CH 99.5

To put it simply, it was a type of hypnosis or mind control using a spoken curse. What made it even more powerful was that it involved two layers of shikigami. If people had known about it in advance, they could have easily defended against it. However, young exorcists might have unknowingly succumbed to its influence over time.

'Oh, have you noticed? As expected. You hold the position of the second-in-command at the Omnyouji Bureau.'

Nue expressed a somewhat affected admiration. In contrast, the old man's attitude remained cold.

'You certainly have no shortage of bad rumors, do you? You've been quite a troublemaker from the old days, haven't you?'

'Hahaha, you know that much, huh? Then it's no wonder these tricks won't work on you. Targeting young people who don't read is the best approach, just like your lovely granddaughter.'

The deliberate addition of those words at the end was clearly a provocation, intended to shake the old man's heart.

'She is indeed a foolish granddaughter.'

However, it was unlikely that the old man would be shaken by such words.

'Even if she has dissatisfaction with the Imperial Court and the Omnyouji Bureau, it's absurd to seek guidance from a youkai-infested moguri whose true connections are unknown. Of course, it's not as if there are no talented individuals among the independent moguri. But if she was to be deceived by you, she would simply be a fool.'

The old man didn't just humbly admit his family's mistakes; he simply listed them as facts. His family became arrogant and conceited, thinking she was superior just because she was a bit older and slightly more skilled. Without much consideration, she got deceived by a moguri from the outskirts of the city. It's hard to describe someone like that as anything other than a fool.

'In the end, even if she had continued on like that, she would have been killed by youkai due to her incompetence. In a way, it was a good thing.'

'It's quite a harsh evaluation of your own granddaughter. ...Don't you have any familial feelings? After all, you are partly to blame.'

'If that were the case, I would still be working at the Omnyouji Bureau, wouldn't I?'

It was nothing but sarcasm. The fact that Matsushige Ou's granddaughter went astray was ultimately the fault of her grandfather. And the grandfather himself couldn't possibly be unaware of that. He must have anticipated how his family would be treated once the matter was exposed even before the investigation began. And yet, the old man chose to engage in illegal activities without any remorse.

'Good grief, what a cold-hearted grandfather you are. ...Well, I guess it's not interesting to continue being followed, so it's about time to say goodbye... But may I ask for one last request?'

Before long, numerous youkai emerged from the forest, surrounding the hummingbird and the parrot. They were a group of modified youkai creatures, bred and controlled by the hundred-faced monsters. However, they didn't attack the hummingbird, at least not for now.

'A request, you say?'

'Yes. As your former teacher, I offer you my best advice: 'If you have the means, discard shame and reputation. Survival is the most important thing.''

The parrot sang out, exuding arrogance. On the other hand, upon hearing the message, the old man couldn't help but sneer. Naturally, he wondered who had spoken those words. Some might consider it shameless and bold.

However, the old man also felt that way about himself.

'...Well, I suppose it's acceptable. It doesn't seem like you're mixing in any excessively indirect curses.'

In response to the hummingbird's reply, the parrot smiled contentedly, clearly pleased.

'Thank you. I appreciate your kindness. ...Well then, let's end our conversation here. Goodbye.'

In the next instant, the youkai who had finally received permission swarmed the hummingbird with roaring cries. The defenseless hummingbird was torn apart and ripped into pieces. In an instant, its temporary form turned back into a substitute talisman. Simultaneously, the air was filled with the screams of the attacking youkai.

The feathers of the calamity youkai known as '鴆 (Chindoku/

Zhenniao)'—a creature that the Imperial Court had carefully sealed under the jurisdiction of the Researcher group of the Onmyouji Bureau —were imbued with a deadly toxin that could turn an entire mountain into a world of death with just a touch of the soil, corrupting the spiritual veins. The Imperial Court and the Onmyouji Bureau stored and strictly managed a diluted version of the poison, which was distributed to exorcists and troops when necessary. The poison applied by the old man to his shikigami was a sure punishment for those who devoured it.

'Hmm, quite nostalgic tactics you're using.'

Observing the beasts before him whose eyes popped out, foaming at the mouth, and turned black while writhing in agony, Nue evaluated the trap without any particular emotion.

A trap of this level was often employed during times of great war and even before that. There were even cases where people offered up a living daughter as a sacrifice with poison inside to appease the youkai.

...Well, it was his own invention, and he was the one who captured the foolish bird that carelessly polluted the spiritual veins.

'Big brother! Big brother!'

Lost in such sentimental thoughts, the parrot acting as a shikigami suddenly seized control of its body and started vigorously shaking its head. Nue was surprised by this sudden action, but immediately afterward, he recognized the reason behind the shikigami's rampage through their shared vision.

'That is...'

What appeared in the dark, overcast sky were several figures of simplified shikigami, resembling horned owls with people on board. It was easy to deduce who the riders were.

'Cute boy! Cute boy! My cute boy! I want him with me!' '...Yes, that's right. He's definitely cute.'

With its eyes wide open, mouth fully open, and drool flying, the parrot's intense reaction shook so violently that it appeared as if its neck might snap. Nue stepped in to soothe the parrot, recognizing its remarkable talent for vocalization, which made it a delightful messenger. He didn't want to lose such a valuable companion over something as foolish as the parrot's neck breaking from excitement.

'Usuihon hajitsumai mono koso shikō!! Gimai mono hajadō (In the vast world, it is crucial to take action!! The one who hesitates is defeated?)!'

'You're talking too fast and I don't understand what you're saying.'

It should be noted that the parrot sometimes excitedly listed incomprehensible words, which could be troublesome.

'Big brotherrrr!!! I wanted to eat that boy!!!'

'...Sigh, please quiet down a bit.'

As it had become too noisy, Nue exerted some force to forcefully seize control of its body and silence it. Honestly, what had that fallen goddess been teaching its familiars?

'Anyway... a boy, huh?'

Letting out a small sigh, the parrot looked up at the sky again. It watched the shikigami passing overhead and the "he" riding on its back. Then, its beak loosened, twisting into a mischievous, contorted smile.

'In a broad sense, I suppose I could also be considered fitting that description.'

Chuckling, the parrot recalled memories of a moguri he had once possessed generations ago, mocking them. Such is karma. Things can be so unpredictable. It was just a playful experiment, but everything fell into place like this.

'If that's the case, what a quite dutiful son.'

Having bid farewell to the shikigami passing through the sky, the parrot flew away into the dark night, looking quite pleased as it declared so.

While sneering wickedly, thinking about the future that would inevitably come someday...