Chapter 7 (1/2)

Chapter 7

God <slaying>> Incarnation of Destruction/Canis Lykaon {Dog God of the Black Blade}

Part 1

Having slipped out of the underground hall, Tobio dashed directly to the elevator together with Jin Waiting for him there were his fellow classmates who’d been turned into Utsuse anyone who fled fro theency members

“MOVE IT——!”

Tobio charged while screa the Utsuseht Haken An enormous plant Utsusemi with the appearance of a rose, an insectoid Utsuse beetle, in an instant they’d been cleared away by thorny blades appearing from the shadows at their feet——by Haken

Suddenly, he saw that Haken had also pierced a wall Looking over, there was a Utsuse a wall It had clung to the wall, seeure, but its abdo as it was to the floor of the corridor ……It see that Tobio himself was not able to see and followed up with an attackSuch bestial senses to detect presences, this was so Tobio did not possess

……No, it’s not just that It’s evident that Jin’s a here Jin’s s, co a portion of the corridor black The floor, the walls, the ceiling, they were all sed by shadows incomparable to that of the puppy’s physique From that black shadow, countless blades had sprouted With every step that Jin took, the shadow advanced as it spread along the corridor

Seeing this the agencyThey dropped the ical talismans in their hands due to the extent of fear they felt towards the tiny dog

“KU!”

Shaking off his fear, one of the agency ain produced talisle Haken sword appeared froh the talisman he had produced

Since the talis okay the agency member switched to the hand type——but a Haken appeared from his feet and instantly reached his throat

At this ression Tobio was at a loss for words Jin……had already understood it The talismans they possess, the hand tokens, he was already aware that these were articles used to bring about supernatural phenomenon As a result, he utilized a technique to destroy thehting spirit——

He hadn’t taken lives the way an Utsusemi monster would, since it was apparent that Tobio his uessed as s this puppy had been influenced by him

It was not only Tobio, the agencylowered their hostility, and dropped what they ielding

While looking over at Jin, the agency members whispered to each other

“……It see that battle between ice and flame……”

“……Within the thirteen varieties, several of theathered here Merely one variety can be said to distort events, but with this many……”

Tobio, without giving any thought to their orously as he took one step towards them

“That elevator was a type requiring authorization ——Would you be so kind as to escort me up”

For theer had the power deny Tobio’s request

Fro for Tobio and Jin who had ridden it up——was a multitude of his fellow classmates Utsusemi monsters were deployed nearby, which rushed at Tobio and Jin as soon as they passed through the door

“SLAAAsh!+”

Receiving his ed into the group of Utsusehout the passageway The points of those blades accurately struck the cores of the Utsusele blow, they all collapsed

See, with just that amount of violence, in a flash Jin closed in on the h them

“JIN!”

Tobio, shaking off the outstretched hands of his fellow classht Unable to follow his this puppy’sbut call his na blocked by his class However, as Jin struck down the Utsuseround, so it didn’t become a serious situation

In thisfatal injuries, since in this approach they wouldn’t even receive injuries Using the er, Tobio’s body suffered bruising all over In spite of getting hit and kicked, he liainst his fellow students Because of the brawl, the unifor for breath

Yet nevertheless, he faced each of his classmates who had been turned into Utsuse Jin, he had started to follow Sae’s scent that lingered in the corridor Tobio, in pursuit of his figure, gave chase immediately

Within the passage ahead of theed into darkness The hts immediately cahout the entirety of the building’s interior

‘Eency alert announce They appear to be agents from the Five Principal Clans Repeat Fro They appear to be agents from the Five Principal Clans All ency manual——‘

The red lights installed throughout the hallere fervently flashi+ng

……Eency alert announce from the outside? This location, it must have been leaked to the Five Principal Clans For all the Clans who seek to keep the ‘Four Fiends Project’ under wraps, withas far as to ensure that the ency’, it’s certainly possible to say they would attack this base once they discovered it

……assu that’s the case, there’s no time Sae hasn’t been rescued yet…… However, Tobio was struck by such anxious thoughts

