"Hehehe, now, Miss Tamaki, please don't hesitate to indulge. There's plenty more if you desire."
"Y-yes..."
The lady with purple hair sitting at the head of the table smiles warmly, her eyes slightly narrowed. Hotoya's young lady, while perplexed by her teacher's kindness, bows and accepts the sweets offered to her, cautiously reaching out her hand. She takes a small bite and chews, the taste of the confection, soaked in black sugar and honey, undoubtedly delicious. Girls have a weakness for sweets, and Tamaki, a girl in her prime, is no exception. However... unfortunately, Tamaki can hardly taste the rich sweetness. There is no room for such luxury.
"..."
Tamaki looks at the peach-colored princess sitting to her left. She has remained silent since earlier. Leaning on her elbow, she rests her cheek on her hand with a composed expression. However, the atmosphere surrounding her feels heavy, almost as if she is in a bad mood. The half-youkai servant standing behind her cowers in fear.
"..."
Tamaki looks at the purple-haired princess, her senior disciple, sitting to her right. She, too, has been silent since earlier. Although she was actively engaging in conversation with Onitsuki's second princess just a while ago, she has now been commanded to remain silent, her eyes brimming with tears.
...Her legs must have become numb from sitting in seiza for so long.
"Oh, Miss Tamaki, is something the matter?"
"N-No... there's nothing."
The lady at the head of the table mocks Tamaki's nervousness as if nothing is wrong. Tamaki's expression twitches slightly, but she gently brushes it off. She concentrates on consuming the sweets in front of her, escaping into a realm of illusion. By the way, Suzune, who is standing behind Tamaki, does the same. She tightens her lips and remains silent, a single bead of sweat rolling down her forehead.
"Oh my, what a delightful appetite. Now, would you like some more tea? Sweet flavors can make one thirsty, you know?"
At Onitsuki Sumire's signal, as she taps her spoon on the tea utensils, each teacup and teapot begins to move on their own accord, dancing and swirling in a choreographed serving routine. A teacup filled with pleasantly warm green tea springs toward Tamaki, landing on the saucer with a gentle thud. Remarkably, despite its lively performance, not a single drop spills over.
"Th-Thank you very much..."
"You're welcome. ...Hehehe, indeed, a journey with many companions is quite enjoyable. It's not as boring as traveling alone."
Smiling in response to Tamaki's slightly awkward gratitude, Sumire complies. She nonchalantly comments on this heavy journey, presenting it as something pleasant.
"Traveling alone, is it? I heard you had been away from the house for a long time..."
Inquiring about it as if she suddenly remembered, Tamaki glances at the princess sitting to her left, sensing an unsettling aura emanating from her. She becomes nervous, thinking she might have said something inappropriate. As for Suzune, who has a low resistance to spiritual pressure, she trembles in surprise.
"Yes. Due to certain circumstances, I traveled outside the country of Fusou. My daughter must have felt lonely because of it. I apologize, Aoi."
Beside her, Sumire seems unconcerned about the atmosphere her daughter exudes. She closes her eyes, displaying a melancholic expression, and finally, she calmly apologizes to her daughter.
"...Please don't worry, Mother. I understand the circumstances, so please don't let it bother you."
After a brief silence, Aoi politely responds. However, her words lack any emotion, and she doesn't even make eye contact. It seems like a mechanical reply, at least that's how it appears to Tamaki.
Tamaki is perplexed. For Tamaki, who had grown up in a happy family with full of love even if they were not related by blood, it was hard for her to understand the disturbing atmosphere between Sumire and Aoi. However, she also understands that it's a territory where outsiders should not casually intrude, which forces Tamaki into silence and conflict.
(What a dilemma...)
Family is an important presence. It should be filled with love and affection. It should be bound by strong bonds. That's the right form. Tamaki believed in that. She doesn't know what happened between the two. Nevertheless, such a relationship is wrong...!!
(Come to think of it, Princess Aoi's relationship with Princess Hina is... truly difficult too.)
It's not a simple sibling quarrel, making it a troublesome matter. Tamaki sighs inwardly, feeling that her family and the situation are completely different. She sighs, but still wonders if there's anything she can do.
(Come to think of it... doesn't Tomobe-san know them both?)
She heard that he used to be a playmate for Princess Aoi when they were young. He also came to help her in Hotoya. At the same time, he is also a vassal favored by the second princess. In the midst of factional disputes, there probably aren't many people who have such a connection with both of them.
Tamaki is half-seriously contemplating seeking his cooperation and finding a way to reconcile them... somehow. Of course, if she were to ask him for such a thing, it would be an outrageous request.
"...Oh, what is this presence?"
"Huh?"
It happened just as Tamaki was thinking about such things. Suddenly, Sumire stands up as if she has noticed something. Almost simultaneously, Aoi and Murasaki, with a slight delay, also become aware. They each grab their weapons and start walking. Everyone, without exception, heads toward the entrance and exit of the carriage.
...It's not worth worrying about the fact that Murasaki fell on her backside the moment she stood up due to her legs being numb.
"Eh? Huh? Huh?"
Tamaki, as if completely clueless, turns her gaze to the surrounding people who have started moving. She looks confused, glancing from one person to another.
"..."
"Ouch... Oh? My mouth...!! Ah, there are youkai approaching! Quick, prepare yourself...!!"
After Aoi releases the restraints with her spiritual words, Murasaki, who has regained the ability to speak, notices the situation and immediately orders the confused Tamaki.
"Wha!? Y-Yes! I understand!"
Upon hearing Murasaki's words, Tamaki finally grasps the situation. She hastily reaches for her nearby sword and stands up.
