Volume 4 Chapter 18 The Thief Should Die, Part I
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The day after the incident in Mitake, the Bureau of Onmyō’s facility, designated for the meeting of the Kansai 8 families, was already filled with tension before the start.
This was because, for the past 6 years since his appointment, Kazuramichi Naoshi had held rights but had never exercised them.
Given the timing, it was easy to imagine what he was thinking when he called for the first summons.
To reflect that tension, by 30 minutes before the designated time, the heads of the 5 families──Touin, Niwazono, Narita, Ayabe, and Matsurida──had already gathered.
Ironically, both Kanbe and Shiun, families closely related to the Kazuramichi clan, were still absent.
Except for the Touin family head, who wore a solemn expression as if waiting for a decision, each family head had brought along one attendant.
It seemed Niwazono’s head had chosen Mibu Itsuki, not from his own clan, while Narita’s head had his uncle, Yoriyasu, and Matsurida’s head was accompanied by his aunt Kirino and first-class exorcists.
If Kanbe Yuzura were to arrive, it would mean that all 5 first-class exorcists of Kansai, along with the host Kazuramichi Naoshi, would be gathered together.
Ayabe’s family kept their second-class exorcist, Ayabe Sasara, on standby, likely in consideration of their ties with Naoshi.
The poor relationship between the Ayabe family head and the Acting Head of the Kazuramichi family was well known.
”Thank you for coming despite being busy, everyone.”
”Ah, the Acting Head of the Kazuramichi family has arrived.”
Kazuramichi Naoshi entered the room without waiting to be ushered in, sporting his usual devil-may-care grin, and greeted them while standing.
Previously, the Touin family head would have discreetly admonished him in such a situation.
Of course, he was neither foolish nor bold enough to do that now.
Taking the opportunity, Naoshi charged into the room and threw the documents in front of him.
”Being an exorcist comes with sacrifices; that’s just the nature of the job. But isn’t it a fundamental premise that those sacrifices are necessary…?”
He tackled the main point bluntly.
”In the past 2 days, 25 people have died, and not a single hair was left from 11 of them.”
Although publicly classified as missing, most exorcist missing persons refer to those who left no remains.
Narita attempted to voice his thoughts, but first-class exorcists beside Matsurida’s head were quick to restrain him.
The Ayabe and Niwazono families still pretended not to know anything about the situation.
The relationships among the 8 families are complex──at their core, they revolve around balancing interests, but it’s not that simple.
Exploiting each family’s martial prowess or indifference, since the great disaster 30 years ago, Touin Soji had skillfully controlled the relationships with his political finesse.
However, in the last 6 months, that centripetal force had been waning; in such situations, a weather vane seeks to determine where to turn next.
”──I’ve done my homework. On the day in question, there was a request from the district commander for immediate troops to include at least one first-class exorcist to the Touin family, not just any type but a first-class one.”
The Bureau of Onmyō’s district commander holds no authority over orders to the various exorcist families.
They merely make various requests for cooperation deemed necessary for defeating ayakashi.
Within that, a first-class request is the maximum encouragement the district commander can give, asking them to “do their utmost to fulfill the request.”
Depending on the content, a decisive rift could emerge between the two parties afterward.
Therefore, requests are never carelessly issued.
Yet, this time it was made and completely ignored.
Naoshi’s words drew everyone’s gaze, which the head of the Touin family received in silence.
”There’s no reason for the Bureau of Onmyō’s team to refuse the request. Therefore, there must have been intentions from the other party, the Touin family──I’d love to hear the reason for rejecting cooperation from the other families.”
Naoshi paused for a moment, waiting for a reaction.
He continued after confirming there were no explanations from the head of the Touin family or interruptions from other families.
”Let me rephrase that. What were you relying on besides us? ──Who are you connected to?”
”────”
Despite the silence maintained by the head of the Touin family, Naoshi, who had managed to hold back until then, stopped hiding his contempt.
”You talk so grandly, yet you come here and say nothing. If all you can do is sit back and act superior, even a puppet could do that. What’s this about the Kansai 8 families? Don’t you have any shame?”
”…I regret to inform you, but there is no conspiracy as you think.”
The voice of Touin Soji was calm, as if he were not pressured at all.
”Oh?”
Kazuramichi Naoshi’s lips twisted with sarcasm.
”Everything is due to my ignorance, Touin Soji. Blinded by self-interest, I have lost promising young people──an foolish decision, one I cannot bear to think about.”
He bowed deeply, as if to mourn those who were no longer there.
His fists were clenched so tightly they turned white.
If one were unaware, they would have seen genuine remorse and sorrow for the victims in his expression.
Touin Soji was undoubtedly a remarkable individual when it came to understanding and controlling how his voice, expression, and behavior appeared to others.
Of course, Naoshi had no reason to feel that way.
”That’s a clever response. If only you had shared that with the district commander before people started dying.”
It was sharp, with a hint of excess.
However, as Soji himself acknowledged, decisions come with responsibilities.
Considering the scale of the matter, Naoshi’s accusations, though harsh, were not unjust.
”So, how do you plan to repay that betrayal? With your lofty position as the head of the 8 families? ──Or perhaps with your own life?”
The decisive words were about to come out, at least until this point.
”────!”
The seriousness contained within those words made everyone present hold their breath and shift in their seats.
The head of the Niwazono family, seeing that this could not be overlooked, hurriedly shifted his gaze between Naoshi and Itsuki.
<hr/>
Summary:
The meeting of the Kansai 8 families at the Bureau of Onmyō’s facility is about to start, and tension is high. The heads of 5 families (Touin, Niwazono, Narita, Ayabe, and Matsurida) have already gathered, but Kanbe and Shiun families are absent.
Kazuramichi Naoshi, the Acting Head of the Kazuramichi family, arrives and greets the others. He enters the room confidently and begins discussing the recent deaths of 25 people, with 11 of them leaving no remains.
Naoshi accuses the Touin family of rejecting a request for cooperation from the Bureau of Onmyō, which led to the deaths. He questions what the Touin family was relying on instead of the other families, implying they have secret connections.
The head of the Touin family, Touin Soji, remains silent, which angers Naoshi. Naoshi insults Soji, saying he has no shame and is only concerned with self-interest.
Soji responds calmly, admitting to his mistakes and expressing regret. Naoshi feigns remorse, but his words are laced with sarcasm and anger.
Naoshi presses Soji for answers, asking how he plans to make up for the betrayal. He implies that Soji should take responsibility with his life. The seriousness of the situation makes everyone present uneasy.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply