Volume 4
Epilogue Part
2
In the Silence
of Dusk, Dawn Unravels 2
Translator : PolterGlast
With the Kugai Bakufu
watching over from the heavens, Akira and Genrei stood at the valley that led
to the miasma pool.
As if inviting them
from the dark depths of the valley, a faint glow of miasma scattered.
Following a stone that
rolled down the slope and disappeared, Akira stepped forward without
hesitation.
A dull sound of
kicking up dirt echoed into the dimly lit valley.
"Are you
going?"
"Yes. I might
still be able to make it in time."
The boy replied
lightly, trying to sound reassuring in response to the girl's concerned whisper
beside him.
Without stopping the
unwavering sound, Genrei also stepped into the darkness.
The young girl's toes
fell into the spreading darkness, and the black divine power scattered
momentarily.
Step by step, the
divine power scattered with each step, and Genrei followed Akira, using the
void as her foothold.
Looking up at the
fading glow of the heavens, the girl squinted her eyes.
"...Was that the
right thing to do, Akira?"
"What do you
mean?"
Genrei's question,
scattered into the void, was a bit lonely. Fully understanding its meaning,
Akira still stopped hesitantly.
There was no right
answer. The answer that even the divine pillar couldn't know remained
suspended, but Genrei puffed out her cheeks as if she couldn't accept it.
"About Ugetsu and
Tenzan. I thought you would punish that fool personally."
"That was my true
intention, to some extent.
—But, as Ugetsu Souma said, there are also
advantages."
"I don't
understand. ...There would be no reason for the commoners to support a family
that made a mistake and became corrupted."
Genrei closed her lips
briefly, and Akira simply smiled wryly as he gained momentum towards the valley
bottom.
Only the sound of
sliding down the slope leading to the valley bottom echoed dully in the faintly
glowing darkness.
"Although he has
become a kegare, it is a problem because we can't make that fact public.
...If we're going to
explain this incident, we'll have to at least make Ugetsu Akira's existence
public."
"Is it going to
be difficult?"
"The Ugetsu
family was able to hide my existence because they were determined to treat me
as if I didn't exist.
Once Yotsurugi Akira
were to take over the governance in the future, it would not be difficult to
trace that we were the same person."
More than anything,
the Ugetsu family had neglected everything else in their desperate efforts to
hide Akira.
Because of Ugetsu
Fusae and her daily actions, even the commoners would probably know that there
was a brother to Ugetsu Souma.
"We could just
cover it up with a beautiful story. I hear that nobles often use that method."
"It would be
difficult. —To make it a beautiful story, we would have to make public the
reason why I was banished."
After conveying the
possible countermeasures to Genrei, Akira exhaled the spirit power that had
condensed in his dantian.
The black glow of the
spirit power dispelled the surrounding radiance.
To make it a beautiful
story, it was necessary to discredit Ugetsu as evil. That was the last problem
left regarding Akira's case.
—However, the only clear mistake that Ugetsu had made
at this point was the banishment of Akira.
Even that mistake did
not go beyond the category of a scandal, and it was a common topic of
conversation even among the commoners.
The fact that Akira
was the only one who had been victimized in this case, and that Ugetsu Tenzan's
reputation was not so bad in the eyes of others, further exacerbated the
situation.
Without the absolute
information of Kanna-no-Mikura, the reality was that Akira's banishment would
be nothing more than a family feud.
To those outside the
Three Imperial Families, Four Sovereigns, and Eight Families, it would seem
that the incompetent Akira had usurped Ugetsu out of resentment.
Even with the
overwhelming power of the Gioin, it was obvious that the problem would deepen
over the long term.
"If Ugetsu Souma
takes action, that premise will change.
—If Ugetsu retires from its position due to the mistake
of creating a monster, we can minimize the attention on me."
"From the way you
say that, you've already made your decision."
"Yes"
Without showing any
clear expression, Akira nodded in response to Genrei's decisive murmur.
Dropping his toes to
the valley bottom that was finally visible, Akira took a deep breath, filled
with a mix of emotions.
—It was unexpected that he would fall into an
apparition, but Akira had anticipated a rebellion involving Ugetsu's followers.
For Tenzan, whose
thinking was rigid, it was an unacceptable reality to see Akira, whom he had
banished, in his field of vision.
Unable to face the
situation directly and trying to cover it up, it was a natural outcome for
Tenzan to delve deeper into his obsession.
"No matter what
path we take, the results are the same. All that remains is to purify this
miasma pool, and then our business in Tsuzura will be complete."
"I see. If that's
what you've decided, Akira, I won't say anything more.
—But the heavens are quite far away. The divine realm
release of Kugai Bakufu will probably not be within reach."
Genrei's fingertip
intertwined with Akira's little finger, who has given a brief expression of
determination.
He was hesitant. Even
so, he kept his little fingers wrapped around the childish touch, trying not to
let go, and looked up to the sky.
As Genrei had feared,
the response from the faint glimmer of the Kugai Bakufu was distant and dull.
