Chapter 171-4 |
[Part 4/4]
"Uh, that's... everyone's already gathered and eaten them all..."
"..."
By the way, nothing strange happened. We just ate and scattered, and everyone got a treat. It was a rusty start, but at least it was a start.
* * *
"Hey, how about it? Want to ride together?"
It was a proposal for Princess Miyataka, who was walking alone on a rural path in the evening, holding an umbrella, when there were few people around.
"Oh my, is that an invitation to a secret meeting? Sorry, but... are you the one?"
"There's no need to be that disappointed... so, what do you want to do? Want to ride? Don't worry, there's no trap. It's just a walk from here to our destination, and it's not like you'll get sweaty and un-ladylike in this early summer weather."
"Isn't it better to have that kind of hobby?"
"At least this time it's different, right?"
"Tch."
Shinobu clicked my tongue. She was disappointed. There was no way out, so she reluctantly got in the carriage. As she stepped inside, the cool air caressed her skin, making her involuntarily blink.
"What's this, 'Mayoiga'?"
"Sorry, it's a snow spirit."
Before she could say anything, a bunch of youkai, about the size of a palm, appeared from behind the driver's seat. They were covered in straw and wore masks, and they started walking around the carriage on their own. They were emitting a chilly aura from their bodies.
"Did you create something really weird again? Is it artificial? Cultivated?"
"It's both. The youkai spirit are a subspecies of gods or youkai. They're temporary lives created by the 'Reiki (energy)' that overflows from the Spiritual Vein. Or you could say they're phenomena that behave like lives. They're short-lived, though."
In a way, it was mysterious, but if she looked at it differently, it was just a natural phenomenon that consumed the saturated "Reiki (energy)". It was similar to wildfires or lightning. The snow spirit was one of those phenomena, only visible in the winter at the boundaries of the Spiritual Vein where humans couldn't reach. ...Originally, that is.
"I borrowed Minister's ice room and conducted an experiment. I covered the spiritual water with a nucleus and preserved it. The nucleus is a shape that fixes the direction of spiritual power. It's connected to the branches of the Spiritual Vein in the center region, and amazingly, these snow spirits were created."
As he clapped my hands, the snow spirits clapped their hands too, just like him. It was like they were mimickinge. It was a simple reflex, but it was also cute and comical.
"Hmm, is that your idea? But, aren't you exorcists doing another weird experiment again?"
The being in front of her was a creature that would perform a grand ritual of forbidden magic, preparing a large amount of offerings. She couldn't understand why he would do such a small experiment now. It was like a blacksmith who could forge an Oni-killing sword was instead carefully crafting a small knife. It was just too mismatched.
"Ah, basic research is crucial, you know. Technology in the world is advancing every day, after all. Even if it's not grand, we can now conduct delicate experiments that were impossible in the past. As a researcher, it's a joyous limit. It's a great era, isn't it?"
"That's quite a feat. You've committed taboo and betrayed your country, and yet you seem to be enjoying it... You even took care of that young lady with a smile, didn't you?"
Shinobu's thoughts were filled with the atrocities the ghost (Nue) had committed in the past. She couldn't forget the bitter taste. The ghost had taken care of the Minister of the Left's adopted daughter and real granddaughter with great pleasure, and yet, the granddaughter would always smile deceitfully, trying to use her respected grandfather for her own gain.
...The ghost himself didn't care at all, but Shinobu couldn't help but feel foolish for not being able to see through her grandfather's true intentions. If she found out that her parents' death was her grandfather's doing, what kind of foolish face would she make?
"Don't bully me like that. Isn't it because you raised me to be foolish that it can't be helped? Aren't you cute?"
"Bad character."
Even Matsuhige's daughter, whom he had taken care of, was a truly wicked spirit. The Minister of the Left was probably the same, but didn't this man have a warped way of expressing love?
"That's a terrible thing to say. Let the cute child go on a journey, okay? They say a lion throws its cubs off a cliff to toughen them up. That's what they call tough love."
"Hmm, is that so?"
The ghost's words, as a teacher, comrade, and collaborator, echoed in her mind. The officer goverment's facial muscles, which were supposed to be stern, twisted into a loving expression. It was disgusting to see him being so indulgent. This guy's brain was still ridiculous. Had he lived too long? Was it a curse?
"That's right. That's...well, it's like finding a treasure, isn't it? Anyway, it's a filial piety beyond expectations."
"I've started to feel sorry for that guy..."
As Shinobu toy with the snow spirit fluttering around her, she thinks deeply in her heart. To this guy, that man is essentially the same as this snow spirit. Of course, that includes herself, Matsuhige's daughter, and Ezo's man as well. They're all just test subjects for observation and experimentation... or maybe even specimens.
(Well, that's fine, I suppose)
From the start, she's been treated like that, so she's made up her mind. It's a mentorship based on mutual understanding, and cooperation. That's why she's been able to overcome hardships and survive until today. There's no gratitude, just a transaction. She has to pay the price for what she's received.
She herself wants everything to become a chaotic mess, deep down in her heart...
"...We've arrived."
The carriage stops. The ghost looks out the window. Before she know it, evening has fallen, and the starry sky is shining brightly above the city outskirts. A town surrounded by a fantasy-like glow, a birdcage city filled with illusions. A paradise of vanity. A city of colors...
"Shall we go inside?"
"Wait, shouldn't we? It's not a good idea to enter with the Minister's family crest on the car, don't you think?"
The granddaughter who exposed the family's shame, is about to bark. She's a clean and proper girl of her age. There's no way she can accept such a thing.
"That's a fun reaction, though. The way you try to chase me out of the house with your stubborn head is quite entertaining."
"Let me correct you. You're not just bad, you're beyond bad."
Shinobu carelessly tossed the snow spirit aside and got out of the car. With her boyish appearance and bewitching beauty, she stunned the gatekeepers and passersby. Some of the old men whispered to each other, wondering which high-class courtesan she might be. And to think she came out of the Minister's luxurious car...
"Well, shall we live on, then?"
Let's go, let's live, let's indulge, let's die. Whether it's a mundane world or a world of suffering, it's all about fulfilling our fundamental desires. So, let's do it with a smile, without any regrets.
"With me, huh? Shinobu Oshidari?"
The girl with the purple crystal-like demonic eyes stroked her hair, and the libertine danced through the city of pleasure, reveling in its debauchery....
* * *
"Hah! So, I'm back, servant! So, serve the guest properly this time!! I'll look forward to it...!!"
"And I'm here too... Ah, I brought souvenirs. Here you go."
"What the...?! You're... Ugh, what is this?!?"
The young lady of the Akō family, standing with her feet shoulder-width apart, let out a loud shriek as a thick, sticky rod was slapped onto her cheek. By the way, it was actually a freshly delivered sea cucumber from the Nakatsu Ironworks. ...Ah, I think I just threw up.
"Aaaaahhh!? It's white and sticky, and it's...!!? Kyun."
"Young lady, aaaaahhh...?!"
The maid, who was covered in a massive amount of white, sticky threads, was freaking out and screaming as she rushed over. The clumsy actor, on the other hand, was holding a red-black thing in both hands and playing with it, making silly faces. The thing was extremely sensitive and was writhing around, spitting out white stuff nonstop. Ugh, what are you doing? Are you playing with sea cucumber or something? I have no idea...
"Hey, is that delicious? Can I have a bite?"
"...Only after it's been cooked."
I was seeking self-control as I gazed at the airheaded lizard girl Akane, who was saying ridiculous things with a sparkling eye.
...I guess I should start by cleaning up the stinky, white mess that's scattered all over the bed?