"Yona, you don't need to assist. Hide yourself! Understood!?"
"Pr-Princess, but I...!"
"Shiro, you stay there too. You'll be in the way."
"Ah, a-also, Suzune, stay here!"
"Miss..."
As Murasaki scolds Yona, who was trying to accompany her with a dagger in hand, Murasaki orders her to wait as if scolding her. At almost the same time, the second princess orders Shiro who was about to rush over. Seeing all this, Tamaki quickly remembers and gives orders to her own maid as if recalling. Iruka, in any case, couldn't expose Suzune to danger.
"...!!"
With Sumire leading the way, the princesses and the young ladies descend from the carriage. As they pass through the entrance and exit of the ox cart, a freezing wind brushes against Tamaki's cheek, causing her expression to twist involuntarily.
The ox cart has stopped on a mountain road surrounded by deep forests. The line itself has already come to a halt, with servants and members of the Hidden Group on high alert. Tamaki spots the figure of her half-youkai friend, issuing rough instructions to the laborers and servants.
"They're here...!!"
Tamaki is about to call out, but stops herself at the last moment. She knows she can't be so selfish. Lives are at stake in this situation, and there's no time to be so carefree.
"How are things looking?"
"I heard a roar earlier. It seems like a formidable creature is approaching."
As Sumire inquired, the members of the Hidden Group standing nearby answered. Sumire responded briefly, directing her cold gaze toward the direction of the thunderous noise.
"A great youkai, I presume? And... are there several medium-level youkai as well?"
"They're not worth much. Should we leave them to the others?"
With Murasaki in a combat stance, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword, she predicts the opponent's caliber with a stern expression. Aoi, on the other hand, looking truly disappointed, declares that it's not as thrilling as expected. While it may be different for ordinary people, first-class exorcists wouldn't fall behind against a great youkai unless they were extremely careless. Aoi dismisses them as mere small fry, suggesting that the second-rate individuals accompanying them should handle it.
"That's a bit...!"
"Everyone, stay calm. We shouldn't make unnecessary noise. Don't interfere with our vigilance."
Tamaki, about to protest Aoi's irresponsible statement, is lightly scolded by Sumire, who addresses everyone present. Then, she draws her sword... no, her daikon radish.
"This will serve as good practice. If they've come this far, allow me to handle it."
Although it may seem ridiculous at first glance, as soon as Sumire tenses up, Tamaki feels as if the surrounding temperature has dropped drastically due to the surging spiritual energy and killing intent. Perhaps the others also sense the same. Everyone, except Aoi, involuntarily holds their breath and breaks into a cold sweat. Servants, laborers, and miscellaneous people among them even lose their footing.
"Well, that's true..."
"Huh...?"
Then, immediately after, Sumire murmurs and casually releases her stance. The pressure and aura instantly disperse. Tamaki, Murasaki, and the others are puzzled by Sumire's actions, but a moment later, Murasaki senses something and gazes into the depths of the forest. Aoi, on the other hand, fans herself as if nothing is happening.
A few moments later, it arrives.
'Roarrrrr!!!!??"
With a thunderous sound, it leaps out from the depths of the mountains and forests. It is a creature that resembles a combination of a snake and an earthworm. It has a head with a mouth full of countless fangs and a body as thick as a large tree.
It is said to be a fallen earth spirit called "Nozuchi." It is a great youkai, and the creature spews saliva while letting out a piercing scream. Its roar shakes the ground. Upon witnessing its grotesque form and hearing its voice, Tamaki lets out a small scream and instinctively unsheathes her sword. And then...
"It seems the battle has been settled even without our intervention."
At the same time as her master sheathes her daikon radish, the dying screams of Nozuchi echo, and it breathes its last.
"Huh...?"
With a thud, it collapses on the spot, causing the mountain to tremble. Tamaki is left dumbfounded, not understanding what has happened. But as she focuses her gaze on the corpse in front of her, she finally realizes the various scars carved all over its body...
"W-What happened?"
"You've handled it well, Yun-shoku. It seems the vanguard team's mission is going smoothly, huh?"
Tamaki is perplexed. Naturally, Sumire calls out. She calls out into the depths of the forest. Tamaki, momentarily confused by the meaning of her words, suddenly comprehends and looks towards the darkness of the deep forest in astonishment.
Emerging from the depths of the forest, covered in tattered black attire and with a barely breathless Hannya mask, the figure kneels and respectfully bows upon acknowledging Sumire and the others' presence...
* * *
"...So, Shizu, could you update me on the progress?"
The vanguard team and the main force of the "Mount Hōraku's Mayoiga" extermination team had successfully joined forces about an hour ago. At the same time, Onitsuki Sumire, who is responsible for both the main force and the team itself, allowed the team to rest and asked Shizu for an update.
"Everything is going smoothly. We have already cleared out all the miscellaneous youkai in this area. The deployment of the boundary is halfway complete, so everything is progressing without any problems."
"That's good to hear. So, there haven't been any significant issues so far?"
"Well, if I had to mention something, it would be about Princess Hina..."
In response to Sumire's question, Shizu, with a bitter expression, brings up a concern.
A few days ago, when Onitsuki Hina, the leader of the vanguard team, unilaterally exterminated the Ōsanshōuo, there was only a brief report afterward. This raised concerns that it might be seen as disregarding other families. However, it is also a fact that the most troublesome group of youkai in this area has been eliminated. Still, Shizu is aware that there are whispers of discontent and resentment behind the scenes.
"I have heard about it from the shikigami in advance. I apologize for any trouble caused, Miyamizu. As Hina's stepmother, I will also speak to her. Please bear with it."
