it can be said that banishing Akira (the incompetent) is not a crime."

 

Tenzan's arrogant words reached the others, and uncontrollable uproar erupted from the surroundings. Most of them looked displeased, but a few, especially Shuka, seemed amused.

 

Equating Akira with incompetence was a judgment based entirely on subjective opinion. And his competence was, after all, judged only by the results after his expulsion.

In other words, no one knew what his abilities were at the time of his banishment.

 

Takamikura, also intrigued, lazily turned her gaze towards Tenzan.

 

"Indeed. If we were to clearly define your crime, it would simply be violating the terms of the Ancient Covenant, the foundation of the Eight Families."

 

"Mother! That's an insult to me! To not hold them accountable for letting Akira slip from my grasp—"

"Kuro, have you forgotten? It is only you who can bind Kanna-no-Mikura.

Ultimately, the crime of losing Akira is one that you all must be held accountable for equally."

 

If Ugetsu were to be held accountable for the crime of letting Kanna-no-Mikura go, it would ensure the fall of Ugetsu, but at the same time, it would also mean that Genrei and Gioin would have to be held accountable as well.

 

"Then, what about the crime of harming Akira!?"

"As long as he is alive, you cannot say that we harmed him!

Regardless of the loss of the Ancient Covenant, you also cannot say that we have violated it."

 

Despite the burning anger in Genrei's voice, Tenzan raised his voice undeterred.

As if swallowing his words, Takamikura responded.

 

"—That's true. If Ugetsu's crime was violating the Ancient Covenant, then conversely, it can be said that if Akira is safe, there is no need to question it."

"Then!!"

 

Seizing the opportunity, Tenzan appealed with a beaming expression, but Takamikura's response was cold.

 

"Don't get me wrong. That's why I've entrusted all judgment to Akira.

Just like the ancestor of the Kuga who overthrew Shuujuki, we Divine Pillars will absolutely support the decision that Mikura makes. Your attitude towards Akira is the essence of the crime you will be questioned about later."

"——Y-Yes~."

 

As if her interest had faded, Takamikura's gaze returned to the match.

 

He hadn't completely won. But the fact that the Three Imperial Families and the Four Sovereigns no longer held Amezuki responsible for the crime was a big step forward.

 

Breathing a sigh of relief, Tenzan also turned his gaze back to the match.

 

Even though the match was only halfway through, challenging Souma was like challenging four thousand years of the Ugetsu. With the absolute confidence of Kagetsu Koukou as a shield, Tenzan intensified his gaze.

 

 

Akira emerged from the rising cloud of dust, rolling.

 

"Ka, ha..."

 

He was caught between the lightning and shock produced by the wood-offensive talisman.

Akira pulled out a regeneration talisman amidst his shaky vision.

 

Activating it, he was comforted by the pale blue flame of the regeneration talisman and let out a big sigh as the discomfort melted away.

The trembling sensation in the arm holding the wooden sword was gone.

 

"—Still not down? For an ordinary person, I'll admit you're tough."

"Say whatever you want!"

 

Souma's wooden sword descended on Akira, cutting through the dust.

Akira's counterattack followed suit, and they exchanged several blows.

 

"You must have at least a basic understanding that you can't imitate my Kagetsu Koukou.

Why don't you just admit defeat?"

 

"Oh? I understand quite well. —For example," Akira replied, forcibly deflecting Souma's wooden sword and creating some distance, "this isn't a spirit technique based on a special ability."

 

Souma's expression stiffened as Akira's casual assertion hit the mark.

His guess turned into a certainty, and Akira smiled triumphantly.

 

Of course, there were few historical cases of Kagetsu Koukou being used.

While Akira had considered that it was simply a matter of unwillingness to show it off, it was unreasonable to withhold an inimitable spirit technique based on special abilities.

 

In other words, this was proof that the direct descendants of Ugetsu family believed there was a risk that Kagetsu Koukou would be imitated.

 

Think. Don't let your offensive crumble.

Scrutinizing his eyes, Akira stared at Souma without missing a single movement.

