Volume 4
Chapter 11
Part 1
My Great Path
Leads to the End of Delusion 1
Translator : PolterGlast
The tip of the black,
burning toe bone stomped onto the earth, creating a crack.
In an instant.
—Ka.
Right in front of Fuwa
Naotoshi's chest, the skeleton peeked out with its hollow eye sockets.
"Ha"
—How fast.
Terrified by the
phenomenon that defied reason, Naotoshi still grabbed his spirit weapon.
In the valley where
the air was slightly warm and rotting, his silver light burst forth.
A fierce slash of the
blade cloaked in wood-element trying to cut through the swirling miasma.
Their clashes
continued over and over again, coloring the valley floor with the sound of
blows and tremors.
Their sinking toes
take one step deeper into each other's territory.
The trajectory of the
chipped blade spirit weapon carved sparks on the ridge of the sword that
Naotoshi held.
Sparks flew across his
cheek. Determined not to lose to the immense miasma, Naotoshi concentrated his
spirit power with all his might.
He was using a spirit
technique that elevated humans into incarnations of barriers.
Hariin-style Spirit
Technique, Chuden, ―Gokōnanakamado.
"Break!"
Naotoshi's reinforced
thrust pierced the exposed sternum with an impact.
—In an instant. The shock crossed the valley, and a
blast swept through.
Naotoshi escaped from
the swirling miasma and, while readjusting his stance, touched his throat.
—Did I inhale a little miasma?
Without hesitation, he
activated the regeneration talisman for his entangled breath.
While dispelling the
miasma with a blue-white flame, he readied his sword at the Chūdan-no-kamae
(middle stance).
Beyond the
reddish-black miasma, there stood one deformed skeleton.
The surface of the
bones had a smooth black luster, and flames clung to it like heat haze.
In its right hand, it
held a sword. Countless will-o'-the-wisp swam in the miasma at the tip of the
chipped blade spirit weapon.
"I thought I was
wrong, but there's no mistake about your swordsmanship.
...Have you become an
apparition, Tenzan?"
—Clack, clank.
There was no tongue to
answer Naotoshi's exclamation, and the rattling of bones sounded in return.
Facing the motionless
skeleton, Naotoshi concentrated his spirit power without letting his guard
down.
Tenzan had called
himself mediocre, but that was only in comparison to the past generations of
Ugetsu.
Fuwa Naotoshi was well
aware of the fact that Tenzan also possessed talent worthy of Ugetsu.
He had no particular
talent for spirit power, and it was true that he did not make any breakthrough
as an onmyōji.
What Tenzan was truly
good at was...
—Clack, clank-clack!!
The rattling of bones
irritated the ears of those present. —In an instant.
The skeleton that had
leaped out in front of Naotoshi swung down its sword, which was infused with
miasma.
Barely managing to
parry the attack that came without warning, Naotoshi scattered spiritual light
with a loud exhalation.
Even though Tenzan and
Naotoshi were engaged in a direct confrontation at this point, with Naotoshi
having used Gokōnanakamado, there was no sign of the dense miasma decreasing.
In other words, this
skeleton, which was once Tenzan, was fighting Naotoshi using only technique and
not relying on the miasma.
Even transformed into
just bones, his swordsmanship was exceptional.
Unintentionally, a
complaint leaked from the corner of Naotoshi's mouth.
"Shukuchi1... How is that
mediocre? Seriously.
To slay an apparition
without using a spirit technique, even we would never heard such a tale from
Yamamoto Gorozaemon."
1 : Shukuchi (縮地) is a Japanese word
that refers to a mythical technique of rapid movement and teleportation.
Tenzan's true nature
was that of a warrior, not an onmyōji.
And Naotoshi had heard
that he was so outstanding that he could overwhelm apparitions with his
swordsmanship alone.
He would steal
swordsmanship whenever he saw one, and after exchanging a few blows, he would
make it his own.
