Chapter 90.3

Chapter 90.3

[Part 3/4]

"Miss TamakiTamaki-dono. Please do not be too depressed. This incident was unexpected, and any damage is not the surveillance team's fault. After all, it is just a poor farming village on the border, and the loss is not significant.”

Muja's words, being the lookout from the Hidden Group, were undoubtedly hurtful to Tamaki as they did not console her but rather wounded her deeply. What makes it worse is that even though it would have been effective when it comes to dealing with regular exorcists, it is insignificant in this case.

(Good grief, this is so bad.)

And as I was silently observing such a meeting, I sighed inwardly. Although the story was similar to the original, it seemed to have more damage and a higher likelihood of negativity because both supplies and soldiers were gathered, and the current protagonist was met with more resistance than in the original.

(Well, the problem here is that I don't know which choice the protagonist will make...)

The three choices the protagonist makes in the story, since I am not the player, I have no certainty as to what kind of action the protagonist will take in case of an emergency. Besides, I couldn't deny the possibility that she might take other choices than those in the original story because of the various deviations from the original story.

(If she takes reckless actions without my notice...that would be troublesome.)

Like always, I am not almighty and always get entangled with unforeseen circumstances. And in a case like this, there is a risk that the protagonist may be in danger... so is it better to take preemptive measures?

"Excuse me. The current activity location of Namahage is unknown, correct?"

"Huh!? E, erm... Master ShirowakamaruShirowakamaru-dono and I have been sending out shikigami, but we haven't been able to find it."

The one who answered my sudden question was Murasaki, and although she had no obligation to answer a servant's question like me, she kindly explained the situation to me.

"Yun-shoku? Is there something on your mind?"

"Yes. About how to search for Namahage, a little bit.”

I answer the call of the hidden member group assigned to watch over me. From this point on, my speculation is more in the fan community rather than being based on original sources, but...

"Did the Hanachouin Family, which was monitoring Namahage, only conducted surveillance without any servants? And even though Miss MurasakiMurasaki-sama and Master ShirowakamaruShirowakamaru-dono are searching with shikigami, they have yet to discover anything." I point out, exasperated.

Murasaki narrows her eyes at my point. "So, is the youkai hiding by staying underground, where shikigami can't find them?" She ponders thoughtfully.

"I don't understand the logic. However, it's a little suspicious that even though we have been searching intensively, we can't any traces so far." I reply, my frustration growing.

In the original story, it took a considerable amount of time to discover Namahage's whereabouts after they became untraceable. By then, several villages had been destroyed, yet no footprints could be found. The only time the youkai was discovered was when Muja, who had gone on reconnaissance while using shikigami and reported to the protagonists, was devoured to death. Even then, Namahage was not directly identified. The presence of Namahage was observed in a report from a servant who went out for additional reconnaissance.

By the way, at this point, Namahage had already passed through the capital county, which is one of the reasons why the county governor and others abandoned the villages. It is likely that they feared that the county governor and his subordinates might direct the conflict toward the capital by inadvertently leading the evacuation or letting the target escape.

...Anyway, that's beside the point. What I'm trying to say is... it's unclear whether continuing the search with shikigami alone will yield any results. In other words...

"Actually send people to search?" Murasaki asked, her voice laced with amazement.

"It is said that seeing is believing." I replied, my voice calm and collected. "Directly seeing, hearing and bringing information back is the most reliable."

Well, I can't fully trust that due to illusions or memory manipulation, can I? But it's worth trying to send someone here...that's my opinion.

"But who will go? I should remind you, my army cannot move. I have the responsibility of defending the city and guiding people to evacuate."

The commander was the first to suggest this, and it was true, but he probably didn't want to move the troops carelessly and cause any damages. The same goes for the Governor who nodded his head. He didn't seem to want to move the chess pieces that were there to protect him. Well, that's to be expected.

"I understand. After all, the original opponents of the army are bandits and rebels." My voice was clear and confident. "Not against a creature outside of human order."

"Then..."

* * *

"Huh?! Ouch!?"

I was pulled out of my train of thought by the voice, and at the same time, noticed the figure of a beautiful boy looking up at me. I noticed but reacted too late and unintentionally hit Shirowakamaru head-on. I fell down, pushing him down as well.

"...!?"

"Big broAniki, you're hurting me..." Shirowakamaru said, wincing in pain.

"P-please forgive me...!" I apologized.

As I fell, I was facing Shirowakamaru's face with a scolding tone. He looked like a little girl looking up at me from right under my nose. And then, when I understood our positions, I hurriedly backed away and apologized.

"...It's okay, no need to panic like that, Big broAniki." Shirowakamaru said, his voice filled with a playful tone, as he pulled his slightly disheveled clothes into the right shape.

"No. Such impoliteness is not permissible when considering each other's positions," I replied, my voice stern and serious, as I tried to regain my composure.

Shirowakamaru giggled, his playful eyes shining mischievously. He couldn't help but laugh, finding something amusing. But the joke was not easy to dismiss. First, as I said earlier, from our positions. And secondly...

(Seriously, he has too much sex appeal for a guy)

With fleeting eye contact, white skin, a delicate frame, and a slender face, he looked like a girl, especially since he'd recently started growing out his hair. Even my body reacted to him for a moment even though I had no intention to do so.

"By the way, this is..."

Trying to divert the topic to forget what had just happened, I took a look around.

Where Shirowakamaru and I had stopped, there was a shallow lake. A clear lake hidden in the forest. A lake with fresh water trickling down from a small cliff...

"Ah. As part of my training, I periodically perform 禊祓 (Misogi-harae/purification)[1]. My master said it would be best to do it here since it's the county capital of Milia."

Shirowakamaru answered my question vividly.

"Purification... ah, I see."

Shirowakamaru's words convinced me after I observed my surroundings for a moment. In Shinto, purification is meant to cleanse desires and evil thoughts. This practice exists in this world as well.

Especially in rivers and waterfalls with strong spiritual energy, it is meant to take in the spiritual energy of the earth and wash away the youkai, curses, and other negative energies that cling to one's body after encountering youkai beings.

Exorcists of the shikigami art type, in particular, placed even greater importance on this practice because their bodies were not as strong as those of the other types of exorcists. If Shirowakamaru is also an exorcist type that deals with boundaries, curses, and shikigami, it was natural that he would perform purification several times during the course of this mission.

Anyway, it seems that this area is a hidden spot. The area was small, but the spiritual energy was quite thick. It is a good place for purification. As long as one could put up with the cold.

"So, during that time, should I be vigilant around here?"

"Yeah. I'm counting on you."

Saying that, the boy took off his Suikan clothes in front of me. I hurriedly averted my gaze and turned my back. It's a ridiculous story even though we're both men, but... no, this guy's sex appeal is still ridiculous.

(Well, I guess I'm trusted to a certain extent?)

Considering his past experiences described in the story, it is not surprising that he distrusts men. Unlike in the original story, he may be protected by that young-looking old hag, but he has become more rounded, bringing a male like me as an escort.

...As I was lost in thought, I heard the sound of water behind me and I peeked. In a thin white dress and with his hair untied, Shirowakamaru got into the lake and wet his whole body with cold water while showering from under the waterfall.

[1] Misogi-harae is a purification ritual in the Shinto religion, typically involving washing the body and/or immersing oneself in a body of water such as a river or waterfall.