If he could grasp even a fragment of the technique, there would be no spirit technique that Akira couldn't imitate.

 

He stepped forward with an offensive step. The distance between them was still outside of attack range.

A crack formed in the ground, and black spiritual light danced along with it.

 

Simultaneously with his offensive step, he released his accelerated spirit power.

Gioin-style Spirit Technique, Shoden, ―Engetsu.

 

Slash. The flying slash of the water element traversed the slightly opened distance in an instant.

 

"Is that all?" "—I'm not done yet!"

 

Souma's Tsukihana barely managed to counter the approaching slash.

With a returning strike, Akira, his eyes filled with fighting spirit, unleashed a band of spiritual light and deprived Souma of any chance of evasion.

Gioin-style Spirit Technique, Chuden, ―Tsukitadori.

 

Depriving Souma of his escape, Akira moved behind him.

Kicking away the gravel, his wooden sword hummed like a whirlwind.

 

"This is the end! -!?"

 

Although he was certain he had caught Souma off guard, the solid counterattack he received told Akira of his failure.

Gioin-style Spirit Technique, Chuden, ―Imachidzuki.

 

"You're probably just trying to find a weakness in Kagetsu Koukou by brute force.

Do you think that someone like you could come up with a strategy that no one else has thought of before?"

"Tch."

 

After all, martial arts are techniques for efficiently delivering blows to the opponent, as in the case of the Kihoin-school.

Whether it is a factional school or a variety of other martial arts, this concept remains the same.

 

By pushing efficiency to its limits, one can elevate it to a spirit technique.

The question is, what is done to enable the acceleration of spirit power?

 

There seems to be no problem with continuous use, nor does it seem to be disguising distance.

Above all, the spiritual power remains calm until just before the activation.

 

This is the first time Akira has encountered a spirit technique that is so difficult to read.

Since Souma started using Kagetsu Koukou, Akira has never been able to anticipate Souma's spirit techniques.

 

No. There was a time when he caught up to Souma's spirit technique.

Like a revelation, that fact settled in Akira's gut.

 

That's right. When he reflexively used Aragamioroshi to dodge the wood-offensive talisman that was about to trap him, Akira remembered the knowledge that Asōgi Genji had imparted to him in the summer.

 

Akira's memories circled around in his mind.

His focus shifted to the words of the technique, and Akira's eyes widened involuntarily.

 

"The reverse," "—Do you think you have time to be stunned?"

 

Taking advantage of the gap where Akira was still standing still, Souma took a big step forward.

The spirit power, which had gained momentum instantly with Kagetsu Koukou, traced a trajectory of azure from above to below.

 

Gioin-style Spirit Technique, Chuden―

"Kagetsuotoshi!" "Oooooo!"

 

Aragamioroshi just barely managed to meet the cascading waterfall of spirit power.

Clash, boom. Swept up in the colliding shockwaves, Souma and Akira's spiritual lights fizzled out.

 

The stalemate lasted only a moment,

and then the black spiritual light was unilaterally crushed.

 

Both of them took a step back as if being repelled.

 

"How about this!"

"As I thought. There is no influence of water Qi on this. In other words, this is the difference between internal and external energy."

 

While Souma was gaining momentum, anticipating victory, Akira, who was supposed to be pressured, simply thought quietly.

The boy who was hailed as a treasure attempted to attack—

 

But before he could, Akira lowered his stance, forcing Souma to evade.

 

Gioin-style Spirit Technique, Shoden―

"Enge..."

 

Bang.

Akira was blown away by the exploding spirit power before he could finish his declaration.

 

Souma was astonished in a different way by the explosion of the spirit technique, something even a novice wouldn't likely do nowadays. It was one of the many failures Souma had experienced while mastering Kagetsu Koukou.

 

The explosion of a spirit technique also meant that at least enough acceleration had been obtained to manifest it. In other words, it was proof that Akira had understood Kagetsu Koukou.

 

"You, you've reversed it..."

"Yeah, as I thought. Directly converting accelerated spirit power gives it a completely different feel.