No, wait…… The Five Principal Clans, in regards to his fellow students and their families who’d been confir to do with the was not within expectations He had heard that they correct deficiencies in their families In that case, his classmates and their relatives——

Suddenly Tobio looked back Behind hi at hi lost their Utsusemi monsters, they had lost consciousness and immediately collapsed There was no transference byThat may be natural Since they had been previously transported here, there was no need to move them this time

Seeing his fellow students collapsed on the floor, Tobio wore a bitter expression

……As far as rescuing those who are here, will I not have a second chance to save theency, if they were to be defeated by this raid against them, it seems they would abandon this base in order to escape in one piece In that case they……

There wasn’t enough time for Tobio alone to carry all these people out It was also necessary to disconnect all of their relatives from that equipic—— No good She was taking part in a life or death struggle with a powerful witch down below Even if for arguht now there was no way for Tobio, as lacking in comprehension of supernatural powers, to move them all

Well then, as the only one who could save them, who could he save……? Could he only save Sae and her relatives……?

Having thought of this Tobio banged his head against the wall

——That’s the worst idea

……Regarding myself, I had already made up awa Natsume’s friend, Samejima Kouki’s friend, everyone——

……I won’t give up……!! That I could just yield to such absurdity and leave them like this, of course I can’t do that……!! I’ll save everyone! I will save everyone!

……Well then, how do I……?

Not co to an ansas torturous for Tobio Certainly while debating this Sae was steadily getting further away There wasn’t time to think about this He couldn’t spare the time to come up with an answer

Wearing an expression of anguish, Tobio raised his voice

“——These ‘hus’ are beyond co in an experih they were the same as trash, and that it would appear to be an act of divine s beyond salvation”

As he cried out as suchwavy black hair appeared He was a foreigner wearing so at Tobio and——Jin, the man spoke

“……I’anization Intruding to help you guys was unexpectedly easy”

……The ‘Governor General’s’ Organization If that’s the case, he’s a Grigori official? Unsure if what he said was accurate, Jin was increasingly vigilant given the apparent pressure that theoff

Thehis robe He pointed down the passageith his index finger

“’Dog’, up ahead, thefor you Go You can entrust theof all the people here to inally, it was just to confirm the presence of the aforementioned witch but……”

The h he are of the battle involving hisdown in the baseain

“Look, it’s as I said Go quickly now”

The er towards the collapsed fellow students Thereupon, a low their figures vanished It appeared they had been transported

Tobio timidly enquired

“……What’s your name?”

The ly uninterested

“……Cadre of the Grigori, Kokabiel”

Confir on you,” and left i under the present circumstances other than rely upon this suspicious man

As he ran Tobio heard,

“……I should have said already that I have no interest in Sacred Gears, Azazel”

Theout such words

Part 2

Again advancing through the passageway the place Tobio and Jin arrived at——was an upstairs roolass, providing an unhindered look at the outside Looking around, a green landscape could be seen below—— All kinds of trees could be seen filling the entire area It was clear that this place was somewhere in the mountains

“Isn’t the scenery great? It’s the only place in this base I find to be pleasing”

A sudden voice Looking over in that direction, there was the figure of Himejima Hanezu Next to him, Sae was stationed there accompanied by an enormous black lion

Hi outside

“We spentthis hidden base within this remote mountain Here is the only place This outlook roo one part of the mountain Since it’s surrounded by a barrier, it’s not visible fro seen by anyone, you can have an unbroken view of the landscape Isn’t it beautiful?”

Himejima Hanezu wore a smile on his lips as he uttered this As expected, this place——their base had been built inside of a mountainIt was clear froards to the mountain’s vicinity, it could be reliably deter distance between them and the nearest town

He let out a single sigh, and after shaking his head, continued the conversation

“——Utsusemi, the reason we refer to your fellow classmates as such, do you want to know the reason?”

