"If that's what you say..."
"Considering the number of captured individuals affiliated with the Onitsuki family..."
"If the Lady of the Onitsuki family herself says so, I suppose we can't complain any further."
"Indeed, let's offer our cooperation as much as we can."
Seeing Sumire openly taking full responsibility, they finally relented. They pretended to yield, while actually pushing all the responsibility onto her. As long as there was an excuse or an escape route, they would quickly shift their attention in that direction, as if it were a natural course of action.
"Everyone, I sincerely thank you. I promise that our family will compensate for the losses incurred this time."
Once again, she bowed, expressing her gratitude, and with these final words, most of the attendees accepted her offer. At least those who had only lost their servants or hired laborers did so. As for those whose family members had been captured, it was too late to change the course of events.
The Onitsuki family had suffered the most casualties, and as Sumire said, there was nothing they could do for those who had been captured. No one present could openly confront and oppose such a commotion.
In this way, the initiative shifted into Sumire's hands.
"Well then, for now, let's withdraw our forces. We have purged a significant number of roots and tendrils, but there may still be traps waiting. We can't afford to be attacked again."
Sumire's words were reasonable. It had been revealed that this entire area was covered by the roots of yokai underground, and they couldn't stay here indefinitely.
"Just to be safe, it would be better to plow the ground when setting up the new camp. Shizu-san, Murasaki-san, I will need your assistance later, okay?"
"Y-yes, understood!"
"Huh? Um, a-alright!"
The sudden call startled the two mentioned individuals, and they couldn't hide their confusion in their responses. Especially for Murasaki, who had just returned after exterminating the remaining roots and tendrils in the vicinity. She wondered why Sumire was holding the Onitsuki sisters in her arms.
"Well then, shall we move?"
Regardless, no one dared to oppose Sumire's lead in the meeting. In response to her words, the attendees began to take action, with the remaining servants, Hidden Group, and laborers from various families receiving instructions.
"You as well, all of Hotoya's attendants?"
Observing the scene, Sumire called out to Iruka and Suzune, smiling from the shadows of the tent. Without hesitation, the wolf girl and the tense maid raised their hands.
"I admire your determination to rescue your master who has been captured. Your loyalty is commendable. However, in this matter, such courage is reckless and resembles rashness, don't you think? Please desist. Understood?"
With a gentle but somewhat frivolous voice, Sumire warned Iruka and Suzune. She cautioned them.
"Y-Yes, Lady Sumire!"
"Suzune! No, stop!"
Whether it was due to Sumire's attitude or not, Suzune's face contorted as she ignored Iruka's attempts to stop her and rushed forward. She knelt before Sumire, literally touching her head to the ground, pleading for the rescue of Tamaki, who was presumed to be captured.
"I beg you!! Please save Miss Tamaki!! I implore you!!"
"I won't allow it."
Sumire immediately rejected Suzune's desperate plea, leaving her no room for argument.
"As I declared earlier, everything will be handled according to the regulations. No exceptions will be made."
"Is that...!? Heartless!!?"
Suzune was left speechless by Sumire's cold announcement. Although their acquaintance was not long, she was aware that Tamaki had a teacher-student relationship with Sumire. She had even witnessed Sumire's special attention towards Tamaki within the ox cart. There was no hostility or ill will towards her. And yet...!?
"Suzune, you idiot! Stop it!!"
"But... Iruka...!?"
"Just calm down, dammit!"
Iruka intervened from behind, stopping Suzune's persistent attempts. Suzune glared at her friend's callousness, but when she recognized Iruka's anguished expression, her face twisted.
"I understand your feelings, but stop. Your life is at stake...!"
"......!?"
Upon Iruka's warning, Suzune finally noticed the overwhelming killing intent emanating directly in front of her and staggered back, her legs trembling. Cold sweat surfaced as she felt the unyielding pressure from the smiling Lady Sumire.
The phrase "One Punishment, a Hundred Precepts" came to mind. It was a way to demonstrate to others who didn't comply with rules and instructions, aiming to maintain control over the surroundings... Suzune realized that she had come dangerously close to becoming that sacrifice.
"I-I apologize... I'm deeply sorry."
With a trembling voice, Suzune submitted. There was no choice but to submit. There were no other options. It was futile.
"...I hope you understand. I know. Keep your loyalty to your master in mind. However, for now, please restrain yourselves. Dealing with calamity youkai is a national duty and a collaborative effort. It cannot be driven solely by personal convenience. Please refrain from acting rashly."
With a glimpse of the maid's prostration, Sumire placated her with a bird-like voice, offering an excuse that hinted at defending her masters' families. She suggested that she would intercede to ensure they wouldn't face blame.
"Yes. Please, take care."
Suzune expressed her gratitude with a face that seemed to have crushed a dozen bitter bugs. It didn't appear that her feelings were mere lip service. If anything, it was humiliating. Memories of losing her family in the distant past came to mind. But... the fact was that she had no choice.
Presented with the stark reality, Suzune turned pale, her eyes moistening. She realized her powerlessness and felt pathetic, trembling with humiliation.
"...Now then, that wolf over here. I'll leave this maid to you, alright? She seems to be the attendant accompanying Miss Hotoya and is quite favored."
Smiling down at the now cooperative maid, Sumire nodded slightly. Then, she gave a brief command to Iruka, who was standing beside her, before turning on her heel and leaving the scene, still holding the Onitsuki sisters in her arms.
She paid no attention to the sobs that emanated from behind her. However, as she walked towards the tent set up in the rear to put the girls to sleep, she glanced once, only once.
"...Well then, shall we get a good show?"
Whispering like a murmur, her words were drowned out by the commotion of the surroundings...
* * *
'Sob... sob...'
'Hey, what's the matter? I'm right here, you know?'
'Don't you understand? Even though I'm so close...'
'Hihihi, what's wrong? Can't you see me?'
"..."
To the eerie calls that echoed by my ear, or sometimes right beside me, and at times from the ceiling or beneath my feet, I remained silent. I kept my eyes closed and continued walking along the walls. I treaded through the labyrinth of mirrors.
(It was worrying not knowing where each room leads, but... I got lucky with this one.)
After being relentlessly chased by youkai through endless corridors in a wretched room, I found solace in jumping into a room with sliding doors whose destination was unknown. The reason was simple. The difficulty level of the room I escaped to was low, at least for someone with knowledge of the original work... assuming everything was accurate.
The room I arrived in was a vast maze of mirrors. Every wall, floor, and even the ceiling was covered in mirrors. I knew the key to safely escaping this room was to avoid looking at the mirrors. That was all.
As long as the conditions weren't met, the mirror youkai couldn't directly harm me. So, I kept my eyes closed and walked along the walls of the maze. The mirror youkai attempted to entice me with various words, trying to make me open my eyes and show me the mirrors, but they were all illusions.
If the settings were correct, there were no traps or wandering youkai in this labyrinth. There were only those who tried to deceive or provoke me with their voices, seemingly originating from within the mirrors. It truly was a room designed to catch newcomers off guard.
In normal circumstances, being trapped inside 'Mayoiga' and continuously closing my sight in a room filled with mirrors would not be an easy choice. If the youkai were to ambush me or catch me off guard from behind, remaining unresponsive to the voices coming from all directions would also be challenging. Even I would have fallen into their trap in an instant, had I not possessed prior knowledge.
By the way, it's best to avoid unnecessary conversations, even without making eye contact. While they couldn't directly read my thoughts like a psychic youkai, they were tricky beings. They could glean various information from my responses and skillfully manipulate me. Casual conversation was dangerous. It was convenient to obscure my emotions by hiding my face with a mask.
"...!"
How far had I gone? Although it was difficult to rely on subjective time within 'Mayoiga,' after feeling lost for what felt like an hour... or maybe it wasn't reliable... I finally discovered it. Suddenly, amidst the labyrinth of mirrors, I felt the touch of wood. I briefly opened my eyes and saw a handle. It was a sliding door.
'Hey, hey, are you really going to leave?'
'Kyahaha, is that alright? You don't know what lies ahead, you know?'
'Instead of that, why don't you talk to us? You might come up with a good idea?'
'Yeah, discussing things is important, you know?'
