Chapter 103.1

Chapter 103.1

[Part 1/4]

On the 10th day of Kisaragi (February) in the 14th year of the reign of the Emperor Seiri, The Onitsuki Family, granted permission by the Imperial Court, embarked on a mission to the forbidden third-class territory, 'Mount Hōraku,' alongside the Sakuama family, the Igarashi family, and six other Northern region exorcist families. Their objective was, of course, to eradicate the 'Mayoiga of Mount Hōraku.'

The extermination operation, carried out by multiple exorcist families, consisted of three stages. First, the vanguard team secured the path to Mount Hōraku, ensuring the safety of the route to the target 'Mayoiga' by eliminating the hordes of miscellaneous youkai roaming within the forbidden territory.

The second stage involved isolating and monitoring the surroundings of 'Mayoiga.' Find the boundaries in all directions and prepare to deploy a boundary using the spiritual energy sucked from the branches of the spiritual veins as fuel. This was done to gather the dependent youkai that would likely be expelled once 'Mayoiga' was destroyed and exterminate them in one fell swoop.

Finally, the third and final stage arrived. This is where the main group arrives. It is unnecessary to attract more youkai by densely clustering individuals with immense spiritual power. Hence, they were held in reserve until preparations were complete. Along with the vanguard team, they unleashed their most powerful techniques, striking relentlessly and showering the enemy. They focused their firepower, tearing through the outer shell and destroying the core in one swift motion. The remaining youkais hiding within the Mayoiga would be expelled to some extent, and the boundaries would ensure their thorough eradication. With that, it would be finished.

By the way, this time, the Onitsuki family's head, Lady Onitsuki Sumire, and her daughter, Gorilla-sama, as well as the master-disciple duo Murasaki and Tamaki, are scheduled to accompany the main force. Most likely, Suzune and Iruka will also come as their escorts. With this lineup, there should be no risk of encountering danger, or so I would like to believe.

"...That's the method to exterminate the 'Mayoiga' that even a monkey can understand. Well, as always, it's up to the exorcists to take the lead, while we handle the miscellaneous tasks. I certainly don't expect much from rookie youngsters like you. You can focus on keeping an eye on the surroundings."

As I rode on horseback, I arrogantly declared to the nearby group walking beside me.

"...Although, with this many people, the surveillance might become strict."

"You're making too much noise, you damn brats!"

When I questioned the exhausted and sweaty kids, barely making their way through the mountain, they immediately responded with high-pitched insults. Hmm, it seems they still have some energy left. Oh, I envy the young ones. But...

"Don't get emotional and start shouting. It's like telling those youkai exactly where you are. If you want to live longer, you need to control your emotions and be aware of your surroundings... You wouldn't want to end up as a feast for those monsters, would you?"

"Tch!"

As I offered advice as their senior, the leader of the brats clicked his tongue with vigor. The rest of them either glared at me or looked around anxiously, each displaying their own reactions.

"...Yun-shoku, don't scare them too much. The brats will just shrink away."

Kashiwagi, appointed as the team leader and instructor for the kids, turned his elderly face towards me. He stroked the head of one of the frightened youngsters and shrugged his shoulders, sighing.

Being a long-serving member of the servant groups, Kashiwagi had been capably fulfilling the role of team leader for the past two years. He was already accustomed to dealing with younger individuals. That's why he was chosen for this position. And it seemed like the decision was not wrong, judging by the kids' unwilling but unresisting attitude.

Well...

"Hey, can you say that? Have you forgotten the hardships you faced with Miss Ayaka in the midst of the mist?"

I countered his opinions based on our shared experiences. In the mountains infested with mists, where all senses went awry, we were surrounded by youkai without even realizing it, resulting in a disastrous situation. Has he forgotten about it?

"Fortunately, I didn't end up as a ragged cloth like Yun-shoku did. So... I'm not saying we should let our guard down, but given the characteristics of our target and the number of people, we don't need to be so tense. The brats can't handle it."

Kashiwagi retorted casually and glanced at the line. The vanguard team consisted of ten exorcists and around forty Servant Group members, while ten members of the Hidden Group were on guard duty around the line sides and periphery. Including the miscellaneous caretakers and laborers, the total number exceeded forty. Despite being slightly undermanned to completely destroy the target 'Mayoiga,' it was still a sufficiently sizable force.