Even without Tobio’s answer, Hi as he stepped forward

“Clearly it can be understood to be related to the naanization…… Utsusemi {Cast-off cicada shell}, it’s the sa to the student is written in katakana The agency name is written with Kanji and translates to “cast-off cicada shell) ——Itwhich is hollow ……Though born into a fae of supernatural powers, yet not possessing the power passed on by that family, those were the people that we have recruited to our objective As far as the people from the Clans are concerned, those people who didn’t possess the power the family desired, they weren’t ‘human {supernatural power users}’ They were merely ‘incompetent {human}’” (TN: To reiterate, the bracketed words are what isword is what is spoken)

His eyes——were gloomy with self-mockery, without any radiance within them

“We ere rejected by that value system were hollow existences——Utsusemi”

“……Then, the reason to call everyone {my fellow classmates} as such……?”

At Tobio’s inquiry Hied his shoulders

“——Even when provided with power, they were still only human ……Remember this well, Ikuse Tobio On our side, the definition of what is called ‘human’ is as varied as the nu you’ll likely have to confront”

……The definition of ‘huard to that Tobio did not presently have a clear answer, so which Himejima Hanezu was sufficiently aware of

He then, froious use tool, apparently sied Vajra) It was a ritual implement with sharp pestle-type implements at both ends Upon Himejima Hanezu’s recitation of a whispered spell, the tokko auto around him Thereupon, before anyone noticed, there were two tokko He supposed he could have ed, but the number of tokko continued to increase, three, four, five……the nus

Himejima Hanezu spoke under these circumstances

“……I, fro ritual i the Himejima, I was number one in prominence”

Once again he produced the shakujou within his hands Step by step he began to approach Tobio Even while doing that though he continued speaking

“My own house of Hiutsuchi {Fire of Kagutsuchi, a fire deity}, we have faith in the Gods of that religious syste the supernatural ability to manipulate flames ……As forin the Hinokagutsuchi, as well as all the Gods of that system I was unable to receive any of that divine protection As a result, here I am now ——For those ere unable to conforinated froated to this This is the justice they have strictly observed since ancient times”

That is to say, for him who didn’t possess the power of the Himejima——the power of fire, there was no place for hiency’?

What Tobio had heard orrisome

“……LetAre the ‘Four Fiends’ andfroy?”

Himejima Hanezu shook his head

“……No, the sacred treasures——those supernatural pohich are called Sacred Gears, they were not created by a syste that, it’s a creation of Christianity——the God of the Bible Consequently they were originally an existence that is inco itself being a heresy”

……There was no relation between Jin and the Hinokagutsuchi? It was so the God of Christianity……

Tobio was perplexed at this unforeseen truth, the reality he had been convinced of was again floating before his eyes

The black angel he had encountered when he was a child—— The organization that was protecting Tobio and the other survivors——the Grigori Fro to understand little by little It was seely absurd talk, and yet the suether consistently

The afore, they had completely captured Tobio and Jin

“It would seem that the subordinates of the Five Principal Clans will arrive here very soon Indeed, froirl it was already my loss”

He then, “Kukuku,” let out a suppressed laugh

“‘Governor General’ Azazel, you had……Well this see this alliance of like minded people, those ‘witches’ that joined up with us have likely already fled The techniques we have cultivated here, it seely The ‘Four Fiends Project’ will be continued, and it will grant the deep-seated wish those witches are seeking It would be nice if we respectively were able to accoainst the Clans ——But, I shall not achieve that”

Himejima Hanezu stood before Tobio In spite of his self-derision, he said this

“——Himejima Tobio Grant my desire Make it co born to the Himejima And then, kill me with that ouys If I am to die, allow me to perish by your black blade ——Can you understand this?”

Tobio was exacerbated by His that were impossible to understand

“DON’T SCREW WITH ME! Doing so like that! That only results in sorrow! Just to die in the end!? Moreover, you even want to be killed by me!? Don’t screith me! DON’T YOU SCREW WITH ME! Besides! I……I’M NOT A HIMEJIMA! I’m Ikuse! IKUSE TOBIO!”

