Vol 2 Chapter 5 (1/2)
Fall part two - The price of Soul-
Part 1
“…………!”
A ainst a wall noticed a woe of his field of view
Wearing a tidy blue silk kimono, she looked to be in her early twenties The man inconspicuously raised the newspaper to hide his face, but did not take his eyes off the girl
The wo at the same pace The man folded the paper under his armpit, and drew a cell phone from his belt holster
“I see her Tailing the target”
(Meanwhile)
A led a silver chain over an openedat the chain that forht that almost touches the map
“Hmm”
Suddenly, the chain began to shi+ft in a certain direction, jerking unnaturally as if pulled by some invisible force
Thehe had gone too far, hepoint, and after some trial and error he finally stopped at the point where the invisible force has led him
“Is this the place?”
The dowsing ring spun over a point on the map The man noted the name of the location and reached for the phone on the table
A young woman is stared attentively at a crystal ball The beauty dressed up as a fortune teller that can be seen anywhere on the streets gave off a h it would be inappropriate to describe her this way
The crystal ball of twenty centimeters is carved and polished flawlessly, yet for some reason there was a white mist at the its center
In order to see through the lared intensely at the crystal ball, al a nerve at her temple
“!”
Perhaps because of her effort, the whitebegan to ee
The entire structure looked thin and long, and a black cross was set in the upper half of the white wall
Zooe in on the entrance, the ”fortune teller” carefully wrote down the words carved on the door
“Speaking of which, how daring This is indeed a blind spot”
S in praise at the unknown enemy, she walked out of the room to make her report
(An hour later)
The ten jutsu-shi+ led by Oogaathered near a certain church at Ikebukuro The purpose, needless to say, is to hunt down Misao, whom they have finally found
The operation was a little rushed, as there was no tih the hunters had failed to locate Misao's hiding place up to this point, they suddenly h a few sources
It was so easy as to almost be too suspicious or rather, a trap that couldn't be anyher hand before their very eyes One could say that she hid herself during a game of hide-and-seek, and then purposely stuck her head out, as if deliberately wanting Kazuma to catch her
Nonetheless, Misao’s power should still be insufficient to defeat Kazuma Precisely because of this, Masayuki acted with haste in order to put an end to this himself before Misao was defeated by someone else
“Listen up people, there ood terms with Misao, but such ivable evil that has been corrupted into a deainst her In order to uphold the nai, we ht so that not even a single cell of her being remains!”
Standing before his gathered subordinates, Masayuki gave an emphatic speech No one failed to understand that he really ami family depends on this battle!”
Or rather, heother than this E to end his own daughter by his very hands were all but absent from the et is his own daughter - that would be a reasonable explanation, but it would certainly take a stretch of the iination to believe that Masayuki truly meant those words from the bottom of his heart His attitude was just like that
As Ayano left the group, she pondered while watching Masayuki's back, ”Maybe it was because of her father's insensitivity that Misao couldn't stand losing her brothers”
Even so, the unpleasant feelings lingered in her heart Perhaps it wasof a child, but Ayano felt that this was not the right way to raise a family
Ren seehts, as his unease was plain
“So then“
After finishi+ng his speech, Masayuki turned in their direction, a flattering smile on his face
“If Kazuma comes over, please deal with him”
“Hmm”
Under no obligation to put Masayuki at ease, Ayano blankly nodded in reply Unsure of her answer, Masayuki frowned and asked again, “Are you sure it'll be fine?”
“What do you mean?”
”Are you confident you can win against Kazuma?”
“How could I possibly be confident about so to scare him, she simply stated her true opinion
However, Masayuki's expression i those words
“How how can that be!? Then why did you promise to take care of Kazuma!?”
“Do you even need to ask? It's because I am the only who can do it”
Ayano looks coldly at the shocked Masayuki, and brusquely added, “No hts may be, Misao must be elii clan, so I will not let Kazuuys, you would all be killed within three seconds But, I can buy you people up to threethis period of time!”
The whole area beca to be an alarave, three minutes, was already a very optimistic estimate
To think that they naively believed they could relax si Kazui Kazuma” is still buried deep in their hearts after all!
“So, what is the battle strategy?”