Although the Kugai
Bakufu is undoubtedly the most powerful divine artifact in the world, it has a
weakness in that it cannot be completely brought down to the surface of the
earth because it is the heavens themselves.
If it is blocked by
the earth's depths (earth element), the divine artifact can be easily sealed at
that distance.
Once the otherworldly
sword filled with the brilliance of the stars is sealed, the water element,
which is inferior in purification, will not have the power to completely purify
the miasma pool.
Although Shuka's
divine power was also scarce at the moment, Akira reached out his hand to the
heavens.
"It's okay.
Genrei's divine artifact is the most powerful divine artifact in the world.
As long as it is connected
to the heavens, any distance is on our side."
"Hmph. If you
understand that, then fine. Anyway, even if you rely on that resentful feeling,
I'll turn a blind eye this time.
—In exchange, stay by my side throughout the
winter."
Realizing what Akira was
trying to do, the girl's cheeks puffed up noticeably, and she clung to Akira's
arm.
Yet, he showed no sign
of stopping. With Genrei's consent, the colors that filled the Kugai Bakufu
slowly changed.
The Kugai Bakufu is a
divine artifact forged in the image of a tortoise shell that protects the world
from the brilliance of the stars.
As its name suggests,
it is a divine artifact with the greatest powers in the world, consisting of
nine layers.
The first layer of
these powers. The heavenly canopy, which extends over countless distances, is
connected to the distant stars above Akira's head.
A single ray of
sunlight fell from beyond the other side of the twinkling divine power, gently
filling Akira's heart.
—It was the power of judgment and subjugation. A sword
of purification in the image of the sun itself.
Dispersing the crimson
and gold divine power, a prayer of purification itself shook the void.
"Be glorious,
—Jakuen Gayou"
The heat that
evaporated even sound pierced the heavens with perfect control.
A massive wedge of
heat tore through the depths of the earth with a thunderous roar, scorching the
miasma and the remnants of the dragon vein.
♢
—Shumon Province, the Capital of Karen. Mt. Otoriyama
Divine Realm, Bankyū Daigaran.
Crackle. In the cold of
winter, the sound of charcoal bursting from one of the braziers echoed through
the austere temple.
Fufu. Shuka laughed
ecstatically, feeling connected to Akira's heart in the distance.
The sudden smile of
the great divine pillar made the visitor in front of her tilt her head.
"—Is something
the matter?"
"Nothing. Akira
has just grown and overcome his past.
A boy's growth is a
good thing, and it fills me with joy from the marrow of my bones as the woman
who guides him."
"Oh, Akira-sama,
huh? I'm glad to hear that the preparations for his departure to Bharatush are
going smoothly."
Leaning back
comfortably on the armrest, a finger as white as a fish brushed against her
cheek.
Kihoin Tsuguho,
standing beside her, slid a teacup towards the person sitting opposite Shuka.
"Here you go.
—It's just coarse tea."
"Thank you.
I thought we had
become somewhat familiar with each other after fighting together in the central
capital."
"After such a
surprise attack, you expect to be welcomed in our country?
I think it would be
better for your own sake if you expressed gratitude for our generosity with
just a cup of tea. —Benedetta-sama."
In a moment that
should have been peaceful after finishing many tasks, the priestess of Vansuir,
who had unexpectedly visited the Bankyu Daigaran, received a not-so-welcoming
cup with a smile.
With Tsuguho, who
couldn't hide her tension, by her side, Benedetta Casalini swallowed the matcha
in the bowl.
—Her cherry-colored lips exhaled a glossy breath of
satisfaction.
"It's a quite good
tea."
"Did you learn
the etiquette somewhere?"
"No, not
particularly. But through my interactions with the nobles of the central
capital, I have learned to imitate them for the most part."
"—Is that
so?"
The matcha, whose
flavor and sweetness were savored in the throat, had a unique way of drinking
it in Takamagahara.
To a beginner it would
only taste bitter, but without a trace of emotion, Benedetta put the bowl back.
Benedetta's smile and
Tsuguho's gaze intersected, subtly hinting at her connection with the central
capital nobles.
—It was Benedetta who broke the ice.
"I am fully aware
that it is disrespectful to the divine realm. However, considering the future,
it seemed unavoidable to consult with Akira-san."
"There will be
little to gain from a cooperative relationship that will only last until spring
when you cross over to Bharatush.
—Rather, I would like to hear about the method you used
to infiltrate the Bankyu Daigaran."
"Now? ...Well,
Aka-sama seems to know very well."
The divine realm is, literally,
equivalent to the body of the divine pillar.
The realm filled with
divine power inherently rejects the intrusion of anything that is not
permitted.
Benedetta, who serves
Ariadne (the divine pillar of Vansuir), would never be granted permission to
visit the Bankyu Daigaran.
The overturned premise
meant that Vansuir had a means of slipping through the final defense of the
divine realm.
Shuka laughed back at
the water offered by the foreign priestess.
"You sealed it,
didn't you? —The divine protection of Ariadne that resides in your heart.
I have a similar
experience, so I know a little about the method."
"That's right. As
I showed Akira-san, the divine attributes of Saint Ariadne's divine artifact
(the Blessing of the West) are absolutely sealed. Conversely, it can also be
used to defend against external interference.
If the foreign body
that is me (Ariadne) cannot be recognized, the interference of the Divine Realm
will not work."
"...I see."
Upon hearing Shuka's
assertion, Tsuguho recalled the first time Akira visited the Bankyu Daigaran.
To seal Genrei's
divine power and completely block external interference. A reckless act that
was possible only because there was no solid wedge of a divine artifact in
Akira's heart, but it was something the priestess of Vansuir could easily
perform.
"Well, don't be
so wary. Details on how to penetrate the divine realm.
We are not stingy
about telling the eastern ally, Takamagahara."
"...By all
means."
Although Tsuguho could
watch how things were done, it was urgent for her to know how.
It was questionable
why Vansuir would willingly sell one of the most important secrets to the
remote Takamagahara.
Tsuguho deepened her
inner guard against the tacit request from the other party.
Perhaps knowing about
Tsuguho's guard, the blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty simply smiled without a
trace of duplicity.
"—It depends on
the divine artifact, so the limit is one individual, right? However, in
exchange for the divine realm release that seals the divine pillar, it seems
like a reasonable price, don't you think?"
The exchange of
glances, which had been probing each other for a while, was broken by Shuka's
nonchalant murmur.
The melting blue eyes
met Benedetta's emotionless smile.
"The reason you
sold it must be because you've completed an alternative method. Most likely,
the divine seal via the dragon vein is complete.
—Am I wrong in my assessment, priestess of
Ariadne?"
"That's correct.
With the current
war-weariness sentiment in Vansuir, these methods are simply outdated."
"There would be
little room for us to apply it if it depended on divine artifacts. ...What is
your request?
We will decide whether
it is reasonable or not, okay?"
Benedetta's gaze
turned serious as her true intentions were revealed more deeply than expected.
She had practically
sold the powers of the divine artifact. If she didn't at least recover her
initial goal, she would be sent back empty-handed.
"I hear that
Akira-san will be heading to Bharatush in the spring. ...I would like to ask
you to move that date forward."
"We have received
detailed reports on the progress of the naval vessel's outfitting from Kabeju
Province. Even if we hurry, it will be beyond April."
"Yes, I am aware
of that, so here's an alternative. The [Catarina], our proud high-speed
battleship, will take you to Bharatush. As we are fully supported by both
Vansuir and Tsukinomiya, there should be no reason for you to refuse."
Despite Benedetta
bringing up the main point immediately, Tsuguho still showed no sign of
agreeing.
Although the knowledge
of how to enter the divine realm was attractive, as Shuka had pointed out, the
benefits were too small.
Tsuguho's decision was
as expected, or so Benedetta thought with an unreadable smile.
—Without a doubt, Benedetta had some information that
Tsuguho didn't know.
Seeing Tsuguho's
increased vigilance, the blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty continued to play her
next card.
"Bharatush has
been hiding the dragon vein that houses Salvation (Sita) for a long time, but
it seems that Ronkoku has a pretty good idea where it is.
Ronkoku's major
offensive will be after winter. Our intelligence department in Vansuir predicts
that Bharatush will fall before summer."
"I see... Well
done, priestess of Ariadne."
Hearing the details
about Bharatush, Shuka glared at Benedetta with displeasure.
Once Ronkoku's
offensive began, Bharatush, plunged into anarchy, would be as chaotic as hemp.
Akira would have to
complete the contract with Sita in a remote place that had lost control.
"You want to take
the initiative before the battle situation becomes chaotic, but you want to
avoid direct hostilities with Ronkoku.
...Is that your real
intention?"
"It should be a
beneficial deal for Takamagahara as well.
If things go well, we
will be able to reach your destination relatively safely, rather than crossing
the chaotic Bharatush."
Benedetta avoided
giving a definite answer to Tsuguho's speculation and only spoke of the
benefits.
With no reason to
refuse, Shuka reluctantly nodded.
"...Very well, I
will try to persuade Akira.
I will make
arrangements so that he can go to Bharatush as soon as possible after
winter."
"It was a
wonderful deal.
In that case, I will
take my leave. We will also return to Kamotsu and prepare the ship so that we
can depart at any time."
Returning a smile to
Shuka's agreement, Benedetta politely took her leave.
Watching the foreign
priestess disappear, Tsuguho sighed and opened her mouth.
"Was that
alright?
We exchanged words so
easily, but she's a quite suspicious person."
"It doesn't
matter. I couldn't read her intentions very well, but I also avoided making any
definite statements.
...I hope nothing
serious happens in Bharatush."
Shuka's blue eyes,
filled with a murmur, reflected the Karen that was faintly shrouded in steam.
The activities of the
people walking around were far removed from the unrest of the outer seas, and
they were singing the praises of the new era that had ushered in civilization.
—Year 3999 of the Unified Calendar. It was one scene on
a day when the busy season of December was gradually accelerating people's
pace.
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