Tobio was yelling those angry words, and yet Hi that thin smile

“No, you are a Himejima If you were not, ould not be here That’s what drew you into all of this, the blood of the Five Principal Clans Particularly because the power you wield is blackelse It’s pitch black As the one harboring that darkness, it dishonors you to speak such ignorant lip service Don’t you think that even a your companions you stand out the most?”

“YOU’RE CRAZY!”

Responding to Tobio’s scream Jin leapt forward! Moreover all of the nu in the air around Hirowing from his forehead, knocked down one of the tokko ——But, with the exception of that tokko the rest changed their trajectory intowards Jin’s flank! Jin moved to avoid them entirely, the tokko also moved after him, and at last, they captured the puppy and pierced his abdomen! Jin let out a shriek “KYAN!” as he was knocked to the floor by that single hit from the tokko!

Jin, his whole body tre been quite severe, Jin “KAHA!” coughed up a clot of blood Just the ae that Jin had suffered froic——the power of Buddhis

However, nevertheless Jin hadn’t given up, his pupils shi+ning red From the shadow at Himejima Hanezu’s feet, a Haken appeared! However, he had already seen through the attack Anticipating it he evaded easily, destroying it with a sweeping blow from the shakujou

As this was happening, several of the tokko flying through the air, setting their sights on Tobio this ti a direct hit, a Haken formed from the shadows at Tobio’s feet in the fored their trajectory inthe Haken, and went flying at Tobio! At wits end, Tobio’s whole body was struck by several tokko!

“……GUWA!”

His shoulder, back, ar, all of these places were struck by the tokko, producing a thick sound Just as he was assaulted by the pain, fell to his knees on the spot It was fortunate that his head hadn’t been struck……they had purposefully not been aimed to strike there It would have reached an immediate conclusion had he aimed at his head That wasn’t what he desired

……Together with the pain in his left ar either His ar were limp ……It see lost the leg was fatal ……Already, Tobio was no longer able to move around

Hisforth fro his power all the e Again and again he voans had been injured In this situation, JIn——

At this the black lion also joined in the offensive Shaking its large body, “Gurururu” it let out a lol Jin was also undoubtedlybut…… The black lion in addition to Himejima Hanezu It was a desperate battle

Jin caused a Haken to shoot out of the shadow at the lion’s feet, but the lion leapt to the side to evade it The lion took a deep breath, expanding its abdomen The next eting Jin!

While expelling blood fro a moment, the lion expanded the shadow at its feet In an instant its large body sank into the shadows Only its shadoas left, and that shadow scattered in all directions and ran across the entirety of the outlook room

The shadows produced by the lion each possessed individual will Each of the shadows that had scattered relentlessly pursued Jin One of the divided shadows captured Jin as he was running around The rest of the shattered shadows converged there, again for been captured by the shadows, Jin sprouted blades from his body to cut away the shadows——but at the same ing forefoot

“KYAN!”, a thin screa bounced across the floor several ti there exhausted, unable to stand up

“JIN——!”

His partner, the appearance of the puppy that was his other self, Tobio screaed himself towards the body

Neither Hiave pursuit towards Tobio’s crawling form It was already clear that the battle situation would not be overturned The opponent was far superior to Tobio and company Even if they were to all take him on at once, defeat was inevitable

While shedding tears, Tobio crawled along the floor barely , that was nothing co For himself who had no power, his sh still breathing, Tobio understood that his life was on the brink of being snuffed out

“…………Thank you……sorry, so sorry……I……because I’ot you involved in this……I’m so sorry”

Tobio held Jin in an ey

Hi his head

“……You said that I was crazy That was deserved Since taking my place here, a normal mind hasn’t existed for ed your o this state of affairs it’s not as bright as before Since the ti the blood of the Himejima, it was impossible for you to be able to live a life the sa”

In contrast with Hi out sobs

“……I…… that life…… Just to keep living with Sae and everyone, the students of that high school……!! Why would you people ruin that……? For what……myself, Sae, and even Jin here……!!”

