Volume 1 Chapter 22 ？？？ The Conditions Of A Hero
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
On a moonless night.
Far from the noise of the human world, in a vast mansion, only the sounds of insects and the occasional breeze filled the quiet air, sharing the world’s breath.
In the Japanese Niwazono, where pebbles covered the ground, there was one room with a light shining.
The flickering light inside cast shadows of a person moving their arms as they wrote, spilling light onto the wet porch and into the garden beyond.
From the darkness of the night, 2 shadows stepped into the light.
With smooth movements, they approached the rounded stones worn down by many years, kneeling down with practiced ease.
The pebbles made a soft sound.
Strangely, it was the first sound made by the shadows walking in the stone garden.
”────Ariake, Tsukitachi.”
From inside the room, a clear mezzo-soprano called out the two names.
The calm voice held no confusion or surprise, as if calling out to something that was naturally there.
””────Y-yes, here we are.””
The two shadows responded in unison.
Their voices were hard to tell apart, sounding almost inhuman.
”Report. You came here for that, right?”
”────Yes, as you have guessed.”
”Then we will report to the princess about tonight’s events.”
Despite their strange voices, the two shadows spoke smoothly and without hesitation when prompted by the one they called princess.
However, it was still unusual how they seamlessly continued each other’s sentences.
”First, we received news of a Great Youkai appearing in Ikoma. A branch of the Ayabe family from the northwest of Nara went to handle it, and the district commander ordered the Kazuramichi family in Osaka to take action.”
”However, shortly after, we received reports of multiple Intermediate Youkai appearing in Otsu and Yoshino, and signs of a hundred demons parade (Hyakki Yagyō) in Namba Midosuji. In response, the Kazuramichi family’s acting head suggested going alone to Ikoma, and after the district commander’s approval, he set off. The other Kazuramichi and Shiun practitioners headed to Namba.”
”Furthermore, we later received news of another Great Youkai appearing in Rokko. The Touin and Kanbe families went all out to confront it.”
”Continue.”
”Yes, moving on to the details from each location, the main concern is the hasty actions of Eizan. For the temple and shrine alliance, Otsu is very close, but as the ones responsible for sealing the demon gates in Kyoto, it was a rather reckless decision.”
”Also, despite relying on Eizan’s help, the Shiga Niwazono family’s weak soldiers bled against mere Intermediate Youkai, which is quite lamentable.”
”The first-class of Shiga was Mibu Itsuki-sama, right? I remember they were once called a genius and a sword saint.”
”Yes, but that is now a thing of the past. Eight years ago, at the age of 15, they lost a duel against the Kazuramichi family’s representative and have since lost their spirit and brilliance.”
”────I hear they are trying to win favor by offering their young sister to Naoshi-sama?”
Those words were cold and carried a heavy, dark emotion.
The clear voice remained unchanged, but the feelings behind it made the room feel slightly darker, as if the light was dimming.
”Well──.”
”That’s not good. Trying to escape a tough situation by easily taking in blood, with that kind of attitude──perhaps Eizan couldn’t just leave Otsu alone because of that concern?”
It was phrased as a question, but the meaning was clear.
The two shadows bowed deeply toward the master beyond the shoji, showing their agreement.
”I think this is a situation we can consider.”
”I’ll make sure Niwazono understands your concerns, princess.”
”That’s fine… We’ve strayed from the topic.”
”I apologize──now, about Yoshino, this was handled well by the Nara’s Matsurida family.”
”And it seems the previous head of the Mie’s Futaba family happened to be nearby, but the matter was resolved before their arrival.”
”Well, the land of Yamato was once known as the capital. It’s truly wonderful that the guardians of the mausoleum are still around.”
The princess seemed to be in a better mood, and the shadows nodded in agreement.
”I believe you are right. And regarding the Great Youkai of Rokko, it seems to be a Yao no Kitsune (Yao Fox). However, before its appearance, the practitioners from the Touin and Kanbe families set up a formation and successfully sealed it.”
”However, the Kanbe family head’s nephew, who was in charge, was cursed and fainted. It seems there’s no serious issue, but if it was able to break through a formation of over 20, including a first-class, it must be quite a famous ayakashi.”
”I see, they managed to handle a difficult situation well. Make sure to send my regards to Kanbe.”
”Yes, your kindness will surely impress them, princess.”
”Now, next is Osaka’s Midosuji. The head of the Shiun family took charge, and thanks to the efforts of both the Shiun and Kazuramichi families, this was also resolved without major issues. Considering the location, it was likely much more difficult than the previous 3.”