Even after retiring
from active duty, his reputation as a swordsman was still renowned throughout
the land.
"As expected,
your swordsmanship is still intact."
The bony arm swayed
and turned. Dodging the relentless barrage of attacks, Naotoshi took a large
step forward.
Tenzan's knowledge was
based on his time as a human. —In other words, he was still not accustomed to
his greatly shrunk physical body at this moment.
If there was an
opening that Naotoshi, who was inferior as a warrior, could exploit, it was
now.
Hariin-style Spirit
Technique, Shoden, ―Unari Nekoyanagi.
The overlapping of
internal energy is the specialty of Hariin-school. Relying on his physical
strength, Naotoshi parried Tenzan's overhead strike.
Tenzan's upper body,
unable to keep up with the sensation of only bones, swayed greatly. Taking
advantage of this opening, Naotoshi rotated his body by using his right leg as
a fulcrum.
The spiritual light
bursting from the tip of the spirit weapon struck the shinbone of what used to
be Tenzan.
Naotoshi Fuwa's
signature technique of concentrating multiple impacts on a single point.
A technique that
ignored both range and distance. No apparition could withstand this spirit
technique.
Hariin-style Spirit
Technique, Finisher Move, ―Kasane Sendan,
—Clack, hahaa!
"Kari-tsubaki!!"
Naotoshi's
miscalculation was that he assumed Tenzan was just bones and hastily focused on
cutting off his neck, thinking it would be the end.
—As soon as the slash dug into the gap between the
bones, miasma erupted explosively.
The viscous flow of
miasma entangled Naotoshi and flung him away indiscriminately.
Fuwa Naotoshi's body
soared through the air and disappeared over the cliff.
He tried to chase
after Naotoshi, who had now disappeared, but perhaps having second thoughts, he
turned his vacant gaze away.
Without pursuing him
further, Tenzan turned and disappeared.
—Clack-clack, clack, clack, clack.
Beyond the vacant
gaze, there was Renkyo Mountain,
—And the Ugetsu mansion was visible in the distance.
♢
Since she was a child,
Mikuriya Sanae has lived a life without even a day of freedom.
Studies, manners. The
lessons that an upper-class woman should learn were so rigorous that they
filled every gap in her day.
All of this was for
the Mikuriya family to return to its former glory and eventually manage the
Imperial Families.
—Without a doubt, Sanae had followed the path that
Mikuriya Shishin had decided upon.
It was three days
before the wedding ceremony that she was informed of her marriage to Ugetsu
Tenzan.
—One of the Eight Families, the first rank at that.
Then, as the lowest member of the old families, should I be obliged to
acquiesce?
The only thing that
remained in Sanae's memory was the sight of Shishin looking at her with a
casual attitude as if she were a stranger to him.
The vassals also
joined the search, and the figures of the servants were scattered throughout
the mansion. Mikuriya Sanae was restlessly pacing back and forth on the tatami
mat.
—Not yet... Has there been no good news yet?
Did choosing the minor
ones among the vassals because their loyalty was easily swayed backfire?
She bit her thumb in
frustration.
With a sharp pain
running to her thumb, Sanae exhaled from the depths of her lungs.
A great wish that she
had devoted her entire life to since she was a Mikuriya.
The sight of it being
so easily lost on the verge of fulfillment was a reality that Sanae could not
accept at all.
—There is only one favor. For you, who've done nothing,
to be forgiven is just a matter of whether you let it slip through your fingers
or not.
A familiar voice
crossed her mind. It was the oracle of the golden girl who had told her in the
chasm between dreams and reality on the night before her wedding.
What was she thinking
with that shining gaze? In the distant memories, she squinted gently.
From the other side of
the corridor, there was a sound of thudding footsteps.
Kanou Minesuke, whom
she had sent for, tumbled into the room where Sanae was standing.
"M-My Lady. This
is a serious matter, a serious matter!"