Ignoring the tension, Ayano cut to the chase and confronted Masayuki If they had intended to fight a prolonged battle, it was tie of plans
“Y-Yes We intend to lure Misao out from the church, and then chase her to the opposite park This entire area has been secured, so there is no worry that other peopleto set up spiritual wards in the park Misao will be like a fish caught in a net The plan is absolutely foolproof”
“Oh”
This actually wasn't a bad plan In terth, Misao is notoff all possible escape routes they shouldn't lose even with ten people
“But, who is blocking the area off? And, the ward is”
Ayano's voice trailed off when she recognized a fe a tall and slih her face was partially obscured by sunglasses, Ayano somehow felt that she had seen this person before
“The barrier is ready We can start any time”
After a routine report, the wolasses Ayano's eyes widened instantly
“A-Ahhhhhh!!”
Without thinking, she pointed and cried out That is undoubtedly the wo hands with Kazuma at the love hotel street
“Hi, Ayano”
Kirika s at Ayano expectantly
“You know each other?”
“We've lared at her with a grave expression
“I hope you mind your tone Ayano-sama has the bloodline of the main family, so she should not be spoken to directly like this“
“Oh, excuse my rudeness”
Kirika apologizes respectfully, gracefully cutting off Masayuki's inevitable lecture, and saluted Ayano formally
“I am Superintendent Tachibana Kirika from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department It is a pleasure to meet you”
“Police? The surname Tachibana, could it be that“
”I aed her shoulders
Ayano only got ed to a famous Onmyouji clan Even for a branch family, how is it possible for a member of the Tachibana clan became a police officer?
(”Prepare a ward”------?)
Ayano instantly shi+fted her strict gaze to Masayuki
“You sought the help of police?”
The duty of the Kannagi clan is to eradicate deh direct coovernencies such as the police Because of the clan's close relationshi+p with the authorities and their astounding efforts at protecting society for the past millenium, some unreasonable requests are still accepted
But in this case, unrelated personnel like the police should never have been involved fro down is froi jutsu-shi+ descended into a demon Moreover, that particular woreat stain on the clan's reputation Such a fact should not be revealed to outsiders
“N-No This is because”
Masayuki cowered at Ayano's interrogation, but Kirika maintained her relaxed attitude
“Please calo-san’s request”
“Father?” Ayano asks in doubt Masayuki who is hiding behind Kirika hurriedly nodded in agreement
“That's right, Oogaated and located by us”
Even so, Ayano still didn't understand Why would her overly cautious father do soht was dumb?
Ignoring Ayano’s hostile eyes, Kirika defenselessly approached the girl Then, she leaned in by the the threatening Ayano's ear, and said softly so that only she could hear, ”Be mindful of e know”
Ayano treh she was stifling laughter, “Those things that you 'do not want others to knoe already know very well For exaami Misao did But, we have still not yet confirmed actual number of victims”
(Should I kill her?)
Ayano h she would really rather not do so, there was no ignoring what Kirika said
“You intend to threaten the Kannagi?” Ayano asked to confirm it one last ti back
But Kirika calmly shook her head
“No, I anorant Besides, a h to use as a threat”
“What do you mean?”
“Ultii will not be shaken by thischip if they knew of it, but this information will be kept safely with me”
Ayano raised an eyebrow
“Did you just say you won't threaten us?”
“Don't you get it? I' to show my sincerity”
“?”
“What I mean is that you can kill me now and nobody will ever know”
“! Why are you?”
“This is a small price to pay for the trust of the clan head Besides, ill also be on record as having helped the Kannagi”
“”
Ayano had a strange hunch The ”we” that had appeared several times in Kirika’s speech did not seeanization There is only one explanation that she can think of - so the unrelated powers of the police and jutsu-shi+
“Could you be that? Thatunit called Infor?”
