Chapter 99.5

Chapter 99.5

[Part 5/5]

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. The debut release of this chapter happened at Ñòv€l-B1n.

'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.

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...

This concludes the final chapter of the current story. The next chapter is scheduled to begin with one or two epilogue-like stories.