Chapter 182-2

Chapter 182-2

[Part 2/4]

"You're one of the smarter ones among the successors. What a shame."

That was a lament with a double meaning. One was about her background, knowing she would never join as his ally, and the other meaning was...

"Did she run away?"

'Yeah, it's because of your laziness. What should I do about it?'

The 'ghost' answered cheerfully to the call from his other disciple, who had come with the Kappa from deep within the cave. The words were clearly half-joking, but his other disciple, Kamui, couldn't help but show a grim expression.

"Please spare me. You're just going to make up some excuse and cut me open anyway."

He had been through this many times before. He had been put to sleep with drugs, and when he woke up, he found himself cut open by his master. This had happened more than ten times, and he knew he had been messed with more than the fingers on both hands and feet.

'No, no. This is out of goodwill. Besides, you can't just take her kunai and leave it at that, right?'

"Is that... could it be... ugh!?"

A bad feeling arose from his master's words. Kamui groaned while holding his chest. It was just as he feared.

'Whether it's a drug, a curse, or a curse tool, she has prepared well. It seems to have some effect even on shadows (Kamui).'

It was meant to kill, but it seemed too strong. Her intent to kill was very powerful, especially since it affected shadows. In fact, it was only because it was a shadow that it was still manageable.

'For now, let's go with your surgery. Ah, just send some random soldiers after her. They'll lose track anyway.'

All the guards, including the foxes, missed this. They were finally caught in an ambush trap themselves on cave. So, it's better not to think they can properly search, capture, or kill with just the pieces he can move now.

In fact, in the time of great chaos, that Tanuki managed to sneak up to the leader as part of an assassination squad. The 'ghost' saw it happen. In the end, the mission failed, and everyone except her was wiped out. Most of the executives didn't even notice until it was too late. Sadly, none of those who realized this at the last moment are alive now.

...Anyway, for now.

'Prepare to withdraw. We'll leave just a decoy at the 6th ranch and pull back. The extermination team will be sent soon enough.'

When he ordered the Kappa, the modified Kappa, who had been standing around blankly, began to move with a dazed expression, trying to fulfill their role.

These modified Kappa had parasitic youkai bugs twisted into their hosts' heads beforehand. They were now just the loyal hands and feet of the 'ghost', independent from the collective knowledge of the Kappa sleeping in the abyss, and nothing more...

That's why, even when her master's princess was filled with joy, it felt better that she could gather herself again. The incident at the orphanage, where she shared deep words with him, brought a moment of peace and comfort for the remnants of the white fox. ...Or at least, it was supposed to.

Haunted by fever, she sensed something was wrong. It felt like a volcano ready to erupt inside her chest. Her thoughts were foggy. Something was there, and by the time she realized it, it was too late.

In the mirror, she saw something that shouldn't be there──a sight to avoid. It was a changed face, maybe even a glimpse of her past self. Her blood ran cold as despair washed over her. An overwhelming power surged from deep within her mind, filling her with fear and memories.

The past she thought she left behind returned, and it was in the orphanage where the director was absent! This should never have happened. She felt afraid. She deeply feared a future she couldn't change.

What would others think if they saw this? What kind of looks would they give? It was terrifying. More than anything, she feared losing herself even more. Her heart was drawn to her violent and cruel past self. What about her heart? Could she be sure her instincts wouldn't awaken or that her youkai side wouldn't emerge? If she couldn't hold it back, how long until it burst forth? She didn't know. She didn't understand anything. But she couldn't feel optimistic. Who could she rely on?

Lost, scared, and confused, her body moved on its own when that moment came. She hated herself. Her actions were smooth and arrogant, just like her past, flowing effortlessly. Her tone, her curse──it was more than a copy; it was the very essence of who she had been. She loathed it. So, in despair, she made a resolution.

She couldn't go back or change what had happened. She couldn't make excuses. As she talked and pretended, it became a certainty. In a way, it was a childish acceptance. In the worsening situation, she had given up on herself. But taking action was still scary, and deep down, she felt regret. She held on to fleeting memories that flashed through her mind, and the white fox desperately repeated them inside.

She had forgotten that her past self, with its incredible strength, hadn't even grasped the essence of the techniques her older sister had taught her──not even halfway.

...

......

.........

"W-why...?"

Then time rewound, and the captured white fox murmured a question from behind. No, it had always been like this. Everything was unexpected.

A powerful illusion rewrote history──a grand illusion with limited power to alter the past. It was meant to erase her existence.

The curse cast by the director Tanuki targeted her current self, aiming at "Shiro." So, if this illusion could "insert" events into the past, it shouldn't pose a problem. It was her choice made in confusion to eliminate the part of herself that could go out of control at any moment.

After all, she was too scared to end her life, believing he would break her illusion and help her cope with her loss. She might not have fully understood the technique, or perhaps she was just clumsy. She even involved the princess who had been with her, forgetting to overwrite her memories from just before. Yet, when it was pointed out, she immediately tried to cover it up. Her resolve wavered with those words, and this is what happened.

"How...?"

"Are you wondering why your illusion is slipping from your hands?"

In response to the white fox's question, the black fox spoke instead. Speaking, she sneered mockingly.