“To be ation Unit I am the chief of that department,” Kirika nodded proudly
The Special Investigation Unit of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, a depart to hide from the others, the nameplate of this department lurks quietly in a corner of the basement of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Everyone knows of the existence of this department, but the actual number of people that knohat they do is very few, to the extent that hardly anybody within the entire police departation” means at all
In other words, no such department exists Such an obscure department name could only have been created to conceal the nature of its operations
For over a century after the ancient Bureau of Onmyou was disbanded, japan passed onjobs to its people In order to gain a foothold in the overnanization
As they are unable to label theht, the depart that it 'does odd jobs' It is even ruanization is even derived from the same pronunciation as 'dead spirits'
Leaving the etyencies, its establishment made a considerable impact in the field of exorcism
“Oh, so there really is such a departured it for soend”
Fro like that
“Hmph”
Kirika looked hurt by such a harsh comment
“O-Of course we have been active! Restoring distorted spiritual fields, suppressing land-bound spirits and the like it's only because we've yet to obtain jutsu-shi+s with coe scale exorcisms”
“Ah, so you are a bunch of people that works in the shadows That sure is befitting of a government function”
Ayano put on a santly ”cute” to the point that it made one want slap her
But Kirika was an adult, after all Instead of showing her anger, she kindly sher-ups are always unable to understand our unnoticeable activities Ayano, do you want to come over and work in the SIU? Even as part-time job?”
“I refuse”
Ayano's reply was fir, looked questioningly at Kirika
“Ah could it be that, that one ti to persuade Kazuma to join?”
“Huh? Ah, you meant the last time we met?” Kirika simply smirked
Their positions were switched instantly Ayano, now at a disadvantage, refused to give in and replied with a scowl, but her eyes revealed nothing but empty threats
“Deep down, you really hope that I ht?”
“N-No, I don’t”
Despite her denying it with her ain:
“So, as it for?”
Seeing Ayano's cowed look, Kirika replied, ”I'”
“!”
“Be it for private reasons or work, I aht?”
(This This woman!)
Ayano’s eyes burned with lare, Kirika still maintained her relaxed smile
As the two continued their battle of egos, a hand tugged at Ayano’s sleeve She glanced down before pro back to face Kirika
“Don’t interrupt s with this woman“
“But everyone is waiting for us”
“Huh?”
Ayano followed Ren's gaze, noticing ten very disgruntled jutsu-shi+'s observing their catfight
Masayuki seemed especially impatient Despite his best attempts to control his temper and anxiety, he was unable to hide a very obvious nerve pulsing at his te all of his will to hold back the impulse to scream “Hurry up, you two brats!!!”
Instead of roaring, Masayuki asked with insincere calm, “It is about time to head for the church Are the both of you ready?”
But of course, these tere not mere brats ould be afraid of someone like Masayuki They turned to the man with the fake smile on his face, and icily replied,
“Then shall we?”
“Feel free to go now”
Masayuki’s smile froze He looked du nor crying
“I believe I said earlier that 'we can start anyti that there is soether with you?”
“Mm”
“You better hurry andto take responsibility?”
“Mmm”
After being blasted by the tords continuously, Masayuki’s face flushed red, unable to say anyher with his eyes, Ayano waved hi aith
“Mo!”
After shouting out as if venting his anger, Masayuki storrily repri at each other curiously
“Will you hurry up!”
“G-Got it!”
Watching Masayaki and coh
“Finally gone”
At such a frank reaction, Kirika asked, s, “You seem to hate that old man a lot, don't you, Ayano-chan?”
“Do you even need to ask! Sohter ”for the survival of his clan” There is no need to put up with him!”
“Well inas the Soushu is happy Besides, do you really see a future for that guy?”
Ayano could only shrug her shoulders with a bitter smile
“All I can say is that Father has no intention of destroying the Oogami family”
Even so, as the head of the clan he can't push all the responsibility onto someone else! Masayuki should know this is the head of his own family!
“'The one who is to take responsibility exists precisely to take up the responsibility' I' By the way, do you really intend to fight with Kazuma?”
Kirika nodded as if deep in thought, and then suddenly changed the subject Despite being slightly at a loss, Ayano still replied honestly, “Yeah, there is no one else after all Though I may not be able to win, I can try to buy time”
“You don’t have to push yourself so hard There is no sha to that man”
“I know I don’t intend to put my life on the line for it Besides, I have this kid with me”
She patted Ren’s head, who had been silently standing beside her He looked at Ayano in surprise
“Huh? Me too?”
Without answering, Ayano changed her kind hand on Ren's head into a wicked claw A sharp pain shot through Ren
“O-Ouch! That hurts Onee-sama!”
