Volume 1 Chapter 31 Interlude – Conspiracy In The Depths Of Darkness
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Yoshitada frowned inwardly at the girl’s vague response and then opened the sliding door and stepped out into the garden.
He didn’t scold her, because if he pointed out Mifuyu’s lack of intelligence, she would become depressed and make him feel like it was his fault.
Besides, once she started moving, she would follow him even if she didn’t understand.
”Who are you? You know this is the Kazuramichi family mansion, don’t you?”
Yoshitada’s voice echoed in the silent night of the Niwazono.
Mifuyu, who was barefoot and still not fully dressed, looked around in confusion.
Although she probably didn’t understand the situation, she realized that there was an enemy, and her spiritual power was already in a state of readiness.
──She was foolish but loyal. Her mother’s eye for people was indeed accurate.
”If you don’t answer, I’ll cut you down right now.”
Yoshitada pointed the tip of his drawn blade at the stone lantern.
It seemed like there was nothing there after all.
Yoshitada held his sword up high, and 3 steps behind him, Mifuyu also raised her spiritual power.
Just before it was about to be released, the space in front of the stone lantern shook.
In the place where the invisibility was lifted, there was a shadow in black clothing, kneeling with a Hannya mask on.
”As expected from Kazuramichi, the head of the Kansai 8 Families. I first apologize for the rudeness.”
”Yoshitada-sama, please step back!”
Mifuyu felt an ominous presence from the voice that sounded neither male nor female, and stepped forward to protect her master.
”Don’t interfere, Mifuyu──enough with the nonsense. Identify yourself, thief.”
Yoshitada restrained her with one hand and took a step forward, pointing his sword again.
”I am merely a servant of a noble person──please forgive me for not saying more.”
”Is this noble person the kind who makes their subordinates act like thieves? How predictable.”
”That’s harsh.”
”Just get to the point. You don’t want to die over some pointless job, do you?”
”Kazuramichi Yoshitada-sama──I have come to speak with you.”
A silver light flashed.
With a thud, the stone lantern was cut diagonally and fell, making a mournful sound.
The moss-covered stone block stopped, facing Yoshitada and the others, as if to express its grievances.
”I know that already. I told you to get to the point.”
”I apologize for that…”
(How did they avoid it? Was it some kind of technique? But there was no movement or presence──)
With the cut stone lantern behind him, the figure in black clothing remained unchanged.
Even that annoying cousin, who boasted about his speed, might not be able to do that.
While keeping a calm appearance, cold sweat ran down Yoshitada’s back.
”Now, to the main topic. My master has concerns.”
”What about?”
”About your acting lord. It is true that he has the power to defeat a Great Youkai alone. However──”
”Defeating a Great Youkai alone? Ha, that’s ridiculous. The Ayabe family from Nara, even the elite were there at Ikoma at that time.”
Yoshitada regretted saying that as he interrupted.
Even though it was true, it sounded too much like jealousy at that moment.
”With all due respect──there are doubts about your acting lord’s character.”
”That’s an old story now.”
(What a clever one, annoyingly so.)
Yoshitada felt relieved that the figure in black continued speaking without caring, but he was also irritated by that fact and smiled sarcastically.
”That person is arrogant with his power; he has no human heart.”
Yoshitada always became smooth-tongued when belittling his cousin, but he couldn’t say it was just personal resentment.
Even within the Kazuramichi family, Naoshi’s harshness towards others was recognized as a major flaw.
It was certainly acknowledged because he was called the strongest in Kansai.
This was evident in the fact that even his great-uncle Yoshitora, who supported Naoshi, and the acting assistant Yoshiya had often criticized his behavior.
It was no wonder that others felt uneasy about associating with him.
”That is exactly the point. I am convinced that bringing this to Yoshitada-sama was not a mistake in my master’s eyes.”
”Hmph.”
Yoshitada couldn’t hide his disdain for the transparent flattery from the figure in black.
──This person’s master seems to have a strong sense of self-love; I don’t think they are particularly wise.
It’s easy to notice the flaws of others.
”I can understand the motivation. But what exactly do you want? That person is still a rare first-class. Trying to harm him to weaken Kazuramichi would be pointless.”
”That is not the case at all. My master simply wishes for Yoshitada-sama to have the opportunity to widely show your worth as the next head──this is what they think.”
”──An opportunity?”
That was indeed something Yoshitada wanted as well.
While the promotion to second-class had gone smoothly, he had been stuck there because he hadn’t had the chance to advance further.
At least, Yoshitada believed that to be true.
The Kazuramichi family’s response to ayakashi is usually decided by Yoshiya, who is in a supportive role to Naoshi, except when there is a request from the district commander.
They consider whether to pass on cases involving Intermediate Youkai or higher to Naoshi, and if not, they decide on the active team.