"—It couldn't get
any worse than this, so be quiet.
...Did you manage to
retrieve the body of that pseudo-kegare?"
"That's not it.
In a place a little further from the foot of Mt. Renkyo, the body of Lord
Mikuriya Shishin was found!!"
"F-Father? Who on
earth... Who is the culprit?"
Sanae's face lost all
color as the meaning of Kanou's report, which was as sudden as a bolt of
lightning, sank into her mind.
"We're not sure
yet... B-But, the wreckage of a steam car was found nearby.
Perhaps, he managed to
annihilate that pseudo-kegare before he-"
"You fool!! Then
where is the corpse of the pseudo-kegare? Father is the jewel of the Mikuriya
family,
—The treasure of Takamagahara!"
A divine spirit had a special
meaning even in the old families.
Moreover, Shishin, who
possessed the earth-element divine spirit that was unprecedented in history,
was unquestionably the strongest in Sanae's limited knowledge.
—No. The problem is not who killed him. Mikuriya Shishin
could not be officially declared dead in Samidare Territory, since even the
body of Ugetsu Tenzan was missing at the moment.
Exhaling the swirling
confusion from the depths of her lungs, Sanae calmed her thoughts.
Fortunately, the
Ugetsu family was in chaos. Even if there were some inconsistencies, it was
still possible to cover them up.
"Who else knows
about Father's death?"
"A few of my
subordinates. Only two or three of them know Lord Shishin's face."
"Dispose of
them."
"—Huh?"
Sanae's reply was cold
and short.
Understanding the
meaning, the small man's face turned pale.
"W-Wait a second.
To silence them, to kill my men...
Why are you doing this
in a time of crisis!?"
"Why? —Perhaps
it's because you left the main house without even confirming Tenzan's
death."
Thanks to this, she
had been forced to revise her plans from the very beginning.
Sanae looked down at
Kanou, who was nothing more than a mere pawn, with her eyes darkened from
frustration.
While she had been
optimistic about Ugetsu Tenzan, Sanae, who had witnessed the decline of the
Mikuriya family, saw the end of the Ugetsu family as ninety percent certain.
If that were to
happen, Sanae would certainly not be unrelated.
As the legitimate wife
of Ugetsu Tenzan, and moreover, with a history of kicking Akira, who was born,
into the garden, Sanae was at the forefront of those who should be punished.
If Akira decided to
dispose of her, Sanae would have no choice but to humbly bow her head.
It was only natural
for Sanae to seek out the possibility of saving herself and her only son as
soon as possible.
If the Ugetsu clan is
to be destroyed, the only path left for Sanae is to return to the Mikuriya
family.
The three people who
would hinder this decision were Ugetsu Akira, Ugetsu Tenzan, and Mikuriya
Shishin.
Last night, Kanou
killed Tenzan through a surprise attack. At the same time, he had manipulated
Mikuriya Shishin into disposing of Ugetsu Akira. All that remained was to
execute Mikuriya Shishin on the charge of harming a guest of the Gioin family.
In exchange for the
execution of the criminals and the destruction of the Ugetsu clan, Mikuriya
Sanae and Souma would be spared.
For Sanae, who had not
even mastered Aragamioroshi, murder was the only means of survival.
—Despite this, the fact that even Tenzan's murder had
not been satisfactorily carried out was a problem.
The only thing Sanae
could do was to eliminate as many witnesses as possible.
"You should have
known that you had to get rid of your men at any moment.
Why are you hesitating
now?"
"But..."
"Oh, right,
scatter their bodies on Renkyo Mountain. —If we can disrupt the situation even
for a few moments, it will be worth it."
The cold-hearted
decision to even abandon allies was made without a flicker of expression.
Understanding that she
was serious, Kanou nodded tremulously, having no choice but to obey.
At that moment.
—Clack-clack, clack, clack, clack!