“Let’s work hard together, Ren! ♥”
“O-Okay”
Ren could only give in to the fear and pain, nodding with tears in his eyes
Part 2
“Thank you for your hard work”
Kirika s from the police officers
The police roadblock shi+ft slightly, opening a sh that sap, Kirika, Ayano and Ren entered into the secured zone
“……What a thorough job,” Ayano conceded with shock, looking onder at their surroundings
The nor city corner had been transforhost town Not only were there no pedestrians, even the people inside the buildings seemed to have been all cleared away
Kirika shrugged her shoulders lightly
“Actually we only evacuated a few people Most of the people sensed an abnor”
“An abnormality?”
Catching what seemed link the odor of rotten fish in the wind, Ayano frowned The asphalt road surface felt strangely gooey With every step, her sole seeround by a thin, sticky thread Perhaps because of the earth's corruption, the trees in the park tilted at a dangerous angle under the wind’s blow, as if they would topple any moment
“It is rather common nowadays to hear others say that humans are a type of ani from this, it seems we have not completely lost thee that no civilians or reporters have coate the inspection area?”
“------Now that you mention it, it seems to be that way”
Ayano recalled the scene when they were passing through the checkpoints The manpower present for this operation almost seems excessive for the empty streets, which would definitely arouse suspicion Normally, Ikebukuro would never be so quiet with a police cordon set up
(Normally, huh)
Faced with a ination, Ayano couldn't help but reveal a bitter smile In a situation where youki causes the wind and earth to be corroded, it isn't even appropriate to think of the word ”normal”
It was convenient of the civilians to notice the unnaturalness and escape This way they wouldn't have to worry about witnesses or casualties, and fight as they wished
She grinned inwardly, and walked towards the center of the secured zone The small church here was perhaps the farthest away from the word “Holy” in the world!
The preparations for battle were ready at the target area Ten jutsu-shi+ surrounded the church, not letting even an ant through
Sensing Ayano's approach, Masayuki turned around
“Ayano-sama and Ren-sama, please do not take part in this operation
“I know”
Ayano impatiently waves her hand towards Masayuki who reminded them once more
The jutsu-shi+ are concentrating, waiting for Masayuki’s signal He knows that Misao is waiting inside, and at this stage he does not intend to spendthe interior
He plans to burn down the entire church
If ten Kannagi jutsus-shi+ were to release fla would be destroyed before it even began burning
It would be best if the matter could be settled just with this In the case that she survived, they would follow the plan and force her into the park and eradicate her
There exists no element nor chance of failure Everyone believed firmly in their victory
“Okay, begi……”
Right before Masayuki gave the go signal, the door of the church opened slowly Masayuki quickly stopped his hand, and stared closely at the door
Following a sharp squeaking sound, the door opened gradually They were unable to see the interior at all, the darkness within rejecting the entry of all light
On top of that, the darkness even began infesting the light A certain black object passed through the front door, and appeared in the space filled with light
It is soirl wearing funeral robes The huroup of people
“…… Are you…… Misao……?”
Masayuki called his daughter’s na Misao continued to spread and corrupt the area around her
“I welcolad to see that you are still so healthy”
Misao elegantly greeted theentle smile
But anyone who knew Misao would have noticed that so In the last ten years or so, Misao had never smiled like this towards Masayuki
Of course, Masayuki did not even realize this To hihter, was nothing more than a worthless existence to him
Staring angrily at the daughter who is s innocently, Masayuki shouted from the botto like you is not qualified to call me its Father!”
For a momenther facade, she returned to her original expression
“Sorry to have been so rude then By the way------“
Misao looked around, verifying the faces of everyone at the scene
“Where is Kazuma-san?”
“That guy has already been dismissed!”
Ayano answered at an astonishi+ng speed
“Whether he is capable enough is only secondary We have no intention of hiring someone who does not plan to cooperate with us This is not charity work”
Looking down on the girl who see to say this, Misao's lips curled up in a smile
Ayano's eyebrows jump up in an instant Even if it was just for abehind that smile
It was a mockery, an expression of contempt that one would only use to look down on others It was an intolerable expression for a jutsushi+ from a branch family to make, especially one that has been corrupted into a demon
“What is so funny……?”