Yoshitada says that his father was ‘overprotective’.
If he can only handle jobs that are calculated and within his ability, it will only widen the gap in evaluation with his cousin.
”I have no intention of causing trouble for your family. I just want Yoshitada-sama to achieve some accomplishments against strong opponents, so that the Kazuramichi people can consider it as a point for judgment──that’s all.”
”I see.”
Almost all famous exorcist families are wealthy.
Because of this, it is not uncommon for family members to fight among themselves.
Even if they try to promote a meritocracy, there are times when they end up in conflict because of it.
The Kazuramichi family is no exception; even in their grandfather’s generation, the eldest and second brothers of the 3 siblings had a bloody conflict.
Given that, this proposal could be seen as reasonable.
They are not trying to fight Naoshi directly; they want to achieve results and challenge the world──that could even be called healthy competition.
”Alright, I’ll go along with this.”
Mifuyu, who is tall, seemed like she wanted to say something, but perhaps remembering the earlier reprimand, the attendant chose to remain silent.
”Oh, as expected from the Kazuramichi. You are truly decisive.”
”Too much flattery can be annoying──your master might be different, but. So, what about Umeda? What will the opponent be?”
”If I say Umeda Underground Dungeon, I hope you understand.”
”Got it, I’ll prepare. What about the means of contact?”
”This.”
The person in black offered a human-shaped talisman used as a medium for shikigami.
The torso part is decorated with a red bellflower and a pentagram.
”I will let you know when everything is ready. Please carry this, as it will guide you.”
”There are no curses or anything, right? That’s fine.”
Shikigami talismans are not rare.
No one would doubt Yoshitada carrying one.
”Then, I’m off──.”
”Wait. Before that, remember one thing. If necessary, I could have taken control of the Kazuramichi family myself. Going along with your story is just taking advantage of an opportunity.”
”I will keep that in mind. Now, I will take my leave──.”
With a theatrical gesture, the person in black bowed and then seemed to melt away, disappearing.
Mifuyu hurriedly sent out spirit energy (reiki) and looked around, but it ended up being a complete miss.
”Let’s go back to the room, Mifuyu.”
”Y-yes. Yoshitada-sama.”
In the end, Yoshitada didn’t notice.
Or maybe he avoided thinking about it.
The skilled intruder who had secretly entered the barrier of the separate residence, which Yoshitada himself could never breach, was something he didn’t catch on to.
Even if one is fortunate, it is foolish to see someone who has succeeded as “just lucky.”
Everyone has their own foolishness, big or small.
”Naoshi──he has no compassion. There are certainly times when one must act coldly towards others, but it doesn’t always have to be that way.”
Yoshitada doesn’t know.
That sometimes consistent strictness is preferred over kindness that is given whimsically.
”Above all, I am smarter, and my mother’s blood is superior. That guy hasn’t even graduated high school.”
Yoshitada doesn’t think about why he and his sister have the opportunity for education, while Naoshi, the head’s son, did not.
It was because Naoshi dedicated everything to being an exorcist since he was 15, allowing the family to have some leeway.
”To lead others, you need more than just strength.”
Yoshitada does not acknowledge this.
He does not recognize that Naoshi has more legitimacy as the next head of the Kazuramichi family in terms of ability, age, bloodline, and achievements──almost every factor.
All of Yoshitada’s arguments stand on the premise that he is the one who is right.
The ideas that had been repeated like a curse by his mother for many years were becoming a solid truth in him.
Of course, his father Yoshiya had tried many times to explain the mistakes in those ideas, but the son took it as something his kind father was saying just to support his uncle and cousin, and he didn’t really believe it.
”It doesn’t matter who that person is. Having someone like Naoshi as our leader is a misfortune for our family──it’s just time to correct that. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
”──Yes. You are right, Yoshitada-sama.”
At the strong words of his master, the servant blushed and agreed, as if dazzled.
The foolish and loyal girl gave up her last chance to stop her master.
──Yoshitada’s mother, Mizuho, was undoubtedly a loving woman.
Born as the youngest child in a famous family of exorcists, she had great spiritual power but was raised with love, without being forced into a certain way of life.
She married a good husband and was blessed with children.
Mizuho’s life in the Kazuramichi family was always filled with success and happiness.
She believed that it was all the result of her own efforts. Because of this, she could not overlook the flaws of the current head of the family, who was handing over the family to her young nephew.
She thought that her husband should take charge, and if he didn’t want to, then her son should carry on the prestigious Kazuramichi name.
In the end, even though she was born into a family of exorcists and married into another similar family, she never understood the truth that nothing is more respected than power, and that without it, one cannot survive.
This distorted understanding was unfortunately passed down to her beloved son. And the world her son lived in was not kind enough to let him escape the consequences of mistakes.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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