126 Investigation (1/2)
Natsuya’s eyes flashed with an indescribable light.
”I’m talking about if the enemy… no, if her master thought about the possibility that she may lose and be taken captive and cast such a spell in order to prevent any information leaking out. It’s just a possibility.”
Seiji remained silent for a few moments.
”I think that this possibility is quite high.”
Considering what type of person the enemy seemed to be, this was quite a logical thing to assume.
”I also feel the same way,” Natsuya agreed. ”The first possibility can mostly be eliminated, so I believe it to be either the second or the third. And it’s quite difficult to determine what it really is. So, we should consider it as the third, which would be the most difficult situation.”
Natsuya took another sip of tea.
”Assuming that Shika’s situation is the third possibility, it means that in order to help her regain her memory, we will need to dispel the spell cast upon her as well as helping to heal her injured soul. Finally, we need to guide her spiritually, so she can recover her memory.”
”Three steps…”
”And the most difficult step is to dispel the enemy’s spell.” Natsuya paused before continuing, ”Spells that can erase people’s memories… actually aren’t all that uncommon, but most of them are rather simple spells. Those are easy to discern and quite easy to cancel out.
”While treating her and sealing her powers as a Spirit-branded Retainer, I scanned her thoroughly and failed to detect such a spell. This means that the memory-loss spell cast upon her must be hidden quite deeply.
”Oh… there’s still one more possibility: the spell could be a permanent one which wiped out her memory forever… but I feel that this possibility is quite low.
”Spirit-branded Retainers aren’t their contractors’ puppets. Anyone sane wouldn’t accept such a spell being cast upon them… And Shika Kagura’s situation is rather unique. Even if she was being forced or tricked in some way, I doubt the enemy would dare to use such a spell on her.”
Seiji nodded in understanding.
So, this must be a type of spell that was hidden quite deeply.
If it really existed, that is.
While it seemed quite probable, it hadn’t been confirmed yet, so it was only a possibility. That’s why the first thing they needed to do was…
”If you do a deeper investigation, would you be able to confirm it?” Seiji looked directly at Natsuya.
Natsuya gazed back into his eyes.
”Yes, but… it’s highly likely to cause her some harm.”
Seiji furrowed his brows.
”However, if someone is willing to take the risk, the harm to her can be avoided.”
Seiji slowly began to fold his arms.
”If it’s not a spell that can be detected on her body, then it must have been cast on her soul… or more accurately speaking, within one of her soul’s layers,” Natsuya explained while keeping her gaze fixed on Seiji.
”According to the current knowledge we Yin Yang Masters possess, the soul isn’t a simple mass of energy at all. In fact, its structure is even more complex than our physical bodies. I won’t go into the details, but simply speaking, souls have seven layers to them.”
”As far as I know, even the strongest Yin Yang Masters of today can only cast spells affecting up to the fourth layer of a person’s soul. That is the upper limit.”
”Anyone whose spell can affect the soul’s third layer is already at grandmaster-level… and our enemy definitely isn’t at such a high level.”
”If he or she was, then all they would have to do is crush you with their overwhelming strength instead of using schemes, right?” Seiji interrupted.
”…More accurately speaking, this duel wouldn’t even take place.” Natsuya didn’t deny his question; instead she took it into another direction.
”The enemy’s spell is located somewhere in between the soul’s first layer or the surface of the second layer.”
”Is this also within your powers?”
”I… can’t… I’m not good at this type of spell, but I know how to check for them.”
Natsuya lowered her head and took another sip of tea.
”If I investigate Shika Kagura’s soul directly, she might receive some additional damage to her soul since she’s already injured.”
”But… if there’s someone who she trusts and is close to, someone who’s willing to become… an intermediary, then I’ll be able to investigate her soul without causing any harm to her.”
Seiji blinked. ”This seems like a perfect job for me.”
”You’re indeed the perfect person to do it… no, you’re the only person that can do it, Haruta-kun.” Natsuya sighed as she looked back up at him.
”Is there any danger to being this intermediary?” Seiji had a calm expression.
”If everything works successfully, nothing will happen, but if things aren’t successful… the worst situation would be that your own soul would sustain damage.”
”If my soul is damaged… will I die?”
”No.” Natsuya’s tone was firm. ”I’d stop my investigation spell the moment things start to go wrong, or you yourself can also stop it at any time, so that you won’t receive too much damage.”
”That’s fine, then.” Seiji was decisive about it as he unfolded his arms. ”Let’s just do it like that… make use of me!”
Natsuya paused in surprise.
”You… agree to it just like this?”
”Are there any other choices for me to consider?”
”Er… no, I meant…”
She was talking about his soul potentially being damaged! Although it might not happen, just the possibility meant that he should have been hesitant!
”Aren’t you going to ask for more details? What it means for your soul to be damaged, what will happen, will you recover… questions like that?”
”I do want to know, but no matter if I know or not, my answer will be the same.”