The sun was slightly
obscured by clouds, and a lonely, laughter-like sound echoed through the
mansion.
"What's now? How
annoying." "...This is..."
In contrast to Sanae,
who frowned unhappily, Kanou's expression stiffened.
Sanae, whose life is
far from Kegare even though she possesses a high-ranked spirit, and Kanou, who
only possesses a mid-ranked spirit but is still active. The difference between
the two made the difference between life and death in just a few seconds.
With a thunderous
roar, something billowed soil and sand into the courtyard overlooking the main
hall.
A cloud of miasma swirled.
A fierce, evil eye flickered beyond the dust cloud.
"Who's
there!"
"My Lady, get
behind me—"
With his back facing
Sanae, who was shouting without even seeing the situation, Kanou reached for
his spirit weapon.
A moment later, a
black wind rushed through the dust cloud.
Splat. Kanou was
slightly late in his initial movement, and red blood splattered on his back.
"Wha—"
"Gyaaa!?"
Sanae's scream burst
out after a moment's pause. Turning around, Kanou's gaze caught sight of a
black, burning skeleton holding a human arm in its mouth.
"M-My... my
arm..." "A Kegare!? How did you infiltrate the sacred grounds of
Renkyo?"
Without even glancing
at Sanae, who collapsed in confusion, the skeleton bit into what used to be
Sanae's left arm.
Crunch, crunch,
crunch. The exposed cheekbones moved, and a vulgar chewing sound echoed.
—Eventually, a bloody lump of flesh slid down to the
hollow ribs.
A red and blue cord
intertwined from the spattered and dripping blood to the ribs.
Without even any
internal organs, only the tongue danced between the gaps in the jawbone.
—Ha. —Hateful.
The eyeballs that had
formed in the eye sockets glared at the two like will-o'-the-wisp. —Hearing the
whisper filled with clear hatred, Kanou fearfully guessed its identity with his
tongue.
"No, that's... My
Lord."
"Tenzan!? You
corrupted monster, you should just die."
—How dare you point your sword at me. Kanouuu~.
Faster than the
gushing hatred, Kanou drew his spirit weapon.
The accelerated spirit
power pierced through multiple ripples and bared its fangs at the skeleton,
passing over Sanae's head.
Gioin-style Spirit
Technique, Chuden, ―Seigetsu-no-Kagami.
—Too weak.
"Ka, ha"
The skeleton's arm
flipped. The chipped blade spirit weapon met all the ripples and then thrust
towards Sanae.
Perhaps her internal
organs had been gouged out by the blade, blood spilled out from Sanae's mouth.
"—My Lady!"
He couldn't lose Sanae
here. However, the skeleton's left arm deflected Kanou's slash.
What used to be Tenzan
turned its fiery eyes towards Sanae as he cut down Kanou who tried to strike
again.
—To end the Ugetsu would be an act of treachery. It
shall not perish, I will not allow it to end!!
Refused to acknowledge
it, the skeleton cried out in lamentation. Sanae felt a sense of exhilaration
at the ridiculous end.
"...Ugetsu is
long gone." Cough, cough. Blood bubbled up in her throat, and Sanae
sneered scornfully.
"I was trying to
let you die without seeing the end, out of my mercy,—"
What was she trying to
leave behind in her sneering voice? Sanae finally died after a long bout of
coughing up blood.
The skeleton did not
respond to the silence that descended upon the inner hall. It opened its mouth
wide at Sanae, who had become a lifeless corpse.
Crunch, grind, slush,
squelch. What used to be Ugetsu gradually disappeared into the skeleton's womb2.
2 : symbolize
the cycle of life and death, suggesting that even in death, there is a
continuation.
—Ugetsu will not perish.
Not long after, a
distinct human murmur mixed with the hoarse whisper.
—I am Ugetsu.
It was not Tenzan who
stood there.
The heavenly demon who
had once been Ugetsu let out a roar of its descent at that moment.
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