Chapter 167-1

Chapter 167-1

[Part 1/4]

"Why... Why are you like this?"

The intense pain where her arm was cut off was unbearable, but the girl didn't care about it anymore. What hurt her more than anything was the expression on the young man's face before her.

His expression displayed not just confusion but also shock, despair, and fear. He held her arm tightly with wrinkled hands. On the ground lay writing tools, scrolls, and countless jet-black crow feathers...

As she thought about her actions, her intentions, and the outcome, she understood how serious the situation was. She raised her dirty face.

In the dark forest at night, unable to move, she gazed up at him...

"No, this is...! N-no, no!!"

"Don't speak! I won't allow you to use Kotodama (word technique)...!!"

"A chain or rope!! Bring more of those!! We can't stop this one with just this!!" Updated from n0velbIn.(c)o/m

As soon as the exorcist girl opened her mouths to apologize, she was gagged. With strengthened wings, limbs, and spiritual power, they relentlessly sealed her with specially trained chains and custom-made ropes.

Even with one arm gone, the girl stayed alert, mercilessly dealing with any part of their enemies. Spending her life fighting clever monsters, she understood that any mistake could mean their end. Swiftly cutting off heads was seen as a kind act. At first, there were only two of them, but soon more allies arrived, overpowering her.

"Phew. That was close..."

"Leader!"

Someone emerged from the bushes. The girl, lying on the ground, pleaded for understanding, if not innocence. She sought defense from her.

"To think you'd resort to such deeds at this juncture... Truly, even half-transformed, monsters are still monsters. One must remain vigilant."

"Ugh!?"

But a cold, indifferent gaze looked down upon her. She couldn't help but shiver at the lack of warmth in those eyes, so devoid of humanity.

Why? How? Hadn't they endured hardships together, cooperated for his sake? How could this be happening?

"Leader, what should we do? Should we..."

"It's not our place to decide her fate. However... it's unlikely we can seek judgment now. Restrain her, take her away. It's not proper to expose her any further in front of our lord."

Following the leader's orders, her subordinates respectfully escorted her away. They all agreed with the urgency of the situation.

They didn't want to burden the young man they had chosen as their new leader any further. They had decided to look up to him for guidance.

"Yotachi!"

"It's dangerous!! Stay back!!"

This was about 1500 years ago. A very delicate moment indeed...

* * *

"Disappearrrr!!"

'Ki!?'

In the deep forbidden mountains, a samurai clad in armor like a lump of iron suddenly emerged from the bushes with a strange cry and charged forward recklessly. He swung his sword down. Or perhaps it would be more appropriate to say he smashed it down. Either way, it was a fierce blow.

'Kya...'

With a single stroke, or rather, a single split, the youkai lurking in the Mt. Anma perished without even understanding what had happened, unable to even scream.

"Phewww...!"

Taking a deep breath, Ukon M (the warrior that battle with protagonist in the beginning of this arc) remained on guard with his sword ready. After a moment of vigilance... and confirming that there was no immediate threat, he signaled to the others.

"You've done well, Ukon. It's time for a break!"

"I've already taken down eight of them. That should be enough!"

Despite the encouragement from the samurais who also emerged from the bushes, Ukon shook his head.

"I can still go on. I can't afford to be discouraged by this."

Especially considering the proposal from the princess of Onitsuki.

To think that she was casually advancing into the forbidden forest as a diversion, considering her patriotic duty!

Their intrusion, under the guise of retrieving the fallen bodies from the attack, was met with little resistance from the Tengu. With only a few scattered troops and a reasonable excuse, the Tengu seemed hesitant to stop them by force, and so far, they hadn't encountered any obstacles.

"We're probably under surveillance."

"I don't care. I'd rather have it that way."

Drawing attention and gathering the surveillance, they assisted the princess's infiltration. So much so that they needed to attract even more attention.

"You talk too much. Let your actions speak louder than words."

Ukon cautioned his companions. Silence is golden. And for them, the task at hand was not something to be taken lightly. Retrieving the bodies was a serious effort. They couldn't leave the youkai's bait untouched. Especially if it belonged to someone with spiritual power...

"It should be around here..."

Ukon and his group had advanced to the point of contact between the Tengu and the diplomatic mission. It was the deepest penetration among several diversionary teams. They had a specific task of finding the remains of certain individuals.

"Do you think they've all been devoured already? I can't imagine those monsters leaving anything behind."