Indeed, Ikuse Tobio——ht to reclaim that life he had lost To spend tih school, to sih school student, it was simply an ordinarily commonplace desire

As for possessing supernatural power, since he was to be nothing h school student——

So tears Tobio, as well as Himejima Hanezu, were astounded by what they saw

“……Co to this place, all to take me back?”

Himejima Hanezu’s eyes widened in astonishment at the actions of that person

Sae, as tears poured down her cheeks, was standing before Tobio Sae stroked Jin’s head as Tobio held hi

She, while wearing a pleasant expression announced to Tobio

“……I’m truly……sorry Was it……harsh?”

Sae——e from his head, it pierced Sae’s chest—— Obvious to everyone who saw it——the action left a fatal wound Still eth and laid down on the spot Tobio eently brushed the cheek of the dumbfounded Tobio

“……Don’t cry……Tobio……”

Tobio took her hand and tried to call out her name, but at that moment his voice wouldn’t come out

“……I……was happy……to ain……”

Still s, her hand slipped from Tobio’s hand——

“……………”

Tobio was at a loss for words He kept shaking his head from side to side, unable to accept this reality

Tobio——had come to rescue her

This girl named Toujou Sae——

For him who had lost his entire family, she was the only person important to hi her as lying there, Tobio overcame his muteness

“……Aa……A, UAaaaaa……aaaaa……!!!”

……However, that life he had

……However, to merely pass the time uneventfully, tranquilly

……However……

……However……toan ordinary everyday life with Sae……

“AaaaAAAAAAAAAaaaaa…………aaAAAAAA!!!”

Everything he had wished for having been severed, Tobio, tormented by despair, wailed

As Hi this, a mysterious luminescent pheno this, he retrieved a wooden box from his breast pocket That hat Himejima Hanezu had previously withheld frorandeha had bequeathed to him——

When Himejima Hanezu opened the wooden box, as there was a tiny crystal The crystal was giving off a bluish-white glow

Suddenly a voice was emitted from the crystal

‘The fact that this seal has been undone is unfortunate, but it is apparent that so Tobio’s power, or else it seems that supernatural malicious intent has been inflicted upon that child’

Tobio remembered the owner of that voice It was the voice of the dearly beloved relative that was his grandmother

“……The crystal is a recording of Ikuse Tobio’s grandeha-dono’s voice?”

This hat Himejima Hanezu determined

The voice of his grandmother continued to be emitted from the crystal

‘Speaking to those who ca evil intent I who have great coentle child At any rate, that child……from the time of his birth he has possessed the ‘merely-an-imitation-God’s’ forbidden technique’

Hearing that, Hied Those eyes that had been watching with a fickle expression this entire time, were full of astonishment

“…………!!! The forbidden……move……!? That’s ridiculous……!!!”

The words of his grand

‘I adone this, since you have inflicted that child with hly taste the God-slaying blade with your own body ——Even your souls will be completely hewn apart’

The voice of the crystal continued speaking even more This time it made a simple appeal to Tobio

“——Tobio, I’ I ask that you please forgivethe truth to you”

It was the usual strict yet kind voice of his grandmother For the present Tobio, it was un else While experiencing an optical illusion si his head, he listened carefully to the voice from the crystal

“Nevertheless, Tobio By now, it’s okay right? By now, there’s no need to be afraid any Even if you had forgotten, by now you should have recalled it Therefore, sing ——The forbidden song of the God {blade dog}’

Hearing his grandmother’s voice, a memory rose to the surface of Tobio’s mind A memory that had been sealed within the depths of his memory——

A day when he was very young, Tobio had been escorted to a certain shrine, and was instructed to do so within the inner sanctuary

——Are you okay, Tobio?

His grand so Tobio with her finger

——Supposing, if there is ever a time you are truly lost, I’ll teach you an ‘incantation’ that will save you

Beside Tobio——a large black dog was sitting there before he had noticed

——However, can you keep this in reserve until the very last moment?