”Wonderful. As expected from the prestigious Kazuramichi family.”
”Indeed.”
”──However, I’m worried that the Shiun family has entrusted their eldest daughter to Naoshi-sama. Given the balance within Osaka, the closer ties between these two families could be a threat to others. It seems a bit unfavorable, doesn’t it?”
”Your concerns are completely valid, princess.”
”However, I’ve heard that the current head of Shiun naturally seeks stability and safety. I doubt they would make a hasty decision.”
”…I certainly hope so, princess.”
”Yes, and finally, tonight’s greatest achievement is surely the Kazuramichi family’s acting head defeating the Great Youkai of Ikoma.”
”That’s true. That power, alongside Touma in the east and Kurushima in the west, truly counts them among the heroes of our time.”
”Isn’t it? Yes, indeed. Ah, as expected of Naoshi-sama…!”
The girl’s voice carried a joy she hadn’t shown before. Especially when she called the man’s name, her tone was higher and almost dreamy.
The two shadows exchanged secret glances.
”──Indeed, to single-handedly break the horn of the Great Youkai and subdue them, this current oni slayer is truly remarkable.”
”Indeed, princess. More than anything, the courage to offer that himself, that determination. Can we say this is how an exorcist should be?”
”I heard he made some kind of cursed tool with a broken horn. Ah, I would love to see it in person and hear more about it──.”
The shadows, who wanted to know more accurate and detailed information, exchanged glances at the princess’s words and nodded vaguely, saying, “Yes, indeed.”
”However, the attitude to face a crisis alone, and the strength to overcome it──after tonight’s events, it is clear that the one to welcome as a ‘Kirin’ is none other than him. Isn’t that right?”
”Yes──.”
But when the questioning continued, those who had been generously praising until now hesitated with their words.
Of course, the master noticed this.
”──Is there something you are dissatisfied with?”
At the cold question from the master, the shadows lowered their heads and knelt even lower.
”No, not at all. There is no dissatisfaction.”
”Ues. However, Kazuramichi, being from outside Kyoto, may not be well-received by some. Inviting him under such circumstances would be unfortunate for everyone, I think.”
”Even now, Naoshi-sama is still not enough to convince the Four Saints, is that so?”
”──I truly fear so. I mentioned earlier that Touma and the head of the Kurushima family are on the same level, but I cannot say he surpasses them──.”
”…So you mean that more achievements are necessary, right?”
”We are merely conveying our concerns to you, princess. It is far too bold to say how things should be──.”
”However, if he truly becomes the greatest exorcist in Japan, he would not need anyone’s approval, would he, you two?”
That was a lie.
No one in the families of the Four Saints in Kyoto, except for the princess, would wish for the revival of the long-absent Kirin’s position.
Especially if it belonged to a family from outside Kyoto, no matter how powerful they were, it would be more than just “unwanted.”
”Then let us take some more time──however, I recognize that I’m not just someone who waits; I am someone who moves and creates.”
””Yes──.””
”Inform the district commander and the heads of the 8 families. Kyoto wishes for the birth of a being that can change the current situation in Kansai.”
”Understood.”
”As you wish, my princess.”
That said, they could not completely ignore the master’s intentions.
Once it was stated so clearly, it made it even more difficult.
Therefore, what should be given to him was a trial.
A trial so harsh and severe that everyone would have to acknowledge it if he could overcome it, and if he could not, he would simply become a memory──such a trial.
Heroes need great achievements, and these shine even brighter when they come from the dead.
If that were to happen, the princess might shed tears, but with her noble blood, she would surely overcome it.
However, there was no need to convey everything so faithfully to the master.
The shadows were loyal servants.
But that loyalty was directed not at the girl they called princess, but at the noble blood that flowed within her.
Even if it gnawed at their teeth and made them grow fat, they would offer sweet words and faint hopes as the master desired, giving as much as was wished.
However, if it were to become poison, she would take it from the young hands and send it far away, where it could never be reached again, without a moment’s hesitation.
The fleeting dreams of a girl in love were nothing compared to her noble blood and family name──they were light and insignificant.
”Ah, Naoshi-sama, Naoshi-sama. I am waiting for the day I can welcome you here with all my heart──when that long-awaited moment comes, I will give you all of me──.”
The girl, unaware of her attendants’ thoughts, sang her feelings for the man in a dreamy voice, not caring if anyone heard her.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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