Furthermore, no matter how many times I count, it feels like there is one extra laborer. It seems like there's a noisy demon (oni) cracking lewd jokes, but I won't point it out. She's good at obstructing perception for no reason.

...Oops, I'm getting off track here. Well, based on my past experiences, encountering a great youkai that messes with your senses is not something that happens often. With the firepower we have, we can easily defeat youkai of medium and small stature. Considering the passive nature of 'Mayoiga,' Kashiwagi's opinion couldn't be denied. Anyway, it would be difficult for the damn brats, who haven't completed their training, to remain constantly alert and vigilant.

Yes, normally...

(I remember now, there's supposed to be an ambush before the main force arrives...)

I recall my memories from a past life. The timing is different, but in the original game and novel versions, the protagonist dispatched with the vanguard team was supposed to be attacked by a horde of youkai. They were sandwiched between the 'Mayoiga' territory and the swarm of youkai. In the game, if he/she made the wrong choices, and in the novel, after a struggle, the protagonist and several others were trapped in the labyrinth of 'Mayoiga'...

(Of course, it's not directly applicable since it deviates greatly from the original...)

* * *

"It has been resolved. The vanguard group was attacked by youkai, but we managed to defeat them all. As far as we can ascertain at the moment, one member of the Hidden Group and two servant group members have been injured. We are currently organizing the line and maintaining vigilance in the surrounding area. We are also preparing to collect the youkai corpses and incinerate them with oil."

"I see."

Miyamizu Shizu's response to the concise report and precise judgment was cold.

"Very well. Resume the march as soon as the post-processing is complete. Time is limited. I will not tolerate unnecessary waste of time."

"Yes!"

Even before Yun-shoku could respond, Shizu had already turned on her heel. However, just as she was about to return inside the wagon, she was called back.

"...What is it? If it's something trivial, I will impose punishment on you."

"It's about the injured individuals. Although they are not members of our household, it seems there are medical deficiencies in the other family. We can't afford to reduce our personnel count. Would it be acceptable for us to provide first aid?"

Upon Yun-shoku (允職)'s request, Shizu's face twisted into an expression of displeasure. She directed an obvious hostility towards him, glaring at the servant in silence...

"Tch, understood. Finish it quickly."

"Yes!"

With a click of her tongue, Shizu gave her approval, and Yun-shoku expressed his gratitude respectfully. Ignoring his voice, Shizu returned to the wagon.

"So, how was it, Shizu-dono?"

"It seems they have already finished the aftermath. We should start moving soon."

"Well, well..."

"It's truly befitting of the prestigious Onitsuki family. Even the servant is provided with excellent horse."

"He has received proper training as well. He is efficient in his work despite being servant."

"Thank you for your compliment."

After sipping from her teacup, an elderly exorcist dispatched from the Igarashi family started praising the tea, followed by other exorcists. Shizu responded with a bow and a courteous reply, while inwardly cursing.

(How contrived...!)

If she recalls correctly, the servant groups deployed in the vanguard column belonged to the Igarashi family. It was no coincidence that the old man was the first to speak up. Given the circumstances, Shizu had no choice but to accept the proposal made by that servant. And most likely, that servant had anticipated her response.

(He's cunning. It's dangerous.)

The entire conversation earlier was abnormal to begin with. The servant was exceeding his role by autonomously making judgments. Not only was he considering his own subordinates but also collaborating and interacting with members of other households, exerting indirect influence. Moreover, he was acting in a way that would go unnoticed by the indifferent majority of exorcists...

"...!!"

Shizuka, who has returned to Hina's side, bites her back teeth hard as she realizes the situation again.

In fact, Miyamizu Shizu held contempt for servants, but she couldn't deny that Yun-shoku was too much of a risk. He used his position under the protection of Onitsuki's second princess and even manipulated political struggles to secure his own life and freedom of action. And considering his background, she couldn't afford to be unguarded. She deliberately showed indifference to the exhaustion of the servant groups, hoping for Yun-shoku to fail, be demoted, or even die.

...And that Yun-shoku was cunningly surpassing Shizu's expectations, using his wit and resourcefulness as a servant. Moreover, he was gaining popularity and influence among the servant group.

(He's truly troublesome!)