It's quite a delicate technique."

 

Ignoring Souma's dumbfounded expression, Akira stood up. There was not even a scratch on his body suggesting that he had skillfully channeled his spirit power.

 

The black spirit energy swirled gently around Akira, as if drawn to him.

 

No. This is bad. This guy is really bad.

 

Souma trembled with sudden anger. Even the symbol of the Ugetsu's pride, which he had protected until the very end, had been understood after only a few exchanges.

 

There was no doubt about it. This guy wasn't just a mere pseudo-kegare.

He was something far more sinister to the Ugetsu.

 

The only chance of victory was now that he hadn't completely mastered Kagetsu Koukou. Betting on that fact alone, Souma lowered his stance deeply.

 

Gioin-style Spirit Technique, Shoden―

"Engetsu!"

 

With a sharp exhale, a slash crossed through the void.

Before the approaching slash could reach Akira, Souma moved on to the next attack.

 

Gioin-style Spirit Technique, Consecutive Technique―

"Kurogasane"

 

Excessive spirit energy raged, engulfing Akira beyond it.

Not satisfied with the momentary frozen scene, Souma raised his spirit power to the limit.

 

Even if it was Akira, if he were swallowed by the frozen ice head-on, it would at least stop him in his tracks.

That's why Souma had to decide the outcome while he could still hold Akira back.

 

Gioin-style Spirit Technique, Finisher Move―

"Sakuwata—" "Too slow."

 

Akira, who had stepped over the frozen ice, matched his blade with Souma's, who was concentrating on his spirit power.

 

"I've caught up, four thousand years of Ugetsu's history."

"—Damn it."

 

Boom.

In an instant, Akira's spiritual light accelerated, deflecting Souma's spirit technique and its wooden sword before it could even land a hit.

 

Kagetsu Koukou is an application of internal energy. It's a spirit technique that accelerates spirit power in the tanden (dantian) and then converts it directly into external power.

Accelerated spirit power is like a wild horse. Without special training, it can easily explode.

Akira had finally understood Kagetsu Koukou.

 

Souma's feet began to retreat. But it was too late, he was already within Akira's attack range.

Gioin-style Spirit Technique, Chuden, ―Yumiharidzuki.

 

Souma resisted with a scattering of spiritual light, barely matching the slash.

He and Akira switched offense and defense, exchanging slashes.

 

"What the hell... What the hell are you!? Why are you always getting in my way!?"

"What are you talking about? Three years ago, you guys banished me. This is just the consequence of that."

"No. You've been sneering at me from the shadows all this time!"

 

Their blades clashed, and they took a step back as if to start over.

Akira glanced at Souma's incoherent words, trying to gauge his thoughts.

 

The boy's dull gaze met Akira's. —And in that dullness, Akira felt a sense of understanding in his gut.

 

"Oh. Are you perhaps aware that this situation is now beyond your control?"

"!"

 

Hitting the mark, Souma stopped moving.

He shook his head as if laughing while wailing and kneaded his spirit power with all his might.

Gioin-style Spirit Technique, Chuden,― ―Getsumei Seiki.

 

"Let's have a showdown."

"—Yeah."

 

With only a few words exchanged, Akira and Souma faced each other with their blades drawn.

Relying on Aragamioroshi, they clashed along with their spiritual light.

 

---

 

He remembered.

The advice his grandmother had once given him.

 

You are very intelligent. In fact, you can find the optimal solution nine times out of ten.

Because of that, you're not used to making mistakes. You're so used to your own accurate answers that it's difficult for you to admit when you're wrong.

 

That can often be a fatal flaw as a leader.

Because operating a group with the wrong answer will eventually lead to ruin.

 

It's not a problem if it's a trivial matter that can be corrected. The problem is when he's made a fundamental mistake.

Because of his intelligence, he might not realize his mistake, and Souma and the Ugetsu would both be doomed to destruction.

 

---

 

Their blades crossed.

Many people were watching, and it was Akira who was the last one standing.


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